Surprising Love

Disclaimer: Refer to Ch. 12

A/N: Thank you so much for all the reviews. I would like to take this time to tell you the Shikon-No-Tama doesn't play a big part in here. With Naraku gone and Kagome with Sesshomaru, no one sees any reason to overly fuss about it. It will be a big issue in the sequel. Also, my dear ped nurses, I know about MS. I was just hoping no one else would. It shows a different side of Sesshomaru this way. Thanks for paying attention enough to catch that, though! Enjoy!!

Back Through the Well

The next morning proved to be perfect traveling weather. The sun was just coming up and the whole forest smelled heavenly. The birds were all ready singing, though, passing on their joy and contentment. Even though fall was coming soon, it wasn’t very cold out, either. Kagome couldn’t have been happier.

Rin and she were riding Ah-Un on Sesshomaru’s insistence. Kagome couldn’t help but smile when he gave the excuse that he wanted them to be able to keep up. Shippo had chosen to walk beside Sesshomaru and they seemed to be having a conversation. Kagome had noticed that Shippo respected Sesshomaru now and even admired him. She didn’t see any reason for him not to, and so she allowed them to spend the time together. Sesshomaru even offered to teach Shippo how to fight and strengthen his fox magic.

“Are we really going back to your time, Miss Kagome?” Rin’s quiet voice succeeded in shattering Kagome’s thoughts.

Kagome gave a small, exasperated sigh. She had tried to get Rin to stop calling her ‘Miss.’ “Yes, we are,” she told the girl beside her. “You’ll get to meet my family.”

Rin gave her a puzzled look. “But how are we going to go down a well and arrive on the other side of time?”

Kagome grabbed the chain that always hung about neck. Carefully, Kagome drew out the little jar holding the fragments of the sacred jewel. “We will use these,” she explained to her. “I have five, so Lord Sesshomaru, Shippo, and I will each get one shard while you get two.”

Rin gave her a sweet smile, but it wilted away to a confused façade. “Why do I need two and you all get only one?”

Kagome knew Rin was too old to sugar coat anything with, so she told the child her suspicions. “Rin, I’m naturally able to travel the well, but I’m sure humans are supposed to. Demons don’t seem to need much help to get them through, though, so we want to give you two to make sure you can go through.”

Rin pondered what Kagome said for a little while. Deciding the answer was satisfactory, she smiled and nodded. They went back to watched the boys up ahead. Kagome glanced back at Rin to say something else, but the girl looked to have eyes for only Shippo. Smiling, Kagome turned her gaze back on Sesshomaru.

Kagome realized they were making excellent time. All morning they had alternated between walking and flying. Kagome could all ready smell Kaede’s village and the bone eater’s well’s musky scent not far beyond. What really made her worried were the other smells mixed with the villagers.

“Sesshomaru please come here,” she said in a normal voice, knowing Sesshomaru would hear her.

She was right. Sesshomaru had stopped ahead of Ah-Un with Shippo. His emotionless face watched her with a questioning brow raised. Shippo looked confused, probably because he hadn’t heard her, while Rin just kept switching her stares between all three of them. Ah-Un obediently headed for Sesshomaru.

“What is it,” he asked, unsuccessfully trying to make his voice icy. It just came out more detached.

Kagome frowned slightly. “Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku are all in the village we have to pass near.” Before he could state the obvious fact that he already knew, she continued softly. “I just wanted to ask you not to do anything in front of the children.”

Sesshomaru studied her a moment. At first, he was going to just walk away, but the sight of Kagome’s hand placed protectively over his unborn children changed his mind. Giving a frustrated nod, he gave her his promise. Kagome smiled slightly and Sesshomaru touched her stomach quickly before turning back the way they were headed.

‘This woman has addled my brains’ he thought with a harsh adoration.

As they continued on, Kagome was so absorbed in wondering how she would explain everything to her family, that she didn’t hear the running steps. She was oblivious to everything until Ah-Un stopped suddenly. Rin gave a small gasp beside her. Finally coming back to this era, Kagome looked up to be faced with a bad scene.

Sesshomaru was standing at ease watching the ones who threatened them. Shippo stood next to Sesshomaru, surprising Kagome by taking a defensive fighting stance. Before them stood Inuyasha with his Tetsusaiga shining in the sun. His mouth was twisted in a silent, deadly snarl. Sango stood to his right with Miroku. Both humans looked ready for a grueling battle. Kagome felt her ears swivel in annoyance at the delay.

“Sesshomaru,” Inuyasha snarled through clenched teeth. “What are you doing here?” Kagome gently slid off Ah-Un and motioned Rin to stay put.

“My little brother,” Sesshomaru said it like Inuyasha was an inconsequential irritation. “I’m here to travel through and you block my way.” Kagome could sense how much it was taking him to hold back from fighting. She concentrated on being silent as she walked up behind Shippo and Sesshomaru.

“Let us through, Inuyasha.” Shippo stepped in front of Sesshomaru, almost protectively. Sesshomaru raised a brow at the kitsune’s sudden show of bravery.

“Shippo?” Sango’s motherly voice sounded stunned. Shippo didn’t budge.

“Come now, Shippo,” Miroku’s soothing voice washed over the teenage demon. “We’ve been wondering where you went when Kagome disappeared. Why are you with him?”

Kagome stepped out from behind Sesshomaru now. “You didn’t worry enough to come look for him.” She glared defiantly at her three friends. Behind them, Kilala growled savagely and transformed. Kagome stopped herself from answering the cat’s threat. “Now, will you let us through?” Kagome instinctively laid a hand over her slightly bulged stomach.

“Kagome?” Sango’s voice was hesitant. “Why are you both traveling with Sesshomaru?” A sudden thought struck her when she took in how close Sesshomaru and Kagome stood and the protective way Sesshomaru kept glancing about. “Surely you two aren’t together, are you,” she asked.

Kagome frowned at the woman she held a sisterly love for. “Why is that so hard to believe,” she asked her, “He saved my life and accepted me when my own friends wouldn’t. He even helped me to change what I didn’t like about myself.” She gave them a reassuring smile.

“And the bastard got you pregnant,” Inuyasha sneered. Sango and Miroku gasped with identical looks of horrified doubt. Shippo turned to her with a face that asked ‘what now?’ Sesshomaru raised a brow at her to see what her reaction would be.

“Very perceptive, Inuyasha,” Kagome admitted, letting her fangs show. “Now, let me pass. I only wish to bring my family the news.”

Sango lowered her weapon and watched Kagome in wonder. Miroku followed her lead, but Inuyasha held a look of disgust. He held the Tetsusaiga so tightly his knuckles were white. Kagome did her best to ignore him and moved forward. Sesshomaru emitted a small growl, the only sign of his displeasure at her risk. Shippo walked behind them both, followed by Ah-Un, bearing Rin.

Just as she reached Inuyasha, he swung his sword into Kagome’s face. The tip rested steadily in front of her nose. “Over my dead body,” he growled.

Kagome sensed Sesshomaru’s muscles tighten. Laying a calming hand on his arm, she addressed the half-demon. “Do you intend to kill me, Inuyasha? A part demon like yourself?”

Inuyasha didn’t miss a beat. “If I have to.” His voice was a deadly sound.

Kagome heard Rin slide to the ground behind her. Not moving fast enough, she missed grabbing the girl. The next second a smack echoed though the forest. Everyone stared in open wonder at the child who had left a shining, stinging handprint on the tough half-demon. Rin was breathing had in her anger.

“How dare you,” her small voice hissed. “You would dare deny an expectant mother passage? And then threaten her?! You coward!” Without warning, Rin kicked his shin viciously, causing him to lower the giant sword. “That’s better,” she said in a proud voice. Holding her head high, Rin led them past Kagome’s former traveling companions.

The group skirted the village, not wishing for anymore trouble. Sesshomaru walked in a stony silence that everyone knew was not good. Shippo had caught up with Rin, praising her bravery. Rin showered him for his own against people he cared for. Kagome walked silently next to Sesshomaru, knowing the silence was her fault.

When they got to the well, it was growing dark. Kagome quickly passed out the shards and gave instructions. Rin went first, and Kagome breathed a sigh of relief when she made it through. Shippo followed her instantly. Sesshomaru was next, but Kagome realized he had been waiting to be alone with her when he turned to face her.

“What were you thinking,” he asked her in an angry whisper. “He could’ve hurt you or our children!”

“But he didn’t,” Kagome replied coolly. She didn’t want to have a fight right before going to see her family if she could help it.

“He would’ve if it hadn’t been for Rin,’ he whispered viciously. “Then what would you have done? What if he had hurt Rin, for that matter? What if our children had been hurt? Did you even think of that?”

“Of course I did,” Kagome fumed, sick of his bitching. “Inuyasha won’t hurt an innocent no matter how mad he is! He can act as serious about it as he wants, but he wouldn’t have been able to!”

“Damn it, Kagome,” Sesshomaru finally yelled. “You had me worried!” Kagome gave him a weak smile and leaned against him. Sesshomaru held her tightly. “Please, just don’t do something like that again.” Kagome nodded against his chest and felt him lose his tension. “Now let’s go see your family.”

Gripping her hand, Sesshomaru leapt into the well with Kagome.