Chapter Thirty

-Epilogue-

A warm breeze swept through the Western Castle carrying the scent of Sakura along with Sakura blossoms to flow about. The walls that had once surrounded the Sakura Tree for 500 years were now gone. As the Sakura Tree looked down to see a miko, it knew that she was the same miko the inuyoukai had fallen in love with in the past. Showering Sakura Blossoms down upon the miko in joy, the Tree noticed the miko's tummy swollen.

Kagome placed a hand gently above her swollen stomach and whispered, "This is the tree where your papa proposed to mama long time ago." She released a giggle as she felt her pup inside lightly kicking. Tracing with her eyes along the scarred marks where the walls used to stand around the tree, her deep blue eyes darkened with sorrow. Walking closer towards the tree, Kagome noted the patch of grass that no longer grew beside the tree. She was sure that spot was where Sesshomaru sat for hours just thinking of her; remembering her. Slowly sitting down on the very spot, Kagome leaned her head against the tree trunk. She was sure that Sesshomaru was positioned exactly as she was just now.

Even though a few years had passed since her return.

Even though they went through with their mating ceremony.

Kagome couldn't help but feel sorrow and apologetic for causing her mate so much pain for centuries.

Just as she was about to sink in a sea of regret, Kagome felt her pup kick hard within her stomach. Flinching at the pain for a while, Kagome soon began to release a chuckle.

"Mama is being silly, isn't she?" she cooed at her smart pup. No, she shouldn't be sad because right now they were together and happy. Rubbing her stomach gently, Kagome graced a bright smile along her lips.

"Lady Kagome!" she looked up to see Goro running towards her. "You shouldn't be outdoors alone! Lord Sesshomaru will be furious if he sees you!" Goro exclaimed fearfully as he had already received enough of his Lord's wrath from letting Lady Kagome wander around unguarded.

Kagome rolled her eyes at the negative effects of Sesshomaru's over protectiveness that she had to endure. She understood that her disappearance and fake death caused him to become so overprotective, but now that she was pregnant he became even more unreasonable.

"Fine! I'll go inside because I don't want mean Sesshomaru to yell at you again just because I was walking around the gardens alone!" Kagome said while emphasizing how ridiculous her mate was being towards poor Goro.

"Mean, am I?" Kagome heard her mate's voice suddenly say. She noticed poor Goro stiffen at the sound while she turned to look at her mate dressed from work.

"Admit it! You are being unreasonably overprotective, Sesshomaru!" she argued her case confidently.

"The last time I wasn't overprotective, you disappeared for 500 years," she heard him snap back. Noting his furrowed brows and flash of pain from the memory, Kagome softened her gaze.

She knew it.

It was the first time he had voiced it.

He was still scarred from her disappearance.

-Flashback-

Kagome stormed out of the Western Castle after arguing with Sesshomaru once again about his overprotectiveness. She felt caged inside the Castle, yet Sesshomaru made sure she didn't leave his sight. It was a few days after she had just returned to her time right after the battle against Neikan. She knew she would have difficulties rebuilding her relationship with Sesshomaru since it had just been days since she's been with him while it had been 500 years for him. But, feeling imprisoned was a totally different level she could not handle.

Reaching the Sakura Tree, Kagome plopped down with anger still streaming through her.

"Kagome," she heard her name being called and looked to see Takashi joining her beside the tree.

"Takashi, I don't feel like talking to anyone right now," she warned as she needed to let off some steam or else she would direct her anger towards others.

"I thought you would need to know something about Sesshomaru from someone who has looked over him for the past 500 years," he stated softly.

"What," Kagome snapped as she felt her temper rising.

"After your disappearance, he's lived through 500 years just to see your younger self again. When you left to the feudal era forever, you disappeared from his reach once again. When you returned to him again, I also think it is normal of him to not let you out of his sight in fear that he might lose you again," Takashi thought out loud, trying to reason with Kagome to help her understand Sesshomaru's actions.

"So that's how you and him see it," Kagome whispered into the air.

"Yes, and you should understand him and just follow along, Kagome," Takashi advised gently.

"No, Takashi, I shouldn't," Kagome replied honestly.

"What? Why?" Takashi asked.

"I see things differently. I don't want to be under his constant watch because that would mean his fear of my disappearance would still be there!" Kagome said as her voice gradually grew louder and tears began to stream down her face.

Realization dawned upon Takashi as he understood Kagome's actions in a new light. He never considered the constant fear that Sesshomaru would have if Kagome obeyed his every command. He never considered that at all. Only Kagome would worry for Sesshomaru to an extent further than anyone else could have considered.

"So of course I do not want to obey his every whim and stay caged inside the Castle!" Kagome was now yelling out.

"You're right," Takashi confessed as he sighed in defeat. Kagome stared at Takashi in shock at how easily he gave up his position to defend Sesshomaru's actions.

"So what will you do then?" Takashi asked in hopes that Kagome could truly erase the scare that remained within Sesshomaru for 500 years.

"I'll figure something out," Kagome murmured to herself in determination.

-End of Flashback-

Suddenly clenching her stomach, Kagome winced in pain as she began to fall. Just as quickly, Sesshomaru was by her with worry written across his face while hoisting her up.

"What's wrong? Is it the pup? Are you feeling dizzy again?" Sesshomaru voiced full of worry as his expression softened. He felt her hand grasping his shoulder for support, when suddenly he felt her hand drag him down towards her.

Her lips gently placed upon his as he felt her warm tongue brush against his.

Pulling away from the kiss, Kagome smiled satisfied by the dazed look upon her mate. Tenderly placing her hand upon his cheek, she reassured him that she was fine.

"I won't leave you, no matter what," she promised him once again, knowing that he needed to constantly hear this from her.

"Ahem," Kagome quickly looked towards the owner of the sound and realized Goro had watched the entire thing. As a crimson blush appeared upon her cheeks, she released a squeak before scurrying behind Sesshomaru to hide herself.

"Leave us," Sesshomaru ordered Goro, while lightly chuckling at his mate's confusing actions. Confident in one moment and the next she becomes shy and embarrassed.

Confusing indeed.

When he noted that the soldier had left far enough, Sesshomaru returned his attention to his mate. Noticing the blush was still apparent on her cheeks, he slowly caressed her warmed cheeks with his hand.

Kagome felt her heart pounding at the sight of her mate's tender eyes. She always felt her heart race whenever he looked at her like that; looked at her with love.

Could he be happy?

Yet, he felt that it was all too good to be true.

The fear that tightly gripped at his heart had tightened.

It was almost too good for this happiness to last.

But after Kagome's return, he couldn't help the feeling of love brim within his heart.

Staring into her enchanting stormy eyes, Sesshomaru felt the fear surrounding his heart loosen.

Her love seemed to over flood him.

No, there was no more room for fear, unease or doubt.

"I will try to be less…protective," she heard him voice softly. Unveiling a sweet smile upon her lips, she felt loved.

Allured by her beautiful smile, Sesshomaru captured her lips by surprise and pulled his mate into a tight embrace where she belonged; in his arms. Reluctantly breaking the kiss to allow her to breathe, Sesshomaru rested his forehead against hers.

His Mate.

His Wife.

His Sanctuary.

The Mother of his children.

The woman he would only love.

Slowly closing his eyes, a sense of peace and warmth flowed throughout his body.

How did he live without her for 500 years? He could not remember.

But that no longer mattered anymore.

She was here with him, and he would be able to love her.

"I love you," both the miko and inuyoukai said at the same time; the miko whispered out loud the words while the inuyoukai's heart whispered so.

The End

Author's Note: Kneeling with two hands on the ground, the author lowers her head in a formal bow. I would be happy to read your LAST thoughts about "The Masked Truth". Then, I hope you will allow me to immerse you with another story, "The Hime Tradition". I hope to see you in my future stories.

Acknowledgement: I would like to thank all my readers that have joined me on this adventure. I would also like to thank my Beta-reader (Sakemori) that has taken the time to proof read all the chapters of "The Masked Truth" in such a swift and quick manner. "You are the best" *yells out while jumping around and cheering*