Ch.7

Sesshomaru couldn't stop seeing red. As his watched from the thicket of trees outside of Tama's home he tried to focus his eyes and he watched Tama saunter towards Kenji. The way she moves should be illegal. Tama looked out at the forest right where he was and smiled. Could she see him? Impossible. He listened to what her and Kenji where talking about and tried to keep from growling as Tama stepped as close to the fox demon as she could and stroked his chest.

"I've never been kissed before." Like hell you haven't been kissed. Sesshomaru dug his claws into his palms to keep from ripping Kenji's throat out for kissing his Tama. Since when is she yours? Sesshomaru managed to regain his composure as the fox demon went back to the party leaving Tama alone on the balcony.

"How easily lies roll off your tongue." Sesshomaru leapt to the balcony and stood in front of Tama.

"What lie?"

"You have been kissed. Why would lie to him?" Tama leaned against the railing and toyed with her hair.

"What you did to me was cruel, not a kiss like the one Kenji gave to me. I've spent decades trying to get the taste of you off my lips and if I choose to kiss others to do just that you have no right to stop me." Tama moved to leave, but Sesshomaru stepped in front of her to block her exit. I have every right to stop you, you are mine.

"Let me go Sesshomaru, my guests are waiting for me."

"Let them wait. I am going to speak with you and you will listen." Tama stepped around him and Sesshomaru grabbed her wrist and held it hard.

"That hurts."

"You need to stop lying Tama. Lie to the fox all you want, but you never lie to me."

It was the first time Sesshomaru had touched her in any way other than fighting since the time he kissed her and all the emotions she had felt that day came flooding back to the surface.

"Release me now Sesshomaru."

"I can't," Sesshomaru pulled her closer, "why is it every time you are around I can't look away from you. I catch your scent on the wind and have to follow it to you. I have never dreamed until you thrust yourself into my life and now I can't sleep without seeing your face. You have caused me to change how I think about everything in this world. You are the cause for all of my problems." Tama looked into Sesshomaru's eyes for what seemed like days and watched them flicker between confused to anger to something she'd never seen before.

"It's love."

"What are you talking about Tama?" Tama cupped Sesshomaru's cheek with her free hand and smiled to herself.

"This feeling that you can't explain, its love. You love me even though everything inside of you is fighting it." Sesshomaru dropped her wrist like it had caught fire and he turned his face away from Tama's. "Look at me." Tama brought her other hand to his face and made him turn back to her. "Say you love me." Sesshomaru snorted.

"I am incapable of love, it's beneath me." Tama smiled and kissed Sesshomaru's chin.

"What if I told you that I love you?" Sesshomaru looked down at her.

"I've told you not to lie to me."

"It's not a lie. I love you with all my heart. Am I pathetically weak for loving you?"

"Yes. Love is a waste of time."

"Then I guess I should go and give my love to someone else." Sesshomaru grabbed Tama's upper arms and pulled her into a brutal kiss. Not gentle like the first time, this kiss was all dominance and possession. Tama kissed him back with everything she had and when he shoved his tongue passed her lips she allowed him to explore all he wanted. Sesshomaru pulled back and grabbed her chin.

"You are my jewel, do not forget that." You love me, even if you can't say it out loud. "I have a gift for you."

"You do?" Sesshomaru pulled out a black silk pouch and placed it in Tama's palms. "You never get me a gift. I don't think you've ever even acknowledged my birthday."

"Birthday's are irrelevant. This is just a present from me to you. I don't need to have a reason to give you one. If you are going to question me I will take it back." Tama opened the pouch and pulled out a long string of what looked to be pearls. As she brought the necklace closer to her eyes she saw that the pearls were really glass beads and inside each one was a single cherry blossom, suspended in fool bloom for the rest of time. Tama ran her thumb over the silver threads that made a tassel at the bottom of the necklace. The same shade of silver as Sesshomaru's…

"You cut your own hair to make this for me?" Sesshomaru didn't answer, and began to walk towards the sliding door. It is a small piece of me you can always carry with you.

"Wear it or don't, I don't care either way." As Sesshomaru started to walk towards the door he felt Tama grab a small bit of his hair and he couldn't help, but remember the first time she did that. He was in awe of her even then. She hugged him from behind and it took everything in Sesshomaru's power to stand there and not react.

"Thank you. I love my gift and I forgive you."

"I don't recall apologizing for anything."

"You're still forgiven." Sesshomaru gave his infamous snort and walked away from her. You'll never give you a reason not to forgive me.