It was a Saturday night. Koga was dragged to a wild party by Ginta and Hakkaku. Liquor was over flowing the cups and there were strippers. Koga smiled and sat at a table having a few drink with his pack mates. It was about time he chilled out for a bit. Being a litigator was hard ass work.
Watching the strippers, Koga realized he knew one of them. He hadn't seen her since Junior High School. Her name was Kagome. Koga jumped up from his chair, grabbed her wrist and grabbed her outside with him.
"What the hell are you doing in their dancing for cash?" Koga asked concerned for his long lost friend. "I guess a shit load has changed since I saw you last." He said.
"Don't you dare look down at me Koga! Not everyone can be a litigator for the state. What the hell would you do if your son was sitting at home all alone, cold, on the floor, crying and they only way to feed him IS to be up in there dancing for cash?" She snapped at him. Same Kagome.
"Where's his father?" Koga asked.
"Probably out there committing felonies, doing crack." Kagome snapped.
"Dog face left you by yourself?" Koga asked a little shocked.
"Of course he did. He's probably with Kikyo too." Kagome said rolling her eyes.
"You aren't the only one with a kid Kagome. Its no reason to make tired excesses and be living crazy like this." Koga said.
"Don't even try this Koga. I've been through more shit that you can't even come close to relating to!" Kagome yelled. "I wake up everyday hoping to die! I ran away with my brother so my grandfather couldn't rape us! Did you ever wonder why I disappeared? Did you Koga?!" Kagome screamed. "This maybe fun for you, but this is what I call life." She snapped. Tears were freely falling down her face.
"Kagome, there are ways you can get help, you don't need to do this! What about Sesshoumaru? Does he even know?" Koga asked.
"Why would I tell him? Why would I go running to the person who hates his own brother for what he is? He wouldn't help the weak human who mated his pathetic half breed brother." She snapped.
"Do you have to be so pessimistic?" Koga growled.
"Give me a reason to be optimistic." Kagome snapped right back.
"Sesshoumaru's changed a lot since you saw him last. I work with him everyday. I'll talk to him on Monday. Now, here." Koga said pulling out a wad of fifties and hundreds putting them into her hand. "Take that, get your son and yourself something to eat. Save the rest." Koga said.
"I can't take this Koga." Kagome said looking at the money in her hand, suddenly feeling guilty. She bit her bottom lip.
"Take it Kagome. If you were my woman you wouldn't be in this position. At least I can help." Koga said pulling her into a hug. "Give me your address before you disappear." He said softly. Kagome nodded sadly and took the offered pen and paper from Koga and scribbled the address across it. He hugged her again, knowing the poor girl needed these hugs.
Everyone had wondered where Kagome had disappeared to. Sango had cried for months without her best friend. Koga had noticed the bruises and the way Kagome had withdrawn from her friends shortly before her disappearance. He understood now. When Inuyasha had disappeared shortly after her, he knew they were together. He mourned the lost of his childhood love for years after her disappearance. And now, seeing her before him in such horrible conditions, it boiled his blood and he knew that once Sesshoumaru caught wind of this, his blood would boil more then his own. Not only had his brother forsaken his mate but he had hurt her and failed to care for her and his son. Sesshoumaru would be raging within moments of the news. Koga withdrew his phone and led Kagome into the light so he could get a good picture of her. He offered her a smile. She attempted a smile back.
"Come, I'll have Ginta get you home. I don't want you walking down the street in straps of fabric." Koga said pulling his jacket off draping it over her shoulders.
"But your jacket..." She began to say.
"I'll pick it up Monday." He said with a smile. Kagome nodded and turned following him back into the building. She grabbed her jeans from the back room before following Ginta out to the car they had come in.
"Are you okay sis?" Ginta asked.
"No." She said softly.
"You know Koga will do everything in his power to help you." Ginta said.
"That's what I'm scared of." Kagome said quietly looking out at the passing city.
Koga went back into the party and sighed. He flipped open his phone and went straight to the picture of Kagome. She was too thin, her ribs showing through the once tanned skin that was now an unhealthy pale color. Her eyes full of life, were stressed and so sad. Her attitude hadn't changed thankfully. But she still wasn't the Kagome he remembered. She wasn't full of life anymore, not that he blamed her. If he had been through the shit she'd been through, he wouldn't be either. He probably would have offed himself a long time ago.
An open phone landed in front of Sesshoumaru on the deposition he was reading. He looked up at Koga without looking at the phone with that 'what the fuck' look.
"Look at the damn picture." Koga snapped. Sesshoumaru picked up the phone and looked at the picture. He studied the woman in the photograph. Sesshoumaru knew the girl's face but he couldn't place her name. She looked very familiar, like he should know who she was. He closed the phone and handed it back to Koga.
"Okay." He said a little confused.
"That's Kagome." Koga said. Sesshoumaru's eyes that had drifted back to the deposition in front of him snapped back up to Koga's eyes. The wolf wasn't lying. He motioned for the phone again. Koga flipped it open and handed it to him. Sesshoumaru studied Kagome's body again. She was far too thin, thinner then she had been in school. She was dressed in nothing more then a bra and panties and a pair of high heels. Her perfectly tanned skin was terribly pale now and her innocence had been replaced by hard life. His blood began to boil.
"What happened to her?" He growled. Koga smirked. He was right, Sesshoumaru was having a coronary.
"Your brother happened to her. He knocked that poor girl up, left her, ran off with that bitch Kikyo and according to Kagome commits felonies and smokes rock." Koga said.
"He just left her and his child?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"He did. Kagome was dancing at this wild party I went to Saturday. I pulled her outside and we talked." Koga said.
"Tell me you got the girl's address or phone number." Sesshoumaru said looking back to the image of the girl he'd know for a long time.
"Of course." Koga said pulling the piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. Sesshoumaru handed him back his phone before hitting his intercom button.
"Kagura cancel all of my appointments for the day. Family matters have come up." Sesshoumaru said.
"Yes Sir." Kagura's voice came over the intercom.
"What are you going to do?" Koga asked.
"What do you think I am going to do? Would would you do Koga?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"If I were you?" Sesshoumaru nodded. "Admit that I've loved that girl since I was a child, go ride in like her prince on a white horse and sweep both her and my nephew out of the slums and show them what a true Inu is like." Koga said. "Or in my case, wolf."
"That is exactly what I plan to do." Sesshoumaru said grabbing his coat before leaving the room. Koga stayed back in the room with a sigh.
"Just don't hurt her Sesshoumaru. One dog hurting her is enough." Koga said wishing at that moment he was mated to his wife. He would have taken Kagome home with him had it not been for Amaye. She would shred poor Kagome.
Sesshoumaru sped his little car through the streets and into the slums of the city. He watched as the neighbor just got worse and worse as he got closer to Kagome's home. He shook his head. It was probably all she could afford and it was probably over charged. Slipping out of his car, setting the alarm, Sesshoumaru went through the door that was falling apart. He climbed the rotting dimly lite stair case before turning down a dirty hallway. Men were sitting in the hall leaning up on the wall with blankets over them. Homeless. They were in here staying out of the unforgiving rain. He stood in front of her door and just looked at the rotting wood that looked like it had been through more than one gun fight. With a sigh, he knocked, carefully so he didn't put his fist through the door.
Kagome grabbed Koga's jacket and placed what was left of the $3,000 dollars he had given her in the pocket. She had gotten her son his school supplies, food and some new clothing and had barley spent a thing. She kept a little of the money for later in case she ran out again, as emergency money. She unlocked the flimsy chain and deadbolt before opening the door. She dropped the jacket as golden eyes met her browns ones. She started to shake. The white hair, the eyes, the well pressed suit.
"Ses...Sesshoumaru..." Kagome said softly. She grabbed the door jam for support before she fainted. Sesshoumaru grabbed her before she hit the floor. He sighed. That wasn't the reaction he was hoping for. He walked in closing the door behind him and relocking it. He surveyed the apartment after he set Kagome down on the couch.
It was a hole in the wall. A small bedroom was off the living room where he now stood, the kitchen was the size of his jacket closet in the front hall. The dinning room was combined with the living room and the small bathroom was big enough to get in and out of the shower and use the toilet. He didn't even want to know what she paid for this shithole.
It was kept as clean as possible. The windows were only open enough to allow air to come in and there were no dishes in the sink. A little boy was shaking in the corner of the room away from him. The child was scared shitless. Kagome woke groaning.
"I had the weirdest dream. Why the hell would Sesshoumaru be here?" She asked herself out loud.
"Because my half brother is a complete failure." Sesshoumaru said looking down at her. "Do not faint again." He said. Kagome just nodded looking up at him.
"Koga's work I presume." She said.
"He informed me of how he found you." Sesshoumaru said. "You haven't been eating. You aren't taking care of yourself."
"Everything is for my son." She said softly.
"No longer. Pack what you can. You are leaving this...this... home." He said.
"And where are we going to go Sesshoumaru? This is all I can afford." Kagome said softly.
"Home with me. Where you and that child belong." Sesshoumaru said. Kagome was dumbfounded. She got up and did something she didn't think she was bold enough to do. She touched him. She put her hand on his forehead and checked him for a fever.
"Are you sure you are feeling alright?" She asked him. Sesshoumaru growled at her. She was questioning him? Than he remembered what his brother had done to her. Of course she was questioning him. Why wouldn't she? This made sense. She didn't know he loved her and she didn't know it had been years that he had loved her.
"Sango will want to see you." He said.
"God...Sango." Kagome said, sitting back down on the couch. "How is she? Did she and Miroku finally get married?" Kagome asked.
"They did. They are expecting their second child in the spring." Sesshoumaru said.
"I've missed so much." She said sadly.
"Its time to live the life you were meant to Kagome. This," Sesshoumaru motioned around the room. "Isn't how you are suppose to live. This isn't living."
"This is surviving." Kagome said.
"Just getting by. Not even getting by. Kagome you are more then dirt poor. Pack your things, come home with me. Father and Izayoi would be more than happy to see you and your son. Izayoi has missed you and her delinquent son very much over the years. Last time I was there, she cried." Sesshoumaru said softly. Though his step-mother wasn't his favorite person in the world, she had a large heart and seeing the loving wondering person cry, hurt him. It wasn't right. She should never cry and neither should Kagome. He could tell she cried at least once a day.
"She should never cry." Kagome said softly pulling a large luggage out of the closet. She looked at her son and smiled softly.
"Go pack your clothing and some toys hunny. We're leaving." Kagome said softly. The little boy nodded before running off to pack this things. Kagome smiled after him. He was her only shining light in this damn life. She pulled her clothing from the laundry basket and the few pairs of shoes she owned and placed them inside. She took her sons clothing from his little hands and placed it inside the luggage with her own. She took the toys he had brought with him and placed them inside. She ran her hands over the old stuff bear that her son still clung too.
"We should put him in here hunny." She said softly. The little boy only clutched the bear tighter and shook his head. Kagome nodded and ruffled his silver hair before handing him his school bag. "We'll put him in here so you can hold him whenever you want." She said smiling. The little boy nodded and put his bear inside the backpack.
Sesshoumaru watched patiently. The little boy was more like his mother than his father thankfully. Though he was quite and rather shy. Sesshoumaru expect that it was because he didn't know him yet. To Sesshoumaru's surprise, the little boy tugged gently on his mother's shirt before he asked her a question he didn't think he'd hear.
"Mommy, is that Daddy?" He asked. Kagome turned to her son, tears in her eyes. How she wished Sesshoumaru was his father. She shook her head at him sadly.
"No baby. That's not your Daddy. That's your Uncle Sesshoumaru. He's Daddy's brother." Kagome explained the best she could.
"Like Uncle Sota?" He asked. Kagome nodded. That little brat was living the good life with his wife on the other end of town. He'd gotten lucky and found a rich girl to marry. He stopped by very rarely to check on his sister. She hadn't seen him in a few months now. She really felt alone.
"Oh. Is Daddy ever coming back?" He asked sadly.
"I don't know baby. I don't know." Kagome said as she zipped the luggage. She picked it up only to have it removed from her hand by Sesshoumaru who shook his head at her.
"You know better. I will not allow you to carry this. You take Koga's jacket and your son's hand." Sesshoumaru said. Kagome growled softly at him. He hadn't changed, the damn dog. Sesshoumaru followed behind the pair. He marveled at his nephew. He wasn't too tall, but tall enough that he stood almost even with his mother's shoulders. He seemed so young before, but now, Sesshoumaru saw the same effects he saw on Kagome. The boy was at least 9 or 10. To think Kagome had been living like this for that long drove him mad.
"Why didn't you come to me?" Sesshoumaru asked as they exited the building.
"Why would I have?" She asked softly as Sesshoumaru placed the luggage in the trunk of the car.
"Kagome...you knew than, I would have done anything for you." Sesshoumaru said sadly.
"I didn't know that. I was always too busy keeping you and your brother from killing each other." Kagome said.
"That fool will die if I ever get my hands on him now." Sesshoumaru growled.
"No. Let him kill himself." She said sadly. "That is where he is heading if he isn't already there." Sesshoumaru nodded. He understood. He watched Kagome open the door for her son to his car before making sure he put his seat belt on. When she was satisfied he was safe inside the car, she moved around to the other side and was about to slide into the backseat with him.
"In the front Kagome. Talk with me." Sesshoumaru said. Kagome sighed and nodded. She slide into the front seat of Sesshoumaru's car before they took off. It would be a long drive before they reached his home outside the city. First though, he was going to buy both of them a new outfit. They were going to his parents for dinner tonight. He also had to make a stop of his own. Kagome was confused when he pulled into the shopping center.
"You both need formal attire. You know how father is." Sesshoumaru said. Kagome nodded.
"I can't..."
"I can." Sesshoumaru said. "Here is some cash, since I know they will give you issues about my credit card. I will meet you in that store," He pointed. "In a little while. The works Kagome. New shoes, pants, shirts, dresses, skirts. I don't care. Its not like I can't afford it." He said.
"I don't like taking money." Kagome said.
"I know this. Think of it as back child support." Sesshoumaru said.
"You aren't his Father Sesshoumaru." Kagome said.
"But I'd like to be." Sesshoumaru said surprising himself with that statement as well as Kagome. She froze and so did he. He was trying to think of something to say to cover up his admission but there was nothing. "I'm sorry...I shouldn't.."
"I wish you were too." Kagome said softly looking at her feet. "I wish I hadn't been so foolish to run off with Inuyasha and Sota. I...I knew I should have gone to you or Koga, but I...I...I was just so ashamed of myself." Kagome said tears forming in her eyes.
"Are you okay Mommy?" The child asked. Kagome offered her son a small smile wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Yes baby. Mommy's just a little upset." Kagome said. Her son nodded in understanding. "Uncle Sesshoumaru is going to buy us some new clothes so we can go meet your Grandmother and Grandfather." Kagome finished.
"Okay." He said happily. "I like clothes shopping." Kagome laughed softly. Sesshoumaru smiled slightly. It was a real laugh he heard from her. At least she hadn't lost her laughter. It was still music to his ears. Without thinking he leaned across the seat, put the cash into her hand and kissed her softly before pulling away.
"I will see you in a few moments." He said softly. Kagome nodded before slipping out of the car with her son. She touched her lips softly. She hadn't expected him to kiss. But she remembered his kisses. He'd kissed her long ago back in junior high school. Well he'd been in high school then, she'd was a few grades below him. It had been very much like that. A soft tentative kiss, in which she'd spazzed from saying they shouldn't because of Inuyasha which had set him off and they hadn't talked after that for a very long while. He'd been one of the only people she had said good bye to when she'd left. Though he didn't know it was a permanent good bye.
"Mom can we afford this place?" Her son asked her.
"We can right now." Kagome said looking at the money in her hand. "Let's get you done first then you can help me." Kagome said smiling. He nodded happily.
"I want a suit like Uncle Sesshoumaru's." He said.
"You do, do you?" Kagome said. She looked through the rank and found a similar suit to the one he wore. It was a black pin stripe suit. She handed it to her son before shooing him to the fitting room. The little boy tried his suit on and came back out for his mother's approval. Kagome straightened the suit and nodded.
"It looks nice on you." She said smiling. He beamed.
"I like it." He said.
"Is that the one you want?" She asked. He nodded. Kagome smiled and sent him back to change. She found a little pair of loafers he could wear with it and look like a mini clone of his uncle. She had to laugh at this. He hadn't had a man's influence in his life at all, besides Souta and she could already see that he was hero worshiping Sesshoumaru. Kagome placed the little suit on the clothes hanger before moving off to the woman's section, son in tow, to find clothing for herself. She looked at all the pants sets and the dresses.
"Should I wear a dress or a suit too?" She asked her son.
"A dress. You never wear them." He said. Kagome nodded. That was true, she didn't wear them anymore. She found a soft gray dress in the rank and smiled at it. Her son wrinkled his nose that color. "Mom! You need color." He said, finding a beautiful jade green dress on the same rack. "This one." He said handing it to her. Kagome looked the dress over, it was her size. Her raised her eyebrow at her son. "Its your favorite color." He said smiling. Kagome smiled too. Green was her favorite color especially this shade of green. The deep jade color would look beautiful on her and her son knew this. "Go try it on Mom." He said shooing her towards the changing room. Kagome nodded and walked into the room. She tried it on and it fit perfectly. Though she was skinnier then before, but the dress looked amazing.
She stepped out of the changing room and turned around for her son. He smiled and clapped.
"You look great Mommy!" He said smiling. "That's the one." He said grinning. Kagome nodded and went back into the room and changed into her normal clothing before finding a pair of reasonable heels to fit her feet. With their purchases in hand, Kagome and her son made it to the register and checked out. To Kagome's surprise she didn't have any trouble at all from the clerk.
Sesshoumaru was standing outside the door waiting for them. He raised his eyebrow when Kagome held out her hand for him. He stretched his hand out and she placed the change in his hand. Sesshoumaru snorted before putting it back in her hand.
"Kagome." He warned.
"What?" She asked.
"I told you to spend it." He said.
"I did spend some. I got a nice dress and a suit for him. And of course shoes." She said. Sesshoumaru rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I said dresses, pants, skirts, shoes. Plural." He said.
"Oh well." Kagome said rolling her eyes. Sesshoumaru sighed and turned towards the door. Kagome and her son followed behind smiling. After loading things into the car they began to drive towards Sesshoumaru's home. The child fell asleep on the longer drive to the suburbs of the city. Sesshoumaru took the chance to learn about the child and Kagome's life while he drove.
"Does he have a name?" Sesshoumaru asked turning the music down.
"Tora." She said.
"Tora. He looks much like my father. Are you sure Inuyasha is his father?" Sesshoumaru joked.
"You aren't funny." Kagome smiled. "Yes he does look a lot like Toga. And yes, smartass, Inuyasha is his Father."
"How old is he?" Sesshoumaru asked still grinning.
"He's nine." She said looking back in towards her son who was sleeping peacefully.
"Nine? You have been living like this for that long?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Yeah. My landlady, I'm grateful for her. She was so understanding when I had Tora. She knew I was only 16, and she really helped me out when I couldn't find a job." Kagome said smiling. "I'll have to call her when we get to your home. She'll worry." Kagome said.
"That makes you 25 now right?" He asked.
"Yes it does." Kagome said.
"Stripping these days too?" He asked. "I'm not passing judgment."
"It pays the rent." She said. "Its not something I'm proud of. I would rather we leave that out and not tell your parents." She said.
"They'll want to know. You know Izayoi. She won't pass judgment and neither will my father. You've done what you could to take care of your son. That is all they will care for."
"How can I go from mansion row to skid row back to mansion row?" Kagome asked. "My son doesn't know anything but skid." Kagome said softly.
"It will not be hard Kagome. You are careful with money now, that's the only difference. Which, honestly, some people, like my father, need to learn." Sesshoumaru said.
"If you say so." Kagome said. Sesshoumaru pulled into a gorgeous house. He typed a number into the keypad before pulling in. "Wow, you have a beautiful house." Kagome said looking as they drove into the driveway.
"Yeah, its not as huge as father's house, but its home." Sesshoumaru said.
"Its big enough." Kagome said. "I'm going to get lost." She said.
"Considering the damn hole in the wall you lived in? Of course you are going to get lost. Kagome, I do want you to go get a whole new wardrobe for you and Tora both. Nice, beautiful clothes. I am going to enroll Tora in our old school if that is alright with you." Sesshoumaru said.
"Sesshoumaru..the tuition alone...I would never be able to pay you back." Kagome said.
"You won't have to." Sesshoumaru said. "My brother isn't caring for you or his son, so...I will." Sesshoumaru said.
"This is far too much." Kagome said. "I don't know if I can get use to this." Kagome finished. Sesshoumaru parked the car and turned to face Kagome. He put two fingers under her chin and made her look him. He dropped his lips to hers in another soft and tentative kiss.
"Get use to it Kagome." He said softly, his lips barely above hers. "This is your life again. I won't let you slip away again."
"What do you mean again? Sesshoumaru you never had me." Kagome said softly. Sesshoumaru sighed. She was right, he had never had her, but that didn't mean he hadn't wanted her. She still didn't know that. He would tell her, but not tonight. Once he had secured his Father's help in watching the child, would he tell her when he brought her out for dinner the next night. Everything would be clear tomorrow night. Or so he planned.
Kagome and Tora showered and dressed in their new clothes they had just purchased. Sesshoumaru waited for them. He straightened his own wild silver hair before they pulled into his Father's driveway. Kagome was nervous. She hadn't seen these people in almost ten years. Sesshoumaru got out of his car, helped Tora out and realized, Kagome wasn't with them. She was still in the front seat of his car, her fingers dug into the seat. Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow at her. She shook his head.
"I can't do this." She muttered.
"You can and will." Sesshoumaru said taking her hand helping her from the car. He swallowed again for the umpteenth time since she'd come out of the bathroom in that jade green dress. She looked stunning. It hugged her curves and made her shine with an almost healthy glow. It was off her shoulders, not showing too much cleavage to make it indecent, and it ended at her mid thigh, a little lower than her school uniform had ended. She looked stunning and elegant. He walked in to his father's house holding Kagome's hand and Tora trotting behind them.
"Where's my Father?" Sesshoumaru asked the butler.
"In the formal dining hall sir." He said.
"Thank You." He said leading Kagome to the dining hall. His Father sat at the end of the table, his wife to his left. Toga looked up from his place and saw his eldest son walk into the room holding the hand of a beautiful woman. He raised an elegant eyebrow at his son. Than his nose caught the scent of the girl. His eyes widen as his wife jumped from her seat and running to the girl pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Kagome! We were so worried about you. Where's Inuyasha? Have you seen him?" Izayoi asked holding the girl tightly to her chest.
"Oh Izayoi." Kagome choked, tears spilling down her face as she hugged the woman tightly. Izayoi noticed the boy behind her. His white hair and golden eyes reminded her of her son.
"Who is this?" Izayoi asked looking at the boy.
"Izayoi give the poor girl a chance to breathe." Toga said coming over and hugging the girl. "How have you been darling?" He asked.
"Not so great." Kagome said softly.
"You are still as beautiful as ever." Toga said with a grin and wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"FATHER!" Sesshoumaru snapped.
"What?!" Toga laughed.
"You are mated and married!" Sesshoumaru snapped. "And she is off limits." He growled. Toga laughed and winked at his son knowingly. Sesshoumaru shook his head, knowing his Father had done that just to goat him. He had known of Sesshoumaru's love for the girl in front of him.
"He's Tora. My son." Kagome said. Toga almost fell on his face when she had said that.
"What?" He asked again.
"Tora is my son. Inuyasha's son." She said again. Toga looked over her shoulder at the suddenly shy boy. He raised his eyebrow at Kagome and looked the child over again.
"Are you sure about this? He looks far too much like me. I don't ever remember doing a thing with you Kagome." Toga said. Sesshoumaru decked his Father upside the head with a growl. Toga laughed rubbing the back of his head.
"Are you nuts?" Izayoi snapped. "He looks so much like Inuyasha. The eyes, the hair, the ears." She said. Kagome remained silent. She didn't want to hear about Inuyasha. She didn't want to tell Izayoi her beloved son was a drug addict and living with a whore somewhere in the city.
"Kagome..Where is Inuyasha?" Izayoi asked after dinner while they sat for tea. Kagome looked down at her lap when she finally answered. This is what she hadn't wanted to do.
"I don't know Izayoi. He left me before I had Tora. He left with Kikyo." Kagome said with a sigh.
"My son left you alone and pregnant?" Toga asked, suddenly serious, his playful nature gone. Kagome nodded. Sesshoumaru reached for her hand under the table. He held it stroking it gently, trying to help her through it. "That ungrateful mutt. How dare he hurt you that badly."
"I don't care anymore. I just take care of Tora and that's all." Kagome said. "I don't know where he is Izayoi or I would tell you." Kagome said sadly.
"That's okay hunny. I'm happy to have you back in our lives." Izayoi said smiling. "And Tora too." She said smiling.
"Father, I would like to ask you a favor." Sesshoumaru said.
"Yes?" Toga asked.
"I was wondering if you and Izayoi would watch Tora while I take Kagome out." Sesshoumaru said.
"That is no problem. I would like a chance to get to know my grandson and I'm sure he would like to get to know us as well." Toga said. Tora nodded.
The Next Day
After a day of shopping with her dearest friend Sango, Kagome had gotten a whole new wardrobe for herself and Tora. She had gone out to lunch with Sango and to her surprise, her son had asked to stay with Sesshoumaru. He was really starting to like the older Inuyoukai and this morning had proved that it had been more than hero worshiping on her son's part. Sesshoumaru had made breakfast for all of them, and Tora had chosen to help him. They had made Kagome's favorite breakfast according to Tora and Sesshoumaru's memory. Sesshoumaru had even placed a beautiful red and a beautiful white rose across her plate. Something he had always done when she had stayed at their home. She had smiled and given him a kiss on the cheek for that, which he had turned into the sneaky dog. Kagome dressed in a simple black dress and heels before heading down the stairs to the waiting Sesshoumaru. He had already brought her son to his parents house while she got ready.
Sesshoumaru suppressed a whimper when Kagome finally came down the stairs to him. She looked amazing even in the simplest of dresses. It was perfect for what he had planned. He fingered the box in his pocket. Tonight he would telling her everything. Confessions would definitely be made.
"You look beautiful as ever." Sesshoumaru said taking her hand.
"Thank You." Kagome smiled. Sesshoumaru drove them to the restaurant where they were quickly whisked to the back to Sesshoumaru's private table. The pair ate in a comfortable silence until the end of the meal. Sesshoumaru took a drink of his wine before he took a deep breath.
"Kagome, I have something to admit to you." He said softly.
"What's that?" She asked.
"You know how back in school, how I would always be there? How I would always know when to give you flowers or when you had mystery flowers on your birthday?" He asked.
"It was all you." Kagome said smiling already knowing that little bit of information. She had never told him, but she'd caught him placing flowers in her locker before.
"Yes it was all me. And the fights of course, with Inuyasha, most of them were over how he treated you." Sesshoumaru said.
"Why?" Kagome asked. "Why would you two fight over me?" She asked.
"Because...because that little twerp had you and I always wanted to have you." Sesshoumaru said. Kagome looked at him, suddenly understanding.
"How...how long?" Kagome asked.
"As long as I can remember." Sesshoumaru said taking her hand in his. "I've always loved you Kagome. That idiot brother of mine never knew what he had. And I never said anything to you or to anyone. I just watched him hurt you over and over and tried to make up for his inadequates." Sesshoumaru said.
"Sesshoumaru, I never knew." Kagome said quietly.
"I know you didn't. I never held that against you. I couldn't bring myself to tell you, but before you run away again, I'm telling you now. I love you Kagome. I want you to be my mate and my wife." Sesshoumaru said. He fumbled with the box in his pocket before pulling it out and opening it for her. Inside was the ring, a beautiful diamond solitaire on a platinum band. Sesshoumaru knew Kagome hadn't been a fan of gold, so he'd gotten the platinum.
"Will you marry me?" He asked. "Be my mate. Let me make up for what my brother's done to you. Let me be a Father to your son." Sesshoumaru said.
"Yes..." Kagome said softly putting her hand out for the ring. Sesshoumaru smiled from ear to ear has he placed the ring on her finger, smiling more when it fit perfectly. He leaned over and kissed her fully on the mouth. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip. She opened her mouth to him, allowing his tongue to explore her mouth. She kissed him back, letting her tongue wrestle his. When Sesshoumaru pulled away, he smiled at her.
"You don't know how long I've been waiting to do that." Sesshoumaru said softly.
"I have a small confession to make myself." Kagome said softly. She leaned over and kissed him again. "I've loved you for a long time too. I just...I didn't think you could ever return my feelings. So I stayed with Inuyasha, even after he treated me like shit and cheated with Kikyo I don't know how many times." Kagome said. "That's why I ran away with him, from my grandfather." Kagome said softly.
"My god Kagome, I wish I would have been braver than that. I could have saved you so much heartache and pain. You would have graduated high school, your son would be OUR son and not the half breeds. We would be mated and married and you would have never had to strip for your money." He said.
"I wish I would have to, but its the past Sesshoumaru. And as far as my son is concerned, he maybe your brother's biologically, but that doesn't make him his Father." Kagome said. Sesshoumaru smiled.
"Well than, let's go collect our son and go home. You and Izayoi can plan the wedding and I'll take care of the mating part tonight." Sesshoumaru said raising his eyebrows at her. Kagome laughed. "And on the honeymoon too." He said raising his eyebrows again.
"Hentai!" She said laughing taking his hand in hers as they exited the restaurant. After telling Toga and Izayoi, and Izayoi gushing over Kagome's ring for a half hour, the trio where finally allowed to leave. Tora was more than thrilled about Sesshoumaru joining their family and had actually called him 'Daddy'. After Tora had gone to bed, Sesshoumaru and Kagome made their 'marriage' official in the true demon since of the word. Sesshoumaru made her scream out his name all night long.
Three Months Later
Kagome walked down the aisle of the church beside Toga who was proudly walking beside her, giving her away to his eldest son. Though he had thought it would be his youngest, he would be giving her to, but this was better. Sesshoumaru stood proudly at the alter waiting for the most beautiful girl in the world to come to him. He smiled seeing her beautiful face coming towards him, tears slipping silently down her face.
"Who gives this woman?" The priest asked.
"I do." Toga said taking his son's hand and his future daughter in laws hand, placing them together. "And I swear Sesshoumaru, you mess this up, I'll kill you." Toga said. Everyone laughed. Izayoi smacked her husband upside the head when he sat down laughing. Tora stood beside his new father in a matching tuxedo smiling happily at his mother. He had carried the rings down the aisle and Sesshoumaru's adopted daughter Rin had been their flower girl. The pair had been adorable together. Sango held Kagome's huge bouquet during the ceremony and Koga stood behind Sesshoumaru acting as his best man. Miroku and Amaye as bridesmaid and usher. Thought it was a small wedding, it a was a beautiful wedding. Every detail was perfect down to the last rose.
The reception was a blast. Everyone danced. When the traditional dances came, it was like a dream for Kagome. She danced with Sesshoumaru first, then she danced with Toga, Koga had stolen a dance or two, and lastly she danced with Miroku who got beamed a few times for touching her rear. Sango smacked him, Sesshoumaru smacked, and Kagome smacked him. There were pictures of all three.
That night, Tora and Rin stayed with their grandparents while their parents left the country for their honeymoon. Sesshoumaru brought Kagome to the most beautiful Caribbean island he could think of. The smile on her face was well worth the eight hundred dollar a night honeymoon suite.
Sesshoumaru made that night a special night for her, rose petals everywhere, champagne, and long passionate love making sessions through the night, bathed in silver moon light. Sesshoumaru and Kagome were both covered in a sheen of sweat when Sesshoumaru finally rolled off of her. She cuddled into his arms, her head resting on his naked chest, his arms around her. Sesshoumaru rested his chin on top of her head.
"I love you Kagome."
"I love you too Sesshoumaru."
Six Years Later
Inuyasha finally made the last turn into his his brother's driveway. The gates were unlocked and his old clunker made its way into the driveway with a loud backfire. He didn't even bother to knock, he walked into the house looking around.
Kagome walked into the foyer and dropped the tea cup she'd been carrying. Inuyasha looked the same as always, long silver hair, golden bloodshot eyes, and a look of rage that could befit the devil. Kagome knew one thing and one thing alone, he was high as hell.
"I see you are living the high life now." Inuyasha snapped.
"Inuyasha...what are you doing here?" Kagome asked. "Don't you have a whore to get back to?" Kagome growled. She got her courage back thanks to Sesshoumaru and his damn attitude. The smack resounded through the house. Tora and his father were moving the moment the sound was heard. Tora went to the floor and picked his mother up from the feet of the man he didn't know. Sesshoumaru's growl reverberated through the house. Rin came down the stairs and gasped. She'd rarely seen her father this angry. Her mother had an angry red mark across her face.
"Inuyasha...get out of my house." Sesshoumaru growled.
"Inuyasha?" Tora asked. "This son of a bitch is Inuyasha?"
"TORA!" Kagome yelled.
"Sorry Mother but that is what he is." Tora answered. His father's influence showing. "You heard my father, get out of our house."
"That dog isn't your father kid. I am your Father." Inuyasha snapped.
"Father is not a name you've earned. Its a name he's earned." The boy snapped at Inuyasha pointing at Sesshoumaru. "I don't care if you are my real father. You hurt my mother, you abandoned me, and for what? Drugs? A whore? No, you are nothing to me."
"Your influence?" Inuyasha growled at his brother.
"No. My own." His son snapped landing a hard punch to his father's jaw. "Don't bother coming back again. Mom told me what you did. I made up my own mind. And I swear to every God in the sky, you EVER put your hands on my mother again, I'll rip you limb from limb."
"Enough." Sesshoumaru said coldly. The boy growled but stood at his adopted Father's side. Kagome protected behind the both of them. "You are going to rehab Inuyasha."
"Rehab?" Inuyasha asked.
"Look at yourself. You are more pathetic that you were before. You are a mess, a complete mess. You are going to rehab, cleaning yourself up, and if you go back to that whore again, I'll kill you." Sesshoumaru growled grabbing his brother by the back of the shirt dragging him the house and off the property. He drove his brother to the rehab center giving express feelings that Inuyasha was not to leave until he was completely cured and even that not without Sesshoumaru's permission was he to leave.
He returned home to his wife and children. He pulled his wife into his arms hugging her close, then touched her face, where the slight bruise had formed.
"I'm sorry kio, I didn't protect you too well." Sesshoumaru said.
"Its not your fault, he just walked in." Kagome said kissing his chin calming the Inu down. Tora walked into the room smiling.
"I see everything is back to normal...even if its disgusting to see you two doing that." He said with a cocky grin.
"Heh, yeah son, everything is fine." Sesshoumaru said releasing his wife. Kagome took Sesshoumaru's hand and placed it on her belly.
"Everything is most definitely fine. This family is about to grow." Kagome said with a grin. Sesshoumaru practically fell over and Tora just sat there with his jaw open. She was pregnant, now may not be the best time to mention he had a girlfriend, especially when she was so close to home. To hell with it, they were going to find out tonight eventually.
"So...um...I'm dating Saya now." Tora said before escaping the room.
"WHAT?!" Sesshoumaru and Kagome both said before chasing after him. "You are dating Sango's daughter?!" Kagome yelled.
"Uh...yeah." Tora said laughing nervously.
"About time isn't dearest?" Sesshoumaru said coming up behind his wife holding her tightly.
"Yes, its about time. They've been making eyes at one another for a couple years now." Kagome said.
"Mother! Father! I can't believe you two!" Tora snapped. Both of his parents had gone insane, they knew about himself and his girlfriend and he wanted to kill them both. He hadn't made eyes at her and she definitely had not made eyes at him. If anything, she'd beaten the living holy crap out of him all these years.
"What?" Kagome asked. "My little boy is growing up so fast." Kagome said laughing. "Next thing you know Rin will have a boyfriend."
"Oh hell no." Sesshoumaru said shaking his head. "That day isn't happening...ever."
"Umm..she already does." Tora said. Sesshoumaru's mouth twitched. Kagome laughed openly at her husband who had now begun growl quietly.
"Let me guess, Kohaku right?" Kagome said.
"God Mom you're good." Tora said smiling. Sesshoumaru did fall this time. They were upstairs right now, together.
"They are alone upstairs together, probably making out, or even better, getting naked." Tora said laughing watching his father's face twitch even more. Kagome laughed as Sesshoumaru took the stairs three at a time.
"Must you tease you father so?" Kagome asked laughing knowing perfectly well all the pair were doing upstairs were studying for the biology test they had.
"You know how much fun it is to watch him growl and yell." Tora said grinning as Sesshoumaru came charging down the stairs. Tora bolted with his father on his heels. Sesshoumaru caught up to his son in the backyard tackling him to the ground. Kagome chuckled from the doorway. She loved her family. She laughed as her son and husband went rolling across the lawn at her feet. Things couldn't get better now.
Rin came to stand beside her adopted mother and laughed at the sight before her. She shared a laugh with her daughter.
"Tora told him about Kohaku and me didn't he? And with his perversions added to it right?" Rin asked. Kagome laughed and nodded. She hugged her daughter before turning to her.
"Rin, I'm going to have a baby." Kagome said.
"Oh good!" Rin said happily. "I can't wait!"
Kagome laughed again. Saya walked in with Sango not far behind her, heavy with child four. Tora looked up from wrestling with his father seeing his girlfriend standing there with her eyebrow raised. He chuckled.
"DAD GET OFF ME!" He said pushing his father off of him jumping up running to hide behind his mother, sister, girlfriend and girlfriend's mother. "HA! I win!" He said happily.
"Says the boy hiding behind two little girls and two pregnant women." Sesshoumaru said dusting himself off.
"Are you calling me a chicken Dad?" Tora asked.
"Nope. A weakling yes." Sesshoumaru grinned.
"Oh thats it!" Tora yelled jumping on his father. Once again the pair went rolling across the ground again in a play fight. Kagome groaned and rolled her eyes turning back into the house.
"Tea?" She asked Sango who nodded walking away with their daughter's and Kohaku following them, leaving the two inus to play fight in the backyard.
Kagome knew she now had the perfect family. She had a loving husband, a hansom and kind son, a beautiful daughter, her amazingly wonderful sister and her family, and her always supportive parents in law. Kagome could ask for nothing more. Everything was more than she could ever dream it would be.