The setting sun cast an earth real orange glow on the many scrolls piled high on shelves, the various maps and star charts lining the walls, and the library's lone occupant. Ancient dust was disturbed as he replaced the most recent scroll he had been reading on the mantle above the fireplace. A peaceful lull had settled over the lands, allowing for Sesshomaru and his father to take a well-deserved break from patrolling the West and he decided to use this time to look into some things he should have ages ago.

Sesshomaru was no fool. He had long since realized that Kagome's disappearances and the neighboring land's conflicts seemed to correspond; she would leave when the wars broke out and return when they were completed. Yet, there was much that remained a mystery. He still did not know what this "duty" of hers was that required her to leave for the battle fronts, what had happened the night she had returned to them from her clan, or the power her clan seemed to hold over all who came into contact with them.

Then there was also the abnormality that was Kagome herself. She didn't seem to age, held unnatural strength, and her ability to disappear and reappear without leaving any trace was certainly unnatural by human standards.

Sesshomaru had long overlooked these aberrations for when he would mention them to Kagome her face would twist in pain and she would become lost in thought. Therefore, Sesshomaru decided that he would have to find the answers to his questions on his own which was why he found himself shut away in the musty old storage library.

Though he had spent over a week scoring the many historical records for any information on Kagome or her clan, he found nothing. There were no records of her birth in the few centuries and there was no mention of her clan in any of the official registries. He searched trade agreements, census records, border dispute settlements, and even event guest lists only to come up empty handed. There was simply no mention of her or her clan anywhere despite their apparent frequent involvement in politics.

Sitting back in a rare slouched position, Sesshomaru sighed in exhaustion. He had always hated paperwork and usually left research such as this to his kappa retainer. Belatedly he thought, 'It's almost as if she doesn't exist.' Even as he thought the words he came to a startling realization. He had only been searching the records from before he had met her, believing that he knew everything about her since she had arrived in the west and did not need to look at the official records. 'But what if…'

He frantically searched for his own family registry where it would list all members of his pack. Surely she would be listed there; she had been marked as his pack almost the very moment she had arrived. When he found the scroll and rolled it out he found, much to his dawning horror, her name was absent beneath his own. Angry, Sesshomaru stormed through the library in search of a brush and ink with the full intention of rectifying what must have been mistake on the scribe's part. He would deal with them later. For now he would rectify their error.

Returning to the scroll with the writing utensils, he knelt and carefully gathered ink on the tip of the brush before beginning to lightly stroke the characters of Kagome's name under his own. A smile made its way onto his face as he finished the inscription, happy that he had been the one to add her. A strange warmth pooled in his stomach at the sight of their names together, immortalized in writing for future generations to read.

However, that warmth soon turned to panic and dread as he watched the characters of her name slowly fade before ceasing to exist altogether. Once again, his name was alone. He hastily wrote her name again, but was met with same results.

Thinking it was something wrong with the scroll, perhaps a spell to prevent undesignated people from writing in the royal registry, Sesshomaru snatched up a stray piece of paper and harshly painted her name. The ink was not even given a chance to dry before her name had vanished from the page. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the traitorous paper and allowed a small amount of his acid to gather at the tip of one of his claws before burning Kagome's name through the paper and into the wooden floor below. Sesshomaru smirked smugly at the sizzling wood, satisfied.

A light breeze blew through the room, fluttering papers as it increased in strength. Sesshomaru never looked away at the growing chaos. No, his gaze was transfixed on the burned name of his pack mate. Well, what should have been her burned name. Instead, he watched as the wood shifted and groaned before the depressions made by his acid rose up to return to its' state prior to being burned.

Sesshomaru sat unseeing. 'Just how can this be possible? It goes against the laws of nature. How can one name be completely erased for existence?' Despite his thoughts, Sesshomaru knew the answer to all these questions. It was one that had tormented him since the first time Kagome had disappeared. One that all his problems seemed to gravitate around. The cause of Kagome's anguish and pain.

For the last time, Sesshomaru took the brush in hand. With one stroke he drew the symbol of Kagome's clan, the triangular hourglass, not surprised at all when it too vanished. He allowed this information to permeate through him.

It was always them. They were the ones constantly forcing Kagome to go to battle zones to accomplish kami knows what. They were the ones preventing his claim from being officially recognized in the registry. They were the ones who threw her away; bleeding, dying, and broken. They had no say over her now. She belonged to him!

Kagome had been enjoying a leisurely evening practicing her archery at the target range when she began to hear the servants yelling. Curious and somewhat concerned she began to pack up her gear. That is, until she heard the familiar snarl of a feral inu.

"What has Sesshomaru gotten into now?" Kagome muttered dryly. It had been a while since he caused such a ruckus in the citadel, and that was only when he was in his teething or world domination phase.

As Kagome trudged back up to the citadel, she had been expecting to find a frazzled staff and excitable dog. What she didn't expect was to see Sesshomaru still in his human form and blazing a trail straight for her. She didn't think twice, just dropped her stuff and ran.

Of course she stood no chance of escape despite her athletic ability and his obviously upset state of mind led to her quick and immediate capture. He towered over her, his once awkward limbs had long since filled out and his face had lost all its baby fat. Yet despite his corded muscles, overwhelming height, and indisputable strength, Kagome felt no fear as she looked into the red eyes of her alpha. To her, he was still such a child with much to learn and see in the world. He would always be her puppy.

She was slightly startled when he took hold of her arm and raised the sleeve above her elbow. He saw nothing but smooth skin. Red eyes flickered to hers and instantly realizing what he wanted, Kagome allowed her concealment to drop revealing the scars from past injuries. She was thoroughly confused at this point, it had been several weeks since she had been injured and he had investigated the wound at that time, not to mention the wound was on her ankle. When Sesshomaru growled, she knew that he was angry. Very angry.

Sesshomaru saw the scars and felt his blood heat even more. She did not deserve to be treated in such a way. But that wrong was not what angered him this time or made him go feral. When he had realized that no permanent record of Kagome or her clan could be made, he came to another conclusion. Would his claim on her be permanent?

Looking at her arm he saw many marks, but his sloppy claim from his younger years was absent. He felt his fangs ache with the need to feel her skin give beneath them as he marked her and his power grew around him as he repressed his anger and desire. 'I'll be damned if I let that fucking clan take her from me.'

Kagome looked on with wide eyes, sure that any moment now he would shift. Though she was not entirely sure what had angered him so, she assumed that it had something to do with the scars and her clan. She desperately wished she could explain to him her duties and responsibilities, but knew that she could not. Even if she was not prevented by the spells binding her she would not speak. For to do so would only serve to drag him into her own personal hell and that was something she would never allow.

Since the day in her room when Sesshomaru had discovered her wounds, he had treated her like the finest porcelain. Though this annoyed Kagome, she was not made of glass and was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, she allowed it so he wouldn't feel so helpless. So he felt he could protect her. Therefore, when Sesshomaru suddenly bit her arm viciously, she couldn't prevent a startled yelp and pained moan from escaping her lips. When he released her arm, he spoke; his voice guttural and thick with possession.

"Mine."

"Sesshomaru?" Kagome's voice was soft and cautious. She had no idea what was wrong with him but he was definitely acting out of the norm. He said nothing, completely focused on watching the new mark on her arm. Kagome too watched and her eyes widened as slowly the pain and mark vanished altogether. 'That's never happened before. What can it mean?'

Sesshomaru snarled in anger and suppressed hurt as he transformed and dashed into the tree line, leaving the startled Kagome seated on the lawn. His father had taught him to control his emotions and that, should he lose himself to them, he would raise villages to the ground and cause unprecedented damage. At the moment, his sanity was only being held together by a fraying string. He needed to run, to be with nature, to exhaust himself before returning to Kagome's side where he would have to face the fact his claim was not strong enough to overcome whatever magic was binding her; that he was too weak to protect her.

Sesshomaru woke to the strangest scent he had ever smelled in his life, it was an intriguing citrus smell that he could not recall ever having come across before. Absently, he noted that underneath the citrusy tang was Kagome's own seasonal scent. 'Strange.'

He hadn't recalled returning to the citadel last night, but wasn't too surprised to wake up with Kagome snuggled against his much broader chest. He would often slip into her bed after she fell asleep; a habit he never even tried to rid himself of from his younger years. Her tiny toes slipped up and down his shin as she giggled lightly in her sleep. His sleeping robe was clutched tightly in her hands, his own arms wrapped around her waist effectively caging her against him.

Curious, he decided to investigate the smell and began to poke his nose wherever he could reach. Once again Kagome giggled in her sleep and mumbled his name lightly before rolling so that her back was pressed against his chest. He found that the citrus smell was particularly strong in her hair and he began nuzzling it deeper and deeper until his nose met the back of her neck.

He opened his eyes lazily and frowned when he saw the burn mark of her clan, the only thing that concealment of hers couldn't hide. Still angered from the previous night's discoveries and the fact that her clan's mark was impressed into her while his was not, Sesshomaru decided that something had to be done and began to thoroughly lick the mark. 'If Kagome can't be physically marked, this Sesshomaru will have to scent mark her.'

Though ridiculously pleased with himself for finding a way to claim her while covering up her clan's mark, Sesshomaru didn't quite feel like stopping; her skin tasted incredible. He found himself pressing her closer against him, his arm a band around her stomach as his mouth worked its way from her neck to her ear. His teeth nipped lightly at the shell of her ear before moving lower to pull her lobe into his mouth. Kagome began to squirm uncomfortably in her sleep beneath him and his body heated at the way her movements felt against his sensitive skin. Soon enough he was open mouthy kissing her collarbone earning him a soft mew. His mind was clouded by her enticing scent, taste, feel, and sounds. He wanted more, he needed more.

When he felt Kagome grind against his growing erection as she squirmed from his ministrations, he felt a jolt of pleasure shoot through him. Immediately he wrenched himself away from Kagome in shock causing her to stir and slowly wake up. Sesshomaru remained pressed against the far wall, watching with morbid fascination as the girl he was just assaulting in her sleep woke up. Realizing he had not yet been caught, he fled the room before he did something else he would regret.

He had no idea what was going on with his body but something was clearly wrong. His blood was heated and his erection had not gone down since waking that morning. As he strode through the halls he felt as if he was under constant attack. The tangy smell that was driving him mad seemed to be coming from just about every room in the citadel! Though with the continued exposure, Sesshomaru noticed that the smell seemed to emanate from only the females and that it varied based on the female. Kagome's scent was citrusy where many of the other women had a spicier tang. The spice was indeed distracting, but inu had never dealt well with spicy food and he himself preferred the fruity citrus of Kagome.

In spite of having made several observations and even developing preferences, Sesshomaru still had no idea why the women had begun to put off such scents. 'Maybe it's some form of biological warfare,' Sesshomaru thought to himself, 'something that would immobilize all the men and leave the women defenseless.' Deciding that his father should be warned, he made his way to the study.

Sesshomaru had always looked up to and admired his father. The Taisho had accomplished a great deal in his time as Lord of the West and Sesshomaru and had always seen his father as being a far off goal he would never reach. Though as a boy, Sesshomaru had disliked the study, he had grown to see it as the physical representation of generations of progress and pride. So when the distraught Sesshomaru uncharacteristically walked into the study without knocking or being granted entrance, the last thing he had expected to find was his father copulating with his mother on top of the ancient desk.

His father snarled at him in warning and Sesshomaru quickly retreated to avoid losing his head to the possessive male. Sesshomaru stood outside the room in shock, still able to hear the grunts and moans coming from the room and found, much to his disgust, that his body was becoming even more heated as he listened. Turning, he resolved himself to an early swim in the cool lake, hoping that he would never have to witness such a thing again.

Sesshomaru felt his frustration at the whole situation rising as the brisk water slowly cleared his mind. Of course he knew that his body was excited and wanted to rut, he had spent time around the soldiers and you learn a thing after seven hundred years of living. What he didn't know was why. Male inu do not go into heat, that is something that only happens among the females of their kind and he had never been affected by it before. So unless there was some external interference, Sesshomaru had no idea what was happening to his body and that was what angered him. He was always in control and detested situations where he was not, specifically when it had to do with his person.

When his father finally found him, Sesshomaru had not moved from the lake for over three hours. He had tried to return after having calmed himself down only to immediately feel his blood heat when he smelled Kagome in the gardens. The Taisho was curious at what had clouded his son's judgment to such an extent that he would not hear or smell the sounds of his parents rutting prior to entering the room. Sesshomaru was not one to be so carefree.

"I believe that I am gravely ill, father. You should prepare yourself for the worst." Sesshomaru's voice was serious causing the Taisho to take another look at his son. He didn't look any different from usual. Noticing his father's gaze, Sesshomaru continued. "It is not a visible ailment which afflicts me, father, but a mental one."

"That sounds rather serious." The Taisho was already running a list of possible problems and ways to cure or mitigate them through his mind.

"It is." Sesshomaru nodded gravely, "I find myself attracted to the opposite sex."

"…"

"I understand it may come as a shock to you. After all, I have never before showed an interest in such frivolities. I have no way of knowing what will come of this."

"… That's it?"

"Father, this is in no way a light situation." Sesshomaru said as he turned to his father. "Males do not enter into heat, yet just this morning I was practically gnawing on Kagome like she was a piece of meat!"

"You were making advances on Kagome?" The Taisho said with his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Well, she wasn't really aware of it." Sesshomaru said under his breath. "She was asleep after all."

"I repeat. You were making advances on Kagome?"

"She smelled funny."

"Like citrus?"

"How did you know that?" Sesshomaru growled at his father displeased that his father may have been sniffing around Kagome. His father could be quite…loose when it came to sex.

"Calm down, Sesshomaru. It's not what you think." The Taisho said with his hands raised defensively. "I've known Kagome since I was a pup; she triggered my first heat too."

"WHAT?"

"Nothing happened. I'm just trying to say that what is happening to you is normal. Though males don't go into heat, the first time we respond to a female's seasonal heat marks us as adults capable of reproducing. When females go into heat, males are driven to rut them by the smell of their estrus and urine. The first heat is just the first time we recognize the smell of a fertile woman. It being spring, it is not surprising that you are picking up and responding to the scent of women's heat in the castle."

"So this will happen twice a year now?"

"Well, it will happen every time you come into contact with a fertile female until you are mated and then it will just be when your mate is fertile, though they don't have to be in heat to have sex." Sesshomaru took a moment to process this information before deciding that it sounded reasonable enough. Having gotten what he needed he turned red eyes back on his father.

"Care to explain exactly what happened your first heat and the role Kagome played in it?"

"You're being awfully possessive, Sesshomaru. It's in the past and like I said, nothing happened between us."

"She is my pack mate."

"Is that all she is to you?" The Taisho asked seriously. When Sesshomaru didn't respond the Taisho sighed. "Kagome is a difficult creature to possess, Sesshomaru. Although it may seem as if you have her, she is as difficult to capture as smoke."

"Speaking from experience?" Sesshomaru asked bitterly. The Taisho just sighed as he rose to leave.

"If you do happen to catch her though," His father said over his shoulder, "never let go."

Sesshomaru sat at the base of a tree beside the lake, allowing his body to dry in the sun. His face was serene and his hair was fluttering lightly in the wind. Suddenly his fist lashed out, punching the ground beside him. Of course he knew that he didn't really have her. Of course he knew that she was near impossible to catch. Of course he knew he would never let her go. He knew all this better than anyone.

He did not know if his feelings toward Kagome were of a romantic nature or not, only that he wanted her to always be beside him. He wanted her smiles, hugs, kisses, and warmth to be for him alone. He had claimed her as a child, not understanding the consequences of his actions but he knew now that instinct must have driven him to do so on some level. Though, the reasons were inconsequential. The fact that she had known his father when he was younger did not matter. Not even the fact that his claim on her was weak and reduced to nothing more than a scent mark mattered to him. She was his.

Returning to the citadel, he was met by his father at the front door. The Taisho reeked the scent of a satisfied male and Sesshomaru knew that somewhere in the castle, his mother would smell similarly satisfied. The happiness in his father's expression almost made Sesshomaru punch him; almost.

"I take it you've had some time to think things through?" The Taisho's question was met with his son's usual blank face. "The first heat can be rather rough; I have prepared a room for you to stay in that is away from the main halls. As you know females are in heat for roughly two to three weeks." Again, Sesshomaru said nothing. Twitching, the Taisho continued, "I'll just show you the way then."

True to his father's word, the room was certainly far from the main quarters they used in the citadel. Sesshomaru absently wondered if he would ever be able to find his way back after his time in seclusion. He was considering whether or not to ask his father if they were walking in circles when he heard Kagome's laughter.

Sesshomaru's first thought was wondering why she was in such an obscure part of the castle which was quickly followed by his apprehension of potentially meeting with her. He was unsure if she was suspicious of his quick retreat that morning and anxious of what he might do to her in his present state of mind. Walking through the citadel, he found that the scents of other women's heats did not bother him. Only Kagome's seemed to call to him in such a way that would cloud his mind and cause him to think of nothing but her, a futon, and considerably less clothing.

When he focused in on the voices, he found that she was talking to another female, probably one of the many maids scurrying about the citadel. Though, the subject of their conversation was far more intriguing.

"Lady Kagome, I have recently heard that master Sesshomaru is coming into his first heat."

"Oh my," Sesshomaru heard Kagome gasp in surprise, "Well I suppose that this was likely to happen soon. He matures much quicker than others of his kind."

"Agreed, lady Kagome. A male typically has his first heat between his nine hundredth and thousandth year."

"Mhmm. Though, females have always been quicker to mature than males regardless of species."

"Hehe, that is true. You should be careful of master Sesshomaru though, lady Kagome."

Sesshomaru frowned at the insinuation that he was a danger to Kagome and was about to call out to them when his father touched his arm and shook his head, indicating that they should listen in a little more. Reluctantly, Sesshomaru returned his attention to the conversation, a little bitter that his father had been telling everyone about his heat.

"Why do you say that?" Kagome asked her voice hard with challenge. The maid seemed to realize that she had overstepped her bounds and hesitantly replied.

"I didn't mean any offense, lady Kagome. Only that you are very close with the master and he may desire to sate his needs…" she trailed off uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation. Sesshomaru too felt a light blush color his cheeks. That is, until he heard Kagome begin to laugh jovially.

"Sesshomaru doesn't see me in that way." She said with a wave of her hand.

"You are very attractive, lady Kagome. Many men in the citadel desire you." Kagome immediately blushed hotly and Sesshomaru's hands clenched into tight fists, he would be having a talk with the staff soon on what they could and could not touch.

"That's very kind of you, really, but Sesshomaru is not your average man. Besides, we could never be more than pack mates. He's still such a puppy to me." Sesshomaru felt his gut clench and for some reason he felt as if he was losing a battle he didn't even know he was fighting.

"My lady, the master is now a fully-fledged adult in demon society."

"Oh, I know that he's grown up." Kagome laughed, "I do have eyes after all. It's just difficult for me to see him as anything other than the young pup that would take me on adventures of the staff corridors or proudly present me with his freshly 'hunted' kappa retainer."

Kagome giggled fondly as she remembered her precious memories of the young Sesshomaru and their time together. So engrossed in her thoughts, she didn't have time to react before she was slammed against a wall, arms restrained above her by a very angry Sesshomaru. Kagome stood entranced by the passion held in the usually stoic man's eyes which had become blood red; the pupils having turned a blue green color. The stripes Kagome so enjoyed to stroke in his sleep had become jagged and his lips were raised in a snarl as he growled down at her.

Kagome was truly given only a moment to take Sesshomaru in before she felt his lips come crashing down against her own. Kagome was frozen in shock as his soft lips molded against hers, the kiss was punishing and every bit the dominating male that was Sesshomaru. Forcing her mouth open with his tongue, he deepened the kiss while moving one hand to the back of her neck preventing her from escaping. He was sloppy at first but Sesshomaru had always been a natural at everything and quickly coaxed her into returning the kiss with the rhythm he built. His tongue stroked hers sensually but he would pull back to nip on her lip whenever she tried to take control.

Kagome couldn't think beyond the fog of carnal pleasures promised in the heated kiss. His body was pressed flush against her and she became all too aware of Sesshomaru's own excitement. She moaned into the kiss and pulled at her hands which were still held by one of his. Sesshomaru broke the kiss and was satisfied when Kagome leaned forward following him, clearly desiring to continue. His breath was hot against her swollen red lips and Sesshomaru could feel Kagome's heaving chest pressed against his own. His eyes had returned to their amber state but were smoldering as they remained locked with Kagome's. When he spoke, his voice was rough and filled with emotion.

"I am no longer a pup, Kagome."

He released her hands and stepped away. Having lost all strength in her legs, Kagome crumpled to the floor and stared up at the retreating figure of the man she had thought she knew. The snap of the closing shoji screen startled her and the maid who had been standing in the room quickly rushed over began fussing.

Yet, she saw nothing but the image of Sesshomaru's back as he left her. It was the back of a man who had seen the vulgarities of life but looked forward, a man who had suffered great loss but had the heart to live on, a man who made peace with his faults and failures, a man who was proud of who he was and all the protected.

Kagome raised shaking fingertips to her lips which still felt phantom sensations of Sesshomaru's heat and passion. She had known he was a man, she simply did not desire to see it. She did not wish to watch him grow and eventually leave her behind as they all did. She wanted him to stay with her, even if it meant he would forever be the puppy. And yet that was no longer an option. She had seen and felt the man Sesshomaru had become and could never go back.

Though her words were whispered, Sesshomaru heard.

"I know."