AN: I've been trying to reach chapter 50 before I go on holiday next Friday, but I don't know if I'll succeed, since this is the last saved chapter I have. Oh well! Will try my best to reach it. Sorry if I leave you guys on a cliffhanger for a week, but know that I love you XD
Chapter Forty-Seven
Scrubbing her shoe hard- thin bristles dragging and roughly swiping at thick mud encrusted onto the bottom, Kagome lost herself in her mundane task. Occasionally she glanced up at sunset coloured waters. The surface of the lake lay serene and calm. With clear, waning skies bathing everything in gorgeous pink hues, it felt easy to let tension ease from her muscles. A heron took flight nearby, disturbed.
Her back stiffened. "Sneaking up on me now?"
Black boots lightly crunched on pebbles, near soundless.
"This one should think you can detect my presence without my announcing it."
Kagome scrubbed her shoe harder, splashing water onto it and roughly wiping excess mud away.
"What do you want?"
"We should...train," the last word was uttered stiffly, as though it hadn't been what he'd intended to say. "To prepare you for the New Moon."
The click of secures being loosened along with the rustle of silk caught her attention. Straightening from her crouch nimbly, Kagome glanced at him, shaking water from her shoes.
Sesshoumaru's single hand fiddled with his armour, a contemptuous look darkening proud features as he struggled with one tie furthest at the back.
Soft hands minded deadly fingers aside. Kagome silently tugged- loosening tight knots and difficult clasps with an air of familiarity.
She was keenly aware of heavy attention resting upon her face but remained professional, stepping back to allow him to lower the chest armour. Resting it upon bumpy, pebbled ground, he straightened.
Kagome paced backwards to gain some distance, picking up her spear and bending her knees. Lifting the tip, elbows raised. She then burst into a run without warning. Thrusting the tip of her blade out, it struck viciously to one side- Sesshoumaru ducking away. Golden eyes gleamed.
They continued this dance for some time, the miko striking, flailing madly, ducking low and swiping her leg out to try to unsettle him. Something. Anything.
Sesshoumaru evaded her seamlessly, flowing like trickling water- and delivering a hard jab to her side. It elicited a loud growl, blue eyes sparking. Thrusting herself forwards alongside her spear, Kagome feigned left.
Pale lips curved, finding her misdirect easy and childish- until she threw the spear aside and used the momentum to crash into him instead. Their bodies collided- her forehead bumping against his chin.
Sesshoumaru grunted, staggering back before planting his feet and seizing one of her wrists.
Kagome panted hard, leaning heavily against him.
"...What now, miko?"
I don't know.
Quick breaths hissed faster through clenched teeth as something big that had been building inside her expanded. It swallowed her chest.
The bubble burst.
Kagome lifted her head, face no longer calm and removed; A pale imitation of Kikyo's collected features. Instead, raw emotion drenched a thunderous expression. Anger rushed hot-white, blinding through her veins. Letting out a cry of frustration, she began struggling like a riled cat, pummelling her free hand over and over into his study chest.
"I hate you- I hate you for mixing me up like this!" she burst, fist thudding- frustration mounting as he remained immovable, barely reacting. "Can't I ever just save the day without boy troubles getting in the way!?"
Sesshoumaru released one of her wrists to grab the fist assaulting his person. "Why are you upset?"
"Why?...WHY? Are you- URGH! Okay, I'll tell you why!" she snarled. "You made me lick you in front of Kouga!"
He scoffed. "That is not-"
"After I had to hear you going at it with a random demon! Do you have any idea how awkward that was?"
Golden eyes slanted down to her. She wasn't sure how she'd ever compared them with Inuyasha's. They couldn't be more different. Sesshoumaru's slit pupils pried deep, dissecting her soul and ripping out vulnerabilities to inspect- speaking them into existence.
"You disliked my fucking another woman."
"Yes!" she burst, only to stop and freeze. Kagome grit her teeth, face flaming red.
Those inhuman eyes cracked a touch wider, perhaps not anticipating such a passionate response.
"It's not what you think," she rushed out quickly, lest he gain the wrong idea. "I just...I wanted you close that night," she glared hard at her feet.
"Oh?"
Suddenly they were moving. Kagome felt the wind whip by, lashing at her hair as she sailed backwards, feeling his tight grip around her- before she was released- stumbling. Her back thudded against a hard surface, feeling the rough bark of a tree.
A hard force that shook the trunk thudded above her head- claws embedded into aged wood as Sesshoumaru leaned close. His larger form caged her, cutting off escape. In their private space, no gentle pink lights of sunset reached his face. Shadow hooded his gleaming, cruel eyes.
"You said you desired me close. Well here I am, miko," he purred lowly. Hot breath fanned over the delicate skin of her neck, the faintest brush of snowy lashes caressing her cheek as Sesshoumaru raised his head to look at her. "Can you deal with the consequences of my closeness? How it will affect me due to your cycle?"
Shock rendered her mute- but only for a moment. Kagome snarled, glaring. "Why do demons always have to manhandle in order to prove a point? Do you want me to do the same?"
Raising herself up, she grabbed his shoulders for leverage and acted madly on impulse. Blunt teeth closed over an elfin ear, delivering a sharp nip.
Sesshoumaru jolted hard, letting out a startled noise- too surprised to be angry for a moment.
But then his hand closed over her windpipe. Kagome stilled out of instinct but felt no pressure, just the grip. His cheeks were darker, or maybe it was just a trick of the waning light.
She panted, heart thundering fiercely inside her ribcage. Silver hair slid off one shoulder as the demon tilted his head down closer, their breaths intermingling.
"Have you had the pleasure of your first kiss yet?"
"N-no. Why are you- mfph!"
Kagome stiffened, eyes shooting wide and unseeing. A palm had removed itself from her neck- closing over her mouth. Sesshoumaru pressed close- resting thin lips over the back of his hand. So near, yet separated by a barrier.
Honeyed eyes shined a fiery liquid gold, face tilted in such a way that demonic, handsome features were finally bathed in the dying light of sunset. Sesshoumaru leaned back a touch to utter; "I could take many of your firsts, miko. All of them, if my instincts proved too tumultuous to contain."
Her mouth burned beneath his palm. She stared, searching his gaze as he sighed.
"Did it ever occur to you that I was sparing you from something by taking my frustrations out on someone else?"
He removed his hand, and she swallowed, wetting her lips. "Of course it did. B-but...it didn't stop me from feeling weird about it."
Kagome lowered her arms, bringing them close to her chest. "I wanted you close," the admission was torn out of her, tone straining as everything she'd held in tumbled out faster and faster. "I wanted you to hold me despite the risks- and that's dumb and selfish, but I can't help it. I've gotten used to embracing you, okay?" her voice wobbled. "And you were off with some other woman while I needed you and the cramps hurt SO bad, and everything sucks right now and I-I just needed one thing. One stable thing in my life!" tears stung her lashes, her tone dying into something sad and lonesome as she held them back. "That was you...up until that night."
Sesshoumaru watched her soberly, expression unreadable.
"But I'm also sorry and annoyed with my reaction because- you don't owe me anything!" Kagome's hands fluttered, leaning back heavily against the trunk as energy abruptly left her body, leaving her tired and worn thin. "I know that. You deserve to get your kicks whenever you want. It's not like we're dating. We're not romantically involved, but I...I don't know. I don't know what's wrong with me, other than hormones. M-maybe I'm experiencing jealous friendship or something," she mumbled. "If you became involved with a demoness right now, married her...I'd feel like they'd stolen you from me. I'm not usually this possessive with my friends-"
The faintest pressure cut her tirade off. Thin, soft lips had pressed against the side of her jaw. They rested there, lingering as Kagome stiffened, the air whooshing out of frozen lungs.
Sesshoumaru pulled away, searching her gaze. When she remained quiet, not warming to his inuyoukai apology- he let out a faint grumble, pale lashes lowering as he opened his mouth.
"This one...apologises."
She blinked, eyes stinging.
Sesshoumaru raised his head, claws dragging down the curve of her hip. He let out a slow exhale. "You needed me, I neglected my duties to my pack member."
Kagome absorbed the magnitude of his words slowly. She reached out and gripped the cool material of his silks absentmindedly. "I get why you did it...but it just threw me for a loop, I guess. I'm sorry too."
"...I took you for granted."
"Huh?"
The demon lord leaned away, sitting down upon a large, raised tree root that supported his weight. "Speaking to Bokuseno, and to your younger brother- it has brought some things to my attention. Namely, I took your goodwill for granted. On some level, this one automatically expected your reverence, much like Jaken and the rest of our pack. I do not apologise for the intent of my actions, but perhaps..."
"More communication would've been good," she said quietly. "Maybe it was the sneaking around part that got to me. I'm not sure. This whole thing is a mess."
"Hn," he agreed.
Kagome shifted, drawing closer to him. "Did it bother you when I said I didn't belong to you?"
"Mn, it was frustrating. To deny me is to deny the protection I offer. But...for no discernable reason that I can understand...it made me strangely pleased," his lips curved into a smirk. "You are a bizarre existence. Others would die for daring to mouthing-off as impetuously as you, and yet I find I enjoy you pushing back against me, miko. I do not wish for you to worship the ground I walk on."
Warmth touched her cheeks, and Kagome touched one, feeling strange. No one liked her anger or sharp tongue. It was something to tolerate. Her fatal flaw, some might say. She always spoke her mind.
And this proud demon, who was used to unquestioned loyalty and subservience...liked it?
"I'm going to become your equal," she muttered, encouraged by his reaction. She raised her chin. "It doesn't matter if you don't think I can do it because I'm human- I will be your Weapon for as long as it takes to get stronger, but someday I'll surpass that. Hopefully, I'll get to the point where I won't have to rely on you, and then...I won't react this way next time."
He arched a brow, straightening and looking at her with renewed interest. "You wish to become my equal?"
Kagome nodded firmly. She wasn't there yet, and wouldn't fool herself into thinking otherwise. She hadn't even felt like Sango or Miroku's equal, let along Kikyo- and now she aimed high, wishing to stand on equal ground with him. He wasn't human, and wouldn't recognise her as on his level until she refined her powers.
Golden eyes smiled. "I look forward to it, miko."
"Is there...something you want, Sesshoumaru? Other than power."
He blinked, seeming lost. His gaze drew away. "There is little else I have sought to achieve other than supreme conquest."
"I see. Well, I need to defeat Naraku, but I want to be your equal. Maybe think about it like that."
The Daiyoukai frowned softly, and Kagome decided to leave the matter alone for now. They'd contemplated enough for one day.
Noticing his dishevelled state- the rumpled, loosened silks and slightly open parting of his hankimono, she stepped in between his bent legs. Leaning in, she fixed his collar, smoothing red and white material over strong, lean muscle. Without thinking too much of it, Kagome settled his left sleeve neater over his shoulder, feeling the point at which his arm cut off.
Sesshoumaru's hand closed over her wrist. He stared at something off in the distance.
"It does not...bother you."
Wondering what he meant, she glanced at the area she was touching. "Of course not. Why are you asking?" Kagome searched his gaze. She grew tense, becoming strung tight with anger. "Did that demoness say something about it?" she whispered heatedly.
"No."
"Because if she did- I'll kick her ass. I don't care who she is!"
Sesshoumaru gave a velvety chuckle, tugging her closer. Their chests met as Kagome leaned against him. "You are a good woman," he rumbled, tone tinged with exasperated affection.
Kagome slowly smiled. She then carefully slid her hand free from his hold, wrapping both arms around his shoulders. Their bodies came together naturally, lured in by a kind of magnetism. His felt familiar from nights spent cradled close- deeply comforting. She sighed, lightly resting her chin against his shoulder as Sesshoumaru's hand found the base of her spine.
"I want you with me, when we face them. Are you with me, Sesshoumaru?"
"Yes," he said quietly, refraining from calling her 'foolish' or 'annoying' for once.
"Good," she murmured, pausing as his grip tightened- breathing picking up. His control was starting to fray again. He'd done well to last so long. Sadness unfurled inside her heart, forcing herself to pull away slightly. "My period should be just about over after the New Moon. By then, everything should go back to normal between us."
But if they don't, then I'm in deep shit, she thought, remembering her less than platonic reactions to his advances.
"Hn," Sesshoumaru's claws flexed, refusing to let go of her entirely. "Though this does not rectify our current situation of sleeping arrangements."
"I can deal without Sesshoumaru cuddles for a few days," she snorted, eyes glinting.
"You said you wanted me close. Would it assure you for us to sleep beside one another before facing Inuyasha and that woman?"
"...Yes."
Sesshoumaru huffed, as though the answer was obvious. "Then to maximize our chances of success, perhaps we should find a solution."
"That's a nice thought and everything, but how? If you knew of a way not to be affected by me, you'd have used it by now."
At this, he fell quiet. Neither of them had a clue.
After barely a moment's silence- the tree root beneath him abruptly moved. It coiled upwards like a rolling wave. Kagome gasped, squealing as Sesshoumaru's grip inadvertently pulled her onto the tree root with him as they were thrust through the air.
The possessed tree-root disturbed damp earth, ripping itself free from the confines of the ground and looping mid-air, shooting away from the lake to sail into gloomy woods. Kagome screamed, holding onto it for dear life. Sesshoumaru sat upon the root with annoyance, keeping a firm grip on her back lest she fall.
They were sent winding through the forest, until their ride abruptly halted within a familiar glade.
"What is the meaning of this, Bokuseno?" Sesshoumaru bit out lowly.
Kagome eased her death grip around the root, shakily looking up at the smiling tree, bathed in fading light.
"My apologies, I did not intend to startle you. However, I could not help but overhear your conversation."
Shakily climbing off, she took a steadying breath. Her legs wobbled like jelly, heart still climbing out of the recesses of her throat. Straightening and frowning, she mirrored Sesshoumaru's expression as he hopped down. The old geezer was probably just hungry for gossip.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't spread our business around," Kagome mumbled, blushing slightly.
"Of course not. Discretion has been part of my nature for centuries, little one. I hold on to countless secrets for Sesshoumaru, just as I did for his father before him."
"Get to the point," Sesshoumaru said cooly.
Bokuseno hummed, pausing thoughtfully despite the Daiyoukai's frosty command. "It appears that I may hold the solution to your problem. You see...the Inu no Taisho experienced similar hardship with Lady Izayoi when her human cycle came about."
Kagome gawked, sneaking a glance at her companion, who had grown deathly pale. "I do not want to know of such things," he gritted out.
The tree youkai's features in the bark shifted, mouth curving into a smile. Crow's feet around his eyes deepened. "You may when you hear that certain herbs growing atop my trunk near the furthermost branches can ease whatever strain you are enduring in her presence, young pup."