I do not own Inuyasha or the characters
My head is spinning as I lie snuggled in Sesshoumaru's lap with my head resting on his shoulder. The man is an expert at kissing me senseless. He strokes his thumb across my tingling lips and my head falls back so I can gaze up at him. The look in his eyes is tender, his lips curled into a slight smile. That look alone sends desire coursing through my body. To think I can make him drop his normal mask…it's an amazing rush. I'm still a bit surprised he kissed me in front of his mother. Though, when he returned to camp he didn't quite seem his normal controlled self. That was made even more evident by our steamy make-out session worthy of two horny teenagers.
"What's up with you tonight?" I ask, brushing my fingers over the magenta stripes on his cheek.
He nuzzles against my hand, closing his eyes and releasing an adorable whimper that sounds more like a cute puppy than a taiyoukai. It takes everything in my power to hold in the snort of laughter. Too cute!
"Everything is perfect," he says in a low rumble, still rubbing his cheek against my hand.
"Okay," I say but remain unconvinced. Better try a new tactic. "Um, that whole thing with Hideki tonight…I'm confused. I mean he was acting clingier than normal and you told him to go and…well you know."
"Female kitsune started their heat this morning," he says, moving to nibble and kiss at my neck. "I never realized how many kitsune I have in my employ. I had to flee the palace to get away from the chaos. Males may not have a heat cycle but their bodies react at the same time."
"But there aren't any female kitsune around."
"Not nearby but close enough," he replies, moving his lips to my ear. "I can smell a few in the vicinity. Once Hideki has rutted for a few days, he'll get it out of his system."
A few days? My mind is filled with images of a fox orgy that puts the Romans to shame. Shaking my head, I try to clear the unwelcome thought. At least now I have an idea why Sesshoumaru's acting so needy. Could he be reacting to the female kitsune's heat? He's inu but they're in the same biological family. I open my mouth to ask before closing it again with an audible click. Yeah, like he'd ever admit to it, even if it were true.
"Become my mate," he murmurs, his lips trailing a path down my jawline.
"I already agreed to the courting," I reply, trying not to lose myself to his touch.
The forest floor is not my first choice as a place to consummate our courtship. Reaching down, I peel a large twig off my thigh and hold it up to make a point. When he completely ignores my effort, I toss it aside with a loud sigh.
"Now," he whispers against my lips. "I can't wait any longer."
"You can and you will," a sharp female voice rings out through the forest around us. "You will not take her as your mate in a place such as this."
"Go away, Mother," Sesshoumaru says in a low growl that vibrates against my lips. He seems about to say something else but becomes distracted by my tiny whimper.
"Look, Sesshoumaru, we just received some intel that, um, well…" Satoshi says in a shaking voice. When I glance over at the inuyoukai, he's almost doubled over from laughing so hard.
"Can this not wait until later, Satoshi?" Sesshoumaru asks.
He closes his eyes and begins to take deep even breaths, his forehead pressed to mine. I squirm in his firm grasp trying to escape. My taiyoukai has no intention of releasing me, however. With another whimper, I hide my face in his shoulder.
"Sesshoumaru, did you have tea with Maiko this morning?" Inukimi asks.
"No."
"Are you sure?" Satoshi asks. For a moment, surprise flickers across his features like he wasn't expecting the denial.
"Yes."
"What's going on?" I ask, peeking out from Sesshoumaru's shoulder.
"We heard Maiko was planning to spike Sesshoumaru's tea with a love potion," Satoshi says, biting his lip in a lousy attempt to keep the laughter in. "With the kitsune issue, the potion would be able to affect even someone as powerful as him. Thank the kami you didn't drink the tea."
"I didn't drink her damned poisoned tea," Sesshoumaru says in a low growl. "Remove yourselves from my presence at once."
"But-" Inukimi is cut off by Hitoshi.
"Come, mate," Hitoshi says, placing his arm over her shoulders. "It's time we head back to the palace. Your advice is not wanted or needed here."
"But-"
"Listen to your mate, Mother," Sesshoumaru says with a dark glare. "I still need you to tend the West in my absence. Do not try my patience any further tonight or you may not like the consequences."
"What did you do to Maiko?" Inukimi asks as she's dragged away by her mate. "She's my favorite lady in waiting. Palace life would be dreadfully dull without her antics."
"She's in the dungeon and will stay there for two weeks," Sesshoumaru says without looking at her. "You will not interfere. Satoshi, head back with Mother. Maiko claimed her father, Shigeru, forced her to commit the act. She has not been known to lie in the past. Investigate, but don't let Shigeru know. Let him think Maiko remained silent."
"That worm has been plotting against us for centuries," Inukimi says with an unladylike snort. "This is our chance to take him down for good."
"Stay out of it, Mother," Sesshoumaru orders. "Your plots are always convoluted. Allow Satoshi to perform his duties as beta."
Without another word all three disappear into the darkness. Sesshoumaru remains silent, his head resting on my shoulder, his face nuzzled against my neck. He's awake; I can feel his light, even breaths, but he doesn't utter a word. I start stroking his silky hair, playing with the long strands as they slip though my fingers.
"Bad day?" I ask in a whisper, moving one hand to rub circles on his shoulder blade.
"Hn," he murmurs, in what I determine to be agreement.
He lets out a tiny groan when I hit a tense knot on his shoulder. Shrugging him to the side, I rise to my knees, digging into his left shoulder with both hands. He releases a deep sigh and begins to tremble as I continue massaging away the stress. When I move to his other shoulder, he whimpers again like a little puppy. It's such a strange noise coming from this powerful male, I can't help but freeze for a moment.
"It's obvious something's wrong, Sesshoumaru," I say while continuing my ministrations. "If I'm to be your mate you have to trust-"
"I drank the damn tea!" Sesshoumaru blurts out, cutting me off. "It's affecting me, though I'm trying to control it. I didn't want anyone to know I was tricked by a two hundred year old girl."
"We all make mistakes."
"I can't," he snaps. "Too many are waiting until I show the slightest sign of weakness." I remain quiet but continue to massage at his shoulder, surprised when he slumps a bit beneath my hands. "Have you ever wondered why Rin travels with me instead of staying at the palace?"
"Yes."
"Even with Mother and Satoshi, I can't guarantee her safety there," he says with a deep sigh. "She is a target simply because I care and have been unable to hide it completely. You will be as well."
"I can take care of myself," I murmur, wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning into his back. "I won't let my guard down. I promise."
"Can you be happy always watching your back?" he asks, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.
My raven hair falls forward to mingle with his silver creating a beautiful contrast in the interwoven strands. So different, yet perfectly wonderful together…just like us. I'd rather live a dangerous life with him than a peaceful life alone.
"If I'm with you, I'll be happy," I reply, kissing his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too, Kagome," he says, drawing my name out in a sexy drawl.
"I'm still not becoming your mate on the forest floor."
"Hn," he replies with an evil glint in his golden eyes.
There's a flurry of motion and I end up flat on my back in the underbrush. His lips meet mine with an urgency that sends my heart racing. Desire courses through my body to pool deep within my core. I cling to his haori with both hands, riding out the stormy kiss. When he finally comes up for air, his eyes are crimson. I swallow a gasp as I stare at his beast. The raw power comes off him in waves, whispering along my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
"Mine," his beast purrs in a deep timbre. He licks along my neck a few times before pulling away.
"Um, maybe we should return to camp," I murmur, unable to look away from his mesmerizing gaze.
"Can't," he rumbles, his lips curled into an impressive frown.
"Why?" I ask, watching as the red fades from his eyes until not a speck remains to mar the golden perfection.
"I'm…unpredictable right now," he replies, pressing his forehead to mine. "I need time to recover."
"It's okay, Sesshoumaru," I say, caressing his cheek. "Your pack will be there for you. To protect you like you do us."
"But Inuyasha-"
"Will get his ass sat from here to Sunday if he bothers you," I reply, trying not to laugh at the image in my head. "Besides, he let you see him at his weakest, and not many know about his human night. I think that deserves a bit of trust on your part."
"Hn, you do make things difficult at times," he says with a deep sigh. "I concede. It's safer with the pack. I would not risk your welfare for my ego."
He rises from the forest floor, sweeping me up into his arms. Wrapping my arms around him, I snuggle against mokomoko, listening to the grumbling noises he's making deep in his throat.
"How long do the effects of the tea last?" I ask, trying to distract him from his worries.
"One cup would last about a day."
"That's not so bad."
"I drank three."
"Three?!" I screech, making him wince.
"It was good tea," he says with a shrug.
"And when did you figure out it was spiked?"
"Halfway through the third cup," he replies looking away. "She put too much of the powder in that cup so I was able to detect it."
"Why did you finish it?" I ask, stunned by his actions.
"The damage was done. Besides, it was very good tea." He leans down, licking and biting along my jaw while he continues to walk through the dark woods.
"So, um, are the effects just stronger or do they last longer?" I ask, not sure if I can handle three days of this odd behavior.
"Don't know. Nobody's ever consumed this much."
Gee, lucky me…
Thanks for reading!
Cymberle
