InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sweet Betrayal ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Sesshoumaru settled back against the tree he'd chosen as his resting spot for the night, and watched, perfectly content and at peace, as his new mate, and ward, prepared the rabbit he'd hunted for them for their dinner.

He was filled with a satisfaction he'd never felt before as his eyes lingered on his female, and he actually smiled inwardly to himself as she seemed to feel his gaze on her and looked up, only to blush deeply when she met his eyes. After a few moments, she smiled softly and dropped her eyes shyly.

It was enough to heat his blood – that she was still so shy...

Apparently, the innocence she carried would always be a part of her... and it seemed that that was something that would forever affect him - always make him want her.

With a complacent expression settling on his features, he turned his gaze to the evening skies, allowing her to get back to her task, and let his thoughts wander to the past year – and his current good fortune.

It was sometimes surprising to him how quickly she had gained his attention.

Human or not, once he'd known that she was a priestess, his disdain towards her had disappeared – it truly did not matter that she was human. Not that she truly still was, he thought with satisfaction. No... when he'd claimed her, he'd drenched her body in so much of his youki, that he'd frozen her mortal body in it's current state – meaning that she would never leave him.

At least... not until he, himself, was dead.

No... after everything he'd gone through to get the little miko, he wasn't about to let time, or anything else, take her from him – what he claimed, stayed claimed.

I think it is time to let the half-breed find us – I know he is looking, since I have felt him and his traitorous companions attempting to track me. I greatly look forward to seeing all of their faces when they see my mate.

A sense of satisfaction went through him, and he could hardly wait to gloat to his half-breed half-brother... he'd gained a most powerful and beautiful mate, destroyed the spider that Inuyasha had been hunting for years, and helped his sweet female complete the jewel that the fool had craved for so long.

Yes... this Sesshoumaru has definitely gained far more than that idiot will ever have.

And that is as it should be.

With an inaudible sigh of complacency, he drifted back from his thoughts, and let his eyes wander back to his little miko. It was no surprise to find that he had wandered far in his thoughts, and much time had passed – she was getting Rin settled to sleep, and preparing to go bathe.

Perhaps I should join her...

“Jaken.”

The toad snapped to attention immediately. “Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?”

He met Kagome's gaze with a wicked spark in his eye; she blushed at the look. “You will watch Rin. My mate and I will return after we bathe.”

Kagome blushed even brighter at his words, completely embarrassed that he'd said something like that out loud – Jaken wasn't stupid, and he now knew what his Lord was planning to do.

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama, I will make sure everything is kept safe for milord!”

Dismissing the toad entirely, Sesshoumaru stood and held out his arm for Kagome, and she stood up as well, grabbing her supplies, she let him lead her from their camp with no argument. No point in it, really – after all, he was Sesshoumaru, and he was her mate. If he wanted her... who was she to argue?

And besides... I love him. I can barely believe he wanted me, Kagome Higurashi – how could I deny him? Even though he doesn't love me... at least he cares. That thought sent a small throb of hurt through her, but she repressed it. He cares for me, and he wants me... it's more than I thought I'd ever have.

As soon as they stepped foot into the secluded grotto of the hot springs, a barrier went up – Sesshoumaru had no intention of letting anyone get the chance to see his female nude save him, nor did he want to wake Rin from her slumber with his vocalizations of pleasure.

That there would be noise was a given – Kagome pleased him as no other ever had, and he felt no need to hold himself back from her in their intimate moments. He wanted her to know that she pleased him.

He reached out and slipped the bag of supplies from her hands, setting it down at the edge of the water, and turned her to face him, letting his mask go, he smiled slightly at her wide-eyed flush.

“Come, koi,” he said softly, “let me serve you.” Without waiting for her answer, he began undressing her, enjoying the ever-deepening blush that only seemed to enhance her fair skin.

She didn't say anything, too tongue-tied to even try, and he chuckled. “Do you know, miko,” he asked conversationally, as he opened her kimono, letting it slide from her slender shoulders, “what you do to me? You are so beautiful,” he murmured into her ear. “Sometimes, as I watch you during the day, I have to fight myself not to simply take you in front of everyone. You make my blood boil, little onna.”

Kagome's eyelids slid down, his words balm to her aching soul – though she didn't believe she was beautiful, still – his want of her helped to bolster her long-destroyed self-worth... and sent heat surging to her lower body.

As his hands caressed over her shoulders, he slid her bra straps down, then ran a gentle finger down her chest to flick a single clawed digit against the front clasp of the garment, smiling with anticipation as it opened and slid down, exposing high, round breasts to his hungry gaze.

Eyes glued to her gorgeous skin and tightly furled pink nipples, he whispered, “Mine,” and a shiver of longing slid down Kagome's spine.

Unable to stop herself, she let her hands go to his obi, tugging at it impatiently, glad that he'd removed his armor earlier – the only thing he'd retained being his swords. Reverently, she took Tenseiga, and Bakusaiga, and placed them to the side, leaving them where her mate could easily get to them if needed.

He watched as she set his swords aside, pleased at the care she took with them – this tiny miko was truly the perfect mate for him. To hell with his mother, and her desire that he mate a proper youkai female, and to hell with those greedy, bitter, manipulative, youkai bitches... this woman was the only female he would ever accept.

He pulled her to him, letting her eager yet shy fingers continue to strip him of his clothes – she herself wearing only the cloth covering her femininity at this point; he was impatient, wanting to once again feel her flesh against his with no constraints.

Kagome sighed with pleasure and contentment the moment they were both rid of clothes and she could press herself against him with nothing between them; it just felt so good, the heat of his body caressing and warming her. His skin was so soft – smooth, just as hers was. Privately, she was really glad that her mother had let her have the hair-removal laser treatment when she'd started traveling into the past – it was much easier to stay clean without body hair, not to mention she didn't have to worry about shaving.

Sesshoumaru had been fascinated that she didn't have body hair like the women of his time. She shuddered, thinking of how underarm hair, and leg hair, was just considered normal here. She'd never been so glad that she was born in a different time than when she'd realized that.

He'd known, of course, that she didn't have hair on her legs like others, but never really asked about it – until their first time together.

He'd loved the silky feel of her skin unmarred by hair – and the way it looked, as well. To him, it was just about the sexiest thing he'd ever seen, and he could be naught but grateful that her era had come up with such wonderful ideas... little did she know that he had always hated the overabundance of hair on females.

Kagome would never have to worry that he'd be attracted to another after her, his little miko from the future, not that he would have been, anyway... inu youkai were monogamous creatures, unlike their mortal counterparts, once they chose, that was it.

Besides, he was Sesshoumaru. Why would he question his own judgment in taking Kagome, by letting her live and die as a mortal, then later taking another? That would be implying to himself that his decisions were lacking – and he knew that they were not.

No... he wanted no other – ever.

Kagome moaned lightly as her mate's hands wandered all over her body, cupping and stroking her skin passionately – it felt so good when he touched her. Sliding her hands up his chest, she wrapped dainty hands around his biceps and leaned forward to run her tongue along the skin of his upper chest and neck.

Nuzzling her nose under his chin, she smiled softly when he growled low in his chest with pleasure at her submission; she wasn't surprised at all when she found herself flat on her back atop his pelt immediately.

As she lay there with her male over her, pleasuring her, then taking her as was now his right, she felt as though she were in a dream world – one she never wanted to wake from. Each touch, each kiss, each stroke within her drew nothing but unbound love from her, and she wrapped him in it, caressing his aura with her own until neither of them could withstand the pleasure any longer and came, her body arching welcomingly into his own as he flooded her with his essence.

It was beautiful and magical, the feeling of oneness that only continued even after he had gifted her with his seed; he didn't lose his potency, staying hard within her, he only shifted their positions and continued to take her, this time in the inu's traditional position.

For hours he loved her, changing positions as he wanted, pleased that she was able to keep up with him for so long – it appeared that she wanted him as passionately as he wanted her. But finally, even good things must come to an end, and, thoroughly claimed as she was, he finally allowed himself to finish once more, bringing them both to shattering orgasms.

Afterwards, exhausted, she let him bathe her, then dress her in a sleeping yukata before taking her back to camp, and curling up against his tree, he held her to him as she fell into a contented sleep, knowing she was safe from all harm in his arms.

With a wicked smirk once everyone was asleep, he thought of the morrow, and what it would bring...

The half-breed, and his friends.

When they arrived, they would find a miko that was completely claimed – and with as much as his scent was now laced with hers, he knew that his brother would smell as much immediately.

Tomorrow, his mating would be officially recognized – his mate would be scented by others outside his group, and the information that he had claimed her would soon be widely known.

Satisfaction once again thrummed through him...

His life was complete, now – he had everything that he'd wanted save an heir... and that would come soon enough, he knew.

Especially with the way he could barely keep his hands off his delicious little mate.

---sSs---

It seems as though Lord Sesshoumaru knows we are coming, and is waiting for us, Miroku thought, leveling his gaze on the horizon ahead of them.

They'd traveled late into the night, then made camp for a few hours, and moved out early this morning, hoping to catch up with the youkai Lord. They'd made good time, but Miroku wasn't a fool – if the powerful male hadn't wanted them to catch up with him, they wouldn't have... simple as that.

So why does he want to see us... now? Perhaps to rub into his brother's face his defeat of Naraku? Probably...

He looked down from his perch on Kirara's back, letting his gaze linger on the hanyou, and Sango. It still hurt, even all these months later, and he wondered sadly if it would ever heal. Of course, traveling with them has not helped... it occurred to him, then, that he no longer had to do so – his reason for staying with Sango and her mate was now gone.

Just like the curse in his hand.

It is for the best that I take my leave of them – I will never heal if I do not. Much as it pains me, I need to say goodbye. Though I don't think I will be alone... I think Shippo will want to come with me. I don't believe he will ever be able to get over what happened with Kagome, and being around Inuyasha and Sango will only make it worse for him.

“Shippo, my young friend... I have something to ask you.” He waited as the little kit glanced up at him, wondering, then said, “I plan to make my goodbyes to Inuyasha and Sango once we've finished with his brother,” he looked down, eyes pained, and Shippo nodded, not surprised. He knew Miroku was still hurt, even if Inuyasha and Sango were clueless.

“Do you wish to go with me, or will you stay with them?” he asked, and Shippo's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that.

“Do you... want me to stay with you, Miroku?” his little voice piped up, and the monk nodded solemnly.

“I would be most honored if you would journey with me, Shippo.”

The kit smiled then, glad that he wasn't going to lose his last friend. While he didn't hate Sango and Inuyasha, he just couldn't find it in himself to be friendly with them anymore. “Then I'll stick with you. At least this way,” his smile faded, and he looked off into the sky, “we won't be alone. Not like Kagome was... you know, at the end. I miss her a lot.”

He chuckled sadly as a thought came to him, and he turned wide green eyes on his buddy. “Guess you shoulda kept asking Kagome to bear your children instead of Sango, huh?”

Miroku chuckled as well at that. “I suppose that I should have, Shippo. Maybe if I had, she'd still be here, eh?”

“Yeah,” the kit said sadly.

Inuyasha growled lightly to himself as he cupped his mates thighs gently, allowing his hands to slide a little higher than needed; she hissed, barely audibly, and he smirked. He was glad she was with him – he had the feeling that the coming confrontation with his hated brother was going to be hell.

He could feel the bastard, almost directly ahead, not moving at all – he'd stayed where he was at the entire day... which meant he wanted to be found. Probably to taunt him over Naraku. It occurred to him then, to wonder about the jewel...

Powerful priestess or not, his bastard of a brother's intended was not the jewel's mistress, and wouldn't be able to purify it enough – that was something that they'd all come to understand could only be done by Kagome. Not even Kikyou had been able to purify shards of the cursed jewel.

With Kagome gone, there was a problem; they could not rid the world of the jewel. And that left someone having to protect it, to try to keep those with bad intentions away from it.

He had to admit, grudgingly, that his brother would be perfect in that role. Most youkai in search of the jewel wouldn't bother to try to take it from one of Sesshoumaru's caliber, and his brother certainly had no desire for the power it could bestow for himself – he was powerful enough on his own, he had no need of it.

Still... the thought of that ass having it just pissed him off – that jewel had belonged to Kagome, more than anyone else, she had, after all, been born with it inside her – and Sesshoumaru had, more than once, tried to kill her.

That he would touch anything that had belonged to her bothered the hanyou.

“Oi, Sango?”

Sango sighed, and nuzzled her nose into her mate's hair. “Hmm, Inu?”

“Do you think we should leave the jewel with that bastard brother of mine?” he asked, hesitantly. “I mean, we still don't know what happened to the shards that... Kagome had...” he trailed off, hating the guilt he felt on speaking her name. He hated that his memories of his best friend were tainted by how that friendship had ended.

Guilt filtered into Sango at thoughts of someone she'd considered a sister – that she'd so badly betrayed her still hurt, and probably always would. Her feelings for the hanyou she loved had grown swiftly, and though she'd fought them, not wanting to hurt her friend, when she realized that he felt the same way, she'd just not been able to turn him away.

After all, if he loved her, then he didn't love Kagome, and she wasn't coming between them – and there was little point in all three of them suffering. She didn't regret loving Inuyasha – but she did regret that they hadn't been honest with Kagome about it. If they had been, even if she'd gone home, she would still have been alive...

“Well, I really don't want to spend my life protecting the stupid thing from all the demons that'll come for it. I say let your brother keep it – it's nothing but trouble. Better him than us, right?”

He chuckled wickedly at that. “Yeah, better him than us. So... I guess that once we finish getting our answers from that prick, we can finally decide what we want to do with our lives, and get on with it, right? Like maybe... start a family?”

Sango blushed at that. “Inu... when we have a daughter, I want to name her Kagome,” she said softly, not sure what his reaction would be.

Inuyasha stiffened just slightly, a pang going through his heart, but then he nodded, his hands squeezing her thighs comfortingly as he ran. “Sure, woman... whatever you want.” He sighed, then rolled his shoulders as much as he could while carrying his mate. With a growl, he began to slow down, then came to a stop, letting her slide down his back as Kirara dropped from the skies, bringing Shippo and Miroku down to stand with them.

“Bastard's just ahead, though he's shielding his camp for some reason.” He glanced over at Miroku. “Me'n Sango were just talking about the jewel... we figured we should just let him keep it and deal with the problems of protecting it – since we can't purify it now that... well, now that Kagome's no longer with us,” he finished quietly.

Miroku merely shrugged, not really caring one way or the other about the shikon. The only reason he'd ever sought it was in hopes that it would lead him to Naraku. Since that was no longer necessary...

“That's probably a wise decision. Though... it occurs to me to wonder what we will do if he does not want to take the responsibility for it – we cannot just leave it laying around. Perhaps that is why he has allowed us to find him?”

Inuyasha scowled; he hadn't thought of that. It had never occurred to him that his brother wouldn't keep it, even if only to hold it and gloat over his younger sibling. “Well, guess we'll figure that out after we've seen the bastard.”

Miroku nodded, then, a distant look coming over his face, and said, “I wanted to tell you that I have come to a decision – after we have spoken to your brother I will take my leave of you both.” At the disbelieving, shocked looks on Sango and Inuyasha's faces, he finished with, “I've spoken with Shippo, and he wishes to come with me.”

Both the hanyou and the taijiya turned those same shocked looks to the kit sitting on Miroku's shoulder; he merely nodded. “It's time for us to go our separate ways – Naraku's dead, so the reasons for us to travel together are gone, now.”

Sango clutched Inuyasha's hand, suddenly feeling very alone. Somehow, it had never occurred to her that they would ever not be all together, and it wasn't a welcome shock now. Then again... besides the hunt for Naraku, the only thing that had held them all together had been Kagome... and they'd all turned their backs on her by lying to her and hiding things from her, stringing her along and using her.

Inuyasha finally shrugged uncomfortably, there wasn't anything he could do about it if they wanted to leave, although... “You'd be better off sticking with us, Shippo – you know Kagome would have wanted you to learn about your youkai heritage, and Miroku can't teach you that.”

Shippo shook his head and glared at the hanyou. “No, Kagome would have wanted me to learn to be honorable and treat people right – you guys could only teach me to be backstabbers,” he snapped. He clutched tighter to Miroku's robes. “C'mon, Miroku,” ignoring the horrified look sent him by Sango, and Inuyasha's angered, guilty one, “let's get this over with so we can leave.”

Miroku simply nodded and moved forward, somehow, also just wanting to get this done so that they could go their separate ways. There was too much bad history with this group for him to ever be comfortable again – besides, who wanted to stick around and watch the woman you'd loved constantly going off to fuck someone else?

No... he was more than ready to finish this. Once he had the answers to Naraku's demise from Sesshoumaru, he'd be quite happy to take his young companion, and hit the road...

Without Inuyasha and Sango.

It was the end of the Inutachi, as it had come to be known.

Actually, the Inutachi had died the day Kagome had disappeared...

Now it was time to bury it.

---sSs---

Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose, then sighed with annoyance. He couldn't understand his brother's disdain for regular bathing – it was just another thing, however, that caused his dislike of the boy to soar.

Not only could he smell Inuyasha coming, though, he could smell the female the boy had mated. He could only be thankful that his own mate was what she herself called a 'clean freak'. She absolutely hated being dirty or smelly, and unlike the whelp, he was perfectly willing to indulge her love of cleanliness anytime she felt she needed to bathe, no complaints.

At any rate, the stench was telling him that his half-brother's group was soon to arrive, so he decided that it was time to sit his mate down and explain to her what was about to happen.

He knew that she had no desire to see them again; in the entire eight months that she'd been with him, she'd not once asked about them. But just this once, it had to happen, if for no other reason than that they would need to see her destroy the Shikon.

“Mate.”

Kagome immediately looked up from her studies, wondering what he wanted. They'd stayed in camp all day, since they really had no pressing business anywhere now, and she hadn't argued – it was nice to lounge around, for once, just relaxing.

As her questioning gaze met his, he gestured for her to come to him, so she did, curling up contentedly at his side.

“The half-breed and his friends are approaching,” he said, pleased when nothing more than mild irritation flared in her gaze as she looked trustingly up at him.

“Do we have to see them?” she asked, and he nodded.

“Hai. You must deal with the jewel, and I think it best that they see this, so that the hanyou knows it is out of his reach.”

“Oh, yeah... I hadn't thought about that,” she said, nodding. She sighed deeply. “Okay, I see your point. I really don't want to see them, but...”

“You know,” she said after a moment, brow furrowed, “I don't want Rin exposed to his horrible mouth – maybe you could send her and Jaken off like you did when we fought Naraku?”

He glanced down at her, pleased. It was a good idea – he didn't want his innocent ward contaminated by his disgrace of a half-brother's mouth – or his presence.

“Jaken, you are to take Rin into the forest with Ah-Uhn. Do not return until I call for you.” He didn't even look at the toad as he spoke, but Jaken nodded, casting an approving glance on his master's mate. He, also, wouldn't want his sweet little Rin, (not that he'd ever admit he thought of her that way), around that dirty-mouthed hanyou.

Without a word, the toad gathered Ah-Uhn's reins, commanded Rin to climb on the beast, and led the dragon off into the woods. As soon as the trees swallowed them, they disappeared from sight and aura – Sesshoumaru was shielding them. Kagome smiled, happy for that – even if she had to be exposed to those particular people again, at least Rin did not.

Her attention was pulled back to her mate when he addressed her once more, standing and pulling her up with him as he did so. “Stay behind me until I tell you you can be seen, mate – I do not want them seeing you until I can assess their behaviors.”

Her lips tightened, but she nodded, understanding that he was only trying to keep her safe – well, that... and shock the hell out of Inuyasha and the others. But she was okay with that.

Pleased with her easy compliance, he pulled her to him and kissed her hotly, not caring if the hanyou should see him loving his female. He would see naught but what he, Sesshoumaru, allowed... dainty arms, and dark hair. Until he was ready for the fool to know who his mate was, he would not.

He smirked into the kiss when the baka and his friends stepped into the camp cautiously, continuing to ignore them for the pleasure of his mate's sweet lips.

Finally, after several long moments, he pulled away just slightly, and looked down at her, his eyes as heavy-lidded as hers. “Stay behind me, mate,” he purred at her, voice so low only she could make out what he said. She nodded and pulled the rest of the way away, stepping back and lowering her head.

Keeping her out of sight, he finally turned, waiting until he felt her press against his back before acknowledging those before him.

His eyes touched on each person there, slowly, weighingly, and all of them shifted guiltily – they didn't know why, but his gaze left them feeling as though they were found wanting.

Finally, he spoke. “Half-breed. Why have you been tracking this Sesshoumaru?”

“Oh, fuck you and your bullshit, Sesshoumaru,” the irate hanyou started. “We wanna know what the hell happened with Naraku, bastard!”

Sesshoumaru resisted the very strong urge to roll his eyes. What a fool... “Is that all? I would have thought that even your inferior senses would have told you that I killed him just as I said I would.”

“Screw you! Don't mess with me, Sesshoumaru! You knew that we all had cause for vengeance against that bastard, and you took that from us,” he growled angrily.

“It is not my problem that since you lost the priestess, Naraku no longer considered you and your friends a threat and so did not seek you out. He came against me and mine, and I destroyed him. What are you going to do about it?”

Before Inuyasha could say anything else, Sango put a restraining had on his arm. “My Lord,” she asked quietly, “how did you know about Kagome?”

He considered her for a few moments, causing her to look away from him, guilt making her unable to meet his eyes. “This one knows because it affected what belongs to me,” he said curtly. At that, the groups eyes snapped back up to his.

“What the hell's that supposed to mean, Sesshoumaru?” Inuyasha hissed. “Nothing about Kagome is any of your business, you frigid prick!” He looked over his brother's shoulder, then. “And why are you hidin' your bitch, anyway? Afraid we'll find your choice lacking? Or are you just embarrassed 'cause she's human?” he taunted.

Miroku shook his head and glanced at Shippo, embarrassed by Inuyasha's uncouth mouth, but didn't say anything. He had the feeling that Inuyasha was going to soon regret opening his trap.

He was right.

His brother struck out with his whip, slashing the hanyou across the chest. “You will speak respectfully of my mate, half-breed, or not at all. She is above you in every way, human or not,” the daiyoukai snapped, completely ignoring Sango, who'd taken a defensive stance in front of her mate.

Miroku and Shippo stayed to the side, not wanting to get involved in a family fight.

A tiny hand settled itself on Sesshoumaru's shoulder, and the daiyoukai calmed, placing his hand atop it, he glared at the couple before him. “If it were not necessary for you to witness the final dissolution of the jewel you coveted, Inuyasha, I would never expose my mate to your disgraceful presence again,” he said acidly.

At that, Miroku frowned. “Ah... Sesshoumaru-sama, I feel that you should know that none but the mistress of the jewel can rid the world of it. Only Kagome-sama could have destroyed the Shikon no Tama.”

Ice coating every word, Sesshoumaru said, “This one is not so lacking in intellect that he does not know this, monk.” He let go of his shield on Kagome's scent and aura, then. “Mate, step forward and show them how foolish they are to doubt this one's intelligence.”

The moment his brother let go of his shield, Inuyasha almost fell over in shock, as did Shippo. Disbelief clear in three of their gazes, they watched as someone they'd never thought to see again stepped from behind the large inu, proudly coming to stand at his side.

Miroku, however, was not so surprised.

“K-kagome?” the hanyou stuttered, floored. He inhaled madly, and as her scent hit his sensitive nose, furious golden eyes met icy golden eyes. “You bastard! What'd you do to her?! All those months ago you stole her from us, and then you forced yourself on her?!” he shouted, starting to draw Tessaiga before any of his companions could react.

“Osuwari!” Kagome snapped, voice irate, before he could get the sword out of its sheath. “How dare you question him?! You-have-no-right! He isn't the one that betrayed me – you are! I am proud that he chose me as his mate – he didn't force me, you jerk!” she finished, with a scowl towards him, then a smile towards Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru met his mate's glance, then looked back at his half-brother, who was crawling determinedly out of his hole, looking as though he were about to start throwing insults around.

“Taijiya, control your mate, before I am forced to,” he said icily. “If he disrespects my Lady again, I will teach him a lesson he will not soon forget.”

“Leave my mate out of this, you bastard,” Inuyasha hissed. He slanted an irate, disbelieving glance at Kagome. “How could you, you stupid wench? That fucker doesn't love you!”

The entire clearing, including Sesshoumaru, froze, when she said,” I know,” in a sad, but proud voice. “But I do love him, and I wasn't lying when I said that I'm proud that he chose me as his mate. At least I know that he doesn't hate me – and I won't have to ever worry about him betraying me. When he decides he doesn't want me anymore, he'll be honest about it. He'll give me the honor of the truth – which is more than could be said for you.”

While Inuyasha and the others flinched at the digs about honesty and betrayal, Sesshoumaru was busy being surprised himself. Not only that she'd admitted to loving him... but the rest of what she'd said...!

“Mate, why do you speak of me tiring of you?” he asked bluntly. “Do you not understand the ways of mating? I have tied you to me for eternity. You will never leave me, and I will never tire of, nor leave, you.”

Kagome looked astounded for a moment, then saddened, and Sesshoumaru frowned, his gaze pinned entirely to his mate, ignoring those still in the clearing with them. They were of no import – only she was.

“Sesshoumaru,” she whispered sadly. Reaching a slender finger up, she ran it along his crests, her gaze pained. “I didn't want that for you... I figured that once I died you would take another mate, and have a full-blooded heir... with someone you loved, not someone like me.”

Eyes narrowing, the daiyoukai pulled her hand away and growled, displeased with her words. “This one will have no heir if it is not birthed by you. I have no desire in me for any other, Kagome – you are my mate, and you will stay by my side - death does not wait for you. There is only one person that my blood calls for, miko, and that is you. I cannot explain it any better than that.”

Shippo, who'd been quiet the whole time, finally spoke up. “Kagome,” he called out, and she turned to look at the little kit. “What Sesshoumaru-sama's saying,” he hesitated for a moment, “for a demon, is the same as love. It's the youkai way of saying that you are his heart. You shouldn't ever worry – he wants only you.”

Sesshoumaru cocked a brow at the kit, but didn't correct his words, and Kagome looked back up at him, an awed expression in her eyes. He could easily tell she'd never expected that he would feel anything more than a certain desire for her. It made something in him ache, though he didn't look at that part too closely. It was enough that she affected him as thoroughly as she did. He would have many lifetimes with her to be so affected, so it was not imperative that he figure it all out now.

“I didn't know,” she said, a fragile happiness taking shape in her gaze.

He didn't say anything, but before he could turn back to those still in the camp with them, Inuyasha started in again.

“Don't be stupid enough to believe him, Kagome – like he'd have any feelings for you!” he said, loudly, brashly. That didn't go over well with Sesshoumaru.

“You, Inuyasha, are lucky that I do not kill you for the assault on my mate that day eight months ago – you scarred her flesh with your lack of control, just as you scarred her heart with your betrayal.” His voice was pure ice – the temperature in the clearing dropped thirty degrees just like that. He didn't want any of them to forget the reason they were in the position they were in.

Inuyasha flushed, then paled – that accusation, he couldn't defend himself from, and it shut his ranting about his brother up faster than anything else. It hurt to know he'd done such damage to someone he cared about. “I'm sorry, Kagome – I wasn't in my right mind. I'd never deliberately attack you, you know that, right?”

Kagome stared at him for a moment, then shook her head. “Once, I would have had no problem believing that, but now? I don't know, Inuyasha-sama. I don't trust you anymore. I trust Sesshoumaru, but not you.” She finished her statement despite the hurt look on the hanyou's face – it was the truth, after all.

She looked away from her former friends and their pained looks, not wanting to see their faces any longer. She couldn't bring herself to feel badly about their hurt feelings – they hadn't cared so much for hers when it had counted. She held no vindictiveness towards them – she just didn't want to see them anymore.

With that in mind, she sighed, and pulled out the completed jewel. With an understanding look at Sango's gasp, she said, “I'm sorry, Sango-sama, that I can't tell you your brother's fate. Naraku had the entire portion of the jewel that I didn't when he attacked. I don't know what happened to Kouga, either.”

Sango nodded solemnly, and Inuyasha reached out and took her hand, knowing how much her brother's fate weighed on her mind. “Kagome, give me the jewel - I can wish Kohaku back with it, since I don't want to be a full-demon now,” he said quickly.

Kagome shook her head, once again addressing him formally. “I can't, Inuyasha-sama – such a wish will not purify it, it'll only taint it, and then the wish would also be tainted. There's no telling what the jewel would do to Kohaku. Besides, you don't even know if he's dead. Yes, the shard was keeping him alive – in the beginning,” she said as she held up a hand to silence him, “but his body has long since healed from that injury. The only thing the shard was for at the end was to control him.”

The group looked surprised, then hopeful. If Naraku had just taken the shard... or perhaps had Kagura do it, then Kohaku was probably out there somewhere. After all, Kagura had had a soft spot for the boy, several times shielding him from things that would have otherwise killed him. And none of the spider hanyou's incarnations had appeared in the battle, so there was no telling where they were.

“Mate, have you decided what the correct wish that you spoke of before is?” Sesshoumaru asked, curious.

Have I...? Yes... She held the jewel up and stared at it for long moments, then with a sigh, looked up at him and smiled. “Sure I have. It's the only wish that would ever really work.” With that, she closed her eyes and said quite clearly, “I wish that the jewel would disappear... forever.”

Astounded silence greeted her words, and everyone watched as the shikon jewel, cause of so much death and destruction, faded away with nothing more than a small sighing sound, never to be seen again.

---sSs---

The silence was an extended one as everyone in the clearing stared at the shikon's mistress, shocked that the correct wish had been such a simple one.

Not a one of them save Kagome herself would ever have considered that it would be.

It just seemed so wrong that a few simple words would destroy something of power – something that had had so much affect on the world, on so many lives... everything. It had even brought her back five hundred years into the past – and it had been destroyed by a simple sentence.

It made Sesshoumaru wonder about his own status as a being of great power – what would be needed to destroy him? A few simple words? Pushing that rather disturbing thought aside for consideration on another day, the daiyoukai finally broke the very strained silence in the camp.

“There is nothing left for you here, half-breed – this Sesshoumaru suggests that you gather your companions and leave.”

Before anyone could react, a small, excited voice was heard as a crow soared through the clearing, and strictly out of habit, Inuyasha reached up and caught the tiny flea demon, holding him up so everyone could see him. “Master Inuyasha! I arrived just ahead of the wolf – Kouga will be in here in mere minutes!” he shouted, though the sound coming from him, was miniscule.

Kagome groaned at that knowledge – she really didn't want to deal with a thick-headed wolf... and it was guaranteed that the whole thing would degenerate into a huge mess as soon as he tried his usual claims – Sesshoumaru would kill him, unless she could stop it.

The daiyoukai noted the concerned looks from his mate's former group, and heard her upset in her voice. Turning to pin her with a demanding gaze, he asked, “Why does the knowledge of the wolf-prince's nearness bother you?”

She closed her eyes and sighed. “Back when I first met Kouga, he kidnapped me because I could see the shards – and then decided that he loved me, and ever since, he's claimed me as his woman.” A deep-throated growl burst from her mate. “I've told him over and over that I'm not, but he just won't listen, I swear!”

Myouga, stunned, stared at the priestess standing next to Sesshoumaru, and noting the Lord's reaction, put two and two together. “Sesshoumaru-sama! Kagome-sama is the priestess you mated?! This is wonderful news, my Lord!”

Kagome blinked, as Sesshoumaru glanced at the flea – and then Inuyasha started yelling again.

“You approve of Kagome being mated to that bastard?!” he shrieked.

“Well, of course I do, Master Inuyasha. I told you that Kagome-sama was a match for your brother – and that her pups would bless the inu line, did I not? Sesshoumaru-sama is the perfect match for one of Kagome-sama's power.”

Sango, shaking her head, glanced behind her, where even her weaker senses could make out the wolf-prince's usual wind-storm, and said, “Ahem... shouldn't we be worrying about Kouga... not pups?”

Inuyasha flushed angrily, but subsided with a muttered, “Keh,” and Sesshoumaru followed the taijiya's glance to the rapidly approaching male, then shrugged carelessly.

“Hn. Kouga is not your concern, Inuyasha – you may leave now, as I said before. I will deal with this pest, and if he is foolish enough to challenge me for my mate, then I will kill him.” He said it quite calmly, as though the wolf's possible death at his hands was of no consequence; everyone in the clearing shivered.

Just that quickly, the exuberant wolf was amongst them, and once again grabbing Kagome's hands, smiling widely, he said, “It's so good to see you, my woman! Has dog-breath been keeping you safe since I've been gone?”

Kagome swallowed heavily and stepped back, pulling her hands away from him. “Uh, hi, Kouga, how are you?”

“Oh, I'm okay, even though that bastard Naraku took my jewel shards. But I'll get them back, don't worry!”

Sesshoumaru stared at the wolf – could anyone be any more clueless? He'd thought his brother the most foolish being to exist, and here he'd been proven wrong. “You are not very bright, are you, little wolfling?” he asked sarcastically, ignoring the sudden sputtering laughter of his brother. “The shikon, much like Naraku, is no more.”

Kouga, finally noticing the daiyoukai, as his usual tunnel-vision when it came to Kagome had kicked in the moment he'd scented her, growled at him. “Whad'ya mean about that?”

“Kouga, Sesshoumaru already killed Naraku, and I got rid of the jewel just a little while ago.”

The wolf prince gaped at her for a moment, then a huge grin settled on his face. “Well, that's great, then! Now there's no reason for you to stay with the baka over there – you can come with me and take your place as alpha female to my pack!”

“It seems that your senses are even more lacking than Inuyasha's, wolf – I did not think that possible,” Sesshoumaru said, his tone one of deadly insult. “Can you not tell that the miko is no part of Inuyasha's pack any longer? She is mine, wolfling – she belongs to this Sesshoumaru. Mate, alpha female of my pack – call her what you will, but she is mine.”

Kouga paled, stepping forward, he sniffed deeply in Kagome's direction, paling even further when he finally realized that she did, indeed, belong to the powerful male before him. She was absolutely covered in his scent.

“Heh. Seems the big dog is extremely possessive, eh, bakayasha? He's made sure his claim is drenched into her. How could you be so stupid as to let him take her? She was supposed to be mine!” he howled with rage.

“Kouga, grow up!” Kagome snapped, shocking the whole group as she slapped the wolf prince hard across the face. “I was never yours... what am I, some piece of property that you think you can own? I belonged only to myself, until I chose to give myself to someone – and that someone is my Lord and mate, Sesshoumaru. Don't question it any further. Take your life, before my mate kills you, and go find Ayame.” Inwardly, she was practically begging the foolish wolf to leave – she really didn't want him killed.

Inuyasha chuckled, loving the dumbfounded look on the stupid wolf's face as he turned and began to leave obediently, completely dejected and unable to even think of arguing. “Well, that was definitely worth it,” he chortled. He huffed and folded his arms into his haori when his brother's flat gaze landed on him.

“That goes for you, as well, half-breed. You are no longer needed or wanted here, so take your life and be grateful that I do not end it where you stand.” An amused look flitted through his eyes, then. “I would not want you to miss the chance to explain your actions to the undead miko – I am sure that she will be very understanding,” he taunted, as Inuyasha winced.

Kagome's eyes widened as she turned away from watching Kouga leave, dismissing him entirely. “Oh, wow... I hadn't thought about that. Boy... you're gonna be in a world of hurt when she finds out - I'm kinda glad it's not me that has to explain it,” she said dryly. But then she frowned... I might not have to explain it, but Kikyou's carrying a part of my soul – and when she finds out, she might try to kill them. I... couldn't live with myself if that happened... because that would be like I had killed them.

Maybe... maybe as much as I hate it, it's time to take my soul back and lay Kikyou to rest once again. After all, until she's gone, I won't be free, any more than Inuyasha will be.

With a sigh, she looked away from the hanyou, not really liking the idea of what she was about to propose, but knowing that it needed to be done.

Sesshoumaru watched his mate, and noted her frown. Not liking that expression on her sweet face, he stepped towards her, lifting her chin with a finger to lock gazes with her. “Tell me,” he commanded softly.

Meeting his gaze, reluctance clear in her eyes, she said, “I think that we should travel together with Inuyasha, to find Kikyou. She still has part of my soul, and until she's put to rest, I can't move forward.” Her frown deepened as he let his displeasure into his eyes. “I don't really like it, either... the thought of once again traveling with them. But...”

Sesshoumaru held her gaze for a few more moments, then, once he was sure that she really wasn't thrilled with the idea, but felt that it was the only way, nodded. Moving his finger from her chin, to run along her pouty, sweet lower lip, he considered her words, noting the way she reacted to such a simple touch. His eyes going to half-mast at the thoughts that reaction provoked, he let a half-smile just touch his mouth.

“You tread on dangerous ground, mate, looking at this one that way,” he said, his tone intimate and his voice soft, as he ignored all those in the clearing staring at him in obvious fascination. “Your eyes promise something that I will take great pleasure holding you to.” After holding her gaze for several seconds longer, he smirked at her flush of arousal, then dropped his mask back into place and turned cold eyes on his brother's pack.

“Her point is well made – we will travel to find the undead miko. It is your choice whether you accompany us or not – however...” he lanced Inuyasha with a golden gaze, “honor would demand that you, at least, join us to confront the miko, since you have abrogated your vow to join her in hell by mating the taijiya.”

Inuyasha, who, along with Sango, had been shocked at Kagome's suggestion to travel in search of Kikyou, exchanged pained glances at her stated dislike for traveling with them. It seemed that she really didn't want anything to do with them again. It struck something within all of them, in reality – they'd all had the hope somewhere, selfish or not, that if she still lived, she'd get over what they'd done and once more return to them. None of them wanted to pay the consequences of using her and lying – the loss of trust, the loss of her.

“Kagome...” Inuyasha's voice trailed off painfully for a moment, then returned strongly, “how can stand to side with him against us? I know how we handled what happened before was wrong... but, it's... he's Sesshoumaru! How can you prefer him to us?”

Kagome stared at him, then blinked, as though she couldn't even understand why he'd ask that. Wrong? “I trust Sesshoumaru, that's why. He's never lied to me, nor turned his back on any promise he's made me. You did. I simply have no place in my life any longer for you – Sesshoumaru is my mate, my place is with him. Besides,” she said, something occurring to her in that moment, “why does it matter, anyway? I was your shard detector – and now there's no more shards to detect. End of story.”

Miroku glanced at Shippo, knowing it was time for them to leave – they had no personal reason to stick around to find Kikyou, unlike the others, so it was best they go now. Casting a quick look at a calm but watchful daiyoukai, he turned and took a step towards Inuyasha, catching everyone's attention.

“Shippo and I will take our leave of you here, Inuyasha, Sango. The business with Kikyou is neither of ours, so it is a good time for us to go.”

Kagome looked taken aback. “You're leaving Inuyasha and Sango?” she asked.

He turned pained violet eyes on her, and in an instant, she understood – she hadn't been the only one hurt by the mating of the hanyou and the slayer. With a soft sigh, she shook her head.

“Why didn't either of you tell me – you know, back then?” she asked softly, ignoring the low growl from Inuyasha.

Shippo looked at her, then away, and Miroku did the same. “There were many reasons, Kagome-sama... and none of them right. All I can do is apologize for making too many bad decisions – and too few correct ones. Shippo, I know, feels the same.”

Her heart softened at the sad, tired look in Miroku's eyes, and she realized belatedly how much it must have hurt him to stick around as long as he had, watching the woman he loved be with another. As for Shippo, she was beginning to suspect why he'd not told her the truth – and she couldn't hold it against him. She found she couldn't really hold it against Miroku, anymore, either – he'd more than paid for any mistake in not telling her with his own pain.

She turned to look up at Sesshoumaru, a pleading look in her eyes, and he stared at her, bemused for a moment, then sighed inwardly, knowing he could not deny her. Truth be told, the monk and kitsune would make acceptable pack members – the monk as added protection for his ward, as he was a decent warrior even without his void, and the kit as a playmate for Rin.

“Do you really wish this, mate?” he asked, eyes narrowed. “You will not regret this moment of soft-heartedness later?”

She beamed at him, not surprised that she hadn't had to even say what she was thinking – he'd just known. He knew her so well...

“No, of course not! How could I?”

He held her gaze for long moments, judging her sincerity, and finally nodded once, sharply. “Then you may extend the invitation. This one has no issue with the monk and the kit.”

The rest of the group, who'd been watching the dai and his mate with rampant curiosity, were caught off-guard when she grinned, turning to look at Miroku and Shippo again.

“If you guys want to,” she started shyly, “you and Shippo are welcome to travel with us – you know, be part of our pack, I guess you could say. I'd really like it if you'd at least think about it.”

Sango looked shocked, and Inuyasha immediately started yelling. “Oi! Why the fuck would you let them travel with you, but not want to be around Sango and I? I thought I was your best friend, and Sango was like your sister! So what the fuck?”

Kagome sighed, obvious irritation on her face as Miroku and Shippo both rolled their eyes. “Because I'm pretty sure I know why Shippo never told me the truth, Inuyasha-sama,” she said sarcastically, “it's because you threatened him, isn't it? And as for Miroku...” her eyes softened understandingly again, “He's had his own things to deal with. Besides... he's not the one that went behind my back, and he's also not the one that attacked me.”

She didn't want to say anymore – Miroku's pain wasn't something that needed to be brought up for conversation. And it didn't matter anyway – the invitation stood, now it was just up for them to decide whether they'd take it or not.

Miroku turned a still surprised, but rather hopeful glance on the daiyoukai, trying to decipher whether he was truly okay with this. His gaze was met with the calm one of the Lord. “My mate's offer is valid, monk – I have no problem with you traveling with us about the lands.”

“But... I am human, my Lord...” he allowed his voice to trail off. “Do you truly want two more beings following you around? As part of your... pack?”

“Pack is something that all inuyoukai desire to be a part of. The larger the pack, the stronger it is. I have no issue with you or the kit joining us,” he reiterated.

Miroku nodded, then looked down at Shippo, who was looking up at him hopefully. “Well, Shippo? From that expression, I take it you wish to do so?”

The kit nodded, but said, “Only if you stay. I already said I'd travel with you, so if you don't want to,” he looked down and kicked at the ground, “I won't, either.”

His heart warmed at his little friend's loyalty, and he smiled as he picked the kit back up. “Thanks, Shippo,” he said softly, then he looked back up at a once-again smiling Kagome. “Then since Shippo agrees, we'd be most honored to travel with you again, Kagome-sama,” he finished, returning her smile and bowing.

Sesshoumaru took the agreement of the monk and kit in stride, then looked at his pissed off half-brother, a definite smirk crossing his face at his discomfiture – and the upset look on the slayer's face. The both of them deserved it, as far as he was concerned. “Very well – we leave tomorrow.” He looked over at his little mate, who was now looking out into the forest, a distant look on her face. “Miko-” he waited for her to turn her attention back to him, “-how do you intend for us to find the undead one?”

Kagome shrugged. “I can feel her presence, if I focus hard enough. She's very far from here right now – though she's coming this way. I think she's probably aware that Naraku's dead, and coming for Inuyasha.”

Ignoring the hanyou's shudder, Sesshoumaru considered that for a moment, then nodded. Looking over at Inuyasha, he asked bluntly, “Are you going to run, or are you going to face her?”

The hanyou scowled at everyone in the clearing, grasping Sango's hand, he said, “Yeah, we'll go. But we don't want to bother anyone with our presence, so we'll camp away from you all.” With that, he turned and, tugging his mate with him, left the clearing in a huff.

Not surprisingly, everyone save the daiyoukai breathed easier once they'd left. Sesshoumaru himself didn't care one way or the other about his brother, but was indeed pleased that the whelp had gone elsewhere.

“Sesshoumaru?”

He turned his gaze on his pretty little mate at the sound of her voice, and looked at her questioningly.

“Would you call Jaken and Rin back now? I want to introduce her and Shippo.”

He didn't answer, merely flaring his aura for his little gami servant, and dropping the barrier he had on them, it was only moments before the two were back in the clearing. Within minutes, Rin and Shippo were playing quite happily together, and the newly expanded pack began to integrate itself into one cohesive unit.