She was sitting in an apple tree when the aura of a very strong youkai overcame her. Using her miko powers, she deducted that to be so strong it must be of royal blood, like her. There was a lesser youkai and a human traveling with it, and this was very surprising. Normally youkai don't want anything to do with humans, let alone look after them, as this youkai must be doing.
As she watched, her scent and aura masked, she saw a very regal youkai appear. He seemed familiar, and yet she couldn't quite place a name. Amber eyes, silver hair, magenta markings, and an indigo crestent moon, which adorned his forhead. He was eerily familiar, and there was a memory that kept trying to surface but was having trouble. Maybe if she had his name...
She jumped down from the tree and landed directly in front of him. The only sign he gave of being startled was his eyes, which widened a fraction. Studying him, she saw that his robes were white and red, and his demenor was cold. Suddenly she bowed slightly in respect. She recognized the colors. The colors of the Western Lands. And why not? They were standing on the border between the Eastern Lands and the Western Lands, after all.
"I'm dreadfully sorry i've interupted you, but you seem vaugely familiar and my curiosity would drive me insane if I didn't find out who you were." she said, all the while studying him. A noise behind and slightly to his left got her attention. Looking, she saw a green retainer, a two headed dragon, and a very curious little girl. "Hello, i'm Kagome. Who are you?" The little girl grinned at her. "Rin-chan's name is Rin," she said, pointing proudly at herself. Kagome smiled at the girls silly grammer. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Rin-chan." She turned back to the taiyoukai in front of her. "You are blocking my way," he said stiffly. She grinned at him. "How about if you give me your name i'll let you pass?" she asked, it was clear that she really wanted to know. "Or I can just keep my identity to myself," he said, and suddenly lashed his poison whip at her with lightening speed. She ducked under his arm and grabbed his hand, breaking his concentration, at a pace even faster that light. He stared at her, surprise and anger mixed together. She dare touch me!? kept running through his head. "Do you know who I am?" he asked her, his cold voice enough to freeze hell. "If I did we really wouldn't be having this conversation, would we?" she retorted.
Her eyes flickered from his hair, to his eyes, his royal markings, his robes. Suddenly something clicked, and her eyes widened. "Sesshomaru," she breathed. He smirked at her. "Finally see why you should be running away?" he asked, and she just studied him. "No." she said softly. He just stared at her. "Then perhaps I should help you," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder and squeezing. Instead of crying out in pain, as he thought she'd do, she squeezed his hand with the same amount of force he was using to squeeze her shoulder. "I don't want to hurt you, you know." she said her voice soft as freshly fallen snow. She stopped squeezing his hand and let it go, wacthing as it fell back to his side. "How can I be sure of that when you mask your scent and aura?" he asked. She sighed, and let her mask fall down. Her strong scent hitting him all at once made him sway, and her powerful aura did nothing to help, it succeded in making it worse. He almost stumbled back, but she caught him. He closed his eyes and concentrated on breathing, but that just made it worse. "Open your eyes, Shesshomaru, and breath in small breaths." He did as he was told, and found it easier to breath.
He quickly gathered his wits and looked at her. She was looking concerned, and guilty. "I'm sorry. I had my scent masked for a reason. That was it. I seem to have that effect on all youkai." He looked at her. "Who are you?" The simple question caught her off guard for a second, but she quickly answered. "Kagome Higurashi, heir to the Eastern Lands." He looked at her. Why was that name familiar? As if she could read his mind she said, "Our fathers were great friends. After I was born, your father, mother, and you came to visit me. Mother said that we liked eachother so much that our parents betrothed us..." she trailed off there, noticing how he was looking at her with a look of complete recognization. There was something else in his look though, a deep sadness. Suddenly she relized what she had said. "I'm so sorry. I didn't-" he shook his head and cut her off. "You did nothing wrong." His voice was back to being icy.
"Sesshomaru..." she said softly, and he turned his head to look at her. "How long has it been since you've been close to anybody? When was the last time you had a friend?" Her voice was soft and gentle, and he breathed her scent in slightly to see what her intentions were. Happy with what he recieved he closed his eyes. "The last person I was close to was my mother. After she died I vowed I would never love again...I suppose that love is the keystone to the heart. Once it's gone, the other emotions fade too." Kagome nodded. She wasn't sure what compelled her to do so but she found herself putting her hand over his heart. He looked at her in surprise. "You need to let somebody in," she said softly. "Somebody to bring those emotions back." He shook his head. "I don't trust anyone enough." She nodded. "I can understand," she said. "But you do need to let at least one person in. Find someone you can trust. Someone that doesn't hang around you because of your title or looks. I'm not saying this will be easy, but you need someone that cares for you." She stood up. "I've wasted enough of your valuable time," she said reaching out a hand and helping him to his feet. "Your charge went off in that direction with your retainer. You should go look for them." She smiled at him, a soft and comforting smile. "I'd best get going as well. Mother will be angry if i'm late for dinner again. See you around, Sessho-kun." She turned and was gone before he could thank her. He started after Rin and Jaken, his body tingling after it's contact with the female.
Nearly a month later found Sesshomaru doing his regular patroll. As he reached the border between his lands and the Eastern Lands, he looked across it to see Kagome in the apple field with the servents. Her clothing was different, much more elegant, and her scent was the same as it had been the last time they met, or he would have mistaken her for a servent herself. "Kagome!" he called, and she as well as the servents turned to see him. The servents shrank away, but Kagome grinned. "Sesshomaru!" Jumping down from the tree she was sitting in, she ran over to him. "Hi! Did you come to visit me or are you just patrolling?" It was clear that she was teasing by the tone in her voice. It was also clear that she was very pleased to see him. "Both, actually. I am patrolling, but I had hoped to run into you." Relizing he said this loud enough for a few of the servents nearest to them to hear, his face turned a slight shade of pink. "Is there somewhere more...privet we can talk?" Kagome nodded, and started walking along the border, away from the humans in the apple orchard.
When they came to a clearing Kagome stopped, and Sesshomaru stopped to. "So what did you need to talk about?" she asked, smiling at him reasuringly. Sesshomaru looked at her uneasily. "I...I've felt...strange...ever since I ran into you. I'm not sure what the feeling is. Whenever I think of you my hands get sweaty...and my stomach feels like i've got...butterflies...in it." Kagome looked at him. "Do you...believe...in love at first sight?" she asked. He stared at her. "So you think it's love?" his voice was quiet but full of surprise. She nodded. "I feel the same way when I think of you. I told my mother the symptoms, and she went on for hours about how her little girl was in love. It was dreadful, and my mother and father kept asking me who it was." Sesshomaru chuckled, and Kagome's face turned red. It was then that the full force of Kagome's scent hit him, and he swayed slightly. She looked at him in concern. "Are you all right?"she asked. He shook his head to clear his senses. "Your in heat,"he managed to rasp out. Her concern grew. "Yes." she said, reaching up and grabbing his shoulders to steady him.
They stood like that for a while, waiting for him to get his balance back. When he did Kagome could tell because he relaxed slightly. She was about to remove her hands, but stopped when he put his hands on her waist. She looked at him questioningly, and he started trailing kisses down her neck. She lolled her head to the side, giving him better access, and moaned when his fangs brushed over her skin. He turned his head and caught her lips with his own, gently biting her lower lip and begging for entrance. Her lips parted slightly and he slipped his tongue in her mouth. Suddenly she found herself pressed up against a tree, evidence of how indecently they were positioned rubbing against the inside of her thigh. He pressed closer to her and his hard member ground against her aching core. She arched into him, grinding herself aginst him, and wrapped one leg around his waist. Winding her arms around his neck and tangling her hands in his hair, she pulled his head down to deepen the kiss. She nibbled on his tongue and he moaned. She quickly learned how to kiss and breath at the same time, though it wasn't very easy to do. Suddenly he flicked his tongue at the roof of her mouth, and drew a large moan from her. Determined to make him moan even louder, she drew her lips away and kissed down his neck, nipping lovingly at the spot that she intended to mark him. His moan was very loud. "Kagome," she smirked. He nipped at her ear and she gasped. "Sesshomaru!" This time it was his turn to smirk, until a noise of to the side caught their attention.
Looking, Kagome gasped, her face turning an attractive shade of pink. Looking at Sesshomaru, she saw he was a similar color. "Father! What are you doing out and about?" Kagome asked, hoping to distract him. "Apparently watching my daughter have a kissing session with the Lord of a neighboring Land. What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Kagome looked at him innocently. She knew the question was reotorical, but she decided to answer it anyway. "Kissing." Sesshomaru snorted, barely supressing a laugh, and Kagome's father looked at her angrily. "You are coming with me, young lady!" he said. Kagome frowned. "Fine, but your coming too, Sesshomaru." He sighed. "Do I have a choice?" he asked playfully. "No," she said grinning at him. He grinned back, shaking his head. "Alright, but if I get in trouble for being on your lands, it's your fault." Kagome's grin widened. "Of course Fluffy, of course." He glared at her and backed away, helping her down. They set off following her father.
By the time they reached the castle, Sesshomaru had regained his cold demenor, and as they walked to the study, all of the servents they came apon quickly scurried away, both because their lord looked pissed, and they recognized the Lord of the Western Lands. Glancing at Sesshomaru, Kagome wondered if she could make him act nicer in public. Kagome nudged him, and he looked at her. "Don't worry," she wispered, loud enough for only him to hear. "He always acts like this when he's worried about me. You should try to reasure him. Try to give him reason to believe that you're not a cold, heartless bastard." Sesshomaru smiled at her, silently thanking her for the advice. She took his hand and entwined her fingers with his and gave it a reasuring squeeze, letting him know that she was there if he needed her.
Following Lord Higurashi into the study, Sesshomaru felt very nervous. The Eastern and Western Lands were allies, but he wasn't sure if Kagome's father would want to keep the peace. He would have no problem fighting for Kagome, but he was certain that she wouldn't want to be fought over. She wasn't like that. Kagome nudged him, drawing him out of his reverie. He looked at her questioningly and she motioned towards the sofa. He slipped his arm around her waist and led her to the sofa, sitting her down and then sitting next to her. She smiled at him reasuringly, and got a vauge smile back. "So what did I walk in on?" asked her father. "Well, what did it look like you walked in on?" countered Kagome. "Kagome," Sesshomaru said softly. She looked at him, and he shook his head dissaprovingly, telling her that she should treat her father with respect. She looked down guiltily. "Gomen, Father." She leaned into Sesshomaru, and he put his arm comfortingly around her shoulders, smiling gently at her. Her parents watched this exchange silently, continually sniffing the air for the inutaiyoukai's intentions. The could smell nothing but love and contentment coming off of him as he looked at her, and when he directed his attention back to Lord and Lady Higurashi, they could smell nervousness. This was quite a bit, considering that in all the times either of them had met him, he was cold and distant, and nothing could be scented coming off of him except indifference. You can lie with words and with actions, but not with your scent. He really loved Kagome.
"Kagome," said her mother. She turned and looked at her. "Yes?" Kagome's mother smiled slightly. "The Lord of the Southern Lands, Lord Kouga, has asked for your hand in marrige." Kagome paled visably and moved closer to Sesshomaru. "Please tell me you said no." said Kagome. Her mother smiled. "Actually, we want you to decide, dear. We thought it would be a good idea to make peace between our two lands. But you and Lord Sesshomaru..." Kagome quickly shook her head. "The answer is no, Mother. I don't want to marry him. Not only is he a wolf, but he is extremely annoying." Sesshomaru rose an eyebrow to this. "Lord Koga is indeed annoying, but what have you got against wolves?" the tone was playfull and curious at the same time. "Nothing, really, I just prefer dogs." with this she nuzzled his neck, and he blushed. Kagome's mother grinned. "I insist you stay the night, Lord Sesshomaru. It is far too late for you to go back to your castle tonight. I'll have a room prepared for you."
Later that night, Kagome was sitting on her bed, reading an amazing book. She heard the door open and close softly and she looked up, expecting to see her father. She saw Sesshomaru instead. "Hello Sesshomaru," she said, smiling at him. She patted the bed next to her, and he walked over and sat down. She cuddled close to his bare chest, and he put his arms around her protectively. "Hello love," he answered. "I was thinking about asking your father for permission to marry you, but I find it hard to find the courage. I was hoping there was something you could do to help me?" The last part was pleading, and both of them heard it. Kagome smiled. "The Great Sesshomaru, the same one that can kill hundreds of people and deamons alike with just a wave of his hand, is afraid to ask my father for my hand in marrige?" her voice was teasing, she was trying to boost his confidence, and it was working. "Perhaps." His voice was quiet. "Actually, your father is quite frightening." Kagome laughed. "You think Father is frightning? Wow! And here i was under the impression that you weren't frightened of anything!" Sesshomaru smiled. "I was under that impression myself until I started wondering about how your father would react when I asked." Kagome set her book down on the bedside table. "Father isn't that bad. He's just worried about me. Not only am I his only daughter, i'm also his only child. I find that strange, actually, that Mother only had one pup in her litter." Sesshomaru nodded. "I've been wondering about that for a while as well. My mother only had me in her litter." Kagome looked at him thoughtfully. "Are you an only child, or did your mother have another litter?" Sesshomaru's face suddenly took on a look of anger, and Kagome knew by instinct that the anger was not directed at her. "I'm not an only child, but Mother only had one litter." Kagome's face paled. "So your father..." Sesshomaru sighed. "After Mother died, Father took a human as a mate. They had a hanyou, and Father absolutly adored him and his mother." Kagome reached up and put her hand on his cheek. Turning his head, their eyes met, and she silently told him she understood. He smiled slightly at her, bending down and kissing her lightly. He pulled back and she yawned. "Somebody needs to go to sleep," he wispered to her. She snuggled closer to him. "Only if you'll stay here." He smiled. "Promise." closing her eyes and snuggling closer, she soon fell asleep. After making sure she was comfortable, Sesshomaru let sleep claim him as well.
Kagome woke up the next morning feeling very warm, and for a second she wondered why. Then a familiar scent hit her nose. Sesshomaru. The previous day's events came rushing back to her and she sighed happily. She had a feeling that she really wouldn't mind waking up like this every morning. She snuggled closer and heard as well as felt his purr of contentment. Opening her eyes she looked up at him and smiled. He was still asleep. Reaching up, she lightly traced the markings on his face, ones that were almost identical to hers. His eyelids fluttered open, and and she smiled at him. She opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything someone knocked on the door. "Yes?" called Kagome. "Lady Kagome, Lord Higurashi wishes to see you in the study." Kagome sighed. "Tell him I'll be there in a few minutes." She heard footsteps fading away. She turned to Sesshomaru. "You can come along and ask him for my hand while we're there." He gulped and nodded. Then he remembered his dress attire. "Alright, but can I get dressed first?"
This is my second fanfic, and I would appriceate any constructive critisism. I apologize in advance for any spelling and grammer problems. My spell check is a piece of shit.
DISCLAIMER--I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters.