InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Mother For Rin ❯ Let me take care of you ( Chapter 13 )

 

 

Kagome awoke late the next morning feeling as though she were in a brand new body. There was no muscle tightness anywhere and unlike most mornings she felt as though she hadn't had a better sleep in forever. Kagome smiled as she stretched languidly, her still closed eyes opening when four arms wrapped around her body and two hard male bodies moved flush against hers from in front and behind.

 

It was then, as Kagome opened her blue grey eyes, that she remembered the pampering from the night before. Her puppies, as she had come to think of them, had taken care of her. The silk of her sleep kimono felt luxurious against her skin and she moaned her delight. The soft breathy moan caused both males to still around her and she felt something hard against her thigh and from behind and in front..

 

Her brows drew together in confused wondering and she slipped her hands down to feel the hardness on either side of her. What could this be? Her hands rubbed over and then grasped both hardness in her hands. Her brow furrowed even more when she recalled one of her friend's words about her boyfriend, Kagome remembered her friend's blush and the term `morning wood'. But what did wood have anything to do with this and for that matter why would Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru be sleeping with wood in their clothing?

 

By now completely confused, Kagome tried to gently pull the `wood' away from both males only to have them slip a bit in her hands due to their silk coverings and hear both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha moan in what she thought was pain. The hardness belonging to Sesshoumaru throbbed in her hand and she pulled both her hands away as though she had been burned.

 

Quickly sitting up in the bed she found both males looking at her as though they were going to pounce on her, though Inuyasha held a blush as well. She was about to ask what was in their clothing when she looked down to see a tent in each of their pants. It suddenly occurred to her what she had been touching, caressing and she blushed hard, her face as red as a cherry.

 

The embarrassed girl jumped out of the bed mumbling something unintelligible and grabbed her bathing supplies and a robe as she fled to the hot springs. She was met by Sango in front of the door to the hot springs and was greeted with a curious bemused grin.

 

“Kagome?” Sango said as she and the blushing girl entered the bathing chamber. “Are you alright?”

 

Kagome only nodded as she undressed and jumped into the hot spring, dunking herself underwater as she tried to escape what had just happened in the bedroom. Her hands still tingled as though she were still holding the - the - oh she couldn't even say it in her mind.

 

“Kagome,” she heard Sango call to her from under the water.

 

Kagome slowly rose her face still red though it was now a mixture of embarrassment and the heat of the water. She looked at her friend as saw the concern on Sango's face.

 

“Kagome what's wrong?” Sango asked as she came closer to her friend. “Are you still in pain from the night before?” Kagome shook her head blushing even harder. “Than what is it?”

 

“I - I,” Kagome bit her lip feeling as though her face would explode in flames any second. “I just found out what my friend meant.”

 

“What do you mean?” Sango asked concerned.

 

“She told me about m-morning…wood…and I didn't know what she meant.” Sango looked at her in confusion not knowing the term. “I woke up this morning between Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha,” Sango nodded still not understanding where she was going with this. “I felt…a…hardness and didn't know what it was,” she began slowly and looked down at the surface of the water. “So I touched it -them, and I remembered my friend telling me about her boyfriend having morning wood, but it didn't make sense. I mean why would a guy sleep with wood in his pants?”

 

Unnoticed by Kagome, Sango began to understand what had happened and had to bite her lip to keep from laughing as her friend explained her embarrassment.

 

“So I tried to pull it off,” she said haltingly Sango had to press a hand against her mouth as her giggles grew inside of her begging to be released. “W-well my hand kind of…slipped over them and I grasped em harder and Sesshoumaru's - wood kind of - throbbed - and I got up and ran and that's how you found me.”

 

Kagome looked up at her friend and wished she hadn't. There stood Sango in the spring next to her, her hand over her mouth and her body shaking as tears ran down her face. The taijiya was laughing so hard that she was crying and soon she couldn't contain her mirth any longer and her hand flew from her mouth as she laughed hard.

 

“This isn't funny!” Kagome shouted only to have Sango laugh harder.

 

Sango was laughing so hard that she could barely stand up and Kagome's ire only served to fuel her already great mirth. Kagome angrily splashed water at Sango wanting the girl to stop laughing at her not seeing how her predicament was so funny.

 

“I-I'm s-sorry Kago-me,” Sango said as her laughs calmed to giggles. “It's just,” Sango finally calmed her giggles and looked at her friend that was glaring at her. “It's just that in so many ways you know more about the world than I or any of the rest of us do because of the advances in your time. But in other ways you're so very innocent.”

 

Kagome `humph'ed at her friend and then looked down shyly into the water. When she spoke her voice was soft and worried.

 

“Do you think…do you think they'll be mad at me?” she asked and Sango moved closer to enfold her into her arms.

 

“No, I don't think they'll be mad…Frisky maybe, but not mad.”

 

“Frisky?” Kagome asked as she looked up at her friend.

 

“Kagome,” Sango sighed softly and tucked her friend's hair behind her ears in a motherly manner, her concern for her sister evident. “Are you ready for that? Are you ready to be mated to someone? Or to have a sexual relationship with them?”

 

“I don't think - I mean they don't - I'm scared…” Kagome admitted.

 

“Of what?” Sango asked the girl.

 

“Well I know that Kikyou's gone but, but what if - I mean we are in the Western Lands and he is an heir…”

 

Sango's eyes softened in understanding, “What if Inuyasha finds a youkai mate?” Kagome nodded sadly. “I don't think that's an issue. He loves you Kagome. And I think that perhaps Sesshoumaru is coming around to you too, if the scene in the library was anything to go by.”

 

“You think so?” Kagome looked at her friend hopefully.

 

“Don't you?”

 

“I don't know, I never even went on a date in my own time. As many times as Hojou asked me the only reason I ever said yes to him was because he didn't understand no.”

 

“Kagome…this is your first isn't it?” Sango said softly. “This is your first experience with true love isn't it?” Kagome nodded and Sango pulled her into a hug as she stroked Kagome's hair. “You'll be fine Kagome. Just let your heart lead you and don't be afraid to stop things if they become too much for you to be comfortable with ok?”

 

“Ok,” Kagome said and hugged her friend.

 

“My little Kagome all grown up,” Sango said with a wink.

 

“Oh shut up you,” Kagome giggled and splashed her friend, the playful movement causing an all out splash war between the friends.

 

 

A While later, after washing her hair and body and talking a bit more with Sango, Kagome stepped out of the spring. Sango had left several moments earlier, excited about her chance to practice her katana with a youkai warrior. Kagome's dark locks hung heavy down her back over the bathing robe. She brought her hair in front of her as she stood near the spring and wrung out as much of the water as she could from her hair, letting it then fall over her shoulders and down her back, the residual water dripping from her strands and making the silk of the robe cling to her breasts and back as it grew damp.

 

Kagome stepped out of the room holding the hot springs and was greeted by the cooler air of the hallway, her nipples hardening and pocking through the silk at the change in temperature. She didn't notice Inuyasha walking toward him, nor hear him groan as she twined her fingers together and stretched her arms above her head, rising to stand on the balls of her feet as she stretched. Her body was pulled taught with the move, her legs seemed even longer and the way the silk was pulled tight over her breasts nearly had Inuyasha on his knees.

 

Inuyasha stood gaping at the sight of her. He'd never seen anything more beautiful, he had thought her gorgeous in the spring when he and his brother had washed and massaged her, but here and now, she was a goddess. He walked up to her as she rolled down to stand on the flat of her feet, her arms slowly coming down as she sighed in the simple pleasure of being clean and relaxed. The pain from yesterday had faded to a distant memory and so enjoying was she in her after bath pleasure that she barely noticed when Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her from behind, his arms crossing over her stomach.

 

The girl jumped slightly in his arms and Inuyasha grinned in amusement. He wrapped his arms a bit tighter around her waist and let his chin fall to her shoulder as he simply enjoyed the feeling of holding her in his arms, feeling her body against his own.

 

“Just me wench,” he said into her ear, his voice soft and husky.

 

Kagome gasped at his words, the timbre of his voice. The sheer vibration of his chest against her back as he spoke sent tingles along her spine and tightened her nipples harder, making the tight peaks ache. Kagome gasped again softly as Inuyasha turned her in his arms so she stood facing him. His golden eyes held her captive in their intensity.

 

“Inu-Inuyasha,” she said softly as she looked into his eyes.

 

The hanyou's eyes darted away from hers as he watched a drop of water roll down her cheek and to her jaw. He brought his face closer to hers, his head leaning to the side as his tongue swept out to lick the water from her skin, the need to taste her, taste the water upon her nearly more than he could bear. He'd felt the pain from battle wounds before but the pain he felt from the sheer need he had to taste her was nearly unbearable.

 

His lips closed over his tongue as he swept the drop from her skin and he kissed his way to the point of her delicate chin as he made his way to the petal soft lips. His lips settled upon hers lightly, almost as though he were afraid to truly give into his passion. The kisses he planted were no more than the kisses of butterfly wings. The light feathery touches of his lips upon hers had Kagome aching with need, a fire burning in her veins, in her loins, causing a tightening in her stomach. She was unfamiliar with this feeling, the intensity nearly making her dizzy and she fell weakly against him, his strong arms crushing her against his hard chest as he gave in to his desire and kissed her sweet lips.

 

Kagome gasped at the feeling of his lips molding fully to hers and Inuyasha took advantage. His tongue swept inside her mouth, delving into the sweet hot cavern and tasting the sweetness that was held within. Kagome moaned in delight and passion and Inuyasha grasped her waist in his hands. He lifted her and held her as she wrapped her legs tight around his hips. His hands twined into her wet hair as he walked down the hall with her, Kagome not even realizing they were moving, so lost in the kiss was she.

 

“Inu…yasha,” she moaned breathlessly as he kissed his way from the corner of her lips across her cheek and down her neck.

 

His lips settled on her neck just below her jaw, Kagome tilting her head to the side and giving him more access as she submitted to the passion he invoked in her. His hands moved from her hair, trailed down her back, his claws tracing lightly down her spine sending flames of passion licking and burning over her skin and in her veins, her blood at one feeling as though it were rushing like great rapids and slithering along like molasses inside of her.

 

Inuyasha had just reached the door of their chambers when Kagome found her voice.

 

“Inu-Inuyasha…too…hot,” she moaned the heat from the bath and of the passion he was stirring inside of her burning like a raging inferno inside of her.

 

Her skin felt over sensitized and too hot as though she had a sunburn, the touch of his fingers upon her bare skin burning her as it eased and enraged the fire at the same time. Inuyasha's lips found hers against as he slipped the bathing robe from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor of their room, the girl he was ravaging with his lips now naked in his arms. Her heat was over his now and he groaned as he walked to the bed with her, Sesshoumaru sitting up in the bed and watching as his brother seduced the woman they would both take as their mate.

 

Inuyasha's knees hit the edge of the bed and he fell upon it with her, Kagome landing on her back, the pillows beneath her head as he fell between her legs, his body atop hers. Kagome gasped and moaned at the same time as she fell to the bed with Inuyasha on top of her, the material of his fire rate haori rubbing against her over sensitized nipples like silken sandpaper, both painful and pleasurable at once.

 

Kagome could barely breathe the feelings and sensations so intense. She panted and moaned at the sensations he created in her. Kagome's hips pushed up against his and the hanyou growled low as he nibbled on her lips, sucking her bottom lip in between his teeth and tugging on it lightly as he slipped his tongue into her mouth once again.

 

Kagome sucked in a sharp gasp and pulled her lips away from Inuyasha's as she felt a nibbling kiss on the side of her left breast. The lips on her breast made their way up to her nipple and she cried out at the sheer violent fire of the feeling. Fangs gently scraped around her areola and the girl writhed beneath Inuyasha as he kissed and nibbled on her neck, on the right side where she would bear his mark at the juncture of her neck and shoulder.

 

Sesshoumaru's hand slid along her flat stomach, between her silken skin and his brother's haori as his mouth ravished her nipple. His snowy striped hand made its way up to her other breast and massaged her right breast as his brother's hand made its way down her right side and slid over her hip and in between her legs. Kagome's hips bucked wildly as she felt a single finger trace along the cleft of her nether lips.

 

Inuyasha groaned as he found her to be dripping wet between her legs, the scent of her arousal and passion already had both brothers painfully hard. But to Inuyasha, the feel of the proof of her arousal, the slick wet warmth between her legs had him groaning and as thirsty as a man lost in the desert. Two fingers slipped in between the sticky damp and swollen lips, one teasing her engorged clit as the other moved lower and rubbed along her opening before slipping slowly inside her and thrust itself slowly to the hilt of his hand.

 

Kagome bucked up, her head falling back against the pillows as her hips thrust up into the hanyou's hand. She needed more, wanted more. Oh kami, she thought she would die right there on the bed from the sensations alone. Sesshoumaru's hand upon her right breast slipped down to converge with his brother's hand at her apex and he slipped a single digit in along side his brother's as they both slowly pumped their fingers in and out of her soaking core.

 

Kagome cried out harshly at the sensations. Her stomach was tightening painfully and she felt as though she were dying. The stronger the sensations built the more she thought she would die, she could barely breathe her lungs burning from the intensity of the pleasure.

 

A knock sounded at the bedroom door followed shortly by the call of Rin's voice calling for her father and Kagome nearly sobbed as all movement stopped. The fingers held still inside of her and the kisses and nibbles stopped, the mouth upon her breast breaking free and leaving her swollen nipple to the cold air. Sesshoumaru's hand moved out of and away from her as he withdrew from the bed, sucking her juices from his finger as he stood and slipped out of the room.

 

Inuyasha rose as well, standing on his hands and knees above the girl. Kagome felt paralyzed. Everything had stopped, she felt close to breaking, tears gathering in her eyes. She needed something badly but wasn't really sure of what it was.

 

Inuyasha heard her whimpers and low sharp whines and moved back on his hands and knees until his hands were on either side of her hips. He bent his head down, resting on his arms and elbows as he held her hips down and open with his hands. The first swipe of his tongue on her center had her crying out and nearly leaping off the bed.

 

Sesshoumaru slipped back into the room after sending Rin to gather Shippou and Kirara and play in the gardens until he and the others came for them. As he closed the door and turned around he was greeted with the sight of his brother with his face between their girl's legs. Sesshoumaru moved to kneel beside his brother and growled low, the hanyou's eyes meeting his. Sesshoumaru nudged his head to the side and Inuyasha moved to allow his brother access to Kagome's center.

 

The taiyoukai delved his tongue into her center, groaning in pleasure as the sweet tangy taste of her. He couldn't get enough and soon thrust his tongue into her hot channel as he goaded and drank more of her juices. Kagome's hips bucked madly and she thought she would shatter apart when Inuyasha's lips wrapped around her clit and sucked hard on her as his fangs grazed the engorged button.

 

A scream of their names tore from her throat as she came, falling over the edge of pleasure and passion, stars shining before her eyes as her body pulled taught and shuttered beneath the hands of the males ravaging her. Kagome blacked out for a moment as a satisfied smile graced her lips.

 

“Inu-maru,” she sighed as she came back to herself, unable to say either name in completion and mixing the two in her mind as well as her speech.

 

The brothers looked rather pleased with themselves as Kagome's eyes drooped tiredly. She had never felt anything like that and the sheer force of her release left her unable to think or stay awake.

 

“Sleep Kagome,” Sesshoumaru said softly to the girl as he stroked her hair and she did just that.

 

Her eyes slid closed as she curled into the pillows, Sesshoumaru bringing his Mokomoko-sama over and wrapping it around her nude form as he pulled the blankets up and over her. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha left the room moments later and entered the hot springs shortly there after.

 

Inuyasha was not unused to having to take care of his own needs and breathed in the scent of Kagome's passion that clung thick to his fire rat clothing as he brought about his own release, his back turned on his brother, though knowing his sibling was doing the same. Soon both brothers were in the spring and bathing before drying off and redressing to return to the woman that would be their mate.

 

 

 

 

“Damnit Kimigra, stop holding back on me,” Sango shouted at her male inuyoukai opponent. “I may be a woman but I'm not made of glass!”

 

The red inuyoukai warrior laughed at her and did as she requested, lunging at her and clanging his katana against hers. Sango leapt aside and caught his blade against hers as he whipped around to thrust his sword at her again.

 

“Is this good enough for you Lady Sango?” he asked. “Or should I perhaps back off a bit?”

 

“Back off and I promise you will regret it!” the taijiya growled and matched him thrust for thrust, blow for blow.

 

Kimigra laughed heartily as he kept up the sword sparring. When he had first received the order that he would be training a human female with her katana he had felt as though he was being punished for something. Human females rarely fought and holding and fighting with katanas was something the females were extremely poor at. Though at the time of the demand, he hadn't thought of the fact that this woman may be a taijiya, having heard before that the entire village had been destroyed - save one girl. This must be she.

 

He found the fight to be enjoyable, and although it wasn't as challenging or nearly as fast paced as it would have been with youkai warrior, she was skilled and quite talented with the blade. He had often wondered about the bone boomerang she had leaning against the dojo wall and thought of how formidable a weapon it could be.

 

“Lady Sango, where is the monk that travels with you? Surely he must train as well?”

 

“If I know that leach he's probably already asked at least five female youkai to bear his child,” she grumbled, her distraction an easy opening for the inu who swept her feet out from under her and landed on top of her on the floor.

 

Sango groaned at the fall and his weight atop her and shoved weakly at his shoulders to get him to move, the youkai simply chuckling at her feeble attempts to get him off of her. Sango was exhausted her muscles burning at the intensity of the workout they had received thus far. She had met Kimigra just before sunrise and they had been sparring since then and now it was well past the lunch hour.

 

Sango tried her hardest not to give into the urge to close her eyes and simply fall asleep where she was. It had been far too long since she had worked out so feverishly. Kimigra noticed her fatigue and her rapidly waning strength. He stood quickly, lifting her in his arms as he did so and the hand beneath her knees took her blade from her slack hand. He carried her near her bone weapon and leaned the katana against it.

 

“I can walk,” Sango said her voice already holding a sleepy quality.

 

“And I'm sure you'll fall over if you try right now,” the youkai said to her as he carried her out of the dojo and summoned his sister to come help Sango with a bath before he took her to her chambers for a nap.

 

Thirty minutes later Kimigra's sister, stepped out of the bathing chambers with Sango dressed in a bathing robe leaning heavily against her side, the taijiya barely able to keep her eyes open. Kimigra smiled softly at the sight of her freshly washed and dressed in the silk robe, the pink material clingy to her still slightly damp body, her long black hair framing her face and hanging over her shoulders and down her back.

 

She was a formidable warrior for a human and fought amazingly well, had it not been for him pinning her to the mat and her not having to focus on staying on her feet, he doubted she would have admitted to being so desperately tired. A warrior she was, he thought, but now she just looked like a woman. Soft and pliant and delicate as a spring blossom. He studied her as he lifted her into his strong arms.

 

Kimigra cradled Sango against his chest as he carried her down the halls and to her chambers. He smiled softly upon the woman in his arms as he entered her chambers. Sango wasn't able to open her eyes past a slit as she lay limp with fatigue in his arms.

 

Kimigra laid Sango upon her bed and tucked her beneath the covers. He sat beside her on the bed and stroked her damp hair away from her face. She was beautiful this warrior. Beautiful as a woman and beautiful as a warrior. He leaned over her and kissed her forehead as he whispered to her.

 

“Sleep now Lady Sango,” he spoke softly to her as she slipped into a deep slumber. “I'll come wake you for the evening meal.”

 

Kimigra sat by her side and watched her sleep for a few moments before he rose and closed the curtains over her window to keep out the light that would wake her. He moved to her door and turned back, there was something about her…he didn't know what it was, but it kept him wanting to come back to her. He smiled softly upon her sleeping form before leaving the room, mentally bidding her sweet dreams as he left.

 

Miroku saw the youkai exiting Sango's chambers and for a moment was blinded by jealousy. The moment passed and sadness set in as he looked down at his hand that was bound by the prayer beads. He was living on borrowed time and he knew that. How long would it be before his wind tunnel widened and consumed him? Would they be able to defeat Naraku before that happened? If they couldn't he would be glad to know that she was able to move on, to find someone to love who would love and look after her.

 

Oh Miroku knew that Sango was a strong a valiant warrior woman, he'd never met another woman like her. That was part of the deep attraction he felt for her. It wasn't that he thought he couldn't have her; it was because she was the sakura blossom that stood out from all the others. She was the blossom that weathered all the storms and still hung fast to her perch as all the other blossoms fell away in the wind.

 

The monk let his hand fall to his side as he looked longingly at the door to her chambers and sighed before turning and making his way out to the gardens. Perhaps some fresh air would do him good.

 

 

 

 

“Master Jaken,” Rin said as she looked at her friend the toad youkai.

 

“Yes Rin,” he said as he stood upon a short boulder watching over Rin and Shippou as they played with Kirara and Ah-Un.

 

“Do you think that Kagome will be Rin's mother?” she asked as she went about picking various wildflowers.

 

“I don't know Rin,” Jaken said and looked at the child.

 

While she may seem unaffected by all that had happened to her in her short life, Jaken knew her to be otherwise. He thought for certain that his esteemed Lord Sesshoumaru had noticed as well but wasn't certain. This tiny human child had softened his lord a great deal though none but his closest of friends would ever know the difference.

 

Rin had changed Jaken as well. The youkai retainer had often wondered just how it was that Rin could wiggle herself so far underneath one's skin and defenses as to make that person have a need to be around her. He always scoffed when she offered him her bunches of flowers or chains of flowers to wear as a necklace or crown, but secretly inside, he felt privileged to know the child. There were so many youkai in the castle and the inu village below who had fallen in love with the tiny human child as well.

 

He could think of one older inuyoukai, a golden inu, who had fallen in love with the child. Mitsunaro was a kind older youkai, nearly five hundred years old, and although he was kind to most youkai and humans, in all the time the Jaken had known him, he had never seen the inu take to anyone on first meeting as he had with Rin. Rin had been along with Sesshoumaru and Jaken when they had entered the inuyoukai village and she had been gathering flowers when she had spotted him.

 

Mitsunaro had lost his eldest son in a war with the panther youkai a few years prior and had been mourning the anniversary of his son's death when Rin had quietly gone up to him and sat next to him on his porch. She had offered him a soft blue flower that matched the youkai's eyes, not knowing that the flower was called a forget-me-not. A few tears had gathered in his eyes when he accepted the flower and Rin, in the way she always had of cheering someone up or offering them comfort, had wrapped the youkai up in her arms as much as she could in a silent hug.

 

Jaken had watched the exchange with interest and had stayed silent in his vigil as the youkai lifted Rin up to sit on his knee. He remembered the conversation he had overheard her having with him and a soft smile lit his eyes as he watched his young charge play with the kitsune youkai kit as the memory ran through his mind.

 

 

Rin looked up silently at the inuyoukai and watched his sad eyes. She knew he was sad but didn't know why. Walking toward the youkai she sat next to him on the porch of his hut and offered him up a blue flower. She watched as the youkai slowly acknowledged her and took the small flower from her tiny hand.

 

Mitsunaro smiled softly at the flower and then lifted the tiny human child gently to sit on his knee.

 

“Hello little one,” he said softly and Rin smiled up at him softly and wrapped her arms around his waist as far as she could in a hug.

 

“Why are you so sad?” she asked her voice soft.

 

“My son died two years ago on this day…He was a brave warrior,” Mitsunaro said to the child as he held her against him and stroked her soft dark hair.

 

“Did he die in a battle?” she asked her voice still soft as she peered up at him, her mocha eyes looking at him through dark sooty lashes.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Than he died with honor yes? Rin's da-” she was silent for a moment as she realized her near mistake. She'd never called him that to anyone before, only in her mind. “Lord Sesshoumaru says that if you die with honor that you are…ember? Member? Remembered,” she finally found the right word and smiled, “forever with dig-dig-”

 

“Dignity?” he asked and she nodded.

 

“So if you member him than he'll always be alive for you right?” she asked her childish logic comforting him.

 

“Yes, you are right little one. I never thought of it that way before,” he said and enfolded her in a warm hug. “What is your name little one?”

 

“Rin's name is Rin,” she said with a smile and he smiled softly at her use of the third person. “What is your name father?”

 

“Call me Grandfather,” he said softly to her.

 

“You would be Rin's grandfather?” she asked her eyes wide.

 

“Yes, if you would like for me to be.”

 

Rin turned and stood on his knee as she hugged his neck tightly.

 

“Rin's never had a grandfather before. Rin would like you to be her grandfather very much,” she said her voice thick with tears that didn't fall.

 

Mitsunaro hugged her in return and kissed her brow when she pulled her face from his neck and looked into his sky blue eyes.

 

“Well now my dear Rin you do.”

 

 

Ever since then Rin had asked to go see her grandfather and would see him twice sometimes up to four times a week and whenever Sesshoumaru had business to attend to that he didn't want Rin along for he left her in Mistunaro's care. There had never been a word of complaint from the youkai and he always welcomed the child with open arms.

 

Rin suddenly stopped in her task of picking flowers and stood up straight as she looked out toward the meadow that lead to the forest that stood between the castle grounds and the hill leading down to the inu village. A bright smile lit her face as she raced away from the garden and out into the meadow Jaken calling after her.

 

Rin paid no heed to Jaken's cries and her pace grew faster as she sped towards the person. Jaken shook his head and slowed his run to a stop when he saw who it was that Rin was running toward, he should have known, he thought. Rin had grown a sixth sense for the youkai she knew as `Grandfather'.

 

“Grandfather!” she cried happily and sped toward the inuyoukai.

 

Mitsunaro chuckled happily as the tiny child came running towards him. He laughed gaily as he swept down to lift her in his arms and spun around with her, holding her up in the air. Rin giggled happily as he spun her and smiled widely. Mitsunaro slowed the spin to a stop and then brought her down to hold her against him in one arm as he spoke with her.

 

“How's my little Rin today?” he asked with a smile.

 

“Rin is good!” she smiled happily and giggled as her smile grew even brighter. “Rin might be getting a mother,” she whispered happily to him.

 

“Really?” he said with a thoughtful smile. “And who might this mother be?”

 

“Kagome,” Rin said happily.

 

“Kagome?” he asked not knowing the name.

 

“Yes?” a female voice said from behind him and he turned to see a beautiful human woman with gloss black hair and storm blue eyes standing behind him.

 

Kagome was dressed in a violet kimono with topaz blue sakura petals scattered upon it, the blue of the petals brightening her eyes. A silver obi was tied around her waist and her skin, though delicate and pale was softly sun kissed making her look like an earth born angel.

 

“Are you alright?” she asked the golden inuyoukai who simply stared in wonder at her.

 

“Kagome-mamma,” Rin said with a smile and looked from her to the youkai whose arm she was in. “This is Rin's grandfather.”

 

Kagome smiled brightly in greeting and kissed Rin's brow before fully greeting the youkai.

 

“Hello Grandfather. I am Kagome. Are you alright?” she asked once again in concern as he simply stared at her.

 

“I'm sorry my lady,” Mitsunaro said with a shake of his head. “Rin said that she had found a mother, but I've seen one with beauty such as yours.”

 

Kagome blushed and ducked her head. The reaction to his words only endeared the woman more to him and Mitsunaro knew that she was truly a treasure.

 

“Thank you kind sir, though I think you may be mistaken, I'm not that pretty,” she said softly and Mitsunaro held her chin gently in his hand, tilting her face up to his.

 

Looking into her eyes, he held her stormy gaze with his own and said with gentle firmness, “Never doubt your beauty Lady Kagome. For you are quite exquisite.”

 

Again Kagome blushed and bit her lower lip.

 

“Thank you Grandfather.”

 

Mitsunaro smiled and realized that he hadn't told her his name, but also realized that he loved the way that she called him grandfather as well. He offered her his arm and the two walked toward the garden, Rin still held in his arm. He was rather surprised when a kitsune kit came bounding toward them and hopped up to perch on her shoulder.

 

“Hi mamma,” Shippou greeted and Kagome reached her hand up to pet him.

 

“Hello Shippou. How's my boy today?”

 

“I'm good mamma. How come you didn't come out earlier?” he asked looking at her, and even though she was freshly washed he could smell both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru on her, not really taking the scents into too much thought considering that she had been sharing a bed with them both since they had arrived here.

 

“I was…playing,” she hedged and was thankful when he didn't ask anything further on the subject.

 

“Playing with who?” Rin asked and Kagome nearly groaned.

 

Kagome blushed, but answered the child honestly. “Your father and Inuyasha.”

 

“Why couldn't you play outside?” Rin asked and Kagome blushed madly.

 

Mitsunaro chuckled heartily and hushed the curious child with a piece of sugar candy his mate liked to make. He smiled at Kagome and gave her a wink, further deepening her blush. They walked arm in arm, each carrying a child as they came to the gardens and were greeted by Jaken.

 

“Ah Mitsunaro,” Jaken greeted the inuyoukai. “Are you here to see Lord Sesshoumaru?”

 

“Yes Jaken,” Mitsunaro answered and Jaken led them all inside and into Sesshoumaru's study.

 

Jaken left the four at the door to the study and Mitsunaro opened the door for Kagome letting her enter before he did. She smiled and slipped into the room, the golden inuyoukai entered behind her. Kagome walked up to Inuyasha and gave him a shy kiss, one that he extended by pulling her into a full embrace and kissing her deeply.

 

Mitsunaro chuckled and laughed even a bit more when she received the same greeting from Sesshoumaru. Kagome blushed darkly and stepped away from the two as she took Mitsunaro's hand and led him further into the room.

 

“Who are you?” Inuyasha asked gruffly as he put a hand on his sword.

 

“Inuyasha behave,” Kagome admonished. “He's Rin's grandfather, and a friend.”

 

“She ain't no youkai and you make friends far too easily Kagome. I swear if it weren't for the fact that you know he's evil, you'd make friends with Naraku.”

 

“I made friends with you didn't I?” she contended back, “and you tried to kill me when we first met.”

 

“Inuyasha,” Mitsunaro said the name thoughtfully as he studied the inuhanyou. “That would make you Toga's son, the second heir.”

 

“Yes,” Sesshoumaru said as Rin smiled up at her father. “He is my brother.”

 

“He has come home then?” he asked looking to both brothers in turn.

 

“That still has yet to be discussed fully,” Sesshoumaru said before they got down to the business Mitsunaro had come with.

 

 

 

 

 

Kimigra walked down the hall to Sango's chambers as he went to gather her for the evening meal in enough time for her to change into something other than the bathing robe he'd put her to sleep in. He slipped quietly into her dark room and moved to her bedside after lighting an oil lamp on the wall.

 

Sitting next to her hip on the bed, Kimigra stroked her hair away from her face, continuing the action until her eyes slowly fluttered open. Her brows furrowed as she looked upon her opponent from earlier in confusion. Her eyes blinked tiredly up at him as her sleep heavy mind tried to determine why he was there with her.

 

“The dinner meal will be served in a few moments Lady Sango,” he said softly and her confusion abated.

 

“How long have I been asleep?” she asked as she sat up and leaned back against the headboard.

 

“Four hours Lady Sango.”

 

“I still feel so tired,” she said softly and his hand came up to brush her sleep warmed cheek.

 

“Early bed for you tonight then. It's been awhile since you've had a good sparring session like we had today hasn't it?” he asked gently.

 

“Yes, far too long,” she said. “I fear I'm loosing my touch.”

 

“Not at all Lady Sango. I've fought human warriors, male warriors with far less talent than you possess. You have been a great honor to spar with.”

 

“Thank you,” Sango said with a light blush and Kimigra could feel his admiration for her grow. She was so beautiful, he thought. “If the evening meal will be served soon I need to get dressed,” Sango said softly and this time it was Kimigra who blushed.

 

“Yes, forgive me Lady Sango. I shall leave. Would you like for me to wait and escort you to the dining hall?” he asked as he stood.

 

“Thank you, that would be nice,” Sango said feeling flattered. It had been a while since anyone had treated her as a woman and not just the warrior she was.

 

“I shall wait outside your door then.”

 

Kimigra slipped out of the room and Sango smiled softly. The red inuyoukai was nice and polite, he made her feel like a woman and not just a warrior, and he recognized and reacted to both aspects of her, not just one or the other. She rose from the bed and stepped toward the wardrobe. Finding the wardrobe filled with silk kimonos, she was unused to having such delicacies and was tempted to simply don one of her cotton kimonos that she kept in her travel bag.

 

A sudden thought occurred to her as she chose a lavender kimono with dark purple flowers on it and a black and silver obi. She laid the kimono on her bed and dropped her bathing robe as the thought continued to ramble about in her mind. Where was her exterminator outfit? She had fought in it, but when the female inuyoukai had helped her bathe she had not been given her uniform back.

 

She donned the kimono and tied the obi behind her as she stepped to the door, slipping on her sandals. She blew out the lamp's flame and slipped outside the room to be greeted by Miroku.

 

“Miroku?” she asked in confusion.

 

“I told him I would escort you to dinner, if that is alright with you Lady Sango…I can call him back if you wish it of me,” the monk said suddenly nervous.

 

“No, it's quite alright Miroku…What is it?” she asked when he simply stared at her. “Do I have something on me?” she looked at her self and then at the kimono. “Oh no, did I tie something wrong?”

 

“You look fine Sango. Beautiful really,” he said his voice filled with awe.

 

He was so serious in what he said that Sango blushed and ducked her head, a feminine move that was rarely seen. It was hard to fluster Sango, her rough exterior rarely cracked. It was then that Miroku realized that perhaps they were more alike than he thought. She was the last of her kind, the last taijiya from a village that had been destroyed and he was the very last of his line.

 

He may have asked all the women he'd ever met to bear his child, but in truth, he was still a virgin. He'd never leave a child out in the world without a father, and certainly not bear one to hold the same curse in their hand that he held in his. If killing Naraku didn't rid him of the void in his hand then he had made the decision long ago to stay with his friends for as long as he could after that before going off on his own when the void became too big to be contained.

 

He offered his arm to Sango and she took it. He led her down the halls and into the dinning room. Upon entering the room, he sat next to her at the table and not once did his hand wonder to her tempting bottom. He was polite and guarded around her that night and Sango became a bit worried for him. It was unlike Miroku not to be his usual cheery and teasing self. He seemed so serious and guarded. What could be wrong?

 

Dinner ended all too soon it seemed; even though by the time it was over Sango's eyes were drooping tiredly. She felt like she could sleep for days. Miroku escorted her back to her room since their rooms were across from each other. As they were turning down the long hallway that would lead them to their rooms, Miroku noticed Sango's pace slowing and that she was having trouble keeping her eyes open. It was in that moment he was glad that he'd left his staff in his room.

 

Miroku swept Sango up into his arms and cradled her against his chest. Her startled gasp brought his attention to her.

 

“Just let me carry you Sango,” he said softly hoping to avoid any reprimand she might give.

 

Sango looked at him and then smiled softly. A soft `thank you' was heard before she rested her head against his shoulder and allowed herself to relax in his arms. He carried Sango into her room and set her on her feet by the bed. He was surprised when she asked him to choose a sleeping kimono for her, saying that she was simply too tired to make the decision herself.

 

He smiled gently at her and took a pink sleeping kimono from the wardrobe, handing it to her and turned his back when she tiredly began to undo the knot of her obi. He had at first thought of leaving, but she was so very tired and he wanted to be sure that she made it into bed safely.

 

Ten minutes had past when he turned around and found her sitting on the side of the bed asleep. She had made it out of her kimono and was simply sitting on the edge of the bed in the green lace bra and panty set that Kagome had given her a while back, the sleeping kimono in her hand.

 

Miroku smiled softly upon the woman and moved to stand in front of her. He lifted her off the bed and leaned her body against his as he dressed her in the sleeping kimono and then tucked her into bed. Kissing her brow he moved and put the kimono and obi she had worn earlier into the wardrobe. He moved back to her bedside and sat beside her hip on the bed. Leaning down he kissed her cheek and pulled the covers up to her chin, tucking the blankets around her shoulders.

 

“Goodnight Sango,” he whispered to her and slipped quietly out of the room, extinguishing the oil lamp as he left.

 

 

 

 

Miroku woke with the morning light with the simple pleasure of greeting another morning. He dressed quickly and stepped out of his room and across the hall to Sango's door. Knocking lightly to announce his presence he slipped inside keeping his eyes closed in case she was in a state of undress.

 

“Sango it's time for…Sango?” his eyes slowly opened when he heard the sound of her panting and looked to find her still in bed.

 

Sango was lying on her side, her back to Miroku as she lay panting harshly her arms wrapped around her stomach. Miroku came to her side and sat next to her on the bed, stroking her hair away from her damp face. Pained dull golden brown eyes looked up at him and he found tears in her eyes.

 

“Sango what is it?” Miroku asked worriedly as he sat by her side. “What's wrong?” he asked his voice soft as he continued the soft petting of her hair.

 

“I don't - I don't feel well,” she said her voice choked and pained.

 

A sudden rush of ill feeling swept through her and she curled even tighter in on herself, her knees pulling further into her as she clutched her stomach tighter and bent her head low a soft cry coming from her dry parted lips. Miroku gently rolled her onto her back and rubbed his hand over her stomach as he stretched out on the bed beside her and pulled her gently into his arms.

 

Sango whimpered as the feeling of illness grew stronger and she buried her face in his robes as she sobbed with the ill feeling. Miroku wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her fevered brow as he held her close to his side and tried his best to comfort her.

 

“Shh, I'm here Sango,” he comforted as he held her close and stroked her hair. “Just tell me what's wrong. Please Sango let me help you.”

 

She took a shuttering breath as she cried into his robes, the ache in her stomach growing worse, it felt as though something inside of her was trying to get out and was clawing its way through her stomach. One of her hands on her stomach lifted and covered her mouth as more tears fell and she cried harder.

 

At a loss for what to do Miroku simply held her and stroked her ebony hair as he tried to comfort her the best he could.

 

“I really feel sick,” she cried in his arms and he stroked her hair away from her face and kissed her head.

 

“How sick? Where does it hurt?” he asked softly his concern for her only growing.

 

He'd never seen Sango in such a state and it worried him to no end. The infallible woman in his arms seemed to be breaking and he didn't know how to fix her. He cradled her in his arms as she cried and whispered soft words to her, letting her know he was there and that he would take care of her, that she wasn't alone.

 

“I - I think I'm going to be sick,” Sango choked out and Miroku moved quickly.

 

He brought the empty chamber pot to the bedside and sat next to her as Sango braced her hands on his knees as she leaned over his lap and threw up what was left in her stomach of the evening meal from the night before. She continued to dry heave for a few moments before falling back to the bed and sobbing. It hurt so much.

 

Miroku stepped away from the bed and covered the pot. He went to the wash basin by the dressing table and poured some water in the basin from the ceramic jug. Dipping a cloth into the water, he wrung it out and moved back to her side. Sitting next to her he wiped her mouth with the cloth and was careful to clean her face and then moved back to the basin carefully cleaning the cloth before returning to her and folding the damp cloth. He did what he could to cool her fevered skin with the cold damp cloth though it seemed to bring her very little comfort if any at all.

 

“I'll be right back,” he said softly to her and she weakly grasped the sleeve of his robe. “I'll be right back I promise. I won't be gone for long,” he soothed her as he rose from the bed and kissed her fevered brow.

 

Miroku tucked her back into the covers before he left and made his way quickly to the healer's chambers. Not finding the healer he made his way to the kitchen and asked one of the cooks for a bowl of warm broth and cup of tea. One of the cooks, a female squirrel youkai handed him the requested items and he bid her thanks as he left. Miroku made his way carefully and quickly back to Sango's side and slipped into the room quietly.

 

Placing the bowl and cup on the bedside table he sat next to her and brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers, waking her from her slight slumber. Her pained eyes looked up at him and his own violet eyes were filled with concern.

 

“Do you think you can stomach some broth or tea?” he asked gently keeping his voice soft and soothing.

 

“I don't know,” she said softly, her voice still somewhat choked as silent tears rolled from the corners of her eyes. “I - I could try. I'm so thirty.”

 

Miroku nodded and brought the chamber pot close to the bed in case her stomach rebelled any of the liquid and then moved to sit against the headboard of the bed. He moved Sango to sit in between his legs, her back to his chest, as he held her and lifted the steaming cup of tea to her lips. He held the cup as Sango's shaking hands guided it to her mouth and she drank hesitantly from it, the hot liquid burning her dry cracked lips at first touch.

 

Sango drank as much of the tea as she dared before releasing the cup and letting him set it aside on the table next to her bed. Sango leaned weakly against him as he folded her in his arms and she turned her face into his neck, her heated skin nearly branding his own. He held her against himself and simply sat quietly with her in his arms.

 

He made a promise to himself in that moment, a promise that he would forever keep. He would take care of his precious Sango, not just now as she sat there sick in his arms, but always would he look over and out for her, even if it wasn't he that her heart chose.

 

Sango turned in his arms so that her side was pressed against him as she faced the bedside table. One arm slipped into the space between his back and the headboard of the bed, her other hand clutching the folds of his robes over his chest weakly as her face pressed into his chest. Miroku's arms wrapped securely around her as he held her close and stroked her hair.

 

“Go to sleep Sango,” he said softly to her and kissed her hair. “I'll be here when you wake up.”

 

Sango moaned softly and slipped gently into sleep as she lay there against him, held in his arms. Miroku laid his cheek on her head as he held her in his arms, his knees raising on the bed as he curled his legs around her and held her in a double embrace of arms and legs. He felt himself drift off into a light slumber as he held her and though he wished he were holding her under different circumstances, he was glad and thankful simply for the chance to hold her as he was doing.

 

 

 

“Have you seen Sango at all?” Kagome asked Kirara and the tiny neko mewed and shook her head. “No one else has seen her either,” Kagome said concerned and she stood from where she had been crouching on the floor near her friend. “I'm going to go check on her Kirara; do you want to come with me?”

 

Kagome's answer came in the form of Kirara leaping to perch on her shoulder and then jumping down into the girl's arms as she carried the neko youkai down the hall. Kagome reached Sango's room in short order and knocked softly on the frame of the door.

 

Not receiving an answer, Kagome slipped quietly inside and saw Miroku sitting on the bed holding Sango in his arms. Although he was sleeping softly as well as was Sango, a concerned frown was upon Miroku's face and it brought Kagome to his side. She gently brushed Miroku's bangs from his face, waking her friend in the process.

 

“Kagome,” Miroku said softly in greeting as Kirara hopped from Kagome's arms to the bed and curled up in Sango's lap.

 

“Is everything alright Miroku?” Kagome asked keeping her voce low so as not to wake Sango.

 

“Sango has fallen ill,” he said softly as he looked down at the woman in his arms with worry.

 

“I trust you'll take care of her,” Kagome said softly and Miroku nodded. “Do you want me to bring you anything to eat or anything for her?” she asked softly and Miroku smiled softly at his friend.

 

If there was one thing he could count on, it was Kagome. The girl always took on the nurturing role whenever one of her friends was hurt or sick or simply just down in the dumps. He had watched her so many times with Shippou and then with Rin when the two children played together. His friend would make a fine mother, did make a fine mother.

 

“I'm fine right now,” he said softly and Kagome nodded.

 

“I'll come check on you in a couple of hours to see of you need anything,” Kagome said softly and kissed the side of his head. “Take care of her.”

 

Miroku nodded and Kagome moved away from his side.

 

“Kagome,” Miroku asked softly and she turned back to him.

 

“Are you alright now? You've been so sad, we've all been worried.”

 

Kagome smiled sadly and sat down on the bed beside him. She looked down at her hands folded in her lap for a moment before looking back up at her friend.

 

“My family…back in my time…they were killed when our house caught fire. It was an accident but the fire spread too quickly to be able to save any of them…It hurts a lot, but I'm beginning to deal with it now. I was afraid before…afraid to admit that they were dead…I thought that maybe if I didn't say it out loud, that maybe it wouldn't be true…”

 

“I'm so sorry Kagome,” he said softly and Kagome smiled sadly.

 

“Thank you…Miroku?”

 

“Yes,” he said softly as he watched her.

 

“Would you…when Sango's better…would you conduct a memorial ceremony for them?”

 

She looked so vulnerable sitting there and Miroku knew that if he weren't already holding Sango, he would've taken her into his arms and done his best to comfort his grieving friend.

 

“I'd be honored to Kagome,” he said softly and Kagome stood.

 

She came up next to his side and hugged his head to her bosom as she kissed his head.

 

“Thank you Miroku,” she said softly and brushed his bangs out of his face. “Take care of our girl,” she said softly and left him to tend to Sango.

 

Kagome slipped out of the room and leaned against the wall as she stood there simply breathing in the air for a moment. Mitsunaro came upon her unnoticed and she was surprised when his hand fell gently to her shoulder.

 

“Are you alright Lady Kagome?” he asked gently and she looked into his azure eyes.

 

“I think so,” she said softly as she thought of everything that had happened in the recent times. “I don't know,” she said in a whisper.

 

“If you need someone to talk to, I promise to keep our conversations private,” he offered kindly and she smiled.

 

“That would be nice, thank you Grandfather,” she said softly and he smiled upon her.

 

Mitsunaro knew that she knew his name but he liked to here her call him `Grandfather'. The title alone made him feel special, as though he had his family back again. He and his mate's pups were all grown and had moved to their own shelters upon finding mates within the village. He missed having the tiny pups around, they were all so busy with their own lives that he hadn't seen his true grand pups in so long, not since they were barely weeks old.

 

When he had first met Rin, first received the flower and her hug meant to comfort him, he had thought that he had found what he'd missed in her. And he had. He delighted in her visits to the village and often when Sesshoumaru would leave her in his care, he would change into his golden inu form and take her for rides upon his back as he bounded through the forest and skies. He loved hearing her shriek with giggles of happy enjoyment.

 

In the afternoons, after her rides on his back, when she would grow tired, he would curl up around her. She would sleep curled up against his side, his tail over her like a blanket. He smiled softly as the memories of doing that with her played like a movie through his mind. He walked with Kagome down the halls and out into the garden, sitting with her beneath a blooming sakura tree.

 

He watched Kagome as she played with her hands, her eyes watching them intently as they wrung together in her lap. He could smell her nervousness and anxiety and wondered if it was him or whatever was on her mind that had made her feel so. A few times she would look up and open her mouth as though to say something, but her lips would close and she would look back down at her hands again as though she couldn't find the words to say whatever it was she wanted to say.

 

“I'm scared,” she said finally after nearly twenty minutes of her indecision.

 

“Scared of what?” he asked gently.

 

“Myself…the future…” she trailed off and looked down at her hands as frustrated tears pricked at her eyes.

 

Everything was so confusing. Her heart and her head were at war with each other. She so badly wanted to believe that both inu brothers truly wanted her as their mate; she loved them both so much. But a part of her, the part that was telling her to run and not look back was afraid that their love for her was just a fleeting thing. Here today, gone tomorrow. She was so afraid that that's what it was. She was so afraid that Inuyasha would discover an attraction to a female inuyoukai and forget about her.

 

“Oh child what trouble you so?” Mitsunaro asked as her face grew sad and a few tears slipped down her face unnoticed by her.

 

Mitsunaro moved the girl from her seat next to him to sit in his lap and he held her close as he stroked her long dark hair.

 

“Child what hurts you so?” he asked worried for her.

 

“I'm afraid…Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru…they've been so wonderful and so patient…Inuyasha, he's never been truly accepted by other youkai before, being a hanyou and this is new for him. He's Sesshoumaru's brother and the second heir to the Western Lands…They both…they both seem - are - may be interested in me…but I'm so afraid…what if…what if Inuyasha finds a youkai he wants more, or Sesshoumaru does for that matter? I'm human…and I know they both care but…what if it…what if it isn't so much as love as it simply lust? I don't…I already love them both so much…I'm no competition for any youkai, or even another human, I know that…I'm just…what if they find someone else? I…I'm so scared that they'll find someone else, someone they'd rather be with more…I don't know how to do this…I've never been in love before…I've never even had a crush before…not before I met the two of them…and it wasn't a crush with either of them, it was more like they both - like they've been part of me since the beginning…it feels like my heart is breaking…I'm so scared Grandfather…what if I'm not good enough? What if they find someone better than me? I can't compete with anyone else, I'm not strong like the youkai are, and I'm not all feminine and - and - and I don't know how to be all wifely like the human women are…I've seen the other women of both sides and I'm so plain next to them…I don't want to lose either Inuyasha or Sesshoumaru, but I'm so afraid that this is all temporary, that I'm not the one they really want, that maybe…maybe I'm just a distraction until the one they really want comes along…I don't know how to be a proper wife, or, or a proper woman, and , and what if they want that, I don't know how to be that-”

 

“Shhh,” he hushed her and held her close as her breathing became labored with her tears.

 

He held Kagome in his arms as she cried her frightened tears into his chest. This tiny human girl in his arms was so very afraid, so afraid of not being wanted, of not truly being desired. From the sounds of it her heart had already been claimed but she was so afraid that her sentiments weren't returned. She clung to him as she cried and his heart ached for her.

 

This girl in his arms didn't feel as though she were worthy of the love from them and in feeling so became fearful of their abandonment. He didn't know how to help her, how to comfort her, but thought for sure that his mate would know. They had raised three daughters and four sons, surely his mate had dealt with this feeling before.

 

One thing was for certain though, he would not let her fears be cast aside by the lust of two randy mutts, royalty or not. If there was thing he could do for her, it would be to see that she was courted properly and that she knew for certain that they wanted her as a mate and not simply a bed partner.

 

Mitsunaro looked down upon the girl as she cried quietly in his arms. How long had she held these fears within her? Had she talked about them with her own mother?

 

“Kagome,” he said softly as he lifted her face with a hand beneath her chin and wiped at her tears with his thumb. “What of your mother? Have you talked through this with her?”

 

That for some reason seemed to be the absolute most wrong question to ask he discovered as she crumpled into new tears in his arms, these stronger and so full of grief instead of fear.

 

“Mamma died, mamma died and I couldn't save her,” she sobbed brokenly in his arms.

 

Mitsunaro's eyes saddened at that and he held her closer to himself as he petted her hair and did his best to comfort her.

 

“Kagome, child, how would feel about staying with me and my mate for awhile?” he asked gently, needing her to be ok with it.

 

“I don't - I don't want to be any trouble. I've already made your kimono all wet,” she said soggily as she toyed with the damp silk.

 

“Worry nothing of it,” he said grasping her hand gently in his own. “You could never be any trouble. Tsukina and I would love to have you stay with us, if you are willing to.”

 

“O-ok,” Kagome said as she laid her head tiredly upon his shoulder.

 

“Would you like to stay out here for awhile?” he asked softly as she blinked tiredly in his arms, a soft yawn breaking free from her as her hand rose to hide it.

 

Kagome nodded and then shook her head. “I need to check on Sango,” she said tiredly and Mitsunaro nodded.

 

Mitsunaro stood with Kagome in his arms, cradled against his chest as he followed the directions she gave in her tired whisper soft voice. She led him back to the room he had found her outside of that morning and he quietly opened the door and stepped inside. Upon seeing Miroku holding Sango in his arms, he nearly turned around and left until Kagome told him tiredly that it was alright.

 

She sleepily introduced him to Miroku and Mitsunaro laid her down on the bed next to where the cursed monk lay holding Sango in his arms. Kagome fell tiredly asleep as her head rested on the pillow and Mitsunaro bid Miroku to watch over her as he left to speak with Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Miroku nodded and looked upon Kagome in concern as the youkai left.

 

When they had first entered, Miroku had noticed the great sadness and fear in her aura as well as the tear stains and red puffy eyes on her face, evidence of her crying. Reaching over Sango's sleeping form in his arms, he brushed the hair back from Kagome's face and looked upon the girl he considered a close friend and sister. Kagome had always held so much inside herself that he often feared that what she held inside would eat her alive if she didn't talk to someone, the girl always unwilling to burden others of the group with her troubles. He knew that Kagome saw it as her duty and that she felt it was her responsibility to be the mother, sister, friend and confidant that they all needed, but he also knew that she rarely called upon the others to share her troubles with.

 

He had vowed to himself long ago to look after her as well, knowing that unlike Sango, Kagome would never confess to the others what troubled her until the thoughts became like monsters in her mind, tearing her up and eating her inside. Mitsunaro had said that he would be taking Kagome with him when he left and that they may visit whenever they pleased. The monk had to wonder though, was this separation what Kagome wanted or was it something she desperately needed? As long as the youkai looked after and cared for Kagome as she deserved to be, than it was alright with him.

 

Miroku would miss Kagome yes, but in his heart he knew that she needed some time away. He had witnessed Inuyasha greeting her when she had come out of the bath earlier, and while he was happy for them, he had had to wonder if perhaps things were progressing too fast for the girl. She had always been so timid when it had come to discussions of love and who held her heart. It was obvious to the entire group, except Inuyasha, that it was Inuyasha who held her heart.

 

Every time the hanyou made a careless remark or slipped off to see Kikyou he had watched as his friend's heart had broken a little each time. Inuyasha had never been very open with any of them and Miroku knew that in part it was because he didn't know how to be. But once the hanyou had discovered the equal attraction between himself and the girl, he had seemingly thrown himself headlong and far too fast into the relationship. To Miroku it seemed as though the hanyou was afraid that Kagome would wake up one day and that their affections would be nothing more than a dream. In fearing so, Inuyasha had barely given Kagome time to breathe before he swept her up in a wave of passion.

 

Kagome was a delicate girl and needed to be handled as such. Moving too quickly could scare her away or make her think his feelings false and Miroku knew this even though the hanyou did not. For all his lechery, the monk had learned how to read women and he could read Kagome like an open book. She loved Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru so much; Miroku had been surprised but not altogether unprepared for the love he had seen between the miko and the youkai. Kagome had always had a heart that was open to more than the world around her. She held anyone and everyone in her heart and it wasn't surprising that she had fallen for the youkai and vice versa.

 

As open as Kagome's heart was, and as strong as her love for others was, Miroku also knew that a woman's heart was much like the blood root plant. The root was strong and sturdy, but when broken it bled like it was dying. However, unlike the blood root plant, a woman's heart could mend the tear and learn to live and love again. Though if Inuyasha was too hasty in his pursuit of her, Miroku wondered if the sleeping miko's heart would be able to heal if he tore it apart with his carelessness.

 

 

 

 

 

“I'm leaving shortly,” Mitsunaro said to Sesshoumaru as he stood with the two brothers in the elder brother's study. “When I leave, Lord Sesshoumaru, I'm taking Kagome with me.”

 

“What?!” Inuyasha snarled. “The hell you are, Kagome's staying here. She's our mate not yours!”

 

“Foolish pup,” Mitsunaro said as he looked Inuyasha dead in his golden eyes. “That's why I'm taking her. She's a gentle girl, new to love and I will see her courted properly. I will not have her torn apart by two dogs in the middle of a mating frenzy.”

 

“I respect your decision Mitsunaro. Is Kagome in agreement with this?” Sesshoumaru asked as he studied the elder youkai.

 

Unlike his brother, Sesshoumaru knew Mitsunaro well and knew that he was taking Kagome to his home, not out of spite, but out of concern for the girl's welfare. In his heart Sesshoumaru knew that his friend was right. Kagome was a gentle girl and she was new to love, and as such she did deserve to be courted properly in the youkai way.

 

“You're allowing this?!” Inuyasha growled at his brother.

 

“It is what is best for Kagome.”

 

“Yes, my Lord, she is in agreement.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded silently. “Take good care of her Mitsunaro. I am putting my and my brother's mate in your care.”

 

“It will be as though she were one of my own,” the golden inuyoukai said to him before bidding his friend and lord good bye and leaving the study.

 

Mitsunaro made his way back to Sango's chambers and bid the monk farewell as he lifted the sleeping girl into his arms and carried her away. He was stopped at the door by Miroku.

 

“Mitsunaro,” Miroku called out softly and the youkai turned his head and looked back at the monk through the corner of his blue eye. “Kagome has a son, Shippou; he's a kitsune youkai kit that she's adopted. They will be lost without the other, please take him with you.”

 

“I shall. Do you know where I can find him Miroku?” he asked as he slid open the door.

 

“The gardens perhaps…here, Kirara take him to Shippou.”

 

The fire neko youkai leapt off the bed and scampered across the floor and out of the open door. She led Mitsunaro down a hallway and through another as she finally came to the door of the library. Mitsunaro entered and found Rin inside playing with the young kitsune youkai pup.

 

“Shippou?” he asked and the young kitsune looked up at him.

 

“Is mamma ok?” Shippou asked when he saw Kagome lying unconscious in the inuyoukai's arms, tears stains on her face.

 

“She will be Shippou,” Mitsunaro said and nodded to the pup that jumped up to curl up on Kagome's stomach.

 

“Grandfather?” Rin said softly as she looked up at her dear friend. “Why are you taking mamma away?”

 

Mitsunaro motioned for Rin to follow as he moved to sit in a chair near the fire place. The girl followed and settled on the chair next to his.

 

“You'll understand when you're older Rin, but for now just know that she will return. I'm not taking her forever, just for a short while so that she may be courted properly.”

 

“What does courted mean?” the young girl asked with wide eyes.

 

“It means…” how to explain it to one so young?

 

“It means that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru have to make Kagome feel pretty and wanted before she can become your mother,” Shippou said to Rin and Mitsunaro looked at the youkai child in thanks.

 

“Oh,” Rin said and thought it over. “Ok.”

 

Mitsunaro smiled at Rin and bid her goodbye as he stood and left the library, Kagome and Shippou in his arms. As he walked down the halls and out of the castle he looked at Kagome's sleeping face. He would do everything in his power to make certain that she was treated properly. This girl needed someone to help her, to guide her and he and his mate would be the ones to answer her unvoiced call. They would aide her through the courtship, help her understand what was happening and help her through her doubts and insecurities. She would be cared for as though she were their own child and he would forever watch over her as such. This precious girl in his arms, he didn't know her very well, but what he did know of her had made him understand that she deserved the world, and he would make certain she got it.