Disclaimer: Inuyasha © Takahashi Rumiko. I just own the plot and original characters.

A/N: Let's get a little bit chilling now, as we would welcome a new (original) character soon. I know it would be a-boring-chapter, but I tried *sigh*

Chapter 15:

Holy Whisper

The young and beautiful Lady of the Western Lands, Kikyo, hardly swallowed the food in front of her, feeling uneasy of having all the servants' attention on her and she somehow had the urgent to blamed Sesshomaru for nothing. As they arrived back at the palace – technically it was only Kikyo – only for a while later Sesshomaru went off to take care some business after dropped his woman and made sure his people treated her well; without spared any words, just a little peck on her cheek. And the last time she checked, Sesshomaru wasn't in a good emotion, though it always hides behind his cold exterior, since the last encounter with Tetsuya. Fortunately she didn't have to evidence any brutal scenes of fighting between demons that time.

"You need to eat, Milady," Aya insisted softly, placing a glass of water in front of her.

Kikyo shocked her head and ignored her words. "I don't feel like to eat anything." All she had in mind was Sesshomaru left her for days and it was too long to be burdened. Well, he had left her some time ago to do his job as a Lord but this time is getting harder. Kikyo sighed, stood up from her chair, "Can I just lie back on my bed? I feel… funny," she massaged her temple.

"Are you alright, Milady?" Aya asked in concern, she immediately grabbed her arms. Kikyo looked so pale and fragile, her chocolate eyes dulled in haze and tiredness. "You might be too tired after a long trip yesterday. Let me take you to your room." Biting her lips, Kikyo felt numb as she restrained herself not to vomit. It was getting worse lately.

…oOo…

Sesshomaru quietly opened the door and, as soft as he could, walked inside the room – their bedroom. He never experience this much tiredness before that surely would dessert him; he even worry he couldn't reach the bed as he felt he had the chance to collapse. His body was burned as hell; all the muscles were so intense and he, eventually, start to think that he needed some rest. But he was wrong, as he saw Kikyo stood in front of the glass window, facing him emotionlessly.

"What are you doing this late night?" Sesshomaru asked; worry was concerned in his voice, seeing his mate was pale and dully. He frowned, she was only wearing a thin yukata with the cold wind blew strongly inside. He immediately walked ahead to her and took off his haori then pulling it on her; wrapping her petite body with some warmness she deserved.

"I'm waiting for you," Kikyo answered, looking plainly to his eyes. She was cold and tremble, he noted. "You were gone too long and I'm sick of it," she hissed, restraining her emotions to flow.

"Let's get to the bed. You need to rest." Ignoring her words, Sesshomaru pulled her into his arms and taking her back to the bed but she stood still.

"I don't need to," she refused.

Sesshomaru frowned; his eyes became sharp to him. He sensed something different about Kikyo, beside her cold behavior and fragile figure she had now. Her scent was changed; it was more surrounded by the scent of demon.

"I was so worried about you," Kikyo hoarsely whispered. "I thought you left me here, that you'll never come back." It was strange; her voice turned into sob, he learned. Sesshomaru then gently grabbed her arms and pulled her into his arms, slowly caressed her long tresses. "I'm here now," he reassured.

Once her breaths were harbored but now she was getting relaxed as wrapping her arms around him. How she missed him so much; his smell of fresh midnight air and wind, and man. "What about it?" Sesshomaru slightly chuckled as his mate nuzzled against his chest. "Start being spoiled woman as you always wish to be." He smiled against her hair.

"I can't be spoiled, can I?" she hummed.

"Show me other sides of you." He grabbed her by legs and collected her petite figure within his arms, carrying his mate to the bed. She needed some good rest, judging from her looks, so did him.

…oOo…

He hated sunrays. Especially when he felt cold by his side; reaching out his arms and he found nothing. Kikyo always a light sleeper, woke up before the sun went up and doing everything she can do. Though sometimes she could be late, but it was a rare occasion. However it much different from those morning he had when he spent the night at the Palace. Instead of welcomed by a solid silence, there was a noisy sound came from the bathroom.

Kikyo released a deep moan. Her head was aching and dizzy; it was getting worse than yesterday as she gripped the edge of wooden tub. She even didn't give a damn care when Sesshomaru entered the bathroom and stood beside her. "Are you alright?" Sesshomaru asked, putting off her strands behind her ear.

"I'm feeling horrible," she breathed, wiping the salty droplets that clouded her eyes. "My head's spinning. Perhaps I'm too tired, stress or something. Mind taking me some medicine?"

"Are you sick?" Sesshomaru asked again. "Didn't they give you good foods?"

"No, they didn't," Kikyo hurriedly answered. She knew Sesshomaru was kind of sensitive about his servants' service toward her; overprotective like hell. "I'm the one who didn't eat the food." Kikyo covered her face miserably. "Really, give me some medicine and I'll be alright."

"Are you keep vomiting and lose your appetite?"

Kikyo hopelessly groaned, too sick to answer. Why all of the sudden Sesshomaru was so fussy about her? "Sesshomaru…" She almost cried. That damned demon really ruined her mood, dessert her emotion and encourage her patience.

"I'd like to check you up first before you take some medicine. I'll call doctor Jun."

Just damn Sesshomaru. She needed that medicine, any medicine… not taking the time so long, waiting for a demon doctor to come and check her up. It was a hell that she must struggle through the bad condition and once she got better, Sesshomaru would pay for this.

…oOo…

She even cannot wake up from the bed as doctor Jun carefully checked on her condition. Her eyes slid close and hardly took the breath but keep her focus on the conversation Sesshomaru shared with the doctor. She must look so terrible now; the way Sesshomaru looked at her with that pathetic sight confusingly drove her mad.

"I know you already knew about it, Milord." Doctor Jun softly placed her hand upon her stomach as he shifted his concern to Sesshomaru and widely smiled. The young Lord responded nothing. "You could sense her changing scent."

Her scent? Changed? The illness even didn't allow her spiritual power to detect any change in her body. She cannot feel anything beside uneasy and headache. Kikyo squirted a bit on her bed, opening her eyes and looked at her mate. What was happening to her?

"Please, don't take any medicine, Milady," doctor Jun gazed and smiled at her; how could he smile when she was surviving through the pain. "Your symptoms were similar with any mother-to-be."

"Huh?" Kikyo moaned. Since when taking such medicine was so complicated? "Please, I just need some medicine, herbs, anything–"

"You are pregnant by now and medicine is dangerous for your baby, Milady." His smile grew wider while her mahogany eyes seeing him in questions. "Congratulations, you are going to be mother and father soon." Doctor Jun got up from the bed and nodded to Sesshomaru.

"Take care of her, Milord. Having a demon Lord's baby is never easy." Doctor Jun gently poked Sesshomaru's shoulder as he left the couple by themselves and closed the door from outside.

"You knew it." It was the first words that came from her mouth. Responded nothing, Sesshomaru choose to sit on the edge of the bed and gently wrapped her hand inside his. "Just want to make sure since your scent grew more demonic," he clearly stated. She took away his eyes from him to their connected hands; Kikyo had imagined, yes, she had once imagined married to him, knowing they would have many wonderful children then. She had imagined he would have stressed, waited for her with puppy eyes. Alas, once he was Inuyasha and it never had Sesshomaru crossed her mind. Yet, here she was right now. Gently rubbing her still-flat-belly, she was having his baby – Sesshomaru's baby.

Tears slowly fell from her eyes, while her mind was rather raged with happiness. This little innocent soul was growing inside her womb, the proof of their love. She felt his cold hand swept the tears away as she then nuzzled against his palm. "I'm so happy," she whispered. "I never thought I had a chance to feel this way."

It was not only her figure, but also her soul was fragile. Her life was once torn, miserably taken away from her and he had promised himself to never let her through that way anymore; if she only knew. She was the treasure, the most precious person he ever considered and he will protect her and their baby. Ah – protectiveness easily took on him. Thus he smiled and leant against her, whispering on her lips, "Thanks for making me the happiest man ever." And he kissed her; so slowly, breathtaking, and full of desire – only for her.

…oOo…

"You. Are. Really. A great lover boy!" Edo smacked Sesshomaru's shoulder as he laughed a bit loud.

"Take your tone down, Kikyo's having a rest now," Sesshomaru warned, ignoring his quittance's cheers by focusing his concern on the paper in front of him. It was hard, though. His mind always drifted to his now-pregnant mate, worrying if she needed something when he wasn't around.

"Being a protective husband, now we?" Edo grinned, winking his eyes to Sesshomaru. "A pregnant woman always be spoiled and her emotions would be so much sway," Edo added as his grin grew wider. "Be careful, buddy."

"How could you know?" Sesshomaru knitted his brows; he strangely seemed interesting with Edo's words.

"My mother's story," Edo shrugged. "She was preparing me if I will have mated then," he chuckled a bit. "Is she alright anyway?"

"I suppose she can handle it," Sesshomaru answered, though he can't deny that some part of him hesitate if the pregnant don't make her suffer for months. But Kikyo was more than a woman; more than an ordinary human. She had the great amount of strength besides he would be there to help her; if only he could bear her pain.

"So, she's pregnant right now and you don't tell your mother."

Both man's concern shifted to the door and saw Inukimi stood there with her usual-elegance-manner. There was a slight smile on her face that could be meant anything, as Sesshomaru thought would it easier for Inukimi to accept Kikyo since his mate was carrying her grandchild by now.

"Milady." Edo immediately escorted the Lady to the room and took her to sit on a soft couch. "I guess I'll be leaving now. I need to make the schedule to settle our business. Noted it, Sesshomaru," Edo grinned to his Lord before waved the goodbye and left the room.

"I'm about to tell you later," Sesshomaru bluntly stated, pulled down the paper and looking straight to his mother. "What's on your mind?" He questioned.

"I'll have a hanyou grandchild soon," Inukimi answered sarcastically, that earned a sharp frown from Sesshomaru.

"Speaking of that, you know I never regret every decision I made."

"I always wished for you to be happy, to be great as your father. To be faithful to your mate." She was silent for a while. "As your mate is a human, honestly I have a feeling that you'll leave her soon or later. I know you, puppy."

"You don't know me enough, mother." Sesshomaru refused.

"You know why did I refuse her?" Inukimi said in a serious tone; her eyes became softer than before, it was different from every time she speaks about Kikyo. "I never hate her, if you have to know. I just can't stand when my son will do the same thing your father ever did to me. You know–" Her voice chocked, restraining the great pain and it hurt him. "I don't want her to feel the way I did."

"I will not do that." Sesshomaru stated, deeply looking into his mother's eyes.

"I hope so, son." Inukimi nodded.

"Mother," Sesshomaru called, looking forward to his mother. "Are you saying that you finally accept her as my mate?"

He heard her took a deep breath as the slight smile stretched upon her lips. "If you considered my confession as the acceptance, then I supposed it's a yes." Inukimi took her son's hand and caressed his palm.

…oOo…

Months passed and Kikyo's belly was getting bigger and her swaying mood was still being the silent nightmare for Sesshomaru. Fortunately he loved her so much to be easily triggered though she was so meant of tasting his patience. But Sesshomaru enjoyed that very much, he liked the way she hardly walked and did many things, which made her quite depended on him; also the way Kikyo cuddled up within his arms, wanting him to spoil her.

But there were some fears that keep overcame the young Lady. One night she discovered that Sesshomaru needed the needs too, he was just a man. She then confronted it with her mate, asking him if there's anything she could help him release his needs but he refused. Thus he always made sure that he was fine and she shouldn't worry about that kind of thing. In the end they only kissed and touched each other, but he had promised once she got the kid labored he would do her fast and rough, as she liked. If only he didn't find any way to release his needs to another woman… maybe a female demon.

Yes, he would find a fine female demon then he would leave her; not only her but their hanyou child. She knew Sesshomaru very well, he was the Lord and needed the power – a human mate and hanyou would be his weakness. But they stopped talking about this since they bind the mating and Sesshomaru didn't have the taste to this kind of conversation. Another but, she never really know what happened behind her back.

"Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru turned his wheel around and captured Michiru slowly walked toward him. "Hey," she warmly greeted as she approaching him. "I heard about Kikyo's pregnancy. Sorry for being late but congratulations." She had the urgent to embrace her childhood friend and true love but she knew Sesshomaru wouldn't accept that.

"Thank you," Sesshomaru firmly nodded.

"How about come to my place to celebrate this?" Michiru blinked as she realized what she had just said but didn't take back the words. "I mean if you wish."

"I can't," that was his only cold respon.

"Oh."

Decided that there was nothing left to talk about, Sesshomaru turned around to resume his walk but interrupted by Michiru suddenly grabbed his arms and her lips crashed down upon his. His eyes widened as his lips melted with hers and her soft curves grazing on his hard muscles sent some awkward shivers through him. She felt him pushed her away and released their lip-lock, there was a slight anger on his golden orbs.

"It hurts." He heard her whispered, biting her lips so her voice didn't sound trembling that much. "How could you being so cruel to me?" She smacked his board chest hard. "I love you for so long but you don't even notice me."

Sesshomaru tried to release his arms from her grip, but the strength of hopeless woman couldn't be underestimating. "This is not you," Sesshomaru noted. "Release me or I may hurt you." His words were so cold to her but she didn't mind. All she wanted was to confess her feeling and letting him know the love she had for him, though it was too late for he had mated. But that unrequited love was needed to be exploded, ignoring the situation that separated them by now. She knew Sesshomaru cared for her but that wasn't enough; she wasn't the one he chose to be at his side instead of another woman and that killed her inside.

"No," Michiru weakly shocked her head. "Just spend one more night, the last night with me, Sesshomaru."

..oOo…

"How is it, General?" He asked as calmly sat on his throne, toward to the window that viewing the large area of forest in his Land. Though the winter almost ended, but the clouds still hung on the sky and the breeze seemed colder from the last time he remembered.

"Day after tomorrow would be fine, Milord," the General, the old Owl demon, took a bow as he politely answered his Lord's question. "We would make the move before the sun rise, by the East. It's safer since the borderline is in good situation now."

The Lord smiled, almost sarcastically. He took a deep breath and nodded, "The faster is better. I loathe that kid."

A/N: I had the hard time writing this chapter since I've got full loaded on work. So I beg for your mercy for late post. Hope this chapter will do you well.

Also what would happen to Sesshomaru? Should he stay faithful or do you allow me to make him a little bit bad? You choose and I'll decide! (wink)

Slow posting and until next chapter, dears…