InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Demon's Heart and Ultimate Sacrifice (Kag/Sess) ❯ A Simple Gift ( Chapter 18 )

"Sota, wake up! I need you to help me today!" Kagome shook her brother awake. "Go away Sis, I'm trying to sleep." Kagome hopped onto Sota's bed and began jumping. "Alright, alright, I'm up. Stop jumping before you break my bed." Sota grumbled at his sister. Kagome waited while her brother got dressed and ate his breakfast. Today she was going shopping for gifts to take back to her friends.

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Sesshoumaru had sat up a camp near Kagome's well. He and Rin would wait there for her return. The next day he was somewhat surprised to see Sango and Miroku approaching him with Shippou at their side. He could tell they were both tentative to be in his presence. It was the demon exterminator who first spoke to him.

"Shippou wanted to come see Rin." Sesshoumaru watched the two as they came closer. Clearly ready for battle if it was necessary.

"You may calm yourselves, I will not engage in a battle in front of the children." He saw them both relax slightly; he then focused his full attention on the exterminator. He stared at her very intensely. He then asked her to see to the children.

"Monk, I would like to speak with you." Sango looked frightened for a moment, but Miroku told her it would be ok. The demon and monk walked a ways from Sango and the children.

"Monk, it would do you good to keep your mate from battle, though it is very early I can sense that she is with child." Miroku stood there in silence, and then he broke out in a smile. He looked back at Sango with a look of love. Sesshoumaru watched the reactions with interest. He knew these were humans that his brother and Kagome traveled with and found himself curious about their personalities.

They walked back to Sango and Miroku instantly embraced her. She had a surprised look on her face. He turned back to Sesshoumaru.

"Shippou wishes to stay with Rin tonight, if that is ok with you." Sesshoumaru looked at the fox cub, and then nodded his head. Sango and Miroku turned and walked back towards the village. The whole way Miroku kept looking at Sango with a silly smile on his face. Finally she turned to him.

"What are you smiling about?" Again he smiled "How do you feel Sango?" She thought a moment, and then asked him why he was asking her that.

"Sesshoumaru told me that he senses that you are carrying our child." Sango stopped walking and seemed to be deep in thought. Suddenly a shocked look washed over her face followed by a smile "It's possible but don't get your hopes up just yet Miroku it is too early to tell." Again Miroku hugged her to him.

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Kagome brought Sota with her while she chose gifts for her friends. He stood around patiently, until Kagome finally asked for his help.

"Sota, what do girls your age like?" The boy looked embarrassed "I don't know."

"Oh come on Sota, what would a girl your age enjoy having?" Sota became flustered.

"Kagome, I'm a BOY!" Kagome laughed at him, "I know that silly, but you like girls right?" The screwed up his face "Eew! Kagome!"

Kagome began to laugh uncontrollably. "Don't worry Sota, you'll like girls soon enough." She stopped and bought several boxes of cookies and chocolates for Rin and Shippou. Passing by a store window she noticed a beautiful doll. She went and asked to see it. The hair was soft, feeling like real hair. The features were hand painted and very lifelike. The dress was white with pink flowers. Though the doll was expensive, she knew she had to get it for Rin.

As she was about to leave the store she noticed an exquisite fabric. It was a deep red with an amazing black and gold pattern throughout it. The more she looked at it, the more she thought of Sesshoumaru and his beautiful clothes. She decided to buy it.

When Kagome got home, she asked her mother to help her make a sash out of the fabric. Her mother helped her prepare the material, but talked Kagome through the rest. When it was finished it was a very stunning piece of clothing. Her mother checked all of the stitching and then gave Kagome a hug.

"You did a wonderful job. Who is it for?" Kagome felt herself blush.

"I made this for Lord Sesshoumaru." Her mother's eyes widened at hearing Kagome refer to him as "Lord". Kagome laughed a bit. "Mom, when you are in the presence of the Great Lord of the Western Lands, you show respect." They both laughed. It felt good to be home for awhile.

The next day Kagome took Sota out again. This time they spent time doing things that he enjoyed. Kagome bought Sota ice cream and the two had a nice talk together. Kagome was amazed at how fast he was growing up. She had been spending so much time away from home that she hadn't noticed.

She spent most of her last day studying and catching up on homework. She had a nice dinner with her family and enjoyed one last bath. She was anxious, knowing that Sesshoumaru would be staying near the village. She didn't think he would cause any problems with InuYasha since Rin was with him, but that didn't guarantee that InuYasha wouldn't be the one to start the problems. She gave a deep sigh, and got into bed. Tomorrow she would be going back.

Miroku approached Sesshoumaru's camp. Rin and Shippou were playing with the dragon-like creature that had come along with them. The Demon Lord saw the monk approaching and stood.

"Kagome is due back soon, is she not?" Sesshoumaru nodded and looked towards the well.

"She is an astonishing woman; never before have I met someone who could so easily touch other beings." Sesshoumaru watched the monk as he spoke. "I have traveled with Kagome for a long time, and I have never seen a kinder hearted person. Always bringing out the best in those around her."

Miroku watched the demon as he took in his words. "I would not waste my time with a human that I did not hold respect for." The two were interrupted by Rin and Shippou chasing each other around their feet. Miroku did not want to anger Sesshoumaru and decided to head back to the village. What he had heard from the demon was enough to know that Kagome was safe with him.

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Sango had told InuYasha of Kagome's return with Sesshoumaru. He had felt it would be best if he stayed away from the village until Sesshoumaru was gone. He had caused Kagome enough pain, and knew that seeing them fight would only cause her more. Now staring up at the sky all he could think of was Kagome. How could he be so stupid? Naraku could have taken her again, and then what would have happened to her. After hearing Sango's words, he felt even worse. Kagome had been hurt, and his mistake had caused her to live that hurt again. Not only that but he proved once again that he would never get over Kikyo. Hearing Kagome call out for Sesshoumaru nearly ripped his heart in two. Then to see his brother holding her like that, nearly drove him mad. The very fact that Sesshoumaru was willing to care for Kagome in such a way astonished him. For now all he could do was hope that Kagome would forgive him, eventually.

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Kagome could barely carry her bag back to the well. She had not realized she had gotten so much stuff. She carried Rin's beautiful doll and Sesshoumaru's sash in a separate bag. She also had brought some Ramen for InuYasha; a small, beautiful silk painting with a bamboo frame for Sango and Miroku. The artist hand painted both of their names on it for her. She had chosen several small toys for Shippou. Toys that she remembered Sota enjoying at that age. She carefully lifter herself onto the well and taking great care brought both bags with her. Seconds later she was back in feudal Japan. She could hear Rin's chatter and knew she was close by. As she got out of the well, she saw both Rin and Shippou running wildly. She sat her bags on the ground and then climbed out herself.

She looked over to see Sesshoumaru standing near the trees watching Rin and Shippou. He turned to look at her, and she suddenly remembered the awkward hug they had shared just before she went. She felt herself blush, and then walked towards him.

Rin and Shippou caught sight of Kagome and ran to her. She sat both bags on the ground and gathered them both into her arms, holding them close for a while. Sesshoumaru approached them, never speaking a word. She then told them that she had gifts for them, and that she would give them to them as soon as they got back to camp. The three of them raced back to where their things were, with Sesshoumaru following quietly behind.

Once there she sat on the ground and told both children to sit next to her. First she gave Shippou his toys. He sat there studying them with a curious look on his face. Kagome laughed then turned to Rin and took out the beautiful doll. Rin took the doll and looked at it very closely. She touched the silky hair and inspected the pink and white dress. There was a look of awe in her young eyes. She hugged Rin next to her and both children thanked her.

She then looked at Sesshoumaru, not knowing how he would react to being given a gift. She again reached for the bag and she saw a questioning look on his face. His eyes widened when she pulled out the exotic red fabric that she had turned into a sash. She brought it to him and he took it gently. He studied the black and gold patter closely.

"I found the material at the shop where I bought Rin's doll, I thought it would make a nice sash, and would look nice with your kimono. My mother helped me a little, but I did most of the work myself." She felt her cheeks grow warm. Sesshoumaru looked at her with respect and even appreciation in his eyes.

"Thank you, Kagome." She quickly turned back to the children and told them she had cookies and chocolate for them. She sat back on the ground quickly and gave both of them a cookie. She then looked at Sesshoumaru and offered one to him. He did not look as though he would say anything, but then accepted the cookie. Sesshoumaru sat himself across from the other three, watching them closely.

Rin was already asking for another cookie and Shippou was digging in Kagome's bag looking for chocolate. When Kagome looked over at him again, he had taken a bite from the cookie and looked as though he were trying to decide if he liked it or not. This brought a smile to her face.

Sango and Miroku appeared shortly, and Kagome ran towards them. She gave them the silk painting, which had both of their names on it. Sango stood their looking at it for some time, and then told Kagome that it was very beautiful. The two hugged, and Miroku too, thanked Kagome for the gift. Then Kagome asked them where InuYasha had been. Miroku told Kagome that he had left to set up a camp near the river.

"He did not wish to upset you." The words stung Kagome. Though she had been hurt by InuYasha, she knew he did not intentionally put her in harms way, he had honestly believed that Kikyo was in danger. She told them that she would be back later, that she needed to speak with him before she left. Kagome walked back towards Sesshoumaru and told him that she needed to go to InuYasha. His eyes narrowed but he did not attempt to stop her. "Very well, we will remain here." Kagome walked towards the river, her heart conflicting.