I do not own Inuyasha or the characters
As Sango and I near the camp, the sound of raucous male laughter fills the air around us. When I stop dead in my tracks, Sango takes my arm urging me forward. Even as I dig my heels into the soft earth, I realize that resisting is futile. I'll have to return to camp tonight, and the longer I'm gone, the more fun they'll have at my expense. Reaching my aura out, I find Sesshoumaru's in the hopes that his stoic calm will help me pretend that none of this bothers me. To my utter shock, Sesshoumaru is merrily laughing behind that blank mask, enjoying every minute of whatever the others are doing. Feeling utterly betrayed, my anger rises and even the soothing waves from Sesshoumaru's youki can't quiet them.
"Come on," Sango whispers. "Try to pretend that you don't care what they're doing."
"I know, I know," I reply trying to tamp down on my rage. "It's just easier said than done. Even Sesshoumaru is laughing about it."
"What?!" Sango blurts out, clearly shocked.
"Inside," I clarify. "On the outside he's his normal stoic self." She takes a few steps toward the camp still dragging me with her, and this time I don't try to fight. My mind is racing, lost in thought. How can I look anything other than absurd waltzing into camp in nothing but Sesshoumaru's haori? As we near the edge of the camp, I cloak our auras hoping that the element of surprise will render them all speechless.
"You can't hurt me, you stupid youkai!" Inuyasha screeches as he prances around the fire in nothing but his hakama, my bra held up against his chest. "I have this super armor that protects me from the likes of you!" Kouga is rolling on the ground, caught up in his laughter. He pauses long enough to sit up.
"How come I get stuck with this little scrap of armor?" Kouga manages to gasp through bouts of laughter. "I mean what's this little thing gonna do to protect her anyway?" My eyes widen when I see Kouga holding my tiny thong up, examining it in the light from the blazing fire.
"I don't think either is meant to be armor," Sesshoumaru says from seat under a nearby tree. "They are undergarments."
"But why would she put her boobs in this weird thing if it's not armor?" Inuyasha asks, the surprise apparent on his face as he sniffs at the sheer fabric. "And where does she put that weird thing?" he asks pointing at the tiny scrap in Kouga's hand. Kouga sniffs at the thong, his eyes widening in surprise.
"This smells like…" Kouga is interrupted by Sesshoumaru before he can finish.
"You may want to hand those over to me now," Sesshoumaru says in a deep baritone followed by a low growl. "Before anything unfortunate happens to you." Kouga immediately tosses it over to Sesshoumaru without argument. Inuyasha on the other hand seems to be having too much fun with my bra to even consider releasing it.
"Ah, come on, I thought you'd started to thaw, ice prick," Inuyasha says as he continues to play with my bra. "Do you think this is a weapon?" When he starts filling one of the cups with some small rocks, my patience snaps.
"Hand it over now, Inubaka, and you won't get hurt," I shout as Sango and I jump from our hiding place.
"She called you Inubaka!" Kouga says, laughing as though it's the funniest thing he ever heard.
"You aren't off the hook either, you mangy wolf," I growl at the shocked wolf prince. "I saw where you were sticking your nose."
"If it's any consolation, your little scrap of cloth smelled divine," he says, turning leering blue eyes at me. Inuyasha approaches cautiously and hands over the bra, his expression one of disappointment, as if I took away his favorite toy.
"It's not a toy, Inuyasha," I chastise the hanyou. "You shouldn't play with other people's private things."
"But ya left it for us to wash," Inuyasha whines. "Why'd ya do that if it was so private?"
"My mind was elsewhere at the time!" I snap, my embarrassment palpable. "Look, I'm not mad, let's just forget this ever happened and move on. I need to get dressed. As nice as Sesshoumaru's haori is, I'm sure he'd like it back."
"While it does look quite fetching on you, I suppose I will need it back," Sesshoumaru concedes. "Come sit with me for a moment, I have another courting gift for you."
"Another one?" I ask in surprise as I quickly cross the campsite to plop down on the ground beside him. "You spoil me." Actually I'm starting to feel a bit guilty. This will be gift number four and I haven't gotten anything for him. I mean, what do you get a taiyoukai that has everything?
"We'll start with this one," he says as he hands me a small bundle wrapped in bright cyan silk.
"There's more than one?" I ask in dismay. Now I really feel lousy. Perhaps Sango will have an idea of what I could possibly give to Sesshoumaru.
Carefully I untie the silver ribbon holding the package closed. The first thing I pull out is a pair of soft silk leggings in a stunning silver that reflects the flickering firelight. There is also a blue haori, the same color as the bright cyan wrapping. Embroidered on the haori are silver inuyoukai in their full youkai glory. The embroidery wraps around the hem and the cuffs of the sleeves. On the right shoulder, back and front of the garment, is an embroidered silver crescent moon. Probably another way to let all youkai know I belong to the Lord of the West. Though, deep down I know that 'belonging' to anyone should bother my feminist upbringing, it actually leaves me feeling cared for. Go figure. The obi is a brilliant silver that matches the leggings and the embroidery.
"These are stunning, absolutely beautiful," I exclaim breathlessly. "I'm going to go change right now!" When I try to rise, Sesshoumaru's hand on my arm stops me.
"This is just one of several," he says, his eyes sparkling happily at my reaction to the gift. "Open the others."
He dumps three more packages on my lap, and I quickly tear through all three. The garments are the same, silk leggings, an embroidered haori and matching obi. Red, black and azure leggings paired with silver, red and black haoris. Each haori features a different embroidered design: sakura blossoms on the red, dragons on the azure and a blazing phoenix on the back of the black haori. Each one also has the same crescent moon embroidered in sparkling silver thread.
"They're all magnificent! How can I choose which to wear first?" I ask, fingering the soft silk and tracing the rich embroidery.
"Which is your favorite?" he asks softly.
"The inuyoukai," I reply, pulling the cyan haori from the bottom of the pile. "They remind me of you." Throwing my arms around his neck, I give him a soft kiss. "I'll need the panties you have hidden up your sleeve," I whisper in his ear. He pulls them from his sleeve and hands them over clandestinely. "I'm gonna go change," I announce to the group as I walk away for a bit of privacy. Three of Kouga's wolves follow me, never letting me out of their sight. Just as I finish shedding Sesshoumaru's haori, Sango arrives. She watches in silence as I put on the bra and panties that our pack mates had been playing with.
"Kagome, those are simply scandalous!" Sango exclaims as she eyes the skimpy garments. "Do women in your time really wear stuff like that?"
"Yup, on a daily basis," I reply giddily as I pull the leggings on. "Oh, you wouldn't believe how soft these are," I murmur in appreciation. "They're even better than the lycra ones we have back home. Look how they cling to my legs."
"They definitely cling," Sango agrees as she eyes the leggings. "I hope your haori covers your curves or I think Sesshoumaru will be beating men off you with a stick." My cheeks flush as I realize just how form-fitting the leggings are. My fears are laid to rest when the haori is wrapped around my torso, falling just below mid-thigh.
"I think this is less revealing than my skirts and much more comfortable," I remark as I wrap the silver obi around my waist several times. "Could you tie this for me?" Sango quickly ties the obi then I step back, twirling in a circle. "What do you think?"
"You look beautiful," Sango says smiling. "Sesshoumaru really outdid himself with these clothes. They're perfect for you. You look lady-like while retaining the ability to move easily in a fight."
"Do you have any idea what gift I could give Sesshoumaru?" I ask as I gnaw on my lower lip. "He's been so good to me and I want to give him something special."
"Tessaiga?" Sango suggests laughing.
"Don't think my mind didn't go there," I reply seriously. "Sometimes Inuyasha drives me to the breaking point." I suddenly pause as an idea begins to take shape. "Oh, I have an idea…but I need to go see Totosai to see if it's even possible."
"Uh, I don't see how you can do that without Sesshoumaru knowing," Sango comments as she eyes me speculatively.
"Can I borrow Kirara?"
"Of course," Sango replies warily. "But if you just disappear, Sesshoumaru will chase you."
"I could take Kouga with me."
"Yeah, like Sesshoumaru's gonna allow you to run off with that wolf," Sango says rolling her eyes. "I don't think any of us trust Kouga that much yet. He's only been in our pack for a week."
"True," I concede reluctantly. "I guess that leaves Inuyasha."
"What about Kikyou," Sango asks suddenly very serious. "What if she shows up and he betrays you?"
"He won't," I insist with bravado I don't really feel.
"Take me with you," she insists. "Inuyasha can come too, but I don't trust him completely yet." Unfortunately I have to agree with her reasoning.
"Let's head back, grab Inuyasha and head for Totosai's," I decide, pushing my doubts aside. We quickly return to camp and are met with wolf whistles from Inuyasha and Kouga.
"You look amazing, Kagome," Kouga says, practically drooling. Inuyasha merely smiles and gives me two thumbs up. Crossing to Sesshoumaru, I lower myself onto his lap, setting his haori on the ground next to him.
"There's something I need to do and it's a secret," I whisper to him. His eyes widen before narrowing to gaze at me suspiciously. "I'm taking Inuyasha and Sango with me and we'll only be gone, uh, maybe two days." When he continues to glare at me angrily, I kiss his cheek then nuzzle at his neck. "It's a surprise for you. Please let me do this, it's important to me."
"Very well," he finally agrees. "Inuyasha, you will protect Kagome with your life." Inuyasha looks over and nods his head, having been filled in by Sango while I distracted Sesshoumaru.
"Don't worry, she's safe with me," Inuyasha says as he pulls me to my feet. "I promise." Sesshoumaru nods solemnly.
"Shippou, take good care of Rin while I'm gone," I tell my little kitsune when he jumps into my arms for a hug.
"I will, Momma," he replies happily. "You look very pretty in those clothes."
"Thanks, sweetie. We should be back in a day or two." As I climb onto Kirara behind Sango, I turn to wave to the rest of the pack. Sesshoumaru doesn't meet my eyes. It's rather obvious that he doesn't like this arrangement at all. Before Kirara can take to the sky, I jump from her back and run to Sesshoumaru. Sitting daintily on his lap, I wrap my arms around his neck. "I'll be careful, my love," I whisper as my lips brush a gentle kiss along his jaw. "I promise."
"I'll hold you to that," he murmurs before capturing my lips in a passionate kiss. When he finally pulls away, I'm left completely breathless and a bit befuddled. "Now go before my protective instincts kick in and I tie you to Ah-Un." That threat alone is enough to get my mind working again. Leaping to my feet, I race over to Kirara, returning to my seat behind Sango. The fire cat takes to the sky, and I watch silently as our campsite fades from view.
Thanks for reading!
Cymberle