AN: Thanks all y'all for all the amazing feedback, likes, kudos, and reads. This story has come so far from the one shot I'd initially planned on. Everyone has been so kind, even during lengthy time between updates, I so appreciate that. For those of you that don't hang out with me in my discord server (SessKag Citrus 18+ please come join if you'd like, link is on my profile), I wanted to let you know that updates, while as always are still sporadic, may get a bit more spacey. I just had a baby and returned to my full time job today, added with my older child and life life life... Anyway, I'll do my best. Just know this will not go unfinished. x3
A Little Deeper
Answering the phone with a sigh, Kagome revealed her inner struggle, "I'm trying to study, but I can't focus on the material."
Through the phone Sesshomaru could hear her groaning into her notebook. It was easy to picture her lying in bed amidst a plethora of notes. "Are you worried about something?"
"No..." She quieted, "not worried." The image in his head flushed an endearing shade of pink.
"So," He leaned back in his office chair, his eyes on the small frame at the corner of his desk. She looked so flustered on the ferris wheel, he couldn't resist printing it and shoving the photo of the two of them into a frame. It was a nice reminder that there was more to his life than research and school. "What is occupying your mind?"
"You." Kagome sighed, knowing just how cheesy and sappy it sounded. With a groan, she rolled over. "You're distracting me."
He smirked, "Me?"
Her notes crinkled under her back, "We were with each other for days and barely spent any time together..."
"Should I steal you away?"
School work hung on her mind, she couldn't miss anything else, "Do you want to com-" Kikyo's heels clicked in the hall outside the door and she sighed, "nevermind."
"Are you sure?" His fingers brushed over the photo on his desk, "I could easily sneak into your room."
She bit her lip, tempted, "No. You have your work and I have mine, I'll settle for your voice for now."
"I want to see you."
"Friday, we can wait until Friday." It physically hurt to say it, but she wasn't about to interrupt both his school work and her own. Priorities. It wouldn't kill them to wait, even if it felt like torture. "Tell me what you're up to. Do you like your new little sister?"
She could tell his smile by the tone of his voice, "She's shy, but sweet. Her hair is always in a side ponytail, and she can't keep herself from picking the flowers in my mother's garden."
Kagome laughed, "She sounds very cute."
"There's another young one here that might surprise you."
"Is that Kagome?!" A familiar excited voice could be heard in the background.
"Shippo?" She gasped. "Wait, what's Shippo doing there?"
Scuffling sounds, a giggle, and a sudden shout of, "let me tell her," had her grinning from ear to ear..
"Fine, here." Sesshomaru handed off the phone.
"Kagome! Guess what!" Her brows rose, completely thrown for a loop. Shippo didn't require a response as he launched into a full explanation. "Your boyfriend's mom is my mom's old friend! And I get to stay here with her! And your boyfriend's not as fun when you aren't around, he's all, I have papers to finish, don't play with that, swords aren't for children."
"Swords?" Had she heard right?
"Oh yeah! Loads of swords! They are all in the library hanging on the walls! It's super cool!" He gushed, "Anyway, Friday, since you are coming to dinner, Miss Kimi said I can help make dinner with her! It's going to be the best tasting food you've ever eaten!"
"I'm looking forward to it!" Her heart felt more full just knowing that he was alright. "Are you having fun playing with Sesshomaru's new little sister?"
Shippo let go of a groan, "Well, she's cool for a girl. Way more fun than your boyfriend though. He's super boring. The other's aren't much better."
What did he say? "Others?"
"Enough." Sesshomaru pulled the phone from Shippo's hands, "Go. Play."
"What's wrong? Afraid he'll talk me out of dating you?" She snickered.
Sesshomaru sighed, "He is much more of a menace without you around."
"That's so harsh."
He leaned back in his office chair, "I prefer Rin's quiet to his endless chatter."
"All children are different, besides it's probably just that you make him nervous still."
The memory of her curled up with the brat filled his mind. The protective drape of her arms. The way Shippo behaved so well with her around.
"You're good with children." He muttered.
Papers rustled. "Hmm?"
Sesshomaru shook his head and sighed, "Friday we will not get any time alone.."
"It's okay," She licked her lips, "besides, the wee hours of Saturday morning are what I'm longing for."
Anticipation heated his blood, "Is that so?"
"It is." She shifted, more papers rustled, and he wondered if her hand had slipped between her legs.
"I want you all to myself." His voice had grown deeper as his pants became far too tight.
Suddenly the door swung open to giggling children and he spun his chair from the view of the doorway.
"Damn."
"Cock blocked again." Kagome sighed over a grin, "I should be getting ready for class anyway. Talk to you later."
Friday came quickly. Kagome wrung her hands at the door of a large estate. The wrought iron gate had been left open for her to drive into the property. The traditional wooden house reminded her of an old fortress, but the vision was thrown off by the playground equipment and bikes in the garden.
Large climbers, a merry go round, and multiple swingsets resembled a park. A pool with a waterslide could be seen peaking around the back. A bit much for just two children.
As soon as the door opened, the sound barrier broke with giggles, laughter, and a whole lot of shouting. Sesshomaru appeared in a whirl of silver hair.
Instead of pulling her in towards the chaos, he slammed the door behind him and pressed her against the entryway wall. The heels of her shoes clacked against the wood.
His nose kissed her cheek.
Her heartbeat hammered through her breasts and into his firm chest as his lips stole his gasped name from her tongue.
Like a match to a wick, his hands and mouth lit her nerves aflame. As she relaxed against him, his kisses slowed to gentle plucks. "Sess...mmm ah I don't think...this really isn't the place for...mmm." His tongue caressed her bottom lip before slipping inside, as she feigned protest.
Fingers ran over the side of her face and through her hair, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. She curled her hands over his collar. His pulse thrummed against her knuckles. He paused. Hot breath teased her skin. She opened her eyes to look up into hungry amber.
"I need it to be just you and I for a time." His nose tickled her cheek as he kissed her jaw. "I told you that I've missed you." Hot wet heat whispered over her ear. Teeth tugged the lobe.
She whimpered, "But Sess..." Her legs felt weak as his mouth roved over her pulse. His tongue flicked out and a gasped moan escaped her lips. "Mnn ah... I missed you too." Relaxing into him, she let her cares of being discovered slip from her mind. Her body ached with every sensation. "Let's hide in your room for awhile."
As if it wasn't what he wanted, he suddenly pulled away.
He kept the tips of his fingers on her shoulder, like that would keep her steady. Biting her lip, her gaze lingered on the surprised brows up near his hairline, "Sesshomaru?"
He didn't hear her, his senses glued to the sight of his father and her mother getting out of a black town car. "What are they doing here?"
"Who?" Looking around his broad shoulder, her mouth fell open, "Shit." She pressed her lips together, and whispered a hiss, "I thought your mom wouldn't say anything?!"
The front door opened behind them and the devil appeared, "I didn't," Kimi snapped. Her bright red lips were pinched as she eased to the front of the deep entryway. "Daichi-san, I was surprised when you offered to interview with Shiori about political careers. I didn't realize you'd be so open with your time."
"Who is Shiori?" Kagome asked while keeping her eyes on their parents.
Sesshomaru sighed, "One of the many foster children my mother cares for. She's been with us for years, however her grandfather fights a formal adoption at every turn."
Her gaze shifted to catch the disappointed look on his face, the tense stiffness of his body. The audience stopped her from encircling him with her arms. "Are you close?"
She wasn't expecting his sly smirk, "Well she's certainly more like a sister than you will ever be."
Blushing red, her stomach fluttered as she looked back up at him.
"Let's just tell them." His whisper brought a chill down her spine.
Worry had her heart pounding. Her fingers covered her open mouth. She shook her head, mouthing, "We can't yet."
Sesshomaru pressed his lips together, and shoved his hands into his pockets. "At some point we will need to."
Kimi bowed to both Kira and Daichi.
"I know that."
He sighed at her response. There would never be a good time. The charade had gone on for long enough.
As he watched anxiety mar her beautiful face, he couldn't clear the air. He wanted to steal her away. Kiss her until she forgot all about keeping secrets. Remain together secluded until the time felt right and everything would fall into place. It was a foolish yearning.
"Oh, Kagome!" Kagome stilled at the exclamation. Her mother stalked around Kimi to get to the pair, "What are you doing over here? You'll visit Sesshomaru's mother but not your own?"
As her mother caught her in a hug, he realized he'd completely lost the opportunity to hide her away in his bedroom until the night ran its course.
She winced. "Well I..."
"She came for advice on becoming a social worker." Sesshomaru interjected. His glassy gaze made her chest ache.
Kimi's brows rose a fraction as she looked at her son's girlfriend. A small smile lingered on her lips, "You did mention something to that effect before."
Daichi frowned, "Not you too, Kagome. There's no future in social work, no ladder to climb."
Kagome offered him a grin, "I'm not interested in the work to climb a ladder, besides it'll look great for your political career to have a social worker in the family."
He ran his fingers through short silver hair, "that may be true..."
"Daichi!" Kira chidded, "She'll do what she likes, my daughter isn't choosing a field just for your voters."
The door swung open, "Honey, have you seen-!"
The familiar voice had Kagome's spine stiff.
Slowly turning, she saw Kagura in the doorway behind them holding a baby in her arms.
Sesshomaru tensed at her side.
"Never mind..." Kagura backed away and shut the door.
"Wasn't that your girlfriend, Kagome?"
Kagome's large blue gaze went from Sesshomaru, to Kimi, to her stepfather, and mom. She opened and closed her mouth.
Kimi narrowed her golden eyes, and with her back to Kira and Daichi, she mouthed to the young couple, "You owe Mama big time." Before the awkward silence could continue, she turned her heel and grinned at the dubious pair, "Kagura helps with the children, she and I met through Sesshomaru. Did you know she is the second accepted into to Kyushu?"
"How distinguished, you picked a good one, Kagome." Daichi grinned his politician's smile. Her mother stood slightly flushed at his side. Gently he gave her a nudge.
"Hmm." Kira tilted her head at her daughter, squinted, and began detective work, "Not that I mind, but since when are you into girls?"
Pressing her lips together, Kagome quickly thought up a lie, "She's my exception."
"Is that right?" Kimi rolled her eyes, "Well let's not stand out here all day, Shiori will want as much interview as you have time for Daichi-san."
Ushering the other parents ahead of her, she slung her long arms around Sesshomaru and Kagome's shoulders and leaned in close. "You two should be ashamed of yourselves, dragging my Kagura into your mess."
Sesshomaru snapped, "Your Kagura?"
Kimi hissed right back, "Yes, MY Kagura. Can't you read a room?" With a roll of her eyes, she shook her head, "oh look who I'm talking to, of course you can't."
His teeth clicked as his jaw tensed.
Kagome bit her lip. He'd done pretty well at the party but there was no way she'd bring that up now.
"Tonight we will play your little game of lies." Her red painted nails tapped their shoulders.
Kagome flushed bright red.
"But, tomorrow, you two will babysit." Kimi grinned, "I deserve a night out."
Sesshomaru blanched while Kagome's brows furrowed, "That's it?"
Kimi tilted her chin, "Yes."
"Sure, no problem." Her naive smile quickly replaced itself with sheer surprise as they walked inside.
There weren't just two children. Not even just two children and a baby.
Shippo launched himself at her legs, wrapping his little arms around her so tight she couldn't move. "Kagome!" He smiled, blinking bright green eyes at her, "You came!"
"Of course I did." She ruffled his hair, grinning back at him just before a little girl she recognized held out a bunch of flowers.
Kagome felt her knees drop to the ground as her mind took in the sight of the little girl she'd helped just a few short months ago.
"Rin?"
She nodded her head, a faint blush tinged her full cheeks. A flowered pink tassel hung from her side ponytail.
Kagome had to blink away the sudden tears in her eyes. Taking the flowers with both hands, she tried not to get choked up, "They are beautiful." Her heart physically ached. She didn't realize she had felt so worried about where Rin would end up until she saw her safe and sound.
Looking happy and well fed, Kagome watched in awe as Rin stepped up to Sesshomaru and quietly whispered, "Sesshomaru-sama, can we go color again?"
Shippo's green eyes lit up, "I want to draw the diagrams!"
It seemed both children had warmed up to him.
"In a little while, it'd be rude not to introduce Kagome to the others."
"We will just have to start without you." Shippo nodded, "We can handle it."
"Just make sure you only stick to books I've allowed to be used in the past."
"Don't worry Sesshomaru-sama, we will!" Rin declared before slipping away with Shippo at her heels.
Standing up, Kagome leaned into his shoulder, "You've warmed up to him again haven't you?"
With a slight shrug, he murmured, "He is surprisingly very detailed with it comes to drawing anatomy from a picture."
"Is that right?" She grinned past anxiety. He'd thrown her off with his declaration about revealing their relationship.
It made sense to spill the beans. Summer break with them living at home would be difficult.
"Kagome?" Her mother shot her a disapproving glance, "Why aren't you helping poor Kagura with the baby? What kind of partner did I raise?"
"Um..." She winced as she glanced over at Kagura who was currently carrying a small bundle while digging through a diaper bag and trying to shake a toddler off her leg.
When she didn't move quickly enough, Kira pressed her lips together, sighed heavily, and took the baby from Kagura, "Let me hold this sweetie, while you find what you are looking for."
Sesshomaru looked down at her, smirking, "You are such a bad girlfriend letting Kagura struggle like that."
She pouted.
He discreetly brushed the tips of his fingers over her open palm, "The baby is called Mai, she is only here while her adoption goes through. The toddler is Souten, she arrived a few months before Rin. The agency is still looking for relatives. Shiori is likely already working with Father so you will meet her at dinner if they are finished." He moved through the hall to the living room, "come, I'll introduce you to the others."
The others consisted of two rowdy brothers. They were yelling at a tv screen.
Kagome immediately recognized the video game, having watched Souta and Inuyasha play it many times. Often with the same reactions.
Sesshomaru grabbed a controller and paused the game. Instantly a duet of, "Hey! Sesshomaru!" erupted.
He growled, "Straighten up and say hello. This is my friend, Kagome."
"Fine." The taller of the pair huffed, swishing his black braid over his shoulder, "I'm Bankotsu, this is Jakotsu, it's nice to meet you, now leave us alone."
Sesshomaru shook his head, "Try again."
"Wha-! I'm not going to-!"
Jakotsu elbowed him, "Shush."
Bankotsu shoved him back, "Whatever, brown noser, grovel for the masses why don't you."
Jakotsu rolled his eyes, "We are glad to meet your friend, Sesshomaru." He hopped off the couch and bowed.
When Bankotsu didn't follow suit, he elbowed his brother until Bankotsu hissed and shouted, "Fine! Glad to meet you."
"Now Bank, is that any way to treat an elder?" Kimi appeared in the entryway with one slender brow cocked, "You are better than that."
Immediately the boy, who couldn't have been much older than eight or nine, dropped his head and bowed, "Apologies Mama Kimi, you have taught me better than this and I will not let you down again."
"Good." Her long fingers ruffled his choppy bangs, "Once you are finished introducing yourself properly, please set the dining table."
"Yes, Mama Kimi."
Her critical golden gaze remained as she waited for him to get on with his tasks.
Bankotsu faced Sesshomaru and Kagome and bent at the waist, "Thank you for visiting us big sister, please excuse my rude behavior. I am called Bankotsu, and this is my little brother Jakotsu. If you care to join us in a game later we'd like to offer you the good controller."
Jakotsu whispered behind his hand, "Because the shoulder buttons don't work on the others."
With a grin, Kagome bowed, "It is nice to meet you Bankotsu, Jakotsu. I look forward to our future game."
Bankotsu nodded curtly before stalking off toward the dining room.
"Looks like I get the system all to myself! Fortnight here I come!"
"Think again Jak, go help your brother." Kimi patted his head as he sulked. She escorted him from the room.
Kagome grinned, "They are very spirited. Your mom is badass."
Sesshomaru shrugged, "She's not one to trifle with. I haven't spent much time with them, but I've heard that they are good when they want to be, and with my mother, everyone wants to be."
"Of course." She linked their arms, leaning into his side with a content smile. Warmth soaked into the line of her body.
"You two are idiots." Kagura's smooth voice came with the pierce of her red gaze. "You've managed to drag me into your business again."
Kagome winced, "To be fair, you are the one who kissed me."
With a completely different position, Sesshomaru's voice deepened with his frown, "Since when are you involved with my Mother?"
Kagura shrugged, "Awhile." She bit the inside of her cheek and sighed at Kagome, "It's the only reason I'm agreeing to help." Jabbing her finger in to the air in front of both of them, she snapped, "But this is the last time."
Sweet relief! "Agreed! Thank you, Kagura!" Kagome flung her arms around her while Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.
"How did you meet my mother?"
With a light chuckle, Kagura leaned into him, "This isn't going to work if you're shooting me dirty looks all day."
Thin lipped, he stepped back to keep her off. Glancing down at Kagome, he shook his head, "I don't care to hide our relationship any longer."
Her chest suddenly ached as her lungs grew tight. "I..." Her soft pink lips quivered, "Sesshomaru, even if we are telling everyone, this really isn't the place."
She wasn't ready.
Before a response could be given, Kira popped in the doorway with the baby in her arms. "So Kagura, tell me about yourself."
Sesshomaru felt stiff beside her. As Kagome tried to soothe him with a caress of his hand, he pulled away.
The grilling of the fake relationship hadn't ended by dinner.
As they sat at the table, Kagome's mom had squeezed between the two women and chatted excitedly, "Kagome's never had a serious relationship before, Kagura, would you say it's serious between you two?"
The questions never seemed to end as her mother killed time while Shiori and Daichi worked on the political project.
While Kagura kept her happy with bullshit answers, Kagome found herself far too distracted to make up any more lies.
Across the table Sesshomaru ate fruit.
The children had put finger food dessert together. A perfectly innocent dessert.
He had practically turned it into a peepshow. Clearly it was a passive aggressive show to get back at her for keeping things on the down low, but damn. She could hardly care about the reason as his tongue lapped and prodded the half slice of lemon. She would not look away.
The lemon squirted into his mouth. He licked the juice his fingers with firm strokes.
Popping a whole cherry into his mouth, her blue eyes stared at the knotted stem he withdrew from his firm kissable lips.
Not taking her eyes off him, she reached into her own bowl for a cherry.
He'd begun eating a peach, the juice painting his lips and resembling the way her own arousal looked glossing his mouth and chin.
His tongue slipped out. She swallowed to keep from drooling.
The cherry in her fingers felt heavy, and she popped it between her lips with the stem still attached. It thwacked her uvula. She gagged.
Coughing, the little fruit launched from her mouth to the other side of the room.
Sesshomaru had to bite his tongue not to laugh.
"Kagome, are you okay?" Kira was already up from her seat and picking the fruit up off of the floor. "A cherry?" Her dark eyes zeroed in on her daughter, "What's wrong with you? I thought we'd discussed, and you agreed, not trying to tie cherry stems in your mouth years ago."
The urge to hide far far away felt tangible. Her cheeks turned dark red.
Kagura burst into snickers. Kimi hid her quiet laugh behind her hand.
Shippo's lip quivered, "Kagome I had no idea you can't eat cherries, I'm sorry for adding them. Are you okay?"
Waving it off, Kagome hid her hot face in her hands, "I'm fine. No worries."
Shippo leaned in close, "Why isn't Sesshomaru checking on you?"
Peeking between her fingers, she winced, "I'm fine, he doesn't need to check on me."
As her fingers fell, she glanced at Sesshomaru's profile. His dad had finally joined them at the table, sans Shiori who was too into her project to come out of her room.
"What did you talk about dear?" Kira asked.
"Well, I actually happened to receive a call at the beginning of the interview regarding a scandal, so it was mostly about that and proper decorum." He unfolded his napkin and placed it in his lap.
Kimi's head popped up from her longing gaze at the baby in her arms. Bottle feeding the bundle, she questioned, "What scandal? You weren't filling her head with anything too explicit were you?"
"Of course not." He huffed.
Kira pressed her lips together, "Just what was it about?"
"My top rival." He took a sip of wine and chuckled, "The poor bastard had his step son run off with his daughter. The press is devouring it."
Shock hit Kagome with a coughing fit on air. Her blue eyes instantly grew as wide as they could possibly become. She resembled an owl as she glanced from Sesshomaru to his dad.
Sesshomaru's calm demeanor only had her heart racing faster.
"That's not such a big deal is it?" Kimi questioned as she popped the bottle from the baby's mouth and repositioned to burp.
Hope bubbled up in Kagome's gut, but it was obvious she wouldn't like his answer.
His eyes gleamed yellow, "Well it is if you are running for election. Any story will make headlines, especially if your opponents want it to, and trust me, I want it to. The press will eat him alive over this."
"You always were a bit ruthless." She took a sip of wine.
Kira laughed, "I guess some things never change, have you heard what he has done with the man that tried to blackmail him with Kagura's and Kagome's intimate photo?"
Kimi struggled to swallow. "Intimate photo?"
"Just kissing!" Kagura blurted with wide eyes. Sobering quickly, she smoothed her hair and averted her eyes from Kimi's questioning gaze. "There was nothing inappropriate to blackmail over."
"Agreed!" Daichi slapped his hand on the table, "There's nothing wrong with a little bit of an alternative lifestyle these days." He took a sip of wine and tilted it slightly toward Kagura, "I'm still hoping you two will go public while I'm on the campaign trail."
"Speaking of which," Kira cast him a stern glance with her jaw clenched, "You don't have time to try and use their relationship for more votes, we have a flight to catch in an hour."
"Oh, do you?" Kimi let a relieved grin stretched her lips, "Don't let us keep you. I hope the dinner and wine were enough appreciation for your assistance?"
"That and your vote." He chuckled at his own cleverness.
"Of course." She downed the rest of her wine in one gulp. "Have a safe flight, excuse me if I don't see you out, Souten's bedtime has arrived." As she got up, her gaze skipped to Kagura, "Care to assist, my dear?"
"I'd be happy to." She practically soared through the room, her gauzy sleeves created a wind as she left.
"Well, I'd stay to finish the meal, however another dinner will be necessary upon our arrival. Ready Kira?" Daichi got up and swung his coat over his arms.
She sighed, tapping the hat atop his head. "I suppose." Turning to Kagome, she leaned down and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "It was nice meeting your girlfriend, bring her to dinner at our house some time."
Kagome flushed, "We'll see, Mom."
The hole she'd begun digging herself was slowly getting larger day by day. It'd be hell to get out of.
Sesshomaru walked around the table as their parents made it out of sight. Pausing, his knuckles brushed the side of her face and his sad smile felt grim. "I'll see them out."
"Okay." She bit her lip.
Shippo huffed, "Grown ups are weird."
Rin nodded.
Bankotsu rolled his eyes, "Weird isn't the same as stupid."
Jakotsu leaned in closer and whispered, "why did they think Kagura is with Kagome?"
All three shrugged.
Kagome groaned into her hands, did the kids think she couldn't hear them or did they just not care?