As the last syllables of the children's argument echoed through the dining room, Kagome and Sesshōmaru exchanged glances. The air crackled with tension as they watched Inuyasha and Kikyō try to smooth over the conflict with strained pleasantries. But it was like trying to repair a shattered vase with glue; the cracks remained visible. Kagome's stomach churned as she realized the chasm between them had grown too vast for even small talk to bridge.
"Dessert and tea will have to wait for another time," Sesshōmaru said, his tone final.
Inuyasha and Kikyō looked crestfallen but didn't protest as Kagome and Sesshōmaru gathered their things and made their way to the door. As they walked down the dimly lit hallway, Kagome couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had changed. A soft sigh escaped her lips as they stepped out into the cool night air. The stars shone brightly above, but they did little to ease the heaviness in their chests.
Kikyō's goodbye was terse at best, and Sesshōmaru barely spared her any words before he wished the children good night. Kagome hugged each of them, promising she would see them soon. Kikyō pursed her lips, disapproval radiating from her in waves as she stood silently, arms crossed against her breasts. Kagome did not address her sister-in-law, but she swore inwardly she would find a way to see those kids.
"Come on," Kagome softly said to Sesshōmaru, taking his hand. "Let's go."
Inuyasha clasped his hands behind his back, shoulders stiff as he strode ahead to walk them to the gate. His gaze seemed distant, and his brows were furrowed in contemplation as if the weight of all his life's experiences was settling heavily on him.
Kagome gave Sesshōmaru a furtive nod and let him enter the car first while she lingered behind.
She leaned towards Inuyasha and spoke softly, hoping to plead to the real him. "Inuyasha, you know what it's like to straddle the divide between two worlds - human and yōkai. It was tough and terrible, but you found a way to see the good in both, and that made all the difference. Your children need you now more than ever before. Guide them, help them, but not like this."
As he regarded her solemnly, for the first time this evening, Kagome caught a glimpse of her old friend simmering beneath the surface. He did not respond, but his grave expression promised he took her words seriously, and she hoped he would make changes immediately — if not for his own sake, then for his children.
Inside the car, Sesshōmaru turned on the ignition and, without a word, drove away from Inuyasha's house. It was a silent ride for a few hundred meters, as though they both needed time to soak up everything that took place during dinner. Then, Sesshōmaru turned into a deserted parking lot and stopped the car. Without the gentle hum of the engine, the atmosphere was that of profound silence. As though by unspoken agreement, they inhaled a deep breath and let out a long sigh, loosening the tension.
Sesshōmaru's golden eyes met hers when she turned and gushed, "We should go to see the Prince and ask him if he knows anything about this type of treatment, or how to stop it, or how to reverse the effects."
Sesshōmaru's fingers slowly uncurled from the steering wheel, and he slowly nodded. Then, he unfastened the seatbelt and turned to face her, his golden eyes glittering in the dark. "Alright. But, first things first."
He leaned over the console and took her chin. Kagome's mouth parted instinctively when his lips touched hers, kissing her with a passion that took her breath away. She tilted her head towards him, craving more of his kiss as his tongue explored her own. When they came up for breath, panting, he pressed his forehead against hers. His hard chest heaved against hers, and he delicately cradled the back of her head in his callused hand, fingers gently entwined in her raven locks.
"Do you know how arousing it was to witness you defend me and my kind, telling everyone how you wanted our child to inherit some of my traits?"
A butterfly fluttered within her belly when his hand brushed against her midsection before his palm cupped her fully, feeling the slightest swell where their pup grew. Her fingers joined his, and together they revelled in that intimate moment. Sesshōmaru's hot breath fanned across her forehead, and his eyes held hers as he continued his caressing. Kagome's face flushed, and she bit her lip, unable to stop herself from releasing a soft moan.
His lips found hers again, fierce in their demand as he deepened the kiss, now tasting her mouth with the mastery only he wielded. Kagome melted into his embrace, allowing the pleasure to sweep her away. As they kissed, her hands found their way into his hair, tangling into the silken tresses.
He released her only to brush his lips against her temple. "I am honoured that you want to see me in our children. Though, I must confess I wish to see you in them as well." When he drew back, the glow of his golden eyes prompted her to stare up and admire the molten shade. "Imagine it, Kagome. Young pups with silver hair and blue eyes, or raven hair and golden eyes."
"Sesshōmaru," she whispered, her voice low and full of emotion. "Any children of ours, I will love and protect them with everything I have."
He kissed her forehead again before he pressed those lips against her closed lid. "You are a treasure, my mate. Thank you — for being who you are."
Kagome laid a hand on his chest, feeling the thud of his heartbeat under her palm. With eyes still closed and a heart full of joy, she nuzzled against his neck and breathed in his scent, a heady mix of winter pine and smoke. "Sesshōmaru," she said in a tone of love and gratitude. "You make me this way. You helped me—"
His low chuckle silenced her. Then, when his knuckle softly brushed against her chin, Kagome's eyes fluttered open to the sight of Sesshōmaru's golden gaze. He looked at her with an intensity that matched the dark atmosphere inside the car and spoke gently.
"No. This is all you. Kikyō never accepted Inuyasha's demon blood, and she might never will. You are nothing like her. You accept others as who they are. That, Kagome, is what makes you unique and rare. You are a true gem."
Nothing could stop Kagome from fisting her hands around his shirt collar and bringing his head down, lips locking into another passionate kiss. His love and faith made her soar. Their kiss deepened, their tongues tangling as they explored each other. Kagome's heart raced in her chest as she felt his strong hand slide up the back of her sweater, his fingers tracing the curve of her spine. A moan escaped her lips as she pulled him closer, wanting to feel every inch of his body against hers.
It felt like hours had passed when they finally pulled away from each other, both panting and flushed with desire. Sesshōmaru nuzzled his nose underneath her ear, inhaling her scent, his breath hot against her skin.
"Don't make me beg for car sex," she moaned, playfully swatting at his chest. He was undeterred, his lips tracing the curve of her jaw. Her arousal spiked, but she knew they had no time to indulge.
"You wouldn't have to beg," he promised, catching her earlobe between his teeth and biting down gently. But, at her growl of frustration, he chuckled and straightened himself, hands on the ten and two position on the steering wheel.
"I understand," he relented as he refastened his seatbelt. "No one could deter you when you've decided to do something. To the Prince's house, it is."
They had called ahead and discovered Prince Shinsui had one of his few days off today and was home.
Perhaps it was no surprise that Prince Shinsui lived across the street from the hospital in an older yet highly sought-after building. Upon entering the penthouse, Kagome scanned the foyer and the sitting room, noting the feminine touches that seemed at odds with the masculine space — an irrefutable sign that Lady Kōcho had made herself as much at home here as at her other residences.
The Prince and Lady Kōcho were both waiting for them. They showed no indication if they had been disappointed that their time together was disturbed. It made Kagome flush, and they wondered if they had disturbed the elder couple enough times that the interruptions no longer phased them.
"I'm sorry, Prince, that we've come to disturb you at such a late hour," Kagome said. Her eyes strayed and landed on Sesshōmaru's mother, who casually perched on the arm of the Prince's chair. Heat crept up Kagome's cheeks; the sight reminded her that she had once again disturbed the Prince's time with his beloved. She should have known her mother-in-law would also be there, for they seemed to be attached at the hip whenever the Prince had some time off.
Neither the Prince nor Lady Kocho seemed bothered. A pleasant smile curled on his lips when he asked, "How can I help?"
Without words, Kagome reached into her purse and pulled out the folded pamphlet Kikyō had given her. The Prince accepted it from Kagome's outstretched hand. The pair of blue eyes turned cobalt in the darkness of the evening as he scanned the glossy paper, his furrow deepening the closer he got to the end of the page. His silence after he finished reading and the thinning of his mouth conveyed how disturbing he'd found the material, and it took him a moment before he looked up.
His question was simple. "Who?"
"Inuyasha's wife, Kikyō."
His gaze strayed to Lady Kōcho, the cobalt deepening even more with understanding. "Inuyasha—"
Lady Kōcho pursed her lips and nodded. "Tōga's other son."
Wordlessly, the Prince passed the pamphlet to Sesshōmaru's mother, giving her a moment to quickly read its content. When she was finished, her fingers crumpled the glossy paper. Then, she looked up, fraught golden eyes staring at Kagome and Sesshōmaru beseechingly. "Please tell me you are not considering this abomination."
"No, we are absolutely not doing it," Kagome confirmed. "I didn't show the pamphlet to Prince Shinsui because I am interested in getting the treatment done, but to ask if such a vile thing is possible. Is it truly possible for Kikyō to eliminate yōkai traits in unborn fetuses?"
The Prince rose from his chair and strode across the room. His posture was rigid; his jaw clenched tightly as he struggled to maintain composure. At last, he paused near a window and heaved a weary sigh.
"In theory, yes," he murmured as though lost in his thoughts, staring at the bright metropolis below.
Kagome felt like a lead weight had dropped into her gut. She glanced down at Sesshōmaru's hand, clasped tightly around hers. His gaze met hers, and his eyes reflected the same concern.
The Prince went on as he continued to pace, "But this method brings up many questions. How long will these effects last? What degree of genetic manipulation is taking place? Our bodies are always changing and regenerating, so how long will the treatment remain effective? To have a lasting impact, she must target everything from the bone marrow producing blood cells to the organs, essentially rewriting the fetus genome with reiki alone. I've never seen or heard of someone like her who can do anything like that."
Suddenly, he stopped, sighing. "If she is aiming for permanent genome editing, it would have to be done immediately after conception, and most likely before the fetal bone marrow is fully formed."
"Kikyō did mention the earlier I start the treatment, the higher the chance of success," Kagome said.
She knew Kikyō was no fool. The woman was not interested in temporary genome editing — she aimed for a permanently altered state. The Kikyō of Sengoku Jidai had to rely on the Shikon jewel for such a feat, but the Kikyō of the modern time had supposedly acquired the skills to do what had been impossible.
Kagome continued, "She also mentioned she has been doing this for three months."
"She said she perfected the technique three months ago," Sesshōmaru clarified, squeezing his mate's hand to calm her down. "Perhaps she has not started yet."
"Then, we must act fast," Lady Kōcho said gravely, her eyes filled with urgency. "We cannot allow Kikyō to proceed with her treatments. If she succeeds, she could very well create an entirely new race of beings — neither human nor yōkai. There are grave medical repercussions, not to mention ethical ones."
Kagome wrung her hands on her lap. "They also have three children wearing yōki suppression bracelets since birth. What about them? If they took off their bracelets now, would they fully recover from the effects of the yōki-suppression aid?"
The Prince looked at her. "How old are the children?"
"Ichiro, the oldest, is sixty-four years old. The younger ones, Saburo and Kenjiro, are forty-two and twenty-eight."
Prince Shinsui's brow furrowed. Evidently, he was not a fan of the yōki-suppression aids, for they went against the natural order of things. Kagome's heart dropped at the sight of the prince's grim expression.
"Full recovery?" he asked back. "It is not as easy as simply taking off the suppression aid. First, they will need intensive therapy to get their yōki to circulate normally again — Inuyasha as well. That is, if their circulation could be coaxed to return to a state of normalcy. Considering they've been under suppression for decades, there is a possibility they've been permanently impaired in some way."
The room was silent as his words sank in. Kagome bit her lip, sadness washing over her. To think those children had been robbed of their true potential because of their mother's fear and prejudice against yōkai.
"I won't even consider them taking their bracelets off at home," the Prince added. "Since they haven't lived with their power, they won't know how to restrain it. They could even do damage to themselves and others without any warning."
"What do you suggest?"
The Prince's face contorted in concentration, and he sighed heavily. "Bring them to the Centre. It'll be a secure environment, and we can ensure proper supervision for the bead's removal."
Kagome frowned, her eyes widening with alarm. "But… the centre is for—"
"Daughter, the centre is for abused women and children," Lady Kochō gently reminded. Her voice was soft but firm as she continued. "Unfortunately, what those poor children are going through does fall under that definition."
Kagome's throat constricted, and her eyes stung with tears as she thought of Ichirō, Saburo, and Kenjiro's sad, terrified faces. Despite living in a lovely house with two parents who were supposed to provide love and stability, they had suffered unspeakable abuse.
Sesshōmaru's lips pressed together; his brow furrowed with tension as he spoke in a low, grave tone. "Inuyasha and Kikyō will not approve of us taking their children there."
The Prince said, "I would much rather that the parents cooperate. What they had to endure all their lives was traumatizing enough, and learning their power like this may add another layer of trauma. I'd rather not add family conflicts on top of everything those children already have to deal with." He exchanged glances with Kagome and Sesshōmaru. "Is there any way we can bring the parents around?"
Kagome returned Sesshōmaru's stare. "I cannot see Kikyō relenting," she said. "I've tried at their house."
"Inuyasha might be our hope," Sesshōmaru concurred.
"Do you think he will help us talk some sense into Kikyō?"
Her mate pursed his lips into a tight line. "I do not know."
Kagome's heart sank even further. The thought of Inuyasha being permanently altered, losing his true self, was too much to bear. But she knew she had to keep trying. She had to do what she could to help him and his family.
"We have to try," Kagome whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "We have to try and talk to him, to make him see reason. We can't let Kikyō destroy their family like this."
Sesshōmaru's face twisted with anguish as he looked back at her. "Kagome. You remember my warning when we drove to Hakone after our wedding lunch?" Sesshōmaru gently squeezed her hand again, his eyes filled with understanding, and his voice took on a softer tone. "I warned you he has changed. We can try to talk to him, but we must also prepare ourselves that he may refuse."
Kagome recalled how different Inuyasha seemed. He'd used to be impulsive and reckless, always eager to jump into a fight. But now, he seemed more subdued and contemplative, lost in his thoughts. He was no longer the fierce hanyō she had grown to love in the feudal era.
He seemed... tired, defeated.
It hurt to see him like that. Even now, Kagome wanted to drop her face into her hands and weep. But, then, she recalled their farewell at the gate of his home. She recalled seeing a glimmer of him beneath those eyes, and a renewed sense of hope surged. Inuyasha may have changed because of the yōki suppression bracelet or other unknown reasons, but deep down, she knew he still cared for his family.
"He might still be in there somewhere," Kagome said to Sesshōmaru, her tone pleading. He hesitated, less inclined to believe it, but he had known this Inuyasha for a long time. Any vestiges of hope that his brother would return had perhaps withered away sometime during the past couple of centuries.
The Prince's voice had them both looking up. "Do not be too harsh on Inuyasha. I am not surprised he has been drastically altered. Half of him has been sealed away, leaving the other half stretched thin. In the end, if only half of him is awakened, how could he be himself?"
Kagome nodded, comprehending that the beads that suppress his innate yōkai nature were at fault for turning him into this dulled, deadened creature — moving and breathing, yet not truly living. Fury coursed through her veins as she reflected on how Kikyō had forced her family to wear the beads without considering the consequences. She inhaled slowly and deeply to steady her nerves. For Inuyasha and his children's sake, she had to maintain her composure. No matter how she felt, she had to keep control of her emotions.
"We'll do our best," she said, looking at Sesshōmaru and the Prince. "We'll try to reason with him, to make him see what's at stake. But, if he refuses, we'll have to take matters into our own hands. For the sake of those children, we can't let them suffer anymore."
Sesshōmaru gave a slight nod, his grip on her hand tightening slightly, but it was enough to anchor her and cement her determination.
The Prince surveyed them in silent contemplation. "Maybe we should contemplate why Inuzuka Kikyō thought it necessary to take such drastic measures and what spurred those women she assisted to request her help."
"Aside from their obvious hatred for the yōkai kind?" Sesshōmaru asked.
The Prince's gaze was piercing as he gazed at Sesshōmaru. "Fear can be a powerful driving force," he stated firmly. His tone was calm and even, but his message resonated with certainty. "Sesshōmaru, as a future leader, you need to distinguish between actions driven by pure hatred and fear and find the root cause of that fear."
Sesshōmaru's gaze sharpened. "What is there to fear?" he questioned. "They chose to have sexual relations with yōkai, so they should consider the implications of that decision."
The Prince was silent for a few moments before he spoke, his voice softer. "Sesshōmaru, every child is born from either love or lust. Let us hope that when it is the latter, it is consensual."
Kagome felt a chill creep into her bones as she realized the implications of the Prince's words - that some of the women who had sought Kikyō's help might have been victims of sexual abuse. She shuddered at the thought — and the reminder of her past.
The Prince's gaze flickered to Kagome for a split second, hesitating briefly before he continued, "If the pregnancies had been the results of sexual assaults and the women do not wish to keep them, what would be the alternative solution? What could we offer them, besides abortion? In that case, I would also question — which is better: to give the babies a chance to live in an altered state, or not live at all? And who has the right to decide for them?"
Kagome shut her eyes. The Prince was kind enough not to make a direct statement and let them realize what conclusion he was leading towards. If his hypothesis was correct, Kikyō's choices about her treatments could be seen as something of a grey area, and she might be fully justified in obtaining only the women's consent.
"What Inuzuka Kikyō is doing is dangerous," the Prince agreed. "I have serious misgivings about her methods and practices. However, we must take a step back and delve deeper into her cause and motivations, and address them."
The Prince's words seemed to have struck a chord with Sesshōmaru. He bowed his head and sighed. "I understand," he said at last. "I will withhold judgment until we know more about her reasons."
Kagome felt her ire rising again, but it was directed at herself this time. Considering her past, she should have thought about it more thoroughly. Sesshōmaru's touch on her hand prompted her to look up. She saw the same remorse and shame mirrored in his golden eyes. He brought her fingers to his lips.
"I am sorry," Sesshōmaru said reverently against her knuckles. "I did not consider all the possibilities."
She smiled at him and squeezed his hand as a sign of support and understanding. "You are not alone. I did not either. Let us hope our talk can give Inuyasha and Kikyō a chance to think it through and find a solution."
Sesshōmaru looked at Kagome and nodded. "We will try. But, if Kikyō isn't willing to listen or be more forthcoming about her plans, we'll need to find another way to stop her and a way for those children to get out of this mess."
The house was silent except for the occasional creak, each sound amplified by the hush of night blanketing their home.
Inuyasha sat motionless on the edge of the bed inside the room he shared with Kikyō; his eyes locked on the glossy black beads encircling his wrist. He twirled the beads round and round. Laughter tickled his chest, and he chuckled helplessly. Even now, he could still feel the weight of the subjugation necklace that had once been strung around his neck. Now, the yōki-suppression bracelets that limited the flow of his spirit energy felt like yet another shackle weighing him down.
He could hardly remember the feeling of being free. When Ichiro had spoken at dinner, the truth in his son's words hit him like a ton of bricks.
'There hasn't been a day in my life… that I feel like I'm myself.'
Tears pricked his eyes. He had thought he was the only one who had to endure this. He had thought because his three sons had been wearing the beads since they were born, they would not know what they missed.
How wrong he was.
He and Kikyō had been so focused on shielding Ichiro, Saburo, and Kenjiro from ever feeling the pain they had felt, they forgot what they had taken away from their children.
They did not even realize the ones hurting their children... were themselves.
His mind blurred as it often did and he shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. The deep shame he felt for what he had done to his children would never disappear, but he could not afford to be weak now, not when his children's future was at stake.
A soft knock rang out, interrupting his thoughts. Without waiting for an answer, his wife stepped into the room. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her features twisted with worry. Immediately, she stared at the hand he placed over the yōki-suppression bracelet. Her eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and terror swimming in those depths.
"Inuyasha," Kikyō called out pleadingly, her already quiet voice hushed to a whisper. "Don't."
Inuyasha slowly removed his hand from the suppression beads and stepped towards her. He bent over, his knuckle softly tracing along her jawline as he stared into her eyes. "Kikyō. Do you remember when you asked if you could trust me to protect our children?"
Tears brimmed in her eyes, and he knew she remembered, just as he remembered, and would always remember.
"I couldn't answer you then," he said, giving her a sad, lopsided smile. "But now, finally, I can."
He moved to grab the bracelet once more, but she sprang forward and clutched his hand. Her gaze remained locked on his face as more tears gathered in her eyes. She silently shook her head, the words seeming to freeze on her lips.
"Kikyō. It's been over three hundred years," Inuyasha said gently. "I think… it's time to focus on the children we still have."
She finally broke down, face twisting into a mask of such anguish that he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest as her tears began to fall.