In His Arms

All previous disclaimers apply.


Kagome allowed herself a luxurious stretch as she woke slowly, naturally, from her deep, restful sleep. The sun was already fully up, she noted the warmth in the room with a small smile and yawned as she set one hand over her heart and tucked the other under her head. She hadn’t slept so late since the first time she and Sesshomaru had spent all night in each other’s company. She tapped her finger against her chest counting how long ago that had been. Nearly two months? Even now she was normally up with the sun, a remnant of her time traveling with Inuyasha, but her night had been a long one and she deserved to sleep in a little bit after it, she thought. Her smile turned into a little bit of a smirk as she recalled the night she and Sesshomaru had shared. He had been voracious in his physical want for her last night, not giving her much time to recover in between what she had come to term “rounds.” Her hand moved down to her belly when she felt the desire beginning anew just thinking about it. She had never known this type of want and attraction. Just picturing him in her head could make her so aroused she might have to slip off for a little bit of private time. Kaida had tried to explain when she was teaching her that with the right lover this was the way things were supposed to be, but Kagome had never quite believed her until she had actually become Sesshomaru’s. She felt wild and wanted, shy and taken care of, needy and demanding all in turn depending on the night. Sometimes, like last night, she felt them all in the course of just a few hours. Sesshomaru was what the others had tried to tell her. He was an incredible lover. It made her just a little bit melancholy that he was never there when she woke. It would have been nice to wake in his arms, even just once.

“Hmph,” she made a noise from the back of her throat as she rolled over onto her stomach and looked at herself in the mirror across the room. There was no use thinking like that. She had to remember her place. She was not a lover, she was a concubine. Sesshomaru had no responsibilities to romance her beyond giving her the same pleasure he demanded. It wouldn’t do to let her emotions become involved. She had done that once before with a lover and been let down. Inuyasha had never had any intention of staying with her. She could admit that to herself now. She was a good for a quick rut when he was feeling the urge, but his heart was with Kikyo. It always would be. The fact that she looked so much like his dead lover only made it easier for him to pretend she was the priestess and not a girl from the future.

But, still . . . it was becoming more and more difficult to remain detached when Sesshomaru was acting as he was recently. He spent every night in her company. Most nights they made love before she fell asleep in his arms. She would wake alone, but there would always been something left on the pillow for her as a reward for a pleasurable night. Sometimes it was a flower, a new comb for her hair, or perhaps a new scroll for her reading pleasure. Though it was considered very unusual for a woman, especially a concubine, to read, Sesshomaru indulged her peculiar habits and even enjoyed them when he saw her sitting in the garden, reading to Rin and the other concubines as they did the busy work that occupied their days and the young girl made them all flower chains for their hair. On nights when he could not seem to get enough of her body the reward was a little bit more substantial the next morning. She had woken three times to very new, very expensive kimonos, twice to jewelry that she was afraid to touch it looked so valuable, and once to a small black fire bird with bright blue eyes sitting on a perch simply watching her. She had taken to calling him False because of the false sparks that came from him when he was happy or upset and it wasn’t unusual anymore to see him on her shoulder.

Just a little over two weeks ago Sesshomaru had come to her room later than usual, exhausted and unkempt. It was so unlike him that she had almost been too shocked to move. He had explained to her that there had been a mudslide in one of the villages on his lands and he had spent most of the day and well into the evening aiding in the rescuing of trapped villagers. She had asked him if it was his responsibility to see it done. He had surprised her by laying on his stomach on her futon and telling her that every person under his rule was his responsibility. He depended on them to provide food and goods that kept the palace and the rest of his lands running smoothly and therefore it was his responsibility to help them in any way that was in his power when they needed him. She had massaged his tense shoulders until he had fallen asleep under her touch, then she had curled up next to him and spent nearly an hour simply looking at his peaceful face before sleep claimed her as well. The reward the next day had been a new room in the same wing of the palace as his own. There was a private garden that could only be reached from his room or hers. They had spent that afternoon making love outside in the privacy and sunshine.

They had become . . . comfortable with each other and it was a very strange sensation at first. He was still as stoic as ever, but she could tell that he let his guard down around her because he felt comfortable enough to fall asleep when she was still awake. She hadn’t thought it unusual until she told the others and they had told her that Sesshomaru had never fallen asleep with any of them in the room. He trusted them as much as a taiyokai could trust a concubine, but that didn’t mean he would purposefully leave himself vulnerable to anyone. Kagome laughingly told them that it was probably because he knew she was loyal to him and just as powerful that he felt comfortable enough to fall asleep with her. This made the rest of them giggle behind their hands and give each other knowing looks that drove Kagome crazy, but they refused to tell her just what it was they found so humorous.

He had become more open with Rin as well. It wasn’t uncommon, even in the city, to see him carrying the young girl on his hip. He did not show his affection in a way that most would recognize, but she noticed the differences. He would rub her back to keep her calm when they were in crowds. He stroked her hair when she said something that pleased him. The mere facts that he would carry her or let her hold his hand was extremely telling. Kagome personally thought that he had a long way to go, but she was pleased with his progress. He had come such a long way in just two months. How could she not feel affection for him? How could you not feel something for the man who took care of the child you had taken on as your own and made love to you every night?

Every night? The phrase suddenly caught in her mind. She and Sesshomaru had made love almost every day for two months. Perhaps it was because she wasn’t in her original time and things were so different here that she hadn’t thought about it. But, how could she be so stupid? She was up and in a casual kimono in minutes, rushing down the hall before she even knew what she intended. She found herself outside of Miyuki’s study and opened the door slowly.

“Miyuki?” she called shyly, not sure why she was so nervous.

“Yes, Kagome?” Miyuki was alone. She would only ever be so casual with her lord’s favored when they were alone. With a sigh of relief, Kagome stepped in the room and shut the door quickly behind her. The beautiful kitsune looked up from her work with a smile on her face, but it quickly faded when she saw Kagome’s pale face, bare feet, and loose hair.

“Kagome, what’s wrong?” She got up and took the young Miko’s arm, afraid that she might faint or fall over.

“I . . .” Kagome began, then looked down at her feet, “Miyuki, can yokai sense a pregnancy in humans?”

“Certainly. It’s harder for us and we have to concentrate. It’s a little easier of course, if the child is a hanyou. Spiritual powers such as your own sometimes cover the scent of pregnancy somewhat, but that can be overcome by concentrating harder on . . .” She finally caught on to what Kagome was asking and set a finger under her chin to bring the favored’s eyes up to meet her own, “My lady, what are you trying to ask me?”

“I need you to confirm a pregnancy, Miyuki. I need you to confirm . . . my pregnancy.”

Author’s Note: Just a little while longer and where the others are will be revealed. Just hold on for a bit more, all you who have asked about it! Almost there!