Naraku checked his watch once again, tapping his short claws impatiently on the counter. Kagome was over two hours later, and she had better had one hell of an excuse.

He glanced at the candles he'd lit for her. They'd melted over halfway, and the wax was lying on his table. The fish he'd cooked was cooling, which meant it was a waste. A growl erupted from his lower chest.

Obviously, Kagome had no idea how hard he'd worked to prepare that meal. First, he'd had to purchase the poisonous blowfish. Then, he'd taken great precaution cutting it as to not release the toxins in it's veins. Oh, she'd better be dying for missing this!

Naraku sank into a chair, grabbing the glass of sake he'd poured himself, swirling it in it's glass. "Perhaps I took things a tad too far with Sesshomaru and Amaimaru the other night." He admitted glumly, taking a sip of the sake.

*Flashback*

"How kind of you to invite me to your home, Sesshomaru." Naraku said in a mocking tone, crossing his legs once he was sitting on Sesshomaru's couch.

"Do not think yourself special, Kuro." Sesshomaru snapped, glaring at him. "I simply did not plan to miss dinner with my wife." He put emphasis on the word 'wife'. "You sit here and look over the files as we eat. I will be done in less than an hour." Turning on his heel, he headed back into the dining room, taking his seat.

Kagome sighed, stabbing at her ramen with her chopsticks. "Sesshomaru, you should go back to Naraku. I'll be fine."

Sesshomaru looked up at her from his food before shaking his head lightly, his silver locks swishing. "I told you that we would share dinner."

"Instant ramen, Sesshomaru?"

"Hn. There was a slight change in plans due to a certain kumoyoukai," he frowned a bit, "but we are sharing a meal none-the-less."

"I'm sure you don't really want to be sitting here with me." Kagome muttered bitterly, lifting a few noodles to her mouth. Unable to stand the thought of eating in his presence, she lowered the chopsticks and pushed her bowl away. "Not that a blame you."

Sesshomaru's chest constricted. "Kagome, I simply wish to talk."

She shrugged. "Fine. Start a conversation." She lifted her glass to her lips.

[Sesshomaru's POV]

I narrow my eyes at the order, but follow it despite my pride. I find myself uttering, "I told Father and Inuyasha about our situation." My attention instantly snaps to Kagome when I hear her cough.

She is choking. Immediately, I am behind her, patting her back gently, but with enough force to help her.

She breathes heavily, gulping for air in a greedy manner. Once she has calms, she speaks, "You did what?"

"I told them everything." I tell her, waiting for her to scream, but she doesn't. Instead, she closes her eyes tightly. "Are you going to speak?"

My mate is silent for a short while, and it nearly scares me. She's rarely quiet, and I quite prefer her screaming at the top of her lungs. "Why?" She asks finally.

"They asked questions. I answered them."

"You do know I'll never be able to show my face again, right?" Kagome inquires in a cold tone of voice that nearly makes me cringe. "Now that they know, they will tell."

"They will not." I am not one hundred percent sure of that fact.

Kagome shakes her head. "It doesn't matter, Sesshomaru. They know. They'll look at me in a totally different way."

I understand her words, but I show no sign of that on my face. I roll my eyes. "You are being overly dramatic."

"Sesshomaru, do you know that I am unhappy?" I give her no answer. "I am beyond unhappy. I've lost nearly all happiness." Again, I force myself not to answer, biting my tongue. "All I have is my pride. And you've taken that away from me as well." She stands. "Call me when Amai wakes up."

Kagome walks past me, and it takes all of my will power not to grab her and hold her to me. My heart aches, throbbing inside my chest, but I can not be upset. In fact, I smile almost maliciously. She could not leave me if she wanted to. Mating is for life. I am in the clear, and though cliched, I am an evil genius. I resume my meal despite my weak stomach.

[Naraku's POV]

Boredly, I decide to explore Sesshomaru's home, starting with this living room. Above his fire place, there is a mantel. And on that mantle, a number of photos. Some with Sesshomaru, who was surprisingly a happy looking child. No doubt my little Kagome placed that there.

There are a few pictures of my dearest, and one picture with Sesshomaru, my miko youkai, and their son. Grasping the picture frame, I run a finger over the boy. Kagome and I would have a lovely child, I'm sure.

She's breathtakingly beautiful. I am devilishly handsome. We are a match made on Earth. I would say Hell, but I know my little Kagome couldn't have come from there. And as for heaven, the gates would chain themselves shut and surround themselves with a brick wall simply to keep me out.

"Who you?" I hear a child's voice.

Turning, I face the infant with a small smile. "You must be Amaimaru."

The child seems weary of me. It's almost as if he knows that I hold the very existence of his family in my hands. "Who you?" He repeats.

"I am a co-worker of your father's, and a...friend," I smirk here, "of your mother's. My name is Naraku."

"Mommy?" He smiles brightly. Oh, he must have gotten that from her. But then his smile fades, and his face becomes as cold as Sesshomaru's. "My mommy." He growls possessively.

How sweet. I humor him. "Mine." I smile at him, baring my fangs.

He shakes his head, little silver locks flying this way and that. "No no no! Mine! My mommy! No Naraku's!" He screams my name nearly as loudly as his mother did. I can remember that cute little face of hers, contorted in pleasure as she shrieked.

Just then, Kagome comes in, a frown on her face. "What's going on?"

I take her hand, grasping it tightly in mine, though she attempts to pull away. Looking back at her son, I snap, "Mine, child."

"Naraku, what are you-" I seal her mouth with a kiss.

"MY MOMMY!!!!" The little brat's eyes begin glow a bright red. His beast is pushing forward, making itself known rather early in life. He lunges at me, sinking his fangs into my hand, which holds his mother's delicious rump.

"Amai!" Kagome cries, pulling away from me and grabbing her son, trying to pull him off.

Sesshomaru steps into the room, his eyes narrowed. I hate him in the most unhealthiest of ways. "What is going on?"

Kagome blushes, pulling her child off my hand. "For some strange reason, Amai doesn't like Naraku." That disappoints me, how shyly she says my name.

"I do not find it strange." Sesshomaru smirks smugly, petting his son's head to calm him. I long to feel his blood on my claws.

"My mommy." He growls at me one last time, clinging to my Kagome.

"He seems to think that you will take his mother." Sesshomaru glares at me, and I can't help the victorious smirk I give off.

"I have no idea why."

Kagome shoots a glare at me, and it pains me. I did not want her angry with me. "Amai, it's alright. I'm all yours."

He nods. "Mine." He even goes so far as to push Sesshomaru's hand off of Kagome's shoulder. Perhaps the little punk is not so bad.

Sesshomaru narrows his eyes at him. "Mine." He bites back, and I smirk, yearning to tell him that she is his no longer.

"Sesshomaru, don't be so childish." Kagome scolds, rocking her child. "I'm all yours, Amai. Let's head up stairs. Oyasuminasai, you two." She glares at us again, then leaves.

*End of Flashback*

"Yes. I went too far." Naraku sighed, swallowing the last of his sixth cup.

"Naraku."

A smile appeared on his face, and he turned to face his door. "Kagome." He forced a frown. "You are late."

"We need to talk," was all she said in reply.

"About what?" Fear clamped his heart. She wouldn't leave him over something so trivial. This was only their second time together. They had so much ahead of them.

"What you did, teasing Amaimaru, was beyond too far."

Naraku crossed his arms. "The pup needed to learn his place. He does not own you."

Kagome glared intensely. "And neither do you. It's just like what you did at Sesshomaru's office. I'm not yours. Ever so technically, I'm still Sesshomaru's."

"Don't say that to me." He spoke, a pained expression on his face. "I am sorry." He stood, pulling her into his arms. "I took things a tad too far, and for that, I apologize."

"It has to change."

"Of course. I will not be so possessive."

"And if I'm gone when you wake up, you can't follow me."

Naraku nodded, pulling her earlobe into his mouth and sucking it. "Of course." He meant to say, but it instead came out like, "Uhf kers."

Kagome sighed blissfully, a smile on her face. "I'd like to stay with you, but Sesshomaru will get suspicious. He can't know."

"Shh, less talking, more touching." He groped her behind, pulling her closer to him. "I cooked a...gain. However...someone was...late...so we'll simply...have des....sert." Naraku mumbled between hungry kisses.

"And what would dessert be?" She moaned.

"Oh, I don't know." Naraku walked backward, never once seperating his body from hers. When he felt his back hit the counter, he whipped around, tossing Kagome up onto it.

Kagome licked her red lips. "My, aren't we quick?"

Naraku chuckled, reaching beside her head to grab something from the cabinet. "I was thinking that I could have Chocolate a la Kagome on a black granite counter top."

"And what about me?" She pouted, placing a hand on either side of his face.

"You are having Whipped Cream a la Naraku on top of Chocolate a la Kagome on a granite counter top." He laughed at the look on her face before pushing her down onto the counter and climbing up. "You are lucky I have such a long island."

Kagome only nodded, ripping open his putton down shirt and kissing his taut chest. "Weren't you the one who said less talking, more touching."

Naraku smiled dangerously. "Fine then, little one. You've asked for it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Naraku woke up the next morning to an empty bed. But eh could not really expect her to be there. She had left nearly right after they'd finished. This would take some getting used to. He was not used to being left in the morning, but the opposite with other women.

Buth then again, Kagome was unlike other women. Kagome was an extraordinary, original, unique woman, so he'd do this for her. He wondered what she was doing at that very moment. Maybe she was thinking of him as she pleasured herself, or maybe she was thinking of ways to get our of her mating with Sesshomaru. The latter made him smile broadly. If only she were a free woman, she'd be in his bed, and they could be starting on round...4.

He'd be shoving himself into her warm, tight, yummy body right now. Thrusting in and out while she ground her hips into him, scratching his back up and leaving her mark. He felt like he was hers when they were together, like Sesshomaru didn't stand a chance in the world. It was as exciting as it was arousing.

Sighing, he sulked off toward his bathroom to shower and rid himself of the erection he'd given himself.

[Kagome's POV]

I stumble out of my bedroom, in search of Sesshomaru. My cramps are approaching, strangely enough for the second time today. I had them at midnight, and once again now, at 10:00 am.

Not only are they coming more often, but they hurt more, and they stay longer. I'm beginning to get worried. Perhaps Sesshomaru is right, and I should see a doctor. They could tell me what is wrong with me.

"My mommy!" Amai squeals, charging at me from the opposite end of the hall.

Ever since what happened with Naraku, he never wants to let me go. He's so gosh darn possessive. He won't even let Sesshomaru touch me, not that the bastard ever gives me any touches worth anything. Simply small taps on the shoulder and knudges to get my attention are all I get from him.

"Amai, stay back!" I tell him, but it's too late. He launches himself at me, hugging my middle and clutching me tightly. His little claws dig into my stomach, and that sets my cramps off. Screaming out, I fall to my knees.

"Mommy! I hurt mommy?" He whimpers.

"N-no, baby." I choke back a scream. "Go get daddy, k?"

"Daddy gone."

I narrow my eyes, pain shooting through me. "Where?"

He shrugs a little.

"Fine. Go get me a servant, baby." I hate using the servants, but this is improtant.

"No touch mine." He pouts, but when I scream out, he falters. "I get Kaede-baba." He dashes down the hall, and I scream with all I have. By the time he returns with his nanny, I'm close to passing out.

"Kagome-sama." Kaede touches my forehead, pulling my head to rest in her lap. "Ye be alright?" I can hardly see her face. Things are going dark. "I brought more helpers."

I cringe, wincing. "K-kaede, g-get Sessho....Sessho..." I can speak no longer.

The last thing I hear is Kaede yelling over Amai's sobs, "Someone call Sesshomaru-sama, and tell him to come to the nearest hospital. Anyone else, call for an ambulance!"

[Sesshomaru's POV]

I hold my resolve as Kikyo enters my office. We must speak about the merger, that is all. I will have this wench out of my office as soon as possible. "Suzuki-san." I greet coldly.

"Sesshomaru." She purrs, taking a seat.

I tense. She's trying to seduce me again. The top three buttons of her shirt are undone...well, actually, cut off. Her bra is showing. Her breasts are not huge, but they are perky. Her skirt is horribly short, hardly covering the thong I know she's wearing. She's not beautiful, nothing compared to my Kagome, and yet, my pants tighten. "That is Taisho-sama to you, Suzuki-san. "I hiss hoarsely.

She smirks. "It seems that I have the same affect on you as I once did." Unleashing her lengthy hair from her bun, she shakes her head, flipping the onyx stands. Her eyes stare at me, those cold, taughting dull grey eyes. I hate this wench.

"You have not been following the clauses in the merger. We had agreements, Suzuki-san. I will not hesitate to break all ties with your company."

Kikyo stands, an innocent look on her face. "Oh, Sesshy-sama, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to break the rules." She walks toward me, her hips swaying in a mesmerizing manner. "There has to be something I can do to make it up to you." She places her hands on my shoulders, just as before, but I only stiffen more.

Glaring, I snap, "This will not be like then. I am not a fool."

"No. I know that. But you are a man." She replies, hopping into my lap and pressing her lips to mine.

I grab her arms tightly. My first thought is to push her away, but I can not. It's been so long since I was with a woman. I pull her closer, feeling her warm body pressed against mine. Moaning, I push her into my erection. I growl lowly. I'm going to take her. I know that I am. Pushing her down on my desk, I press my mouth to her neck, kissing roughly. I've never had control when with her. She isn't like kagome.

I blink, pulling away from Kikyo a bit. "Kagome." Something doesn't feel right. Something was happening with Kagome.

"Taisho-sama!" I hear that girl, Ayame's, annoying voice. She is only hear because she is Koga's betrothed.

Tossing Kikyo away, I straighten myself as the girl bursts into the room. "Yes?"

She breaths heavily. "Oh, sir. I've been trying to contact you for thirty minutes. And the elevator is broken, so I had to run up here."

"On with it." I snap.

"Your wife..." She heaves, "she's in the hospital."

I stand instantly. "Where?"

Ayame frowns. "I- I can't remember."

Rushing at her, I grab her arm tightly. "Where?" I repeat lowly.

"Hana." She says. "The hospital on Hana rd."

Pushing her away from me, I growl, "Kikyo, I want you out of my office. The merger is off." With that, I rush to my Kagome. If it wasn't for that girl, that wench, I would have known earlier. As I reach the hospital, I begin to feel more guilty.

Buying some flowers at the gift shop, I head to the front desk, "In which room is Taisho Kagome?"

The girl behind the desk finishes staring at me, then looks to the computer. "Go to the waiting room, please. She's not ready for visitors yet."

I don't want to wait. I want my mate, but I obey, starting toward the waiting room. When I do reach it, I see that most of our family is there. My father, step mother, and brother, her mother, brother, father, Amaimaru, and her friends. Kaede is also there.

"Where have you been, Sesshomaru?" Sango turns to me. "We called you ove ran hour ago."

"I was in a meeting. I came when I got the message." I sit in the only empty seat, between Kaede and Inuyasha, clutching the flowers in my hands. "What is wrong with her?" I ask my younger brother.

Inuyasha looks at me, a deep frown on his face. "DO you really care?" He mutter softly, so that the humans won't hear, I assume. "And the top button of your shirt is undone. I hope you had fun."

I glare. "Do not judge me. It was not the way you think."

"Keh, whatever."

"Father, what is wrong with my mate?"

Father simply sniffs before crinkling his nose and looking away.

I growl lowly. "Kaede, what is wrong with Kagome?"

"Sesshomaru-sama, it be those pains in her abdomen. She was screaming for you in her sleep."

I frown deeply. The guiltiness increases.

"Taisho-sama." The girl from the front desk calls. "You may see your wife. I'll show you to her room. When she wakes up, push the nurses button. We'll send the rest of your family in then."

[Normal POV]

Sesshomaru grasped his mate's hands the instant the receptionist/nurse left. "Kagome." he whispered, rubbing her hands against his face. "I am sorry, for everything." The apology would have meant nothing to her were she awake, so it was pointless, but he would say it anyway.

She shivered in her sleep, and he frowned. Releasing the spell on his mokomoko-sama, he grabbed the fur, wrapping it around Kagome. A soft smile came to his face when she grinned, snuggling into his tail.

He looked around her large room. They'd given her a large one because of who she was, and that made him smile. His mate was respected, and it had nothing to do with him. She was the reincarnation of the great shikon miko, and had shown her strength against many a strong demon, despite his protests. She fought as though she'd come straight from the feudal era. His little miko was so powerful. His finger brushed over her forehead, and he stiffened when she stirred.

Kagome groaned as her eyes fluttered open. Blinking, she noticed a huge bouquet near her bed. "Wha?" Rolling over, she locked gazes with Sesshomaru. "What are you doing here?"

"I recieved a call." He said indifferently. "I was told that you were in the hospital."

"Oh...thank you for the flowers."

He did not reply, nor did he ring the nurse's button. He wanted a little time alone with her. "What happened?"

"Those pains got worse than ever before."

"You had them again?"

"Yes, only..." She looked away.

Sesshomaru arched a brow. "What, miko?" He hadn't meant for the nickname to sound so cold, but he realized it was when Kagome flinched.

She sighed. "You weren't there to make them subside this time. They consumed me."

Sesshomaru instantly regretted being so cold to her, the guilt flowing back. It was all his fault. "Hn. I smell blood."

"A little blood came out, and Amai accidentally scratched me."

"Hn." He laid his arm on her bed, eyes widening when he realized he'd accidentally hit the nurse button. 'Damnit.' It didn't take long for everyone to file in.

"Don't worry about me, guys. I'm fine." Kagome lied.

Inutaisho leaned over her, gathering the girl in his arms. "My brave little girl."

Her father, Kenji, stood with a smile. "I believe she's my little girl, Inutaisho." Kenji was the next to huge her, followed by the other's.

"I told you I was fine." Kagome grunted, closing her eyes.

"You sure, Kagome? If you need anything, I'll be there when no one else will." Inuyasha glared at his brother.

"I'm good, Inuyasha. There's no reason to worry over something so trivial."

"Your life isn't trivial."

"My life isn't in danger." She spat back. "I'm fine. I am good, babe." Without looking at Sesshomaru, she handed him his tail. "Here."

Sesshomaru frowned lightly, but accepted his mokomoko-sama, placing it's spell back on.

"So, Kagome, sweet heart, what's wrong with you?" Her mother questioned, then gasped, "Are you pregnant?"

"Pregnant! Yes, that's it!" Sango nodded. "Are you Kagome.

"Am I getting another grandchild?" Izayoi, Inutaisho's wife and mate, inquired with a grin.

Amaimaru blinked, confused. "Pregnant?"

Kagome sighed. "That's when someone has a baby."

"No baby!" He howled, wrapping his tiny arms around her neck. "Mine!"

Sesshomaru glared at his son, snatching the pup off his mother by his collar. "Mine, pup."

"No! Mine!"

"Pup." Sesshomaru growled.

The pup only growled louder. "Father!"

Kagome rolled her eyes, taking her pup back into her arms. "Sesshomaru, calm down. He's a pup. And don't worry, Amai. Mommy isn't having another baby...ever." She finished softly.

"Ever?" Miroku asked. "What do you mean?"

"Um, well..." Kagome thought, "these pains are early menopause."

"Kagome, you're in your early twenties." Her mother snapped. "I know when I had you."

"I said early, mother." Kagome sighed. "Amai's it, and I'm fine with that." She nuzzled her pup with a small smile, then yawned.

Her father stroked her head. "We'll let you rest, sweetie."

Sota nodded. "Get well soon, Kags!"

"I will, guys. Inuyasha, Inutaisho, stay a minute. Sesshomaru, you can go if you want. You aren't needed."

Those words were a blow to his heart and pride. "You are my mate, and you are ill. I am needed."

Kagome narrowed her eyes, but said no more, waiting for everyone to file out. "I know you know, so cut the act."

"Oh, he had the guts to tell you?" Inuyasha scoffed. "Didn't think he had it in him."

"Be silent, you insolent halfbreed." Sesshomaru bit.

"Don't be angry for your mistakes, Sesshomaru." Inutaisho commanded, arms crossed.

"Have you told anyone yet?" Kagome reached over to grab a flower from her bedside, sniffing it.

Inuyasha shook his head. "Nope."

Inutaisho stroked her head. "It's your business, sweetheart."

Sesshomaru closed his eyes to escape they're words. This was all going to come back on him, he knew it. He knew it.

"They might as well know. What's the point in lying anymore?" Kagome closed her eyes. "I'm getting sick of it all."

Sesshomaru's muscles went rigid. Did that mean she planned to leave him?

"Hey, Kagome."

"Yes, Inuyasha?"

"Have you ever thought of leaving Sesshomaru?" He glared at his brother when he was glared at.

Kagome shrugged. "Maybe."

Sesshomaru turned his gaze to her, shocked. His face hardened. "You can not leave. We are mated."

"I know that." She retorted. "Don't think I'm stupid. Mating is nothing like human marriages. Besides, I don't really believe in divorces."

He calmed a bit at that, but still frowned. She'd contemplated leaving him. 'Why?'

"Why?" Kagome opened her eyes to glare at him. "Why would I think of leaving you? Who wants to be in a relationship where they are not loved in return, a one-sided relationship?" She yawned again, frowning when there was a knock at her door. "Come in."

The door pushed open, revealing Naraku. "My, don't you have a way of worrying people."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Who asked you to worry, Kuro-san?"

"What are you doing here, Naraku?" Sesshomaru glared. "My mate's health has nothing to do with you."

"Oh, doesn't it? I can't have my lover die, can I, Kagome?" Naraku climbed into the bed with her, straddling her.

"Get off my mate!" Sesshomaru roared, standing. Why were his father and brother doing nothing?!

"Don't mind him, Naraku. Just take me." Kagome said with a seductive grin.

"Little vixen." Naraku kissed her.

Sesshomaru growled. "My mate!" He howled. "Mine!" He ran toward them, but they only moved further away. "Kagome!" He tripped, falling to his knees. "Kagome, don't leave me." He whispered.

*~*

"Kagome!" Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open, and he sat up. His body, and his side of the bed, were drenched in sweat. He frowned. Bed? When had he gotten in bed? Rolling over, he saw that Kagome was lying beside him in the hospital bed. "How did I get here?" He mumbled to himself.

"I dragged you over after Inutaisho and Inuyasha left. You fell asleep in the chair. It didn't look comfortable."

She was awake, he realized. So she'd heard him call out to her.

Kagome yawned, stretching and curling up against him. "You had a bad dream, I think. You called my name. Did I die?"

"No...I did." In a way, he had died. He'd lost her. His eyes cut to her when she giggled. "What is so funny, mate?"

"You."

"And what, pray tell, did I do?" He smirked.

Kagome giggled a little more. "You can't die. You're Sesshomaru. Your name is Killing Perfection, not Dying Fool."

He narrowed his eyes into a playful glare. "You dare to taunt me?"

"Sorry." She sighed, pressing her face to his chest. "I love you so much, Sesshomaru." She drifted off again, a soft smile on her face.

Sesshomaru ran his fingers through her hair. "I will not lose you, Kagome. I will show you how special you are to me."