"Mommy, when can I blow out my candles?" Amaimaru whined, pulling on his mother's sleeve. Kagome was sitting between Sesshomaru's legs in a chair, his arms wrapped around her, and his hands stroking her rounding stomach gently.
"Not now, baby. We have to wait on your uncle Inuyasha."
"I will not have him slowing down my son's celebration." Sesshomaru growled lowly. The half breed's being late should not have any effect on his son's party. "If he doesn't arrive in five minutes, we will begin without him. Amaimaru, go play."
The two year old nodded sadly, hopping out of his chair and running off to play with Rin and the friends from his class. Inutaisho sighed. "Don't be so hard on Inuyasha." He beamed. "He has a little surprise for us. I'd tell you, but it's his to tell."
Kagome snorted. "Like you can keep a secret. You waited no time in telling Inuyasha about the pup, and then you told Izayoi and my family! Tai, you have no control of that big mouth of yours."
The Daiyoukai pouted at being reprimanded. "It's such a happy occasion. You're having a miracle child, Kagome."
"Thr- two miracle pups." She corrected with a small smile in Sesshomaru's direction. Her smile faded and she cringed when the soccer ball the children had been playing with smacked her in the head. "OWIE!"
The occupants of the table tried not to laugh, but after Bankotsu exploded, then Sota, then Banryu, the entire table burst with laughter. Sesshomaru glared at them, caressing his mate's head. "You are fine?"
"Yeah." Kagome replied, wincing.
"Sorry, mommy!" Amaimaru cried, taking the ball and running back across the park to his friends. It wasn't long after that, that he was heard crying, "Miroku!"
Instantly, the miko in Sesshomaru's lap stiffened. She could feel the pair approaching. Pasting on a grin as Sesshomaru tightened his hold on her, she greeted, "Miroku and Houshi-san! Hello!"
Miroku smiled, pecking her cheek. "Nice seeing you, Kagome." He nudged Sango.
Sighing, the woman sat a gift on the table. "We dropped by to give Amaimaru his gift. We bought it ages ago, so we didn't want it to go to waste."
"I'm sure he'll be very grateful." Kagome replied. An awkward silence followed before Kagome began, "Um, have a seat. We're about to sing happy birthday and have Amai blow out the candles. Kids!" She waited until everyone had gathered around to light the candles. Once the large number two was lit, Kagome beamed. "Okay, on three. One. Two. Three."
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear-"
"Oi, Kagome!"
Everyone whipped around to face Inuyasha, Kagome and Sesshomaru's eyes widening when they saw the woman at his side. Looking around, Kagome said, "Banryu, would you mind taking all of the kids into the rental van to eat?"
Banryu frowned. "B-"
"Please, little bro?"
He sighed softly. She'd pulled that card, and they weren't even blood related. "Come on, kids." He took the cake, leading the children to the car, save Rin, who clutched her father's leg.
Inuyasha nudged the woman forward, "Everyone, this is my…girlfriend, Kikyo. Kikyo, that's my dad, Inutaisho, my mom, Izayoi, my brother, Sesshomaru, my sister-in-law and friend-"
"Kagome." Kikyo smirked. "How have you been, sister?"
"Sister?" Inuyasha inquired. "Kagome, you know Kikyo?"
Kagome's heart raced in her chest. "Kikyo, you've tracked me down?"
"Don't be so full of yourself, sister. This isn't entirely about you. Firstly, I came to retrieve my daughter from her father. Rin, come here." The little girl bit her lip, but ran to her mother, embracing her legs. "Did daddy treat you good?"
"D-daddy?" Kagome turned to face Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru?"
The Daiyoukai's shoulder's trembled with rage and fear. This wasn't happening. It couldn't have been happening. Not this way, not before everyone.
Kagome's POV
I fight back the tears, turning to face Inuyasha when he stutters. "B-but, Kikyo, you said that I was her father. You just told me that on the ride over!"
"I lied. I had to get you to bring me here." She shrugs. "I had to reunite with my sister."
"How do you know her?" Inuyasha growls, clenching his fists at his side.
"Kagome, do you want to tell them? Or me?" When I don't answer, Kikyo shrugs, wrapping her arms around her my shoulder. "Well, you remember that accident that she and Sesshomaru got into when she was pregnant? Well, you all remember the story. She nearly lost her kid, and Sesshomaru lost his arm and his pride. Oh, here's the good part! Kagome, tell them!"
I swallow the lump in my throat. "I-I wanted him to feel better. I wanted him to know that he was the same male he'd always been. I went to Tsubaki Urusuei and…and I…" I choke from the pain of my words, tears filling my eyes.
"Aw, choking up, sis?" Kikyo laughs. "She sold half of her soul to Tsubaki, and created me so that I could go into the netherworld and get his arm back. Isn't that just hilarious, Kagome?! You gave your soul to get his arm back, and what'd he do in return? He fucked me! You're such an idiot!" She pushes me down to the ground, and Sesshomaru reaches to help me.
I jerk my arm out of his reach as Kikyo continues to laugh.
"Then he fucked you to near death! It's funny, everything you couldn't give him, he got from me. His arm…his daughter."
'His daughter…Sesshomaru's daughter.' Growling, I launch myself at her, punching her square in the face.
Kikyo cries out as she flies backward. She picks herself up off the ground, glaring at me. "You bitch, you hit me!"
"I did, didn't I?!"
"Fine, then I'll take my remaining half of your soul!" Kikyo smirks reaching her hand toward me. Gasping, I grab my chest. I feel Sesshomaru grab me from behind as I nearly fall to the ground. I watch as my soul enters her, unable to do anything to stop her. A malicious grin crosses her face. "Oh, I feel so replenished. Thanks, sister. You're so good at sharing. Your soul, your mate, your life source. God, I love you."
"Kikyo," I growl, pushing Sesshomaru back. Running at her, I punch her again, but she doesn't dodge, instead taking the blow in full. However, she doesn't seem to be in pain. My face hurts like hell. "What's the meaning of this?"
"With your soul inside me, you feel what I feel, and vice versa. Your punching me won't hurt me, but you. My punching you, would only hurt me. So, hit me with your best shot, bitch."
My anger flares, my eyes bleeding red. I grab her by the throat, choking her as hard as I can. I can hardly breath, and yet I don't care. It seems Kikyo isn't entirely right, because she's hardly breathing as well. To get me off, she punches me in the chest. When I fall back, she sits up, stroking her neck.
"You nearly killed us!"
"I don't care! As long as you're gone!"
"I can't go without you."
"Then I'll join you."
Kikyo smirks. "Sorry, but I'm not ready to die yet. Rin, we leave."
Rin whimpers. "I want to stay with daddy and Kagome."
"Come now, Rin!"
"Daddy, Rin stay!" Rin embraces Sesshomaru's leg.
Sesshomaru's POV
I am torn. I can either accept my daughter into my arms and home, but face Kagome's wrath, or dismiss the child, and face a lighter version of Kagome's wrath. Looking down into Rin's eyes, I shudder and draw her close. "You will stay with me."
Kikyo growls. "I want my child, Sesshomaru!"
"My daughter." I growl back, tensing when Kagome looks at me in surprise.
"Fine, but I will get her back." Kikyo sends Kagome a glare. "Until next time, sister." She evaporated into thin air.
I set Rin down, inhale, and step towards Kagome. "Mate-"
"Don't come near me, Sesshomaru."
I place my hands on her shoulders, caressing gently. "I did not tell you when I found out, and for that I was wrong. I brought the daughter I had with another woman into our home, and that was completely disrespectful to you. I've lied to you. I've cheated, and I apologize."
Kagome whirls around, then, glaring at me as she sobs tears of blood. "You apologize? You apologize?! Sesshomaru, I'd do anything for you! I'd never hurt you! And yet you treat me this way! I was at your side when we were struggling to get by on our own in the beginning! I was at your side when we were in that accident! I was by your side when your arm was missing! I was at your side when you cheated on me, when you nearly killed me by practically raping me after you were with that bitch! I gave you your son, Sesshomaru! I gave half my soul for you!"
I grab her arms to calm her. "Kagome, think of the pups. Be calm. We will deal with this later."
"There will be no later, Sesshomaru. I'm sick and tired of hurting." She leans into me. "I'm sick and tired of you sending my emotions on a goddamn rollercoaster. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I'm done. We're done."
My eyes widen, then narrow. "What do you mean, miko?"
"I mean what I said. I want a sever."
"We cannot sever. We are mated." My heart pounds in my chest.
"Which is why I said sever, not divorce. I've read up on it. I can take a two month break from you, then when I come back, we will battle. If I am stronger, you must remove your mark. If not, I am yours."
I growl at her. "You will not leave me period." My heart throbs harder.
"I am…And Amaimaru is coming with me." Snatching from my arms, Kagome turns to walk away.
"You will not leave me." I hiss lowly. "I will not allow it!" I make to go after he, but father and Kenji grab me by the arms. "You are mine! I will let no other have you!"
Father tightens his grip on my arm, grunting. "Sesshomaru, calm down!"
I shake my head. "I will not lose my mate. I will not allow my beloved to sever!" I tense as my heart stops momentarily. Coughing, I pull my arm from Kenji, clutching my chest.
Kagome looks back at me, reaching out, then snatching her hand back. She bites her lip, then runs to me, wrapping her arms around me. "Sesshomaru, honey, breathe. Calm down before you hurt yourself."
"I refuse…to lose you."
"Shh." She strokes my hair gently. "Rest, Sesshomaru."
Closing my eyes, I nuzzle my nose into her arm. "My mate."
"Rest." She coos.
Before I realize it, I've fallen asleep. As I open my eyes, I find myself staring at a ceiling. Sitting up in bed, I look around. Father must have brought me home…but where is Kagome? Sliding off of the bed, I dash downstairs, sniffing for her. I follow her scent to the front door. 'She is truly gone.'
"Sesshomaru, is that you?" Father calls from the kitchen.
"Yes, father." I reply lowly, heading into the room. "Where is Kagome? Did you let her leave?"
He sighs. "I had to."
"Where did she go?! Where is my son?! And Rin?"
"I don't know where she went. She packed some clothes and a credit card. Amaimaru is asleep in his room, and Rin in hers…Sesshomaru, what were you thinking by keeping this from her?"
"I was thinking that I was holding my mateship together for a moment longer."
"You only prolonged the hurt."
"Hn."
"Here, she left this." He hands me an envelope. "After you read it, go lie back down. You need to rest."
I nod as he leaves the room. Opening the envelope, I read over her note.
Dear Sesshomaru,
I meant what I said about leaving. I'm sorry, but I can't take it anymore. I love you and forever will. But I won't be your doormat. By the time I come back, the pups ought to be here…About that, there's something I didn't tell you…I wouldn't tell you something like this in a note, so call my cell phone. Tell Amaimaru that I'll visit as much as possible. And don't try to find me.
Love, Kagome
Holding the note to my nose, I inhale. I will still be able to see her when she visits. Perhaps things will be well. I will win her back. I will let my mate know that I love her with my life, and will do anything for her. She will be mine again.
Kagome's POV
I look around the small vacation cottage Sesshomaru and I bought about three years ago. We haven't been here since we bought it. I'm glad for that, no happy memories…or so I thought on the way up here. I forgot because it's been so long. But entering the door, it all rushes back to me. In this doorway, we kissed, so excited to be buying our first vacation home.
Setting my bags down, I peruse the kitchen. We enjoyed a beautiful, romantic candle lit picnic on the floor because the electricity wasn't connected yet. We ended up having a food fight, leaving whipped cream, chocolate sauce, mustard, rice, shrimp, pocky, and a lot more littering the floor. Passion had consumed us, leading us to the bedroom in which I stand.
This was the bed I conceived Amaimaru in. Sesshomaru made love to me so slowly, so sensually. Even though we wanted to ravish each other, we took our time, simply enjoying each other's feel, scent, and essence. He penetrated deeper than usual, hitting my hot spot with each tortuous thrust. His tongue mapped out my entire body as his hands touched places that drove me insane. And the shower…
I shed my clothes and slide in. We caressed each other's bodies, letting the warm water rinse away the evidence of our lovemaking. Afterwards, we curled up on the couch, Sesshomaru playing in my hair as I played in his. I pull the sheets tight around my body, biting my lip to hold my tears back.
'How could he hurt me so badly?'
'Mate wrong.'
'I know.' I sob into my hands. 'I thought he loved me.'
'Mate cold. Cold bastard.'
'Why?'
My ringing phone startles me, and I wipe my face with the back of my hand. Reaching for the phone, I answer with a hoarse, "Hello?"
"Mate," Sesshomaru says softly.
"Sesshomaru, hi. I didn't expect you to call so early."
He sighs. "I missed your voice." When I don't reply, he continues, "You said that you needed to tell me something, concerning the pups."
"Yes, that." I clear my throat. "I.."
'I can't.'
'So you lie? Like he do Rin?'
'No. I won't lie.'
"I'm pregnant with two pups, but I'm also pregnant with one…spiderling."
Sesshomaru inhales sharply. He remains silent for a moment, then whispers, "Naraku."
"Yes."
"Because I did not treat you as you deserved to be treated…and he did?"
"…Yes."
He grunts. "I am upset, but I have no right to be."
"I'm not asking you to be fine with it. I'm only letting you know."
"Are you with him?"
"No."
Sesshomaru growls lowly. "Kagome, if you come home, we can work this out."
I whimper softly, wiping my eyes. "I can't. I need to be away, to think."
"You need to be with me."
"That's it. I can't have you forcing me to be with you. I need time alone."
"…"
"I love you."
"I love you as well."
"Good bye."
"No…Stay for a while longer."
I sigh. "Sesshomaru, I-"
He interrupts me, "Just a moment longer. Say something, anything." I know how much he hates sounding desperate, so I don't fight him.
"If I told you where I was, would you come after me?"
"Of course." He answers seriously, and I laugh. "I am not joking, miko."
"I know. That makes it all the more amusing."
"Hn."
"Hn my ass…He wasn't better than you."
Sesshomaru hesitates, than snorts. "Obviously."
I smirk. "Arrogant ass."
"Hm." He chuckles.
"Goodnight, Sesshomaru."
"…Goodnight, mate."
"Kagome."
"…my mate, Kagome."
Hanging up the phone, I curl into a ball and begin to cry. "Oh, I miss you."
Normal POV
"Kikyo, how did things go?" Naraku inquired, leaning back in his chair.
"He still has my daughter."
"And Kagome?"
"Pissed as hell."
"Good."
Kikyo grimaced. "This was supposed to get me my child back."
He sighed. "I did not guarantee. Perhaps I could think of something else…Do you know where Kagome is?"
"Of course. With half of her soul, I know where she is at all times now. She's somewhere deep in the forest near that shrine on Dai ave."
"Good. I think I will pay my miko a visit soon."
"Whatever. When I come back, have an idea for me to get my daughter." With that, she left.
Naraku snorted. "Like I give a shit about your child. Kid's probably better off with Sesshomaru."
