Chapter 21: Tea Time

Steam rolled out from the shower slowly revealing Sesshomaru's sculpted, damp, body as he toweled his hair. He could feel Kagome's eyes on him, watching from her place on his bed as he moved. Any other time he'd have teased her a bit. A flex here, maybe touch himself just enough to make her squirm.

There would be more opportunities in the future.

Her usually expressive face looked unfamiliar with a dejected pout. Shoulders slumped. Unruly black hair hung over her shoulders, obscuring her soft breasts. Melancholy permeated the air around her. Petite. Fragile. Completely naked in his bed, and he only ached to hold her against him.

"Come here." He gathered her up. Cradling her close to his center.

Kagome curled against the warm comforting line of his body. Face buried against his skin. His steady heart beat soothed. Large hands secured her to his lean muscular chest as she bit her lip to fend off the tears lining her eyes.

Their relationship would have repercussions. She had known it from the beginning.

It felt more real now.

Raw. Unavoidable.

Impending doom.

Fingers ran through her hair, lifting it up off her back and letting it slowly cascade to her skin. "Everything is fine. Nothing has changed."

"I know." She whispered, "but, we can't tell them until the election is over."

In a slow caress, his nails ran down the length of her spine. "As soon as the results come in."

Propping herself up on her elbows, she stared into determined amber eyes, "I'm serious."

His gaze turned molten. Possessive. Fingers slipped over the side of her face, catching her chin, "So am I." The heat of his sudden kiss felt like drowning.

Damning.

It made her chest throb with too many emotions.

"Sesshomaru..." She had to say it. Had to tell him. She regretted the decision. "I'm sorry for insisting we hide us." His thumbs wiped away her tears as his warm firm kisses brought more to her eyes. Heart aching, she hugged him tighter. Her arms curled around his back and over his shoulders, nails biting into smooth muscle.

Wet, her cheek slid over his collar bone.

Hot breath felt like flames licking her ear, "I agreed to it." His hands worked up her skin. Distracting. "As lacking in patience as I feel, it's important to remember that this is a long game."

He slipped out from under her side and pushed her over on the mattress. Long black hair fanned out over the sheet.

Ba dum! Her heartbeat hit hard. Watery blue eyes blinked up at him, "Sesshomaru ?"

The weight of him felt like a blanket, comforting, reminding her that he mattered more than everything. They could be one. Such a promise. The long game. The idea of it had her breathless. He kissed her chest right above where her heart struggled to keep up with the intensity of its own beating.

He dipped his head to her ribs and flicked out his tongue.

A sharp inhale had him smirking.

"You are mine." He drew his nose over her skin. "Don't think I'll let you go whether they find out or not." Lips teased. Fingers stroked down her arms and intertwined with her own, pulling them up on either side of her head as he looked into cerulean irises. Pupils dilated, her eyes no longer held a glossy sheen of tears.

"How do I remind you that none of that bullshit matters?" Sweet nothings breathed over her lips and neck through thoughtful kisses. He painted her skin with affection.

Her breasts met his chest with every anticipating breath.

One leg captured his side. Her heel pressed into his firm ass.

Every touch stole anxiety.

Firm plucks of his lips. Hot saliva turned cold and hot again with a second taste.

Her fingers tangled in his hair at the base of his skull. "God..." Nails scratched. "I love what you do to me." She groaned into the top of his head, hot panted moans sunk into his scalp.

Teeth scraped along her breast, and his tongue rolled against her hard nipple. Firm slick heat.

Her back arched and she held his head tighter against her chest. Her toes slid down the back of his thigh.

"Do you?" He purred as his teeth grazed her flesh.

She trembled, "Y-yes..."

Fine haired legs moved against her own, teasing, warming.

Long fingers slipped between her vulva and the world fell away to the feel of his hand between her legs and the melding heat of their bodies.

He pumped into her vagina with a steady beat. Her spine lifted up off the mattress to the pulse. His thumb teased her clit with firm pressure. Simple strokes. "Mmm."

He nipped her skin before leaving a kiss. "Shall I devour you, my sweet little sister?" His fingers worked themselves deeper hitting the most tantalizing spot.

Her neck fell back, "Yes!" Her nails scratched his shoulders.

Silver hair slipped over her sensitive skin, firing nerves as he moved lower and lower. Little bites and wet kisses kept her squirming as he slowly made his way to eating her pussy.

He opened her up with a flex of his fingers. "Watch me." He purred.

Following his request, she propped herself up on her elbows and groaned as he licked along her labia. Hot. Wet. Perfect pressure.

His tongue lavished her pussy with attention as her slick vaginal walls sucked his fingers in while he pulled them out. Stroking her throbbing nerves over and over.

Captive to his amber stare, she dared not let her head fall back with the intensity of her breathy moans. Hips shifted up, meeting his mouth as he brought her close to rapture. Playing a game of soft and slow mixed with firm pressure, she stood no chance to hold back the climax he built within her.

Her face tensed. Parted lips grew wider. Blue eyes glazed. Soft mewls came with each sensual shudder.

He teased her through it, just to watch the pained look on her face longer. She writhed. Eyes watered. "S-sess! I -ah!"

Letting her push him away, he licked her arousal from his fingers, eyes heady and hungry. "You make the sexiest faces when I eat you."

She shut her eyes, flushing red. "That's so embarrassing."

As he moved up the bed, he caught her face with both hands. "I love them," One quick kiss followed.

Lashes fluttered open, to see a smile she'd never seen on his face before. It only served to make him look more ethereal above her.

"I love you." The words fell from his lips and a faint blush stained his pale face.

A well of affection poured through his kiss. Her arms trapped him close as the fire burned. An entirely new set of tears began falling from her eyes as they kissed through the glow of her orgasm and the confession that had left his mouth.

She didn't get the chance to let her own feelings come out in words. His large hands caught her plush ass and his cock thrusted deep inside her slick contracting pussy.

Deep and slow, with a never ending kiss. Eyes closed. Sensual touch and passion fueled fire.

By the time sunlight poured in through the bedroom window, they'd fallen asleep covered in a sheen of sweat. Sheets tangled between them. Her fingers were in his hair. Nuzzled against her breasts, he woke her by playing with a pert nipple.

"I'm so sore," She groaned as his morning wood caressed her flesh, yet it was she that rolled on top of him.

"Not enough." He grunted against her pulse as she stroked the head of his cock against her vulva, playing with her slippery cunt until she dared to plunge him fully inside her pussy.

"Not yet, anyway." She bit her lip and grinned as his amber irises ignited gold.

Nails dug into her hips as he took control of every motion. His mouth captured her shoulder.

Giggling through his necking, Kagome fell against his chest with her limbs wrapped around his sweat slickened body, holding on tight. Giddy desire had her intoxicated.

He rolled them over. A tangle of limbs. The cool sheet met her spine as his warm hands moved over her back.

Not a breath separated their skin. His hair made a wispy blanket to the world, shimmery in the rays of sunlight that had just begun to brighten the room.

Dragging his nose across her collar bone, he breathed in deeply, as if he were breathing in her very being. His exhale came like a hot wind, curling against her sensitive flesh as he moaned one praise after another.

Fresh scratches etched his thickly muscled back. Nails dug in as his thrusting grew rougher. Her sharp moans beckoned for his cock to fuck her deeper, harder, more. More. More. She cried out against his shoulder. "Yeeess! Sess!"

Her pussy throbbed, overfilled and dripping as it tried to suck in more of his hot rich semen.

She hissed as everything became overly sensitive. Her teeth scraped his skin as she tried to keep quiet, before fruitlessly giving up.

"Soo good!" She gasped through a thrum of sensation.

"Everytime." He purred and licked her parted upper lip with a smirk.

"Yes." Her breaths were still unsteady as she stared up at him. Fingers stroked his morning stubbled cheek.

As he looked down into her pensive gaze, she held the side of his face, and whispered, "I love you too." Her lips molded against his own with a slow heat, "You didn't give me a chance to tell you last night."

The same smile returned, igniting his eyes the golden shade that made her heart race. "I know." His romantic grin quickly shifted into a smirk.

Kagome pinked. "I'm not that easy to read."

"Are you sure?" He kissed her nose, "Your face gave away every lie yesterday."

"It did not." She huffed while blushing furiously.

"It did." He chuckled, "Our parents are idiots for not seeing through that mockery of a charade."

Her face sobered, "Bank said something similar."

His brow cocked, "hn," lips teasing her own as he spoke just a hair from them, "Bank is more astute than I realized."

"Now that we have each other for a few hours, what will we do?"

His nose teased the edge of her jaw. Lips skimmed her neck. He kissed her pulse, "How about a date?"

"A date?" The grin on her face grew larger, "I could go for a date."

"Hn. Good." His mouth had found a new nerve to tease.

She groaned. "We will never get out of here if you keep that up."

"Perhaps we should stay in?" Brows waggled.

The sudden stampede of tiny feet through the hallway had them both grinning mischievously.

She pulled his hand and kissed their intertwined fingers, "We'd better get ready before babysitting starts early."

"If you insist." He mimicked her actions, warm lips caressing her knuckles. "I'll be right back, there are no clean towels in my bathroom." The bed shifted as he stood up.

"You're not usually unprepared." She raked her fingers over the sheet and bunched it up to her chest, trying to hold on to the warmth that they created.

Silky black pants hung low on his hips. "Even I have some flaws, you should learn them well. You will be dealing with them for the rest of your life."

"Sure." With a wave of her hand, she tried to pass off the thoughts of forever but her heart didn't follow suit. It beat like a hummingbird in her chest.

"Hn." Strong fingers took her chin and he leaned down to steal a kiss, "I'll never let you go." She flushed a deep shade of red, letting her eyes close as his lips strummed heartstrings.

"Mmm," she hummed, "Get the towels."

An hour later and they'd arrived at their destination.

Kagome tried not to sound disappointed, "This is where you wanted to take me for our date?" The familiar building glared down at her.

She'd said the same thing before.

Sesshomaru smirked, "Must you ask the same question every time we come?"

"Well," She crossed her arms and tilted her chin. Standing before The Feudal Fairy Tale, where they had gone for their first real date, she felt slightly confused. "I mean...I'm sore, but Sango did make the brothel area sound kind of fun." She flashed him bright blue eyes and a cocked brow, "So, if you really want to, I'm down."

Sesshomaru's mouth had run dry, nearly ready to give in to the whim despite the night's, and morning's, activities. "Not today." He shook his head. He had other plans.

She watched as he popped the trunk and took out a long flat rod covered in silk. It looked dangerous, "Wait," her feet instinctively took a step back, "You already have swords that go with your costume."

Thick forearm muscles flexed as he turned it in his hands. He sounded even cockier than usual, "It's a real sword."

Her brows went up higher. "What are you doing with a real sword at a make believe sex restraunt?"

Amber eyes flashed gold in the sunlight, "The Feudal Fairy Tale is much more than a make believe sex restraunt." One canine gleamed in his deadly grin.

He had her heart pounding in anticipation as they walked across the street. "Just what else is this place?"

"Wait and see." His fingers slipped down her spine, and he held the door open. "I want to show you another thing that I'm the best at."

Kagome learned just what he meant in the basement.

After signing a ton of medical disclaimers, he sent her into the stands above.

Loud. Crowded. She shoved past a plethora of youkai and edo period cosplayers. Her favorite school girl costume stuck out like a sore thumb, but she didn't let the stares and comments distract her as she found the rail of the balcony.

A bellowing announcement shook the stadium, "Let the competition begin!"

Suddenly the empty arena began to fill. Contestants flooded through two openings. All dressed as warriors. All with a variety of weapons. All as real and deadly as Sesshomaru's sword.

"Sesshomaru!" She spotted him quickly. His gorgeous hair was pulled back into a severe ponytail. The stripes on his face were painted jagged, and as he looked up at her for only a second, she saw his amber eyes were hidden behind red contacts.

Swallowing a sudden unease, her knuckles went white over the cool metal rail.

Little fights broke out all over the pit. Two large men, covered in thick grey fur, charged him. Sharp taloned gloves swiped his way. They glistened bronze beneath the overhead lights.

Heart pounding, stomach twisting into knots, Kagome shouted, "Careful!"

Sesshomaru somersaulted through the air. Her eyes grew wide. Landing on his feet behind the men, he whacked them both on the ass with the broad length of his sword.

One lost a little yellow tag that had been tied at his hip. It fell to the ground with a little cloud of dust. The youkai gnashed his teeth, and just when she thought he'd turn on Sesshomaru again, he stalked off the arena floor and back through the exit.

Her brows furrowed.

Quickly, the other man lost his yellow tag as well, and he too left.

Realizing her youkai had just eliminated two opponents in a competition, Kagome bounced on the balls of her feet, and shouted, "Yes! Way to go, Sesshomaru!"

Excitement mingled with worry. Her heart pounded in her chest. She chewed the inside of her cheek. Blue eyes focused in on the man before her.

With graceful skill, he managed to keep from wounding anyone as he easily sliced off tag after tag. As he flung himself over giant men and landed like a cat, she had to hold her hands against her rapidly beating heart. She had no idea he knew martial arts.

A rollercoaster of emotion flooded her, adrenaline rushing from both fear and exhilaration.

Throat raw from cheering. Sweat beaded down her neck with the heat of the crowd at her back.

Kagome watched the finale with bated breath.

Her demon Lord and a spunky youkai with a big mouth. His black hair swished behind him as he strutted.

They circled one another like lions in a nature documentary. The air in the stadium changed.

Anxiety doubled.

Suddenly the announcer started speaking again. "First blood!" The only phrase Kagome could make out over the roar of the crowd around her.

Her heart gave a lurch. A burning sensation bubbled up inside her chest.

Wild blue eyes glanced at the faces beside her. Were they all okay with this?

Excited. Cheering faces.

Pumped fists.

Swallowing down unease, she looked back down at the pair below.

At Sesshomaru.

His movements were concise. Practiced. Perfect.

God he was beautiful. Every movement he made looked like he'd been born for a fight. Graceful and deadly.

She shoved her worry down into her already clenching stomach. It didn't stop the wringing of her hands.

Blades met.

The sound of metal hitting metal could barely be heard over the crowd.

They fought quickly. Her eyes had trouble keeping up with the blurs below. Anxiety had her waiting for a spray of red. But none came.

The match looked even.

Each relied on both their weapons and their fists. It seemed faces were avoided, she was sure Sesshomaru's shoulders would be aching later.

Adrenaline had her ears pounding.

Sesshomaru took a kick to his torso.

"Sesshomaru!" Her hands covered her face. Fingers spread. She peeked between them.

His black boots cut into the dirt as his body slid backward, yet he held his ground.

Yellow twirled from out of nowhere. The ribbon caught his opponent's foot. In seconds it'd been tied to the other man's hand.

Sesshomaru spun.

The guy fell.

Either the crowd went silent or her hearing had gotten better.

She could make out growls.

Curses.

The tear of fabric.

Sesshomaru cut through his opponent's shirt. Kagome gasped, almost afraid to keep watching. Afraid of what she'd witness.

Heaving breaths. The guy knew he'd lost. The tip of Sesshomaru's sword dragged over his skin. A shallow cut.

Blood blossomed.

The announcer started talking again and suddenly she found herself completely unable to hear anything but her own blood pumping.

Jostled by the fans, she found herself knocked away from the balcony's view. Sucked into the throng of cheering bodies.

Everyone gasped at once.

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

The cries had her turning back.

"Move it!" She growled, using her shoulder, but it didn't help.

Another gasp, followed by a chorused cheer.

Every effort to shove back through to the railing had her pushed deeper into the mass.

"Sesshomaru..." Body heat had the stands stifling. Sweat dripped down the sides of her face. It blossomed beneath her eyes and above her upper lip.

With a huff, she pressed her lips together and focused on a way out. Her short stature had her drowning.

Turning in circles, she tried to remember the signs from above. None looked familiar.

Finally an exit lit up orange and white. An iota of relief had her lungs relaxing.

She squeezed through to the stairwell. Muttering, "excuse me," along the way, she used the rail to pull herself through the crowded space.

By feel and sheer luck, she made it to the arena doors. And clenched her jaw.

Dressed as what looked to be a rikishi with his face and body painted red, a bouncer stood in front of the massive wooden doors.

As Kagome opened her mouth to ask to go through, giggling erupted behind her. Sheer dread.

Girls and guys formed a rabid circle. They sauntered up to the bouncer and begged for entry.

Obviously he wasn't going to let them in. And they were in her way.

Why had Sesshomaru told her to meet him there?

Stomping up to the group, she shouted, "I need in here, now!"

"Who do you think you-" A tall guy with Elfin ears and a cute yellow kimono turned to meet a firey blue glare. Surprised by the sheer anger on her face, his voice grew quiet, "are?"

Just as the bouncer opened his mouth there was a light rap on the door. The handle turned. The door opened a sliver.

"You." The rishiki boomed, "Time traveling Miko," his sausage fingers waggled her way, "Come here."

Groans. Utterances of jealousy. Kagome left it all behind her as she slipped through the crack of the door.

The arena seemed smaller than it looked from above. Suffocating almost.

"Sesshomaru!" He captured her mid jump.

Warmth met her back and shoulders. He held her tight against pointy armor.

The continued cheers reached her ears past the beating of her own heart, and she pulled back. Eyes narrowed. Lips thinned.

She hit him in the shoulder. "How could you risk yourself like that?! First blood? Seriously?!"

Sesshomaru blinked as her legs slipped down from his waist. "You're mad."

"You thought I wouldn't be?" She closed her eyes. If she kept looking at him, tears would start pouring down her face. With a shake of her head, she slowed her breathing. "It's fine. You like it. It's fine. It was surprising, and you didn't warn me." Once she opened her eyes, the forced calm faded instantly, "Oh my God, you're bleeding!"

Blood dripped down his left arm.

"It's a scratch."

"I don't care," Kagome grabbed his forearm and examined the long but shallow cut. Angry, concerned, she swallowed down a lump of emotion. "This could have been so much worse."

"Kagome." Long fingers ran into her hair as his palm captured the side of her face, "It's nothing."

"It's not." Pulling away, she set her sights on the medic helping his opponent. The guy had a broken nose to go with the scratch she'd witnessed. The first aid kit sat at their feet. "Can I use this?"

His attention remained on the task of setting a nose, but he answered with a smile, "Sure, the band aids and alcohol wipes are in the center pocket."

"Thanks, but you should have treated Sesshomaru already. Clearly this asshole broke the rules, shouldn't he have to wait?" Anger burned her face red. As she looked back at Sesshomaru, the blood dripping on the floor had her biting her lip.

Last she'd seen of the fight, he'd been spotless and lethal. Incredibly attractive.

Not waiting for the slack jawed medic to gather his thoughts, she took the entire first aid kit and went back to her risk taking boyfriend. Sneakers clapped against the floor.

She grabbed Sesshomaru's hand and pulled, "Let's go somewhere private."

"I won a soak, Miko." He gently steered her in a different direction.

Her lips thinned, "Don't call me Miko, I have a name."

Sesshomaru's stoic face put on a smirk, the effect eerie combined with his current make up. They stepped into a deep hall. "Perhaps my memory is not so good, care to remind this one?"

Her head snapped to the left, brows pinched, "Don't you think dropping character would be a good idea considering the fact that you're bleeding?"

"No." He pushed her against a door. Sniffing lightly, his nose travelled the length of her neck, from clavicle to ear, as her breath shuddered. "Tell me your name, Miko."

Shoving him back, Kagome shouted, "Ka! Go! Me!" With a flick to his chest, blue eyes narrowed, "I really wish I was Miko so I could zap you right now. You're being so frustrating."

He caught her wrist, and tugged her close while closing the distance. "We'd both like it." The cool wood met her back.

As she glared up at him, he reached around and opened the door before pulling her inside.

She spotted the giant wooden basin. Steam rose up from the water with hints of ginger and eucalyptus.

Instinctively, her eyes closed as he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "You may patch my scratch in a moment." Warm hands slid down her arms. She watched as he slipped into the presumed side bathroom.

Stretching, she rolled her shoulders. Uncomfortably sweaty. The fancy soap sitting by the basin almost looked more inviting than the bath inself.

Sesshomaru opened the door to her stripping. "I didn't realize putting a bandaid on my arm requires you to be naked."

He was one to talk, strutting into the room in his birthday suit. He had removed the red contacts, and the magenta stripes on his face were back to sharp slashes.

Her brows shot up, "Oh, you weren't planning on sharing your bath with me?"

Large hands caught her waist, fingers gliding over her sensitive skin. He leaned in, hot breath tickling her ear and neck, "Does this mean you are no longer vexed at this one?"

"Ha." Kagome rolled her eyes, and grabbed his arm, "Nice try." The tips of her fingers ran up his stomach. Nails scratching just enough to make his muscles twitch. Her gaze met his. With a gentle push, she forced him to step back against the wooden basin. "Sit."

"Do not presume to give orders to The Lor-" The glare she settled him with changed his tune, "Hn." He sat on the edge of the basin and let her take the lead.

Stepping between his knees, the heat of his thighs coiled around her waist and legs. Even sitting, he had to dip his head to whisper in her ear. "Are you going to heal me, Miko?"

Instantly her face flushed red. "Stop it. I'm trying to focus." She traced the dried blood that ran down his arm. Little washcloths sat on a small table beside the tub. She took one and dipped it into the hot water.

His nose traced her ear.

She bit her lip.

Lips teased her pulse.

His nuzzling had her fighting a smile. "Sess let me take care of this, I'm almost done."

"It's not bleeding any longer." He grew bolder, tongue rolling against her skin with firm pressure. Hot wet heat. Hands held her close.

A groan escaped her lips as his cock grew larger against the inside of her thigh. She turned her head to yell at him, but he knew her too well. He caught her open mouth with a kiss.

Easily her frustration melted away. The red tinged washcloth fell into the water and her fingers ran up his arms and neck.

She unknotted his bun, and pulled herself closer.

Silver hair fell around them in a glistening curtain.

"Should we bathe before the water cools?" He whispered while looking into her deep blue gaze.

She couldn't help but smile back at him, heart fluttering in her chest. "Probably. Though..." Looking down at the forgotten first aid kit and his arm, she licked her bottom lip, "I should at least sanitize your wound."

"It's a scratch." He sighed. His hands felt cold as she pulled out of his grasp to grab the first aid kit.

She held it up like it was the real prize, "You know I told that medic what for. He should have cleaned your cut first instead of helping that cheater."

He shook his head, warming his palms with her smooth skin as soon as she came close enough. "You've done well, my Miko."

Giggling as she applied the bandaids, she glanced up. His amber eyes glistened as she leaned in close. Their foreheads touched, "I can admit, the fighting stuff was pretty sexy, even though the entire time my heart was pounding out of my chest.

"Hn." Warm hands moved up her arms, over her shoulders, capturing the sides of her face. He kissed her. "Trust in my abilities." Firm lips molded against soft. She breathed into him, her tongue sliding over his bottom lip and into his mouth. Triggering the instinct to draw her closer. He ached to drown in the taste of her.

She pulled back, kissing him softly between her words, "Until today... I didn't even know... you could... fight like that."

"Now you do."

"Now I do." She giggled against his lips. "I'll never doubt you again."

Fingers worked their way over her shoulders and down her spine. Her breaths picked up pace as he massaged. Eyes closed. Every sense focused on his touch.

She wasn't sure when he'd picked her up. Gravity shifted. Water came up to her neck. Strong arms kept her in place. She could feel his heartbeat through his chest and into her own. Hair drifted all around them. Fingers ran through it, tangling as she squished her breasts against his chest and tilted her head for a new angle.

When they finally came apart, her lips felt full and heavy.

"Sesshomaru..." The passion gazing back at her made her nervous and excited at the same time. Every look. Every touch. He sparked a rawness in her chest that she couldn't explain. Her love felt like an amaranth. Never fading. She traced his stripes, staring back into the gaze that made her insides quiver. "I want to tell everyone."

His brows rose. Her wet fingers pressed against his lips.

"Don't say it. I know it's sudden, and we only just talked about telling them, and then we decided to wait, but if we talk to them before your dad does anything crazy, then it will be fine." Her eyes ignited with her smile. She held his face and kissed him hard, "Let's tell them!"

"Are you certain?" He asked against her mouth, drawing his hands up over her back and back down to hold her ass.

"I am." She grinned against his smirk. "Soon, so I don't chicken out."

"We can go tomorrow." He grabbed a small bottle off the table, "I deserve a massage for waiting so patiently."

"Are you sore?"

He scoffed.

With a wink she took the bottle and opened the top, "Smells nice. You may not want peppermint on your cock though."

Sesshomaru's smirk grew wider, "We can try that next time."

The energizing scent filled the small room as she poured it into her hands and slid the oil over his arm and shoulder.

As she kneaded his tight muscles, she couldn't imagine being with anyone else.

"Why are you smiling so much?" He turned so she could get his back.

"No reason, I'm just glad I get to do this for you." She took her time on the knots that had formed.

His other arm came last. Her hands pulled the oil down over his taut skin. The cut already looked better.

"Oh no, your bandaids have come off." Soothing around, she sighed, "I don't see them in the water."

"There's a filter, don't worry about it. T glue probably doesn't hold up well with the heat." His thumb ran over her fingers on his arm. "Look, it's fine."

The cut had healed enough that it no longer bled. She still didn't like the look of it. "Is this the first time?"

"That I've been scratched?" He chuckled and she pinched him.


"Holy shit! You totally destroyed that guy!"

"Language." Sesshomaru reprimanded Bankotsu without raising his voice. He had the baby strapped to his chest in a pink striped wrap. Mai had her fingers wrapped up in a tendril of silver hair that had fallen from his messy bun. Even covered in splotches of spit up remnants, he still made her feel a little light headed.

He stroked the sleeping infant's head and patted her little back as he walked around the living room. Content mewls escaped her.

Kagome tried to resist a grin, and failed.

Bank muttered an apology, his thumbs going a mile a minute as he played the game. His brother had fallen asleep, but he wouldn't quit until he beat Kagome's high score. Unfortunately she kept getting a better score every round.

The screen flashed and asked if they wanted to go again.

"Please, Kagome?" He flashed her a charming grin.

Shaking her head, she petted the three heads on her lap. Rin and Souten were snuggled together using her left thigh as a pillow, while Shippo had taken the right. "It's pretty late Bankotsu. Everyone else is asleep."

"Aww, please? Just one more?"

Sesshomaru adjusted Mai's blanket. "This was your 'one more', do not take advantage of her kindness."

He pouted, "Yes, Sesshomaru," as he stalked out of the room with slumped shoulders.

"Here."

Kagome stared at the sudden offering of Mai. Sesshomaru's sleeve brushed her cheek as he handed the baby over. His warmth enveloped them both. Looking into his deep amber eyes, the weight of the baby in her arms, her heart pounded and her stomach flopped over unexpectedly.

He left her speechless.

His body heat lingered as he walked away and up the stairs.

Kagome petted little Mai's cheek. The baby looked nothing like them, but it still had her thinking thoughts she had no business thinking.

Reprimanded by the shrill sound of the phone, her inappropriate thoughts fell away as quickly as they had popped into her head.

Immediately, she covered the baby's ears and rushed to the phone. The caller ID had her worried, "Kagura? I thought you were going to be out all night?"

Rock music played in the background, and someone was yelling about a pool bet. Kagome held the phone away from her ear and double checked the ID.

"We are!" Kagura shouted into the phone, her worried voice set Kagome on edge, "but I thought I better tell you to check the news!"

Kagome held the phone back up to her ear. "The news? Did something happen?"

"That future Father in law of yours is a troublemaker." She hissed, and a rustling could be heard, "Give me a minute, let me tell them."

Sesshomaru's Mother's voice appeared, "You are big kids, and can get yourselves out of your own mess." More rustling and her voice muffled, "Kagura, quit worrying, you are worse than I am."

"Ugh, she's right. Look what you two are turning me in to."

Kagura sighed, as InuKimi popped back in, "If the children are not already in bed, get them there. Ta!"

Hands slapped away and Kagura's shout sounded faraway, "turn on Channel 5!"

The dial tone blared.

Mai mewled in Kagome's arms as she sat back down.

She turned on channel 5 and instantly felt nauseous. The headline trailed the bottom of the screen in bright red. "Councillor Taisho condems rival over step-sibling's elopement." Suddenly Daichi-san's face popped up on the screen just as Sesshomaru walked into the room.