Disclaimer: InuYasha belonged to Rumiko Takahashi.

A/N: I deeply apologize to everyone who has been reading, following and reviewing Sa Maitresse (His Mistress). It's been years guys, and this chapter is dedicated to all of you. Also, to the latest review that I got from drkkizzes12, this is my answer. :)

His Mistress

Chapter Twenty Five: Confirmation

"Good morning, Miss Shimizu." Mayu greeted her as she walked through the entrance hall of the Taisho manor. She hasn't been there since Kagome and Inuyasha went back. Now, she was visiting the Taishos to ask something regarding Sesshoumaru's whereabouts. It was funny when she thought that being his wife will entitle her of knowing her husband's various business dealings and encounters, but, alas, she was not. She didn't even know what he was doing at this very moment.

Her husband has not been at home for a couple of days and she was wondering where he was staying, though she pretty much have an idea that he was residing back in his parents' home. She also wanted to check on him. He told her before that he would be dealing with business together with his siblings that needed most of his time and so he does…without even coming home.

She sighed in irritation. The manor was quiet and she was not aware if Kagome and Inuyasha were home since their encounter. "Where is everyone?" she asked the waiting servant.

"Lord and Lady Taisho were not home yet. They went out earlier and won't be back until before dinner, Miss Shimizu." The servant informed her. She was about to turn her back when Mayu continued. "However, young master Inuyasha and miss Kagome were here. If you want to talk to them, I will escort you to where they are staying at this moment."

A brow rose at the servant's last words. "No need, I will just find them myself." She said in haste, before turning on her heels and passed the hall that will lead her to the receiving area. She was moving quickly that she didn't hear the parting words that the servant said before exiting the hall to the kitchen.

"If that is what you prefer, Miss Shimizu."

She was passing Touga's study when she heard laughter coming from the outside. She stopped on her tracks and went to the window to see who it was. There she saw a lady that resembled Kagome in looks, playing with the children by the garden set. She felt a pang of sadness in her heart at the sight beyond the glass. Her heart swelled for the children that were playing happily in the grass. A smile broke from her lips as she watched them with longing in her eyes. She very much wanted to have a child. And seeing these children only made her want it more. It was not the time and place for her regrets, but seeing these children happily interacting with the pale-faced woman, her heart ached painfully.

'If only that didn't happen…' her thoughts were interrupted by Inuyasha's voice that echoed through the slightly opened door of Touga's study. She left the window and walked across the hall stopping in front of the door. She wanted to talk to Inuyasha about Sesshoumaru. She was not sure if he would talk to her remembering their past encounters, but she would try, if only to know her husband's whereabouts. She was about to knock when Inuyasha's raised voice halted her gesture.

"What are you doing, Kagome?" Inuyasha's question rang in her ears. They were discussing about getting a place to live in while they were here. She was showing her brother some places that she found through the newspapers that he might approve. She was talking about it with Touga when Sesshoumaru interrupted them before the pups surprised her of their coming home the other day.

"I already told you." She sighed in resignation. She was explaining her side to him and their father since the first day that they came back. She was tired of explaining, especially to Inuyasha who was supposed to understand her of all people. "We can't stay here Inuyasha, not with Sesshoumaru in this manor. It sure is big enough to fit us all in, but it suffocates me. You know how suffocating it is for me being here…and now with my pups." She shook her head in emphasis. "Please, you have to understand. We need time to adjust." She said pleading as she stared at him.

Shimizu decided that it was not the right time to talk to Inuyasha since he was clearly pissed off while talking to his sister. She was about to turn, deciding that she would just go outside and ask about the children playing, when something that he said caught her ears. She paused at his statement. She didn't know why but her spine tingled at the words that escaped Inuyasha's mouth. "You are mated, Kagome."A gasp escaped her lips at his words. She quickly covered her lips with her hands, fearing that they might hear her and assume of the worst. She didn't want to, but she heard it. She never wanted to eavesdrop on them but it was an accident, an accident that made her shiver in panic. She wasn't aware how her hands made its way to clasp on her chest but Mayu's voice from across the hall brought her back to the realization that she was in a state of shock.

"Are you alright, Miss Shimizu?" the servant asked worriedly, she was carrying a tray of refreshments for the kids outside.

She didn't respond, instead, she continuously heaved deep breaths, trying toease her shock and calm herself. 'How did Kagome got mated?' The thought swam in her mind. The last time the family talked about her didn't include her being mated. Touga was so protective of his only daughter, though she was informed that Kagome was adopted. Inuyasha was overly protective of her too. 'How come she got easily mated and she…?' Her face grimaced at the wavering thoughts that kept on filling her mind. She knew that it wasn't her business to mind her husband's siblings but hearing that the youngest Taisho was mated made her anxious. 'Whom did she mate with?' Why her, the youngest of the Taishos?

"Miss?" Mayu's voice brought her out from her momentary trance.

"What is it?" she snapped at the servant who was clearly worried about her.

"Are you alright?" the servant worriedly repeated the question.

"Yes…yes I am." She said walking heavily to the doors that would lead her to the children outside. She must relax and keep her composure, and playing with the children might just be what she needed to do that.

Meanwhile, Kagome and Inuyasha continued arguing inside Touga's study.

"You can't just take the pups away from their father!" he abruptly stood from the chair behind Touga's desk. Inuyasha was getting tired and pissed off, but of course he could not let it rule him. Kagome was in distress and he understood where she was coming from, her situation was not normal. He didn't want to argue with his sister and he definitely didn't want her to get mad."They have been without him for so long." He said as he lowered himself back on the chair. He was trying his hardest to calm down after his sudden outburst. As a hanyou, he knew that the pups would want to be with their father, but he was torn because Sesshoumaru has left Kagome wounded since the very beginning and it could not be healed easily. Sesshoumaru has to be the one to make a move and mend Kagome's broken heart. He cleared his throat before adding more, calmly saying,"taking another minute would devastate them knowing that he was here and you were somewhere."

"I know that." She said in frustration as she heaved a deep breath, trying to soothe her suddenly raging nerves."Believe me, Inuyasha, I perfectly know that." She said as the memory when her necklace was removed came to mind.

"Then why?" Inuyasha stared at her as her gaze fell on the wall. He knew what was going through her mind. The memory of Kagome in rage while they were in London was still fresh in his mind. They all learned a lot from that moment, and that made them realize the extent of their mating and its consequences.

"Inuyasha, you know I don't want to fight you." She sighed in defeat. They have not been like this in forever, and she refuse to let this be the first. "I hate fighting with you. You are so important to me. You have been my pillar of support when everything in my life falls to the ground." Her eyes found Inuyasha's amber ones. The silent plea that emanated from her eyes affected the hanyou. "Please try to understand."

He closed his amber orbs as he filled his lungs with air. He also hated to argue with her. "I am trying my very best to understand you, Kagome. Believe me sister, I do."

Kagome took his reaction as negative. She could not believe that Inuyasha would do that to her, of all people. "Are you taking his side now?" she asked in confusion. Inuyasha opened his eyes and stared at her. She was shaking her head as she slowly rose from her chair; this argument was draining all her energy. She took a step forward letting Inuyasha face her back before she asked. "Is that what this is all about?" she looked over her shoulder and saw how her brother rose from his seat and rounded their father's desk.

Inuyasha stopped in front of her. He cupped her face in his hands as he leaned slightly forward so that he could see her eyes. Kagome's eyes went from sharp to soft again in a moment, making him regret that he made her feel that way. "I once told you, I'd give you your life back…and this is why I'm doing this, Kagome." He said, regretting how he raised his voice on her earlier. "I'm always on your side, pumpkin. Always yours never doubt that." Kagome closed her eyes as Inuyasha's lips touched her hair.

- II -

The pups quickly turn their heads on the direction of the servants voice as she stepped on the stepping stones that was strategically placed on the grass. "Here are your refreshments young master, young miss." Mayu addressed the pups as she walked down the grass and placed the tray of refreshments and snacks on the table.

"Tea time!" Aki stood from his position on the grass and ran to the table, taking his place beside Kikyou. His eyes went wide with excitement at the sight of Izayoi's little sandwiches and rice cakes. They were accustomed to these since they were born and raised in London, but here in Japan, Izayoi made sure that they must do it incorporating their Japanese heritage.

"Oh…sandwiches!" Rin exclaimed as she climbed the chair on her aunt's other side. She picked one from the tray and stuffed it immediately in her mouth all the while eyeing her brother who was setting his eyes on Izayoi's rice cakes.

"Rice cakes!" they excitedly said in unison, each picking a piece from the tray and filling their mouths.

Kikyou smiled at their excitement and helped each of them to sit on the chairs. She took two small plates and filled it with a little bit of everything as Mayu filled two glasses with tea before giving it to the pups. She each hand them a napkin to place on their laps.

"You can take your leave, thank you. I'll take it from here." Kikyou told the servant with a small smile on her lips

. The servant responded with a curt nod and a fond smile before retreating back to the manor, carrying an empty tray.

They were eating heartily when Rin suddenly stopped and fixed her eyes on the door. Shimizu was standing by the door and was silently watching them as they eat their afternoon snacks with Kikyou. She was observing the kids as they eat heartily and with so much gusto. She smiled at the little girl who was openly staring at her.

"Who was that aunt Kikyou?" Rin asked Kikyou who was picking an egg roll with her chopsticks.

"Who?" Kikyou followed Rin's line of sight and saw a lady standing by the door. She didn't know that they will be having visitors today and she became a little worried that the pups' laughter and loud noises might disturb them.

Kagome and Inuyasha have come to terms and decided to leave her with the decision regarding their relocation. It was afternoon and since the pups just went here a few days before, they thought that they might be having their afternoon tea and decided to join them. She exited Touga's study as Inuyasha follow through and locking the door behind him.

"Where are the pups, Mayu?" Kagome asked the servant who was pasing the hall while carrying an empty tray.

Mayu stopped and offered them a curt bow. She came from outside the manor with an empty tray on her hands. "They are outside, Miss Kagome." She immediately answered.

"Who are they with?" It was Inuyasha's turn to ask.

"They are currently having their afternoon tea with Miss Kikyou." She informed the both of them. "Also, I happen to pass Miss Shimizu standing by the door as I entered the manor." The servant supplied.

Kagome's eyes went to Inuyasha. The surprise in his eyes were obvious as he stared back at her in question. "Shimizu was there too?" she asked as curiosity dawned on her. They were both surprised that Sesshoumaru's wife was here after all the days that she haven't been visiting them when her husband was clearly staying there.

"Yes, Miss." She gladly said. "I guess that she was happily watching your children while they play earlier."

"What is she doing here?" she asked without peeling her eyes off of Inuyasha who only shrugged his shoulders as his brows rose in question. They haven't been expecting her and they thought that as Sesshoumaru was staying with his parents for the time being…that his wife would be doing the same too. But these past few days, they observed that Seeshoumaru and Shimizu were residing in different places.

"Miss Shimizu was looking for the Lord and Lady Taisho when she got here earlier. I informed her that they wouldn't be coming home until before dinner so she went inside looking for the both of you instead." She informed them before she asked permission to leave.

"You may leave, thank you." Kagome whispered in response. Curiosity got the most of her as she turned on her heels and went outside the manor with a surprised and confused Inuyasha in tow.

Kagome burst from the door. She didn't realize that she just went into a sprint to get outside. Once there, she saw the twins comfortably sitting on each chair on either side of Kikyou. She was eyeing her twins when she caught Shimizu walking to her pups with a bright smile on her lovely face.

"Mama!" Aki said in excitement when he saw her. He immediately slide from his seat and ran towards her without wiping his hands. Kagome took a step forward and waited with open arms as Aki reached her. She picked him up happily as he went into fits of giggles. "Where have you been? We were waiting for you." He asked curiosly.

Shimizu stopped on her tracks and turned to face Kagome who was carrying a giggling lad in her arms. "Kagome," she greeted her politely.

"Shimizu," Kagome responded.

"Uncle Inuyasha!" Aki exclaimed as Inuyasha came from around the corner.

"Hey there kiddo." Inuyasha's hand went to his head and fondly shuffled his silver mane. The boy went from giggling to laughing at the his gesture. Both uncle and nephew were very fond of each other. He has been the twins' father figure next to Touga while they were in London. The boy stretched out his arms to him, silently willing his uncle to take him from his mother. He took him and urge Kagome to go to Rin and Kikyou. His eyes went from Kagome's retreating back to Shimizu who was standing in between them before asking, "why are you here, Shimizu?"

Shimizu shrugged and responded, "I was looking for Lord Touga, but unfortunately he went out with Lady Izayoi." Inuyasha kept on eyeing her. She could not decipher if he believed her or not, so she supplied, "I heard the children laughing, the sound they make made me happy so I decided to go and introduce myself. I am sorry if I intruded in some way." She didn't know if she has stepped an invisible boundary but it felt like she did. Inuyasha's eyes made her feel that way.

Aki wiggled from his hold and he put him down. He watched him as he ran back to his seat and resume eating his interrupted snack while Kagome sat on the available chair. "Mother and father were not here." His eyes went back to Shimizu. "If you were seeking for your husband he's not here also." Inuyasha's firm voice reverberated through her ear.

She inwardly winced at his tone. "I know, again I'm sorry. Excuse me," she gathered her skirt and went inside the manor. She passed the hall to the exit and climb to her waiting car. "Back home," she instructed her driver as she tried to make herself comfortable. She didn't know why, but Inuyasha's animosity towards her seemed to be rooting from something. She left the manor in haste as Inuyasha made her feel like an outsider in their family. She kept on heaving deep breaths to calm the anxiety and panic that Inuyasha instilled on her. She closed her eyes and wonder. 'Does he know that I happen to listen accidentally to them earlier?' It was the sole reason that might trigger Inuyasha's animosity earlier.

"Kagome was mated…" she said to no one in particular, repeating what she heard earlier. She was in that state when she suddenly remembered something.

She once saw a faint mark on Kagome's shoulder, but she was doubtful of what it represents. It might be something from her childhood days and she didn't dare asked her about that because Inuyasha wisked her away from Kagome's room. But now, after accidentally hearing their conversation, she was positive that it was a mating mark. She hasn't known much about demon mating, but she thought that what she knew about Kagome was enough. She even saw the proofs. Deducing the situation earlier and hearing the little boy called his mother, made her think that those two were Kagome's children. An evil smirk tore her lips as she thought of her husband, The Great Sesshoumaru Taisho. How will he take that his youngest sister was mated before him? "Go to Sesshoumaru's office." She commanded the driver as she stared in the rearview mirror.

"Yes, ma'am." The driver responded in affirmation and went to turn around the block to head to the Taisho's building.

Once parked beside Sesshoumaru's parking space, she went inside the building with a sinister smile on her lips. She head straight to the elevators without responding to the greetings of the hotel employees. She couldn't wait to infrom her husband about his sister's mating and she hoped for the worst…to see some emotion in his eyes. She rode an empty elevator and waited for it to ascend to the administrative floor that held the offices. Once the doors opened she immediately exit the lift and walked straight to her husband's office with purpose on her every step. She didn't heed his secretary when the woman told her that Sesshoumaru was busy and trying to block her from entering his office. Instead, she walked straight to his door and without even knocking, she grab the knob and let herself in.

Seeshoumaru's head snapped to see who barged inside his office uninvitedly. Shimizu stood there with his secretary following her, trying to prevent his wife from disturbing him while at work.

"I am sorry, Mr. Taisho, I told her that you were busy, but she didn't listen." His secretary apologized profusely.

He hold a hand and stood from his seat. "It's okay. You may leave us alone."

The woman stopped and looked at Sesshoumaru, "yes, sir." Shimizu looked over her shoulder with taunting eyes as she watched his secretary turned to go back to her table and pulling the door close behind her.

"To what do I owe this visit, Shimizu?" Sesshoumaru's bored tone reverberated on the walls of his office.

Shimizu turned to look at him, "I don't think I need a reason to visit my husband." She smirked at him. She heard a huff coming from him before she started walking towards the chairs in front of his desk. She made herself comfortable in one and fixed her eyes on Sessoumaru's face. "Do you even take a rest?" she asked sarcastically, raising a brow to emphasize her question.

He snarled at her sarcasm that caused her to feign a shocked expression, "Bitch."

One corner of her lips twisted in a rueful smirk. "Are you sure you are referring to me, Sesshoumaru?" she said putting emphasis on his name as she defiantly raised her chin and met his blazing eyes.

"What are you implying?" he asked in a firm, cold tone darting her eyes with his piercing gaze.

She stood from her seat to match his position, still with a defiant chin she told him, "your precious sister was marked." She menacingly said each word with weight, her voice coated with malice as she watched his face. She was doubtful at first but now she was certain that her husband was rendering feelings for his youngest sister. 'Disgusting,' was the first thought that entered her mind. It all came crashing in her mind. Sesshoumaru's feelings for Kagome was not similar to what Inuyasha felt. Her husband was discreet and she almost overlook it if not only for the past events that has happened after they went back home. "Do you think I didn't know that you were rendering feelings for your sister?" she said as she rounded his desk and position herself in front of him. "You have no shame! Such indecency, Sesshoumaru! And you deemed yourself respectable?" she blurted out in his face.

His eyes turned into slits as he tried to control the rage that he was feeling. He grabbed her elbow and held it tight, taking pleasure in it as his wife winced in pain. "You do not know what you are talking about, Shimizu."

He didn't know that he married a monster.

Rai: Let me know what you think, ne?