Behind Closed Doors by raindancer13

Behind Closed Doors

Kagome wandered around the room and mingled with several of the guests that she and Sesshomaru had. This was a grand ball and everyone was dressed so beautifully. Kagome had always wondered what it would be like to be a princess and live in a castle and have such elegant balls. Now she knew. And it was such fun. But with the fun came responsibility as well. Of course, she was now Lady of the West and had many duties and meetings, and was expected to entertain often. So, she threw a ball once every three months, with Sesshomaru's agreement and confirmation that it would seem that she was not trying to out do the other ladies and run down their finances all in one go. This ball was special, however. Not only was it Sesshomaru's 967th birthday, she was also going to announce that she was pregnant and that she and Sesshomaru were expecting the heir to the West. She smiled a little, feeling only slightly guilty that she had kept it from Sesshomaru. But in the end, she was sure that she could give him no better present than the gift of a child. Besides, she'd only known for about three weeks.

As the night wore on, Sesshomaru watched his mate. There was something different about her. Her eating habits had changed. She refused sake when it was offered. She did not stress out as much as she usually did or lose her temper as often when they were having a disagreement. Perhaps she has been possessed? He shook his head. No. He would have sensed that. There was also this mysterious glint in her eyes when she looked at him. She was up to something. He knew that glint well. He remembered when he first saw it. She was traveling with his idiotic half brother searching for the jewel shards. He had said something that upset her and she just smiled, that evil glint shining bright in her eyes. Apparently his brother knew it well too because he flinched just before she screamed 'SIT' at him and he went plummeting, uncerimoniously, face first into the earth. The question was now... What did she have up her sleeve?

"Kagome." Sango called. Kagome turned to her dear friend and sister. "Can I talk with you?"

"Of course." Sango lead Kagome far enough away from the youkai in the room that they could talk in private. "Sango? What's bothering you?"

"Ok, I have to ask." Kagome looked confused. "Why are you with him?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you with Sesshomaru?" Sango said, her voice laced with concern. "Are you happy?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" Kagome was very confused as to why her friend would come forward now instead of before Kagome and Sesshomaru had mated.

"Well, he just seems so cold. How can you stand to sleep with him?" Kagome smiled. Sango was always looking out for her. She placed her hand on Sango's shoulder and smiled.

"Sango, I assure you. I want for nothing. I am very happy with Sesshomaru. Much happier than I ever could have been with Inuyasha." They cast a glance out in the crowd where they saw the hanyou and Kikyou dancing in a loving embrace. "Sesshomaru takes very good care of me."

"Yeah, but..." Sango hesitated. "You must be so lonely." Kagome's smile disappeared.

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, he's so cold!" Sango said, her voice wavered under friends stare. "He barely even looks at you. He barely touches you. I don't think I've ever even seen you guys hold hands. The closest I've seen is when he lead you in here on his arm but as soon as you were through the door, he let go of you immediantly. He hasn't danced with you. Has he even kissed you?" Now, Kagome laughed.

'Oh, Sango.' She thought. 'You would blush down to you toes if you only knew what he did to me.' Kagome just smiled at her friend and returned to the party. Sango stood behind her very confused and very concerned for her friend. How could Kagome, who was so warm, loving, and bright be with someone who was so cold and distant? Sango sighed. She had supported Kagome in this and she still would. But if Sesshomaru ever hurt her, he would be the next demon she exterminated.

Kagome was still laughing at her friend. She wasn't surprised that people thought her mate was cold and distant towards her. Hell, Inuyasha was still convinced that he only mated her to gain power. After all, she was the most powerful miko in Japan. But Kagome knew better. When they were alone, when there were no prying eyes, he loved her. He was warm, caring, passionate. He loved her like no one could. He showered her with affection. Spoke words that she never would have guessed he knew, when she'd first met him. When they were alone, a whole new side of him came out and it was a side of him that only Kagome would see. Only she was privy to the emotions that spread in his eyes. Only see would ever feel how truly warm he was to the touch. He worshipped her body. Treated her like gold. Only she would ever hear those words of love that he uttered to her in the night. He made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman in existance, the way he carressed her with his words of love. And only she would ever truly know Sesshomaru inside and out. Behind locked doors, he was a completly different person.

And their first night together he had told her that he would not treat her in such a manner while around others. At first she was hurt and confused but when he went on to explain that if his enemies ever knew how much he truly cared for her, they would try to get to him through her. And he could not stand for that. He would not stand for that. He told her that if anything had ever happened to her, there would be nothing to live for in this world. She was his everything. And he would not live with out her. Kagome had cried at that and when he was true to his word, never touching her, barely sparing her a glance when others were around, even the servants, letting his stoic demeaner slide back into place, she never hated him for it. Never held it against him. Because she knew. She knew that it was to protect her. It was because he loved her that he did what he did. And she accepted it gracefully.

Kagome glanced at the moon and it's position told her that it was nearly midnight. Sesshomaru had been showered with gifts and praises. All of this bored him to death. He wanted this dreadful party to be over with so he could be with his mate.

"Oi, Sesshomaru!" Sesshomaru fought the urge to roll his eyes and grit his teeth when he heard his half brother's voice.

"What, Inuyasha?" He said, a bored tone lining his voice.

"I got a bone to pick with you." Sesshomaru kept his stoic mask in place as he turned to his annoying but no longer hated half brother. "Why don't you ever dance with Kagome?" Sesshomaru said nothing. "What? She ain't worth your time? You too good to dance with a lowly human?"

"Inuyasha. You will refrain from making a spectical of yourself while in this Sesshomaru's domain."

"The hell I will." Inuyasha snarled. "Kagome deserves better than your cold ass. I always knew you just mated her for power." Sesshomaru was seething and Kagome began feeling the tug of his anger through their bond. Kagome made her way over to her mate and Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha." Kagome said sweetly. "What are you doing?"

"Kagome, why do you put up with this bastard? He ain't done nothing for you." Sesshomaru felt a spark of annoyance come from his little mate.

"Inuyasha. My relationship with Sesshomaru is exactly how it should be. It is also none of your business. I know you're just trying to be a friend but really. You don't need to worry. You and Sango are so concerned over me." So the slayer was in on this as well? "Please. It's time for you to focus on your life and your own mate. Who, I might add, is standing alone by the refreshment table, being neglected." Inuyasha's ears drooped. She was right. As usual.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt." He said.

"You won't." Kagome said, smiling, "I promise." Inuyasha nodded and returned to Kikyou. He trusted Kagome to know what she had gotten into. But he would still keep an eye on his batard of a brother. There was no way he would let his best friend ever get hurt.

Sesshomaru was very proud of his mate with the way she handled the situation. She did not give away his true feelings for her and she did not make a scene in front of their many guests and the other lords. Speaking of which.

"Mate."

"Hm?"

"Why are the other Lords here?"

"Oh, right." She smiled. "Announcement time." She said in a sing song voice.

"Kagome." He said, in a warning tone. She only smiled at him and made her way to the center of the room.

"May I have your attention please?" She called out, her voice loud enough to capture everyone's attention. She waited until all eyes were on her before she spoke. "I want to thank you all for coming. It's a pleasure to see all of you again." A murmer of thank you's and good to be here's. "As you know, this ball marks Lord Sesshomaru's 967th birthday." A round of applause. Sesshomaru gave no reaction, he only watched his mate. She was up to something. "But before we call it a night and this lovely ball ends, I have one last gift to bestow my lord and mate with." All attention was soley all on her. Her eyes were on her love. "I am pregnant with the heir of the West." The room erupted into cheers and applause. Sesshomaru's stoic facade broke and in an instant he was by his mate's side, his lips crashing down on hers. The room silenced with this strange and never before seen public show of affection from Sesshomaru. When he pulled away, Kagome was breathing hard. "I take it you enjoyed your gift, my love?" She smiled. Sesshomaru picked her up and carried her out of the room, leaving all of their guests, especially Inuyasha and Sango, completely dumbfounded.

"More than you will ever know." He said, his voice husky.

'So much for keeping it behind closed doors.' She thought as he carried to their room and ravished her body until the sun began to rise.