AN: since you can't see the tags for this fic that are on Ao3, please note that this fic is a Slow Burn :)
Chapter Forty-Eight
Biting her lip, Kagome shifted, eyeing the furthermost branches of the magnolia tree gently swaying in the dying light. It would solve their problem. They could...be close to each other again before the New Moon.
Turning to Sesshoumaru, she nodded. "Go grab some."
He arched a brow.
Huffing, she set both hands on her hips. "You want to sleep together again, right?"
Bokuseno made a noise, clearing his throat and rumbling with amusement. "Ah to be young..."
"Be silent," Sesshoumaru growled lowly, expression pinched with displeasure. He took a moment, eyes narrow and assessing. It reminded Kagome of her Grandpa after he'd discovered a rare find at a junk sale to add to his collection; he didn't want to appear too interested. After a short while of deliberation, he let out a sigh of frustration and stepped forward. "It is not as though I have any personal interest in using these herbs, understood? This is mere convenience."
"Of course. It is only the miko who truly desires them, correct?"
"Hn."
As Sesshoumaru took to the air easily, gliding up into Bokuseno's high branches- the tree exchanged a knowing look with Kagome that caused her to blush and avert her gaze. She folded her arms, hiding a secret smile. Even though he no doubt hated the idea of using something his father and Izayoi had shared, the demon lord still gathered the herbs. He touched down gracefully on the ground a moment later.
They were instructed on how to make use of them, noting the quantity and how many they'd need before her cycle was complete. After giving hearty thanks to the tree youkai, Kagome bowed deeply. The second she straightened and stifled a yawn- mokomoko nudged at her knees.
"Do not tarry here for Bokuseno's sake. He will merely take advantage of the captive audience and continue talking nonsense throughout the night," Sesshoumaru uttered, steering her away.
"I-I don't mind staying a little longer! Don't be rude," she chided. "He just did us a nice favour."
"Oh do not worry, Shikon miko. I take no offence to your need for rest. From what I have heard...you will need plenty of it to face the coming hardships ahead."
Kagome sobered at that, good mood stifled. Right.
Sesshoumaru sent a glare Bokuseno's way, prodding Kagome towards the edge of the clearing.
"And pup-?"
He paused, glancing at the tree. Bokuseno's wise, aged features searched his face, some relief leaking into his tone. "It is good to see that you have gained a friend again, after such a long time. Your father would be pleased."
The Daiyoukai frowned- automatically opening his mouth, no doubt denial on his tongue. A firm assertion of their lack of connection.
Kagome blinked, looking up at him when it didn't come. Sesshoumaru's jaw clenched, eyes narrowed into slits as he turned and began walking away with renewed vigour. "Do not speak such sentiments to me," he said lowly, ignoring Kagome's attempts to say a proper goodbye to the generous, if prying, magnolia tree.
After combining the herbs with a few others nearby and boiling them in a pot, Kagome sighed, drinking the tea they'd created. Sesshoumaru had crouched near the campfire, inhaling the fumes from her steaming cup. It tasted slightly bitter but felt a little soothing too.
Neither spoke for a while, their other pack members sound asleep within the huge, toppled tree trunk. Quiet snores and faint chirps from crickets in the forest lulled the atmosphere.
Eventually, without making a big deal out of it, they simply extinguished the fire and retired to bed.
Kagome took up residence in Sesshoumaru's lap like she owned it, settling against him. The only hint as to the depth of her relief at having claimed it again was the long sigh that escaped her, cheek resting against mokomoko's soft fur.
"So that tree guy is kinda shrewd, huh?"
Sesshoumaru made a noise of affirmation, eyes narrow. "And yet also deliberately speaks lies sometimes to vex me."
Kagome shifted, glancing up at him. "...Would your father not be happy you have a friend?"
Complex emotion skittered over his regal features, smoothing out into a guarded mask. "Father...as I knew him...would be indifferent. It would be a more accurate statement to say that Naoko would be pleased."
Reaching up, she squeezed his shoulder. "I wish you'd speak to someone about all this..." Kagome gestured vaguely around his face, "stuff you're keeping locked in tight. Things about your Father."
Sesshoumaru huffed, pale lips curving. "You do not want me to confide in you, specifically? Annoying busybody."
"I'd be honoured of course, but that part isn't important. Just so long as you finally got it all out there- that's what I care about. Doesn't matter if it's with me or not," she murmured. "I can see it eating away at you sometimes. Everything you shove deep down."
Golden eyes slid away, narrowing slightly. Long claws twitched where they rested on her hip.
She twinged suddenly, making a low noise of discomfort. The tea hadn't helped with cramps. It would've been such a nice perk.
A large hand dragged over her stomach, resting on her navel. "You cradle this area at night. Is it the primary location of your pain?"
"I-it doesn't really hurt too much after the first few days for me. But yeah...it's still uncomfortable."
Sesshoumaru hummed, tipping his head slightly to one side, nostrils flaring. His eyes flicked up to hers. "Stay completely still. Understood?"
Kagome blinked, nodding mutely and stiffening a touch when youki fanned over pale skin. Sesshoumaru lifted his index and middle fingers from her body, nails glowing deadly, acidic green- the power remaining dormant but lurking. It had the strangest effect of heating his hand, causing a faint green glow. Making a low noise, Kagome practically purred at the sensation. She then eyed his claws.
"You're like...inches away from melting me. This shouldn't feel good."
"Hn, you have stated before that you trusted me," amusement coloured his voice. "Relax, foolish miko. Do you think the Killing Perfection has ever 'accidentally' killed anyone?"
"There's a first time for everything," smirking, she soon gave a breathy sigh, groaning happily at the warmth centring on her aching stomach. If he hadn't fooled around with that damn demoness, they could've done this much sooner. Kagome shook that thought away, deciding not to hold on to it.
Looking at his hand resting almost possessively over her stomach however, she felt warmth redden her cheeks.
"We need to set some boundaries," she mumbled.
Sesshoumaru snorted, reclining slightly against a smooth, cool rock. "Is that so?"
"I'm human," Kagome turned her head, glancing up at him tiredly. "I can't remain objective about how you choose to communicate with me. All the licking and stuff needs to end after the New Moon has passed."
"You wish to...cease all displays of inuyoukai communication?" his tone sounded slightly stiff. Almost unwilling.
"Not all of them, and we can still hug and stuff- but the ones that require us to get all...nuzzly. Those should stop."
"Those are the pleasurable ones. You only desire bites and punishments?" he smirked.
"Sesshoumaru," Kagome whined, thwacking his knee lightly. Sesshoumaru grunted with alarm, mindful of his claws. "I'm serious here. I understand that for you all this stuff is platonic because of packmates and stuff...but as hard as I've tried to adjust my mindset, I don't think it's a good idea in the long run or I could catch serious feelings for you. If you were my boyfriend, it would be different," she huffed.
Sesshoumaru arched a brow, gesturing between them. "You are the one who pushed for us to consume that herbal tea and overcome baser urges so that we may sleep...like this. If you want to stop demonstrating intimate communication, then this will also have to end in the long run."
Sighing heavily, Kagome pressed her face into fluffy, cloud-like fur. Greedy hands tightened in his rich silks, fingers curling deep. "I know. Just let me selfishly keep this for a little while...just a little while longer."
He said nothing else, but the sensation of being watched remained a heavy weight upon Kagome's shoulders. Instead of feeling uncomfortable, she relaxed under his keen gaze, slowly slipping into dreamless sleep as tension in her abdomen eased under the warmth of his palm. As ever, the prominent worries she hadn't expressed loomed heavy and dark over their conversations. She was a hypocrite.
She'd been pushing all fears to the back burner of her mind, somewhat twistedly grateful for the distraction Sesshoumaru's drama provided from what lurked on the horizon.
Inuyasha's fate lay like a heavy stone made of glass in her trembling, clumsy hands.
The journey to Ryuzaburo was filled with purpose and drive. No longer did Sesshoumaru leisurely stroll along the pretty countryside like a tourguide. He strode, practically speed-walking. Rin quickly scrambled atop Ah-Un, while Kagome grabbed Jaken and helped him into the saddle with the little girl.
She managed to jog for a fair while, but it became clear their pace wouldn't be sufficient. Sesshoumaru soon grabbed her around the waist, taking to the skies. The two-headed dragon followed, soaring high above rolling hills and passing green scenery.
"I thought we had enough time to get there and then reach Kikyo?" Kagome asked, standing upon the solid cloud he'd conjured.
"We do."
She hummed, frowning. Why the need to rush, then?
Thinking for a moment, Kagome glanced at his tense features, resting a hand on his arm. "Do you think Naraku will try something when we start heading in that direction? To stall us?"
Golden eyes glinted, as though somewhat proud, "indeed. It is possible."
Kagome smiled slightly, "thank you, for factoring it into the journey. You know, if I didn't know any better...I could almost accuse you of being worried about Inuyasha too."
Sesshoumaru looked at her, expression smoothing over into something unreadable. Kagome stiffened, the teasing air between them abruptly vanishing like a passing air current, leaving them cold and numb.
"Then it is a good thing you know better."