To Protect the Alpha Female
Summary: Kagome had no idea she had been claimed from the very beginning, nor the depth of the request she made of Inuyasha. How could a human ever grasp the intricacies of pack politics and the reason why Sesshomaru was so intent on obtaining Tessaiga? The off-limits girl knew not of her situation, but soon, she would.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 36: To Kiss a Demon
"I was beginning to think you'd never submit," Sesshomaru remarked to the petite female at his side. She had pushed him to his limits, but he would never accept defeat. He would have demonstrated his control all night if he had too; his pride would never allow him to concede.
"Submit?" Kagome inquired now that things had settled down a bit. "I still don't exactly understand what you mean by that."
There was no clearer way to express his command, "In this instance, your request that I not stop."
"Wait, what? All I had to do was ask?" Kagome couldn't believe it. She had been waiting for him to tell her they were done with that ritual, and was too embarrassed to say what she wanted, but all she had to do was ask? "Submit" was such a vague way to tell her what to do.
"You weren't challenging me; testing my limits?" Sesshomaru questioned back, reevaluating the entire exchange.
"What, no! How was that challenging you? It wasn't some kind of fight or anything," she tried to think it through and figure out just where he was coming from with this. He certainly had a unique way of viewing the world. "We really need to work on effective communication." As fun as that experience was, a few words would have prevented the torture marathon.
If it would prevent future hassle, he couldn't help but agree, "Hn, I shall keep that in mind."
Shippo snored softly, wrapped in the oversized blanket Kagome referred to as a sleeping bag, and was the only one not awoken when Ah-Un picked up both Rin and Jaken and ambled off, following his master's call to depart. Sango looked up as the dragon disappeared into the woods, but Miroku's attention was snagged by the very agitated looking half-demon across from their campsite. Keeping his voice low, he noted gently, "Kagome sure is out late."
"Shut it, Monk," Inuyasha snapped, resuming the nervous twitch of bouncing his leg.
Yup, that was definitely the boy's issue. Miroku could only imagine why she had been out, at night, during a "bath," and with Sesshomaru for as long as she had been. He would not be surprised to find his friend a taken woman after this. He understood that Inuyasha did not like his brother, but his reaction to the situation was getting far too aggressive. Choosing to return to the soothing embrace of "Sango" in his lecherous dreams, Miroku lay back and closed his eyes to sleep, but didn't get far until he heard the rustled of fabric as Inuyasha stood abruptly. "What is it, Inuyasha?" he mumbled out, half-asleep.
The crack of a twig and the brightness of a pure aura was enough for him to know that Kagome was returning. A smile creased his weary face; maybe now Inuyasha could calm down.
"What the hell, Kagome?!" the grating voice of their pack leader made sure to wake up even the little kit. "I can't believe you mated the bastard!"
Kagome tried to defend herself, "I did n-"
Inuyasha interrupted, certain that Sesshomaru would be back any day now to collect her and take her away, "Don't you know he's only using you!"
"Let me be the first to extend my congratulations, Lady Kagome," Miroku broke up the tirade, bowing in a showy manner to redirect attention.
Inuyasha sputtered out obscenities and Kagome's face flamed red. "Miroku is right," Sango interjected, keeping Inuyasha from harping on her, "I've seen how you look at him. I'm happy for you."
"Does this mean Rin is my sister now?" Shippo hopped up into her arms, questions brimming in his eyes.
"You're all nuts!" Inuyasha couldn't believe they were okay with this. Kagome was supposed to turn him away. Sure, he stood aside when his brother first came for her, but that was because he knew Kagome better than them; she wasn't supposed to fall for his deceit!
"Guys!" Kagome found her tongue amidst the embarrassing blend of scorn and congratulations. "I'm not mated!"
"You can't fool my nose Kagome, don't even try lying," Inuyasha accused. He could smell it; he could clearly detect both Kagome's lingering scent of arousal and the proof of Sesshomaru's release. The two had obviously just been mating!
"Apparently I can," she pulled her collar down to show zero bite marks on her neck. "I'm. Not. Mated."
"But…" Inuyasha stumbled back.
"Then, what were you two doing?" Miroku insinuated, lecherous mind meandering over the possibilities until a slap landed on his cheek. "Sango," he whined, "what was that for?"
"Don't ask her like that," Sango grit out lowly, using a hand to keep her words between the two of them.
"It's none of your business, Miroku," Kagome tried to sound firm, but Miroku caught the color blossoming on her cheeks and surmised for himself what it could signify.
"Oh fuck!" Inuyasha exclaimed, eyes wide and sleeve covering his nose. He knew the scent of Sesshomaru's seed was coming off of Kagome's person, but he had not determined where until she just spoke. He didn't think Kagome, innocent, naive Kagome, would do such a lewd act.
"What is it now, Inuyasha?" Kagome planted her hands on her hips, waiting for him to voice yet another grievance.
His answer was simple, "Your breath."
Her firm expression dropped, knowing exactly what he was referring to. For some reason, when she was with Sesshomaru, none of this even hinted at being shameful, but having Inuyasha hollering about it in front of everyone, she couldn't help but burn with embarrassment. Panic lacing her tone, she threatened with all she had, "Don't say it or you'll be kissing the ground!"
"At least I wasn't kissing that Bastard's co-"
"Sit!"
'I don't understand,' Kagome ran the scenario over and over in her head. 'How could he do that to me?' There had to be something she was missing, some little detail she overlooked, but she just couldn't find it. 'Why do I keep getting myself into these situations; I should know better by now.' Leaning her head back against a tree, she let her mind recall one last time why she was feeling so lost.
Flashback
Kagome's body was still humming from the orgasm Sesshomaru had given her, and the taste in her mouth was a constant reminder that she had done the same for him. He could have guilted her into giving in, but he backed off. He could have left, but he stayed with her. He could have been bitter about the whole situation, but he put her needs first. A sort of afterglow had descended, and she couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
He wasn't particularly talkative, but his actions were the only proof she needed that he cared. Wanting badly to show him her appreciation, Kagome made the decision to act. Spinning onto her knees, she pressed her lips to his, pouring all the emotion she had for him into the touch, but… he did not reciprocate. In fact, when she cracked her eyes open to look at him, his were wide, obviously taken by surprise. He firmly pushed her back and pulled away from her, a look of displeasure lacing his features.
"Sesshomaru?" Kagome sat back down, worry strangling her voice. "Is something wrong?" He didn't even grunt out a noncommittal response, it was like he didn't even hear her. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked louder. Gathering himself from where he had been seated, he turned and refused to look at her. Tears welled in Kagome's eyes and he disappeared into the forest, not even advising her to return; he was just, gone.
End Flashback
All she could gather was that he didn't like her kiss but he didn't need to be so cold about it. Was it because she was inexperienced? That was her first kiss; what did he expect? And they had already touched each other everywhere else, she even swallowed his… 'Maybe that was it; maybe he didn't like the taste,' she speculated. It wasn't that bad. Kagome groaned loudly, throwing her face into her hands and curling up her knees.
Smack! The ring of skin slapping rang throughout the small clearing. Kagome glanced up, expecting to see Sango fuming at Miroku, but the monk did not sport his usual red handprint. "Ah, Master Inuyasha," and elderly voice sounded, "must you always be so cruel?"
"Must you always be such a parasite?" Inuyasha tossed back at the flea demon.
Myoga cleared his throat, "Well, perhaps you don't want to hear what I came to tell you, if all I am is a parasite. And here I thought you were set on defeating Naraku."
The bluff worked and Inuyasha was swiftly apologizing in his gruff way, "Just tell me and I'll let you drink as much of Kagome's blood as you want." It had not been the first time he offered her up as a bargaining chip, but this time, Myoga knew better than to touch someone that belonged to Sesshomaru.
"I heard a rumor that an entire village disappeared overnight," Myoga captivated the small audience. "No one knows why, but there was a dark cloud that hung overhead just before it vanished."
"Awesome, where is this village?" Inuyasha stood, eager to go hunt down the spider.
"That's the problem," Myoga dashed his hopes, "I know where it used to be, but…"
"It's no longer there?" Miroku inquired.
"Correct," Myoga nodded to the intuitive monk.
"What use would Naraku have for a village?" Sango wondered aloud.
"What does it matter? Let's just go stop him," Inuyasha declared, ready to leave without even a destination in mind.
"I would suggest you first visit the site, maybe you can pick up a scent from there," Myoga suggested. "And as for the offer, Inuyasha, I'm afraid I'll have to pass on Lady Kagome's blood." It was only after his little play at humor that Myoga realized the usually fiesta girl had not even reacted to the entire exchange. He had never seen her so withdrawn. "Lady Kagome, I couldn't help but notice that you don't seem yourself."
"She's been moping around like that ever since servicing my bastard brother," Inuyasha crudely stated. "Guess she wasn't satisfied-"
"Inuyasha, sit boy!" Kagome ordered. Geez, couldn't he give it a rest. "It's nothing Myoga," Kagome offered a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes, "I'm just... a little confused." The whole thing with Sesshomaru just would not give her any peace. It didn't help that he'd been absent for several days; sure he'd stayed away before, but this time was different. This time, they nearly went all the way, yet, he wouldn't even return her kiss. She hadn't told her friends anything about it; Inuyasha would only throw crude remarks if she asked, but Myoga, maybe he could shed some light on the subject of Inu courtship. He did serve Sesshomaru's line. "Actually, Myoga, could I ask you something?" Sending a harsh glare towards the half buried form of Inuyasha, she added, "Privately?"
"Of course, Lady Kagome," he hopped up onto her shoulder and she walked off into the trees, trying to ignore the foul-tongued dog she left behind. It did not escape her how Myoga was suddenly calling her "lady," but that was not a priority right now. "This should be beyond master Inuyasha's hearing range," Myoga advised. "How is it that I may be of service?"
Kagome sighed loudly and plopped down on a log, "It's Sesshomaru." Even as small as he was, Kagome could see Myoga's small body tense up. "Don't worry," she reassured, "I'm not going to ask about his past." She knew he wouldn't answer that one, probably out of fear of Sesshomaru. Myoga relaxed and waited for her to continue. "I don't understand something, and I was hoping you knew enough about Dog demons to explain it to me."
"I will do my best," Myoga affirmed.
Kagome began her story, keeping the details as vague as possible while still conveying her worries. Myoga listened quietly, with a lecherous snicker escaping on occasion, until Kagome's voice started cracking, "So, after Demonstration of Control, I… I kissed him, but he completely shut me out and left. He didn't say a word, which I know sounds like normal for him, but he had been talking to me, at least somewhat… I don't know what I did wrong."
Tear glistened eyes turned on the tiny flea as Myoga thought about how to word this; it would not be easy to hear, "It is not an aversion specific to Dog demons, but to the majority of demons. I am aware that humans kiss frequently, but among demons, it is rare, if not nonexistent."
"So demons don't like to kiss?" Kagome figured Sesshomaru would just correct her if she did something he didn't like.
"On the contrary," Myoga continued, trying to stress the importance of her actions, "a kiss is the most meaningful gesture we know; it is an act reserved only for mates that exhibit a deep, emotional connection. It is far more intimate than the act of mating itself, and even those that have produced pups sometimes never kiss. InuTaisho never kissed Sesshomaru's mother, but he did kiss Lady Izayoi. In short, a demon will only kiss someone they love."
(A/N: And so it begins.
I know everyone wants to know what Sesshomaru is thinking/feeling; I've gotten several reviews asking for this, but I have been writing it this way on purpose. You will know what's going through that head of his no sooner than Kagome does, so be prepared for confusion.)