Disclaimer: This fanfic is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham. Neither "Inuyasha" nor the "Painted Veil" belong to me
Awake in his bed, Sesshomaru could help but marvel at the miracle that was sleeping next to him. Under the light of the full moon, he was mesmerized by her beauty, from the delicate bones on her hips, to the rosy tips of her bountiful breasts, the rays of moonlight casting a warm glow on the fallen angel that was his wife.
Caressing her shoulder, he would have never thought that such an awful day would end with having Kagome gracing his bed. Sesshomaru's wounds were still too raw and too deep, but as soon as he started to feel the familiar clench in his heart, he remembered Sister Sara's words:
'Son, remember that there is no worse sin than pride'
Her kind face and outspoken manner reminded Sesshomaru of his own mother. Tasked with the daily delivery of his lunch, he developed a quick rapport with the nun, who more often than not, jokingly remarked on his aloof manner and workaholic tendencies. When Kagome started to visit the convent, Sister Sara could not help comment on her beauty and mothering qualities - and asked him how come they had not had a child yet. Sesshomaru's tense jaw quickly told the older woman that she had touched a sore subject, but still he responded 'She had a miscarriage, almost two years ago'.
'No wonder she seems sad, the poor thing', the nun said. 'I still remember when I lost my son, when he was about a year old' Looking at Sesshomaru's widening eyes, she laughed 'yes, my son, I was married once, to a young lad as handsome as yourself. I lost them both, one to typhus and the other at sea. Though I miss my dear husband deeply, nothing compares to losing a child'.
'It is not the same' Sesshomaru said 'My wife miscarried well before she reached the sixth month of pregnancy. It is to be expected'.
'Son, please tell me you did not say that to your wife. That baby was dear to her. He may have not suckled on her breast, nor she heard his cries, but that child moved inside her womb'. Smiling, she said 'it is a good thing that you both are young. With God's grace, you can try again as soon this is over'.
Sesshomaru prided himself on his stoic manner, but Sister Sara was perceptive when she saw his body tense at the mention of a child. Though they tried to keep appearances, it was clear to Sister Sara -and Mother Kaede- that something was amiss in the young couple. Holding his hand, she said:
'I will pray for both of you, my dear doctor. Marriage is a blessing from God, but we are sometimes too human, and too flawed, to appreciate it. Whatever happened, it can be forgiven. Son, remember that there is no worse sin than pride'
When Kagome held his hand in the sampan, and passionately reminded him of her flaws and her humanity, little did she know that she was echoing the wise words of a woman whose sage advice and comforting words made this horror livable. Sesshomaru was tired, and exhausted of the deaths, of the stench, of the cries of orphans left forever alone in this God-forsaken place under the apathy of a militia that only wanted to play soldiers. He longed for the soothing skin of his wife, to hear words of comfort, even if they were just lies -just to escape for a moment the unseeing eyes of the emaciated corpses that were tossed in the mule cart to be incinerated like dogs.
But he was still too proud. After arriving home, Sesshomaru went as usual to his study - but quickly realized that he would not be able to do much at all. Resigned to a night of fitful sleep, he went to his room, only to see his wife's door ajar. Enraptured, he stood by the door, while the back of her dress opened to show the milky expanse of her back and the soft roundness of her bottom.
Kagome saw him in her mirror, and could not help but notice that his eyes, always so cold and commanding, were now full sadness and longing. Turning to face him, she dropped her dress to the floor -giving him a full view of her breasts and the roundness of her pelvis.
Sesshomaru quickly entered the room and kissed her - like he dreamed of doing since the first time he saw her. He kissed her despite her flaws, despite her lover - at that moment, Sesshomaru just wanted to get lost in her, to believe in the illusion that he was loved- while Kagome, passionately, tenderly, opened his shirt and caressed his skin, soft lips peppering his neck, his ears - to make herself forgiven - to atone the sins against this man whose only flaw was to love her as imperfectly as they were.
He made a move to turn off the light, but Kagome stopped him. Surprised, she smiled at him, and kissed him in the corner of his lips. Grabbing his hands, she guided him throughout her body, and all night Sesshomaru only hoped that his caresses made her forget the touch of her old lover.