InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Persistence ❯ Chapter 17 ( Chapter 17 )

Last Time…

 

“I had called your phone because I forgot to extend an invitation to Suteki's birthday party on June 1st. He was adamant that you be invited.” She smiled at the thought of the young child's sudden affinity for her.

 

“Sure, I'll be there. What time?”

 

“It'll be a small family gathering starting at 1pm on the 1st. He will be happy to hear you'll be there,” he said with a small smile. She grinned back.

 

Chapter 17

 

Kagome woke bright and early the next morning feeling refreshed and relaxed. Again, she had promised her grandfather that she would help him around the shrine grounds. She was happy to help grandpa reorganize the storage sheds and sweep the grounds. It gave her quiet time to mull things over in her head and in her heart. She cared about Sesshomaru but could she love him like he loves her? It seemed unfair to him if she didn't love him back after he waited centuries just to see her again. A blush covered her face as she remembered his closeness and his sexual suggestion at the shop earlier in the week. Sure, she was just goofing around but when she saw him over her, his arms on either side of her and looking at her with eyes swirling with lust, she could have swore he was ready to swoop down and kiss her. Actually, she felt slightly disappointed that he hadn't. What's taking him so long if he loves me like he does? Why is he hesitating? Is it possible that he's not sure how to tell me? He wasn't exactly Mr. Shy in the past. Kagome chewed over these thoughts while she finished up the small list of chores her grandfather had left her (and he, of course, had gone to visit a friend. What a sneak, Kagome thought).

 

Stretching her warm muscles, Kagome sauntered into the house and up the stairs to her bedroom two hours later. She had just finished up her list of chores and had come to a conclusion; she needed to call some people who would have answers to her questions. She sat on her bed and crossed her legs while pulling out her cell. She scrolled through her address book until the number she was looking for showed up. Hopefully this call would answer some of her questions.

 

 

“Hi. I have some questions about mating stuff,” Kagome said quietly into the phone, feeling embarrassed for asking such questions. Kagome could hear the grin in the person's voice on the other end of the phone call and some shuffling around. From the way the noise was crackling in and out like a walky-talky, she knew she had been put on speaker phone. Great, everyone gets to hear my embarrassing conversation.

 

So she read the diary. “Sure, Kagome. What do you need to know?”

 

“What... how does it work with a human and demon? I mean, is there marking or anything? Is… is it different from, you know, human and human?”

 

Shippo glanced over at Shiori, hearing everything Kagome said and noticed the thoughtful expression on his wife's face. “Well, the thing is, it might be different between a demon and a human. Since I'm half demon that could mean I might tell you something incorrect.”

 

“Oh,” Kagome said, leaning back against the wall as she sat on her bed. It made sense. “But Shiori didn't your mother mate with your father who was a full demon?”

 

“Yes, but my father was killed long before I learned anything about mating and my mother would start to tear up any time she talked about him. So, to keep her from crying, I never asked her about it,” Shiori explained, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Besides, I'm a half demon and mom was human.” Kagome noted the quiet tone to Shiori's voice, a woman who she knew to be almost obnoxiously bubbly and upbeat. Kagome remembered the battle with Taigokumaru that saved Shiori's mother's village. She recalled the little girl's cries of pain and sadness for her mother. Shippo and Shiori shared a meaningful look between themselves during the silence. Shiori cleared her throat.

 

“There is someone, though, who might be able to help you,” Shiori added. “I'm going to give you a phone number and I want you to call it tomorrow. It's 507-555-1207. That's Saiko's phone number. She's a demon that Sesshomaru has done lots of work with. She knows him well and she'd be a better person to talk with about this whole mating thing.” Kagome looked down at the phone number she had scrawled across the small Hello Kitty sticky pad she had sitting on her night stand.

 

“Okay, I'll call her tomorrow. Thanks,” she said, smiling. She thanked them for the help and bid them goodnight. Before she hung up, they offered to pick her up for Suteki's birthday party on the following weekend. Kagome gladly accepted. After they hung up, Shiori swatted Shippo's shoulder.

 

“She's going to kill you for that, you realize. You and I are both well aware of how it all works.”

 

Shippo laughed. “Yeah, but Saiko has some stories about Sesshomaru that Kagome might like to hear.

 

 

---000---

 

 

The next afternoon, Kagome called Saiko and introduced herself as a friend of Shiori and Shippo. Saiko agreed to meet with Kagome though she wasn't sure what to expect and Kagome hadn't quite explained on the phone what she needed to talk about. They agreed to meet at a quiet coffee hang out that was frequented by college students.

 

On Tuesday afternoon, Saiko left the office early to go to the Coffee Hag, the place they had decided to meet. She ordered herself a mug of Kona Blend, black, and waited for Kagome to arrive. It had been a warm afternoon and she shrugged off her suit jacket, laying it over the back of her chair. She didn't know what this Kagome looked like but she had imagined her having a sense of free-spiritedness about her. She heard the bell on the door chime and looked up, her shoulders tensing slightly in anticipation. She watched a guy and a girl enter and her shoulders slumped. She glanced up as she sat back in her chair and saw another girl enter after the couple. She was a petite girl with long, thick black hair. She was wearing khaki capris and a pink tank top under a white zip-up hoody. High schooler she thought to herself. The girl hesitantly walked into the shop, her eyes seemingly searching for someone. Her eyes connected and held Saiko's for a moment. The girl's expression brightened a second later and she grinned, beginning to walk over to Saiko. She put out her hand as she approached.

 

“Hi, you're Saiko?” the girl asked. Saiko nodded. “I'm Kagome.” Saiko's eyes widened a little and she took Kagome's hand, shaking it firmly.

 

“It's nice to finally meet you, Kagome,” Saiko said, her eyes evaluating Kagome. Though she looked young she had an aura of an old spirit; a certain depth that most girls her age didn't have.

 

At the same time, Kagome evaluated Saiko. She had long, pale orange hair and almond-shaped brown eyes with long lashes. What had made her notice her right away and decide the woman was Saiko were her arms. With her suit jacket lying over the back of her chair, Saiko's arms were left bare due to her sleeveless burgundy blouse. Saiko's arms were tattooed from her wrists up to her shoulders and most likely over her shoulders and back. Kagome had a niggling of a thought of whether her chest was also tattooed but decided it was none of her business.

 

Clearing her throat, Kagome sat down at the table. “So, how do you know Sesshomaru?” she asked. Saiko's eyes widened. She hadn't fully realized what they were going to talk about but apparently it involved him.

 

“He did all of my tattoos,” Saiko said. “I'm the assistant to the Morimoto Foundation's CEO.” Kagome's eyebrows lifted. She had never seen anyone with tattoos like Saiko's and nor had she met anyone who worked so high up in Tokyo's business world.

 

Kagome leaned forward, “what kind of demon are you?” She wasn't sure how widely known or even accepted demons were in her era. Sure, she had never heard of anything sensational or news worthy regarding demons but perhaps she had turned a blind eye to it in the past due to naivety.

 

“I'm part gazelle mixed with lynx,” she answered. “How do you know Sesshomaru?” Kagome smiled, embarrassed that she had been asking questions without giving information about herself first.

 

“Most demons would probably know me as the Shikon Miko.” Saiko's eyes widened. It's her.

 

“So you're the Miko,” she said, settling against the back of her chair.

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Sesshomaru once told me about a Miko he was waiting for. When I was at the shop once getting a piece on my back done I asked him why he was still single. I mean, obviously he's a good looking guy so it seemed odd to me that he was single. He told me about a Miko from the feudal times that he was waiting to see again. Weird, but it's Sesshomaru. Then, a few years later, he called me up to tell me he had found her.” Saiko leaned forward and looked Kagome in the eye. “Are you her?” Kagome blushed at this.

 

“Maybe it's me. Maybe it's not”, she said, clearing her throat. She needed to stay on task or she knew she wouldn't get any answers. “Are you mated, Saiko?”

 

Saiko blinked. “No, I'm not, but I have two younger sisters and one younger brother who are mated. My sisters mated full demons but my brother mated a human girl.” Kagome nodded.

 

“Well, I wanted to meet with you to ask you questions about mating practices. I was trying to ask Shippo and Shiori the other day but they wanted me to talk to someone who might know more about mating between humans and demons. They gave me your number and told me to talk to you.”

 

“Okay, sure. What are your questions?”

 

“Um...” Kagome said, blushing. “Does it involve mating marks, biting, blood fusions, or some other kind of ritual? And, if so, is it something that has to be done during the act?” she asked, her eyes wide and curious. Saiko stared openly at Kagome. Kagome suddenly felt stupid for asking the question.

 

“Bite each other? Mating marks? Blood fusions? What the hell have you been reading? I swear, some of the ideas humans have about demon mating practices are disgusting and grossly outdated.”

 

“I'm sorry,” Kagome apologized meekly. “I just thought, I guess…” She continued to blush. Saiko calmed herself and smiled at Kagome.

 

“Sorry, I didn't mean to blow up at you. Let me clarify. What I meant to say was that your worries are way off base, Kagome. Just like humans, demons evolved and changed with time.”

 

“Then… it's just normal consummation?”

 

“Yes. It's sex,” Saiko said with a slight smile. No wonder he likes her. She's very curious and bold while still being modest. Gah, I can't take it! I have to ask! She leaned forward and asked, “So, have you decided?” Kagome stared blankly back at her.

 

“Decided what?”

 

“If you're going to say yes to Sesshomaru!” Kagome tilted her head slightly and blinked. She hadn't directly told Saiko about him courting her.

 

“Oh, not yet.”

 

“Not yet? I know you're the only one he's been dating because he told me.” Saiko leaned forward again, looking Kagome eye-to-eye. “If you say no, it will kill him.” Kagome met Saiko's gaze.

 

“I would never hurt him; but let's keep this conversation between us for now,” she replied with a sly smile.

 

 

 

---000---

 

 

 

Kagome wrapped Suteki's present in bright turquoise wrapping paper and tied it with a shiny red ribbon that she curled with the scissors. Having remembered how much he enjoyed pulling up the grass at the castle, Kagome thought it would be a fun idea to get him one of those plastic push mowers that shoots out bubbles when you move it. She imagined the young boy's gleeful giggles and smiled. She searched the toy stores for three days before she came across one.

 

Her mind had been swarming with thoughts about Sesshomaru all week. The instance at the shop played over and over in her head and she had woken up more than once in a cold sweat and with an embarrassingly moist crotch. Kagome shook it off as hormones. Sure, girls her age were still maturing and it was normal to be having sexy dreams about sexy demons… Kagome sighed as she got dressed, pulling on a pair of white capris and a short sleeved aqua shirt with the material gathered at the front, right under her breasts. Maybe this will encourage him to stop pussy footing around, she thought. Suteki's wrapped present under one arm, she set off down the myriad of steps to reach the street in front of the shrine. She stood clutching the present, she pulled tendrils of wild hair away from her face as she waited for Shippo and Shiori to arrive.

 

Glancing down the street, she saw their black Accord turn the corner and make its way to her. She smiled when she saw Sachi's small hand waving out the window at her. She was excited to see her newly acquired grandchildren Simon and Sachi again; she felt like she had already missed out on so much of their lives. The back door popped open and Sachi insisted on sitting on her lap in the car. Kagome hugged the little boy close to her after she buckled herself in and then told embarrassing stories about when Shippo was his size. Shippo laughed nervously from the driver's seat.

 

When they arrived at the castle, they made their way to the back garden. They sure do use this a lot, Kagome thought herself. She didn't mind much. The garden was a beautiful escape from the concrete jungle of Tokyo. It reminded her of the feudal era with all of the foliage, water, and natural elements. Along the edge of the Koi pond were several tables set up and covered with white linen cloths. Large bundles of colorful balloons attached to ribbons floated at the corners of the tables and were strung on the rails of the bridge that spanned the pond. The tables were covered with dishes of food, pastries, and drinks. Setting their gifts on a table that was clearly becoming the gift table, they approached the other party guests. She noticed that she didn't see Sesshomaru anywhere among the people gathered and talking. As she stood, looking at the other guests Suteki ran up to her, stopping just short of crashing into her.

 

“You came!” he cheered joyfully.

 

“Surprise!” Kagome said, smiling down at the boy, “your Uncle Sesshomaru invited me.” Suteki grinned and ran off again when Simon ran past him, yelling something about Ira catching a frog.

 

Kagome walked over and hugged Inuyasha, Nyuka, and their daughter Arisa. She was introduced to their sons Yoshi and Konsui and also their daughter Hayoko. Yoshi was a perfect combination of his parents while both Konsui and Hayoko looked more like Inuyasha. Kagome was amazed at Hayoko's resemblance to Inuyasha with long, white hair and triangular ears perched on the top of her head. It turned out that Yoshi was Setsuzoku's father, making Suteki his grandson.

 

“I thought you said your kids were in their 20s, Inuyasha,” Kagome inquired. “How can you be a great-great grandfather then?” Yoshi let out a robust laugh.

 

“Dad never could remember how old we are,” he said, leaning over to Kagome and talking animatedly behind his hand. “His age is starting to show.” Kagome grinned and saw Inuyasha huff lightly. “I'm actually a bit older than my siblings. I'm 37 while Hayoko is 28, Konsui is 25, and the twins are 13.” Kagome's brows quickly quirked together.

 

“Wait.. But Inuyasha's so young-“ she began but was cut off.

 

“Well, I'm not that young actually. In `human years' I look like I'm about 57 but in demon years I'm much, much older,” Inuyasha explained. “Remember Kagome. You went through the well but we went through 500 years before getting here.”

 

“Oh. That's right.” Their conversation was halted when Suteki ran up, breathless and giggling.

 

“Mama… can… we… *gasp* open… *gasp* presents?” he huffed and puffed, clinging to Chimitsu's pant leg. She smiled down at him and nodded. In a flash Suteki was standing by the gift table, anxiously waiting for the adults to make their way over to join him so that he could start. His younger relatives had already taken seats on the grass, lounging back on their elbows. Kagome looked around, becoming increasingly aware that Sesshomaru was not present. That's so odd. I don't see him as the type to Miss Suteki's birthday party. Especially when it was him who passed the invitation on to me. A chill swept up her back, reaching her neck and causing the hairs to stand on end. In reflex her back straightened and her eyes darted around for danger. This was the feeling she always had in the feudal era when danger was coming. A warm arm brushed against hers and her eyes looked to the left in time to see Sesshomaru walk past with a large box in his arms. It was wrapped in blue with white moons scattered about the paper. He leaned down and set the box near the pile Suteki had already started unwrapping. He stood and placed his hands on his hips, looking down at Suteki with a wry smile.

 

“Starting without me?” he asked but he was not graced with an answer as Suteki continued to unwrap his presents. Sesshomaru snorted lightly and leaned against one of the cloth covered tables. Kagome's eyes swept over him, taking in the dark jeans, Birkenstocks and white long-sleeve crew cut shirt pushed up to his elbows. He makes looking good seem simple. Her eyes trailed down his arms from the elbow, pausing over the magenta stripes curved around his wrists. Here was the feudal Lord Sesshomaru wearing modern clothes and looking down at his great-great nephew with a smirk. It's good to know he likes kids. That must be some of Rin's influence.. She smiled and went back to watching Suteki open his gifts.

 

Sesshomaru stood and watched his great-great-nephew open his presents. He had purposefully brushed against Kagome as he brought Suteki's present to the table. Glancing up at the castle, he noted the shadowed figure hovering by the window of the central wing. Come to watch her, have you Takeshi? Sesshomaru smiled to himself. After the way Takeshi and Jirou had spoken to Kagome the morning she was at the castle recovering, it was likely that Takeshi had no chance convincing Kagome either way.

 

When it was all said and done Suteki had an impressive pile of unwrapped gifts. Ira, Simon, and Sachi had all been in awe when Suteki unwrapped a 12 inch tall remote control car. It was bright orange with huge tires. Suteki turned to Sesshomaru with wide eyes and a huge grin. “Really?” he asked Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru merely nodded with a smile. The other gifts forgotten, the young boys took the RC car to play with it. While the kids were off playing, the adults sat down to chat for a bit. Kagome excused herself to go use the restroom. Inuyasha gave her quick directions for how to find it in the castle.

 

Kagome walked up the stairs in the back garden area where they had held the Vernal Equinox celebration. She recalled Jirou's interruption and then the proclamation of the Writ of Taishou and how it seemed to be messing things up for Sesshomaru. She sighed, climbing the stairs to the top and exiting through the double doors that were situated at the top. Okay, go up the stairs and through the double doors then take a right down until you get to the third door on the left. That's the bathroom. Got it. Now, three doors down - hah! That's a band! I wonder if Inuyasha knew he made a funny-

 

“Hello Priestess, we meet again,” a smooth voice creeped into her ears. Startled from her thoughts, Kagome glanced to her right and saw Takeshi standing in the doorway of a room.

 

“Takeshi-san. What are you doing here?” she asked, somewhat startled and uncomfortable with being alone in the castle with him. She was weary of him; afraid that he might do something - anything - drastic in order to claim the title of Lord of the Western Lands

 

“According to Lord Sesshomaru, my father and I are allowed to stay at the castle until the Writ is either fulfilled or unsuccessful.”

 

“Oh,” Kagome said, moving to continue her journey to the bathroom. Takeshi reached out and grasped her wrist, causing Kagome to freeze on the spot. He's touching me. Oh no, oh no, oh no. What is he going to do to me? She turned to him, her eyes wide and scared.

 

“Kagome Higurashi, I would like to apologize on behalf of my father and myself for our behaviour a few weeks ago when you were here having breakfast at our table. It was wrong and rude of us to say such things to you, especially when they are not our business. Please, accept my apology,” Takeshi said, looking into Kagome's eyes. He knew somehow he would benefit by staying in the young priestess's good graces. Kagome stared back at him, her eyes flitting to glance at his hands now clasping the one he had caught. She looked back up into his eyes.

 

“Oh, of course. Don't worry about it!” Takeshi smiled and released her hand that he had been holding between his own. He straightened and slipped his hands into the sleeves of his haori. It was at this time that Kagome noticed that he wasn't dressed in modern clothes and was wearing a traditional haori and hakamas. How odd, she thought to herself. Outside in the garden was Sesshomaru, dressed in modern clothing and here was his cousin, dressed in traditional garb. Kagome shrugged it off as a personal quirk.

 

She nodded to Takeshi and turned to continue down the hall to the bathroom (she really had to go now!). She reached the bathroom and shut the door behind her. After easing the pressure of her amazingly large bladder, Kagome washed her hands and slipped out of the bathroom. She groaned inwardly when she noticed Takeshi was still standing outside of the room he had come out of. Ew, did he just stand there and listen to me go to the bathroom? Ugh, gross. She lowered her head and quickly made to walk past him when she heard Takeshi's voice ring out once again in the barren hallway.

 

“By the looks of things, I may be the new Lord of the Western Lands before long,” he said, hiding a smirk as he saw her whirl around and plant her feet firmly on the floor. Kagome was livid. How dare this jerk say something like that! Her left fist dug into her hip and she raised her right hand meaningfully, her index finger extended to point at Takeshi.

 

“You listen here, Takeshi-san. You're wrong. I think you really underestimate Sesshomaru. Before you know it he's going to retain his title and you're going to be kicked out onto the street, ass-end-up!” She whirled back around and shuffled maddeningly fast away from him and through the double doors. Kagome made her way back outside, a frown marring her facial expression. Nyuka looked up from her conversation with Hayoko and noticed Kagome's expression.

 

“Is anything wrong, Kagome?” she asked.

 

"Oh, it's all fine! No problems! I think I'll go over here and see what the kids are doing,” she said, walking past the adults to see what Sachi, Simon, and Ira were doing with the remote control car. Kagome walked with purpose toward the children, trying her best to hide her discomfort and fuming anger. I just need a little time to cool down she told herself. Kagome walked over to the edge of the Koi pond and looked up, realizing she couldn't see the children. She raised her left hand to shield her eyes, looking left and right to try to find them. Hearing giggles off to her right, she looked over and saw the boys across the garden near a grove of trees. She raised her right arm and began waving it wildly in the air.

 

“Hey guys!!!” she yelled, trying to get their attention. Her foot began to slip and little on the bank of the pond as she felt the soil give way under her weight. Kagome flailed her arms as she careened backward, bracing herself to hit the cold water of the pond. She scrunched her eyes shut and screamed. The water was warm and… solid? Kagome cracked her eyes open and saw Sesshomaru's smiling face looking down at her. His smile grew into a grin which grew into a laugh. Kagome blushed but stared up at him as he laughed. Who knew he would sound so happy when he laughed. Sesshomaru tilted her back up and pulled her a few feet away from the bank of the pond.

 

“It's a bit cold to go swimming yet, Kagome. You always were a little clumsy,” he said, still laughing a little. Kagome blushed and swatted at his chest. She stood and brushed imaginary dirt off of her and then walked with him over to where the rest of the adults were sitting. Sesshomaru glanced up at the windows of the castle and saw a Takeshi-shaped shadow turn and stomp away from view. Sesshomaru could hear his growl of frustration from where he was standing. He smirked to himself and mentally put another check mark under his name on the score board in his mind. Sesshomaru one, Takeshi zero to infinity.

 

“I guess the kids are fine without me,” she said, her cheeks dusted rosy pink. Sesshomaru sat down beside her on the rounded picnic table.

 

Inuyasha and Shippo exchanged knowing looks before Inuyasha cleared his throat. “So, Sesshomaru, how's your mate search going? I suspect, by now, you have it narrowed down to one girl. Am I right?” he asked, an arrogant glint passing over his eyes. Sesshomaru threaded his fingers together, resting them on the table.

 

“Possibly,” he said. Kagome watched him as he coolly answered Inuyasha's question. Was it her or was it someone else when he said `possibly'? No, it had to be her if he loved her as much as Rin wrote. Her brain started itching and her mouth had words that would scratch it!

 

“Well, does the girl know much about you?” she blurted. Everyone looked at her in confusion. “I mean, in order to marry someone, you should know certain things such as likes and dislikes. It's foolish if you don't. She probably won't say yes if she knows nothing about you other than you need a baby, like, NOW.” Sesshomaru paused.

 

“What sorts of things?” he asked, his eyes looking upon her face.

 

“Well, you know. What kind of foods you like, allergies, types of animals you like or don't like, prejudices, and temperament. Oh, and your parenting and discipline style. A girl would need to know that kind of stuff, especially if she's only known you for about 2 months and you expect her to have children with you.”

 

Sesshomaru sat silent for a moment. Everyone's eyes seemed glued to him. He looked away from her and threaded the fingers of his hands together again and looked down at them.

 

“I hate Okra. I think it's a shame more people don't recycle. I think children should respect their parents yet voice their opinions when they feel their parents have not been fair. Contrary to popular belief I like cats. I do not think humans are inferior and I actually do have a heart. My doctor can prove it.”

 

“Doctor? Aren't you immune to everything?” Sesshomaru calmly blinked at her. Seeing that he wasn't going to elaborate, Inuyasha smirked.

 

“Allow me to explain. We were playing soccer at a party 30 years back and he fell into some poison ivy-“

 

“Oh!”

 

“Wait, it gets better,” he said, beginning to hiccup with laughter. “Somehow, and we're not quite sure how, he came out of the brush with a severed finger,” he explained, wiggling the pinky on his right hand. Kagome's hands went to cover her mouth as she gasped.

 

“Oh no!” she cried, her eyes immediately flitted over to Sesshomaru's clasped hands. She reached over to separate them and held his right hand in front of her face, palm toward her. She inspected each finger and noted that his pinky finger did have a slight kilter to it. Sesshomaru smirked at her intense concentration on his hand. His eyes held a spark of mischief when his hand suddenly flexed and covered Kagome's face. She shrieked and pulled his hand away, scowling. He chuckled lightly.

 

“Sorry. Moment of immaturity,” he said.

 

“I'll say,” she grumbled, trying to get her heart rate to calm down, “I think maybe YOU need to take a dip in the pond. Did you forget you have claws? Poisonous ones at that?” Sesshomaru gave her a pointed look, his eyes holding hurt emotions. She knew he would never hurt her but it still scared the socks off of her. Immediately feeling chastised, she slouched a little bit. “Sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you. So that's when you went to the doctor?”

 

“Yes. One of the few times,” he stated, mentally smashing his head against a wall. I didn't mean to scare her.

 

“But… how old are you? I mean, are you immortal or will you die at some point? Because if you mate a demoness I can see that working but what if you mate with a hanyou or a human? Won't she die and then you'll be alone again?” she asked. Kagome had been thinking of this all week. If he chooses her as his mate, won't she die before him? That would leave him lonely for a very long time and possibly with hanyou children. If she died and left him alone there was no way she could say yes. She didn't want to hurt him like that or their offspring. Hearing the concern in her voice, Sesshomaru's heart swooned, not realizing she knew how he felt all this time. She cares so much about whether I'm alone or not. She is truly a good woman.

 

“There may be ways around such things. None have been discovered yet but, if I need to, I will find the answers,” he said to her. Sesshomaru took notice of Kagome relaxing after he answered her. An eyebrow gently rose up as he looked over toward the children. Has she figured it out?

 

 

They stayed until long after the sun had set and torches had been lit. Kagome hid a yawn while carrying Sachi back to the car. She couldn't wait for his birthday party so that she could shower her new grandchild with gifts. She laughed in her head. I have grandchildren. Sheesh! Tired from the excitement of the day, Simon and Sachi promptly fell asleep before the car even left the driveway of the castle. Kagome's thoughts drifted toward Sesshomaru and the issue of their contrasting life spans during the drive home. Sachi slept quietly, snuggled against her side in the car. She gently ran her fingers through his hair as she thought about her future with the Taiyouki.

 

She quietly bid Shippo and Shiori farewell when they dropped her off at the foot of the shrine steps. She slowly made her way to the top, stopping at the top when her cell phone began ringing.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hi Kagome! It's Li Chang, from trig class!” a girl's voice said.

 

“Oh, Hi Li! How are you?” Kagome hadn't thought of Li in weeks since school was over. Frankly, she hadn't thought about anyone but Sesshomaru lately.

 

“I'm good. Remember that concert I had told you my uncle would be playing in? Well, I have two tickets that I haven't been able to sell for Thursday night's performance and I was wondering if you wanted them? I know you really like music so I was wondering if maybe you and your mom wanted to go?”

 

Kagome considered the offer for a moment. Sure, she liked music but she knew what kind of music Li was referring to and wasn't sure whether she wanted to say yes until an idea materialized in her mind. “Sure Li, I'll take them! You said it's on Thursday; what time?”

 

“It's at 7:30pm sharp. I'll put them under your name at the ticket counter so you don't have to pick them up or anything, okay? Thanks a ton, Kagome! Can't wait to see you there! Buh-bye!”

 

“Bye!” Kagome replied, a smile forming on her face. Oh yes, she had a plan. Kagome quickly dialed another number and waited for the person to pick up.

 

“Missing me already?” Sesshomaru's smooth voice caressed her ear when he answered. Kagome suppressed an excited shudder.

 

“But of course,” she cooed with as much sarcasm as she could muster without giving away the truth. “I would like to formally thank you, Sesshomaru, for saving this damsel in distress earlier today. I have two tickets to a concert on Thursday night at 7:30pm and I was wondering if you would do me the honor of attending it with me.”

 

“A rock concert? I hardly think blowing my ears off with loud music is an appropriate way to show your appreciation, Kagome,” he droned feeling somewhat perplexed.

 

“Not a rock concert, stupid. It's a traditional type concert with Sumerian gamelan and Tibetan singing bowls. So, Thursday, 7:30pm okay?” Sesshomaru thought for a moment. He knew for a fact that he had a late appointment with some important business men from China that afternoon but he was sure he could meet her there.

 

“Okay. I have a late appointment that day so I'll meet you there. Where will it be at?”

 

“It's at Hakuju Hall. I'll just meet you there at 7:00pm then, okay?” Kagome crossed her fingers and toes that he would say yes. Sesshomaru could nearly feel her fretful demeanor over the phone and smiled.

 

“Of course. I will see you then, Kagome,” his voice purred. Kagome felt an electric-laced chill race over her body and she quickly said goodbye. Sesshomaru set his phone down on the coffee table in his apartment and leaned back on the couch. Perhaps it's time to do some confessing.

 

 

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This has been the re-write. I decided that it's finally how I want it and I'm MUCH happier with it.

 

The pic my concept of Saiko is based off of (sans the hair) can be found on my gradualwisd0m(dot)blogspot(dot)com entry for May 12th. I also posted the concept clothing for Kagome in this chapter on a post dated 5/30.