Chapter 31: Mothers

I had stayed in the park talking with her for hours about everything and nothing at the same time. I didn't even realize how quickly time flew by. We stayed until it was closing time. She gave me a box full of memories, and we promised to keep in contact. I had a good time. I wanted to see her again but on my way out of the park. That happy feeling began to fade. I couldn't focus on the good time that I had just had. There was only one thing on my mind right now. Kikyo and I were sisters. Even thinking that felt wrong. It didn't sound right. How could I be related to someone like that? She was cold and calculating. I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that we shared the same blood. That would never sit right with me. At the park's front gate, I hailed a cab. I was quiet the entire ride back. Sango had been texting me. She wanted to know if I was alright and what happened. I couldn't find the energy to answer her right now. I would tell her later; whenever later was. I did not know the answer to that. Part of me would never really be ready to share that information. I was grateful for the quiet in the cab. it was the only thing keeping me sane right now. I could see our house coming up in the distance. It only took a minute or two before we were out front. I paid the man and got out. I walked up to the front door and realized I had no keys. I rang the bell hoping one of the staff was awake. A few seconds later Sesshomaru answered the door.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" I asked going inside.

He shook his head and closed the door behind me.

"Did you buy something?" He asked gesturing to the box.

"Just some things from Sango." I lied.

He cupped my cheek. "Are you alright?"

I sighed. "I am tired." I said truthfully."

"Then perhaps this should wait until the morning."

I followed him into the living room. "Is everything alright?"

I put the box down on the coffee table and sat beside him.

"If something happened, we can talk about it now."

It couldn't be worse than anything I found out today.

"While I was at work Kouga came into my office. He had some news he wished to share with me. He let me know he and Kikyo had a rather odd conversation."

There was that name again.

"What it boiled down to. It seems that Kikyo might be planning something. I know that you have particularly been fond of each other, but is there a reason why she would go out of her way like this?"

"I don't know why she hates me, only that she does."

"Hn."

I could see him thinking.

"Why would Kouga go to you of all people?"

"It seems he and have called a temporary truce; for your sake. We will fix it."

If the both of you don't kill each other first.

"The two of you? How will you two fix it exactly?"

"I will tell you. As soon as you are ready to share your secret."

"My secret?"

"Yes, the one you have been keeping since you walked through the door," he said with a small smile.

I had been caught and I didn't even know it. I didn't know what to say to him.

"I will not force you to tell me what it is. I will be waiting until you are ready." He stood and kissed my forehead. "I will be upstairs waiting for you."

I watched him walk away. I relaxed on the couch and took a deep breath. I would tell him.

Eventually.

I woke up to the smell of breakfast. I didn't even remember falling asleep on the couch. My stomach growled. It felt like it was beginning to eat itself. I followed the smells into a large kitchen, where I saw Sesshomaru cooking breakfast.

"You're awake."

I stretched. "I don't even remember falling asleep. Where is everyone?"

"I have given them the day off. It will just be us today."

He set a plate of food in front of me. My mouth was watering. Before I could dig in, I ran my tongue across my teeth.

"I need to go shower and brush my teeth. You can start eating without me."

"I will do no such thing. The food can wait." He grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder.

"Sesshomaru what are you doing!? Can you put me down? Since when do you even do things like this?"

"Since this moment."

I just sighed and hung over his shoulder. "You're being strange."

"I can say the same to you."

I struggled, but he just held me in place. He carried me to the bathroom and kicked the door shut behind him. He set me down and turned the shower on. He sat on the toilet and just looked at me.

"You're not going to leave are you?"

"No, I am not."

I sighed and tied my hair up. I brushed my teeth before stripping. I stepped into the shower and exhaled when the water pounded against my skin. I could hear him shuffling around. I knew what the sound of clothes hitting the floor sounded like. Next, I could feel his bare chest against my back. I relaxed and leaned into him. I shut my eyes as he pulled the scrunchie from my hair. He turned me around and tilted my head back; letting the water run over it. He squeezed the shampoo into his hand and scrubbed my scalp; washing it out. Next, he was scrubbing my skin with soap.

He was buttering me up.

"You know if we keep blowing off work like this we'll get fired." I joked, breaking the silence

He chuckled. "I promise, your boss would never do such a thing. You are too great an asset." He said rubbing over my nipples.

He kissed the side of my neck. I slipped my arms around his neck, but he pressed his fingers to my lips.

"Are you alright Kagome?"

There it was.

"Yes," I answered too quickly.

"Two," he said.

"Two?" I repeated.

"I am keeping track of the times you have lied to me since yesterday."

I sighed and let my arms drop. I rested my head against his chest. I felt his arms wrap around me.

"I can't help you. If you do not tell me what is wrong."

I looked up at him teary-eyed. He kissed my lips softly.

"Let me be here for you Kagome."

"Sango came to see me yesterday morning. While we were talking I got a phone call. It was from a number I didn't recognize, but when I finally picked it up. The person on the other end was-"

I was cut off, by the doorbell being rung an obscene amount of times.

"I thought it was just us today? Are you expecting someone?" I asked him.

"No, I will be back. Stay here."

He stepped out of the shower and grabbed a robe before disappearing. I shut the water off and grabbed a robe. I slipped it on, dried my hair, and rushed after him as fast as I could. Annoyed that by the time I finally got there, the surprise visitor might be gone. I'd finally reached the stairs. I could see him standing by the door.

"Sesshomaru we need to pick a bedroom closer to the front door. Please." I said out of breath.

I reached the bottom of the staircase. I could see the woman standing at the door. She smiled and pulled off her sunglasses. She pushed right past Sesshomaru and made her way over to me.

She stretched her hand out to me. "Hello dear. It is nice to meet you."

I shook her hand. "I'm sorry but you too look very-"

"Similar?" she finished for me.

I nodded.

"Well, a son should look like his mother. Don't you agree?"

"Mother?" I asked surprised.

Sesshomaru sighed and closed the front door.

"You seem shocked."

"Well, a bit. it is my first time seeing you... ever, and you look too young to be a mother."

"Mm, well I've made myself scarce over the years, and thank you. Time away from everyone does the skin well."

She looked between me and Sesshomaru.

"I'm sorry. Did I interrupt something?" she asked gesturing between us.

I could feel my face getting hot. We were dripping wet and in robes after all.

"No," I said.

"Yes," he said.

She only smiled and touched my cheek.

"Your little human is turning bright red Sesshomaru. It seems I have embarrassed her." she teased.

"Mate." he corrected.

"Yes. Your mate. The mate I did not find out about until I read the paper."

"You would have received an invitation to the wedding."

He was being oddly cold to her. Why?

She turned to me. "Son's ungrateful little things. Hopefully your first will be kinder to you." she joked.

"How did you know where we lived mother?"

I was starting to get the feeling that they did not have the best relationship.

"I have my connections dear. Is that the living room?" She pointed. "Come, let us all chat."

We followed sitting opposite her.

"Why are you here mother?"

"Is it a crime for a mother to want to see her son and his new mate?"

"You do not simply appear without reason."

She folded her hands in her lap. "You are right. I am here because I wanted to see."

He raised a brow. "To see?"

I felt awkward sitting here with them. it felt like I was watching something I should not be. Still, it took me away from my own shit going on.

"A new mate means a wedding. That will eventually lead to children. I need to acquaint myself with her; Kagome. She is quite cute. I would like to be here for all of it." She said smiling at me. "Besides, I wanted to see how much like your father you truly are."

"Mother," he said in a warning tone.

She put her hands up in defense. "No. I am not here to cast judgment. I am just surprised is all. Snow white skin, dark hair, dark eyes. I mean she is beautiful. She must be something wonderful on the inside for her to have caught your eye. Beauty is not enough for you. I know that much."

"You are simply here to be nosy?"

She smiled. "That is what mothers do."

"Tell me. Where is she from? How did you meet her? What family is she from?"

"Kagome-"

"Can speak for herself," I said with a small smile. "I've been close with his family since I was young. That is how Sesshomaru first met me, but we got closer once I became a student in his class."

She tapped her nail on her knee. "A forbidden romance, how exciting."

"As for where I'm from and my family... I don't really know. I was given up when I was still just a baby."

"Oh, my dear. I am so sorry to hear that. Do you really not know anything at all?"

There it was. I was back on the hot seat. I couldn't lie again. Sesshomaru would know.

"Well, I did find out something recently," I admitted.

"You did?" Sesshomaru asked.

She smiled. "Well, tell us what it is."

I nodded. "I met my birth mother yesterday."