*I do not Inuyasha or the character in it.*
Alright my lovelies, I loved right this chapter for reasons you will see!
Hope you enjoy it!
Azuraskye21: Yes, he tucked her in, I thought it cute to add.
Darkfaire3590: Thank you, thank you!
Kayla LoveAnime: Thank you so much! Yes, I like a smart-ass teasing Sessomahro, at least that is how I picture him. As far as her smelling like him and whether that becomes an issue you will find out.
Guest: Thank you so much for your kind words.
ihavetoriblenews: I am so happy that you have enjoyed what I have written so far, I have much planned for this series. Updating when I can. :)
darkestangel994: Thank you, and I do plan on continuing this :)
Dulce94: Thank you, I cannot wait for you to read what's to come!
Animepotterfan01: I am glad you are enjoying this, I won't say anything about Inuyasha and the scent issue here because I will give it away, BUT there is lots to come.
Pepsiluv2011: Thanks! OMG, I realized what I did. I meant to look up the name of Inuyasha's sword but since Sesshomaru is the main character and I have been typing his name so much lol I mixed it up when looking for the correct spelling. hehe oops! but thanks for pointing it out! :)
Come morning, Kagome was woken by her son gently, "Mama…mama…you must wake up."
"Mmm…Shippo, just a little while longer, please…." She rolled to her side to try to fall back to sleep only…only….' Wait, Shippo?', the memories of last night flooded into her now wide-awake brain, and she shot up like a rocket, "Oh my gosh!"
Shippo pointed his little finger at her, "Oh my gosh, is right!"
She looked at him, "So, it wasn't a dream?" Knowing it wasn't, but sometimes she had the worst of luck, she wanted to be sure.
"You mean how the Lord Sesshomaru, the great Inu Daiyoukai, the demon known to hate humans, Inuyasha's half-brother…."
"I get it, Shippo." She interrupted him.
"Well, I don't get how the Demon Lord carried you home, took your shoes off, then proceed to tuck you in a while, making sure I did not wake you. Care to explain that to me?"
She looked sternly at him, "Are you the parent or the child here?" motioning between the two.
He waved her off, then proceed, "I am just flabbergasted to know that my own mother was out and about with a certain said Lord, who might I add, tried to kill us few times and is very dangerous. I like my mother alive and knowing your mouth and his patience, I worry."
She huffed, "Hold up…time out. Last time I checked, you were the child in this relationship, meaning I can make my own decisions, Shippo, and you know me well enough to know that I do not make them rashly. Sesshomaru might be dangerous and may have tried to kill us, but that is all in the past. We have an understanding of each other ever since we all started to fight against Naraku. Lastly, what mouth?"
Shippo laughed, "Ma, your words are either like a weapon or sharp as a blade, and sometimes scary, might I add if someone makes you angry."
"Oh...well, I am sure I will be fine."
"You still didn't answer my question on how you to ended up together." He folded his arms across his chest.
"Still getting a lecture, I see," she rolled her eyes. "Well, SON, if you must know, I went for a run and…" deciding to leave the whole naked thing out for obvious reasons, "found him…um…resting. We sat and chatted for a while."
He glared at her, "Why do I feel as though you are leaving important details out?"
"Again…you," she pointed at him, "child and me," she pointed to herself, "parent."
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Nothing else happened besides him offering to train me."
Shippo shot up, "What?! Really?! He meant it?!"
She laughed at his reaction, "Yes, sweetie."
He smiled so big that his cheeks started to turn red, "Ma, this is amazing! You know what this means?! That Baka won't be able to say anything mean about you again! You will have the best fighter in the lands helping you!"
"Shh…Shippo not too loud. I am not ready to tell the others just yet. Plus, I need to ask Sesshomaru permission first as well."
"You told me."
"Yeah, because you're my son. I think he will understand that. But I respect him and want to give him his privacy, which will go right out the window once Inuyasha finds out."
"Speaking of, you should really go take a bath, you reek of Sesshomaru, and I know Inuyasha will flip out once he catches a whiff."
Kagome stared at him.
"Inuyasha is back, but he is still sleeping…go now… I'll cover you." He smiled up at his mother.
"I love you, Shippo, thanks." She got up and proceed to look for her bag. 'Where is it?'
She thought about her little adventure last night, then how she placed it on the boulder next to the lake. 'Oh dear, Sesshomaru must have left it or forgot about it.'
She quickly grabbed an extra set of clothes and her bath items, put her shoes back on, then looked at her son, "I will be back." He smiled and nodded, wondering how this all would play out.
She ran in the same direction as the night before but struggled slightly to carry her things this time.
'How do I find the barrier this time?'
Once she reached a spot she thought was close to it, she closed her eyes and focused on her surroundings. She pushed out her reiki until she found the same pulling sensation that she felt last night. Her eyes shot open, and then she sprinted towards it.
She could feel it getting closer, for it sharpened her senses the closer she got. She came to an abrupt stop as she could feel it in front of her. She slowly moved her hand up in front of her, not seeing and but sensing it. She moved her hand forward until the barrier dome light up again.
She looked up, amazed and in awe. She still didn't understand how it came to be and why it had allowed her in. She smiled and pressed forward, now walking towards the clearing.
Once she passed the brush, she paused again in complete wonderment of her surroundings.
'This place is just as beautiful in the daytime as it is at night.'
She took in her surroundings again. Now she could see fish swimming in the lake; she spotted a deer across the shore, rabbits hopping through the grass, butterflies, and birds everywhere. It was like she stepped into one of her childhood storybooks. 'Now, if only they could wash my clothes and cook my meals.' She smirked then continued to observe the animals.
'It is as if the animals know they are safe here.' She thought before her gaze fell upon her bag.
"Oh yeah." She walked over to it and picked it up. She turned around hesitantly, about to leave, when she realized she heard running water.
"What in the world?"
She followed the noise to the other side of the cave structure to find more flower vines that hung from the trees down to the grass floor bed.
"The noise is coming from behind this," she said as she slowly and gently pushed the vines aside.
"Oh, my freaking gosh!" She squeaked is delighted.
Before she stood a private hot spring. Water flowed from somewhere above the cave to this side of it. The water flowed down, looking like it could be used as a shower. Below that was a heated hot spring that could probably fit the whole group comfortably. She could see that it was perhaps waist deep, and just like in the lake, it had steps and carved rock seats. The whole area was surrounded by trees, bushes, the same flowered vines, and fragrant flowers, creating a private, almost romantic atmosphere.
"I wonder if he would mind?" She asked out loud, biting her lip.
"He did say I could use his domain…this is a part of it." Trying to reason with herself for using it.
She shrugged her shoulders, "All well, I will just argue my way out of it later if need be or beg for mercy."
She placed her things down, got undressed, and slowly slipped into the heaven-sent water.
She found one of the seats and laid back on it.
"Oh…he shouldn't have given me permission…I am never leaving."
She enjoyed the heat of the water but knew she had to hurry back. She really did not care if Inuyasha smelt Sesshomaru on her or not. But she had been in such a great mood since Sesshomaru said he would train her and then to find this hot spring; she didn't want him to ruin it.
'Sesshomaru training me…' she never in a million years would have thought that we would be willing to help her out of everyone.
'He did say he had his own reasons…but what could they be? Helping me get stronger would be of no use to him, so why?' She thought a little longer on it but then shook her head, 'whatever reason, I am grateful for his aid.'
Finally grabbing her soap, she lathered herself all over, then rinsed and reluctantly got out. She found her slightly damp and cold towel but had not brought another with her. She got dressed in her clean clothes then looked at the outfit from last night that surely had his scent. With redden checks, she pulled them up to her nose and inhaled deeply.
'He smells of winter, forests, and mint…it suits him perfectly.' She smiled then placed them inside her bag. She did not want to wash out his sent yet and decided she would be damned if she let Inuyasha ruin her mood if he smelt it. She repacked everything, finished drying her hair and made her way towards where she came from. She took one last look behind her, trying to paint a picture in her head to keep until she could return, "Thank you, Sesshomaru." And with her heart feeling lighter, she turned and left.
She decided to enjoy the long walk back to her hut, taking in the scenery around her. It, of course, took a longer amount of time, but she did not care. There was no one barking orders at her, no one needing her help, no one threatening her, no one at all but the peacefulness of nature.
When she finally reached her hut, she noticed Shippo was not there. She placed her bag beside her trunk and headed back out to find everyone.
They had all gathered in Miroku and Inuyasha's hut.
"About time you woke up."
"I took a bath Inuyasha, I was up hours ago," she turned and winked at Shippo, and he giggled.
"What's with you two? And why was your bath so long?"
Kagome rolled her eyes, "Nothing, and I am entitled to some leisure time in a bath Inuyasha."
He huffed then continued to eat his breakfast.
Sango and Miroku eyed her, noticing the slight change in their friend.
Kagome grabbed a bowl of porridge and sat next to Sango. They ate in silence but not too long after, Kagome started to smile when she started to think about last night.
Sango and Miroku gawked at her. It had been a while since they had seen a genuine smile on her face like that. Don't get them wrong, she was a generally happy person. But what they were witnessing was something that hadn't happened since the time she was still in love with Inuyasha.
"What?" Inuyasha noticed their expression and turned to Kagome, "What the hell do you have to be happy about? We lost the shard?"
Miroku slapped his forehead in reference to his friend never learning, and Sango glared at him again. But to their horror, Kagome looked at him and smiled brighter, "Yes, Inuyasha, we did. We should try harder today, yeah?"
Miroku leaned over to Sango, "This is scary." Sango nodded her head in agreement, "It's like the calm before the storm."
Inuyasha just looked at her, not knowing what she would say or do next, "Um…yeah…we should."
Her friends feeling slightly shocked and somewhat scared. No one dared to say anything else, so they ate and cleaned up in silence. When they were done, they huddled together to discuss their next plan of action.
Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha were deep in discussion. At the same time, Kagome sat with her knees to her chest, elbows on knees, and face in palms, staring out into the clearing. Imagining how Sesshomaru would train her. She imagined that he wouldn't be soft with her and probably knock her down a few times…well, a lot of times before she improved. She also made a mental note to check herbal remedies when she got back to the future for pain medicine and bruises that she could make here. She grimaced a little bit, knowing that her body would take a good beating, but that didn't stop the smile to grace her lips again. She was excited…thrilled to be given this chance. She knew, well everyone knew, what a skilled fighter Sesshomaru was, and HE of all people was willing to share his skills with her. She also could not believe that she got to see another side of Sesshomaru she never thought was possible. Before, he had been so cold and distant…just like the one, she would not say her name. It was like every time she mentioned her name, out popped the bitch along with all the damned emotions associated with her.
"What do you think, Kags?" Inuyasha turned to her only to realize she hadn't paid attention.
She still didn't hear him, and the other two looked at her, stunned. Shippo just chuckled.
"WENCH!"
That startled her and when she looked at Inuyasha's angry eyes and Sango and Miroku's shocked eyes, then at Shippo's 'Try to explain this now' look. She realized she hadn't been paying attention and that they had caught her.
"Did you hear a single thing we said?"
"Nope." She shook her head with a smile.
Inuyasha did not know how to act towards this Kagome, he knew how to act when she fought back, but he had no words. He nervously moved in his seat, "Um, we thought about heading to the NW region. I heard some chatter of a few demons with weird extra strength."
"We? You heard chatter? More like the traitor bitch told you." Sango rolled her eyes and folded her arms to her chest. She was against this idea.
"Hey, don't call her that, and why not follow good intel?"
Sango laughed, "Good intel? Do you or do you not remember when she attacked Kagome, took the shards, and handed them over to Naraku?!"
"I already told you she apologized for that!"
"Baka! She did not apologize to the right person!" She pointed to Kagome.
They all looked at Kagome, but she put her hands up to an 'I surrender' position, not wanting to be dragged into it, then left.
"See, she doesn't even care, so why should you?"
"Sometimes, I wonder why she puts up with you still." Then Sango and Shippo left to follow their friend and mother.
"What does that mean!?"
Miroku shook his head, "Inuyasha, do you remember when you asked me when and why Kagome's feelings changed?"
He nodded.
"Her feelings changed because she realized that you would always put her last while she put you first."
"I don't understand."
Miroku sighed, "Then me explaining it to you won't help. Let us pack for the trip ahead."
Inuyasha sat there rethinking everything that happened, not able to connect the dots. He shook his head then started to help Miroku.
Hours later, the group was out on the road heading towards the direction Inuyasha mentioned despite the hesitancy of Sango. On the other hand, Kagome felt somewhat giddy. They weren't exactly heading to the West but close to it. She wondered if they would run into a particular demon.
***Meanwhile in the West***
Sesshomaru still could not wipe the half-smirk half-smile off his face when he felt her go through the barrier this morning. He didn't know why she went back after he told her he was leaving. He thought that maybe she sought him out and would take her chances, but then she stayed for a while, which meant her visit wasn't to seek him. 'Maybe she decided to swim naked again in my waters.' His mind went dark and dirty in an instant.
"My Lord, are you okay? Should we take a rest?" Jaken snapped him out of daydreaming about doing things to the Miko.
He jerked his head toward the imp, "Why would you think something was wrong with this one?"
"Well….um…", The imp sensing his Lord's anger, crowded in his speech.
"Silly Jaken, Lord Sesshomaru is happy, not sick." Rin piped up from the dragon. She had been eyeing him ever since he returned, noticing the slight change in his demeanor.
"Rin, stop talking non-sense you know nothing about demons and how we function."
Sesshomaru eyed his ward; she smiled at him, "Rin?"
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama?"
"You are very observant."
"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru. Kagome-chan said that I must always be aware of my surroundings."
"Did she now?"
She nodded.
"Kagome-chan is wise."
Jake's mouth dropped open, hanging in shock.
"Jaken, you will catch bugs if you keep your face like that." He smirked.
Rin giggled, "Sesshomaru-sama made a joke!"
Jake huffed, but he was still stunned by his Lord's behavior.
"Sesshomaru-sama should make more jokes in the future." She clapped her hands together.
"Hn" was all he said as they continued on their way.
The rest of their journey to his estate was quiet.
Once they landed, he informed the servants to prepare their rooms and sent for Rin's tutor. Jaken took A-Un to the stables while he worked his way to the mountain of tasks that awaited him at his desk.
Hours later, he sat at his desk, piles of scrolls spread out, and his mind could only think of the little Miko. He knew he should have bathed but was reluctant to rid her scent off him. He took a deep breathe once more, filling his lungs of her. His lips curled into a smile, and he chuckled, trying to recall when her scent affected him like this.
'I wonder what she would think if she knew I controlled the barrier around my private domain?'
He had not planned on it, but he had sensed her and was curious about what she was doing in the dead of night, so he made the barrier pulse to call her towards it. When he sensed her close, he simply willed her through it, but he never thought she would do as she did.
He wasn't lying when he said the property was gifted to him by his parents. They had paid a hefty price to a Miko that used his blood and yoki to craft said barrier. It could never be fractured, shattered, or tainted by anything or anyone. He controlled it, controlled what came through, controlled its power.
'I wonder if she was able to sense her own reiki in it this time?'
He smiled at himself. He knew that she would not be able to find that area again, much less pass through if he was not there. So, before he left, with her in his arms, he pulled a tiny bit of reiki from her and infused it with some of his own yoki, then merged it with the barrier. Now, not only will she be able to sense it, but she would also be able to pass the barrier without a problem.
He shook his head to try and rid her of his thoughts. He knew if he didn't take care of things here, then it would delay when he could see her again. With that in mind, he sought out to finish his tasks.
A few hours later, he finally looked up and leaned back with a sign. There was still a pile of scrolls that he refused to do anything with.
"Kenshin." He called out.
Shortly after, a blonde Inu demon came through the doors, "Yes, my Lord." He bowed.
Kenshin is Sesshomaru's most trusted person in his kingdom and acted as his right hand. When Sesshomaru was away, Kenshin handled the things on the estate on his behalf. They were childhood friends; Kenshin's father even served under Toga. Everyone saw Sesshomaru as cold, distant, had no heart, etc., but Kenshin knew the things that hid from people. That his hatred for humans only started when Toga did what he did. He actually was a loving person to those he cared for and protected them at all costs. That he told jokes and liked to prank people. He was constantly learning new things; he loved the power of knowledge and knew that knowledge would ensure his kingdom would thrive, not blunt strength with changing times. There was so much to Sesshomaru that no one knew existed; it saddens Kenshin.
Kenshin's skin was tanner, his hair was a sun-kissed blond shade, and his eyes sparked a hazel color. He stood slightly shorter than Sesshomaru but was as buff as him.
Sesshomaru pointed to the pile of scrolls he refused to touch, "Why are these here?"
Kenshin knew immediately what he was referring to without even looking.
"Lady Mother requested them on your behalf." He smirked.
"Do you work for my mother or me?"
"You, but your mother can be scary."
"After all of these years, you are still scared of that petite woman?" He chuckled.
Kenshin pointed at him, "Hey, that petite woman is something fierce, I tell you. Fine, I admit as a grown man I am fearful of your mother!" He nodded his head like he was proud of the fact, "If you are not scared, then why don't YOU go tell her you don't plan on taking mate any time soon and tell her that these potential mate meetings are fruitless!"
Sesshomaru looked at his friend then gulped, "I'll pass."
"See you too!"
"I am not scared of my mother; don't be ridiculous."
"Yeah, whatever you say, big boy, but Sesshomaru, you are going to have to face her sooner or later about his."
Kenshin walked closer to the desk, then sopped. He looked at Sesshomaru as Sesshomaru looked back at him with a questioning glare. Kenshin pushed his nose to the air and took a sniff as Sesshomaru's eyes about bugged out of his head, realizing what he was doing and what he was smelling.
In a flash, they both moved, Kenshin now standing where Sesshomaru sat, and Sesshomaru stood on the other side of the next.
"Why my Lord, what is that delicious scent?"
"Nothing." Now kicking himself for not bathing beforehand.
"Did you eat a snack on your way home...or did you have dessert?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Cut the crap Kenshin."
"Touched a nerve, I see, "he connected the dots, "OH, the person of this scent is why you don't want to find a mate. You already found the one, you sly dog!"
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "I have no idea why you are thinking such things, but I assure you that you are wrong. Yes, I have not found a demoness that my beast likes, so that had pushed things. But in case you forgot, there is the half-demon insect that is threatening life as we know it."
Kenshin nodded, "But Sesshomaru, my friend, you are running out of time."
Sesshomaru sighed, "I know."
With him distracted by thoughts, Kenshin rushed around and practically attacked him. He sniffed his clothes, "Oh, she smells define."
Sesshomaru pushed him off, "Knock it off."
"I might go with you on your next trip and smile the lovely lady for myself."
Sesshomaru glared at him, "You will not touch her, you hentai!"
Kenshin laughed, "What is she taken?"
"No, but you still will not touch her. She is to be my pupil, so therefore, you will leave her alone and not corrupt her."
Kenshin looked shocked and placed a hand on his heart, "You wound me, my Lord. Wait…hold on…pupil. You are actually going to teach someone with your patience level?"
"Hn."
"Well, who is she that you have offered her help?"
"No one."
"No one, my ass!"
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "I am going to go bathe. Get rid of those scrolls."
"Yeah, sure, wash off the evidence that you care for a woman!" He yelled at his friend while he had walked off.
'Why is he so secretive? I wonder who she is?'
He went to go find his servant to rearrange his schedule and make sure specific tasks were done. He was going to join the next trip his Lord took if only to get a glimpse of the young thing that caught the demon Lord's attention.
'Oh, what fun I will have.' He thought.
So what did you think? How was it?
Yes, there wasn't a reaction from Inuyasha regarding Sesshomaru's scent. I am building for that. I have felt that in my other stories I have rushed the relationships. So, this will be a somewhat slow build but with lots of teasing and flirting.
What do you think of Kenshin? and before you ask...yes, we have a demon form of Miroku!
I also thought to ad more layers to Sesshomaru which will be relieved slowly over time.
I do plan on also putting little snip bits of the "past" in this story so you can see how and why their relationship has changed over time, what do you think?
As always leave a comment, I love hearing from you! It fuels me!
3 Kat