I disclaim everything that needs to be.
Bold means a change in location and/ or time or time period. Italics are thoughts or Sesshomaru's inner demon talking, or flashbacks
Note: The court system the Demons have is more Tudor-European than Japanese. Which is why Kagome doesn't need much training because she's studied it and kinda knows what's up.
Chapter 16: Learn
Kagome yawned and snuggled into the warm body of her mate. He snored softly into the top of her head. Today their new lives actually began. The normalcy they had before would be seen for the first time by the rest of the court, all because Rin continued her lessons today.
Rin's education was a large topic amongst the members of court. The little Princess of the West had a fleet of instructors. Sesshomaru was nothing if not thorough with her schooling. The range of lessons spanning all subjects started early, to cover all topics in an alternating day schedule. Today, right after their morning meal, Rin would be off to visit Leore, the Grass Demon who taught Rin about the many demon plants in the greenhouse. After that, she went to Kay's. Kay, an old Owl Demon, taught the history of the West, with Kagome sitting in on a lot of those lessons to learn herself. The man who trained Sesshomaru as a child, Ryu, was tasked with Rin's self-defense lessons. Her weapon of choice? A bow and arrow, like her Mama Kagome. After self-defense lessons, they had lunch. Then, Rin spent time with Kagome, learning human things of present and future. Rin and Kagome spent the entire afternoon together, learning about anything Rin attached curiosity.
"go back to sleep, mate" Sesshomaru's sleepy growl hit her ear.
She giggled against his muscled chest, "I didn't wake you, did I?"
A growl came from his throat, immediately soothing her to near sleepiness, "your breathing changed." He finished, tightening his arms around her.
The soothing growl did not stop until he felt her breathing steady into sleep once again. Sesshomaru followed, never opening his eyes to look at the position of the sun. It had barely risen, and the morning wouldn't start for hours.
He could hear the kitchen prepping for the morning meal if he listened hard enough, they worked nearly silently to cater to the sensitive Inu ears. It'd be hours before the rest of the court woke up. Feeling Kagome snuggle into him, he smiled. He could do with a few more hours of this affection, and rest.
When he awoke, the morning sun was up. If he had to guess, it was almost 9. No doubt Jaken would be knocking on doors announcing breakfast soon.
"Kagome," Sesshomaru said gently, his voice a soothing purr, "it is time to get up."
He watched as the raven-haired woman yawned and arched herself into his body. She blinked, and looked up at him with a sleepy, loving look.
"good morning, mate." Her voice was sleepy and sweet, sending a twitch to his length. He moved to stretch himself, knowing they didn't have time before breakfast to do what he was thinking. He cursed himself for not waking her earlier. Now he'd have to wait until they went to bed to taste her sweetness.
Watching her, and moving to get out of bed himself, Sesshomaru rose and dressed casually for the day. The regal air stayed, as the western crest was embroidered on his left side. On his heart. Kagome followed, pulling on a soft midnight blue cotton long-sleeved dress that dusted her knees. Sliding her feet into a soft pair of boots, she pulled a comb through her hair and turned to her mate, smiling.
"Ready for breakfast?"
"What a morning person you are today, little mate." He mused, holding the bedroom door open for her.
She nodded her thanks as they walked towards the dining room, "I'm always a morning person when you wake me up." Kagome smiled as Sesshomaru gently took her hand, walking together.
"Oi, give it a rest already," Inuyasha's voice cut in as the couple reached the dining room, "you two are so damn mushy!"
"Inuyasha…..." Kagome's warning tone, "it's so early. Please don't start!"
"She's right," Kikyo agreed, coming up behind him, "help me to my seat. You know it's starting to get difficult for me to sit down."
Kikyo's belly, growing with Inuyasha's quarter-demon child, was sitting lower as it grew. Kaede was convinced it was a boy, from the placement. The position of her belly made it difficult to move up and down, rather than around. Inuyasha smiled and took her hand, leading her into the dining room and to their seats. Jaken announced Sesshomaru and Kagome last, and the two floated to their seats. Rin and Shippo were eating already, happily chatting with Miroku and Sango. InuKimi was sitting nearby, to Sesshomaru's surprise.
"So they finally join us…" InuKimi purred at their arrival, "Son, little fireball, good morning."
Kagome blushed darkly, "Good Morning, Lady Mother. I do hope you slept well."
InuKimi smirked at her son before sending a Kagome a gentle look, "thank you little fireball, This One indeed slept well. I am always pleased with a near-soundproof palace and soundproof rooms. Especially in these puppy-love times."
"Mother, enough teasing." Sesshomaru picked fruit onto the platter that sat between him and Kagome. He knew she would eat nearly all of the fruit he offered, remembering her mumbling in her sleep about cherries and other fruits. He figured it was a result of her being pupped and wanted to encourage it as much as possible.
"Feed her meats too, Sesshomaru," his mother scolded, "she is pupped with an Inu. Not a fruit bat."
Sesshomaru sighed and filled a smaller plate with some of the smoked meats set out for them. Handing her a pair of chopsticks, the two started eating.
The blush never fully faded from Kagome's face, knowing InuKimi was still staring at her. She was hungrier than usual, and she wondered if that was because of her new situation. Sesshomaru mentioned some physical changes that could happen after mating, but it could be the pup, too. She didn't feel very different, though, her body was still smooth and there were no butterfly kicks. She was far behind Kikyo, who was showing more and more every day. It felt like a competition, a subtle reigniting of the old Kikyo-Kagome feud.
Wrinkling her nose, Kagome shook her head. She would not play into the games. Kikyo could still be petty, her insecurities with Inuyasha not fully hashed out between them, even after all these years. But she was different, her feelings about Inuyasha were brotherly, and there was nothing she wanted more than to enjoy her pregnancy with her mate. As the thoughts rushed her head, she felt Sesshomaru's eyes on her briefly, before he leaned down to her ear.
"are you unsatisfied?" his voice was low, "you may have anything you wish, if you only ask it."
She turned her face upward, eyes lightening, "it's delicious, mate. My mind is on other things…I thought of something upsetting, that's all."
"we shall discuss it after our meal, when we've seen the children to their lessons."
Kagome nodded, turning to Shippo and Rin.
"Shippo, you start lessons today. Sesshomaru has a fox friend for you to meet."
Shippo's face paled slightly, "lessons? Mama, I-"
"We will be overseeing your first few lessons, little kit. To see what you need to focus on. In the afternoons you'll have self-defense with Rin and afternoon lessons with Kagome." Sesshomaru explained, sensing the nervousness.
At the explanation, Shippo calmed and nodded, directing his attention back to his food.
"Lord Sesshomaru," Lord Cali's voice came from the far side of the table, "I hear you accompany the Princess to her lessons on most days. Does that not interfere with your work?"
Sesshomaru let out a small sigh, Kagome could feel his annoyance, "Yes, Lord Cali, I do often sit in on the lessons of my daughter. It is her mother instructing, and we use the time to teach things only parents should."
Kagome spoke then, "He sits in on the late afternoon lessons, after spending the morning and early afternoons working. Outside of my instruction, we only visit Sensei Ryu's lessons."
"Papa Sesshomaru doesn't even eat lunch with us most days!" Rin spoke up, a bite of rice halfway to her mouth.
Lord Cali smirked icily, "I see. Would you be horribly opposed to us sitting in on these lessons? Myself, and some of the other lords are curious about the runnings of your lands."
InuKimi's eyes snapped up to Bull Demon, "Cali, your bitterness will put me off my meal. Silence yourself."
Cali's leathery skin paled slightly, "Lady InuKimi, I hope these celebrations have found you well."
"Enough, Cali. You embarrass yourself with that bile you call flattery. You bring your clan shame with your endless jealousy. The meaningless petty games my son ignores should have upended you long ago. Be grateful for his patience. There will be a day where it runs out."
Lord Cali did not speak. Instead, he turned, focused on the young Doe demon sitting on his side, gently fawning over him. Lord Choro smirked; he was waiting for someone to put Cali down. He hoped it'd be Kagome, honestly. Lord Jahari shared the satisfied look, happy to see Cali knocked down a few pegs.
The rest of the morning meal was filled with casual laughter and lighthearted conversation. Leore appeared at the doors to the dining room, ready to take Rin to her first lessons. A slim fox demon with long chestnut hair stood next to the Grass Demon, waiting to speak to Sesshomaru about Shippo's lessons.
As the dining room cleared, Sango and Miroku wandered towards the gardens. InuKimi, Inuyasha, and Kikyo went back to their chambers, to nap and relax. The rest of the courts dispersed to their own tasks and activities, including the Lords, who left with the promise of visiting the afternoon lessons.
Kagome stood, "Hi! Are you Shippo's teacher? Come in! Leore, Sensei, you know you are more than welcome to join us for meals."
The grass demon smiled, his soft green hair floating around his face as he shook his head, walking over to them, "I know, Lady Kagome. This morning was caught in a few weeds, though." He turned his brown eyes to Rin, "are you ready for your garden lesson, Princess of the flowers?"
Rin blushed at the nickname, and stood, "May I be excused?"
"Yes, Rin, you may." Sesshomaru nodded, "Tali, you may enter."
The fox demon walked in slowly, her purple eyes sparkling.
"Hello, my Lord and Lady, it is an honor to serve the West in the training of the young Prince Shippo."
"We will be joining you, is that alright?" Kagome spearheaded most of the conversations with the instructors, Sesshomaru long ago noticed. It showed off her natural maternal instinct, she wanted to be deeply involved in what her children were learning.
"Of course, My Lady." Tali bowed low before turning to Shippo, "hello, little Kit. You are quite skilled in your magic; your mother tells me."
"I'm Shippo. Yea! I can do lots of cool stuff! Wanna see?" Shippo hopped down from the table, waiting to see where they'd go for lessons.
Sesshomaru stood, watching Leore lead Rin to the greenhouses, before turning his attention to Kagome and Shippo standing near the door. Kagome held her hand to Sesshomaru, waiting. He laced their fingers together and followed Tali and Shippo out of the room. Their short walk took them to a grassy clearing adjacent to the library. Sesshomaru settled into his desk, facing the open doors, going through scrolls and listening to the lesson. Kagome, journal and pen in hand, settled onto a blanket in the grass to write and observe the lesson. Nearby, Tali sat with Shippo as he showed off his favorite tricks.
The door leading to the palace was cracked, so when Choro knocked lightly on the dark wood, Sesshomaru wasn't surprised.
"Lord Sesshomaru, Jahari and I were seeking your council."
He looked up from his paperwork, "yes, Lord Choro, Jahari. You may enter."
Jahari opened the door, "Please, Choro, you don't have to be so formal with him. Cali's off training somewhere. We can be friends again. That's one old Bull that needs to sit down." He sat across from the desk, dragon eyes sparkling, "So, how's being a family demon?"
Lord Choro followed, a smile coming to his face as he saw Kagome and Shippo outside.
"You are quite like your father, Sesshomaru. You, too, would take special lessons as a pup outside your father's office." He noted.
"My father took a great interest in my studies, that is true," Sesshomaru mused, "Kagome values education just as highly."
"That she does", Jahari looked out the garden doors at the laughing Kagome, "does she observe all lessons?"
"No," he answered, "typically, she attends the first meetings with their instructors. After that, she attends when she desires. You may ask her how she spends her time outside of that."
"After the kit's lessons, we mustn't bother her," Jahari waved it off, "Cali certainly made a scene, didn't he?"
Choro settled into a soft armchair, "It was expected." He sighed, "he has always been callous and confrontational."
"This one is surprised there has been no declaration of war," Sesshomaru mused, going back to his paperwork. The piles of papers were documenting the goings on of the villages of the West. Lists of the ones that needed aid, and how. The ones that were building armies and training soldiers, the ones that were being plagued by demons and lacking proper slayers. There was much to do, and he was happy he could either take care of everything from the Palace in Inuyasha's Forest or take his family with them as he took care of things.
"I imagine you do not want her far, Sesshomaru," Choro spoke again, "especially in her condition."
His head snapped up, "Yes. That is a factor."
Jahari grinned, "you really wasted no time. You wanted to produce an heir that badly?" he teased.
"Don't tease, Jahari," Choro scolded, "it is quite surprising she was not pupped at their mating. A symbol of his immense honor, I suppose. Now that she is, and a Miko at that, you will need to be close, so the pup does not drain all of her power."
"The pup will drain my power?" Kagome's voice from the doorway startled them, their heads snapping up to look at her.
"It is said that demon children drain the powers of their human mothers. Lady Izayoi was quite sick for much of her carrying of Inuyasha. You, however, are Miko. So, things may be different." Jahari started.
She nodded, crossing the room to Sesshomaru. He opened his arms to her and enveloped her in his lap before she spoke, "Well I feel alright. Not different. Is that because we're always so close?" Her legs draped over his, positioning herself to be able to see everyone in the room.
"It may be. That is true of all carrying times, the mother is always more at peace when the father is around." Choro explained.
Kagome shrugged, "We have a year to figure it out." She then turned to Sesshomaru, "I've left Tali and Shippo to it. She'll escort him to Ryu's later too. Shippo's having so much fun, and I can tell he's learning a lot already. Do you have a lot more work to do?"
"No, mate. Not really. We're just discussing things, and these parchments will indicate our travel for the next few months. There is nothing pressing, as all of the Lords are here."
"Congratulations are in order, Lady Kagome. On the pup," Jahari stood and bowed to her, Choro standing to follow, "may the heir of the west be strong and brave."
Choro looked at Sesshomaru, "may you be blessed with a daughter, Lord Sesshomaru."
Kagome raised an eyebrow, "are daughters rare?"
Choro and Jahari nodded, "It is most common for Inu to have sons. If they do have daughters, they are typically part of a litter. To be blessed with a daughter on her own, no wombmates, is a rare and known as a true Kami blessing." Choro continued.
Kagome's eyes widened, realizing the origins of Sesshomaru's deep love for Rin. Turning, she saw the sparkle of confirmation in his eyes.
"I'd love to have a girl," her voice was small, sweet, "I wonder who she would look like."
Sesshomaru leaned close to her ear, "you, beloved. If this one is so blessed."
She blushed prettily, tilting her head down to her lap.
"On the subject of blessings," Jahari smiled, "we are certainly blessed with your Mother's presence, Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "this one wishes she would return to her palace."
"Sesshomaru!" Kagome turned to look up at him, "She's your mom. She loves you; this is just what moms do. My mom does the same thing."
He looked down at her, "you find her irritants amusing?"
She shrugged, "sort of. It reminds me of my mom, or Souta when he's being a brat. Your reactions are just like mine; you just don't want your mom to treat you like a child. Especially in front of your mate," she smiled, "I know it's embarrassing. But it's cute, really. Even ask Shippo, I've embarrassed him in front of girls he's liked, too!"
"She's smart," Jahari smirked, "listen to your mate."
Choro nodded, agreeing, "she understands mothering differently than you, Sesshomaru. They are tender-hearted about their children, no matter how they express it. Or however icy they may seem otherwise."
Sesshomaru retreated to his thoughts, he knew his mother was excited. Now that she'd accepted Kagome, which was easier than he'd thought, she was ready for the arrival of her grandpup. He remembered her scolding him, begging him to not be so cold, lest she be grandpup-less forever.
"In any case, we must be off," Jahari stood, "Sesshomaru, sweet Lady Kagome, we will see you later. Perhaps at our midday meal, but for certain at some point during the afternoon lessons."
He and Choro bowed before exiting the office, closing the door behind them. Sesshomaru then moved his attention back to Kagome.
"At our morning meal…" he started.
Kagome sighed, "I was thinking about Kikyo."
A rare sour expression appeared on his face, "why?"
"I was just thinking about everything. No matter what we're doing something at the same time and she-"
"Is of no competition. If she remains petty, it will be of no consequence to remove her." Sesshomaru interrupted.
"Sesshomaru, you know that's not what I meant…"
He leaned his head down until he was eye to eye with her, "I do not compare where there is no competition. You, my Kagome, are of no competition. You never have been. In my eyes there is only you."
Her face softened, "I know, love…" she trailed off, "I just don't want to be put up against her. We're so often compared, even still and now we're both pregnant at the same time..."
Sesshomaru paused, the cloud of worry in her eyes upset him. He hated that Inuyasha's mistakes were still haunting her, even after all these years. Even after her wish. Their time spent destroying Naraku took nearly a year and a half of their lives. In the years that followed, Kagome'd chosen to forgive, and heal from the heartbreak Inuyasha caused her. Kikyo had a new life, a real body, and her own soul. In the first months after Kagome's true wish, it seemed like they'd turned over a new leaf.
Kikyo and Inuyasha were grateful, of course, for their new beginning, and were mated almost immediately. It was months in that the problems started up again. Inuyasha was insecure, subconsciously certain that Kikyo would leave again somehow. He clung to her, hovered over her, doted on her until he found Kikyo healing a man's thighs in his hut. Thoughts of Onigumo's original lust for Kikyo clouded his mind and they argued for weeks over Kikyo's duty as a priestess. Then he flipped from extreme to extreme, doting one minute and icy the next.
In their fights, Inuyasha often spoke of Kagome. How she was quick to stand up for herself, how sweet she was. How she always healed men in public spaces. She was never alone with men Inuyasha did not trust, and how could Kikyo do such a thing without him there?
They were petty and argued almost constantly after that. The tit for tat was relentless, Kikyo would react to something Inuyasha did, and vice versa.
"You are not her. And we are not them." Sesshomaru's voice was firm as he cupped Kagome's face in his hands.
Kagome lifted her eyes to meet Sesshomaru's. The amber glow burned through her, unleashing the love he had for her through their gaze. He saw no one else. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his warm chest.
"The everything you are, Kagome, is of greater worth to me than anything in my life. You have made my family whole. You have returned to me, my idiot brother, and helped us see the importance of family. You have given my Rin a mother, the greatest gift she could've ever received. You are the one that changed everything. The priestess Kikyo holds no candle to you."
Wrapping his arms around her, Sesshomaru pulled Kagome into a tight hug.
"thank you, Sessh," Kagome whispered into his chest.
"You are perfect, mate. Never forget that." Sesshomaru murmured into her hair as he held her. He tried to curb his anger at Inuyasha, for not properly dealing with his issues with Kikyo.
They lingered in that position for a little while, enjoying the comfort of each other's auras. As Kagome calmed, she slowly moved her focus to the papers strewn about the desk.
"There's a village that's being terrorized by goat demon?" She asked
Sesshomaru sighed, "The Western Mountains are home to many rogue goat demons. They live in small groups throughout the mountains and usually keep to themselves. The human village is requesting aid against rebellious, adolescent goat demons."
"Are we going?" She looked at him expectantly.
"perhaps. First, this one has sent soldiers and mediators to both sides to see if something can be done without our leave."
Kagome raised an eyebrow, reminding him of himself, "Our?"
Sesshomaru moved to put the papers on his desk in neater piles, "This one sees no reason why you and the children must remain here alone," he shot her a look, "in your condition especially."
Kagome laughed, "silly me. Of course, of course we'd be going too. I'm sure Rin and Shippo would like the Mountains. Isn't Sango's village up that way? Shall we ask Miroku and Sango to join us?"
"We can," he agreed, "Inuyasha and Kikyo will remain here, to oversee things. The priestess should not be traveling."
Compiling the requests from the villages on their route to later pack, Sesshomaru tucked the rest inside a large leather-bound book and wrapped his arms around Kagome again. Giving her a squeeze and a kiss to her shoulder before she stood, smoothing her dress back over her knees. Running her fingers along the books on his shelves, she wandered toward the door. It was nearly lunchtime, and the kids would soon move into their afternoon lessons. Today, she'd planned on another defense class, so that both Shippo and Rin could have optimal time with Ryu for lessons.
Sesshomaru cleared his desk of his remaining work. All he'd gotten done that morning was stacked neatly on one side, with only a few packets left to go through. Soon the only sound was the scratching of Sesshomaru's ink pen. He signed off on aid and supplies sent off to villages and finalized the last of their mating announcements before he looked up. Kagome was curled in a large soft chair in the far corner of the room, deeply engrossed in one of his books. She was so focused; he didn't want to bother her.
As he watched her read, he took note of the way the early afternoon sunlight was hitting her face. Her skin glowed with happiness and he always fell more in love with her when he looked at her. He was lost in his thoughts of her perfection, so much so that he did not notice her lifting her head to look at him. Her giggle brought him out of his head as he watched her stand and stretch.
"Come love," Kagome said, holding out her hand, "let's see if the children are eating lunch."
*And that's that for now! The next chapters are going to be some petty court dramas and things. Kagome's gonna start to show soon, and they'll be traveling soon too! I'm sorry it's been so long! I'm slowly but surely getting back together on these longer works though! Let me know what y'all think! –Inu'sgurl97 *