Passions, Chapter 28: End

"Have you abandoned your precious mortal or have you decided to eat her?" Inu Kimi asked, lazily propping her cheek into her open palm. She knew the answer already with the couple's months absence. The girl was better off with her people. Perhaps Toga's home was safer for her, but Kagome's grief was palpable when she was there. She needed her friends and family during such a delicate time—as was attributed by her mortality.

"Are there any means for a human to obtain immortality?" Sesshomaru, since his time in the slow moving, easy going village, if he could even feel dread, dreaded the thought of returning to the Sky Castle to stand before his mother's gaze. No doubt she would prod and poke at his reasons for not bringing the girl back to his home.

No doubt she, the guards, and the servants smelled the many mortal scents upon him.

And the last thing Sesshomaru expected of his mother was for her to smile, the expression mischievous and taunting even.

Inu Kimi figured he'd not answer her question, but it was really of no consequence. To come before her and ask something so….out of character was highly unexpected. It was one thing to pup the girl and bring her to their castle for a few decades, but to wish to be with her for an eternity, for the rest of his days? "….Do you realize what you are asking?"

Sesshomaru's following leer told her that he realized the implications of what he was asking.

It made her smile grow as her eyes fell shut, "…Be glad that I wish to appease you and your ridiculous love for this mortal. By nature, even demons are not immortal. To have longevity is to not be immortal because one day, we will surely die. Immortality however, is attainable by those whom consume the flesh of ningyo."

"Ningyo?"

A weary nod followed his question, "If one can manage to dive the perilous depths and find one such being, consuming its flesh will grant immortality. You can do many things, my son, but holding your breath while you perilously quest the bottoms of the oceans is not one of them…"

Though this time, Sesshomaru did something truly…unexpected. He smiled!

He was smiling! Smiling before he turned upon his heels to depart—leaving Inu Kimi utterly confused and sulking, "Wait Sesshomaru!"

He paused before turning his head to gaze at her from over his shoulder, the cool demeanor she'd com to know in place.

"…Just be careful." Said with a snort as adverted her gaze from him, arms folded across her chest. Her own pup and his whims! Honestly, he was trying to drive her into an early grave.

Xx

"Ultrasound pictures!" Kagome exclaimed, immediately drawing her arms around Sesshomaru as she presented the photos to him. She'd gone to her era from "proper maternal care" she cited. The strange image she presented was no doubt foreign to Sesshomaru until she described the baby'shead and would be limbs.

"Ultrasound?" He repeated, adorning her cheek with a lingering kiss as his eyes once more graced the photo the photo, "…Such an odd word."

Kagome grinned as she gazed up at him, "And you were right. We are having a little girl. She's going to be really healthy, they predict. If only they knew the half of it."

"The humans of your era are far more advanced than anticipated…" Said as he brought the picture up higher to view it.

"Far more advanced than you think! We've even been to the moon!" Said as she was drawn against him- her stomach making it nearly impossible.

"…The moon, on your bicycle..?" Truly he had questions about that declaration. It was possible for a demon like himself to reach the moon, yet fragile mortals?

Though, he'd learned not to underestimate them. It was a lesson he learned time and time again—especially as he gazed down at his pregnant mate, for she snagged the impossible, him.

If this ningyo of the sea could not be found, his next best choice was the sacred jewel. He had no desire whatsoever or use for the sacred jewel beforehand, but it was said to grant wishes. He was never known to stoop to any other means to accomplish his wants other than his own strength, but…the jewel could be used as a last resort—a means to an end.

If only to be with Kagome forever.

Since she'd gotten larger, moving around was becoming…a pain—and that was truly an understatement. Everything ached, no position was comfortable, and it was a roller coaster of emotions from one extreme to another. That, and the day that would end it all was approaching so quickly that she doubted she would ever be ready—even if she had a millennium

Yet, in all the madness, she possessed no regrets, knew no sadness. In Sesshomaru, she found the freedom she sought from Inuyasha and Kikyo.

Unattainable happiness, the feeling of being desired and loved, it'd been fulfilled, and it was all hers. With him there were no shadows to stand in, no bitterness to shake, and hand in hand, she'd always remain with him for the rest of her days.

Their child would know nothing short of love, she would ensure it, and the pup would always be protected by its powerful father. This new life she created, was born from a chance meeting, one that had to be fate's doing. Why else would a great Daiyoukai fall for a human woman?

Or perhaps Sesshomaru was more like his father than he ever expected.

New adventures for them awaited, new heights would be explored, the prospect of a human becoming immortal Sesshomaru's aim, and they would face it together, them and their child.