InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mark ❯ Truth ( Chapter 10 )

Kagome opened the door slowly. The tears had long ago dried on her face. Sesshomaru sat in front of her computer. She closed the door and smiled as she saw Shippou asleep in her bed. She leaned against the closed door.

-You knew?-

-Yes.-

-You forced him to tell us…thank you. It would have been painful if I had to hear it second hand.-

Sesshomaru rose and pulled her into his embrace. -I know.-

The tears renewed. -He's going to seal the well…I can never come back here.-

-You can come back. In five hundred years we will visit this place, and we will sit and eat dinner with your mother and play games with your brother. We will be older and perhaps changed, but you will see them again.-

She smiled at the conviction she sensed behind the words. -Hold me…please.-

His arms tightened slightly around her. -All the rest of your life.-

-He thinks you forced yourself upon me…I couldn't bring myself to tell him what Inuyasha did or that we…about our bond. I tried to convince him, but he refuses to believe.-

-Then there is nothing we can do to change his mind. We will leave in the morning. You should sleep.-

-I don't want to leave them like this.-

-I know, but we have little choice.-

She could sense the pain he was feeling as well. This was just supposed to be a nice visit. Introduce him and Shippou and get their blessing. Now all of this had happened. She felt the tears once more and did not try to fight them. Sesshomaru lifted her and laid her in the bed next to Shippou. He pulled the chair over and sat watching her as she slept. Once during the night her mother checked on them. She gave him a warm smile and retreated. A minute later her grandfather opened the door. There was undisguised malice in his gaze, but he said nothing. Sesshomaru rose, drawing himself up to his full height. He let his yoki rise, letting the man sense just how powerful he really was. Sweat appeared on the old man's face and he retreated. Dawn came and Kagome stirred, trying to fight waking. He smiled as she rolled over to face him. She returned his smile.

“Good morning. Did you sleep at all last night?”

“No, I was busy.”

“Doing what?”

“Watching you.”

She blushed and sat up, careful not to disturb Shippou. “Inuyasha never liked it when he slept with me. He said Shippou stank.”

“He wanted nothing to mar your scent.”

“What about you?”

“My nose is more sensitive. Shippou's scent does not hide yours.”

She giggled at his imperious tone and stretched. “I'm going to take a shower. Back in a few minutes.”

She rose and slipped into the room she had called the bathroom. A moment later he heard the sound of running water. Shippou stirred and looked around. He groaned as he sat up, then his whole body stiffened.

“I smell food!”

He leapt off the bed and sprinted from the room. Sesshomaru rose to follow him when the sound of water stopped. He paused and the door to the bathroom opened. Kagome stood there wearing only a towel. He felt his breath catch as he watched her. She smiled at him, moderately turned on by his thoughts. She purred softly as she ran a hand across his chest.

“Dirty dog. Get out so I can change.”

“I have already seen you bare, I see no reason to leave.”

Her eyes widened slightly and she blushed beautifully. “Out Sesshomaru. We are not mates yet.”

“The operative word being yet.”

She growled and he smirked, enjoying her discomfort to some degree. With a slight bow he let himself out. Kagome came downstairs to find Shippou bolting a huge breakfast, while Sesshomaru looked on in unfeigned disgust. At last, unable to take it anymore, he lifted the child off the table and set him on the floor with the rest of them.

“If you truly wish to become my son you will learn table manners.”

His eyes went wide and he turned to her. “Okaasan!”

“He's right.” She managed before he could really start whining. “You eat properly or not at all, understand? We're not on the road anymore.”

She took a seat and made him up a plate and handed him a set of chopsticks. She waited expectantly as he began to eat. Once she was sure he would continue to obey her, she started her own breakfast. Her mother laughed softly and shook her head.

“I always knew you would make a good mother, Kagome. I just thought it wouldn't be so soon.” Her eyes saddened slightly. “Ojisan told me he was going to seal the well against your return.”

“Hai.”

“I will miss you.”

“I will miss you too, Okaasan, but I understand why he is doing it.”

Her eyes rose and met Sesshomaru's. “Please, tell me the truth. Did you force yourself on my daughter?”

Kagome gaped at her mother, shocked she would ask this question in front of Shippou and Souta. Sesshomaru met her eyes, his own gaze steady.

“I could not and would never force myself on any woman. I am over five hundred years old. There is little I understand about women, but I do know this: no woman can be forced to do anything without making you pay for it ten fold. I do not even want to think about what Kagome might have done to me if I had tried to force my mark upon her.”

Her mother laughed softly. “The sign of a wise man.”

Breakfast was finished quickly and Kagome packed up her bag for the last time. Her mother included several pounds of chocolate as well as her black pearl necklace, a family heirloom that she insisted Kagome take. At last they were at the well. Kagome hugged them all one last time before Sesshomaru took her in his arms and jumped through the well. She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears. Opening them again she looked up at Sesshomaru. He and Shippou were watching her intently.

“I'll be fine. Let's go home.”