Kagome walks through the door, mood testier than usual when she breathes in the most wonderful scent. "Kami, what is that amazing smell?" she murmurs as she kicks off her heels and pads towards the kitchen.
"Hello, Kagome. I am making Miso Nikomi Udon. I have been here for three months now, and wished to express my gratitude to you both." Sesshoumaru replies, standing over the stove with his back to her.
"Oh gods… Did you know before that this is, like, my all time favourite food?" Kagome asks as she goes to the fridge for wine.
"I did not know this specifically was. I was, however, aware that you both enjoyed udon." He smirks as he looks back at her, eyes flickering over her form, suppressing a sigh at how beautiful she looks in her tailored slacks and blouse, her ebony hair in a loose messy bun, no doubt done as soon as she left the office.
"Well, major brownie points for stumbling upon my greatest weakness." she teases, pouring herself a glass of white wine and sliding onto a bar stool.
"How very fortunate for me. It should be done soon."
"Want me to set the table or we just gunna eat at the island as usual?" the miko queries, watching the inu, letting her eyes glide over his wonderful body- his form fitting black v-neck t-shirt and snug jeans- before giving herself a firm mental shake of her head.
"Here is fine." Sesshoumaru answers as he pulls the food off the heat and begins dishing it into bowls. "If you could call for-"
"Yo, food ready? Been drooling for the last hour over the smells." Kouga announces as he slides onto a stool next to Kagome.
"Perfect timing, Kouga." she giggles.
"Oh man, you made Miso Nikomi? Won the lottery there with this one." Kouga jerks a thumb at the miko next to him, earning a light swat and a laugh from her.
"I told him already." Sesshoumaru sets bowls in front of his two housemates before grabbing his own and settling himself down to eat. "Oh my gods. This is amazing." Kagome moans in delight. "No, seriously. I've had every authentic type of this you can possibly find and this. This right here. Is the most amazing Miso Nikomi I've ever had." she tells him.
"Thank you. I am glad you enjoy it so much. I will certainly have to make it again, then." Sesshoumaru gives her a genuine smile, eyes staying locked to her face for a half a beat longer than he should to take in the look of utter bliss that has settled there.
"Where and when did you pick up cooking?" Kouga inquires, seeing the look in the inu's eyes.
Sesshoumaru slides his eyes to the wolf, snapping out of his unintended staring. "When the humans attacked the Western Shiro, I sent most of the youkai to the Order for safety. I, however, decided to wander a while, now that I no longer had the weight of responsibility. It was in Nagoya that I originally found that I enjoyed cooking. An older human male was looking for an apprentice for his noodle shop. I spent nearly a decade there before travelling to other cities and learning dishes from all over the country. Miso Nikomi is still one of my own favourites, however."
"You must have so many stories from your lifetime." Kagome muses, blue eyes locking with gold.
"Indeed. As do you, I am sure." he answers easily.
"Yeah, I suppose." she shrugs, turning her eyes back down to her bowl of food. "How old are you, anyways? I never did ask back then, thought it might be rude, but I've always been curious. I know numbnuts here is about 900 now." Kagome tilts her head towards the wolf who snorts lightly.
"I am approximately 1500 years old." Sesshoumaru tells her, watching her intently and smirking when her head snaps up, eyes wide as they lock with his.
"Damn. I'd love to hear your version of history someday." she breathes, forcing her gaze away from his own.
"I would be curious to hear yours, as you no doubt have done much that I have not."
"Mm, true." She looks down at her food for a moment before taking a breath and smiling again. "Gods, this is really good, Sess. Perfect day to do it. Fixed a shitty day." Kagome states as continues eating.
"The hell happened after we left at lunch?" Kouga asks, staring at the miko when she groans, her eyes narrowing in anger.
"Give you a guess. Was fine until the last hour, then I decided to stretch my legs from sitting all day and deliver the files myself. Then, I remembered why we don't do that." she grouses, expression darkening as she glares at her bowl.
"Fucking idiot. Did you zap him? Please tell me you zapped him."
"Almost. Toran showed up with a couple of the other department heads and he backed down from his hissy fit, stomped back to his office like a three year old and slammed the door. I left the files with his secretary, which is what I was intending to do from the start, but he had to fly out, guns blazin', to try and tear me a new one as if he has any say in anything." Her voice has dropped to a seething hiss as she drops her utensils and rakes her hands through her hair, pulling out the bun, only to tie it back up. "Fucking ass."
"Not surprising. One day, he's gunna push it too far, and I just hope I'm there to witness him frying into oblivion." Kouga huffs out an annoyed breath as he eats.
"He is always such a problem?" Sesshoumaru inquires, gaze dancing between the two fuming partners.
"Pretty much. Was always bad, got worse when Kagome shut him out and ran off with Shippo to live with my tribe. Eased up a bit when she rejoined the order, then got nasty when we started officially working together. Even worse when we were fucking. Hasn't quite recovered from that level yet." Kouga shrugs as he slurps more food.
"He's an overgrown child who won't accept the consequences of his actions and takes it out on everyone else." Kagome all but spits out.
"Not so much everyone else. You. And a bit to those who support you. But he takes it out on you, Kags."
Kagome throws her hands up in the air in exasperation. "I know. I fucking know." she almost yells before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "Anyways, he's an ass, single handedly made my okay day shit, but this amazing food made it better. Let's get back to the food please." Kagome declares, picking up her chopsticks again to resume eating.
"Sure, baby girl." Kouga reaches out to give her shoulder a squeeze, offering her a smile when she looks at him, making her expression soften a bit. Her eyes slide to Sesshoumaru who gives her a small nod and his own ghost of a smile, drawing a smile from her in return. For all that he was an unmitigated and unparalleled nightmare of an asshole, she has the best friends.
"Well, this is delicious, Sess. Thanks for making it. I got an early day tomorrow though, so I'm gunna head to bed. You two enjoy your evening." Kouga announces as he cleans up his space before leaving the other two alone in a companionable silence. Several minutes go by before Kagome clears her throat.
"You wanna watch a movie?" she asks quietly.
"I am not opposed. What did you have in mind?" the inu answers, collecting dishes to put in the dishwasher.
Kagome shrugs. "I don't care really. You have any preferences?"
"I would enjoy learning which movies you enjoy, actually." he tells her as he walks to her, leaning against the counter next to her.
"Really. Okay. Well. I like a lot of things. Lot of horror movies, and I know it's weird. Um. Oh, I know! C'mere." She grabs his hand and tugs him to the giant U couch before skipping to the entertainment center and popping in the Princess Bride into the DVD player. She turns back to him with a beaming smile and sits next to him. "This is one of my absolute favourites. It's cheesy as fuck, but it's from the 80's. What can ya do."
Sesshoumaru smiles at her, having seen the movie before. "You seem to enjoy a lot of American and English things."
Kagome laughs, her smile taking on a slight melancholy tilt. "Yeah. My dad was American. Half Japanese, half European something or other. It's where I get the blue eyes from. His mom's side of the family came from Kyoto, though they've all moved to the states now. He met my mom while they were both in Toyota University. So, anyways, I grew up on a lot of American movies and music. Him showing me this movie is one of my earliest memories with him, and my most frequent." she giggles as she shifts next to Sesshoumaru, curling her legs under her and leaning against him. "After the first time, I would demand he watch it with me basically every night for, like a year. Now, I can't watch it without thinking of him."
"I am honoured you are sharing it with me now, then." he tells her, eyes dancing across her features.
"I know you've probably seen it, but… I'd still like to watch it with you. Next movie, you're showing me one of your favourites, though." Kagome smiles, getting comfortable as she begins the movie.
"Indeed." he answers quietly, settling in to watch the movie with a new appreciation.
xXx
Stumbling steps down the stairs behind their heads draws their attention from the movie they are only half watching as they discuss it with each other, both having seen it several times before.
"Did you guys sleep at all?" Kouga mumbles as he scrubs his face, yawning widely.
"Oh jeez, is it morning already?" Kagome asks, flipping her wrist to check her watch. "Well damn. So it is. We were showing each other some of our favourite movies."
"Forcing him to watch Inception, too?" Kouga smirks as he tumbles over the back of the couch to flop onto his back, half lidded eyes taking in how the other two are sitting together- Sesshoumaru stretched out down one of the U arms of the couch, an arm thrown over the miko's shoulders as she leans against his side, her own legs stretching out down the middle section of the couch.
"Actually, this one was his choice. He just has good taste." Kagome giggles as Sesshoumaru smirks at the wolf's grimace.
"Oh joy. Another nerd."
"Not our fault you don't appreciate movies that make you think." Kagome teases, nudging his arm with her foot.
"Hey, if I wanted to think, I'd go read a book. Movies are supposed to relax, not give you headaches. Does he agree with your theory?"
"Somewhat. We're watching Interstellar next." Kagome answers, resituating the blankets around her and Sesshoumaru.
"Oh thank Kami I've gotta go into the office." Kouga praises the ceiling, his arms lifting above him. "Should show him your guilty pleasure movies, instead." The inu's eyebrow quirks there, shifting his gaze to the miko.
"I've shown him a couple already, don't think he appreciated Queen of the Damned, but I'm fairly sure he likes the Princess Bride. Pride and Prejudice he hasn't said more than 'Hn' about, so the jury's still out there." Kagome giggles as the inu's face shifts from his curiosity to disdain to a reluctant smile, his eyes watching the beaming miko against him.
"Uh huh. Wait til she gets into the chick flicky ones. Or Harry Potter. Gods, give me warning before you do those, please. Also, Shippo will murder you if you watch them without him." Kouga states as he sits up, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I always make sure you're not home and that he knows." the miko chuckles lightly.
"I have heard of those but I admit that I have never seen them. Or read them." Sesshoumaru tells Kagome, whose jaw drops for a moment, then her face lights up.
"Oh, well, now I know what we're watching tonight. I'm gunna need at least a nap before then though. There's 8 movies, total, after all, and we gotta wait for Shippo anyways." Kagome practically vibrates with excitement, making both canines laugh.
"Right, well. I'm gunna go get ready and I'll see you guys tonight. Kags, eat and sleep." Kouga gives her a pointed look, before walking to the kitchen.
Kagome shifts to get more comfortable against the warm daiyoukai she was half using as a pillow, as a yawn escapes her. "Yeah, I don't know if I'm gunna make it to the next movie."
"Sleep, Kagome. We could both use it." Sesshoumaru murmurs, leaning down to nuzzle her before catching himself at the last second. Oh, how he wishes he could show her the affection he holds for her. The longing he keeps hidden from her. Perhaps one day.
"Mm, play the movie, I can make it to the end of this one." she mumbles, her eyes growing heavier by the second. Sesshoumaru watches her slowly slide down his torso in her exhaustion as they finish, until her head lands in his lap and he hears her breathing even out and her heartbeat slow. Shifting her gently so that he can lay flat, he places her head against his stomach, letting his fingers run through the ends of her hair, half wishing the charm didn't prevent his claws from appearing, knowing it would feel even better to both of them. A gentle contented rumble begins in his chest as he allows himself to drift off as well, a soft smile painted across his lips.
xXx
Sesshoumaru finds himself spending most of his time around Kagome watching her, all of his senses trained to her. Gods, he feels weak, barely able to control himself around this slip of a woman. The thoughts that run through his head range from innocent touching and smiles to having her pinned beneath him, crying out in rapturous pleasure.
He knows the wolf knows, as well. Possibly even the fox. The only one who seems oblivious is the miko herself, which is fine. It means she treats him the same as she always has, which he treasures. He had been curiously drawn to her five centuries ago and walked away because he was unwilling to even ponder the thought of a possibility and not willing to deal with other consequences. Now, walking away would surely kill him.
He knows he will one day have to tell her, to act on how he feels, but he just can't bring himself to push the boundary yet. Half afraid of her outright rejection, and half afraid that she will not want anything more than someone to sate carnal needs, which he would take, but Kami, does he want more.
Kagome shifts in her seat with a deep breath, her attention focused on a report on her desk. Her scent, filling the office they all share, is so clear and consuming that it drowns out the wolf's and even his own. He breaths deep, filling his lungs with it, feeling curls of contented pleasure float through him at the thought that he's been essentially scent marked by the miko, even unknowingly.
Kagome's eyes flick to Sesshoumaru, as they often do when they're near each other these days. She shifts in her seat again, wishing the restlessness she feels around him would stop. She wants him. She knows and accepts this, but isn't ready to think of what it means or what she wants to do about it, if anything, so she tries to ignore it. Tries.
She fails every few minutes as her eyes inevitably are drawn back to him, as if by a magnet. She watches as he reclines languidly in his chair, leaning his chin into a palm as he reads a report, perfectly tailored jeans clad legs outstretched before him, ankles crossed. Kami, what she wouldn't give to- no. Not thinking about it. Not doing it.
She shakes her head lightly, shifting again and forcing her attention back to the report she's been reading for the last half hour. Half way through, she feels her eyes wanting to look at the Adonis sitting a mere five feet from her again. Groaning under her breath, she drops the report and leans forward to rest her forehead against her crossed arms on her desk.
Something's going to have to give. Soon. The last two months since the impromptu movie night with him have been near torturous. She's sure he must know. She knows for sure that Kouga knows, what with all the teasing smirks and eyebrow waggles he gives her.
"Is everything okay, Kagome?" she hears the devilishly smooth baritone ask her.
"Hm, yeah. Just… a lot on my mind and finding it impossible to concentrate without getting a headache." she replies, sighing heavily. "I think I might call it a day, go home and meditate. Or something." Kagome stands, collecting the reports that had spread across her desk into a neat stack to look at tomorrow.
Perhaps she'll dig out the toys she's kept buried in the back of her closet. That would definitely help her relax. That is if no ones home. Gods, she hopes no one's home when she gets there. Doing that definitely won't help with her wayward thoughts, however. Her eyes flick back up to the inu against her will.
"If you are sure." Sesshoumaru murmurs, mild concern lacing through him. He swallows down the desire to offer to go with her, knowing that if she wanted him to accompany her, she would've asked. However much he wishes she would, she has not and he would respect that.
"Yeah. Gunna take advantage of the quiet at the house, I think." Kagome answers, cursing herself internally for how breathy her voice sounds.
"Hn. Indeed. In that case, see you this evening." Sesshiumaru tells her, inwardly wincing at how husky his voice has become.
Kouga sits silently at his desk, fighting down his own reactions as he watches the two dance around each other, each unaware of just how much the other wants them. It's almost comical seeing two people normally so self assured and confident with going after what they want instead hesitating, suppressing, and second guessing themselves. The day they finally stop will be the day they find their happiness. He's sure that they're meant for each other.
Even when Kagome was with him, she didn't behave quite the way she has with the former Lord. It's as if there's a magnetic force tugging them both towards each other. Perhaps that's why they're fighting themselves so much. The pull is strong and they're unsure what to do about it.
When Kagome groans and falls forward onto her desk, he smirks. He begins a countdown for when she gives up and decides to leave. And, yep, there she goes. Meditate. Yeah, sure. Maybe with those toys she pretends she doesn't have, while dreaming of a certain inu. Kami. He needs to find his own distraction, he's spending far too much time focusing on his two friends.
"Kouga, you think you could bring burgers home for dinner tonight? Thinking I'm gunna need it." Kagome's voice snaps his attention back from his thoughts.
"Huh? Yeah. Sure. Your usual?" he asks, giving her a fanged grin.
"Yes, please. Well, see you two later." she says as she leaves the room. Sesshoumaru's eyes trail after her, a sigh escaping him before his eyes drift back across the room, catching the wolf's knowing look and his stupidly big grin.
"Don't worry, man. Things'll work out. You'll see." Kouga remarks, earning a scowl from the inu.
"I have no idea what you are referring to, ookami."
"Mhm, sure." Kouga snorts quietly as he turns back to his own pile of paperwork. Downside to being Kagome's partner, is being her glorified assistant that has to deal with all the paperwork of the Order, since she's effectively in charge of the entire organisation. Perhaps he'll ask for a vacation soon. He's sure Kagome would grant it.
xXx
Kagome wakes from a nap she took after 'meditating' when she got home to the sounds of her two partners returning home and setting up dinner in her kitchen. Sitting up, she puts her head in her hands.
She can't ignore it any longer. It's not just an attraction to Sesshoumaru. She wants more. If the dream she just woke from is any indication, she wants forever with him. Groaning, she slides her hands up into her hair. She has it bad for the daiyoukai. Now, she has to figure out what to do about it. If there's even a possibility of a next step between them.
Sighing heavily, she swings her legs over the edge of her bed to stand and begin to make her way downstairs. She'll deal with it later on a different day. And, then maybe one day she'll have the courage to tell the reticent lord how she really feels. One day.
Sesshoumaru hears her pad down the stairs, and barely controls the urge to turn around and smile at her. Such actions were not usual for him and he did not want her to start questioning his behaviour. But, Kami, was it hard to keep the urges at bay.
"Thanks, guys. Gods, been thinking about that burger all afternoon." Kagome says as she plops onto a barstool and drags her food towards her. Sesshoumaru smirks as she digs in, settling himself across from her.
"I still say these are the best damn burgers ever made anywhere. Gods, so damn good." she mumbles before popping a fry into her mouth.
"Indeed, they are exceptionally good." Sesshoumaru replies, earning a 'damn right' from the miko. Watching her, he can't help but admire how elegant she is even while eating. Especially despite the fact that she's dressed in an old baggy t shirt, yoga shorts and a messy lopsided bun. Very few can manage it, and yet here was this breathtaking woman, without even trying, making every movement look stunning and effortless. Gods, he has it bad for her. He knows it, the wolf definitely knows it. If only she did. One day, he'll tell her, regardless of the outcome, but for now, he'll enjoy watching her. One day.
4/28/21 A/n: I'm going to be updating this story on Wednesday's, for the foreseeable future. I've got 20 chapters written, so I've got a backlog in case I get stuck or something.
Also, just as a warning, if it wasn't hinted at well enough up until now, InuYasha is not Kags and co's friend in this story. He done fucked up, big time, and he's not going to get a redemption and be buddy buddy again with her.
I don't have an ending for this story yet, I'm still actively writing it, but I've a general idea of where I want it to go. Not as mapped out as SHM, but a good idea.
This story is heavy, and going to be A LOT of angst and trauma. I'll have TW's at the beginning of chapters, but that'll be it. If you can't handle the triggers, I'm very sorry and I understand completely if you don't want to/ can't continue reading this story.