The small group had been traveling for a few days without incident, though Sesshoumaru had still not been able to talk to Kagome how he would have liked. He had been surprised with the antics of the kit during the beginning of their trip. He was extremely well behaved while still entertaining Kagome. The kit had taken to sitting with Sesshoumaru by the fire while Kagome slept.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, why are you taking us with you?" the kit asked one star filled evening.

"I cannot say why I wanted Kagome with me to start, she looked so broken, so different from the woman I remembered. Now I have a truly selfish reason for wanting you both in the West with me," Sesshoumaru said.

"You've done so much for Momma that I can't imagine it being too selfish," Shippou responded.

"Why are you so noisy, kit?" Sesshoumaru growled.

"Because if you didn't want to answer then you wouldn't," Shippou smirked.

Sesshoumaru huffed, "True enough." Sesshoumaru couldn't decide if he found the kits snark amusing or annoying, but it did tell him that he would be able to hold his own in court.

"So why is it?"

"I need a mate," Sesshoumaru said simply.

"But wait, couldn't you get any girl you wanted?" Shippou was confused. Not only was he the most powerful demon in Japan, but he was the killing perfection.

Sesshoumaru snorted, "I need a mate I can trust. Someone who will act on behalf of the West and not their own intentions. Kagome is powerful and selfless, I can trust her with the future of the land and my ward. I can trust few others to do such a thing."

Shippou nodded in understanding. "I don't know how she's going to react, InuYasha did a number on her self-esteem."

Sesshoumaru chose not to respond and instead gazed into the fire as though it held the answers he was looking for.

0808

"You know how long it's been since I've been to another village? I used to love visiting the other villages but I haven't had the opportunity to travel recently," Kagome rambled excitedly upon entering the next village. "Oh! Look at the size of the market!"

Sesshoumaru chuckled at excitement of the small miko. "Wait until you see the size of the village outside the palace, it has a huge market full of demon wears," Sesshoumaur told her.

"Really?" Kagome asked, turning to him. Sesshoumaru was glad to see the spark of excitement that he remembered back in her eyes. "Can I go when we get there?"

"I do not see how I could stop you. Go on, shop, mingle, be your strange miko self," Sesshoumaru said in an almost bored tone. He was extremely surprised then when Kagome threw her arms around his neck.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! I won't take too long!" she said before grabbing Shippou and taking off into the thick of the crowd.

Sesshoumaru smiled a little and shook his head. He could still smell the smoke that clung to her skin, and something that was naturally floral that was just part of Kagome. He decided, almost on a whim, to follow Kagome from a distance to see what it was she liked.

He watched her "ohhh" and "ahhh" over the silks, giggle over the men trying to sell her things, and take a long look at the jewelery. She actually allowed Shippou to leave, telling him to come get her if he found anything he wanted, as she studied the jewelery. She talked softly to the woman running the stall and shook her head sadly, running her fingers over something he couldn't see. When Shippou came back and drug her away to see something he found, Sesshoumaru jumped at his chance.

"Excuse me, can you show me what it was that woman was looking at?" he asked politely.

The woman seemed startled to see a demon asking such a question, but pointed out the piece in question. It looked to be a simple choker made of dark blue and golden beads, but there was a large magenta crescent moon that would land at the hollow of her throat.

"I'll take it," he said, picking it up to look at it better.

"Sir, you don't know the price," the woman said cautiously.

Sesshoumaru turned to look at her and the movement moved his bangs away from his mark. The woman jolted back in fear, knowing the mark and it's owner.

"I can assure you that I can pay. How much?" he asked.

The woman told him shakily, and Sesshoumaru nodded. He pulled a pouch out of the inside of his sleeve and counted out the coins, adding a few extra, before handing it to her. She took the coins, nearly dropping them, and handed him a gold encrusted box that came with the necklace.

Sesshoumaru nodded, returned the pouch to his sleeve and stashed the box in his pocket. H made his way back through the crowds to wait where Kagome left him. He had no idea how he was going to present the gift to her, but that could wait.

They had been in the town about an hour, Sesshoumaru had been waiting about half that time, when Kagome met back up with him.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to make you wait that long," she apologized.

Sesshoumaru looked at her. "This Sesshoumaru is in no hurry. You have no reason to be apologizing," he said.

"Sorry," Kagome winced a little, "InuYasha always got really pissy if he had to wait more than about ten minutes on me."

Sesshoumaru snorted. "The half-breed has no patience. I do not mind you taking your time."

Kagome smiled. "Thank you Sesshoumaru. I'm ready whenever you are," she told him.

He nodded and lead the way out of the village.

0808

That night, just after the sun had set and they had finished dinner, Sesshoumaru decided that if he didn't ask now he never would.

Sesshoumaru took a deep breath and steeled his nerves- something he had never had to do before.

"Kagome, I have a very serious proposition for you. I ask that you listen to what I have to say before you say anything or interrupt me," Sesshoumaru said very seriously.

"Of course, what's up Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked, giving Sesshoumaru her full attention.

Sesshoumaru straightened his spine. "One of my reasons for bringing you with me was completely selfish on my part. I am in need of a mate."

"Sessho-"

"Please, do not interrupt me yet." Sesshoumaru sighed. "I know you feel no love for me, but this mating is not about love. I need someone I can trust to help me take care of the land and I needed someone I knew would take care of Rin. You will receive every luxury you would want, Shippou would receive the best education. You would also have the lifespan of a demon. I am not asking you as a lover, I am asking you as a friend who needs help."

Kagome took a deep breath. "Can I think about it?" she asked. Kagome wasn't really sure how she felt about relationships, she realized that Sesshoumaru was completely different from InuYasha, but he was still a Tashio.

"Take as much time as you need. Even if you refuse you will still be welcome at the Western Palace," Sesshoumaru informed her.

She nodded and leaned back on her forearms and stared up at the early night sky. Kagome swore she would never fall in love again, and she was not sure if she could mate a man she didn't love. What to do? What to do?

0808

Hi! Should I have been working on My Mate? Probably. Did I? NOPE. In the little bit of calm motivation between getting ready for finals and making Christmas presents I decided to work on this (yaaaayyyy) Anyways, this was not edited and much of it is probably word vomit, but hey, it's an update. I hope you guys are having an awesome day! I love you guys!