A/N: Do not own Inuyasha or anyone, except the ones not originally in the anime. There, got it out of the way; now onto more important matters. Be prepared for some sappiness, not much but enough to be sweet and cute. I actually really like this chapter, especially the part with Sesshomaru, so read and enjoy!

Chapter 16:
Emotions

Kagome was in and out of it for the next few days as her body healed from the damage it had sustained as well as the strain she had put on it by pushing so hard to reach Sesshomaru.

"Ugh, I feel like crap; where am I?" Opening her eyes she looked around and memories of what had taken place flooded her mind. She went to sit up but found that on either side of her lay a sleeping child, giggling she smoothed the hair from their faces and prepared herself to wait. A sound to her right drew her eyes to meet those of Amata's and she smiled at the one who had taken care of her.

"I'm glad to see you awake, you've been asleep for days; the little ones were growing worried even though I told them your body needed time to heal."

Chuckling together they noticed when Shippou's ears twitched at the sound of her laughter before opening his eyes and turning to look at her.

"Okaa-san!" Burying himself closer to her he took in her bright happy scent and breathed a sigh of relief at the lack of pain in it. Smiling she wrapped her arm tighter around him as she hugged him close laying a gentle kiss on his head.

"I'm sorry I worried you Shippou."

"Nee-chan?" Turning to the voice she saw the small face of Rin looking hesitantly at her.

"Hey Rin, sorry to worry you too." Hugging the girl to her she kissed her forehead as well and watched as a wide smile lit up her face.

"How are you feeling Kagome-sama?"

"Kagome please Amata-sama, and to be honest, I feel like crap," pausing she sniffed herself, "and I need a bath; badly."

Laughing at the girl before her, Amata stood and told the children to find Jaken while Kagome bathed; she shushed their arguments with the statement that if they wanted her to get better quicker, a nice bath would help. They laughed together as the kids took off to find Jaken and Kagome could only imagine what they were going to do to him.

"Alright Kagome, it's just Amata to you as well; now let's get you that bath." Kagome went to stand and found that something had been resting at her feet. Looking at it she couldn't tell what it was until it moved and began to stretch before jumping off the bed.

"Shinji?" She asked amazed that he was a lot smaller than what she had always seen. A nod was her answer and she laughed at the exasperated look he had in his eyes.

"Don't give me that look; I didn't know you could change size."

Blowing smoke out of his nose in an obvious huff, he stretched once more before trotting off to go find the children. Both females looked at each other before erupting in to a fit of giggles at the dragon's attitude.

"Quite a character isn't he?"

"You have no idea, Amata, no idea," new giggles erupted from them as they made their way slowly to the baths.

Giant doors stood before them, richly ornate in decorative metals; Kagome saw that those metals formed a large picture of a giant Inu howling at the moon. When she saw this only one name came to her mind:

"Inutaishou."

"How did you know that that was the Great Dog General?"

"I've seen Sesshomaru's real form as well as been to his father's grave."

From that statement the girls talked about the past as they walked through the doors and into the bathing room beyond them. A brief lapse in silence followed as Kagome took in the beauty around her awed at what she was seeing.

The room was huge; an enormous pool was in the middle: 'large enough for Sesshomaru's true form' was a thought that floated across her mind as her eyes continued to wander. Smaller pools and hot springs were scattered across the floor, while trees grew large and strong protecting the hot spring individually. Benches were near all of them as well as things needed to bath with. Kagome followed Amata as she led her to the one closet to themselves.

"Are you well enough to bath on your own Kagome?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Then I will take my leave, you may call for me when you are done; I won't be far."

Kagome looked unsure as she watched the tiger demon walk back towards the door.

"Ummm, Amata?" Kagome called and watched as she turned to look over her shoulder.

"I would be grateful for the company if you don't mind." Bowing her head shyly Kagome waited for the demoness to say that she had other things to attend to when a hand on her shoulder drew her eyes up.

"I would be grateful for the company as well Kagome; there are few demonesses that I care for here." They smiled at each other before turning back to the water in order to undress.

Kagome sighed as she sank into the steaming water letting her muscles relax as the grime was washed away before smiling when she heard Amata doing the same. They picked up the conversation before with ease, like they had known each other for years instead of the few days, most of which Kagome was unconscious for.

"So, you were human?"

"Yes, I was born a human and died a human. I was reborn as a demon in order to finish the quest that I am on; to collect the jewel shards and destroy Naraku once and for all." Kagome laughed at the confused expression on Amata's face before she explained.

"I was betrayed by Inuyasha who had said he loved me, but chose his head love, Kikyou, instead. I was struck down by Naraku because of that fact and died because of my wounds he gave me; though I did manage to purify most of him causing him to flee. After that I remember waking up in Omnimaru's hut as a demon."

"Omnimaru!" Amata basically screeched in excitement.

"Yeah…."

"You mean to tell me the Great Omnimaru, mother of the Great General healed you and turned you into a demon?"

"Yeah she did…Wait? She's Sesshomaru's and Inuyasha's grandmother?"

"Why yes, you didn't know?"

"No, I had no clue; I wonder why she didn't tell me."

They fell into silence after that and quickly finished their bathing before getting out; Kagome dressed in a simple kimono of forest green with a black obi that Amata had given her, while said demon regained her miko like clothing.

"It's almost dinner time; would you like to go find the children before hand?"

"I would love to, thank you Amata."

Amata smiled at her patient, her knew friend, before leading her to the gardens where she knew the children to be. It didn't take long to arrive at the entrance to the gardens and Kagome smiled widely as she saw Rin and Shippou playing amongst the flowers chasing butterflies, then fireflies as it grew darker. Smirking deviously to Amata, Kagome crouched down and made her way towards the children hidden by bushes; Amata hid herself as well so as to not give Kagome away.

Creeping closer Kagome was proud to see Shippou freeze in his play and stand in front of Rin while looking around warily. She made her way quietly behind them before preparing to spring upon the unsuspecting children.

Sesshomaru watched from the window of his study with barely contained amusement as he studied Kagome; his eyes danced with rarely seen laughter as he noticed her tail swishing back and forth in a very cat-like manner. A tiny smile played upon his lips as he heard the children scream in fake terror as Kagome tackled them to the ground and began to tickle them mercilessly. As quickly as it had come it left as he turned, leaving his study to retrieve his ward and guests for dinner.

Kagome laughed with the children as she tickled them on the grass and let their happiness wash over her soothing away her frayed nerves of what had happened and what was to come.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Startled at Rin's cry, Kagome stopped her assault on Shippou and watched as Rin launched herself at her protector latching herself to his pant leg as she smiled widely up at him. For a brief moment Kagome thought she saw a smile on his lips as he laid a hand on her head. Standing she dusted herself off before grabbing Shippou's hand and moving to stand in front of him, waiting for what he had to say if anything.

As she locked eyes with him she saw them soften for a moment as he glanced to Rin and then back at her. Surprise flooded her as she understood that it was his way of thanking her without the use of words. Nodding she smiled brightly as she grasped Shippou's hand a bit tighter knowing that he could have gotten hurt if Sesshomaru hadn't ordered his men to protect him.

"Come, its dinner time."

Shaken out of her thoughts when Shippou tugged on her hand she followed the demon lord back into his castle wondering to herself what the future held for them all.

Dinner was a quiet affair only broken by the children talking to each other as well as Kagome when they asked her a question. Soon enough it was time for bed and Kagome was confused as to where they were going to sleep until Sesshomaru motioned for them to follow.

As they headed down the hall Kagome couldn't help but notice the stares from the servants as they passed by. She also couldn't ignore some of the whispers as to if Sesshomaru had chosen her for a mate as well as some others that were less than flattering. Blushing slightly she held her head high and glared at any who had unsavory remarks about her. She almost snapped when a maid made a less than pleasant remark about her kit, but was stopped by an angry swell of youki directed towards the maid.

Kagome watched as Sesshomaru nearly glanced over his shoulder before the maid smartly disappeared from sight and quickly. Turning back around he continued on his way like nothing happened knowing they would follow, while Kagome could not lose the small smile that played across her lips.

It wasn't too long before he stopped in front of a door and looked expectantly at Kagome; shy now, she went to slide the door open before looking at Sesshomaru for approval. Nodding his head she opened the door and stepped in; her eyes adjusted quickly to the light of the room and what she saw took her breath away.

The bed was adorned in beautiful hunter green and the covers seemed to be made of silk; the walls were a light cream color to brighten the room up a bit. There were cream colored pillows upon the bed to have a break amongst the sea of green and a wooden door on the left that Kagome assumed would lead to a closet. The furniture in the room matched the deep red-brown color of the closet door and was polished until it shined.

Turning back to Sesshomaru she smiled brightly before bowing to him.

"Thank you Sesshomaru, this room is beautiful."

Nod, "The kit will stay with you until another room is prepared, it that acceptable?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Then I bid you and your kit goodnight." He turned to leave before pausing to let Rin say goodnight as well.

Kagome ushered Shippou into the room and laughed when he launched himself onto the bed before squealing when he heard growling from under the covers.

"Shinji!" Kagome laughed as said dragon grumbled as he made his way out from under the blanket.

"How'd you know this was out room?" She asked laughter in her eyes.

A glance to the side of the bed drew Kagome's eyes there and she giggled when she saw her bag sitting innocently there.

"Gotcha; alright Shippou let's get ready for bed now."

She ignored his grumbles about it being too early for bed as she went to her backpack and pulled out pajamas for the night. Changing quickly Kagome did her nightly routine before helping Shippou into his own pajamas; climbing into bed she opened her arms when Shippou crawled towards her. Closing her eyes she pulled him close to her listening to his breathing even out as he slipped into slumber.

She tried to rest her mind but thoughts kept her awake as they raced around; sighing in frustration she disentangled herself from her kit and sat up on the side of the bed. She ran her fingers through Shinji's mane as he came up and sat beside her knowing that she needed the comfort. Silently she stood and grabbing a robe from her bag she slipped it on before making her way to the double doors that she could smell led outside. Glancing over to Shippou and Shinji she smiled before opening the doors and stepping into the cool summer night.

Pausing a moment she enjoyed the breeze upon her skin before moving into the garden ahead of her disappearing into the flora around her. Soundlessly she glided into the night as she took in the plants around her, her head tilting to the side when she heard the sound of water and making her way towards it.

A small brook traveled through the garden and sitting beside it she let her mind wander as peace settled about her. Lifting her head to the night sky she let her eyes slip close, listening to the wilderness echo through her as it soothed her thoughts letting them trickle through her like the brook she sat by. She didn't shy away from the thoughts that now surfaced; she knew she needed to confront them before they destroyed her from being held at bay for so long.

"Why do you cry, little miko?"

A startled laugh escaped her lips as her eyes opened to see Sesshomaru sitting across from her. Gently she touched her cheeks and pulling her hand away she saw tears on her fingertips.

"I don't know…"

He could hear the confusion as well as the sadness laced in her voice and wondered again what had caused this.

"Maybe it's because I've never been strong enough for anyone. It seems that I'm never good enough nor able to be given love as freely as I have given it to others. I have been betrayed, lied to, beaten, and battered and in the end I still forgive those that have done me harm. I can't say that I regret the decisions I have made, but I do wish that I was worth it to someone.

"Maybe it's because I'm not strong enough to protect those I love; I can't protect Shippou without getting seriously injured and in the end I wasn't brave enough to tell anyone but Sango and Miroku that I'm alive because I can't bear to face him. And even though he's taken everything from me, I can't help but love him, maybe not as I did before, but he is still dear to me. I wish I could hate him, blame him for everything that has happened to me, but I know that I allowed him the power he had to play with my emotions. I've failed myself like I have so many times before. What good am I? To anyone for that matter?" Closing her eyes once more she held back her sobs as she lifted her head back to the stars letting their cold presence comfort her.

"Little Miko, you are stronger in ways that I, myself, will and can never be. You are a mother to an orphaned kit who you adopted while still human; you stood against all ridicule while never losing your desire to make him feel loved. You stood against all insults and suspicions with a proud stance and never backed down. The strength of your body is something you can train but the strength of your heart is something that you cannot and yours is by far the strongest I have ever seen. I too have been betrayed and yet loved and hated them at the same time for it, it is not something that you can control and in time the wounds heal and leave you with the understanding of why they did what they did whether they wanted it turn out the way it did or not.

"Never doubt how strong you are Kagome and know that to some you mean the world whether they show it or not. You are you, never let anyone make you think otherwise."

Silent tears coursed down her cheeks at his speech, turning wide disbelieving eyes to him she wondered why he was being so nice to her and what he meant by meaning the world to some. Sensing him consciously she noticed how relaxed he seemed and could only assume it was because he was in his own realm, a place he could be his true self.

"Thank you."

He stared at her peaceful face though tears still streamed down her cheeks like crystal veins; he debated within himself as to what to do to stop them and made his decision before he could change his mind.

Standing silently, he stepped over the brook and sat behind her before drawing her into his arms. He felt her stiffen for a moment before relaxing against him and turning slightly so she could snake her arms around his waist. She snuggled her face into his neck and let her tears and sorrows go, safe for the moment in the arms of someone she had come to cherish dearly.

Amata watched from the shadows and smiled when she saw the most miniscule blush cross her lord's face before she departed to leave them to themselves.

"Why are you being so nice? Not that I mind; I'm just not used to seeing you this way," the question skittered across his skin leaving goose bumps in its wake.

"You have gone out of your way to protect my ward as well as become my…friend," he paused drawing a breath into him as he noticed her stillness.

"You have survived hardships others would have cracked under. I admire you Kagome and respect you for all you have done. I'm glad you are back, when you died the world lost some of its brightness, it's good to see it has been returned." His voice was quiet and filled with an emotion neither he nor she could discern, but it brought fresh tears to her eyes as she hugged him tighter.

"Thank you Sesshomaru, you have no idea what your words mean to me." He could feel her smiling against his neck and he too let a small smile play upon his lips as the stars stood as silent witnesses.

A/N: Cute neh? Sesshomaru's sooooooooooooooo sweet it's almost unbearable. Next chapter sees a little more of the sweetness and Kagome kicks some ass! It can only get more awesome from here on out so I want a ton of reviews to fuel me on typing these chapters up okay? Thanks!