A/N:Well I did it! Two chapters in two days! I wanna say I will keep it up since most of the story is already written, all I have to do is type it, but we'll see. I'm gonna try my best so bare with me guys!

I wanted to say thank you to:

Naeluvsu
Jessy313
KEdakumi

For your wonderful reviews! I will try my best for more fluff, and to keep it interesting so keep on reviewing. Thanks guys, you're the best!

Chapter 18:
Know your Heart

She kept her distance for the next few days trying to sort out the turmoil in her mind; she didn't want to let herself fall only to have her heart shattered once more. It was hard though, to squash that hope, especially when she saw how he acted around his home, how much more relaxed he was. He wasn't what she had thought, had been led to believe he was.

She sat underneath a beautiful old sakura tree watching as Sesshomaru helped Rin as she showed him what she had learned that day. It was endearing how he showed his affection for the girl with a subtle touch or a quick smile. It was sitting there watching him that she came to the conclusion that she couldn't shield her heart from everything. She was going to live a long life and to be honest, she didn't spend it alone. So when he glanced at her she smiled shyly at him and when he smiled back her heart fluttered at the sight. She knew that she couldn't stop falling for him even if she wanted to; smiling widely to herself she was okay with that.

Rin and Shippou smiled at each other when they noticed how close those they considered parents had grown to each other.

"Do you think we'll become brother and sister?" Rin whispered as they went inside for dinner.

"I hope so, I want mama to be happy and Sesshomaru seems to do that."

"Uh huh, and Sesshomaru-sama seems so much happier now too."

"How can you tell?"

Rin just laughed pushing him before bolting inside leaving a smiling Shippou behind.

Kagome smiled as she watched the interaction between them wondering what they could possibly be talking about. Shaking her head she headed to the door smiling slightly when Sesshomaru fell in step beside her, the silence between them comfortable once more.

"Could I be graced with your presence on the way to dinner?" Startled at the break in silence she looked at him speechless as he held out his arm for her. Nodding gently she took his arm and was tucked close to his side his warmth and presence washing over her.

She tried to hide her blush, but when she glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw him smiling slightly she couldn't help but smile too. It was a quiet walk to dinner, but one she enjoyed more than anything in a long time.

"Thank you."

Startled once more she looked up at him and froze at the look that had come over his face and eyes.

"For what?" Standing in the hallway they looked at each other before he spoke once more.

"For taking the initiative to train the children of my people, our people. Thank you."

Astounded at his thanks she could only nod as silent tears rose to her eyes unbidden.

"No thanks are needed Sesshomaru, I know what it's like to be in a situation where I couldn't do anything. I know what it's like to be weak; I don't want them to ever experience that."

Pausing in his motion to open the dining room door he caught her eyes and the seriousness in them had her holding her breath.

"You are anything but weak."

Sucking in a breath at that quiet statement she closed her eyes as a few tears leaked out. Her eyes flew open as she felt his claws brush some of those tears away.

"No more tears," he whispered cupping her cheek in his palm and smiling when she leaned into it.

A scream and laughter from the dining room startled them apart and with the moment lost they headed inside to see what damage had been done.

Looking back over the weeks she had been here, Kagome smiled when she decided that that day was when their relationship had changed. Smiling widely she let her mind wander as she continued to instruct her students and helped them when they needed it. Looking around her smile grew as she saw some of the soldiers helping as well; closing her eyes she remembered when Sesshomaru offered her the training grounds for her class as a better place for them to learn. She had been ecstatic and had hugged him, to her surprise he had hugged back.

Dragging her thoughts from the memory she started to address her students before she froze and turned to face east her body ridged and her senses on high alert.

"Nakato, gather the children calmly and get them inside, now," she whispered as she walked away from him.

"Kagome, what's…" he stopped though when she glanced back to him all play gone from her face and only a hard determination brewing in her eyes.

"Everyone follow me! Quickly now! Ask questions later, we need to get inside!"

Grimly she waited knowing what was coming and wishing Sesshomaru hadn't left for his perimeter check that morning; it was damn inconvenient.

"Kagome, the guards can take care of what's coming; the children are worried about you."

"I can't let them Amata, it has a jewel shard and those are my responsibility." She saw the guards preparing to fight, but a sinking feeling caused her to address them as the sounds of demons grew closer.

"Protect the children at all cost! That is the only priority!" She saw their uncertainty, but a withering glare from her had them moving to protect the castle where the kids were.

There was no battle cry, no warning as the demons swarmed out of the trees trying to kill everything in their path. Snarling, Kagome tried to locate the one with the jewel shard when she was struck from behind.

Stumbling forward she twisted blocking the claws aiming to behead her; the laughing face of a panther demon had her hissing in rage as she struck out only to miss as she danced out of the way. It was then that she saw the jewel shard embedded in the panther's right collar bone.

"What do you want here?"

"I want your jewel shards of course, and my master wants me to cripple the west. So here I am!" She stated lunging forward ready to kill. Kagome leaned back grabbing the wrist that flew in front of her eyes and flipped the demon over flowing through with her own attack her hand digging into her attacker's skin and pulling the shard out. She wasn't quick enough to miss the claws aimed for her face and came away with four gashed on her cheek. She moved back as the panther got up slowly gripping her chest in pain as blood leaked through her fingers.

Kagome slipped the shard into the pouch she kept around her neck and waited for what would happen next. She didn't flinch when red eyes gazed at her in rage, knowing that her own had started to bleed at the thought of them harming the kids, nor when she attacked wildly.

It was viscous fight, blood flying freely between them as they tried to cripple each other enough to land the killing blow. It was a fight that Kagome did not intend to lose as she heard the terrified yells of the children, knowing they were fine at the moment just scared, but she didn't want to fail them by dying. It enraged her, knowing that these demons were scaring them when they had been happy moments before, screaming in rage she attacked scoring the panther across the chest with her claws. Hissing she backed up before flipping over and before Kagome could see what she did dirt had been thrown into her eyes, yowling she dodged scratches opening up down the length of her left arm. Keeping her eyes closed she searched for the demon with her miko powers and saw her coming at her again, pooling her powers into her hands she screamed out her challenged and heard it echoed as they came together.

Panting heavily Kagome let herself fall to the ground as the ashes of her opponent fell around her. Rubbing her eyes she opened them and looking around saw that the guards had killed off most of the attackers and captured a few for Sesshomaru to question when he returned; letting out a breath of relief she stood.

"Take the wounded to the infirmary and the prisoners to the dungeon. If there are those that are fine then you can help move the bodies from here," she took charge, ignoring her wounds as she got everyone doing what they needed to do.

Once she was satisfied with how everything was going she headed to the infirmary knowing she couldn't heal all her wounds on her own. Once there she waited until everyone else was treated before she let anyone, Amata included, to tend to her.

"You're stubborn, you know that right?" Amata scolded as she dabbed Kagome's cheek.

Smiling Kagome could only sit there and try not to wince in pain; she was thankful that the most major wounds were the ones on her cheek and the one that ran the length of her left arm. With the way they had been fighting it would have been worse, much worse. Amata made her keep her arm in a sling after wrapping if from shoulder to wrist before putting a patch over the slashed on her face. The other cuts were cleaned but didn't need to be covered since they were small and were already healing on their own.

"Go tell the children you're fine otherwise I think they're going to break down the door to get to you."

"Alright, alright, I'll go. Can you send someone to find Sesshomaru to let him know what happened? I know he's not supposed to be back until later tonight."

"I'll take care of it, go tend to the kids." Smiling in thanks she rose and made her way to the door. Whispering her thanks to the demon that opened it for her she was bombarded by her students and their many questions.

"Calm down, calm down, I'm fine I promise; come on everyone to the library. Come on, I'll explain everything once we get there."

Amata listened to her as she eased their fears before her voice faded away; turning to the demon that respected Kagome and became her friend she looked him over making sure he was fit for the job.

"Nakato, you think you can track Sesshomaru down? We need him to get here as soon as possible so we can figure out why were attacked." The jackal demon nodded determinedly before making his way out of the castle. He knew where Sesshomaru started his rounds so taking a glance at the sun he headed in the direction he knew his lord was headed, hoping to head him off.

Kagome made herself as comfortable as possible in the plush chair, Rin rucked into her right side while Shippou snuggled into her lap. The rest of the children sat upon pillows by her feet waiting for her to tell them what was going on and why she was hurt.

"Alright, alright, for the last time I'm fine, I promise. Now what happened was an attack from a group seeking to weaken the west; as you can see it failed but I'm almost positive it won't be the last one. Until Sesshomaru gets back you kids are going to stay with me alright?"

"But what about our parents?" a cute little squirrel demon girl named Anako asked.

"Hmmm, could one of you grab a guard for me or find Setume please?"

"I'll do it Kagome-sensei!"

"Thank you Inomu; stay in the castle!" She yelled after the eager raccoon kit.

Turning to the rest of them she entertained them with stories to keep them calm as she waited for Inomu to get back.

"Kagome-sensei! Kagome-sensei! I found Setume-sensei! I found him!"

Smiling as the exuberant kit ran in and stood before her she praised him and patted his head letting him know he had done a great job. Turning to the slightly disheveled Demon General she felt bad for pulling him away from what she knew was an investigation on the attack.

"I'm sorry to call you here and I thank you for responding. I know a lot of their fathers are under your command, can you pass it along that their children are safe? And if it won't spread your resources too thin can you let their mothers know as well and let them know they are welcome to join me here? I would feel it safer for the children to stay here until we know for sure there isn't another attack."

"Of course Lady Kagome; I thank you for caring so well for our future."

With a small bow he turned and left, but not before hugging a small girl named Shinomi, who Kagome could see a great resemblance. Kagome smiled at the scene before hugging her own two closer to herself. It wasn't long before the mothers poured into the library relieved to see their babies safe and sound.

As the sun began to set servants came to light the fire and bring food and drink. Kagome smiled as they too greeted their own children before continuing on with their work.

"We would like to thank you Lady Kagome for making the wellbeing of our children your concern, not only with the training you're giving them, but my little Inomu says you ordered the guards to protect them at all cost. You truly are a Lady of the West and we are all in your debt." Inomu's mother Haru bowed to her as did the others echoing their thanks and praise.

"No need to thank my, I've come to cherish each and every one of them and would be crushed if there were hurt. If it's in my power to prevent that then I will use every bit of that power to do so." Smiling gently at their grateful looks she looked to the darkening window wondering what was keeping Sesshomaru.

Nakato scowled as he killed the last of the demons that had come after him as soon as he began to track Sesshomaru and took a deep calming breath before pushing on. He almost sighed in relief as he caught the scent of his lord and quickly increased his speed as much as he could.

Pausing in his rounds Sesshomaru waited for Nakato to catch up to him wondering why the jackal had searched him out. He hid his unease at how ragged he looked as he waited for him to speak.

"Sesshomaru-sama, we were attacked a few hours ago; I was sent to find you and bring you back." He bowed waiting for his lord to say something.

"Come, you will fill me in as we fly."

Nakato looked up to see Sesshomaru gathering his demonic cloud underneath him and hurried to step up onto it. It didn't take long for him to fill Sesshomaru in on what happened and looking at his face he stayed quiet the rest of the way back.

Kagome fought against the call of sleep for as long as she could, but with the warmth of two bodies and the fire, it was only time before she succumbed.

"Rest Lady Kagome, you've done enough for everyone today. Let us take over the responsibility for now."

"Thank you Haru, wake me if anything happens." With that said she snuggled closer to Rin and smiled when Shippou maneuvered himself gently under her left arm elevating it so it wouldn't be pressed upon. Sleep came quickly and her dreams were peaceful and quiet.

As soon as Sesshomaru landed he headed out to Setume and was pleased when his General found him only moments after he had returned.

"Sesshomaru-sama we were attacked by a band of demons led by a panther woman who went straight for Lady Kagome. She took care of her and we were able to capture a few that we've waited to question until you returned.

He wondered at the title they had given Kagome and he wanted to ask how she was, but instead he headed to the dungeons wanting to know what the attack was about and who was behind it. As they approached he grew angrier as he heard how hard the attack had come down on them and how they had tried to get into the castle after the children.

As he entered the dungeon he let loose the reins of his aura and bared his fangs when he felt the terror of his prisoners as they recognized who was coming. His eyes darkened to a hard, cold amber as he gazed upon the two cowering snake demons before him.

"Who sent you?"

They shivered at the ice that coated his voice as they tried to make themselves as small as possible before him.

"Who sent you? I won't ask again."

They stayed silent knowing that whether or not they said anything, they would still die for attacking those under his protection.

"Hmmm, separate them and get them to talk, notify me when they are more willing to do so."

"Yes Sesshomaru-sama."

Amata was waiting for him outside and walked beside him as he headed to the castle.

"The children are safe, Kagome made sure of it." A raised eyebrow made her continue.

"She was teaching the children again before she froze and locked onto where the demons were going to come from. She had ordered Nakato take the children in as soon as she felt the threat and when I told her that the guards could handle it she told me that one of them had a jewel shard and that it was her responsibility to get it. I don't know what made her look the way she had but after speaking to me she ordered the guards to protect the kids at all cost. I thought for a moment they weren't going to listen but they did, and with haste.

"We were separated when the attack came but I saw her battling with the leader and it turned deadly once Kagome got ahold of the jewel shard. I lost track of her for a bit, but when I could see her again she was picking herself off the ground ashes falling around her before she took charge of the situation. She ordered those who could to help the wounded to the infirmary, the prisoners to the dungeon and whoever was left to move the dead away. She handled herself really well for a relatively new born demon, even injured."

A sharp glance at her betrayed the worry he felt at that statement and she had to hide her amusement at it.

"Don't worry, it's not anything major. She's in the library with the kids and their mothers; she didn't want them out of her sight until she knew they would be safe." Amata smiled when she saw the relief cross his face before it was gone.

'You have fallen hard my friend.'

He ordered his servants to have rooms readied for all the mothers and children; they were to stay within the castle until the threat was gone.

He followed his nose to the library already knowing she was there, but reassuring himself that she was alright and not in any pain. Amata followed him silently smiling as his nose twitched here and there at the most minor of scent changes; it really was funny to watch him try not to care and to keep his mask in place. Standing in the shadow of the doorway he was amazed to see everyone relaxed or sleeping around Kagome's chair as if she were their alpha. He wanted to go to her, but he didn't want to disturb the peace that surrounded them all.

"Let me know when she wakes, I wish to speak to her when she does."

Nodding Amata left his side and headed in answering questions as she went and telling them that their lord was back and looking into matters.

Sesshomaru smiled wickedly as he flicked blood off his claws as he gazed at the broken demon at his feet. He knew who was leading the attacks now and when he found him there would be no mercy, not after they told him of the cat's plan.

"Dispose of them."

Sitting in his study he was devising a plan of attack to get back at the filthy felines that thought to weaken him and try to take what was his.

"You keep scowling like that and that map is going to burst into flame."

His eyes bolted up quickly at her voice, happy that to see that she was up and about. His eyes traveled her body searching for wounds when they stopped at her arm and cheek before finally meeting her eyes.

"I'm glad to see you up, how's your arm?" Standing he made his way around the desk before standing in front of her.

"It's okay and on the mend; did you find out who's behind the attack?" she asked knowing he had to have questioned the prisoners by now.

Taking one more glance of her he motioned for her to sit before taking a seat himself to tell her what he knew.

"The panther clan is behind the attack and because of it they have shown their intention for war. Right now I am trying to devise the best way to eradicate them once and for all. No one will weaken the west or be allowed to think that they can."

Kagome nodded before looking at the map and the places he had marked.

"When do you plan to leave?"

"In a few days, I'm recalling some of my troops in order to leave some here when I leave."

"I'm going with you."

Startled he looked up from the map ready to tell her that she wasn't before he saw the red ringing her eyes the words dying in his throat.

"I know you don't want me to, but I'm going. No one will come after the ones I love and cherish and think they can get away with it. They will learn."

Nodding he watched the red recede and fade before she relaxed into the plush, comfy chair. He was curious about her demon side having never seen it except when that shadow demon went after Rin. She had been injured then so it was normal for it to be closer to the surface than usual, but from that time and now he knew her demon to be extremely protective. It was a trait he admired about her knowing that when she had pups she would let nothing happen to them.

Shaking his head of the thoughts of pups he instead studied her out of the corner of his eyes making sure she wasn't in any pain.

'Why do I care so much?'

And in the echoes of his heart he heard the answer:

Because you love her

It was the most honest answer he had ever given himself and he knew that it wasn't a lie. Looking back on his past experiences, even while she was human, he knew he had never met anyone like her. She had gone out of her way to care for him and his without asking anything in return, something that he had never come across in any other person.

"Sesshomaru, are you alright?"

Pulled from his thoughts he looked at her and knew that if something ever happened to her again he would be lost.

"I'm fine Kagome, just had a realization of sorts, nothing for you to worry about."

"If you say so. Well I'm not too tired, but I know I need the rest so I will take my leave now."

"Let me walk you to your room."

"Thank you," she stood slowly making sure not to bump her arm in the process.

The walk was quiet and it slightly unnerved her the longer the silence remained. She peeked at him from under her bangs and barely held in a gasp at how warm his whole face looked, how peaceful it seemed. It was his eyes though that stole her breath, the happiness and serenity in them something she never would have thought to see in them.

Once they made it to her door she went to open it but was stopped by a clawed hand on hers. Turning to him she was surprised when he pulled her into a hug all the while being careful of her arm.

"I wanted to thank you for protecting those that mean the most to the people around you and for making sure they were safe above all else. You truly are one of a kind Kagome, don't ever think otherwise. I'm glad I didn't lose you like I thought all those months ago." He hugged her close taking in her scent before pulling away gently and looking into her eyes. Leaning forward he laid a chaste kiss on her forehead before letting go and turning to leave.

"Goodnight Kagome," he glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her surprised face. Walking away he smiled wider at her breathless goodnight knowing that he was going to do everything in his power to have her at his side forever.

A/N: REVIEW PLEASE!