Chapter 11 - Marking

"When your cat rubs the side of its face along your leg, it's affectionately marking you with its scent, identifying you as its private property, saying, in effect, 'You belong to me'" - Susan McDonough

"Higurashi."

Absently she felt something nudging her foot. "Higurashi." A pause and she began to drift back to sleep.

A firmer nudge had her groaning. "Higurashi. You will wake." A firm, evil voice said.

She rolled over, pulling the warm comforter over her head. "Go 'way." She mumbled.

"It is time for your training to begin."

"No it 'isn. Still dark." She said, her voice muffled under the cover.

Sesshomaru glared down at the small form huddled on the bed. "You will not like what I do, should you not rise."

Two hands shot out from the blanket, pointer fingers crooked in his direction, waggling. "Try it buster. I have two miko fingers and I'm not afraid to use them. Come back at a decent hour." Her hands moved back into the warmth of the blanket.

Suddenly, a warm hand grasped her ankle, and she shrieked. Her eyes popped open as she was unceremoniously hauled off the bed, blanket and all, before she was tossed onto a firm, broad shoulder, her hair hanging in her face and down a broad back. She wiggled helplessly, her body wrapped tightly in the covers she had been so fond of only seconds ago.

"Sesshomaru! Put me down! I mean it! I'll toss you into the ocean again you - where are you taking me?" She said, her eyes blinking in the early morning dark as he walked calmly outside and down the stairs. "Sesshomaru, put me back in my bed! Darn you!" She panted, breathless from her struggles. It wasn't until she heard the sound of lapping waves and the swirl of water around moving feet that she realized where they were.

"Y - You wouldn't!" She said worriedly, straining her neck to try and see his face.

"Hn. This scene seems oddly familiar."

"Don't you dare!"

"Turn about is only fair, miko." Amusement tinging his voice.

Frantically she looked about for a way to escape. Her eyes locked on the the broad muscle of his shoulder covered by his thin white shirt. Her eyes narrowed. "I'm warning you, put me down!"

"Or what?" He asked, unconcerned. She felt his muscles bunch in preparation, and without further thought, she bit down.

He froze in shock, as small, blunt teeth gripped the skin on his shoulder firmly. It stung slightly, but that wasn't what held him still. His hand twitched where it held her legs, and he shuddered. His breath exhaled in a whoosh. "Careful, Higurashi." He said harshly. "That is a dangerous game to play."

Her words were muffled, but the meaning was clear as she bucked, her legs kicking. Another shudder rolled down his spine and he had to grit his teeth as the warmth from her mouth seeped through his clothing.

He focused his eyes on the cool water swirling around his calves, and without another thought, he leaped into the sea. He heard a gasp as the water closed over both of them before he pushed them up for air. The blanket long gone, his nearly undetectable pink-tinged eyes met the furious blue ones of the woman treading water next to him.

"Sesshomaru!" She said, sputtering as she shoved her hair out of her face.

Without a word he turned, heading for the near shore. Back turned, he said, "Now that you are awake Miss Higurashi, perhaps we can begin our day. I will shower and met you here after you have had your breakfast."

"W- What? You get back here you overbearing... dog!" She yelled as her feet finally touched sand. Silk pajamas dripping, and feeling very much like a drowned cat, she stomped her feet, but he never looked back as he moved to their bure.

"What the heck is his problem? I was the one he tossed into the water! And why he went too is beyond me." She muttered, as she plodded back to the cabin. "Dangerous indeed... he started it."

He was already in the shower by the time she returned, and she glared daggers at the door before her eyes absently went to the mirror. She gasped, her arms flying up to cover her chest. Her light pink silk top may as well not exist. Spinning, she grabbed her cotton robe lying on the dresser, pulling it on just as the water shut off. It was a few minutes before Sesshomaru came out, wearing the cleaned set of clothes he had fashioned for swimming days past. He paused briefly, seeing her standing there before he walked past her.

"I will call for breakfast and wait outside until you are done." He said coolly.

"Alright." She drawled, eying him suspiciously. "You know, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. I would under-"

"I would not have offered, were it something I did not want to do, Higurashi." He said quietly before exiting the cabin.

She sighed, shaking her head as she made her way to the bathroom. "And men complain about our mood swings!"

"Again."

"I...really...don't...think," She gulped, lungs heaving "I can right now. Break time sounds good."

"It has only been two hours. This Sesshomaru believes we should continue."

Rolling her eyes, she collapsed down onto the warm sand arms and legs splayed. "That's it? I've been running, leaping, dodging and throwing reiki for only two hours?" She blew out a breath, face flushed from exertion. "Well, this Kagome isn't budging mister. I know I asked for help releasing my reiki, but I didn't mean all at once!"

"Hn." He said, frowning

"Look, whatever problem you have, why don't you just do a few sprints around the island to get it out? Kagome the Punching Bag is done! Or I could always fling you out to sea again." Groaning when she lifted an arm to cover her eyes from the bright sun, she didn't see the golden eyes that strayed to the skin of her belly as her shirt rode up slightly. Face darkening, he turned.

"Since it seems you lack the energy to keep up, I suppose our sparring is concluded for the day."

"Yeah, yeah." She said, waving an arm. "You're not gonna get a rise out of me this time. I'm too tired."

In reality, he was impressed with her stamina. Not many could say they could keep up with a daiyoukai for such a length of time. Granted, he had not used his full abilities, but neither had be been easy on her. She was skilled. Not only in the use of her miko abilities, but also in martial arts. Yet another revelation about her. With time and more tutelage he believed she could easily match him in a true fight.

Glancing down at her, he did his best to keep his eyes away from the band of flesh peeking at her waist. He watched as her breathing slowed. Perhaps he had been a bit too hard on her. But his body had been buzzing with energy ever since morning, and he had needed a way to expel it. Agitated, he walked to the edge of the water and gazed out at the horizon. Obviously, she was unaware of the meaning behind her actions this morning, nor did he intend to explain it to her. But that did not stop him from responding any differently than he had. The worst part... he wasn't entirely sure he had disliked it.

***PLEASE READ!***

Due to the numerous, similar questions I have been getting in regards to this chapter, I have post a Q & A on my profile. If you would like answers to some of the questions, please go to my profile to see the answers

Author's Drabble: Short, I know. But at least I posted a chapter right? :D Anyhow, some progress in the relationship on Sesshomaru's side! Also, no I did not write directly about the sparring. First, I am terrible at writing 'fight' scenes, and second, it didn't really go with the overall feel of the story, IMO.

P.S. This chapter is dedicated to all the other AWESOME stories and their writers. I miss seeing updates for my favorite stories too as I am an avid reader of this sight, so I hope this inspires some out there to update their stories as well!