Hawk

Chapter Four: Amaze Me

Sorry it took me a little longer this time, but it's here and it's LONGER! So hopefully you all will like that. I'm really glad people like this story. Things are going to be picking up soon, so be prepared. Also, I've done some editing to all the earlier chapters; so be sure to check them out again. Let me know what you think.

()()()

"So what's he like?"

Sango's question made Kagome blush. Being alone with Sango meant they could truly speak to each other. It was the first time they'd been able to discuss her relationship with Sesshomaru. There was never a time when Inuyasha, Miroku, or Shippo weren't around for her to speak freely about it, and she had so desperately wanted to share it with her friend. Sango had just finished telling Kagome about the night at the inn, about how they'd heard—mortifying her. At least Inuyasha hadn't been there to hear them, she thought. There's no telling what he might have done if he'd found out the moment it was happening. Sango assured Kagome the rest of the group thought their relationship was good for her, and that made her feel better.

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked, adding some sticks to her bundle. They were gathering firewood while the guys went to catch something for dinner. They'd made camp a short distance away from a mountain they were led to by a rumor from another village.

Sango shifted her weight awkwardly, "Is he… gentle?"

Kagome smiled to herself, "He can be." She looked at Sango, "It varies."

Her face flushed, "I-I see."

She looked at her friend curiously, "Sango, have you not…?"

She shook her head. "No." She didn't look at Kagome for a moment, her face toward the ground.

"Oh," was all Kagome said. For the first time in their friendship, Kagome had experience in something Sango did not. It changed the dynamic somewhat, shifting as they stood apart from each other. It felt very strange to Kagome.

"Does it hurt badly?" she asked suddenly, nervously.

Kagome gave her friend a gentle smile, "No, not in the way I thought it would. It was just uncomfortable at first." Her face flushed a little more, "He, um… helped me a little before we started."

"What do you mean by that?"

Kagome touched her face, blushing furiously now, "He pleasured me before…" She trailed off, feeling embarrassed. She was missing him now, the ache coming back. It had been several weeks since their night together in her time.

"I'm sorry," Sango said, her face flushed as well. "It's a private matter."

"No, no," Kagome insisted. "Don't feel like that. It's just the first time I've actually talked about it, that's all." She softened to Sango, comforting her.

Sango picked up another few sticks, "So he's good to you, then?"

Kagome nodded, "He's very good to me."

()()()

Inuyasha stood in the river, watching for fish. Shippo was trying to help him, copying Inuyasha's focused expression. Miroku watched from the bank, his staff resting against his shoulder. There was a soft splash as Inuyasha's hand shot down into the water, snatching up a fairly large fish. He tossed it to the bank, and it landed neatly in the basket next to Miroku.

"Excellent, Inuyasha," he commented, giving a short glance to the fish as it jumped feebly.

"We probably need a couple more to have enough," he said absently as he stared back into the water. He was doing everything in his power not to think about Kagome and Sesshomaru. When she came back with him that day, seeing them kiss… It was real. It was killing him.

He looked to Shippo, now plunging his hands into the water in an attempt to catch a fish, not succeeding. He smiled, walking over to him. "You gotta be faster than that," he said. "And you gotta use one hand." Shippo looked up at him, nodding. "Keep your hand above the water, and be ready—they're fast." The kit steadied himself, watching the water. "When you do grab one, you gotta grip him with your claws and hold tight." Inuyasha saw movement in the water a short distance away from them, "Here he comes." Shippo saw it, hunching. "Now!" Inuyasha whispered.

The kit's hand barely disturbed the water as it darted beneath the surface, coming back up a moment later with a decent-sized fish. He stared up at his hand in disbelief. "I DID IT!"

Inuyasha placed his hands on his hips, smiling genuinely now, "Yeah, you did."

"Miroku, look!" he shouted proudly, holding up his fish with two hands.

"Great job, Shippo!" the monk called to him. Shippo ran to the bank, plopping his fish down in the basket.

Inuyasha laughed to himself, once again turning back to the river, "Alright, lemme catch a couple more and we'll head back to camp."

()()()

Inuyasha was holding the basket of fish as they walked back, heavy from the weight of their catches. Shippo wanted to try again, and then that led to a competition between him and Inuyasha as to who could catch more fish. The result was a basket nearly overflowing with fish; they'd thrown a few back, but Shippo insisted they bring most of them to camp to show Kagome. Inuyasha looked down at the kit as they walked—he seemed worried. His head was hung down and he had his hands clasped together.

"What is it?"

Shippo stopped, his head still lowered. "Are-Are you mad at me for giving the shard away?" He looked up at Inuyasha timidly.

He sighed, "No, Shippo. It's more complicated than that." He smiled down at the kit, "You were just trying to help Kagome."

He nodded to himself. "It's just… you seem really sad ever since they got back."

"That's not your fault," he said, kneeling to be eye-level with the boy. "It doesn't have anything to do with you."

The kit looked into Inuyasha's eyes earnestly, "I think they make each other happy, Inuyasha."

He sighed, nodding, "I think you're right."

Shippo smiled sympathetically, "At least it's not Kouga."

Inuyasha laughed, "At least it's not Kouga."

()()()

"What's it like when it happens?"

Kagome was still flushing as she lit the campfire, sighing, "It's unlike anything I've ever felt before. It just kind of washes over you suddenly—you can't stop it. It's-It's exhilarating." She was lost in thought, snapping back after a long moment.

"Oh, my goodness—what are we talking about, ladies?" Miroku inquired mischievously as he walked back into camp, Inuyasha and Shippo close behind him.

"Nothing," Kagome said quickly, her face crimson. Sango looked away from Miroku, her face the same color.

"Inuyasha taught me how to fish, Kagome!" Shippo exclaimed excitedly, unaware of what was going on. "I caught a bunch with my bare hands." He gave her a withering stare as he brandished his hands at her face.

"I see that," Kagome laughed as she dodged them.

Inuyasha set the basket near the fire, "I'm going to walk around for a bit." He left the camp, strolling into the trees.

Kagome watched him, frowning. She'd really been trying to make this easier on Inuyasha, but he must have heard her when they walked up to camp. She sighed, looking to Sango, "I'm going to talk to him. Do you mind starting dinner without me?"

"Go ahead," she said, understanding.

Kagome got up and left the camp, following the path Inuyasha chose. "Wait for me!" she called softly, seeing him up ahead. He turned and stopped for her as she ran to him.

"Hey," he said.

She smiled, "Hey… Everything okay?"

"Yeah." Then he shook his head, "I-I don't know."

Kagome nodded, "You've been really good about this, you know. Better than I thought you'd be."

"Thanks. I think."

She took his wrist and gave it a little squeeze, "I hated how you found out—I didn't mean for it to happen like that. But there wasn't another way. I didn't want to outright say anything to you out of the blue, and I didn't want to hide it from you."

"Miroku thinks it's all destiny," he said, not looking at her.

"I don't know, Inuyasha," she said, shrugging. "I don't know what this is with Sesshomaru, but it… it feels real. I don't doubt myself when I'm with him."

"But I thought you loved me."

And there it was, slapping Kagome in the face. She stared at him incredulously. "I did," she breathed, tears welling up in her eyes. "I did love you. And you never, not once, gave me any indication of returning my feelings after all this time." She was crying now, tears rolling down her cheeks as she looked at him angrily. "What do you want from me? What are you trying to do?"

He turned away from her putting his head in his hands, "That was a stupid thing to say, I know… I just-I just—"

"You just don't want Sesshomaru to have me, and you want me to still be pining for you once Kikyo's gone for good, is that it?" she spat at him.

"Kagome, no," he said facing her, horrified.

"Because that's pretty much how you're acting right now. If it's seriously just because you're pissed I'm sleeping with Sesshomaru, the best advice I can give you is to get the fuck over it. That's the lesson I learned from my situation," she said bitterly. "And hey, it works. I don't love you. Maybe I never really did." She turned on her heel and stormed away, angrily wiping tears out of her eyes.

()()()

Sesshomaru was fighting the urge to beat his little brother to death, growling as he watched Kagome walk away. He'd been planning on surprising Kagome tonight, but it seemed Inuyasha had ruined her mood. He'd been warned. He'd been warned and he still managed to hurt Kagome. But how could he expect anything else to happen, knowing Inuyasha? It was inevitable.

Sesshomaru didn't mean to happen upon their argument—he'd been following Kagome's scent, and then it became frenzied with her anger and hurt. He'd hid himself in the shadows, and he heard her say she used to love Inuyasha. It irked him. He should have expected that though, given the ties they had to each other. But it was troubling for Sesshomaru. Glaring, he sped over to Inuyasha and growled behind his back.

"Fuck!" he yelled in surprise. "What?"

"'What?'" Sesshomaru snarled back at him. "I warned you."

"I thought you promised me," Inuyasha snapped sarcastically. Sesshomaru picked him up by his throat, digging his claws into his neck.

"Yes, I did," he growled. "I am giving you one last chance, however. That is the second time you have upset her, there will not be a third time. Is that clear?" His hand clenched harder.

Inuyasha was turning purple, grabbing at his brother's arm weakly. "C-Clear," he choked.

"Good," he murmured darkly. He dropped him, and Inuyasha was coughing and gagging. "It would be wise to apologize to her and salvage whatever remains of your friendship."

"Ans-Answer me one question, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha wheezed, giving one last cough before looking up at his brother. "Why Kagome?"

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed and he bent down to Inuyasha, "She is both everything I am, and everything I'm not." He straightened, looking towards their camp, "I think I will join your group for dinner, won't that be fun?" He strolled towards it, not bothering to look back at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha straightened, his voice still weak, "Yeah, great."

()()()

When Sesshomaru walked into camp, Kagome dropped her skewered fish into the fire, gaping. Sango quickly picked it up for her, firmly placing the skewer into the ground. "H-Hey," she said awkwardly as he came toward her. Inuyasha came into camp a moment later, holding his throat. He sat on the far end of camp, away from everyone. She looked to him, frowning. He'd heard them.

"Hello, my dear," Sesshomaru greeted to Kagome; he then nodded to the rest of the group, "Hello to you all."

"Have you come to join us for dinner, Sesshomaru?" Miroku asked amiably, gesturing for Sesshomaru to sit.

"If it is not an imposition," he said with a pointed look toward Kagome.

She smiled warmly up at him, "No, of course not. We have plenty. Are Jaken and Rin with you? They're more than welcome to join us as well."

Sesshomaru sat next to Kagome, "No, Rin and Jaken are at my home in the Western lands. It is too dangerous for her to be out here, and Jaken is simply… unhelpful."

Kagome laughed as she put another fish on a skewer, "He does seem slightly panicky."

"Slightly?" Sesshomaru asked humorously, lifting an eyebrow. "I believe you are understating it, my dear. Even at my home, he is constantly insisting my servants are poisoning my food."

"Why would they poison your food?" Kagome asked. She stuck the skewer into the ground beside the fire pit, and then pulled out a large bottle of water from her pack.

"That is my question to him. I treat everyone that takes care of my home, and of Rin, with dignity. I tell him, 'If there is anyone in this castle that would be killed by the servants, it would be you.'" Sesshomaru shook his head, his mouth turning up into a half-smirk.

She laughed, Miroku and Sango joining in. Shippo piped up, "You should volunteer him to taste your food before you eat it." Kagome poured Sesshomaru a cup of water and handed it to him.

Sesshomaru gave a short laugh, looking over at Shippo as he sipped, "I do. And I am not successful."

"Well, that's a good thing, then," Kagome said. "Otherwise, that would mean they do poison your food."

He smirked, "That is true, my dear."

()()()

Inuyasha didn't join them until the fish were done cooking. He came and sat by Miroku, snatching up the skewered fish and chomping into it. What he'd said to Kagome had been stupid, that he knew. But he never expected her to speak to him like that. Inuyasha looked at the two across the fire: Kagome was laughing at something Sesshomaru said, and he watched her warmly. In all his life, Inuyasha had never seen Sesshomaru show this kind of affection, or even humor. He had never known Sesshomaru to pursue women, at least in the sense he was with Kagome now. Inuyasha guessed he probably had women throughout his life, but this with Kagome was different. And he could see that—it made him feel better.

He looked back to his fish, taking another bite. Miroku looked over at him, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Inuyasha said quietly. His voice was still croaky, "Just tired."

"What happened in the woods?" He asked this a little quieter.

Inuyasha shook his head, "I don't wanna talk about it." He took another copious bite out of his fish.

()()()

Sesshomaru suggested he and Kagome go on a walk after dinner. They left camp and walked into the trees, staying silent for a long while. She knew they were going to talk about the argument, but Sesshomaru not saying anything to her while they walked made her nervous. Her heart was pounding, wondering what was going through his mind.

"Why are you so unsettled?" he asked suddenly, stopping.

Kagome shrugged, "I don't know." She looked up at him shyly.

His expression softened, "Kagome, you do not need to fear me." He stepped toward her, holding her in his arms, "I will never hurt you."

"I know that," she said, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. "I just… I know you heard our argument, and I'm pretty sure I know what you did to Inuyasha, but I'm wondering…" She trailed off.

"You're wondering about my thoughts," he offered. She nodded. "I was livid when he hurt you again. That is what prompted the moment of violence. I did not mean to come across your argument, but I was coming to see you." He stopped, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Kagome sighed, knowing what he meant. She frowned and touched his face, "It wasn't something I could just bring up, you know. And I honestly didn't think it was important since I don't feel that way anymore. But I was a young girl, and he was my protector for a long time."

"I understand," he said softly.

"I have never been angrier with him than I was today, yet I will always love Inuyasha," she said. "But I am not in love with him. He and everyone else in this time are truer friends to me than anyone in my own world."

"Surely I am more than a friend to you," he said, lifting an eyebrow.

Kagome nodded, "I agree. What we do is much more than friendly." She gave him a flirty smile.

Sesshomaru smirked, "Indeed." He kissed her, his lips softly brushing against hers. And then Kagome nipped at his bottom lip, making him deepen the kiss. He growled quietly, his tongue tasting hers. His fingers ran through her hair and she sighed. "Mmn," he murmured when they parted. "Here?" his voice was ragged as he looked around the woods.

Kagome swatted his shoulder half-heartedly, laughing. "We're not going to do it in the woods, Sesshomaru. Besides," she said with a look back toward camp, "Inuyasha could smell us. I don't want to make this any harder on him than it has to be."

Sesshomaru pressed his forehead against hers, sighing, "It would be weak to beg you, wouldn't it?"

She nodded, teasing him, "It would." She gave him a lingering kiss. "But I promise you, as soon as we make some progress tomorrow and we can be alone, we'll go crazy on each other."

"Go… crazy?" he repeated curiously.

"Yes," Kagome said with a confident smile. "There was a rumor in the last village we visited about a lizard demon that has a shard. We think he hid in the mountains somewhere, and we need to investigate that before you and I can leave and go at it like rabbits."

Sesshomaru grunted arrogantly, "Rabbits. Is that what you think of when you think on our times together?"

She rolled her eyes, "What animal would you prefer?"

"We do not fuck like animals, Kagome. We fuck like us," he said, smirking.

She flushed slightly at his words, looking down shyly, "That's true."

"But right now," he said as he narrowed his eyes mischievously, "you smell like a bitch in heat." Kagome's breath hitched, feeling herself flush even more. He smirked and leaned down to her ear, his voice barely above a whisper, "You want to get fucked like a bitch in heat, don't you?" Kagome bit her lip, closing her eyes. His breath was hot. The ache was making her hunger for him excruciating. His hands went down to her backside, squeezing her into his palms. He growled softly, trying one of her modern words, "I want to bend you over and make you come as my cock plunges into your sodden cunt." It made her tremble.

Heat pooled between her legs and she opened her eyes, "I know what you're trying to do, Sesshomaru."

"Hn, I do not understand what you mean, my dear." She felt him grinning against her neck.

"We are not having sex in the woods," Kagome said, trying to sound firm through her heavy lust.

He pulled away from her neck, still grinning. He held out his arm, "Shall we head back to camp, then?"

Kagome looped her arm in his with a smile, "Yes, milord."

As they walked, Sesshomaru said, "I had to try something, my dear. It has been weeks since our last encounter. And you said begging would make me look weak. It was the alternative."

Kagome smirked, watching the path ahead, "I gotta admit—I respect your technique."

()()()

Sesshomaru joined them on their travels up the mountain, and it was a nice change of pace for the group. Inuyasha once again led Kagome and Miroku, while Sango and Shippo flew above them on Kirara. Sesshomaru was beside her as they walked. He looked to Kagome, "Are you sure you'd prefer to travel on foot, Kagome? I could fly us above as well."

She shook her head, "That's okay. I'd like to be on the ground. Heights make me nervous."

Inuyasha turned slightly as he walked, "Yeah, I'd prefer to have her down here, too. She can sense the shards and it's easier to communicate if she's close by."

"Hn," he muttered. "Do we know for certain this demon has a shard?" Sesshomaru asked.

Miroku answered, "We know he has a shard, and we know he moved in this direction from the village he was in. What we don't know is if he is in fact residing in this mountain. It is our best bet, however, as the only other option would have been for him to move out to the countryside—but that is too open and wouldn't hide a giant lizard demon." He looked to Sesshomaru, "We are hoping he instead tried to find refuge in one of the caves in this mountain."

"That is good reasoning," Sesshomaru said to him.

"It was Inuyasha's plan," Miroku stated with a nod toward the half-demon. Kagome gave Miroku a look that said I see what you did there. He gave her a sly smile in response.

"Quite the strategist, little brother," he admitted, looking to his brother's back.

"Tch," Inuyasha muttered.

A familiar tingle went up Kagome's spine, and she gasped. Inuyasha wheeled around, "How far away?"

"There's two," she said turning to face the opposite direction. "And they're approaching fast." And then the realization hit both Kagome and Inuyasha.

"Are you fucking kidding me," they both said in unison. Miroku burst out in uncontrollable laughter at this, leaning over. Sesshomaru looked at the two of them curiously, and then turned his head in the direction they were looking. The tell-tale tornado was showing through the trees far beneath them, and then rising as it followed their path upward. It stopped in front of them, whirling away to reveal Kouga.

"Yo," he said with a wave at them all. He looked at Miroku, who was still laughing, "What's wrong with the monk?"

"Ignore me," he gasped, smiling as he tried to compose himself.

Inuyasha huffed, walking in front of the group with an annoyed look at Miroku, "He's drunk off his fuckin' ass. What do you want, Kouga?"

The wolf's eyes narrowed at Inuyasha, "I came to speak with Kagome." He paused, sniffing. He turned his attention to Kagome, "You smell different."

Kagome sighed, exasperated. "Here we go…"

"You've… given yourself?"

She folded her arms, shifting her weight, "That's none of your business, Kouga."

"It is if you are my intended—which you are," he said, growling. Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome, and she shook her head at him. Her tired expression told him everything he needed to know about this stupid wolf.

"No she isn't," Inuyasha growled back at him, drawing Tetsusaiga.

She looked at the wolf, "I have done everything I can to tell you I'm not, Kouga."

"Perhaps I should try, my dear," Sesshomaru said, drawing Tokijin. He took in the wolf's scent, recognizing it. He wasn't quite sure how he knew the scent, however—but he was sure he knew it.

Kouga looked at the demon lord, "So it's you?"

"The lady said it was none of your business, and you would be wise to turn back now," he said, his sword now beginning to glow with demonic energy.

Kouga's eyes narrowed, sniffing again. "You're Inuyasha's brother, the lord of the Western lands."

"The lord of these lands, yes," he stated. "And as I said before, you would be wise to turn back now. The lady wants nothing to do with you."

"The lady is not a lady, but a whore," he said defiantly.

Kagome's anger boiled sudden and hot at the insult, and she threw down her backpack and arrows to stomp over to the wolf as her fists glowed with her holy light, shouting, "I have HAD IT WITH YOU!" and punched him in the face. Kouga flew backward into the side of the mountain, several of his teeth flying out of his mouth. He spat out a few more.

"Whoa," Inuyasha breathed with a look at Sesshomaru who was just as amazed.

Kagome went back over to her pack and dug around for a moment to find a white ribbon, slightly frayed on one end. Sesshomaru grinned evilly, recognizing it and knowing what she was about to do. She stomped back over to Kouga as he struggled to get up. She kicked him back down, moving behind him to tie his hands behind his back. Miroku, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru looked on in stunned silence. Sango landed with Kirara a moment later, joining the men in their gaping. Shippo was looking on closely, amazed. Kagome thoroughly sealed the ribbon with her light—it glowed bright enough for her to need to shield her eyes from it. She straightened, facing the group.

"Take the shards in his legs," she said to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. "And don't be careful about it." She walked away from him and picked up her things.

"As you wish, my lady," Sesshomaru said with a grin. He looked to Inuyasha, "Would you like one leg and I'll do the other, or shall I do it myself?"

Inuyasha shook his head, laughing softly, "Nah, I gotta do one leg. I've been waitin' for this for way too long." Kouga watched, horrified, as both brothers approached and loomed over him. He tried struggling against the ribbon, and he cried out in pain when he was burnt. Steam rose as his skin sizzled loudly. Kagome turned to Sango and Shippo, ignoring him.

"I didn't know you could do that, Kagome," Shippo said enthusiastically. "You punched a demon's teeth out!"

Kagome looked at her hands, "Yeah, I didn't know either. I guess… I guess I was just that mad." Kouga yelled out in pain behind them.

"Stay still now," Sesshomaru cooed mockingly.

"Did that hurt your hand, Kagome?" Sango asked, looking at them.

She shook her head. "No, not really."

"I didn't know you could be so ruthless. Your powers are maturing, Kagome," Miroku said, impressed. He looked over Kagome's shoulder, "Could Kikyo do that, Inuyasha?"

"I don't know if she ever gets into fistfights," he called to Miroku with a laugh. He went back to Kouga, "I didn't realize these shards were so sharp! Kouga, did you know these shards were sharp?" The wolf cried out.

"Yeah, it doesn't seem like the kind of thing priestesses are used to," Kagome said, oblivious to what was happening behind her. "I guess I'm just finding new ways to use the light."

"Regardless, I'm sure he deserved that," Sango said.

"He did," Kagome said, nodding. She got an idea suddenly and looked behind her to the brothers, "Are you two about done? I have one more surprise for him." They both looked back at Kagome curiously as she walked toward them. They stood and held out their hands to her, showing her the bloody shards. She got in her pack again for the large bottle of water and poured some over their hands to wash them, and to clean the shards. She took them from their palms and placed them in the bottle around her neck. Then she looked at Inuyasha, taking a step toward him. Nervous, he jolted a bit, but then realized she was grabbing his rosary. Inuyasha bowed his head to help her get it off him. He smirked when she had it in her hands.

Kagome held the beads up and touched it with the forefinger of her other hand—it glowed for a moment before returning to normal. The group watched inquisitively as Kagome walked back over to Kouga. "You brought this on yourself, you know," she said as she laid the rosary around his neck. Inuyasha laughed. She thought for a moment about what the new incantation should be, and then she grinned to herself. She looked at Kouga, narrowing her eyes, "Stay."

And he did. His legs immediately straightened out and snapped together, rigid. He was at a perfect ninety-degree angle against the mountain. "You'll be sorry when you see me again," Kouga said with a glare at Kagome.

She looked down at him, "Even when that spell wears off, you will not be able to take off the rosary—and you will not be able to cut that ribbon. Even when your idiots find you, they will not be able to break it. And the more you struggle against it, the more it will hurt."

Sesshomaru stepped beside her, kneeling to Kouga, "And if you are stupid enough to come near her again, I will be there. And I will kill you, along with any and all of the idiots you bring with you."

"I'd listen to him, Kouga," Inuyasha said, smirking. "He doesn't make idle threats when it comes to Kagome."

"I do not," he agreed.

"Alright," Kagome said, turning her back on Kouga, "we still have a lizard demon to find." With that, she clapped her hands together and headed back onto the mountain trail, repeatedly saying "Stay" as she walked. Kouga was going to be there for a while, it seemed.

()()()

The group stopped for lunch once they'd gotten a good ways up the mountain. There was a nice patch of grass by a small waterfall, and a nice shady tree. Sango sat beneath it with Miroku, who was making her giggle about something. Shippo was enthusiastically telling Sesshomaru a story, jumping around and waving his arms as he jabbered excitedly. Kagome smiled at them and set up her portable rice cooker, then she started to make Inuyasha's noodles over the fire they'd made.

"Oh, great! You brought Ramen," Inuyasha said happily as he watched the noodles. He sat next to Kagome.

Kagome smiled as she cooked, "I always remember to bring it."

She saw him look down out of the corner of her eye. "Hey, about last night… I'm sorry," he said.

Kagome looked at him, "I'm sorry, too." She softened, "But today is a new day, and Kouga gave us two shards. And we might get one more, too."

"Hopefully," he said with a grin. He looked back at Sesshomaru and Shippo, "He's good with him. Shouldn't be surprised, though. He's got that little girl that travels with him." He looked back at Kagome, "Do you know why?"

She nodded, turning to him. "Do you remember when you first used the Wind Scar?" she asked. Inuyasha nodded. "He disappeared after he was hit, and he was injured pretty badly. Don't tell him I told you that," she added hastily with a nervous look over to Sesshomaru. "Anyway, he was lying low somewhere in the forest when Rin found him. She was mute when he met her. She kept coming to him to bring him food, and he refused her help."

"Tch," Inuyasha grunted.

She gave him a look before continuing, "Jaken eventually came to help him heal, and when they were leaving… He told me he found her dead in the road," she said softly, shaking her head at the thought. "Mauled by something. He said there was more food around her—she'd been on her way to see him again when she got attacked. He hadn't used Tenseiga before, and that night he chose to." She sighed, "Although, he admitted that he did it because he was curious about the sword pulsing. He walked away from her when she came back, but she kept following him. And it's been that way ever since."

"Huh," he said with another look back at the two. "Must've been good for him."

"Definitely," she agreed. "If Rin never came into his life, Sesshomaru would be a very different man." The noodles finished cooking, and Kagome took them off the fire.

"He is good to you," Inuyasha said as Kagome handed him the bowl of noodles.

She smiled at him, "He is. I'm glad to hear you say that." She handed him a pair of chopsticks.

"Hear him say what, Kagome?" Sesshomaru asked as he walked toward them. He sat on the other side of her. Shippo joined them, sitting next to Inuyasha.

"I told her you're good to her," Inuyasha admitted, not looking at him.

"Hn," he muttered, "glad to see you've overcome your childishness."

"Sesshomaru," Kagome said with a glare. "We all shared a meal together last night, and Kouga's wandering around with his hands behind his back—let's not ruin it with more bickering, okay?"

"I do not bicker," he said arrogantly, but his eyes had humor in them as he looked at Kagome. She rolled her eyes, going to check the rice in the cooker. Miroku and Sango joined them a few moments later, Sango blushing quite a bit. Kagome noticed this with a knowing smile at her friend. She took out more bowls and chopsticks for the group, serving a nice steaming scoop of rice in each. She also took out some of the leftover fish that was still good and began to heat it over the fire.

"What exactly was that rosary, Kagome?" Sesshomaru asked.

"It had a different incantation when it was on Inuyasha. Kaede put it on him to keep him from escaping me when we first met," she answered, turning the fish.

"And then it became a punishment after we became friends," Inuyasha said bitterly.

"What was the incantation?" He was interested now, grinning gleefully at this knowledge.

Kagome fought her smile as she cooked, "I would say 'sit' and Inuyasha would fall to the ground on his face."

"I am almost sad we left it on the wolf now," he said wistfully. "What I would give to see that…"

"It was pretty funny," Shippo said as he took a big mouthful of rice.

"Yeah, yeah," Inuyasha muttered.

"Come now, let us eat and be thankful Kouga was generous enough to give us his shards," Miroku offered with a laugh.

"Here, here," Kagome said quietly, smiling to herself.

()()()

Inuyasha said it was a good sign to see the waterfall from before; he believed the caves closest to it would be cool and moist, ideal for the lizard demon. They entered a large crevice in the mountain, and Kagome awed at the beauty inside it, "Wow…" She looked up at the stalactites, seeing the sun shine through a hole in the cave's ceiling. There was another waterfall in this cave, falling to a crystal clear pool of water. "This place is beautiful," she breathed. There was a large web of moss hanging from the opening, giving color to an otherwise dark and grey place.

Inuyasha sniffed and then he looked at Sesshomaru, who nodded at him. "This is the place," Inuyasha said tensely. Shippo was riding Kirara, and he looked around the cave suspiciously. Sango had changed to her exterminator clothing, and Miroku stood beside her, holding his staff tightly in his fist.

"He hasn't heard us yet," Sesshomaru said quietly to the group. "This is troubling."

"Could he be de—" Kagome felt the tingle again and she gasped. "No, he's here. He's alive."

Inuyasha nodded, putting his hand on Tetsusaiga. Sesshomaru shook his head, "It makes too much noise when you draw it." Inuyasha looked at Kagome.

"Your arrows," he whispered to her.

She set down her backpack and slung her quiver over her shoulder, holding her bow in one hand. She walked forward slowly, drawing one and securely positioning it as she stepped. Drawing it back, she took a deep breath. The light built on the arrow's tip, the cave brightly lit by it. Once it was fully charged, Kagome fired it into the black depths of the cave. The arrow flew past, lighting everything before it finally hit. A loud cry came from the very end.

"I got him," she whispered, smiling. Loud stomps began to make the ground shake, and Kagome looked up at the sharp stalactites again. They trembled with every vibration of the demon's feet. "We need to get out of here! We'll draw him out!" Sesshomaru immediately grabbed her and sped out of the cave, snatching up Shippo as well. Miroku put his arms around Sango and ran with Inuyasha, Kirara flying out ahead of them.

Kagome watched, relieved, as the rest of the group made it out alright. She looked to see Sesshomaru had grabbed Shippo along with her. She looked up at him, "Thank you."

He smiled down at her, "I'm not done yet."

The booming stomps made it outside and Kagome's eyes widened. The creature was giant, towering over the group as it roared angrily. It had shiny, opalescent violet scales, and claws so long and sharp they were bigger than Kagome herself. On its head were an identical pair of golden horns that twisted and curved into an unrecognizable shape. Her arrow was sticking out of its eye, and the skin where it struck the demon was black and charred. Its eyes were red and narrow, and his nostrils smoked. As it roared, fire came out of his mouth and shot out toward the sky.

"It's not a lizard, it's a FUCKING DRAGON!" Inuyasha yelled out as he drew his sword. Sesshomaru did the same with his own.

It faced Kagome, drawing its breath. Sesshomaru stood in front of her and Shippo, Tokijin glowing with his energy. Before the fire hit them, Kagome threw her hands up and protected them from the flames with a barrier. Sesshomaru looked down at her in shock as the fire enshrouded them ineffectively. The dragon cried out when he saw they were still alive.

Sesshomaru's attention turned back to the demon. "What a coincidence," he said arrogantly at the demon as he once again raised his demonic sword, "I will finally be able to use this attack on a real dragon." He released the energy at the demon, glaring hatefully. Kagome had positioned another arrow, firing it after Sesshomaru's attack. He watched as their attacks blended and once again caused an impressive explosion, slicing the demon in half. He fell to the ground.

Kagome ran to collect the shard. She admired the arrow she shot into the creature's eye, "That was one hell of a lucky shot." She shook her head, laughing to herself softly. Using her sense, she found the light in the demon's forehead. She pulled it out of him, and the head growled. Smoke came from its nose. Kagome jumped back and Sesshomaru caught her. She turned in his arms. "I'm sorry," she said, panting. "I'm sorry, I should have expec—"

His lips interrupted her, kissing her fervently. She relaxed against his mouth, sighing. "I am only glad you're safe," he breathed when he parted from her. "Are you hurt?" He cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb against her skin.

"No," she said as she smiled up at him.

Inuyasha came over to the dragon's head, putting his sword through it, "That should do it." He turned to Kagome and Sesshomaru, "You guys okay?"

Sesshomaru nodded, "Yes. Are the others alright?"

Miroku walked up with Sango, Shippo behind them with Kirara. "Unhurt," Miroku said reassuringly. He looked to Sango and hugged her to his side, his face softening to her. She flushed and looked to the ground. "Where do we go now?" he asked Inuyasha.

The half-demon shrugged, sheathing Tetsusaiga, "I guess we can go back to Kaede's. I know we've been due for a rest for a while now."

Sesshomaru leaned down to Kagome's ear. "Rabbits," he whispered lustfully. Kagome put a hand to her face, laughing softly. He looked up, turning to Inuyasha, "If that is the case, dear brother, do you mind if I steal Kagome for the duration of your group's resting period?"

Inuyasha lifted an eyebrow. "If I said I did mind, would it even matter to you?"

"No."

"Then go ahead," he said, shrugging. Kagome smiled at Inuyasha gratefully and said her goodbyes to the rest of the group before gathering her things. Sesshomaru nodded to his brother with a small smile; he gave another wink to Shippo before he enshrouded himself and Kagome in his light, lifting off into the sky.

()()()

The ride in Sesshomaru's aura was jarring for Kagome. He had his arm around her waist, holding her to his side as they sped. She was unable to see through the brightness, or underneath her feet. She held onto him nervously, trying to adjust to the feeling of being in the speeding ball of light.

"Not to worry, my lady," Sesshomaru reassured her. "We are very close to my home." He leaned over to kiss her temple.

He was right. They only traveled for a few more minutes, the light dissipating to reveal a vast castle. Kagome's eyes widened, "Oh wow." It reminded her of Kaguya's castle, but much larger—it was a fortress. There was a high stone wall surrounding the immense perimeter, and it had a complex cherry blossom design carved into the surface. The gate was red, two incredibly detailed stone dogs standing guard in front of it. It opened as they approached, exposing a lush, fragrant garden, untouched by the season.

"Welcome," he said gently.

Kagome took his arm, looking around the area in awe, and stepped onto the porch with him. The roof reached over them, supported by thick beams. He walked her to a far end of the castle and slid a door open, leading her down a long corridor.

"This is the way to my quarters," he said. He was walking a bit faster now, happily anticipating what was to come.

"Are there people here? I mean, will we be… interrupted?"

"No," he said with a slight smile. "Jaken is with Rin. She is having her lessons today. And the servants will not come to this end of the castle unless they are requested to do so."

"Will we be heard?" Kagome bit her lip nervously, thinking back to their night at the inn.

"Only by me," he said with a smirk to her. She blushed and started to feel herself ache again. They came to the end of the hallway and he slid the doors to his chambers open, allowing Kagome to go in first.

She gasped at his room. The sliding doors for Sesshomaru's private porch weren't screens, but windows. They let in the afternoon sun, bathing the shiny, ornate wood of the furniture in his room in pale light. He had a beautiful view of a lake and rolling hills going far off into the distance. There was a desk at the east end of his bedroom, the entire wall behind it made of bookshelves that were completely filled. The west side of the room had his bed, almost as wide as the wall against it. She sighed, looking at it longingly. The sheets were silk and the bed looked soft and inviting. It was raised slightly on a low frame, made from the same shiny cherry wood as the rest of the furniture.

Kagome set her things down gently and off to the side, and then took off her jacket to join them. Sesshomaru slid the doors shut and, in one seamless motion, walked over and took Kagome in his arms, kissing her deeply. He embraced her, and she murmured softly against his lips. She started to release him from his armor, and he helped her. He had to break the kiss to remove it completely, letting his boa fall down to his side as well. He slid his haori off his shoulders and watched her. Kagome lifted her shirt off, exposing her simple black bra. She slid off her shoes and unbuttoned her jeans, stepping out of them as Sesshomaru removed his hakama and boots. He moaned when his cock was freed, closing his eyes.

Kagome knelt before him, taking his length in her hand, "Oh, you're so hard already."

He grunted softly, watching her as he nodded. "Yes, my lady. It was difficult not to whisk you away after watching you effectively deal with that fool earlier today," he said as he ran his fingers through her hair.

Kagome's soft blue eyes met his warm golden leer, "Then allow me to reward you for the labors of your patience, milord." Her mouth sucked in his swollen, pulsing head, flicking her tongue over the very tip. Sesshomaru moaned and held her head. She bobbed down on him, moistening his length with her tongue as her lips tightly sucked around him.

"Kagome," he sighed as his head fell backward.

"Mm," she murmured, matching his tone. Pleasuring Sesshomaru excited her, and she felt her panties become moist with her honey. She took another long lick up his cock, her mouth giving the tip a nice hard suck before coming off. She ran her lips down his length, making him shudder. They came to his balls, and she slowly took one in her mouth. Sesshomaru was reeling as he watched her, panting lightly. She curved her tongue around it, sucking it ever so gently. He hissed loudly, closing his eyes as her hot mouth moved to the other to do the same.

"Your tongue," he breathed lustfully. Kagome moved back up his length, once again moving her lips down as far as she could go. This time she was more aggressive, the speed and strength of her mouth increasing greatly. "Yes," he hissed. She moaned on him, her hand going to touch herself through her panties. They were thoroughly wet now, feeling them as her fingers pressed against herself. "Suck it," he growled deeply. He had both hands in her hair now, watching her mouth, and her hand as it pleasured her. He was throbbing, precum running down his length. With one last powerful motion of her mouth, Sesshomaru roared and came with his whole body, shuddering harshly while his hands fisted in her hair. Kagome swallowed what she could, and then her own release rushed over her, flooding her panties as her mouth came off him with her gasping.

Sesshomaru watched her for a moment. Then he lifted her in his arms and carried her to his bed as she still trembled, setting her down gently. He was breathing hard, slicing Kagome's panties and bra easily with his claws. He tossed the garments aside and watched as his lover got on all fours for him. His eyes glazed over with lust and he held her hips. Kagome bit her lip, looking back at him, "I'm in heat, Sesshomaru." She spread her knees wide and pushed out her cunt, "Mount me."

He snarled and thrust inside her. Kagome cried out, gripping the sheets into her fists. She arched her back, pushing herself against him. He shoved into her deeply, pulling her hips to his. He leaned over her, moving his hands to her wrists. He nipped her ear, grinding his cock into her. Kagome was gasping, meeting his motions and urging him to go faster. "Please," she whispered desperately. "Please."

Sesshomaru smirked, "Please what, my darling?" His head leaned against hers as he ground his entire length inside her.

"Fuck me," she breathed.

"Hn," he murmured with a grin, "say it again."

"Fuck me!"

His thick cock started to push into her swiftly now, pumping in and out of her with hard slaps of their flesh. She was so wet for him, and he growled as more and more juices soaked his cock. Kagome's knuckles turned white, gripping the sheets tightly as her back arched. Her eyes squeezed shut as he pounded inside her, bringing her higher and higher. Her walls clenched around him, spasming and gripping him with incredible strength. She screamed again when she came, her body quaking beneath him. Her center fluttered and overflowed, and she coated him with her hot honey.

He couldn't take anymore, and he burst loudly and suddenly. He roared out, lifting his head away from her ear. They were both trembling from their release, panting heavily. He pressed his forehead against her shoulder blade, "Oh, how I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Kagome panted. He was still holding her wrists, and she leaned over to kiss one of his hands. Sesshomaru slowly pulled out of her, rolling off to the side. He pulled down the covers, Kagome helping him. She cuddled to him once they were under them and he held her, nuzzling her hair. She closed her eyes, "I have a feeling I'm going to need my rest."

Sesshomaru chuckled, giving her forehead a kiss, "I will not let you."

Kagome opened her eyes, "I'm going to be very sore."

"Yes you are, my dearest."

()()()

Hey, finally a chapter where Kagome doesn't bathe! Hope you enjoyed this one! Keep lookin' out!

Oddery