Clutching Shin to her, Kagome paced back and forth across the snowy hilltop, trying to digest what Sesshoumaru had just told her. She could feel his eyes trained upon her as she did.
“You bit me during sex,” she grit out at last, drawing to a halt before him. “And now in the eyes of all demonkind, I’m your wife because of it? That’s ridiculous. Barbaric.”
To her surprise, Sesshoumaru didn’t refute this. Not quite meeting her eye, he said, “I tried to resist the urge. For a short time, I did. But it ran too strongly against the grain of my instincts. And my desires.” His eyes flicked to hers. “I wanted you, and I wanted to protect you.” Almost unbidden, it seemed, his gaze strayed down to Shin. “I wanted to protect you both.”
“What you did was wrong,” Kagome said tightly. “You had no right to ‘mark’ me, and you know it. More than that, you deceived me about it. I’m a priestess, Sesshoumaru. I sensed that something was off about that bite mark. I think Inuyasha did, too. When the wound scarred like it did, I asked you point-blank what it meant, and you said nothing.”
His eyes snared hers. “I stand by what I said. I knew you wouldn’t acknowledge it. And so, it meant nothing to me.”
“But it does mean something! It’s not subjective just to you. Now Shin is at risk because of it.”
“Shin,” Sesshoumaru said witheringly, “or you?”
Kagome bristled. “That’s not fair. I’m his mother. Whatever affects me affects him, and vice-versa. We’re a package deal, and neither of us asked for this.”
Sesshoumaru advanced on her with flashing eyes. “You sought me out. You asked me to give you a child. Are you such a fool that you think the half of him that is mine can be dismissed at a whim? That you would even have him at all if I hadn’t used my power to subdue you? Instead of recognizing this, you disparage me for it. You berate me without ceasing for accomplishing what Inuyasha in his impotence could not.”
Kagome glared. “Don’t you dare turn this around on him!”
“Champion him all you like,” Sesshoumaru said with a dark chuckle. “The only thing more perverse than your reasoning is how badly I still want you despite how barking mad you are.” Grabbing her around the waist, he pulled her to him. “You’re only sane when I’m inside you.”
When he bent to kiss her, Kagome turned her face away. She shoved back against his armored chest. “Stop it, Sesshoumaru, or I’ll purify you!”
“Do your worst,” he growled against her, biting at her ear.
Hands braced against him, Kagome shuddered. Her head spun with the stark possibility of them being sighted together from a distance—they were on a hilltop, after all. But as she was distressing over this, Sesshoumaru withdrew. Kagome had a moment to puzzle at this, before she glanced down and saw that Shin had grabbed onto one of the spikes on Sesshoumaru’s armor and was attempting to scale him.
She reached for Shin, but Sesshoumaru was far quicker. He plucked Shin from his carrier sling and held him aloft in that strange inhuman way of his. Their eyes met, blue for gold. Reaching out with his tiny hands, Shin touched Sesshoumaru’s striped cheeks as he smiled and, with a silvery shimmer, phased into his humanoid demonic form. Kagome’s heart thudded. She clasped her hands to her own face, overcome by the sight.
Sesshoumaru lowered him. As he handed Shin back to her, Kagome felt the river-stone smoothness of her son’s skin, the velvety brush of his fur. There was a stir in the air like a cool uncanny breeze, and Shin was human in her arms once more. Kagome hugged him to her.
“I don’t accept this,” she said to Sesshoumaru over her son’s dark tousled head. “I’m a human being, and I don’t consider myself married to you.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Because it seems like you don’t. Or maybe you just don’t care.”
“I don’t agree with it,” Sesshoumaru said coolly. “As I can’t change your mind, neither can you change mine. We stand at an impasse. My mark against your words. It should come as no surprise to you which holds more credence in my view. Your human marriages to me are nothing but extended affairs. Bound together by a few gusts of breath, shapes formed briefly out of the empty air.”
“Our marriages aren’t built on nothing,” Kagome said hotly. “They’re built on promises.”
“Promises can be broken.” Sesshoumaru’s eyes pierced into hers as he gestured to the mark at her throat. “For better or worse, this cannot.”
Kagome’s eyes pierced into his back. “Would your father have marked Izayoi without her knowledge and consent?”
“Perhaps not,” Sesshoumaru said, smiling coldly. “But I am not my father.”
“Yeah, that’s plain.” Kagome turned away from him. “I hope Shin takes after him and not you.”
Sesshoumaru caught hold of her from behind. Hooking his claws under her chin, he guided her scowling face back to his.
“Act high and mighty if you like, but you spread your legs for me, knowing full well what I am. You’re a human woman, and I accept that, confounding though it can be. Do you think for one second that if I were not so accommodating to your words and feelings, I wouldn’t have removed you from here forthwith? You should thank me for my good graces toward you. They, too, run counter to my instincts. I’ve let you dwell with my little brother and rear my son under his roof. A less compromising demon of my station would have struck down Inuyasha and dragged you kicking and screaming from this place. You’re a powerful priestess, but you are not my equal. I love you like a man, and I have suffered for it. You’d do well to remember that.”
Kagome’s face crumpled under the intensity of his regard. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I—I’m not even sure what I feel anymore. But I have to see this through.”
“I know,” he said again, releasing her.
Standing back from him, she met his eye. “Would you have ever told me,” she asked, “if I hadn’t confronted you?”
“Yes,” Sesshoumaru said, at once.
Kagome nodded. It was enough. Brushing her fingers through Shin’s warm dark hair, she started down the hill. She’d descended about halfway when the snow-dusted grass slipped under the soles of her sandals. As she yelped, Sesshoumaru’s arms went around her, hauling her upright against him. Her heart pounded as she gripped his cold steely chestplate. Shin wriggled at her breast, but Kagome registered it only faintly. Sesshoumaru’s mouth was an inch from hers when she heard that familiar gruff voice calling out—
“Hey!”
Wide-eyed, Kagome turned in Sesshoumaru’s arms. In a red blur, Inuyasha was standing on the slope beside them.
“What’s going on?” he asked narrowly, looking from her to Sesshoumaru.
Kagome pushed back, and Sesshoumaru released her. “Nothing,” she said hastily. “I lost my footing, that’s all.”
“Yeah, okay,” Inuyasha scoffed, turning back toward the village, “what else is new? Anyway, c’mon, let’s go. I’m starving.”
Kagome let out a captive breath and followed after him.
Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
Revised 3/15/24
You know Inuyasha is stupid! Sesshoumaru is to good for Kagome. I hope Sesshoumaru’s mother busts Kagome’s little play house up!
XD
❤❤
I do believe he is turning a blind eye or something, cuz he can’t be that dumb. Yisus Christ on a motorbike! Inuyasha, just end this ridiculous arrangement, its hurting you all!
Your statement made me think of “maximbady” but I fully agree lol
Yeah I feel ya XD
❤❤
“ I love you like a man, and I have suffered for it. ”
ooooof 😮💨
I knooooow that one tugged some heartstrings.
So glad you liked that line, mim! Thank you!!
❤❤
Everyone just about deserves each other here. The least messy of them is probably Sesshōmaru, and he mated his little brother’s wife after agreeing to give her a child under false pretences.
I also feel like you do a really good job of showing how toxic Inu and Kagome’s relationship is and how much more even-tempered and in control they both are apart from each other, but also why they are still clinging together. It’s one of the things that now feels really “teenager-ish” about the original series – clearly if they fight, it’s because they care about each other, right? And here in an adult relationship with adult problems, the same dynamic is just ugly.
Oooh you make a great point! I think a part of Inukag’s issues is also a case of “Peter Pan and Wendy”. For a half-demon Inuyasha is still pretty young. What if in terms of demon years he’s still the same boy Kagome found pinned to the God tree at fifteen? Their gap in maturity is gradually widening, and maybe Kagome is struggling to stay in the same place while her mind and body wants to evolve. Maybe she doesn’t want to admit that she’s outgrown him and their teenage love.
Ooh yeah that’s interesting. Now that you mention it, I think I can see part of that too… Damn I can’t wait for the next update
“It’s one of the things that now feels really “teenager-ish” about the original series – clearly if they fight, it’s because they care about each other, right? And here in an adult relationship with adult problems, the same dynamic is just ugly.” – love this!! couldn’t agree more 🙂
Thank you so much!!
❤❤
The absolute eloquence of this –
“You’re a powerful priestess, but you are not my equal. I love you like a man, and I have suffered for it.”
Thank you for more beautiful chapters!
Probably my favorite part of the story. I love how raw and real Sesshomaru’s are.
Ahh thank you!! Love hearing the lines that stood out to you! 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the update!
❤❤
“I love you like a man, and I have suffered for it. You’d do well to remember that.”
I’m loving this.
And, hm, I think I have some theories…
Maybe InuYasha has had an affair with Sango OR he’s going to in the future. Maybe Sango is hiding her own mating mark that she got from InuYasha…and the baby she’s carrying is actually InuYasha’s, which is why she feels so gutted (and not just because of Miroku’s death)…and when Kagome finds out, she’ll have the audacity to feel betrayed.
OR InuYasha has been and always will be faithful to Kagome and he will go absolutely berserk when he finally puts the pieces together – he may even lose control and go full youkai? Hm… so many possibilities, lol.
“Hm… so many possibilities, lol.” – for sure!! Love hearing your thoughts and theories!
Thanks so much for sharing and so happy you’re enjoying the story!!
❤❤
🥲 Almost caught….oh the suspense 😭
How blind can inuyasha be? So blind infact that I suspect he’s been up to some mess behind her back 🤔🧐
😉
Thanks so much for sharing your take, SilverMoon!! ❤❤
Hi!
It’s all so. . .complicated. . .when it doesn’t really HAVE to be. . .sigh.
At least Sesshomaru laid it all out for Kagome. . .and she understands how he feels now.
It’s her turn to do the same.
Thanks!
-EM
Well said, EM 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the scene!! ❤❤
-le squint- Did Inuyasha hear all that? I’m certain he heard that. There’s no way he was that close and his demon senses hadn’t picked up on /something/. But if he did, why is he still playing into the ruse?
Kagome mentions that she “has to see this through”. What does this mean? 🤔 That she’ll continue to watch and wait ‘til it all falls apart? Surely she sees now that her indecisiveness is what’s allowing others to make decisions for her. Or does she really have a plan as Myouga brought up?
SO many mysteries here that I can’t wait to find out. Each update is the highlight of my week ❤️❤️❤️
Aww thank you so much, oskorreia! So happy to hear how much you look forward to the updates!!
You raise many excellent points and questions 😉 Appreciate the feedback & hope you enjoy the next chapter!
❤❤
CHAR THIS HOUSE IS A TINDERBOX AND I WILL BURN IT TO THE GROUND! You’re killing me here!!! TT-TT
I knowww XDD I’m sorry TT
❤❤
“yeah, okay.”
THIS MAN KNOWS. HE KNOWWWWWWWSSSSSS. Was probably watching that whole exchange from behind a nearby tree. Good. Now he knows how Kagome felt watching him romp with Kikyou. 😤
Right! Wouldn’t surprise me if him and Sango are having an affair, hence why he kept complementing her so much
Ahaha yeah I guess that’d only be fair XD
Thanks so much for sharing, Uissuteffu!! ❤❤
Welp XD Inuyasha really had my heart going there not gonna lie. But that nonchalant attitude is still so suspicious to me.
From my point of view Kagome seems like a really bad, clumsy liar. This argument is pretty much a case in point. It feels like she’s just giving a token struggle, scolding Sess for not telling her and all, but deep down I don’t think she’s really that mad about the mark. Earlier when she sensed him she didn’t look to be in such a hurry to confront him either.
This is me giving Kag the benefit of the doubt but I also think in some corner of her heart she’s Testing him. Testing how far he’ll go, how tightly he’ll hold on to them. Maybe I’m reading this wrong but I get the impression she’s reassured by his steadfast conviction in the end hehe
There certainly seems to be more going on here than meets the eye 😉
Love your in-depth analysis, Kova! Thanks so much for sharing your insights on Kagome’s predicament 🙂 Hope you enjoy the next chapter!! ❤❤
Sesshomaru was so well written in this chapter. I love the relationship he has with his son.
I hope this all falls apart for Kagome. Even with everything she has done, she still in a better position.
Now she’s not some two-timer. She is married to a Lord and has a legitimate son..
Also, I think we all called it when we said the bite mark meant something.
I don’t think Inuyasha as been unfaithful. I’m kinda hoping that bad trait is Kagome ‘s only. She should shoulder all the blame in that case.
How come Inuyasha doesn’t have a bitemark? Cause he’s half
Thank you, Katherine! So glad you enjoyed Sess’s portrayal in this scene & his interactions with Shin 🙂
Love hearing your take on these recent developments! Hope you enjoy the next chapter ❤❤
“Their eyes met, blue for gold. Reaching out with his tiny hands, Shin touched Sesshoumaru’s striped cheeks as he smiled, and phased with a silvery shimmer into his humanoid demonic form.”
i’m cryin i’m screamin i’m about to throw myself out the window LET SHIN SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS CHICHI 😭💕
I love these moments too ;_; So glad you enjoy them, hanayome!!
Thanks so much ❤❤
I absolutely LOVE and look forward to your updates. Thank you for these this week. They were perfection. I love the scenes where Sesshomaru is with Shin!!
I had to go back and reread from the beginning to find all the crumbs you’ve sprinkled for us. I forgot that Kagome and Sesshomaru confessed that they both wanted each other from the beginning. So what happened that neither acted on it then?
I don’t think Inuyasha fully knows what’s going on behind his back, but I think his instincts are telling him something is up. I don’t think he’s cheated, but I think he’s tempted with the constant bickering with Kagome.
Please tell me Sesshomaru’s mother comes in to see her grandchild and the beans are spilled. I can’t wait!!!
Ahh thanks so much, Brittany!! So glad you enjoyed this week’s updates! 🙂
“So what happened that neither acted on it then?” – great question! more on that in due time 😉
Love hearing your thoughts on the dynamics at play! Hope you continue to enjoy the ride ❤❤
CHARRR ‼️ Baby you do it every TIMEEEEE ‼️‼️‼️
I’m glad Sesshomaru check her real quick bc baby any other alpha male would’ve been tore inuyasha and kagome up she should be thankful trying to play my man .. and I know I’m on Sesshomaru side but what did she think would happen that man’s a beast run on instinct he should’ve been said something about the Mark but hey I want this story to keep going
Hahaha thank you, Nooch!! Yeah Sess could’ve alpha’d her, but he didn’t XD That says something.
Hope you enjoy where the story goes next!! ❤❤
The burning is real with this chapter. This story is so addictive. Well done!
Ahh thank you so much!! I’m honored!
❤❤
i think… whatever conditions youkai need to transcend the heavens sesshoumaru now qualifies, because that’s some godly level of restraint and patience.
he’s got a point too – kagome is speaking nonsense and you just don’t get this kind of cooperation from a warlord, especially if it involves his wife and kid. this whole farce would’ve been over with a LONG time ago were it literally anyone else.
if only the other demon lords could see sesshoumaru now XD
Lol yeah he’s a unique case all right 😉
Thanks so much for sharing, synn! ❤❤
So I have been rereading and there was a conversation between Kagome and Sesshomaru where she asks him how are Youkai weddings. And he tells her she will find out the next morning of her marriage. But she never really did. So did Inuyasha fail in that?
Also, it seems based on a oat chapter that Sesshomaru removes things that can be problematic to Kagome. I.E. totosai. So did he remove Miroku ?
That would actually suck and be the worst thing Sesshomaru could have done so far
Yeahh that would be dark for sure…
“But she never really did. So did Inuyasha fail in that?” 😉
Love hearing your thoughts after the re-read, Katherine! Thanks again ❤❤
I am gonna have to agree with Brittany, I remember this scene and I think the main reason Kagome’s reaction is aggravating is that SHE also previously confessed wanting to be with him and I guess maybe it can be taken into account the situation when it happened was a hectic but she did continue wanting an emotional affair with him thereafter. Also, why is she still shocked when he states he wants her when he made that clear way earlier in the chapters?
I think Kagome is just so torn between her desires and her expectations that whenever she does slip, she tries REALLY hard to retract and be in such denial without caring about it affecting others.
I remember when Sesshomaru did mark her, he did seem somewhat perplexed about him actually doing it.
The scene with Shin is so adorable and yet, hurt me more with the fact Kagome is preventing Sesshomaru from being a father to him. It also seems like Shin is well aware of who his father is.
Another thing, I honestly think Inuyasha is having affairs and may be aware of Kagome’s but he’s so confident she will never leave him that is why he acts like everything is normal.
Anyway, thanks for the updates!
Ahh lots of great observations, Pixie! Kagome is quite twisted up, that’s for sure…
Glad you enjoyed the part with Sess & Shin 🙂 Thanks so much for all the wonderful feedback & hope you enjoy where the story goes next!!
❤❤
“I love you like a man, and I have suffered for it. You’d do well to remember that.”
THIS LINE TOOK ME OUTTTTT I’M SWOOOONINGGGGG LMAO. All the dialogue in this chapter… whew, so suspenseful. My heart was pounding like crazy while reading it!
<33333
Yeah might be the most popular story line yet!! So glad you enjoyed it too, bella – and the dialogue in general!!
❤❤
Hahaha, I’m currently reading the comments on this and I see now that everyone LOVED that line. Makes total sense!!! This is my fav Sesshomaru ever written 🙂
“This is my fav Sesshomaru ever written 🙂” – Aww thank you so much! That is a tremendous compliment!!
❤❤
Hooo this scene was so charged! ! I love it. I think Sess loved it too?😂 Like did he really get turned on in the middle of their lil spat or can he just not resist groping her after a while? pffff
Lucky Shin was there. Also, I’m noticing a pattern in baby’s behavior and it’s just so cute. Shin protects his mama, inserts himself in Sesshomaru’s space, and zaps Inuyasha when he acts annoying. He’s turning out to be a precocious one.
Haha he sure is!! 🥰
So glad you enjoyed this charged scene, friend! Thanks for sharing your reactions and hope you enjoy the next chapter!!
❤❤