Her Heart's Winter Thaw

By Dragonessclaw

Disclaimer: I make no money off of this story. The characters are the work of the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi, only the story is mine.

Chapter 39 Home At Last

Sesshomaru would finally be getting home soon and Kagome could not wait. The last couple of days had been almost impossible. She was more anxious than ever, she slept but it was often broken and when she woke Kagome always felt like she hadn't slept at all. Her training was the only thing that was not off. In fact she was doing better than ever, though Hiroku seemed concerned.

Leila was nowhere to be seen. I wonder why? Kagome thought with a grin, which was fine by her. She didn't need to hear Leila complaining about her not finishing her meals or asking probing questions. She just didn't feel like eating much less answering the multiple questions that Leila always seemed to ask lately. Plus, Kagome hadn't been very good company these past few days.

Kagome just

couldn't figure out what was going on with her. She told herself it was just all the added stress and everything would be better once Sesshomaru was back. It could even be that it was almost time to see her mother again. Kagome glanced in the corner to a beautiful embroidered chest. Inside were literally hundreds of scrolls and books that she had been keeping for her mother, Souta, and gramps. Some were letters while others were just thoughts or funny things she thought they would appreciate. It was Kagome's way of feeling like she was still there with them at least a little. They would probably never finish reading them all but it didn't matter to Kagome. Sometimes she just needed to talk to them and if that was the only way then it was what she would do.

She felt him way before he first touched down and instantly her heart began to race. She could not wait to see him though she knew he would only be able to greet her briefly before going into meetings. Then they would meet and she would have to go over with him anything she felt he needed to be made aware of and discuss any and all business matters before he would be able to step of his "business mode" and just be Sesshomaru again. Kagome checked her reflection in the mirror and then headed out to meet him. She knew where he would be, it was the first place he always went when he returned.

With Sesshomaru

Sesshomaru was exhausted. He hated the monotony of the meetings although they were necessary. Some of the problems could have and should have been handled by one of the lower officials instead of him. He was also grouchy after being away from Kagome for so long.

When he got close to the island he could feel her aura brush against his and for an instant warmth and relief flooded through him until he felt something strange. Something felt off though he could not tell through their link what that might be.

As he landed his generals were lined up and all greeted him. Sesshomaru gave a nod as both a greeting and an order to follow and give reports. He never broke stride as he continued down the entranceway toward his office. It was right inside his doorway to the left that he saw Kagome waiting for him.

Sesshomaru immediately stopped and held a hand up. "Generals a moment," He said as he continued on alone shutting the door behind him.

"Kagome," he said as he opened his arms to her. "I have missed you."

Walking into his open arms Kagome smiled and buried her head in his chest. "I missed you too. How was your trip?"

Looking down on her Sesshomaru tried to read her face but for some reason Kagome's expression was quite elusive to him. It was the same but there was something there that he could not figure out.

He used the back of his hand to brush his knuckles across her cheek lovingly and replied, "Infuriating. Are you well?"

"Of course," Kagome said smiling, "just missed you is all."

"We will have plenty of time to rectify that my mate," he said with a knowing smirk as he bent down and captured her lips in a searing kiss. "But for now I must meet with my generals."

"I know the drill, don't worry. I'll be back," Kagome added as she turned to open the door for the generals.

"My lady," they replied bowing and then filed into the room. Kagome nodded and left closing the door behind her but not before flashing a smile at Hiroku.

Once the generals had given their respective reports and their business was concluded Sesshomaru dismissed them. As the others left Hiroku lingered a moment. Without looking up from his paperwork Sesshomaru asked, "Is there something wrong Hiroku?"

"Nothing wrong my Lord but there is something that bears mentioning," Hiroku said cautiously not knowing how his Lord would take his news. He was always a fair and decisive leader but this was about his mate and Lords always got unpredictable when it came to their mates especially in the first few centuries.

Sesshomaru noticed his hesitation and also felt the slight uneasiness in his aura. He could not fathom what could have his general this way but would of course hear him out. Hiroku was his main general and Sesshomaru's trust and respect for the demon was considerable. There were very few that could say that; for with Sesshomaru it wasn't something given lightly and in most cases never. So, if there was something that he thought needed to be mentioned then of course Sesshomaru would hear him out.

"Speak."

"Lord Sesshomaru it involves the Lady Kagome," Hiroku said.

At the mention of her name Sesshomaru immediately locked eyes with Hiroku and spoke again in a tone that was slightly harsh.

"Speak," he commanded again and gestured for Hiroku to take a seat.

Hiroku swore he could feel the temperature of the room dropping a few degrees. It was nonsense of course but he could swear it was radiating from the hard, cold eyes that were now regarding him. He suddenly wished that Sesshomaru would look back down at his paperwork or just anywhere but at him.

"It is nothing really my Lord. I just noticed some odd things. Lady Kagome has resumed her training and her speed and agility have increased."

At the slight raise of a perfect eyebrow Hiroku continued. "It is to be expected my Lord with her being your mate and the Shikon Miko her powers are bound to grow. But the rate in which hers has is outstanding. I asked if she had been training her spiritual powers of late and she said no."

"Hiroku, Kagome is stronger and this is a problem how?"

"It's not just her strength, she smelled Leila on me. Even with enhanced senses she should not have been able to pick that up through the barrier I put up to mask the scent. She also has been acting strangely. Nothing big just small things like she seems to just stop sometimes to gather her thoughts more than usual. While you have been gone my Lord she also could not sleep. That has not happened in a long time and her eating has slowed down. I inquired if she was feeling ill but she just replied that she was not very hungry."

Sesshomaru did not say anything for a full minute before he asked, "How long have you been following MY MATE around to find out all of this information."

Wincing at the tone Hiroku answered, "I have not been following my Lady around that much," he answered honestly, "just the last few days and most of the time it is Leila. She was the one who noticed the food and the sleep my Lord."

Giving a nod Sesshomaru dismissed Hiroku, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention I will speak with Kagome but still keep tabs and tell Leila as well."

Hiroku left Sesshomaru thinking about the weird feeling he got when he first arrived. It was something about her aura; an emotion or something she was hiding. Sesshomaru didn't know but he would find out.

With Kagome

Kagome was in the sitting room wondering just how much information his generals had to tell him. At this rate she would never get to see Sesshomaru. Just as that thought crossed her imind Kagome felt his aura at once and raised hers in response. Within a few moments Sesshomaru was there and Kagome rushed into his arms hugging him tightly. She felt as if she hadn't seen him in months. She pulled back to look into those amber eyes she knew so well only long enough to lean up to kiss him before she was once again burying herself against his chest. She inhaled deeply and sighed as his scent enveloped her. It was like she had to see, feel, and smell him to make sure he was really there.

Sesshomaru getting all sorts of confusing emotions from Kagome pulled away from him and looked her over. "Kagome what's wrong? Has something happened?" Sesshomaru asked.

Kagome just shook her head, "It's nothing koi I just missed you."

"Kagome I can feel that something is wrong, tell me," Sesshomaru insisted as his eyes narrowed.

Locking eyes with him Kagome simply shrugged. "I don't know. Nothing. Everything. I just haven't quite felt myself lately," she replied.

Pulling her into the sitting room Sesshomaru sent for some tea and sat down. He pulled Kagome onto his lap to face him so that she was straddling his hips. He rested one clawed hand on her thigh while the other traced soothing circles on her back. He could hear his sire's voice in the back of his head. Do you have something to protect?

"Tell me all that has happened in my absence," he commanded. It was not in a harsh tone but neither was it a tone he would usually use when it was just the two of them. It was clearly a command from her alpha though Sesshomaru made sure she could sense the underlying concern for her.

Nodding Kagome began to explain everything from her travel to the South to the weird emotions and unexplainable symptoms she had been experiencing. She told him about her resuming her training with Hiroku and about her discovery of his relationship with Leila. She concluded by telling him about the her spike in powers that Hiroku had asked about and how he had seemed concerned but would say nothing more on it.

Sesshomaru listened carefully and as he did he paid particular attention to her emotions and her eyes when she spoke. Certain times she would break eye contact and when she said others she would not. The information about Hiroku and Leila was not a surprise. It was just none of his business to disclose that to Kagome. Sesshomaru felt that when Leila was ready she would share it with her friend.

Though as she told him of how she got Leila back Sesshomaru decided he would not share that particular information with her unless she specifically asked. Not that she could really hurt him but those zaps were irritating as hell. He could of course stop her but then the backlash of denying her would really hurt him. She could be quite creative in finding ways to torture him without even lifting a finger when she had a mind to.

As far as her spiritual powers that wasn't necessarily an issue since they would grow naturally but he would be sure to speak with Hiroku again and see what if anything he had to add. Getting lost in thought was really no worry it was only natural to ponder over the many changes and such. Sesshomaru felt that even though Kagome knew what to expect that actually living through it was another thing entirely. That plus the added responsibilities and the meetings with the counsel was enough on its own. He still wouldn't take any chances though.

They talked for a while longer before Sesshomaru left to receive reports from his officers but not before asking Kagome to see the healer just in case. Sesshomaru was surprised Kagome didn't argue as much as he had thought she would. If that wasn't a definite sign something was wrong then nothing else was.

O.k. guys that is it for now. I am sooo sorry it took this long to get another chapter out I couldn't figure out how to get out what I wanted and kept rewriting this chapter. You all will be happy to know that the story is winding down now and will hopefully be finishing up in the next couple of months. Thank you everyone for still hanging in there with me. Please review and let me know what you think. Your comments, suggestions, and questions help me to keep writing. Till next time.