Here's for your christmas! Have a good one guys and thanks for the support and reviews XD
Just encase anyone missed it, this is actually chapter 18. I removed a chapter that was actually just a Author's note from a while ago, so read the last chapter before this one if you haven't already.
Thanks for reading guys. Next chapter between January & February.
If Kagome were truly as stupid as she thought she actually wouldn't have survived this long. Long before she had revived with demon blood in her veins, even before she'd met inuyasha and learned of miko powers, Kagome had had acute senses, well into the early years of her childhood. There had been a time when other kids had danced around her chanting a children's rhyme, and she in the centre with her eyes covered, seeking with nothing but instinct to engage in this fun game, only to aim her finger true, blind, at her target and get it right every time.
She was simple, but Kagome was not stupid.
And so when she felt the murderous intent among the crowd of demon villagers that surrounded her, she continued her airy facade, and took the effort to find good food to dig into, the villagers hesitantly offering their services. "Really? You'd cook that for me?" She sang with wide sparkling eyes as imaginary drool ran from the side of her mouth.
"Of course lady Kagome, It would be an honour to have you taste my food."
Acting, she wasn't so good at however, and so when she felt that evil aura travel closer behind her while she conversed and praised the offering demon before her, her smile wavered for but a second. 'Could this be Naraku's doing? Or maybe another demon looking to assassinate me?'
Kagome also happened to have a knack for predicting when a demon would strike, the only reason she had been able to dive out of the way of a random demons attack through the years during Inuyasha's battles, else she would have been long dead by now.
But she was not good at all predictions.
Like the idea of a giant dog form of Sesshomaru crashing down above her, causing a bone shuddering earthquake with the force of his landing, right above her, keeping Kagome protected beneath his belly as he snapped and roared at any demon that thought to move even an inch. Imperial guards also flew in from nowhere, creating an immediate defensive ring around the mismatched couple.
Sesshomaru's monstrous jaws snatched the first one as quick as a venomous snake and all Kagome could hear was the crunching of bones and see a mini waterfall of blood slosh from his snout and splat against the ground at her feet. The blood was most definitely not coming out of this kimono.
The kill was brutal, gory and immediate. A long trail of intestines and other organs spewing on the floor as well.
Before Kagome could utter a single word, the Inuyokai's enormous tail enveloped her body, curling tight leaving only a slither of room to breathe. Sesshomaru roared, lifting back into the darkening sky and soaring up into the clouds.
"Sesshomaru," Kagome whispered softly, stroking the fluffy inner walls of her cocoon, digging her fingers deep until she touched flesh and scratched against it in a way she knew would be satisfying to him, she asked, "where are you taking me? Everything is alright."
Sesshomaru was in no mood to reply, so she received nothing. Huffing a sigh, she curled against the protective barrier and waited out the ride, dosing in and out of a light nap, wrapped up in this warmth in contrast to the raging winds she knew were on the other side, it would've been a crime not to indulge.
Then, just when Kagome was lulling to sleep for real, without warning Sesshomaru transformed, his tail returning to its mokomoko form and dropped Kagome.
She plummeted down, through the skies, body swayed this way and that by chaotic gusts of wind. She was falling. Before she would have screamed, or at least shreaked, but "Kami!" it felt good, she was almost flying, in front of a setting sun, orange swimming her vision and knowledge, she would be caught. She would not hit those jagged mountains that promised gruesome death, she felt like an angel; and just as she expected, arms lined against hers mimicking their position and a hard torso settled like a weight against her back, he knew she was enjoying it and chose to let her enjoy it for a moment longer, an apology for his temper earlier. Kagome knew him well by now, or at least she liked to think so, and well, he had yet to deny it.
Before the mountains could rush them, Sesshomaru pushed up, and they shot back in the clouds before landing on one that they did not fall through.
Kagome gasped, how were they standing on clouds? What was this?
Bang. Bang. Bang. Metal sounded against metal, ringing in an echo with every sharp hit.
Clouds… They felt like nothing beneath her bare feet.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
This scent, iron and fire, she remembered this scent.
Sesshomaru released Kagome as soon as she was stable, stepping away and began his walk forward, naturally she was to follow, and she did, a few steps behind, in awe of the clouds beneath her feet and the smell of metal ablaze in fire.
"You are late my boy!" An elderly voice called out from the dense fog, in the same direction as that rhythmic baging. "I do not have eons to spare."
"You are a feeble old man if you cannot count time." Retorted Sesshomaru, never breaking stride.
Kagome froze, wait, she...she recognised that swishy voice. The deeper into the fog they strode the clearer everything became, until there, amidst all the flames and sparks as he welded and shaped the metal of a new blade, Totosai stood with his back to them, orange sparks shooting out illuminating his figure for short seconds.
"T-Totosai?!" Kagome cried in surprise.
At that, the demon stopped his work, and turned around. "Ah Kagome, such a revelation, I did not believe Hama when she told me he was keeping a human. Least of all you my dear. What a pleasant surprise."
"To the point." Sesshomaru interrupted.
"My, so impatient ever since you were a pup, one of the many traits you picked up from your father no less, always in a rush." The ancient demon babbled.
"To the point!" A growl.
"Hmmm," The old demon hummed, "They are ready, absolute density of you're essence. Try it."
At that slowly Sesshomaru gestured his hand, holding one up slightly. Out of nowhere, 4 thin silver bans levitate towards him. And Kagome watches in awe, as make another slow smooth gesture and the bands levitate towards her, softly, slowly, so pretty she is in awe.
Suddenly, he clenches his hand and fast as lightning, all four come at her like an attack. Wrapping around the upper parts of her four limbs and tightening till they draw blood. Kagome cried out in surprise, "Wha-?" When blood is drawn a slight burn replaces the sting and a hiss escapes her lips. The metal fuses with her flesh and bonds until absolute perfection, and they look like nothing more that dainty pieces of jewelry. It doesn't look sore or anything but the burns are still there, beneath her skin. "What is this? What are you doing?"
Totosai came close, like he was prepared for this and brushed healing sake over her wounds, before turning away. Sesshomaru, lowered his hand, still offering no explanation, then as she settled, familiarising herself with the new discomfort, his low growl caught her attention.
A clench of his fist and - whoosh - Her body of its own accord came flying towards him, he limbs stiff straight and locked in place, before jerking to a halt in front of her conniving husband.
"Yes," Totosai confirmed as Sesshomaru inspected his mate's levitating body, still stuck in the desired position, "No verbal command required. Also, the bindings are engraved with blessings, they are indestructible, the metal is of a living organism, over time it will learn other commands and will even be able to sync with her body's levels. It will also adapt to simply respond from your intent" Kagome gaped, mind slowly putting the old demon's words into context.
"How long have you been planning this? From the beginning?!"
Sesshomaru finally looked up at his outraged mate, humor glinting in his golden eyes. "I warned you did I not, beloved? Were you to disobey me again…"
Oh yeah, they had had that conversation and sure she agreed, but oh come on, his people needed help and she was just-
"As I have come to realise, it is in your nature to defy any orders, including mine, and I will not convict you of that." He said, voice softening to a tone she had never heard from him, only at times he spoke to Rin. "But you are mine Kagome," And with gentle hands he plucked her from the air, pulling her blushing form flush against his and leant low to her ear, because…what he was about to say, no one else should ever hear, "For you are my heart. And the day I lose that, I will slaughter everything in sight and carve this world with a terror it will never forget."
Kagome, would forgive this. Her mind flashed back to Hama's words in the cave. Of course, Sesshomaru knew, he knew what was happening and it appeared he in fact knew a lot more than her.
But why tell her now?
Why not before?
What had changed now?
Finally, she felt the command release, and raised her hand, aching to touch him. To her surprise, her own hand came to rest on his chest, protected by the cold metal of his armour, and wasn't that one hell of a metaphor.
Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, but for both their sakes, this time, she willed for them not to fall. Never in this universe did Kagome ever think that a cold hearted demon like Sesshomaru was capable of love. No matter how kind he seemed, she never thought he could give his…
"Sesshomaru," Kagome whispered.
"You have bound me, so it is only fair I bind you." He pulled away, "It will also benefit us during battle, as you will no doubt disobey me then. If your life is threatened I will summon you to my side. Also…" Sesshomaru looked to Totosai again, and raised came two other metal bands, however they were the colour of rusted red. The Lord of the West made a ceiling motion with his finger and one of the bands whipped forward again, this time zipping past Kagome, and around one of the silversmith's barrels, only to hear a shocked Yip. "One for you too kit. I have lost my patience with you. That is enough hiding, come out."
Kagome peered closer, looking between the barrel and Sesshomaru in confusion. They weren't the only two here?
After a long few moments a short fluffy tail finally popped out, twitching nervously. Wait a minute, she knew this tail!
"S-Shippo! What are you doing here?"
She looked back to Sesshomaru for an explanation however he remained mute, simply eyeing down the kid with unnerving calm.
"Mama, I was just- Sesshomaru he- I'm sorry." Shippo, learning of Kagome's wrath from early chose not to anger her, If he apologised she would forgive him at least and I Sesshomaru didn't tell, he didn't have to tell her everything at least.
Kagome sighed. She had never been one to discipline shippo for anything other than his manners, after all she was just as brash. Whatever, as long as he was not gravely hurt and he remained the sweet fox she knew him to be she could not mind. Remembering the second banned she eyed it, "Wait, don't tell me you're going to put one on Rin as well!"
Sesshomaru simply raised a brow.
Of course he was.
"By the way my dear Kagome, your request is also ready." Totosai interrupted.
"What? I didn't make-"
"Sesshomaru did, on your behalf. Here" He presented a bladed archer bow, twice the average size. "It is made from the strength of Lord Sesshomaru's own teeth, you remember how I fixed the Tessaiga don't you?"
It was a beautiful. Looked like a mythical weapon from another world. Engraved in its centered base where the two perfectly arched blades met to form a handle was a floral design, smooth and polished. Her hands reached out of their own accord, her too busy gaping and oh it was smooth to the touch, cool metal in her hands; and as Totosai fully released it to her, Immediately Kagome moved, testing the new weapon. It was weighted in her hands and longer than she was used to but the blades cut like butter and withstood the directional flow of her Ki without issue, unlike the wooden bows she had been using for practice, this one felt unyielding under the pressure of her power.
"Naraku is still alive, I have humiliated him enough to attack. It will be soon if I haven't overestimated him." Sesshomaru said.
Kagome looked up. "You saw him today?"
"Hn."
"And He's going to attack us? Where?"
"West. It also appears Inuyasha and your friends will attempt to enter my gates as they are attempting to follow the kit. Be prepared for anything."
"You do not trust them." Kagome stated.
"If I were to believe everyone I wouldn't be what I am." And that was true. He wouldn't be so strong. What very few knew was that Sesshomaru was not simply Lord of the West because it was his birthright, he was driven to achieve it because it was his birthright. He had to train whilst young, all day every day from the moment he could walk, endure battle alongside every other low level soldier and climb the ranks of his father's army. What made him king was his strength gained through hard work of a prodigy and utmost distrust of any of his subjects.
"Do you trust me?"
Now that was a question in itself, it was one thing to care and another to trust.
"Things like trust and faith does not matter to me. You do as you wish just as I, that is all"
Well, that was enough at least. Kagome smiled, "Let's go home." Shippo, caught her eye as they turned to leave, "You and I are going to have a little talk when we get back. Wait, why are you so wet?"
"Dad ate me."
"What!"