Chapter 4
Giving In
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"Naraku. . ." Sango looked into his eyes, and by the moonlight, they were a luminous sienna. They were also filled with longing. "Do you feel love for me, Naraku?"
His eyes widened a little. "Yes."
"How could you feel love for me so quickly?"
"I have loved you ever since that night you tried to save Kohaku. I didn't know it was love until you explained it to me, tonight."
Sango thought carefully about her next choice of words, but was cut off when he asked, "What do you do when you feel love for someone, and they feel love for you, as well? My body tells me there is more."
Sango blushed, and looked at the floor. "Well. . . yes. . . there is. . . "
"What does one physically do to the one they love?"
He asked his questions so innocently! Sango replied, flustered. "Well, um. . . they kiss them, I guess."
"What is that?"
"Well, I would. . . have to show you."
"Is that want you and the young monk were doing the other day, in the woods?"
"Wait - you were watching us?"
He nodded, and Sango's sighed. "Yeah. . . that's what we were doing."
"Do you love me, Sango?"
Sango suddenly found that her throat was getting dry. "I. . . I don't know. . . Would you like to touch me, Naraku?" What was she doing? She was surely losing her mind. . .
He nodded.
"You may," she whispered.
Hesitantly, he brought a hand up to her cheek. He caressed it once, again, and Sango leaned into his touch, and closed her eyes. How could one touch make her so dizzy? Desperate for more, she didn't even contemplate her next choice of words. She opened her eyes. "Would you like me to show you how to kiss me?"
He nodded nervously.
She put her hand over his on her cheek, keeping it in place as she leaned forward. He looked at her expectantly. "Close your eyes," she whispered. He did as he was told. The words Miroku had spoken to her came floating back up to her foggy mind, and she spoke them wistfully. "Just. . . do what I do. . . "
She closed the distance between them, and found his lips with her own. He even jumped a little in surprise. She gave him slow, closed mouthed kisses at first, until he understood, and began to mimic her. She then parted her lips. He did so as well. She pulled away, to his disappointment, and told him, "This will fell a little strange. . . Just. . . keep mimicking me. . . " She kissed him again, and this time, she nervously licked his lower lip, and his breathing sped up as she let her lounge invade his mouth. He tasted like honey, and vanilla. . . He let her work on her own, teaching him, showing him what to do. She then brought a hand to his soft face, and urged him to battle her, as she had battled Miroku. He timidly started to caress her tongue with his own, not battle her, and she found that she enjoyed these tender little strokes as much as she did the battle. Then she realized, she was the dominant here. But when she asked him to participate, there was no dominant person. They were merely kissing each other; she was not kissing him, he was not kissing her. And it was making her dizzy.
She didn't want to stop this, but she had to lay down. She brought the hand that was on his cheek around to the back of his head, and began to lay down, pulling him with her, on top of her, never breaking their kiss. Then she realized, she knew as much about the next part as he did. Well, she knew the basics, but. . .
So she decided to do what felt right. And what felt right was to slip her free hand into his robes. She had to feel more of him. She ran her fingers along his chest, and found his skin to be heavenly soft, and his muscles hard. She felt his collar bone, and back down across a nipple, that was already hard. This excited her, and she had to kiss him harder. She would get him to fight her. Why was it that he wouldn't fight her in any way?
She ran her hand across the smooth skin on his back, and starting at the back on his neck, scratched her fingernails slowly and roughly down it's entire length until she could reach no further, making him inhale sharply. But he was not touching her yet, and it was driving her crazy. "Touch me," she gasped in between kisses.
Finally, there was a hand on her arm. And another at her waist. Then, the hand on her arm found it's way into her robes. He rubbed around her neck and collarbone, but would not go any lower to feel her breasts, which were now aching for attention.
"Lower!" she gasped.
"Is it oka -"
"It's fine!"
Finally, his hand went lower, and he hesitantly touched her right breast. She arched her back, forcing him to grab it. He did so, then rubbed along to her side, over her ribs, feeling his fingers jump with every bone they hit. She was now thinking that there were his robes, the silk sheets, and her robes in between them, and it was driving Sango mad. She wanted to be able to feel him freely, without her hand being constricted in any way.
She began to pull the sheets down from in between them, and he pushed upwards a little to let her bring them to her waist. Her hands then found his sash, and began to fumble with it, trying anxiously to untie it. It seemed to be in a knot. She began to tug at it helplessly, and parted her lips from his in frustration, and looked down between them at the sash. "This thing. . . " she mumbled, ". . . in a knot. . . "
He patiently let her work at it, and she finally tugged the knot loose, and soon, both ends of the sash hung lifelessly from his waist, untied. Breathing heavily, Sango slid her hands over his shoulders, then down his arms, bringing his robes off his shoulders with her fingers. The robes slipped down, and she marveled at his perfect upper body. She continued to touch him, every place she looked, and finally, her eyes settled on the tied drawstrings of his satin pants.
He watched her serenely. "What is it?"
Without saying a word, she reached down, and tugged the end of the little string, and the tie came undone.
"Wait." he said.
She looked up at him, confused and slightly frustrated. "Yes?"
He sat up to his knees, the robes falling completely from his body. He sat her up, but she was drowsy, and her head lolled a little, so he leaned her against him, her nose buried in his neck. She closed her eyes as his hands traveled over her body, over her kimono, and then, he reached inside of her kimono, and sweetly took it from around her shoulders. He pushed it downwards from off her arms, and then untied her own large sash from around her middle. When she was out of the garb completely, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he shivered when her breasts tickled his chest. She smiled lazily. "Lay me down," she whispered in his ear.
Keeping an arm around her, he laid her down softly, delicately. He kissed her when her head reached the pillow, slowly, and softly, and the more he did, the sleepier she became.
Soon, her kisses died away as she drifted off into sleep.
Still hovering above her, Naraku stared at her, a sweet expression on his lips. He laid himself down beside her, covered her breasts with the sheet, and wrapped an arm around her middle, drifting off to sleep himself, soon after.
~ ~ ~
Sango awoke the next morning, alone.
She sat up, the sheets falling from her chest, exposing her breasts to the cold morning air. She sleepily put them back around her, and looked around, blinking her eyes.
What happened?
She strained her mind to remember, and soon, everything came back to her. She and Naraku had almost. . . or had they? No. . . they hadn't, because. . . she had. . . fallen asleep?!
Embarrassed completely, she covered her face with her hands, the sheet dropping from her chest once again. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, and she subconsciously realized she hadn't eaten a thing the day before. She was still blushing with anger and embarrassment, though, and she didn't lower her hands from her face until she calmed back down.
She stared at her hands, angry with herself. 'Why?' she thought. 'Why did I fall asleep? *How* could I *ever* have fallen asleep?'
Her stomach rumbled again, and she decided to get up. She dragged herself to her feet, and stood for a moment, to get her footing.
She looked to the door, and laying on a chair near it was a new kimono. It was light blue patterns of Japanese flowers against a background of cream. Sango dressed quickly, and checked her reflection. She looked sleepy. Her eyes and lips were puffy, and her hair was tousled. She scowled. How lovely she looked. She fixed her hair up in chopsticks, and, able to do nothing for her face, shuffled off into the dining area.
She found Naraku there, once again, sitting in front of the window as he had the day before. When he saw her, he smiled, and rose to his feet. He closed the distance between him and put his arms around her happily, his warmth surrounding her. She buried her face into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I let you sleep," he told her softly, kissing the top of her head. "You looked peaceful; I couldn't wake you."
"Thank you," she replied politely, still embarrassed about the night before. She closed her eyes and murmured into his chest, "I'm sorry I fell asleep last night. . . I guess I was tired. . ."
"Eh? Oh. . . do not apologize." He leaned back to look at her face, and smiled down at her. Taking her hand, he led her to her seat at the table.
He left the room shortly, and came back with breakfast and tea for her. He sat with her as she ate, sipping his own tea. She ate thankfully, the taste of the food delicious and pleasing to her tongue.
"How do you feel this morning?" asked his soft voice.
"Still sleepy," she replied. "But good, now that I have eaten. And even better when I am in your arms."
Where had that come from?
His eyes looked back at her, surprised at first, then proud. There was a small, thrilled smile on his lips. "Then by all means," he said in reply, his eyes sparkling, "I want you to feel as good as possible."
Her eyes gave him a once-over, and then she smiled. "When I finish my food."
He smiled back at her, and sipped his tea.
And, as promised, when she finished her food, they stood by the window and looked out, Naraku holding her in his arms once again. Sango was content in his arms - and was anxious now to finish what they had started the night before.
"I want to go outside." Naraku said after a silence.
"Okay," Sango replied. "Where do you want to go?"
"Let's take a walk." he suggested.
"All right." she agreed.
The day was warm and beautiful, they sky its usual cheery blue and the little puffy clouds a happy white. Everything was beginning to look green again; Spring had finally arrived. They walked into the woods, quiet and content, until they came to a stop at a brook, where the water gurgled and rushed along busily.
Sango stopped there, and bent over to pick a flower. She lifted it to her nose and smelled it, it's sweet, fresh scent making her feel light-headed when she closed her eyes.
Naraku watched her with much interest. "What are you doing?"
She looked up at him. "I'm smelling this flower."
"Why?"
"Because, it smells heavenly."
"It has a scent?"
"Well. . . yes. Here." She held the flower up to his nose, and he sniffed hesitantly. "Well?"
"It smells. . . fresh. . . and. . . sweet. I didn't know flowers had a scent."
Sango giggled, and tucked the flower behind her ear. She took his hand, and they walked further, enjoying the day, and anticipating the night.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sesshoumaru walked alone in the woods, enjoying the day, the cool breeze caressing his face and playing with his hair. He was searching for nothing; he had just needed a break from Jaken. His screeching voice gave him a headache. He wished Rin had come with him, but she had wanted to stay behind to play. He could not make her do anything against her wishes, and he didn't want to, so he left her to her games, and set off on his own.
He neared a brook and his keen ears picked up voices. He recognized them. One was a males ("What are you doing?"), and the other, a females ("I'm smelling this flower."). Sesshoumaru quietly and quickly stepped up to look in between two trees, where he could see a clearing.
He squinted his eyes in the glow of the sun, and saw a man and a woman. The sun was in his eyes, so he could not tell who they were. . .
He continued to listen as the man spoke again.
"Why?"
"Because," the woman replied, "It smells heavenly."
"It has a scent?"
Sesshoumaru scoffed. Who was this baka?
The female grew still, staring at the male, then replied, "Well. . . yes. Here."
Sesshoumaru watched as her figure moved to the man to hold the flower up to his nose. As she did so, the sun moved behind a cloud, and Sesshoumaru saw. . . Naraku?! And his half-brother's human companion!
Something was wrong with this picture, that was obvious to any idiot. Sesshoumaru knew this woman was not here with Naraku by her own free will. If he remembered correctly, this was the very woman who lost her little brother to the man standing before her. 'He must have her under a spell. . . This is clearly another of his tricks.'
He did not stay to watch the rest of the exchange between them. He turned and made his way back to Jaken and Rin. And he knew one thing for sure: he needed to find InuYasha as soon as possible.
He had presumed Naraku dead. After what InuYasha had done to him, Sesshoumaru was surprised - almost scared - to see the demon alive.
His mind worked.
Naraku had been a very strong, very evil demon. . . his evilness had probably exceeded his power. . . What had kept Naraku from being destroyed? Was he still as strong as he had been, or did InuYasha weaken him? If the Naraku was in fact well, then Sesshoumaru knew he was scheming to get the jewel back from InuYasha.
So capturing the human girl was the first part of his plan to get the Shikon no Tama back.
Forgetting Jaken and Rin, Sesshoumaru sprinted, then bounded as fast as he could, in a desperate search for his brother.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Later, that afternoon. . .
Kagome sat out by the stream, washing a shirt of hers that had a stain of InuYasha's blood on it from when she had cleaned up his hands.
Shippou was back in the hut with InuYasha, and Miroku was there with them. They were trying to think of something - anything - that would help them get Sango back before it was too late.
They had no idea where Naraku was hidden, no traces, no anything. And Kagome was worried sick over her friend. Who knew what he was doing to her. . .
These thoughts angered Kagome, and she began to scrub at the shirt furiously, pretending the stain was Naraku's face.
"You're going to rip that." said a calm male voice from beside her.
Kagome stopped, her eyes wide as she stared at the garment in her hands. That voice. . .
She recognized the voice to well. She looked up, and her eyes confirmed her suspicions. "Sesshoumaru?" she gaped at his beautiful figure for a minute, then stood awkwardly. "Wha - what are you doing here?"
"I have an urgent message for you and your companions."
Kagome eyed him suspiciously.
His expression remaining stoic, he said, "Your female companion was kidnaped, no?"
Kagome's jaw dropped slightly, and she said, "Follow me."
She lead him back to the hut, which was only a yard away, and he followed her quietly, seriously.
"InuYasha!" she called for him. "InuYasha!"
He soon appeared in the doorway, Miroku behind him. InuYasha gazed into the daylight, watching her figure approach. When he saw Sesshoumaru, his hand immediately went for the hilt of Tetsusaiga. He glared at his half-brother.
"What do you want?" he growled, bearing his fangs.
"I have important information about your captured companion."
Miroku pushed past InuYasha suddenly, and approached Sesshoumaru. "You know where Sango is?"
"Yes. I saw her - Sango - with none other than Naraku."
"Yes, we know he has her. Where did you see them? Is she okay?"
"Wait a minute." InuYasha's gruff voice cut in. "How do you expect me to trust you, Sesshoumaru? You, who has tried to kill me for Tetsusaiga countless times. How do I know this isn't a trick?"
Sesshoumaru gazed placidly at his brother. "I am not as low as Naraku. I do not play tricks to get what I want. If I still wanted Tetsusaiga, I would challenge you to a fair fight for it."
"If you still *wanted* it? What the hell do you mean by that? After all this time, you don't want it anymore?"
"I do not."
InuYasha's face contorted with rage and disbelief. "Why? How the hell did you change your mind so fast?! I don't believe you, and I don't trust you!"
"You'll not do anything to rescue your Sango?" Sesshoumaru interjected. "Even listen to me? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I am the only information you have on Naraku's whereabouts at the moment."
The statement pacified InuYasha. He let his guard drop slightly, and his stature eased. He held his head high then, and looked at Miroku. "Well? What do you think?"
"I'm desperate for any information. I say we listen to what he has to say." Miroku's voice sounded tired, but with renewed determination at the change of events.
Kagome touched Sesshoumaru's arm to get his attention. "Come inside. We'll listen."
Sesshoumaru turned his head sharply to look at her when he felt her touch, but let it slide, and followed her inside the hut.
InuYasha, Miroku, and Kagome all sat down. Sesshoumaru stood. Miroku gestured to the floor. "You're welcome to sit."
His face never changing, Sesshoumaru stared at the monk with some odd expression in his eyes. He then sat down in front of the three companions, and spoke. "I saw your Sango out west, not too far from an abandoned village. I was walking in the woods, when I heard two voices I recognized, but could not place. In case the voice belonged to a foe, I kept myself hidden, and gazed between two trees. And that's were I saw them. By a brook, standing together peacefully. Sango looked completely unharmed and content. . . almost happy."
Miroku stared at Sesshoumaru in disbelief. "'Almost happy?'" he repeated. "I don't believe you."
"Before you jump to any conclusions, whatever they may be, hear me out." Sesshoumaru protested. "You should not have trouble remembering that Naraku is the master of tricks."
InuYasha snorted. "No shit."
Sesshoumaru glanced at him, then turned back to Miroku. "Sango may think that she is with her brother. After all, did Naraku not take the boy from her care?"
Miroku nodded. "I see. . . I'm sorry. I should just be relieved she's isn't hurt."
~ ~ ~
Everyone grew silent. Sesshoumaru looked at each companion; first Miroku, who was gripping prayer beads hopefully, then to InuYasha, who glared into space defiantly, determination clear in his eyes, and finally to the woman, Kagome, who sat politely, holding the little kitsune, petting him thoughtfully.
The three could perhaps defeat Naraku again. . . but of course, Sango had been there to help them the last time. They would need help getting their companion back, Sesshoumaru knew.
"I will help you get your Sango back." he stated plainly, suddenly.
They each looked up at him in confusion. "You. . . " Miroku said, "You want to help us?"
Sesshoumaru nodded once, clearly.
"What for?" InuYasha asked, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"I want nothing from you."
Kagome caught his eye. She was looking at him as if he were her hero. "You. . . you really want to help us?"
He gazed at her. "I do."
"And you want nothing in return."
"Nothing."
"Why?"
Sesshoumaru considered the question for a moment, then stated to each of them, in a clear voice, "I have not always hated humans. You each believe me to have a cold, detached heart. When one must keep a powerful reputation, one must not show any emotion."
"What are you saying?" InuYasha taunted. "That you're doing this out of the goodness of your own heart? Give me a break. . . "
"That is what I'm saying." Sesshoumaru answered calmly. "I repeat, I have not always hated humans. But I was given good reason to, about forty-three years ago."
"Care to share it with us?" InuYasha asked, still unconvinced.
"I do not. I do not wish to speak of it. But as I said, I was given good reason. . . Finally, after so long, my heart is beginning to see that not all humans are evil. . . I have had so much hatred in my heart for so long. It is finally beginning to ease, and I wish to help you because I know how much you all care for Sango. And since I don't believe you will be able to defeat Naraku without her, I am willing, and offering my help."
"Hey!" InuYasha barked, infuriated, "I could defeat Naraku again on my own! It was mostly me who did it last time!"
"Yes," Sesshoumaru stated, looking InuYasha in the eye, "but last time, you had Sango's help, and the monk's wind tunnel. But now, the wind tunnel is gone, and, I don't believe Sango will not be there to help you, if it is she you're trying to rescue."
Kagome interjected. "What about my sacred arrows? I could take Naraku on, no problem!"
"Possibly. . . " Sesshoumaru replied, "but you are not strong enough. Arrows can be dodged. . . and Naraku is as fast as he is powerful."
The three looked at Sesshoumaru, considering his offer. He sat and waited patiently for an answer.
After a while, a troubled InuYasha got up and began to pace around the hut, scowling. Finally, he stopped, and growled. He turned to Sesshoumaru and said, "All right, fine! You can help us, if that's what you really want to do. . . But if this is some sort of trick, if you're decieving us in any way, I will destroy you, and that is a promise."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Understood. Still, I can assure you, I am not deceiving you."
InuYasha turned on his heel quickly and left the hut, grumbling. Miroku gave a final sigh, and Kagome scooted closer to Sesshoumaru, staring at him. Sesshoumaru stared back with his eyebrows drawn together, befuddled.
She tipped her head to the side and said, "So I guess you'll be staying with us, now."
"I suppose."
"I think it's really nice. What you're doing."
Sesshoumaru said nothing in reply. This woman was strange; why did she stare at him so?
Finally, the kitsune on her shoulder tugged Kagome's ear. "Kagome, I'm hungry!" it complained.
She turned her attention to the fox-child and said sweetly, "We'll eat soon, Shippou. Try to hold out, ne?"
The kitsune groaned and leapt off her shoulder. Kagome turned back to him. "What's in this for you, anyway?"
He considered the question. "Absolutely nothing."
Miroku stirred and he said, "All I have to say is thank you, Sesshoumaru. We will get my Sango back."
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O.O
Helloooooo, Naraku.
You know something? I think I'll be using him in more lemons from now on. That was fun to write. ^_~ And what exactly does Kagome think of Sesshoumaru? What exactly does he think of her. . .? You'll find out.
Hope it's getting interesting! Review! Don't be shy!
Honey Bee
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"Naraku. . ." Sango looked into his eyes, and by the moonlight, they were a luminous sienna. They were also filled with longing. "Do you feel love for me, Naraku?"
His eyes widened a little. "Yes."
"How could you feel love for me so quickly?"
"I have loved you ever since that night you tried to save Kohaku. I didn't know it was love until you explained it to me, tonight."
Sango thought carefully about her next choice of words, but was cut off when he asked, "What do you do when you feel love for someone, and they feel love for you, as well? My body tells me there is more."
Sango blushed, and looked at the floor. "Well. . . yes. . . there is. . . "
"What does one physically do to the one they love?"
He asked his questions so innocently! Sango replied, flustered. "Well, um. . . they kiss them, I guess."
"What is that?"
"Well, I would. . . have to show you."
"Is that want you and the young monk were doing the other day, in the woods?"
"Wait - you were watching us?"
He nodded, and Sango's sighed. "Yeah. . . that's what we were doing."
"Do you love me, Sango?"
Sango suddenly found that her throat was getting dry. "I. . . I don't know. . . Would you like to touch me, Naraku?" What was she doing? She was surely losing her mind. . .
He nodded.
"You may," she whispered.
Hesitantly, he brought a hand up to her cheek. He caressed it once, again, and Sango leaned into his touch, and closed her eyes. How could one touch make her so dizzy? Desperate for more, she didn't even contemplate her next choice of words. She opened her eyes. "Would you like me to show you how to kiss me?"
He nodded nervously.
She put her hand over his on her cheek, keeping it in place as she leaned forward. He looked at her expectantly. "Close your eyes," she whispered. He did as he was told. The words Miroku had spoken to her came floating back up to her foggy mind, and she spoke them wistfully. "Just. . . do what I do. . . "
She closed the distance between them, and found his lips with her own. He even jumped a little in surprise. She gave him slow, closed mouthed kisses at first, until he understood, and began to mimic her. She then parted her lips. He did so as well. She pulled away, to his disappointment, and told him, "This will fell a little strange. . . Just. . . keep mimicking me. . . " She kissed him again, and this time, she nervously licked his lower lip, and his breathing sped up as she let her lounge invade his mouth. He tasted like honey, and vanilla. . . He let her work on her own, teaching him, showing him what to do. She then brought a hand to his soft face, and urged him to battle her, as she had battled Miroku. He timidly started to caress her tongue with his own, not battle her, and she found that she enjoyed these tender little strokes as much as she did the battle. Then she realized, she was the dominant here. But when she asked him to participate, there was no dominant person. They were merely kissing each other; she was not kissing him, he was not kissing her. And it was making her dizzy.
She didn't want to stop this, but she had to lay down. She brought the hand that was on his cheek around to the back of his head, and began to lay down, pulling him with her, on top of her, never breaking their kiss. Then she realized, she knew as much about the next part as he did. Well, she knew the basics, but. . .
So she decided to do what felt right. And what felt right was to slip her free hand into his robes. She had to feel more of him. She ran her fingers along his chest, and found his skin to be heavenly soft, and his muscles hard. She felt his collar bone, and back down across a nipple, that was already hard. This excited her, and she had to kiss him harder. She would get him to fight her. Why was it that he wouldn't fight her in any way?
She ran her hand across the smooth skin on his back, and starting at the back on his neck, scratched her fingernails slowly and roughly down it's entire length until she could reach no further, making him inhale sharply. But he was not touching her yet, and it was driving her crazy. "Touch me," she gasped in between kisses.
Finally, there was a hand on her arm. And another at her waist. Then, the hand on her arm found it's way into her robes. He rubbed around her neck and collarbone, but would not go any lower to feel her breasts, which were now aching for attention.
"Lower!" she gasped.
"Is it oka -"
"It's fine!"
Finally, his hand went lower, and he hesitantly touched her right breast. She arched her back, forcing him to grab it. He did so, then rubbed along to her side, over her ribs, feeling his fingers jump with every bone they hit. She was now thinking that there were his robes, the silk sheets, and her robes in between them, and it was driving Sango mad. She wanted to be able to feel him freely, without her hand being constricted in any way.
She began to pull the sheets down from in between them, and he pushed upwards a little to let her bring them to her waist. Her hands then found his sash, and began to fumble with it, trying anxiously to untie it. It seemed to be in a knot. She began to tug at it helplessly, and parted her lips from his in frustration, and looked down between them at the sash. "This thing. . . " she mumbled, ". . . in a knot. . . "
He patiently let her work at it, and she finally tugged the knot loose, and soon, both ends of the sash hung lifelessly from his waist, untied. Breathing heavily, Sango slid her hands over his shoulders, then down his arms, bringing his robes off his shoulders with her fingers. The robes slipped down, and she marveled at his perfect upper body. She continued to touch him, every place she looked, and finally, her eyes settled on the tied drawstrings of his satin pants.
He watched her serenely. "What is it?"
Without saying a word, she reached down, and tugged the end of the little string, and the tie came undone.
"Wait." he said.
She looked up at him, confused and slightly frustrated. "Yes?"
He sat up to his knees, the robes falling completely from his body. He sat her up, but she was drowsy, and her head lolled a little, so he leaned her against him, her nose buried in his neck. She closed her eyes as his hands traveled over her body, over her kimono, and then, he reached inside of her kimono, and sweetly took it from around her shoulders. He pushed it downwards from off her arms, and then untied her own large sash from around her middle. When she was out of the garb completely, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he shivered when her breasts tickled his chest. She smiled lazily. "Lay me down," she whispered in his ear.
Keeping an arm around her, he laid her down softly, delicately. He kissed her when her head reached the pillow, slowly, and softly, and the more he did, the sleepier she became.
Soon, her kisses died away as she drifted off into sleep.
Still hovering above her, Naraku stared at her, a sweet expression on his lips. He laid himself down beside her, covered her breasts with the sheet, and wrapped an arm around her middle, drifting off to sleep himself, soon after.
~ ~ ~
Sango awoke the next morning, alone.
She sat up, the sheets falling from her chest, exposing her breasts to the cold morning air. She sleepily put them back around her, and looked around, blinking her eyes.
What happened?
She strained her mind to remember, and soon, everything came back to her. She and Naraku had almost. . . or had they? No. . . they hadn't, because. . . she had. . . fallen asleep?!
Embarrassed completely, she covered her face with her hands, the sheet dropping from her chest once again. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, and she subconsciously realized she hadn't eaten a thing the day before. She was still blushing with anger and embarrassment, though, and she didn't lower her hands from her face until she calmed back down.
She stared at her hands, angry with herself. 'Why?' she thought. 'Why did I fall asleep? *How* could I *ever* have fallen asleep?'
Her stomach rumbled again, and she decided to get up. She dragged herself to her feet, and stood for a moment, to get her footing.
She looked to the door, and laying on a chair near it was a new kimono. It was light blue patterns of Japanese flowers against a background of cream. Sango dressed quickly, and checked her reflection. She looked sleepy. Her eyes and lips were puffy, and her hair was tousled. She scowled. How lovely she looked. She fixed her hair up in chopsticks, and, able to do nothing for her face, shuffled off into the dining area.
She found Naraku there, once again, sitting in front of the window as he had the day before. When he saw her, he smiled, and rose to his feet. He closed the distance between him and put his arms around her happily, his warmth surrounding her. She buried her face into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I let you sleep," he told her softly, kissing the top of her head. "You looked peaceful; I couldn't wake you."
"Thank you," she replied politely, still embarrassed about the night before. She closed her eyes and murmured into his chest, "I'm sorry I fell asleep last night. . . I guess I was tired. . ."
"Eh? Oh. . . do not apologize." He leaned back to look at her face, and smiled down at her. Taking her hand, he led her to her seat at the table.
He left the room shortly, and came back with breakfast and tea for her. He sat with her as she ate, sipping his own tea. She ate thankfully, the taste of the food delicious and pleasing to her tongue.
"How do you feel this morning?" asked his soft voice.
"Still sleepy," she replied. "But good, now that I have eaten. And even better when I am in your arms."
Where had that come from?
His eyes looked back at her, surprised at first, then proud. There was a small, thrilled smile on his lips. "Then by all means," he said in reply, his eyes sparkling, "I want you to feel as good as possible."
Her eyes gave him a once-over, and then she smiled. "When I finish my food."
He smiled back at her, and sipped his tea.
And, as promised, when she finished her food, they stood by the window and looked out, Naraku holding her in his arms once again. Sango was content in his arms - and was anxious now to finish what they had started the night before.
"I want to go outside." Naraku said after a silence.
"Okay," Sango replied. "Where do you want to go?"
"Let's take a walk." he suggested.
"All right." she agreed.
The day was warm and beautiful, they sky its usual cheery blue and the little puffy clouds a happy white. Everything was beginning to look green again; Spring had finally arrived. They walked into the woods, quiet and content, until they came to a stop at a brook, where the water gurgled and rushed along busily.
Sango stopped there, and bent over to pick a flower. She lifted it to her nose and smelled it, it's sweet, fresh scent making her feel light-headed when she closed her eyes.
Naraku watched her with much interest. "What are you doing?"
She looked up at him. "I'm smelling this flower."
"Why?"
"Because, it smells heavenly."
"It has a scent?"
"Well. . . yes. Here." She held the flower up to his nose, and he sniffed hesitantly. "Well?"
"It smells. . . fresh. . . and. . . sweet. I didn't know flowers had a scent."
Sango giggled, and tucked the flower behind her ear. She took his hand, and they walked further, enjoying the day, and anticipating the night.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sesshoumaru walked alone in the woods, enjoying the day, the cool breeze caressing his face and playing with his hair. He was searching for nothing; he had just needed a break from Jaken. His screeching voice gave him a headache. He wished Rin had come with him, but she had wanted to stay behind to play. He could not make her do anything against her wishes, and he didn't want to, so he left her to her games, and set off on his own.
He neared a brook and his keen ears picked up voices. He recognized them. One was a males ("What are you doing?"), and the other, a females ("I'm smelling this flower."). Sesshoumaru quietly and quickly stepped up to look in between two trees, where he could see a clearing.
He squinted his eyes in the glow of the sun, and saw a man and a woman. The sun was in his eyes, so he could not tell who they were. . .
He continued to listen as the man spoke again.
"Why?"
"Because," the woman replied, "It smells heavenly."
"It has a scent?"
Sesshoumaru scoffed. Who was this baka?
The female grew still, staring at the male, then replied, "Well. . . yes. Here."
Sesshoumaru watched as her figure moved to the man to hold the flower up to his nose. As she did so, the sun moved behind a cloud, and Sesshoumaru saw. . . Naraku?! And his half-brother's human companion!
Something was wrong with this picture, that was obvious to any idiot. Sesshoumaru knew this woman was not here with Naraku by her own free will. If he remembered correctly, this was the very woman who lost her little brother to the man standing before her. 'He must have her under a spell. . . This is clearly another of his tricks.'
He did not stay to watch the rest of the exchange between them. He turned and made his way back to Jaken and Rin. And he knew one thing for sure: he needed to find InuYasha as soon as possible.
He had presumed Naraku dead. After what InuYasha had done to him, Sesshoumaru was surprised - almost scared - to see the demon alive.
His mind worked.
Naraku had been a very strong, very evil demon. . . his evilness had probably exceeded his power. . . What had kept Naraku from being destroyed? Was he still as strong as he had been, or did InuYasha weaken him? If the Naraku was in fact well, then Sesshoumaru knew he was scheming to get the jewel back from InuYasha.
So capturing the human girl was the first part of his plan to get the Shikon no Tama back.
Forgetting Jaken and Rin, Sesshoumaru sprinted, then bounded as fast as he could, in a desperate search for his brother.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Later, that afternoon. . .
Kagome sat out by the stream, washing a shirt of hers that had a stain of InuYasha's blood on it from when she had cleaned up his hands.
Shippou was back in the hut with InuYasha, and Miroku was there with them. They were trying to think of something - anything - that would help them get Sango back before it was too late.
They had no idea where Naraku was hidden, no traces, no anything. And Kagome was worried sick over her friend. Who knew what he was doing to her. . .
These thoughts angered Kagome, and she began to scrub at the shirt furiously, pretending the stain was Naraku's face.
"You're going to rip that." said a calm male voice from beside her.
Kagome stopped, her eyes wide as she stared at the garment in her hands. That voice. . .
She recognized the voice to well. She looked up, and her eyes confirmed her suspicions. "Sesshoumaru?" she gaped at his beautiful figure for a minute, then stood awkwardly. "Wha - what are you doing here?"
"I have an urgent message for you and your companions."
Kagome eyed him suspiciously.
His expression remaining stoic, he said, "Your female companion was kidnaped, no?"
Kagome's jaw dropped slightly, and she said, "Follow me."
She lead him back to the hut, which was only a yard away, and he followed her quietly, seriously.
"InuYasha!" she called for him. "InuYasha!"
He soon appeared in the doorway, Miroku behind him. InuYasha gazed into the daylight, watching her figure approach. When he saw Sesshoumaru, his hand immediately went for the hilt of Tetsusaiga. He glared at his half-brother.
"What do you want?" he growled, bearing his fangs.
"I have important information about your captured companion."
Miroku pushed past InuYasha suddenly, and approached Sesshoumaru. "You know where Sango is?"
"Yes. I saw her - Sango - with none other than Naraku."
"Yes, we know he has her. Where did you see them? Is she okay?"
"Wait a minute." InuYasha's gruff voice cut in. "How do you expect me to trust you, Sesshoumaru? You, who has tried to kill me for Tetsusaiga countless times. How do I know this isn't a trick?"
Sesshoumaru gazed placidly at his brother. "I am not as low as Naraku. I do not play tricks to get what I want. If I still wanted Tetsusaiga, I would challenge you to a fair fight for it."
"If you still *wanted* it? What the hell do you mean by that? After all this time, you don't want it anymore?"
"I do not."
InuYasha's face contorted with rage and disbelief. "Why? How the hell did you change your mind so fast?! I don't believe you, and I don't trust you!"
"You'll not do anything to rescue your Sango?" Sesshoumaru interjected. "Even listen to me? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I am the only information you have on Naraku's whereabouts at the moment."
The statement pacified InuYasha. He let his guard drop slightly, and his stature eased. He held his head high then, and looked at Miroku. "Well? What do you think?"
"I'm desperate for any information. I say we listen to what he has to say." Miroku's voice sounded tired, but with renewed determination at the change of events.
Kagome touched Sesshoumaru's arm to get his attention. "Come inside. We'll listen."
Sesshoumaru turned his head sharply to look at her when he felt her touch, but let it slide, and followed her inside the hut.
InuYasha, Miroku, and Kagome all sat down. Sesshoumaru stood. Miroku gestured to the floor. "You're welcome to sit."
His face never changing, Sesshoumaru stared at the monk with some odd expression in his eyes. He then sat down in front of the three companions, and spoke. "I saw your Sango out west, not too far from an abandoned village. I was walking in the woods, when I heard two voices I recognized, but could not place. In case the voice belonged to a foe, I kept myself hidden, and gazed between two trees. And that's were I saw them. By a brook, standing together peacefully. Sango looked completely unharmed and content. . . almost happy."
Miroku stared at Sesshoumaru in disbelief. "'Almost happy?'" he repeated. "I don't believe you."
"Before you jump to any conclusions, whatever they may be, hear me out." Sesshoumaru protested. "You should not have trouble remembering that Naraku is the master of tricks."
InuYasha snorted. "No shit."
Sesshoumaru glanced at him, then turned back to Miroku. "Sango may think that she is with her brother. After all, did Naraku not take the boy from her care?"
Miroku nodded. "I see. . . I'm sorry. I should just be relieved she's isn't hurt."
~ ~ ~
Everyone grew silent. Sesshoumaru looked at each companion; first Miroku, who was gripping prayer beads hopefully, then to InuYasha, who glared into space defiantly, determination clear in his eyes, and finally to the woman, Kagome, who sat politely, holding the little kitsune, petting him thoughtfully.
The three could perhaps defeat Naraku again. . . but of course, Sango had been there to help them the last time. They would need help getting their companion back, Sesshoumaru knew.
"I will help you get your Sango back." he stated plainly, suddenly.
They each looked up at him in confusion. "You. . . " Miroku said, "You want to help us?"
Sesshoumaru nodded once, clearly.
"What for?" InuYasha asked, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"I want nothing from you."
Kagome caught his eye. She was looking at him as if he were her hero. "You. . . you really want to help us?"
He gazed at her. "I do."
"And you want nothing in return."
"Nothing."
"Why?"
Sesshoumaru considered the question for a moment, then stated to each of them, in a clear voice, "I have not always hated humans. You each believe me to have a cold, detached heart. When one must keep a powerful reputation, one must not show any emotion."
"What are you saying?" InuYasha taunted. "That you're doing this out of the goodness of your own heart? Give me a break. . . "
"That is what I'm saying." Sesshoumaru answered calmly. "I repeat, I have not always hated humans. But I was given good reason to, about forty-three years ago."
"Care to share it with us?" InuYasha asked, still unconvinced.
"I do not. I do not wish to speak of it. But as I said, I was given good reason. . . Finally, after so long, my heart is beginning to see that not all humans are evil. . . I have had so much hatred in my heart for so long. It is finally beginning to ease, and I wish to help you because I know how much you all care for Sango. And since I don't believe you will be able to defeat Naraku without her, I am willing, and offering my help."
"Hey!" InuYasha barked, infuriated, "I could defeat Naraku again on my own! It was mostly me who did it last time!"
"Yes," Sesshoumaru stated, looking InuYasha in the eye, "but last time, you had Sango's help, and the monk's wind tunnel. But now, the wind tunnel is gone, and, I don't believe Sango will not be there to help you, if it is she you're trying to rescue."
Kagome interjected. "What about my sacred arrows? I could take Naraku on, no problem!"
"Possibly. . . " Sesshoumaru replied, "but you are not strong enough. Arrows can be dodged. . . and Naraku is as fast as he is powerful."
The three looked at Sesshoumaru, considering his offer. He sat and waited patiently for an answer.
After a while, a troubled InuYasha got up and began to pace around the hut, scowling. Finally, he stopped, and growled. He turned to Sesshoumaru and said, "All right, fine! You can help us, if that's what you really want to do. . . But if this is some sort of trick, if you're decieving us in any way, I will destroy you, and that is a promise."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Understood. Still, I can assure you, I am not deceiving you."
InuYasha turned on his heel quickly and left the hut, grumbling. Miroku gave a final sigh, and Kagome scooted closer to Sesshoumaru, staring at him. Sesshoumaru stared back with his eyebrows drawn together, befuddled.
She tipped her head to the side and said, "So I guess you'll be staying with us, now."
"I suppose."
"I think it's really nice. What you're doing."
Sesshoumaru said nothing in reply. This woman was strange; why did she stare at him so?
Finally, the kitsune on her shoulder tugged Kagome's ear. "Kagome, I'm hungry!" it complained.
She turned her attention to the fox-child and said sweetly, "We'll eat soon, Shippou. Try to hold out, ne?"
The kitsune groaned and leapt off her shoulder. Kagome turned back to him. "What's in this for you, anyway?"
He considered the question. "Absolutely nothing."
Miroku stirred and he said, "All I have to say is thank you, Sesshoumaru. We will get my Sango back."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
O.O
Helloooooo, Naraku.
You know something? I think I'll be using him in more lemons from now on. That was fun to write. ^_~ And what exactly does Kagome think of Sesshoumaru? What exactly does he think of her. . .? You'll find out.
Hope it's getting interesting! Review! Don't be shy!
Honey Bee