AN: Just a lil note but next chapter (11) will be the last, please don't ask for more XD
Some of you have said that you're having a tough time lately and I'm sorry to hear that. This year has been extremely tough, so be kind to yourselves above all else. I hope this fic can help you escape reality for even a few minutes.
Warning: Smut
Chapter 10
When she came to, Kagome rocked slightly in place, a gasp filling her lungs. Feeling the warmth of sunlight on her face and glancing around, she found herself in exactly the same spot as she'd first started: sitting on a riverbank. Sliding her legs free from cooled water and noting a lack of wrinkles, she could only conclude that Yua had been true to her word and no time had passed.
She could even hear the happy sounds of Shippo and his friend on their paper boat that had departed not too long ago. The breeze felt the same, a playful tease through her hair.
"I'm back," she murmured.
"Welcome home, Higurashi Kagome."
Shifting, she stilled when Yua removed the daisy chain from her head, passing it over. The little girl smiled gently. "Was your wish granted?"
Kagome returned it. "Yes, thank you. I know what to work towards now. And as an added bonus, I can prevent a few things from happening that I wouldn't have known about otherwise."
Yua nodded, stiffening and looking towards the far end of the river. Haunting, elegant notes trailing out from a flute caught Kagome's attention.
"Are you…leaving already?"
The girl didn't answer, gaze becoming sombre.
She stood, taking Yua's hand and squeezing it. "Don't be scared," she said quietly.
A round, yellow spirit with a long scaly tail and two thin arms flew over sparkling waters towards them. In its small hands was a flute, held towards its mouth. Thankfully, large round eyes remained shut. Kagome noticed three glowing lights trailing after the Soul Piper, likely other spirits of children. Yua watched them curiously until the piper halted, floating before them and playing a beckoning, upbeat tune.
"I like this song," Yua hummed dazedly. "I remember hearing travellers play it while I slept."
Kagome knelt down and hugged her, feeling it be tightly returned. "I'm going to miss you," the words came out as muffled against the girl's shoulder, "but you don't have to sleep anymore or linger here. Thank you for all that you've done, Yua."
"You are welcome," she mumbled.
When they pulled away, Yua's dark eyes glittered with tears. Her clothes began to melt into a glorious, colourful kimono fit for a princess. Her skin lost its pale tone, appearing healthier, a glow in her cheeks.
"Say hi to your Mom for me," Kagome kindly wiped the tears that rolled down her petite face away.
Yua shared a gentle smile with her, nodding. "I will. Win Lord Sesshoumaru's heart in return, Higurashi Kagome."
Giving one last hug, she then pulled away and started floating up. Kagome straightened and watched her join the Soul Piper, floating around it. The large yellow piper bowed, soon turning and beginning to glide up the winding river once more. Trailing lights of spirits glided over its rippling surface after their guide. Yua glanced back at her friend once more and beamed, dark hair dancing.
Kagome grinned and raised an arm, waving after them as the little girl turned into a glowing sphere. It playfully chased the other children- their spirits disappearing together, fading from view.
Slowly, Kagome lowered her arm. She sniffed, rubbing at her eyes and taking a little while to collect herself. Exhaling and blinking rapidly, she then turned and left the river behind.
Her first port of call was not a certain Daiyoukai, but rather to Inuyasha.
Clearing the air between them and voicing her desire to extend their 'break' into a full on break up was somewhat difficult and awkward. And yet once the words were out, Inuyasha exhaled, as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"I ain't happy about it," he grumbled. "I mean we've been dancing around the idea of 'us' for a while."
"I know," she said patiently.
"Just feels weird at this point not to do it, ya know? But…obligation probably ain't the best reason to carry on a relationship." White ears flicked and lowered. "We're still friends though, right?"
"Of course we are," Kagome smiled, reaching around his neck and lifting aged subjection beads off from over his head, "but that's all we'll be. I don't think that's such a downgrade, do you?"
Inuyasha stared solemnly at the beads, before smirking slightly and flicking her forehead. "Nah," he said softly.
Giving a gentle grin, she nudged his shoulder with a fist before enveloping him in a hug.
Passing by a ridiculous amount of couples this time didn't phase her. She even smiled at a few. There was nothing to envy or begrudge them for now.
Instead, her sights were set on a demon lord currently reclining against a tree on the outskirts of the village. Shorts and a tank top wasn't exactly a look that screamed 'seductive' and yet she didn't change it.
As she drew closer, Kagome noticed his eyes already open. He had a vaguely rattled and dazed look about him, staring at something close to his side that she couldn't see.
Kagome stopped on his left side, clearing her throat. "Hi, Sesshoumaru."
Golden eyes swung to her. Openly staring for a moment, he gave a hum of greeting. "... Miko. What ails you?"
"Ah, nothing ails me per se," she smiled, holding herself steady and tilting her chin up when the demon continued staring. "Was just wanting to apologise for anything you might've overheard earlier that could've stung your pride. It wasn't my intention."
Sesshoumaru arched a brow. "Hn."
"It was just...you know, a little unbelievable to me. What Shippo was talking about- considering you as a potential husband and all. Funny huh?"
"Hilarious," he uttered in a dry tone.
Imposing eyes remained focused on her, pinning her where she stood. His look was so intent, so unperturbed. Just staring at her, as if trying to make her squirm. Those golden irises glowed. She could feel sweat starting to form at the back of her neck from the sheer pressure of that gaze. Her hands balled into fists as she forced herself to stare right back at him.
Sesshoumaru shifted his legs- and she jumped at the sudden movement, flushing at having been caught unaware. He half smirked at the reaction.
Kagome ground her teeth, wriggling a hairband off her wrist. "Anyway, I got to thinking," she hummed, winding the forgotten daisy chain around her hand. Sesshoumaru's eyes followed the motion. "Maybe it's not so unbelievable," she cleared her throat, gathering dark hair up and lifting it away from her neck.
Deadly claws twitched. Kagome's heart stumbled and picked itself back up, racing. She tied long dark locks up and congratulated herself for not wilting under the sheer magnitude of his silent attention.
"Is that so?"
"Y-yeah," Kagome began to feel uncertain. The idea of rejection loomed as a very real threat. He could easily dismiss her. Nonetheless, she'd seared the older Kagome's words into her mind and arched her spine, tying her hair back and levelling a confident look at him.
What she'd meant to say was something eloquent, powerful and earth shattering. Instead, Kagome's bravado seized her tongue and got carried away.
"We should mate!"
The second those words were out, her stomach dropped. What the hell was that?!
Sesshoumaru was staring with equally mute surprise, though he recovered faster. Pale lips twitched, before he tilted a regal head back and looked up at her through wintery lashes.
"What can you offer me?"
The wind thoroughly out of her sails, Kagome inwardly wailed. However, she took a breath and marched on. Curling two fingers through the inky black hair of her pony-tail, she twirled some unruly strands around her digits.
"It's usually the woman asking that," she hummed coyly.
Golden eyes were now fixed on the midnight locks. "Hn. It is because for my kind, the male must vow to protect a mate with his life. Therefore it is customary for females to appeal to the strongest one, so that the family unit may survive together."
"G-gotcha," Kagome dropped her hand from her hair. He hadn't outright rejected her so that was promising. "Let's see...uh, I can shoot bad guys real good!"
He arched a brow, gaze flat.
"I can cook!"
A stifled yawn.
"I can read and write!"
Mildly interested look but ultimately nothing.
"I'll protect my loved ones no matter what!"
Sesshoumaru turned his attention to white puffy clouds passing above, as though subtly snubbing her. "This one is aware. What else?"
Kagome's temper flared and walking over, she blocked his view. "I can teach you some manners about how to properly listen to someone without being rude!" setting both hands on her hips, a holy aura flared. "I offer you Kagome Higurashi. I might not have jewels, status, or lineage, but I'm enough on my own," she said lowly, eyes becoming shrewd with challenge. "Unless I'm too much for you to handle."
His nostrils flared, eyes widening a touch. The Daiyoukai stood, a cold and aloof expression painting his features. A thrill of danger sang through Kagome's heart. Not good. That was the kind of look he pinned enemies with!
Feeling like she'd overstepped her bounds with too much confidence now, the miko backed up.
"T-that is to say; I won't jump through hoops to prove myself to you but we don't know we're incompatible for sure," something solid met her back and Kagome squeaked, trapped against the trunk of a thick tree as he drew closer. "If the idea doesn't offend you, w-we could spend some time getting to know each other! See if we have the potential for…" she trailed off when the demon invaded her personal space, face inches from hers, "...more."
Sesshoumaru regarded her cooly, magenta lids lowering and opening in a languid blink. He then raised his right hand, holding something. Kagome's eyes shot wide as he placed a daisy chain atop her head.
"I think we both know there is potential, Kagome."
Her lungs froze. Whirling thoughts and questions stampeded onto her tongue, crowding it. She swallowed, unwinding her own daisy chain from her wrist and looking at it. "Y-you…" Kagome squeaked. "Don't tell me you jumped forward into the future too?!"
"Indeed. Why, do you think yourself the only one capable of such things?" he straightened with a sniff and tossed his head. "I was offered the experience by a spirit."
"So was I!"
"I take it you saw different spouses."
"YES!"
"You do not need to shout."
"I'M SORRY!" Kagome burst. "I-I can't believe this. Yua said it was her thank you to me. I wonder why you were offered the chance to see your partners too."
"This one does not know," brushing imaginary lint off one shoulder, he shrugged. "I did not see the spirit often during my time in the other worlds. She seemed otherwise distracted," golden eyes slid back to her. "As was I."
Kagome didn't notice, grabbing the edge of his chest armour and leaning up slightly. "What were they like?" she breathed. "Some of my husbands were so weird!"
He gave a noise of agreement. "Many were expected; Demonesses I have been introduced to in court and expected to mate. Other's were...very strange," he made a face. "One was wholly unexpected but my favoured choice."
"Oh," Kagome dropped back onto her heels. Embarrassment coloured her cheeks. Before she could try to weasel out from between him and the tree, a hand rested on the bark beside her head. Blue eyes snapped to his.
"Who did you ultimately choose, miko?"
Her body relaxed with the inevitability of it all. Couldn't he tell? Wasn't it baked into every fibre of her being right then that she radiated pure want for him? Her tone became fragile. "Isn't it obvious?" she said quietly, reaching up and placing her daisy chain atop his crown of silver hair. "It's you, silly."
Large hands shifted, drawing down to curl around her waist. Tugging- he drew her body against the barrier of armour between them. "That is entirely acceptable. This one desired to hear you say it."
"And tease me by pretending not to be interested," she huffed, cheeks red.
"That too."
Kagome blushed, revelling in his closeness for a moment, but soon stiffening. "S-so I was your wife?"
"Yes."
"Did you…" the words trailed off, her mouth turning dry. Incredulous, she watched spots of colour rise to his cheeks. Sesshoumaru's attention slid conveniently away, avoiding her intent stare. "Oh my god you did," she whispered.
His eyes turned flat, snapping back to her. "How many stripes do I have, miko?"
"Uh, 8? If we're counting your ankles and-" she fell silent. "Point taken."
"Hn."
They fell silent, Kagome's hands carefully smoothing up to rest on the red and white silks covering his collarbone. "I guess...we've both seen each other at our best. Almost like an ideal version of ourselves," her features became a little worried. "I hope what I am now isn't a disappointment."
Golden eyes flashed and Sesshoumaru leaned down, hot breath fanning over her unmarked neck before the hard nip of fangs scraped sensitive flesh. Kagome jolted, shuddering.
"Foolishness," he uttered, sliding a hand into the pony-tail and loosening it so that waves of hair fell to curl about her shoulders. "Is this one a disappointment?" he sneered.
"N-no! Not at all!"
"Then do not say such filthy things with so tempting a mouth," cruel lips slanted over hers in a rush. Simultaneously shuddering and melting, catharsis raced through her being. Kissing him in return and granting entrance when his tongue grazed her bottom lip, she shivered. Their teeth knocked and fingers clutched tight in clothing, soft sighs rolling free. Kagome found herself pushing against the barrier between them, sighing and breaking the kiss to glance at the armour that was digging against her.
"Alright, admittedly I don't like this too much," she pointed at it.
"It does appear to get in the way," he observed dryly. Sesshoumaru then turned, tugging her with him via an arm locked around her waist. "This one will remove it once we reach the Western Stronghold."
"Huh?! Woah- woah- woah!" she dug her heels in. "What for?"
He rose a brow. "So that I may bed you. Unless you would prefer a common rut within the forest?" he leered a little, flashing a fang. "This one did not take you as the type, miko."
Kagome turned red, yanking her arms up between them to make a big 'X' for 'absolutely not!' "We're not mating yet! That's way too soon!"
Sesshoumaru tossed his head and huffed. "You offered it," he pointed out.
"I-I know. I've got things to do though," Kagome giggled, patting a sturdy shoulder. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, but first I could use your help if we're going to make this a good timeline to live in."
That caught his attention, and Sesshoumaru fell silent, listening to her suggestions.
As per her request, the Lord of the West departed in search of the Tenseiga shard once she'd summarized Naraku's possible return. Kagome knew the well would close after 3 months since she'd returned to the past. That left her less than 2 months until she'd be cut off from her family for centuries. With this in mind, she made a list of essentials to bring in bulk back to the feudal era.
Before then, she tackled the matter of Sango's possible demise by straight-up telling the Slayer and Monk about her adventures: omitting the part about being Miroku's wife, of course.
Sango had looked a little shaken, but they'd resolved to make changes. Complacency was a symptom of peace and not always a bad thing, however, they'd both started training again. In addition to this, plans were drawn up to erect a wooden wall around the village, similar to the one enclosing the Slayer's old village. Residents would keep vigilance in shifts instead of overly relying on Inuyasha, though he griped that he was more than enough of a guard.
Though Sesshoumaru returned soon enough with the shard, her friends remained tense about the information she'd offered up.
"You mentioned that this Kakazaki fellow used both the Tenseiga fragment and the Bone Eater's Well," Miroku hummed one evening within their hut.
Kagome nodded, sitting beside Sesshoumaru. Their relationship hadn't been announced yet though the miko was certain Shippo, Sango and Miroku had clocked onto their closeness already. Inuyasha remained ignorant, itching his ear with a foot.
"Yua said that the likelihood of Naraku being resurrected is extremely low, but still...I wanted to find out everything about it in order to prevent his return."
Her friends nodded. "We owe you, Kagome. It was excellent thinking on your part," Sango praised.
"Still...I can't help but feel like we should do something about the well in order to safeguard it from being used, just in case," the monk said contemplatively.
Shippo tilted his head. "What can we do?"
"Kagome," Miroku caught her eye. "You said there is a well house constructed over the Bone Eater's Well in your time?"
She nodded.
"Perhaps we should make it now to lock the well away for safekeeping- and have a house built nearby in order to guard it."
Inuyasha snorted, dropping his foot from a triangular ear. "Ain't that goin' a little overboard? Kagome said it herself- there's only a small chance of it happenin' in the first place."
"If there's even an iota of possibility that Naraku could come back, isn't that enough cause for concern? I won't have my family wiped out because of our hubris," Miroku muttered.
"Tch! As if he could beat us! We've killed him once before and I'd do it again!"
Shuddering violently, Kagome pressed a hand to her mouth. Squeezing her lashes shut and hearing Inuyasha's continued remarks blur away, the images of heads impaled on spikes returned. Tears stung- pressing close.
Inuyasha's eyes had been open…
"Silence."
A firm voice pierced the veil of her thoughts, and Kagome tried to catch her breath, feeling Shippo lean against her side and hearing Sango's soothing murmurs to her while Sesshoumaru remained staring at Inuyasha.
"A hut will be built near the well. Since it will not be your residence, it does not concern you," the demon's wintery voice continued.
Inuyasha grit his teeth, sneering. "Who says it concerns you?"
Sesshoumaru gazed at him steadily and seemed inclined to reveal his connection to the miko- until Kagome's hand curled covertly into his sleeve. At that, he fell silent, and allowed Inuyasha to grin smugly, thinking he'd shut him up for once. Regardless of their conversation, the hut and well house were built in a matter of weeks through everyone's combined efforts.
A husband and wife from Kaede's village took up residence within the hut, promising to be vigilant. Kagome had secretly wondered if they were her ancestors but had shaken that thought away, finding it too weird. This left a few loose ends, but Kagome wouldn't be able to tie those up right away. Sango and Kohaku would need gentle nudging in order to avoid growing distant. Inuyasha hadn't had a son yet so there was no helping what could happen with Sesshoumaru and his nephew or niece.
After spending some time with Mama Higurashi, explaining the situation, her family had been saddened but ultimately understanding.
"You'll live to our time period if you're marrying Lord Sesshoumaru, right Honey?" her mother had asked.
Kagome's heart lay heavy as a stone in her chest. "Yes, Mama. If all goes well."
"In that case, there's no worry!" Souta laughed. "We'll see you off and then your older self can just tap us on the shoulder like no time has passed!"
Blue eyes remained downcast. "But I might've changed beyond recognition through the centuries…"
"Bah! Souta's right," a gnarled hand stiff with arthritis clamped onto her shoulder, giving a rough squeeze. "We'll all be the same no matter what's changed."
Trying and failing to repress her tears at such a silly, sweet sentiment, Kagome clutched onto Grandpa, hugging him fiercely as the rest of her family joined in. Always encouraging. Always a bright spot in her memories.
While laying on the dark grass one night and gazing up at the clouds curling around a luminous yellow moon, Kagome sighed. The Bone Eater's Well wouldn't close for another few weeks, and she felt guilty for not spending as much time as possible with her family.
"If you are to keep sighing all night, you may leave."
Rolling over onto her side and gazing at Sesshoumaru who lay next to her; one knee slightly drawn up and head pillowed by mokomoko's vast amount of puffy fur, she smiled. He looked elegant, yet ridiculous. She loved him.
"No, no- I promise I'll stop. I'm sorry if you feel neglected because I've been so busy."
A haughty look crossed his face, staring flatly at her. "This Sesshoumaru is not a whelp clawing for attention. We have our duties. I am not as insecure as...some."
Ignoring his obvious sidestep of a dig at Inuyasha, Kagome shifted against his side, getting comfy. Thankfully he'd removed the cumbersome armour.
"I've told you about my experiences with your older self. Will you tell me about my older self's timeline that you visited?"
"You do not wish to know about my other mates?"
"No," Kagome said sharply, cheeks colouring at his amused smirk. "I-I'd just rather not know."
Sesshoumaru curled a hand in dark, wild hair, massaging the pads of his fingers carefully at the back of her neck. "Jealous, miko?"
"Maybe a little."
Leaning, his lips pressed to her fluttering pulse. "You needn't be," he rumbled. She sighed with contentment and coiled a leg around his waist, grinding up against him. He released a low groan, shuddering slightly.
"Please tell me," Kagome smiled, grazing soft lips over his ear.
"Very well," grumbling lowly, he trailed a slick tongue over her skin. "You will need to stop at once or I cannot recount the events with accuracy,"
"Hey!" the miko squirmed, laughing and pushing against the solid wall of his chest. "That goes for you too, buddy!"
"On the contrary, tasting you aids concentration," Sesshoumaru flashed a breathtaking, crooked grin that awoke something within her. She fell silent and still, listening as the Daiyoukai recounted his story;
Sesshoumaru started awake. His own familiar ceiling stared back at him, as it had done with the past three mates he'd experienced. Of course he'd not move anywhere, that was to be expected. The Western Lands were his home. Still, he was beginning to wonder if there would be any variety to his rather predictable choices for a partner.
He turned his head slightly, frowning and squeezing one of his lashes shut. Odd. For some reason, a dark space filled up the vision of his left eye. Covering the other over with one hand, Sesshoumaru came to the grim conclusion that he must be blind in one eye in this timeline, judging by the scar he could feel.
Disgusting.
He'd fallen victim to an attack again? How sickening.
A yawn reached his ears, followed by a gentle, spicy aroma tickling his senses. He inhaled, drinking in the pleasing, familiar fragrance.
"Mn...you awake?" the woman pressed against Sesshoumaru's side, who stiffened as hot breath fanned over his neck. "It's too earlllyy," she whined softly.
With wide eyes, he looked down at Inuyasha's wench snuggling up to him.
You…
Sesshoumaru stared at his traitorous arm that was already curled loosely around her waist. She felt warm and soft. The early morning sun lighting sliding bedroom doors and pouring barely shielded light onto black, tumbling hair gave the strands a dark blueish shine.
Well, he'd wanted variety. How...interesting that his random bouts of curiosity and notice towards this woman should come to fruition in such a way. He'd mated a human?
Kagome made a noise, nuzzling into his neck. "Can we skip the meeting?"
"No," he uttered, deciding against simply laying there like a frozen corpse. He could do as he pleased, and winding the miko's sublime hair around his knuckles meant nothing. She let out a grumble, pushing the covers aside that blocked their bodies in a light barrier, pressing a bare chest flush against his.
"Please? I'd make it worth your while~"
Sesshoumaru's head thumped back against his pillow, going mute as his mouth became dry. His body responded to the gentle drag of her fingers over his chest, straying down to his abdomen- which clenched- before stopping. He bit back a noise, frustrated with himself.
"Are you alright?"
He blinked and looked at her, finding Kagome more awake now and leaning up, concern knitting her brow. "Why ask?"
"You're tense. I can feel it," she hummed, stroking soothing fingers into the silky fall of his hair and continuing her gentle torture by smoothing a palm into his bangs, trailing a thumb over his scarred eye. His breathing hitched. "You're usually so playful in the mornings. Is it the prospect of hanging out with Nobleman Krito getting you down? I know he's a self-important jerk but we can pass the time as we always do," she sat up, raising both arms above her head and stretching. Sesshoumaru observed lithe muscles coiling tight and relaxing, back arching and causing her breasts to push up enticingly.
He straightened, and not one to deny himself- reached out- before his hand was promptly slapped lightly away. Kagome grinned, standing from the bed. "No, no. You missed your chance to fool around, buddy," she teased. "I might be convinced back into bed if you tell me what's wrong though."
"Nothing is wrong," he couldn't decide what to focus on. The fact that she'd rudely struck him in jest- something he'd never allow- or the sight of her bare sex and the scent of his seed still clinging to her thighs.
Instead of feeling parched, his mouth now filled with saliva, sharp fangs aching. Sesshoumaru shifted the cover over his waist, cock twitching.
Kagome didn't seem convinced, reluctantly grabbing a towel. "Okay…"
He'd expected that to be all, but she suddenly planted a kiss on his blind side's cheek. "I love you," she said simply, soon leaving and heading in the direction of the hot springs.
Sesshoumaru inwardly reeled. He swallowed, claws digging into the bedcovers. This was unprecedented. He'd initially expected her to be annoying and stifling, but the miko had given him space- and rather than it feeling cold, she'd left with the assurance of affection.
Standing, he grabbed a robe and dressed, heading to a different area to bathe. He needed to gather his thoughts and...recover.
Seated before a low table at breakfast, Sesshoumaru kept casting glances at his children of this timeline. The eldest had dark hair and golden eyes. She kept making smiley faces with the food on her plate and showing him. Their youngest was a boy, also with dark hair, but this time his mother's deep blue eyes stared back at him.
Their youngest was human.
It felt strange enough that he'd sensed a pureblood in the room, his daughter, but the undeniable truth that they'd somehow also sired a human boy gave him pause. Kagome made strange noises, seated before the pup and trying to entice him to eat by 'flying' a spoonful of food towards his mouth while the boy clapped and closed it at the last second.
They were all very loud. His other children in previous timelines had been reserved and quiet. Obviously taught just as The Killing Perfection had been - that discipline came first.
Sesshoumaru's magenta lashes lowered, wrestling with the realisation that; he liked the noise. He'd kept Jaken and Rin around for a reason. He liked their freedom to express nonsense, as rather than irritating him, it felt...calming, in a way.
"Honey, would you feed him? He never listens to me," Kagome said, clutching the baby's feet and wriggling them with a grin as he guffawed.
It took Sesshoumaru a moment to realise that he was 'Honey.'
Rising and approaching, he folded his legs to sit beside them, unprepared for Kagome to just dump the child in the crook of his arm and handing over a spoonful of food. The boy immediately looked up at him with happy eyes, making an ecstatic noise and wriggling. Sesshoumaru carefully drew the spoon to his mouth, watching with mute fascination as he fed the baby like it was nothing.
"Why is Papa so quiet today?" his daughter whispered loudly.
"I dunno, must have a lot on his mind," Kagome whispered back at the appropriate volume.
Sesshoumaru would not usually explain himself, but their prying eyes and concern loosened his tongue. "This one is merely...tired," he lied.
"Huh? But you both went to bed early?" his pup tilted her head.
Kagome glanced away, turning an attractive shade of red. Sesshoumaru stifled an answering purr that crept up his throat. She could still blush, so many years later?
Wiping away the baby food clinging to their son's chin, the demon stiffened as his pinky was seized. Pudgy, small hands patted it, inching upwards towards a sharp nail. Sesshoumaru quickly tucked the claw in against his calloused palm, lest the boy nick such fragile skin.
Baby blue eyes blinked up at him, and Sesshoumaru regarded the human stoically. He felt no disdain for him. His scent coloured the boy's, proof that they were kin. Golden eyes gentled, just a little, finishing up feeding him.
He looked up to find Kagome watching them. "… He needs to be burped," she reminded gently.
Awkwardly setting the boy on his shoulder in a way that he'd witnessed before, Sesshoumaru patted. Kagome giggled and raised a brow, drawing closer. "You're being too light, you won't break him," she patted the baby's back until he gave a burp. Blinking, Sesshoumaru tried to pass him back- but she held up her hands. "No, no. It's all good. You uh… take your time with a cuddle session, since you're tired."
Her tone was a touch disbelieving, and in answer, his eyes narrowed slightly. Nonetheless, Sesshoumaru continued holding him, experimentally stroking dark, curling hair atop his son's head and learning that a being of his power was capable of being cripplingly gentle.
The meeting was, as expected, an uninteresting farce. Nobles droned on. Sesshoumaru wrote down several figures but ultimately disengaged his mind, daydreaming that he was flying through a cold grey sky.
That was until someone lay a hand on his thigh.
Kagome's smiling eyes met his curious ones. Drawing something on the paper, she began to engage him in a silent game of 'hangman' using characters he was fammilar with, despite her kanji being slightly different. Sesshoumaru found himself entertained by it for the duration of the meetup.
Things had confusingly been...nice. Pleasant, even. For a human, she wasn't bad company, and their children were entertaining. They had a swing hanging from a tree outside, and he'd engaged in play by pushing them, smiling slightly at their laughter. He noted that the kit and Rin had moved into the Western Stronghold, having their own interests that they pursued.
This spell of strange contentment lasted until Sesshoumaru caught sight of his reflection in a mirror for the first time.
Within the hot spring, he hadn't been able to properly see the three claw marks scarring from above his upper eye-lid on his left side to beneath his lower. They were jagged and ugly. Drawing a hand up, Sesshoumaru touched at the imperfect, scratchy skin. His formally golden eye looked milky with blindness.
Lips thinning, his jaw clenched. He'd vowed never to be significantly injured again after losing his arm. Hearing movement across the wooden floors, Sesshoumaru turned as Kagome approached his sightless side.
"How long have I had this injury?" he demanded.
She blinked, considering him and halting not too far away. "Since before we got together seriously. We were dating at the time, don't you remember?"
The mocking eyes of demonesses and thinly veiled barbs directed to his person at the plateau gathering came to mind. They'd been so smug when news had gotten out about his arm. He hadn't cared. It did not impede his abilities. And yet this bothered him.
'Where is your pride as a demon?' his heritage whispered.
Drawing up close to the miko and bearing down on her with his mouth set in a thin, grim line, Sesshoumaru sneered. "Did you mate this one out of pity?" he uttered lowly.
Unlike her usual sass or temper, Kagome stared up at him quietly. "First of all, don't flash your teeth at me like I'm an enemy," she said cooly. "I am your mate and the mother of your children."
Thrown, Sesshoumaru belatedly realised he'd exposed sharp fangs. Lowering his lips and smoothing ruffled features, he tried to stifle the odd feeling of being reprimanded like a pup.
"Second of all," she stepped closer, placing a hand against his cheek and gentling. "Of course not, don't be silly. I mated you because I love you."
He blinked, anchored in place by her easy touch. Trying to stifle the emotions flaring alive within his chest due to her hand merely caressing him proved no easy feat; the mating bond blazed strong and true.
"You say those words often. Do they not lose meaning if they are said too much?"
Kagome leaned up and kissed his lips. "It's just how I show my affection," she stroked a thumb over the shell of his pointed ear and Sesshoumaru found his lashes lowering as though drugged by the lazy swipe. "Do you not like hearing me say it?"
"It is...unnecessary," he said slowly. "But acceptable."
The miko smiled so brightly it short-circuited his brain. Before he knew it, Sesshoumaru had dragged the woman closer, pressing his mouth to hers in a shameful rush and biting on her tempting lower lip.
Kagome made a noise that caused him to purr, pushing his mate against the wall and hitching exquisite legs around his waist, carrying her to their bed-chamber. Within, she surprised the demon by breaking away and sinking to her knees, reaching for his hakama pants.
Sesshoumaru then learned what it was like to see stars due to the drag of a mortal's tongue.
There was perhaps some morally grey implications behind laying with his mate while using his future self's body, but such concerns dissipated into the breeze. Demons did not view things like humans. She was enthusiastically his, that was all he needed.
The miko lay sprawled on her back, waves of dark hair spilling around her.
"Who are you?" came, a soft murmur. "I've known for a while that you're some version of Sesshoumaru but you're not my Sesshoumaru. I could feel that you meant us no harm though."
He rose a brow, leaning his head back against the furs on the bed. "Why did you allow me to bed you if you were aware I was different from my usual self?"
"I dunno, you seemed like you needed it," lifting a shoulder, Kagome hummed. "Not the sex- but the closeness. There was something kinda...lonely about you?" she flashed a wry smile. "And I know my vagina isn't a cure-all but I wanted to help any way I could."
Sesshoumaru's lips twitched, before a chuckle escaped him. He let a warmth leak out from the center of his chest, curling up his spine and into his throat. Broad shoulders relaxed, and he laughed again.
"Foolishness," he uttered, eyes smiling. Kagome grinned back.
She was funny. Charming in her own way. Sesshoumaru hadn't thought that would matter to him in a mate, and yet he was quickly starting to dislike the concept of a partner lacking these qualities.
Lacking...her qualities.
"This one is your mate, but a younger version. This future is one of many open to me. I have glimpsed a few probable mates."
Her mouth made an 'o' shape. "Soo...what made you decide to drop by?"
Golden eyes slid away. "Curiosity."
"I see."
From her changed tone, he inferred that she felt a little used. A rung on the ladder for him to climb as part of the experience. "You are the first I have lain with thus far."
She giggled amiably, scent revealing that she was suspiciously relaxed. "There's no need to justify yourself to me." Confidence rested in her deep blue eyes, the type that came with age. "But I hope you consider this future. We're not a half-bad bunch here," she gave a laugh.
Watching her silently, Sesshoumaru leaned up and twined clawed hands in feather soft hair, kissing the sensitive skin of her neck. Her moans and cries graced his hearing, quickly becoming a favoured symphony.
When the time came to leave, Sesshoumaru lingered close to her side as they lay sprawled in bed together. Her palms were a lingering caress upon his face, and he dozed in some place between waking and sleeping, lulled by her touch.
"I hope you find what you're looking for," she murmured in a hushed tone.
Wintery lashes fluttered open, and the demon stared at her. Inexplicably, some foreign emotion tightened around his heart, like fingers squeezing.
"You are a good mate to him."
She smiled. "I like to think so."
Feeling the ridiculous flower crown on his head, Sesshoumaru reached up to touch it- before her hand caught long fingers mid-air.
Deep blue eyes shone with seriousness. "Choose the place that will make you the happiest. Not the most successful or honoured."
Searching her face, Sesshoumaru inclined his head before curling a hand within her hair and dragging her to lean over him. Their lips met just as the daisy fell.
Another expected mate. Another lifeless week awaiting him.
Kagome's presence lingered in the back of his mind. Irritating.
Sesshoumaru felt confident that if he hadn't spent time with her, this plague colouring his thoughts would never have befallen him. But she was there. She was there every time he compared his beautiful porcelain doll demoness to scraped knees, wild curling hair and fearless pretty smiles. She was there when he leaned over his mate and the demoness immediately turned her neck to offer it, vague disinterest in her eyes as opposed to warm invitation, teasing and eager embraces.
She was there in his children's well-mannered behaviour, schooling and swordplay on their minds instead of pictures formed out of food, swings and cuddles.
Sesshoumaru stood, having had enough. Walking out of the traditional mansion, he lept into the sky and sailed away without a farewell. Speeding towards the village and following her scent easily, Sesshoumaru dropped to the forest ground and blurred through the air.
Halting at the edge of the swaying trees and zeroing in on her hut, Sesshoumaru watched with rapt attention as she walked out, dark hair dancing in the wind.
Holding a child.
A brief inhale revealed the baby to be Inuyasha's, a girl.
How...ridiculous to feel betrayed by this simple, expected knowledge. Despite himself, he approached. When the miko noticed him, she gave a complicated expression, smiling yet keeping her distance.
"Hi, Sesshoumaru. Did you need Inuyasha? He's just out working with the villagers right now."
I did not come here for him. Sesshoumaru looked at her, trying to discern the difference between his previous mate and this woman. "Hn."
Stepping closer and noticing her draw slightly back, not out of fear, but maintaining distance, he stopped.
Ah, now he understood. They were near strangers again.
Kagome gazed at him questioningly. She appeared healthy, content yet holding none of that previous fire and commanding presence within her. Sesshoumaru stepped closer and willed her to get angry. To snap or warn him to back off- make his blood heat and explode- but she merely seemed confused.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he muttered, lingering close. Golden eyes slid away, dimming. "I was looking for someone, but she is not here."
She tilted her head slightly as the Daiyoukai turned and left without another word.
The woman continued to plague him, an affliction he now carried. He tried to entertain the notion of mating other, more suitable women. The miko wasn't that special. She was kind, yes, and he did wake up with a few gentler mates, hoping they'd put her kindess to shame. Yet even the most sellfless of them lacked something else she'd possessed, such as an intresting mind or bewitching temper. And perhaps it wouldn't have mattered to him before, but his instincts felt compromised. They sought her scent and grew frustrated with the lack of spice.
Flying to the village anew, Sesshoumaru looked down upon another hut, this time situated away from everyone else.
Kagome was chatting with the large half-demon, Jinenji, working in the fields with him.
She is married again. Lips thinning, Sesshoumaru took his leave.
Even his current mate seemed to pick up on his sour mood that afternoon.
"You are irritated," the mink demon hummed, inspecting herself in the mirror and combing long lilac hair.
"What nonsense," he uttered, sitting on the porch. This mate seemed like more of the gold digger sort. He couldn't understand what had possessed him to mate her.
"You carry the faint whiff of that horse half breed on you. Did you bring back that tea he makes?"
"... No."
Clicking her tongue, she placed her earrings in pointed ears. "Hah? Well, it is not as though we do not have tea from more reputable places than a peasant's back garden, but… mn...the blend was not that bad." Sharp eyes slid to him in the vanity mirror. "Besides, the tea provides an excuse to see the miko, does it not? Perhaps that's why our kitchen is usually so overstocked with it."
Sesshoumaru stiffened and snarled. "Foolishness," he sneered, hackles rising. Clarity dawned on him then, and he wrestled with the similarity of the situation. No, he was not his father. He needed to stop this interest in the miko.
The mink showed her teeth, puffing up her hair and giggling. "I desire tea. Bring me the half scum's blend. I suddenly thirst for a fresh batch."
"Get it yourself," he snipped, leaving the room with a billow of silks. She reminded him of Mother. How his other self coped with the two of them in the same room was beyond him.
It did not take long for him to drift back along the skies, guided by a stubborn desire to resist. Yes, he would see the miko. And that would be all. He'd master this ridiculous sensation in his chest and triumpth. She would not be the same as his Kagome, and hopefully the disappointment this time would knock sense into him.
Flying to the village and deciding to approach Jinenji's hut on foot, he picked up her scent confusingly near.
Stopping, the spice on the breeze led the Daiyoukai to a figure lying carelessly on lush green grass. Kagome slumbered peacefully, the sun no doubt burning her face.
Sesshoumaru cut his eyes to the sky. She would need to be moved, foolish woman. Leaning down and picking her up, he stilled when she made a soft noise in her sleep and nuzzled against mokomoko. His eyes never left her face until they reached Jinenji's hut.
Upon visiting, later, he found it odd that she seemed so skittish around him, even dropping a bowl at one point in his presence.
This strangeness extended to the night of the village celebration, which he attended as per Rin's invitation. Standing before the bonfire and trying to avoid the cluster of dancing, clapping humans, Sesshoumaru found himself lost in thought- until his former ward tugged on his sleeve.
"I'm going to go dance with Kohaku," Rin chirped. "Will you dance too, my Lord?"
"No, I do not think so," his lips curved.
"Oh! There's Kagome! Maybe she'll dance with you!" Rin pointed across the village square.
Stomach tightening, his attention swung in her direction.
And the miko gazed back, longing curiously filling those bewitching blue eyes- until they slid shut. She wilted like a flower and dropped towards the floor. His arms were around her before he could even think of it.
"Miko!" he hissed, shaking the unconscious woman slightly. Instincts clamoured, screaming, until a murmur slipped from him. Soft, like a confession:
"Kagome."
She did not stir for a few moments, but when she did, Kagome blinked up at him with confusion.
"Uhh… hey, buddy," she patted his shoulder. "Did I fall? What's going on?"
Sesshoumaru's brow knitted, shoulders soon stiffening. The sensation of a crown adorning his head made itself known.
When a daisy fell, Sesshoumaru tipped forward.
"Woah!" Kagome squeaked, catching him about the neck but helpless to stop his unconscious body from sinking weightlessly atop her, pale lashes falling shut.
When next awakening in another timeline, Sesshoumaru immediately left his demon mate to stride into the garden. "Spirit," he uttered.
The child named 'Yua' appeared before him, tilting her head. "Yes?"
Stormy eyes swung in her direction. "You will cease this now."
"Cease what?"
"You are aware what," Sesshoumaru grunted. "I do not wish to continue seeing these timelines."
"Does that mean you have made your choice for a wife?" she asked calmly.
Clawed fingers curled into loose fists. "Perhaps," he said, tilting a regal chin up.
"Perhaps is not good enough."
Sesshoumaru loathed explaining himself, a low snarl erupting from his chest. The spirit crossed her arms, unimpressed. Odd. She'd seemed so emotionless before. Her attitude almost reminded him of someone.
"You should go see her."
He blinked and frowned.
"You should see her, once more. Gaze upon her in this world, where she is unmarried."
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened a touch. Resistant, his natures clashed. Duty and instinct. There would be no going back from this once he admitted this thing to himself and stepped foot on an unfamiliar path he'd once loathed his father for taking.
Pushing off from the ground, Sesshoumaru made the journey to the village one last time.
But she was not there.
Surprise had registered on his features. Sesshoumaru followed the scattered trail of her scent through the forest, weaving around tree trunks.
When he finally found her, it appeared the miko had adopted a vagabond style of living. Her scent had trailed from village to village. He'd stumbled upon a fresh kill she'd slain and skinned, impressed by the skill of the trap she'd set and clean kill.
Watching her now; Kagome washing her clothes in a river and kneeling beside it, Sesshoumaru admitted his attachment silently, simply, and with little fanfare.
"...This one will mate the miko Kagome," he said, lingering in the bushes.
"A wise decision," Yua said, already standing beside him and observing the woman.
Sesshoumaru glanced down at his side. "Why do you have a preference?"
Dark eyes slid up to him and she smiled impishly, holding a finger to her lips and disappearing. Sesshoumaru lingered, before walking from the cover of the trees.
The Kagome of this timeline glanced at him, immediately gentling a little despite her more rugged appearance. She wore clothes more befitting travel, her body slightly thinner but muscles obviously there, hinting at her slick skill with a bow. He'd wager she was fast. A wildness touched her features that hadn't been there before.
He wondered what had happened. Why was she alone? Why remain unmarried?
Why had he been so foolish as to neglect to mate her? He'd ironically seen better while being half-blind.
"What brings you here?" she grunted, putting the clothing in a basket and shifting on her bruised knees.
Approaching, Sesshoumaru stopped before her. The proud lord then shifted down to his knees. She made a noise, freezing up when he tiredly lowered himself down, resting a weary head on her thighs.
"S-sesshoumaru?"
He gave an extinguished sigh, laying himself down and closing his eyes with a rich chuckle that signalled the warlord's surrender to the madness. This was one fight he could not win. He felt all the freer for it. "Allow me this…indulgence."
Her well-muscled thighs seemed to lose their tension. A soft pressure rested on the crown of his head, stroking slightly.
When Sesshoumaru's entire being crooned with the rightness of it, the Daiyoukai knew he was doomed.
Kagome blinked, staring at him, mouth slightly open.
"I- oh wow," she breathed. "That's crazy! You were there the same time I was during Jinenji's timeline! A-and I didn't know what I was like unmarried. I sound kind of badass," pausing with thought, she added: "in a loner type of way."
Sesshoumaru hummed, smirking slightly. Quieting, she lay a hand on his arm and squeezed. "I had no idea you'd… thought about me so much. But something similar happened to me. I kept running into you."
Albeit not on purpose, as he'd seemed to.
"Hn."
"A-and your partial blindness! You didn't say anything. Do you need to watch out for anything in order to avoid it here?"
"This one has already sought out the worm who injured me in the other timeline. I took care of it."
"That's uh- quick work," she said, impressed. "It sucks I never found out who gave Yua her powers. Maybe they were some dark puppet master, but I didn't feel any malice in their intentions. Do you think…they kind of conditioned us to get together?"
Demonic attention settled heavy and considering upon her face. "I do not entirely understand that term, but if you are implying we were manipulated to be together, this one would disagree. We were merely presented with the opportunity to happen upon each other more… and we took it."
Kagome warmed, curling against his side on the grass and kissing his jaw.
"Mn, I agree."
Sesshoumaru ducked his head slightly and captured her lips, pouring repressed feeling into it. Holding him close, Kagome blushed and smiled. The drag of his palm curving over her hip made her squirm.
When his mouth moved to suck at the flushed skin of her collarbone, she groaned. "You-" she gasped as teeth joined the sucking sensation, "you wanna…"
Sesshoumaru pulled away slightly to raise a brow.
Kagome swallowed. "We could… go all the way, if you wanted."
Blinking, he broke into a soft chuckle. "Oh? 'Go all the way?'" honeyed eyes teased.
She huffed and slid away slightly, "if you're going to poke fun I guess you don't want to-"
Sesshoumaru dragged her beneath him as he rolled atop her, noses brushing. "I want to," he said simply, kissing her firmly.
Kagome's nails dragged down his chest, grateful for the lack of armour. Noticing his hands hook beneath her, preparing to lift- she touched his cheek.
"We can do it here."
Sesshoumaru paused, before continuing to lift her, standing and holding her against him. "No."
"No?
"After thinking on it earlier, this one decided we will go somewhere more suitable."
Bursting upwards into the sky caused Kagome to jolt, gasping and locking her arms tight around his neck, rearing up out of his arms like a frightened mule and bumping her chest accidentally against his face.
Sesshoumaru grunted, flying through the sky with clouds collected at his feet.
Calming and feeling a chill from the breeze, Kagome shuddered. Mokomoko looped up around her. "You are making this mildly more difficult than it needs to be," came his amused voice.
"Let me get comfortable then," she giggled, shifting in his arms and lowering herself down to rest a cheek on his shoulder, feeling ribbons of heated youkai spiral around them for the remainder of the flight.
He'd taken her across a vast stretch of water to a marooned lake house. Despite the lack of servants, it seemed well maintained. The walls were pale and made of marble stone. Sesshoumaru flew through several inner chambers before arriving in a bedroom filled with earthy browns and whites, lace, silks and furs filling it with comfort.
"So is this your bachelor pad?" she teased as he set her down on the plush bed.
He snorted, "it is a place built for the express purpose of binding one another by mating."
"O-oh...so has your whole clan used it?" Kagome asked, glancing around.
"Only my mother and father have used this building...many centuries ago."
"It looks like it's still in good shape."
"Hn, it has been tended to regularly, in case I found a woman worthy of becoming mine."
Kagome smirked at his ego. Absentmindedly stroking her fingers over mokomoko, she wiggled a little to test the bed. It looked suprisingly more western in design, the furs and sublime silk curtains giving it a decadent air.
"Is there anything humans require to build pleasure during sex?" He asked curiously, shuddering slightly from her touch on the fur.
"Didn't you ask my other self that?" she rose a brow as he shook his head. "Depends on the person, I guess. I mean... if you haven't noticed, my chest and thighs are the most sensitive areas." Sesshoumaru nodded slightly, tugging mokomoko off one shoulder and discarding it, sliding his hand under her thighs and cupping her ass.
"Not here, too?"
Flushed cheeks darkened into a deep red. "Maybe a little," she muttered. "I guess nearly everywhere if I'm being perfectly honest."
"Interesting. You know my...preferences."
Stripe stroking, a mildly perverted look crossed her face, not quite belonging on such sweet features.
Suddenly firm hands grabbed her hips- flipping her over so that she was facing the opposite direction. She landed with a yelp, the strands cushioning her stomach. "This one will teach you mating intimacies later. For the first time, we do it the traditonal way."
Kagome reddened all the more, hands curling into the furs. "Don't you just stick it in and rut around a bit?"
"Are you trying to liken my kind to those uncultured wolves? Inuyoukai are superior lovers," he was preening, she could hear it in his voice. He reached under her and tugged denim shorts down, dragging them over thighs and slipping them off her ankles.
Making a noise, she glared over one shoulder. "You know this position doesn't exactly feel flattering," Kagome griped even as something hooked low in her stomach; Wetness building between her legs that caused her thighs to press together, trying to mask it.
Sesshoumaru looked at her and scented it of course, which caused something hard to rub against her ass. Blue eyes widened and Kagome quickly faced forward, breath picking up. Her hips rocked, betraying her. He tugged the material of her panties aside to expose her glistening sex and forgoing it in favour of stroking her spine in order to tease her, soon noticing marks on her legs.
"I noticed it in the future too...you have scars on your thighs," Sesshoumaru observed though they were very small. He touched them lightly.
"Oh, those are stretch marks," Kagome shrugged. "I'd wager I have more in the future after having kids. On my stomach and stuff."
Humming with acknowledgement, he knelt on the floor and bent his head to kiss and lick at the marks. Gasping and shuddering, she squirmed- until his seeking, prying tongue wormed its way between her legs, swiping over her sex in a lingering drag.
"Is the position so terrible now, Kagome?"
"No," she groaned, panting. "...M-more."
He indulged in her deeply, stripping himself while pleasuring her. When her skin heated, temperature skyrocketing, Kagome tugged her top off gracelessly and unclasping her bra, throwing it carelessly to land on the bedpost. Her panties were left in shreds on the floor but neither cared. After the pressure snapped and she cried out her release, Sesshoumaru leaned over her back and tilted her chin to press his lips to hers.
The hunger in her eyes mirrored his own. Soon enough, he'd raised her hips, aligning his cock with her entrance. Panting and still recovering from her orgasm, Kagome felt addicted to the clawed fingers wrapped around her waist.
Sesshoumaru pushed his hips forward, easing himself partially inside with a low noise. Breath caught in her throat as blue eyes flew wide. It felt nothing like sex with his future self. This was tight and uncomfortable. Kagome made a small noise, shuddering. "Don't make it worse by prolonging it, just stick it in," she groaned anyway, inhaling deeply.
Sesshoumaru rammed slim hips forward with a snarl and a violent shudder wracked his frame. Kagome yelped, and a moment later, a small bit of blood trickled down her thigh. Even still, however, a needy feeling demanded to make itself known through the pain. Her back arched, squirming a little and trying to find some comfortable position. Hearing a small whimper, Sesshoumaru pushed aside his own haze, panting as he felt her squeeze him impossibly tight. Worming a hand down, he cupped her sex and rubbed to try and ease the pain.
He dragged his tongue over her throat and kissed her cheek, resting his lips there to try and comfort her instinctively as he started to move.
Kagome moaned loudly the moment he did, taking a moment to adjust to the feeling, but liking it immensely. Sesshoumaru exhaled, eyes falling shut, before. Reaching for her chin, he stroked a thumb over her jaw, sharp nail skimming sweaty skin. He then shifts to sit on the bed, tugging her with him to sit onto his lap.
Gaping at the changed position and feeling him hit deeper, she moaned, grinding slightly for a moment, before positioning herself to sit forward, dragging herself along his cock before rocking back and taking him fully inside her again. Squeezing exhilarated eyes shut and letting out a soft mewl, Kagome found it altogether much less painful than before.
Groaning and panting with her, the demon at her back held her tight around her waist, cupping one of her breasts and squeezing, ellicting a mewl. He bucked up inside her, bringing her hips in towards him every time to urge himself deeper, watching with male satisfaction as she squirmed against his cock, her hips moving in tandem with his thrusts.
"These claws are yours," he breathed, claws skimming her neck. "Just as your body is mine, this one is yours."
"Yes," she sighed with pleasure.
She felt turned on by the mere sensation of Sesshoumaru panting harshly into her hair, claws scraping her back as his fingers twitch and he shudders, growling. He held himself back from release by a hairs breath as he thrust harder and faster, feeling her clench around him, static reiki snapping over his skin where they touched.
Kagome yelped. Her toes curled and she reached for his hand, lacing their fingers and squeezing as youki billowed around them. She then gasped and shuddered, raising his wrist and bite down to stifle herself as she released, body jolting. Red eyes snapped wide, steam hissing out at her neck as he moved that much harsher and quicker in response.
The demon buried himself inside her to the hilt and snarled loudly, mind bleeding away entirely as he cums. His fangs sink into her shoulder and his aura threads itself with hers, blazing through the fabrics of their beings and tying them together.
Panting softly, Kagome wilted with exhaustion, feeling his chest press against her back and clinging weakly to his arm, lowering a wrist from her mouth. Angry bite marks stared back at her. "I love you," she murmured, voice hazy.
Sesshoumaru panted and summoned mokomoko to curl around her aching body as he set her down, still holding her close. "This one is yours," he muttered quietly, unused to sharing vocal intimacy. He tried again once they'd calmed down, heartbeats soothing as he pulled out and she turned to face him. "You are quite beautiful, for a human."
Her gaze flattened. "Neat. Now try it without that last part."
Sesshoumaru made a face, eyes narrowing. "You are quite beautiful."
"Thanks," she chirped with a saccharine grin. "You too. Uh, in a manly sorta way."
"This one is secure in my appearance. You may call me whatever you want," he uttered, lifting a shoulder in much the same way he'd brushed off wearing flowers in his hair. He kissed her cheek and found that he quite liked pillow talk with her, their hands continuing to lazily stray.
"Hmm..." Kagome tapped her lips. "I don't want to give you a run of the mill compliment- oh!" she brightened. "In another timeline, you told me the inuyoukai story of creation. What did Amaterasu use to call you all when your kind walked beside her?"
Sesshoumaru appeared mildly stunned, gaze relaxing to flit over her rumpled features. "She called us her 'Golden Ones.'"
Smoothing a hand through silver bangs and trailing lower, her thumb paused beneath his gleaming animal eye. "You're my Golden One."
"That sounds ridiculous."
"I know, I kinda love it more because of that," she giggled, kissing his aristocratic nose. Kagome then steadily sobered, a considering look crossing her face.
Sesshoumaru glided pale knuckles over her ribs. "What is it?"
"You don't think...the Sun Goddess had anything to do with..." she trailed off.
He stared, lips thinning and mulling it over. They then shared a glance and snorted in sync, cuddling closer.
"As if!" and "Hn," sounded out into the room, the mated pair falling silent in favour of lingering touches and languid kisses, limbs tangled and auras remaining entwined long into the night.