Starless Skies by Beautifully Wicked

Starless Skies

May 2001

A woman with a mass of curly inky black hair sat in a cafe and listened to the poor girl, Mei, speak about how she encountered multiple ghosts during her childhood. Not just a few wandering spirits but actually stalked by them. Some followed and lost interest, others became violent. She’d been afraid to leave her house, go to school, see friends, even sleep, and then one day it just stopped. No explanation as to why.

“Were you always able to see ghosts?”

“No. It was weird. I went to bed one night and then the next day as I made my way to school I stumbled upon a ghost just swinging on one the playgrounds’ swings. It was surreal.”

“Hm… That is interesting. Most people are born with the sight, but, only in rare circumstances, are people able to develop their sight later on. I myself was gifted later on in life.”

“You were?”

“I was. It’s something that has stayed. For yours to come and go is very interesting. Did you drink, or eat something you normally would not? Or take something from a stranger? Meet someone new?”

“I met someone! A woman in her thirties, I think. She dropped this cute little keychain charm, but when I picked it up to give it back to her, she looked so relieved and hurried off. It was really cute so I kept it. I lost it a month ago, and with it-”

“Your sight? A cursed object then. She must have came about it in a similar fashion. She left it behind to get rid of it. She must have seen the same things you did and had a similar experience.”

“It was so scary, Kagome. I thought I was going crazy and no one believed me. If it weren’t for the photos I took of my scratches and cuts I would have thought I was making it up.”

Kagome leaned over and patted the teens hand in comfort. “Sometimes things come and go in your life. You were lucky to be rid of it before more harm could be done.”

“It’s crazy how I found you, how did you even get into something like this?”

Kagome hummed, not liking to bring up the past, “I had a similar experience when I turned fifteen something I thought to be impossible happened to me. Seeing ghosts didn’t help either. The world is much more nuanced than we originally thought.”

Kagome watched the girl blush, and felt someone behind her, she turned and recognition hit her like a train. Silver hair, short and shaved at the sides and back, but the royal purple moon stood against the pale skin of his forehead and familiar golden eyes, “Sesshōmaru…” the words were barely a whisper when they fell from her lips.

“Miko.” Kagome bristled at the familiar baritone and even more familiar title.

“Miko? Kagome you are miko? Is that what-” Kagome cut her off before Mei could ask. 

“It seems like I have another appointment, why don’t we reschedule a month out?” Kagome said quickly, trying to usher the teen away. Wholly unprepared for this unexpected reunion.

“A month?That’s quite far,” Mei said nervously, unable to take her eyes off the male.

“I have a deadline for my next book. My editor will be giving me the schedule of release and the upcoming merchandise will need to be finalized. I was going to let you know later. I will call you, Mei.”

“Um… yeah. Ok, see you, Kagome,” the teen blushed and hopped up from her seat before skirting around the Dai-Yokai at Kagome’s back.

Sesshōmaru sat once the skittish young one left. 

“I almost didn’t believe my nose and then there you were.” Sesshōmaru commented as a cafe worker came and dropped his to-go cup in front of him.

Kagome bristled as she stood, leaning down to grab her purse to leave. “Sit, Miko.”

Kagome glared, but sat back down, sighing. Of course it would be the impertinent lord of the west to find her first. “I have questions, and seeing as you’re still so young I’m guessing it’s a story to tell. You disappeared down a well never to be seen again. Yet here you are.”

Kagome wanted to scream. “Inu-Yasha never told you?”

She saw his silver brow quirk upwards and she smiled, “Obviously not. How are you here?”

“Why don’t you give me your theory.”

“If the book you wrote is to be believed, a spell gone wrong.”

Kagome laughed, she’d taken some liberties with her book and changed it from a magical well, not wanting enemies she’d left behind to find her, and yet, here he was.

“Not a spell. The well, then.” Kagome froze blue eyes narrowing in agitation, he was far too smart; had always been three steps ahead. She nodded. 

“A magical well. Inu-Yasha was right about one thing: you have the worst luck for a human.” Kagome could laugh at that. She did have pretty bad luck. 

“You were quite young, high-school maybe?” He guessed.

“I was fifteen,” she shrugged in response.

“Very young, too young for the quest fate handed you,” he was stalling, but he was intrigued. She was here. Centuries had passed and yet she was still, Kagome. Amazing.

Kagome gave a wry chuckle and shrugged. “What can I say? It is what it is. Five years and you’re the first one of all the yōkai I met that I’ve seen. Now that I know yōkai are not gone, just hiding in plain sight, I feel better knowing I made a difference.”

“Me? The wolf that salivated after you has not appeared to take you as mate? So like a wolf to abandon a promise.”

Kagome laughed at that as well, “Koga never wanted me, it was all a ploy to infuriate your brother.”

“Half. Inu-Yasha has not appeared before you either, it seems.” Kagome’s heart broke at his words. She knew, of course, that he could still be alive and having it confirmed sent her stomach reeling at being such an afterthought when he’d been her whole world.

Kagome then rose, unable to handle the conversation anymore. Sesshōmaru rose as well. “Dinner tonight, as… friends?”

Kagome laughed, completely taken aback at the ridiculous request. “Sesshōmaru we were never friends, and I’d hardly call us friendly, but I’ll make time for dinner if you can behave.”

“I did enjoy your book, Kagome.”

“I’m surprised you read it.”

“It was my assistant that alerted me to its presence. She was giggling in the breakroom, and sighing over one of the characters. You didn’t change my name. Everyone else’s, but mine. Very curious.” 

Kagome blushed. She’d tried to find a suitable substitute for Sesshōmaru but she… couldn’t. The name suited him too well, and for some reason it had felt wrong to change his name. “I tried to find a suitable replacement, but nothing came to mind. Your name, just like you, were too perfect to be true.” And with that she turned and left.

|~|

Sesshōmaru stood in stunned silence as he watched the young miko sashay away. He looked down at the table, seeing that Kagome had left behind a business card. Her name and number, and nothing more. Interesting.

When his PA was talking about her book he’d thought it was just another silly fantasy romance, seeing as how his PA only read steamy romances. But he’d stopped in his tracks as his name, his true name , left her lips. He demanded her copy on the spot, needing to know what human had dared…

Of course, it had been his half-brothers’ miko to write the fucking book. She hadn’t used a penname. Though he hadn’t known her surname, he knew the name Kagome. The half-breed had screamed it loud enough, and often enough that anyone within a mile radius would know it. 

She was still stunning. No longer was she a gangly teen, but an attractive young woman who’d grown into her curves and hips, and those stunning eyes still expressive, still mesmerizing. Kagome was still one-of-a-kind.

When he’d walked into the cafe her scent had hit him like a train as she sat and spoke to a young teen, who couldn’t have been older than fourteen, recounting being haunted by spirits. The miko listened intently and spoke with soft comforting words and uncanny intuition. She’d always been an enigma.

His feet had taken him to her before he could stop himself.

The look of shocked recognition that spread across her expressive face made him almost laugh, and then she whispered his name … She could see beyond the glamor he wore, beneath the magic that hid his true appearance. Of course, she could. 

How does one forget the past when it's staring you straight in the face?

How tortured she must have been being displaced in a life that was so claustrophobic when her soul sang in the wilds of the past. 

He’d often come upon her in the past as she stared at the expansive starlit skies. Happiness painted her scent as she drew the constellations, and danced in late night summer storms free and wild as she should have always been.

This Kagome was suffocated by expectations, schedules, and starless nights filled with satellites and planes. Haunted by grief of a life that should have been, but never came. 

He looked down at the card and took his cellphone out, inputting her number and shot a text off detailing the time and place for dinner to her.

He heard nothing from her for the rest of the day, but she was outside the restaurant waiting with a small smile. They spoke of Rin, her mate, her little ones and Shippo and his relationship. Of new identities he’d had throughout the years and how his mother was pushing him to find a mate. SHE wanted more grandchildren. But nothing of Kagome’s life, and nothing of Inu-Yasha’s. 

|~|

November 2004

Sesshōmaru saw her (just a glance) under a popular food stall in Roppongi, holding hands with a man who looked years older than her, though they were probably around the same age. He stopped in the crowd wanting to greet her, but she was with another and he didn’t want to come off as a potential suitor. Her face still held its youth from three years prior. Not a single sign of aging. Curious.

Though they kept in touch, it wasn’t as often as he would like, and they rarely saw each other as both of their schedules were far too busy for them to actually meet up. A rare sighting like this was intriguing. She hadn’t told him she was seeing someone. They mainly spoke of Rin’s seventh child, and Shippo’s impending mating to Soten, no matter how off and on again they were. 

She still refused to speak of his half-brother.

Her smile looked a little strained as the man handed her some takoyaki. He held out his other hand, she placed the money in his and Sesshoumaru watched the man pay. He bristled. A female should not be paying on what was obviously a date. The man gave Kagome her change, and she handed the food to the man. “Is there anywhere you want to go Kagome?” The man didn’t even offer her any of the food as he took bite after bite. Kagome shook her head in the negative. 

“I heard the third book has been delayed. It’s crazy that you ended it after meeting those assassins.” Kagome gave another nod. The second book had been just as big of a success as the first. There were talks of multiple offers for potential screen adaptations last he’d read. 

“I can’t believe you told that anime studio no! You would have made so much money. The story could have gone international!”

“There is still a potential it could. The last book is almost done. Who knows what will happen then?”

She sounded bored, like they’d had this conversation before. Still, no food that she paid for was offered. Sesshōmaru had seen enough. He went forward and accidentally knocked into the human male. “Oh, Natsuo, are you alright?” Kagome went to try and help, the food had been knocked to the ground, and the human male was trying to catch his breath.

Kagome turned to him, and surprise lit her face before a small blush lit her features as she helped steady the male, “Shibuya-san?”

“Kagome? Do you know him?”

“Oh, um, Natsuo, this is Shibuya, Syouji. We are-”

“We are professional colleagues. I apologize, I must not have been paying attention. I was in a hurry to get to a meeting,” Sesshōmaru told him with little conviction. 

“It’s fine, accidents happen,” Natsuo replied and Sesshōmaru narrowed his eyes at the oblivious male. 

Natsuo looked down at his watch, and worry enveloped his scent, “Oh, crap, sorry Kagome I hate to do this but I gotta go. Early flight and all that,” the lie left the male's lips with ease as Kagome’s downturned into a small frown. 

“Oh, that’s right I forgot you have to go to Osaka. Well, um I’ll be unreachable-” she tried to say before the male steamrolled over her.

“Yeah, yeah Seoul, for the translated novel, and merchandise. I’ll see you when you get back in, two weeks, yeah?” Natsuo wasn’t even looking at Kagome as he spoke to her. Clearly dismissive of the petite female. Morose saturated Kagome’s face.

“Two months,” was said so softly and pitifully, Sesshōmaru was actually starting to feel bad that he’d intruded.

“That’s right. Well see you then,” Natsuo finished brushing himself off and left waving at Kagome without even looking back to see her response.

“That wasn’t very nice Sesshōmaru,” her words were still soft, but tinged with irritation.. 

He shrugged, “He didn’t pay.”

“Sesshōmaru this isn’t-”

“I know what time period it is. It is basic manners for a man to pay if you are not in a long term relationship. I have seen the courtship of many humans in my centuries. I am almost two millennia Kagome. He was not being polite.”

Kagome just shook her head, “I was going to cook for us before he insisted we go out.” She chewed her lip. “I would hate to waste the ingredients I bought…  Would you like to come over?” 

He could sense she was still upset at Natsuo’s sudden departure (and lack of care), and Sesshoumaru did have a meeting to go to…. He felt oddly uncomfortable about this situation. An idea struck him.

“Will you have enough for a third to join us?” he asked instead. They could speak among the miko.

“A potential mate?” Kagome ribbed, and winked at him. 

“My mother,” he answered. 

Kagome blinked in surprise, “The more the merrier. Now let’s get out of this cold. How does Shabu-Shabu sound?” she asked as she cuddled into her coat. 

“Excellent,” he answered as he fixed the scarf she wore. He offered his arm to her. She chuckled and took it. He called his mother on the way to her nearby condo.

|~|

Kagome smiled brightly at the immaculate tall female standing in her genkan and watched her blink owlishly at her. “I’m Kagome,” she introduced herself to the frozen inuyokai in her doorway.

“I am Kimiko. You are miko,” she watched the female assess her and Kagome knew where Sesshōmaru got his calculating stare from, because the resemblance was uncanny between the two. Sesshōmaru definitely favored his stunning mother.

“I am,” Kagome could feel her smile widen further, nervous all of a sudden at the second predator in her home.

“Sesshōmaru, if you wanted someone to purify me all you had to do was say so,” well that was comforting.

“I’m not going-” Kagome tried to reassure her before Sesshōmaru interrupted from her small kitchen. 

“Kagome traveled with the half-breed mother, she will not harm you unless provoked. Seeing as how you are not Naraku, nor are you Inu-Yasha I would deem you safe.” Kagome’s heart seized at Inu-Yasha’s name, but led Sesshōmaru’s impressive mother towards the kitchen.

“The half-breed? You are the shikon miko then?” Kagome sighed but nodded. This is the one thing she hated speaking about. It was over, it had happened. There was no need to dwell on it.

“I’d rather not mention that, can we just say I’m Kagome and be done with it?” she motioned for the seat next to Sesshōmaru as she checked on the broth.

“So humble!” Not really, she just couldn’t be that person anymore. Not when she’d lost so much, and gained so little.

“Kagome does not like to dwell on the past, Mother. Besides if you are curious there are two books to sate your curiosity,” he raised his sake cup and drank, while Kagome kept preparing the vegetables. 

“I changed a lot of the story, Sesshōmaru. It doesn’t even mention the jewel for obvious reasons. Though, you still found me,” she set another bottle of warmed sake in front of Sesshōmaru’s mother, as well as a glass of water, and a teapot with another cup should the female not want to drink. Kagome poured herself some tea. 

“I would hardly call me an enemy. I also helped destroy Magatsuhi.” She heard Sesshoamru scoff, as she set the plate and some chopsticks in front of him.

“You and I didn’t start off too friendly, or are we going to ignore what happened in your father’s tomb?” Kagome teased as she placed another plate and chopsticks in front of his mother.

“I… overreacted.” she watched Sesshōmaru turn away from them, but the tips of his ears turned red. Kagome giggled.

“Threw a tantrum more like it,” she heard him huff as she placed the boiling broth between the two and then the assorted thinly sliced meat, and assorted veggies. 

“Children, bickering will get you nowhere. I will read the books, and if I have any questions I will ask my obstinate son. So when is the mating to take place?”

Kagome choked on her tea, and Sesshōmaru’s head swiveled toward his mother looking offended, “I’m not going to mate the miko, Mother. We are… friends.”

“This is the first female you have ever introduced me to, willingly, and you mean to tell me you are not romantically involved? What have I done to deserve such a fate? Only one grandpup, when all my friends have a horde of little ones running around them. How rude, my son. I thought I was to meet a potential mate.”

Kagome laughed at her antics, “If I were as old as Sesshōmaru, or you, I’d be positively annoyed as well. Come on, Sesshōmaru, you’re mother just wants a couple of little ones. All she’s done is spoil Rin and her children. You need to hurry, two millennia and nothing to show. How embarrassing for your Mother.” Kagome could have sworn there was a touch of pink in Sesshōmaru’s cheeks at her teasing.

“If we are just going to attack me for not having a mate, I will leave. Besides just because you only have Rin, means nothing. Rin just had her seventh pup and I think that is more than enough to satisfy you, Mother,” Sesshōmaru stated as he took a piece of raw meat and some nappa cabbage, Kagome laughed as Sesshōmaru’s good mood was slowly turning sour. Who knew his mother was so much fun?

“Rin has been the perfect grandpup, and given us a wealth of little pups to adore. I still need at least one from you, my son,” Kagome laughed at Sesshōmaru’s expression, as she dipped her meat into the broth, and his mother began to partake.

“This is fun, you should have introduced us centuries ago Sesshōmaru. Who knew you were the only one without a sense of humor.” Sesshōmaru’s ears were tinged pink again, and Kimiko laughed at Kagome’s teasing. 

“I will leave,” he threatened, and Kagome and Kimiko laughed.

He rose, but Kagome put a hand on his, “Sit, we’ll stop,” Kagome soothed with a wink, and began to eat once more.

“Fine,” Kagome smiled brightly, as Sesshōmaru sat back down, with a dramatic sigh, that made his mother blow out a chuckle. 

“Why ever did you keep the miko from me, she is delightful!”

“For this exact reason, Mother,” both Kagome and Kimiko laughed at his response.

Kagome moved away from the food, as she went to her room. She went to the PR box in the closet grabbed the first and the sequel and went back to the kitchen. She set the books beside Sesshōmaru’s mother.

“Oh, thank you. I would have purchased a copy,” Kagome waved her off.

“Nonsense, I have plenty, obviously, take them. Enjoy. Let me know of the questions you have. I’m sure after this Sesshōmaru won’t even answer your calls,” Kimiko laughed at Kagome’s astute observation. Sesshōmaru sighed again at being teased once more as Kagome giggled. 

They continued to chat and joke and Kagome and his mother got on like a house on fire, and then a small fire did break out where a kitchen towel was thrown out. Other than the misfortunate accident, her little condo still stood unscathed, but she gained a new friend.

Sesshōmaru didn’t know if he liked Kagome and his mother being friends.

|~|

February 2005

Sesshōmaru had been trying to get in touch with his mother all day but she refused to answer the damn phone. What could possibly be so important that she was ignoring him? They had details to go over before he left for London and he wanted everything in order before he left.

He sighed walking into their complex, showing his ID to the concierge before going to the elevator. He tapped his foot as he waited impatiently, trying once again to call her before he barged into the penthouse.

Growling he stuffed the phone into his pocket again, and ran a hand through his short hair missing the feel of his long locks. Finally, the doors swung open and he took the key out, and opened the door to his mother’s home only to be rooted to the spot in the genkan as Kagome’s despair barreled into him.

“He had a wife! A baby! My gods what have I done!” He heard her cry, and his mother shushed her.

“You didn’t know little miko. You couldn’t have-”

“It was all so convenient. He was always busy, I just thought… I don’t know what I thought, Kimiko. The baby was only seven months old! He started his affair with me when she was a newborn, oh gods, I’m gonna be sick! His wife must think I’m the devil!” He could hear Kagome pace around his mother's kitchen as she cried harder.

“Kagome you didn’t know. Her husband did this, not you. Her male should take responsibility, not you.”

“Oh gods, my books! If this gets out I’ll be ruined. Maybe I can offer a settlement, or-”

“You will do no such thing!”

“Kimiko I can’t survive without money. My career will be over! My reputation tarnished, no one will do another book deal with me… I have offers from Australia! I’ll have to do this quietly or-”

“Everything will be handled in due time, Kagome. Sit, please.”

Kagome gave a choked sob as she continued to pace, “I should have known I have terrible taste in men. They either cheat on me, or want my money, or just use me, and now this! Oh, gods.”

“Kagome you must calm yourself. All will be well. We’ve all made mistakes with males. This is not your fault. Drink. We’ll have you toasty and forgetful of the whole thing and worry about the consequences tomorrow, yes? A movie to get your thoughts together? Besides, you told me it couldn’t go anywhere.”

Kagome sniffled, “I mean of course it couldn’t, not with the Shikon still tied to me, but I wanted just a little happiness. I don’t know. Maybe I should just give up and be celibate for the rest of my life.”

“Oh, Kagome hush with your dramatics. Sex is far too good to give up,” Kagome gave another choked sob and a snort saying she could go without. “Let’s get you fabulously drunk and maybe do some online shopping. We’ll get you through this little hiccup, and if you’d like I’ll even gut him for you,” Kagome continued to cry quietly, and his mother continued to offer comfort. “Get it all out sweet thing, cry it all out. All will be well soon,” he heard his mother soothe.

The sounds of her sobs and the scent of her despair coiled around Sesshōmaru, frustrating him further. He turned to leave anger boiling under his skin.

He wanted to fix this.

He had to fix this. 

He needed to fix this.

She had unknowingly been a mistress. 

Kagome didn’t deserve that. 

He’d hunt the man down and tell him exactly how these next steps were going to proceed. 

Once outside he lifted his nose and took a handful of deep inhales. The scent of the city filtered through his system; sweat, exhaust, trash, filth, and humans, so many humans. Suddenly, the scent of Natsuo came to him. It was time to hunt.

He leapt from building to building, getting closer and closer. Avoiding security systems, and cameras the video feed unable to catch his speed. He was there in minutes, atop the bar Natsuo was at. He smelled the human come outside, speaking to a colleague. “I mean what did she expect? I'm in my thirties, why wouldn’t I be married with a kid? It was fun while it lasted. She was a great lay though, an absolute hellcat in bed.”

“She has money, Natsuo, she could sue you. You led her on, man.”

“She won’t. She’s too nice. Kagome will offer a settlement, my wife will be comfortable, especially with her plans to have another baby in a couple of years. It’ll work out just fine.”

Sesshōmaru saw red. Not only had this man used Kagome to warm his bed, but he was going to let her pay him off. 

No.

Not under Sesshōmaru’s watch.

“Bro, you gotta be careful. What if your wife finds out? How are you going to hide that big of a payoff?”

“She won’t. Kagome thinks she knows, but I lied. She was fun, just too much work. I already got a wife. I didn’t need another one. I’ll put most of it into a different bank account, keep a little in ours, and tell the wife it was a bonus. She’ll never know,” 

Dishonorable shit.

Kagome’s life was already left in pieces once. He wouldn’t let it happen again. 

He dropped down behind the building and circled to the alley where the two men were speaking. Natsuo smiled and laughed and all Sesshōmaru could think of was the scent of Kagome’s tears, the way her sadness clung to him like grime. He did not like this.

“Oh, hey man, you’re Shibuya-san right?” Sesshōmaru’s hands fisted at his sides, but he nodded politely. He did not need an audience. 

“You are Natsuo, correct, Kagome’s boyfriend ,” he greeted. The other man next to Natsuo paled at the mention of the miko’s name. Good. Natsuo just laughed.

“We’re not together anymore, but I highly encourage you to try if you’re interested. She’s great ,” Sesshōmaru caught the innuendo and wanted to rip the idiotic human’s throat out. The friend on the sidelines lost more color. He knew how to read a situation.

“We lied to you before. Well, I did. Kagome doesn’t like to speak of our past,” he began hoping the human would bite. He saw Natsuo turn to him and he popped his knuckles in anticipation.

Natsuo paused and looked, really looked, at Sesshomaru, and a cruel smile spread across his lips. He leaned against the wall of the bar in the alley.

“Kagome dated my brother. My father’s bastard. It ended terribly. I always thought she was far too kindhearted for her own good. We became friends during their relationship. She was delightful, fun, and exciting and lived her life without reservations until my brother ripped her heart out and stomped all over it. Throwing the other woman in her face as often as possible, but Kagome persevered. Though she was broken, she picked herself up, wrote her book, and lived quietly wanting nothing. Such is fate I guess,” he ran a hand through his short hair. “It’s too bad you couldn’t join us after we met.” 

Natsuo paused again, and turned fully. 

The friend beside him caught on, “Hey man, I think we should get back inside. We gotta pay and-” 

“What are you talking about?” Natsuo interrupted glaring harshly at Sesshōmaru.

“She told me she was planning on cooking for you, she asked if I wanted to join her after you left. I accepted.” Sesshōmaru answered, waiting for his moment to pounce.

“I thought you had a meeting? That’s why you were in a rush,” Natsuo grumbled in response as he was beginning to put the pieces together. 

“You’re not very intelligent are you? Did you ever wonder why I happened to be on a crowded street where Kagome was? A touch coincidental if you ask me. I could tell you were lying the moment you looked at your watch. Using Kagome to get a payout is low even for scum like you. I enthusiastically await your eventual dismissal.” Sesshōmaru smirked, examining his nails. This was almost too easy.

“You can’t-” the human floundered.

“Look me up and tell me what I can’t do. You are Himura Natsuo, and you work as middle management for Ishido Enterprises. I delight in you telling your wife why you got fired. Leading a wealthy woman on, one who has already been broken before, who you were going to threaten. A PR nightmare waiting to happen. You’re a liability. I’d hate for that to be leaked. I wonder what your wife will do when she finds out you started your little affair while she was at home with a newborn? You should never have involved Kagome. That was your first mistake,” Sesshōmaru informed the little asswipe.

He watched as the human male threw a measly fist. Sesshōmaru caught the fist aimed at his face with ease and twisted with lackadaisical effort. His opponent’s wrist snapped. 

The human male screamed, falling to the ground in pain and his friend looked on white as a ghost. 

“Don’t worry I’ll have your severance check on Monday morning,” he looked over at the friend, “I swear I tried to talk him out of it. I wanted nothing to do with this. He held it over my head the moment I saw him with Kagome a month ago.”

“So instead of informing his wife of the trash she married, you let him carry on an affair?”

“What about you! You said you knew he lied-”

“Lying yes, but not the context. Had I known he was cheating scum when we first met I would have told Kagome immediately.” The friend ran, and Sesshōmaru let him. 

Leaving Sesshōmaru alone with Kagome’s ex.

“How do you know where I work!” He heard Natsuo yell as he cradled his broken wrist, tears of pain streaming down his face trying to scoot away from him.

“I looked you up. It’s incredible what you can do when you’re rich. I had your employment records delivered to me the next morning. Lucky me that you work for a business I own. You conveniently left out that you were married in your records. Trying to find more victims?”

“You-  you own?” Natsuo stammered.

“Yes. I own Ishido Enterprises. I own a multitude of businesses. I expect you may need to move from Tokyo to find employment again. You fucked with the wrong woman and while Kagome won’t go low enough for revenge, I will. Now would you like a black eye? Or should I break your legs? Players choice. When I’m through with you, you’ll wish you never set your sights on her .”

The pathetic male kicked out at him trying to keep Sesshōmaru at bay, but Sesshōmaru just smiled slowly leading him further into the alley.

“Why haven’t you told her?” Natsuo was near hysteria. 

Sesshōmaru paused, confused, “Told her what?”

“That you love her?”

Sesshōmaru chuckled, “You’ve grossly misread this situation. I don’t love her, I don’t want her, but I refuse to let her be used as a pawn for someone else to step all over.”

Natsuo laughed hysterical and scared, “A friend doesn’t go to such lengths over a bitch with fat tits and-”

Sesshōmaru struck the human in the gut with one polished shoe, causing him to cough until his teeth were covered in blood. He leaned down to pick Natsuo up by his hair, “Insult her one more time, and you won’t live to see tomorrow. Now why don’t we have some fun.”

|~|

October 2008

Kagome sat stunned as Kimiko introduced her to her nephew Hisui, Satoshi in one of the newer bars in Shinjuku. The inuyōkai was beautiful, though not as gorgeous as Sesshōmaru, but there was something there. Instead of the silver hair, and the pale complexion Satoshi was tanned and had hair the color of a raven's wing. Both sported golden eyes, but where Satoshi’s was full of mischief Sesshōmaru’s were cold and calculating.

She preferred Sesshōmaru’s. 

“I’m Higurashi, Kagome, a friend of Sesshōmaru’s and Kimiko’s. What brings you to Tokyo?”

“A modeling contract. Apparently, I am attractive enough by your human standards to make money off my superior genetics.” Oh great, he was just as pompous. Must be a trait on Kimiko’s side. 

Kagome gave a short laugh as she looked at Kimiko, who merely smiled over her martini glass. What game was Sesshōmaru’s mother playing at? Didn’t she realize how busy she was? She didn’t have time to devote to whatever game Kimiko was wanting to play.

“Satoshi, darling, get Kagome a drink, she prefers gin. Surprise her,” Kimiko commanded, and he nodded as he walked towards the bar.

“What are you doing?” Kagome needled the moment she was sure Satoshi was out of earshot.

“Me? Nothing. Do you find my nephew displeasing?” She watched Kimiko shrug her shoulders and tried to act nonchalant. Why would she want to know Kagome’s thoughts on her nephew?

Kagome was not interested in the inuyōkai. Especially not one that was connected to both Sesshōmaru and Kimiko. 

Plus Satoshi was just a smidge too young, he had been too young for the Naraku debacle and Kagome didn’t think she could be with a yōkai who didn’t at least know of him. Of the sacrifice she had made. No Satoshi would be nothing but trouble, and Kagome did not need any more trouble than she already had.

Kagome looked affronted, “Not at all, I just-”

“Excellent, you’ve been without a male for a long time, and he is unattached and attractive. A male from my line would never hurt your heart the way it has been in the past. Come now, sweet thing. He’s perfect.”

This was a set-up! 

Kagome should have known.

“Kimiko this is highly inappropriate and something I do not have time for. I can’t-”

“Nonsense, Kagome, he’s perfect. He’s eight hundred and fifty seven he’s a perfect age for you. Though he’s not quite ready to settle down, a female like you could change his mind. My sister wants grand pups, and since my son will not give me any you can supply me with many.” Kagome was dumbfounded at her audacity. 

Kagome didn’t realize that Kimiko saw her as a daughter, or that she would invest in her love life enough to make sure Kagome gave her little ones to dote on. 

“Kimiko, I’m not-” she tried, but the female yōkai brushed her off.

“My sweet little bird, we’re pack. I have accepted this and I want a plethora of little ones. Preferably female as there are so many males on Rin’s side. You find Satoshi pleasing what is the problem?”

“The problem is I have no time for a relationship nor do I want one. Especially, not one who is unwilling to settle down. I think I have had enough problems. Considering my last relationship landed me as a mistress; I’m going to pass.” How could she get Kimiko to understand that this was far from what she wanted. 

Kagome was not one for other people’s agendas. She didn’t want to be tied down like this she wanted to make that decision. And right now the decision was she didn’t want a relationship. Sex without strings was fine with Kagome. She would take her birth control and make sure none of the men she took to bed were married, and that was that. 

Sesshōmaru was right his mother was much too meddlesome. 

She had to find a way out of this. 

“Kagome running away never solved any problems. Come now, what is the harm in trying to tame my nephew, and securing your future to my line? We could be bound by blood. With your power and his pedigree your pups would be a boon. My sister would rejoice at such fortune. Seeing as how my son is so stubborn to reject such potential, to reject even the notion of a mate and pups, I thought you would not. I just want to see you happy.” Kagome narrowed her eyes at Kimiko’s response.

She searched for Satoshi in the crowded area by the bar. She would hate for him to overhear their conversation, she let out the breath she’d been holding as she spotted him speaking to the bartender.

“I’m content with my life as it is, and I don’t have the time. I have to be in Spain later this year to promote the book series. Soten and Shippo are busy with planning the wedding and subsequent mating, and I am helping plan as well. I have so little time as it is. A relationship is far from what I need to concentrate on right now.'' How was she going to get out of this mess?

“Kagome you are being stubborn, Satoshi can travel with you, your kit will be all too happy to see you with a male in your life. Why are you so against this match?” Stubborn! Kimiko was the one being stubborn!

Kagome blew out a breath as she watched Satoshi fight his way through the crowd to get back to their table. “Your nephew seems, lovely, truly, I just can’t. Sex is one thing, involving feelings is another. If your sister wishes to tie her son to someone that is her prerogative, but that someone won’t be me.”

Couldn’t Kimiko see Kagome’s bad luck always won in the end?

“Kagome, your drink,” Satoshi placed the drink in front of her as Kimiko’s smile widened.

Kagome glared at Kimiko, before turning to Satoshi to flash him a brilliant smile, “Thank you Hisui-san.” 

Something stopped Satoshi in his tracks, because where he’d been almost bored with her before suddenly something shifted, “No need for formalities, Satoshi, or Toshi, is just fine, Kagome.”

Kagome felt dread in the pit of her stomach as his mischievous eyes began to take her in, and a predatory smile spread across his lips. Oh no. No, no, no, no. This could only be bad for her.

Maybe she could get Sesshōmaru to threaten him away?

The idea was tempting, but he was already so busy, and this wasn’t anything Kagome couldn’t handle. She looked back over to Satoshi, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her, nor did the wolfish smile leave his lips. Kagome sighed as she took a sip of her drink. Satoshi was going to be nothing, but trouble.

Kimiko was dead to her. 

|~|

April 2009

Sesshōmaru was furious. His cousin, on his mother’s side, was in town and currently all over Kagome. 

He seethed as Kagome was seen photographed outside some karaoke place in Shinjuku and Satoshi had his claws all over her. 

That trifling asshole! 

How dare he try wooing his miko!

The pup was only eight centuries to Sesshomaru’s almost two millennia, but the young stud had set his sights on her and it was driving Sesshōmaru up the wall. It didn’t help that his cousin was a famous model.

Kagome didn’t need any more publicity. She didn’t need the paparazzi all over her. They already swarmed her enough. 

After the Natsuo situation, he reflected on his behavior and found that the stupid prick had been right. At first, he’d told himself she was a friend, she was pack, close to both him and those he protected. 

She was close to his Mother, daughter, his grandpups, and he was close with Shippo and Soten. She spoiled them all and kept them apprised of her comings and goings. Made sure to visit as often as she could. They had dinners often and saw each other whenever their schedules had time.

Then Lunar New Year happened. It had all come crashing down around him when one of the younger grandpups asked when Kagome would take a mate as they celebrated at her shrine. Kagome had laughed it off, both her mother and his glaring at her for being so nonchalant for not having a male in her life, as she told the young one some day in the future.

He felt his world go small, the possibility of her finding a mate wasn’t preposterous. She was a lovely female. A lovely female that was also very, very powerful. The realization that Kagome would be a prize to any male willing to have her was not something he wanted to think about. Not when he didn’t have to share her laughs, or smiles, and luscious scent. Not when he didn’t have to share her . 

He was frustrated all over again.

Fuck. He was supposed to be working. He was supposed to be getting ready to take over as King of yōkai while the reigning Queen stepped down. He was not supposed to be mulling over his relationship with his brother’s miko. 

No. 

The miko. 

Not his brother’s. She was never Inu-Yasha’s.  

For fucks sake, why, oh why, had she decided to start dating again? 

“My, my, you are wound up tightly my son. Any reason?” He glared as his mother made herself comfortable on the couch in his office, a smile snaking over knowing lips.

“Other than the obvious, Mother, no.” She could never find out. She would ridicule him for years to come. The moment his mother met Kagome, she had practically begged him to mate her. 

He denied her request time and time again. Finding the notion preposterous. Kagome wasn’t meant to be his. She was… Just Kagome. 

He remembered her pestering now, She’s just perfect Sesshōmaru, why can’t you see?

He saw it now. 

No need for him to be mocked about it when Kagome was off, celebrating her birthday , without him. Hindsight always was 20/20. 

He wanted to kill something. He wanted to feel flesh give way under his claws and the scent of blood fill his nose and he did not want Satoshi anywhere near his miko.

“Satoshi’s move to Tokyo has been very prosperous for him. Aren’t you pleased?” His mother sat with one leg bouncing on top of the other in her amusement, the devious bitch that she was. He would have growled at her if he knew it wouldn’t be laughed off.

“Mother, I have more important things to think about than your sister’s son.” He wished it wasn’t a lie. 

“You could have fooled me. Are you going out tonight, or not? Kagome said you haven’t been answering her texts.” He really couldn’t go, he didn’t have the fucking time, but the opportunity to see her, scent her, be near her was so tempting. Plus, Satoshi was already there and that was enough for Sesshōmaru to make his decision. 

Sesshōmaru bristled as he stared at his computer as another picture of Kagome and Satoshi was uploaded onto another gossip site. Fucking Gods!

Damn him!

The picture looked bad, he knew. The angle of the picture showed Kagome peeking from beneath her lashes as she looked up at his cousin, and the answering cocky smirk that was all over his face, a hand splayed along her lower back as he looked down at her with bright eyes. Kagome’s own hands on Satoshi’s chest, leaning against him; they looked like they were in love. He would have snarled if he was alone.

The headline read: Famous author, Higurashi, Kagome, spotted with model bad boy, Toshi. Is love in the air for this fantasy novelist? 

Sesshōmaru almost crushed his phone.

That cocky sonofabitch! 

He was done. 

Mind made up, he stood abruptly and grabbed his suit jacket from its place on his desk, opening the door for his mother as she smiled widely at him, knowing he was furious. She winked and he growled low.

Game on, brat!

He would show his nephew that Kagome was his .

|~|

September 2009

Sesshōmaru watched as Kagome danced with Shippo as Soten danced with Rin’s eldest son. Kagome laughed and swayed her eyes twinkling with delight and love at the son she’d been parted from. 

Kagome detangled herself from Shippo when the next song came on, and Soten hurriedly took her place. Kagome hugged them both. Her aura shined brightly around her surrounded by the pack. The little ones were all around her feet as she leaned down and picked up one of the toddlers. She nuzzled him and spoke of how big and strong he would become in the future. As the rest ran to dance along with the other adult attendees. 

Sesshōmaru had never seen a female who loved the way Kagome did. This was her element, surrounded by those she loved and those who loved her. 

Kagome sashayed over to him while the toddler spoke to her of what he was learning, and his father’s teachings. The young panther hanyo held Kagome’s face in between his tiny hands and Kagome just smiled as she nodded and chatted with the young one. 

“Mother said you were a powerful miko, Kagome-sama, could you show me?” 

“I can’t show you without hurting you, little Kyo. But maybe with Sesshōmaru’s help, we can create a little fun?” she looked over to him and winked. He fought off the shiver creeping up his spine. 

The little one pushed at Kagome’s chest to get down as he set his sights on him. Sesshōmaru bent down to retrieve the little one running, full blast, at him.

Sesshōmaru watched as Kagome sighed happily at the sight of him with one of his grandpups. He watched her come to stand beside him. “Kyo, what have I said in regards to humans?”

“They are fragile?” the pup looked worried as the hanyo’s eyes scanned her form to make sure a bruise was not forming. 

“Yes and while Kagome is powerful she is still human, we will need to be more careful not to bruise her,” he chided the young one.

“Oh Kyo, don’t listen to him, you didn’t hurt me at all. I’m used to hanyo. You could never hurt me.” Sesshōmaru’s eyes narrowed at Kagome’s lie, but Kagome merely smiled brightly as she trailed fingers through the pup's hair. The pup looked at Kagome, pleased to know he hadn’t hurt her.

“Kyo! It’s time for bed,” they heard Rin call, and Kagome looked at his grandpup while his grandpup tried to reach for her. 

“Hurry, we gotta hide!” Kagome encouraged, as the pup struggled against Sesshōmaru’s hold. “I do not think so, Kyo. He needs rest, Kagome.” 

“Boo, you’re no fun, just a little longer. It’s not often I get to be surrounded by everyone. Considering I’ll be sequestered with my editor for the next few weeks. Who knows when we’ll all be together again? Aren’t you also going away for business soon?” Kagome was a bad influence on the pups and on him. He too wished to stay close to the pups, but he did not want Rin angry with them. Decisions.  

“Hn,” Sesshōmaru hated that she was right, but the pup was tired and he did not want Rin angry for ruining the little ones' schedule. “Rin will be angry, and I am not going to incur her wrath,” he tucked the pup closer to him. “Come little Kyo, let us get to your mother.”

“But Sesshōmaru-sama I want to stay with you and Kagome-sama,” Kyo whined and Sesshōmaru wished they had just a little more time. Kyo staved off a yawn, which made Kagome give off a little sigh.

“Your grandfather is right, it’s time for bed and you are sleepy. How about this, you and I will spend as much time as you’d like tomorrow. You can even wake me up in the morning,” Kagome cooed to the little one as she held her hands out for the young one. Sesshōmaru sequestered his hold as they made their way back to Rin.

“Oh! There he is! Sorry, Kagome-sama he’s such a handful,” Rin worried her bottom lip, but Kagome shook her head in the negative.

“Oh, Rin not at all. He’s just a little untamed. A wildflower just like his mother was,” Rin blushed prettily at Kagome’s memory of her running wild and free. Of all the pups Kyo was most like his Rin.

It filled him with pride to know that Kagome remembered such little details of his life. That she remembered how Rin was before she was mated. The little girl he always saw with a gapped tooth smile and a flower crown in her hands, Ah-Un at her heels, and Jaken squawking behind her. 

Kagome leaned over to nuzzle the pup's nose with hers and placed a soft kiss between his brows. “Good night, little love. See you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.” 

Kagome deserved a plethora of little ones to give her love to. A nurturer at heart Kagome loved fiercely, and she was lovely like this. So in her element. He had forgotten how sweetly she smiled at the young ones in the villages or how her eyes brightened when she was surrounded like this. 

“Good night, my pup, see you tomorrow,” he said as he also nuzzled the pup's nose, and then the cheeks. The hanyo giggled at the affection, “Kagome-sama could you watch Yukina?” Kagome brightened immediately as Rin took the youngest and last of her brood out of the sling and handed her off to Kagome, while also handing the sling to her. 

Kagome maneuvered the sling all while holding the pup safely, and Sesshōmaru looked away as Kagome settled the pup against her generous breasts as the pup continued to sleep. 

He heard Kagome sigh, as she looked up at the black sky, “I remember the skies being so bright, and now the city drowns it all out. I used to wish the well would open up just once more, so I could see the stars again. I guess that's just fate.”

“I came across you multiple times, under the stars, or during the rain, you were just as wild as Rin.” The blush that stole across her features held him captive.

“I loved both, here I can’t indulge as I did back then. Although the scent of petrichor still makes me nostalgic for a time not my own.” She held the pup closer to her. 

“Hn,” he imagined it would. 

Sesshōmaru wondered if it were her pup, would the pup favor her, or her future mate? If she had mated Inu-Yasha would the pup have favored them, silver hair, golden eyes, fuzzy ears? He looked at the pup and imagined it with silver hair, and tiny triangular ears, no pointed ears instead, and blue eyes; as stunning and mesmerizing as hers. 

He shook the vision off, as the pup moved in the sling. Kagome cooed and shushed the pup giving a little bounce to her step, and the pup settled once more. “There, there, little one, sleep,” she shushed using the softest tone.

He looked away again unable to lose the vision of her with a silver-haired pup. Especially as one of his grandpups was being held by her. Silver hair, blue eyes, pointed ears, round cheeks-

“Hey, want to make our own stars?” he turned back to her with raised brows no longer distracted by the vision of a pup that could so easily be theirs, but curious as to what she was planning. Kagome removed the pup from the sling and handed her over. 

He took the pup and cradled her against his chest, but the pup wasn’t as comfortable against the hard plains of his chest as she had been against Kagome’s ample breasts. She quieted as soon as she got comfortable, all while Kagome looked at him with eyes full of mirth and mischief.

Kagome laughed, and he glared her before he felt her power rise, “Kagome what-” 

Her power grew and grew in her hands as she flung her power up into the heavens above them, imitating the stars she so missed. The party stopped as she did it again, watching as she lit up the sky once more. She laughed and twirled while the guests and the rest of the pack began cheering. 

“That was uncalled for,” he growled low in reprimand, Kagome just laughed as she took the pup from him.

“Let me have some fun, Spoil Sport,” Kagome mocked, her power running along his, and he growled as his yoki enveloped hers. She gave out a short laugh as she settled the pup once more before watching the bodies sway and rock. Shippo and Soten dancing, while beckoning Kagome to go closer. She stayed next to him watching with eyes full of love, and happiness.

“You married them, you blessed their union,” he wanted just a bit more time alone with Kagome before she made her way back to dance with the others.

“Like I would let someone else bless my son, not when my blessing is far superior than any monk could possibly hope to be in this modern age,” Kagome shared and she was right. Her power would make any mating, any binding whatsoever that much more prosperous.

“Maybe I’ll do weddings after all this mess with the book is over. I’ll marry, or do mating ceremonies at the shrine when I’m free.”

“And continue helping those word-of-mouth clients you have? That’s a lot on your plate already. What about a mate and pups for you?”

“Oh, come on, Sesshoamru, I have terrible taste in men, and besides Shippo makes the perfect son already. I don’t need anymore.”

“You don’t want more pups?”

“To have a child I’d need a husband, Sesshōmaru. And while the string of one-night stands I have is fun, I’m unwilling to try to have a relationship after how badly my last one failed.”

That was news to him, and he did not like it at all. First Satoshi and now a plethora of other men? No more.

“Then what about me?” Kagome’s head whipped toward him so fast he worried her neck would break.

“Sesshōmaru, be serious.” Her mood darkened and he was even more intrigued than before. 

“What do you mean: be serious? I am always serious,” he could feel Kagome’s glare on him, but he wouldn't joke about this. She knew he wouldn't. 

“I can’t give you full-blooded pups.” Was that her problem? That was nothing. 

“Luckily, I no longer need full-blooded pups.” it was the truth but her power flickered around her as agitation and frustration flooded her scent. 

“Sesshōmaru it would be just my luck that we start a relationship and then you find someone worthy of you. No way.” Of course, Kagome would go worst-case scenario. It wouldn't happen. He wasn't interested in the females his mother had lined up for him. Pampered and entitled; no thanks. 

“That would not happen, Kagome. I am not interested in another.”

“Sesshōmaru I can’t risk this. Look around us. Look at what we have now. I can’t risk losing this if we don’t work out. I can’t risk losing Rin, the little ones, and your mother, you know how close we are. I could lose them and what about our friendship? I could lose you. I can’t risk that.”

“Kagome you wouldn’t-”

“You think another female would allow me in your life should we decide to try and it doesn’t work out? I could lose all of you. Regardless, my track record with men, or males, or whatever is too bad for me to take a chance again. Your mother has a portfolio filled with females for you to pick from any of them would be a better fit than me. I can’t take the chance to lose all this. It would only end in tragedy Sesshōmaru.” She sounded so sure, but he knew better. 

“Kagome, you have dated men, worthless spineless, men, I am not them. You know me. I would not propose something of this magnitude if I thought for even a moment that you would be ousted. Mother and Rin will never let you go even if another female is brought forward. I can see you need time to think. Take it, consider the choices, I will wait however long for you to change your mind,” he watched as she shook her head at him and sighed. 

She went to speak when the pup moved against her. She looked down and saw the little one yawn widely, eyes bright and awake. Kagome smiled sadly as she looked back up at him as the pup against her began whimpering and whining. “Yukina is most likely hungry. I’ll go find Rin.”

He reached out for her, but she sidestepped him, “No, I’m going to go find Rin. Please don’t come after me.” her voice broke as tears began to slip from her eyes. 

“I’ll see you in the morning and if you can lose this silly notion of wanting to mate me we can still have dinner before I leave.” he watched her brush the tears from her face as she left to get the pup fed.

Sesshōmaru felt a heaviness as he watched her leave.

She told him no. 

Him.

No female had ever told him no. 

He hated that Kagome could still surprise him even after eight years.

It was no matter; he could be patient. He always got what he wanted. Kagome would be no exception.

She thought that he would let her go once he had her. She was dead wrong.

She was already ingrained as pack and there would be no other female but her. He’d make sure of it.

|~|

July 2011

Kagome couldn’t breathe as she took a picture with her special edition collection featuring all three completed books, and a manga adaptation, to promote for the book tour she was doing in Australia later next month. Book signings, public readings, fan meet and greets, new and old book stores. Fan conventions. All so overwhelming, but exciting!

She knew she looked stiff as she was mulling around how to see Sesshōmaru. She had something she needed to talk to him about and the guilt was eating her alive. She should have fixed this issue years ago, but she hadn’t thought they’d become so close in the coming years. Sure they saw one another occasionally, but they were both extremely busy. 

Now that her book series had been completed for the last two years she felt able to breathe, as the whole story had been told. Then, of course, her editor begged her to let someone make an illustrated version, so they had a full line of manga they were going to produce. Then the talks of an anime got heated, because of her refusal years prior, but now that there was a manga involved, and multiple spin-offs prepared, multiple studios were trying to kick down her door. 

There had been a light at the end of the tunnel. Kagome had seen it, and then it was ripped away when the Western market opened. Multiple publishing houses in the US and Europe were hounding her for a translation, or at least to be involved in one. 

Kagome was going to be sick.

This was supposed to be a way to work through trauma; not make millions. A little semi-autobiography that no one would think to believe, because, holy shit, it was so impossible, but it happened. Sesshōmaru and his mother were proof enough. 

She felt like J.K. Rowling, or what she must have felt as her book gained notoriety through the years; only to hit it big when the end was near. 

Now something called YouTube was calling her.

She couldn’t breathe.

She was going to cry.

She was going to…

She didn’t know what she was going to do but it felt like a mild panic attack. 

She barely had time for herself, much less her side gig. Helping others was what Kagome thrived on, loved even, but she wasn’t great about always answering her text messages. 

She was busy and exhausted. 

“Okay Kagome, that’s enough,” she heard the photographer say. Kagome breathed again.

Her new publicist came running up to her, and said softly, “I didn’t know what you wanted me to do, but, um, Shibuya-sama is here. Like the Syouji Shibuya is here !” Kagome winced at the high pitch of Yuri’s squeal.

“Oh! Ok. Thanks, Yuri, and it’s fine we’re friends.” Kagome shook her head at her new, very young, very naive, publicist. Kagome sighed. She needed to get over this crush already. It wasn’t going to happen. 

Sesshōmaru’s main company had gone public and overnight he went from multi-millionaire to multi-billionaire. 

Japan had a new favorite bachelor. One who was wealthy, power-hungry, and, absolutely, gorgeous.

Kagome had gotten in touch with Rin and Shippo and they had a massive party to celebrate. Though Kagome couldn’t be there long, she’d made sure it was amazing. He called her up and told her he hated it. She laughed at him.

He was in her hotel room, sitting in a chair looking out through the balcony blinds. She felt her heart race at the sight of him. No. Bad Kagome. No men, remember. But he wasn’t a man per se… Semantics! Male species and her didn’t work. It was easier this way.

“Kagome,” Sesshōmaru said as she watched him turn to look at her, she could feel her cheeks burning, but turned to her publicist who was star-struck. 

Kagome couldn’t blame her. He was stunning.

“Yuri can you get me some water, and maybe a little snack from the table I’m starving,” she did not need anyone else to overhear their conversation.

She watched as her publicist looked between them and left; obviously, confused at what business Shibuya had with her. Kagome could have laughed but she knew this was how rumors started. No one needed to know he was here.

“You said it was urgent,” he interrupted her thoughts and she watched as he looked at the watch on his wrist and then the phone in his hand went off. He sighed, putting it down on the table beside the chair he was sitting in. Massaging his temples in exasperation Kagome felt guilty all over again.

“Royalties. I owe you, like a million of them,” She blurted out, unable to let the guilt build up anymore. 

She watched him pause and look over at her confused. 

“Kagome it’s always a pleasure to see you, but I have to be back in Seoul in three hours, and I haven’t slept in two months. I’m unsure if I have the energy or the mental capacity to follow your reasoning right now. Explain.”

“I used your name, your real name. I owe you like a shit ton of money.” Kagome wrung her hands in nervousness and heard Sesshōmaru sigh. 

“This is about money?” He huffed, shaking his head. “Have a pleasant day, Kagome.” She watched him get up and fix his vest before grabbing his phone. 

She was in front of him, grabbing the phone as well, holding him hostage, “Sesshōmaru this is serious.”

“Kagome, I think I have enough money. Keep your royalties.” He was in a mood .

“Don’t be like that. I can give you a lump sum, or-” She watched his face twist in anger, and she recognized that look. She let go, feeling his frustration. Guilt swallowed her though, because it wasn’t just her story anymore. Some of it was his. She kept his name, she owed him. She had to make this right.

“You’re not going to pay me.” his response had been quiet, finite, at her insistence.

“Just take the money!” Kagome was going to get on her knees and beg if she had to. 

“It’s your book series, Kagome.”

“It’s your name! Sesshōmaru let me take responsibility. I feel awful! I should have fixed this when I released the second book. And now there’s talk of a K-drama, and an anime, and translators from America, and I’m going to be sick.” She couldn’t handle this anymore. It had snowballed so far out of control. This wasn’t what she wanted.

“Kagome…” he was there in front of her looking so worried as he held her hands in his. “Breathe. Breathe deep. Take a few more. I’ll cancel my trip. Have dinner with me,” Kagome was still taking deep breaths but she nodded in the affirmative. Trying to catch her breath, trying to hold back tears. It was all so overwhelming.

“Kagome?” Yuri came back to a very interesting scene, but Kagome was too busy hyperventilating to care. 

“Thank you for the water, you’re dismissed,” Sesshōmaru had no tact, but her publicist didn’t need to be told twice, and closed the door as she left and let Kagome ride out this panic attack. 

“Be nice!” Kagome wheezed out through her breathing. “Concentrate Kagome. Deep breaths. I will be nice when you have competent help. Do I need to take time out of my schedule to find you good help?” Kagome would have growled if she could. Finally, her heart stopped racing and she felt her chest loosen and she hated this. She really, really, hated this.

Now that she could breathe again Kagome laughed but shook her head. “That’s not nice.”

“I’m not nice. Or have you forgotten?”

“You are too!”

“To whom?”

“To me.” 

She saw him pause, “Fair point.” He seemed on the cusp of saying something before Kagome blurted out, “Are you sure you want to cancel your flight?”

“Most days I don’t want to do anything. Dinner with you sounds magnificent as far as I’m concerned. Once all this idiocy has calmed down, I’ll be able to have some more time off, and you can go back to avoiding me.”

She knew she should have just shown up at his office, and thrown a check at him, just to get it over with. Stupid Kagome!

“I wasn’t avoiding you. I’ve been just as busy.”

“Could have fooled me. You flew in Soten and Shippo, as well as Rin and her brood for a party, I did not want, nor did I need, and then you refused to come.”

“I was there!”

“For two minutes. You left before I could thank you.”

“Sesshōmaru, I just wanted to do something nice for you. Rin and Shippo wanted to be there to celebrate your accomplishments. This was huge for you.”

“I would have preferred a quiet candle-lit dinner with you.” 

Kagome could have melted into a puddle of goo.

“You know I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Kagome worried her bottom lip. Why couldn't he understand how bad her luck was? No. She’d find him a nice yōkai female to mate, and then she would just go back to being Kagome. 

“Why not, because you’re human? Or are we never going to talk about the elephant in the room, Kagome?” she flinched. 

She deserved that.

A soft knock came and the door opened slightly, “Kagome?” Yuri had come back and was looking between her and Sesshōmaru, “We’re ready for you to do the autographed copies. And someone from a company called Netflix is on the phone? He sounds really important,” Kagome groaned. 

Sesshōmaru sighed beside her, “I am going to find you better help. I will see you for dinner, be at my office by seven,” the command rang clear as he left. 

Kagome could have screamed. Her staff was going to freak out and misconstrue everything. Syouji Shibuya and her weren’t dating, they weren’t seeing each other, and she desperately wanted to stop thinking about his proposition to mate him. 

This was going to get out of hand. She had to stop the rumor in its tracks before someone alerted the media. 

|~|

Kagome walked out of the elevator and into the office that belonged to his majesty. The youngest Dai-Yōkai, was now the youngest King to have the honor to rule yōkai. Who knew the yōkai elected a king? Not her. He received the honor last year, and then the supernatural world erupted. Vampires, Were’s, shifters witches, half-breeds galore, hell even the fae, they all wanted a piece of Sesshōmaru. He wanted none of it.

The office had floor-to-ceiling windows, and while the black marble floor was gorgeous the gold trim on sterling white walls made Kagome hate how much money he had. Couldn’t he be more subtle? For just a second? Then she remembered she wasn’t a slouch either.

The receptionist's desk sat in front of his actual office, this was just the welcome area. Kagome could feel the glare from both his receptionist and his PA. Fuck.

Kyoko, and Yuna sat in their perspective seats, obviously angry she was there. 

They’d met a couple of times, and each was more hostile than the last. 

While Yuna was human, she had supernatural connections, Kyoko was yōkai and she wanted Kagome far from the most eligible bachelor in both worlds. 

“Higurashi-san, Shibuya-sama is-”

“Kagome, come in,” Sesshōmaru’s command rang through the space between them and Kagome smiled at both females, nicely, and turned to the open door he was holding open for her, as he spoke in low tones on his phone.

He moved the phone from his ear for a moment, “Kyoko, Yuna, you’re dismissed for the night,” Kagome let the door swing shut after his command, but she had not missed their flushed angry faces. Another rumor she was going to have to nip in the bud.

No more dinners after together. This would be the last one. She did not need females coming out of the woodwork to threaten her. It would not end well for them. 

“No, the acquisition was sent an hour ago… What do you mean you never received it? Have you checked your email? The document clearly states that we need at least seven thousand square feet… I’m quite serious… I’m so glad that it took a thirty-minute phone call for you to look into your email and find the proper paperwork… Next time don’t bother calling me unless the necessary materials are in front of your face.” She watched him nearly throw the phone against the wall. Kagome could tell Sesshōmaru was at the end of his tether.

“Need a massage? I know a guy,” Kagome joked, Sesshomaru glared at her, and Kagome felt her heart sink. 

“You and I are due a conversation Kagome, don’t think I have forgotten about your little slip-up.”

Kagome deflated, she really didn’t want to talk about it, “Can we just postpone it to never? I’m willing to forget all about it.”

“I’m not.” she hated him when he looked so relaxed like this. Leaning casually, hips against the desk, arms, and legs crossed his striking glare made her squirm even more. She huffed and looked past him into the evening sky beyond his office windows. 

“We’re going to talk about it.”

“And if I refuse?” she glared back, and his eyes glowed with amusement, a slight smirk playing at his lips. Her eyes narrowed in agitation.

“When were you going to tell me?” he hadn’t moved but his power enveloped her, and she shivered at the cool pressure against her exposed skin. Today was not a great day to be in a sundress that had ties. Or a dress at all. She should have worn the jumpsuit. Super hard to get out of, he couldn’t just pull the skirt up, or undo the ties-

“Kagome.” his tone was biting, and she sighed and crossed her arms over her breasts.

“What do you want me to say? Should I have just told you that I’m still cursed with the stupid Shikon? Or that I haven’t been aging? Or that it seems like I’m never going to age? Or that the goddess of time was right about me? There was no easy way to say anything. You of all people know that.”

“You didn’t tell me. I had to find out from the fucking book. You should have told me; said anything, at all. It’s not as if I wanted the stupid bauble for myself. Which you also knew. So why not come clean? We’ve been doing this little song and dance for years Kagome. I’m tired of it.” He looked away from her, and for a minute she felt guilty for keeping it from him, but it wasn’t his fucking business. 

“I didn’t think it was relevant to our friendship.” she could almost feel the vibrations from the angry growl he let loose. 

“So my mother can know, but not me?”

“How did you-”

“You’re smarter than this Kagome. You think my mother wouldn’t tell me? Or were you hoping that I would just sweep this under the rug?”

“Well if you knew, why are you so pissed?”

“I wanted you to tell me! I thought we got past this bullshit of you keeping me at arms’ length?”

“That’s what you wanted? Me to tell you? That’s why you’re throwing this little hissy fit? Fine. Sesshōmaru, I still have the Shikon no Tama, and because I decided to keep it I’m not mortal anymore. There; happy?”

“No, I’m not. You should have told me when we had dinner that night ten years ago. Instead of me overhearing you speak to Mother about it. Unfortunately, now that I am King, it’s an actual fucking problem.”

“How is it a problem now? No one, but you and your mother know. And what do you mean you overheard it between your mother and I? You just told me you found out from the book!” Kagome hated this. She knew this was going to turn into a fight. A fight she didn’t want to have.

“Don’t deflect, you know what the problem is.”

“No, I, really, don’t.” She did, but she didn’t, and it was going to be a PR nightmare when it came out in the supernatural world that she was still the guardian of the Shikon No Tama. That she was powerful. She could hear the floodgates opening now. 

Ugh. Males. The more ambitious ones had already started showing up. 

Powerful, and pretty, this miko was an eligible bachelorette that, really, just wanted to be left alone.

“Kagome, you realize there is nothing I can do. The blowback on this is going to be bad. You think you’re hounded now. The moment it gets out you’ll be seen as a prize. I know that’s not what you want. Regardless of other males, I think I’ve made my intentions quite clear.” And he had. Jewelry, candy, first editions of her favorite books, hell she didn’t know how but he found a nekomata and she was delivered with a pretty red bow and everything. She bit her lip to try and stop the tears that were building in the back of her throat. 

“Be serious Sesshōmaru, I’m just-” In an instant he was in front of her. She took several steps back until she felt the door behind her. He crowded her against the door and she looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Just what, Kagome? Don’t you dare act like you’re not one of us. These new yōkai, they know nothing of how it was. The ones who remember have gotten fat, or lazy, and privileged. Thinking they are entitled to live as lavish lifestyles as they want. That is not what I want. I want someone who remembers what it was like to fight and win. These spoiled princesses are nothing; I do not want them, and I do not need them, not when there is a queen amongst them.” Kagome blushed, but moved her head to look across the office, anywhere but at his intense stare. 

“Do you think I haven’t noticed Satoshi sniffing around?” Kagome’s head swiveled back and her glare was just as sharp as his. 

“I have never- I would never- Sesshōmaru, he’s your cousin! He’s just being polite.”

“I can assure you he’s not. Give me a year. I will change your mind, I will take care of you; I’m not him. Trust me.” Kagome wanted to, she really, really, did. But her track record with men was terrible.

“A month.” she heard herself answer. This was a bad idea.

“Two years.” Kagome could have had her own little hissy fit; he wasn’t playing fair.

She huffed again, “Six months.” Take the bait, please.

“Five years.” This negotiation was getting out of hand. Kagome wished she could make the same growling noise he did. She tried.

“Fine, a year!” He was going to be so smug about it, she knew, she could te-

“That deal has transpired, two years is now the minimum I’ll be taking.” Kagome’s gaze narrowed, she stamped her foot and bristled, “Fine! Two years!” How dare he!

“Excellent. Now dinner was promised, my home or yours?” Sesshōmaru stepped back giving her space to breathe which she instantly regretted because he smelled so good. For fucks sake how did she always get into these situations?

She shrugged, not caring where they ate.

“I can’t believe you.” she chided as he opened the door.

“Surely you can. You of all people know I get what I want,” she glowered at him again, crossing her arms again as she waited for him to lock the office door. 

“We still haven’t spoken about the royalties.” She could feel his agitation at that as well. 

“And we won’t, unless we mate.” She knew he was teasing her. 

She rose to the bait. “I’m not mating you,” while following him toward the elevator.

“Well, not tonight, but maybe after a year?” she felt his hand wrap around her hip, feeling the sharpness of his claws through the linen dress. She blew out a frustrated breath. Trying to think about anything other than him. 

Another thought from their earlier conversation invaded her mind and she bit into her bottom lip nervously, “How did you find out? Be honest?” she needed to know. Well maybe not, but she wanted to know how long he’d known about the stupid jewel.

“Natsuo.” there’s a name she never wanted to hear again in her life. 

“What about him?” she practically growled it out. 

“That night when you were at Mother’s. I walked in and overheard the conversation. I beat him black and blue.” Kagome froze, and just stared at him, flabbergasted, as the elevator doors opened and he ushered them out. 

Kagome couldn’t seem to catch her breath, “You did what!”

“He was bragging about it, Kagome. He made you his mistress, and then he was going to let you pay him off. His wife didn’t know about you. He wanted you quiet and he wanted your money. I beat him until he was pulp. You are pack. I protect those in my pack.”

“I’m not pack, Sesshōmaru.”

“Oh? This past decade must have been my imagination then. When is Mother’s birthday?”

“Well, May 8th of course.”

“Satoru’s, Haru’s, Mai’s?”

She pursed her lips, side-eyeing him as he made his point.

“July 7th, March 10th, and Februrary 21st.”

“Mine?” 

“November 15th. Are you going to finally let me throw you a big bash this year? The big 2000! What a milestone!”

“Clearly, you’re not pack, Kagome. And No.” he opened the door to his car for her. She got in and put her seatbelt on as he settled into the driver's seat. 

“Will you, at least, let me give you a birthday present this year?”

“Unless that present is in the form of a pup I want nothing from you Kagome.” 

Kagome’s jaw grew slack, and she felt her body burst into flames. A pup! The audacity!

She wasn’t ready… for… ohhh a mini Sesshōmaru would be the most adorable little thing she ever saw! She squealed internally at the image of a little puppy with Sesshōmaru’s markings playing in a forest clearing with his belly to the sky, rolling in the grass. What a vision. What a precious little handful and so so so… Not gonna happen! 

No! 

Don’t you dare get swayed by a puppy version of Sesshōmaru…

Now she couldn’t stop imagining it, a cute little puppy, covered in silver fur, and his markings, with blue eyes… Damn him.

“That’s… not happening,” she even sounded unsure to herself. She could feel his amusement. 

“It was only a joke Kagome, it's far too soon to pup you. I haven’t even had you all to myself yet.” Kagome knew she was beet red. How dare he! And he had so! Did he forget their New Year's kiss? Or the one they shared on her birthday? Or the one at the beach. Or the one in Kyushu? Or… She needed to stop thinking about this, or he was going to start noticing, if he hadn’t already.

“Thinking of something Kagome?” she could feel his amusement again, and that teasing tone to his voice. He did this to her on purpose!

“Not a thing,” she tried to hide as she watched the city fly by.

“Here I thought you were thinking of dessert before dinner.” She was going to die of embarrassment in this car.

“Sesshōmaru! I will have you take me home!” She couldn’t believe the nerve of him as he drove into the parking garage. She huffed in agitation.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Kagome.” She watched him park in his designated spot in the garage and knew undoubtedly: this was a bad idea.

She should have told him dinner at her place, not his massive home in the heart of downtown. He wasn’t going to let her leave, he was going to keep her here, he was going to… 

“Kagome,” his voice was low and husky, and a tad bit raw as he held her door open. Kagome, really, liked it when he used that low tone. She could feel the wetness between her thighs, and she heard a deep rumble come from him. 

She took his outstretched hand, and tried, tried, so hard to ignore the familiar ache between her thighs when he looked at her like that. 

His eyes were hooded, the gold of his irises darker, more amber, and wild. It made butterflies erupt in her stomach, it made her think of the past, it made her think of the future. Something like electricity ran down her spine, and she shivered. 

Suddenly a hand was at her hip, another tangled in her hair and his lips were on hers, and oh was that his tongue? Mmm… yes . 

Every nerve in Kagome’s body felt alive as his taste burst on her tongue and just like every time they kissed she never wanted him to stop.

He was so good at it. 

|~|

Sesshōmaru was dizzy with want. He was going to fuck her right here on the hood of his car in this parking garage if she didn’t stop smelling so goddamn intoxicating. He heard the breathy little gasp as he scraped fangs down her throat, he was going to come undone. 

He had been trying to seduce her for the past two fucking years, and she had resisted him at each opportunity. Gone so far as to avoid him, the clever little bird, but he was done playing. He had her now, and he wasn’t letting go any time soon. Possibly never. 

The moment he read her text about needing to see him, he got on his private plane and he was back in Tokyo. Fuck all the others, fuck Seoul, fuck the meetings, fuck his schedule; his bitch had finally come to her senses, made the correct choice after two years of waiting for an answer!

It had all come crashing down around him the moment he heard her talk about money. Absolutely, not. Royalties! Fuck her royalties! Fuck her IN the royalties!

His name?

His name?!

Oh, he would give her his name all right…

He’d marry her, he’d mate her, he would make her his any way he could!

He could have snarled at her for the audacity she had to pull him from a meeting about opening a new branch in Seoul to speaking to him about money! The little bitch!

“Sesshōmaru!” she arched beneath him and her voice held a desperation he didn’t know she could have as he soothed the bite he’d given her at her pulse point. He might have gotten carried away with his thoughts and her taste. 

He had to get upstairs. Now . If only he could stop himself from tasting her. 

He was going to have to stop or they were going to get caught by the paparazzi. Ice ran in his veins. Kagome hated PDA, she hated the cameras, and she would not like this to be all over every news station in the country. That was his only motivation to stop.

It took every bit of his self-control to move away from the taste of her skin. He brought her against him, and he heard her taking deep breaths, to calm herself, and he nearly whined as the scent of her desire clouded his mind and invaded his senses. “We have got to do something about your scent, Kagome, or I will not let you leave for a week.”

“But all the stuff I have to do for Australia and-” he watched her worry her lower lip as he grabbed her hand, and went to the private elevator. He pushed the top floor.

“Do I look concerned about schedules right now?” He really could give a fuck less about anything but her right now. Had little care but the triumph of finally being able to call her his. He was going to keep this as quiet as he could. Kagome did not like all this high-profile attention. Not that he blamed her, he certainly didn’t either. He was just used to it.

“I can’t just reschedule Sesshōmaru.” She sounded exhausted though. He knew her to be. It seemed with every passing day she was gaining more notoriety. 

“I’ll go with you then.” It was easier for him to reschedule around her anyway. For now, he had more flexibility.

“You can’t go with me!” Was that a hint of panic in her voice? He watched as the elevator doors opened and he walked towards his door.

“And why not? Are we not in a relationship, should I not be able to spend time with you whenever I want? After next week I’m far less busy than you. My company is thriving, all my businesses under that umbrella are doing well, and I do not foresee a problem until it is revealed that you are the Guardian. Which is easy enough for me to control right now. A problem for future us. What do you want to eat? Shujin, Kagome is here,” he called out to his private chef.

“You know exactly why you can't go with me! The rumor mill will go nuts!” Kagome looked so annoyed, and she did have a point, but he was far past caring about it.

Shujin entered the room, and he could feel the old yōkai’s amusement, “Ah Kagome-sama, lovely to see you once again. What would you like to eat?” Shujin tutted. “Have you gotten thinner? That won’t do. Sesshōmaru-sama do you need anything at this time?”

“Not at this moment, Shujin. Kagome?” he motioned for her to answer, as he perused her figure. Shujin was astute. She had gotten thinner. His lips pursed. He’d make sure to keep her well-fed from now on. 

He heard her huff in irritation, and then she turned toward Shujin with a bright smile, “Do you have any of those amazing lamb bao you made the last time? Those were phenomenal. Sublime even.” 

He heard Shujin chuckle in response, “Of course Kagome-sama I took note that you favored them. I keep them stocked in the freezer just for you,” he answered sweetly, chuckling at the delighted light in Kagome’s eyes.

“Pack,” Sesshōmaru bent down to whisper into her ear teasing her further. She gave quite an impressive little growl for a human. He rumbled lowly in response and watched as gooseflesh erupted all over her skin and the scent of her desire reignited, clouding his mind once more.

“Careful, Kagome, I meant what I said,” he warned in low tones.

“Stop teasing me then,” she sounded both exasperated and pleading… He would make it easy on her. “I’ll take you home after you eat,” he’d take pity on her, for tonight. There would always be next time. He had two years with her after all. He was quite smug. He could get her to agree to a mating in two years. 

He hoped.

“I want dessert after dinner,” he promptly swallowed his tongue at her insinuation. All of the hair on his body stood on end, and he peered at her from the corner of his eye catching her smirk at catching him unawares. He knew the tips of his ears were red. Little bitch. 

“By all means Kagome stay here. I won’t stop you. My bed has been quite cold after all,” he saw her freeze and he could play this game with her all night if she looked at him like that. 

The mesmerizing blue of her eyes was playful, and full of desire, and he could not wait to have her in his bed. 

“I can sleep in the usual guest-”

“No. My bed will suffice.”

She was beet red from the roots of her hair down to her breasts, and he purred at the sight of her wide, innocent eyes, peering at him like the prey she was. 

“You’re really going all in on this? Us?”

“I’ve only been trying to get you to agree to be mine for two years, Kagome. I was the one hounding you. Why would I get cold feet when this is what I wanted? I told you, put your fears aside, trust me,” this time when he tangled her hair in his hand he resisted the urge to kiss her.

She looked up at him, wide-eyed and beautiful, “You cannot look at me like that,” he groaned, closing the distance between them, laying a soft chaste kiss against her mouth. He wanted to ravish her.

“Like what?” she whispered against his lips. Shivers ran down his spine, and he could feel his pants getting tighter. Hadn’t he just calmed down?

“Like prey,” he answered before striking. He couldn’t stop himself. He caught her lips between his fangs invading her mouth with his tongue, he could get addicted to the taste of her.

“Shujin?” He did not like the name of another male on her lips as he kissed her breathless, senseless. His.

He growled low, “Will say nothing. He knows what would happen if he dared speak out.” He kissed her again and she moaned low and long and he never wanted another female in his home but her. 

|~|

November 2011

This was the best birthday Sesshōmaru ever had. 

He let Kagome throw him the massive party she wanted and when everyone finally said their goodbyes, she attacked him mercilessly. 

Kissing him until he was senseless, clawing at his clothes, begging for him. She freed his cock and he was hungry for her all over again. He didn't think he was ever going to tire of her.

“Happy birthday, Sesshōmaru,” her voice low and sultry, as she licked the head of his thick cock before opening her mouth wide and taking as much of him as she could. 

His hair stood on end as she sucked his soul from his body. His thighs trembled as she took him deeper in her throat, he shuddered as she swallowed around him. Fuck. 

He tangled a hand in her hair as his other tried to find purchase elsewhere to help stabilize him. A chair just out of reach, he moved slightly and pulled the chair closer to embed his claws into the fabric as her hands did that twisting motion that left him breathless and he was going to cum right down her throat if she kept this up.

She mewled around him, blue eyes watching his face, knowing she could read him like a book, as he fucked her mouth the way she liked. Hard, and rough, and his eyes rolled in the back of his head as she swirled her tongue around him.

He hated that Natsuo had been right about Kagome's behavior behind closed doors. Hellcat was very nearly an understatement.

She was exquisite. 

She liked it when he treated her roughly, went wild beneath his claws and fangs, loved it when he spanked her, and she fucked him like it was her job. 

She met him pace for pace, and gave back as good as she got.

Gods, he loved her.

He felt her scrape her teeth lightly against the head of his cock, and he couldn't stop himself if he tried. His grip in her hair tightened as he forced her throat to take more of him, stars exploding behind his eyes as he spilled his seed down her throat. 

She drank it all down like the good little bitch she was. 

He watched, trying to catch his breath, as she finished cleaning him with her tongue making sure to lick away all remnants of his cum. He hissed when she swirled her tongue around the sensitive head before giving him a wet kiss; eyes never leaving his. His brazen little bitch.

He needed to be inside her again. 

He pulled her up by her hair and kissed her, she moaned low and wrapped her legs around his hips. His left arm found purchase under her hip holding her to him.

The short dress she wore, which he hated all night, suddenly wasn't so bad as it made it easy for him to just slide his cock over her…

“Kagome, where are your panties?” Did his voice crack? He could have sworn he saw her put some on as she got ready. Well, as she tried to get ready and he tried to get her to call the whole thing off so they could stay in bed and fuck for the rest of the day. 

“Don't worry about it,” she answered playfully against his lips. She nibbled his bottom lip, raking blunt teeth over him and he whined as she took just the head of him inside her, teasing him, driving him mad. 

He thrust forward making her take all of him. She gave a breathy gasp and a shuttering moan. So wet, hot, sweet, gripping him like a vice. Gods, he could stay buried in her all day.

“Yes,” she arched against him as he started at a furious pace. Both claws held her by the hips as his claws embedded in the soft flesh of her ass, and she writhed against him.

He brought her over his cock hard and fast and she begged for more. Clawing at him, writhing against him grinding against his bruising pace.

He could smell the orgasm crash over her and he came again riding the aftershocks of both their bodies.  

He didn't think he would ever get tired of the scent of their combined completion in the air. 

“Gods Kagome I adore you. Be mine.” He trailed his thumb along the seam of her lips.

She gave a gasping laugh, “Sesshōmaru we've only been together for four months. Isn't it too early to ask that?” He knew she was joking but he wasn't. 

“I don't care. Be mine. Forever.”

She gave him the sweetest, loveliest smile, before taking his thumb between her lips and sucked. Electricity shot down his spine as a low rumble released from his chest.

His cock was hard again, ready to give her more, and she ground herself against him inside her. 

She played his body as well as he played hers. 

“It's good that I'm only interested in forever where you're concerned Sesshōmaru.” His breath caught in his throat at her answer.

“This is not a game, Kagome, I'm serious,” and he was. He was so serious. He didn’t think he could go on with his fathomless existence if she wasn’t with him. 

“I am too.” Her husky answer filtered through his mind, as her power and desire wrapped him. Oh, he could get used to the slight burn of her power against his sensitive skin.

It was officially the best birthday ever.

|~|

May 2013

Are they? Aren’t they? No One Knows. Is the most eligible bachelor still eligible or has this author caught the ultimate prize?

From Madrid, to Monaco, to Seoul, to New York. Are They Friends or More?

Author Kagome and Billionaire Syouji Spotted For Date-Night

From Red Carpets to Cozy Candle-lit Dinners. Billionaire Syouji Pulls Out All the Stops for Author Kagome

Kagome giggled as she read through the headlines, scrolling through news feeds as she checked her email, and had a small snack. 

The media was trying to figure out if Sesshōmaru and her were an item. They were careful to avoid cameras during their more intimate moments, but it was hilarious to see them crawl all over the place just to catch a glimpse of them together.

Paparazzi followed them everywhere. 

It would have been hilarious if it didn't drive Kagome up a wall.

Kagome went from occasionally being spotted to a target the moment she was caught getting off his private plane in Madrid a year prior. Sesshōmaru wanted to spoil her with a two-week vacation somewhere quiet so she could relax for her birthday.

And relax she did.

Room service, bottles of champagne, and delicious sex with him was exactly what she needed. 

He hadn't let her leave the room for the first three days of their trip. Instead, he'd buried his face between her thighs and it was orgasm city for Kagome.

A girl could get used to that kind of treatment.

She thought he would have calmed down by now. But he hadn't slowed down in the slightest. 

Especially since his birthday and their subsequent mating. 

She didn't realize it would be like this. 

Didn't realize it could be like this. 

She had planned to ride the two years out, while scoping out females that would be worthy, but all of that had been thrown out the window the moment she realized he was dead serious about them. 

She didn't even know a male like him could exist. He blew all her expectations out of the water. He kept her apprised of his schedule, they had dates often, he called her just for casual conversation throughout the day, texted her nonstop, and showed up unannounced whenever he wanted to see her. Wined and dined her even though he already had her. 

None of the other men before him treated her like that.

He couldn't keep his claws to himself either. Honestly, she didn't want him to. 

Another article hit and Kagome giggled. 

Is Love in the Air for This Pair? Billionaire Mogul Dating Author?!

This was starting to be fun.

“Kagome, come back to bed.” A shiver ran down her spine at his words and a sweet smile played on her lips. She set her cell phone down on the kitchen island and turned to see him crowding the space of the door frame, hair in disarray and completely naked. 

“Yes, my mate,” her voice was low and sultry and she watched his eyes become hooded and honeyed. A pleased rumble came from his chest and she could feel the wetness gather between her thighs.

Mating Sesshōmaru was the best decision of her life.

|~|

July 2016

Kagome sat in the boardroom, surrounded by a multitude of execs seeking permission for a TV show, or multiple movies. Movies. From America. 

This was insane. 

It was just a book.

Everything had started because of the book, and now she was being courted, at least it felt like that, by multiple Hollywood execs. Paramount, Universal, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, and Disney . 

She was hyperventilating when the Disney execs showed up. Couldn’t believe that a Media outlet as massive as Disney wanted her. 

She was going to puke.

She was going to panic. 

She needed Sesshōmaru. 

“Kagome, we’ll keep this adaptation as close to the original story as we can, and you would come on as executive producer, head writer, whatever you wanted. Whatever role you liked.” the Disney exec was pulling out all the stops, but could she do it?

She was, really, leaning towards Netflix, they offered the same things Disney had, and their percentage was far lower than Disney’s and they were asking far less of her than Disney was. 

Disney wanted her rights . 

And Kagome couldn’t risk that.

This was her story, her life!

“Thank you, truly for all the gifts, and the dinners, but I can’t offer you the rights. The book is my life. My characters are… family. My life was very chaotic growing up, I lost my father due to a car crash, I lived a humble life on a shrine, with a shrine’s budget and then I discovered books. And this whole new world was opened. I can offer creative licenses but not the rights. Not when this story is my story.” she knew these men would never be able to understand that this wasn’t just a story. 

It happened. 

And somewhere along the way, it had snowballed into something so much more. 

She knew the story was impossible, too incredible to be real, but it was. It had been. Sango, Miroku, Kaede, Kikyo, Inu-Yasha and him , Sesshōmaru… Just because she changed their names, didn’t mean they hadn’t been real. 

They had all been very real. 

“Kagome, the amount of royalties we’re offering for the rights is well worth the investment. We understand there is an emotional connection-”

“I’m sorry. I can’t. I don’t want an exclusive ride, or even a park after my characters, I just want my story to be as untouched as possible. I’ve decided that Netflix will be able to usher the story further, and I think a show will be better than four movies. Thank you, truly, for the time, and the opportunity.”

The man in charge of the negotiations stood, and came over to her side of the table, leaning against the table at her side and crowded her, she bristled. “Kagome, take some more time to think, sweetheart. Call us whenever. Netflix can’t offer you the budget we can. You want a show instead of movies? We can get behind that. We want you, we want this story-”

“Gentlemen,” Kagome’s breath caught as Sesshōmaru breezed into the conference room, “Shibuya, What are you-” 

He ignored the men, and went straight to her, she blushed. He stared down at the man crowding her and watched the smirk playing on his lips as the exec moved away from her as quickly as humanly possible suddenly, nervous at the true predator in the room. 

It was crazy how easily Sesshōmaru took command upon entering a room. 

Sesshōmaru took the spot the other man had occupied, pulling the chair out beside her and sitting. “Have you eaten yet? Dinner?” he flirted in front of all the men in the room. It used to bother her, but she couldn't find it in her to care anymore. Not when his attention was always on her. 

The men sputtered at being interrupted for something so trivial, but Sesshōmaru’s eyes never left her. 

She blushed again before replying, “ Starving ,” and she was; for him. 

What had he done to her?

Turned her into some sort of sex-crazed monster?!

“Careful Kagome,” he warned and she could tell he was giving her that look. That burning look that sent shivers down her spine, and made moisture gather between her thighs. His liquid gold eyes, beneath his thick lashes, and her heart was going to explode from her chest. That look should be illegal.

Her hormones were spiraling out of control. 

“Syouji, we were-”

“Does it look like I’m interested in what you have to say? I’m speaking to my wife.” 

Well there goes that secret. Damn him and his big mouth.

“W-wife?” the big bad exec was going to piss himself, she was sure of it. His nervous, and fearful energy encapsulated the room.

“Yes. My wife. Not your sweetheart .” Oh great. He’d, definitely, heard that.  

The man turned white, “Now I believe this meeting is over and she told you no. Enjoy the rest of your night,” and just like that they’d been dismissed. Through the entire interaction with the other men, not once had he taken his eyes off her. She could have laughed.

Syouji Shibuya was not to be trifled with.

Every single person in that meeting room picked up their stuff and hauled ass out of that room as fast as they could. His reputation as a ruthless cutthroat preceded him, and everyone knew with his command, the meeting was over.

“For someone all about manners, Sesshōmaru you’re very rude.”

“You told them no, they were being obstinate, I fixed it. Let’s go get dinner, or do I need to satisfy another craving first?” he bent down to whisper the question into her ear, and her eyes fell closed as goosebumps covered her arms. She raked her teeth against her bottom lip, before opening her eyes to see the hunger he had for her cross his features.

She wanted him, but “I really am hungry. My stomach has been so upset lately. I’ve just been so nervous I haven’t eaten all day and-” the growl of disapproval filtered over her.

“Shujin will be making bentos from now on. You will have food on your person at all times. We have been through this; you need to eat,” his anger chased away the hunger for her and she felt guilty.

She knew he was only being protective, but she really had been too nervous to eat. 

“I know you just want me healthy, but my stomach has been in knots all day. I wouldn’t have been able to if I tried. Plus Satoshi-” another angry growl. 

“That fucking whelp!” Seeing Sesshōmaru jealous did funny things to Kagome.

She didn’t know a creature such as him could get jealous and certainly not over a blood relative. Not when he looked the way he did. Satoshi may have been beautiful, but Sesshōmaru was ethereal. The kind of beauty that was dangerous.

“Can we have this conversation while eating please?” She stood from her chair and felt woozy. The room was spinning, that’s not good, and she could feel herself falling, only to be slammed into a hard chest.

“Kagome, Kagome? What happened?” the room was still spinning and she fisted a hand in his clothes. He kept repeating her name, but she was unable to answer. 

Please stop spinning. 

She shut her eyes as she clung to Sesshōmaru. 

After several moments passed she felt the world even out. 

She took a deep breath, and opened her eyes, looking up into his. “I just got dizzy. I’m fine now.” She needed food if she was getting this dizzy.

“I just need some food to even out my blood sugar. Wipe that look off your face.”

A dark look crossed his features, “Lets go home, get you in bed, and fed. I’ll call Shujin. We'll discuss the brat at a later time.” He placed a kiss on her forehead, and picked her up, “Sesshōmaru!” this really wasn’t necessary; she could walk.

“I am merely taking care of you, Kagome. Please let me.” She supposed it wasn’t so bad to be cradled in Sesshōmaru’s arms. She took a deep inhale of his scent, and smiled. “I love you,” she whispered against his neck, and he gave a pleased rumble in response.

Kagome felt safe, and warm, and loved.

|~|

September 2016

Sesshōmaru’s good mood was dashed away as Inu-Yasha waltzed into his office as if he owned the place. His eyes narrowed on the half-breed. 

First Satoshi, and now Inu-Yasha. Should he expect his mother to waltz in and talk of her new beau as well?

“You and Kagome are getting cozy.”

 So the half-breed finally decided to pay attention, and it seemed he was frustrated. So what if they were? She was his mate, he could be as cozy as he wanted with her. 

“What do you want Inu-Yasha?” He hadn’t seen or heard from the half-breed in over three decades, but now he decided to show up? All because there were some photos of him and Kagome all over the media. The internet was going crazy over them. They even had a cutesy name, Syoume. Adorable.

The supernatural world was not amused that a miko had garnered his attention. 

They could get over it. He wasn't sharing.

“You’ve been hiding Kagome from me,” he heard Inu-Yasha snarl at him.

Sesshōmaru gave a bark of laughter. “Hiding? Hardly. Kagome has been in the public’s eye before our reunion fifteen years ago, Half-breed. Where have you been?” 

He could scent Inu-Yasha’s anger from here. 

Good. Let him be angry.

“Kagome? What happened to Miko? Using her name now?” Inu-Yasha growled, fiddling with things on his desk. Sesshōmaru slapped his hand away.

“Why wouldn’t I use my mate’s name?” he heard the breath leave his brother’s lungs as he froze in place.

“What did you just say?” The half-breed turned towards him and bared his fangs.

“My mate, half-breed. I did not realize that these last few centuries had left you deaf as well as blind. Is there a problem, or was I not allowed to take a mate?”

“Kagome. You mated Kagome, my Kagome?” 

Sesshōmaru rose from his desk chair, and approached his half-brother, fast as lightning, he had him by the throat and got right in his face, nose touching nose.

“My, Kagome. Half-breed. My mate, my wife, mine.”

“I had prior claim!”

“Then you abandoned her. She told me herself you had not been to see her. Do not lie to me. Your claim is six centuries too late half-breed, the bitch is mine,” he snarled. Letting his yoki lash out against Inu-Yasha. He dropped his brother to the ground.

“Fuck you. I've been busy!” he watched as Inu-Yasha hopped up and dusted himself off, face reddening.

“Did your bitch from the last three decades leave you?”

The half-breed bristled and growled low, “Or did you and the wolf get into a fight over a different bitch?”

He saw Inu-Yasha pause and then huff. Sesshomaru grinned. “That's what this is about? You want to make your mate jealous, or offer him a female he's always wanted, but just out of reach? Get out of my face before I rip you to shreds Inu-Yasha. I do not need your problems at my doorstep. I told you centuries ago this would happen. Here are the consequences.”

“Keh, you don't know shit.” Inu-Yasha was playing a dangerous game and Sesshōmaru was in no mood.  

“Inu-Yasha, dissolve the mating. Or don't, it's none of my concern, but what you will not do is go to Kagome and throw her in the middle of it. She's stressed as it is. Now I am done speaking to you about this.”

“You're not gonna help me?”

“What do you want me to do, threaten Koga? With what? Those were the terms you agreed to the moment you mated him.”

“Yeah, with Sango, and then Sango died and he fucking changed!”

“The slayer dying was a tragedy, Inu-Yasha, but don't think you're blameless either. You handled it just as poorly. You treated the situation the same way you treated Kagome and the dead one. You could not make a decision. If you need money, or a new house, or a new life I can help you but I cannot fix your mating. That is up to you and Koga.” A ping went off in the silent office and Sesshōmaru turned from his brother to grab his phone.

A security alert showed Kagome in the lobby, as well as Satoshi. A snarl ripped through him and he saw red. “Dismissed,” he hissed between clenched fangs as he fisted the phone and thrust it into his pocket. Agitation was clear in his scent, as Inu-Yasha looked at him confused by his sudden change in behavior. He didn’t care. He rushed past his brother to get to his mate.

“Oi! You can’t just fucking leave! Sesshōmaru!” He had no concern for whatever else Inu-Yasha wanted to discuss. Satoshi was making a nuisance of himself and Sesshōmaru wasn’t going to put up with it anymore.

He was out for blood.

|~|

Kagome couldn't think, couldn't see past the doctors as they handed her a piece of paper with a link and a QR code. 

What happened to an actual picture? 

Could she ask for one?

Should she ask for one?

She was going to have a panic attack. 

She just wanted to figure out why she was so dizzy all the time. She could tell it was starting to worry Sesshōmaru. She promised once things settled and the contracts had been signed she would go to the doctor. 

That was before this morning, when she fainted as she was finishing up her morning routine. Thank goodness the maid was there. Shujin had ushered her into a car with Sesshōmaru’s preferred driver and off to the hospital they went. 

Kagome had to call her PA and get them to reschedule all of her meetings due to a medical emergency. Her schedule was fucked.

She was going to cry. 

She saw Shujin rise, and she felt sick to her stomach, “Kagome-sama, is everything alright? Are you being released?”

“I need to see Sesshōmaru, immediately,” she knew she sounded bad. High-pitched and squeaky and on the verge of hyperventilating. 

She just wanted her mate. 

The worried look the old yōkai wore was just as unsettling. 

“I'm fine, truly, I just… I need him.” She croaked… Or she was going to fall apart.

“I understand, let us go then.” Kagome nodded as Shujin ushered her back to the car while she tried to concentrate on her breathing.

“I'll have Takeshi drop you off at the complex, Shujin, since it's on the way to the office. The doctors say I need to eat more. Can you make me-”

“The lamb bao?” he interrupted with a chuckle.

“Extra spicy please?” She blushed, and he nodded. 

“We'll fatten you up, Kagome. Don't worry.” Oh, she was going to get fat alright.

She turned away to look out the window and watched the city blur around her as the car sped through the streets and blew out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

|~|

Kagome should have just gotten out of the car when they pulled up at the complex. Coming here had been a bad idea. “Kagome-sama should I go around the back, or is here fine?” 

“No, here is fine. Thank you, Takeshi. Um, can you stay just in case Syouji doesn't want to come back with me?”

“Of course, Kagome-sama.” The driver got out and came around to open her door, bowing as he waited for her to clear the door. Before closing it and driving off to park.

Kagome squared her shoulders and then realized her legs felt like jelly. Her heartbeat was racing, her stomach in knots, and her breath came faster.

Come on Kagome you can do this!

You defeated Naraku.

You went down a magical well.

You saved millions of yōkai.

She willed herself to just take a step forward.

You… you… can't move. 

The panic was setting in. Why did she come here again? Why didn't she just get out of the fucking car with Shujin?!

Why didn't she-

“Kagome-chan~” Satoshi’s sing-song of her name had her stomach reeling even more. 

“Satoshi, are you here to see your uncle?” She took a step and wouldn’t you know it? Her legs were working after all.

“Not in the slightest. I came to, hopefully, bump into you. And the fates must have granted my wish.” She did not feel like putting up with Satoshi and Sesshōmaru's pissing contest this evening.

The young stud thought his uncle wasn't much to sneeze at and she hoped that he never had to know how feral his uncle actually was.

There was a reason Sesshōmaru was King. 

Kagome cleared the front doors and almost made it to the receptionist's desk to let them know to page Sesshōmaru’s office, before her legs started to feel like jelly again.

Oh gods! She couldn't do it. 

She was going home. 

She'd tell him at home. 

But… she couldn't go home because she was just going to work herself up once again and she didn't need him to know about her fainting spell. Or she would be spending the rest of the week in bed. Which sounded amazing but she had shit she had to do. Starting with signing contracts and then finding a place to live in the US and was she hyperventilating already?

“I just don't understand what you see in that old dog. He's just too old for you. Come back and play with me. We'll have so much fun. He's such a stick in the mud.” Satoshi was reading this situation all wrong. 

“Satoshi, I'm quite happy with your Uncle.”

“I don't see how you could be. He barely makes time for you.” That was far from the truth.  

Sesshōmaru blew off work all the time for her. He'd spend the whole day doing everything that was on her schedule, after he spent his time between her thighs. No! Bad Kagome! That’s what got you in this situation! 

“Satoshi, you have no idea what you're talking about. Sesshōmaru treats me very well.”

“I could treat you better. If you let me.” 

Kagome was going to be sick. Her stomach roiled, and she moved closer to the receptionist's desk so she could stabilize herself. She could feel the dizzy spell coming and she didn't need to fall again. 

Satoshi grabbed her but not before a menacing growl erupted through the lobby. 

She could feel his power flow over her and she felt herself breathe again. 

Oh, that's why she came here. This is what she needed. What she wanted. She gave a happy sigh of relief, and could feel the familiar warmth from their bond filling her up. Making her feel warm and cozy, deeply in love.

Kagome snatched her hand away from Satoshi and practically ran to Sesshōmaru. This is who she needed. This is who she wanted! She threw her arms around his neck. 

Sesshōmaru stopped, confused. She could feel it in his stance. He was frozen for a nanosecond before his arms tightened, holding her against him, nuzzling the top of her head. “Oh Gods, this is what I've needed since I left that fucking hospital.” She sighed, nuzzling the underside of his chin and placing a kiss on his lips. Sinking into his chest as she continued to kiss him. Trying to breathe in as much of his comforting scent as possible. Yes. All was right with the world as long as he was here. 

He pulled away from her kiss as her words registered, and she pouted. Didn’t he want her kisses? 

“Hospital?” His voice was dark and thick with an emotion that was rare and unfamiliar: Worry. Shit. Had she mentioned that?

“When did you go to the hospital, Kagome?” His voice was low and deadly and she knew she’d fucked up.

“Um… earlier,” she answered, looking up at him with a nervous smile. 

“Kagome… Why were you in the hospital?” 

She really didn't want to answer, didn’t feel ready but the furious look he gave her told her that his patience was running out. He was going to get that answer.

“I might have fainted… while getting ready this morning,” she felt him freeze against her.

“Why wasn’t I informed, immediately?” He was so furious she could feel his rage through the bond and she bit into her bottom lip. This was why she wanted to avoid this particular conversation. 

“Can we please talk somewhere more privately?” she pleaded, eyes big and innocent. His face was hard.

“Mate, I want an answer.” Oh, he was pissed. 

Kagome knew she was in trouble.

“Mate?!” Oh, she'd completely forgotten about Satoshi. Oops.

“Yes, my mate. You shitstain. If you used your nose as much as you used your cock you would know that. Get out of my face before I beat you for your insolence,” Sesshōmaru was furious, she should be feeling bad for Satoshi, but she really couldn’t find it in herself to care. Satoshi didn't need to be told twice before realizing he’d miscalculated this entire situation. 

Kagome watched from the comfort of Sesshōmaru’s arms as he hightailed it out of the lobby.

As long as her mate’s ire had been sufficiently redirected that was fine with her...

“And you-” Well there goes that.

“You should have called me immediately. You fainted? You will be confined to the bed until I deem you healthy enough to leave it.” She knew he meant it as a punishment but that sounded so nice. She could read books again, catch up on all the shows she'd missed out on, and sleep. Glorious, glorious, sleep.

“Okay,” was her soft reply as she cuddled into his chest.

“Who else knew- Okay?” he stopped in his tirade as he looked down at her. 

“As long as you can mediate the contracts in my stead, and look up houses in the US, or make sure the new merchandising is up to par I'll do whatever you say,” she could feel his gaze narrow on her, but she was too happy to care. She looked up at his face and her stomach dropped. 

He was still angry with her, she could tell. His eyes were narrowed and his aura was growing darker and darker. She had to get control of this situation before he got out of control. 

She could feel herself burst out in the tiniest, most nervous voice she could muster between her anxiety and his anger: “I'm pregnant!” 

Her hand fisted in his jacket as his entire demeanor was wiped of any emotion.

Kagome couldn't breathe.

Was he angry, happy, confused, embarrassed? The silence elongated until it was unbearable. Oh gods, he hated her, he was going to dissolve the mating, and do something horrible, she just… there was no guessing.

She just wanted to know how he was feeling about this.

She could feel tears forming in the corner of her eyes, as her panic mounted. 

Oh Gods-

“A pup?” she felt a hand tangle in her hair and she looked back up at him. His eyes were that honeyed color and he looked…

Pleased?

“Twins,” she answered nervously, biting her lower lip in worry, and there was another pause from him before he gave off a pleased rumble. 

“Twins? Oh my mate-”

“Oh, thank the Gods, you’re not angry!” she gushed. She felt the world around her even out. She breathed deep, and took in the scent of him, and she sighed happily as anxiety was replaced by relief flooding through her system. 

“Why would I be angry with you, Kagome?” His fingers were playing in her hair and she sighed happily against him.

“For getting pregnant, of course.” She looked back up at him and smiled nervously. 

She heard him take a deep breath, “I don't even want to know your thought process behind that reasoning. I could never be mad at you for something I participated in as well. I told you I wanted a pup from you.” and then he kissed her, taking his time to explore her mouth before raking fangs against her bottom lip. She moaned against him, he knew how much she liked his fangs! He finally let her breathe again.

“That was five years ago and you were being facetious.” She giggled at him. And suddenly she was being cradled against his chest. 

“No walking for you. No anything until the dizzy spells pass. I may not let you leave that bed at all.” Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck and was lulled by his heartbeat, and his steady pace as he breezed back towards the car she’d come in.

“Sesshōmaru you can't confine me to our bed for the duration of my pregnancy. I'm only fourteen weeks along. A month is fine, but 26 weeks in bed is overkill.”

“Kagome, you're not having a human child. You're having my pups. With my power and yours my guess is you'll be incubating our pups for at least three years-”

“Three years!” She screeched and she saw his flinch and then he glared at her.

She blushed and then kissed the ear closest to her in apology, “Sorry.”

“We'll call my private physician when we get home and see which yōkai run Obstetrics would be a good fit for us. Or maybe I'll employ a team of midwives? Would you like a home birth, or hospital? We need a birth plan.” Kagome felt her head spin. He certainly was taking charge of this situation. 

She shrugged letting him word vomit his thoughts out as she let her eyes close to the sound of his voice. “Oh my mate, I love you,” she heard herself whisper into his chest as she made herself more comfortable. 

She heard him stop talking, and felt his lips on her forehead, and then he went right back to thinking out loud. Muttering about cribs, and nannies, and bassinets. Bed sharing, no thanks. Sesshōmaru already hogged the bed enough. 

Kagome yawned as she heard him mention something about his mother and hers. Hmmm she should have thought this through better.

|~|

Oh Say It Isn't True! Billionaire Syouji is Married!

Rumors are true Author Kagome Has Won the Heart of a Billionaire. 

They're Married!

The paparazzi that had caught their little lobby interlude last night must have gotten a big payday because the photo of Kagome wrapped around him as she sought out his comfort was plastered all over the internet within thirty minutes of their conversation.

His publicist and Kagome’s had blown up their phones immediately and then their lawyers and then his mother and then her mother. 

And then the news of her pregnancy was announced throughout the pack. 

His mother showed up at his door within thirty minutes of her being told with multiple packed bags piled around her feet. He slammed the door in her face.

Kagome was not amused. 

They had kept the mating and marriage a secret for this reason. 

But he couldn't find a real reason to be annoyed. He was just too… happy? Pleased? Excited?

There were so many different unfamiliar emotions rushing through him at any given moment. 

Pups!

Twins at that! 

What a blessing!

Kagome wasn't too pleased to be told that his pups would be growing far slower than a human and his physician expected that the pups would take nearly four years before they were ready to be born. 

He couldn't care so long as she and the twins stayed healthy. 

“Are you going to keep me confined to the bed until the twins are born?”

He knew he shouldn't tease her right now but he couldn't stop himself. “Absolutely.”

He heard her frustrated sob as he kept his head on her belly hearing his pup's heartbeats through her skin. 

Music to his ears. 

He closed his eyes and rumbled low and soothingly while curling his yoki around her belly.

He didn't think life could get any better than this.