Chapter 10: Gift

Sesshoumaru could no longer restrain his desire for the human. Could no longer resist the girl that had captured him from the moment he saw her. With that one kiss, he had broken each and every rule he possessed, and could not feel guilty for it. Touching her was wonderful; finally feeling her silken skin, tasting her warm mouth again. Never had doing wrong felt so right. The girl obviously had no trouble with touching him. She threw herself into their kisses; her lips never lifting from his own even to take a breath.

Though she was inexperienced, Sesshoumaru could find no fault with the way she made his body ache for her.

He carried her through the curtain of rain, feeling none of it. He felt the heaviness of his clothes and hair- but not the coolness or wetness of the rain. His senses were focused on the girl in his arms. Nothing more. When the lacquered floors of the porch met his feet- a warning jolt spiked through his mind...

He knew if he continued down the road he was headed on- there would be hell to pay. Simply touching a human was a disgrace, but bedding one? It was unthinkable. Unforgivable. A growl rose in his throat. Even though he found such pleasure in touching her, in basking in her scent of flowers and moon, there was still a part of him that was revolted. Revolted that he would feel such things for a human. A creature so greedy. So fragile and spineless. His people would never forgive him.. Weak they would call him. Traitor. Beast. The reputation that had taken hundreds of years to build would be shattered in the time of one night. The blow to his pride would be irreversible. Sesshoumaru's beast stirred in its cage.

But, against the whisper of his mind, and perhaps just a little louder- was that of his heart. A sound, he had not heard in some time. It said that they did not know her as he did. How could they? How could they fault him when they had not met her? If they could not smell her beauty as he did, feel how fierce and pure her spirit was, see how deep her eyes were- eyes like no woman's he had ever met? They would scorn him without even getting to know the girl he had lost his will to…. And he could not deny it. The girl had captured his interest, his admiration. Won his desire and his lust. Her mind was bright and her purpose strong.

He would never mate her. Never. But he could not let her go without touching her one last time… He needed to have her; a feeling far beyond any mere want.

Matsumoto Kagome. Princess of the Land of Flowers.

How different she is…

He carried her across the matted floors, down the halls, and into her room. My room. The rain beat like fists upon the roof and the thunder shook the cottage to its foundations. Sesshoumaru couldn't have cared less. He tore his mouth away from the girl's to set her on the ground. She let out a whimper of displeasure and he grinned. In seconds he had the futon rolled out on the floor. When he turned back to the human, the flush had vanished from her face- leaving it porcelain pale once more. She stood with her hands up by her chest. Her eyes were frightened.

Sesshoumaru instantly understood. He was struck again by how young she was…..

The need to comfort her was an unfamiliar one, but he did not resist it. He walked slowly back to her and cupped her face. He turned it up towards his own. "What is wrong?.." he whispered to her, already knowing her answer. He pushed back her bangs- soaked and dripping, and wiped the water from her cheeks. She looked away. When she did not answer, Sesshoumaru brushed a chaste kiss over her forehead and caught her gaze. "Tell me," he said, voice more commanding. She let out a breath and closed her eyes.

"I-," she murmured, her voice almost lost in the rain ",-I have never done this before Sesshoumaru… I, I am still a virgin."

Suddenly her face was stained a dark crimson and she broke away from his hands. Frustration rose in him, but he beat it down. Now she was embarrassed, after kissing him more passionately than any virgin had a right to. Sesshoumaru let his hands fall to his sides and quenched the heat in his body. She had every right to deny him. If he let her take her flower, she would be ruined for any other man. Used goods. Her use as a marriage piece would vanish and her name would be sullied. No man would want her. Certainly not any prince. I can't do that to her….

Sesshoumaru turned away from her and made for the door. It is not meant to be… Good. Then, she grabbed his sleeve. He looked back towards her in the dark, her face bright only to his demon eyes. She walked to him and wound her arms around his waist. He flinched but did not pull away. Her water eyes looked up at him and resolve to let her keep her honor splintered and broke. "I do not know how to make love Sesshoumaru," she whispered again and stood on her toes to place her lips on his own. "But- I want you to teach me."

And so he did. He laid her gently on the futon and slipped off her wet clothes. She did not shy from his touch, and instead arched into it. Each piece of her skin he revealed was marked with a touch of his lips. Normally, he was not so gentle with a woman. But with her, everything was different. His hands slow and caressing; his words soft. How could he not? When he was free from his own clothes he gathered her delicate body to his and entered her. He knew there was pain for her. He felt it as if it were his own. But then, they were both overcome by pleasure and Sesshoumaru lost himself in her.

The morning light was what woke Kagome. It weighed heavily on her eyes until she was forced to open them. Kagome yawned and stretched languidly like a cat. Her body was warm and fuzzy, just as it felt when she had awoken in the spring. She smiled and repositioned her legs.

A fiery lance of pain shot through her belly and Kagome gasped. She snapped open her eyes and looked down at her body.

She was naked and the place in-between her legs ached like it never had before. That's weird- she thought; before it struck her. With hesitant eyes she looked to the futon next to her. On it- lay the demon. A blanket was tossed haphazardly over his legs and waist, and his pale chest gleamed ivory in the meager sunlight. His hair surrounded them both in a silver pool, and his muscled body moved in gentle breathing. He was asleep, and just as naked as she. Kagome felt her mouth go dry and she put a hand to her bare chest. Her heart beat was so loud she was surprised the demon did not wake.

What had happened last night had not been a dream. He had made love to her. A demon had made love to her; and she had let him. She had wanted him to. Kagome was suddenly so afraid her fear threatened to choke her. Her lungs strained for breath and her eyes watered. No, this cannot be. No! What had she done?! Her father's angry face flashed before her eyes; his eyes dark and his skin red. She saw Souta's face- shocked and ashamed. How it would hurt her heart to see him shun her, just like their father...

But then, just as she was about to rise and flee from the room- memories of her night with Sesshoumaru flooded back to her. His warm hands, his gold eyes that had held hers through every one of his touches. His voice, kind- gentle as the forest breeze. He had been a different man entirely. A man she could love. That was why she had wanted him so. Was why she could not rise from the futon…She was bound to him now. She had given him her most prized possession, and with him it would stay. Kagome's eyes strayed back to him. His face was peaceful. Without the coldness it usually held- he looked like and angel…… I have made the right choice- she decided. Who better to give it to than him? He had been the first man she had ever known who had actually seen her. Not just a woman. But a princess. A person. He had hurt her. But he had saved her.

She would face the consequences of their actions later. Right now, I just want to enjoy him while I have him..

Kagome felt her belly clench with unease, but having Sesshoumaru there helped to calm her. She settled herself back into the sheets and laid her head upon his chest. Though his skin looked marble cold, it was warm against her cheek. She smiled. After a few moments, she felt his long wind themselves through her hair. "Mmmmm- good morning," she mumbled and let her eyes flutter closed. His body was so strong. She felt desire stir in her simply from touching it again…

"Kagome," he whispered after a while, his deep voice loud in her ears. "-forgive me." She frowned and swiftly sat up again. "What? Why?" No. It was not possible he was regretting their actions. Not him- Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands who never regretted anything. But his amber eyes were so dark- almost brown.

He was serious.

She felt her fear return and Kagome held his hand in her own. His knuckles were course and she gripped them tightly. She could not be strong without him. She needed him to accept what he had done without remorse. Otherwise-...

"I have robbed you of your future," he said when Kagome would not release his gaze. He turned away from her and Kagome felt her heart twine like a plucked bow string. That was why he was unhappy? She clamored over his body, the sheet a thin barrier, and laid her chin on his collar bone. He stiffened and Kagome smiled. She sunk her hands deep into his mane of silver hair and sighed. "Sesshoumaru, even if I could take back what we have done," she said softly to him, his body as still as stone ",I would not. My time with you has been the happiest of my life. You must understand this…"

At first he did not react.

Then, his arm came around her waist, so hard it almost hurt, and he pressed her head against his chest. Every part of her was touching a part of him and Kagome could not have been more pleased. How did I last so long without touching him?- she thought to herself. The task seemed impossible to her now… "Very well," he said. His breathing was still slow, but Kagome sensed his melancholy had fled. "I do not regret this either."

His words made her heart swell and Kagome smiled. They made love many more times that day. The pain she had felt that first time vanished- leaving only a smoldering pleasure in its place. When Kagome had spent all her energy, she simply lay intertwined with her demon and welcomed the night. He had not spoken aloud that he had cared for her. She had a feeling he never would. But he had showed it. With every kiss. With every touch... The feelings she felt for him were almost too big for her heart to contain.

The idea of leaving him the next day was almost too painful to think about…

My hair is a mess- Kagome decided after seeing a tangled tendril of it woven with silver. The sheets were sweaty and, for once- Kagome did not care a bit. Her arms were around Sesshoumaru, and her head rested snuggly under his chin. Their breathing almost matched each other, and she felt the demon's heartbeat as if his heart moved in her own chest. It was the most wonderful feeling... Kagome sighed in contentment and found herself slipping back into sleep. Funny- she thought with a grin, as long claws lightly caressed her shoulder- I haven't put on clothes this entire day… The crickets chirped a loud lullaby, and the the coolness in the air that was a delight to the skin… Light filtered weakly from her small window and she suspected darkness was almost upon them.

As Kagome's eyes began to droop closed, Sesshoumaru spoke. "Princess," he called softly to her, using the formality Kagome had thought he had abandoned.

"Do you still wish for the treaty?...."

Her heart missed a beat. Kagome struggled to remain calm and keep her lungs working. "Yes," she breathed after some time and her body drooped against his stone hard one. Sesshoumaru shifted on the futon, so his face was level with hers. His gold eyes searched hers, and Kagome withheld nothing from him. Then, he smiled. Really smiled, and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Then I will give it to you."

A small cry escaped her lips and Kagome threw her arms around his neck. She heard his rumbling laugh, warm like honey, and found herself laughing right along with him. Light flooded her chest and she though she would surley burst with its brilliance. "Thankyou, Sesshoumaru!" she yelled, not caring how loud she was. She covered his face with kisses and his eyes fluttered shut. They fell asleep in each other's embrace- and Kagome found herself feeling like the happiest woman in all the world.

She probably was....

First off, I want to thank everyone for their reviews!! Thankies guys!! You are the reason this update was so fast!; even though its a bit short... Sorry! Second, I hope everyone is happy with this chapter. I know it is a little more mature than all the previous chapters- but I could not have written this story any other way. Till' next time!

-Kirin