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Chapter Fourteen

Gifts

Little things that Sesshomaru had done over the next couple of days have not gone unnoticed by Kagome or anyone in the palace for that matter. The way he would hold himself back from getting impatient with her or the way he would kiss her hand every time they would meet, it had never gone past her.

Kagome stood in a large study room, not the one she had first Sesshomaru in. She in front of the large windows that were framed by large burgundy draperies and watched the snow gently fall from the sky to the snow coated ground. It was getting close to the evening and the sun was making its way west, creating the sky to look purple, pink and yellow through the bits of clouds. She wondered if her brother Souta was okay and how her grandpa was holding up. She missed them and still wished that she could go back and see them, even if just for a day.

Perhaps if she brought up her concern to Sesshomaru, who had been very lenient with her as of lately, she could see her family and friends and ease her worries. She hadn't been able to sleep well, due to her concern and could still see her brother perfectly in her memories of how terrible he had looked when she had arrived at the castle. His cries echoed through her and shook her to the bone and squeezed her heart tight into its clutches.

"Oh Souta." She murmured with a shaky voice.

"He is on your mind often, isn't he?"

Kagome stiffened and turned her head to see Miroku standing a few feet behind her, his hands clasped together in front of him and a small sad smile played on his lips.

She relaxed and looked back out the windows and nodded her head once. "If only I could see him and make sure he is okay, I think I wouldn't worry so much." She whispered as she placed a hand on the cold window.

"Perhaps the Lord will allow you to do that if you only just ask him." Miroku said back just as softly, his voice coming closer. He then stood next to her and stared out the window with her, both searching for something unknown to each other.

She glanced over at him then back out at the scenery. She let out a sigh and shook her head gently, her hair gently swaying and brushing against part of her bare back from the way her dress was made, "I doubt he would allow me to leave just to see him."

Miroku's body turned to face Kagome and waited until she turned her head to look at him.

"Kagome, he has been changing. You and I both know that and you notice how he had been acting towards you. Ever since he, well we, thought you were gone for good, he hasn't been able to keep away from you."

Kagome's delicate eyebrow arched, "He has been giving me plenty of space though too."

A smirk appeared on Miroku's lips, "Oh really? The Lord is sneakier than you think. If I do say so myself, but he is a very selfish man. What's his is his. You are his." He cleared his throat and glanced to the side then back at her, "He is a fierce protector and very loyal at that." He chuckled softly and covered his mouth with a fist as he attempted to suppress more chuckles, like he knew a joke or something hidden behind his meaning.

Kagome's eyebrow stayed arched and she turned her head slowly to the side where his eyes would glance over. There in the doorway stood the large frame of Sesshomaru and his amber eyes were watching her. She blushed and tilted her head down and looked away from him and cleared her throat softly. "I see." She whispered.

With a bow, Miroku excused himself and left the room. Kagome turned back to the window and watched outside as the sun started to disappear in the horizon. She didn't hear Sesshomaru's footsteps, butt his clawed hand gently came to her shoulder and his body was mere inches away from hers.

"Something troubles you?"

That voice she will never get used to. It sent chills all the way her body and created butterflies to flap around and hit against the walls of her stomach. She turned her head just a fraction to look at him over her shoulder from the corner of her eye then she looked back out the window and let out a sigh.

"I will be okay." Damn her for wanting to keep the peace they have. She didn't want to mention her wanting to see her family and possibly him being angered. It all seemed to be going so well so far.

"Hn."

Her lips lifted a little into a small smile from his response, or there lack of. She was starting to slowly understand him from watching him or just listening to his voice. He puts on a very well mask to hide a lot of how he felt, but his voice couldn't be so easily hidden. She knew he didn't believe her but he was as well trying to keep the peace between them. It was only a thin thread that it was hanging onto and anything could make it snap and break apart.

"I have something to show you." He said softly and gently pulled her away from the window.

She followed his lead and reached for his large clawed hand and held onto it. A smile spread across her face as he gently squeezed her hand and his amber eyes glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. She willingly followed him and leaned more into him, grateful that he allowed her to be so close to him.

He led her through the first floor and all the way to the back of the large castle until they reached a small little area that looked to be a shack of some sort. He reached the knob of the worn wooden door and gently opened it, mist and smoke hit them both and filled the tiny room.

"What is this?" she asked, already she felt impatient.

She could have sworn she heard a soft chuckle emit from him. But it could just be all the different sounds she heard as they stepped through the door. The smoke cleared and presented a hot springs. It looked like he had built a safe wooden fencing around the hot springs along with a ceiling to protect from the weather. But there were enough cracks between the wood to expose the nature on the outside to keep the hot springs looking almost magical and natural. The ground was covered with smooth stones as well as vibrant green grass.

The spring was large enough to fit a couple of people comfortably. In the back was steady waterfall that tumbled down rocks and into the hot spring. Green plants surrounded it along with many different vibrant flowers, some looked familiar.

"Is that the moon flower?" she whispered and released his hand as she gently made her way over to the flowers.

"It is."

"It is beautiful." She whispered and looked up at the ceiling, large cracks exposed the moonlight and some snow fell around them and melted before it hit the ground.

The hot springs created the place to feel warm and comforting. She giggled excitedly and felt some emotion bubble up in her chest. She looked over at Sesshomaru who watched her with careful eyes.

"I love it." She whispered and held her hands out to beckon him to come closer.

He took a careful step forward then another until he stood a few inches away from her. She looked up at his face and smiled. "Thank you." She reached up slowly and cupped his cheeks in her hands and gently pulled his face down to plant a soft innocent kiss on his lips.

Quickly, she pulled away and looked at him with a blush that rose to her cheeks. "Can we get in the hot springs now?"

"If that is what you wish." He whispered and took a couple steps back.

She grinned and turned around so her back was faced to him. "Could you help?" she looked over her shoulder at him and smiled innocently.

He stood there as he watched her, his amber eyes glowed as he watched her in the near darkness. The moonlight shone through his eyes and it sent more butterflies fluttering in her stomach. He released a silent breath and approached her once again and started to undo her dress.

She held up the front side and looked back at the springs and grinned. When she felt her dress sag and his claws grazed over her bare skin, she let her dress slip down to her feet. She took in a steady breath and stepped into the hot water and let out a tiny groan as it lapped around her body.

She turned to face him and saw that he was already nude and his member was pulsing with blood and very hard, not afraid to show her his arousal for her. She sucked in some air and felt her face turn red with her blush.

He slowly stepped into the water and made it look so much better and almost sinful. His muscles moved fluidly with his movements that made it look so tranquil but very strong. She was quite envious of the water that licked at his perfectly tight skin and it made her feel naughty for having thought that.

She smiled shyly and turned away from him and tried to focus on something different to get her mind off of his body. It didn't help that he came up behind her and pressed his body against her supple one. It didn't help that he wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed her closer against him. It certainly did not help her that she could feel his strong need for her pulsing against her lower back.

She shakily sucked in some air and leaned her head back against his chest. Her eyes closed and she breathed through her nose as she tried to calm herself.

"Tell me," she whispered as she tried to form words, "will you tell me about this curse?" she whispered nervously.

He stiffened against her and his hold went tighter around her, "What is there to tell?" he said carefully.

She kept her eyes shut and she kept focused on her breathing, "How did it begin?"

He turned her quickly in his arms that made her eyes quickly flutter open. She saw his jaw tick and his nostrils flared. She pushed it and she knew it. But he didn't yell at her nor did he say anything demeaning. He pulled her up against him more and lifted her so her lips were crushed by his.

Everything seemed to melt away from her; her body went limp and her arms wrapped around his neck tightly. More and more she grew hungrier for his kisses and just a small kiss that she would give him soon did not become enough for her. He had definitely put her under his own spell and she felt empty when she wasn't touched by him.

She felt his tongue run over her lip gently, coaxing to let be let in. She willingly opened her mouth and met his tongue half with her own. She mimicked his tongue movements but all too quickly he dominated over hers and tipped her back just a little to expose her throat. He pulled away from her lips and trailed his lips down her jaw to her throat with open mouthed kisses.

Her body was on fire and she felt like there was nothing to do to take the flames out. She lifted her legs so they were wrapped around his waist and let out a little gasp when she felt his throbbing member pressed snuggly between her wet lips He released a groan and one hand was automatically behind her hand, tangling his claws in her hair, while the other hand snaked down lower to her hips and pressed her more against his burning desire.

Kagome opened her eyes a little to look up at the ceiling and watched the full moon's light beam down on them. Her body trembled against Sesshomaru's and she released a soft mewl when he nipped a part on her neck.

"Tell me what bothered you inside." Sesshomaru's voice was husky and deeper than normal.

Her mouth was so dry from her breathing but she felt it was worth it. She slowly and nervously licked her bottom lip and let out a soft moan when he started to grind gently against her, his phallus rubbed against her pearl, it created friction and so much pleasure. Her head went limp but thankfully for his hand supporting the back of her head, she didn't limp too much.

"I don't want to-" she nervously cut herself off and took a shaky breath.

"This Sesshomaru will take care of your needs. Tell me."

So this is just a little game for him. Get Kagome filled with lust and out of her mind and then tell her to tell him what had bothered her. Well it was well played, but she couldn't even begin to think what had bothered her before. She opened her mouth and a soft moan spilled out as he kissed his way up to her ear and gently nibbled on her ear lobe, his tongue swiping gently each time he nipped a little too hard.

"Don't make me ask again." He warned softly, his arm squeezed more around her waist and pulled her closer to his grinding hips.

She let out soft pants and buried her greedy hands in his soft white hair. His hair was already heavy from the weight of half of it being in the water and pulling down. She turned her head to greet his lips with hers, but he growled softly in warning and bit gently on her neck. She let mewled then arched her body more against his.

"I was upset, because…" she let out heavy pants then moaned, "I miss my family. I want to see them just to ease my concern. I was worried to ask you to let me see them for a day." She whispered nervously and out of breath.

He paused in his actions and slowly he pulled her away and set her back on her feet in the water. The water lapped at her sensitive nipples but she didn't pay any attention to it, she looked up at Sesshomaru's face and chewed on her bottom lip.

"You wish to see your family for just a day?" His voice was still husky but he sounded so lost.

She nodded and took a gentle step towards him so her body was pressed against his, "I haven't been able to sleep because of my worry for my sick brother and sick grandpa."

"I will not be able to travel with you and protect you." He stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"You cannot leave the castle grounds. You can protect me through your lands until I reach the border. I will be fine after that." She felt like there was some hope, that he was going to allow her to see her family.

His claws went onto her hips and squeezed a little too hard. But she knew he must have been nervous about all this. She licked her lips nervously and stared into his glowing amber eyes.

"I do not have an answer, if that is what you wish right now. Give me a few days to work something out." He backed away from her and she figured that he was more than likely retreating.

She quickly followed and stopped him before he was able to climb out of the water. She stood on her toes and reached for his lips; thankfully he helped her and lifted her gently so she could plant a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Thank you anyways for listening." She whispered against his soft lips.

He only stared down at her and his golden eyes only sent chills through her but it was comforting. She smiled and closed her eyes as she leaned back in and kissed him once more. She wanted to start the carnal kissing this time, she constantly yearned for him and it comforted her but yet scared her. Her arms snaked around his neck and pressed her sensitive body against his rough but very smooth one.

He was tense for only a moment but he relaxed and wrapped his arms around her waist and responded so well to her with his own lips. She didn't give much of a fight to him with her tongue as he easily took control. She let out a moan when his kisses went back on their journey down her neck and continued down until his hot mouth was on a nipple. She didn't notice when he had tipped her back but he had, but she didn't mind at all. She moaned when his mouth covered her nipple and he started to suck gently as well as nip.

"Sesshomaru." She gasped out and buried her hands in his hair once more.

His body went tense and he shook just a little as she moaned his name. She blushed as she realized that she didn't know what he wanted her to call him. His head lifted and her nipple came out of his mouth with a pop. His eyes burned hers and his hold on her tightened. She was sure he would snap and tell her to call him something different.

"Say my name again." He whispered, his eyes were hooded with his desire and his breathing was a little hard.

She stared into his eyes that showed her so much how he felt at the moment, "Sesshomaru." She whispered.

Slowly he leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips, his free hand covered her breast that didn't get any attention from his mouth and his fingers started to play with her nipple. "In our privacy, you may scream, call, or speak my name. But around others, it will be Lord Sesshomaru." He whispered against her lips. "I like the idea more of you screaming my name."

Kagome blushed and breathed hard against his lips as he continued his ministrations with her nipple. His hot breath fanned across her face as he watched her squirm in his arms.

"My Lord, I apologize to interrupt, but we have word on the men." Miroku's voice broke them apart and Kagome quickly hid her body in the water and her whole body felt crimson.

Sesshomaru still stood, the water lapped at his tight muscles of his abdomen, his head turned towards Miroku who stood in the doorway.

"Hn. On my way."

Miroku bowed then retreated, again leaving Sesshomaru alone with her.

He looked back at Kagome and a tiny smile graced his lips, "I must go. Do you wish to have a late meal?"

She stared at him and blinked a couple of times then nodded, "yes." She said softly.

"I will come to you when I am done." He then turned and got out of the hot springs. Quickly he gathered his clothes and left the room.

Kagome let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and leaned her head back so her head got wet. She stared up at the moon and a wide smile spread across her face.