"You guys ready? It's nearly sundown." Kagome asks over her headset, checking the telescope again.
"Yep, just waiting for the word." Kouga replies.
"Indeed." comes Sesshoumaru's answer.
"Gotcha, waiting for the target to cross the window. Here he comes… right… about… now. Target down." she tells them, getting grunts in response. She lets them do their part of the job and begins packing up the equipment, checking that nothing's been left behind. Half an hour later, she hears the door to the room they've been camping in for the last two days open, and Sesshoumaru steps through. Nodding, he reaches for some of the bags, ready to start carting them down to their SUV. Kouga enters shortly after, grabbing the rest of the bags, save for Kagome's rifle case, as they head out, giving one last check that they hadn't forgotten anything.
Once in the SUV, Kagome takes a moment to plug in her phone to pull up her playlist of various rock songs and pressing shuffle. She then turns the vehicle on and starts to pull out into traffic. They ride in relative silence, save for the music playing at a low volume. Kouga is stretched out across the backseat, his foot tapping along with his eyes closed. Sesshoumaru watches out of the front passenger window, only half listening to the music, his mind preoccupied with the miko currently driving them home.
After nearly an hour, Kouga's soft snores can be heard. Sesshoumaru casts a sidelong glance at the miko before deciding to take advantage of the semi privacy.
"Interesting playlist." he says quietly, slight teasing smirk visibile on his face.
"Hm? Oh, yeah." She shrugs lightly. "Just what I like. Plus, helps keep me awake, even at the quiet volume. And, Kouga likes it, so I don't have to listen to him whine." she adds, snorting softly.
"It is pleasing, even if a bit heavier than I would normally choose." Sesshoumaru tells her, shifting in his seat slightly to face her. "What is your favourite song on the playlist?"
"Oh, Kami. I can't answer that. Do you know how many songs are on this one? It's got over two thousand." She giggles quietly, glancing at him briefly before turning back to the road.
"That is quite a large number, yes. Okay, favourite artist on the playlist." he amends his question.
"Um, probably Shinedown. If you want, you're welcome to go through it and change the songs." she offers, nodding her head towards her phone. "Kouga might wake up and bitch if it's not on the playlist, but I don't mind you snooping." She smiles at the inu, and he feels his chest tighten a bit, causing him to pause for a moment at the pleasant sensation she always induces in him.
"I believe I shall." he replies, picking up her phone and sifting through her music library, before settling on a song.
"Oh, I love this song. It's repetitive, but it just… I really like it." Kagome whispers before starting to sing along with it softly.
"Restless tonight, 'cause I wasted the light. Between both these times, I drew a really thin line. It's nothing I planned, and not that I can. But you should be mine, across that line."* Sesshoumaru listens to her, closing his eyes as she harmonizes beautifully with it. It was one of first songs he recognized and that he liked himself. And, hearing her sing it was pure heaven. He knows how he feels about her has just deepened again.
When the song ends, he opens his eyes again and looks over, seeing a wistful smile on her face. Before he can even process the action, his hand reaches out to hers, brushing his fingers along her wrist gently. "You sing beautifully, Kagome." he murmurs, his own lips curving into a soft smile.
"Thanks." she says with a faint blush.
"Rather than a single favourite, what are some songs that mean something to you? As that one obviously does." he inquires gently, slipping her hand into his and lacing his fingers with hers. He's mildly surprised that he is initiating such contact, despite having wished to for a while now, but doing so now feels right.
"Um. Well, most of my stuff is along the lines of hard rock, as you've noticed, but… honestly? The ones that kinda resonate and stick with me tend to be much more mellow. Funny, isn't it?" she chuckles, revelling in the warmth of his hand.
"Perhaps, perhaps not. What we enjoy in our daily lives versus what stands out against it are often different. Tell me of some of the songs, we can play them while the wolf sleeps." Sesshoumaru encourages her, allowing a warm smile to grace his lips.
Kagome looks over at the inu who had commandeered her hand and was currently smiling so sweetly at her, and feels the familiar flutter that he always instigates in her stomach again. Smiling wider, she answers with a small nod. "I really like 'Set Fire to the Third Bar' by Snow Patrol."
"Then that is what we shall listen to next."
xXx
"Kaiya! Hey! Oh, I'm glad I caught you!" a middle aged woman calls out after the three partners have climbed out of the SUV in their driveway, each grabbing bags to take inside. Kagome turns towards the woman before smiling brightly.
"Oh, hey Nozomi, what's up?" Kagome sets down her bags and walks down the driveway to meet the woman.
"Oh, I wanted to tell you, my husband and I have noticed someone hanging around outside your home the last few nights while you've been gone. They don't stay very long, and we haven't noticed any vehicles coming or going, just the single person that walks up to your house checking the windows before leaving about twenty minutes later." the racoon dog youkai tells the miko quietly, lowering her voice so that only Kagome can hear it.
"Have you noticed anything else? And you said it started after we left?" The miko's brows furrow slightly as her expression turns serious.
"We only noticed it the night you guys left, but it's possible it had been happening before as well. The only reason we did notice was because we went to put out our bins rather late the night before collection day and saw them. Then my husband watched the next night and saw them again." Nozomi informs her.
"Right. Okay, thank you. I really appreciate it. Is your family doing okay?" the miko asks, reaching to touch her hand to the youkai's arm gently.
"Oh, yes, we're doing very well. Thank you. We know to tell you if anything comes up. My husband will likely keep an eye out tonight as well, and he suggests parking the SUV down the road a bit, to see if they do come back." she tells Kagome with a firm nod.
"That's a good idea. Tell him I said thank you, and I'm glad to hear you guys are doing well. I should go finish taking my stuff back into the house. Thank you for the heads up, I really appreciate it." Kagome reaches to hug the woman gently before turning back and grabbing her bags.
"What was that about?" Kouga asks once she steps into the house and closes the door.
"Seems we've got a prowler showing up at the house at night, checking the windows and leaving after 20 minutes. Nozomi's husband suggested parking the SUV down the road just a bit to see if they come back. I'd also suggest leaving the lights off as well, save for the few table lamps we left on while we were away. Make it look like we're still not home. Now, I'm checking the camera's."
"Right. I'll move the SUV down, park in front of their house, I doubt they'll mind it for a day or two." Kouga nods, grabbing the keys from Kagome before she goes to the office and powers up the computer. Sesshoumaru follows her into the room, seating himself in one of the chairs while she opens the program for the security cameras and begins checking the recordings.
"Odd…" Kagome mutters, making the inu lean forward. Seeing him shift, she turns the monitor towards him more so he can see. The screen shows four camera angles- two clearly attached to the front of the house facing out into the yard and driveway, an angle facing one corner of the house from the tree in the front yard, and an angle facing the other from a fence post nearly embedded in a bush. Then, the angles change to show the rear of the house in a similar set up- two attached to the house facing out, one on the shed facing one corner and another on the tree in the back yard. As far as he can tell, there are no blind spots on the perimeter of the house and property.
Watching the recordings, she points a finger at one of the feeds, showing a darkly clad male figure walking up the driveway. Then her finger moves to an adjacent feed when he crosses cameras, showing the figure stepping up onto the porch, ducking down and cupping a hand to the window in an attempt to see inside. The figure does this to every window on the ground floor of the house, making a circle around the house, before walking back down the driveway and away to the right, which leads towards the main roads.
"Is that the first night?" Sesshoumaru asks her, shifting his gaze to hers.
"No, that's last night. The program pulls up the most recent days first. Lemme check the previous nights now." she answers, before clicking a few options in the program, opening up a different night and scrubbing through the recorded feeds, finding the same figure making the same circuit around all of the windows.
"K, little creeped out now." the miko says under her breath, before pulling up the night before, seeing the same thing again. And the same as the night before that, the first night they had all left on the assignment.
"Check the night before we left. Rule out if this has been happening for a while or if it's new since we left." the inu tells her, his instincts rattling against him. When she pulls up the feed and begins scrubbing, they both start to relax when they see nothing at the hours the figure has been showing up, until movement catches the inu's eye. "Wait, go back." His eyes focus on the spot, seeing something flicker in the tree of the front yard. Checking the time stamps, he sees it is the same hours the figure has visited while they were gone. "Kagome, can you check the night before this one as well?" he forces himself to ask calmly, despite feeling anything but.
Glancing at him quickly, she nods and pulls up the night before, scrubbing to around the same time and then letting it play. Sudden movement in the same feed draws his attention again. Pointing to it, he says "There. It is hard to see, but somehow, there is no movement before, and then something begins shifting. Keep playing it, I wish to see how long it happens for." Kagome nods, face pale as they watch the cameras and the strange movement for hours worth of the feed, before it disappears shortly before midnight. Pausing the feed, she scrubs back before the movement stops, sets the playback speed to realtime and presses play again.
Their eyes grow wide when they realize what the movements are. A sick feeling settles in Kagome's stomach. Glancinig at each other briefly, they watch, waiting to see if the figure will reveal itself at all. Just before midnight, a dark figure drops from the tree before jumping over the fence into the neighbors yard and out of the camera's range.
"Sesshoumaru…" Kagome starts, a slight tremor in her voice as she leans back in her seat.
"I saw. Perhaps we should invest in lights for the yard and tree." His hand reaches out and grasps hers.
"Yeah, I think so. Sesshoumaru, that tree…" she trails off, eyes wide in horror still.
"I am aware, Kagome. Now that we know though, we can block the windows in your room."
Nodding jerkily she stares at the screen until Kouga comes in and startles her. "Did ya find anything?" he inquires before seeing their faces. "What happened?" his demands, voice dropping an octave as his expression turns serious as he steps around the desk to lean over Kagome and check the feeds.
"We should see how far back this has been happening. Apparently someone has been using the tree in the front yard to spy." Sesshoumaru informs the ookami, causing a vicious snarl to escape the wolf. "I am going to get motion activated lights for the yard tomorrow. Hopefully that will act as a deterrent, as well as enable us to see who it is.
"Damn straight. Fucking sicko. I'll put an order in at the hardware store. And I'll up blinds for her room as well. Her flimsy curtains aren't going to stop someone from seeing in if they decide to ignore the lights." Kouga suggests as he loops an arm over her shoulders and gives her a slight squeeze. "It'll be okay, Kags. You got us here and we ain't gunna let nothing happen to you."
"Despite the double negative, he is correct. For tonight, it may be prudent to sleep in a different room. Even with the precautions we've taken to make it appear as though we are not home yet." the inu lord states, giving Kagome's hand a reassuring squeeze.
Kagome sucks in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, turning to both males and nodding firmly. "Yeah, I'll stay in the blue room. It's in the middle, and there's no vantage point to see in." she says softly, jumping slightly when Kirara jumps into her lap. "Kami, I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight." she murmurs as she presses her face to the nekomata's fur.
xXx
A soft sound on his door wakes him up. Thinking it might be Kirara possibly having locked herself in, he gets up, padding to the door to open it, and blinking rapidly when he sees the miko holding the feline, clad in a thin blue nightgown that looks like a negligee, with an oversized flannel over it- left unbuttoned and falling off one shoulder, therefore hiding very little. Shaking himself mentally, he leans out and checks the hall.
"Kagome? Are you alright?" he asks her quietly.
"I can't sleep, and don't want to be alone. I know it's wildly inappropriate, but can I stay with you for tonight?" she whispers quickly, looking at the floor the entire time.
"I… of course, come in." He steps back to allow Kagome to enter, before pushing the door almost closed, mindful of the feline. She pads into the room and over to the bed, before stopping and looking back at him.
"Go ahead, I do not mind sharing." he murmurs, smiling gently as he slides into the bed on one side. Kagome hesitates for a moment before setting Kirara down on the bed and removing the flannel before slipping beneath the covers on the other side. Laying on her side, she faces the inu lord.
"I'm really sorry about this. I'm not normally like this…"
"I am aware, Kagome. I have lived here for a eight months now, I have learned your habits fairly well." he reassures her gently.
"Good. Good, I just… don't want you to think badly of me. This won't happen again, I promise. I'm just… a little more shaken up than I thought, I guess." she whispers, hugging the covers closer to herself.
"Kagome, may I be candid?" he inquires softly, reaching a hand to lace his fingers with her own. Seeing her nod in the darkness, he smiles before taking a deep breath. "I do not wish for what I am about to say to make things awkward. Kagome, I have wanted you in my bed for some time now." A small gasp escapes her as their eyes lock.
"Sesshoumaru…" she breathes.
"I will do nothing you do not wish. I will not pressure you in any way, I just wish to make it known. If you do not desire the same, that is fine." His thumb traces down the back of her hand gently, hoping fervently she will not rebuff him.
Kagome stares at the inu lord, mind reeling as she thinks back over the last several months since he has moved in with them and become their partner at work. Feeling his thumb graze her skin gently, she glances down at their entwined hands and smiling softly, that fluttery feeling in her stomach returning. Gods, how she's wished for this exact thing. She almost thinks she must be dreaming. Her eyes close as she lifts their hands to her lips, pressing a gentle kiss to his knuckles.
"I don't want just a quick romp or to be your fuck buddy." she whispers, looking into his eyes again. While it would be spectacular, she knows, she wants so much more than that. Has for so long now.
"That is not what I wish for either, Kagome. I am aware that if we pursue anything, it may very well complicate several facets of our lives. However, I am willing to take the risk." he tells her gently, as he hears the nekomata jump off the bed and leave the room.
"I… Yes, I'd want to try."
"Good. May I kiss you?" Sesshoumaru's eyes dance as he searches hers, wishing intently for her to grant him this desire.
"Kami, yes." The breathy answer escapes the miko as she leans over and presses her lips to his, smiling when he responds immediately, his free hand threading itself into her hair as he pulls her closer. Deepening the kiss, he nips her lower nip gently, taking advantage of her small gasp to swipe his tongue against hers, groaning softly at the feel and taste of her. Shifting, he pulls himself up to hover over her, kissing her slowly, deeply.
Her hands slide up around his neck and into his hair, moaning quietly as he takes his time learning her, enjoying her. Running her hands down his back, she nudges him over, so that he's on his back, as she drapes herself to straddle his lap, leaning down to kiss him again. His hands slide down her back, coming to rest on her ass, before his fingers start to play with the hem of her nightgown. Then a hand slips under the cloth, sliding up to her bare skin, his thumb rubbing gently as he nudges further up her side. Smirking, Kagome leans back to look at him, then grabs the hem of her thin negligee and slips it off, tossing it behind her.
His eyes widen at her brazen display. A soft whine escapes him as he feels his blood rush south very quickly. "Kagome…" he moans quietly, his hands sliding to settle on her waist, unsure if he should hold her and grind against her, or lift her off of him.
"Sess, it's okay. I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to." she says, her words reassuring him just as she grinds down on his erection, causing a groan to force itself from his throat.
"Kami, woman. Do you have any idea how breathtaking you are right now? How beautiful you are every second of the day." He lets his hands slip up her sides further, his thumbs brushing the underside of her breasts, before sliding further and brushing them against her nipples, making her gasp lightly before moaning.
"Sess, I want you."
"Good gods, woman…" he groans as he flips them over, kissing her soundly before he begins trailing nips across her jaw and down her throat. "I have wanted you for so long now. Please, if we begin, I will not be able to stop. If you are not entirely sure, say so now." he rasps out, running his nose along her collarbone, his hands on her breasts.
"Sess, fuck me. I want it. I'm not going to regret it in the morning or get all weird and awkward about it. Well, unless you're terrible." she teases, smirking. Her hands lace through his hair again as his mouth finds her breast, leaving scrapes from his fangs against her flesh.
"As you wish." he all but growls out, mouth latching onto her breast and sucking, relishing her mewls of pleasure. Switching breasts, she arches sharply against him when he sucks again. Leaning up, he nearly rips his shirt off over his head, then sliding down his pants and briefs, kicking them off the bed, before descending the decadent miko currently in his bed. Kissing his way down her toned stomach, he hooks his fingers into her lacy underwear and slowly slides them down her long, gorgeous legs. Oh, how he couldn't wait to have those wrapped around him. Once off, he throws them behind him, then settles between her thighs, inhaling deeply as he presses a gentle kiss to her folds.
"Kami, Sess, don't tease, please…" she begs quietly.
"Never, Kagome." He swipes his tongue out and drags it against her, flicking it against her clit, making her jolt at the sensation, before a low moan escapes her. Flicking his tongue over her clit again, he runs a finger against her folds for a moment, then slips one into her, groaning as he sucks on her clit hard. He doesn't know how he will last with her if she is that tight on a single finger. Rocking it in and out, he drags the pad against her g-spot, eliciting a strangled gasp as her body locks up for a moment. Slipping a second finger inside, he curls his fingers deliberately as he thrusts them slowly in and out of her, making sure to catch her g-spot on every pass, while his mouth attacks her clit.
Very quickly, her breathing starts to hitch as her body tenses and tremors start to travel across her body before all at once. Her back snaps up, legs pressing in and her hands fly back to rest on the pillow by her head, a soft strangled cry ripping its way from her throat. Releasing her clit, he presses a final soft kiss against it before removing his fingers and licking them clean. Crawling up her body, he settles his hips between her legs.
"Do you wish to use a condom?" he asks her gently, waiting for her mind to catch up with the fact that he had spoken.
"Wha-no. No need. Birth control. Can't catch anything. S'fine." she murmurs, eyes closed still as she pants. He leans down to kiss her again, his hand grasping his member and aligning himself with her sheath, before thrusting. They both gasp loudly then groan at the sensation. He begins to slowly rock himself the rest of the way inside, as his initial thrust only buries him halfway. Her hands slide up his sides before settling on his shoulders, arms crossing his back to hold him to her. Pressing kisses to his neck, she pants and moans with each thrust. "Harder." she whispers as her teeth scrape against his ear, making him jerk and earning a breathy 'yes, more'.
Not one to deny his partner pleasure, he begins to impale her harder, picking up speed as well. Her soft cries fueling him as his head drops to her shoulder, his own breath coming in ragged pants now. Her sheathe was so tight against his cock that he has to concentrate so as to not release before her, determined to bring her to another orgasm. Slowing, he leans back and grasps her hips, tilting her just so before slamming into her. Watching her arch at the sensation of him pounding into her, his head slamming across her g-spot before ramming against her cervix making her already nearly vice like grip even tighter.
"Gods, Kagome. So fucking tight." he growls out as he picks up speed again, unable to slow down any longer, his climax fast approaching whether he wants it to or not. Sliding a hand down, he flicks his thumb across her clit before twirling it roughly. Suddenly, Kagome locks up, before she begins to fall apart, a quiet keening wail escaping her as her nails dig into his skin hard enough to leave welts, and sparks of her reiki skitter across his flesh. Her orgasm literally rips his own climax out of him, his breath slamming from his lungs as he groans low and harshly, wishing he could roar it to the heavens. The most powerful orgasm he has ever experienced in his long life overwhelms him, his hips jerking against her for what feels like hours, before he collapses on top of her.
"Oh good kami, Sess. I think you've ruined me." Kagome whispers hoarsely.
"There is no question that you have ruined me, Kagome." he chuckles weakly against her, before forcing himself to roll off of her, both groaning as he slips from her.
"I believe I'll be requesting you in my bed next." she says, giggling quietly before leaning over to kiss him sweetly. "Thank you. For letting me stay with you, and being honest with me." She lifts a hand to brush his hair from his face, tucking it behind an ear.
"You are most welcome. Thank you for giving us a chance." he replies as he kisses her one last time. "Now, sleep." he commands gently, draping his arm over her waist and scooting her back against his chest, burying his nose in her hair.
5/5/21 A/N: Explanation for what InuYasha did is coming in a couple more chapters. Just building up to it. Don't worry!
*Finger Eleven- One Thing