Kagome came awake slowly, keeping her eyes closed since they still ached from the multitude of tears she had shed. Her eyelids felt a little swollen and gritty, the skin covering her cheeks stiff from the salt water that had dried on them. Pulling her hands free from the heavy blanket she rubbed at her shut eyes, pressing her teeth together when it irritated the sensitive orbs even more.

Sniffling, she rolled over onto her side, facing the door and squinting her eyes open a fraction. At first everything was a blurry blob of dark colors, browns and blacks, until she blinked a few times to bring it into focus. Judging by how the only light inside the bedroom was still from the embers of the brazier in the corner, but a few short hours had passed since she had fallen into a fitful sleep, exhausted emotionally.

Her nose wasn't as congested as before, so the antibiotics were taking effect and beginning to repair her immune deficient body. However, a simple pill could not dissolve the large emptiness invading her heart, filling the miko with a cold longing for comfort when there was none to be had.

More depressing realizations within the space of a twelve hour period. Was she just the luckiest girl alive, or what? By the time she was well enough to leave the Taisho castle she would be more decimated from contact with people around her rather than any scheme Naraku could dream up.

At this rate, all the girl's allies were turning into her worst nightmares. And the thing about it was, that it wasn't because of any malicious intent on their part. Everything she was grieving over came from her own misconception and misinterpretation on time spent with them.

Yep, she was definitely starting to show masochistic tendencies.....

Groaning, she sat up, pushing the heavy braid over her shoulder to trail down her back before resting her elbows on her knees, cupping her face in her palms. Letting out her breath in a sigh, the hot moist air fanning against her cheeks, she tried not to think of her earlier encounter with Kikyo at the bridge.

Yet, no matter how hard Kagome tried to drive the images and words away from tormenting her, nothing worked. The same phrases laced in old pain, bitterness coated in self-reproach that fell from the other woman's thin lips whirled about loudly in her head until she was sure the dulcet tones of the dead priestess would surely drive her mad.

Raking her hands through her hair in agitation, she rose from the bed, ignoring the icy floor as it came into contact with her bare feet. She had removed her shoes and socks a few moments after falling onto the mattress, despite her chaotic thoughts she had remembered not to track dirt all over her clean bed linen.

Laying in sheets and blankets that were grainy with dried mud was never a comfy feeling.

Staggering across the room, the miko made her way over to the armoire to withdraw a pair of thick grey socks and the black jacket she had worn while traveling with Sesshoumaru. Putting on the new clothing, being sure to zip the light coat up almost to her chin, she shoved her feet into her tennis shoes forcefully, Kikyo's words still ringing in her ears.

Gritting her teeth, she went over and cracked her door open enough to peak out and see who was standing guard. After midnight Sora always took over and she didn't know the dog demon as well as she did Akito.

A stab of guilt assaulted her as she thought of the arctic kitsune. He was probably worried about her after the way she had slammed the door in his face and cried her eyes out. If nothing else, the fox would be encumbered with her yellow pack since Kagome had left it with him when she had retreated to the sanctity of her chamber.

Grimacing, she glanced down the side of the hallway that was always clear and then turned hesitantly to check who was standing guard.

She couldn't prevent a start of surprise when she encountered a pair of piercing blue-pearl eyes staring straight at her but a foot away. Opening the door fully, she regarded the ice youkai unhappily, putting her hands inside her jacket pockets so that she wouldn't start fidgeting under his intent gaze.

Dropping her eyes to look at the shiny wooden floorboards of the hallway, her shoulders hunching a bit, she said softly, "Sorry about earlier, Akito-kun." Clearing her throat, Kagome kept from meeting his eyes, not wishing to see the censure she was sure she would find there. Biting her lower lip, she attempted to offer a better explanation for her actions from before as the silence lengthened between them. "I– I just — " Damn if she didn't feel tears threatening to spill over again! Hadn't she gotten rid of all those?!

Watching her start to break down again right before his eyes made Akito's heart clench painfully. He had been surprised at her sudden arrival and apology so much that he had been speechless. But it looked like she was taking his silence to mean that he was displeased with her somehow.

Reaching out, he gently placed his palm upon the side of her face, feeling her eyelashes brush his skin as she clenched her eyes shut at his touch. He felt the aura synchronization immediately start flowing through him, the usual warm sensations now shadowed with a sorrow that even he could feel. Stepping closer, he tilted her head back till he could see her face clearly, the saltiness of her previous tears and the new ones begging to be shed filling his nostrils along with her usual scent. He noticed that the miko was worrying at her bottom lip like she usually did when upset or nervous, the tender flesh between her teeth darkening at the abuse it was suffering.

Moving his thumb, he ran the tip of the calloused pad along the indent in her chin, effectively getting her to release the now swollen red lip. A shuddering breath left her frail body, something close to a whimper liberally entwined with it.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Lady," his usually frigid voice was a low murmur, a comforting sound that was meant to sooth the distraught girl. One he had used many times when watching over his younger siblings, the kits gaining some minor injury or other from their playing. The frown that was between her raven brows eased a bit, showing that she was responding to him positively. "I was simply worried for you. Concerned that you needed something that I couldn't provide for you."

At his last comment, Kagome's said in a faltering voice, "Tha— Thanks Aki—" but before she could finish what she was saying a tiny sob left her throat, cutting off the rest of her sentence.

Making a sound of distress in his throat, the arctic kitsune deftly put his spear to lean against the wall beside them and then put both arms around the trembling human, drawing her close against his body. Another sob shook her frame, the hands that were once encased within the material of her jacket now clutching at the fabric of his back as she buried her face against his chest, tears quickly seeping into the thin material he wore.

Knowing that the noise she was making, even though it was slight, would probably reach the other demons occupying the royal wing, the fox youkai debated where he should move them to. He doubted Lord Sesshoumaru would be pleased if his half brother and the wolf prince began banging on his door, demanding to know why the woman was crying all over his personal guard in the hallway.

It was late enough in the evening that everyone should already be abed, even Sora, whom he had informed that he would take over the dog demon's watch tonight. The other youkai had given him a speculative look, but otherwise consented easily enough to the order, saying that if Akito got too tired to come and get him and he would take back over.

Judging by the stillness of the castle, he estimated it was probably the middle hours of the evening, late enough for servants to not be about and early enough for the sentries at their posts to begin grumbling at the long hours that remained ahead of them.

Absently rubbing his cheek against the silky crown of her head, the silvery hair of his bangs mixing in with the ebony strands, he rubbed in between her shoulder blades with calming firmness while trying to figure out what to do.

The sudden opening of his master's door quickly followed by the frowning Taiyoukai himself stepping out of his room banished any further contemplations on the matter. Apparently the hiccuping miko had made enough racket to wake at least one inhabitant of the palace. And judging from the annoyance in the amber eyes of the youkai now stalking gracefully towards them, the ivory robe he wore trailing over his pants to flutter like wings behind him, it would appear the interruption hadn't been received well at all.

Kagome didn't even notice that Sesshoumaru was now standing a short distance behind her and Akito, too wrapped up in divesting her body of any stray moisture it had managed to accumulate while she'd slept. Her fingers hadn't loosened their hold any, the fragile nails on the tips digging deeply into the hard muscles beneath them. She kept her face hidden in his haori front, forehead resting against his collarbone and tears spilling from her closed eyes.

All she was aware of was that, for the moment, she had found someone to give a fraction of the solace she craved right now. Someone strong and sympathetic to lean on while venting her broken heart in the hopes that once the storm of emotions passed she might be able to piece the shattered fragments back together.

But unlike the shikon no tama, she wasn't so sure that would be possible to accomplish. Especially with the way she was feeling right now and how bleak her future looked.

Akito couldn't prevent the instinctual way he tightened his embrace, protectively clasping Kagome in front of him as he took in his master's less than pleased face. It had been a reflex. A deep inner command from his demon nature that considered the Taiyoukai's unfriendly demeanor in the vicinity of someone the arctic kitsune cared about, and immediately saw it as a threat.

Fighting down the rest of his natural instincts, he stared at his master with a flat gaze, as though he wasn't cradling a sobbing female to his chest.
Sesshoumaru arched an eyebrow when he saw the way his personal guard tried to shield the girl from him, the momentary flash of white that had taken over the other youkai's eyes causing him to believe what he had thought earlier that night.

The miko was slowly taking over his castle, one demon at a time. And it looked like this particular one in front of him was completely under her spell.

"Might I ask why you and the girl are out in my hallway making so much noise, Akito?" He inquired in placid tones, glancing briefly down at the upset human that was between them. From her lack of reaction to his voice he doubted she even knew he was there.

"My Lord. I am sorry that you were disturbed. Lady Kagome was —" at this point he trailed off, frowning a little.

What had she been going to do when she had left her room tonight? From the way she was attired it looked like she had plans of going outside, but why would she want to do that?

"She?" Sesshoumaru urged, patiently waiting for the guard's explanation.

Shifting his arms a bit so that he was able to maneuver the unresisting girl more to one side, the fox youkai replied, "I am not sure why she was leaving her room this late at night, My Lord. I hadn't gotten the chance to ask her before she.....became upset." The delicate way he worded the last part spoke volumes to the dog demon.

He didn't know why the damn human was so upset, but if she was bent on causing a scene with her crying he might as well be the only one burdened with it.

"I see." Searching the guard's serious features a moment, he turned away and began walking towards his room, saying over his shoulder, "Then I suggest you bring the girl in here. The last thing I need is for my half brother and Lord Kouga waking up to rouse the entire keep with their ranting." There was definite distaste liberally sprinkled in the last sentence.

Shocked at his master's order, Akito stared blankly at the empty space where Sesshoumaru had disappeared back into his own room before shaking his head, bringing himself back to the present.

Running one clawed hand gently through her bangs, he grabbed her upper arms and pushed her away from him until he could see her face. She didn't raise her head, and the tears didn't stop falling either. Instead, Kagome continued quietly crying, the sounds muffled and distorted from the way she was attempting to keep it down to a minimum.

Sighing, he turned her around so that she was facing the direction the Taiyoukai had gone, placing an arm about her waist, to which the girl at once buried her face into his side, making their walk slow and awkward. But he didn't bother pushing her away. If being close to him like this made her feel even a little bit better then he would happily allow it. Besides, being so near to her with the aura synchronization in effect wasn't unpleasant at all for him.

Once they got to Sesshoumaru's room, he paused a moment on the threshold, unsure as to where he should take the miko since this was his master's most private quarters.

However, that too, was decided for him when the dog demon in question came into his line of vision beneath the pale glow of the candlelight bathing the room from its resting place on the table by the brazier.
"Go ahead and put her over there next to the brazier. I don't want the girl getting sicker because she wasn't kept warm enough."

Following his instructions, Akito went over to the makeshift heater, noticing that a sake carafe and one of the black bowl-like cups used by the Lords of the castle was sitting next to it. Shrugging it aside as inconsequential, he gently untangled her grip in his haori, coaxing her to a seated position on the floor amongst the pillows spread beside the low table. After he was certain she was as settled as she was going to be in her current state, the ice youkai rose to stand and face his master. The dog demon hadn't moved from his spot beside the foot of his bed, amber eyes trained upon the human now occupying his bedroom.

"That will be all, Akito. You are relieved of duty for the rest of the night."

Puzzled, he asked, "My Lord, are you sure? I took over for Sora this evening and if the Lady wishes to return to her rooms soon someone should be there to watch over her."

Mocking luminescent orbs clashed with worried pearl-blue. "Have I ever second guessed an order once I have given it?" Waving his hand in dismissal, Sesshoumaru once again watched Kagome intently. "Do not worry, Akito. The girl will come to no harm and if I have need of your services again before morning I shall come get you."

Not able to offer further argument once given a direct order, Aktio bowed deeply, gazing at the girl beneath his navy eyelashes as he did so. "As you wish, My Lord." Giving the oblivious miko one last worried look, he turned on his heel to leave the room and retrieve his weapon. He also would put her yellow pack inside her room before retiring to his own chambers. She would probably want it first thing tomorrow morning....

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

When he and Kagome were left alone, Sesshoumaru exhaled in annoyance as her crying went on, not having abated or slowed at all. Striding over silently, he looked down at her a long moment, studying the way she had drawn up her knees to hug against her chest, head resting on her self-made shelf.

The vulnerable curve of her bare neck shown clearly up at him, the long rope of her hair having slid off to the side to drape over her shoulder. It was foolish to expose ones weak spot to a predator like that. Someone really should teach the girl not to go around flaunting her inexperience in the company of demons.....

Picking up the choppy quality to her breathing with his sharp ears, his silvery brows lowered in a V at the abrasive way it affected him. The unhealthy tempo of it was making him agitated and on edge.

Lowering himself to the floor behind her, he swept her with another cursory glance before tightening his lips into a thin line and unraveling his tail from around his shoulder. Folding his legs Indian-style, he curled the furry appendage around her body, under her knees till it looped at her back.

The feel of being moved like that made the girl finally open her eyes and look around in confusion, coming to rest on the person who was now placing her in their lap.

The first thing Kagome made out clearly was white silk over a contoured chest, her gaze rising along the line of the person's throat and chin until she was staring straight into a pair of amber orbs.

"Sess— Sesshoumaru?" She hiccupped out, frowning even as more tears tracked down her cheeks in a steady stream. A small cough left her chest, the action causing her to lean against him more.

Accepting her slight weight on him easily, he removed his tail so that she could rest her legs over one of his thighs, his shoulder supporting her back. Already, he could feel the stirrings of his aura straining to meld with her own, smooth away the hurt and pain ripping through her body.

Since it was useless to try and resist the damn thing, he let the two essences intermingle with one another, reaching up to guide her head till it rested upon his clavicle. He didn't know what amazed him more. The care with which he was using to handle the girl, or the complacent way she let him....

No more words left her mouth, a silence overtaking the couple that sat together in the dim light of the bed chamber of the Taiyoukai of the West. Sniffling loudly, she pulled a Kleenex from the pocket of her jacket that she had shoved in there before leaving her room. Since she'd been planning on taking a walk in the garden she had wanted to make sure that if her nose started running later she would have something readily on hand.

However, the situation she was currently in wasn't exactly the type of case she had in mind....

Blowing her nose, she wiped up the droplets lining her face as best she could, giving up as the water continued to well from her eyes. Now that she had started crying again she couldn't seem to stop.

She didn't know exactly how she had gone from using Akito as an absorbent for her tears to being cradled in the lap of Sesshoumaru inside what looked to be his bedroom. At least the large bed off to the side looked like something the lord of a castle would sleep in.

The steady thump of his heartbeat sounding in her ear calmed Kagome somewhat, his quiet embrace not bothering her by its lack of conversation at all.

As though sensing her thoughts, his deep voice rumbled from his chest, caressive to her ears. "You will persist in complicating my life, won't you girl?"

Refusing to rise to the bait, and frankly too strung out to offer a ready comeback, she replied in a whisper, "I assure you, it isn't intentional, Sesshoumaru."

A skeptical grunt shook his frame. "Hhn. Whether it is by design or not you prove very adept at accomplishing it."

A despondent sigh was quickly followed by an equally pitiful sniffle. "At least I am good at something then."

"Indulging in self pity is not becoming." He hoped that comment would rile the girl enough to draw her out of whatever low she was residing in. Since the circumstances as to why she would be acting this way were still a mystery to him he didn't know that he was going about the wrong way to comfort her.
"Neither is being an insensitive jerk," was her only answer before she snuggled into him further, picking up the portion of his tail that was curled about his feet so that she could put it over her thighs like a throw.

Somehow, being with Sesshoumaru like this was making her feel more at ease than she had before. Like all the other times previously where she had spent in his company while in close contact with him, she just felt better. As though her very soul evened out into a serene shadow of what it once was before she had encountered a hanyou wielding a sword made from a fang.

But it didn't make her any less lonely or depressed. Just more willing to accept whatever happened to her without putting up much of a fight.

The tears were finally slowing down, her breathing not as jagged or uneven. Plucking at the silky fur warming her legs, she let her mind wander, content that it wasn't being filled with images of her talk with Kikyo.

She was brought from her random musings when he said, "As long as it doesn't incite anymore crying, why don't you tell me what got you upset enough to use my personal guard as a living handkerchief."

Glowering, she resisted the urge to tilt her head back to glare at him, instead, staying as she was with her cheek on his warm skin. "I wouldn't want to bother you with my petty human problems."

Inwardly sighing, he tried again to get her to explain. He didn't fully understand, himself, why it was that he needed to know what had upset her so badly. Something inside him became angered at whatever had caused her to become such an emotional mess. The fact that she was already ill and not feeling her best made his demonic instincts even more receptive to her new emotional pain. Even if his mind wasn't totally in tune with the girl, his emotions and youkai nature were.

"Kagome, just tell me what happened."

The use of her first name made her heart skip a beat before steadying once more into its normal rhythm. What was the use of denying him an answer? Knowing him he would keep asking until she did what he said.

"Sesshoumaru, do all the demons I have met since I have been here act nicely towards me only because they're scared not to?"

He was taken aback that this might be the cause of her getting so upset.

Did the opinions of a bunch of demon warriors who had helped destroy more than their fair share of her race really matter to her?

Figuring that she was overreacting, he said scathingly, "You can't seriously be this upset over something so asinine." Feeling her stiffen indignantly in his lap, he absently ran clawed fingers down her back. Suppressing the desire to roll his eyes, he continued indifferently, "I assure you, any reaction other than respect from the soldiers is purely personal on their part."

His words put some of her doubts to rest, making her feel a little foolish for the way she had reacted earlier. In hindsight, if she had really thought it over she would have realized what Akito had meant when he had said what he did.

She wasn't as rigid in his lap, but a tightness still remained in the set of her shoulders, the curved line of her back. The sadness he felt through the link hadn't abated as it should have either.

Trailing his palm once again down her spine, he urged, "Now, let's try again. What is really bothering you?"

The fingers sifting through his fur stopped, a few strands caught between the fragile digits as she warred with herself on whether or not to tell him the real reason behind her behavior. Since she had taken him into her home they had begun to get closer and closer to one another. Almost to the point of being friends she would like to think. But did the tenuous relationship they had built sanction this kind of intimacy of the heart? If she told him about the talk with Kikyo, about all of the pain it had caused her, wouldn't she be opening herself up to the potential of being hurt again?

Biting at her lip in indecision, Kagome nervously shifted where she sat, freezing when she felt the tail laying over her clamp down, preventing her from moving. Stuck, she let out a defeated breath, shoulders slouching for what felt like the millionth time this evening.

"I had a run-in with Kikyo," she mumbled, his youkai hearing picking up the words easily.

Ah, so that was the problem. He had known when he'd allowed his brother and his companions to come to the castle that the miko would probably be uncomfortable with the situation. What he hadn't counted on was the depth of her sorrow over the matter. Apparently when this human suffered from a broken heart she went all out and nursed it for a long time.

"I take it you and the priestess did not have a pleasant conversation."

A humorless laugh broke from her throat, the sound of it coarse and grating. "You could say that." She hesitated before adding quietly, "Actually, I understand her a lot better than I did before. Especially where Inu Yasha is concerned."

"And this new .....understanding is the cause of all the tears tonight?" He had yet to understand fully what it was that made her feel so terrible. Something to do with his brother no doubt.

"In a way," she answered evasively. She wasn't at ease discussing his half brother with him. Not after the times in the past that the two had gotten into all the fights they had. "It's just difficult, you know? Letting go of someone you care about."

That shed considerable light on what was going on. Now he understood what had happened to bring her spirits so low. She had finally severed all romantic ties and possibilities with his idiot brother so he could pursue a new life with the undead woman.

How......interesting. A small part of him felt glad with the knowledge, and he desperately pushed it away to let the more prominent semblance of compassion take its place. An emotion he was sure he felt now only because of all the memories that had been stirred up of his uncle. Kindred spirits in suffering, as it were.
"I can't say that I can relate to what you are describing." As he spoke he felt her hunch lower in on herself in dejection, disappointed that she didn't have someone who could share the painful experience with her. It made him want to do the ludicrous act of hugging her against him. An urge he viciously extinguished from himself. However, he did offer after a pause, "But, that doesn't mean that I haven't seen this type of situation before. In fact, the humans I have observed on my travels displayed such characteristics and sorrows quite blatantly. One thing is definite about your race, and that is their inability to hide what they are feeling. Even though they acted like their world was ending they managed to survive. That is another trait of your kind, they are damnably durable."

A noncommittal noise left her throat, but she did haltingly raise one hand from its place in his tail to put it next to her face that lay upon his chest where the V of his robe lapels were. His muscles beneath her hand jumped, a reaction he couldn't control from the personal quality of the touch. Yet, he permitted it.

The youkai that had gone to such extreme measures to make sure no one came into direct contact with his person after the brutal training from his sadistic uncle was not only granting silent permission to the caress, but secretly reveling in it as well.

How long had it been since he had felt another person's hands on his body that were not intent on causing pain? The miko treating his injuries had been the first time in decades. Even the women that he sometimes took to bed never made him behave this way, delighting in the palm with its delicate fingers splayed across the expanse of his chest as he was now.

Damn if he didn't feel something that could be closely likened to a sound of contentment bubbling in his throat. Kami, but this girl was terrible for his self control!

"Thanks, Sesshoumaru." She nuzzled her cheek against him, the soft sigh that left her parted lips fanning warmly over his skin. "I know you didn't mean that to be as insulting as it sounded." He felt her smirk, the fettering of her mouth on him causing a stray shiver to skate up his spine, the tail about her to tighten again.

Unaware of the effect she was having on her living pillow, Kagome let her eyes close to half mast, knowing by their slight burning that they were probably an unattractive red. Just like her nose. Couldn't she catch a break? I mean come on, she was due for one soon wasn't she?

Sesshoumaru warred within himself on whether he should return the female to her own room and let Akito deal with her for what was left of the night, or keep her close by and indulge for once in the soothing sensations coursing through his system.

His demon nature was all for the latter, all but purring in bliss from the combination of the aura synchronization and pleasure derived from being with the human. And really, after all the emotional turmoil he, himself, was entertaining because of the discussions regarding Aion, the dog demon didn't want to be alone.

In fact......his wants were beginning to stray into territory he was most unfamiliar with. Such as not only desire of the body, but of the soul and mind as well. The more time he spent in Kagome's company the more he wanted her by his side, talking with him, arguing her random points of useless philosophy, and yes, even touching him as casually as she did. He knew that the initial fear she had harbored of him had vanished while he was convalescing at her home, hours spent with one another in some of the most intimate of settings imaginable.
Flashes of memories danced through his mind. Scenes of Kagome smiling warmly at him...... the stubborn tilt of her jaw as she refused to give in to his demands to return back to his own castle......her laughter as she expressed how funny she thought something was.....the banked sorrow always masking her beautiful blue-grey eyes that showed more than their owner would have liked.......tears shed within the privacy of her bathroom, more desolate and heart wrenching than any he had been witness to in the past......kindness lining her face as she gazed with compassion at an injured youkai, willingness to help in any way visible in her voice and body language......and finally, the selfless sacrifice of her own happiness so that the ones she cared for and loved could have the life she, herself, dreamed about in the dark hours of the night, left to face herself alone.

It was at that moment, cradling the almost sleeping female against him, that Sesshoumaru, Lord and Taiyoukai to the Western Provinces of Japan realized he actually liked this human that had upset his orderly existence so adroitly. And, despite popular belief, the knowledge of his budding feelings for the miko weren't regarded with anger or rejection. Instead, as was usual once the dog demon found out the facts to some puzzle or mystery, they were accepted. Lying to himself wasn't something he readily or consciously allowed, and this was no different.

He was beginning to like Kagome. That was a fact that he wasn't, nor would attempt, to change. His instincts hadn't steered him wrong since he had begun listening to them during his 'training' sessions with his uncle. The problem wasn't what he felt towards the girl, but rather the current emotional state she was in. Now that she was in the stages of recovering from a broken heart over his half brother he figured she wouldn't be ready for any type of relationship anytime soon.

Which was fine with him. He had more than enough problems right now taking up his time without worrying over the possibility of becoming closer to her. If anything, what he was probably feeling was more along the lines of friendship. After all, he had never had what he could call a 'friend' so he couldn't be sure just what emotions were breathing to life inside him.

It was a little unnerving, how much he didn't know himself as he had thought he did. Quite damaging to his pride, actually.

But what was weighing heavily on his mind was that, with these new emotions would come responsibilities he didn't know if he could handle. Such as his demonic nature wanting to claim the girl. Not in the sense of a mate, but more like he did everything that came into his care that wouldn't be leaving it any time soon. That had started while traveling with her to his castle. The way the miko depended on him for protection all but sealing the deal of ownership to his more basic beast instincts. Besides, hadn't she said he was hers in her own era? It was only right that he get to return the favor.....

Sighing deeply, he glanced down and saw with some surprise that while he had been trapped in his thoughts she had fallen asleep. Judging by the way her breathing was clearer than it had been lately, the medication the girl was taking was working in healing her body. Something that made the Taiyoukai become relieved.

Funny. A month ago he couldn't have cared less if this human became so ill, she perished slowly and painfully. Yet now, if she sounded the least bit sicker, he was running different remedies through his head to try and preempt any future attacks.

Her limp form was beginning to make his legs go numb from lack of circulation, so he carefully put his tail around her to lift her off him, supporting the sleeping girl while he stood. Once on his feet, he brought her back against his body, much like he had that time she had fainted in the main hall.

Kagome reached up and wrapped both arms around his neck, squirming till she was comfortable, her actions causing the dog youkai to falter on his way to his bed.

Hurrying the last few steps to the large piece of furniture, he gently untangled her limbs from his, putting her on the cool silk if his sheets afterward. When he had gotten up earlier to investigate who was crying in the hallway, the Taiyoukai had thrown the blankets to the foot of the bed, irritated at having another night interrupted.

Now the cause of his lack of sleep was lying on his mattress, grabbing onto his pillow with one arm to draw it more fully beneath her head.

As usual, the blasted girl had no problem making herself at home with his things.

Shaking his head, he unzipped the black jacket and took it off her unresisting body, draping it over a chair that was sitting not too far from the bed. Turning back, he removed her shoes and socks, the lowered temperature from the lack of clothing causing her to shiver and frown. Disposing of his robe, he went around to the other side of the bed and slid in beside Kagome, scooting until her back was lying flush against his front. Retrieving the fluffy covers, he draped the soft material over the both of them, snaking his arm around her waist tightly.

She pressed back into him willingly, the scowl now gone along with the tremors that had wracked her slight frame. Arching his head over hers, he rested his nose in her fragrant hair, inhaling a long drawn in breath. Along with the apples and vanilla there was now the sharp odor of salt from the tears she had shed so copiously.

A whimper left her throat as whatever dream she was in began to prove distressing to her, her legs moving a bit as if she was trying to get away from it physically.

Not thinking twice, Sesshoumaru rotated her till she faced him, clawed fingers threading through the hair at her nape to press gently in a circular motion as he rubbed his striped cheek upon her own.

"Shhhhhhh.....it's alright, Kagome," he whispered by her ear, effectively calming her down to lie peacefully once more. Skimming back slowly, he kissed one high cheekbone, the taste of salt lingering on his lips.

The miko lifted the side of her face towards him when he went to depart, silently begging for a repeat of the caress. One of her hands remained in between their two bodies, lying docilely on his shoulder while the other clasped about his waist, her forearm laying along his back, fingers clenching convulsively.

Sensations of warmth were transmitting from her to him, the sadness of before dimming under this new barrage of emotions singing through his system. Finding her offer more tempting than he could refuse, a small grin tilted his chiseled lips as he bent down to first kiss her cheek and then her forehead where markings would have been were she a youkai of noble birth.

She sighed happily, one of her legs sliding forward to slip under one of his own, entwining the limbs and bringing her nearer to him.

The long forgotten peace of contentment filled the Taiyoukai's being. A drowsiness began seeping into his mind, fogging over his thoughts in a serene cloud of, what could have been, happiness.

A pur-like noise left his throat, thrumming through his chest, the vibrations tingling pleasantly to Kagome's ears.

Eyes closing, Sesshoumaru put his chin atop her head once more, making sure to place his tail over her thighs, the tip diving underneath her shirt to brush the base of her spine again and again.

Tomorrow he would deal with the repercussions of the girl staying in his bedroom an entire night, unchaperoned. Of course, the others didn't know that he had spent many such evenings with her while in her own era and at his castle as well. This would be the first instance they would know about, and considering how well he knew his brother and Lord Kouga, reactions were not going to be pleasant.

But even that didn't annoy him like it probably would have done once. He felt irritation at the other demons involved, not towards the female he was falling asleep next to.

Intriguing, how accepting one's feelings over someone could change their perception of them within the space of a heartbeat.

No matter what happened in the morning, he would handle it with his usual grace and intelligence. What worried him more was that the assassins after his life would most assuredly notice the relationship strengthening between him and the miko. Putting her at further risk wasn't exactly his idea of a great thing, but at this point she was most likely being targeted anyway. This way, if he kept her close, ensuring from the warriors not in the plot to kill him to guard her better, Kagome had a good chance of coming from this unscathed.

As unscathed as possible, that is.

That was his last thought before the dog demon fell into a deeper sleep than he had known in years. The bedroom was quiet save for the breathing of the couple on the bed, the window showing the dark majesty of the night shedding pale moonlight over the occupants, bathing them with a bluish illumination.

For this single moment in their lives they took comfort from each other, the emptiness lying inside them growing smaller under the healing onslaught of their bond. The ice encasing the frigid caverns of the Taiyoukai's heart thawed a fraction from the heat of the female pressed to his tall frame. Neither of them realizing how significant their embrace was.

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