InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ Going Home ( Chapter 75 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: kanna37 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 11.04.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 468 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 11.04.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 468 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 75: Going Home
The next morning, Kagome woke with a stretch and a smile on her face, feeling refreshed. She had had pleasant dreams, and that always put her in a happy frame of mind.
But something was poking at her...
She frowned. “Sesshoumaru?” she prompted her mate, who had sat up at the same time she did.
“Yes?” he returned idly, looking at her questioningly.
“Where's Kanna? I haven't seen her since the battle.”
At that question, the inu frowned as well, uncertain. “I am not certain. Perhaps we should ask father – he may know more. If no one knows, we will look for her ourselves.”
Nodding decisively, Kagome stood up and her form shimmered, and within moments, she was perfectly groomed once more – as though she'd spent hours doing it. She grinned. “Well, that's one benefit of all this goddess stuff, at least - it doesn't take hours to look decent anymore!”
Her mate merely shrugged as his own power rippled around him, returning him to a pristine state as well; after all, it was something he'd lived his entire life with, and so he didn't even think about it. It was just the way it was.
Without further ado, the powerful couple made their way to the village, knowing that, despite the late night, most of the villagers would be up – as would his father.
When they arrived on the outskirts of the village, Kagome glanced at her mate, and said, “Why don't you go talk to your father? I have something I need to take care of in the village first. If I'm done before you are, I'll find you.”
One dark brow ascended into his bangs in question, but Kagome simply smiled and turned off the path, and he shook his head, amused at his little mate's machinations. He would let her keep her secrets – for now. With that, his mind turned to other matters, and he continued on his way towards his father's aura.
Kagome, in the meantime, had gone straight for Kaede's hut, knowing that was the place to start. She needed to gather at least a minimum contingent of servants and guards for Sugimi's new palace, and she would like to see everyone start settling down into their new lives.
Plus, she wanted to get done with everything, so she could take her own family home, content that everyone was finally happy.
Rapping on the doorframe, she waited for Kaede to bid her to enter, then pushed it back, stepping into the hut and smiling at a very wide awake miko.
“Good morning, Kaede! How are you feeling today?” she asked cheerfully, her smile bright.
“Ah, for as old as I am, Kagome-sama, I actually feel very good. It is the world around us, I am thinking – it feels fresh, and new, and like life is just beginning. I think that is your influence on it, ne?” she asked, her face tilted as she gazed at the young goddess fondly.
“It's everyone's influence, Kaede. We all fought for this new chance, and no one can take all the credit,” she demurred with a waved hand and a blush. “But I'm really glad you're feeling better today.”
“Aye,” Kaede said slowly, “much, much better. In fact, I feel as I did twenty years ago – it is as though my age has reversed itself within my body, and the ailments I suffered are disappearing.”
Kagome appeared pleased at that. “Good! That was all part of what Sesshoumaru and I did after the battle. People will find that they will slowly begin to live longer and longer, and their health will be better, as well. We started off slowly... for the most part. But-” she winked at the older woman, “-I will admit, that in a few cases I pushed the speed a little more. Your new health won't be disappearing anytime soon, Kaede.”
The elderly woman, (who wasn't quite so elderly anymore) nodded, a thankful expression on her face. “I will not deny that news is not welcome – getting up every day had been getting more and more difficult for these aged bones.” She eyed her visitor knowingly, and said, “Now, what be the real reason for your visit?”
Laughing, Kagome nodded. “Okay, you caught me. I stopped in because I have need of your help with something. Now that Sugimi-sama has once more become the Western Lord, his needs for a home have somewhat changed. A modest hut in a village won't cut it. So, Sesshoumaru has found him an appropriate palace – but we need servants. The village has become shelter to many who fled Ungai's depredations, but yet have no jobs and nothing to offer to the village.”
A thoughtful look crossed Kaede's face, and she nodded encouragingly. “I believe I know what ye are saying. And it would be welcome to many of those that are now here and have nowhere else to go, and yet no prospects here, either.” She was silent for a few moments, then said, “We will go to the area of the village that the newcomers have been staying in, and speak to them. I believe ye will find many quite grateful for the chance ye be offering.”
With no further ado, Kaede stood, a great deal easier than Kagome had ever seen her, and led the way from her hut, escorting the young goddess to the perimeter of the village that had grown almost overnight from the influx of Ungai's victims, and those fleeing his influence.
No more than an hour later, to Kagome's satisfaction, she had fifty-six humans ready and willing to work for the youkai Lord of the West, and even forty-three hanyou that had arrived with the group of hanyou for the battle.
Being half-demon, most of them did not have steady homes, always being forced to move around for their own safety. This was the first chance any of them had ever had at a stable home. It helped their confidence in this offering of a home that the Lord they were to serve had a human mate, and a halfling son – one who would one day be the Western Lord himself.
Enfolding the entire group in her will, she moved them from the village to the palace, and dropping the barriers to allow everyone to move through, she led them into their new home, showing them to the servants quarters that she had not only decorated nicely, but expanded, making them the nicest servant's quarters probably ever found in any palace anywhere in the world.
Kagome quickly had them sorted into specific jobs, though she let it be known that the final say on their duties would lie with the Lord and his Lady, and then got them assigned to quarters, before taking her leave.
She paused on the outside, however, noting the approach to the palace was open, and that it held a commanding view of the countryside. While this would be a good thing once Sugimi-sama was in residence, right now, it might not be – bandits and all being a problem at times even in the Western Lands. She didn't want the new servants and guards here to have to start defending things so soon, so she placed another barrier, just like the one around the village – it would keep any with nefarious desires out.
Then, with a cheerful smile, she disappeared, heading back to her mate to see what he'd found out, if anything.
She stepped out of the ether to find Sesshoumaru calmly waiting for her, a brow cocked and an amused expression in his eyes.
“What?” she asked, eyes narrowed.
“It seems you are even more eager than I to get things settled, little mate. Why is that, I wonder?” he mused knowingly.
She raised a warning finger. “Don't tease me, Sesshoumaru. I want to get things done so we can finally end all this and go home. Is that a bad thing?” she asked.
He blinked. “You know it is not.” He eyed her for a moment, then said, “I asked father about Kanna. All he would say is that she needed to go away for a time, and would return when ready. He hinted that it would be best for you and I to leave things be and allow her to do what she needs. I agreed.”
Kagome wrinkled her nose at that, but didn't argue. “Fine. So... what else do we need to see settled before we can move on to getting ourselves settled?”
“My father and his mate need to be shown their new home.”
“Okay. Well, then, why don't you go fetch him, and then we can get a move on?” she shooed him off, ignoring the flat look he gave her at her choice of words.
She waited patiently for him to return, his father and Izayoi trailing along behind him looking quizzical. She smiled brightly at them both, ignoring Sesshoumaru's dour expression.
“Good morning, Sugimi-sama, Izayoi-sama! Did Sesshoumaru tell you what we needed you for?” she asked.
Sugimi shook his head. “No. He merely asked that we follow him,” he replied.
Kagome rolled her eyes disgustedly. “Go figure,” she sighed. “Well, it's like this. Since you are the Western Lord again, Sesshoumaru decided that you and Izayoi-sama needed decent lodgings. So, he had someone go pick out something suitable, and we've gotten it all ready and waiting for you. We just wanted to take you and show you your new home, that's all.”
Both Sugimi and Izayoi looked startled, exchanging surprised glances, they looked from Sesshoumaru, who was still glowering at his mate, to Kagome, who was ignoring his glare with a lofty expression, and then Sugimi shrugged.
“I could have taken care of such a thing on my own, my son, but I thank you nonetheless. Why don't you show us where it is, then?” he asked pointedly, trying to get his stubborn son to pay attention and stop giving his mate dirty looks.
“Hn,” he responded after a long second, and from one moment to the next, they were once more standing at the entrance to the palace that Kagome had just left not minutes before.
Sugimi blinked, stunned at the instantaneous transportation, but then shook his head to clear it, and looked with surprise at the stately castle that lay before them welcomingly.
“Well. I had not expected such a thing from you, Sesshoumaru. This must be Kagome-sama's hand.”
“No, no,” she demurred, “this was all Sesshoumaru. He sent people off to look, I told you that, insisting that the place be what he called 'suitable'. Apparently, this place just barely passed muster, if you can believe it. But he's always so picky,” she sighed, ignoring the steady glare he'd been sending her for several minutes. “Anyway, I hope you like what I did with the inside, though of course, you are free to do whatever you want with it – I just thought to get it habitable again.”
Izayoi's eyes were wide as they entered the palace complex – it reminded her greatly of her family's palace from so long ago, and made an ache settle into her heart as she thought of her lost past. But then she sent a sidelong glance at her mate, and thought of her son; smiling, she was unable to regret any of it. It had been a long path to get to this place, but it had been worth it – all of it.
The tour was accomplished quickly, as it was more than obvious that, though Kagome was ignoring it, Sesshoumaru desired to get his little mate alone, and not wanting to get caught between two of the kami who were having a spat, he encouraged them to go on and get themselves settled. After all, they'd done enough for everyone else, and it was time for them to have a chance to get their own lives picked up and figured out.
Kagome sighed with inward relief; while she loved all her friends and wanted everyone around them to be happy, she really wanted to get down to the business of just being Kagome – Sesshoumaru's mate, not the goddess of balance, and not everyone's benefactor. While she didn't mind at all making sure everyone had what they needed, she finally felt like being a little selfish and taking time just for her little family.
As the palace faded away, and the village faded back into view, Kagome smiled whole-heartedly at Sesshoumaru, promises of never-ending eternities glowing in her eyes.
Sesshoumaru accepted those promises, giving them back to the giver until even time could not compete, and fled from between them.
~oOo~
Kagome watched with a contented smile as Sesshoumaru instructed Jaken to retrieve the children from Kaede; it was time for them to go home.
She felt such a profound relief at that knowledge; for too long she had been homeless, in a way, wandering all over the lands and even the other realms like a gypsy with wanderlust. But while she'd always liked to travel around and see things, she'd always loved having a home – someplace to come back to when she got tired of traveling around.
And while technically that home was a cave in the Western Lands, she had resources – it wouldn't be like living in Koga's cave would have been. She frowned a little as she thought of him – she'd been very wrong about him, it had become very clear there at the end. She could only be glad that she'd escaped the fate he'd had planned for her.
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms at those thoughts, feeling a bit chilled, immediately, Sesshoumaru was there, wrapping his pelt around her comfortingly.
“Why do you think of such things, Kagome?” he asked softly, wrapping his arms around her beneath his pelt. “That happened in the past, and will never happen again. As if I would allow such a weak creature to harm one I protect – you should never have feared him for even an instant.”
Kagome turned in his arms to look at him, her eyes a little haunted. But as he looked at her, he realized it wasn't just that – it was everything she'd seen and done since she'd been brought here. It was all inside her, and she needed the time to heal as much as to bond with him and their new family. Her soul was tattered, but it was intact, and he vowed that it would be healed completely, and by his hand.
He loved her too much, though he wasn't one to say it very often, to see that pained expression in her eyes, and not do everything he could to chase it away.
“I know, Sesshoumaru. And I knew you would come. But it doesn't change that it happened – or any of the other ugly things we've been through. They're all here inside me, and won't ever go away. But that's okay,” she sighed after a moment, seeing the desire in his eyes to wrap her soul in his and protect her forever, “because it's not just the bad that's there. There's a lot more good, happy memories, and that's what counts.”
She managed a smile for him, then, just as Jaken arrived with the children and Kaede. Letting her go after holding her gaze for a moment longer to make sure she would be okay, he inclined his head and stepped back so that she could speak with the elder miko and make her goodbyes. While she did that, he summoned Ah-Uhn and had both children and Jaken mount the dragon in preparation for their leavetaking.
“I'll check back in in a few days, Kaede, just to see how everyone is doing. But don't hesitate to call me if something happens, or even Sesshoumaru,” she said, her voice warming with affection. “The barriers around the village, though... those will be staying, so you should be safe from pretty much everything.” With a look at the woman who'd been a mentor for so long, she reached over and hugged her with honest affection, and then stepped back and turned to follow her mate, a final wave over her shoulder to the old miko sent along before they vanished from sight.
She smiled at the wonder-filled voices of the children and Jaken's wide eyes at sight of the other realms as they wandered the paths, taking a slightly longer trip than was strictly necessary. She knew he was doing it for Rin and Shippo, to let them see something that very few living ever had.
It was worth it; the looks of awe and innocent wonder on their faces were something she would never forget, and with a sidelong glance at Sesshoumaru, she saw that though he was not looking at them directly, he most certainly was watching their reactions.
After a few minutes of walking along, some of the worlds that could be reached from the paths showing through every so often for the children's benefit, Sesshoumaru ended the little walk, drawing them back into their earthbound realm to land lightly before the entrance to the cave.
The cave that Kagome had changed.
The one that didn't look like what Sesshoumaru was expecting it to look like.
He turned to her with a cocked brow, and she smiled charmingly at him.
“Well... did you think I was so busy taking care of everyone else, that I didn't think about our home, too? I wanted things settled enough so we could come home today, with the children, and be comfortable.” Her smile widened. “And I did, and we're going to be. Come on, let's go in!”
The children slid off Ah-Uhn with excited chatter echoing through the area, and Sesshoumaru let loose of the dragon as soon as Jaken clambered down as well, letting him go off to find food. Brow still quirked, he stepped through the entrance she had created, then looked around at the changes thoughtfully. He had to admit – the cave looked like a home, now, and not some hole in the wall place to sleep. She had considered their comfort and the necessities, as well.
He wandered deeper, wondering what she had done that had the children silent – that was not a normal state with them, but when he looked into their little areas, he understood immediately – she had given them space for themselves, with things neither would normally ever have had access to. Neither child knew what to say, but he decided that he was quite happy with the silence. And from the looks of things, the children would be busy with their own activities for some time.
Only one place left to see, he thought, and stepped into the smaller cavern that held the hot spring. A rather heated look entered his eyes, then – she had set their room at the far end of the cavern, with screens for privacy around the bathing area. That left quite a lot of space for their own area, and when he stepped into it, his eyes fell on the bed, and froze.
A predatory smirk lifted his lips as he took in the black bedding – he knew just what his little mate had been thinking when she chose that color, and he would be happy to accommodate her desires to see him laid across that bed with nothing on.
As soon as the children were in their own beds, and they had some privacy, of course. It would, after all, take some time for Kagome to enjoy the full effect of what she was craving, and if they didn't have enough time in the normal scheme of things, then he would just make the time. He considered for a moment, as he stared at the bed waiting for he and his mate, that it was a very useful thing, being a kami... very useful, indeed.
He turned just slightly to look at her over his shoulder when she wandered into the room, and his smirk took on an even more wicked edge as she looked at him, then the bed, and flushed.
“Was there a specific reason you chose black, mate?” he teased, allowing his pelt to lay at the foot of the bed as he removed his swords from his sash. “I would have thought you would have wanted something with more... vibrancy. Personally, I would have enjoyed crimson – you would look most delicious draped nude across such a color.”
“Sesshoumaru!” she hissed, waving her hands at him as she looked over her shoulder with embarrassment. He caught what her eyes were fixed on with such horror – Jaken had wandered into the room, probably to inquire into what orders his master had – but it was clear he'd caught an earful, because the poor gami was greener than Sesshoumaru had ever seen him.
The god of chaos was the only one in the room not embarrassed at all by what his retainer had heard. “If you do not wish to hear such things, Jaken, you will remain outside of this room,” he said blandly, turning back to look at the bed one more time even as the little gami scrambled out of there with a, “Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!” trailing behind him.
Kagome groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “Great... just great. That whole thing just got ruined by visions of getting interrupted by Jaken.” She lifted her head to glare at her shameless mate. “At this rate, that bed you seem so fascinated with won't be getting any use other than for sleep,” she warned, before turning on her heel to stomp out of the room.
She froze as Sesshoumaru said, “Do not bet on that, little mate. You would lose such a bet before it even got off the ground.” Not pausing as she had, he swept by her imperiously, heading back out into the main room; exhorting Jaken to gather wood for the fire, he began setting their new home to rights for their first day in it without further ado.
Kagome didn't say one word – after all, what could she say to her lecher of a mate?
She really didn't want to argue the point, anyway, because he was right – that bed would be getting plenty of use.
Just as soon as it was bedtime.
~oOo~
A/N: This story, I am proud to say, took 2nd Best Action/Adventure at the IYFG this term! I thought it was a great way to go out with a bang – only one more chapter left, and then probably an epilogue to finish.
I wanted to thank everyone that has followed along with this story, and I hope you enjoy it for many years to come!
Amber
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The next morning, Kagome woke with a stretch and a smile on her face, feeling refreshed. She had had pleasant dreams, and that always put her in a happy frame of mind.
But something was poking at her...
She frowned. “Sesshoumaru?” she prompted her mate, who had sat up at the same time she did.
“Yes?” he returned idly, looking at her questioningly.
“Where's Kanna? I haven't seen her since the battle.”
At that question, the inu frowned as well, uncertain. “I am not certain. Perhaps we should ask father – he may know more. If no one knows, we will look for her ourselves.”
Nodding decisively, Kagome stood up and her form shimmered, and within moments, she was perfectly groomed once more – as though she'd spent hours doing it. She grinned. “Well, that's one benefit of all this goddess stuff, at least - it doesn't take hours to look decent anymore!”
Her mate merely shrugged as his own power rippled around him, returning him to a pristine state as well; after all, it was something he'd lived his entire life with, and so he didn't even think about it. It was just the way it was.
Without further ado, the powerful couple made their way to the village, knowing that, despite the late night, most of the villagers would be up – as would his father.
When they arrived on the outskirts of the village, Kagome glanced at her mate, and said, “Why don't you go talk to your father? I have something I need to take care of in the village first. If I'm done before you are, I'll find you.”
One dark brow ascended into his bangs in question, but Kagome simply smiled and turned off the path, and he shook his head, amused at his little mate's machinations. He would let her keep her secrets – for now. With that, his mind turned to other matters, and he continued on his way towards his father's aura.
Kagome, in the meantime, had gone straight for Kaede's hut, knowing that was the place to start. She needed to gather at least a minimum contingent of servants and guards for Sugimi's new palace, and she would like to see everyone start settling down into their new lives.
Plus, she wanted to get done with everything, so she could take her own family home, content that everyone was finally happy.
Rapping on the doorframe, she waited for Kaede to bid her to enter, then pushed it back, stepping into the hut and smiling at a very wide awake miko.
“Good morning, Kaede! How are you feeling today?” she asked cheerfully, her smile bright.
“Ah, for as old as I am, Kagome-sama, I actually feel very good. It is the world around us, I am thinking – it feels fresh, and new, and like life is just beginning. I think that is your influence on it, ne?” she asked, her face tilted as she gazed at the young goddess fondly.
“It's everyone's influence, Kaede. We all fought for this new chance, and no one can take all the credit,” she demurred with a waved hand and a blush. “But I'm really glad you're feeling better today.”
“Aye,” Kaede said slowly, “much, much better. In fact, I feel as I did twenty years ago – it is as though my age has reversed itself within my body, and the ailments I suffered are disappearing.”
Kagome appeared pleased at that. “Good! That was all part of what Sesshoumaru and I did after the battle. People will find that they will slowly begin to live longer and longer, and their health will be better, as well. We started off slowly... for the most part. But-” she winked at the older woman, “-I will admit, that in a few cases I pushed the speed a little more. Your new health won't be disappearing anytime soon, Kaede.”
The elderly woman, (who wasn't quite so elderly anymore) nodded, a thankful expression on her face. “I will not deny that news is not welcome – getting up every day had been getting more and more difficult for these aged bones.” She eyed her visitor knowingly, and said, “Now, what be the real reason for your visit?”
Laughing, Kagome nodded. “Okay, you caught me. I stopped in because I have need of your help with something. Now that Sugimi-sama has once more become the Western Lord, his needs for a home have somewhat changed. A modest hut in a village won't cut it. So, Sesshoumaru has found him an appropriate palace – but we need servants. The village has become shelter to many who fled Ungai's depredations, but yet have no jobs and nothing to offer to the village.”
A thoughtful look crossed Kaede's face, and she nodded encouragingly. “I believe I know what ye are saying. And it would be welcome to many of those that are now here and have nowhere else to go, and yet no prospects here, either.” She was silent for a few moments, then said, “We will go to the area of the village that the newcomers have been staying in, and speak to them. I believe ye will find many quite grateful for the chance ye be offering.”
With no further ado, Kaede stood, a great deal easier than Kagome had ever seen her, and led the way from her hut, escorting the young goddess to the perimeter of the village that had grown almost overnight from the influx of Ungai's victims, and those fleeing his influence.
No more than an hour later, to Kagome's satisfaction, she had fifty-six humans ready and willing to work for the youkai Lord of the West, and even forty-three hanyou that had arrived with the group of hanyou for the battle.
Being half-demon, most of them did not have steady homes, always being forced to move around for their own safety. This was the first chance any of them had ever had at a stable home. It helped their confidence in this offering of a home that the Lord they were to serve had a human mate, and a halfling son – one who would one day be the Western Lord himself.
Enfolding the entire group in her will, she moved them from the village to the palace, and dropping the barriers to allow everyone to move through, she led them into their new home, showing them to the servants quarters that she had not only decorated nicely, but expanded, making them the nicest servant's quarters probably ever found in any palace anywhere in the world.
Kagome quickly had them sorted into specific jobs, though she let it be known that the final say on their duties would lie with the Lord and his Lady, and then got them assigned to quarters, before taking her leave.
She paused on the outside, however, noting the approach to the palace was open, and that it held a commanding view of the countryside. While this would be a good thing once Sugimi-sama was in residence, right now, it might not be – bandits and all being a problem at times even in the Western Lands. She didn't want the new servants and guards here to have to start defending things so soon, so she placed another barrier, just like the one around the village – it would keep any with nefarious desires out.
Then, with a cheerful smile, she disappeared, heading back to her mate to see what he'd found out, if anything.
She stepped out of the ether to find Sesshoumaru calmly waiting for her, a brow cocked and an amused expression in his eyes.
“What?” she asked, eyes narrowed.
“It seems you are even more eager than I to get things settled, little mate. Why is that, I wonder?” he mused knowingly.
She raised a warning finger. “Don't tease me, Sesshoumaru. I want to get things done so we can finally end all this and go home. Is that a bad thing?” she asked.
He blinked. “You know it is not.” He eyed her for a moment, then said, “I asked father about Kanna. All he would say is that she needed to go away for a time, and would return when ready. He hinted that it would be best for you and I to leave things be and allow her to do what she needs. I agreed.”
Kagome wrinkled her nose at that, but didn't argue. “Fine. So... what else do we need to see settled before we can move on to getting ourselves settled?”
“My father and his mate need to be shown their new home.”
“Okay. Well, then, why don't you go fetch him, and then we can get a move on?” she shooed him off, ignoring the flat look he gave her at her choice of words.
She waited patiently for him to return, his father and Izayoi trailing along behind him looking quizzical. She smiled brightly at them both, ignoring Sesshoumaru's dour expression.
“Good morning, Sugimi-sama, Izayoi-sama! Did Sesshoumaru tell you what we needed you for?” she asked.
Sugimi shook his head. “No. He merely asked that we follow him,” he replied.
Kagome rolled her eyes disgustedly. “Go figure,” she sighed. “Well, it's like this. Since you are the Western Lord again, Sesshoumaru decided that you and Izayoi-sama needed decent lodgings. So, he had someone go pick out something suitable, and we've gotten it all ready and waiting for you. We just wanted to take you and show you your new home, that's all.”
Both Sugimi and Izayoi looked startled, exchanging surprised glances, they looked from Sesshoumaru, who was still glowering at his mate, to Kagome, who was ignoring his glare with a lofty expression, and then Sugimi shrugged.
“I could have taken care of such a thing on my own, my son, but I thank you nonetheless. Why don't you show us where it is, then?” he asked pointedly, trying to get his stubborn son to pay attention and stop giving his mate dirty looks.
“Hn,” he responded after a long second, and from one moment to the next, they were once more standing at the entrance to the palace that Kagome had just left not minutes before.
Sugimi blinked, stunned at the instantaneous transportation, but then shook his head to clear it, and looked with surprise at the stately castle that lay before them welcomingly.
“Well. I had not expected such a thing from you, Sesshoumaru. This must be Kagome-sama's hand.”
“No, no,” she demurred, “this was all Sesshoumaru. He sent people off to look, I told you that, insisting that the place be what he called 'suitable'. Apparently, this place just barely passed muster, if you can believe it. But he's always so picky,” she sighed, ignoring the steady glare he'd been sending her for several minutes. “Anyway, I hope you like what I did with the inside, though of course, you are free to do whatever you want with it – I just thought to get it habitable again.”
Izayoi's eyes were wide as they entered the palace complex – it reminded her greatly of her family's palace from so long ago, and made an ache settle into her heart as she thought of her lost past. But then she sent a sidelong glance at her mate, and thought of her son; smiling, she was unable to regret any of it. It had been a long path to get to this place, but it had been worth it – all of it.
The tour was accomplished quickly, as it was more than obvious that, though Kagome was ignoring it, Sesshoumaru desired to get his little mate alone, and not wanting to get caught between two of the kami who were having a spat, he encouraged them to go on and get themselves settled. After all, they'd done enough for everyone else, and it was time for them to have a chance to get their own lives picked up and figured out.
Kagome sighed with inward relief; while she loved all her friends and wanted everyone around them to be happy, she really wanted to get down to the business of just being Kagome – Sesshoumaru's mate, not the goddess of balance, and not everyone's benefactor. While she didn't mind at all making sure everyone had what they needed, she finally felt like being a little selfish and taking time just for her little family.
As the palace faded away, and the village faded back into view, Kagome smiled whole-heartedly at Sesshoumaru, promises of never-ending eternities glowing in her eyes.
Sesshoumaru accepted those promises, giving them back to the giver until even time could not compete, and fled from between them.
~oOo~
Kagome watched with a contented smile as Sesshoumaru instructed Jaken to retrieve the children from Kaede; it was time for them to go home.
She felt such a profound relief at that knowledge; for too long she had been homeless, in a way, wandering all over the lands and even the other realms like a gypsy with wanderlust. But while she'd always liked to travel around and see things, she'd always loved having a home – someplace to come back to when she got tired of traveling around.
And while technically that home was a cave in the Western Lands, she had resources – it wouldn't be like living in Koga's cave would have been. She frowned a little as she thought of him – she'd been very wrong about him, it had become very clear there at the end. She could only be glad that she'd escaped the fate he'd had planned for her.
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms at those thoughts, feeling a bit chilled, immediately, Sesshoumaru was there, wrapping his pelt around her comfortingly.
“Why do you think of such things, Kagome?” he asked softly, wrapping his arms around her beneath his pelt. “That happened in the past, and will never happen again. As if I would allow such a weak creature to harm one I protect – you should never have feared him for even an instant.”
Kagome turned in his arms to look at him, her eyes a little haunted. But as he looked at her, he realized it wasn't just that – it was everything she'd seen and done since she'd been brought here. It was all inside her, and she needed the time to heal as much as to bond with him and their new family. Her soul was tattered, but it was intact, and he vowed that it would be healed completely, and by his hand.
He loved her too much, though he wasn't one to say it very often, to see that pained expression in her eyes, and not do everything he could to chase it away.
“I know, Sesshoumaru. And I knew you would come. But it doesn't change that it happened – or any of the other ugly things we've been through. They're all here inside me, and won't ever go away. But that's okay,” she sighed after a moment, seeing the desire in his eyes to wrap her soul in his and protect her forever, “because it's not just the bad that's there. There's a lot more good, happy memories, and that's what counts.”
She managed a smile for him, then, just as Jaken arrived with the children and Kaede. Letting her go after holding her gaze for a moment longer to make sure she would be okay, he inclined his head and stepped back so that she could speak with the elder miko and make her goodbyes. While she did that, he summoned Ah-Uhn and had both children and Jaken mount the dragon in preparation for their leavetaking.
“I'll check back in in a few days, Kaede, just to see how everyone is doing. But don't hesitate to call me if something happens, or even Sesshoumaru,” she said, her voice warming with affection. “The barriers around the village, though... those will be staying, so you should be safe from pretty much everything.” With a look at the woman who'd been a mentor for so long, she reached over and hugged her with honest affection, and then stepped back and turned to follow her mate, a final wave over her shoulder to the old miko sent along before they vanished from sight.
She smiled at the wonder-filled voices of the children and Jaken's wide eyes at sight of the other realms as they wandered the paths, taking a slightly longer trip than was strictly necessary. She knew he was doing it for Rin and Shippo, to let them see something that very few living ever had.
It was worth it; the looks of awe and innocent wonder on their faces were something she would never forget, and with a sidelong glance at Sesshoumaru, she saw that though he was not looking at them directly, he most certainly was watching their reactions.
After a few minutes of walking along, some of the worlds that could be reached from the paths showing through every so often for the children's benefit, Sesshoumaru ended the little walk, drawing them back into their earthbound realm to land lightly before the entrance to the cave.
The cave that Kagome had changed.
The one that didn't look like what Sesshoumaru was expecting it to look like.
He turned to her with a cocked brow, and she smiled charmingly at him.
“Well... did you think I was so busy taking care of everyone else, that I didn't think about our home, too? I wanted things settled enough so we could come home today, with the children, and be comfortable.” Her smile widened. “And I did, and we're going to be. Come on, let's go in!”
The children slid off Ah-Uhn with excited chatter echoing through the area, and Sesshoumaru let loose of the dragon as soon as Jaken clambered down as well, letting him go off to find food. Brow still quirked, he stepped through the entrance she had created, then looked around at the changes thoughtfully. He had to admit – the cave looked like a home, now, and not some hole in the wall place to sleep. She had considered their comfort and the necessities, as well.
He wandered deeper, wondering what she had done that had the children silent – that was not a normal state with them, but when he looked into their little areas, he understood immediately – she had given them space for themselves, with things neither would normally ever have had access to. Neither child knew what to say, but he decided that he was quite happy with the silence. And from the looks of things, the children would be busy with their own activities for some time.
Only one place left to see, he thought, and stepped into the smaller cavern that held the hot spring. A rather heated look entered his eyes, then – she had set their room at the far end of the cavern, with screens for privacy around the bathing area. That left quite a lot of space for their own area, and when he stepped into it, his eyes fell on the bed, and froze.
A predatory smirk lifted his lips as he took in the black bedding – he knew just what his little mate had been thinking when she chose that color, and he would be happy to accommodate her desires to see him laid across that bed with nothing on.
As soon as the children were in their own beds, and they had some privacy, of course. It would, after all, take some time for Kagome to enjoy the full effect of what she was craving, and if they didn't have enough time in the normal scheme of things, then he would just make the time. He considered for a moment, as he stared at the bed waiting for he and his mate, that it was a very useful thing, being a kami... very useful, indeed.
He turned just slightly to look at her over his shoulder when she wandered into the room, and his smirk took on an even more wicked edge as she looked at him, then the bed, and flushed.
“Was there a specific reason you chose black, mate?” he teased, allowing his pelt to lay at the foot of the bed as he removed his swords from his sash. “I would have thought you would have wanted something with more... vibrancy. Personally, I would have enjoyed crimson – you would look most delicious draped nude across such a color.”
“Sesshoumaru!” she hissed, waving her hands at him as she looked over her shoulder with embarrassment. He caught what her eyes were fixed on with such horror – Jaken had wandered into the room, probably to inquire into what orders his master had – but it was clear he'd caught an earful, because the poor gami was greener than Sesshoumaru had ever seen him.
The god of chaos was the only one in the room not embarrassed at all by what his retainer had heard. “If you do not wish to hear such things, Jaken, you will remain outside of this room,” he said blandly, turning back to look at the bed one more time even as the little gami scrambled out of there with a, “Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!” trailing behind him.
Kagome groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “Great... just great. That whole thing just got ruined by visions of getting interrupted by Jaken.” She lifted her head to glare at her shameless mate. “At this rate, that bed you seem so fascinated with won't be getting any use other than for sleep,” she warned, before turning on her heel to stomp out of the room.
She froze as Sesshoumaru said, “Do not bet on that, little mate. You would lose such a bet before it even got off the ground.” Not pausing as she had, he swept by her imperiously, heading back out into the main room; exhorting Jaken to gather wood for the fire, he began setting their new home to rights for their first day in it without further ado.
Kagome didn't say one word – after all, what could she say to her lecher of a mate?
She really didn't want to argue the point, anyway, because he was right – that bed would be getting plenty of use.
Just as soon as it was bedtime.
~oOo~
A/N: This story, I am proud to say, took 2nd Best Action/Adventure at the IYFG this term! I thought it was a great way to go out with a bang – only one more chapter left, and then probably an epilogue to finish.
I wanted to thank everyone that has followed along with this story, and I hope you enjoy it for many years to come!
Amber
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