Beneath the canopy of the weeping willow, bathed in soft blue light, Kagome looked at her children with a heart full of love and pride. Rin had blossomed into a young woman yet retained that spark of wonder that had always defined her. And Shippo with his newfound strength, was every bit the fierce and loyal guardian she'd known he would become. As she looked between them, Kagome felt a swell of gratitude so profound it nearly brought tears to her eyes. This was her family—her chosen, beloved family.
Taking a steadying breath, Kagome spoke. "I wanted to tell you both… Sesshoumaru asked me to be his mate." She smiled softly, feeling a flutter of nerves. "And I said yes." She paused, looking at each of them earnestly. "But, if either of you have any objections, please, I want you to tell me now."
She closed her eyes, bracing herself for any hint of concern. But instead, she was met with a charged silence—a silence so filled with warmth she could almost feel it. Cracking one eye open, she found them both staring at her with the biggest smiles, eyes sparkling with barely-contained laughter. Kagome's mouth opened in confusion, about to ask what was so funny, when Rin broke the silence with a gentle, affectionate laugh.
"Mama, of course we're okay with it! We've been waiting for this!" Rin's voice was full of joy, as if the answer had been obvious all along.
Shippo grinned, crossing his arms with a playful smirk. "Honestly, Sesshoumaru should consider himself lucky you even gave him the time of day." His teasing earned him an elbow in the ribs from Rin, but he softened immediately. "All jokes aside… if he makes you happy, then you have my blessing, Mama."
"Mine too!" Rin cheered, clapping her hands with excitement.
Kagome blinked, touched and a little surprised. She'd expected questions, maybe even a moment of hesitation, but seeing their enthusiastic acceptance filled her heart to the brim. It seemed, once again, that everyone around her had known how deeply she and Sesshoumaru cared for one another long before she'd realized it herself. She couldn't hold back her happiness any longer.
"Come here, you two!" she called, holding her arms open.
Without a second thought, Rin and Shippo launched forward, wrapping her in a tight embrace. There was a time when she could easily scoop them both into her arms. Now, they held her, encircling her in a fierce embrace that made her feel loved more than she'd ever imagined.
As they pulled away, Kagome pressed a soft kiss to each of their foreheads. "Thank you," she murmured. "For everything. I don't know what I did to deserve you two."
Rin wiped away a tear that had managed to slip free, her voice soft but brimming with pride. "It's us who are lucky, Mama."
Shippo nodded, his voice just as tender. "We'll always be here for you, no matter what."
In that moment, Kagome felt as though nothing in the world could break their bond. The three of them sat together under the willow, wrapped in laughter and quiet promises that they would remember together forever.
Over the next few days, Inuyasha arrived with Miroku, Sango, and their children trailing behind, filling the Western fortress with a liveliness that hadn't graced its halls in centuries. Though it was unconventional to host so many humans for a formal demon gathering, Sesshoumaru honored Kagome's wishes without hesitation. Her happiness meant more to him than any tradition.
As the Western Lord spent his days trying to secure a worthy steward for the Southern lands, he found himself increasingly agitated by the growing responsibilities and endless meetings. When he returned to his quarters late at night, hoping to unwind with Kagome's calming presence, she was either sound asleep or spending the evening with her friends. He could feel the strain building within him, missing the intimacy they shared.
Kagome, however, seemed to flourish in the midst of her friends and family, basking in laughter and warmth. Each day, her joy resonated throughout the Shiro, a welcome contrast to Sesshoumaru's own escalating tension. Just that morning, an odyssey of phoenix demons had arrived from the north, hailing from a clan that shared territories with wolves—two factions perpetually at odds. The ruby-feathered phoenixes were an aloof, regal people, preferring their isolation, but their arrival only meant that the wolves would soon follow, likely in loud fashion.
In the solitude of his study, Sesshoumaru tightened his grip on a scroll as another wave of frustration swelled within him. A soft knock at the door shifted his attention. His irritation eased instantly when he saw Kagome standing there.
She stepped into the room, carrying a tray laden with carefully selected items—fresh tea, fruit, and a selection of nuts she'd noticed he favored. Each piece looked meticulously chosen, arranged with thought and care. "Are you busy, or can you take a break?" she asked, her voice a soothing balm to his frayed nerves.
The tension melted from his shoulders as he stood. "For you, my Goddess, I am never too busy." His deep voice sent a smile to her lips. Taking the tray from her hands, he led them to an open window overlooking the gardens, their vibrant colors muted under the dim glow of the early evening.
As he settled down, he pulled Kagome into his lap, a delighted yelp escaping her as she was nestled comfortably against him. Sesshoumaru buried his face in her dark hair, breathing in her fresh, spring-like scent, so at odds with the autumn chill settling over the land.
Kagome poured the tea, somehow managing despite Sesshoumaru's lips brushing against her neck in indulgent adoration. "I told Rin and Shippo about our mating," she said softly. "They gave us their blessing."
Sesshoumaru hummed his approval, his golden eyes meeting hers as he stroked her cheek with a reverence she was still getting used to. He had no doubt the children would welcome their union, but he knew Kagome cherished their acceptance. They sat together in contented silence, sipping tea, Kagome feeding him small bites while he returned the gesture with equal care.
From below, movement in the garden caught Kagome's eye, a sparkle lighting up her gaze. "Look," she murmured with a smile, nodding towards Masaru and Shinobu, who were walking side by side, sharing soft words.
Sesshoumaru's eyes followed hers, observing the tentative bond between the young lieutenant and the bear demon. Though they kept a modest distance, it was impossible to ignore the glances exchanged between them, shy yet undeniably drawn to one another. Masaru's fingers twitched slightly, almost as if reaching out, while Shinobu's expression softened whenever their eyes met. Sesshoumaru knew Masaru's father would welcome such a union, but Haruto… the thought of his resistance stirred a protective resolve within him.
Kagome leaned back, her head nestled against Sesshoumaru's chest as she watched the couple in the garden below, a serene smile gracing her lips. "Just two more days," she sighed.
Two days until the assembly of powerful lords and advisors would fully converge on the Western Lands, igniting endless debates and calculated discussions that could stretch for weeks until a solution was finally agreed upon.
Sesshoumaru hummed softly, his fingers gently tracing circles on her shoulder. "I understand there's an order to things, a way that's worked for centuries… but has anyone even asked the dragons themselves what they want done with their land?" Kagome's question was innocent, almost playful, but it resonated deeply within Sesshoumaru.
His golden eyes flickered down to her, thoughtful. Gently turning her face toward him, he asked, "What do you mean by that?"
She blinked, caught off guard by his directness. Slowly, she adjusted in his lap until she was fully facing him, her eyes bright with the passion of an idea. "Well, where I come from, the people choose who they want to lead them. They vote, and the majority's decision stands. It's called democracy," she said, her fingers gliding up his chest, tangling in the silken strands at the base of his neck. "Giving those who live on and tend the land a voice in who governs them might be… better than telling them who their new ruler is."
Her hands slid to his neck, kneading a sensitive spot she knew too well, each word punctuated by her gentle touch. It was a radical thought, one that seemed almost impossible in a world so steeped in tradition and hierarchy. Yet, Sesshoumaru could not dismiss it so easily. She made sense in a way that felt dangerous and thrilling—like stepping off a ledge and trusting his wings would catch him.
His gaze softened as he regarded her, as though seeing a new side of her. "Then… I will consider your counsel. I will summon a delegation of dragons to attend the gathering."
Her hands stilled as she looked into his eyes, stunned by his agreement. She'd thought it was a simple suggestion, a passing thought. Yet, here he was, taking it to heart. In this moment, Sesshoumaru reminded her she was more than his mate; she was his equal, his partner in every sense. It filled her heart with a fierce pride and a deeper love than she'd thought possible.
Kagome's hands left his neck to cup his face, drawing him down into a kiss that was both fierce and tender. She poured all her gratitude, her love, her endless admiration into that kiss, whispering a silent vow to stand by him in every way she could.
A chorus of howls cut through the air, shattering the spellbinding heat between them. As their lips parted, Jaken came barreling into the study.
"The Northern wolf pack has arrived!"
Sesshoumaru's eyes darkened, crimson bleeding into gold as the memories of Kouga's foolish claims over Kagome flooded back. A primal rage surged through him, his beast clawing to kill anyone who dared to try and take her from him. But before his instincts could take over, he felt the soft press of her fingertips against the jagged stripes on his cheeks, a tender brush of her nose along his jaw, gentle kisses coaxing him back from the edge. She was there with him, her presence grounding him, and gradually, the red haze began to clear.
Still, his need for her was anything but diminished. Kagome sat poised in his lap, wrapped in his scent, his undeniable mark upon her. Yet, in this moment, he craved something more. Sesshoumaru's hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her back until her head tilted, baring more of her delicate throat. His fangs grazed the sensitive skin, pressing just enough to leave an imprint that spoke of possession.
"My beast," he growled, voice thick with raw desire, "calls to take you in front of the wolves, to show them you belong only to me." His thumb stroked over the pulse at her throat, feeling the tremor that ran through her at his words. "But," he continued, "I will do no such thing."
She softened under his hold, relaxing as he laid her back onto the cushions by the window. With a skillful flick, he loosened the sash at her waist, sliding back her silk robe until she lay before him clad only in her undergarments. Sesshoumaru's gaze burned over her, hungry yet restrained.
"No… they do not deserve to see you like this," he murmured. One clawed finger traced down her bindings, slicing through them as if they were air. "But I would gag and chain the wolf prince to the floor, his gaze fixed upon a silk screen—forced to listen as I take my pleasure. As the shadows of our bodies writhe and merge over and over again." He leaned down, his mouth grazing a hardened peak, reveling in her gasp.
Kagome's scent spiked, an unmistakable mix of arousal laced with a flicker of shame, and Sesshoumaru's grin turned wicked. He pulled back, a fanged smile widening as her cheeks flushed a deep, dark red.
"Did the thought of another bearing witness to our rut excite you?" he purred. Her silence only emboldened him as she glanced away, utterly embarrassed. His laugh was a low, sinful growl. "Ah… my naughty priestess," he teased, delighting in her shyness.
Her pulse raced, her mortification warring with an undeniable thrill at his words. The scene he'd painted was a mere fantasy, but one she couldn't deny excited her. But she wasn't about to let him have all the control. Her hand shot out, gripping the hard length straining beneath his clothes, and she squeezed with a daring glint in her eye.
"Are you going to keep talking," she taunted, "or are you going to fuck me?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened, and his smirk turned feral as he accepted her challenge. Within seconds, he had her on all fours, her body stretched before him, trembling as he drove into her. Her cries filled the room, his name tumbling from her lips in a symphony of desperate, blissful abandon until he spilled into her, marking her in the way only he could.
Collapsed onto the throw pillows, Kagome could only shiver in the afterglow, her body humming with pleasure. As Sesshoumaru's hands drifted lazily over her, another round of howls and wails filled the air. With a satisfied growl, he leaned close, whispering in her ear.
"Let them howl. Let them know you are mine."