Souta counted himself as the smartest little boy that ever existed. His math paper was signed, Kagome was happy and Sesshomaru was not freaking out anymore. They had all settled into a new routine and it was all thanks to him.

Naraku looked at the old picture he had tucked into his wallet. He had memorized every inch and was filled with both rage and regret at once. He never forgot the look in her eyes when he found her again. It was pure fear. She was his, she had always been his, it was infuriating that she didn't think so anymore.

Her skills were valuable, she was the best after all. He raised his arm to look at the scar there. The raised line was nearly perfect and his mind was drawn back to the night she had escaped him.

The battle he had fought was one that he had never experienced before and it still enraged him. How had she gotten the better of him? How had she escaped his search all of this time?

Naraku sat back and thought about the man who had interrupted their first meeting in months. She had been beautiful and looked happy with the other women when she noticed him.

He thought it was just like her to stand up and walk over to him. She had demanded why he was there, and then he had seen the glowering face of her new boyfriend.

His fist clenched thinking of how relieved she had been to see him and the thug he was walking with. Naraku could see how she thought she had escaped but he had not been idle.

He stood and went to the warehouse. Looking out over the droves of men in uniform and the moving parts of his empire. It wasn't fueled by old money like the others, he had built this from the ground up. Everything he had done had put them in the midst of taking power.

Someone was trying to take him down. One of the other leaders had made it their mission to disrupt his underlings. There were eyes in the shops, and their trucks were being hit. He didn't know which one it was. The Neko had an elusive leader they could not be tracked since no one who saw them lived to speak their name.

The inu was a thorn in his side that he thought he had taken care of. The members of their ranks were delusional and loyal to the family, and the one who had taken over for the last boss was persistent. There was only one time he had seen the former boss. It was the night he had planted the bomb inside their home. He thought he had gotten all of them but the eldest son was not there.

The boss had silver hair, and so did his young son. It was uncommon enough but he did not forget that the man Kagome had latched on to also shared that trait.

"I will find you soon enough, and if it is in the arms of that mongrel's son, it will be even more of a pleasure to kill you," he said softly.

"Boss we found her," Muso stepped out from the shadows and Naraku gave him a deadly glare.

"You are speaking of Kagome, correct?" He asked and Muso nodded. Naraku hated his face, he had no character, no distinguishing features, just a plain no face. Which made him perfect for monitoring the neighborhoods.

"Yes, I have seen her walking with two boys about ten years old and a large white dog. I'll give you the directions now," he said and Naraku listened closely.

He smiled when he heard the last number. It was close but in the territory of the inu gang. No way he could go without a plan. He sighed and began to scheme. "Now I know where to find you little bird," he chuckled.

Kagome awoke with a start. Her dreams had been filled with memories too bleak to say aloud. She turned into the solid form beside her and grasped him tightly.

"Kagome," he said and brought his arm around her. "Were you dreaming again?" He turned and kissed her forehead as she laid it onto his chest.

"Yeah, sorry for waking you," she said, hugging him. It had been a while since she had felt this fear. The image of her knife and the things Sesshomaru had seen brought many things to her mind she had nearly escaped.

He wasn't mad about her hiding her skills, but she saw the undeniable jealousy of the relationship she had with Onigumo.

"Don't worry about that. What were you dreaming about?" he asked and she nodded into his chest.

"I keep seeing his face, I can't stop thinking that he's close to finding me again," she said and Sesshomaru knew what she meant by the fear in her voice. She was trembling, grasping onto him as if he were her lifeline.

He couldn't help but hold her tightly. He would kill that man for making her so afraid. Taking her chin in hand he kissed her to soothe her fear.

Slowly she stopped trembling, her hands grasping him softened and he knew she had calmed. "I won't let him have you," he said against her lips.

Kagome wanted to hold on to that feeling. Her lips moved against his needing the assurance of his presence. She was in awe of how patient he was with her. Onigumo had not hesitated to sweep aside any of her protests and take what he wanted.

It had left her feeling used, and violated, but Sesshomaru was not Onigumo.

Kagome moved over him, straddling him and looking down at his molten stare. Just like the last time his hands grasped her hips and bottom not shying away from her need. "I don't want to think about him anymore," she said. Her body moved sensually, the promise of entirety at the tip of his fingers.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes against the feel of her body, letting his hands grasp her pulling her tighter to him when he couldn't take it anymore. Taking her time she let him remove her nightgown. He grasped at the cloth of his last obstacle and ripped the thin fabric before throwing it aside.

Kagome grasped him and pressed him to her entrance. Slowly she let him move her hips until he was fully seated inside. Sesshomaru felt his hands grasp her tighter, moving her as he needed. He was washed in the warmth of her, ready for this. He had been patient and was being rewarded for it. She moved as she needed, feeling electric shocks of pleasure and showing him that he was the only one who could fill this need.

Greedily he asked for more, turning over her, Sesshomaru gripped her knees, and pushed them into the mattress, and entered her again. At this angle he moved freely, sliding into the very depths of her body. Kagome moaned and bit her lip, feeling his pure possessiveness. Each time he entered she lost a bit of her sanity. She felt her body convulse, her toes flexed and she raised herself to meet him.

He could not hold back anymore. Sesshomaru dropped to her body putting his nose in her black hair and feeling her legs come around his waist. She came again when he slammed into her and felt her tighten around him.

Breathing heavily, he moved her to her stomach needing this now, as he held off his release. She raised her hips and met him as he gripped her against him and moved inside her until he could not perceive anything outside of her cascading release.

His mind was blank as he moved away from her and felt it when she turned into him and grasped him around the middle. Her leg came over his and Kagome let her head rest on his chest.

"You are mine, Kagome,"

She woke again at dawn, and her tired eyes took a moment to adjust. Her body was sore, in the best possible way, and she was once more trapped beneath the majority of Sesshomaru's body. She felt his hands on her breasts and shifted to free herself from his sleepy hold.

"Good morning," he said, kissing the back of her neck and sucking on her shoulder. She felt goosebumps rise on her skin.

"Good morning," she breathed.

When she was able to get out of bed she noticed that he didn't bother with the five-mile run, nor did he close himself away in his study as she got the boys up and got them ready for school. He sat on a barstool by the counter as she prepared breakfast and ate quietly.

"This is good," he said between bites of his omelet.

"I'm glad you like it," she said, watching him enjoy the meal and wondering what he was up to. "What are we doing today?" She asked and he met her eyes, not surprised that she had guessed.

"I want to take you somewhere today," he said, wiping his lips with a napkin and taking his dish to the sink. He rinsed it and put it into the dishwasher before turning to her. "Are you almost ready?" He asked and she nodded.

"Let me grab my purse and I'll meet you at the car," she said. Taeko followed her through the house. His big eyes tracked her movements and as she met Sesshomaru he nudged them both with his nose.

"Let's go Taeko," Sesshomaru said and the dog grabbed his leash and presented it to be clipped to his collar. Sesshomaru opened the door to the garage and Taeko went to the back seat and waited to be let in. Kagome opened the passenger side door and got in as Sesshomaru closed the back door and turned to the driver's seat.

When they were all in Kagome checked the back seat and found Taeko lying down across both seats looking out of the window.

They drove for nearly thirty minutes. Kagome recognized the place as Ueno Park. She had visited it previously during the last Sakura bloom. It was a quiet area filled with picturesque sights and trails that could be walked. He remembered the waterfall at the edge of the park and wanted to see it again

"Why are we here?" She asked and he ushered her forward.

"I was just thinking that we haven't spent much time together, without everyone else." He said and was happy to take the dog's leash and continue into the grassy walkway.

Kagome felt her heart squeeze and nodded. "I have had that thought, myself." She took his hand and walked with him down the path.

It was not long, walking in quiet conversation and enjoying the late autumn afternoon. The leaves blew around and out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of someone behind them.

At first, he ignored it, many people went to the park, but this man did not waver and with his hat and long coat, he was following them.

Sesshomaru didn't want this man messing up his plans. He had thought about this over the last few days and knew it was time. He sent a message to his right-hand man before continuing. He grasped the item in his pocket and looked down at her quiet smile. He should have done this sooner, but there was no way she would have agreed.

"Look," she gripped his arm and drew his attention to a small group of tanuki dogs. There were four, two adults and two pups. "They're so cute!" She said and he nodded.

"Yes, they are." He said and he grasped her hand and stopped her from continuing. "I'm glad to spend the day with you," he said and she could see the day was affecting him. His eyes were warm, his expression a bit wistful and she could not help but grasp the front of his coat.

He met her with a kiss and took her with him to the nearby bench. Sitting down, Sesshomaru grasped her hands. "Kagome I wanted to say something that I should have said a lot sooner," he said.

Kagome let her warm eyes settle on him, he was looking at her with adoration and was absorbed in her completely. "What is it?" She asked and Sesshomaru moved from the bench and let one knee rest on the ground. She sucked in a breath and watched as he withdrew a small box.

"You are incredible. I have thought about this a long time and I have decided I don't want you to be my girlfriend anymore I want you to be my-" Kagome saw a man watching them through the forest and as she watched him reach into his coat and saw the glint of steel she stood and threw one of her blades.

Sesshomaru turned at once and drew his handgun as her blade found a home in the man's arm. Taeko growled and as he was trained laid low and waited for his master's command

"Nice one, Kagome, you're as sharp as ever," Kagome turned and at once she withdrew the second blade. Onigumo stood along the path, covered by a long coat and hat but she was sure as he turned and approached them that he had been following them. " I am disappointed, I admit. This was supposed to be my moment," he said.

"Onigumo, leave me alone!" She said and held the blade firm as Sesshomaru held his gun at her side. She heard the clicking of the trigger mechanism and hoped he didn't miss.

"So it was you following us, your interruption is annoying," he said and he pocketed the box before grabbing Kagome and bringing her against him.

"Yes, I suppose it is," he laughed and Kagome felt her blood chill. Looking around there were five men in the park all at different places but all watching them. She took a steadying breath.

It had been too long since she felt this level of danger. Onigumo came closer, his gleaming eyes took in the sight of her new man and he was sure that this was the son of his enemy. "You are Taisho, Sesshomaru. I must say it's annoying to see you alive and more than that with my woman. Did she tell you I was the one to deflower this little bird," he smirked and Kagome gasped.

"Stop!" She said and Sesshomaru put a hand on her shoulder.

"I don't care, She's mine now and you cannot have her," Sesshomaru put himself between them.

Kagome watched Onigumo dodge the bullets and then his men began to run towards them.

"Boss we are here!" She heard Koga somewhere within the park and felt a strange sense of anticipation for this fight. Koga skidded out into the path and Ginta was at his side. The inu had gathered ready to fight.

"Taeko, come," Ginta said and he reached for the dog's leash to take him from the battleground. Ginta left with the dog with his weapon drawn and was followed by two more of the inu.

"Koga, take Kagome and I'll deal with him," he said and Kagome refused.

'I'm not leaving you,' she said and Onigumo was annoyed by her words.

"Where was that loyalty when I needed it," he seethed and Kagome glared hard.

"You don't deserve my loyalty, you cruel, sick, bastard!" She yelled and drew her blade to a stance Sesshomaru recognized from the film he had seen of her. She was intense, ready to fight him and he could not let that happen.

"You will not get away from me, like I said before your common dog will not live to enjoy what he has taken from me," Onigumo was cocky even in the sight of tens of Sesshomaru's men coming into view through the park.

"You sound like Naraku," she said. Sesshomaru could not tear his eyes from the man to see her face. Her voice was strained and he watched Onigumo smile.

"That's because I became him," he replied and then Sesshomaru saw red.

"You are Naraku?!" He said

"And you are the son of Touga. That blast should have killed you all, and yet here you are," Naraku laughed and Kagome saw a flash of black.

Koga heard his words and crossed the distance with a running kick. Naraku dodged the kick and pistol-whipped him on the back of his head. Sesshomaru signaled his men and they came to his back. Kagome felt how familiar this situation was.

Sesshomaru clenched his fist. The bottled rage and grief hit him at once mixing with the pure hatred he felt for the man already. He had killed his father, forced this empire on him, and terrorized his woman. Every night he had been awake from his thoughts or her nightmares imploded at once and Sesshomaru stepped towards him.

"It's fortunate for me that when I kill you I will be taking my vengeance and riding Kagome of a great nuisance." When Sesshomaru lunged for the man, Kagome understood why the others feared him. He was blindingly fast and confident in each movement.

Naraku stepped back out of the first punch but did not dodge the second. Turning quickly he withdrew a slim blade. Kagome gasped. The blade he drew was hers.

There was no thinking as she watched Sesshomaru meet the blade with the butt of his gun, she stood ready to run through the ranks of men that stood around her.

Koga came to himself in time to see the first slice. Sesshomaru caught the man's hand and twisted the blade from his grip. "It's different fighting a man, isn't it." He said. Naraku tore his hand away, dropping the blade.

He withdrew his gun and cocked it. Sesshomaru smirked, moving quickly and punching him in the hand and face. The gun flew from his hand and to the grass.

When it was bare knuckles, Sesshomaru dominated. His lightning strikes and strength kept Naraku at bay long enough for the others to engage the spiders. The five within the park fought with the droves in inu arriving in the park and Kagome was impressed by the sheer number of loyal followers.

When they began to hear sirens the yakuza scattered. Sesshomaru punched Naraku to the ground and drew his pistol. "You won't walk away from this," he said and fired into the man's knee.

Turning, he grabbed Kagome and picked her up. Running into the forest and escaping with her.

He ran with her for almost ten minutes before setting her down. When her feet touched the ground she turned and grasped the front of his coat and looked for any signs he had been hurt. Seeing a cut along the side of his neck she saw it was shallow but grabbed her handkerchief and pressed it to the cut.

"Kagome I'm fine," Sesshomaru gripped the handkerchief and her hand. He felt the blood on his shirt and ignored it. No one had gotten that close to him in a long time but the man was no match for him when he was serious. Now he will think twice before interrupting him, he thought. "I want to finish with what I was saying," he said.

Kagome saw him grasp the small box again and she held her breath. He went down on one knee once more and looked around to make sure there were no interruptions.

"I don't want you to be my girlfriend anymore, I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?" he withdrew the ring and she gave him her hand.

"Yes," she breathed and he stood and let go of the breath he didn't realize he was holding and received her embrace.

He kissed her soundly and withdrew his phone. "Hakkaku, the north forest outside of Uedo park. Get the boys first," he said.