They were to be Mated

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters.

Last Time:

Kikyo's hand gently took the Kagome's off the woman's throat and settled their hands over the woman's heart. "Together." Kikyo whispered.

Kagome nodded and opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was that Kikyo's hands were covered in a thin layer of water that didn't soak. While Kagome's own hands were covered with delicate vines, intermixing with different flowers. A small smile lit her face when the woman finally relaxed and slumped into the youkai's arms that held her.

Kagome and Kikyo shared a look before both felt all their energy leave

Healing

Chapter 15: Introductions

His eyes seemed to cut into her own. No longer did she feel the need to fight with him. She... She just needed to feel. She wanted to run her hands down his sides, over the planes of his chest to dip in his abdomen. She wanted to feel the texture of his back, to feel it flex and tense beneath her hands. She wondered briefly if he could feel these emotions from her, because not two seconds later he stood before her.

He bent his head to her level and looked into her eyes. The briefest of seconds of wait and his lips crashed into hers. She gasped at the strength of his emotions. It was like a waterfall. His lips were firm but gentle. They tugged and teased her lips endlessly. Never before had he kissed her this way before. She knew that this was going to change everything, no matter what she wanted to tell herself, she knew that it would change.

His tongue darted out and traced her lips and she opened them quickly, eager to feel his tongue on her own. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, and all she could do was slide hers along his, and suck daintily. His arm pulled her flush against him, while his hand found the hem of her shirt and slid in to feel the flat of her stomach.

She moaned deeply, "Fuck," into his mouth and he angled his head to slip his tongue deeper into her mouth, causing sounds from her she was too embarrassed to think about. He kept a gentle but firm pace with his tongue, in and then out. His hips began to grind into her pelvic and he began to edge her towards the wall of the cave. The friction was more amazing than anything she could have imagined.

He pulled out and stilled his hips and she whimpered at the loss. "Please..."

He leaned down to meet her eyes, "I will not stop Kagome. If we do continue this, you will be marked as mine. Is that what you wish?"

"It's about time you did Sesshomaru."

Kagome jerked up, her eyes wide as her breathing were hectic. She touched her lips and looked around. Her heart beat erratically in her chest that it was all she could hear. She closed her eyes and took three deep even breaths.

She sighed, "What the hell kind of dream was that?"

"You dream of him now?"

Her wide eyes quickly found Kikyo's gleeful eyes. She stammered, "I-I do n-not!"

Kikyo blinked before placing one hand over her heart and the other dramatically over her forehead, "Mark me, Oh please mark me!"

Kagome's mouth dropped open, "It didn't go that way!"

Kikyo raised an eyebrow and smirked, "So you have."

"Shut it!"

"But Kagome-san it seems that you have an interest in the heir of the western lands. This is certainly a big development."

"Shouldn't you be, you know resting or something?" Kagome asked, while crossing her arms over her chest. She winced feeling pain in her shoulder, "Okay, you know what? This is ridiculous. Here I am in a bottomless pit of pain and you're making fun of me!"

Kikyo actually rolled her eyes, "Right, you are almost completely healed. It is probably just stiffness that you feel."

"Aren't you supposed to be a caring miko?"

"I am. However, you are trying to avoid the subject of dreaming about a certain demon." She paused thoughtfully, "You do realise that you did not deny it right?"

"Well you're in love with Inuyasha!"

Her mouth dropped open, and she scoffed, "Right and you are the next Lady of the West!"

"Wouldn't that be true if you believe that Taisho is interested in me?"

"Oh for the love of Midoriko! He saved your life! Does that not count for something?"

"Like Inuyasha hasn't saved yours!"

"That is different! He is not in any way interested."

"Oh then why the hell do you think he blushes all the damn time?"

"He is a gruff hanyou! It is his nature."

"Oh please! Like I don't see you pine for him and the fact that he is always keeps you in sight, or that he never wanders too far away, just far enough so that he can sense you. Not to mention the guy is actually jealous of me at times." Kagome sighed, "He really is interested but he's as thick as a rock. He probably doesn't even realise it."

"Since when did this jump onto me? I believe we were speaking about your new dreams of Sesshomaru-san."

"Kikyo..." Kagome trailed of in warning.

"Kagome-san..." She repeated in the same tone.

They stared—or a mild version of glare, at each other before laughing. They giggled, "God, you're crazy"

Kikyo smiled and shook her head, "I am not as bad as you Kagome-san."

"You know, it's odd how we're alone. Especially..." Kagome said after a long pause of silence.

"True... I believe it was Izayoi-sama we helped..." Kikyo nodded her head, "I wonder where they are?"

Hiroyuki watched Hideaki warily as he continued to mutter holy words over a beaded necklace. For some reason he knew that it was going to make it ridiculous amount of trouble and maybe about one fifth of that time amusement. He knew what his brother was ding, but it still didn't stop him from worrying slightly.

After the two of them had heard—well known that both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru will be travelling with their sister, they had decided to take a... step in reassurance that the hanyou would not touch their sister in an inappropriate way. After all, he was the only one that actually bedded anyone of the two brothers. They had wondered briefly is Sesshomaru was a virgin, but then had laughed at the sheer oddity of that. The taiyoukai was attractive (and the twins were sure enough of their masculinity to say) so how could he possibly be a virgin? They just assumed he was very discrete, which the thought was not a bad quality in him.

Anyway, they had decided to "gift" the younger brother with a necklace. The beads would provide... a safety mechanism of sorts for their sister. At least... that was the goal.

But they were almost positive that it would also provide them with hilarity. And if their sister was anything like them, she would so use it to her advantage even if the situation didn't call for it. Well... she was a Higurashi so it was only natural.

But still, Hiroyuki watched Hideaki warily as he finished and began to cackle slightly. He sighed, and placed a hand on his forehead, at least he had decided to remove the whole Niko scent trap from Sesshomaru's room. There was something that would have actually forced the two of them to use their powers to protect themselves.

"It's done!" Hideaki exclaimed, "Brilliant, I must say. Absolutely brilliant! The sheer simplicity of it just makes me want to cry! All our dear little sister has to do is claim a command one would give a dog and Voila! Inuyasha gets it!"

"Yes I know, I helped you find the sutras, did I not?" Hiroyuki said rather tiredly.

His eyes narrowed, "Shouldn't you be a bit more receptive of this? It's to protect our wonderful little sister's virtue!"

"How do you even know if she is?" Hiroyuki asked before he noticed his brother's wince, his face contorted into incredulity, "Yo-you asked the Healer to check? How the hell do you even do that? You're insane!"

"What, just a simple spell really. I needed to know. I mean come on! It's a typical older brother move!" He huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, "Hey! It's normal! I did that with you too when you hit puberty!"

"How would you even check?" His mouth dropped open, "But—you fucker!"

"Hey! Show some respect, I'm your brother!"

"You absolute fucking asshole!"

Hideaki soon found himself running away from his brother. "No need to be hasty Yuki-chan! I only mean for the best!"

"You despicable little nutter, I'm going to kill you!" Hiroyuki called as he pulled out his sword and went to swing at him.

"Oi! Watch the baggage!" Hideaki exclaimed as a close call came between his abdomen and the sword.

"Like hell I will, if I don't fucking castrate you first!"

"Izayoi-sama!"

Touga sighed running his hand through his hair. He tugged at his ear but smiled as his mate grinned widely over her dark painted bamboo hand fan.

"Are you sure you are well? You only woke up a few hours ago, and that visi—" Touga began only to be silenced by Izayoi's fingers.

"I'm fine. The vision was intense and I can only share it when we have all of the elementals' chosen together." She kissed him softly on his cheek. "Do not worry dearest, I am stronger than I look. After all, I've seen what is to come."

He sighed again, and gently stroked her hair with his large clawed hand, "It's been too serious these past two days."

She shook her head, "Well, I believe it is only natural that I should warn you that the next few hours..." she paused and looked at her mate through her eyelashes, "Well... it will be memorable."

"What? That vague even for you Koi—" Touga was about to continue only to see in exasperation as both the Higurashi twin came barrelling in. They were wrestling each other but it seemed that Hiroyuki was the more annoyed of the two.

"Invasion of privacy!"

Izaoyi smiled a closed-eyed smile, "See, darling. Entertainment."

"You bastard!"

"It was once dammit!"

"Cheap shot!"

"H-Hey! Watch it! Family jewels!"

"You shouldn't even be allowed to use them!"

Touga turned conversationally towards his mate, "How much do you want to bet that Hideaki did something stupid?"

"Honey, I already know he did something stupid. I will confess that I am more interested in how –" she paused and smiled widely, "Ahh, Maru-chan!"

Touga grinned as he noticed both his sons making their way over to them. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed, "Hey, I'm your son too!"

"Yash-kun!" Izayoi smiled and leaned up to kiss both her children on the cheek. They grudgingly leaned down to help her small frame. "Have they awakened?"

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, "You know the answer to that already." He then turned to nod at his father in greeting.

"Hey, mister, I taught you that move, it's best to not use it on me." Izayoi said then pulled at Inuyasha's arm, "Go, and separate the twins."

Inuyasha eyes widened, "Are you crazy? They're –"

Izayoi smacked him upside the head and pulled at his ear, "That is no way to speak to you mother. Now, go separate the twins."

"Ouch! Mother!" Inuyasha however knew he couldn't get out of it. He gulped visibly and looked to his brother and his father in assistance.

Touga just grinned and merrily waved at him, while his brother had a slight smirk playing on his lips. The expression he got from the both of them was 'Go on and amuse us.' Izayoi smiled and lightly fanned herself, "Go on."

He cringed then turned to look at the mess. He wasn't afraid. They were the humans. Twins, but humans. And well, he was a hanyou so that was one up the human right? He looked up and silently prayed to whatever God was listening. He stepped forward and cleared his throat.

Noticing that the twins were not affected by it, he grabbed one of them and pulled him up.

"What—"

"Inuyasha!" When one of them said in surprise then in a more serious tone, "Perfect."

"Wait. What?" Inuyasha's eyes widened, when his instinct kicked in. He backed up slowly, but before he knew it, the twins had rounded on him and placed the beaded necklace around his neck.

"What the fuck is this?" Inuyasha cried as he tried to remove it, but found the necklace to heavy.

The twins smiled at each other, "That is a gift, that is not removable by anyone but a Higurashi."

Then Hiroyuki punched Hideaki on his shoulder, "I'm not forgiving you, but seeing our dear little sister is far more important."

The twins then speedily walked away, still hitting each other. Inuyasha turned his eyes towards his mother, "What the hell does this do?"

Izayoi smiled, "It can do one of two things. Let us see where it leads us, ne?"

"You know, I find that the twins are rather odd." Touga said as he too began to walk towards the room the mikos were held. Izayoi smiled up at him, "Seriously, Hiroyuki's emotions were all over the place and Hideaki was more amused than anything else. It really is a wonder they get along so well."

"Mother, how do I get this off?" Inuyasha practically whined.

Sesshomaru sighed, "They are very intelligent, if they said that the only way to remove the beaded necklace is by a Higurashi then that is the only way."

Izayoi watched both her sons with a sharp eye, if her visions were correct it was only a matter of time before Inuyasha would need the Tetsuiga and Sesshomaru the Tensaiga.

Hideaki and Hiroyuki paused at the large rice-paper door and took a deep breath. They shared a long look with each other before gently sliding the door open.

As they entered they noticed the two women inside were watching them curiously, and were oddly alike. Their breathing hitched as they found the blue eyes that were their mother's so very long ago. They bowed deeply and said together, "Welcome to the Clan of the Moon."

The two women nodded and replied with a shallow version of a bow, "Thank you."

They looked up and their eyes stayed focused on the blue-eyed maiden. They smiled, as she took in every single one of their details, in a way as if she was drinking water for the first time. Her eyes scanned them up and down, and her fingers twitched slightly. They knew she looked more like their own mother than they would have thought. Yet they could see the slight crinkle of her nose and the twitch of her lips that reminded them of their father.

They couldn't take their eyes from her.

She shyly ducked her head and her voice grew timid, "Are... you my... brothers?"

Hideaki gasped, her voice was so much like their mother's! "My name is Hideaki and this is Hiroyuki."

"We're twins." Hiroyuki spoke up softly. "And yes, we are your brothers."

"M-my name is Kagome."

The twins nodded, "I'm glad that the name Mother's gifted name for you was not changed."

Kagome smiled and then whispered, "I... what was she like?"

Both the twins made a slight gesture or twitch wanting to hug or touch the girl in comfort. Kagome eyes widened before giving them a sheepish smile, "Why don't you—" Inuyasha came storming in. "—sit down." Kagome finished, sending a light glare towards Inuyasha.

Inuyasha's body slammed down to the floor, causing everyone to turn to him in slight shock.

"Whaff eff fuff!" Inuyasha's voice called out.

Hideaki and Hiroyuki shared a glance before collapsing into laughter. Hiroyuki punched his brother in the shoulder, "See, I told you it would work!"

"Oh the irony!"

Kagome's mouth dropped open before she turned accusatory look at her brothers, "Do you mind explaining how exactly I got Dog-Ears over there to kiss the ground?"

Hideaki actually gulped before turning over to his sister, "You know, that is almost exactly the way Mother used to chastise us. You remember, don't you Yuki-chan?"

Hiroyuki just grinned, "Let's sit shall we." They went and perched a foot and a half away from their sister. "You see, your dear older brother here was afraid of... Inuyasha's rather loud personality and so he decided to..." He paused trying to look for the right word, "Protect—no more like make sure that Inuyasha would not pressurize you in anything you do not wish."

"Like umm submission of sorts?" Kagome asked rather warily. She turned to look at Kikyo and shrugged, "Well now you can't blame my humour on my personality, now can you Kikyo?"

"Apparently not." Kikyo replied with a shake of her head. Kikyo gave them a deep bow from her position on the futon, "It is an honour to meet the Higurashi heirs."

Kagome shot Kikyo a confused look, "Why—"

Hideaki smiled politely at Kikyo and formally greeted her. "An honour it may be, it is a pleasure to meet with a holy maiden."

"I don't understand, what's with this?" Kagome asked, making a vague gesture with her right hand.

The twins shared a smile, before Kikyo answered, "Kagome-san, the Higurashi clan has held power on all holy beings in the nation. It is their job to ensure that no one goes corrupt or to make sure that the knowledge is still present. They have schools to train anyone with holy powers, I too was trained but in Edo not here."

Kagome nodded slowly, "That does make a lot of sense..."

Hiroyuki watched her carefully, "I was wondering... where you have been all this time. We searched for you for years, but we never found out."

Kagome sighed, "I was told that Mom jumped into a well. There she was kept safe."

Hideaki and Hiroyuki shared a look, wanting to ask more questions before Inuyasha nosily got up, "What the fuck! Seriously, what the fuck!"

The twins shrugged their shoulders before giving him a smile, "Well the thing is that you are a rather... rash, impulsive, foolish, impetuous, thoughtless, careless, reckless, irrational, imprudent—"

"I get it! You can stop!" Inuyasha quickly said, "Even so, I think that this is too much. I'm on a freaking leash!"

Kagome grinned widely, "Why then aren't you embracing your true nature?"

"Go to hell."

Kikyo sighed, "Do not make me come over there at pull your ears like last time." Kagome and Inuyasha gave Kikyo a wary glance before looking away. "That's better. My head is beginning to pound."

"Actually, that was more like how mother used to chastise us. Or worse, how Ruksana-san did." Hideaki said with an impressed voice. "Though, I suppose, since you are good friends with our dog eared prince you would need to have a little bit of control."

Hiroyuki rolled his eyes, "Anyway, Kagome-san, where exactly did you end up?"

Kagome hesitated, "Like I said, Mom jumped with me into a well that led her to... meet my father. From there she raised me and my younger brother."

"We searched everywhere for the two of you. Yet we found nothing."

Kikyo cleared her throat, "I beg your pardon, however I believe she came from the bone-eaters well."

Inuyasha nodded, "If that was the same well she came out of, then yeah it was it."

"The well is said to have magical properties due to amount of demon bones actually thrown into the well as well as the fact that the demon Touga-sama sealed within it." Hideaki paused thoughtfully, "I know that it was sealed with quite a powerful enchantment. Even our holy powers simply cannot compare. So, for the seal to be broken... it must have been the gods and goddesses favour."

"To be involved with the gods would mean that you are gifted. It also means that you my dear sister are going to be in one hell of life."

"Do not forget Higurashi, she is not alone in this."

All five heads turned to see the Lord and Lady Taisho enter the chambers with the crown prince. The higurashi twins bowed their head respectfully. Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "Always one to make an entrance, eh Pops?"

"Really Inuyasha, 'pops'? By gods you have lost the little respect I had for you."

"Shut up Hideaki."

"But really? Pops? It is just so..." Hideaki paused dramatically to shiver, "primitive."

"Says the guy with pe—" Inuyasha began only to be hit by the hand fan his mother carried upside his head. "Miko Kikyo and Hime Kagome, may I introduce to you the Lord Taisho Touga, and his wife, the Lady Taisho Izayoi of the Clan of the Moon." Inuyasha introduced formally.

Izayoi cleared her throat and gave him a point look. With a sigh he continued, "And may I humbly introduce the Crown Prince, Taisho Sesshomaru of the Clan of Moon and heir to the Western Lands and the Isles of the Sky."

Kagome and Kikyo bowed as best as they could without getting up.

Izayoi smiled, and gave them a shallow bow, "I would like to formally thank you for helping me in my little predicament by allow me to do so by opening our courts to you."

Touga grinned, "Yes, by all means you are under formal protection of our clan and will have both our sons at your disposal."

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru both looked up with a look of indignation towards their father. Izayoi shook her head, "As much as you want to give your sons to these lovely girls, I am afraid you cannot. We need them with the courtesans first and then they are theirs."

Kikyo choked on air, while Kagome's eyebrows raised way over her hair line. "Courtesans? Honestly? I thought you were a virgin Sesshomaru. What with that stick stuck up way up your... tail." Kagome managed to say without stuttering.

"I am over two hundred." Sesshomaru icily replied with narrowed eyes. "And I do not have anything in my tail."

"Hey it's not an insult!" Kagome snapped, "Really it's not. I'm an eighteen year old virgin. Besides, I didn't think you were that... old."

"Hey Aki-chan I guess you won't have to do that test." Hiroyuki whispered dramatically over to his engrossed brother.

"Old?" Sesshomaru said as if it were a disease, "You are clearly out of your mind. I am not old. I have not even reached my prime yet."

"Oh I'm sorry, you are at the very least one hundred and eighty two years older than me. And yet in my city I am considered at my prime." Kagome said with a roll of her eyes.

"Your prime is not the same as mine." Sesshomaru replied, "You are human. You age faster; I have barely begun my prime. Besides, the prime age for humans is twenty years of age."

Kikyo couldn't seem to meet Inuyasha's eyes, "Kikyo stop. It is not what you think. Really, but father lost a bet and I'm not going to use—"

"I—I really do not need to hear of this." Kikyo cut in, and then mumbled, "It is not any of my concern or my business on who warms your bed at night Inuyasha-san."

"Brrrrr! Was that cold or what?" Hideaki shivered with a grin.

"No! Really it's not like that!" Inuyasha went over to her, "Seriously, I don't plan to bed those girls! I may have in the past—"

"Did he just bury himself in a deeper hole?" Kagome asked with a slight shock in her voice.

"You actually required the services of a courtesan?" Kikyo asked with wide eyes, "You know those women tend to be more poor families and only are forced into such occupations! And yet you actually bed them! Took advantage of them! Really did you not know that you can use their services for entertainment that does not have to be that of a s-sexual account."

"It appears he has." Sesshomaru noted.

"But—I'm over two hundred years old!" Inuyasha stuttered, "You can't possible except me to be a virgin."

"Annnddd the grave gets deeper!" Hiroyuki snickered from beside Hideaki.

"And I am a holy maiden. I do not need to hear of your conquests!" Kikyo snapped, before she rubbed her fingers on her forehead, "I think you should leave. My headache is getting worse by the second."

Izayoi clapped her hands loudly, "Well darlings, come now. It seems that the miko and hime need to rest. Off you go." She sent Inuyasha a pointed look, then a raised eyebrow at the other three boys and finally a soft wave at her mate. "They need rest if they are to join us for dinner tonight."

Touga just grinned, "A pleasure to meet you fine ladies."

The twins bowed in an exaggerated manner, "Till dinner."

Sesshomaru walked out, pulling Inuyasha with him. "Wait—I'm not done talking—"

Sesshomaru sighed, "Do you really wish to dig yourself deeper? Let them be."

"Now I am dreadfully sorry that you had to witness all that. I am sure the two of you have several questions you would like to ask me." Izayoi started once all the male occupants had gone. "My sons have little to no tact when concerning women. I am afraid that they have not had any kind of company except male asides from mine since their birth... well at least nothing consistent."

Kagome smiled, "its fine. Men don't change no matter where they're from."

Izayoi watched Kikyo carefully, "You know dear, demons hardly ever remain celibate. The only thing that may keep them celibate is if they scent their true mate."

"What do you mean?" Kagome quickly asked as she too watched for Kikyo's reaction.

"It is hard to explain. As you know demons have the ability to find their mate. Most demons find the strongest female to reflect themselves. For example a bear demon may look for a demon that is able to bear cubs and that is able to fight to protect her young, while lion demons try to find the strongest and fastest hunting female. There are however rare cases. These only occur for the most powerful of demons, demons that have been gifted by the gods. Now they are the only ones that are able to find their true mate. However, they may not necessarily be celibate at all. Usually they are not since there does tend to be a significant age difference between the two." Izayoi paused thoughtfully, "I am not sure what it is that causes the demon to start looking for their true mate and it may be because they begin to feel the void or it may just be purely coincidental. Once the demon catches the scent of his true mate, they lose interest in just about everything. They will not rest until they try to see them again, and they tend to create a silent vow of celibacy until they can have their true mate."

"How do they know it is their true mate?" Kikyo asked softly.

"Well according to Touga, he said that he had a rather large debate with his beast. Apparently, their inner beast will recognize their true mate and will try everything in order to mark them. One day it might attempt to cross the line, which is when the demon will confront their beast."

"What about half demons?" Kagome asked knowing that it was what Kikyo had been leading to. Kikyo's head shot towards Kagome.

Izayoi hummed softly, "Ah yes hanyous. Well, they are different, very human like in that manner. They do not realise their mate until a short period of losing the other. For example, the fear for of their significant other's life to such an extreme that they are afraid to let them outside of their sight. Another can be considered the threat of competition. Besides, celibacy or any absence is literally dangerous for them. They need to take out the rage their incomplete beast creates within. That tends to be a safer root. Some have to start at the age equivalent of twelve for us humans or as they hit puberty."

Izayoi then smiled widely, "these questions can be asked later. Do you have anything you wish to ask me? I know the two of you have question but seem... hesitant to ask. Unlike most demons, I do not bite."

"What happened?" Kikyo asked softly, "I remember the two of us fighting and then seeing your sons enter battle."

"Ahh yes. Now I am aware that you have met Naruku. He is a hanyou that has been around for far too long. His spirit just does not wish to leave this world. He is only increasing his own suffering by lingering. Mark my words, you must work together with my sons and you must trust one another with your life. That is the only way to survive now. But we can discuss that with my mate and sons. Right now, I would like to answer your more personal questions."

Kagome and Kikyo shared a look. They both seemed to realise how it was that Sesshomaru and Inuyasha ended up the way they did.

"Yes you will be with who your heart truly wishes to be with and it will not cause you to lose your powers."

Kikyo gasped her eyes wide.

"You will have three sons and one daughter. While you dear child, will have six sons."

Kagome sputtered, "W-what?"

"And no, men never grow up. But rest assured that they will provide for you and care for you like only a true mate can. Oh! That is right, you will also open a clinic for the sick while you will invest in medicine and education." Izayoi hummed thoughtfully, "trust in the unseen and fear to visible."

"You know... I've never seen someone as stupid as you Inuyasha." Hideaki started to say rather thoughtfully. "I mean really, did you seriously try to explain to a jealous female that you are a whore?"

Inuyasha growled, "Fuck off!"

"Calm down. She had to find out, it is not something you could have hid." Hideaki replied.

"I hate you."

"Ooohhhhhhhhhhhh my head hurts." Hiroyuki groaned dramatically, "My brain seems to have gotten allergic to Inuyasha-sama's insistent whining."

"I'm afraid that is something that is highly contagious." Hideaki readily agreed. "It is a very serious condition dear brother. Maybe we should have it checked by the healer?"

"Would it not be better to kill the source?"

"Why, that is a wonderful idea!"

"After you?"

"Thank you, but I insist we do this together." Hideaki replied seriously.

Inuyasha had little time before he found himself running—rather quickly to his chambers.

Sesshomaru let out an inaudible sigh.

Dinner.

Never had the one word and time felt so dreadful. He knew full well that whatever was about to happen once he opened those doors might mentally scar him for a very long time. To think that some idiot (the idiot being his father) thought it was a good idea to have all three Higurashi (known for their terrible sense of humor, that was always at someone else's expense), his mother (the cruel and manipulative) and of course his half brother that would dig himself in a deeper hole.

Hn, actually, that would be quite amusing to watch.

But no. Even then he just knew it was going to be pure torture.

He changed his clothes with difficulty. Have the use of only one arm was really frustrating. He looked down at his missing limb. And closed his eyes. It was his own stupidity, but he would manage. With that he slipped into a pair of simple sandals and stalled a little at his door.

He paused.

Wait, his mother had been alone with Higurashi. He shivered inwardly, ohh... this was definitely not going to be a good dinner. Maybe... he should order the staff to have a raw deer or lesser demon brought to him. Full with blood? Would that be enough to gross out the humans? Or have his parents ask him to eat elsewhere? Maybe he should request for wine infused with the blood of some creature? Something that would actually cause the others to leave...

He then cringed, unfortunately he knew his mother. She wasn't going to take it sitting down. Knowing her, she would try to do something to embarrass him. Could he feign illness? Or perhaps a much more important task?

But that would be hiding.

"This Sesshomaru does not hide." He said aloud. He braced himself, before letting out a defeated sigh and opening his door.

His posture straightened and he walked gracefully towards the family dining room. His hand moved to open the door and he paused. His sensitive ears picked up his mother's giggling and he was sourly tempted to swear.

He winced, and opened the door pasting an immaculate mask of nothing. He bowed to his parents before taking a seat beside his father on his right.

Inuyasha was seated and looked rather twitchy beside their mother, on his father's left. The Higurashi twins sat on either side with Kagome between himself and Hideaki and Kikyo between Inuyasha and Hiroyuki. He glanced rather sharply at his mother.

"I am glad you finally decided to gift us with your prescence." Izayoi started with a raised eyebrow, "Maru-chan it is rather unbecoming to have your esteemed guests wait your arrival."

Sesshomaru stared across at his mother, "This Sesshomaru was otherwise occupied."

"Oh? With what dear?"

"With your mate's concubines."

"My mate's? I believe that they are yours, dear son." Izayoi smirked, before waving her hand dismissively, "Anyway, I was just telling everyone how you have volunteered to test Kagome-san's powers."

Sesshomaru had been really tested with his lack of facial expression. So all he did was nod, "shall we meet at dawn?" Like he would give her the satisfaction.

"You know, you are allowed to refuse." Kagome said rather curiously.

Sesshomaru's eyes shifted down to look at her sapphire pools. Had they always been the color of gems? He thought distractedly. "You need someone strong to show you your true strength."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped.

"Higurashi you do not know your own strength. So it is only natural that you have someone who will go... easy on you."

"Oh no you didn't!"

"Pardon?"

"How dare you! Fuzzy-tail, I can totally kick your fuzzy boa or tail or whatever the hell it is that your carry on your shoulder to Saturn!"

"You only have a maximum of ten years of training, is it not obvious that I am in the more advantageous position?"

"I—you—urgh! No. I have holy powers, which will hurt you."

Sesshomaru almost rolled his eyes. "I believe that after you received some of my blood, your powers are not affective against me."

"What?" the others found themselves question in exclamation other than Inuyasha and Kikyo. "You what?"

"Kagome-san had been attacked and the poison was causing her body to reject her own blood and her powers seemed to be pushed back. Then Sesshomaru-sama did a blood transfusion with her own, in an effort to reverse the damage." Kikyo explained, "It worked, however at the same time it seemed to create a bond of some sort."

"That's right. Sesshomaru wasn't burned by a holy barrier but the Wen—Higurashi was." Inuyasha added, "It was really weird."

"Can you at least pretend that I'm in the room?" Kagome muttered irritated.

"Sesshomaru you fucking started the mating ritual!" Hideaki accused Sesshomaru rather loudly.

"It needs to be a mutual blood exchange. My body does not have her blood and therefore it does not count." Sesshomaru snappily replied.

"Yuki-chan, can you believe him?" Hideaki ignore Sesshomaru's glare and turned towards his sister, "You have been having an odd dreams? Or perhaps feeling different emotions?"

Kagome gave them a confused look, "Err... no."

Sesshomaru mentally heaved a sigh of relief and a tinge of annoyance, "not that it matters. I will not be mating in the coming future."

"Pu-lease!" Izayoi said with a scoff. "Inuyasha will be mated to someone by the end of the next full moon. Sesshomaru will be mated by the next two full moons. "

Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Kagome and Kikyo found themselves choking. All realising that the next full moon was only two weeks away.

"Wait what about me?" Hideaki said with waggling eyebrows.

Izayoi grinned, "You my dear will be a bachelor for your entire life."

"Alright!"

"How the fuck does he remain a bachelor while I'm mated in almost fourteen days! While Nii-san is free for at least forty-three odd days."

"Saki! We need celebratory saki!" Touga called with a wide grin.

"Oh my god, this is like the apocalypse." Kagome groaned.

Kagome sighed as she stepped into the cool air of the night. She breathed in the deep clean air and the scent of hundreds of different flowers. She wasn't sure if she could pick out any certain scent but she felt at peace. The flowers slept like every other night.

She found herself walking deeper into the garden, until she reached a small section surrounded by jasmine flowers. She raised her kimono slightly so that she could lift her foot over some of the flowers. Finding a stable place to set her foot, she stepped into the well kept patch. She carefully raised her other foot to step into the small earthy spot.

She inhaled deeply and felt her body lighten. Her eyes closed and she slipped out of her sandals. She listened to the breeze and could feel the warmth of the ground beneath her bare feet.

Not realizing she began to sing softly, "sun's out yet if feels like rain. So I'll illuminate your day..." The ground beneath her feet began to rise ever so gently as she sang, "I'm afraid I'm losing it, what's it going to take me to get through this..."

She felt the wind speed around her as if playfully swept her hair back and rustled the wind to the tune of her song. She felt herself uncoil out of everything.

"We'll get through this...because even the brave need someone, the moon doesn't shine without the help of the sun... I'll walk you home."

Sesshomaru continued to watch Kagome from his balcony. His ears picking up her soft voice singing a song he had never heard before.

Maybe... just maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be involved with someone like her.

Introductions