Hell Knows No Bounds

A.N.: *goofy grin* You guys have NO idea how happy your reviews make me!! I truly appreciate the feedback and am happy to try and fit your suggestions into my story. I'm trying to gather up all my art pieces to get em submitted for Gem. I'll try to pick up the pace a bit in this chap. Is it wrong that I'm getting addicted to song fics?? What can I say? Music is an inspiration!! Enjoy and keep reviewing!!! Lots of love!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha! *too happy with reviewers to care*

**Last Chapter**

The woman in his arms finally quieted and stilled; he nuzzled her hair and breathed her in. Sesshomaru was certain that she was sleeping as he held her tighter, willing this day to end. Tomorrow envoys would be sent out to declare Kagome's acceptance of the duel; the demon's eyes hardened at the thought. He would give anything to spare her from what was coming, but nothing could be done now and he hated himself for acknowledging that.

One thing was certain"¦if Kagome fell in battle, the Lord of the Western Lands was sure more than just a part of him would fall as well. "˜She will not fall to the heartless bitch! I will not lose you, Kagome. My Kagome"¦' He shifted against her still form once more before finally giving in to dreamless slumber.

**On with the story**

Chapter 16
A Rare Day and Sesshomaru's Confession

Kagome sat in the shade of a cherry blossom tree, smiling at the giggling children that raced through the garden. They had been a bit sore at her for not playing with them earlier, but their mother had required at least a full three days of rest before she was able to escort them outside. Sesshomaru had held the kids at bay while she took the much needed recovery time. They had made a point to sneak outside at least once a day since then. Kagome's reply had already been sent and answered; Sesshomaru would escort her to the designated battleground tomorrow.

"I am glad to see you smiling again, koi." Kagome spun to find Sesshomaru leaning against the tree, a lazy smile on his lips. He sat down and pulled the demoness to sit between his legs, her head resting on his chest as his arms came around her.

"Transform!" A cloud of smoke appeared around Shippo, leaving him as a large, pink balloon creature. Rin squealed in joy and promptly jumped on top of him, the pair slowly bobbed up and down only a foot or so off the ground. Kagome couldn't deny the laughter that the ridiculous sight called out in her. Sesshomaru smiled down at her as the fit of giggles racked her small form.

Sesshomaru had sent letters to Kaede and the others to inform them of Kagome's situation, requesting their presence at the site. Seeing her friends would give her comfort, he was sure of it. His own sense of comfort was deteriorating as the day wore on. The uncomfortable position of not being in control of the events around him was a whole new experience for him. "˜Then it gives me perfect reason to act somewhat out of character.' A mischievous gleam swam in the golden depths of the Taiyoukai's eyes as one of his clawed hands fell to rest beneath Kagome's ribs.

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome squealed in shock as her mate mercilessly ran his claws against her ribs, tickling her into submission. A deep laugh rumbled through the dog demon's body as he tackled the struggling Hellhound to the ground. The children caught the tumble of limbs and rushed to investigate. Seeing the demoness unable to defend herself, Rin and Shippo took it upon themselves to hop on the distracted Western Lord.

"We've got you, papa!" Rin looped her arms around Sesshomaru's neck while Shippo took on his defiant tail. The demon lord growled playfully at the two attackers, but kept his full attention on the squirming woman beneath him.

"You're outnumbered, Sess. Give up before it's too late!" Kagome panted out between fits of laughter. Another onslaught of Sesshomaru's treacherous hands silenced her; he snorted arrogantly at her as he tipped his tail to bring Shippo to his eye-level. The kitsune "˜eeped' as his adopted father smirked.

Releasing his breathless mate, the Inuyoukai plucked a giggling Rin from his neck and a nervous Shippo from his tail. Before the children could exchange glances, Sesshomaru had them on his lap and held them as the tip of his fluffy tail tickled them into submission. Kagome sat back, laughing hysterically at the three of them; tears rolling down her grinning face.

"I give up!" Rin managed to gasp out.

"Me too!" Her kitsune brother chirped weakly.

Sesshomaru left the two roll from his lap unto the soft grass, clutching their sides as they tried to calm themselves. A triumphant grin lit the Lord of the Western Lands as he observed the three of them, but it faded as a servant approached and gave word that the evening meal was served. Noting the saddened look on the children's faces, Sesshomaru ordered for food to be sent to them. Shippo and Rin jumped with joy and took the given time to sneak another game of tag in while the food was being gathered. The two adults sat up against the tree once more, keeping a watchful eye on the energetic young ones.

Dinner was brought out and served; the group chatting lightly as they ate. Kagome was beginning to notice a decline in appetite and upon asking Sesshomaru, she learned that such a trait was normal; eventually she would rarely need to eat. The only time her appetite would pick up again was when she became pregnant. She quietly sipped her tea until she noticed a droop in her son and daughter's figure. A smile spread across her fair features; the full day of sunshine and laughter had finally taken its toll on the both of them.

Sesshomaru had noticed as well and had stood, beckoning a servant to him to signal the end of dinner. He ordered that the dinner setup be cleaned up and turned to Kagome as the servant bowed and went to fetch others to help. His mate was already gathering the children into her arms, their tired groans of protest falling short as she nuzzled them. With a small smile of his own, he escorted the demoness and their children out of the darkening gardens and into the castle.

A warm breeze caught the curtains of the children's room as the two dark figures settled the snoozing young ones into their beds; the woman took special care to kiss the heads of each child and murmur an "˜I love you so much.' into their ears. The demon brushed his knuckles along side both Rin and Shippo's cheeks before placing a hand on Kagome's back and leaving the room, quietly closing the door behind them. The majority of the walk to their bed chambers was spent in silence, until Kagome became fed up with the sound of swishing tails and the patter of feet.

"I do believe that what I witnessed today has never happened before in the history of this castle." Her eyes darted to his, laughter dancing in the satin depths.

"And what, pray tell, did you happen to witness?" Sesshomaru's voice held no immediate emotion, but Kagome could feel his nervousness at what she would say.

"Lord Sesshomaru actually letting go and joining the rest of us living creatures"¦if even for an afternoon." A full smile graced her lips as Sesshomaru clucked his tongue in annoyance. "It's a pity that the chance on my death is the only way to get such activity out of you." The demon at her side ceased his steps at her words, a pained expression on his face.

"You may find such circumstances amusing, but I fail to see the jest." The deadpan ring in his tone worried her, and Kagome turned and embraced him. His own arms encircled and held her as she whispered into his chest.

"Please forgive my ill-timed humor. I was just happy to see you acting so freely for once." He could feel how genuine the apology was and so graciously dropped the subject. Sesshomaru released her and took her hand to lead her back to the room. The demoness at this side silently thanked him for ending the uncomfortable conversation.

"What happened today is something that I will treasure until the end of my days." The emotions crashing through him had forced him to explain himself. "As my title calls for, I cannot be seen as an emotional being at any time. The one moment that you, Shippo, and Rin gave me will carry through the endless years of my life. There is no way I can express my gratitude or return such a gift, and for that I am sorry." His words ended as they entered their bedroom, the fire-pit roaring to life at their presence. Kagome couldn't bring herself to speak, letting Sesshomaru's confession sink in fully.

The Hellhound demoness sat at the vanity and brushed out her long mane, careful to be rid of stray pieces of grass and other snags. Sesshomaru had already shrugged out of his clothes and crawled into bed, the sheets hanging low on his striped hips as his arms went above his head to rest his hands underneath. It was only as Kagome stood and let her own gown pool at her feet did she realize his eyes never left her fire-bathed form. She glided into the sheets next to him, choosing to lie on her stomach with her head on his chest; a pale arm wrapped around her and drew her in closer.

The two remained in their position as the fire died down, bathing the thoughtful couple in moonlight. Kagome felt the sting of tears as realization finally dawned on her; this could be the last night that she lay here next to the man she loved. Everything would change tomorrow regardless of the duel's outcome. Her mate growled comfortingly, sensing her distress. Kagome suddenly crawled on top of the demon, startling him in the process. She shifted her legs to straddle him comfortably, bringing her face to hover a few inches in front of his.

"May I ask something of you, my Lord. As your mate, Sess"¦" Her serious tone worried him greatly; his clawed hands left the back of his head to settle on her cheeks. Kagome's clouded eyes searched his desperately.

"Anything you wish, koi." Sesshomaru felt his heart begin to tear at the sight of the trembling woman above him.

"Make it all go away"¦" Kagome spoke in hushed pain. It took a moment for Sesshomaru to realize what she meant. "No more thoughts about tomorrow, or the fact that tonight may be the last night I spend with my family." Her eyes held her plea. "Make the world disappear for me, Sesshomaru."

His breath left him at her words; he couldn't make the world fade away, but he could make it seem to disappear if only for a short while. She could sleep on the journey to the Whispering Fields tomorrow. Sesshomaru nodded and smiled at Kagome's sorrowful form.

"If it were possible, I would lock the rest of this world away for you. Do not cry my sweet lady"¦there are no others but us tonight." Sesshomaru whispered the words as his own youkai screamed in the back of his mind, demanding fulfillment.

He rolled her on to her back, pressing his lips against hers in a gentle kiss. Kagome moaned into his mouth, wrapping her arms around his neck as she deepened the kiss. Sesshomaru groaned as she arched into him, his tongue tasting her lips and mouth as his hands danced across her skin with feather-light touches. His mate sighed into his mouth"¦letting him take her away from it all.

*The next morning* (sorry"¦too sleepy to put a lemon in this chapter.)

Shippo and Rin waited patiently from their perch on the back of Ah Un, Sesshomaru's twin-headed dragon, as Sesshomaru gave his final orders for the care of the household in his and Kagome's absence. Jaken adjusted the reins of the dragon as Kagome and Sesshomaru took the lead; the main gate groaned as it swung open, allowing the silent group to pass. Throughout the journey, the children dozed while the two demons discussed the impending duel. As the two fell silent, Sesshomaru reached out and took Kagome's hand in his own, entwining their fingers as they walked on.

A gust of cold wind surrounded the travelers as they entered a clearing, their eyes settling on a group at the other end of the field. Kagome felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as her eyes fell on the Southern Lord, Mashiru. The other lords were there as well and it seemed that two women had accompanied Mashiru instead of one. The first regarded her with hateful, azure eyes; a jagged, gold paw print was displayed on her forehead. Her shoulder-length black hair swept up in a bun contrasted with her pale skin and lavender kimono. "˜Jutori"¦'

Kagome growled lowly in the back of her throat, but stopped when she beheld the second woman. This demoness was in sharp contrast to the first; her knee-length hair was white as snow with a few streaks of black, its single-braid form shifted in the breeze. Eyes of topaz observed her with curiousity and open-friendliness. The demoness shared the same mark as her opposite; her ivory and cream kimono shifted slightly as her leopard tail wrapped itself around her legs.

"Are you ready?" Sesshomaru's silky words brought her back from her intense inspection. His eyes betraying his concern for her as she smiled.

"Not really"¦but it will keep things interesting, I'm sure." Kagome giggled lightly, her gaze fixed on Jutori's scowling face. With grim determination, they strode forward towards the waiting demons.

**Preview of Chapter 17**

Jutori growled venomously as Kagome rolled to the side, narrowly dodging her poisonous claws. Narrowing her eyes, the leopard demoness spun abruptly and connected her heel with Kagome's jaw. The Hellhounds demoness flew back, stunned but quickly recovered. Jutori smirked maliciously as she flipped her hair, now free flowing from its confines.

Seeing the demon-whore's smirk and tasting her own blood had left Kagome with the strangest sensation. Her heart seemed to stop beating as a door deep within her burst open, painting her vision red. She wasn't letting her youkai self loose"¦this was different...darker. Her heartbeat came back harder, pounding into her ears as she sank to one knee. Letting the breath she was holding go, ash poured from her and she clawed the ground. Kagome shot her head up to find Jutori's smile had melted into a blanched expression of horror and fear.

**See you soon!**


TBC

*dodges sharp objects and a boulder* Relax!!! Next chapter is the duel"¦I SWEAR!! Don't be mad!! *puppy eyes* Besides"¦you'll only have to wait a day or two!

Special thanks to my loyal reviewers: TricksterGoddess, Kikiz, SexGoddess, Gem, and Artemis. You know I luv ya guys!!! *grin*