Comments: I was reading the earlier chapters of this story and quite frankly, I was embarrassed at how badly I wrote. Tell me…is it my imagination or has my writing gotten better?

Oh, and also, there is nothing really NC 17 in here but maybe rated R? Yeah…just some. So if your easily offended…don't read it…AH! I don't mean that…go ahead and read it…but don't forget to review! ^_~

Disclaimer: Love him or fear him, he belongs Rumiko Takahashi. ::so sad::

Chapter Seven: Unexpected Passion

By: taiyoukai_kai

Sesshoumaru paced in front of Kagome's hut. Villagers occasionally stopped to watch, enjoying the first obvious show of emotions from the cold youkai.

A collective gasp rang out from the watching villagers when he suddenly stopped. He pivoted sharply on his heels and walked furiously to Kaede's hut.

Sesshoumaru was angry. Kagome had been unconscious for two weeks now, and he had started detecting an increase in youkai scents around the village.

He stopped in front of Kaede's hut for a second to slide on his mask of unruffled calm; precisely what he was not feeling at the moment.

Kaede didn't look up when he went in. "Is Kagome-san away yet?"

Sesshoumaru almost growled, but quickly restrained himself. "No."

Kaede harrumphed. "Go back. Mayhap she did."

Affronted, he narrowed his eyes. "You dare command me?"

Kaede finally looked up. "Oh, no, no. Just suggesting." She smiled.

Sesshoumaru watched her silently for a minute, his impatience simmering in his blood, before turning on his heel and walking out.

Kaede smiled, this time a bit more kinder. "You'll do." She nodded wisely and started humming.

"You'll do."

Sesshoumaru half hoped that Kaede was right and half wished that she wasn't. He mentally sighed. He should have just offed her when he had the chance.

He flipped the door aside and walked in. the first thing he noticed was that Kaede was right. Maybe he should spare her this one time. The second thing he noticed was that Kagome was entirely too pale.

But, he was glad that, when she met his eyes, her eyes were just as full of life as before.

He didn't move form his position just within the door.

"You really should warn me before doing something idiotic, wench."

Kagome scowled as she gingerly sat up. "Welcome back to you too."

Sesshoumaru said nothing. He walked the rest of the way to her bed and pulled up a chair. "Welcome back." He said graciously, not a not of chagrin in his voice.

"Yeah, whatever." Kagome waved him off. She peeked up at him from under her bangs.

"Sesshoumaru?"

He waited for her to continue.

"It…" Kagome looked down at her fingers. "It wasn't a dream, was it?"

Sesshoumaru sat back, and closed his eyes for a moment. "No."

Kagome sighed. "It sort of felt like it, you know?"

"Hn." Sesshoumaru grunted.

"Sesshoumaru?"

He sighed.

Kagome glared at him. "What are you going to do now?"

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes. You. Not we. Did she think that she could get rid of him so easily?

"We are going home until I think of an alternative plan."

Kagome's eyes softened. We. Not I.

"Home?"

This time it was Sesshoumaru who glared. Although, while Kagome's glare of hot, his was ice cold, causing Kagome to suppress a shiver.

"Do not ask inane questions."

Kagome huffed. "Well. If you're going to be like that ¾ "

She layed back down and closed her eyes.

Sesshoumaru leaned over to get a closer look at her face.

"Kagome."

She didn't respond.

"Wench."

Still no response.

He gave her a look of disgust and sat back.

"Yes." He said wearily. "Home."

Kagome popped open one eye to look at him. She smiled winningly and opened the other eye.

"See? You can teach an old dog new tricks."

Sesshoumaru stared at her in disbelief.

Kagome giggled. "You should see your face."

He kept on staring. Kagome began to get nervous.

"Um…" Kagome pointed at his face. "Your mouth is hanging open."

Sesshoumaru sat there for a few more minutes before, without a word, he got up and walked out.

Kagome sighed. "Me and my big mouth."

After saying farewell to Miroku, Sango, and Kaede, Kagome was uncomfortably aware of Sesshoumaru's stare.

Well, it wasn't really a stare. More like an intense glare.

In any case, it was very disconcerting.

After about two hours of feeling his eyes on the back of her head, she'd had enough. She whirled around, her hands fisted at her hips.

"Wai~! Stop staring at me." Kagome barked at him.

Sesshoumaru's impassive face didn't budge. "Just assuring myself that you will not do something idiotic, again."

Kagome let the idiot thing slide. For now. "For two hours?!" she glared at him.

"You are very unpredictable." Sesshoumaru stated matter-of-factly. He passed her on the dirt road.

Kagome was taken aback. For lack of anything else to say, she yelled at his retreating back. "Thank you!"

Seeing no reaction from him, she stuck out her tongue and ran to catch up.

A figure dressed in red and white stepped out onto the road. Kikyo looked down the road in the direction of Kagome and Sesshoumaru, now too far away to notice her.

She raised her lank eyes to the sky, measuring the time.

They had managed to foil her once. And it had cost her Inuyasha. She clenched her teeth in hatred.

Before, she had only been after Kagome's soul, but now it was revenge. Revenge on her reincarnation, and revenge on the taiyoukai who had dared to interfere with her affair.

And she had all the time in the world. With them not even away of their danger. How delightful.

She looked back down the road. There was someone she had to see. Yes, he could help her take the ultimate revenge. But…at what price? She shrugged. It didn't matter. Any price was worth the look on her double's face as she dies. She smiled, a little evilly.

Then she turned back, and disappeared into the forest.

"Um, Sesshou-sama?" Kagome asked, walking behind him. "Can you do me a favor?"

Sesshoumaru did not respond.

"Can I pet your tail?" She giggled a little nervously. "Its just that, for the longest time, I've wanted to pet it. Gomen..."

Sesshoumaru tensed. "No."

Kagome pouted. "Why not?"

He looked back, panic showing on his face.

"Sesshou-sama?"

He banished the panic from his expression. "You, wench, will regard me with respect."

Kagome sweatdropped. "I did. Sesshou-sama."

He growled. "Do not play with me, wench."

Kagome crossed her arms, and stamped her foot. "But that's exactly what I want to do, but you won't let me!" She wailed. "Why won't you let me pet your tail?!" (AN: okay, I realize she sounds a bit immature. Bear with me…)

Sesshoumaru blinked. "Because I said so."

"…Because you, what?!" Kagome glared. Sighing, she closed her eyes, and raised a hand as if forestalling any protests that might have crossed his lips. "Never mind. Don't answer that."

She reopened her eyes. Sesshoumaru was looking at her strangely, and she was alarmed by the glint in his beautiful eyes. "W-what?"

He blinked. "I'll trade."

Kagome also blinked. "Trade?"

"Yes. I will let you touch my tail, if you let me touch yours."

Kagome narrowed her eyes in puzzlement. "Mine? But I don't have a tail…"

Sesshoumaru smiled, and before she could finish, he was behind her. "But you have a very nice bottom."

Kagome gasped, outraged, and whirled around. Again, he disappeared and she felt a soft pat on her bottom. His head bent over to nip her shoulder.

"S-Sesshoumaru," Kagome stammered, disconcerted by his odd behavior. "What are you—?" She moaned as he continued his caress. He slid up her neck, nipping here and there.

"Stop." She moaned, her voice attesting to the pleasure coursing through her veins. She brought up a hand to push him away, but as a new wave of pleasure exploded through her, she unconsciously threaded her fingers through his fine hair, pressing him closer.

His hand had come up to cup her breast, his thumb sensually brushing against her sensitive nipples through the cloth of her kimono. His other hand played across her belly, softly petting her.

"Please…" her voice was pleading. She wasn't sure what she wanted. She hissed when he nipped a particularly sensitive spot behind her ear.

His hand abandoned her breast to cup her chin, her back still pressed up against him. He whirled her around to face him. Before she could protest he covered her lips with his own, drowning her gasp and absorbing her mewling cries of pleasure.

Kagome couldn't even begin to think. His mouth was utterly divine and it completely wiped her mind blank. Nothing mattered, except him. She moaned, her hands fisting in his hair, pressing him to her until she could feel all of him, molding to her body.

She didn't even notice the rough bark of the tree he pushed her up against, so absorbed was she.

She gasped for breath when Sesshoumaru broke off their kiss. She felt him lean his forehead against the tree over her shoulder.

She could feel his body trembling from the effort it took to restrain himself. She slowly unfisted her hands from his hair and settled for petting its long silky length. "Sesshoumaru?"

He groaned, relieved that it hadn't been his brother that she had been thinking of. He dropped a soft kiss on her shoulder, which had somehow been bared sometime during their embrace. "So sweet." He whispered against her flesh. "So very sweet."

He finally let her go, albeit reluctantly. He looked down at her puzzled face and gently cupped her chin with one clawed hand. He stared down into her eyes. She wondered what was going on behind those beautiful golden eyes of his. She would give almost anything to know.

"Sesshoumaru?" she whispered, questioning.

He raised a finger to absently stroke her cheek, slowly gathering the confidence he needed. He reveled in the satiny texture of her skin. He looked down at her trusting face, and he couldn't believe what had happened to him. It was assumed by all, that he would marry a female youkai of considerable power and wealth but suddenly the very thought of settling down with someone other than Kagome seemed strange and demeaning.

How could anyone settle for anyone else when they could have her? However, Inuyasha had, something that would always disappoint him and relieve him.

He tapped a clawed finger on her cheek, concluding his thoughts, his decision made.

"Kagome." She smiled when he said her name. However, it soon turned to shock when what he said next sank in.

"Will you be my mate?"

"I can do what I want with the miko?"

Kikyo grimaced at the hanyou's voice. "Yes."

"And all you want is the taiyoukai's death."

Kikyo slowly shook her head. "As long as the miko is dead, I care not. The taiyoukai's death would be greatly appreciated."

The hanyou rubbed his chin. His dark eyes regarded the dead woman with contempt. "Alright. We have a deal."

Kikyo nodded in agreement.

"But, I would have half the payment beforehand." His eyes gleamed with subtle malice.

Kikyo gave a start, her eyes widened perceptively. "No…"

The hanyou chuckled. "No? Then there is no deal." He waited for Kikyo's response.

She hesitated, her indecision visible. Fear cloaked her in a cloying perfume that made the hanyou shiver in delight. However, her consuming hatred for Kagome overrode the fear. She stepped forward.

The hanyou took her in his arms and brutally kissed her, drawing blood form her as he bit down on her lower lip. Slowly savoring the coppery taste, he let her go, and smiled evilly as she collapsed against her. Her eyes grew darker as his miasma coursed through her veins.

"You are mine." The hanyou threw back his head, his laughter ricocheting into the distance.

The miko, her breath shallow in a combination of pain and ecstasy, moaned.

"Naraku…"

Naraku stopped laughing and looked down at the shivering form in his arms. His face once more turned cold and calculating.

"She will die within the next half hour."

He gently lowered Kikyo to the floor. "I will bring back her head." He gave her one last lingering look before turning to disappear into the dense foliage.

Didja see? They "freedom" kissed…freedom…ugh.. sorry.

I think the next chapter is going to be the last one…but I'm thinking about doing an epilogue. However, I'm not sure whether to continue it under this title, or start a new "story"…Hm…well, I still have lots of time. I'll enjoy the tons of reviews I get cursing the ending.

And you can't change it…I've already written it…now to type it up…

::stalls::

Story? What story?

Kai (enjoy~!! While you can… ^_^ )