Okay, I am hoping this doesn't become a disappointment as you read this. But this is the last chapter. I want to thank everyone for all your support and all the wonderful reviews. It hasn't been that long of a road, compared to my other stories, but it has been fun. I am hoping that now that I am done with this I will get more time to work on Mine and Letters so I can finish them as well.

Disclaimer: Inuyasha doesn't belong to me and I make no profit from this story

Meeting Ten: Conclusion

Gold clashed with deep blue ignoring the grey eyes that darted between the two beings with amusement. Though it wasn't the way he planned, it would seem that he was going to get rid of the miko one way or another. Certainly a human woman, in an emotional state would jump to the wrong conclusion and he didn't assume incorrectly.

"Who might this be?" he asked, playing the innocent role, though he was well aware who the woman was. The mark on her shoulder was brightly blazing to warn all around her, especially her mate; that she was in pain. Her scent also made it clear to all youkai that she was claimed by the Western Lord and pupped. "Care to join us?"

Paying no attention to him the woman's eyes narrowed. A single tear slipped down her cheek as the silence continued.

"You bastard," she growled in a low hiss at long last. "No one plays with my heart and gets away with it. I hope you rot in the lowest pit of hell."

Turning on her heels the woman stormed down the hall. Sesshomaru made to follow her and Seiji was about to prevent him but he noticed the inu stop. A closer look to the entrance of the room proved that it had been blocked with a barrier of strong holy power. It was only then that he realized he was beginning to feel the effects of the energy so close to him

"Sesshomaru control your bitch and free me this instant."

Red eye averted to his face. He flinched from the powerful gaze and his was on his guard as the male sauntered forward. The flexing of claws caught his attention and Seiji stepped back and growled. He wasn't prepared to fight the furious youkai.

"My bitch has full rule in this house. If you can't take the power she holds then allow me the pleasure of killing you now."

The grey eyes dilated as Seiji saw the seriousness of the inu lord stalking towards the him. By law of youkai, Sesshomaru couldn't kill him before a challenge unless he broke tradition. In coming to the house were a pupped female laid, he was technically breaking a rule. Confronting the inu in hopes of saving his life from the challenge his lord had ordered him to declare was also breaking another law. Not to mention he made threats to harm not only the possessive inu's mate but also his unborn pups. He really didn't have a death wish, which was why he was there, because coming back to his lord empty handed would mean a short end to his long lived life. Thankfully the inu made quick work of him and he felt nothing as he collapsed to the floor.

"Sorry," he whispered slowly.

The words weren't comprehended by the beast as he began to force the power apart that blocked the door. What would have been an impossible feat was made easier since he some control over his mate's energy.

xXx

Absolutely no thoughts ran through her mind. She didn't want them, nor did she need them at that moment. Being hurt in the past with Inuyasha's pitiful acts she knew what was to come and she didn't want to think about it. So Kagome simply stopped thinking and let her subconscious actions guide her. She rushed to the garage and on her way there had stolen a set of keys from the bowl of twenty or thirty. Many of the metal devices she was uncertain of but this particular one she knew well. It was the key to Sesshomaru's precious Porsche 911 GT2.

Seating behind the wheel was different. She knew how to drive and had her license even, but the car was much better than her mother's and more powerful. As she rolled out of the garage she gave the mansion one last look.

Good riddance.

Her instinct told her she was making the wrong decision, but her independence spoke volumes about the stupidity of lingering to have a heart broken over and over. She was not doing a repeat of Inuyasha and that was her last thought on the matter at hand as she pulled out onto the street.

Kagome didn't know where she was heading. She took turn after turn with no plan. Home at the moment wasn't an option; she didn't want to hear the 'I told you so' from Inuyasha. Nor did she want to listen to her mother. So she figured. Just drive.

Finally she couldn't help but slip. Her mind brought up images with the inu and the stabbing pain ran through her heart.

How could he? How could I?

Being honest she admitted that she hated herself at that moment too. She knew what he was like in the past. She knew the Sesshomaru that cared for his image more than those around him. She knew how hard it was to change a person. But she wanted to believe Sesshomaru had been given enough time to become someone he wasn't.

I'm so stupid. I knew he didn't love me but I thought I could make it work. Stupid Kagome. To think he intended to kill me.

Hand on the shift she pulled down, shifting the speed up on the car, she didn't like going over the limit but she honestly didn't care. Though she noticed the changing light and forced herself to stop. With a sigh she drummed her fingers on the wheel and let her thoughts roam again.

If he didn't want me he should have never brought me to his damn house. She could feel the tears well in the corner and tried her hardest to hold them back. But a few slipped and she brushed them away with the back of her hand. I wish I could hate you Sesshomaru. Things would be so much easier if I didn't love you.

Red landed on green and she began to shift into first gear when out of the corner of her eye she noticed movement. Her car was already moving forward and before she could hit the brake metal curled around metal.

xXx

Raging, Sesshomaru ran up to his room. His cell was capable of tracking every last one of his vehicles so he could personally track down any culprit that dare to steal what was his. Never did he think he would not want to kill the thief. As he entered the room he found the unconscious hanyou maid from earlier, he concluded the miko had use the opportunity to barricade the female so she could slip out of the room. Though not intentionally the power used knocked out his mate's obstacles since the hanyou couldn't stand up to the powers of purity as well as most youkai.

The steady heartbeat proved the female would stir soon and was in no danger so he continued walk over her and head to the nightstand. His wallet appeared to be missing but the phone had not moved. Though he doubted there'd be a response he tried dialling the number to his mate's cell. It went right to voicemail so he hung up and then headed to the garage.

On the screen monitoring the movement of his car, the red dot stopped. He watched as it moved and then stopped once more. After what seemed to be a moment's hesitation the dot picked up speed and headed in the opposite direction. Sesshomaru pondered what it was that made his mate stop. As he neared the intersection he noticed one car twisted around another. He was certain his mate had seen the accident and probably considered stopping to help, but her pain would have been the reason for her lack of care at the moment and overruled any of her decisions.

If you lose our mate it will be your fault. His beast offered, clearly agitated at the thought that their pregnant female was far from their reach.

Sesshomaru was well aware that he had been the cause of this. He had hid things and in keeping her at bay she didn't know the real issues at hand. If only thoughts ran through his mind.

Thinking about what you could have done will not change the current result.

He was well aware of that as well. Desperately he wanted to believe there were no signs that this would happen but he remembered her tears in his office and knew then that she was fearful of what she didn't understand.

Maybe we moved too fast. Now of all times he realized they hadn't really spent any time together before he told her that she would become his until death. But I wanted her. And Sesshomaru was known to get whatever it was he wanted. However strange he appeared, the cold human hating inu lord had yearned for the miko for five hundred years and only at that point in time did he realize why.

He pulled to the side of the road and looked at the long stretch of highway. His miko would be around the next bend. She had stopped at the cliff to look over the city, he remembered her telling him she enjoyed that spot more than anything else. All he needed to do was reach out a little further and he could rightfully claim what was his to take.

But he wanted the miko who wanted him and loved him. If forcing her by his side broke her he wouldn't be happy. He had to have her exactly as she was. It was the things he had been denying her and in doing so he would be denying himself what he wanted as well.

My miko. My Kagome. My…

He stepped out of the car and stood beside it. He knew she would be able to sense him. Through his aura, their bond, and the mokomoko that she still had draped around her.

"Here to drag me back to kill me?"

"It was never my intention to harm what is mine to protect. The elders and other lords do not wish to see a miko at such a powerful position and sent a messenger to persuade me to change my mind."

"How do I know that you are telling the truth and not trying to sweet talk me back into my good graces," she angrily snapped.

"Trust," he answered simply.

"I don't think I can. We hardly know each other."

"I know."

"I need time to think. Away from you, and everyone else. I don't know if I will be coming back."

Sesshomaru hid the cringe. He had a slight hope that the miko he knew from five hundred years ago would still be the forgiving soul he once knew her as. It appeared that too much pain had stolen her innocence. He understood completely but that didn't mean that he was as calm on the outside as he was on the inside. In his eyes he told her of the pain it would cause to have her distant from him. Sapphire tones flickered in acknowledgement but still she said nothing to ease his fears.

"Here," she tossed his wallet to him, "I took some cash and I'm taking the car. I'll repay you somehow."

Sesshomaru sighed. "Don't worry about it."

Kagome paused for a moment. Her mouth opened once as if to say something more before closing.

"I love you," he whispered as she turned away from him. "I'm sorry and I love you."

"Youkai don't love, they are incapable of such feelings," she replied softly.

After a moment he watched his mate drive away. She didn't spare him another glance. It tore at his heart that he allowed himself to make such a damaging mistake. The blunder which cost him the love of his life.

Frantically his beast pulled for control wanting to bring back their mate, but he knew he lost her, and his unborn pups. If he didn't want to break her he had to let her go.

xXx

If there was ever a time that Sesshomaru would have sunk so low as to cry it would have been the next couple of months. Each day was a replica of the previous. Work filled as many hours possible to keep his mind occupied. The rest of the time he rested, his dreams were of her, and any thoughts that were not work related were of her. He did nothing that reminded him of her. Meals were taken in the study, he hardly ever slept in his room. He didn't enjoy his office.

Inuyasha came to him after a couple of weeks. He didn't sneer or brag. They had a civil conversation for once.

"I already have a great job that mom set me up with. I don't need to work for you, or nothing would get done and then I would have you bitching and complaining."

"Hn."

"You know… you don't look too good."

"I don't recall asking you half-breed," he snipped without looking up from his file.

Silence filled the room and Sesshomaru knew what the topic would be changing to before the hanyou even began.

"Kagome called me. She's found someplace but won't say where."

"I've filled her savings account so you don't have to worry, she has plenty of money to take care of herself and the pups."

"Damn it Sesshomaru you're suppose to get worked up! Fight with me! Argue over my stupidity! Go get her back! Stop being so submissive!" Inuyasha shouted as he stood suddenly and slammed his fist on the little space left on the cluttered desk.

"I admit that I have caused harm to my mate. I am unworthy of her. Bringing her here forcefully would break her spirit and cause her more pain."

"Thanks for reminding me why I hate you so much. You're a heartless bastard who doesn't realize how lucky he is," Inuyasha rebutted and left the room.

Sesshomaru pulled open a drawer and took out a single photo. The cunning miko had exclaimed she didn't have one of him and snapped it one night while walking in the gardens. Surprisingly he didn't see it coming, but now he was glad he hadn't torn the camera apart. Her bright smile across her soft lips also glistened in her sapphire eyes. It wasn't like he didn't want to go get her back, he just didn't want to bring back a woman he hadn't fallen in love with.

Three months. His pups were three months old now. Kagome's belly would be protruding fully and he could only imagine how beautiful she was. He longed to feel them moving and kicking. He desired to hold them after they were born and lock himself away with his mate for the required month to bond with the young ones. There was so much he wanted and he realized this time he wouldn't get it.

xXx

Inuyasha returned frequently. Sometimes to chat about those he remembered in the past to find out what happened. Other times to relay what he knew of Kagome. Today he was here to calm down the raging beast that emerged when someone suggested he take another as a mate. It was disrespect to suggest he had chosen the wrong female. He hadn't chosen wrong, he had merely acted wrongly towards the perfect woman. No one could take away the miko's title. She was still Lady of the West, his mate and mother to his pups. She was just away, far away. Nowhere near him. So he was unable to hold her, comfort her, kiss away her pain, seduce her, but no matter where she was he could love her.

"Sesshomaru just forgive the old fools and let's get out of here."

The inu glared at the hanyou before crimson depths snapped over to the insulting fool who accused him of imperfection. A flick of the wrist and the head lolled to the side before falling to the floor and rolling to face his son.

"Learn from his mistakes boy. You've been promoted."

Inuyasha shook his head. But followed Sesshomaru who began to head towards the front doors.

Nearly four months. I wonder what they will look like? His claws unconsciously ran over his mark. He was thinking about his mate more and more lately.

xXx

Sesshomaru looked at the annoying files. Perhaps it is time to sell. He could very well live many lifetimes with the money he had. With his newfound annoyance with his companies he really felt it was time to give them up. Maybe keep one or two. But the rest are more nuisance than benefit.

Irritation rode through his blood more often. He whipped the files off his desk and watched them with satisfaction as the floated to the floor.

"Milord," the hanyou female knocked on the door.

"Enter."

The female opened the door and stuck her head into the room smiling brightly, a little more than was her customary beam. Something was up.

"Someone is here to see you Milord."

"Send them away I don't wish to see anyone."

"But Milord…"

"If the half-breed has decided to visit tell him to leave well enough alone and send him on his way."

"It's not your brother Milord, but it is important."

"Remember that you work for me and you will do as asked of you," he snapped. Walking to the door he gave the female gentle push and shut the door firmly. "I do not wish to be disturbed," he added with a louder than necessary voice.

He turned his back to the threshold and walked back to his desk. Standing in front of the large wood frame he leaned over and sunk his claws into it. It had been many centuries since he had felt the urge to kill something. The last time it had happened was when his beast had been unable to find the miko.

"Kagome," he whispered. Five and a half months. My pups will be born soon.

The desk decided that it no longer wished to be something of use as much as it wanted to be firewood. It flew to the wall of shelves in a flip and smashed into pieces. One of the chairs next to him joined it. The second chair was eventually added to the pile as well. Before his chair was added a voice interrupted him. He hadn't even heard the door open.

"Killing inanimate objects now? Well I suppose it is better than killing those who question you."

Sesshomaru pivoted. His golden hues took in the figure by the door.

"Hey… I'm home."

In an instant the beast calmed and Sesshomaru gracefully walked forward. With hesitation reached out to graze his fingers against the soft skin he had been denied.

"Kagome."

"I heard you killed for me. I can't stand pointless deaths… so I thought I better come back and straighten you out. The last thing we need is World War Three."

Disbelief was evident in his sun kissed eyes. Kagome smiled brightly and initiated the contact that the inu was fearful of in case he was dreaming. On her toes she just managed to reach his lips .The task was also daunting due to the large mass she called a belly.

"I love you too."

Hearing those words Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around the woman and pulled her to the floor. As she sat in his lap she began to relay to him what had happened.

"I went to a small mountain village. Living there was nice, everyone seemed to know of youkai. Which made things easier since I guess I assumed I would be having the pups there. I was in constant contact with Inuyasha. He told me about you. The first couple of times I hung up on him. But eventually things got to the point that I would listen. He told me about how you two are getting along. Anyway, long story short, a couple of days ago Rin came to me. Shippo was with her and we all sat down for tea. Rin told me about how you killed that innocent youkai who challenged you before I left and the other one who questioned your judgement about me. I suppose I was meant to feel honoured but being human I saw no importance in your acts. After a couple of days of Shippo and Rin explaining what they knew of inu I figured I was in the wrong. Though I guess it's pathetic that it took three months to realize that."

Kagome waited and heard nothing from the inu who was currently rubbing her belly. His mokomoko draped around her. He was listening but still believed any moment he was going to wake up from this dream.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I will always understand you but I will try. But in return I must request that you let me have more freedom in my life."

"You only need to act as the Lady of the West when before the other Lords," he explained.

"I think I can handle that."

"Hn."

"Sesshomaru?"

"Yes?"

"I'm tired can we go to bed."

Sesshomaru stood, his mate hugged to his chest, before leaving the room. A few sets of eyes followed them as the last of the household members he hadn't fired watched the reunion of Lord and Lady.

xXx

"Sesshomaru, you have to get the midwife," Kagome said calmly to her shocked and uncertain mate.

"Midwife… right." He headed out the door and then looked back at his mate. "You will not give birth to them while I am gone?"

"Not if you hurry."

Sesshomaru nodded and rushed through both sets of doors. As he ran down the stairs and literally bumped into Mia. Bowing the hanyou mumbled an apology.

"Bring the pup's midwife," he urged, "My mate is in pain, bring something to relieve the pain."

"Of course Milord. Go tell Milady not to push yet."

With a furrowed brow Sesshomaru ran upstairs to relay the message. Though it made no sense to him. He wanted his pups born so why couldn't she begin pushing. He knew it was a long process so the sooner his mate began the better right?

"Kagome, Mia says you shouldn't push. You will explain why? Are the pups not ready to come? Is this a false alarm?"

The doctor was quick to explain there was such a thing as false alarms, it concerned him that he might be excited over nothing.

"Sesshomaru is this really the time to ask that?" she hissed as a pain ran through her lower body. She honestly had no idea why she agreed to give birth without the painkillers. But the youkai assure her natural was far better for the pups.

"But I wish to know if I will be holding my pups soon," Kagome swore he sounded like a whining child.

"Soon. Very soon. I promise," the woman gasped at the next contraction.

Needless to say it was soon, but not very soon. It took longer than he liked. He was permitted in the room only because Kagome had grown up in a world where the men were there for the birthing. So she demanded that he give her his hand and to insure he stayed by her side, among other things.

Even with his strength he felt a slight bit of agony with each of her intense grips. Sesshomaru peered around to see if the scene below had changed. He didn't like the idea that someone else was seeing what was only his to see, even if they were females, but he didn't know how to birth a pup and Kagome didn't hold the instinct to do it on her own. Not to mention a lot could go wrong with youkai human pregnancies.

"Not much longer Milady."

"Stop," she hissed dangerously, "saying that."

Sesshomaru held back the chuckle as he noticed her aura spark to annoyance. Even now he believed she looked beautiful in her anger.

"Look it's a head," Mia explained.

The hanyou had been told to hold the blankets that would wrap the pups. In her excitement she dropped the blanket and bounce with a happy clap. Quickly Sesshomaru snapped around to see. Only the crown could be seen and he noted that it was cover in a mat of silver fur.

"Push Milady," the midwife encourages as Kagome screamed once again.

Sesshomaru didn't flinch as the hand around his tightened. A moment later Mia handed the blanket to the midwife who with practice ease placed the pup on his mama's chest. Knowing full well what was next, Sesshomaru used a claw cut through the umbilical cord, sealing it with his poison rather than the human means.

After the birth of their brother, the other two seemed to follow suit. His daughter was the last of the three. He knew right away that being youngest, female, and smallest, her brothers would protect her with their lives.

Each pup was cleaned and wrapped carefully before tucked away beside their mother in the large bed, Sesshomaru watched them while waiting for the midwife and maid to leave so he could spend the next month with his pack.

"Sesshomaru, come here," Kagome smiled.

The poor young mother looked overwhelmed with one pup in each arm and another propped in her lap.

Instinct told him to check his youngest first. He retrieved his baby girl from his mate and looked her over. She stood out from her brother who seemed to look exactly alike. Her silver hair match both her older siblings but her bright blue eyes were not the trademark gold her brothers had. But no one would mistake her as another's heir.

Conceived first, born last, he chuckled.

"What's wrong?"

"Ai will be my heir," he declared moving aside the bangs that hid the pale crescent moon which would darken when she gain her proper title.

Kagome looked over to her mate and then to the youngest of the three. "But…"

"It would seem that Ai will be another shock to throw the other lords."

With an eye roll Kagome let things be. Sesshomaru seemed to love to entertain his court appearance by causing some sort of upheaval on his part. If anyone asked her, which was becoming common as of late, Sesshomaru was setting a bad example for the ookami that he had trained. She was well aware that female rulers did not last long in youkai society, but Sesshomaru assured her any child they produce would be powerful because of their union. She could already feel the jyaki and reiki radiating from the young female pup.

"Katsuro and Taji don't seem to have reiki level as Ai," Kagome mumbled.

Hm… maybe Ai will be the one to defend her brothers, he pondered. His thoughts weren't allowed to go too far as the pup in his arms fussed to be fed. Sesshomaru awkwardly handed his daughter to her mother and took his sons.

Life was definitely a learning experience. Being with Kagome had taught him that things didn't always come as easily as he was use to. Looking at the pups made him wonder if they were in over their heads this time, but he was grateful all the same. Selling most of his companies freed up a lot of time so he could focus on helping his mate care for their pups.

"Kagome. Thank-you."

Looking at her pups she smiled, her eye sparkling.

"No, I mean for coming back. For giving me a second chance at trying to love you properly."

Her eyes averted to his face, the soft cooing of Ai as she suckled from her mother's breast filled the silence as Kagome stared at Sesshomaru. She didn't have to say anything, she knew that but… he was acting so sweet lately and trying really hard.

"To tell you the truth I had no intention of keeping you away from your pups. I wasn't ever planning on leaving you for good. I just wanted to scare you and see if you could move on without me."

Shock radiated from the inu as he stared at the woman who was smirking ever so slightly.

"I wanted you to see that youkai could love and were capable of such weak emotions. I think it worked out better than planned."

He felt like an idiot. He had been tricked. He had been forced to live in agony for three months. But he couldn't be angry with the woman. What she had done had removed the blindfold from his eyes.

Ja ne
Angelic Memories
© 2009