Title: Bitten
Summary: After an incident that should have killed Kagome, she found herself under Sesshoumaru's care and protection.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co.
Author's Notes: Okay, so I know everyone is prepared to kill me now for not updating. I have a very good explanation for disappearing for such a long time. My laptop was stolen and unfortunately my external drive was in the same bag as my laptop at that time so everything I worked hard for was gone in a snap. It was so hard to rewrite everything especially when I felt really stupid for losing everything. I'm still not sure this would work out well, I still think that what I wrote before is better but here goes nothing. I hope you'll still continue to read and review my work. I'll try to upload regularly now and keep my new external drive in my pockets at all times! Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Rationalizations and Realizations
The phone rang for the fifth time and Kagome zoomed inside. Sesshoumaru was in the living room with Souta and Inuyasha, watching as the two played Tennis on the Wii. She giggled as Inuyasha made a happy jig when he scored a point. As usual, the demon lord had a bored look on his face but Kagome could detect a certain interest in him.
"Hello, Kagome speaking," she answered.
"Hey, Kagome!" Eri said cheerfully. "Yuka, Ayumi and I had been planning a small outing tomorrow. We planned on going to the amusement park. We'd be glad if you join us especially since you're leaving us."
Kagome smiled but she faltered when she realized she couldn't go. She wasn't sure if Sesshoumaru would like to go to an amusement park with her friends. "I'm sorry, Eri," she began sadly. "I don't think I could go."
"Why not?" she asked. "You could bring Sesshoumaru with you."
She bit her lower lip, wondering how to convince them that she could not go. Glancing at Sesshoumaru, she noticed him looking at her. She knew that the demon lord could hear her conversation and she smiled reassuringly at him. She was about to say no again when Sesshoumaru spoke softly so that only she could hear.
"I will accompany you and your friends," he said softly.
"Wait a sec," she said to the phone and turned to Sesshoumaru. "Are you sure? There will be lots of human there."
He nodded and Kagome beamed gratefully at the demon lord.
"Okay, Eri," she said to the phone. "We'll be there!" She placed the phone down after a few minutes of chitchat and turned back to Sesshoumaru. "Thank you so much, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"You will do something in return for that favor," he said in his usual monotone but Kagome detected a slight lilting, indicating his amusement.
She grinned and turned to the screen where Sesshoumaru kept his gaze. "Oh, and what is that, my lord?" she asked playfully.
"You will show your world to this Sesshoumaru," he said.
Her grin widened and her voice lowered to a very soft murmur so that Inuyasha would not overhear. "Why don't we go now?" she asked. "I can go in these clothes and you can go on those."
Sesshoumaru glanced at her; his eyes crinkled a little as he listened to the excitement in her voice. "Then we shall go," he said. "Meet me outside in a few minutes. Mask your scent."
"All right," Kagome said and stood up to go back to her room.
She quickly went to her drawers and counted her savings. She was about to jump out the window when her mom cleared her throat from the door. Kagome smiled sheepishly at her mother, a soft blush staining her cheeks.
"Lord Sesshoumaru wants me to tour him in return for accompanying me tomorrow to the amusement park with my friends," she said in explanation. "I'm sorry if I forgot to ask your permission, Mom."
Her mother smiled. "I heard your whispering since I was right behind you," she said amusedly. "Here, take this."
Kagome's eyes widened as her mother handed her a piece of plastic card. "My own credit card?" she asked excitedly.
"Use it responsibly," she said. "And buy Lord Sesshoumaru something that would fit him. It would be quite useful since he would be a constant visitor here." Her mom winked before closing the door behind her.
Kagome grinned and jumped down from the window. She saw Sesshoumaru waiting under the Goshinbuku tree wearing her father's clothes. He was wearing another khaki shorts and a long sleeved blue shirt. It fit all right but it didn't suit him. Kagome grinned to herself as she remembered her mom's parting words.
"Let's go," she said and led the way down the stairs. "First stop, the mall. We need to get you some clothes that would suit you."
"Hn," he said thoughtfully and Kagome beamed at him.
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Sesshoumaru had felt Kagome's restlessness as they stayed inside the house for two days after going to her school. He could clearly feel her excitement as Eri called her followed almost instantly by disappointment when she realized she would not be able to go. So, he had decided to accompany her to this amusement park. It would take her mind off her problems for a while and he could discover more of this future.
He had found an explanation for his agreement to go to the amusement park. What he was having trouble explaining to himself was his reason for this impulsive tour of this time. All he knew was he had the sudden overwhelming urge to spend time with Kagome without Inuyasha's constant irritating presence. He knew Kagome would not want to take Inuyasha with them on this little outing when he had made the suggestion. He felt warmth course through him when he felt Kagome's excitement at his idea.
The walk to the mall had been full of chatter in the miko's part. She had pointed at buildings where she watched movies, ate her favorite pastries, stayed with her friends just to drink coffee and many others. As she talked about these places, Sesshoumaru saw glimpses of her life here as just another human girl who did not have to worry about cursed jewels, demons and other creatures. But despite all the things that happened to her, she had remained happy and positive. He could not help but admire her.
"So, here's one of my favorite places," Kagome's cheerful voice broke through his musings. "This is the mall. The place where we can get anything we could possibly need!"
He almost shook his head at her obvious exaggeration. However, a few minutes inside the mall proved that Kagome was indeed telling him the truth. It was a huge market that was beyond even his wildest imagination. It was teeming with people with their families and friends. Some carried many purchases while others were merely there to stroll and meet with friends. He discretely looked at everything and he was amazed at what he saw.
"Come on," Kagome said as she took his hand impulsively, her small warm hand wrapping around innocently around his larger one. "Let's get you some clothes then we can eat lunch and continue with your tour."
If this was not Kagome, his normal reaction would have been to rid of anyone who dared touch him of their limb. However, Kagome would always be different, he knew that now. The way she made him feel gave her this right. Her hand touching his hand as she led the way felt somehow right. Her occasional smiles thrown his way were something he was not use to getting from anyone except Rin. However, unlike Rin, Kagome fully understood his nature. Rin was too young to realize that he was a ruthless killer.
His musings were stopped again when Kagome stopped in front of a row of clothes. She then began to rummage through the clothes, scanning each article with critical eyes. Once in a while, she would thrust a certain article of clothing in his arm. A few rows later, she beamed and dragged him to a small room.
"Try these on," she said, indicating the clothes in his possession. "I'll wait here."
He nodded and went inside the small cubicle. After trying on a pair of clothes, he went out to see Kagome's reaction. She eyed him from head to foot and it did not escape his notice that she was appreciating the way the clothes fitted him. He must admit that the clothes of this time showed off his lean body perfectly. She nodded and he went back inside to change to another set before she again inspected his appearance. The cycle repeated until he was able to try on all five sets of clothes that she had chosen for him. He normally would have felt ridiculous parading in front of someone like this, instead he was basking in the appreciative way Kagome surveyed his form. He never felt the need to impress anyone with his looks especially since he knew that most find him attractive, may it be human or demon. But seeing that look from Kagome made him feel different. He felt warm whenever her gaze touched him and it was an odd feeling, pleasant but very odd.
"I can't decide which set to buy for you," Kagome mused when he had changed back to the ones he was originally wearing. "They all look good on you. Let's just get everything. It's a good thing they're on sale today!"
Sesshoumaru almost shook his head at Kagome's candidness. She never hesitated to throw out her compliments.
"Let's go get something to eat," she said happily. "I feel like eating one huge serving of rare steak. You would absolutely love it!"
The demon lord looked forward to the rest of the day. There was much to learn about this time and its current occupants, specifically a certain dark haired girl with an inexhaustible amount of energy.
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They had been enjoying large servings of rare cooked steaks when Kagome spotted Hojo entering the steakhouse. She did not know whether she should be happy that she saw her friend or not. However, once Hojo beamed her one of his wide grins, Kagome was not able to resist and she grinned back, missing her sweet and thoughtful friend.
"Hey, Kagome," Hojo greeted as he stopped beside their table.
Kagome stood up and gave Hojo a hug. "Hey, Hojo," she greeted back. She then turned to Sesshoumaru who had obviously enjoyed his steak seeing as he had already finished it. The demon lord was looking stoically at Hojo's hand clasping hers. She discreetly pulled her hand and smiled at Hojo. "I want you to meet Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru, this is Hojo."
Sesshoumaru stood up and shook hands with Hojo who was looking at Kagome questioningly. "Pleased to meet you," the demon lord said formally, mimicking the characters he had watched in the television.
"Is he your boyfriend that Eri, Yuka and Ayumi were talking about?" Hojo asked with a small sad smile.
Kagome felt a tiny pinch in her heart at the sad smile. "Yes," she said softly. "I'm sorry I was not able to see you at school. There were matters I needed to attend to."
"It's all right," Hojo said as they all sat down. "I heard you dropped out."
She nodded. "I'll study abroad," she said. "But I'll still be returning once in a while."
"I see," he said sadly. "I guess it would be a long time before we see you again, huh?"
"Yeah," she said a little saddened by that fact, too. She would really miss her friends in this time. She glanced at Sesshoumaru who had his poker face on. "Well, I guess we'll be going now. I'll see you around." She smiled to soften her leaving before standing up.
Hojo nodded and smiled back at her. "Please take care of her, Sesshoumaru," Hojo said as he also stood up.
Sesshoumaru nodded at Hojo before turning to follow Kagome out. She smiled at Sesshoumaru knowing that what Hojo said was an insult to the demon lord.
"Thank you for not reacting to his words," she whispered.
The demon lord looked down at her and inclined his head. "He did not mean it as an insult," he said. "It was his acceptance."
"Acceptance of what?" she asked, confused by his words.
"That you can no longer be his," the demon lord said simply.
She did not know what to say to that so she simply nodded and let herself drift into silence. She was never used to silence and felt awkward in those times but with Sesshoumaru, silence seemed to bring about a new level of closeness between them.
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Sesshoumaru glanced at Kagome who was walking beside him. They had gone to many places that Kagome had missed. In each place, he had discovered things about her. They had gone to the library where the librarian had talked to Kagome, commenting on some new books that Kagome might be interested in, mostly, they were historical writings. Then they went to Tokyo tower where she had told him that her father used to take her and Souta there every weekend. Of course, he could not forget the coffee shop where there was a picture of her with her friends laughing together as they shared a cup of coffee. She obviously had a very peaceful and happy life here. It was surprising that she remained as she was even after being thrust in to his violent and unknown world.
His mind went back to the boy who was obviously in love with the miko. He had first seen Kagome break into a wide grin that showed him how happy she was before he saw the reason for that smile. There was a certain pang inside of him and he realized that he wanted Kagome to smile like that when she sees him; her eyes alight with happiness and her smile so wide that no one would miss how happy she was to see him. It did not sit well with him that he was envying the way Kagome responded to this boy.
Then he turned and actually saw the cause of Kagome's happiness. It was painfully obvious to him and to everyone who would only glance at his face that he was deeply in love with the miko. It was the way he looked at her with such longing and affection, that she was the only one that could cause him such happiness that had him feeling somehow inadequate. As he looked at the way they interacted, no matter how short it was, he felt that this was how Kagome deserved to be treated, with such affection and adoration.
Hojo's quiet acceptance that Kagome would never return the same feelings made Sesshoumaru respect him. He had retreated gracefully and although he was saddened by the fact, he had accepted Kagome's decision. He wondered whether Kagome would find someone like him back in his time. Would she find someone who would love her so deeply there, someone who would be willing to sacrifice his own happiness for hers?
He imagined Tachi who had willingly defied his orders to get to Kagome on that first night. Sesshoumaru imagined them together and something inside him rebelled at the thought. He cast that feeling aside and snorted. The miko would decide who she would be with. He was in no position to say who she should or should not choose.
"You seem disturbed," the miko said quietly, smiling at him softly.
He looked at her smiling face and listened to the concern in her voice. He then realized that he always wanted to see that smile directed at him and to hear her concern for him. He always wanted to hear her musical laugh. He always wanted her near him, her warm presence enveloping him in peace.
Sesshoumaru shook those feelings aside. He had no business entertaining any kind of feeling. He had no right to relax his guard around anyone. There were many who needed him and depended on him. But he did not need anyone. He chanted this silently even as Kagome's body shielding him from Tessaiga's attack played over and over in his mind.
"It is nothing," he answered Kagome. Nothing, indeed.
"You can talk to me, you know," she said sincerely. She did not wait for his answer but instead she grinned widely at him. "Let's go watch a movie. I'm sure Mom won't mind if we're late."
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Inuyasha sat atop the Goshinbuku. It was almost midnight and they have yet to return. He cursed his carelessness again for the hundredth time. He was too busy playing with Souta that he had not felt the disappearance of Sesshoumaru and Kagome. When he asked Mrs. Higurashi, all she said was that Kagome would be safe with Sesshoumaru so he should not worry.
"Feh!" he mumbled. "If she only knew that Sesshoumaru is a heartless killer then she would be worried to."
He quietly dismissed the fact that he did not think Sesshoumaru would harm Kagome in any way. He also knew that Sesshoumaru would never intentionally cause any disruption in this time. He had given his word and after observing them for some time now, he had come to the conclusion that Sesshoumaru would ever do anything to upset Kagome. If he was honest with himself, he would admit that it was that latest revelation that had him worried. Somehow, Kagome was able to make Sesshoumaru genuinely care for her.
His ears perked up when he heard Kagome's prattle from below the shrine. She was obviously happy and had enjoyed going out with Sesshoumaru. He could not imagine how anyone would enjoy spending time with a silent icicle like Sesshoumaru but Kagome obviously did.
The two finally emerged from the steps and he could see Kagome grinning happily as she walked beside Sesshoumaru who seemed more relax than Inuyasha had ever seen him.
"Where have you been?" he demanded as he landed noiselessly on the ground in front of Kagome who stopped abruptly. He threw Sesshoumaru a dirty look before waiting for Kagome's answer.
Kagome's grin widened even more. "Just around," she said happily. "Did you have fun playing with Souta?"
Inuyasha was taken aback by the question and the way Kagome had failed to respond with defiance at his demand. "It was okay," he mumbled.
"Good," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow." With that, Kagome walked past him and into the house, Sesshoumaru right behind her.
Inuyasha sighed. Maybe it was time for him to go back to the Sengoku Jidai. It was time for him to admit that Kagome would be safe with his brother. He needed to see Kikyou.
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The next morning, Kagome woke up bright and early. She opted to wear low tight-fitting jeans and a red shirt. She wore her sneakers and went down. Sesshoumaru was already clothed in one of the sets they had bought yesterday. He looked gorgeous in jeans that accentuated his powerful thighs and a white sports shirt that showed off his wide shoulders and muscled chest. His hair was already braided, hiding his pointed ears.
Inuyasha was sulking. No doubt, he was already informed of her outing with Sesshoumaru and her friends.
"Good morning," she greeted everyone.
"Good morning, Kagome," her mom answered. "Lord Sesshoumaru's clothes look nice on him."
She beamed. "I know, Mom," she said. "Well, anything I put on him looked good."
"Feh!" Inuyasha interrupted. "I'm going back today. They might be worried that we had already killed each other here."
Kagome looked at her friend and smiled. "All right Inuyasha," she said. "We'll follow in a couple of days. Don't worry about us here."
"Who's worrying?" he asked gruffly before turning to go to the well.
She looked worriedly after Inuyasha until she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about him," she said softly. "He's just not yet used to not protecting you."
Kagome smiled at her mother. "He'll always want to protect me," she said. "Even if I can protect myself better, he still won't stop trying to shield me from everything."
"Of course he won't," Jii-chan spoke from the stairs. "The boy cares for you. But he should accept the fact that he can't have both you and Kikyou. You deserve better than that, right Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Yes, she did deserve better than that. She glanced at Sesshoumaru who nodded and smiled.
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Sesshoumaru did not know what to make of this amusement park. Different scent of food and people assaulted him. People all around were laughing and screaming gleefully that he began to wonder how they could possibly feel happy and scared at the same time.
"I know what you're thinking," Kagome said with a grin. "You think it's stupid that we enjoy scaring ourselves stupid."
He raised an eyebrow at her perception. He looked around and spotted her friends. "I believe that those are your friends," he said and inclined his head to the group.
Kagome looked and smiled at Sesshoumaru before leading the way. "This is a place where we usually go to have fun," she explained. "It's where we go to experience some thrill, to make our adrenaline rush, so to speak. It's fun and exciting. At least it used to be until I experienced the thrill, excitement and suspense of the Sengoku Jidai."
"Your time seemed safer," he agreed.
"But a lot more polluted and boring," Kagome retorted.
They were almost upon her friends when Sesshoumaru bumped into someone. He looked at the offender and was surprised to see a familiar face.
"Sesshoumaru, long time no see," Akatsuki, a monkey youkai grinned at him. He looked human with his chocolate brown eyes and laid-back grin. His facial markings and aura were disguised by an enchantment like his. The youkai glanced at Kagome and smiled. "You still look just as lovely, Kagome. It's always a pleasure seeing you." He took bowed down and kissed the back of her hand.
Sesshoumaru felt Kagome's confusion. Obviously, she had not yet met Akatsuki yet. "Akatsuki," he said, giving Kagome the name.
"You are very kind, Lord Akatsuki," Kagome responded, taking the hint.
Akatsuki grinned. "You must remember to call me Akatsuki next time," he said. "Those titles are a thing of the past."
"As you wish, Akatsuki," Kagome said with a small smile.
"I'd like to stay and chat but I have business to attend to," Akatsuki said and winked at Kagome who blushed.
"Who is he?" Kagome whispered as soon as Akatsuki had gone.
"He is one of the heirs to the Northern Lands, the youngest son of the taiyoukai of the North," he said.
Kagome nodded. "Apparently, I'll soon meet him sometime in the future," she said, her brow furrowing. "Or sometime in the future when we return to the past. That sounds even more confusing," she said with a giggle.
He almost shook her head at her. Finally, they were upon her friends who had enveloped Kagome with a hug as soon as they joined them. They chattered simultaneously that it was almost impossible to make sense of everything that they were saying. He looked at Kagome who was smiling and laughing. She did not seem to have any problem understanding everything they were talking about. He contented himself to watch and listen to the young miko as she relaxed and enjoyed her time with her friends.
Once in a while Kagome would look at him and give him one of her smiles as he walked beside her. The day went by in a blur. He had accompanied them as they went to each "ride". It would have been boring for him except that it amused him how Kagome had pretended "excitement" as she screamed happily, throwing him a secret smile and a glance.
They had also introduced him to different kinds of food like ice cream, cotton candy and fruit shakes. He would have to say that ice cream was better than the pop corn that they ate at the movies yesterday.
Watching them play in the shooting range had also been amusing especially since Kagome had a difficult time trying to miss the targets with her acute senses. He had trained her well and she was trying so hard so that her friends would not notice how much she had improved. Then Kagome handed him the gun after explaining mentally how it worked. It was too easy for him to get the biggest stuff toy for Kagome which made her friends sigh in wonder at the "sweetness" of it.
After doing everything that could possibly be done in the amusement park, they finally sat down in a restaurant and waited for the fireworks to begin as they ate their food, al fresco. Kagome's friends were groaning as their feet complained being worked out the whole day. He and Kagome had not even broken a sweat but Kagome was complaining and laughing right with them.
Sesshoumaru looked to his side as a waitress bowed to him. He felt her aura and knew that she was also a youkai. He nodded to her acknowledgement of his station. It seemed that youkai had learned to live with human in this time, hiding their strength and not preying on the weak to retain the peace. Instead, they were working with the human race, cohabiting in a world and enjoying the same things. He wondered what had brought this on and his glance strayed once more to the little miko who was able to put together a group with a hanyou, taijiya, monk, demon and miko who interacted like a family. It had been impossible then but this little slip of a girl made it possible for a group of very different beings to co-exist and care for each other.
The start of the fireworks cut through his train of thought and he watched the colorful display of lights with the girls ooh-ing and aah-ing. His eyes strayed back to Kagome who caught his eye and smiled at him.
She mouthed a "thank you" to him before looking back up. He looked back up and let the memory of that smile and gaze bathe him in serenity.
End chapter