Sesshoumaru sat at the sturdy hardwood desk in his study, looking through several old scrolls. Michiko was leaning against the wall, cross armed, watching with amusement as Rin's small dog…whose name had been changed from the InuYasha-given "Baka" to "Chibi"…chewed on one of Sesshoumaru's boots, which he'd discarded and replaced with sandals upon entering the study.

"Mother, be useful for once and take the boot away from him, would you? Those are from the continent. Ridiculously expensive, and hard to replace."

Kagura, standing behind Sesshoumaru's almost throne-like chair with her hands resting on the high back, laughed lightly and kissed the top of his head, before moving around to sit atop the large desk, calling Chibi to her and taking the boot from him.

"What are you looking for, Sessh?"

"I remember reading something a long time ago….Ah, here it is." He began reading. "Occasionally, a bond develops between two souls without their conscious consent; though it is not something that happens unless their hearts secretly desire such a bonding. It is not necessarily a bonding of youkai mates; it could as well be the bond of camaraderie, or of a father to his son, or of brothers. However, it is most commonly known for bringing together future mates."

Sesshoumaru and Michiko both relaxed slightly. Kagura looked back and forth between them, puzzled.

"What is it that's had you two so worried? I assumed you were just thinking Takeshi might not be sincere in his reversal, as I was, but what's all this about bonding?"

"Did you not feel the outflow of power when Rin and Takeshi touched?"

"Yeah but….wait, you mean they've bonded?!"

"Yes, it seems so. Fortunately, as I just read, it doesn't mean they're to be mates. Rin is…special. She reached out to him with her heart, and that changed him faster than anything else could. He's spent centuries searching for vengeance, and yet within the space of two days, Rin has washed his hate away. It isn't truly that surprising that there should be a bonding. However, I'm not sure how I would have handled it had it certainly been a mate bond. As it is, I believe it's simply a deep bond of heartfelt emotion."

"That's a relief. It'd be really weird having Rin mate-bonded to your younger half-brother."

"Indeed. Unfortunately, it's a possibility I cannot completely discard. Still, for the moment it is of little matter; Rin will not be permitted to see Takeshi without a heavy guard until he has further proved his good intent. There is no risk then of them becoming…involved…as the guards will report anything out of order to me."

Michiko headed to the doorway, looking slightly aggravated.

"Kami help us, what's the world coming to?! I get thirty men and a whole pack of Inu and rush out here as quick as possible to save that human thing, itching for a fight, and what happens? She somehow manages to undo centuries of hate within a couple of days, and now I've made all these preparations and the trip for nothing! Not a drop of blood spilled!"

"Go hunting for minor youkai or something, Mother, if it means that much to you."

"I think I will, actually. I heard there's a pack of boar youkai roaming around just outside your land to the south of here. I suppose I could deal with those."

"Certainly. Just ensure your men and dogs don't kill any humans in the area. They're under my protection."

Michiko rolled her eyes, sliding the door open to leave, shooing Chibi out ahead of her.

"Just like your father…"

When Michiko was gone, Kagura sighed heavily and lay down across the desk, grinning up at Sesshoumaru with obvious suggestion in her eyes. He smiled but shook his head.

"Not today, mate. I must choose a parcel of land for Takeshi, speak to the workers about building a house, and a great many other things as well. I'll see you at supper if not before."

She growled at him, sitting up and crossing her arms, glaring at him as he moved towards the door.

"If you go through that door without at least kissing me, I'm sleeping in my room for the next month!"

He was back at the desk within the same second, clawed fingers working into her hair, kissing her deeply and intensely. When he finally pulled away, there was a smug smirk on his lips as he eyed her state of disarray; her hair and clothing mussed, her lips swollen, parted as she gasped for breath. In that moment he truly did want to take her right there…but forced himself away, aware of both the fact that she was still bleeding and the fact that he had duties to attend to.

She smiled as he traced her lips with his claws.

"Sesshoumaru….next month….do you think…?"

During their several months of mated life thus far, he had left each month just before her fertile period began, and returned after it ended. This way she didn't go into the deep, almost crazed heat that his presence caused, but instead was hardly aware of it. Though they were both eager to have a child, they had wanted to be completely settled into the palace and their new life before she conceived. Understanding what she was asking, he smiled, laying one hand across her firm flat belly.

"If you are ready to carry a child, Kagura, I am fully willing to sire one."

Excited and happy, she threw her arms around his neck and dragged him back down for another kiss.

A/N: I am SOOOOOOO sorry….see, this is what happens when I try to write a villain…I run out of inspiration after three chapters and turn him into a good guy, then end the story at five chapters, lol. I think I'm just gonna stick with what I do well; writing emotions and everyday experiences, rather than plot. Lol. So Takeshi will be kept in the plot, but I'm going to move back to just sticking with Kagura and Sesshoumaru's life. Sequel will be up…..working on it already. Time for a puppy! lol