She didn't want to remember.

Kagome felt the heat burning from the inside out. Flashbacks of all the battles with Naraku came to her full force. There was no mistaking it now: he was the one controlling the salamander youkai. A throbbing, stabbing pain made itself known deep within her abdomen, setting her scars ablaze. Her reiki fought the heat, just like it had during the attack. It was hard to breathe. Her soul felt smothered in an invisible smoke.

A low growl eased her back into reality. She met Sesshomaru's concerned gaze as he towered over her.

'Koi,' he thought to her. Wiping away her tears with his nose, he nuzzled her wet cheek reassuringly, 'I am here. You are not alone.'

His words never met her conscious, but she felt his warmth and tried to control her pain. Focus on him, she told herself. He was so close to her. A twinge of pain caused her breath to hitch, and he shifted to hold her closer. Cradling her in his lap, he buried his nose into the nape of her neck

Sesshomaru froze, eyes widening. Frantically, he inhaled sharply to take in her scent. He clutched her closer still and sniffed again. He couldn't smell himself on her. But they had only just mated last night. 'Kagome?' he thought to her. She didn't respond.

"Are you well?" he asked urgently.

"I-" she took a deep breath. His aura was pressing against hers, desperate for something.

"Look into your aura." he bid her, almost pleading.

"But-" she said.

"Do it." he demanded.

Kagome hesitantly loosened the knot of his robes and slipped her hand against his bare chest. She felt his growl spread through her as their visible auras released around them.

Sesshomaru fought to control his alpha. He was lost in the fog that was her offspring's maroon poison. The three unborn took center stage and were noticeably larger than before. His eyes searched again, and again. There was no sign of their mating; his seed was absent from containing the fetuses. His alpha roared at the realization. Mark her.

"Sess-" Kagome felt his aura shift dramatically before she was shoved onto the tatami mats, breaking their aura's connection. White blanketed her vision. Fur.

"Sesshomaru?" she looked up at his gaping maw and blood red eyes. His huge paw rested close to her side.

He fought with himself, realizing that her fear was beginning to lace with reiki. His alpha pushed on, demanding submission. No. She must not be afraid. Sesshomaru shut his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. He felt her small hand on his muzzle. He cracked open an eye as she ran her fingers through his fur. Kagome winced as another wave of pain in her womb. She blinked, and a humanoid Sesshomaru was crouched over her. Their foreheads touched as he let out a sigh of frustration.

"We must mate again. They do not recognize me as their alpha." he said, referring to the unborn.

"I don't think I can-" Kagome struggled to breathe.

"After you recover." Sesshomaru lifted her to sit. He lowered the barrier, letting his mother into the room.

Inukimi cautiously walked in, "Oh son, I did not mean to…" and sighed, "You must take better care of your mate if she is to be the mother of your heirs." Inukimi said, helping Kagome up.

Sesshomaru shared a look with his mate, "Hn."

"You both must be careful. There has only been one other miko mated to a Daiyoukai." Inukimi reminisced, "She was an ally, you could say. It did not end well."

"What happened?" Kagome asked.

"Once others found out she was pregnant, they fought to be her alpha. It was believed that a miko's reiki would increase the pup's powers; a youkai immune to purification."

"You mean a hanyou." Kagome corrected.

"No, the pup would be full youkai." Inukimi said. "Her mate fought through many battles against other Alphas, but even then, they were struggling to keep their balance of youki and reiki. They were not in harmony. The hanyou Naraku took advantage of their weakness and killed her mate. She died avenging her lover's death."

Kagome turned her head to Sesshomaru, alarmed.

"I do not mean that you two are unbalanced! I'm sure my son has made a wise decision, daughter." Inukimi said, "Now, to the medical bay, both of you." she pointedly looked at Sesshomaru's shoulder, which was bleeding again.

He sighed, and bowed to his mother before escorting Kagome into the hall. "Your usual quarters will be prepared for you, mother."

"As expected, son." Inukimi nodded, and dismissed them.

…

The pair sat side by side in the medical bay while Sesshomaru's shoulder was being patched up again. It was then that Kagome realized she couldn't speak to him through her mind. Were they a good match? She wanted to ask. They hadn't killed each other…yet. And knowing that Naraku was a threat again, they couldn't risk showing any weakness. They had to be strong and balance one another.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" a small voice came from the door.

Kagome turned her head to see Rin timidly fidgeting at the door.

"Rin." Sesshomaru greeted, and motioned her to come close.

"Are you okay?" Rin asked.

"I will be fine." he said.

"Kagome-chan?" Rin asked.

Kagome gave her a gentle hug, "I'm okay, just a little tired."

"That's okay! Yuka-san will take care of you!" Rin smiled at the healer. Yuka was an older tiger youkai, and adorably bubbly.

"Ah! I'll try my best, Rin-chan!" Yuka bowed deeply to Kagome, "My lady. Oh, it's so good to meet you! We've all been waiting for our Lord to choose a mate." she gushed as she assessed the Lady of the West.

"Hn."

"You have?" Kagome grinned as she looked over at Sesshomaru. Was that a blush?

"Oh yes! It's been so many years since we've had little feet running around the estate…" Yuka flustered as he glanced at her with raised eyebrows, "Ahaha! Everything looks fine. I'll deliver some medicine for the lady as soon as it's ready!"

"Thank you, Yuka-san." Sesshomaru gave a nod.

"Can Rin help?" Rin asked.

"Of course!" Yuka said, and ushered Rin to the back room after bowing to the lord and lady.

Kagome stood and bowed back, and nearly fell over. A strong arm caught her just in time.

"Mate." Sesshomaru warned.

"I'm sorry." she said. She didn't even know what she was apologizing for. For not feeling well? The room spun, and she shut her eyes. The feverish chills washed over her body, and she felt herself being lifted. "Wha-"

"This one will carry you." he stated.

"But your shoulder?" she asked.

Sesshomaru didn't answer, instead he carefully carried her back to their quarters. Hn. Their quarters. Kagome wrapped her arms around him his and nuzzled his neck, thus hiding her eyes. Her skin felt warm against his. He ignored the gazes of the shocked guards in the hallway. They weren't used to seeing their lord being so affectionate. In some odd way, he was proud; proud that no one else could have her. His Kagome.

His youkai's barrier allowed both of them to pass through the doorway. Even his youkai accepted her as his. He sat her down on the bed and moved to loosen her kimono's knots.

"I'm not-" ready, she wanted to say. Were they mating now?

"You have a fever." Sesshomaru said simply. Peeling the outer layers away, he promptly tucked her under the blankets. She looked so frail. Just as he moved to stand, her hand reached out to him.

Kagome hesitated before asking, "Do we balance each other?" What his mother had said…

"Hn." He sat down beside the mattress and leaned in to give her cheek a soft nuzzle. "I would not have asked you to become my mate had I not thought so." He thought back to their first encounter, and reveled at the feeling of her power. It was shocking, to say the least. She had only grown stronger since then.

Sighing in content, Kagome leaned into him. She was too tired to even process what she was doing. All she wanted was to feel safe. "Stay. Please?" she whispered into his ear.

She was bearing her neck to him; her pulse mere inches away from his lips. A low growl escaped as he reigned himself in. Now was not the time.

"I will stay in the room." He said, "You must rest."

Kagome nodded and tiredly settled into the pillows. Sesshomaru sighed and distanced himself. His heart thundered from the moment. Kami, he would have her now, if she was willing. He sat on the tatami mats beside the mattress, leaning against a pillar. Her breaths evened, and he forced himself to calm. It was proving to be difficult.

His thoughts drifted to last night - her whimpers and moans. Her skin. Everything about her was breathtaking. He glanced over at her, noticing the gentle heaving of her breasts from her deep sleep. Her hips were seductively curved, and soon the swell of her womb would show. The thought caused a violent twinge in his groin. Surely, his alpha found that quite appealing. It was puzzling how quickly his scent disappeared from her. Even their auras were disconnected from the mating. He wondered if knotting with her was effective at all, seeing as their sheets were a mess. They would have to try again.

Sesshomaru took a deep breath and tried again to compose himself. He thought of what his mother had brought to light. Joined evils Naraku and So'unga now had access to the living realm. Most likely Naraku had orchestrated the attacks on the eastern villages. He hadn't heard of any other incidents since Kagome arrived. Had Naraku accomplished what he aimed to do? And So'unga - his father's third sword. Only the great Inu no Taisho had the power to control the sword's urge for world dominance. He hoped his own Bakusaiga would be powerful enough. Otherwise he would have to seek out his half-brother to defeat So'unga with the Tessaiga and his Tenseiga.

A light knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He quietly rose and opened the door.

"M'lord, the healer Yuka-san is here." Jaken bowed. Sesshomaru closed the door behind him and nodded to his attendant.

"Ah! My lord, this is for the lady. She must drink all of it for her fever to go down." Yuka offered a covered ceramic bowl on a tray. It smelled awful. She grimaced, "It is best had with a meal." and gestured to Rin, who fumbled with the large bento box set she was carrying.

Sesshomaru reached for the handle containing the three boxes, but Rin pulled away. "Rin can bring it in," she beamed, "I helped make it!"

"Hn." he patted her shoulder, "Your two hands are better than one for bringing Yuka-san's tray. I will bring the food, but quietly. Kagome-chan is sleeping."

Rin nodded and took a hold of the tray with new determination. He bowed his thanks to Yuka and Jaken, and slid open the door. Rin popped her head in the room and tip toed while balancing the tray. She glanced back at Sesshomaru, and after seeing a nod, placed her parcel down carefully.

"Thank you, Rin. I'm sure the food will be delicious." Sesshomaru said. He watched as Rin worriedly looked over at Kagome. "She will be fine."

"Really?" Rin looked up at him.

He knelt down and brushed her bangs away from her face, "I know Kagome-chan admires your penmanship. Will you write her a letter?"

Rin gave him a brilliant smile and nodded. "May I use your seal?"

"Jaken will provide it." Sesshomaru said, and ushered her to the door. "Won't you, Jaken?" he asked the kappa.

"W-whatever my lord wishes!" Jaken bowed.

Sesshomaru inclined his head to both of them, before sliding the door closed. He turned to Kagome, who had just woken up. It was for the best, seeing as the food was still hot.

"What's that smell?" she asked, drowsily.

"Lunch." Sesshomaru stated.

She sat up and sniffed, "Are you sure? It's like something died." She shut her eyes from a head-rush.

"That…is your medicine." he slid the tray over to the mattress. "You may eat after you've finished it." He carefully took off the cover, revealing a bowl of black. Kami, even he wouldn't drink that.

Kagome covered her nose and gaped at him, "Seriously?" The black liquid was thick and pungent. "I can't even eat in between?" He handed her a spoon. There was no bargaining with him. She gingerly placed the tray in her lap and brought the hot bowl of liquid to her lips. One go, she told herself, and gulped it down.

She dropped the bowl on the tray, covering her mouth with the back of her hand, "Kami, what's in that?!" The bitterness was causing her eyes to water.

Sesshomaru reached to the corner of her tray and handed her a small paper-wrapped ball. She eyed it, suspicious.

Putting the tray on the floor, he smirked, "If you do not want it, I do." he opened the candy and brought it to his lips.

She looked at the candy eagerly, "I want it!"

"Come get it."

Kagome blushed and felt a sudden throb deep within her core, "T-that's not fair! I'm the one who's sick, and dizzy, and feverish." She fake-pouted to hide how sexy he was being.

"Hn." he said, and popped the candy in his mouth.

"No!" A flurry of blankets blinded him and he felt a soft warmth on his lips. His eyes widened.