InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part IV): Power of the Purified Shinju ❯ Mother's Words ( Chapter 31 )

Chapter Thirty-One

Mother's Words

Kagome waited while Sesshoumaru slowly took in his surrounding and then led him inside. "Everyone's asleep," she whispered and directed him to her own room. Though she slept in Sesshoumaru's bed and was often intimate with him, she felt strangely awkward having him in her bedroom but didn't let it show. She was tired and quickly found some of her pajamas to wear and quietly went to the bathroom to change and get cleaned up. When she returned he was lying on her bed nearly asleep. She looked at him softly and climbed in beside him. She turned onto her side and smiled when she felt his arm wrap around her and begin rubbing her stomach softly.

Kagome woke early in the morning and decided to get up so she could prepare her mother for Sesshoumaru. She slipped in for a bath and was relaxing comfortably when she was suddenly heard Souta yelling. Kagome quickly got out of the tub and wrapped herself in a bath robe. Souta was now downstairs so Kagome went into her room. Sesshoumaru was standing in the middle of her room and gave her a sideways glance when she rushed in.

"I assume that is the brother that you have spoken of." He said with a small amount of amusement in his voice. She stood there staring at him for a moment and he then gestured towards her door where Buyo sat cleaning himself. "That's my cat." She said hesitantly.

Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow slightly at her odd comment. "Kagome, I am aware that the animal is not your brother. You left the door open and your pet wandered in to the room. The young boy followed and was startled by my presence." Kagome smiled slightly and then let out a laugh. "I guess we better go introduce you to my family."

Seconds later Kagome heard footsteps on the stairs and realized that her mother and grandfather were coming up quickly. She walked to Sesshoumaru's side and he immediately pulled her close to him and put his arm around her protectively.

Kagome's mother quickly entered the room followed by her grandfather. Mrs. Higurashi looked at her daughter briefly then her gaze moved to Sesshoumaru. She looked him over for a moment; her eyes seemed to be drilling into his soul. She then turned back to her daughter and spoke in a somewhat stern voice.

"Kagome, I would like to speak with you." Sesshoumaru's arm tightened around Kagome instinctively. Kagome turned to him and smiled. "I'll be right back. You can wait in here until I'm done, then we can go down together and I will introduce you properly." Sesshoumaru's gaze flicked to Kagome's mother and then back to Kagome. He nodded slightly and watched as they all walked out of the room.

Mrs. Higurashi led Kagome to the den where they could be alone and turned to her daughter. "I can only assume that man is Sesshoumaru." Kagome could immediately tell that her mother did not like the idea that Kagome had snuck him in at night, nor that they had slept in the same bed while under her roof. Kagome nodded and looked at the ground.

"When did the two of you arrive?" Kagome looked up at her mother and began to speak softly. "We came through last night. Sesshoumaru thought it would be proper for him to meet you."

"I am not comfortable with the idea of my daughter sneaking in at night and sharing her bed with a man that I do not know." Her words were curt and to the point. Kagome looked back to the ground before she began to speak.

"I'm sorry. I come home at night so that I won't be seen by anyone. I don't want to bring shame to you and grandfather." Mrs. Higurashi immediately felt guilty and her tone softened. "I am not ashamed of you. However, I would like to speak with Sesshoumaru today." Kagome looked up quickly, not sure how a talk between Sesshoumaru and her mother would go over.

"Can it please wait until everyone has been properly introduced?" Her mother looked at her and then nodded. "I will finish making breakfast now. Please get dressed and then the two of you can come down." Kagome simply gave a slight nod and then headed for her bedroom. Sesshoumaru was at her side the moment she entered.

"I am going to get dressed and then we will go down and meet with my family." Sesshoumaru nodded and then pulled Kagome to him. After a moment she backed away and left to dress. She and Sesshoumaru joined her family for breakfast. She was shocked when Sesshoumaru willingly took the food that her mother offered him and ate with her family.

He and her grandfather spoke during the meal and he even answered a few questions that Souta had asked him. However, she could see the tension between Sesshoumaru and her mother. As soon as the meal was finished Mrs. Higurashi approached Sesshoumaru and asked to speak with him in the study. He glanced at Kagome and politely agreed. Kagome nervously watched as the two walked away together.

Sesshoumaru stood silently in the room. Mrs. Higurashi did not offer him a seat or any other hospitality. She simply stared down the demon that was in front of her before coming straight to her point.

"I do not like the idea of my only daughter sneaking into my house late at night with a man that I don't know. Nor do I like the idea of her sharing a bed with him." Sesshoumaru remained motionless as she continued. "Is my daughter safe with you?"

Sesshoumaru tensed at the accusing tone. "I assure you that I will allow no one to harm Kagome." Kagome's mother watched him for a moment before speaking again. "What about this Naraku? Is he still a threat to my daughter?"

"He is no longer capable of bringing Kagome harm. Though even if he were, I would not allow it." Mrs. Higurashi stepped closer to Sesshoumaru. "Weren't you there both times he took my daughter?" Sesshoumaru instantly bristled at her words, knowing they were true.

"Never again will I allow anyone to harm Kagome, in any way." Sesshoumaru felt himself growing angry at the woman that had made Kagome feel dirty about being with him. "I will protect Kagome and our child from any that is a threat. That includes you. If I ever again find that you have made her feel ashamed for what has happened to her or her relationship with me, I will see that the well is destroyed."

Mrs. Higurashi contemplated his words briefly and finally spoke again. "What will you do if you find out you are not the father of Kagome's baby?" He nearly winced at her comment. This woman thought of the child as Kagome's and clearly did not acknowledge him as the father.

Sesshoumaru felt his rational thoughts leaving him. His basic demon instincts to protect his mate and pup from a potential danger were showing themselves. He found himself fighting off a growl and knew that if he didn't leave the room soon, he wouldn't be able to stop his instincts from overwhelming him. Finally he gained enough control to be able to speak. "Now is not a suitable time for us to continue this conversation."

He left the room and returned to Kagome's bedroom. She was sitting on the bed and rushed to him the moment he entered. She could feel his rage and hesitated for a second and then put her arms around him. Almost instantly she could feel him relax. She asked him what had happened and he told her what had been said. Kagome looked up at him sadly.

"She's just worried about me. In my time, it's not uncommon for men to abandon women when they're pregnant or have children." Sesshoumaru looked down at her for a moment and then hugged her to him. "That is disgraceful. Any male that would abandon his mate and child has no honor and should suffer for his deplorable actions." Kagome glanced up at him.

"InuYasha told me that demons mark their mates…" He looked down at her and waited for her to finish but she didn't. "You want to know why I haven't placed a mark on you." He said and pulled her to him again. "When demon's mark their mates it is quite painful and animalistic. I refuse to put you through that, Kagome. Especially, while you are carrying our child. I have given my word to love and protect you and I will honor that. A mark would not change anything. I have no intentions of abandoning you."

Kagome did her best to hide her disappointment. Though she knew that Sesshoumaru loved her and would always protect her, ever since InuYasha had explained it to her, she had hoped that Sesshoumaru would mark her as his. To demons, a mark meant that the two were bound together for life. She dropped the subject but was left feeling somewhat saddened and rejected.