Deds:
DemonDog113 - You never fail to flatter me like a pancake, Joelle! Thank you!
rinichibimoon - Well, Danielle, I don't think I know your boyfriend, but I just think, Jealousy! and this is what comes out. Glad you're getting your fill of the story, lol, and feel free to read as many times as you like! Thanks!
Jennie - Well, here's a new belt. It's my last one! If you fly out the window I will attempt to catch you!! Lol, he's playing alright, haha! You like his way-out-of-character softiness?! Awww! Thanks!
kokolekaipo - Well, see, Inu's not coming back... and he didn't do anything wrong, but he got so depressed that he didn't want to live without Kags anymore, so he got himself killed. Like, how some people die of lonliness after their spouse dies? And, I can't say who wins her just yet, but Shippo is in the running because you never read any stories about him out there, so he deserves his chance, too. The well dropped her where it did because Inu's death was the reason for her to return; she thought it was to save him, but it was because she was destined to fall in love with someone else. Does that make any more sense? Lol hope to hear from you again, thanks!
Nimeway - Nice to hear from you, once again! Lol I was hoping you'd speak to me! You'll have to wait and see who wins her, but it should be a whacky ride! Thanks!
Say
Chapter Six
Shippo closed the door behind them and took Kagome in his arms, a pleased feeling flooding him when she came without hesitation. He held her tightly, and breathed in her scent, intoxicated by it. He began to stroke her hair, and soon he was rubbing her back, and Kagome shivered in his arms.
She was beginning to feel hot, and tingly. He was inciting feelings in her she'd thought only dog demons could, and the realisation of who he was hit her, and she backed out of his arms, startled. She stared at him, his sad face, and realised she'd hurt him. She frowned, distressed. How long had she been hurting him?
Finally, he turned away. "I'm sorry, Kagome."
She bit her lip, and reached out to touch him, but withdrew her hand. "No, Shippo, don't be sorry. Don't ever be sorry." She walked up to him and rested her arms around his waist, her cheek pressed to the hot skin of his shoulder blade.
Shippo tried to control his arousal with little success, so instead of turning around and embarrassing himself by stabbing her in the gut with his erection, he simply stood there, and savoured her touch, her warmth, on his skin. She had moulded herself to him, her curves fitting his perfectly. He wondered how he would ever get her to realise that he loved her, that it was okay to be with him, that he was grown up now...
"Kagome, I..." He was trying, but he was stumbling, and it made him angry.
Kagome felt his internal struggle, and wondered why she had been holding herself back where he was concerned. She thought back over the day, and she remembered that his attitude had become even more foul than usual after Sesshoumaru's appearance, and had deteriorated throughout the day as she spent more and more time talking to his Lordship. A thought hit her like lightening. Was he jealous? Why would he be jealous? Unless...
She recalled their first embrace, back at Sango's house, and she remembered the love he'd seemed to put into that embrace, the longing... Did he... ?
She decided that now was as good a time as any to find out if her suspicions were true. She put her hand on his shoulder and turned him, his sad face meeting hers, and she barely had time to see his eyes squeeze shut in embarrassment as his erection ground into her before she planted her lips on his, and waited intently.
Shippo's eyes flew open, and his teal irises searched her doe-brown depths, stunned. He felt her lips smile against his, and he slowly brought his arms around her, and began, in earnest, to kiss her.
Kagome knew he had realised her intent after she smiled, and let him kiss her now, tentatively, as a beginner always is. She herself was no professed expert on kissing, but she'd been kissed more than a few times in her twenty-three years, and soon, she began to teach him the subtle nuances and gentle strokes she liked when kissing a man.
He let her take over then, and his hands began to roam her body as he held her tightly to him, learning her curves, and memorising her shape.
Kagome moved her hands from his shoulders to his long, silky red hair, threading her fingers through it and fisting her hands there, to anchor herself, as he slowly lowered them both down to her pallet on the floor.
Breaking free of her lips, she thrust her head back and he kissed her neck, licked the inside of her ear, planted butterfly kisses on her collarbone as she writhed impatiently beneath him. His hand delved into her white haori, pushed her bra aside as he found her breast and palmed it, gently, his thumb rubbing lightly over her nipple until it beaded tightly for him.
She let out a guttural groan, and he leaned on his elbow, trying to keep his weight off of her as he palpated her smooth, hot flesh, her skin beading up with sweat nicely as she let him arouse her. He made heavy gasping noises as his desire rose, and soon he lodged his knee between her thighs, rubbing her where he knew she'd feel it.
She was not sure when he untied her hakama and shimmied them down past her knees, nor was she aware of anything else except his lips and hands on her skin, his touch sending flickers of electricity skipping over her nerves, her skin jumping with her excitement. She did feel him nudge her thighs apart with his hot palm, and she sat bolt upright, gasping.
"Shippo, stop!"
He groaned in frustration but sat back, removing his hands from her person, and tied his hakama tight once more. It hid nothing, but he wanted to make her feel better.
She sat there staring at him, her hands holding her haori closed, her shoulders exposed, her hair wild around her face. She looked sexy as hell, but he waited silently, stifling his urges. She was in control here, not him. He struggled to keep that in mind.
Kagome gasped and thought about what she was about to let this innocent fox demon do to her. She had sworn to herself back then that she would keep him from turning out like Inuyasha and Miroku, but apparently she had failed. Tears edged her eyes as she stared at his expressionless face, half-hidden behind the red hair she'd knotted in her passion. She was just as bad as them, worse even.
Shippo said quietly, "What did I do wrong, Kagome?" His voice was gentle, reproachful.
She smiled, wiping her eyes. "You didn't do anything wrong, Shippo. I just can't seem to grasp that you've grown up, I guess. I'm having a hard time not seeing you as an eight-year-old again."
He nodded. "I thought that might be it. But I'm not eight anymore, Kagome. I'm one hundred and thirty years old, actually. I appear now as a twenty-year-old man. I am mature enough. Please... will you just trust me?"
The pleading she saw in his eyes scared her a little. Did he want to make love to her that much? Was that all he wanted?
"Shippo... I've only ever given myself to one man... and for someone who confessed to breaking not very many hearts, you really had me going there," she smiled, chuckling. He smiled, accepting her compliment.
"I just don't know if I'm ready for this yet, you know? I mean, I only came back a few days ago. I... I just need some time."
He nodded. "Okay. But you're not rejecting me?"
She smiled. "No, I'm not rejecting you."
He bit his lip. "Then can I sleep next to you tonight? Just sleep, nothing more?"
She glanced away, but nodded. "Alright."
She got up, to change out of her outfit, and he immediately turned his back to give her privacy. She smiled at that. He really was a sweet guy underneath it all... He always had been a gentleman. She was glad to see that that hadn't faded as he'd grown.
While he was turned away, she allowed herself to take in her fill of him. His back, strong and muscled, was smooth and sleek. She couldn't see the hair at the nape of his neck, under the rest of it, but she had a feeling it would incite the same arousal in her that Sesshoumaru's neck did. She couldn't help it. She just had a neck fetish. Oh well. It could be worse, she thought, laughing to herself.
Pulling a long T-shirt over her head that said LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? across her chest, she said softly, "Okay, I'm done."
He stood up and came to her pallet, sliding in behind her as she held the sheet up for him, and he snuggled up to her back, his arm draped over her waist, spooning her. "Is this okay?"
She sighed. "Mm-hm." Then she lowered her hand to his, and brought it to rest atop her breast, over her heart. He smiled into her hair.
"Do you mind if I make one minor adjustment?" he asked, cheeky.
She laughed. "I think I know where you're going with this." She took his hand and instead of placing it on top of her shirt, she guided it beneath the fabric so that his hand cupped her bare breast instead.
"Thank you," he whispered in her ear, and she squeezed his hand.
"Go to sleep, Shippo," she admonished, closing her eyes. He chuckled, but did as she asked.
He was satisfied to be in this position. He understood her reluctance, and tried to sympathise. He was grateful she'd conceded to let him palm her breast, but he could wait until she wanted more. Her reassurance that she wasn't rejecting him had him on cloud nine... the rest could wait. As long as she was open to his suit, he would pursue her, to the best of his ability. He would get the moon for her, if she asked for it.
He sniffed her pulse, her quiet snores telling him she'd already fallen asleep, and just savoured the moment. His competition with Sesshoumaru had completely slipped his mind; all he wanted now was to hold her close, and breath her in. He never wanted to let her go, and he took what she would give him, and nothing more, only gave his love in return.
Because he loved her more than she could ever know.
...oOo...
Kagome awoke alone with her shirt up around her armpits.
She yanked it down as soon as she realised where it was and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Shippo?"
No answer. Grunting, she got up and began to dress. These people back here need to invent mattresses, she thought, stretching her back, sore from sleeping with no support. She giggled. You know you're getting old when...
Picking up her things, she opened the door to a cloudy, miserable day, and then dropped her stuff again. It was pouring rain.
Guess we're staying another day, if his Lordship is so gracious, she thought, glumly. She had been looking forward to getting back to Sango's.
She shut her door on her things and padded down the hall in the socks that bothered her because they separated her toes in a stupid spot, so she could wear sandals with them. Apparently socks and sandals had yet to be viewed as a major fashion faux-pas. Ugh, she'd never be caught dead committing such a fashion travesty back home!
She rounded a corner and found everyone from supper yesterday sitting in a silent circle, eating their breakfast. Shippo and Sesshoumaru seemed to be locked in some sort of staring battle, and Rin and Katsuo were shooting her looks that plainly cried, Help!
She raised a brow at the two demons. She was beginning to notice some antagonism here. She cleared her throat, and both men bestowed her with a dashing smile.
"Good morning, Kagome," Sesshoumaru said, the first to make conversation. He'd not even greeted Rin and her family earlier; he'd been too busy attempting to stare down the fox across from him.
"Good morning, Sesshoumaru." She turned her head to Shippo, and the look on his face as he smiled at her made a blush creep up her neck and she narrowed her eyes, angry that he could embarrass her with just a look. She knew what he was thinking about, that cheeky bugger!
Though... she couldn't bring herself to regret last night. She'd slept better in his arms than she had since she'd left five years earlier, and she wasn't about to start complaining. But he really shouldn't be giving her such personal looks, especially in public, so she decided to take him down a notch for his impudence, as sexy as it may have been.
She turned back to Sesshoumaru. "How did you sleep?"
Sesshoumaru tilted his head in acknowledgment. "Very well, you?"
She glanced at Shippo, who'd begun to scowl. "Oh, I slept alright. I'm sorry to have to ask, but may we impose on you for one more day, or until the rain stops?"
Sesshoumaru laughed. "You may impose on me as long as you please, Kagome."
No one missed the way he stressed you.
She smiled. "Thank you."
A servant placed her food on a tray in front of her, and she took a mouthful, glancing again at Shippo as she did so.
He was staring at her, but he was smiling that sexy smile that she found hard to resist, and she turned away from him, indignant, but flushed, again.
Sesshoumaru watched the interaction with interest. Had something happened between the two last night? Perhaps today was a good time to monopolise Kagome's time and get to know her better... Perhaps a horseback ride would entice her?
Rin caught Kagome's eye and winked, then tilted her head, as if to say, Meet me outside after breakfast.
Kagome nodded, looking at her own breakfast to lesson suspicion. Surely Rin could shed more light on this mysterious situation.
After the servants had cleared away their trays, and before anyone could utter a word, Rin jumped up and said, "Well, Kagome, let's go for a short walk, shall we? I want to hear everything that's been going on since you got back!"
Kagome smiled and stood up. "It would be my pleasure, Rin." She looked back at both demons, and Sesshoumaru looked perplexed, like Rin had pulled the rug out from under him, and Shippo looked just sexy, dammit. He was beginning to get on her nerves! She had to admit, the man knew what he was doing when it came to her pleasure. Damn him!
Outside, after she'd calmed down a bit, Rin remarked, "Wow, that was awkward."
"No kidding," Kagome replied, scratching her neck as they strolled down the outer walkway, sheltered from the rain. "What was all that, anyway? Those two were not like that yesterday. Was it something I said?"
Rin laughed, and crossed her arms, a big grin on her face. "Yeah, they kinda were, actually. You really don't know, do you?"
Kagome glanced at her askance before stopping and facing her head-on. She was just cranky today and accidentally she blurted, "Know what, dammit?!"
"Sorry." Rin's brows went up, but she was unrepentant as she chuckled. "I think Sesshoumaru-sama and Master Shippo are in a love-feud over you."
She blinked. "What?"
Rin sighed, and continued walking. After a moment, Kagome followed.
"It's pretty obvious. Sesshoumaru-sama has never acted this way around a guest before, and Master Shippo has been on a short fuse since you two arrived. This is just my opinion, but I think that you may have a couple of suitors on your hands." She smiled to herself. "Sesshoumaru-sama has been on his own for so long... it's nice to finally see him show interest in a woman."
She turned to gauge Kagome's reaction, but she wasn't there. "Kagome?"
Kagome had turned back, intent on confronting both men with what Rin suspected was true, but when she opened the door, the breakfast room was empty except for a few servants, so she'd angrily slammed the door and stomped off to check her bag for tampons. Even if she was majorly pissed she figured it was probably that time of the month again and it was better to be safe than sorry.
She sighed. No wonder she was such a bitch today, that must be the reason... though she was not impressed with Rin's love triangle theory. She was not some prize to be won!
And she really had to go to the bathroom... this was not a good time, she groaned silently, trudging along. Ugh, this was going to be soo gross...
...oOo...
Sesshoumaru called for Jaken as soon as breakfast was concluded, and Shippo had swaggered out of the room like the muscle-bound kit he was.
"What is it, milord?"
"I want you to send Lady Kagome a formal invitation to go riding with me today. Tell her I will not take no for an answer if she refuses."
"Yes, milord."
While Jaken scurried off to do his bidding, Sesshoumaru strategized. He schemed till he was blue in the face but decided in the end to simply let nature take its course, and see what happened. As long as she was isolated from Shippo, the better his chances would be. And he had a pretty servant girl in mind who was guaranteed to keep the fox quite busy... He sent for her, and when he had relayed his instructions, he went to the stable to see to their mounts.
...oOo...
There was a knock on the door, and Kagome yelled, "Occupied!"
The servant outside stepped back a pace, startled. "Lady Kagome?"
She sighed, trying to do a million things at once, and this idiot had to bother her now?
Wow, I really am bitchy today, she thought.
"What?! I'm kinda busy here."
The servant took a deep breath. The Lady was certainly short-tempered today. He was afraid of perhaps losing his head if he did not tread carefully. "My Lord has requested that you go riding with him today, in half an hour, in fact."
There was silence on the other side of the door. The servant, cautious, stepped back about ten feet.
What?! She thought, making a face of indignation. Riding? Now? Today? Was he crazy?! She tied up what she was doing and flung open the door. "I cannot-"
"He-will-not-take-no-for-an-answer!" the servant blurted before she could refuse.
She sighed, and her arms drooped. She waved her arms in the air, then. "Fine! I'm coming, but I'm not happy about it!" She stomped off, and the servant turned his head to watch. She was a firecracker, alright. His Lord would have his hands full with this one!
Although, just in case, he put his hands to his face and neck, to make sure he wasn't hallucinating and she hadn't, in fact, bitten off his head.
Kagome trudged into the castle's kitchen, a murderous look on her face. Everyone stopped to stare at her, waiting.
She cleared her throat. "Can I have some boiling water, please?"
Immediately she was presented with a pot-full. "My Lady."
She smiled in a sardonic manner. "Thanks, kid," she said to the young boy who'd handed her the pot, and turned to take it away.
Everyone in the kitchen exchanged a glance, then went back to work, talking furiously.
...oOo...