My Boyfriend's Brother

I realise I'm starting to sound like a broken record already but I am overwhelmed by the wonderful reviews you're giving me. *red face* I was pretty nervous about submitting my stuff because I wasn't sure the quality of my writing was up to scratch. I'm glad you guys think the sex scenes are hot because I was worried they were a bit long and drawn out. No sex in this installment I'm afraid but lots of emotional angst. I promise there's going to be a sex overload in the next one!

Anika-kitty thanks! I'm all embarrassed.

Madmiko you got part of your wish. You're getting Inuyasha's reaction. I hope it's up to scratch! The visit to Mom could come later! I don't really know why I had her get pregnant right away. It just speeds things up I guess...

Kawaii KIlala I think I've deviated a bit. Forgive me!

Kero, you're embarrassing me too, in a good way!


Kagome sat in a sunken bathtub full of steaming, perfumed water. Flower petals floated on its surface. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes, relaxing one muscle at a time. Between her legs she was tender, her breasts were hypersensitive, her thigh muscles, hip joints and lower back ached. The hot water brought blessed relief.

The tub had been filled and waiting when Sesshomaru had brought her to the bathroom. A girl of her own age had knocked timidly on the door as she had gotten into the tub, with clean towels in her arms. She bowed shyly and introduced herself as Yuki. Then she had left the towels down on a bench against the wall and exited the room. At first glance Yuki had appeared human, but as she left in hurried embarrassment, Kagome had noticed a long, flickering black tail below the hem of her simple kimono.

She wondered if she was a Hanyou like Inuyasha. Did she hide animal ears under her headscarf? Thinking of him made her heart sore. Sesshomaru had spirited her away without so much as a goodbye. She knew her friends would worry. They were probably searching for her right now. Was there any way to communicate with them and let them know she was okay?

How would they react to the news that she was now Sesshomaru’s mate? How was Inuyasha going to feel? What would he do? What about little Shippo? She had not meant to abandon him. Tears formed and squeezed out of the corners of her closed eyes. They spilled down her cheeks. She was so immersed in her thoughts and feelings she did not know they were falling.

A sudden pounding on the lower part of the door made her jump. Her heart forgot to beat and her eyes flashed open in surprise. Her heart restarted with a thump. She gasped for breath. She realised her eyes and cheeks were wet. She wiped frantically at her face.

“Who…”

Her voice came out as a sob. She cleared her throat. She tried again.

“Who is it?”, she called.

Her voice sounded a little better.

“Kagome-san? It’s Rin. Can I come in?”

Kagome’s eyes widened. She glanced down at her naked body soaking in the water. Ideally she would wish to be clothed for her first meeting with Rin in Sesshomaru’s mansion. She sighed.

“Of course you can! Come on in, Rin-chan!”, she cried.

“Yaaayyyy!!!”

Rin pushed door open a few inches and slipped through the opening. She ran towards the bathtub in her brightly coloured yukata, ponytail bouncing, arms out. As she drew closer, childish shyness overtook her. She stopped a respectful few feet away and bowed formally to Kagome. Kagome felt her heart melt. God, she’s so cute! She smiled.

“Come closer, Rin-chan”, Kagome said, “We’re both girls. It doesn’t matter if I’m naked, does it?”

Rin lifted her head and smiled at Kagome. She shook her head. She walked towards the bathtub and rested little hands on the smooth rim. She gazed up at Kagome with large, curious brown eyes.

“I’m so happy to see you again, Rin-chan”, Kagome said.

Rin grinned.

“Me too! I’m so happy you’re going to be my new mother!”, Rin gushed.

She was grinning so widely her eyes were shiny slits. There was a gap between her front teeth. Kagome could not help but smile back at her. She wondered idly how Rin had lost the tooth. She reached out and brushed an eyelash off Rin’s cheek.

“She could not wait any longer to see you”, Sesshomaru said, “I did not think you would mind if she came in while you were bathing.”

Kagome started at the sound of his voice. She had not heard him come in. She looked towards the direction of the sound. He had closed the door of the bathroom after Rin and was standing in front of it, a bundle colourful silks clutched to his chest. The thought that a tiny, human girl should have such a powerful Taiyoukai so firmly wrapped around her little finger made Kagome smile wider.

“No, I don’t mind”, she said.

She turned to Rin.

“I have to wash my hair yet but if you don’t mind waiting, could you help me get dressed, Rin-chan?”, she said, “I don’t think I could put my kimono on without help.”

“Me?!”, Rin said, “I’d love to stay and help you get dressed Kagome-san!”

Rin looked at Sesshomaru.

“Is that alright, Sesshomaru-sama?”, she said.

Kagome’s eyebrows went up. Does she really need to get his permission?

“Of course it is, Rin”, Sesshomaru said, his expression soft, almost fatherly, “You do not need to ask. I shall take my leave.”

Kagome watched him walk across the room and put her clothes down on the bench with her towels. She took in the sway in his shoulders, the movement of his hips, the cloth of the kimono swinging around his ankles, the length of his hair moving like it was a separate living thing. He turned towards the door. He looked at her and realised he was aware she was watching him.

He had been moving with deliberate slowness for her benefit. She felt her cheeks flush. The corners of his mouth turned up. There heat in his gaze. Rin’s little hand touched her arm unexpectedly, brushing away a sodden flower petal. Kagome started.
Rin was moving her hands through the water, catching petals. The sleeves of her kimono were carefully rolled up. When she had gathered enough petals she held them to her nose.

Rin realised Kagome was watching and she smiled widely at her, showing the gapped teeth again. Kagome smiled back. While she was distracted by Rin, Sesshomaru left the room, shutting the screen door firmly behind him. She lifted her head and stared after him. A furrow appeared between her eyebrows. Tease!

Kagome got out of the bath and wrapped a towel around her body. Rin sat on the floor and talked nonsense to her while she washed her hair. Yuki arrived on to assist them. Kagome dried off properly and tried to stay still while Yuki and Rin fussed with the layers of the kimono, tied the belt and fixed the neckline. The attention made her a little nervous.

At this proximity, she had noticed Yuki had striking, slanting green eyes and three sets of whiskers on each cheek. Is she a full or a half-cat demon? Are there cute cat ears under that headscarf? It seemed too forward to just drop the questions into casual conversation. Perhaps she would ask Rin later.

Her hair, she was not sure what to do with. She rubbed it with a towel and sat down on the bench with a sigh. Rin sighed in imitation of her new foster mother. Kagome smiled at her. Rin smiled back. She touched Kagome’s face.

“You’re so pretty, Kagome-san”, Rin said.

“Thank you, Rin-chan. I think you’re very pretty too.”

Rin smiled shyly.

“Will I have big breasts like you one day, Kagome-san?”, Rin said.

Kagome’s cheeks flushed an attractive shade of pink. Yuki made a small smile.

“Yes, Rin-chan”, Kagome said, “In a few years time you’ll have breasts too. I’m not sure if they’ll be big or small. You’ll find out…”

Rin met her eyes.

“I’m glad, because then I can marry Sesshomaru-sama”, she announced.

Rin looked perfectly serious as she spoke. Kagome’s eyes widened slightly. Yuki seemed unperturbed.

“Rin-chan…”, Kagome said.

Rin’s face seemed to collapse in on itself. Then the small girl threw her head back and laughed. Kagome could only stare at her. Seemingly Rin had been carefully observing and learning the techniques of the master of the straight face, Sesshomaru.

“Did you really believe me, Kagome-san?”, Rin said, “I was just making a little joke. I would never want to marry Sesshomaru-sama because he’s my Daddy!”

Rin looked as startled as Kagome by her second announcement. She looked behind her as if expecting him to appear. Then she looked back to Kagome again.

“Don’t tell Sesshomaru-sama I said that, will you, Kagome-san?”, Rin said.

Kagome shook her head. She grinned. She felt more like Rin’s new big sister than a mother figure.

“It will be our little secret”, Kagome said.

“Yay! Promise you won’t tell, Yuki-chan?”

Yuki smiled at Rin indulgently.

“Yes, Rin-chan”, Yuki said.

Yuki produced a hairbrush and a small box containing various hair combs and pins.

“Shall I style your hair for you, Kagome-sama?”, she said.

Kagome looked at her in surprise.

“Yes, thank you, Yuki-san”, Kagome said, “I was just wondering what I should do with it…”

Yuki’s reply was a small smile. She passed the accessories to Kagome so she could examine them and pick her favourites. With a firm but gentle hand, Yuki began to tackle the tangles in Kagome’s hair.

“I want to brush Kagome-san’s hair!”, Rin said.

Inwardly Kagome screamed. Nooooohhhh! On the outside she smiled.

“Okay, Rin-chan”, she said, “If Yuki-san doesn’t mind… That would be nice...”

Kagome’s life quickly fell into a pattern. In the mornings Rin would wake her up. They would bathe and dress. They would eat together and walk through the grounds after breakfast.

Sesshomaru charged Kagome with teaching Rin how to read and write. At first it had been difficult. Although Kagome had spent most of her life in school, she discovered that teaching was harder than it looked. Fortunately Rin was a quick study which made her job a lot easier. Most days they would study until noon.

The early afternoon was spent in the grounds, doing art and crafts, reading aloud or generally lazing around. Then came Rin’s playtime or a Jaken torturing session if he was around. Naturally Jaken did not approve of Kagome. He thought she was a poor choice for a mate so she would turn a blind eye to Rin’s activities. Occasionally she took time to catch up on lost sleep before dinner.

Sesshomaru would join them at his leisure. Once, Kagome foolishly asked him what he did when he was away. He replied that he took the time to train, patrol his territorial borders and to hunt. She had left it at that. Perhaps it was morally reprehensive of her but she preferred not to know what he hunted.

The evenings were for talking. Usually Rin would fall asleep by the fire and have to be carried up to bed by Sesshomaru. Watching the tender expression on his face, as he would pick her up warmed Kagome’s heart. Kagome’s nights were Sesshomaru’s alone. He was an enthusiastic and imaginative lover. She soon shed her shyness and inhibitions under his tutelage.

“Kagome-san, wake up!”

It was a morning like any other. Kagome groaned and snuggled up to Sesshomaru.

“Just a little longer, Rin-chan…”

Sesshomaru drew enough of the sheet out from under Kagome’s body to cover his lower body and most of his legs. She tended to hog the covers.

“Rin, I swear; you come in earlier and earlier each morning…”, Sesshomaru said.

Rin grinned at him.

“I got Yuki-chan to wake me this morning”, Rin said.

Kagome groaned.

“Is it even light outside?”, Kagome said.

Rin’s grin got wider.

“Nope!”

Then Rin looked thoughtful.

“Kagome-san?”, Rin said.

“Yes, Rin-chan?”, Kagome said.

Her eyes were still closed.

“Why are you and Sesshomaru-sama always naked when I come in the morning?”, Rin said, “Before you came to live with us Sesshomaru-sama used to wear a yukata in bed...”

Her eyes flashed open. Her body tensed. She stared at Rin opened-mouthed. Then she looked at Sesshomaru. He was smiling at Rin, as if he was pleased by her question.

“Sessh?”, Kagome said.

He met her eyes.

“Shall I answer Rin’s question?”, Sesshomaru said.

Kagome nodded vigorously.

“Rin”, Sesshomaru said.

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama?”, Rin said.

Her eyes were focused intently on his face.

“Do you remember the day we came upon male hares fighting each other in the fields and you asked me why they were doing that?”, Sesshomaru said.

Rin chewed her bottom lip to hide a smile.

“No…”, Rin said.

“I think you mean: yes, Sesshomaru-sama!”

The smile broke out from behind her teeth.

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama!”, Rin cried happily.

“What did I say?”

“You said it was to prove which one of them was stronger so they could mate with a female hare and make babies.”

“Very good Rin... What was your next question?”

“I asked you how babies were made?!”

“Do you remember what I said?”

“Yes. You said that when…”

“Very well. I am sure Kagome does not need to hear the full explanation…”

Kagome felt something akin to relief. Rin’s eyes widened.

“Does that mean you’re trying to make a baby with Kagome-san?”, Rin said.

“Yes”, Sesshomaru said.

Kagome blushed wondering where and when the conversation would end.

“Kagome-san has been here for four weeks now”, Rin said, “Do you think you’ve made a baby yet?”

“Yes”, Sesshomaru said.

Kagome’s eyes went wide.

“Oh!”, she said, “How…”

Sesshomaru smiled at Kagome. Rin grinned.

“Yay!”, she cried.

Then a small furrow appeared between her eyebrows.

“So, if you’ve already made a baby, Sesshomaru-sama, why do you keep having sex with Kagome-san?”, Rin said.

Sesshomaru coughed to hide a gasp of surprise. Kagome made a strangled noise in her throat.

“Rin”, he said, “Your questions are becoming intrusive.”

Rin’s eyes went a little wide. She bowed.

“I’m sorry, Sesshomaru-sama”, she said.

Sesshomaru dismissed the apology.

“Do not apologise, Rin”, he said, “You are only displaying natural curiosity. I shall answer this final question and then we shall let the matter rest. Is that clear?”

Rin chewed her lip.

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama”, she said.

“In demon or human relationships, mating is not reserved exclusively for reproduction. It has other uses… When a male and a female engage in sexual activities, pleasurable sensations are caused by the friction of certain parts of their bodies. Naturally the participants will want to repeat the experience… However, with a mated pair, repeated mating has the effect of cementing the relationship, strengthening the bonds of friendship, intimacy and emotion between the couple…”

There was a frown across Rin’s pretty face. Kagome’s face was red and she was only the listener. She could not imagine how red her face would be if she actually had to explain any of this to Rin.

“Do you understand what I am saying?”, Sesshomaru said to Rin.

“Some of it… You use a lot of big words, Sesshomaru-sama… So you have sex with Kagome-san all the time because you love her?”

Sesshomaru’s wide eyes went wider. A pale pink flush crept across his cheeks.

“Rin”, he said, “I thought I made it clear that I would not answer anymore questions of a personal nature today?”

Rin grinned.

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama!”

Kagome frowned.

“Sessh?”, she said.

He met her eyes.

“Yes, Kagome?”, he said.

“You said we’d already made a baby… How can you be so sure?”

In the time she had been living with Sesshomaru, Kagome had not had a period. She did not think he was that familiar with a human female’s menstrual cycle. She had her suspicions that she might be pregnant but it was not uncommon for her period to be late. It had happened before. He put his hand on her lower abdomen.

“Oh, I am very sure”, he said, “A few nights ago, I heard it and every night since…”

The look in his eyes was tender. Her frown deepened.

“What did you hear?”, she said.

“A tiny heartbeat in your belly. It is faint but it is there...”

Kagome stared at him.

“I’m pregnant…”

Sesshomaru smiled.

“Yes.”

He pressed her lips to her forehead. Kagome laid her head against his chest. Rin’s hand touched her back making her start. Rin climbed on to the bed. She clambered over Kagome, forcing Sesshomaru to move back and make room for her.

“I wanna hear the baby’s heart too!”, Rin announced.

She pressed her ear Kagome’s abdomen. Kagome struggled to keep her breasts covered as Rin’s weight displaced the sheets. Kagome’s eyes were wide as she met Sesshomaru’s. His eyes were filled with amusement.

“I don’t hear anything!”, Rin said with a frown.

“Rin…”, Sesshomaru said softly.

She looked at him.

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama?”, she said.

“Are you an Inuyoukai?”

Rin made a face.

“No, silly, I’m a human girl!”, she said.

“Then you will not hear my pup’s heartbeat. Your ears are not as good as mine.”

“Aww…”

Rin lay back on the bed between them. Kagome was surprised when Sesshomaru did not admonish Rin for calling him silly, her eyes almost popped when he said pup. A line appeared between Sesshomaru’s eyebrows.

“Are you well, my sweet plum blossom?”, he said to Kagome.

“You said pup!”, Kagome cried.

His frown deepened.

“Yes, my sweet”, he said, “I am a dog demon. Any offspring are commonly referred to as pups…”

Am I going to give birth to a litter of puppies? She tried to quash the mounting sense of horror. Outwardly she was silent, looking at him with wide eyes. She opened her mouth to speak. Then she closed it again.

“Was there something you wished to say, Kagome?”, he said.

“When the baby comes out…”

“Yes?”

“Will it look like a puppy?”

“Mmm… Puppy….”, Rin cooed.

Sesshomaru stared at Kagome. Then he burst out laughing. Kagome frowned.

“Stop laughing at me!”, she screeched, sounding not unlike a fishwife, “I asked you a serious question. Now I want a serious answer!”

He promptly stopped laughing. It was if he had hit a switch. His face became sober. He raised his eyebrows.

“I do not know”, he said, “When humans and youkai produce offspring the results are always unpredictable. The child will be weaker than it’s youkai parent that much is assured. The degree of transformation however, is not. It could undergo a full transformation and be unable to hide its true form. Or it could undergo a partial transformation like my idiot brother and be left with ridiculous pup ears and a tail!”

Sesshomaru smirked.

“Inuyasha…”, Kagome said.

Her voice was soft. He touched her face.

“You miss him?”, he said.

“Yes, of course I do! We were friends for a long time…”

“I think Inuyasha-sama’s puppy ears are cute!”, Rin announced, “They look so soft. I want to pet them!”

She giggled and babbled on oblivious to the exchange between the two adults.

“I can’t believe he has a tail! Have you ever seen it, Kagome-san? Is it soft and fluffy like Sesshomaru-sama’s when he turns into a huge dog?”

“Umm…”, Kagome said.

She looked at Sesshomaru. He had a bemused expression on his face.

“I do not know”, he said, “I have not seen Inuyasha’s tail since he was a whelp.”

Her stomach rumbled before she had time to be surprised. She felt her face redden as Rin and Sesshomaru looked at her. Rin giggled.

“Rin”, Sesshomaru said, “Go to the kitchens and tell the servants to start making breakfast for you and Kagome.”

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama!”

She angled her face towards Sesshomaru. He leaned down and dutifully kissed her cheek. Rin demanded and received a hug and a kiss from Kagome. Then she slipped off the bed and ran out of the room.

“How do you know Inuyasha has a tail?”, Kagome said.

She looked at Sesshomaru. He was silent.

“Sessh?”, she said.

“When he was a whelp, barely formed, weak as any human child… I would watch him, always at a distance, never coming close enough to frighten, or comfort him, making sure that no demon harmed him… His human problems, however, I could never help him with, for I did not know how…”

She was silent a moment. She watched his face. He seemed very far away, somewhere in the past with his memories. So he deep down he really does love Inuyasha!

“Does he know?”, she said, voice soft with wonder.

Sesshomaru shook his head. He looked at her, firmly back in the present now.

“No, I have never told him and I would like it to stay that way”, he said.

Kagome smiled.

“Okay”, she said softly.


Kagome was sleeping later these days. She would frequently wake up and find Sesshomaru gone and Rin dozing by her side. Had Sesshomaru instructed Rin not to wake her in the mornings anymore? Today she woke early of her own accord. She rubbed her swollen, contoured belly. She appeared to be nine months pregnant. Any day now she would give birth. The reality just over twelve weeks had passed since she had become Sesshomaru’s mate.

At first the unusual development of the foetus had frightened her. Now she could not wait for this pregnancy to be over. She was awkward, uncomfortable and hungry all the time. She was also anxious to see what her child would look like.
The room was too stuffy. She started to manoeuvre her legs over the side of the bed. Rin stirred. Kagome became still. The girl moaned. Then she settled back to sleep. Kagome continued her progress. Her feet touched the floor. She padded to the window. She opened the shutters and looked out at the early morning sky.

It should have been dark but the half-dark was more akin to a cloudy sunrise. White fingers of energy crackled across the sky illuminating it and the grounds in a similar way to lightening. This was not lightening. This was something else. Something magical.
Sesshomaru was standing in the grounds. His sword was naked in his hand. He seemed to be standing very still but his demonic aura flared around him as if he was going to transform. She could feel it even from this distance. He seemed to be just holding himself back from the edge. Her eyes widened. Just what the hell was going on?

“Sessh!”

He made no answer. She hurried towards him. She reached his side. She touched his arm and received a static shock for her trouble. She rubbed the hand up and down her arm. Sesshomaru looked at her as if he had never seen her before. His silver hair flared outwards in a demonic wind of his own making and his eyes were red.

Slowly, recognition seeped back into his eyes. He seemed to draw his demonic energy back inside his body and his hair settled around his shoulders once more. The redness of his eyes remained.

“Kagome, what are you doing out of bed?”, he cried, “You are so close to birthing. You should not be outside in the cold.”

He looked down. Kagome followed the direction of his gaze. Her feet were bare.

“And you are not wearing any shoes!”, he said.

“At least I remembered to put another layer and a shawl on!”

A frown line appeared between his eyebrows.

“This is no time for jokes”, he said, “Get back inside the mansion.”

“No!”

“No?! Do I have to pick you up and throw you over my shoulder to get you to comply?”

“No! I wouldn’t do that if I were you, because if you do, I’ll pull out great lumps of your hair!”

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. The corner of his mouth twitched.

“I will!”, she cried, “Don’t think I’ll hold back just because you’re my mate! I won’t go back inside until you tell me what’s going on! What are you doing out here with your sword in your hand? What’s wrong with the sky?”

Sesshomaru sighed. He sheathed his sword and touched her face briefly. Then his hand dropped to his side. Something flitted across his face before his usual calm expression returned. Was it fear? Her eyes widened. Whatever was going on it had to be pretty bad if he was showing even a smidgeon of fear.

“Sesshomaru”, she said, “Please tell me what’s going on!”

He was silent a moment, gathering his thoughts.

“It is the dead of winter”, he said.

“Yes…”

“Everything is dead in the grounds, the snow falls, yet there is never any frost…”

“That’s right!”

“So you never thought it odd?”

“No, not until you drew my attention to it…”

Her eyes widened as the realisation hit her.

“Are the mansion and the grounds protected by a shield?”, she said.

“Yes. It extends into the forest for some distance.”

Why couldn’t I feel it? Did love make me that complacent? She was silent, taking this in. Sesshomaru stared ahead of him as he was looking at something she could not see.

“There is something or somebody outside trying to shatter the shield?”, she said.

“Yes.”


“Do you know who it is?”

“Yes.”

“So tell me!”

He turned his face towards her. His golden eyes were filled with sadness.

“Your friends”, he said, “They have returned and this time they have brought the miko with them…”

Her jaw dropped with surprise.

“They’ve been here before and you didn’t tell me!”, she cried.

Her voice rose. A furrow appeared between his eyebrows. She was reminded that he had very sensitive hearing but at this moment in time she did not care.

“Yes”, he said quietly.

“How many times?”


“This is the second.”

She flew at him, tiny fists pounding on his chest. Sesshomaru stood there and let her hit him until she exhausted herself. It did not take long. Kagome tired easily these days. She leaned her head against his chest. Her hands clung to his kimono.

“You bastard!”, she said, “Why didn’t you tell me? You know how much I wanted to see them…”

He stroked her hair.

“I was afraid I would lose you”, he said.

The demon lord was really afraid? Now, that was astounding. She met his eyes. In them she could see his desperation. He wiped away her tears with the back of his hand.

“So you made the shield to keep me here?”, she said.

“No, you could have left anytime you wanted. You only had to ask… There are times when I have to leave Rin alone for long periods of time. I finally acquired this mansion and made the shield to keep her safe, to hide her from those who would try to take her away from me…”

“What do you mean you “acquired”, this mansion?”, she said, “Does that mean you took it from somebody else?”

Sesshomaru levelled his gaze at her.

“I had it built”, he said.

Her eyebrows shot up.

“You did?”, she said.

“Yes, killing a human daimyo and taking his lands would be impractical. The risk of surviving descendants or servants enacting their vengeance, as would be their right, would be too great… Why did you not ask before now? You cannot bring yourself to ask me what I hunt, how could you possibly live in this mansion with me if you thought it was acquired by dubious methods?”

She did not like the scorn that had crept into his voice. Her pretty face contorted with anger.

“Isn’t it obvious?”, she cried, “It’s because I love you, you fool, that I overlook certain things! I’m head over heels… If that makes me weak, and that makes you hold me in contempt, then I am very, very sorry…”

Sesshomaru stared at her in something resembling shock. He cupped one side of her face in his hand.

“Kagome”, he said, “You should never be sorry for feeling love for anyone, because it is not loving them that makes you weak; it is failing to act.”

Her eyes widened.

“It feels like you’re talking about me but at the same time you’re not… So! You can lift this shield any time you want?”


“Yes.”

“If I asked you to lift it now, would you do it?”

Sesshomaru was silent.

“Lift it now, please”, she said.

He raised his hand above her head. She lifted her head and watched the light display recede in a wave. It was suddenly darker and colder. The only light came from torches mounted on the walls. A breeze cut across the grounds. It blew her hair across her face and chilled her to the bone. She shivered.

“Sesshomaru, you bastard! Hand her over now and I promise I will kill you quickly!”

It was Inuyasha’s voice. Sesshomaru snorted.

“You can try half-breed!”

Kagome turned towards the direction of Inuyasha’s voice. He was standing on the boundary wall, Tetsusaiga naked in his hand. Shippo clung to his shoulder. Kirara cleared the wall. Sango, Miroku and Kaede were aboard. Her heart leapt. Then it plummeted towards her stomach. There was going to be a fight. A big one.

Sesshomaru zigzagged around her and was gone in a blur of speed. She gasped, forgetting how fast he could move. Inuyasha leapt off the wall and ran to meet him. Fox fire, courtesy of Shippo flared ahead of them as if it had issued forth from the mouth of a dragon. Sesshomaru leaped into the air avoiding it completely. He swung his sword as Inuyasha jumped upwards to meet him. Their blades met and locked together. Shippo transformed into a balloon shape and floated to the ground. He turned back into his usual form and rolled clear of the battle.

“No!”, Kagome cried.

Below her waist, something seemed to give. Hot, sticky liquid sluiced down her legs wetting her bare feet and soaking into her yukata. She was flabbergasted. Her waters had broken! Then a wave of pain hit her, sending her crashing to her knees. It hurt too much to scream. The sound died in her throat.

She gasped for breath in the temporary lull that followed. Then she almost pitched forward on to her face as the second wave of pain hit. Firm hands on her shoulders and arms held her upright.

“It’s okay, we’ve got you now”, Sango said.

Speechless, she stared at Sango.

“I missed you”, she said.

She hugged Kagome.

“I missed you too”, Kagome said.

A tear rolled down her face.

“Did you miss me at all?”, Kaede said.

Kagome met her eyes.

“Of course I did!”

“What about me?”, Shippo demanded, “Did you miss me too?”

“Oh, Shippo…”

She touched his face and he climbed into her lap and cuddled against her swollen belly.

“Kagome!”, Inuyasha cried, “Are you alright?”

The battle with Sesshomaru was forgotten. He stood a few feet away, staring down at her. Miroku stood by his side. He was silent, watching her with interest. Inuyasha looked utterly confused.

“Inu…”

Another wave of pain interrupted her before she could finish saying his name.


“Kagome, what’s wrong with you?”, Inuyasha said.

Kaede and Sango exchanged a look. Sesshomaru walked into the circle. Shippo hid behind Kaede. Sango shrank backwards but did not move from Kagome’s side. Kaede simply stared up at Sesshomaru.

“Kagome is in labour”, Sesshomaru explained, “Within the next few hours she will deliver my pup.”

He walked forward, picked Kagome up and carried her towards the mansion. They all stared after him. Kaede tapped Sango on the shoulder.

“Help me up, child”, Kaede said.

Sango obliged. Kaede dusted down her clothes and started to walk towards the mansion.

“Kaede”, Sango said, “Where are you going?”

Kaede halted. She turned to look at Sango.

“She cannot give birth alone”, she said matter-of-factly, “Kagome will need help from her friends… Are you coming?”

She looked at their faces in turn. Then she turned and started walking towards the mansion again. Sango glanced at Miroku and Inuyasha. Inuyasha looked shell-shocked. She met Miroku’s eyes again. Wordless communication passed between them. He nodded to her. Shippo climbed up her clothes and perched on her shoulder. Sango hurried after Kaede’s retreating back. Kirara had shrunk to his two-tailed cat form again. She followed at Sango’s heels.

Luckily the baby came out headfirst. One silky ear perched on top of its head came into view followed by another. After one shoulder emerged, the other soon followed along with the rest of the half-breed’s tiny body. Kaede’s eyes went a little wide. The child also had a tail.

“That’s it, Kagome”, Kaede said, “You can stop pushing.”

Sango was lying on the bed beside Kagome holding her hand. She had charged herself with the job of mopping the sweat off Kagome’ face, neck and chest when it called for it. Watching the child’s head emerge had been too much for the Taijiya.

“Is it a boy or a girl?”, Sango said.

A quick check between its legs confirmed the child was indeed male.

“A boy”, Kaede said.

“Did you hear that, Kagome?”, Sango said, “It’s a boy!”

Kagome smiled weakly. She was exhausted. Kaede cleared the child’s mouth and nose and cut the umbilical cord. The baby was silent but his chest rose and fell at regular intervals. It was a common misconception that the baby always cried upon entering the world.

She immersed a cloth in a tub of water to wash away the blood and other thick viscous fluids. As she towelled him dry, he began to whimper like a puppy. Then those weak cries became the full-throated cries of a human infant. Sango brought her a clean blanket. They could worry about nappies later.

“Oh!”, Sango said softly, seeing soft puppy ears and a fluffy tail.

She carried the baby to Kagome’s side. Kagome’s eyes were closing. Sango sat down on the bed and put the baby on Kagome’s chest. The baby stopped crying. Kagome opened her eyes and looked at her newborn son. His eyes were half-closed. The irises were the same colour as Sesshomaru’s. She spied silky puppy ears sitting atop the baby’s head. Her hand reached out and caressed one gently, as she had done the first time she saw Inuyasha pinned to the Goshinboku. The child had a mop of silver hair and well shaped silver eyebrows.

She touched the tip of his button nose and his tiny rosebud lips. She opened the blanket and checked to see if he had all his limbs. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw his tail. She drew it through her fingertips. She counted his fingers and toes and was satisfied that they were all was present and correct. He was perfectly formed down to his tiny fingernails. The baby whimpered. Goose bumps rose on his soft pink skin though the room was not cold. She secured the blanket around him again. She kissed his hair.

“Now you know that he’s perfect, do you have a name for him?”, Sango said.

Her eyes were shining with amusement.

“Makoto”, Kagome said.

“It’s a good name”, Kaede said.

Sango raised an eyebrow.

“Doesn’t Sesshomaru want to name him something more macho?”, she said.

“No”, Kagome said, “He thinks it’s appropriate.”

“Oh! Okay…”

While Kagome was engaged in her examination of her newborn son, Kaede had been waiting for the afterbirth. Sango helped Kaede tidy the bed under Kagome and generally make her more comfortable. Kagome was drifting off to sleep when Kaede came to her side.

“Kagome, don’t go to sleep yet”, Kaede said, “You have to feed the baby.”

Kagome opened her eyes.

“Okay”, she said, softly.

She looked down at Makoto’s sleepy face, uncertain as to what to do. It must have showed on her face.

“I’ll show you what to do”, Kaede said.

Kaede pushed a finger into Makoto’s mouth and felt his gums. Kagome frowned.

“What are you doing?”, she said.

Kaede pulled her finger out of Makoto’s mouth. He whimpered.

“Checking for fangs”, Kaede said.

Kagome’s eyes widened. She swallowed.

“He had fangs already?!”, she cried.

“No”, Kaede said, smiling, “Just gums.”

Kaede directed her how to hold Makoto’s head up and breastfeed him properly. She managed to coax the nipple into the baby’s mouth after a few false starts. Then he began to suckle instinctively. Her surprise showed on her face. Kaede smiled at her.

“See, you’re a natural”, she said, “Change sides after a while.”

The door of the bedroom opened and Sesshomaru strode through it looking agitated. The air seemed to boil around him like a storm. He was barefoot and he had removed his swords and armour but he still managed to look menacing.

“It has gone too quiet in here”, he said, “I demand to know…”

He fell silent when his eyes met Kagome’s. His gaze dropped and lingered on the small, swaddled shape clutched to her breast.

“What?”, Kaede said, staring at him.

Sesshomaru glanced at her in annoyance. He crossed the room in a couple of strides. Kaede stepped away from the bed as he approached. He sat down on the bed beside Kagome. She watched his face as he reached out a hand and gently pushed the blanket away from Makoto’s head. Surprise showed in his eyes as he saw his son’s puppy ears.

“Just like Inuyasha…”

He rubbed the tip of Makoto’s ear between his fingers. Makoto paused in his suckling to stare at his father. Milk ran down his chin. Kagome wiped it away. Kaede pushed Sango out of the room. Sesshomaru watched as Kagome bared the other breast and coaxed the nipple into Makoto’s mouth. He began to suckle contentedly again.

“Does he have a tail?”, Sesshomaru said.

“Yes… You assume our child is a boy? What if I had a girl?”

Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow. Kagome made a face.

“Sessh?”

“Then she would have an equal share of my heart because she is mine.”

Her face softened.

“Really? You say such pretty things sometimes…”

He kissed her forehead.

“You had a boy”, he said.

She smiled.

“Yes, I did”, she said.

“Saucy wench.”

Kagome’s smile got bigger.

“Let me see this pup’s tail”, he said.

“Later, I’m feeding him now...”

A frown line appeared between Sesshomaru’s eyebrows.

“He is my son, Kagome”, he said, “If I want to see his tail I shall see it.”
“Yeah? Well, he’s my son too and I say you wait… Why do you want to see this tail so urgently? Do you want to pull it?”

Sesshomaru smiled at the suggestion.

“No”, he said.

“Then why?”

“Rin wants to know if it is fluffy like my half-brother’s….”

Kagome smiled.

“You said fluff-fee”, she said in singsong voice.

“So I did… Please do not use that tone of voice again. It irritates my ears…”

“Hmm… Everything irritates your ears.”

“Not everything…”

“Say fluffy again!”

“Why, does that word amuse you?”

He gave her a bemused look. Only when you say it! Or when it relates to you…

“Oh, you have no idea…”, she said, “Go on! Say it again!”

He raised an eyebrow.

“No”, he said.


She made a rude sound with her lips. He regarded her with cool eyes.
“Child”, he said.

“Hoh! What about you? You tease…”

If her arms were not occupied she would have put her hands on her hips. She frowned.

“At least I am consistent”, he said, “When I think I finally I know everything about you, you do something else to surprise me. Such a strange mix of adult and child…”

There was a small furrow between his eyebrows. Kagome tried to mask her surprise.

“Poor you!”, she said unsympathetically.

The corners of his mouth twitched.

“Yes, poor me…”, he said.

He kissed her cheek. His lips were cooler than the hot skin of her face. They were like a balm. Kagome sighed. She frowned as she recalled the origin of the word fluffy in the conversation.

“How does Rin know Inuyasha’s tail is fluffy?”, she said.

“I believe she walked into the bathroom while he was bathing…”

She gasped.

“You make it sound like she did it deliberately!”, she said.

The light in Sesshomaru’s eyes suggested he found the idea amusing.

“She may have”, he said, “Rin has taken quite a shine to Inuyasha…”

“Oh!”

Her surprise showed on her face. She smiled. Then her face became sober.

“Did you fight while I was in labour?”, she said.

“Perhaps…”

His voice was careful. She watched his face considering what to say next. She glanced down at Makoto’s face. His eyes were closing. Her nipple rested against his chin. She coaxed it back into his mouth but he would not feed. He was sated.
She wiped his chin and fixed the blanket around him. She wiped any dribbles of milk off her breasts and closed the front of her yukata. She turned him over on to his stomach as Kaede had instructed her and gently rubbed Makoto’s back to bring up any wind. She turned him over and wiped his mouth again.

“Can I hold him?”, Sesshomaru said.

Kagome looked at him in surprise.

“Of course you can…”, she said.

It took a little manoeuvring but soon she had Makoto settled safely in Sesshomaru’s grasp. Makoto stared up at Sesshomaru with interest. His tiny fingers pawed the front of Sesshomaru’s kimono. Then he gave a little sigh and promptly fell asleep. Kagome chewed her lip to suppress a grin.

“I think he likes you”, she said softly.

She met Sesshomaru’s eyes. They were wide with surprise. Kagome’s smile got bigger. She kissed him on the lips. She put her hands on either side of his face. Then she kissed him again. Her breasts brushed his chest. He nipples were tender from breast-feeding. She made a small sound of pain.

“This is not fair”, he said.

“What do you mean?”

“I cannot touch you because my arm is already occupied holding our pup!”

She laughed softly. She sat down beside him again and leaned her head on his shoulder. She sighed happily.

“Is he still in the mansion?”, she said.

“Yes.”

“That’s good…. Did you talk with him once you were finished beating the crap out
of each other?”

“Yes.”

“Did you sort some stuff out?”

“I think so… I think you should talk with Inuyasha later. You too have many issues to…”

Kagome was not listening. She was sound asleep, still leaning against his shoulder. Sesshomaru lapsed in silence. She looked so serene. He ached to touch her. He looked down at Makoto sleeping in his arms.

“Makoto”, he said softly, “I hope that name is an omen of what is yet to come…”

Kagome’s friends remained at the mansion for a number of days. It was easy to avoid Inuyasha in the first days since she was largely confined to the bedroom or the bathroom. She was too tired and weak to move beyond those two rooms.

Makoto only seemed to wake long enough to feed or have his nappy changed. Kaede assured Kagome that it was perfectly normal. She slept a lot too. Whenever she woke up either Sesshomaru, Rin, Sango, Kaede or Shippo were sitting with her. Even Miroku ventured in to see her and Makoto a few times. Only Inuyasha stayed away.

On the morning of the fourth day Sesshomaru insisted upon carrying her to the main room of the mansion, though Kagome insisted she was perfectly able to walk there herself. There all of her friends were gathered including Inuyasha. His wide eyes were filled with pain as they met hers.

Then he turned his back to her and to face the fire again.
Sesshomaru settled her on a pile of cushions by the fire. His kissed her, smiled and then walked out of the room. She stared after him. Her friends made their excuses and drifted out of the room until Kagome was left alone with Inuyasha, Makoto clutched to her chest. The corners of Inuyasha’s mouth twitched. His head was slightly bowed so that his fringe created a shadow that obscured his eyes.

“Not very subtle, are they?”, he said.

She could hear bitterness in his voice.

“No”, she said.

Her voice came out as a whisper. Her throat was suddenly dry. She stared at him. His body radiated tension. There was a silence that seemed to hang on the air. She swallowed.

“You haven’t seen Makoto yet”, she said.

He met her eyes briefly. Then he stared at the bundle in her arms.

“I saw him”, he said.

He looked at the fire again. Her eyes widened.

“When?”, she said.

“Yesterday or the day before.”

She frowned.

“I don’t remember you coming into the bedroom”, she said.

The corners of Inuyasha’s mouth twitched again.

“That’s because you were asleep at the time”, he said, “Baka!”

“Oh!”

There was another less than comfortable silence.

“Inuyasha…”

“What?”

“Will you look at me?”

He stared at the wall hanging in front of him.

“Why?”, he said.

He sounded bored. Her anger rose.

“There’s not talking to you, is there?”, she cried, “You’re being petty and immature as always!”

Makoto whimpered. Inuyasha’s head turned towards him at the sound. Her shout had woken him up. Inuyasha watched her rock the baby gently in her arms in an effort to placate him. Inuyasha sighed.

“You think so, do you?”, he said.

“Yes!”

“You’re not the one who was betrayed. Why don’t you try it on for size and see how mature you feel afterwards?”

Her head snapped upwards. She stared at him.

“Nothing to say for yourself?”, he said.

He grunted. Then he turned back to the fire. He was conscious that she was still staring at him. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Then he stared resolutely at the fire again.

A large tear rolled off Kagome’s face. It dropped and fell with a wet splash on to her kimono. The cloth soaked the moisture and it radiated outwards in a circle. She put her hand to her face and it came away wet. She sniffed and tried to wipe the tears away before they fell on Makoto. Makoto whimpered again. Inuyasha’s eyes widened. Is she crying? He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

“I didn’t know how I was supposed to go on”, she said, “Days, months and finally years went by and nothing changed. I was by your side but I could never reach you. You seemed so far away… You were so much in love with the memory of a dead woman, but me, I was still alive! How could I come ever compete with that? I had no choice but look elsewhere for love…”

Inuyasha was suddenly in front of her, gripping her shoulders. She had not seen him move. She cried out in alarm. Makoto’s cries turned into a full-throated wail. Kagome could not comfort him. Inuyasha was gripping her arms too tightly.

“Don’t you know I get that?”, he cried, “But why him, Kagome?! Why my arrogant prick of a half-brother?! Were you deliberately trying to hurt me?”

She stared into his eyes. Sesshomaru’s eyes were more like Inuyasha’s lately. A softer light burned in them. At the moment though, Inuyasha’s eyes were fraught with pain.

“No”, she said, “It was never my intention to hurt you… I don’t know how it happened… It didn’t start with a look or a glance or anything he did on a particular day. It was a lot of little things… I was never convinced that he was all bad... I started to have thoughts about him I didn’t know what to do with. Then when the opportunity came to be with him I couldn’t let it go… When he looks at me it is clear his heart does not belong to another woman. I see myself reflected in his eyes…”

He stared at her. Then he let go of her shoulders and fell back on to his haunches. He hung his head and stared at the floor. Kagome rocked Makoto gently. His cries became whimpers once again.

“I don’t say these things to hurt you, Inuyasha”, she said softly, “I say them because what I did was so cowardly, leaving you without so much as an explanation. It was…”

He held up his hand.

“Kagome, stop talking”, he said.

She fell silent. He wiped his face with his sleeve. He sniffed. Her eyes widened. Is he crying too? He raised his head. His face was red.

“I know it was hard for you”, he said, “It was hard for me too, watching you suffer on… I thought that maybe one day you’d go back to your world and never come back, that life would go on for you there and that you’d forget about me…”

“Inuyasha, I could never forget about you…”

“I’m not finished!”

Makoto gave a loud cry. Kagome rocked him.

“But I never thought it would be him who would take you away from me, that he would be the one who could make you happy when I brought you nothing but pain…”

“It wasn’t always like that. Sometimes you made me happy as well…”

His eyes widened.

“I did?!”

She smiled at him.

“Yes, you did”, she said, “Sometimes you made me very happy…”

“I’m glad it wasn’t all gloom. At least I did managed to do one thing right in the end…”

“Not just that, you did a lot of things right… Inuyasha, if it’s not asking too much…”

“What?”

“Do you think you could give me a hug, for old times sake?”

He stared at her. Then he smiled.

“I can do that…”

Inuyasha moved across the floor. Then he put his arms around her and Makoto almost awkwardly. Kagome leaned her head on his shoulder. His eyes widened. She closed her eyes. She breathed in his warmth and the familiar scent of him. Inuyasha always smelled like the earth and the trees. It comforted her.

Makoto yawned. Inuyasha loosened his grip on her. Kagome opened her eyes wondering how much time had passed. In reality it was only a few minutes. She looked at him. He was looking elsewhere. She followed the direction of his gaze. Her eyes fell on Makoto’s face. He appeared to be gazing up at Inuyasha.

“He’s got those silly ears, just like me”, Inuyasha said.

“Apparently he’s also got a silly tail, too, just like you!”

Kagome smiled. Inuyasha looked at her in surprise. His cheeks flushed.

“Who told you I had a tail? Was it that Rin girl?”, he said.

She chewed her lip.

“Maybe…”

He sighed. Makoto yawned again. His little eyes were closing.

“Life isn’t going be easy for him…”

“Because of the ears?”, she said.

“That and the fact that he’s got Sesshomaru for a father! Poor pup. I pity him…”

“Inuyasha…”

“What!? It’s true!”

She shook her head. He sighed again.

“It’s not all bad though…”

“No?”, Kagome said.

“No, because you’re his mother…”

Kagome’s face flushed.

“Thanks”, she said.

“You know what this means, don’t you?”

“What?”

“It means that unless Sesshomaru screws up really badly and drives you away you’ll always be around. Whenever you go back to the world you came from I’ll know that you’ve got a reason to come back. It’s right here…”

He watched Makoto’s sleepy face.

“Maybe in time I’ll stop wishing that it was me…”

Her heart leapt.

“Does that mean that one day you’ll forgive me?”, she said.

Inuyasha looked her. His gaze was soft. His hand touched her face. His fingers caressed her. He sighed.

“Maybe I should be asking you to forgive me…”

The door opened. Sesshomaru came striding through it.

“I think that might be enough talking for one day”, he declared, “I know I cannot stomach much more of this or I shall be sick!”

Inuyasha jumped to his feet.


“You bastard!”, he cried, “Were you out there listening to us the whole time?!”

“Excuse me! Your friends were eavesdropping too.”

Kagome looked towards the door. Her gaze fell on the faces of her friends. They all wore silly grins. Rin and Shippo waved to her. Her face flushed. She watched her friend’s faces become sober and watchful. A silence descended on the room.

Sesshomaru was standing in front of Inuyasha. Taiyoukai stared at Hanyou. Sesshomaru held out his hand. Inuyasha stared at it. Then he stared at Sesshomaru’s face again. The world seemed to slow as Inuyasha reached out a clawed hand. His hand closed around Sesshomaru’s forearm. Sesshomaru returned the gesture. He bowed to Inuyasha from the neck. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Kagome did not need to see Inuyasha’s face to know he was scowling.

Makoto yawned loudly, breaking the tension in the room. Inuyasha glanced around him in surprise. There were smiles all around. Inuyasha met Sesshomaru’s eyes again. He promptly let go of Sesshomaru’s arm. Sesshomaru did likewise. Inuyasha grunted. He settled in front of the fire again. Sesshomaru sat by Kagome’s side and put his arm around her. Her friends crowded into the room. Shippo crawled up on her shoulder to look at Makoto. Rin leaned over her competing for a better view. The noise level in the room rose.

“Promise you’ll come visit”, Kagome said.

Sango gave her one final hug.

“Why don’t you come visit us at the village?”, she said.

Kagome’s eyes widened slightly. She looked at Sesshomaru. He was holding a sleepy Makoto. His face was neutral. She looked at Sango again. Sango’s eyes narrowed.

“Why did you look at him when I made the suggestion?”, she said, “Do you need to get his approval for everything?”

Kagome grinned.

“No, but he’ll have to carry the bags!”, she said.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. Sango turned a laugh into a cough. She hugged Kagome one more time. Then she turned and walked towards Miroku without a backwards glance. She wiped frantically at her face. Kagome realised she was crying and she had not wanted her to see. Miroku put his arm around Sango’s shoulder. He looked back at Kagome and nodded to her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Shippo jumped into her arms and put his little arms around her neck. He was too upset to speak. He let go abruptly and bounded towards Sango. He tugged at Sango’s skirt. She picked him up and held him tightly. Kaede hugged her briefly.

“Don’t let him push you around”, she said.

She was looking at Sesshomaru when she said it. He made an inelegant snort.

“Foolish old woman, you talk nonsense”, he said, “It is she who is in charge in this relationship.”

Kaede grunted.

“You’re about as charming as Inuyasha is…”

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. He stared at Kaede. Kaede stared back. She tired of the game first.

“Take care of yourself and the little one”, she said.

“I will”, Kagome said.

She patted Kagome’s arm. Then she went to join the others. That left Inuyasha. He hugged her tightly. Kagome closed her eyes and let him hold her. Finally, Sesshomaru cleared his throat to indicate he was not happy with the duration of the embrace. Inuyasha drew back. He caressed her cheek. When he smiled at her, it did not quite reach his eyes. They were filled with sadness.

“You know where I am”, he said.

“Yes, I do…”

Inuyasha grinned unexpectedly.

“Then if this jerk ever gives you a hard time, come find me and I’ll beat the crap out of him for you!”

“Anytime half-breed”, Sesshomaru said.

“Okay”, Kagome said.

“And if you ever get sick of him…”

“Too far, little brother”, Sesshomaru said.

Kagome laughed despite the tears that burned behind her eyes. Inuyasha reached out and touched Makoto’s soft cheek with the back of his hand. He stared at Sesshomaru.

“You’d better be a good father to him, Sesshomaru, better than our old man was to me…”

Her body tensed as she watched the brothers. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

“Or what?”, he said.

His voice was deceptively soft.

“You’ll have to deal with me!”, Inuyasha said.

The corners of Sesshomaru’s mouth twitched.

“I shall have to make sure that never happens then…”

Inuyasha scowled at him. He cupped one side of Kagome’s face in his hand. He kissed her forehead. He met her eyes.

“I miss you already, Kagome”, he said.

He did not wait for Kagome to formulate a reply. He was bounding away and out of sight before the words left her lips.

“I’ll miss you too, Inuyasha…”