Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

A Curse of Lust	By : Rapunzel Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 8230 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, all Inuyasha-related material belongs solely to Rumiko Takahashi. This is a non-profit publication meant soley for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
6 months later

Kagome laughed from her lounged position on the river bank as she watched Shippo trying to mimic Inuyasha as he snatched fish from the water for their supper. The poor kit was soaked, having fallen over several times, loosing his balance on the slippery stones as he tried to keep up with the swift prey swimming at his feet. Kagome found the scene a bit comical and couldn't help giggling as Shippo grew more and more frustrated with each attempt. Inuyasha had forbidden him from using his fox magic at all to aid him. Without it, the young fox was at a large disadvantage as he was not accustomed to learning the hard way.

Inuyasha had already caught enough to feed the tachi but this lesson was important for Shippo to eventually be able to catch his own food and contribute more to the pack as a whole.

Despite the serious necessity of the situation, Kagome couldn't help giggling at his forlorn expression of hopelessness as he scrambled to once again regain his balance, having lost his footing when he sprang for another fish. She watched Inuyasha's shoulders sag with a sigh of frustration before taking a hold of the kit's collar, picking him up and setting him back on his feet again.

Then, he patiently demonstrated the motions of catching another fish, slower this time. His prize was a large, wriggling carp which he released into the water since this was only a demonstration. Shippo nodded he was ready and went through the motions again. Inuyasha noted his determined expression and couldn't help the half smirk that flashed across his features when the kit held up a large catch.

Kagome applauded from the shore. "Good job, Shippo! I knew you could do it!"

The fox child blushed and grinned sloppily in response to the praise before grabbing as many fish as he could from the bank. They wriggled in his arms as he slowly made his way back to camp.

Inuyasha came over and sat beside her, leaning against the fallen tree trunk she was propped up on and sighing heavily. She giggled. "You did a great job with him."

"Keh," he objected with a roll of his eyes. She knew it was all talk, though. Underneath all the attitude, he really cared about Shippo and wanted to ensure his safety. That meant being able to take care of himself, should anything ever happen.

A comfortable silence fell where Kagome was aware of his eyes on her. She didn't look back but waited patiently for what he would say. She didn't have to wait long.

"And how are you, Kagome?" he asked, with a passing glance over her bulging midsection. The miko robes did little to hide the swelling of her belly. Even if it were possible, his ears could not mistake the sound of those two, delicate heart beats nor could his nose miss their unique scents.

Kagome did not miss the direction of his gaze or the implication. They had never spoken of it after that day, never broached the topic, preferring to carry on as if nothing had ever happened. It was easier that way. She didn't miss the heaviness that crept into his expression after those words, nor did she miss the soft way his brows furrowed with infliction.

"I'm starving!" she confessed lightly, trying to lift the mood. Her hand came up to pat her stomach suggestively. Kagome knew from the beginning her pregnancy would be different. Myouga had warned her early on that demonic pregnancies were carried at a much faster rate compared to mortals. She knew she was bigger now at 5 months than most women would be in their last trimester and wondered how much longer she would have. Wincing at a sudden pain, she raised herself up with an elbow while her other hand rubbed circles over her swollen womb.

"What wrong?" Inuyasha asked in sudden alarm. Kagome smiled warmly, dispelling his worries. "Everything's fine, they're just kicking."

He gaped at her, swallowing heavily. "Kicking?"

Kagome rolled her eyes as she snatched his hand before he could protest and pressed it firmly against her stomach. His look of shock as the flesh rolled against his palm was priceless and she burst out into another fit of giggles at the sight.

As they made their way back to camp outside the village of Edo, she reflected on the last few months. Inuyasha had been fiercely protective of her in her 'new condition' since she returned that day. His demonic insight into the situation had been a huge help and the kinship they shared had in many ways, saved her soul. She didn't know what she would have done without his help and understanding. A small voice in her mind answered for her. 'You would have been alone,' it said and she dismissed the silver glint of warning before the hallow pain could return again with another step in stride behind Inuyasha, the smell of burning cedar signaling their return to camp.

Making her way to sit beside Sango, she eased herself down slowly into a position next to her friend, hissing slightly. Miroku whistled antagonistically. "Easy there, Kagome."

Said miko rolled her eyes, more interested in her aching back than the lecher monk. Sango smiled at her husband playfully. "Now, now, Miroku. It won't be long until I am in the same position," she beamed, her hand sliding over her own swollen midsection, though it was barely a basketball compared to the beach ball Kagome's had become.

The two women watched in amusement as the men collaborated on getting dinner ready, with Inuyasha skinning the fish and Miroku and Shippo roasting them by the fire. They both agreed this was their favorite part of the day since they discovered they were with child. Watching the men take the position of cook for their sake had been the funniest, clumsiest, sweetest gesture ever. Aside from the occasional unwanted offerings from Inuyasha like ogre liver or bat youkai hearts, insisting it was 'good for the pups,' things had been quite spectacular and both girls were enjoying the role reversals.

After the incident with Shoki, which none of them spoke, the jewel and Naraku were quickly dealt with. None rightly knew what had transpired between the ogre demon and Inuyasha that day but to say he had been changed would be a gross understatement. His determination to piece the jewel back together and destroy it with Naraku was heightened while his treatment of her and her friends had been reformed and his commitment to Kagome had been strengthened. While Sango and Miroku were newly determined what with their child on the way, Inuyasha was determined to protect her and the pups, to get the whole matter settled with finally.

In truth, everyone in the tachi was stronger because of that day. No one ever said it but the altercation with Shoki had in fact, brightened their lives. With both Sango and Kagome pregnant, the two women became more feral than ever in order to get Naraku taken care of before they were no longer in a position to help. Neither could bring themselves to accept the possibility that their children could be born into a world where that monster still existed, so that he may terrorize their childrens' lives the way he had theirs'.

Miroku had more of a reason to live than ever before, Inuyasha was stronger and more confident than he ever had been, Shippo matured and became more of an asset to the group and even Kilala, having protected Sango's descendants for hundreds of years, became more combative in order to protect her charge in her delicate condition.

Even Kagome's pregnancy had changed Inuyasha into a more attentive and considerate hanyou. In some way or other, Inuyasha had felt close to loosing Kagome to the father, his older brother. Only he and Kagome knew Sesshomaru sired her children, as he could smell the scent on her though they had never openly spoken of it. Unfortunately, just as the hanyou could finally see her the way she'd always hoped he could, she could not bring herself to desire him as a mate. The love she had for her hanyou friend was just that; the love of a friend or brother. They simply had too much baggage, too many memories to carry on in a romantic fashion, though she loved him well. She decided to wait until after Naraku was defeated to tell him and then the time for that conversation just never came.

So, unified and determined, the tachi set out. Kagome pushed her powers over and beyond her limit as a miko to locate Naraku's position by sensing the jewel. She began meditating at dawn with strict instruction to the rest of the waiting tachi not to interrupt, no matter what. It was nearing dawn the next day when Inuyasha had reached his limit, worried that she might over do it and hurt herself or the pups. Miroku acted as a psychical barrier to keep him back in order to obey Kagome's orders.

"We have to trust her!" the monk shouted as he pushed his staff against the hanyou's belly, applying sutras when Inuyasha persisted, the claws on his feet making deep gashes in the soil beneath him. Inuyasha growled belligerently in Miroku's face, the corners of his eyes turning red. He was beginning to loose control when Miroku seized a stack of sutras and stuck several of them to his staff and pushed again. This time Inuyasha was thrown back forcefully into the ground a few feet away, further infuriating him.

Sango wanted to side with Miroku and help but the part of her that loved Kagome like a sister rebelled. She was just as worried as Inuyasha and she agreed that the miko had pushed herself too far. If she didn't stop soon she was going to over do it and hurt herself or the babies she carried. She had to be stopped.

Miroku, however, understood that pulling Kagome out of a trance that deep was more dangerous than allowing her to continue at this point. He knew that whatever happened, he had to keep Inuyasha from waking her or then their friend really would be in danger.

Inuyasha was charging at Miroku again when they all felt it. A heavy pulse of purifying energy swept across them in a huge wave like a ripple spreading out on a still pond. It was strong enough to make them stumble and they felt it searching, analyzing quickly as it moved past them like an intelligent, silent, invisible yet catastrophically deadly force.

Everyone turned their attention to the miko, who shook her head and wobbly stood. Inuyasha broke into a run towards her as Miroku breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as Kagome grinned and waved at them. "I know where Naraku is!" she cheered jovially with pride.

That is how they found Naraku and defeated him with a combination of purifying arrows, Tetsusaiga, the bone shattering Hiraikotsu and once he began to weaken, Miroku's wind tunnel.

The one thing none of them counted on was the jewel merging with Kagome after Naraku had been destroyed and the bauble purified. It melted into her hands and then just seeped into her skin. It had been the oddest thing but she had felt no ill effects and there had been no changes in her that she could see, that is, except for her growing delicate condition and the fact that the well was no longer active. She could no longer see her family on the other side, a truth she was just starting to accept.

Once the jewel was destroyed, for lack of a better term, Miroku and Sango had been married. Kagome attended the bride to be and watched tearfully as the maid of honor while Kohaku gave his sister away and Kaede bound them forever as mates. The ceremony had been beautiful and they had all spent the last few months helping to build each other's huts, set to be just down the river bend from each other.

With Inuyasha's demonic strength and precision and Kagome's futuristic insights into architecture, they were building a hut like none the villagers had ever seen, right outside the clearing of the Bone Eater's Well. They would have irrigated water, a well, more than one room, fire places with chimneys and a wash room, something they were totally unfamiliar with. Inuyasha had seen a bathtub before in Kagome's time, so he knew the basics of it and set to work with all the raw materials around him to make it so.

They would build Sango and Miroku's home first and then stay with them until their own home was completed. Or so, that was the plan.

The girls tried to keep up, they really did but once the full effects of pregnancy began to kick in, the outside work was unthinkable to their sore backs, the nausea, mood swings and frequent bathroom breaks.

Kagome was glad to have a friend to share the experience with, especially since neither she or Sango really knew anything at all about birthing babies and because they already possessed a kinship like sisters. They lounged together in the hot spring, soaking sore muscles and chatting about this and that.

The stars were bright against a sickle moon. The skinny crescent shone bold against a clear night sky, alighting the water with bright ripples of light where it managed to shine through the canopy of trees. Steam rolled off the glinting surface, opening the pores of her face.

The girls sighed simultaneously in ecstasy and then giggled at each other. Sango stretched her arms over her head, wincing as she rolled her shoulder around in the socket.

"I think I'll ask Miroku for another 'massage' as you called it, Kagome. My muscles are getting frigid again."

"I know the feeling," Kagome responded sincerely as she rubbed her own neck tiredly, looking up at the stars.

"Does Inuyasha ever massage your muscles, Kagome?" she prodded delicately. It was a sensitive subject for the priestess, she knew.

A soft sigh was her only response. Sango knew she shouldn't have brought it up but she couldn't help wanting to see her friend happy and settled down before the twins came. Judging from her size, she'd say it didn't look like they had much longer to go.

Inuyasha had been so kind and patient with her since the day Ah-Un appeared to drop her off outside of Kaede's. Her mussed appearance had made everything apparent and despite the pain that flashed across Inuyasha's features, he had helped her to gently dismount before simply sending the beast off without a word. He had dotted after her like a love sick puppy ever since, catering to her every need.

She didn't know if Kagome felt for Inuyasha the way she had before whatever transpired between her and Sesshomaru but she knew that the roles had suddenly been reversed. Now, Inuyasha fought for the attention of Kagome who tried to hide her vying for Sesshomaru. Desperately wanting to see her friends find some happiness, she pushed the subject even further.

"Oh, Kagome-chan, you don't know what you're missing. Let him rub your feet and see what I mean."

Kagome giggled in spite of herself. The mental image of Sango moaning as Miroku rubbed her feet was too much. She made a valid point, though. Her feet did ache quite fierce fully, as with the rest of her body. A massage would be wonderful but somehow the thought of allowing Inuyasha to touch her made her feel like she was betraying him.

'Oh, for kami's sake, he doesn't want you, already! The children will be born hanyou, he would consider it an abomination!'

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She had done this to herself, she rationalized. She should have been strong enough to deny the curse its urges and logically sound enough to realize that anything coming from a such a union would be disowned by the great and mighty taiyoukai, Sesshomaru.

So why couldn't she reach out to Inuyasha, accept his proposals and hidden affections? Only half a year ago, she would have given anything to have this Inuyasha, the one who loved her so unconditionally that he displayed it for all the world to see. Now, it seemed only a last-ditch effort of a true friend trying to save her soul from obliteration.

Sure, she was happy while around her friends and for their sake she kept it together but for the few moments in time that she found herself alone, she experienced a deep mental anguish and longing. She was lonely and afraid, hurt and dejected.

He had been gentle with her, at least. In her shock, she had forgotten her rage. In her shock, she had barely made sense of the words 'abomination' and 'rectify' as he slid his hand across her abdomen with heavy implication. He had given her the herb she was supposed to use to expel the contents of her womb and sent her away on Ah-Un, where Inuyasha had already returned wounded but alive from his battle with Shoki. She had remained completely silent the entire time and merely threw the plant without a second glance into the wind.

She did not regret it, she thought as she ran her hands along the expanse of her belly. She hissed as another sharp pain rang out suddenly and Sango leaned in closer, her eyes squinted with concern.

"Kagome, was that a contraction?" Sango had been educated on all Kagome knew about birthing and pregnancy in her world, while Sango had offered everything she knew about demon birthing. She had trained Kagome and there for knew how much pain she could take and what kind of reaction she would have to it. She did not like the way her friend's knuckles were white as she clenched her hands into fists and tried to concentrate on breathing deeply.

"Ahhuhhh, maybe," she squeaked softly, catching her breath.

"Is that the only one you've had?" she pressed.

When Kagome didn't answer immediately, Sango stood with purpose. She ushered Kagome out of the spring and into her clothes, dressing all the way. She was back at camp for all of two seconds before Sango spilled the beans to Inuyasha and in two minutes he was was gently setting her down outside Kaede's hut.

Kagome tried to protest that she was fine, batting at Inuyasha's insistent hands. Still gripping her shoulders lightly, he caught her body right as another wave hit. Her knees went out and he picked her up, his hands finding purpose at the back of her knees to carrying her bridal style once more as he shoved his was through the flap to the hut.

Kaede greeted them cheerfully at the door, ushering them past the fireplace and to the back where she'd set up an area with a large bed and lots of clean towels and hot water. As Inuyasha made sure she was comfortable and suitably arranged, Kaede began grinding the pain-relieving tea.

Soon Sango came through the door and ushered Inuyasha out. "The birthing chamber is no place for males, Inuyasha. Kaede and I must examine Kagome to see how far along she is." At his look of chagrin, her tone softened. "You must understand," this she said as she grabbed his hand and looked him hard in the eyes. "We don't know what kind of labor to expect for a human mother giving birth to not one but two hanyou pups. We don't know how long it will take or how risky it will be," she implied firmly.

Inuyasha took the hint, acknowledging the danger that Kagome could be in. This was one battle he could not fight for her. "Fine, but if she calls for me.."

Sango nodded. "Of course."

"Yech, this tea is awful," Kagome complained as Kaede chuckled. "You'll be needing it soon, I expect," she hinted mischievously. Another wave of wracking contractions and Kaede was handing her a long piece of fabric to stick in her mouth. Biting down on it did seem to help and she only took it out to take more tea or a cool sip of water.

As the hours wore down, however, she grew more and more restless. The hut seemed to be closing in on her and when she wasn't keeled over from the pain of the contractions that seemed to be back to back now, she was fluctuating between hellishly hot and freezing.

"You're doing great, Kagome-chan," Sango encouraged from behind her. Kaede rose from examining Kagome yet again and gave the slayer a significant look. She bustled about the room, preparing the delivery blanket to receive the first pup.

The medicine must have been working wonders, Kagome thought blearily, if she didn't mind her knees being parted and watching both Sango and Kaede continuously squat between her thighs to examine her progress.

Sango eyed the silver slit between Kagome's legs that signaled the crowning head. Another two contractions or so and the first would be born.

"Now, the next contraction, Kagome, I need you to push."

Kagome's eyes opened wide at that. They had been telling her not to push all night and she had wanted to with every contraction. They didn't have long to wait. The wave came, bitter and terrible, so sharp that she forgot all together to push or to remember anything at all except the pain but her body must have acted none the less, because Sango emerged with a wriggling, tiny mass with silver hair. A moment later and its shrieks were heard, loud and healthy, to ring against the walls of the hut.

Outside, they heard the villagers cheer. "To a healthy babe!" Someone cried in congratulations. Kagome was unaware. In the bliss of hearing her child's cries, signaling its health, she had relaxed for only a moment before another wave tore across her midsection.

It was Kaede that knelt between her thighs this time, while Sango severed the birthing cord of the first and set to cleaning it.

This time, she screamed. This time, Kaede's face turned white as she turned to Sango and barked out a series of orders that Kagome could not understand past the pain that tore across her features. Something was wrong, she could feel it. The little one inside her was dangerously kicking about and she could sense its frantic hysteria as if it were her own. The room had fallen silent except for her cries and she could see in the faces of both Kaede and Sango that they were afraid and didn't know what to do. The panic she found in their eyes made her blood run cold and his name tore through her throat with a roar she did not know she was capable of.

"INUYASHA, HELP!"

The flap was torn aside in a moments time, until Inuyasha stood in the room, his face gone sheet white at the sight. Kaede muttered something in his ear and he was at her side in a flash, lifting her to her feet. His eyes went from a soft, grim understanding to a severe determination and Kagome knew that whatever came next was going to hurt.

"What are you doing Inuyasha?" Sango tried to pull him off but he forced her away with a gentle push and a hard glance.

"You have to get on your feet, Kagome, that's it," he ushered her into a standing position and then eased her to squat down. It forced her knees to spread wide and she felt the force of gravity pulling all the weight of her pregnant belly down. Unfortunately, so did her body as the next contraction ripped across her and she wrestled with the fabric at his shoulders as her hands clamped into fists. Her fingernails scraped into the fabric of the fire rat robe as she shrieked and sobbed against him.

His golden eyes found her blue ones and he ordered her to push in a commanding voice, his expression brooking no argument. As soon as she obeyed, he used his razor sharp claws to make a small incision purely by instinct to make more room for the child to slide through.

She didn't know how much time had passed until that final, wonderful moment when Inuyasha reached between her thighs to free the second and final child. With a look of awe, it was passed surreptitiously to Kaede, who smacked the pink bottom once, sending the child into a chorus of shrieks to match that of the first. She severed the birthing cord while Sango handed her the first bundle, neatly swathed in a soft, white fabric, as the villagers cheered around them again at the sound of the second child's cries.

"A healthy, handsome boy," Sango exclaimed as he was placed in her arms. Kagome sighed her amazement as amber eyes stared up at her framed by a head full of silver hair. He had the same markings as Sesshomaru on his face and even the blue, crescent moon on his brow.

"And a healthy baby girl," Kaede beamed as she settled the girl into her arms with Inuyasha taking the boy carefully first.

Kagome gazed down into another head full of silver hair but eyes the darkest of blues, like her own. The contrast was stark in comparison. The moon on her brow was red where her brother's was blue and her markings were blue where his were red, to match his father's. They were opposites.

She couldn't help but notice the silence that had fallen in the room. Looking up, she realized the shock that lined Inuyasha's face as he gazed on the boy. 'What is he on about?' she wondered alarmingly, searching the others' faces for an answer. No one would meet her eyes.

"What's wrong?" she demanded of Inuyasha in a fierce whisper.

He gulped significantly. "They're...they're not.." he stammered, looking awkward and guilty at the same time.

"They're not what? Oh," she said as the pieces clicked into place. Neither of the pups had ears like a hanyou but pointed elven ones like their father's.

"They're full demon," Inuyasha finally finished in a rush. Sango took the boy from his arms looking half reproachful, concern for the baby and her friend marring her brow.

"How is that possible?" he continued incredulously, looking at Kagome for an answer.

She shrugged tiredly. "I have no idea," she answered truthfully.

Sango and Kaede ushered him out the door in order to instruct Kagome on how to feed the pups. Eventually she got them both to latch for the first time and both were fed and put to bed. Kaede gave her another cup of medicated tea after changing the poultice between her thighs for a fresh one while Sango dispensed a dinner of stew Miroku and Shippo made while waiting.

They were eating quietly when the sound of a far away, resounding roar shook the ground slightly beneath their feet. The children wailed at the sound even as distant as it was and Kagome dropped the bowl she was holding to shatter on the floor.

Inuyasha was there in a flurry of dust and wind, smelling of the woods and tall trees. "Time to go," he began, making for Kagome and only halted by a strong, feminine arm. Sango pulled at his sleeves, her expression begging him to see reason. "She's just given birth," she insisted seriously.

Inuyasha gave her his full attention. "Sesshomaru will kill her and the pups if I don't do something to stop him."

The answer seemed to be acceptable as the slayer could only look on in slack-jawed shock while Inuyasha slung provisions over his shoulders. Kaede bustled about making an herb packet for Kagome to take with her for the pain while Inuyasha dipped down in front of his friend so she could climb on his back.

Sango seemed to come back around to the situation then, eying her friend's shaking hands and pale, drawn features. "No, Inuyasha, not on your back. We'll take Kilala. It's safer that way."

Inuyasha nodded a curt nod in her direction. "Get her out of here, Sango," he said seriously and her friend nodded with the mutual understood severity of the situation. Both of them knew that Kagome was supposed to have hanyou. That's what they had been expecting. If the children had been hanyou, the current problem would cease to exist.

Perhaps Inuyasha and Sango were the only two of the tachi that understood why this factor was so important. A hanyou pup could not inherit the mark of an heir and therefore, Sesshomaru would be none the wiser should Kagome carry to term. But with two full blooded heirs, the beautiful markings they had been born with had been taken directly from their father's forehead, alerting him immediately to their existence. The roar they heard was his brother no doubt discovering this fact and who knew how long they had before his subsequent arrival into Edo. Sango knew from her years of training slaying demons that the same markings that made the twins so beautiful and connected them to Sesshomaru's line could be a death sentence, depending on how the Lord of the West decided to take it.

Kagome may not have been aware of this fact but that did not mean she was ignorant to the situation. There was no mistaking that pitch, no mistaking the chill that was sent down her spine at the sound or the way her pups responded. She was ushered outdoors with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders and both pups in her arms by a silent Sango. Kaede patted her on the back as she mounted Kilala. Ahead of her, Inuyasha, Miroku and Shippo were standing in a close stance as Inuyasha whispered some small words of understanding for the situation.

Sango wasted no time getting the fire neko into the air and barreling for a safe spot she and Inuyasha had agreed upon. A large cave nestled into the rock face was their sanctuary, the same hide out Inuyasha had used during the new moon before meeting his friends. It had quite a vantage point, being so high, that she could see well into the Western Lands from her position. A glint in that direction caught her eye and she gasped at the sight of the familiar white ball barreling in their direction. With a hiss, she pulled Sango and the fire neko well into the cave before handing her pups to the slayer to care for as she erected a large and powerful barrier.

The pups were settled into a far corner, nestled warmly into a pallet of furs and sleeping peacefully when Sango came to stand beside Kagome. Both watched the ball of light as it came to hover over the clearing by the well and disappeared. She couldn't make out the form of Inuyasha or Sesshomaru from where she was but they didn't have long to wait before Inuyasha's voice boomed "WINDSCAR!" The ground beneath their feet shook with the force as blue light met the yellow with Sesshomaru's answering "DRAGONSTRIKE."

The sound of their father's voice made the pups wail and Kagome ran to quiet them while Sango remained at the entrance to keep watch.

"You're ok, babies, you're fine," she cooed comfortingly, moving her face as close as she could. They reached out and pulled at her hair and clothes desperately, quieted by her close scent and warmth.

"Ummm, Kagome?" Sango called quietly from the entrance.

Kagome glanced up and sucked in a breath. Sesshomaru hovered outside the entrance to the cave, just outside the barrier. His amber eyes bored into her's with a fury unmatched as she noticed the lack of a moon on his brow. All the pieces clicked into place and suddenly Kagome forgot why she should be afraid in lieu of her own rage.

'So that's what this is all about.' She marched right up to the barrier with her hands on her hips and bored into Sesshomaru right back.

"WHAT?" she barked disrespectfully. "What could you possibly want from me?"

If possible, his eyes narrowed another fraction. "You have disobeyed this Sesshomaru's orders."

She scoffed and rolled her eyes in a move that made his blood boil. Sango bit her lip, wanting to stop Kagome before she riled him any further but knew if she interrupted she was prone to either of their wrath and neither did she wish to face.

"You know what, Sesshomaru? I don't give rat's ASS what your orders were. I'm not KILLING the life growing inside me just because you don't 'approve.' Maybe you should have thought about whether or not you have the right to ask that of me before you make such a command in the future."

A low growl warned her of his growing ire, though he did well at hiding his shock at her sudden crass. "Let me see the pups."

Silence reigned for a few minutes as Kagome considered the request. She folded her arms across her chest defiantly. "Only if you agree to certain things, first."

Sesshomaru gritted his teeth in further annoyance but the smell of blood loss on the female was powerful and he knew that just standing in front of him was difficult and painful, although she tried to hide it behind an impressive exterior. She had, after all, only just given birth to two full blooded pups he wasn't even aware she was carrying until now. A brief moment of regret stained his countenance as he realized how much she'd been through on her own the past several months and his total ignorance of the situation.

She received a curt nod to continue with her requirements.

"First off, I just got them settled down, so don't go scaring them by growling or something threatening."

Fangs pierced his tongue slightly as he stopped himself from angrily retorting to such a ridiculous notion and bobbed his head again.

"Also," for this she leaned closer to the barrier and lowered her voice to a cold whisper, "I know that you don't think much of me, Sesshomaru. I know I'm just an untrained, weak human miko but if you lay a single claw out of line towards my pups, I will kill you or I will die trying. Do you understand? I will not hesitate, I will end your life."

The Lord of the West silently approved of her fierce protection of her new offspring, only nodding curtly once more as she brought forth the first pup. There was no denying the parentage of this batch, he mused, taking in the identical markings it shared with its father.

"The first born, a son," she remarked holding him up. The boy met his gaze openly and Sesshomaru nodded his approval. "He will be called Hisato." Hisato was handed carefully back to Sango as she picked up the second.

"A beautiful girl," she remarked as she held up her daughter. Sesshomaru could not stop the look of surprise and awe from passing across his features. Not only were female Inus incredibly rare in his tribe, but he'd never seen an Inu posses markings like her's. He couldn't miss the sparkling blue eyes that stood out in stark contrast to her pale skin and silver hair. "She will be called Hisoka," he declared in a soft whisper.

Kagome couldn't help the rush of tenderness and pride she felt at his reaction to the pups. He had given them such beautiful names. She beamed a smile at her beautiful daughter, glowing in contentment as she situated Hisoka next to her brother. They latched unto each other as she bundled them once again with the furs, forgetting Sesshomaru at her back to smile warmly at her children.

Sesshomaru warred with his dislike of her casual dismissal of him and the respect he felt swell in his gut for the tender way she cared for the newborns.

"You will explain to this Sesshomaru how it is that you came to bare full blooded demon pups," he declared impassively.

"No, I won't," Kagome answered him hotly without even looking in his direction. "Because I don't have any clue how and I don't care. If you want to know so badly find out for yourself but right now I'm going to see these pups to sleep and get some rest myself. If you try to interfere with that, I will be forced to take action, Sesshomaru." Pausing to stare directly into his eyes for emphasis, something occurred to her. "What have you done with Inuyasha?" she asked smoothly, realizing that the hanyou should have been at her aid by now.

The moments ticked by without comment as Kagome watched Sesshomaru's features change. At first, he seemed to be contemplating her question, as if he'd only just remembered. Then his eyebrows shot up in realization and looked back at her with alarm and...guilt? It only lasted a brief moment before the mask of indifference slid back into place but when he continued to say nothing, Kagome felt a cold fear bloom in her belly.

"What have you done?" she asked slowly with wide eyes.

"He was...in the way," the cold baritone replied evenly, as if he intended to defend himself to her.

Kagome hadn't even realized Sango had brought Hiraikotsu until that moment. In a swift move she had snatched the item off her friend's back and slipped her fingers expertly through the ties, having seen the slayer take hold of the weapon several times. It glowed with a white light at her touch just before she sent it barreling with all the strength she had through the barrier to collide with Sesshomaru's chest. There was an explosion of light as he was thrown back, back, back into the treeline until his form was no longer even visible.

"Kagome-chan!" Sango exclaimed as the miko slid to the floor, breathing heavily. Her hakamas were darkened with blood between her thighs. Kagome tried to wave her away as if it was nothing, but Sango 'tsked' as she freed a new poultice and a fresh pair of hakamas from a pack on the side of Kilala. They both made a mental note to thank the old priestess for her quick thinking later.

When Kagome tried to deny her help redressing, Sango objected by putting her hands on her hips in a very Mrs. Higurashi kind of way. "You just purified all the demons in my Hiraikotsu, Kagome. You have no right to reject my help now."

Kagome winced. "Did I, really?" she mummered.

Sango raised and eye brow. "Oh, weren't you there? Did I not just see you send the Lord of the Western Lands sprawling with my weapon? Must have imagined it."

"We have to find Inuyasha," Kagome insisted seriously. She did not like the look on Sesshomaru's face when she'd asked about him, or the implication.

"No, I have to find Inuyasha. You have to stay here and protect your...pups," Sango tested the word for the first time, the sound alien on her tongue.

Under normal circumstances, Kagome would be quick to argue the point of being left out but after giving birth, constructing a barrier and assaulting Sesshomaru, she was worn out. Also, her blood loss was increasing, leaving her drained and tired. She hardly protested as Sango settled her on the pallet with the pups and tucked her in. Before Sango had even set out, Kagome had long ago succumbed to the darkness.
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A Curse of Lust