Day 43:
Kagome felt his gaze upon her, a warmth teasing her awake like the morning sun. She smiled in response but wasn't quite ready to wake up from her cocoon. But just as one can't resist the sun's brightness, Kagome couldn't resist the daiyoukai's silent urging to open her eyes.
She protested his wordless urging as she sluggishly pushed herself to a sitting position, trying to stretch the sleepiness out of her limbs. Popping her lips she finally risked the chance to open her eyes and she blearily glanced around, a disconcerted frown marring her features as she felt part of her pack was missing.
"Sesshoumaru, where-"
"Everyone is safe. The hanyou-"
"Inuyasha." Kagome automatically corrected.
"…Inuyasha has taken the priestess away to consummate their courtship."
Kagome blinked and when understanding clicked into place her ears began to burn. Oh, they're doing that. Well, okay. She cleared her throat, pointedly ignoring the daiyoukai's arched brow. He didn't need to take so much amusement from her discomfort.
"Come."
"But-" Kagome began to protest.
"Everyone sleeps, and will likely not wake until the sun is overhead." Sesshoumaru said this last bit with a look at Miroku, his arm slung across his eyes and a snore that indicated the monk had gotten quite happily drunk last night.
Kagome giggled in agreement and took Sesshoumaru's offered hand, delighting in the weightlessness that came whenever he plucked her up from the ground. Knowing Sesshoumaru was just going to kick Jaken awake – he really needed to give the poor imp a break – Kagome leaned over, gently shaking Jaken into semi-consciousness.
"We're going on a walk. Watch over camp."
Jaken gave a sleepy grumble of agreement. With a satisfied nod Kagome pushed herself off the ground, brushing the bits of dirt off on her pants and took of for the woods. She rolled her eyes when Sesshoumaru lagged behind a moment. He probably couldn't resist the urge to put in his own word of warning to the imp.
Seemingly content with whatever he had taken care of, Sesshoumaru strolled up to the skipping woman. His long legs easily overcame the distance Kagome had gained.
Kagome kept up the silence, merely enjoying the calming sounds of nature. Sesshoumaru always liked to be out of demon hearing distance before striking up any conversation, or encouraging Kagome to talk. Even though Inuyasha was off doing…stuff, Kagome had a feeling he would still wait until they were a good distance from camp.
She walked beside him amicably, daring to brush her hand against his from time to time but not saying a word. The warmth was a lingering presence, heightened by the subtle yet enticing scent of demon musk. The breeze would refresh it, reverently carrying it over to Kagome and wrapping it around her like a silk kimono.
It came as something of a surprise when Sesshoumaru actually started up the conversation. "This Sesshoumaru has decided on how you shall compensate him."
Kagome laughed, bumping into him playfully. She took it as a game and personal duty to help him lighten up. "No need to be so formal. It's me, remember? I thought we had gotten over this whole talking in third person thing."
"Hn."
Kagome merely laughed again and nudged at him. "So? What do you want me to do? Do you want me to send Jaken away on some errand? Do you want me to keep Inuyasha off your back?"
"No."
Giggling at his curt response she continued dramatically, "Ooh! I know. You want me to play with your hair! Why Sesshoumaru, I would love to!"
"You would desire to play with my hair?"
"Of course," Kagome nodded in all seriousness, enjoying the slightly surprised look on his face. "Who wouldn't?"
Smiling up at his cautious blink she skipped on ahead. The celebratory spirit of last night lingered over to today and lightened her step, making it easy to bask in the warmth of the day. The birds twittered excitedly as they fluttered among the sun-dappled leaves. The wind, wanting to play, rustled the branches and earned squawks of reprimand to which the wind impishly ignored. So caught up in the beauty of the day Kagome almost missed what her companion had to say.
"This Sesshoumaru wishes to court you."
Kagome froze with her feet suddenly glued to the dew-damp earth. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest, erratically punching against her rib cage. Was this some kind of sick joke? But surely Sesshoumaru wouldn't do that to her. The wind brushed by her impatiently as she pivoted slowly to face the unmoving daiyoukai behind her.
"You want to court me? But, I thought you hated humans." Stupid Kagome! You want him to court you. Why in the world would you ask that? You make it sound as though you don't want him.
Her breath came in dry, shallow pants as Sesshoumaru took a careful step forward, his eyes roving her face.
"Do you believe that?"
"Well, no. But, you don't like hanyous." Shut up Kagome, you're ruining this! "If we were to mate," her blush was emphasized by an uncalled for squeak. She cleared her throat and continued, "If we were to mate…wouldn't our kids be hanyous?"
Sesshoumaru took another step forward and the sun-warmed breeze helpfully blew over his scent, ever earthy. "There is one hanyou that's brash attitude earns him little endearment." Sesshoumaru smoothly erased Kagome's protective scowl as he continued, "But even he has his…good qualities. Besides, they would be ours." The possessive growl sent shivers down her spine.
His eyes mesmerized Kagome, shifting from their usual gold to thick, enticing amber. The heat of his body radiated through his hand when he reached up to smooth back her hair. When her body swayed towards him she was intoxicated by the satisfaction that further darkened his eyes.
"Will you court me, Kagome?"
The hot caress of her name was the rope that pulled Kagome in all the way. Here was her very wish laid before her, offered with a silver wrapping and a golden bow.
Her hands rose, carefully she splayed her fingers across his chest and she was captivated by the way he pressed himself into her touch, allowing her to bury her fingers into the softness of his kimono. She looked up, the warmth of his palm against her face helped heighten the pink glow of her cheeks.
"Yes. Yes, I'll court you."
A rumble of satisfaction drew him closer to her, the need to touch her surging at her consent. He lowered his head to hers, letting their hair mingle and tickle the sensitive skin. Their breaths warmed each other's faces, blending the tangy masculine essence of Sesshoumaru with the fresh fragrance that was Kagome. Shyly she looked down, her gaze landing on his lips.
The brush of his nose, teasing her with an Eskimo kiss, beckoned her to let her eyes slip shut. Don't think, his touch silently whispered. Feel.
Their lips met, at first a soft pressure, a shared sensation of liquid sunshine. But it grew. The desire to touch and be touched blossomed and they pulled themselves to each other. Her hands threaded into his hair, clutching him to her with a sigh and Sesshoumaru took her bliss further, slipping in to taste and offer her pleasure. He didn't expect to receive his own pleasure from the sweet stickiness of the lingering berry juice he encountered as his tongue explored each dip and crevice of her mouth.
With a gasp her lips were forsaken and her whimper became a moan as the moist touch of lips traced the curve of her jaw, sneaking up to her ear where he let his teeth graze the soft lobe. Her fingers tightened, and the pull of hair pulled forth a gratifying growl.
He covered her with his warmth, his scent, his presence. His hand traced the length of her spine, coaxing the warmth out from the core of her being, to cover the entirety of her flesh. His fingers slipped up further, curling against the curve of neck. Kagome submitted to his touch, a vague and distant part of her mind warned her in Sango's voice of what was to happen next, and her eyes that had fluttered open now fell shut.
Sesshoumaru murmured wordless reassurances, instinct overriding the displeasure at having to cause her pain. But it must be done. With a swift efficiently his fangs pierced her skin, earning a pained gasp but still he bit down, caressing her waist while he held her neck firm. The thick liquid copper of her lifeblood raced over his tongue, mingling her very being with his. With a silent cry of male victory he withdrew his fangs, quickly bringing his lips back to hers. The brush of his mouth offered comfort for her pain and praise for her courage. She replied with a heartfelt, genuine pleasure that more than made up for her lack of skill.
She had accepted his mark.
The courting had begun.
