In the past week, Kagome had discovered more about Sesshoumaru than she ever imagined possible. Each day revealed another layer of the enigmatic demon lord, uncovering facets of his personality that left her both entertained and fascinated.

For starters, she learned that Sesshoumaru was definitely not a morning person. On the rare occasions she woke up before him, she found it nearly impossible to rouse the slumbering beast. His usual stoic face gave way to a deeply relaxed state that made her suspect all those nights he spent in her hut, he hadn't actually slept at all. The sight of him, so peaceful and carefree in those early hours, made her heart swell in ways she couldn't quite put into words.

Then there was his eating habits—something she never expected to be so particular. While Kagome was content to eat just about anything, Sesshoumaru was a selective eater, carefully scrutinizing each bite as if it were a matter of life or death. If there was even the slightest bruise on a peach or a tiny imperfection on a piece of meat, he would turn his nose up at it, leaving Kagome both exasperated and amused. His pickiness was a stark contrast to her own approach, but it was oddly endearing to see him so fastidious about something so simple.

But perhaps the most surprising revelation of all was Sesshoumaru's sense of humor. Dry and often delivered at the most unexpected times, his spontaneous attempts at wit always left Kagome's head spinning as she tried to wrap her mind around the fact that, yes, the great and fearsome Lord Sesshoumaru was actually trying to be funny. And yet, those moments of subtle humor made her smile all the more because they were so distinctly him.

However, the most erotic discovery—one that made her cheeks flush just thinking about it—was that Sesshoumaru was far more vocal during their lovemaking than she ever anticipated. It wasn't just the deep, rumbling sounds of pleasure that escaped him, but the words—filthy, sinful things whispered in her ear or proclaimed loudly as if daring the world to hear. During the day, he might say little more than a noncommittal "hm," his words few and far between. But when the moon rose, and she found herself under his heated gaze, it was as if his beast took over, voicing every dark, primal desire that lurked beneath his calm exterior. His voice, low and commanding, would set her skin ablaze, and she found herself eagerly waiting for those moments when his restraint would break and he would give in to his instincts.

On this particular morning, Sesshoumaru awoke first, his golden eyes tracing every curve of Kagome's sleeping form. He began to kiss and caress her, his lips ghosting over her skin. By the time she stirred awake, she was breathless, her thighs slick with need. It wasn't long before she found herself straddling his lap, her back pressed against his firm chest, with Sesshoumaru's cock buried deep inside her.

Sitting back on his heels, Sesshoumaru thrust upward, the jarring motion sending tremors through Kagome's body. His clawed hand gripped her hip, while the other cupped her breast, squeezing just enough to make her gasp. He brought his mouth close to her ear, his breath hot against her skin as he whispered, "You're so tight and wet. Fuck, I could stay in your perfect cunt forever." His voice was a low, seductive purr that made her core clench around him.

He teased the shell of her ear with his tongue before nipping it, the sensation adding a jolt of pain to the pleasure. As his pace quickened, his hand left her breast, moving to capture the hand she had tangled in his hair. He guided it down, intertwining their fingers, before pressing her palm to the place where their bodies joined.

"Feel it," he commanded, his voice a mix of lust and control. "Feel how your body takes my cock, how it craves me."

Kagome felt everything—every inch of him stretching and filling her, every pulse of his cock inside her slick heat. She was hyper-aware of the obscene wetness that coated him, the way her body seemed to greedily grip him whenever he pulled out, only to welcome him back with a tight embrace. A symphony of pleasure that bordered on sinful, and she loved every filthy second of it.

"That's it. Such a good girl," Sesshoumaru crooned, each word dripping with praise. His lips brushed her neck as he continued, "Will you cum for me? Cover my cock in your sweet honey?"

The words alone had Kagome's arousal spiking to new heights, her body already teetering on the edge of bliss. His pace quickened, hips snapping against ass with an urgency that stole her breath. "Yes! Please, I want to cum!" she cried out, her voice desperate and laced with need.

A roar of approval ripped from Sesshoumaru's throat. With a sudden, powerful surge, he fell forward, his muscular frame caging her delicate body beneath him. The new angle shocked Kagome as he delved deeper, opening her up further for him. He hit that magical spot inside her with such precise, devastating accuracy.

It only took a few more deep seated thrusts before the tension coiled deep within Kagome snapped. She was swept away by the force of her orgasm, a tsunami of pleasure crashing over her. Her body shaking violently, her inner walls clenching around Sesshoumaru's thick length, gripping him with a strength that seemed to draw him even deeper into her core.

With a final, guttural roar, Sesshoumaru thrust into her one last time, burying himself to the hilt. His vision blurred as he surrendered to her body, his own release hitting him like a thunderstorm.

He could feel the hot, potent surge of his seed pouring into her womb. Hips continued flexing as his body pressed tightly against hers as they remained locked together in the aftermath, their breaths the only sound in the quiet that followed.

Another one of Kagome's favorite things she had learned about Sesshoumaru was how he lingered after their release. Instead of pulling away as she'd assumed he would, Sesshoumaru stayed close, as if savoring the feel of her spasming walls as they milked him through the final aftershocks. It was as though he couldn't bear to part with her just yet, and Kagome didn't mind in the least. She relished the way he nuzzled into her hair, his short, uneven breaths dampening her skin. These tender moments, where he silently showed how much he cherished her.

She felt herself drifting back to sleep, the weight of Sesshoumaru's body lulling her in a blissful haze. But just as her mind began to slip away, his body tensed above her, every muscle coiling in sudden alertness.

Before she could even ask what was wrong, the shoji doors to their room flew open with a resounding crack.

Feral growls erupted from Sesshoumaru's as he instinctively pressed Kagome deeper into the bed, his larger frame shielding her from the potential threat.

But the voice that filled the room was not that of an enemy. It was laced with amusement and sharp criticism.

"I'm disappointed in you, Sesshoumaru. Eight days and nights of rutting, and still, you haven't marked dear Kagome as your mate! Even worse, she hasn't been pupped yet!" The dramatic entrance could only belong to one person: Lady InuKimi.

The tension in Sesshoumaru's body shifted from defensive to exasperated, his growls fading into a frustrated sigh. He lifted his head, glaring daggers at his mother, who seemed utterly unbothered by the situation she had interrupted.

Kagome, still hidden beneath Sesshoumaru, couldn't help letting out a groan of embarrassment. Trust Lady InuKimi to ruin the mood so spectacularly.

Sesshoumaru gave his mother a pointed look, his voice dripping with irritation. "Your timing, as always, is impeccable, Mother."

Lady InuKimi waved a delicate clawed hand dismissively, her expression one of mock innocence. "Oh, please, I'm just here to ensure you don't waste any more time. And poor Kagome, you can't expect her small body to take much more of your relentless pounding." She smirked, clearly enjoying herself.

Kagome blushed furiously, burying her face further into the bed as she tried to stifle a laugh. The absurdity of the situation was undeniable, and despite the awkwardness, there was something endearing about the way Sesshoumaru's family dynamics played out in real-time.

Sesshoumaru, however, was far from amused. With a growl, he gently disentangled himself from Kagome and stood, every inch of his nude frame radiating displeasure as his aura lashed out. "Leave. Now."

InuKimi chuckled softly, completely unfazed by Sesshoumaru's command—and his state of undress. "Very well, but don't take too long, pup. Katsu brings news from the South and has been waiting in your study for two days now. Apparently, Lord Haruto's advisors are urging him to lay claim to the now terra nullius."

She cast one last mischievous glance at Kagome before turning on her heel and sashaying out of the room, leaving the shoji doors wide open behind her.

Sesshoumaru stood in silence for a moment, rubbing a hand over his face in exasperation. When he finally turned back to Kagome, she was trying her hardest not to laugh, her shoulders shaking with the effort to keep it in. He arched an eyebrow at her, and that was all it took for the laughter to burst out.

Once she managed to pull herself together and Sesshoumaru had closed the door, Kagome sat up and looked up at him with curiosity. "What is terra nullius?"

Instead of immediately returning to bed, Sesshoumaru bent down to pick up a pair of dark blue hakama and haori from the floor and slipped them on. "It is Latin for 'no man's land.' An ungoverned territory," he explained as he tied the silk in place. Approaching Kagome, he sat on the edge of the bed beside her. "It would seem my departure has emboldened the bear's council into thinking the South is free for the taking."

Kagome leaned into his touch as his hand came up and gently caressed her flushed cheek, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on her skin. She couldn't help but ask, voice soft and pleading, "So, does that mean you have to go back?" She made sure to flutter her thick lashes and widen her blue eyes, hoping to sway him.

Sesshoumaru's own golden eyes narrowed down on her. He was becoming well aware of his naughty little priestess's tricks. More than once, she had used those large, expressive eyes to get her way—whether it was for a particularly juicy plum from his claws or coaxing him into burying his cock between her legs. Kagome knew how to flaunt those sapphires to make sure she got what she wanted.

Leaning in, Sesshoumaru seemed to be aiming for a kiss, and Kagome's eyes closed in anticipation. But instead of the soft press of his lips, she felt the sting of his fangs nipping her nose. "Yes, we will be returning to the South," his voice low and teasing. "Two days should be enough time to prepare a plan with the general and to properly greet Rin."

At the mention of their daughter's name, Kagome's eyes widened in realization. "Oh my God, Rin! We've been here this whole time and haven't even been to see her! We're horrible parents! Come on, we need to wash up and go see her before—"

Her frantic rambling was cut off by a strong arm wrapping around her waist as she tried to scramble out of bed. Sesshoumaru pulled her back against his chest, nuzzling his nose into her tangled hair. "Do not fret," he crooned. "She will understand."

He didn't elaborate more, knowing Rin would be pleased with their impending mating. He then allowed his bitch to wiggle out of his hold and sprint to the indoor spring. She may wish to wash but Sesshoumaru did not, wanting to be surrounded by Kagome's scent for the rest of the day.

Entering his study for the first time in nearly a decade, Sesshoumaru was greeted by a scene of chaos—parchment and scrolls littering every surface—and the sight of a tired-looking Katsu standing by the window, along with a jittery Myoga bouncing nervously on his desk.

"Welcome back, Lord Sesshoumaru!" Myoga chirped, trying to sound enthusiastic despite his obvious nervousness. "During your absence, I've taken great care of the Western Palace!"

Sesshoumaru strolled past Katsu and flicked the flea demon off his desk, sending Myoga tumbling to the floor. Without a word, he took his rightful seat behind the desk, surveying the mess.

His voice was calm, yet there was an edge to it that made the air in the room grow colder. "Is allowing a dragon spy to infiltrate my home what you consider 'taking care of' the palace, Myoga? If the lieutenant had not located the threat, would you have ignored it while my ward and intended were put in harm's way just to save your own hide?"

Myoga's eyes widened in panic as he looked to Katsu for help, but the dog demon had suddenly developed an intense interest in the garden outside, pretending not to hear the conversation. Katsu was well aware that Sesshoumaru was being purposefully obstinate. After all, Lady Kagome was more than capable of defending herself and Lady Rin.

"You are dismissed, Myoga," Sesshoumaru said, his tone final. The flea demon didn't waste a second, scampering out of the room—and possibly out of the Western Shiro altogether.

Katsu shook his head with a smirk, finally turning to face Sesshoumaru. "You're cruel, my lord. Myoga did a decent job managing the household, all things considered."

Sesshoumaru only offered a noncommittal "Hm," clearly unconvinced. Frustration simmered beneath the surface as he shoved the pile of parchment off his desk, the papers fluttering to the floor. "The insect did what he deemed necessary to stay someplace safe."

Katsu chuckled, taking a seat across from the lord and leaning back on his hands. "With your fathers oldest advisor gone, what will you do Sesshoumaru? We all know you've never been one for paperwork. Perhaps you would have simply burned it all in a grand bonfire."

"Perhaps," he mused, as if genuinely considering the idea of burning it all. But his attention soon shifted to more pressing matters, and his gaze hardened as he turned to Katsu. "Is what my mother said true? I did not think the bear would be so foolish as to attempt such a thing."

Katsu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "In a way, he is both foolish and cunning. Once you and Lady Kagome departed, things went smoothly at first. Lady InuKimi kept Haruto distracted while I and the troops secured a new patch of land for the capital. With the homes now being constructed and funded by the East, the Eastern council saw an opportunity. They began whispering in Haruto's ear, convincing him that you had abandoned the territory. They claimed that since his house is paying for the rebuild, it's only natural he should take over and expand his land."

A heavy silence filled the room as Sesshoumaru mulled over Katsu's words. There was no way in hell he was going to let the bear have the South. He had no desire for more land, but abandoning it to Haruto was out of the question. The only viable solution would be to involve the other Lords, forcing them to vote on who would best oversee the territory's care.

Sesshoumaru finally broke the silence. "Haruto is testing my patience. He forgets his place." He stood, clearly uninterested in the mess of scrolls and parchment cluttering his desk. "Have my council send out invitations to the noble demon houses. A gathering will be held in two moons' time to rectify this dilemma."

Katsu nodded, but couldn't resist a grin. "I'll handle it. Though I must admit, it'll be interesting to see how Haruto reacts when he realizes you're not as absent as he thought."

Sesshoumaru smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Let him squirm. It will be his last mistake."

As he moved toward the door, Katsu called after him. "And what about the paperwork, my lord? Planning on leaving it for Jaken?"

Without missing a beat, Sesshoumaru replied over his shoulder, "I'll burn it later."

Katsu chuckled, shaking his head. "No doubt you will."

Following the sound of laughter and familiar voices, Sesshoumaru made his way to the family garden. Under the warm afternoon sun, a serene scene awaited him, the women of his pack were gathered, immersed in their own world. Rin, her hands buried in the soft fur of his mokomoko, was animatedly talking to Kagome, who sat behind her, carefully braiding her hair. Kagome wore her own smaller version of the mokomoko over her shoulders, its white fur contrasting beautifully with her raven hair. Across from them, Lady InuKimi sipped her tea, observing the scene with a faint, amused smile, her fan poised in her other hand.

The peaceful tableau was almost too perfect to disturb, yet Sesshoumaru felt a yearning to be part of it. To bask in the warmth and joy that radiated from his family. He approached slowly, sending out just enough of his aura to announce his presence.

Kagome straightened at the sensation, a blush coloring her cheeks as she turned her head, her sapphire eyes lighting up when she saw him. A soft smile spread across her face, warming him from the inside out. Lady InuKimi acknowledged him with a quick glance before resuming her leisurely fanning, content to let him join the circle without comment.

Rin was the last to notice, and when she did, her wide brown eyes sparkled with excitement. For a fleeting moment, she looked just as she had when she was a child—a little girl who once found him wounded in the forest, determined to care for him despite his insistent refusal. But in a blink, she was back to being the young woman she had become, full of life and happiness, already sprinting across the garden toward him.

When Rin reached him, she wrapped her arms as far around his middle as she could in a fierce hug, her laughter filling the air. He gently rested a hand atop her head, his own gesture of affection, before leading her back to the others.

As they rejoined Kagome and Lady InuKimi, Sesshoumaru settled beside his future mate. Rin gathered mokomoko around her and sat in front of him, practically glowing. Her voice, full of enthusiasm, filled the space as she eagerly told Sesshoumaru everything that had happened during his absence, her words flowing without pause. Sesshoumaru listened attentively, his usual mask of indifference softening into one of contentment.

The moment became even more perfect when Kagome's hand found its way to his thigh, a small but intimate touch that made him feel even more at peace. He glanced at her, catching her eye, and the shy smile she gave him spoke volumes as he intertwined their fingers.

As Rin's stories continued, the world beyond the garden walls faded as the demon lord's sole focus was on his family.