Chapter 23

There was a slow rumble from across the expanse, the growl defined fierceness, an anger that could transcend the depths of fire hell, vibrating the trees and echoing with a force. It was something that no one expected, not even Sesshomaru. Because, no one had ever witnessed the red anger that the little fox could harbor, it was as if the whole of Earth was shaking with a cause, a well justified reason, it was as if the heavens could roar in a fury that could only mean one thing, an apocalypse.

Something akin to pride swelled in Sesshomaru's chest, nestling somewhere beneath his heart, soaring his already pumped heart. A sense of happiness surged and it certainly had nothing to do with the little shock of shudder that the wolf prince gave out.

The growl, it was a shout of possessiveness, a mark of territory, something that the demons would honor and never dream of breaking it. It was only obvious, that Shippo looks at Kagome as his mother and Sesshomaru as his father. Anyone else, who isn't a friend, is off limits and under Shippo's nose, the wolf clan was definitely not a friend of the castle.

"Hm, Lord Inutaisho, why is there a little fox groveling at us?" The Wolf King asked, his eyes widening at the small stance that Shippo exhibited, his tail already curled and well tucked.

"Oh, hmm., that's our grandson" Inukimi rushed in, before her husband could ruin whatever good that was happening. She thanked her fates and the impeccable timing, and never simmered her grin that was etched wildly in her face when she saw the wolf prince's jaw wide open.

"Yes, he is Shippo, my Shippo" Kagome piped in, and Sesshomaru could only look at her and fall hard for her naivety. She never understood that the growl meant something else, a symbol of family and no one else could pave in, without a cause.

He gave a silent sigh, because, under the mustard pilfered rays, among the petals of roses, lilies and orchids, she looked like a legendary nymph, the one that is marveled in stories of their woven books, the one who is praised for an immortal beauty, the one who is defined as an epitome of purity and divinity. He could only stare, at her open arms, an invitation to give a nuzzle to their adopted son, who is currently devouring all the sweets and rubbing his cheeks against hers, as if he hadn't turned all the events upside down.

"Um, I think it's best to leave, now" The Wolf Queen demanded, giving an annoyed curtsy to Inukimi, who mirrored the same. The treaty among their kingdoms was signed well before, and being the families of royal, neither would break their word and paint a blood in their insignia. The reason for the evening invite was suddenly well highlighted, it is a show, that the human was not available for courting, a well plotted play to make sure that the word travels around the world.

"Oh, Okay." Kagome blinked and gave a small polite smile. Kouga stammered, unable to digest the events and moved away with the furry tail between his legs. Her line of vision was still on the wolf clan, as they hurried across the freshly lawned earth, as they turned to give one last lingering look towards the royal family and the red baby that giggled, nuzzling in her arms.

Sesshomaru finally gave a small smirk, something that was all the more rare, something that made Inukimi to look smug, something that almost missed Kagome's eyes.

"Well, Kagome, it seems that the fox is all but trouble. I almost thought that we could tie knots with the wolf family." Inutaisho pitched in, giving a sigh and earning a look of pure irritation from his mate.

The human in question blushed, turning red under the pale lulling sky, biting her lip. However, she never really thought that Sesshomaru would give out an involuntary tiny growl, the one that made her gasp and the one that made the Lord's ear tingle.

The one that finally rang a bell in the Western Lord's thoughts

~.~.~.~

It was when the moon had lit up the night's sky, the stars whispered some ounce of sense to the demon lord. He sat on his well cushioned chair, twirling on a single strand of silver in his finger, taking in long breaths that were uncalled for, thinking about the turn of events, making sure to remember all those signs that he had brushed it off as a mark of friendship.

It was like this, Inukimi found him, reminiscing over something that made him restless and she prayed to heavens above that the thought was really something that she had been hoping for a bit too long.

She graced their golden bed, dipping in the silk of sheets, her skin smooth and caramel under the beam of the night's luminance.

"My dear mate, why the serious face?" She called for him, her voice bouncing off the silent walls like a melody, her words had a tint of hope curled in it, a little of plea dripping in it.

"I never even gave it a thought. I didn't think it was really possible for Sesshomaru to fall in love in such a young age, to a human girl." He whispered and her whole body was flooded with relief.

Because, to finally have someone to see what exactly their son was going through, to have someone to understand her little plots was akin to joy.

"Finally. What gave it away?" She asked, mocking him, remembering the one of many arguments they had on the night of Kagome's ball, the one where he had a look of smugness when he said he knows his son better than anyone else.

"I knew he cared about her. We all do, she is an angel, a blessing in our family. But.." he dragged the sentence, as if his words doesn't make any sense even to him, as if it seemed impossible for missing the whole of the point completely these many days.

"And you aren't happy about that?" She asked, starring at her mate's troubled fate. She never thought he would have a problem with it, with Sesshomaru mating with Kagome. It never occurred to her before, that maybe, as a father he would be delighted, but as a king, as a leader of his clan, he wouldn't be. He needed a strong bloodline to continue, that one that is of pure breed.

"It's not that. It's just I couldn't believe that I was unaware of my own Son's heart. What if a prospective prince had claimed her heart that evening, and what if I had given my consent?." He worried over something that was buried in past, over something that didn't happen, fortunately.

"Taisho, let's be grateful then, stop worrying" She pushed the worry line that danced in his head, cradling his face, brushing aside the frown that creeped from nowhere.

"Are they aware if it?" He asked, musing over the hanging question finally. She knew that as a King, her mate was brilliant but when it comes to significant matters like this, the males lacked all the strategies and obviousness that was sitting across them.

"Taisho, how long did we take it to understand that our marriage was more than just a convenient alliance set up by our families. How long it took for you to accept the fact that there was something more than just a spark between us?" She asked, her brow raised in a perfect arch and he shook his head, reliving the memories that they shared.

"Hm, true indeed. Do you think that maybe you can talk about it to them?" The Demon lord asked, pacing around the room.

"I would, but they are in their prime, an age that demands them to rebel against whatever we tell them to do, so, if we pull them together, they are going to push away from each other" She insisted, proving yet another point.

"What would we do? I have to come up with valid reasons if I have to order a "no" to anyone who walks in and asks for Kagome's hand"

"Let's just hope that our kids would finally put aside their egos and speak out their hearts" The Lady of the West said, she has done her best, to stop the possible suitors to march in. She sighed again, wishing for a millionth time that she didn't have to deal with whatever mess that her son and Kagome were going to create.

~.~.~.~.~

She was walking in circles, in the brazen corridors, pacing across all the draped alcoves, thinking about all the events of the day.

She was in the middle of chewing her sharpened nails when she heard delicate footsteps echoing across the abyss. She shouldn't have been surprised to see the miko in all her white glory, her strands in a light knot, swaying over her waist, ruffling through the air as if she was the goddess from above.

"Kagome" She gave a nod and proceeded to walk past her, but then, something in the ether stirred and Kikiyo turned around to see the young girl lost in her thoughts.

"I can see that something is troubling you" She said, her voice too soft, a scratch of velvet and satin, floating in the dense air.

"Nothing that you can help with" Kagome said back, her face still turned towards the moon, hoping for a whisper of answers for all the unasked questions that rippled in the tip of her tongue.

"Hm, try me." She said, a look of challenge flashed over her eyes, glinting under the jeweled sky.

"I am not in the mood to fight over this, my heart is heavy and my eyes keep watering on their own and I get this lamenting aura around me. I think I will just go and sleep" She sighed, praying that the miko would finally leave her alone. The last thing she wanted to ask is whether Sesshomaru talks about her.

So.

"I can sense that whatever is troubling you, is altering your power and if you don't have a clear head, it is going to cost a lot more" Kikiyo said, not budging when Kagome stared back. It was like a battle of wills and eyes, seeing who would back down first.

Both had the heart of a warrior and neither of them willed to back down. The minutes rolled by and their gazes were in constant clash, as if one of them would burn a hole over the other.

It wasn't until they heard a small sigh from the other that made them to look over. Sesshomaru had his hair down, his silver mass reaching the floor almost, his fur curling across, waiting for its master's command patiently.

He stared at her, wondering if her lashes hold any uncomposed symphonies, whether she could see through his armored chest through his insignia, the heart that beats for her rhythm. He could defeat a million demons with a flip of his palm, but then, when it comes to Kagome, he feels as if all he could do is to surrender, to tell her all those words that the poets rambles off, to just let her know that she is an art.

But then, he never does.

So, he started walking in the nights, asking the moon about the stars, waiting for the answer, waiting for anything that would just take him mind off her.

He never thought that he would stumble upon her, sniffing the confusion and doubts lurking in her aura, a tinge of sadness penetrating in the air, too thick, that it seemed as if she had been dwelling in sadnesss for far too long.

How did he even miss it? The heart of hers skipped a beat and he could hear them flutter in her ribs, as if she is excited to see him. Maybe, she just loved the night so much, to catch all the stars singing for her.

"Sesshomaru" The miko heads in, a nod was sent as an acknowledgement.

"What are you doing here?" He leaves the question in the air, directing to both.

"Um, I just couldn't sleep" Kagome mumbled and it was then he noticed the purple bags under her eyes.

"Why?" He asked.

"Uh, the- Um, it's just" She tried, tried so hard to tell him that she missed him so much, to tell him that she would want nothing more than to train with him, to sneak out together, to have their little adventures because, without him, she is not herself and she felt as if she is just a shell, a sketch with no colours, an outline.

Kikiyo could see their struggle. It was too blatant, the inner tug of war that their hearts were having. The whole of sky felt as if it was lamenting for them. So, she scoffed.

"What's so funny, miko?" Sesshomaru questioned, his voice having the required and deserved bitterness floating.

"It is not often that I see brilliant people act so foolishly. But then, loves does that to all" She whispered and walked away, almost floating in the air itself, with footsteps that could barely be heard.

"Um., I have to go" Kagome flushed and rushed away, tagging behind Kikiyo, her eyes, bit too wide and panicked.

Sesshomaru sighed and continued his walking, wishing that he could fetch some words out in thin air that would swim its way to Kagome's ear.

'Wait. What?'

He suddenly stopped, his heart beating hard, his fur already bristling in the ends, his palm twitching.

"What did the miko say?" He asked himself, out loud and he knew he must look pathetic, talking to himself and was too glad that his brother was nowhere near to witness him being vulnerable.

But, really. He repeated the question only to find the answer hanging in front of him.

"Did the miko say 'love'?" He asked again – to no one in particular.

"I think she did" A voice comes in and he turned so fast, with no time to even remember to regret being off guard.

"Miroku"

"Lord Sesshomaru, my greetings." The young boy said, the smile little too wide in his face.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, his brow furrowed- because, does no one ever sleep in the night anymore?

"Oh, I was just coming from library, my lord, and then I came across you speaking with them. She did say 'love does that to them'" He repeated with a tint of smirk in the end.

"Shut up" Sesshomaru scowled.

"Are you blushing my lord?" Miroku goes ahead and asked.

"I am most certainly not" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, a pitiful attempt to regain his pride that seemed to have dissolved like a phantom.

"But, my lord, your cheeks are all little darker" Miroku said, taking a step forward to inspect them.

"Stay away, you imbecile" Sesshomaru lashed out for which Miroku just rolled his eyes.

"So, are you in love with Lady Kagome? I am sure she is" He whisperd.

"She is?" Sesshomaru, asked stunned. Because, suddenly, it was as if the moon got a whole lot inch bigger, it was as if the stars were kissing them with all the lucks.

"Oh, I don't know. But, I most certainly now know that you are in love with her." He smirked and Sesshomaru bit his tongue. He should just kill the stupid kid and feed them to the wolves.

"Shut up and know your place, young Miroku" His voice had the authority but it did next to nothing to simmer the glow in the boy's face.

'Oh god, I lost my touch of intimidation', he thinks, biting down his tongue.

"I do know my place. So, now that we established that you are in love-"

"We didn't establish anything" Sesshomaru cuts in.

"-do you think, that maybe Kagome is in love too?" Miroku asked as if he was never interrupted and Sesshomaru sighed.

"I.. I honestly don't know" Sesshomaru gives in. A good warrior should know when to give up – Lesson number 36 of battle strategies.

"hmm, maybe I should ask her"

"You WILL DO NO SUCH THING" Sesshomaru boomed, his cheeks tinted again and he most certainly shrieked, but he will deny it later.

"Oh, imagine your babies, maybe they would have Inuyasha's ears" He whispered.

"I thing I am going to be sick" Sesshomaru whispered.

"No, Miroku, my ears are rather unique and no one, I repeat no one would ever have my ears" Came in Inuyasha from one of the alcoves.

And Sesshomaru stood there, dumbstruck, cursing his senses, cursing his weakness and cursing the whole night, because- the Gods hated him and he could just die now in humiliation,

"Whatever got your tongue, brother" Inuyasha smirked and Sesshomaru wanted nothing more than to wipe that grin of his stupid brother's face.

"Shut up" He settled with that.

"So, what are we going to do? Do you know to compose some poems Sesshomaru? Huh?" He asked, his voice too brash and a bit too squeaky. (Puberty)

"Lower your voice" Sesshomaru sush-ed him, his anger already itching his palm and the palace walls certainely needed some decorations, maybe red, with Inuyasha's blood.

"Oh, my Kagome

Doth thee know,

That my heart beats for you.

Oh, my Kagome,

Look at my pretty hair

I would shave them for you

Make a pretty dress

Sewed with my tress

Oh my Kagome.."

Inuyahsa rambled off.

"SHUT UP" Sesshomaru promptly shouted, ignoring the hotness that reigned in his cheeks.

"MAKE ME" Inuyasha yelled.

"I WILL" Sessomaru said, his palms raising.

"BOYS!" Inutaisho came in from nowhere.

And Sesshomaru chokes, because, what the hell is wrong with his senses today? Because- would no one ever sleeps in this goddamn palace?

He sniffs the air again, waiting for anymore new voices.

"There is no one else" The Lord of the west confirms, rolling his eyes at his son.

"Nice poetry my son" He said, beaming to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru felt as if he could throw up, project vomit at the walls.

"Thank you papa" Inuyasha grinned back and Sesshomaru cursed his luck and his night, again.

He would never, ever roam the corridors again in the late night.

NEVER.

~.~.~

A/n : cheers! I'm so sorry for the late update.

Never will I do the same mistake again.

Hope you all liked it.

I hereby promise that the next chapter would be aimed in making Sesshomaru bite his tongue off, because, his family teaches him how to woo.

Hehe, I could mean like that! : )