Kagome led the way. After Sesshoumaru pointed it out now she was unable to ignore the not so pleasurable stench of death. How had she even been able to not notice it in the first place? Oh. Right. Just thinking of the distraction made her want to sing, but refrained; firstly, because she didn't want to ruin the mood, and secondly she didn't want to annoy the demon lord trailing along silently behind her. Still, she was beaming and her blush was finally receding.

Kagome didn't know how she could be so lucky. Sesshoumaru didn't pick her up and take her prisoner to the castle, nor did he shun her. Instead he welcomed her even more! Well, she was pretty sure he wasn't upset anyways if the kiss he gave her was any indication. Not to mention, she would finally understand why he talked in third person. She was curious, but truthfully she just wanted to know so she could see if there was a way he could stop talking in third person, because at times it could be quite irritating.

It just made him seem so...distant.

Sesshoumaru did not hear any response from his demon when he questioned his alpha's orders and that did nothing to soothe him. Now he felt lost. He wanted to be with Kagome; yes he even wanted to court her. He knew she ran away because she didn't want to have to court Naraku, but he couldn't help but recall Kiyo's words.

~Flashback~

She gave a curtsy, giving respect to his status, then replied, "My sister is finally free from this cage."

Making sure to keep his mask in place, even though it was silently driving him crazy that he was even curious enough to ask, he questioned, "What do you mean by that your highness?"

"She was not meant to live a life of royalty, she has never liked the drama of it all. Now she is free. Now, I'm sorry mi lord but I must depart and if you wish to stay alive what I told you shall not be repeated. Good day," she curtsied again and walked off.

~End of Flashback~

"Kagome," he mentally murmured, "What am I, no, what are we going to do?"
He was pulled out of his thoughts as Kagome pulled him to the ground, having found a suitable place free from death's reek. He gave a small smile only to receive one of her's in return, making his heart feel lighter and efficiently cutting off any remains of his previous thoughts.

She sat with an attentive look, open face, hands clasped together and placed in her lap. She was ready for a story but he was no storyteller, eespecially if that story was to be about himself. So he gave a smirk, pulling her onto his lap - much to her embarrassment - and burying his nose into her hair to only groan in frustration.

"Oh Kagome," He muttered, "What this Sesshoumaru would give to have a whiff of your scent. Must you always mask it?"

The princess giggled, "Fine, I'll let you sample my scent. But you are still telling me." She then closed her eyes to focus and suddenly Sesshoumaru could smell her. It was wonderful.

If ambrosia had a smell it would be that of Kagome's scent.

A slight hint of lilies, and lavender, a bit of dirt and grass, even a tiny smidge of sap, there might have been some rose. And if sunshine had a smell, it was something she had. She smelled like a warm summer day, full of passion and joy. If anything, she smelled like a life. Never had another's scent been so appealing to Sesshoumaru, human or demon alike.

Kagome sound of laughter brought him back to look at her eyes glowing with a fire in them that made him want to capture her lips again, but she rested her head on her chest instead of leaning in and gave him an expectant look.

Sesshoumaru gave an almost inaudible sigh. Since it seemed he could not resist her whim he would carry it out the best he could. "Well my princess. Where to begin? Hmm... Lets start towards the beginning. When I was a child, my mother died. I was still young and mourning, when my father took a new mate. In the first place, I didn't want anyone talking to me. I wanted to grieve alone, and my father taking a new mate seemed so unreasonable to me. I was young, and did not see the love the glowed in his eyes; similar to that of the look he gave my own mother.

"I wanted to be alone, so I talked in third person. People would become confused, and annoyed, they would leave me alone. Soon enough though, they became used to it. They would not be deterred by it. Especially Inuyasha's mother, she was so willing and eager to be a mother to me, but I didn't want her to know me. I never liked talking about myself anyways. Talking in third person led people off track and also allowed me to feel more confident and not feel as though I was revealing things about myself."

"I never wanted to feel alone like the time when my mother died, I didn't want to feel that loss and horrible pang. So I didn't want anyone to become close to me again. Eventually Izayoi twisted her way into my heart, until she was like my own mother. Of course she never replaced my true mother. Still, I never like talking about myself. It is disconcerting. That, my princess, is the reason why I talk in third person for most people."

He took in a breath through his nose only to pause. He smelt salt. His head turned to look at the princess in his arms with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Kagome, why are you crying?" Sesshoumaru asked, confusion giving a lilt to his voice.

"Oh Sesshoumaru," Kagome whispered, "It's so sad. I never knew, I'm sorry."

Sesshoumaru leaned down to lick away her tears, and delighted in the sound of her giggle, even if it was tearful. "Do not apologize my princess. Being with you, and letting you know who I am, is something I surprisingly welcome."

Kagome looked up at him, as she just realized something, "You, told me your story, all the while talking in first person!"

Kagome could feel his chest rumble with his silent laughter, "Yes, for you Kagome I will talk in first person. For I want you to know me. I wasn't sure what I would feel, telling you about myself, but I feel relieved. This is all so new to me."

Kagome smiled up at Sesshoumaru, loving this new side he was showing her. He wanted to tell her about him, when no one else was welcome. She brought a hand to rest over her heart as though confirming it was still safely beating within her chest, from how light it felt she wouldn't have been surprised if it had mangaed to float away. Kagome basked in the cocoon of warmth and safety, as she rested in his arms, feeling protected and cared for.

"This is new to me too Sesshoumaru," Kagome answered, all the while wearing that glorious smile, "Does this mean you won't talk in third person to me anymore?"

She felt her breath catch in her throat as she saw Sesshoumaru give her a smile. A real smile, even letting his canine teeth show. Just another moment when she got a glimpse at a side of him few others got to see. And he answered,

"Yes my miko, my princess, my warrior, my Kagome," he said, stroking her cheek, "For you."

If it was possible, her smile widened even more and she threw herself at him, throwing her arms around him, and locking her lips with his. Sharing their second kiss, while the sun burned off in the west, settling down for the day to prepare for tomorrow.