Happy Bath Ending

A/N: Hello all! I wrote this while I was at the beach...hope you enjoy it. A bit angsty toward the end, but it's no biggie.



“So what do you think about Inuyasha getting pregnant?” Kagome asked, trying to make conversation. Sakura had been very quiet on their walk back to the castle, and she could tell the woman disliked her immensely.

“It isn’t my place to comment on Master Inuyasha’s life.”

Kagome smirked. “Master Inuyasha. He’s always going to be just a half-breed nuisance in my eyes.” She gasped when she found herself slammed against a trunk of a nearby tree, Sakura’s tanto underneath her chin pressed against her throat.

“I will gladly remove those eyes if they are an issue,” Sakura threatened, her own lavender eyes gleaming. Kagome swallowed and shook her head, and then blade was removed. Her hands flew to her throat and she rubbed the skin, sighing. Sakura had already walked several steps away, and she had to jog to catch back up to her.

“Can I ask you something?” Kagome pestered, infuriating the healer.

“I don’t know, can you?” Sakura asked snidely.

Kagome ignored her and continued. “Why don’t you like me?”

Sakura abruptly halted, and Kagome nearly tripped over her. “Me liking you isn’t a requirement. But I’ll tell you why I don’t like you. So far, you have hurt three men that I love.”

Kagome looked confused. “Three?”

Sakura held up a finger for each man. “Master Inuyasha, although that one was obvious. Next is Lord Sesshoumaru, probably also obvious. And last but not least, Kouga.”

Kagome grimaced. “I can understand Inuyasha but the other two?…” She spread her hands out and shrugged, making Sakura madder.

“Must everything be explained to you? You kept Master Inuyasha away from Lord Sesshoumaru. You know how starved for affection and acceptance he was, and you prided yourself on making sure you were the only thing he saw. Even the miko before you wasn’t so selfish. You led him on, and you were totally wrong for that.”

Kagome’s mouth dropped open. “Did Inuyasha say that? Did he say I led him on?”

Sakura glared at her angrily and put her hands on her hips. “No, Kouga told me you led both of them on. You knew that Inuyasha had lost Kikiyo, just like Kouga had lost Ayame, and you led both of them on for your own simple enjoyment. I hope it was fun,” She spat venomously.

Kagome pursed her lips. “I never meant to hurt anyone.”

“No one cares about what you meant to do. But you need to know that despite your best of intentions, people got hurt. And don‘t even think about trying to come between them again.”

Kagome mutely nodded. “Inuyasha doesn’t want me anymore. And neither does Kouga,” She added softly, making Sakura smile.

“I‘m not worried about Kouga wanting you. You should learn your place, miko. You aren’t as adorable as you think. Lady Chisato is at the castle, and her claws have been itching to rip into tender flesh. She and some of the others back home would not have bothered to give you a friendly warning like I just did,” Sakura said, leading her into a clearing.

Kagome thought and then paused a moment. “Hold on, Sakura. You said love all three of them?” Kagome asked incredulously. “How?”

Sakura smiled genuinely. “Yes. But there are varying degrees of love. Someone with a head as soft as yours wouldn’t understand. Perhaps if you are lucky, one day you’ll become something more than what you are, and you’ll be an asset to this world instead of a liability.” Kagome opened her mouth to respond, but was halted by Tenchi coming to meet them.

“Kagome-sama. Sakura-chan…here,” He said, thrusting a stack of scrolls in her hand.

“What the hell is all of this?” She asked testily, still warm off her conversation with Kagome. The guard shifted uneasily, scared of the girl’s volatile nature.

“Lord Sesshoumaru wants you and your sister to spread the news of the ceremony.”

“So doesn’t she get half of these then?” Eyebrows winked at the guard, but to no avail.

“She already got her half.”

Sakura’s face twisted into an ugly grimace before she had a brainstorm. “I’ll get Kouga to help! He can deliver these in no time, and I can go nap in his cave!” She said out loud to herself more than to the miko and sweaty guard. She wordlessly turned and headed back to the rest of the western lands, leaving Kagome and Tenchi standing there.

He looked her up and down and gestured for her to walk in front of him, barely containing his laugh at seeing her undergarments, which had pieces of tree bark stuck to them. He guessed she had leaned against a tree, but since entertainment was so hard to come by, he kept all comments, assumptions, and helpful hints to himself as they walked into the castle.
*************************************

Kagome stared at the pretty woman in the foyer. She had impossibly long and shiny hair, and her eyes were that same bright honey as Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. She was clothed in thick red robes and appeared a bit heavy around the middle. The woman raised her eyes at seeing Kagome, and the miko blushed and bowed respectfully.

“Lady Chisato…I am pleased to meet you. I am Kagome, a friend of Inuyasha’s,” She said, hoping that the woman wouldn’t slash her open.

“Kagome, ya idiot! It’s me!”

She raised her head quickly, hearing Inuyasha’s voice, although it sounder a little higher and less gruff. She squinted at the woman and then gasped. Inuyasha?!!! He looked like a…like a…

“You look like a chick!” Kagome screamed, pointing at him. Inuyasha frowned as Sesshoumaru, Rin, and Chisato walked into the foyer upon hearing the ruckus.

“What the hell is that?” Chisato asked rudely, turning her nose up at Kagome. The girl stared at Chisato and then averted her eyes with the youkai snapped her jaws.

“Miko-sama. Thank you for coming. She is here to purify the shards,” Sesshoumaru explained to his mother, who was checking a nearby table for dust.

“Stupid wenches…they should clean better,” Chisato said, rubbing the dust between her forefinger and thumb. Rin checked the dust too, shaking her head and mimicking the regal youkai. Kagome smiled at her.

“Hey Rin, how are you?” She asked, reaching to pat her on the head.

“Don‘t touch me!” Rin screamed, swatting at Kagome. Inuyasha stifled a laugh and Sesshoumaru gave Rin a chastising look.

“Miko-sama is here to help me. You should be more hospitable,” Sesshoumaru said in a bored voice, only pretending to be nice.

Rin stared at Sesshoumaru, picking up on the insincerity in his voice. “Do I have to?” Rin whispered to Chisato, who shook her head. Rin gave Kagome a malicious look and pulled at her Oka Oka’s hand, wanting to show her the booger she had picked that looked like a flower. Chisato smirked at Kagome before allowing herself to be led away by her granddaughter.

Kagome reddened and cleared her throat, turning back to Inuyasha. “Inuyasha, you look…different.”

He smiled ruefully, putting a hand on his hip. “Well Kagome, I am very, very pregnant. My body has gone through some changes, some good and some bad. But Shou has made it as easy as possible on me, haven’t you?” Inuyasha cooed to his brother, making the demon growl lowly. He tucked in and nuzzled the strong neck, making Kagome’s eyes bulge. It seemed strange seeing the brothers be so affectionate. Sesshoumaru returned the gesture by licking Inuyasha’s cheek lovingly, making the hanyou sigh with contentment.

“Miko-sama, are you prepared to purify the shards?” Sesshoumaru’s voice snapped Kagome out of her trance and she swallowed, nodding. She looked up at the tall demon, frightened.

“Is there something wrong?” Sesshoumaru asked, his voice even. Kagome swallowed again and cleared her throat.

“I just have a question L-Lord Sesshoumaru.”

He nodded, playing with Inuyasha‘s chubby fingers. “You may ask it.”

Kagome sighed to try to slow her heartbeat. “The guard was handing Sakura some scrolls, saying there was some sort of ceremony. What is it?”

Sesshoumaru cast her a withering look. “It is for a mating ceremony. A ceremony for myself and Inuyasha.” He possessively wrapped his fingers around Inuyasha’s and gripped them tightly, making her sigh.

“Am I…invited?”

“No.” They all looked up at Chisato, who was standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips.

“Mother!” Inuyasha countered, but drew back when Chisato walked up to him and nipped his nose.

“Pipe down. I will not have an unclean wench at our gathering.”

“She can bathe,” Inuyasha explained, making Sesshoumaru stifle a laugh. His mother and Inuyasha both talked in so many circles, but the cute thing was that Chisato did it intentionally, where as Inuyasha didn’t. Chisato smirked and wordlessly walked away. Kagome’s heart was in her throat.

‘Unclean? What did she mean?‘

“Miko-sama. I dare not keep you here longer than necessary. Please, let me show you to the shards,” Sesshoumaru said, releasing Inuyasha’s hand. He kissed his brother’s cheek chastely and then guided Kagome to the library, not noticing the troubled look on her face.

******************************

“Are you certain of this? Are you positively sure?” Naraku pressed, glaring at Kanna. He had finally noticed his shards were gone, but instinctively knew who had stolen them. Kagura of course had taken them, but was definitely not powerful enough to use them. He figured perhaps she was just being a nuisance and hid them from him, but Kanna’s mirror told a different story. The emotionless girl had told him that the shards were at Sesshoumaru’s castle, but not to worry. He had nearly broken her neck at such a stupid statement. Not to worry? His enemy had both a great deal of the shards AND Shimizu in his palm!

Kanna stared into her mirror, her face devoid of any light. “Yes, I am positive. She will be in the woods shortly. She will be vulnerable…more so than last time. Use it carefully.” Kanna pressed her mirror to her chest and bowed her head, signifying her vision had passed.

Naraku nodded. “Then I shall go to the woods to collect what is mine.” He stood and stretched, smiling. “If the slayer and wind whore return…kill them. Slowly,” He said, his reddish eyes shining.
*******************************

Kagome collapsed on the velvet futon, sweating with a few shards clasped in her hand. All of her attempts to purify the shards were in vain. Sesshoumaru’s eyes narrowed. It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried; he could easily see the strain on her mind and body, but Kagome wasn’t his concern. Inuyasha and his pup were his only concerns, and Naraku could not be allowed to have all these jewel shards.

“I-I can’t! I can’t purify these shards! It’s like something is blocking me…keeping me from purifying them! I don’t understand!” Kagome said in a shrill voice that gave Sesshoumaru a slight headache. She buried her head in her one of her hands, shaking her head.

“Are you even trying to purify them?” Sesshoumaru asked in an even tone, almost intentionally mocking her.

“Of course I’m trying! How dare you! SIT BOY!” She screamed, temporarily forgetting where she was and who she was speaking to.

Sesshoumaru quickly reached down and grabbed Kagome by her shirt collar, lifting her several feet off the ground.

“Is that how you used to speak to my mate? Is that what you would do to him, slam his beautiful face in the ground? IS IT?” Sesshoumaru roared, flopping her back and forth like a rag doll. Kagome started to squirm to break away, only to have Sesshoumaru hurl her onto the floor. She made a loud ‘thud’ and hit the floor so hard she actually bounced.

“What was that?!!” Chisato asked, bounding into the door. Inuyasha waddled in behind her, gasping at what he saw. Kagome was sprawled out on the floor, trying to crawl away from an advancing Sesshoumaru.

“Shou! What are you doing?” Inuyasha yelled, trying to assist Kagome. Sesshoumaru pointed at Kagome, growling loudly at her.

“That bitch just tried to ‘sit’ me! As if I were some common street dog that just urinated on her! She refuses to purify the shards and is uncouth enough to disrespect me in my own home! THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!” Sesshoumaru screamed loud enough to rattle the windows and crack a nearby vase. His youkai shoved its way to the front of his mind, so much so that his eyes began to have red seep into them. He was about to attack Kagome with his poisoned claws until a light touch and a single word stopped him.

“Mate.” Inuyasha spoke softly, caressing one of Sesshoumaru’s magenta stripes on his left cheek. The demon glared with narrowed eyes at its future mate, and almost instantly the red tinge disappeared and golden eyes returned. Sesshoumaru stared at Inuyasha, and there they stood in a locked gaze until Kagome coughed, ruining their moment.

Inuyasha looked toward Kagome and sighed. “Kagome, I keep trying with you, and it means nothing. I invite you to my home, ask for your help, and you attempt to assault my mate. You are highly disrespectful and should apologize,” Inuyasha admonished, surprising everyone in the room, especially Kagome. She jumped up and glared hatefully at him, her jealously rapidly spiking. She pointed to an ugly bruise that was forming on her leg from where she had landed.

“Look at what he did to me, and you don’t even care!! I’m glad I couldn’t purify these shards! You and Sesshoumaru are disgusting, and I don’t care if incest is ok with demons! It’s nasty! I’m glad you didn’t invite me to your stupid party! Naraku was right when he said I deserve better than a filthy half-breed!” She screamed, making Inuyasha go pale. He had honestly thought Kagome was over him and was alright with him and Sesshoumaru. And what was this about her talking to Naraku? It didn’t make sense.

“Look at yourself! Look at what Sesshoumaru has done to you! You’re his bitch now, apparently in more ways than one! At least I would have let you be a man,” Kagome added, trying to hurt Inuyasha as much as possible. He placed a hand over his heart as it was beating rapidly.

Sesshoumaru had had enough. He stepped up to Kagome and backhanded her hard enough to spin her all the way around, blood flying from her mouth. Kagome swayed dizzily as Sesshoumaru raised his hand again, but was grabbed by Inuyasha.

“Please Shou, stop! I’ve hurt her enough,” Inuyasha whispered, staring sadly at Kagome. She glared at him, righting herself. “I HATE YOU!!!” She emotionally screamed before wiping blood from her lip and running off. The hanyou looked stricken and quietly looked down.

“I’ll make sure she leaves,” Chisato murmured, for once silenced by the display before her. Her son definitely had her hair trigger personality, and she worried not for the stupid miko, but for her sons. Sesshoumaru was mad enough to pop, and worst case scenario would be them cancelling the mating ceremony. Even she couldn’t force them to mate if their bond didn’t run as deep as she previously had thought. She glanced furtively at her son, who looked pained. She knew what it was like to have the one you love be in love with another. She had prayed that Sesshoumaru would never have to face that, but she was also certain that whatever hold the miko had over Inuyasha was long gone. Sesshoumaru needed to see that for himself though.

Sesshoumaru watched his mother leave and wrenched himself from Inuyasha. “Why? Why do you insist on defending that…that bitch at every turn?!! You love her still, don‘t you?” His accusing words struck Inuyasha just as if he were slashing at him with Tokijin, and he received an icy glare as his answers.

“I never loved Kagome. Ever. She is a friend, well she was up until now. I always loved you, Sesshoumaru. Or at least I wanted to. First as my brother, now as my mate. But obviously I’m still not good enough for you.” Hot tears coursed down his beautiful face, and Sesshoumaru was affected, but remained stoic.

“If you want out of this, then fine! But don’t ask me stupid ass questions. It insults what little intelligence you assume I have! And don‘t worry about my feelings, I’m used to the rejection by now. In fact, rejection is the only thing I can count on.” Inuyasha trudged past Sesshoumaru, shoving his arm away when the demon tried to embrace him. He slammed out of a side room off the library, leaving Sesshoumaru alone to contemplate his mistakes.
*********************

Sakura panted, rubbing her forehead. She had ran all the way back to Kouga’s tribe, and after promises and bribes of food and sex, got him and a few enlistees to distribute the scrolls, making her job infinitely easier. On the way back to the castle, she felt like something was off, being ill at ease anyway over Kagome being at the castle. Even though the youkai and hanyou could fight better than she ever could, she had no attachment to Kagome and wouldn’t mind killing her. Inuyasha, on the other hand, seemed willing to tolerate and cater to the miko, and he would prevent Sesshoumaru and Chisato from injuring her also. She leaned against a tree and closed her eyes, attempting to catch her breath.

“You there, Wolf Kisser!”

Sakura’s eyes snapped open as she saw Chisato running toward her. “A thousand apologies, Lady Chisato! I didn’t know you were in the woods!” She exclaimed, falling to her knees. Chisato grunted.

“Get up, you lazy cow. I smell the wolf tribe all over you. You went to see that thug wolf again, didn’t you?”

Sakura hung her head. “I did go to see him, Lady Chisato. I figured he can help me distribute those scrolls since he has jewel shards in his legs. He moves much faster than I do,” She confessed timidly, hoping not to be maimed too badly.

Chisato smiled. “Perhaps you aren’t as dumb as you look. That was actually a brilliant idea. Have you seen that nasty miko running around here?”

Sakura’s lavender eyes blazed. “No. But if I do see her, I could ‘accidentally’ kill her for you.”

Chisato’s smile deepened. “Yes, yes…I think I rather much like you.” Sakura smiled at the comment. “But don’t get cheeky!” She said sharply, making the smile on Sakura’s face fall. Chisato patted the girl’s face gently and turned away to find Kagome.

“Lady Chisato?”

Chisato turned. “What is it, Sakura?”

The girl unsheathed her tanto. “So if I see her, do I get to kill her?” She grinned at the encouraging nod she received.
************************

Kagome ran, her tears blinding her. How could Inuyasha do this to her? First he gets pregnant and then has the nerve to marry his arch enemy? His brother? She fell down in a nearby grove, her chest heaving and on fire.

“They only wanted me to purify the shards…I bet once the jewel is completed Sesshoumaru will wish Inuyasha to be a full demon!” She angrily screamed, rocking back and forth. She felt something wet in her hand, and upon looking down noticed the small purple shards in her hand, nearly embedded into the skin and bleeding from her clutching her palm so tightly. She gave a sinister smile, glad that she had shards in her possession again.

“Kukukuku…I wondered if you would be here.”

Kagome looked up to see Naraku standing before her, his hand outstretched. She grimaced at him and leaned away, only to have Naraku sit down beside her.

“Tell me what Inuyasha did to you. My dear sweet Kagome,” He cooed, looking into her face.

Kagome would not be so easily swayed this time. “Kagome now, is it? On our last meeting you could have sworn I was Kikiyo,” She said sarcastically, attempting to stand. A unusually hot hand on her thigh pushed her back down.

“I realize you could never be Kikiyo.”

“Why?” Kagome snapped, her personality the most combative it had ever been.

Naraku smiled, looking dangerously beautiful. “Because you are evil and Kikiyo is not.”

“I’m not evil!”

Naraku laughed sensually, tracing the formerly infected cut on Kagome’s arm. “Yes, you are. Your dark thoughts about Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru are what initially led me to you on our last few meetings. That is why,” He said carefully, taking his nimble fingers and opening her hand to reveal the shards, “…these shards are unpurified. You have a great deal of evil and malice in your heart. I can’t say I blame you, look at how ungrateful Inuyasha has been! He should be punished, don’t you agree?” His gaze was alluring, and Kagome felt heavy, burdened. She wanted the pain in her heart to stop.

“Yes,” She whispered, closing her hand in Naraku’s, the shards between their palms. He smiled at her and stood, lifting her up with him. He waved his hands, and a miasma covered them to carry them to his palace. Kagome looked down as they passed over Sesshoumaru’s castle, never hating anyone or anything as much as she hated Inuyasha at that very moment. Naraku could sense her anger, and smiled the whole trip home.
********************************
I
Inuyasha ran blindly through the tunnels of the castle, trying to distance himself as far as possible from Sesshoumaru. How could he ask if he loved Kagome? He left his friends, his nomadic life to put on robes that constantly made him sweat and allowed himself to be pampered and cared for to meet Sesshoumaru’s standards. For what? To be treated the same as he always was? Mistrusted? Unloved? Criticized? His tears streaked his face as he reached a dead end. ‘Great,‘ he thought, the irony too much for him. He angrily pushed against cold stone, surprised when the wall moved aside to reveal an underground hot spring. He paused, not knowing this part of the castle. He peered into the cavern, the sound of the water cascading calming him down. He tentatively stepped into the cave, steam blowing against his face. He took a shuddering, hitching breath as he looked into the water.

It would be so easy.

It would be so easy to fall in, let the water cover his face, his mouth, his eyes. It would be so easy just to close his eyes and let the water take him away from his pain. “Sesshoumaru didn’t even try to stop me,” He whispered, his inner youkai screaming. He closed his eyes to silence his beast, and he stripped off his robes, revealing his naked body to the warm air. The water gleamed in an accepting, nonjudgmental way, inviting Inuyasha in. He stepped off the edge, only to feel a strong hand pull him back.

“Whaa?” Inuyasha started, turning around. He started to struggle when he saw it was his brother that grabbed him.

“Don’t step into that water, Inuyasha! I know what you were going to do,” Sesshoumaru said softly, trying to pull his naked, squirming lover back from the edge, in more ways than one.

Inuyasha beat Sesshoumaru on his back with balled fists. “You don’t know anything! I was trying to do you a favor! You don’t love me! You don’t even want me! You just want this baby so you and Chisato can do whatever it is you keep whispering about! Let me go!” Inuyasha shrieked, slapping Sesshoumaru hard.

“Please, puppy…please,” Sesshoumaru hoarsely whispered. He turned his head from Inuyasha, offering his neck as a sincere apology. Inuyasha growled and actually barked, refusing to accept the apology so easily. Sesshoumaru released him and dropped to his knees, his neck still bent in submission. Inuyasha looked at his face, and saw where his brother had been crying. Leaning closer, he smelled the tears and was instantly contrite. He saw his neck gently pulsing, waiting for him to lick, bite, something to show he accepted him again. Sesshoumaru whimpered, at first softly, but louder as Inuyasha took longer than he wanted to accept his apology. The cries sounded more human-like as tears started to flow again from Sesshoumaru’s eyes. He cried in front of his brother, his love, hopefully still, his mate.

Inuyasha felt his own eyes fill with tears as he leaned down and gently nuzzled and then licked Sesshoumaru’s neck. The youkai gave a wavering sigh and turned back to Inuyasha, caressing his cheek softly.

“Never again will I question your feelings, Inuyasha. I won’t let my jealousy impede our relationship ever again. I promise,” He whispered, opening his arms. Inuyasha fell into them, sobbing.

“Do you trust me, Shou?”

“Yes.”

“Do you love me, Shou?”

“My love for you goes beyond the ends of the universe. You are my everything,” He whispered, looking into Inuyasha’s eyes. He brought his lips to Inuyasha’s forehead, then his cheeks, and finally his mouth. He wrapped his arms around the hanyou and stood, carefully entering the water with him. Inuyasha looked frightened for a moment, but then relaxed when he was kissed softly.

“The water will help to relax you. I am sorry I got you so upset.”

Inuyasha rested his head on Sesshoumaru’s chest, hearing his heart beat rapidly. “I hurt you also. I’m sorry too. And you’re right. I have to stop tending to Kagome all the time. I guess I got used to her hurting me, but I deserve better.”

Sesshoumaru buried his face into silky damp hair, sighing. “You deserve all that life has to give. All that I have to give. Your home is here, Inuyasha. Not just in this castle, but in these arms. I’ll never let you go, no matter what anyone says,” He murmured, his thoughts straying briefly to Goanna’s words. His grip tightened and a hand slipped down to Inuyasha's bump. "I'll never let either of you go," Sesshoumaru whispered, kissing Inuyasha's temple softly.

Inuyasha sighed and closed his eyes. He had had such a long day, and there was nothing more he wanted to do than sleep in Sesshoumaru’s arms. He wished the best for Kagome, but honestly, the best thing for all of them was for her to go back down the well and stay away forever. He hoped that she had did just that, but had a sick feeling that she was still around, and closer than he wanted.


A/N: I'll have more posted ASAP, even if it's just half a chap. Hope everyone is well and I'm off to bed. Thanks for the reviews and such, most of the time they make me smile.