Sesshomaru shifted uncomfortably on the couch. 'Damn her. She knows very well that this couch is merely for appearance, not use.' Yes, Kagome had forced the infamous, indestructible Lord of the West to sleep on the couch as punishment for upsetting her. It was rather amusing the way she'd done it, thought, tossing a sheet and a pillow over the stair banister and placing a large, strong barrier around the room. Of course, being the powerful Daiyoukai that he was, he could easily push through it, but he decided to allow her this one night alone.

'I cannot sleep.' He mused, sitting up. 'Perhaps a glass of water.' Pushing the sheet from his lap, he stretched his long limbs and strolled to the kitchen. 'Kagome?' His mate stood, leaning against the long, marble island and eating a bowl of chocolate ice cream. Slumping gently against the doorway, he smirked and cleared his throat.

Shocked, Kagome gasped, falling back on her butt. A fiery glare burned in her eyes when Sesshomaru laughed quietly, his broad shoulders shaking. "Not. Funny. Go back to the couch."

"Pardon me, miko, but I could have sworn that I bought this house. I must be mistaken." He sneered sarcastically, lending her a hand. Once he'd helped her up, he took her spoon from her hand and ate a spoonful of her ice cream. "Should you not be asleep in our bed, mate?"

"Well," Kagome sighed, "I couldn't sleep. I decided to have a snack."

Sesshomaru spooned a scoop of the ice cream into her mouth. "Hn."

Swallowing, Kagome smiled, "And you? What're you doing up? Couch too lumpy?"

"Do not mock me."

She giggled. "Couldn't resist. You're just too cute when you're annoyed." Snatching her spoon, she fed him a small scoop. "You know, you rarely eat chocolate."

The Daiyoukai, had he been any other, would have blushed. "Being an Inuyoukai, chocolate is not something I should indulge in often."

"Why? Will it make you sick?" She leaned toward him, worried. "It makes dogs sick!" Her eyes lowered. "Before Buyo, rest his kitty soul, I had a dog named Kioko, rest her puppy soul, and she snuck into my chocolate pocky…"

Sympathetic, her mate nuzzled her cheek, "I will not die, miko. Nothing so small could ever harm me in such a way. My behavior, though, takes a turn for the worse."

"Oh, so it's intoxicating to you?" Kagome laughed. "Like liquor to a human, or drugs?"

"Yes." He found himself blushing. 'Damnit. I suppose two spoons were more than I needed.'

"Blushing? That's so cute, Sesshou. I like what chocolate does to you." She popped another spoonful into his mouth. Picking up her bowl, she walked around him, toward the living room.

After watching her sit on the couch, Sesshomaru sat beside her, as closely as he could. "Mate," he whispered softly.

Kagome sighed as he pulled her against him. "Yes?"

"Are you still upset with me?"

"A little. Do you really think I'm so weak, Sesshomaru? So weak that I'd overexert myself in a small battle with Inuyasha?"

Sesshomaru swallowed two more spoonfuls, and narrowed his eyes at the nearly empty bowl. He would need more. "I worry for you. Is that not what a mate is supposed to do?"

"It is…but if you were watching, you could have stopped me when it seemed that I was pushing myself too hard."

"I hate seeing you in danger. I refuse to stand aside while you wantonly jeopardize yourself. I cannot imagine a life without you." He finished off the last of the ice cream and sat it on the coffee table, eying it.

Kagome followed his eyes and shook her head, biting back a giggle. "No, Sesshomaru."

He looked up at her, surprised. "No?"

"No more ice cream, okay? You finished over half of mine."

Sesshomaru gazed at her dully, then stood. "I am eating more."

She grasped his hand, snatching him back down on the couch. She shouldn't have given him any to begin with. "No. You aren't. I don't know how you act when you eat much more, but right now, you're acting strangely enough for me to know that you don't need more."

"Miko, I am eating more." He made to rise again, but Kagome pounced at him, wrestling him to the couch. "Damn you, woman! Two spoons."

"No!"

"One? Only one, miko." Sesshomaru was nearly pleading with her, his head racing and his pupils dilating slightly.

She growled at him, annoyed. "Would you just sit still? You aren't getting anymore and th-that's fi- ow!" Kagome clutched at her abdomen tightly, cringing.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened. "Miko?"

"Agh." She whimpered, driving her sharp claws into her stomach. 'Make it stop! J-just make the pain stop!'

"Kagome!" He pried her arms away from her stomach and lifted her shirt. He could see her stomach convulsing as she sobbed for mercy. Placing his palm against her stomach, he massaged gently, cooing, "Shh, miko."

"I-it hurts!" Kagome wailed, struggling against him. "Get off! I'll just rip it out! I'll rip it out!"

Holding her tighter, Sesshomaru massaged a bit harder, flaring the jaki in his hand. He knew not why, but that always seemed to calm her pain. When she continued to thrash against him, sweating despite how cold her flesh was, he flared the jaki again, kissing the cool skin on her cheek. "Be calm, miko."

Kagome shook her head, unable to reply as her eyes took on a swirling, magenta. Her reiki began to blaze, attempting to fight back his jaki.

"Do not fight me, Kagome." He whispered in her ear. "I am your mate. No harm will come to you."

Her reiki swirled around Sesshomaru's jaki, reading it, analyzing it. The two reciprocal forces latched on to each other, intertwining and joining. Kagome's reiki absorbed some of Sesshomaru's jaki before returning back to her body. Kagome opened her mouth, shrieking. The sound, however, was muffled by Sesshomaru's kiss. Once her screaming subsided, Sesshomaru drew back.

"Are you well?"

She blinked a few times, before nodded. "I feel different now." She whispered, before smiling. "Strange, but, I feel…whole for some reason." Her arms wrapped around his neck, her face burying deep into his shoulder. "Ankh Uhm." She mumbled, attempting a 'thank you.'

Smiling, Sesshomaru rubbed his cheek against her head. "You are welcome." He held her away from him, wiping the sweat from her face with his hand. "My love," He drew her closer, pressing his lips to hers.

Kagome smiled into the kiss before deepening it. She wrapped his hair around her hands, pushing her body full against his. Sesshomaru leaned back into the couch, pulling her to rest on top of him. He nipped at her lower lip, a silent plead for her to grant him access. Her lips parted as she sighed, and he thrust his tongue into her mouth, hands running up and down her back.

Kagome mewled as Sesshomaru's mouth left hers, sending his attentions to her neck. He placed light, butterfly kisses to her neck, nipping and licking here and there. "Ohhhh." She tossed her head back, feeling his lips feather over the muscles in her neck. Her hands eagerly pulled at his shirt as she mentally placed a sound barrier around the room.

Chuckling, he lifted his arms, allowing her to slide the shirt off. "Raring to go, my little priestess?"

"Shut up, and touch me please." She shivered when he slid one of his hands under her shirt and up to her left breast, his other hand tiptoeing up her thigh and under the t-shirt she was wearing. "Mm."

"Do you like that, mate?" Sesshomaru asked, groping her.

"A…little…harder." Kagome rested her forehead against his, taking deep breaths. She couldn't believe this was happening. 'And after all that time!' Though she was a little torn about whether he was doing it because he wanted to, or because he was hyped up on chocolate, but she decided to consider that later.

Sesshomaru yanked the shirt over his mate's head, and eliminated her bra, dropping the tattered fabric to the floor. He nibbled hungrily around her nipples, spine rattling beneath his skin each time Kagome dragged her claws across his back. His skin was welting and bleeding, and it'd never felt so good. His heart drummed in his chest when Kagome looked at him with those long missed heated eyes.

Licking her lips seductively, Kagome stuck her hands into his boxer shorts, grabbing his cock firmly. "I can't wait to feel this inside me again."

He groaned, thrusting into her hand. 'I cannot wait to feel myself buried deep within you.' He was growing stiffer by the moment, especially with her stroking up and down his staff. It was time to end this torture, despite his first though to take things slow and savor it. He ripped her underwear from her body, baring her naked body to him, thin rid himself of his own.

Kagome caressed his cheek, leaned down, and kissed him passionately. Her mate replied by kissing back with far more force. The ground together, molding their bodies against the other's. Sesshomaru grasped her hips, suckling her lip. It had been so long since they'd made love on the couch, and that time Amaimaru had stumbled in to find them naked. The thought caused his eyes to open. Drawing back, Sesshomaru panted, "B-be patient, m-miko. There is something…something we must consider."

"I've considered it, and I'm doing it. I want…want…want to make love, Sesshou." Kagome breathed.

He smiled, happy to hear that she was thinking this through. "I wish to as well, however, you may remember the last time we did so on the couch. Amaimaru-"

"Walked in…got it covered!" Kagome grabbed his sheet from the floor, covering them with it. "There."

"…" That would work. Sesshomaru smiled at her, lifting her body with one arm, and grabbed his cock with the other. "And you are ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Kagome whispered.

Nodding in response, he pushed himself into her, grunting. Strangely, she was as tight as he recalled. That meant Naraku wasn't nearly…'No thoughts of that damned half-breed.' He didn't want to get angry and harm his fragile little mate. She was so warm, so tight, so deliciously his. Nibbling on her shoulder, Sesshomaru breathed, "You're as sweet as I remember."

Kagome rolled against him. "And you, as scrumptious." She grinded her hips into his.

Annoyed, her mate grasped her waist. "Now, now, mate. I am in control."

"On the bottom?" She quipped.

"Anywhere."

"My ass." She hissed, grinding harder against him. "I'm in control this time."

Sesshomaru shook his head. "Then you are as stubborn as you ever were." He flipped her over, so that she was on the bottom, careful not to fall from the couch.

"Hey, no fair." Kagome whined, lying pinned beneath him.

"I find it very fair." Sesshomaru replied smugly."

She growled. "Fucking petulant dog!"

He smirked. "Damn immovable human." His eyes widened when Kagome started to adjust their weight so that she would be on top. "Cease." He barked at her in frustration, wrestling to gain back control.

"N-no f-fucking w-w-way!" Kagome pushed as hard as she could.

Sesshomaru swore loudly as they fell from the couch, then smirked when he found that he was once against fully on top.

Glaring up at her mate, Kagome snapped, "Laugh, and I'll purify you."

He couldn't resist. His shoulder's shook, his body vibrating. Tilting his head back, he let out a loud bark-of-a-laugh. "This is precisely what you deserve."

"It is not." She pouted, tapping his nose with a glowing finger. "I deserve to be on top." She giggled when Sesshomaru wiggled his stinging nose. "You look like a pup!" She squealed happily. Sesshomaru wanted to be upset with her, but he merely found himself laughing harder. Kagome tensed as Sesshomaru began laughing harder. With ease laugh, his body jerked against hers, moving him deeper. She tilted her head back, moaning. "Sweet lord."

"Indeed."


Kagome's right leg kicked irritably against her desk as she sipped her coffee. Two and a half weeks of sex twice a day, and now, she was back to work with her father. Maybe if she called him…Or better yet, a video call! Hopping up from her desk, she rushed over to the large screen that hung against the eat wall, a quick tap bringing it to life. She tried to remember the number Sesshomaru had given her. 'Um…02 5927 5028!' Eagerly, she tapped in the number and waited. When Sesshomaru's face popped up on the screen, she beamed, "Sesshou!"

"Mate," He smiled warmly, though it disappeared instantly when Inuyasha came bounding in.

"Yo, Kagome!"

"Oh, hi, Inuyasha." She sighed. 'Well, that ruins my plans for video phone sex.'

The hanyou frowned. "What, ain't happy to see me?"

She smiled a little. "Of course, I am, Inuyasha. How was your date?"

Inuyasha paled a little, looking away. "Not what I expected. I need time to think about some things."

"Hm."

"So, what's with you? That dopey smile, that glowing skin…Oh, ew! You guys did it!"

Kagome blushed, clenching her fists. "Shut up, Inuyasha!"

He stuck his finger in his mouth. "I think I'm gonna gag!"

"Should I have a talk with you, little brother, of the birds and the bees?" Sesshomaru taunted with narrowed eyes. He'd been hoping he could get Kagome to strip for him, or at least show him a little glimpse. But all was ruined. 'I despise little brothers.'

"Oh, shut it!"

"Calm down, aniki-san." Kagome waved her hand at the screen with a smile.

Sesshomaru smirked as his brother growled. "Mate?"

"Hm?"

"Are you well?"

"Wha?" Kagome thought back to that morning. She'd been feeling terribly ill for weeks, and that morning had found her leaning over the toilet, heaving. "Oh, yes. I'm much better now. I almost forgot." She jumped, stunned when the door to her office flew open.

Bankotsu smiled as he entered. "Wassup, Kaggy, baby?" He plopped into the comfy chair that sat behind her desk. "Hey, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha waved. "Yo!"

"Hn."

Kagome swiveled on her heel, glaring at her elder brother with narrowed eyes. "What did I tell you about storming into my office?!"

Bankotsu tapped his chin, glancing up at the ceiling. Beaming suddenly, he replied, "You said not to!"

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I like annoying you." He chuckled when his sister growled at him. "Whoa, what happened to that good attitude you've had for the last couple of days?"

Crossing her arms, Kagome turned away from him with a huff. Inuyasha laughed. "Finally, I ain't the only one who has to deal with an annoying older brother." He winced when Sesshomaru's fist caught the side of his head. "OW!" Stroking the spot where he'd been hit, he mumbled something about stupid, cocky older brothers. "What's Bankotsu doing there anyway?"

"Well," she began, "he managed to persuade his boss at TPD to let him scout out the place."

"So he's a security guard?"

Bankotsu snorted. "Please! I'm more of a bodyguard!"

Kagome arched a brow with an arrogant smirk. "Oh? I thought you were just a lousy, ugly bum who sits on his butt all day harassing me and daddy."

"Ugly?" He fumed. "I am not ugly! I'm the sexiest man you've ever seen!"

"Riiiight."

"You're just jealous because you're getting fat!"

Kagome's body went rigid, her hands twitching. 'F-fat?' Grabbing the closest thing to her, a chair, she rose it over her head, "I am not fat!" Before she could through it, though, the earpiece in her ear rang. Setting the chair down, she smoothed her clothes and pushed the small button on the side of her phone. "Yes?"

A Spanish woman sighed. "Fui trasladado a usted./ I was transferred to you."

"Sí. Supongo que son María Sánchez?/Yes. I assume you are Maria Sanchez?"

"Sí./Yes."

"Bien .../ Alright…" Kagome droned on, acting as though she were oblivious to the fact that she was being watched as she paced back and forth.

Sesshomaru smiled slightly, proud to see his little miko happy at work, speaking a language besides that of her native as though she'd been born in Madrid. His eyes remained trained on Kagome, until he noticed Bankotsu rummaging through her drawers.

Bankotsu smirked as he pulled a tape measure from Kagome's bottom drawer. Rushing over to her, he wrapped the tape around her waist. 'Hm…27?' Sliding it down to her hips, he measured, '38, and her breasts are…' He lifted the tape measure, wrapping it around her breasts, '35 1/2.' He dismissed her glare with a wave of his hand and stepped back when she attempted to punch him.

Kagome narrowed her eyes at her brother, then turned her attention back to the woman on the phone, who was thanking her, and telling her that she would call back the next day. "De nada. Adiós, la Sra. Sánchez./You're welcome. Goodbye, Mrs. Sanchez." After hanging up, she strolled to the bookshelf in the corner of her office, grabbed a large dictionary, tossing it at her brother.

"Hey!" He narrowly dodged the thick book and glared at her. "What was that for?!"

"What the hell were you doing? I was on the phone with a client!"

"I was taking your measurements."

Slapping her hands on her hips, Kagome hmphed, "I. Am. Not. Fat."

He laughed. "But you've definitely gained weight, and I can prove it. What are your measurements?"

"Um, last time I checked…" She touched her chest, "33 for breasts, 25 for waist, and 34 3/4 for hips…And that was when I was getting measure for a suit about…two, three weeks ago."

"Ha! Now you're 35 ½-27-38!"

"What?" Kagome cried. "That's physically impossible!"

Bankotsu shook his head. "Nope. You've been loungin' around too much. So sorry, hun."

She stood in front of the mirror on the door, looking at her body. "I did pack on weight! Oh my god, I'm hideous! I'm fat, Sesshomaru!"

Her mate sighed. "You are not, Kagome. You merely gained a few inches and pounds."

"No. I'm huge." She sobbed, burying her face in her hands.

Sesshomaru shot a glare at Bankotsu, then looked back to Kagome. "Mate, you are as beautiful as you ever were."

"Stop lying to me. Be honest, like Ban! I'm gigantic and ugly!" She flung her arms around her brother, crying into his shoulder.

Bankotsu blinked. "H-hey, I didn't say you were gigantic or ugly. You look great, Kag! Those extra pounds make your curves look fantastic."

Kagome buried her face deeper into his neck. "Now you're lying too!"

"Fix this." Sesshomaru growled threateningly.

Nodding, Bankotsu stroked his sister's back. "Hey, Kag, I was only lying to get back at you for calling me ugly. Your measurements were really 33-25-35. You only gained a teeny bit on your hips." He lied.

"Really?" Kagome sniffed, looking up at him.

"Yeah." Reaching for a tissue on her desk, he wiped her eyes. "I was just being a mean big brother. I'm sorry."

"That's okay." Kagome nuzzled him. "Long as I'm not fat."

He rocked back and forth on his heels. "If you were, though, could you be pregnant?"

Kagome's eyes snapped open. "N-no. I can't have children…due to early menopause."

"Oh." He caught on to her lie, remembering what she'd told him. "There's always the hope for a miracle child."

She rolled her eyes, mumbling, "Without a uterus? I think not."

Sesshomaru mentally cringed. He was the reason she could not have children as she so wished. From what he could see, his mate was fighting back tears of sadness.

'Poor mate.' His beast whined.

'Indeed.'

"Well," Kagome's voice caught his attention, "Ban's gonna take me out to lunch, Sesshou. See you two later."

"Later, Kagome!" Inuyasha nodded.

"I will see you tonight, mate." Sesshomaru pressed the power button on the remote that sat next to him and sighed. He would have been happy to have a dozen more pups, and, he supposed, it wasn't meant to be.