OLD BLOOD

Disclaimer :: I still don't own Sesshomaru or the gang, just the anime and an old poster.

Here's the third chapter of OLD BLOOD, re-written from 1659 words to 3413. Checked for errors and tried to make it flow a little smoother. Didn't do too much with this one, fleshed it a little and checked for any errors.

So if you like the edits or have any opinions please do let me know, likewise if you're a new reader I'd love to know what you think and if you have any ideas on how to improve it and such.

For those of you who ARE new I hope you are enjoying the story, if you have any ideas let me now, I always love to hear people's views. Anyway reviews make the world go round and give me the muse for faster updates. Hehe. Enjoy~

Warnings ~ Will contain naughty words, sexy time and plenty of good old fashioned, sickening puppy love.

Chapter 03
The Scents that Burn

The Shikon Miko

Rin spent the next fifteen minutes showing off her lovely new scarf as only an excited child could and it made Kagome a little homesick. She'd acted much the same over a dress her mother had bought for her tenth birthday. It was a big deal at the time, she'd been so happy. Once again an icy chill but into Kagome's skin followed by the soft thud of the tavern door as it closed behind the a shadowed figure. Stepping into the orange glow of the firelight Sesshomaru looked more surreal than Kagome had ever seen him before. He was soaked to the bone, his breath like ice in the warm air, water streaked his skin, his hair clinging to his face and his drenched clothes hugging his form so she could see the pale toned skin beneath. Tilting his head slightly a clump of silver hair slid from behind his shoulder and fell partially across his left eye.

The hostess made an odd noise before quickly pretending to clean the benches, something told Kagome that this wasn't the first time Sesshomaru had been here. Mostly because if he hadn't the hostess would have screamed or run, or something other than try not to look directly at him. Something Kagome was having trouble with at the moment.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin gasped, bounding over to her lord.

Sesshomaru first turned his gaze down slightly to peer at his ward through narrowed eyes, it seemed only then he realised there was someone else seated by the fire. Looking up Kagome's heart stopped a moment; his honey eyes had met hers directly and for reasons unknown to her, made her shudder. They held her gaze with an almost eerie ferocity, the fire reflected in their surface, a black shadow of her form staring back.

"You're dripping everywhere" Rin giggled "Maybe you should sit by the fire"

"Hn" he replied.

Kagome turned her gaze back to the flames but she couldn't calm her nerves. She would have been fine if Rin didn't mention that he had bought a gift for saving the young girls life. It made her uncomfortable.

"Miko" he acknowledged. His voice so close to her it had made her jump slightly in her chair. Kirara hissed lightly in response but didn't seem as on-edge as she should have been at Sesshomaru's presence. This at least made Kagome feel a little better as she turned to give him a warm smile. He was standing beside her and seemed to be more interested in watching the fire than looking at her so it fell on blind eyes.

"Lord Sesshomaru, did you get Kagome a gift?"

Kagome froze, she couldn't even look up.

"No"

His reply was simple, cold and as always, unmoving. Though at that simple word her body seemed to instantly relax entirely and she could feel her muscles ease. What had made her so nervous anyway? So what if he had brought her something? Kagome almost laughed but she suspected the reaction was from the sudden release of worry. Rin didn't question it further either and simply flopped down by Kagome's feet and giggled happily.

The slight movement in Kagome's lap made her glance down, one tiny clawed hand was reaching ever so slyly from beneath Kirara's tail. Kagome hadn't notice Shipo wake up but he obviously noticed Rin and by the looks of it planned on surprising her. He stretched his arm out to its full extent then shook it for a moment, he was only a few inches away from poking the back of Rin's neck but he couldn't quite reach so Kagome leaned forward slightly and his mischief made its mark.

Gasping and jumping from her spot on the floor Rin turned on Shipo instantly and what was once a look of shock quickly became one of complete excitement.

"Shipo!" she exclaimed, grabbing the young kit in her arms as he jumped up from Kagome's lap knocking poor Kirara to the floor. Now she was completely unimpressed and Kagome watched in amusement as she stormed upstairs, making sure everyone knew how unhappy she was to be disturbed so many times.

The two kids ambled off towards the hostess to talk and catch up and Kagome was left alone besides the Youkai.

"You can sit" she said kindly looking up at him again.

"This Sesshomaru prefers to stand."

"Please?"

He turned his head in a way that looked like he hadn't moved at all but now his gaze was aimed directly at her. She smiled again as if to repeat her plea and though he held her gaze a moment longer eventually he turned away again. She pouted slightly before doing the same. After that the two stayed quite silent for some time. Kagome felt oddly euphoric sitting here by the crackling fire; the kids talking quietly amongst themselves while the rain pattered gently just outside. She didn't know why but it made her feel almost like she was home again with her family.

"How come you're all the way out here?" she asked rather boldly. Again Sesshomaru gave her a side-ways glance before turning his gaze back. She waited a minute for his reply but when none came she raised a finger to her lips.

"You don't talk enough, you know."

"Hn"

She rolled her eyes and let her hand drop back onto the arm of the chair.

"I owe you a great debt, Miko"

Now that she hadn't expected.

"What?"

"Repeating oneself is bad form."

"I'm sorry, it's just that you really don't owe me anything" she blushed and waved her hand nervously.

"So saving my ward doesn't matter?"

"Don't twist my words like that" she laughed, still embarrassed.

The Lord of the Western Lands

Again Sesshomaru couldn't help but give the woman another look. She had no respect, spoke far too directly in matters that certainly didn't concern her and seemed to be unable to control her emotions. His nose had begun to burn from all the abruptly changing scents she emitted. Her breathing was constantly irregular and he, so far, had detected not only a vast range of normal human emotions but something that made him want to step away. She had lusted for him, twice now. At first he thought she may be bordering heat but then he had remembered humans didn't enter such a stage.

He thought perhaps he could place it down to Rin's false informing of a gift, perhaps she had thought he planned on courting her. Now, however, she was aware he had no intentions of doing so yet when his gaze met hers her scent flooded his nose. Lifting his head slightly he ignored her comment and continued.

"Should you ever need a favour you need only ask, this Sesshomaru does not appreciated being indebted to anyone and the sooner the favour can be repaid the better."

He was about to turn away now and proceed to the beds his ward had arranged when another scent wafter from upstairs. His sorry excuse of a brother had woken and was giving of the signs of war. Sesshomaru inwardly growled at his brother's incompetence, he hadn't even awoken to the threat of his arrival. Had he desired, Sesshomaru could have destroyed all the Hanyou's pack by now and left without ever being detected.

"Get away from her."

Here it was, the annoyance that constantly dirtied his bloodline. Could the fool not see he was standing beside the woman on peaceful terms?

"Hn"

He didn't want to deal with this, especially today. His patience was already worn thin and he couldn't stand having to have put himself as low as offering his service to a human. A human that had protected his human he reluctantly reminded himself. He truly had changed. Turning away from the two Sesshomaru walked around the assortment of chairs and proceeded upstairs. At least the half-breed had some sense as he didn't follow.

Sliding open the door Sesshomaru turned his nose up at the small room that greeted him. The dingy bed sat in the furthest corner of the room, besides that there was only a small dusty table and cushion. It didn't really matter, he didn't sleep. The only reason he had taken into paying for the rooms was so Rin could rest before they left the following morning.

Uncurling the soft moko moko from around his neck he placed it gently on the edge of the bed, it was wet and the beautiful fur was now clumped together. In its heap it even looked like some unfortunate dead creature. After looking at it for a few moments longer he sighed, the first show of any emotion since he had left his lands.

Unclipping his armour he placed it on the floor beside him before he gently untied his hoari, letting it slip from his shoulders to a small heap on the floor. His skin shuddered as the cool air embraced his bare torso.

Lowering his form to the ground he leant his back against the cool wooden wall he closed his golden eyes and lifted his hand right hand to the warm, uneven flesh of his left shoulder, his delicate fingers gripping at where an arm should have been.

"Inuyasha, relax. He's not even doing anything!"

"I don't care I want to leave. Now let's go get the others and go!"

Where the two bickering? What a low class why to treat your packmate. Sesshomaru twisted his head slightly so he could intentionally overhear what the two were saying. The woman had lowered her voice to a whisper now.

"Inuyasha I swear if you don't drop this I'm going to sit you so hard you won't be able to move for a year!"

"Gah- Fine. Stupid woman, don't listen when I'm trying to protect you!" Inuyasha growled.

"Protect me from what?"

"He's a demon Kagome!"

"So are you!" she huffed back, defiant.

"It's different, you know that!"

"How is it different? Huh?"

"It's different because I love you and he can't stand you! I'd rather trust someone who loved me than- What- What are you grinning at!"

"Hehe- you said you loved me"

"-"

"You did Inuyasha" the small kit added.

How old where these two? This was starting to grind on Sesshomaru's nerves. His hand seemed to tighten on its own and his annoyance grew quickly for a moment before it dropped and left his body completely to be replaced with an odd longing.

For all his brothers stupidity… He was a lucky Hanyou.

Sesshomaru let his hand fall to his lap.

Dawn crept slowly of the small village causing the birds to start their ancient rituals of singing awake the higher beings. Sesshomaru had sat exactly as he was all night, his elegant body barely moving as he drew in each breath slowly and purposely. His clothes lay in a pile on the floor beside him, still soaked with the rains of the night before. He never felt any particular need to sleep unless, of course, he was unwell. Tonight strangely enough had left him drowsy, but he suspected there were other reasons, most of which lay heavy on his heart.

Jaken wouldn't be travelling with him for some time, he didn't care about that. What he did care about, only in a small way though for him that was a lot, was his companion. The young tiger Youkai had recently lost his mate. Normally the visits between Alkarr and Sesshomaru were strictly business but for the first time in many, many years, Sesshomaru had to comfort another. He had watched first-hand the remains of a broken heart torn between life and death. He had seen a husk of a being that no longer felt it had a purpose.

Never did he want to witness such a thing again. It was foolish and childish. How could one devote themselves so entirely to another? How could one vow to follow the trivial desires of a woman, to live the life they designate? No, Sesshomaru could never be told to stay by someone's side. Never be told not to do as he pleases, not to mate with whomever he wanted, not to live the way he saw fit. Yet here was this demon who seemed unable to function without his mate. Sesshomaru couldn't understand. This bothered him. Was he not intelligent? Perhaps not as wise as some but definitely wiser than others. Why was it so difficult for him to say the right things? Why did he want to? Why did he care?

There was a knock on the door followed by a muffled "Sesshomaru?"

"Hn" He replied, sliding his dripping hoari over and draping it over his lap. The door opened slightly and Inuyasha's woman stepped into the room, closing the door behind her she turned and blushed violently, flooding the room with the thick stench of shock.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" She gasped covering her eyes. Sesshomaru narrowed his in return, did she not see he had covered himself? Why was she reacting as such?

"Well?" he asked coldly.

"Oh… Umm…" she mumbled, still hiding under her palm. "I-I… Was just wondering… Inuyasha wants us to leave now but… Could I perhaps… Borrow Rin for a short while?"

Sesshomaru tensed, his hand briefly tightening around his wet clothes. He didn't like the reaction that had caused, he was becoming too emotional. "Why?"

"Umm…" she made that sound often, it bothered him. "Shipo and Rin are getting along really well and, ah, I wanted Shipo to have some company his own age."

Sesshomaru lowered his gaze for a moment; he didn't trust that Hanyou to protect his ward. Though it had been him in part who saved her life. Fate seemed to have such an odd humour. If Sesshomaru hadn't tried to take his father's fang the half-breed wouldn't have taken his arm. Yet by losing something so dear to him it set him into a path that led him to something he cherished far greater. Only Rin had been taken by that filth Naraku, this only brought Sesshomaru to the hanyou's pack for help, adding salt to a fresh wound. Whenever Rin was in danger, that blasted pack always seemed to play a significant part in her protection. It was almost like each time Sesshomaru had fully receded from his brothers mind fate would force them together again using something they both valued. Why would it do such a thing? So many questions-

"So… Is it ok?" the darn Miko interrupted his thoughts. Resting his honey gaze back on the woman he internally huffed at her idiocy. She was still standing with a hand over her eyes.

"Hn" was his answer, he wasn't sure he trusted it. "On one condition…"

The Shikon Miko

Standing before a naked Sesshomaru had caused three reactions in Kagome, the first being complete and utter guilt. With the orange light flooding the room and the odd lack of the lords clothes Kagome had seen the true damage she had caused so very long ago. The skin where his arm once sat was still uneven. It made her blood run cold.

Two, Sesshomaru's body rivalled his brothers. Scratch that, Sesshomaru was a bloody god. Kagome couldn't remember having seen anyone as stunning and eerily beautiful, his pale skin only made more astounding by the two violet stripes that ran over his shoulders, suggesting they covered his back as well.

And lastly, Kagome was fairly sure the demon lord slept naked.

"Ah… What?" she answered nervously.

"I ask that you care for my ward like you would a daughter."

"Oh." Kagome exclaimed quite surprised. "That's no problem." She smiled from under her hand then slowly turned so she could uncover her eyes and open the door.

"Oh, and Miko"

"Yes?"

"Does my being naked make you ill?"

"W-what?"

"You covered your eyes, this is normal for a human?"

"Well yes!" Kagome laughed, thoroughly embarrassed, before she quickly stepped out and shut the door tight behind her. She could feel her whole face burning as she turned for Inuyasha's room. Knocking and stepping in Kagome gasped as A clawed hand reached out to her shoulder and pulled her sharply against Inuyasha's form, In a brief moment of shock she pushed herself away, only slightly, before a hand slid around her waist and his lips met hers roughly, his other hand clumsily grabbing her hip to pull her in closer. If that was even possible.

Kagome couldn't breathe, she had forgotten how as Inuyasha's lips crashed down on hers again and again. His tongue snaking into her mouth to caress hers gently. It seemed like an eternity before he pulled away and her heart was still pounding against her chest for a long time after. She was left feeling dizzy and the blush she had left Sesshomaru's room with seemed to have spread throughout her entire body.

"Why was he naked?" Inuyasha asked sternly.

"W-what? O-oh. I… I think his clothes were wet. I had my eyes closed!" her voice was trembling after Inuyasha's treatment. Her mind was barely capable of forming a sentence but after a moment it settled and she continued. "Why? You didn't think-" her mouth fell open and Inuyasha's golden eyes looked away.

"I only heard the last few sentences and I could smell… Well… Nevermind." His voice went back to its normal commanding self. "Let's just go alright, I can't stand being here any longer."

Kagome nodded but she couldn't help the shudder that ran down her spine. Had Inuyasha felt the need to remind her who she loved? Was he really that afraid? Why on earth did it even seem logical that she would be doing anything with a naked Sesshomaru? Even the thought of his perfect body on- wait… That wasn't right! Inuyasha had her mind all messed up. Sighing loudly she followed her… What was he? Certainly not her boyfriend yet… Either way she followed him down the hall.

The Lord of the Western Lands

Why were the young always so dramatic? The moment the two had collided Sesshomaru's nose burned as the acidic smell of their combined lust made him nauseous. The following comment just made it worse. How dare that Hanyou suggest such a thing! Sesshomaru was a lord and he certainly wasn't going to sully his heritage with the idea of mating a human! Especially one so obviously claimed by his wretched brother!

Pushing himself up from the floor in one quick, graceful movement he then pulled the still wet clothing over his shoulders and loosely tied it at the front. He would need to ask the hostess about the garments she had for him. He really did spend a lot of time here. He suspected it wasn't completely because of Alkarr either.