Inuyasha left to see Kikyo before Kagome made off for the woods. Learning this, Sesshoumaru insisted on escorting her the full distance to her hut, as there would be no risk in waking up her tree-dwelling hanyou protector upon their return.
As he streaked passed their window, the daiyoukai could discern that the human couple next door was awake, but was confident they could operate under the monk's detection so long as they were quiet.
Once upon her doorstep, he stopped to gently deposit his precious cargo. He ached to follow her inside, but knew his brother would return soon.
Kagome's feet touched the ground, but she wasn't ready to unwrap her arms from his neck. Pleased to prolong this encounter, the demon lord placed his hands on her hips, and returned her sated smile while he pulled them against his.
Another successful rendezvous. They were getting quite good at this. No words were needed for a moment, as they relayed their thoughts and feelings through the satisfied gaze they shared.
"Thanks for walking me to my door," she said through a grin. It was almost like a real date. It was almost like she was normal.
"But we flew."
Who was she kidding? There was nothing normal about her; about them. She would have it no different.
His smile - once such a rare, impossible thing - was now large, immovable, and fixed right on her. She was happy he wore it more; it really was beautiful. Especially now, so close, and drifting toward her slowly as if on its own accord.
"Then, thanks for the ride."
He craned low to meet her, but her impatience forced her up on tippy-toes to meld her lips to his.
It was never enough. So they just kept kissing; kept holding on.
He let himself get lost in her again.
Having his lips glide softly against hers, Sesshoumaru allowed all of his senses to become consumed by the time-traveling priestess clinging desperately in his hold. Not a single one was deprived of her seduction; her supremacy over his form. It was dangerous. She was dangerous. But he refused to take any measures to protect himself from the threat. He'd long since surrendered.
The hands crossed behind his neck slid down his chest, then up to his cheeks to pull him closer still.
When the kissing got more heated, he reluctantly pulled away.
Their time had come to an end. For tonight, at least.
The couple pulled back slightly, licking their lips and savoring the taste that would sustain them until tomorrow.
"I will see you the morning," he promised her, his mouth still teasingly close to hers. "Kagome-sama."
She shivered at the reminder, eliciting a smirk from the Western Lord as she wrapped her arms around his neck again and hugged him close.
His own strong arms wrapped around her waist, and he let the feeling of long lashes fluttering shut against his neck comfort him; prepare him for his night alone.
"I'm going to miss you so much," she whimpered, and he turned his head to smile sympathetically at her genuine distress.
"It is only a few hours, foolish woman," he gently reminded her. Reminded himself.
"It will be torture." Her petulant whining was flattering, and heartbreaking all the same. He couldn't say he did not share in her outlook. "Are you saying you won't miss me?"
Why was she doing this? Why was she making this harder?
"You are well aware that is false."
This was wrong. He should just stay. He wanted to stay. She wanted him to stay.
She burrowed into his neck as he slowly rocked them back and forth.
Still entwined in each other's arms, he soothed himself by stroking his cheek against the tickling dark hair at her crown.
He sensed her distress, her despair, and became angry.
Just moments ago, she was the happiest he'd ever seen her. They both were. This was unacceptable.
He'd had enough. He'd made a decision.
The sound of a door flap being pushed aside from around the corner, caused him to stiffen. But he did not release her.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" he heard the monk call out hopefully; intently. "Kagome-sama?"
Startled at the intrusion, Kagome's eyes flew wide. They were still out of sight, so she lowered her arms to move away... but she couldn't.
When Sesshoumaru refused to relinquish his hold, she lifted her eyes to his to see what was wrong.
The somber, determined edge to those honey-molten pools left nothing to question. She knew what he intended.
He was going to out them.
She countered with a stern warning glare, and tried to struggle free, but it was no use.
"Sesshoumaru," she whispered harshly, pleading with her whole body.
The couple next door was about to emerge.
They were just a few steps away from turning the corner and catching them in this compromised position. His fierce, icy glare relayed his resolve, and tears welled in her eyes as she silently begged him not to do this.
Seeing her become so upset killed him; especially because it was simply at the prospect of declaring him hers. The air became colder as the aura around him shifted, and right before the monk and the slayer rounded on them, he relented and released her.
He stepped back to put space between them, but Kagome could not relish her victory.
He was hurt, upset. And she'd done it. She'd never seen that look in his eye before; never felt so terrible.
"Sesshoumaru-sama," the monk acknowledged, as he approached with Sango in tow. Neither seemed to pick up on the tense air they had just walked into.
At the address, the demon lord reluctantly drew his glare away from the guilt-riddled miko before him, and over to the man who saw fit to accost him at this ungodly hour. What the hell did he want?
He noticed how the taijiya was looking awkwardly away, but the monk had an accusatory countenance.
A/N: I hope you don't mind the surge in updates. I... don't have a lot going on lol.