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Chapter Text

A tall male with silver hair and golden eyes watched his girlfriend and mother at the other end of the restaurant and didn’t quite understand what he was seeing. What was going on? He knew his girlfriend and mother got along, and Kagura had told him she would be meeting with her tonight, but it looked like they were on a date. Not a friendly, or even familiar, dinner.

Both Kagura and his mother had the sweetest looks on their faces, matching smiles reached both of their eyes, soft touches, sneaking food, shared drinks, and fingers entwined as they held hands across the table. This looked like they were… together. In love. He felt his stomach drop.

Sesshōmaru didn’t know what the fuck was going on when he’d come in to grab his take out seeing as how Kagura did not want to join him. But this? This was… he didn’t know what this was?

This was supposed to be their place.

It was the place he’d taken her on their first date, and every anniversary since.

Now, though, he didn’t think he could ever eat this food again, probably never even set foot in the place.

He decided he need evidence, so he took his phone out and took the damning photo of the two of them; together. He needed some introspection, and maybe some advice. There was only one person to call. Holding up his take out, as he walked out trying to think of what he was going to do with the now inedible food, he called the only person he could trust with this information.

His brother’s miko; Kagome.

Looking to the takeout, and the trash can outside, he decided he’d throw it away as he walked in the direction of where the miko lived. Kagome could make something fifty times better than the trash he was about to eat.

“Hello~ Garfield!” fuck her so hard right now, this was not the time for her silly nicknames.

“Kagome. Why?” he asked exasperated by her playfulness.

She merely laughed, “Whats got you out so late?”

“A meeting. I went to stop by a place on the way home to eat when I saw something… unexplainable.”

“Oh? How so?” he could fucking picture her puttering about her apartment with a shit eating grin on her face.

“Because it would be too big of a betrayal.”

“Juicy. Go on.” He rolled his eyes at her response.

“Mother and Kagura are on a date.”

“Oh, that’s nice for them. I didn’t realize they were so close. Kagura always talk shit about her to me. A little too much to be honest. I just chalked it up to her not liking Misami’s overbearing nature.”

Sesshōmaru sighed, while holding the bridge of his nose waiting for her next little snide remark, “Just like that’s her main complaint about you. “

“Yes, yes. I am a terrible, horrible, overbearing asshole. Thank you, for your words of wisdom.”

“All I am saying is I never thought you were. And honestly never thought Misami was either, but you know how opinionated Kagura is. One day she’s your bestie because you agree with her the next you’re hot trash for daring to have an opinion that wasn’t the same as hers. So I guess it’s good they’re having bonding time what with that ring you bought.”

He sighed, he was going to have to spell it out for her. “No Kagome, as in cheating on me, date.”

The line went silent before he heard a clattering of something, and a stifled, high pitched, “Come again?” met his ears.

Atta girl, “I need-”

“No, no. You need to come over right the fuck now. Have you eaten? Nevermind, get what you want at the store and I’ll make it. Are you ok? Oh em gee you can’t possibly be-”

“Kagome, slow down. I will stop at the store, I will show you the photo, and then you can tell me if I’m misinterpreting everything. Because right now, I have spent an absorbent amount on a ring for a bitch who might be cheating. And as much as I am loathe to admit it, I’d rather you throw you’re I told you so back in my face than anyone else’s.”

“Oh Sesshōmaru, you took a picture instead of investigating yourself?!”

“I needed advice, I also did not want to cause a scene. Humiliating wouldn’t even begin to describe the situation.”

“Oh gods, send me the photo I don’t think I can wait for you to be here.” He could tell she was chewing her fingernails as this point. She always did so when she was anxious.

He sighed again, “Fine.” He closed out of his phone, and opened his texts only to open his photos from his texts and attach the photo for her, and only her to see.

He waited with bated breath still walking towards the nearest grocery store near her, when her soft voice came back to him, “Oh Sesshōmaru. You need to go back in there and give them both a piece of your mind.”

If his stomach could drop any lower it would have “Absolutely not.” To know he hadn’t been reading too much into the situation made him feel that much worse.

“Sesshōmaru… you’re doing that thing again where your misdirecting your fee-”

“Say feelings and I will destroy your favorite stuffed animal,” he was in no mood to be psychoanalyzed.

Her gasp of indignity, and a “Not Mr. Snuffles!” made him smile. “I’ll meet you at your house then. I’ll still cook for you, but this is not the kind of vibes I want in my house.”

“The vibe? Really Kagome?”

“What? I don’t want your bad luck in my house, Sesshōmaru.”

“Kagome, I’m pretty sure it was your bad luck that did this to me.”

He heard her pause, and then give a wry chuckle, “Ok. Fair.”

He gave a small chuckle in response and after a beat or two, “For what it’s worth, I would never have thrown an I told you so back at you.”

He smiled softly, knowing she couldn’t see it, as he stood outside his preferred grocery store, “I know. Everyone else would have, but not you.”

“I’m really sorry, Sesshōmaru.” They both knew the fault wasn’t with her, she had nothing to apologize for, but he also knew how kindhearted she was. It was just like her to try and soothe his ruffled feathers.

He should have known better than to trust the wind witch, he should have known better than to try and find a mate when his beast was less than inclined to. All he’d grown up with was two parents who merely fulfilled their contract when conceiving him. However, it was nice to know someone was on his side through all this, “I know.”

Chapter Text

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Kagome being in his home always brought a sense of peace to Sesshōmaru. She’d been considered pack since she was only thirteen, and then family when Toga had announced on her sixteenth birthday that she was the daughter he wished he’d always had. She’d been Inu-Yasha’s friend forever, but in recent years she and Sesshōmaru had gotten closer.

He knew he could trust Kagome. She was a vault. No secrets ever left her lips, though some secrets weren’t very secret. Like her love for Inu-Yasha. Who didn’t deserve an ounce of it.

He sighed taking in a deep appreciative breath of the lasagna that was in the oven, though it was frozen, she had made it from scratch. He knew the scent of her red sauce anywhere.

He knew it was a joke, but her making any kind of pasta for him always made him feel better and it was always better than what anyone else could produce. She just had that knack for cooking. Ever since she was young. He always thought she would become a chef instead she chose to be a family mediator.

“What are you planning on doing?” Kagome’s sudden question left him distracted. He wasn’t even thinking on the situation at hand. Too distracted by the mouthwatering scent of her food.

Truthfully, he hadn’t a clue. He knew what to do about Kagura, it was his mother that caused him to rethink his tactics. He shrugged and Kagome sighed. “ To be honest, I do not know. Mother’s involvement complicates things.”

“Does it? Because it seems pretty clear to me that they are… together.”

He sighed once more, “What would you have me do?”

“Make a stink, call her out. Do something.”

“She is my mother.

“And she’s fucking your girlfriend.”

“Ex.”

“Does Kagura know that?”

“Not yet.”

“Sesshōmaru, at the risk of being melted by the emotions you swear you don’t have, I think you have convoluted your duty with happiness or at least appeasement.”

“We were a good match,” he hated to say the words, but they were true.

“On paper; maybe. Were you happy with Kagura? And don’t you dare lie to me,” the crafty bitch.

“It wasn’t… unpleasant.” It hadn’t been all bad, but it had never been good either. It was only for alliances sake they were even together. His parents had thought Kagura a good match.

Apparently, his mother thought her a perfect match. That was neither here nor there.

Kagome groaned, “Sesshōmaru why were you trying to make things work when they weren’t? Kagura put up a lot of road blocks. Refusing intimacy before a mating? Refusing to live with you? Refusing to compromise on anything? You bent over backwards trying to please her. Not to mention the fights you guys had. I’m your friend, and these last three years you’ve been miserable. What would you have gained if you had mated her? A life of hardship for completing a checklist that your Mother has for you?”

Thinking about Kagome’s words made Sesshōmaru truly consider for the first time what it had been like being in a relationship with Kagura. It hadn’t been… great. It had been cordial their first year, until he told her he wanted a mate not a wife. Their parents were friends, it made sense for them to mate. On paper they were perfect for each other. She was ambitious, witty, a little snarky, but intelligent and like Sesshōmaru himself meticulous in gaining what she wanted.

However them together, had been filled with nothing but fighting, especially if he initiated any form of intimacy.

Thinking back on her disposition at the restaurant with his mother he’d seen a side of her he had never seen before. She was soft, initiating contact without hissing and pulling away or agitated reluctance when in public settings.

A breakup was definitely for the best.

He sighed, “What should I do about the ring?” Kagome laughed, at his ridiculous question.

“Sell it, go back to the jeweler; maybe? That’s up to you.” Kagome patted his hand, as the mouthwatering scent of cheese browning assaulted his senses, and the timer of his oven went off. Kagome smiled as she left to go get the food out of the oven.

“How did you do it, Kagome?” he wondered suddenly.

“Do what?” she called as he heard her plating the food. He could smell the delicious fragrance of the pasta and this was going to be infinitely better than what the food he had purchased at the now forbidden restaurant was going to be.

“Reconcile your feelings for Inu-Yasha?”

Kagome’s tinkling laughter from the kitchen held an edge of sadness, “I haven’t had those feelings for a long time, Sesshōmaru, not since I was a senior in high school. He never saw me as a prospective romantic partner and I wanted his friendship more than I wanted him. So there was nothing to reconcile. I got over it; eventually.” She answered as she walked in from the kitchen, a small smile playing on her lips, blue eyes sparkling with a mix of emotions.

“Inu-Yasha has always been a fool. You could do so much better than him.”

Kagome’s laugh this time was full of mirth not a hint of sadness, a much better sound to him, “Oh? And here I thought he was the epitome of males. Trust me, Sesshōmaru, I know my worth. I also know myself, and as you well know, I’m not very good at picking out males. So I guess it’s the single life for me. Maybe, I’ll become a cat lady.”

“Egregious. I’ll find a male that’s worthy of you,” he told her as she placed the food in front of him.

“Oh… the great and terrible Sesshōmaru doing me a favor. That’s ok, Sesshōmaru, don’t feel obligated. I’m fine with my single status. Endless booty calls.”

He rolled his eyes, and growled lowly in annoyance. Kagome merely giggled, knowing he wanted to see her happily married, or mated. They were friends after all.

While he ate a bit of the lasagna, his low growl of annoyance turned into a low rumble of satisfaction: “Gods Kagome, it gets better every time.”

“It’s the red wine,” was her smiling response.

Chapter Text

Sesshōmaru had decided for the nuclear option. He blocked both his mother and former paramour after Kagome left. Deleting them both from the group chat he had with Kagome, his father, and half-brother. It had been a blissfully silent three weeks. He was preparing to move, preparing to start the dating process all over again, only this time with his wants and needs taken into consideration.

No more binders full of matches, no more pampered female yokai wanting access to his famil y’s fortune and name. No more alliances to bring families together. This time he was taking Kagome’s advice and looking for what would make him happy.

Kagome had been instrumental in helping him on this new path. She had set him up with her r ealtor, and there was an apartment in her building that matched his specifications completely. Plus she would be easier to have access to. No more walking for advice, or late night phone calls. He could bug her in real time. She was already dreading it which meant more fun for him.

A banging at his door signaled that it was neither his mother nor Kagura and the scent of his father drifted to him, as he heard the lock to his front door unlatch. “Sesshōmaru, are you alive? Your mother has been complaining that she cannot get in touch with you.”

“I am most definitely alive,” he called from his living room, flipping the page of his book. “Why then have you refused correspondence with your mother?”

“Because she is a scheming bitch that stabbed me in the back.”

At his father’s confusion, “ I… am uncertain -”

“Kagura was cheating on me-”

“Oh my son I had no-

“With mother.” the silence at his interruption was deafening.

He watched his father blink several times as the words sunk in. “ Apologies, I do no think I heard correctly ?” the confusion in his father’s voice had him smirking slightly. Sesshōmaru pulled out his phone, and brought up the picture of the two of them. Knowing he’d need it for future reference but once it fulfilled it’s usefulness he was deleting it.

A menacing growl, that brought Sesshōmaru back to his childhood, filled the apartment. His father’s eyes bled red, as he turned and left the room, before slamming the door to his apartment shut, making the walls shake. Sesshōmaru realized his phone had still been clasped in his father’s grip.

Well now he needed a new personal phone. He was sure it would be crushed to pieces once returned. Thank goodness Kagome had a copy of the picture.

Let his father deal with his breeding partner. It was none of his business. He would never speak to the bitch that had borne him again. As far as Sesshōmaru was concerned he no longer had a mother.

Chapter Text

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“Are you certain you want to do this Kagome, you’re still young you could find someone, and have a baby with them,” Sango wondered, as she bounced the little wolf cub on her lap, who giggled incessantly. Sango had been mated for nearly five years, and now her family was complete.

Kagome looked at the little one and sighed, she desperately wanted one of her own, “I’ve made peace with maybe finding a husband later in life, but there’s not much more time to have one of my own. I know I’m only thirty two, but I’m ready to be a mother now. My career is stable, I can afford the childcare, and I would have help. It’s the right decision for me.”

“What did the doctors say?”

“That I’m fertile as can be, they gave me a list of therapists to see to make sure I’m of the right mindset. They also gave me information on IVF treatments if I want to go that route, but I think I’ll just find a donor with the massive binder they gave me.” Kagome picked at the last of her food as she responded.

She had thought long and hard on this, waffling between should she; shouldn’t she. To her it was a no-brainer. She wanted a baby now. She didn’t want to wait to find the one and then be told later on she couldn’t have one, or the chances were slim. She was fertile now. She wanted this now.

Sango got lucky.

“Well if this is what you Kagome, who am I to stand in your way? Of course I’ll be excited to have another mom friend; especially as you’re my best friend ever.” Sango giggled as she nuzzled the little one. Kagome’s heart ached at the sight.

One day; one day, soon, that’ll be me.

“What do the dogs think of this arrangement?” Sango asked, giving her little hanyo a carrot to munch on. Apparently his fangs were coming in and the hardness of the carrot helped curbed his instinct to bite.

“I’m telling them at dinner next week. With the whole Misami and Kagura situation I didn’t want to add to the craziness. But ever since Toga went scorched earth and Sesshōmaru ghosting the both of them, they haven’t been seen in public since. I give it a month before they’re public though. In yokai circles it won’t look good on either of them, but neither of them have ever let the public influence them. Kagura and Misami are too highbrow for such things to bother them.”

“How are you feeling about this? Misami has practically been another mother to you,” Sango questioned as she grabbed the cubs favorite toy to distract her.

Kagome smiled as she watched them, but sighed, “It’s hard. On one hand I feel awful for Sesshōmaru and angry on his behalf. A betrayal like this is… hard to navigate in the best of circumstances. On the other… I don’t understand why they didn’t come forward before it got so complicated. I feel torn. I don’t know. It’s all so complicated. I wish they had done this differently. So no one would be hurt and instead, because of their decisions the pack is in tatters. For now I want nothing to do with Misami. I’ve been avoiding her as well. I’m hoping that my announcement to have a baby might distract them.”

“Oh it’ll distract them alright,” Sango’s snide comment gave Kagome pause.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh come on, Kagome you’re pack to them, an outsider pupping you-”

“I think you are grossly overestimating how ingrained I am.”

“Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean others can’t. Inu-Yasha is going to freak out, and I’m betting Sesshōmaru isn’t going to be too happy about this either.”

“I have long reconciled that Inu-Yasha is selfish, but that does not mean he won’t be happy for me. He never wanted a relationship with me, and that’s fine. As for Sesshōmaru we are friends. We always have been. His feathers might get ruffled, but this doesn’t change anything between us. And if it does then I’ll do cross that bridge when it comes. I’m not bringing in a rival male, I’m just going to have a baby.”

“Tell yourself whatever you want Kagome, but those dogs have long been possessive of you. Haven’t you ever wondered why a boyfriend or a suitor never stuck around after meeting them?

Kagome gasped at Sango’s insinuation. “They have never been rude, other than Inu-Yasha, if he was around, but Papa and Sesshōmaru were always willing to give anyone I brought home a chance.”

“Sure Kagome. Keep deluding yourself. You’ll most likely have to take a step back from the pack once the baby comes anyway.”

Kagome felt like she had been physically struck. “I think it’s time to talk about something else before we both say something that could hurt the other.” Sango looked at Kagome, blushed slightly seeing that she had overstepped her boundaries. But Kagome couldn’t go on being blind. Those damn dogs always ruined Kagome’s relationships. Especially Inu-Yasha, but she’d heard Sesshōmaru threaten a boyfriend, or two, before.

If Kagome did have a baby who knew how they would react! Sighing Sango knew Kagome was going to ignore her anyway. When it came to the dogs she always did.

Chapter Text

New Plans

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Sesshōmaru must have hallucinated for a few moments because there was no way Kagome told him she was going to have a baby. There was no scent of a male around her, and she didn’t smell pup ped ; yet. His beast yanked at the constraints within him and he wrenched it back. There was no reason for her- he watched his father envelop her in a massive hug, “A pup! You’re going to have a pup!” Kagome giggled as she hugged him back.

“Well, not yet, but I’ve consulted a sperm bank, and am looking at donors. The doctors say that right now, I’m perfectly healthy and my fertility is still high there’s a very good chance I could conceive once a donor is found,” Sesshōmaru felt his stomach drop at her explanation. His beast snapped its jaws in irritation and jerked harder against his consciousness. He took a sip of his tea trying to distract himself from Kagome’s plans as he kept the beast locked up tight.

“Why must you try and find a donor when there are two fine specimens right here?” Sesshōmaru spit his tea out at his father’s insinuation.

Kagome laughed, “Oh Papa, you’re so silly, but I’m not considering a yokai to father my child.”

That definitely stopped him in his tracks, why would she not seek out a yokai? “Who would take care of them when I’m gone?” All of the air in Sesshomaru’s lungs rushed out of him with that sobering information.

Toga looked at the female he’d always thought of as his and realized, just as his son had, that she was not like them. While her reiryoku would keep her older than most, she would still fade away and pass just as the rest of her species. He had hoped a worthy male would have scooped her up by now, and while neither of his sons had risen to the occasion Toga was sure he could find someone willing to mate her. She was lovely, in and out, and she deserved a good male to take care of her.

“Kagome you are still young, we can easily find you a good, honorable male to mate you and will fill your home with pups.” Sesshōmaru didn’t like his father’s suggestion any more than he wanted to see Kagome full with someone else’s pup.

Kagome laughed again, “Papa, there’s plenty of time for a mate, or a husband later. I want a baby now, before it’s too late.” Sesshōmaru thought on her words, though Kagome was only in her early thirties her fertility could become compromised at any point in the next few years and who knows if she would be able to conceive once a suitable male had been found.

As loathe as they were to admit it, Kagome had a point.

“And your mother how does she feel of such things?”

Kagome smiled at his father’s question, “She’s excited. She’s ready to have a grandchild. Wouldn’t you papa? You don’t have any yet,” Sesshōmaru watched as his father swallowed roughly, through a small sheen of tears, and then cleared his throat.

“Of- of course, Kagome, a little you would please me… greatly,” his father cleared his throat again, before rising, “I am going to see about our dinner. Excuse me.” The old dog could posture all he wanted but he was pleased as punch at the prospect of little ones being brought into the pack. Regardless they, most likely, would be human.

Kagome smiled and watched Toga go, “I think I made him cry.”

“It’s not the first time, Kagome. You graduating as Summa Cum Laude also made him weep,” he remembered clearly how proudly his father had stood next to her mother when Kagome had graduated. For a female whose father wanted nothing to do with her, his own had stepped up and made sure she had everything she needed. She’d been a part of the pack for years by then. He’d been sad he missed her college graduation, but he made it to the roaring party they’d held for her.

She giggled, “Oh Garfield, what are we gonna do with him? He has so many emotions.”

“The real question is what to do about you?”

She looked confused, “Me?”

“Truly, you do not think he will be dissuaded by you saying no to him finding you a mate?”

Kagome sighed and shrugged her shoulders, “Sesshōmaru… I don’t need a male, a mate, or a husband to be happy. I told you I was fine with being single for the rest of my life. I’ve dated, I’ve been in disastrous relationships, hell, I’ve even been the other woman; unknowingly,” she added as a menacing growl crept up from his throat, “I’m going to stop while I’m ahead. I want a baby; I want a family. I’m stable enough in my career, if being a single mother knocks me off the list of contenders then so be it. But I can’t wait any longer on Mr. Perfect to show up. Besides my mother did it alone with two; I can do it alone with one.”

“You’re pack the thought of losing you later in life-”

Kagome patted his hand and interrupted him, “I’m human, I could die tomorrow by being hit by a bus, or a car, or even a stroke. All of you were always going to lose me. Whether I grow old and die naturally, or by a freak accident. I’m content with what I have accomplished, it’s time for the next phase of my life. With, or without a mate.”

His beast did not like her answer, did not like her circumstances, and he himself hated to admit she was fucking right about it all. There had to be a better solution. She was pack; they couldn’t lose her.

Chapter Text

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Their dinner had been good, even with Kagome’s announcement of her starting the process to becoming a mother, but it had also brought to light something Sesshōmaru had never had a problem with; Kagome’s humanity. He’ d always thought someone worthy would show up, or his brother would finally get his head out of his ass and mate her. However, things had changed drastically.

Inu-Yasha would never want another males pup near him, nor would he want Kagome to have anothers’ pup. They were lucky the half-breed hadn’t come to dinner, or it would have been ruined, and Kagome would have, most likely, ended up in tears. His father would have to meet out a punishment, and Sesshōmaru would watch the show. While he would, usually, enjoy such things, the effect it would have on Kagome would agitate him.

Thankfully they had moved on from the subject of Kagome having a baby, he didn’t know how much longer he could have spoken about it. It grated against every instinct within him. She was pack, her pups would be pack, but an outside male that was going to pup her, and leave her, made his beast gnash his fangs in rage. Even though he knew that was not the process.

A sudden thought occurred to him, her young would not be pups. They would be human, like her. She was foregoing a yokai donor. When she died, all they would have left of her was the child she had, and whose to say that child wouldn’t want to leave the pack at some point? Then what? They would have nothing left of her.

Oh, he didn’t like that at all. That was not something any of them wanted. Kagome was… theirs . She had been since middle school. She had been since Inu-Yasha brought her home to their den that very first time. When Toga had found out about her parent’s divorce, and subsequent abandonment from her own father he’d taken in the little female with the big blue eyes and let everyone know she was under his protection.

She’d won over Sesshōmaru just as easily. Her high school boyfriend had given her the run around, and had multiple girlfriends aside from her. He’d told the feeble male all those females better have been his sisters, or retribution would be swift. Later on, the wolf yokai who had decided to stalk her, and scare her, had been met with equal ferocity, and he’d whipped the wolfs hide until he bled.

If any yokai wanted a bite of the pretty blue-eyed miko, they were gonna have to go through Toga and Sesshōmaru to get to her. Only a few had dared after the wolf.

Sesshōmaru supposed it could be their fault she was in this mess. He’d run off potential suitors, but not as many as Inu-Yasha had. The half-breed had a bad habit anytime Kagome was in a relationship to sabotage it in anyway he could. Sesshōmaru had put a stop to it a few years ago but by that time it was moot she was on her dating ban. Now she was convinced she’d be alone forever.

On top of that a single mother.

He’d no idea she desired her own pups so much. If he had he would have gladly pupped her himself- and where had that thought come from?

He stopped mid bit e , rose, turned and was about to leave when he saw Kagura enter, along with his mother.

T his was not the proper time to have this revelation. He needed to be somewhere quiet and he needed to figure out why on earth he was suddenly willing to offer himself up as a donor to her future offspring. And not in the very unromantic way she was thinking of getting said pup.

“My son-” his mother began.

“Don’t bother,” he pushed right past her, and made a beeline towards the door. He needed air, right the fuck now.

Her stunned silence at the very public rebuff had her taking a deep breath and moving toward the table that held the packs favored female. A female that had been avoiding her. “Kagome, you’re looking very healthy-” Kagome too rose and began walking away, about to follow her eldest out.

Misami intercepted her, grasping her shoulder, and turning the miko toward her, questioning golden eyes meeting hard blue ones, “Misami, I cannot in good conscience continue to speak to you. I’m disappointed in how you went about you r affair with Kagura, and I find it terrible that you thought so little of your son that you wouldn’t come clean about whatever was happening between you two before he found out. It’ s going to take everyone some time to get over this. Kagura,” Kagome growled out before analyzing the wind yokai before walking out.

“Sesshōmaru, are you alright,” he was in the alley, scrolling on his phone.

“I’m fine, I smelled mother and didn’t want to engage,” he absolutely had not smelled his mother, but it was the perfect cover in this instance.

Kagome reached out, and gave his arm an affectionate squeeze, blues eyes wide and sincere, “I’m sorry. I know it’s hard. I’m here for you.”

He nodded, “I know.” He always knew. She was always offering her unwavering support. Always.

Now he felt guilty for judging her earlier.

“Kagome?”

“Hmm?” she hummed as she leaned against the concrete of the building behind them, one blue eye looking over at him.

“I wouldn’t take yokai off the table. Father or I will look after any and all young you may have.”

“Sesshōmaru, I wouldn’t wan-”

“You are pack, your pups will be so as well. The pack will take care of them. Your young will be a part of you, your descendant. That is reassurance enough that you will never fade from this world.” At Kagome’s wide-eyed, doe response, he knew she hadn’t thought of it that way.

“You’re right. I’ll revisit it. Thank you for your input, it’s appreciated,” Sesshōmaru nodded before offering his arm to her, so they could make their way back inside. She took it with a smile and another squeeze. The plush skin of her breasts found his, and while she did not seem to notice, he had.

He wondered if it would be enough? Would a pup be enough of her even if she was never around again?

He had to think of something, anything, to keep even the smallest bit of her around. Their female.

They walked back into the restaurant, heads held high as they returned to dinner with his father. Toga eyeing the two of them with interest, Sesshōmaru rolled his eyes.

Chapter Text

Distracted Dating

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None of the females on these dates were anything close to what he wanted. He was frustrated with trying already. They just couldn’t compete with Kagome.

He should have expected they wouldn’t.

Why had he decided to do this when Kagome was currently in her apartment probably researching possible sperm donors? He caught sight of the binders the other day and to say he’d been livid would be an understatement. His beast had nearly cornered her and demanded an explanation. There was no explanation to be had; she had already told him of her plan s . A pup. A pup with some anonymous nobody. Who couldn’t possibly understand the momentous decision she was making in her living room.

It was driving him mad.

It was only worse because he couldn’t stand to be near her. His fucking father had given her a tea to boost her fertility, and told her the results became more potent the longer she was on it. Which made the scent of her and her fertility nearly impossible for him ignore. He was tired of going into her home only to have an erection the moment he walked in. It was fucking torture.

If Sesshōmaru hadn’t already knew of her plans to conceive he would have by now. The fucking tea was an aphrodisiac if his body was any indication. Or it could just be Kagome’s reaction to the tea?

Her reiryoku spiking was not on his kink list before, it fucking was now! While it had been his fault for walking into her home without knocking, the sudden reiryoku spike along with the scent of her fertility had him rock hard in nanoseconds. Though the sweet image of her naked form haunted him since.

He learned his lesson, and knocked before waltzing in. Just to give her a heads up. No matter how much he’d like another glimpse of naked miko.

He sighed, how was he going to survive this mess?

Chapter Text

Annoyances Upon Annoyances

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“Can you fucking believe her?!” Sesshōmaru flinched as the door slammed against the wall, and then slammed shut with the force of Inu-Yasha’s entrance.

“Kagome is free to do as she pleases,” he watched as Inu-Yasha made a disgusted face at him. He sighed, annoyed, “She wants a baby-”

“Well she can’t fucking have one!”

He hated to agree with his brother on this, but he did. However, this was Kagome’s life, “Why not? She is unmated, she is not married. She wants this,” it was the one thing that was stopping him from convincing her otherwise.

“She’ll be sullied. Another males pups? Not in my pack!”

“The pack is not wholly yours, nor would it be. Father is excited about a mini-Kagome, are you not?” He was, but only if the gorgeous little thing had his eyes, or hair color, or his nose. He didn’t care if the damned thing looked like her twin, so long as it was his.

He needed to stop thinking about this.

“What if she has a male?” Ooh… A male that looked exactly like him, with maybe her hair, or her eyes, she had a rather defining chin; he wouldn’t mind that on a male should she give him- Gah!

He needed a drink. His night was officially ruined.

Rising from his sofa, he went towards the kitchen to get his favored saké, “Then she has a male. The pup will be hers, and that will mean they are a part of this pack. We are lucky she is even revisiting yokai donors, which I had to convince her of.”

“Why would you fucking do that?!”

“Because it gives us more time with her!” Inu-Yasha jumped at his raised voice, and suddenly watched more closely at his brothers demeanor. Sesshōmaru ran clawed hands through long silver hair, a nervous habit he’d never broken himself of. The tension in his shoulders telling Inu-Yasha everything he needed to know; Sesshōmaru was frustrated.

After several tense moments between them, Sesshōmaru elaborated, “If she were to get pregnant with a yokai, she could live longer. Her reiryoku could absorb the yoki adding on years to her life, not a significant enough amount, but long enough to give her more time with the child she has and with us. Do you not understand? We could lose her? If she never mates, all we will have left of her is the pup.”

“She could have a fucking cat-”

“Semantics! A yokai, or a hanyo child, is better than a human. You can be angry all you want about this situation Inu-Yasha, but the fact of the matter is, this is what she wants. It is our duty as pack mates to respect that. Kagome deserves that much, especially from you,” he knew it was a dig but he couldn’t help it.

“Keh. Whatever. I don’t care if this is what she wants, it ain’t happenin’,” Inu-Yasha growled out, as he slumped onto the couch. Sesshōmaru wanted to strangle him.

“If you interfere, I will gut you myself,” the threat sat between them and while he’d made many an empty threat towards Inu-Yasha over the centuries, this one he would absolutely fulfill. If Inu-Yasha so much as made her cry over his opinion Sesshōmaru was likely to kill him.

“Why do you care all of a sudden, and why did you move? I went to your old place only to be told by a very frustrated fox that you had moved.”

“Since you have been missing these last four months, Kagura was caught cheating-”At Inu-Yasha’s guffaw, Sesshōmaru glared harshly, “I am no longer speaking to anyone who associates with her. Kagome offered her help, as a pack mate does.” He couldn’t have Inu-Yasha think anything other than that, the stupid half-breed would draw ridiculous conclusions that would only complicate things even more, “In doing so we have become more… friendly?”

“You moved into her apartment building.”

“And? She got me the realtor she used, this place had just become available and had everything I needed. Just because it was close to Kagome meant nothing,” that was a lie. Kagome’s presence being close had been the determining factor for why he bought the damn thing in the first place. However, his brother didn’t need to know that.

“It’s just weird is all, I could scent you more thoroughly in her home-”

“We have dinner often,” that was the truth. They had a weekly dinner, and while it killed him to go into her home with her smelling so divine, ripe and ready for his seed- He shook those thoughts from his head, the dinners were still magnificent. No one could cook like Kagome could.

Inu-Yasha shrugged at his explanation, “You notice how different she’s smellin?”

“Father says it’s to boost her fertility,” he gritted out. Of course he could fucking smell how utterly mouthwatering her scent had become.

“Ha! The old man is in on this too?! What the hell?” Inu-Yasha griped before sucking his teeth, knowing it grated on Sesshōmaru’s nerves. “I don’t like it, she smells too spicy.”

What the fuck was Inu-Yasha talking about? She scented of p ersimmons , honey , hints of nutmeg, and cardamom. Intoxicating. Mouthwatering. Divine. A scent that drove him to the brink of his instincts and always made his beast foam at the bit for a taste of what was between her thighs.

He sighed, he always knew his brother’s nose couldn’t compete with his own.

It was then that Sesshōmaru realized that something was amiss. He was not merely thinking of Kagome’s scent, but he could smell her from here. She was coming closer. He forced his lungs to stop working, as Kagome barreled through his door. He could taste the slight edge of her anger, and really he had no one to blame but himself. H e should have thrown Inu-Yasha out of his home the moment he barged in.

Instead of her ranting at him, like he supposed she was going to, she turned her blue eyes on Inu-Yasha, as he shrank back into the couch, trying to hide.

“How dare you try and command me to do what you want!” Sesshōmaru’s couch was too low to hide Inu-Yasha’s ears. Ears that were now lying flat in another attempt to hide.

Kagome was not having any of it.

She stomped her way through his entry way and straight towards his brother with an intensity she seemed to only have when his brother was near. “Listen here you asshole! If I want to sleep around; I’ll sleep around,” oh he did not like this. He swallowed th e g rowl building in the back of his throat.

“If I choose to have a baby then that’s my choice! If I use a sperm donor, or don’t, it’s my decision! Who are you to tell me what to do?!” What was that about not using a donor?

She took heaving breaths and this was not the time to concentrate on certain attributes that were currently overtaking his mind on how soft they were, or their taste- and he really needed to find a suitable girlfriend because lusting after Kagome was going to kill him.

“I will say this once, Inu-Yasha. I want a baby, so I am going to have a baby. This process doesn’t involve you. The only way it would is if we were in a relationship; we’re not. So as stated before, I’m going to do whatever the fuck I want. Regardless of your opinions. Got it,” the swelling of her reiryoku had Sesshōmaru leaving the room. He couldn’t handle it.

Not the scent of her fertility, not the scent of lightning, and definitely not the scents merging together. He had to get away. A tactical retreat was warranted. He was in no shape to be noticed. The damn sweatpants were going to give him away!

He heard the yelp come from Inu-Yasha, she must have gotten a hold of an ear. Sesshōmaru did not care he needed a shower, or an ice bath, and hopefully they both were gone by the time he was finished.

He really didn’t need Inu-Yasha skulking around asking more questions, questions he did not want to answer.

As for Kagome. He didn’t know what he would do if she were still here afterwards. He didn’t need her to ever find out what was going on. She would only feel responsible and she wasn’t. None of this was her fault. She couldn’t help what havoc her scent was currently having on his body.

He would, however, be getting rid of that fucking tea.

Chapter Text

An Unsightly Proposition

|~|

Kagome sighed, as she waited for the inevitable, I’m too busy, text from Sesshōmaru. He hadn’t been around for weeks. No funny banter, no dry humor, no compliments on her food, and she had far too many leftovers in her fridge that were rotting away because he never came over to get them.

Was he just as mad at her as his brother?

Had Sango been right?

Was the decision to have a baby too disruptive to the pack?

S he worried her lower lip, and poured herself another glass of wine, that she did not like, but was his favorite. When had she been stocking his preferred brand? She forgot. They’d been so close for years she didn’t think that a baby would disrupt their routine too much. Well, not yet anyway.

Sighing, again, a knock came from her door and her heart almost leapt from her chest, was it Sesshōmaru ?!

She opened the door only to be met with Papa. Her heart was back where it belonged as she smiled at her unexpected visitor. “Papa! Come in. What brings you here?”

“Well, looking for my wayward oldest, of course. I had not heard from him since the fight between you and Inu-Yasha. It seems he is not here either,” Kagome smiled sadly, but led her father figure towards her kitchen.

“Goodness Kagome, it smells absolutely divine in here. Have you been cooking all day?”

Kagome giggled, as she poured a second glass of wine for him, “No. I had a hankering for Galbi .”

Toga made a pleased rumble, “Care for some company?”

Kagome’s smile this time was genuine, “Always.”

Toga watched the female before him get comfortable, and he looked at her with pride in his eyes, “What you’re doing is commendable, Little Dove.” Kagome blushed at his nickname from when she was very young.

“Please, women have babies every day. Papa you’re being silly.”

“With wives, or husbands, or mates. You chose to do this alone. Your heart has always been full of love to give. I had wanted you to have a glimpse of such emotion for yourself.” Kagome gave him a tinkling laugh, and his heart seized. How many more did she have with them? He was being irrational, and absolutely ridiculous, they had years yet, but it was true she was not as long lived as his other pups.

Though she was his pup. A pup who needed love and guidance on how an honorable male would treat her. It was only that she was too trusting for her own good. She hadn’t learned from past mistakes because her heart was too big, and full of forgiveness. So instead of learning from her failures in love, she stopped actively trying.

His heart bled for his female pup.

He had hoped the fertility tea would have spurned one of his sons into action. Inu-Yasha had said she smelt too spicy, and Sesshōmaru hadn’t commented at all. So he’d wanted to crash a dinner night to see his eldest reaction; instead, the idiot wasn’t here!

He was over both son’s ineptitude.

“Papa, just because I don’t have romantic love, doesn’t mean I’m not loved. Mama loves me, Souta and his wife love me, you love me. I’m sure even Garfield loves me in his own weird way.” He chuckled at Sesshōmaru’s nickname that she’d given him when she was so young, just a girl, all lanky limbs and short stature. She continued her thought, “If you ask me, I’m a little spoiled, because of all of you. Platonic love is just as good as the other; at least to me.”

Toga nodded, trying to see the fault in her wisdom, but beamed at her when he couldn’t. “Still. I am willing to come to some sort of solution.”

“Solution? I did not know there was a problem?”

“It’s not a problem for you, it’s a problem for me. I am too selfish, Kagome. I do not think I can let you go. You may not be my blood, or my flesh, but you are still mine. Your mortality was something I had forgotten.”

“Oh Papa. Come now it-”

“I am willing to take you as my mate.” Had he lost his fucking mind?

The disgust that drew across her features at the prospect of sleeping with someone who she saw as only a father figure wasn’t wholly unwanted. He did not like the prospect anymore than she did , “Papa that’s gro -”

He hurriedly tried to explain, “There is another way, we could mix the blood without me having to take you to bed. But you would live as long as I. You could have as many pups as you wanted through a donor, or even adopt. I cannot stand idly by and watch time take you from me.”

She enveloped him into a crushing hug, “Papa there’s-”

“Please, Kagome, take it into consideration. Not now, of course, with all of the other things you are attending to. Take time to think about it; take years to. The offer will never expire,” he squeezed her back, careful to keep his hug not so bone crushing but just as firm.

“I will think on it,” she acquiesced as she patted his shoulder.

He smiled at his favorite daughter, and felt himself breathe, before letting go, hopping up to gather dishes so they could eat. Kagome rose to gather everything else, but he glared at her until she sat.

For the first time since she told them of her plans to become a mother, his food didn’t taste like ashes.

Chapter Text

Surprise Surprise

|~|

Sesshōmaru could not avoid Kagome for much longer, especially, since he’d skipped the last four dinners. He was hiding out, unable to be in Kagome’s home after she invaded his, to scream at his brother. Who, rightfully, deserved such things.

However, her scent had pervaded his home since, and now he couldn’t catch a break. He woke up wanting her, unable to escape the sweet scent that haunted him. Gods, he was so fucked.

He couldn’t handle dating right now. Could barely handle his life without thinking about her. He’d given up all pretenses the moment he realized that too many of the others drowned themselves in false scents and perfumes. His nose was too sensitive for such things. Besides, he’d reluctantly admitted to himself that none would come close to the scent of persimmons and honey .

It was honestly terrible. His life was hurling out of his control.

He didn’t know what to do anymore.

He only knew he couldn’t keep avoiding Kagome.

A knock on his door distracted him, he grunted, before trying to concentrate on contract negotiations. He heard the lock move and the scent of Kagome clung to his father so much it nearly drowned out his own. Sesshōmaru wished he could release the whine building in the back of his throat.

“Kagome made a spectacular dinner, my son. I am sorry you missed out,” the scent of galbi clung to his father’s breath and clothes; even he knew Kagome outdid herself.

This time, he’d actually been busy.

“Misami contacted me. She wants to make amends,” his father commented as he sat down, but not before grabbing two tumblers with some scotch. The lush! That had been a gift.

He took his glass and responded, “I do not want them. Tell her I refuse contact until further notice.”

His father looked at him oddly, and then spoke with a calculating gaze, “Did you care for Kagura?”

Taken aback, he dropped the tablet that he’d been reading on and turned fully to his father, “For what purpose-”

“You cut her off so easily. You didn’t even confront her.”

“Why would I?”

“Tell me, my son, were you more upset about Kagura’s infidelity or your mother’s deceit?”

“Mothers-”

“I often wondered why you chose Kagura when there was little affection between the two of you. I wonder if there is anyone out there that you would have confronted, you would have fought for, had it been anyone else caught in an affair?” Sesshōmaru froze at his father’s pondering.

In his mind's eye, he pictured a plethora of past relationships, and no one made him feel like it was worth the trouble of a confrontation.

Then his mind conjured Kagome, in Kagura’s place, but not with his mother, no; another male entirely. Faceless and unknown, but someone not him. This revelation hit him like a train. His beast was foaming, furious, out for blood . H e knew if it had been Kagome, he would have confronted her; he would have demanded an explanation. He would have challenged the other male, and he would have won.

He downed his drink before deciding to change the subject, he couldn’t let the old male know of this… revelation.“Father, what would you have me do? Cause a scene. Embarrass our family further , our name; all because of an affair? That hardly seems-”

“Who cares about our reputation if such disrespect was allowed to happen? Kagura knew what she was doing and instead of leaving you, she lied. Instead of your mother coming forward to disclose their relationship, she kept it to herself. Disrespectful on both sides, yet you didn’t care.”

“I cared. Not on Kagura’s part. I could give a fuck less about what Kagura did or did not do, but Mother… Mother should have come to me. So yes, it was disrespectful for both of them to lie, but had I known the truth between them, I would have given them my blessing. Kagura was a means to an end. I wanted a mate; she wanted our status. Her family has been close to ours, it made sense. Now nothing makes sense. Do I still want a mate; yes, but not one that I almost had with Kagura.” His father seemed to pause and nod his head.

Several moments passed between them as Sesshōmaru retrieved the tablet and began reading through the contract again. “I offered to mate Kagome,” his father’s sudden revelation made his stomach sink. He didn’t even pretend to care about the tablet falling from his grasp.

“I’m sorry? I must have heard wrong,” his father couldn’t be serious. A mating with Kagome would make her- no. No. He would not think about it. He couldn’t.

“I had hoped the fertility tea would have had one of you champing at the bit to take her, instead it is left to me to make sure she stays within the family. She can have as many pups as she wants, with a donor, of course. I could never touch her in such a way, but seeing as neither you nor your brother reacted to the tea in the intended fashion-”

Sesshōmaru felt whiplash, “What the fuck do you mean?” did he sound weird? Was his voice too low, or too high? He didn’t know, but all he could think of was the fertility teas’ reaction was supposed to cause him to react.

His father’s eyes glowed, and a slight smirk played on his lips, “Which part? The mating? Or the tea?”

“Father-”

“Well, the tea was how you were conceived,” Sesshōmaru didn’t know how to respond to that. He ran his hands through his hair, and then looked at his father, trying to figure out what relevance there was to that bit of information.

“It is supposed to drive a yokai mad with want if there is an attraction. I was attracted to your mother upon our breeding contract agreement. The fertility tea drove us mad with want, and then there you were,” Sesshōmaru made a face of disgust just thinking of them, but shook it off.

“It amplifies the scent you find most pleasing, and the beast then comes into play wanting only the female that has enticed it. I had hoped either Inu-Yasha or you would have been driven to its effects. It seems I was too hopeful,” his father’s explanation gave Sesshōmaru more things to think about and he grasped the tumbler and went to get more scotch.

“You mean to tell me that you were using Kagome’s fertility to force us into thinking about mating her?” This was so fucked up. He thought the fucking tea was for her benefit!

He reached for the decanter, and poured more into the glass as his father’s words drifted towards him. “I had hoped. Her scent is lovely, though the cinnamon is a bit much.”

“Cinnamon? Kagome doesn’t smell of cinnamon. Cardamom, and nutmeg, but not cinnamon. Now I know why Inu-Yasha’s nose is so deficient,” the words had been out of his mouth before he could stop them. He poured more scotch before downing it.

He could feel the slight excitement from his father’s aura from where he was across the room. He was going to drink this whole fucking bottle. “Oh? Is there something you need to tell me Sesshōmaru?” his father’s amusement was clearly punctuated with every word spoken.

“Father… it is not my business what Kagome does. This is her life, and if she wanted me, then I would talk to her. As it stands, she wants no one; that is her choice and I’m unwilling to change our dynamic. She wants friendship and so I will be that. You… trying to force my hand was… thoughtless and cruel. I thought I was having some sort of crisis. An out-of-body experience, I was thinking about medical intervention. Now you have told me you were playing matchmaker with my beast and that is… not fair to Kagome or me. What if I had mated her? What would have happened once the tea wore off? Would we still be happy, or would it have been a colossal mistake?” he needed his father to leave. If he kept thinking about it, he would only get angry.

Before his father could speak, Sesshōmaru commanded, “I think it is time you left. I will see you at work.”

“Sesshōmaru-”

“No. Please leave. I am already angry with one parent. I do not wish to be angry with you.” He heard his father sigh, but get up from his spot on the couch and leave. The door locking behind him.

It had been a manipulation. All of it.

Somehow, that made Sesshōmaru feel worse.

Chapter Text

Catching a Break

|~|

How was this happening to him again?

Why was this happening to him again?

He really couldn’t catch a break.

His worst nightmare, as of late, was happening right in front of him. Only this time, he knew it would play out differently.

In the weeks since his father’s confession, he’d since gone to her home, and silently offered her a human tea that would boost her fertility instead of the yokai one. Stating that his fathers was much too potent. He didn’t want to reveal his father’s machinations to Kagome on the off chance that she would get angry. He’d been able to handle the scent far better, but his beast still foamed at the bit for her.

He didn’t think it would stop until the yokai one had fully cleared her system. It was the only way he would know, for sure, that this was real, and not some mistake. He needed to know that it wasn’t just the tea. That it truly was her.

Looking at Kagome sitting , with what must have been a possible donor, and it just had to be a panther. Fucking Shūran.

Sesshōmaru couldn’t have stopped himself if he tried.

Kagome sat looking absolutely delectable, and it was wasted on this fucking cat .

Shūran had taken her hand, and he could tell Kagome did not want the contact as she kept trying to break the hold. The panther was about to realize the very real threat in this room if he did not let his pack member go.

Kagome’s nervous smile, only heightened as the cat continued to speak while holding her hand hostage, he could feel the growl building in his throat, “I had heard, of the pretty miko adopted by the silver dogs, but for you to be looking at donors instead of within the pack -”

“Oh! Sesshōmaru!” Kagome's sudden shout of his name had him looking down at her with a smirk. Shūran let go as amber eyes clashed with black. Sesshōmaru wanted to punch his fat face into a pulp.

“Kagome, I had thought to bring you dinner this time. I was just about to phone you to see what you would like?” She blushed so prettily at his words, which made the stupid cat hiss from across the table.

By his scent alone, Sesshōmaru knew that the cat had wanted to take Kagome home and get her pupped the old-fashioned way. It would not be happening. He sat right beside Kagome in their cozy booth, much to the disappointment of Shūran. However, Kagome was relieved.

“My pack mate can do what she pleases, she’s under no obligation to seek out my brother or I to reproduce. Kagome has free reign, and control of her life. However, it is my understanding it is not done so within the cat hierarchy. Would she have a kitten, you would try to take it from her, or you would convince her to stay with you and the young one.” He watched the panther freeze, and Sesshōmaru smirked. It had all been a trap, a way for the cats to garner fresh blood within their line.

Shūran paled, and then abruptly left. Just like a cat to scurry away like the little cowards they were . Stupid cats.

Kagome breathed easier beside him. “Thank you Sesshōmaru. I had no idea-”

“We would have told you if you had tried to go forward with the panthers. There is only cowardice in their scheme. You have no need to worry. Your little one would have automatically had pack protections, we would have won had it come down to it.” He couldn’t help it as he brought her to his side and rumbled, pleased that the situation was diffused.

For the first time in months, his beast felt calm, and pleased, rumbling inside him, happy to have the female he wanted in his arms. He nuzzled the crown of her head and knew, without a doubt, this was real.

She looked up at him with questions deep within her blue eyes, but he couldn’t concentrate on that right now. Right now, he could breathe. “How about a steak? I’m feeling particularly ravenous; something bloody might help. Oh, it says here garlic butter. Kagome, you love garlic,” this was far more familiar territory.

Kagome snatched the menu from him, and he smiled down at her, “Ooh, garlic mashed potatoes; say less. Oh wait! Truffle fries! No, no prawns! Oh, what about some dessert?” Her eyes were alight with delight and it was everything he ever wanted.

“Get whatever; it’s on me. You’ve fed me enough this year; it’s my turn to return the favor.”

Chapter Text

A Tempting Offer

|~|

Kagome had a wonderful night, thanks to Sesshōmaru’s interference, and now he was taking them home, where he would make sure she was safe. He always did. Stretching, she looked over at the calm inu-yokai beside her and her heart squeezed. He really had come in clutch tonight. She thought she’d done enough research concerning yokai politics and donations, but clearly Sesshōmaru knew more.

She really owed him.

She couldn’t imagine going through a pregnancy only for the little one to be taken from her and then blackmailed into leaving the pack behind. Maybe a human donor would be best? Or maybe Shūran was right and she should look within the pack?

She shook her head. No, that would only complicate everything.

Though Sesshōmaru would make a great father. He was dedicated, protective, honest, and absolutely stunning. Any pups he produced would be gorgeous.

She needed to stop thinking of this, so as they walked into the building she wondered, “Did Papa tell you, he asked me to mate him? He said he was too selfish to let me go. Isn’t that so silly?”

“It is not. You are pack, with you gone we would be fractured instead of whole. Should you have pups there will still be no you after your death. It is within our nature to keep the pack whole. Regardless, you are family, not just a pack mate. He saw that you needed a father, not just a pack; that’s what he became. Why then ask him to part with you? Is it not the duty of a parent to die first?” She hadn’t thought of it that way, but it did make sense. They made their way into the elevator.

Hadn’t Toga told her she was his daughter? Hadn’t he adopted her not just into the pack, but the family so young, and so long ago? How could she ask him to reconcile her humanity and let her die when, as a father, that would bring him tragedy?

“I hadn’t thought of that,” she admitted, listening to the whorl of the elevator going upwards.

“Father did tell me he asked you to mate him. It is a generous offer, but is it what you want?”

Kagome contemplated his words as they left the elevator, “I… I don’t know. The offer is amazing, but… what about love? Sure, I’ll have my baby, but what if I meet someone later? How fair would that be?”

Sesshōmaru was quiet as she unlocked her door, surprisingly Sesshōmaru followed her inside instead of leaving her to spiral with these thoughts. Well, they were having a serious conversation. She saw him look at her folders full of potential donor, and his lips thinned. How odd?

She watched him come to some sort of decision, “What about me?”

“What about you, Sesshōmaru?”

“What if I pup you?” all the air came rushing out of her lungs. Hadn’t she just thought that?

“Your position in the pack would change, to alpha female, you would be protected by me, our pup would be my heir, and if you chose another later, I would let you go. Or, I could take you as my mate, when another is not found.”

Her breath caught as Sesshōmaru looked at her with an expression she’d never seen on his face before. What did it mean?

“Sesshōmaru- wha?”

“You can take your time. My offer to pup you stands, as does the offer to be my mate,” he paused, his hand brushing across the other donor prospects, but his eyes stayed locked with hers.

At first she thought he was messing with her, playing with her, but he looked so serious. His eyes lingered on her face and she wondered if this was some weird dream. If it was, a nice pinch would be great about now.

He moved, and Kagome’s breath caught, she didn’t move, but looked up at him, realizing she was alone with him. It never bothered her before, but him looking down at her all imposing, and alluring, she realized this was not a dream. He was dead fucking serious.

“Sesshōmaru, what-” he struck, hands diving into her hair, fangs teasing her bottom lip, and she gasped. He overtook her so fast. Tongue sweeping in, coaxing hers to play, but dominating the kiss altogether. He finally backed away when it was evident she needed to breathe and she looked at him, suddenly dazed at what had just happened.

“I will wait for your response.” And then he was leaving, closing the door behind him, and locking it all before she could respond.

Kagome touched her lips and wondered what the fuck just happened?

One thing was definitely for certain; Sesshōmaru knew how to kiss.