Sesshomaru sat up in bed slowly and looked around the room before his eyes landed on the empty spot beside him. It wasn't as rare as it once was to wake up and find Kagome gone, though it still hurt terribly. Since they'd returned from Paris, two weeks prior, Kagome had started to do things subtly. She'd slyly started to move her things from the room to another on the opposite side of the house, just a couple of things a day. He hadn't paid it much mind.
Then, though, when he'd come home to find her side of the closet empty, anything that even remotely belonged to her gone, and her scent stale, he realized what was happened. She was separating herself from him. Their room had become his room. Soon, he feared, their home would become his home, their money, his money, and their son…her son. He shuddered at the thought, pain in his chest.
Slowly, as if in a daze, he showered and dressed. He pulled the knot to loosen it a little, and nodded into the mirror. This was acceptable. Today, he would return to Enai for the results of his test. His blood had failed to be read, so then he'd had to eject some of his semen for a check. He wasn't sure how that would help, but he was no doctor, and he didn't care to know.
He walked down the stairs, his head high, but his heart low. It wasn't supposed to come to this. She was supposed to love him. He knew he sounded like a fool expecting her to still love her when he'd acted as though he didn't love her. He didn't know how to show it now. Things had change. He couldn't just kiss her, hold her, smother her, and expect her to accept him with open arms. He'd ruined basically everything. All that held them together, he knew, was Amaimaru and the mating mark he'd placed on her.
As he entered the kitchen, he allowed his eyes to sweep over the area. Amaimaru was sitting at the bar, eating a bowl of cereal. The chef was making coffee. And surprisingly, Kagome was eating a bowl of rice. Quietly, he made his way to the seat beside her and sat down. Taking in her attire, he noticed that she was dressing in a suit, the skirt slightly shorter than he liked, but she wouldn't take his complaining kindly.
"Papa!"
"Good morning, Amaimaru. Good morning, Kagome."
"Sesshomaru." She acknowledged, standing and pulling her skirt down. "Amai, Mommy's going to go visit Grandpa Higurashi." She kissed his forehead. "Be good for Kaede. I love you." She turned to leave when Amaimaru grabbed her hand. "Hm?"
Amaimaru smiled at her. "Mommy, you forgot to tell daddy. You both forgot for a long time. Let's start again today."
Kagome halted, looking from her son to her mate. "Amai, why does it matter?"
"My friend Shippo's mommy and daddy died." He whispered. "And he said they didn't tell each other they loved each other."
"Oh. Well, um, I…Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru looked over at her, lowering his cup of coffee from his mouth. "I…"
The chef, sensing her master and mistress's hesitation, looked out the window. "Taisho-san, both of your cars are ready."
"Thank you." Kagome beamed at her, relieved. She moved to pull away, but Amaimaru held his group.
"Hug?" He pleaded.
Not seeing much harm in a hug, Kagome managed to find herself in Sesshomaru's arms. First mistake. Instantly, a spark ran through her entire body, and she was sure Sesshomaru could by the way his hold on her tightened. She looked up at him worriedly. Second mistake. Sesshomaru dipped down and devoured her lips.
The chef was startled. She hadn't seen her master and mistress show such interest in each other since a few months after the young master's birth. She'd immediately known that there was a problem in their relationship, and that the rift between them was growing larger and larger by the minute. Maybe she'd been wrong.
Kagome finally came to her senses, or so she thought, and pulled away. "I, um, I have to go. Be safe, Sesshomaru." Covering her mouth with her hand, she scurried out.
"Be safe, Kagome." Sesshomaru's shoulders fell. He kissed his son's head. "Behave, my son. I love you." Why couldn't he say that to Kagome? He took his briefcase from Jaken and headed out of the door.
{Sesshomaru's POV}
I push open the door to Enai's office and find her glaring at me. Damn women and their emotions. "Do you have the results, Enai?" I inquire, taking a seat.
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru." Turning away from me, she opens a drawer on a file cabinet and clips through the folders. Pulling mine from the very back, she flips open the file. "Lord Sesshomaru," she drawls.
"What?"
"May I ask why?"
I narrow my eyes at the wench. "Why what?" Long time doctor or not, should she ask something to personal, I will have great difficulty not killing her.
She lowers the file and stared at me, her eyes sad. "Milord, why would you take such a risk?"
A growl rumbles in my chest. "You have no right to ask such."
"You are right. May I ask what you would do if this test said that that woman's child was yours?" Enai's eyes begin to mist. I want her dead. I want to kill her. I want her blood to coat my fingers.
"Impossible. There is no chance, so I will not bother to answer your question."
"B-but milord, it's true." She utters, thrusting the file at me. "Milord, how could you? Lady Kagome is going to be heartbroken."
My heart throbs as I block out the sound of her sobbing. I review the file. This can't be. It simply can't be real. I never released inside her. Besides when I made the foolish mistake of nearly releasing. No. This isn't happening. I have not done ruined my life! I have not ruined my marriage, my mateship! Kagome! A sharp pain shoots through my chest, and it burns.
'Mate!' My beast howls.
'I didn't!'
'Kagome, no go! Kagomeeee!'
"Kagome." I clutch my chest, doubling over.
Enai stops sobbing. "Lord Sesshomaru? Oh my god, Lord Sesshomaru! Are you alright?" She touches my shoulder.
"Kagome." I find myself repeating. I can say no more.
"Lord Sesshomaru, it'll be okay. D-do you need some medicine? I can get you something. Some painkillers."
"N-no." I force myself to stand, dismissing the pain that racks through my body. "Thank you for your assistance, Enai." I leave the hospital to return to work. I've ruined everything. Of that, I am sure. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dial the bitch's number, the bitch that got me into this, the bitch that is going to use this against me, against my Kagome.
"Yes, Sesshomaru?" Her voice is arrogant, seductive.
I growl. "You did this, and you are going to tell me how."
She laughs. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Fuck with me, bitch, and that child will be motherless."
She sighs. "Not that it matters now, but you really should start flushing your condoms. It's amazing the things you can do with a little sperm and a turkey baster."
A turkey baster? That is how she ruined my life. With a damned turkey baster. "I will have your head if Kagome goes anywhere."
"I'd like to see you try. Now, we have conditions. Rin will need you to visit whenever she or I calls. Then there's the matter of money. We'll need it, and lots of it."
"What makes you think I give a damn about you and that bastard child of yours?"
"Oh, the fact that I can tell Kagome anytime I please if you don't make me- I mean, Rin happy."
I growl in frustration. "You will have an account set up in thirty minutes. I will place money in it every Friday. Know this, wench, if you even come near Kagome or Amaimaru, your life will be over before you can scream."
She giggles. "Sure thing, Lord Se-" I hang up on the bitch as I pull up at the office. My hand grips the steering wheel as I gaze at my wedding ring. Kagome will not leave me. I will not allow it. I love her more than anything in this world, save my son who shares rank with her. My mate is not allowed to be with any other but me, nor I, with any other but her. I was unfaithful. She had her time to be unfaithful. It is over now. I'll be sure of that."
{Naraku's POV}
I look up from my computer as the door flies open. "Oh, Sesshomaru, my fr-" He grabs me by the neck, slamming me into the wall and glaring with hateful red eyes. "Aw, poor Sesshomaru. What's wrong, dog?"
He growls in my face. "Stay away from my mate."
"I don't know." He chokes me harder, his claws driving into my neck. "I wish you were Kagome." I cough. "We'd be so turned on by…*cough* this." Blood spews from my mouth when Sesshomaru punches me, and I only laugh.
"Stay away from her. I mean that!"
"I would, but she keeps coming back," He sends another swift punch to my gut, and I chuckle, wiping blood from my lips. "She simply enjoys having me fuck her brains out."
Sesshomaru growls louder, flinging me into my desk. "I am not playing, Kumo. The eldest son of the great dog general does not play. I want you to know that if you so much as touch my mate, I will skin you alive."
"Kagome will hate you. She will cry." I force myself to stand despite the horrible pain I feel.
"A few of her tears will be worth it for our mating to last."
"Funny, she asked me the other day about how to remove a mating mark."
His eyes widen and he punches me in the face. "There is no way that will not kill my mate. Stay the fuck away from her!"
I snort. "She's too strong. The chance of death will lower considerably with her." Yes. I lied to my love, telling her that she wouldn't die. There is a possibility. It is great with the lesser demons. My mother is powerful, and nearly succumbed. However, I feel Kagome is stronger.
"Don't you dare put my mate in harm!"
"Like you care!"
Sesshomaru roars at that, grabbing me by the collar. By this time, people have begun to gather outside my office, and I could care less. "Naraku, you spineless piece of shit, my mate is my love. She is my life. If you ever harm her, touch her, fuck her, even come into contact with her. I will have your head, and I will give it to her as a trophy. Try me if you will."
"I take far better care of your mate than you do. Precisely why she was with me in Paris."
"She was misguided. I will not allow her to be again. Heed my warning. I will not lose her." Tossing me away, he storms out. "All of you, back to work!"
I chuckle as the fool leave. "You've lost your mate already. She's my bitch now." Sitting back at my desk, I save a draft of the email I was meaning to send Kagome. It can wait.
{Kagome's POV}
"Your father will see you now, Taisho-sama." Daddy's secretary smiles at me.
"Thank you." Smoothing out the wrinkles in my skirt, I strut to Daddy's office and open the door. "Hi, Daddy."
He sits up with a smile. "Hime! How have you been?" Rushing to me, he hugs me, and I can't help but giggle at his childish behavior.
Hugging him around the neck, I sigh, "Alright, daddy."
"Bankotsu told me you two had a fight. He didn't tell me what about though."
"He's butting his head into my business already. Sesshomaru and I had a little argument, and your jackass of a son decided to jump in and take Sesshomaru's side."
Daddy shakes his head with a sigh. "You two sure are siblings."
"What proved it to ya?" I ask sarcastically.
"He said, and I quote, "Your bitch of a daughter is too damn innocent for her own good," closing quote."
I huff, crossing my arms. "I'm not innocent."
Daddy chuckles. "You are, but we'll save that argument for another day. What can I do for my hime?"
I love my daddy. He's the only person I can go to when things are wrong, and he won't force me to tell him what's wrong. That makes it so much easier for me to tell him what's going on in my life. Sighing, I say, "I want to start working again. Amaimaru's older now, and he has Kaede. I can't have any more children, "Damn Sesshomaru, "So, I want to go back to working for you."
"Well, your job is still available to you."
"Thanks, daddy! I love you so much." I plop myself into his lap, nuzzling his cheek.
"I love you too."
The door opens, and Bankotsu, the bastard, strolls into the room. "Hi, Dad… Kagome."
I snarl. "I thought I was bitch. Not that it matters any. You're jackass."
"Don't start with me today, Kagome. I'm tired."
"To hell with you being tired."
"Hime." Daddy scolds.
I flash him the best innocent look I possibly can. "Yes, my love?"
He gives me a look that says he isn't buying it. "Be nice to your elder brother."
"Hn." I smile, since the phrase reminds me of Sesshomaru. Why can't I forget him?
'He mate.'
'Back off, damn you.'
'No. Me take up for mate.'
'Shut up!'
'Me stay with mate!'
'I'll get drunk if you don't be quiet!'
'…'
Ha! Kagome, 1, Beast, zip! I rest my head against Daddy's as he and Bankotsu talk about something I could care less about. When they're finally done, I stand, "Well, I'm leaving. Give your beloved wife a kiss."
Daddy chuckles, kissing me gently. "You start again tomorrow, Hime."
"Well, guess I'll get goin' too, Dad."
"Come on by tomorrow, son."
Bankotsu nods, following me out. "So, Kaggy…"
"Don't call me that."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have picked favorites. I just hate that you lied to me. I'm your brother. When you can't tell someone something, you should definitely be able to come to me."
I stare out of the elevator as we ride to the ground. It's made of glass, Daddy's idea. My eyes lock on the little western restaurant that's on the opposite street. "Okay, well, I have something I want to tell you that I haven't told anyone in my entire family."
He looks at me in surprise. "Okay."
"Let's go eat in that restaurant, and I'll spill." We go to the restaurant, order our food, and over the meal, I tell it all. Everything from Sesshomaru's cheating, to the painful way he fucked me, to the entire thing with Naraku. By the time I'm done, Ban is staring, his mouth agape, his eyes wide, and his appetite gone.
"W-wow." He slumps in his seat. "I really am a jackass."
"You didn't know. No one knows."
Bankotsu shook his head. "I'm your big brother. I'm supposed to protect you."
I shrug. "You weren't here."
"But in Paris…and at that club. I mean, two wrongs don't make a right, but he can't be mad at you for doing what he did to you. And he, he hurt you."
"I'm fine, Ban." I whisper.
"You aren't. You're hurting…" He stares at me. "And you're still as in love with him as you ever were, aren't you?"
My eyes fill with tears, and I nod. "I don't know why, but I am."
"And Naraku?"
"I think I'm falling in love with him. He's so sweet to me. He takes care of me. And when we make love, I'm taken to a different place that with Sesshomaru. I certainly won't say a better place, but its different."
"I don't know what to say, but I'll have your back from now on."
I slide over in the booth to hug my brother. "I love you, Ban. Je' taime, Ban."
"Je' taime, Kagome. Where are you going now?"
"To talk to Sesshomaru."
{Normal POV}
Kagome frowned when Ayame told her that Sesshomaru had been gone for two hours. She crossed her arms and decided to wait in his office. Before she reached his office, however, Naraku caught her.
"Naraku, hey." Kagome greeted after looking up and down the hall.
"Hello, Kagome. Walk this way with me, please." Naraku led the miko to his office and closed the door. "Have a seat." He gestured to a chair after kissing her forehead. "My mother lent me her book, the one with the mating spell."
"Oh." She started, leaning back in her chair. She hadn't expected him to get it so early. And she wasn't really ready to separate from Sesshomaru. He seemed different, and when he'd kissed her that morning, she'd felt a change in him. "That's great. Let me see it."
Naraku opened the book, turning directly to the page. "Look, I'll hold you in my arms and chant these words, add a little magic, and we're done."
Kagome nodded slowly. "Okay, um, well, when will we-"
"Today, right now."
"Oh." She was stunned. "I mean, that's sudden."
Naraku narrowed his eyes at her. "You do want to be rid of that bastard's mark, don't you?"
"Y-yeah. Oh yeah."
"Good." Naraku grinned at her. "It'll hurt a little, but not too much. Come here."
Kagome stood and stumbled toward him on trembling legs. She tripped, and fell into her arms. Blushing, she apologized, "Sorry, just a little afraid."
He stroked her hair lovingly. "Don't you worry, dearest. This won't be that bad." Tightening his arms around her, he leaned to read the book, "May this mark be ripped from you, so that you may be set free. May this mark be taken from you, so that you are free to be with me."
Kagome's entire body suddenly felt too hot. She coughed. "Naraku." Her body scorched. What was this?! Her eye lids lowered as she lost energy. What was he doing to her? Couldn't he see it was hurting her?! Her body fell limp, and she could barely think. "N-Nara…"
Sesshomaru froze as he stepped onto his hall. He felt an aura dying…Kagome's aura! He hurried in the direction that it was coming from and halted after throwing Naraku's door open. He watched as the magic that surrounded his mate ate away at her mark and flesh. "What have you done to her?!" He could here hear head fading.
"I am about to make her mine. I will save her when she is on the brink of death."
"She is there now! Release my Kagome!"
"Stay back!" Naraku held Kagome tighter as he sped up the process.
Sesshomaru's heart started to burn again. He clutched his chest as he fought against the urge to fall to his knees. Kagome was going to die. He knew it. "Kagome." He called to her.
She twitched in Naraku's arms. "Se-Sesshomaru?"
"Kagome, you hear me." He said, almost happily.
"Sesshomaru, where are you?" She whispered.
Naraku glared at Sesshomaru when he saw Kagome's mark coming back.
Sesshomaru walked toward them as Naraku backed away. "Kagome," Sesshomaru felt like he was going to faint, "Kagome, open your eyes."
"Can't. So tired." Her mark started to fade again.
"Open your eyes!" Did she want his mark gone so badly? That she would put herself through this? Did his mate want out? The thought caused another sharp pain to shoot to his heart. He felt it constrict before he fainted, the Daiyoukai falling face first to the ground.
"Sesshomaru?" She didn't hear him anymore. "Sesshomaru?!" Panicking, Kagome opened her eyes. When she saw him passed out on the floor, she broke away from Sesshomaru and stumbled toward him, dropping to her knees beside him. "Sesshomaru," She mumbled weakly. "Naraku, call the police."
"Let him die." Naraku hissed in hatred.
Kagome would have glared at him if she had the strength. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed the paramedics. "Yes, I'm inside Taisho inc, in Taisho-sama's office. My mate has collapsed and I…I need you here right…aw..away…" She dropped the phone as she fainted on top of her mate.
Naraku growled. "Damn him." He kicked his desk. "Fucking bastard! She was so close to being mine! So close!"
'She was almost dead.' His conscience told him.
'But she wasn't dead. Almost doesn't even count.'
'Cold asshole.'
'Fuck you."
