A soft shake of her shoulders jolted Kagome awake, her protest muffled by the hand across her mouth. Reiki instantly sprang to life, but as she looked up and found Sesshoumaru staring down at her, she reined in her power.
He held one finger to his lips, then wrapped his fingers around her wrist, pulling her from the bed. She'd been staying at the Western Keep for several months, helping Rin establish the beginnings of a makeshift school, but Sesshoumaru had been primarily absent since her arrival. She hadn't thought much of it, though Rin hadn't left it alone, often complaining to Jaken about wanting to see him.
The vassal had been left in charge, and though he wouldn't have stood a chance against both women, he'd been abnormally civil, going as far as to ask Kagome for her preferred food preferences so he could pass them along to the cooks. She'd been worried it was some overexuberant ploy to poison her, but so far, all their meals had been exquisite.
"I didn't know you were back," she whispered as he dragged her down various hallways. He inclined his head but didn't answer, ducking out the main doors before leading her toward the stables. Her brows pinched together, but she didn't argue.
It wasn't like she didn't know her way around the shiro. She'd figured out where all the main rooms were within the first few days of her arrival. She still got lost occasionally but always found her way back after.
The stables were one of her favourite places, though she'd never been able to convince Jaken otherwise. His time there was spent avoiding claws and teeth. She chuckled silently at the memory, both of Ah-Un's heads snapping at his clothes as they looked for treats. She knew she'd spoiled the beast but couldn't help herself.
They'd been nothing but sweet since she first arrived, always willing to give her rides into the neighbouring village. They'd done the same for Rin, but as she'd grown and attracted the attention of the not-so-oblivious Kohaku, she'd started using Kirara more—to keep stolen kisses a secret.
Ah-Un also enjoyed taking naps in the garden, a place where Kagome often found herself lingering, and she was more than willing to share her little patch of shade with them. She'd missed them lately, as most of her time had been spent setting up the classroom with Rin, and she'd contemplated coming down here herself come morning.
There was a soft scuffling as they entered the stables, though most of the kept creatures were asleep, and Kagome raised an eyebrow as Sesshoumaru pulled her to a far stall, his hand not once releasing her.
She wanted to question it, question him, especially with how few interactions they'd had, but the words died in her throat as he placed his hands on her hips, urging her down to her knees in front of him. Blinking to allow her eyes to adjust to the flickering candlelight, she felt him crouch behind her, motioning to the end of the stall.
"You must let them come to you," he murmured. "Even with the beasts' affinity for you, they do not take kindly to anything they consider a threat." She followed the line of his claws, managing to stifle her gasp at the sight before her.
Ah-Un was curled up in the corner of the stall, one head appearing to be asleep as the other watched several miniature versions of itself climb over its body.
Babies.
They'd had babies.
There were four of them, each with a single head and very sharp claws and all ignoring Ah-Un's need for sleep, though the second head didn't seem bothered by it. One of the babies reached toward it, balancing on ample shoulders as it reached out to touch their noses together, and Kagome crooned softly, causing four small sets of eyes to turn her way.
They regarded her intently as they slid from Ah-Un's back, creeping closer, their bellies sliding along the ground. Both of Ah-Un's heads raised, and she smiled at them. "So this is where you've been," she said. "And here I thought I was the one who was too busy to see you." Ah-Un snorted but didn't move, and her heart sang at the trust they so freely offered.
The babies kept their heads low, using their tails to support themselves as they waddled closer, and Sesshoumaru covered her hand with his own. "They are likely to think your fingers are food," he warned. "Even at this age, their teeth are fully developed." He made it sound like he was an expert in dragon offspring, and Kagome smiled warmly at the thought.
"They're adorable." One sniffed her leg, eyeing her warily before climbing into her lap. Another was more daring, grabbing her sleeve and hoisting itself onto her shoulders. Tiny claws scraped at the back of her neck as it poked its head out of her hair.
"I doubt anyone but you would describe them as such," Sesshoumaru replied, brushing the third one off his hand and sending it tumbling.
"Which is why you brought me to see them," she said smugly. He gave her an odd look, one that had her eyes widening in question, but even as his hand tightened around hers, the babies drew her attention away, their measly snorts and cries mixing in with her laughter.
She'd have stayed all night if she could, but even baby dragons needed sleep, and their yawns were contagious, Ah-Un's tail eventually thumping to signal playtime was over. She tried to move closer, but Sesshoumaru's arm was firm around her waist.
"They know I'm safe."
He shook his head. "Instincts, miko. No one is permitted inside their den until the offspring can properly defend themselves." Her pout was met with a slight twitching of his lips. "The fact that they allowed the brood to touch you speaks to their level of trust in you."
She pursed her lips, then met Ah-Un's gaze, bowing her head. "Thank you. I hope I can see them again soon." Each head bowed in reply, the babies bobbing as they tried to mimic the movement, and she giggled as Sesshoumaru pulled her to her feet.
"Thank you," she said as they exited the stables. "That was wonderful." She stepped out of his embrace, stretching her arms above her head. "How long will they be in there?"
"It differs between species." She felt his eyes on her before he looked to the sky. "The beast has acclimated to humans; its mate less so. She will likely return and move them somewhere in the mountains until their hunting skills improve."
"Probably better that way. Animals bred in captivity don't usually live as long as those in the wild. They don't develop survival skills as early on as they should."
"You seem to be doing quite well for yourself," he replied, and it took Kagome a moment to realize he'd made a joke at her expense.
She crossed her arms, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. "Are you saying I wouldn't be able to survive on my own?"
The edge of his eyes crinkled as he gave her a sideways glance. "Your skills seem to reside on the generosity of others," he said. "And luck."
Maybe it was due to being woken up in the middle of the night or how natural his arm had felt around her waist, but it seemed luck was one thing she was willing to push tonight. "Showing up in my bedroom unannounced to show me baby dragons puts you in the same category, you know."
He scoffed and likely would have had some sort of scathing retort, but she grabbed the collar of his kimono, pulling him down enough to brush her lips along the underside of his jaw. Youki immediately flared in response, golden eyes widening as she smirked.
"Miko—"
"Instincts and all that," she said, quickly releasing him and turning around. "Let me know if you plan on sticking around this time." She waved over her shoulder, managing to keep her feet steady as she made her way back to the shiro. Youki licked at her heels, shifting between shock and anticipation, and both had her smiling as she climbed back into bed, looking forward to the opportunities morning would bring.