To Love A Sakura: Denying A Sakura
It was less than a week later when the Western Lord returned to the castle. Kagome had been helping Kikyo pick out baby names in the gazebo when the tower horns sounded. Being part of the royal family, it was expected for them to be in attendance at the front gates. As much as Kagome wanted to welcome her beloved home, she knew her scent would only be a distraction. Sesshomaru needed to focus his attention on impregnating his wife, not his ex-fiance turned ex-sister-in-law. To avoid this, she decided to remain behind. She told Kikyo to tell anyone who asked where she was that she had a headache and was seeking solitude until further notice. She should have known that her absence and supposed "sickness" would only make Sesshomaru want to see her more.
Sure, she figured he'd eventually run into her around the castle but not when she was alone and vulnerable. That had been poor planning on her part. It wasn't even ten minutes after he'd arrived at the castle that he sought her out. She'd been sitting on one of the benches near the koi pond when she felt his presence approaching her. By the time she'd looked towards the hedgerow he'd entered the clearing with purpose. She knew when his posture had stiffened and frozen in place that he'd caught wind of her heat. Nothing could have stopped the blush from coloring her cheeks as she watched him close his eyes and take a deep inhale through his nose.
When she heard his deep husky growl roll up from his chest, a warmth unlike anything she'd ever experienced before pooled in her lower belly. It was evident by his lustful reaction that he was intoxicated by her fertility. Knowing it had been her body that turned him on so strongly had her clamping her legs together and her heart pounding in her chest. She gasped when his eyes cracked open to look at her. The pupils were large and his amber ring was tinged with red. He'd never looked more predatory to her than in that moment. The way his hooded stare looked her up and down had her entire person trembling like a new born lamb. After taking another deep breath of her scent he stocked towards her like a hungry lion hunting its prey. She wanted to run but was frozen in place.
She'd never felt so helpless. He'd lured her in like a moth to a flame and only he was able to untangle her from his webs. When he finally stood in front of her, he leaned over top and braced his hands on either side of her hips on the bench. The invasion of space forced her to lean backwards into submission. Being this close allowed her to see his muscles bunch under his silks and his musky scent to cloud her senses. The combination had her mouth running dry and her breathing quickening. She instantly became lost in his eyes as his face grew closer and closer to hers. He'd always been beautiful to her but seeing him losing control made him look even more so. Her breath hitched in her throat when his fingers gingerly traced the shell of her ear.
"Koishii... you bloomed." Sesshomaru awed barely above a whisper.
As he cupped the tiny pink flower tucked behind her elfin-shaped ear he looked into her eyes with endless love. Although his eyes were still rimmed red the edges were soft and the emotion in his tone of voice clearly showed that he was overjoyed at the news. The ability to grow and produce flowers meant that all her hard work and patience had paid off. She was no longer considered barren meaning she in fact could bare his pups. The only thing standing in their way was his court agreement with Lady Abi and the uncertainty of her being able to carry a pup to full term. The potential was exciting and it had him even more eager to unite with the woman he loved. It was a beautiful moment; one he'd reflect on for years to come.
"H-Hai..." Kagome stuttered as she tried to work past the sudden sting of tears welling in her eyes.
Sesshomaru, seeing that her chin was struggling to keep from quivering, quickly bridged the gap between them. As his lips firmly pressed against hers, he wrapped one arm around the small of her back and pulled her closer to him. Being surrounded by his embrace and feeling his love and passion for her in his kiss had her tears streaming down her cheeks. This was the man she loved. This was the man she'd been denied for so long. The pleasures of his teeth nipping at her lower lip and his tongue stroking hers had her whimpering and grasped at his white kimono into a tight grip. They were equally needy for the others touch. Being restricted from mating during their last encounter only fueled their passion. They might have picked up where they left off had Kikyo chosen not to break the atmosphere.
"Kagome?" Kikyo called from the other side of the hedgerow. "Kagome? Where are you?"
"Shit... it's Kikyo." Kagome cursed under her breath as she quickly straightened herself.
"Why does this matter?" Sesshomaru blinked in confusion as he stood to his full hight and glared at Kikyo as she came into the glade. "This one can easily send her away."
"No, don't do that." Kagome said as she came to stand by his side. "I asked her to help me."
"Help you?" Sesshomaru frowned as he looked her up and down in concern. "Are you truly sick?"
"Only love sick my dear." Kagome smiled sadly.
"Then what is the issue?" Sesshomaru asked as he ignored Kikyo by pulling Kagome into his arms.
"Kagome asked me to be her chaperone during her time of weakness." Kikyo said causing Kagome to blush. "Should you bridge the gap between the Taisho houses, your mother and wife will have her head. For Kagome's protection, she can never become your mistress."
"You think this one is intimidated by those bitches?" Sesshomaru sneered in distain.
"Never my Lord." Kikyo paled a she placed her hand protectively over her unborn child. "I only speak of the consequences your actions will cause Kagome once you leave."
"Kikyo's right. Even now as you hold me they are probably scheming my death. By the time you've returned home I'll be long gone from this world." Kagome sighed as she rest her head on his chest. She snuggled closer and took comfort from the steady beat of his heart.
"Life is unfair..." Sesshomaru sighed as he nuzzled beside the fragrant flower.
"I know." Kagome sniffled. "Maybe one day we can be together. Just not right now."
"Hm." Sesshomaru nodded as he loosened his grip on her arm. "In the mean time, walk with me. I wish for you to update me on what has happened in my absence."
"Are you sure?" Kagome asked as she took his arm. "Shouldn't you be with your wife and mother?"
"They can wait." Sesshomaru said as he frowned at Kikyo as she walked behind them. "Must you follow?"
"It is only proper." Kikyo apologized. "It will help prevent temptation and prevent Lady Abi and Kastuki from accusing Kagome of false statements."
"Please Sess... this is the only way we can be together." Kagome pleaded as she tightened her arm around his.
"Only you, will I allow this." Sesshomaru sighed as he slowly began to lead her around the gardens.
"Thank you." Kagome smiled as she leaned closer to his side.
Much to Kikyo's amusement Sesshomaru made a habit of taking extensive daily walks with Kagome. At first she'd trailed farther behind to give them the chance for some privacy. After catching them stealing kisses a few too many times however, it forced her to keep close. She knew her presence was unwanted most of the time but Kagome had asked her to keep her accountable and accountable she would be. She could tell Kagome loved the attention he was giving her but they both knew as soon as he left she'd be paying for it. Abi was very jealous of her relationship with her husband and Kastuki had already expressed her displeasure of their private walks. Kikyo could understand their upset, seeing how Abi was his wife and he was technically home to impregnate her.
Plus, he was spending all of his free time with Kagome. The only time he was with Abi was when Kagome was asleep. Even then their moments were brief. Kikyo mentally cringed at the memory of overhearing their fight the other day. Kastuki had spend hours preparing Lady Abi to woo her husband to bed. Their plan of course backfired causing both women to become angered and embarrassed. Sesshomaru had no plans on sleeping with Abi until he was certain her body was ready to be pupped. He didn't want any type of relationship with his wife and he most definitely didn't want to rutt with her unless necessary. This of course angered Abi. She'd been groomed to be the perfect bitch. She couldn't understand what she was doing wrong to be denied of his love.
She was lonely and wanted Sesshomaru to look at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Too bad for Abi that was never going to happen. Sesshomaru didn't want to be with Abi. He wanted to be with his childhood sweetheart; the woman he'd been denied. His beloved Sakura, his princess, his koishii. There wasn't any doubt in Kikyo's mind that Sesshomaru and Kagome were soul mates. Being a miko she was able to sense spiritual energies. Her powers weren't strong enough to see the red string of fate, but her senses told her they were destined. If she hadn't offered to chaperone Kagome, she would have given into temptation many, many times over. To Kagome's credit she'd seen her friend dismiss Sesshomaru's advances on more than one occasion.
Kikyo could tell dismissing his love was extremely difficult for Kagome. If things had been differently they would have been happily mated long ago. They might even have a pup or two by their side. As Sesshomaru had said, "life was unfair" and unfortunate circumstances kept them apart. Kagome's rejections towards his desires hurt. Kikyo could see it in his eyes and the way he clung to Kagome's hand; desperate for any form of connection. That need only grew stronger the further along Kagome's heat became. Her scent was intoxicating and only intensified as the days ticked by. It became extremely difficult for Sesshomaru to keep his hands to himself. If the situation weren't so serious Kikyo might have laughed at Sesshomaru's randy behavior.
He was acting like a horny puppy! He wooed Kagome with his husky whispers and his sensually teasing touches. He'd tried to sneak Kagome into one of the empty bedrooms or the back corners of the garden to make love more than once. Being a four month along pregnant human caused Kikyo to move slower than two full blooded demons. Thankfully she was able to stop them before they got too far and remind them of the risks at having an affair. Kastuki and Abi were already upset at her taking walks with him. Imagine the torture she'd endure once he was gone. Not surprising, a few days latter Abi's patience snapped. She'd had enough of her husband spending time with his wannabe lover. The fight that happened that day was very heated and caused great upset around the castle.
Sesshomaru might have ended Lady Abi's life had the elders not gotten involved. It was then decided that Kaede would concoct a potion to enhance Lady Abi's chances at pregnancy. After all, war was still raging along the boarder and Sesshomaru needed to return to the front ASAP. Once Abi took the potion Sesshomaru locked them in his chambers. They would not leave until she was pupped. That of course meant his evening walks with Kagome ended and Kikyo's roll as chaperon was fulfilled. Kagome had been upset at the news but eventually came to terms with the elders decision. She was not Sesshomaru's mate and would more than likely never be. Too bad for the Western Kingdom the day after Sesshomaru successfully pupped his wife was the same night Kagome's heat reached its zenith. It was now a test of wills to see if she could withstand the pressure.
[End of Chapter 22]