Her Blessing, Her Curse

By

Koku's Revenge

Chapter Three: Strange Declarations Of Love

Kagome's face drew in as she frowned. "Fif, fifteen years," she stuttered. Kagome felt as though the world came to a stop. She had to know what was really going on.

"Sesshoumaru, you are saying that it has been fifteen years since Naraku's death." She could feel her body beginning to teeter and sway. A cold sweat began to show itself on her brow.

Sesshoumaru placed his arm around Kagome. His hand was in the small of her back. Small wrinkles from worry lines creased his porcelain face. He stared into her eyes, as if he could devour her with a single glance. To Kagome, Sesshoumaru was peering into her soul and stirring it up again. He delicately lowered his arm to her butt and scooped her up. Kagome knew she was as red as a tomato. She attached her arms around his neck. Strangely, she felt safe.

Sesshoumaru turned them around and carried out the room. Kagome saw a little kitsune servant slide the door behind them. The kitsune had red hair just like Shippo, but she was not him. The girl servant followed slowly behind her master with her head down. Kagome turned her face back to the gorgeous youkai lord that was carrying her. 'Gorgeous, what am I thinking,' Kagome thought. Her face reddened even more.

The hallway was lit with bronze braziers that hung on golden chains. The walls were covered in a beige plaster. More murals adorned the walls. The pictures depicted scenes of a grand hunt. Archers, samurai, horses, and even the game was painted beautifully on the expensive cloth. A soft humming could be heard in the quite mansion. Everything was so peaceful, even the smells in the hallways were of soft scented oils. Kagome's heart felt at peace.

"You didn't answer my question," Kagome stated. She knew she was being bold but, if Sesshoumaru was going to hurt her, he would have done so already.

"Hn," was the only reply. The servant girl rushed ahead and opened the paper outer doors. Fresh night air hit them both. Kagome looked around and saw they were outside in a garden. Sesshoumaru continued to carry Kagome over a bridge. She peered down and saw a vast amount of Koi in the giant pond beneath their feet. She turned her head back up to Sesshoumaru. He continued to take them farther in the garden and set her down softly beneath a giant cherry tree. He gracefully sat down beside her and looked into the night sky. His clawed hand reached for her fragile hand and grasped it. Kagome thought Sesshoumaru looked content as she quickly took in a gasp of air. She just watched his face. It had a delicate glow under the moonlight, yet there was a small air of sadness on it.

A quarter moon peeped out behind a cloud. Sesshoumaru began to speak and then closed his mouth. His hand gripped Kagome's a little tighter. He lowered his head and tilted it towards Kagome. A wisp of his silver hair floated in front of his eyes, then settled down on his shoulder. Pink blossoms fell fast like snow as the wind picked up quickly. Kagome was sure Sesshoumaru whispered something, but she couldn't hear it because of the tree rustling. After a few minutes the breeze died down. Sesshoumaru inched closer to Kagome. He was pulling her in close. Her heart began to beat faster. Kagome realized that Sesshoumaru was peering at her lips. She cast her eyes down and blushed again. He released her hand and brought his clawed one up to her chin . Sesshoumaru gently ran his fingers up her jaw and feathery touched her lips. Kagome was shocked. Her eyes flew up to meet his. Sesshoumaru leaned in a touched his lips softly to hers. Then he leaned back, still devouring her eyes. Kagome brought her hand up to her mouth and touched her lips. She just watched Sesshoumaru.

"Kagome, I would not lie to you. Yes, Naraku has been dead for fifteen years. You have been my mate for fourteen years and I have joyously loved for that time," Sesshoumaru said that, but his face showed no hint of emotion. Kagome gulped.

"So, how did us happen?" Kagome wondered if she was dreaming, but everything felt real. Her mouth still was tingling from the kiss and her heart was beating rapidly.

Sesshoumaru turned his head up towards the night sky again. He watched the moon for a moment. "Winter's coming soon." He waited a beat, but Kagome made no response. Sesshoumaru sighed.

"After Naraku's death, I went back to my castle. You and your group went back to Edo. I knew of the legends of the jewel and was mildly interested in what wish you would choose. I patiently waited for two days, then journeyed to Edo. I had talked to the priestess of the village. I almost had killed her for her insolence, but she told me what I wanted to know. You and your group were nowhere to be found. After a time, you did wish on the jewel and many good things changed. Your wish showed me how wise you were for a human and I slowly grew curious of you. I learned many things about you and began to court you until we were mated." He turned his head back to Kagome. Kagome's heart pounded faster. She trying to take in all the information he gave her at once. She began to feel light headed.

"You are not Kagome," Sesshoumaru spoke with conviction.

Kagome's heart skipped a beat.

"Rather, you are not my Kagome," Sesshoumaru answered her without her asking.

'I knew things were not right,' Kagome thought. She felt somewhat relieved, but sad too.

"Um. What was my wish," Kagome stammered. She was feeling woozy and began to black out. She fought to remain conscious.

"Your wish was..." Sesshoumaru began.

Kagome passed out from tension. She rested peacefully, dreaming of her mom and Sota. They were eating at dinner. Sota was eating a cloud and her mom was eating soba noodles. Kagome looked at her mom.

"Kagome, are you going to finish your dinner? I know it's your favorite," her mom asked with concern.

"Yeah, mom. It is delicious." Kagome felt happy. She looked down at her plate. It was Inu Yasha's head on a platter. She reached over with a knife in her hand. The head spoke.

"Kagome, are you going to forget me?"

Kagome woke up. She looked around at her surroundings. It smelled of earth and fire. She was back in the cave. Kagome shuttered and looked over at the fire that was blazing. The rabbit she hunted earlier has finished cooking. Slowly she got up and grabbed the stick with the rabbit on it. Her stomach growled loudly.

"Okay, I guess you are hungry too. But that dream, what did it mean," she wondered out loud. 'I am acting crazy? Here I am talking to myself,' she thought as she took a bite of her rabbit. A cold breeze was coming from the mouth of the cave. Kagome felt like she was not alone. Mid bite, she looked around the cave.

Sitting on a log was Naraku. He smiled at Kagome. She bit her tongue.

"Ow," she whined.

---

The snow continued to fall as Inu Yasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo went forward though the forest. The sun was setting and very little light remained in the thick trees. All of them wore thin brown cloaks to help keep out the cold. Inu Yasha kept his hood down so he could hear his best. At least that is what he told the rest of the group. Truthfully, he just hated to have anything touch his sensitive ears.

Miroku quickened his pace. He had to almost run to catch up with Inu Yasha. Miroku reached out his arm and touched Inu Yasha on the shoulder. Inu Yasha stopped and spun around.

"What the hell did you do that for?" Inu Yasha glared hard at Miroku.

"Inu Yasha. We all care about Kagome. But your going to have to slow down for Sango and me. We can hardly keep up with you." Miroku glanced back towards Sango. She seemed to be making no progress forward. He continued, "Besides, only you and Shippo have any chance seeing in the dark." He waved his hand for emphasis.

"Inu Yasha, let us make our camp soon," Sango bellowed. Kirara popped her head out of Sango's kimono and mewed. 'Lucky cat,' Miroku thought.

"Well, I'm gonna scout ahead," Inu Yasha answered and dashed farther into the forest. He got only 10 feet ahead when he smelled a familiar scent on the air. It was headed towards the camp. Inu Yasha ran back and drew his sword.

"Inu Yasha, what is wrong?" Miroku clutched his staff hard. His eyes scanned the forest, but he could not see a thing.

"Oi, Mutt face." Kouga stepped out from behind a tree.

"Damn," Inu Yasha muttered.

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Koku's Revenge: Sorry. I've been busy. I haven't been online in a while, so I couldn't submit my posts. Well, I've posted two this time. I try to be a little more regular with my posts.

Next chapter: Wounds That Run Deep.