Sesshomaru's Off Day Dinners by kaoruhana

A New Family

     Kagome giggled with Rin and Souta’s fiancé Hitomi in her mother’s dining room as her brother and Sesshomaru once again fought in the kitchen.  It was New Years’ Eve and Sesshomaru and Souta- the regular cooks- were often found in the kitchen cooking something to supplement her mother’s oden.  It was funny really how much they fought over the simplest things.  Really, she couldn’t see why Souta’s Takoyaki balls couldn’t be substituted for meatballs in Sesshomaru’s spaghetti. 

     “Boys!”  Her mother scolded for the umpteenth time.  “How many times have I told you to work together?  And really Sesshomaru, you need to work on your stubbornness.  How are you ever going to handle your children if you do that!”  Mrs. Higurashi’s statement was a clear reference to Kagome’s pregnant status.  The young woman had only recently announced her pregnancy to her family- she was four months in but had hid if for the first two- and she blushed at her mother’s statement.

     “Mom!  I’m your son!”  Souta complained with a childish pout.  Hitomi scoffed and shook her head.  Souta was really childish sometimes.  Mrs. Higurashi however didn’t take the comment so easily.  She rounded on her son once more. 

     “Souta Higurashi!  How dare you, Sesshomaru has been a part of this family for three years- longer if you think about it sometimes!  You will not disrespect him in my kitchen or my house!”  Souta flushed but apologized quickly.  Sesshomaru calmly diffused the situation by placing a hand on his mother-in law’s arm. 

     “Why don’t you take a rest Mrs. Higurashi?”  He stated shooting a look to his wife.  “Souta was just joking; you know that we consider each other as brothers.” 

     Mrs. Higurashi did as she was told sighing as she left the kitchen to go take a seat in the living room with Mrs. Taisho and help the other woman in carefully putting Christmas decorations away.  The joint families had spent Christmas and New Years at the Higurashi household since it was much more interesting to celebrate there.  Plus, with Kagome’s pregnant status, Sesshomaru was being extra careful and her mother was able to help her with advice and tips leaving him to relax when he knew that she was in safe hands.  He left the kitchen shortly after his mother-in law left and came to embrace his wife. 

     “You should rest too Kagome, you need to take care of yourself.”  Kagome sighed but nodded knowing that her husband wouldn’t budge until otherwise.  She did have to agree though that he had a point.  Sometimes she wondered how she was so lucky to have met him five years ago through that fateful dinner. 

     “Here, take this- I know Souta will let you use it because he knows it’s the one spice that I can stomach eating right now.  I’ll go help mama okay?”  Sesshomaru nodded, taking the oregano bundle she handed him and kissing her on the temple before letting her go. 

     Hours later as the two settled into bed, Kagome looked at her reflection in the bedroom mirror.  She was showing a little and there were slight changes in her body- a different glow to her skin, a lustrous shine to her hair, and a lovely fullness to her body.  As she admired her changes, a pair of arms slid around her body.  She slowly relaxed into them and had a good look at the new reflection in the mirror.  Her back was pressed to Sesshomaru’s naked torso and the picture they created was enthralling.  There was something oddly artistic and surreal about the way they looked in the mirror, it looked protective and loving and she wanted to capture that moment and store it forever.  Sesshomaru’s hands caressed her swollen stomach with a light caress and she clenched his fingers stopping them from continuing what they were doing. 

     “Kagome?”  Sesshomaru asked slowly noticing her tense up.  He took his left hand and gently rubbed her arm trying to figure out what made her nervous. 

      “I love you.” Kagome stated suddenly before squeezing the hand that she held.  “We both love you.”  Sesshomaru hitched a breath as her words sparked a fire somewhere in his heart.  He slowly turned Kagome around and kneeled down before placing a gentle kiss on her stomach- the stomach that held their child. 

      “And I love the two of you more each and every day.”  The smile he received in return for that statement made the statement worth it. Unable to help himself, he stood up and kissed Kagome.  She eagerly responded and he smiled as he thought about the wonders his life brought him and the happiness he had with it.  It was something that he was glad for and that he wanted to have forever.