Borrowed by Starfyre

Betrayed?

AN: This is my first Inu-Yasha fan fiction. To that end, please be respectful in your comments and reviews. Please be aware that I am a full time college student so updates will be sporadic. I will give warnings about any possibly disturbing content at the beginning of each chapter. This is an unbetaed story so if you find errors please bring it to my attention. I will correct it asap. This picks up where the series left off. It's pure cannon. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy.

Warnings: Blood/Gore not much but a little. Some very minor violence. Very minor cussing.

NEW AN: This is an edit update. I will be posting a new chapter soon. You can all thank Stella for the long awaited update. Blame my fickle muse for skipping out on this story. I'm tweeking chapter 2 right now. Updates will still be stetchy. All unfinished work goes on Hiatus as of July. I'll try to finish both Blood in the Water and Borrowed before then. Please review, but also enjoy!

Chapter 1

Betrayed?

Returning to the feudal era was not as wonderful as Kagome had expected. How she had come to stand before Sesshoumaru on her wedding night was as confusing, and upsetting as one could imagine, considering that she had just married his half-brother, not the DaiYoukai before her.

The conversation not only failed to explain the logistics of the situation, but was equally not disentangling the mess her emotions were currently in. Three weeks she had been here. Almost to the day. How had she gotten caught up in such a jumbled scheme as this in only three weeks? The day that she returned to the feudal era had been the happiest she had encountered in three very long years. After emerging from the old well for the last time, InuYasha had asked her the one thing she had dreamed of since falling in love with him at the age of fifteen; to be his wife. Each day had passed in bliss after that moment when she had happily said yes.

She felt blindsided by everything now looking back on it all. Actually she felt more stupid than anything. InuYasha had never been so quick to commit to anything other than a fight... or ramen. Yet she had believed that he had wanted her for her finally after three years of longing, and separation. She was an idiot for sure. No, there always had to be an underlying reason, didn't there? She foolishly did not question that he wanted to be wed in a few short weeks, twenty two days following her return to be exact. Just eight days after the beginning of her menses. Silly her thinking he wanted a family with her.

How blind could she be? Sesshoumaru, of all the people on the planet, had gifted her her wedding kimono. So very kind of him. After all, why wouldn't the older, and more wealthy male gift his once hated half-brother's betrothed a wedding kimono that, while not the most expensive, or best quality, was certainly far more lavish than anything that anyone in the village could ever hope to afford.

What had caused her to be so throughly oblivious to what should have raised every last red flag that all was not as it seemed? She still wore that same kimono. It was simple, yet beautiful and elegant. And it felt like she was wrapped in chains instead of good quality silk. The tears that she could feel burning behind her eyes would ruin the fabric, but would not wash away the lies she had been fed, nor break her free of the chains she would swear were keeping her locked in place before the two brothers.

The only thing holding those tears back was the deep anger, and an even deeper sense of betrayal, from not only InuYasha, but from Miroku, and Sango, and even Kaede, and Rin as well. It was possible that the last two were unaware, as she was certain Shippo was. But she highly doubted it. She remembered the secret sorrow hidden in the old woman's single eye whenever the topic of the wedding was brought up. Kagome had brushed it off as possibly old pain from when Kikyo and InuYasha had been in love. Miroku was too clever to not know, and therefore Sango would be just as informed.

It hurt. Oh, it hurt. These people that she had loved, and longed to return to, had betrayed her trust, and her heart in a way that she had never, ever expected. It was like they had taken a page out of Naraku's book. The evil spider hanyou could have learned a lot on how to break someone from those she had stupidly called “friends”. So called friends that had sat happily, and smiled sweetly knowing what she was being trapped into. One of which had actually helped trap her into it even. She could still hear Sango telling her twins to watch “Auntie Kagome” marry “Uncle InuYasha” and to be quiet. How could Miroku perform the ceremony knowing what he was doing to her?! How could Sango call her family, and sit there like that knowing the truth?! Three years had turned them all into monsters! Back stabbing liars!

No. No! This had to be a dream. A nightmare straight from the pits of hell. That would explain everything. Now she just had to wake up. Kagome pinched herself, hard. The pain was sharp but still the sorry look on her husband's face didn't fade to darkness. His half-brother still stood at his side staring at her. In desperation, she pulled up the long sleeve of her kimono and bit her forearm. Tears sprang to her eyes as the hanyou before her shouted for her to stop. She bit harder drawing blood. Still the world didn't fade to darkness.

“Kagome! Stop! You're bleeding! What the hell are you thinking?!” InuYasha shouted trying to free her arm from her teeth without causing further damage.

Sesshoumaru grabbed her hand, and squeezed until she cried out.

He yanked her arm away from her mouth, and growled at her, “Do not do such a foolish thing again. I will not have you fall ill while in my care, Miko.”

Kagome shook her head furiously as the tears flowed freely, “This is a dream, just a horrible nightmare! I'll wake up, and it'll all go away!” She cried, voice thick with tears.

“Ridiculous,” the DaiYoukai huffed, “You are awake, this is all very real, Miko. You are wed to InuYasha, this Sesshoumaru's beta. Thus you are his intended mate, and a recognized member of this Sesshoumaru's pack. It is your place to insure the safety of our pack from any possible threat. At this time that threat is annihilation. You will submit, and return to the Western House with this Sesshoumaru...”

“I'm not a whore, Sesshoumaru!” Kagome screamed cutting him off, “I'm married! I refuse to sleep with someone else!”

“Your marriage is not an issue, or did you not pay attention to your own vows, Miko? Not once did you promise to keep yourself for your husband alone. You will lay with no other person save this Sesshoumaru. You can not refuse to bare this Sesshoumaru's heir without condemning all those you claim to care for,” he returned smoothly. Seemingly unphased by her distress. He leaned forward, and lapped the wound she had inflicted moments before, with his tongue to seal it.

“I'm human! It'll be hanyou! No one will accept you having a hanyou heir! And stop threatening to kill everyone just 'cause I won't sleep with you!” she threw back angrily as she tried to free her hand.

“He's not, Kagome! That's what I keep trying to tell ya. This is something we can't change, or help. It's gotta be this way. We're running out of time!” InuYasha tried to argue.

“You shut up! I'm still trying to think of a reason not to hate you! How could you do this?! You lying, back stabbing, heartless JERK!” Kagome screeched causing the hanyou's ears to snap flat as he cringed, before he stiffened visibly, and stared at her in horror, and regret.

“Kagome...” InuYasha began softly, voice filled with hurt and longing, only to be cut off by Sesshoumaru.

“Enough. Be silent, and listen. Forget whatever ridiculous idea is circling in that head of yours, for I have no doubt you have jumped to all of the wrong conclusions,” Sesshoumaru snapped, “You will not bare a hanyou unless I permit such. Our offspring shall be full blooded, be that human, or youkai. I shall explain how such is possible at another time. For now, accept that it is due to a bending, and blending of our powers. It is not this Sesshoumaru that threatens our pack. I sought the fang to protect my clan, and my pack in it's entirety over three springs ago because of the very threat of which I now speak.

I am a Lord. A Lord requires an heir. I have not had a mate produce an heir in the one hundred plus springs that I have been given to do such, as dictated by youkai law. None that I have entertained as possible mates in the last fifty plus springs were acceptable, as not one could act with integrity, or intelligence. Those that could be considered within the pack were lacking in some other area. The west is falling into chaos, and rebellion. The other Lords have declared war to be pending upon the west if I do not produce offspring before the beginning of the winter. Next spring will arrive with all of the other Lords hunting down, and killing every being that carries blood ties to this Sesshoumaru, as well as all those still loyal to this Sesshoumaru's clan.

In essence the entirety of this Sesshoumaru's pack. This includes this Sesshoumaru's beta, InuYasha. This Sesshoumaru's ward, Rin. The slayer, the monk, and their offspring. The elderly miko, the slayer's brother, and you, Miko. This very village will be razed, and burned if they so much as speak out against those that come for either your friends, or yourself.

As a member of this Sesshoumaru's pack, it is your intended's, InuYasha's, place to offer his own female, yourself, to his alpha, this Sesshoumaru, to produce an heir. It is not unheard of within dog youkai packs for the alpha male to borrow a bitch, should the alpha find himself in such a position as I currently am in, Miko.”

“Well, if anyone had informed ME, that dog youkai treated their women like playthings to be passed around like a box of treats, I nev...” Kagome yelled only to cut herself off at the furious snarl emitted by both males present, causing her to flinch away from them as their eyes flashed red.

“This is no game, Miko!” Sesshoumaru roared, “You are no toy, nor are you some whore to be used, and cast aside. No male in this Sesshoumaru's clan, nor pack would dare to treat their bitch in such a manner, nor allow another to do so! It is a respected position!”

Sesshoumaru paused to draw a deep, calming breath before continuing, “You are to be the alpha bitch of our pack, and Lady Mother of the Western Heir. Even should I take a mate, she would be lower than you in rank, regardless of how many sons she bore this Sesshoumaru. Should I take a mate she would be the beta bitch of our pack.

This Sesshoumaru's sire was whelped off of a borrowed bitch, who was fully mated to another at the time of his conception and birthing. Yet, never has any ever dared to question the parentage of the Great and Terrible Late Inu-no-Taisho. Are you so foolish as to believe that such was purely out of fear, or respect? No. It is because it is an acceptable, and understandable condition of baring heirs when absolutely necessary. As it is necessary now.

Should you refuse this Sesshoumaru, know that the blood of all those killed in the rebellions, that even now, rage throughout the Western lands, as well as the wars that will break out with the next spring, will forever be on your hands, in this Sesshoumaru's eyes, Miko. For if you were to bare even one of this Sesshoumaru's pups, regardless of if that pup could be the Western Heir or not, at the very least it would give our pack much needed time, and safety. It would quell the rebellions, and prevent the wars.

Do not think that this Sesshoumaru would ask such of any male nor his bitch, if the need were not so great. It is not for this Sesshoumaru that I ask, but for all those whose lives depend upon the birth of the Western Heir, or at the very least his sibling.”

Silence reigned with a heavy hand once the DaiYoukai finished. Kagome stood absorbing all that he had said, and biting her tongue due to the intense glare he was still favoring her with. The more she thought on what the Western Lord had said, the less hurt she felt. She had never heard of Sesshoumaru raising his voice much less actually yelling.

Clearly this was more important to him, and far more serious than she could fully grasp. And if what he was saying was true, then she could see how, and why Miroku and Sango would go along with it. Even old Kaede. Her friends had said nothing because either they believed that InuYasha had already told her, or because they were not willing to risk the entire village by revealing the truth. She really wanted to believe that it was the first reason, and not the second. She didn't think she could handle it being the second, and not the first.

“Look, Kagome, I'm sorry. I know you're upset, and ya have every right ta be, but I didn't know what else ta do. I woulda told ya before, but ya know I ain't ever been too good with words, I knew you'd blow up er take off before I could explain. An' Sesshoumaru ain't been around ta help me with talkin' to ya about it. Yer the only girl I know that wouldn't just do it just 'cause yer husband told ya to. Well, probably Sango. But I don't think Miroku would ever do that anyway,” InuYasha shook his head as he started to loose track of what he was trying to say, and sighed heavily, “Look the point is, I didn't know how ta talk to ya about this. Even with Sesshoumaru here to explain it all, I still screwed it up bad enough that ya went all crazy an' bit yerself! I can't think ah what woulda happened if I'd tried ta talk to ya about this alone before the ceremony!”

As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. He had screwed it up pretty badly.

“Well, for future reference, shoving a packed bag at your newly married wife, and telling her that you, 'aren't allowed to do it with her because only your alpha can take her virginity so that he knows it's his pup when she gets pregnant', is not the way to start the conversation. And 'I'll see ya when he brings ya back next spring' is not how you say goodbye, either,” Kagome snipped.

Sesshoumaru made a noise that sounded so much like a snort that Kagome was convinced that it came from InuYasha.

“Indeed,” the DaiYoukai rumbled as he glared at his beta.

InuYasha grumbled softly but said nothing for a moment. Kagome sighed, and shook her head.

“So,” the hanyou started, “Are ya gonna do it, or not? 'Cause we'd both be within our rights ta force ya but neither of us would do that to any girl, much less you. So it's yer choice, Kagome. I don't want ya ta feel bad er nothin'. That's why I had Miroku change all the vows, and stuff. I didn't want all those promises from ya when I knew you'd have ta break a few 'cause ah this.”

She scrubbed at her face with her hands, and sighed heavily. She knew that Sesshoumaru didn't lie. It was beneath him. Could she really say no? Could she risk the lives of so many because she didn't want to have a baby? Not that she didn't want a baby, but that she didn't want anyone except her husband to be the father of her baby.

But at the same time, even if she agreed to this, the question of would she ever see her baby again remained. Could she live with that? Could she give up her first born child like that? She could feel the tears stinging the backs of her eyes again. So many questions, and the answers were damning. She wouldn't be able to live with herself knowing that so many would die because of her. But she didn't want to feel like a whore the rest of her life either. Or worse like she'd abandoned her child! Uhg! This was so hard. If they had explained all those weeks ago when she first got here, she could have had so much more time to think.

“Miko,” Sesshoumaru called softly breaking her out of her inner turmoil. Kagome looked up with teary eyes, and he continued, “You will not be denied the rights of a mother. Even if I were to take a mate, she would have no say in our pup's rearing, nor in your right to see him at any time. Do not feel that I am asking for you to abandon your offspring. For that is not so. What other concerns do you harbor?”

Kagome blinked repeatedly at the Western Lord, freeing the tears that clung to her lashes. To say she was surprised that he had so easily guessed what had brought on her tears was an understatement. She shook her head dumbly at him, unable to think of what else bothered her.

“Know then, that I shall guard you jealously from all others. You shall live as though you were this Sesshoumaru's mate. You shall be treated as such during the entirety of your stay. I shall not tolerate any disrespect towards you from any person, at any time, nor in any location. I would offer you more time to become accustomed to the idea, but it is a commodity that we are sorely lacking at present. Should you think of any other question, or concern, you are to bring it to this Sesshoumaru's attention immediately,” the DaiYoukai rumbled smoothly.

Kagome's shoulders slumped, and she sighed gustily, but nodded her had, “Okay.”

They stood in silence for several minutes. The males waiting for her solid decision. Kagome lost in thought once more. Being honest with herself, she really couldn't say no at this point. She would be able to see her baby whenever she wanted. That had been the one thing that would hold her back. As selfish as it might seem to so many others, she just could not stomach the thought of never seeing her own child ever again. Then something else occurred to her.

“Um, I'm still human, and last I checked you hated humans. How's that gonna work? I mean, unless you know some kind of magic, you're gonna h-have to t-touch m-me,” Kagome stuttered embarrassedly as she realized the implications of just what they were really talking about doing.

The DaiYoukai blinked as InuYasha choked on air. The hanyou, and human seemed to be in a contest to see who could blush the darkest shade of red. Sesshoumaru found the scene rather amusing, though he kept it very well hidden. He wasn't certain as to which was winning. Though his half-brother seemed to match his red fire rat kimono.

“Be not a fool, you are far from those humans that I disdain,” he began. He wanted to make this as clear to her as possible.

He began to circle her where she stood as he spoke, “Your appearance is pleasant, and easy upon the eyes. There will be no need to seek outside aid before we couple. Your scent is unaltered, and more importantly unhindered,” he leaned in closely and inhaled deeply before rumbling huskily in her ear, “In a word, delicious perfection. No self respecting canine could find your fragrance displeasing in any way.”

He continued to circle her slowly, allowing his eyes to wander her openly as she stood in stunned silence, “Your intelligence, though not apparent with your manner of speech, is impressive,” while Kagome opened her mouth to protest when that comment registered fully, he did not give her the chance to speak, “Your integrity is commendable. Your loyalty is awe inspiring, so rare that I would dare say that even some dog youkai could learn something from you in that regard alone. You are powerful on a level that few will ever match. You are courageous, and bold. Fierce when needed, and gentle when not. For all that you have faced, you still retain a level of innocence that astounds. Truly InuYasha is blessed to have such a female. I will enjoy having you in my bed, Kagome.”

She gulped and blushed brightly at his words, then startled violently at the use of her name. Some how it was hard to wrap her mind around the idea that he would call her anything other than miko. After a few minutes it dawned on her that he hadn't said 'this Sesshoumaru' instead of 'my' before he used her name either. She began to ponder why he had slipped out of formal speech. She replayed everything he had said about her. She knew she needed to give them her answer. But this was a really big, really hard decision. It was great that he wouldn't have any problems performing, but that didn't mean that the same was true for her.

She could and would admit he was a whole lot of sexy, and intelligent, strong, brave, definitely fierce, and heart-stoppingly powerful, but he was other things too. Cruel, harsh, demanding, callous, judgmental, cold, indifferent, secretive, withdrawn. He took stoic to a whole new level of extreme. Before tonight, she was unaware that he had a large enough vocabulary to be able to actually make a sentence, let alone an entire paragraph! She had wondered on more than one occasion if he actually had a speech impediment that he was hiding with the use of 'hn'. She would have to live with him for at least a full year if she agreed to this. As much as they needed an answer, she needed to be sure she could handle such a commitment before she agreed.

InuYasha was glaring at the wall off to his right with an intensity that threatened to make the wood burst into flames. The longer they talked, the harder it was to deal with the idea of him allowing his half-brother to take Kagome away, never mind let him make babies with her! He was trying to remind himself of all the reasons why this needed to be done. He was determined not to think about the fact that he had already agreed, and couldn't back out. At least not without being maimed, and possibly killed by his alpha. Once you agreed to something like this you couldn't get cold feet, and change your mind. It was like lying, and betrayal. Why couldn't things be simple?

No, all the bitches Sesshoumaru had attempted to mate, or pup in the last fifty or so springs had lied, or had done something that was tantamount to treason. Several had actually been killed by their own families for the dishonor they had brought upon their clans. That didn't make it easier though. You'd think with him being a Lord he'd just knock up a servant, or something. But no, he can't even have an illegitimate pup. Even that would take some heat off them with the other Lords, and possibly shut the rebels up to boot.

InuYasha's eye widen comically as another thought pinged off the walls in his head. What if Sesshoumaru was barren! Or whatever it's called when a guy couldn't make babies, or pups, or whatever. What was it? Sterling? Straight? Sterile! That was it! What if Sesshoumaru was sterile? How old was he anyway? Like three fifty? Well, he knew Sesshoumaru was one hundred and fifty, or so when he became Lord of the West, and that was about roughly a hundred and thirty winters ago. So that would make him, um... one plus one is two, and five plus three is eight, so two hundred and eighty? Three hundred just in case his math was wrong. That should cover it. He had had the last hundred and five winters to find a mate, or make a pup. That's a long time with no accidental brats turning up!

“Sesshoumaru, what happens if you're sterile?” InuYasha asked without realizing it.

Kagome choked. Sesshoumaru growled. InuYasha blinked.

“Oh, shit,” InuYasha started, “Um, it's still a good question. I mean, you're like what, three hundred? And ya don't got any brats, not even bastards. I just wanted to know what happens to Kagome.”

He was hedging, no two ways about it. But he had no choice. Those were serious words. Words he never meant to say. Thankfully it was a question, and not a statement. He'd be dead if he'd actually accused Lord Stick Up His Butt of being sterile. Or at least black and blue by now.

“I am not sterile, InuYasha. Such has already been verified by the healers. However, if I were, the very thing we are trying to prevent would in fact occur next spring without fail. Though sterile Lords are never permitted to sit long enough for it to come to this point. They are removed from power by their clan, and replaced with a virile male,” Sesshoumaru huffed while glaring at his errant beta, “And I am three hundred and sixteen winters of age. Either your mathematical skills are more atrocious than I realized, or you guessed incorrectly at your own age, or this Sesshoumaru's age at the time of our sire's demise.”

“Oh,” was all that the hanyou could utter. Him and his big mouth. Damn that girl needed to hurry up before he said anything else, and got himself in serious trouble. Silence hung heavily once more for what felt like an eternity.

Kagome gave a gusty sigh, “I...I don't know that I can actually do this. I...I mean, it's not that you aren't attractive, physically speaking, but...,” she gave another heavy sigh before continuing, “but this is just so...I don't know, weird, I guess. I can't promise you anything, Sesshoumaru. But I'll try. If that's good enough. But you have got to be less glacial! I just don't know how to deal with that. I know it's silly to you, all of my human emotions, but you've tried to kill me, more than once. And, yeah, I know you've also saved me. But honestly, being on the receiving end of your poison acid goo is hard to get over. And the constant hn thing you do...I know it's just for the purpose of getting an heir for the west, but...but I can't be all unemotional. I mean... I just...I need...”

“You need to know that it is more than sex. That the male you entrust your person with will care for more than your physical being. That he will offer the comfort, and reassurance that you require. Support you as you breed his pup, and treat you as the treasure you are,” Sesshoumaru interjected smoothly when she faltered to a stop.

Kagome stared at him with her mouth hanging open for a long moment. She sighed in relief, and smiled, grateful that he understood what she was trying to say, “Yes,” she answered softly, “I don't know if you can give me that, but that's what I need exactly.”

“I can, and will give you such, Kagome. When I told you that you would be treated as this Sesshoumaru's mate, I meant in every way. It is the responsibility of the male to ensure the health, happiness, and well being of his mate in all things. Not just the physical. Your mental, and emotional state will be cared for as throughly as your physical state. I give you the word of this Sesshoumaru, you will not feel alone, nor undesired while in this Sesshoumaru's care. I will answer you in a clear manner when possible. I can not promise that I will not ever be 'glacial' during your time in the west, but I can assure you that such occurrences shall be limited to times of court, or when the situation requires it. Is that enough for you?” Sesshoumaru responded.

“Yes, I think so,” Kagome beamed happily. She still had her reservations, but he had gone a long way in allying her fears.

“Your answer, Kagome,” Sesshoumaru pressed, “Will you agree to bare this Sesshoumaru's heir?”

She took a deep, steadying breath, straightened her spine, and squared her shoulders, “Yes. Yes, I'll try.”

Sesshoumaru nodded, “Very well. Come, Kagome. It grows late, and we have far to travel this night. I wish to have you to the Western House before the dawn breaks.”

She nodded, and took the hand he offered her, pleased that he was already more vocal, and using her name instead of miko.

“Be careful. Send word once she's pupped, and when the runt's born,” InuYasha grunted without moving from his spot, “I can't be around at all until you have his brat, and I can't touch ya, not even ta say goodbye so don't think I don't care, er nothin', I'm just keepin' my hide in one piece.”

“Oh,” Kagome whispered. She sighed softly, and offered her husband a tentative smile, “Well, goodbye InuYasha. Take care of yourself, and everyone else.”

The hanyou nodded to his wife, but said nothing more. The DaiYoukai pulled her from the hut, retrieving the bag that had been packed for her to take as he swept passed. They were barely three steps from the door when he pulled the female close to his body. A heartbeat later they were encased in light, and streaking through the sky towards the West.