Okay...so I decided to continue this due to popular demand. Writing another chapter and seeing what will come out. I hope you like the outcome, as it will be timelines and Sesshoumaru/Kagome once again. More mini-drama, more romance and hints of smut and more Sango and Kagome friendship. Because I really like the slayer!
Disblaimer: Sesshoumaru, Kagome, Sango and the rest don't belong to me.
Warning: Sexual themes all over again. (Rolls eyes) Can you believe I'm obsessed?
Silk and Blood II
By Royal blueKitsune
1643 - China
7 Years later
She was sulking, Sango could tell easily after knowing her friend for so many years.
Of course, the mere coming back to China once again - to the same residence they had occupied so many years ago - was enough to let the former slayer know that something had gone wrong in Kagome's on and off relationship with the Western Lord.
There was no doubt in her mind, as she trained and did complicated battle maneuvers with her katana, that all of this was really the fault of Lord Sesshoumaru. Not that he deserved the suffix after practically appointing her dearest friend as a mere mistress in the eyes of other, few but important, youkai who still roamed Japan by not even considering a possible mating.
It was a sad fact in anyone's eyes. Seeing such a strong, spirited woman brought down because the man who she loved refused to see her as anything more than an occasional lay...after he had mated Rin and disbanded that. (So there was no excuse for him not to take a human again)
"Sango!" Speak of the devil. She stopped her exercise to see Kagome appear in the doorway of the practice room, cheeks flushed and a wide smile plastered on her face - something Sango hadn't seen given so freely for a few months new.
The taijiya grinned back. "Well, someone is happy today."
A small flicker of sadness entered those blue eyes, before Kagome pushed it back visibly to let a more mellow type of joy show through.
Sango hated when she had to step on glass around someone! She loved her little sister, really she did, but that didn't mean that she was any better at being a tactician when it came to these types of things - no matter how many years had passed. A warrior was a warrior - warriors stomped, not danced around issues!
"Well, I've decided to put Sesshoumaru in the back of my mind today," how hard had it been for her friend to say that name? "and invite you out in town for a day of leisure. Spend some quality time together and enjoy the sights since we're here for an indefinite period of time."
"I see no problem with that," Sango laughed and pulled her hair free of its confines, letting the waist long mane fall down her back in straight waves. Since more peaceful times had come, she had been allowed to indulge in more feminine activities - like letting it grow as much as possible. "Money isn't scarce, that's for sure, with business going so well."
They both had decided, oh about ninety-seven years ago, that going into the clothing business would be a good investment and until this days, they had yet to be disappointed by that particular decision.
"Might I ask though, what brought this about? We've visited Beijing hundreds of times already...I thought you were bored with it."
Kagome latched onto her arm and absently straightened both their qipao with an experienced hand.
Sango had relented into always wearing it since she had discovered that it made sparring more difficult and thus better - wearing it constantly had sharpened and quickened her movements. "I received a letter from Shippou just this morning. Apparently," she added with a saucy smile, "he's coming to visit us and bringing his new mate with him. We need some girl time before that happens...to be prepared and such!"
The air of shared innocence was belittled by the gleam in their eyes.
"Well, that settles things nicely doesn't it?" Her sword went in its rightful place, strapped to her back and hidden by her long hair; just another advantage of possessing some womanly charms.
"Oh thank you, Sango! I want to be prepared with everything by the time he gets here." The priestess sniffed and wiped away a stray tear. "My little boy is all grown up now. No need for mommy and aunty to embarrass him."
"Does this mean that should be prepared for a full shopping spree?"
Kagome nodded. "You know me. I'll buy something for this mysterious mate, something for Shippou...and then something sweet for you and me. All this mating talk has reminded me of Sesshoumaru again and I feel the need to indulge myself for a while."
Sango hid a sigh. This was hopeless.
The apparition in the back of her mind was half smiling as he extended his hand to help her up...after defeating an entire hoard of rebel, low class youkai that had jumped her out nowhere.
Bastard Daiyoukai Lords, she thought with an inward growl.
Shoulder-length, ebony hair tied in a low ponytail; green eyes bright with laughter - no doubt at her mud and dirt covered visage - and a muscular frame, clad in red, white and violet. Slightly shorter than Sesshoumaru but dwarfing her considerably.
All alike.
As if sensing her inner turmoil, Kagome placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Still thinking of The Northern Lord? I know I wanted you to get over Miroku, but this is not really good for your health."
A sigh. "I meet all the wrong men you know. It's either they love me and I don't, or I love them and they can't return it. Or die." She added sadly, sending a small prayer for her departed love.
"Are you trying to tell me that I don't? We're both plagued by bad luck when it comes to relationships - and not shy of admitting it. See," Kagome added with a conspiratorial grin, "that's why I'm taking both of us out on a long 'indulge me because I'm lovesick' walk through Beijing. It will do us both a world of good. Besides, I know that you've been dying to try fried apples coated in melted sugar and that delicious jasmine tea once more so don't you try to deny it!"
Both women had a hearty laugh over that.
Well, this was certainly a startling revelation.
"You'll excuse us for being thoroughly shocked won't you? We didn't expect to meet a demoness of our past again."
Kagome's grin was sheepish and Sango coughed to hide her embarrassment; both fighting the urge to fidget under Shippou and Shiori's amused gazes. The hanyou's appearance at their surrogate son's arm had been quite the surprise of the night...ending of course with Sango dropping the tray of tea and Kagome choking almost to death on the dumpling she had been munching at the moment.
"No, please excuse my Shippou..." Shiori's violet eyes were filled with fire as glowered at the now blushing Shippou. "I was under the impression that he had told you who exactly he was mated to." Both women giggled when the half-demoness dug her elbow into her husband's ribs with a serene smile plastered on her face, "How could I forget that fox demons have a certain penchant for jokes and such?"
"No need to get testy." Shippou, though the name sounded childish for the well-built young man now standing at their table, tried to plead his cause with the best puppy look...at least in Kagome's opinion.
Her little boy was no more. Instead of the skinny, tiny little fox that had come into her care so many years ago, there was a demon, taller by far than both her and Sango, and looking handsome enough to catch the eye of every woman in the small restaurant. Compared to his slanted green eyes and short, ruffled red hair, Shiori, with her wide violet eyes and long white hair, made a strikingly delicate contrast...
Of course, blue met brown and both women laughed inwardly, the fierce looks Shiori was giving to all those vying for Shippou's attention, proved that she was more than capable enough to carry on with any treats she made.
Shiori was the first to observe the close scrutiny they were being subjected to. She flushed to the roots of her skin, though it was harder to notice when her skin was so dark. "What? Why are you looking at us like this?"
Shippou blinked crossly - reminiscent of his childhood years.
"It's nothing."
"Don't mind us."
"We're just...proud that Shippou has managed to find himself such a good woman to take care of him," Sango added with a melancholic smile, "we thought he was never going to settle down...even if we weren't there much for him while he was growing."
Kagome sighed and extended her hands over the table, grasping Shiori's and adding the tiniest pressure to let the young demoness how much she agreed with that. "From now you will have to take care of Shippou for us. You probably know already how picky he is with his food so I don't have to warn you about that." She added with a mischievous laugh towards her now tomato red son.
"But seriously, we want to thank you for giving our little boy a family of his own. I'm aware how hard it is to find oneself so lucky in this time and age," The miko's eyes slid down and settled on Shiori's flat stomach knowingly.
"How did you know?" Shippou wrapped an arm around his mate's waist and used the other to grasp both Sango and Kagome's smaller hands in a returned show of affection. "We were hoping to surprise you with this bit of news and here you go and spoil our carefully planned trick."
Sango mock huffed. "There are perks to being tied to the Shikon no Tama you know. This first was that it alerted both Kagome and me that there more than just four people sitting at this table. Consider yourselves fortunate that she learned to curb her erratic bursts of happiness or you wouldn't hear the end of it."
"Traitor!" Kagome slapped her friend's shoulder, "How dare you betray my darkest secret?" the angry effect was spoiled when everyone burst into laughter at the same time."
"Mama, you haven't changed one bit. Still as unpredictable as ever...how does Sango manage you?"
"Lots of care and patience. I don't let her out of my sight, never allow her more than five pastries a day and try to make sure she doesn't trip on these clothes she seems to like so much."
Kagome took a sip of her tea and grumbled an "I'm not that bad." before settling into her corner sulking.
Shiori giggled under a dainty hand and Shippou sighed.
Yes, he thought with a fanged grin, it was good to have his mother and aunt back. Damn good actually...
For a hundred and thirty years he had missed them intensely; but had understood their need to heal themselves and keep the jewel as far away from Japan as possible - seeing how much mischief (more than he could ever plan) it had already done in this land anyway.
But now, with all his most important people at his side, he was ready to remember what good life what all about.
With his mate by his side, there was nothing the fox demon couldn't do.
When Shippou had informed Kagome that the Youkai council was to be held in Beijing, China, the innocent's miko's first reaction had been an oath that would have made a sailor blush.
Youkai council meant that the Lord of Western Lands, which she had done an extraordinary job of avoiding for six months, would also be required to participate, as it was held only once a century and was an important event that only demons of high positions and noble blood could attend.
A moment later, when Sango had fully realized the implication of his words, Shippou had been treated to a similar reaction as his mother's...only more violent. The hole in the wall had been glaring proof that the former slayer hadn't lost her touch yet.
Kagome desperately wanted to tell herself that she wasn't at all nervous of being discovered.
The Beijing Opera was beautiful tonight and the miko appreciated the loud drums and the brilliant costumes made of spun silk and burnished golds, russets, jades, blacks and blues. It was an array of dazzling colors that had never failed to make her smile before. Her mother would have also loved this place - or would love it once she was actually born. She had always wanted to witness the synthesis of action, music, mimic, acrobatic fighting and dancing that this particular opera was so famous for.
Kagome had dressed specially for tonight, choosing her finest kimono - because special places required tradition in her mind - of deep garnet with pink flowers and green leaves, wanting to finally come out in society after spending three weeks holed in the house with a panicked Sango...who would've rather jumped off a cliff rather than come face to face with the Northern Daiyoukai.
Only because Shippou and Shiori deserved a night out to see a beautiful fairytale in honor of their mating...
Pity that the Youkai council had decided that the opera was also the more appropriate place to spend the leisure time between talking business and the ever-present battles for power.
Next to her, Sango who couldn't live with the tension of making herself as small as possible, groaned to herself; burying her head in her hands.
"Why me? Why him? Why in Kami's name does he have to look so handsome in that dark blue outfit tonight?" The slayer hissed next to her ear, making Kagome nod dejectedly.
"You're telling me? I want a hole to hide in." Was the answering mutter.
Sesshoumaru looked entirely too good tonight - good enough to eat, the priestess thought to herself with a dark blush. He had chosen a white haori and a black hakama and she wanted nothing more than to forget that she was supposed to be angry at him, pounce him and have her way with him then and there.
She shifted and set a barrier around herself to hide the growing scent of excitement that would surely give her away.
All because the man was a sinful beast in bed and oh so talented with his mouth and fingers...
Kagome groaned and reinforced the barrier. This was not going her way! She was doomed if he saw her. Or...his virtue was? Raping Sesshoumaru would give him something to think about for a long time now, Kagome thought, sharing her little thought with Sango behind her colorful fan.
Her friend blushed beet red but still gave her own rendition of a devilish smirk.
"You're insane," Sango laughed mutedly, "you're supposed to be furious at him, not devour him with your eyes."
"Look who's talking." Kagome returned just as merrily. "I know from our bond that you're considering dragging Lord Kioshi into the nearest room and locking yourself there for the following week."
Sango could've shamed the red rose - as the story went. "That's not fair! You can hide your own feelings from me when you want to!"
"I'm a miko so nyah!"
"Ladies," Shippou laughed close to them, "I do believe that Sango's Kioshi has just spotted you and excused himself from the table. Rapidly heading this way."
The slayer nearly had a heart attack. Kagome grinned - feeling all of a sudden calm.
Sesshoumaru would soon notice her too, but what was the use of worrying? It only served to cut a few years...of her immortal existence. No harm done there, she thought with a giggle.
Kioshi's entrance was just as spectacular as she had seen it with her eye's mind. First he swept Sango in his arms and kissed the daylights out of her - while she became completely pliant in his arms without the slightest complaint - and then introduced himself to them...
Of course, by then the entire opera house was looking at them!
How romantic, Kagome thought with girlish enthusiasm - struggling to contain a squeal of happiness at her friend's dazed expression. Sango was dangling from his arms, looking beautifully flushed in her flattering blue kimono, and here he was talking to them like everything was right in the world.
"Sango has spoken a great deal about you during our meetings. It is an honor to meet the Shikon Priestess, her son and his mate." The Northern Lord nodded congenially at Shippou and Shiori and kissed Kagome's hand in a truly chivalrous gesture...Sango still looking swept away by a powerful torrent.
"The pleasure is all mine Lord Kioshi. Sango has also spoken about you." Bright blue eyes met his and the Daiyoukai's lips curled upwards in a sexy smile of understanding. Kagome felt that she would burst into uncontrollable laughter at Sango's appalled expression - mean as it sounded. It was about time that her friend stopped running from her happiness.
"I do believe that I've attracted the full attention of the council...about now." Kioshi nodded, mostly to himself, green eyes mischievous. "So I will be taking my leave. If you will excuse me Lady Kagome, Lord Shippou, Lady Shiori."
Kagome admired a well-informed man...but how he had known the Shiori's name was way beyond her.
She couldn't help but turn her head after him as he weaved his way through the crowds and disappeared out the back doors in less than a few minutes. The man was either fast, or he was desperate, in which case Sango was going to experience firsthand what she herself called 'uninhibited, passionate sex'. Shippou seemed to think so too by the furrowed line of his eyebrows and by his side Shiori was outwardly gaping at the scene.
And Sango hadn't even gotten an occasion to say something.
Oh well, Kagome shrugged feeling the suffocating presence of her lover behind her, her friend was going to use her voice tonight fully. Better saved for later.
Now to face the beast, Kagome thought with an inward cringe.
The very handsome, to die for, enraged beast. Sesshoumaru was the perfect definition of that even with the stoic mask firmly set in place and that impassive gaze trained on her. Kagome knew better than to look at appearances when it came to this particular demon.
"Well, I see you found me after all." She stood up, waving at Shippou not to bother to rise with her and set her hands on her hips, watching Sesshoumaru with every bit of defiance she possessed. "Now what?"
"We talk. You will come with me this instant."
'Don't things work out when you ask nicely?' She thought huffily, finding entertainment in the way the remaining council members were - simply put - gaping at them incredulously.
Kagome supposed that seeing two of their most powerful Lords picking up human females wasn't a daily occurrence in their books. They should've joined the club a long time ago, before she had run out of shirts to give.
"I suppose you won't let me out of this by any chance?"
Sesshoumaru slanted her a look that booked no argument. Kagome sniffed and turned on her heel, following the same path that Sango had a few moments earlier. She was not willing in any way to face the cold bastard and this was definitely not going to be pretty for her.
There was anger brewing beneath those amber eyes - it was one of the many instances where she couldn't guess what he would do next. He towered over her by enough to make her nervous again, outside it was raining heavily and she was about ready to jump him and he her.
Was this scenario by any chance familiar? Kagome thought with a gulp.
She turned to regard him, and perhaps demand that he leave because she had absolutely nothing to say to him, but Sesshoumaru had other plans. Better plans by the hard light in his eyes - like sweeping her off her feat, carrying her in a nearby alley and sandwiching her between the wall and his hard body.
And if that wasn't enough to bring back memories, the moment he leaned down to kiss her more than spoke for itself. It was the same passion from so long ago, lit the same fire in her veins and heated her blood to unbearable temperatures.
Only this time her body knew what would follow next and throbbed with a sort of anticipation that had her wrapping her legs around his waist and grounding her hips into his to relieve the incredible pressure building between the apex of her thighs.
It was history all over again...somewhat.
For all his frigid exterior, Kagome thought hazily, Sesshoumaru sure knew how to bring the heat when it came to bed matters.
"We really have to," she moaned when one of his hands snaked downwards to stroke her through her dress, "stop meeting like this."
Having two arms was heavenly wasn't it? She was glad he had restored it completely.
"You insist on believing that you can escape me priestess," one sleeve of her kimono was ripped and pulled down her shoulder and the other followed suit, leaving her upper body free for his perusal.
"You insist on being a high-handed bastard and treating me like an easy woman." Even so, her hands didn't have a problem with snaking underneath his haori and stroking the lean, shifting muscles there. He felt warm and alive and she could never get enough.
All she got as a warning was a throaty growl, before his fangs sunk into the junction of her neck and shoulder and white-hot pain and pleasure exploded beneath her eyelids. Kagome was hard pressed not to shout into the high heavens as his rough tongue lapped up the blood greedily.
The haori was quickly discarded in favor of pressing against her enticingly.
"I do not see the need for such a meaningless gesture as this." He licked the last vestiges of blood, raising goose bumps all over her sensitive skin. "Mark or no mark you are still my first consort - a status that not even Rin has ever reached. You should consider yourself fortunate."
"Don't call me...that." Her eyelashes lowered covetously. "You know I don't like how that sounds."
His answer was to kiss her hotly.
Due to popular demand, this is going to be a miniseries of related one shots. I'm usually a detail nut so the fast pace of this story is kind of disconcerting for me, but I feel the need to write and relax and just leave all those pesky details (like Sango meeting Kioshi and developing feelings for him and vice-versa) unwritten. Maybe in future chapters...
Till then! Enjoy whatever this story is turning into! xDD
