Hi everyone! Update time! ^___^ Ahh, what a busy week this has been. This chapter in particular was a little hard to write (and you can understand why!) however it's great and ready to go. A/N:
1) Teh r disclaimer: Nope, don't own Inuyasha!
2) Oooo cool, I have an Inuyasha and Kagome fanart! Lol, I know we're all fans of Sesshoumaru instead, but if you want to see it just e-mail me. It's pretty nice, I think. (and I also have a Kenshin and Kaoru one too, any takers…?) =D
3) Right, sooo…this one's the long-awaited lemon chappy. As a precaution, the actual lemon itself has been edited out, and you can see it on my website (NOT hard to find on there! Promise!). FTR, one of my other stories was deleted for the exact same reason, so I'm taking no chances. Furthermore, don't complain to me that I promised a lemon and it's not on here (other people did that…). Don't be lazy, go to the website in the profile. -_-
…And that should be all. Hope you enjoy it! Here it is:
~~~***~~~
I walked down the hallways, tired. My feet were killing me! I nodded to a few guards and hurried past a few rooms. I turned a corner and saw Rin and Jaken running around. I smiled. "Rin, it's time to go to bed, okay?"
One mention of the 'b' word made her yawn. "I'm…I'm not sleepy, mommy…"
Jaken scoffed. "She's been running around in circles ever since she finished her desert…"
Rin giggled. "Jaken likes to chase me!" Another indignant scoff came from the small, green demon. "Hehe, Mommy and Daddy looked so NICE dancing together!" She exclaimed happily.
I blushed heavily. Did we really look that nice? I thought Sesshoumaru was feeling rather unpleasant about the whole thing. Was I wrong? Did he really enjoy the evening? "…At any rate, Rin, you need to go up to bed, okay?"
She sighed unhappily, but nodded. Jaken led her away quickly—he was more than likely extremely tired from following her this entire time. Still, I thought, he makes a pretty good watcher over her, even though he doesn't like it. Sesshoumaru made a good choice.
I looked around. Hmm, were WAS Sesshoumaru anyways!? I hadn't seen him since the party ended. I went to the nearby balcony and looked around for a few moments. Suddenly, to my right I spotted him walking down the hallway on the other side of the courtyard. This reassured me.
I quickly decided that I could talk to him later. For now, another bath was in order. My feet told me so. Slowly, I trudged in the direction of the royal bathroom and into my private room. I kicked off my shoes and turned on the water. Even though I had just been here a few hours earlier, the suds still relaxed my muscles pleasantly. I washed my hair carefully and slipped comfortably further.
"…He smiled at me." I thought after awhile. "Sesshoumaru never smiles…I must've done something he really liked, right?" This situation of not knowing what he felt frustrated me, and yet…I was content guessing. For now. Besides, I didn't even know what I felt! This whole thing was just a little too weird for me. After all, this was a new setting for us…here in the castle, we looked at each other in a new way now. Were our minds playing tricks on us? Or was it fate? Or something…else? I sighed, closing my heavy eyelids. For now, I would just let things happen as they would come.
~~~***~~~
I woke up. Where was I? I had gone from the tub to the bedroom. For some reason I didn't seem to mind this, and snuggled further into the covers. "Mmm…" I sighed pleasantly. Lazily I looked to see that Sesshoumaru was next to me in the bed, and somehow that didn't bother me much either. I just continued to bury my head in the covers.
"Thank you for the dance, Kagome." He whispered to me quietly. "It was so nice that I smiled for it, remember?"
I peeked my head out and nodded. "Yes, I remember, Sesshoumaru. But…why did you do that? I don't really understand…"
Without warning he slid a hand underneath my neck and held my shoulder gently. "It's quite simple, really. I've fallen in love with you, Kagome." He explained, as calmly as if he was talking about the weather. I gave a sharp gasp and rose from the bed.
"Kagome…?"
I walked quickly over to our balcony overlooking the courtyard and looked outside. My heart was racing. Did Sesshoumaru just say what I think he said!? I felt…I felt…Nervous. And happy. And excited, and scared, and unsure of it all. And slightly faint. Did I feel the same? I reached into my heart, my soul, my inner thoughts, and they told me the answer was yes. Before I could think about anything further though, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind.
"Kagome…" He whispered softly into my ear. "…Why do you leave me? Are your feelings not the same?"
Something became caught in my throat, and I could speak. Was this really happening!? "Sesshoumaru, I…" He waited. I couldn't believe this. "Sesshoumaru…" I repeated.
Suddenly the arms around my waist pulled me closer to him. He remarked to me casually, "Ever since we arrived in this place, I began to notice…things. For example…" He breathed in softly. "…I always noticed the wonderful scent you have whenever I would be next to you, by your side. It's addicting, Kagome…"
I sighed at these words. Who knew Sesshoumaru could be so romantic!? "Sesshoumaru, my answer is-"
"-Never mind, Kagome. You don't need to tell me." One of the hands moved from my waist to my heart and pressed down gently. It picked up speed once more. "Your heart doesn't lie—it has told me your answer." He smiled.
Okay, that certainly settled things. His smile was enough to make any girl's legs turn to jelly. My mind was caught up in the moment, and I spun around to face him. He was about to say something, but I closed his mouth with a gentle kiss.
His eyes widened a little but they quickly glazed over. With a growl Sesshoumaru pressed me closer to him. As an automatic reaction my hands slowly crept up to his neck. Then, as quickly as it had happened, we broke away and looked into each other's eyes. The wind blew around us a little, and once again he inhaled deeply against my neck. Reflexively I brought my hand up to his cheek and touched it lovingly. "Sesshoumaru…" I whispered. He placed his hand up to mine and held it there for a few moments with his eyes closed. Then, without any warning, he bent down and picked me up, carrying me bridal-style. From this angle Sesshoumaru kissed me again.
"Kagome, I love you." He smiled and held me against his chest. "Go to sleep now, Kagome." As if Sesshoumaru had put a sudden spell on me my eyelids became much heavier and I drifted off slowly.
~~~***~~~
I rose up suddenly, gasping for air. After blinking for a few seconds I looked around wildly. In my mouth I had tasted…soap!?
Okay, apparently, I had fallen asleep in the bathtub. How…disappointing.
Everything felt so real…I thought deeply for a minute or two. I slipped lower into the warm water and thought about Sesshoumaru again. I thought about him…kissing me…holding me…but what did it mean? I wasn't sure. It was about time, I decided, to confess to myself my true feelings—that after the dance we shared with each other, yes, I had fallen in love with Sesshoumaru. Now the only question was the next step to take…
I stepped out of the tub quietly and dried myself off. If I didn't hurry back soon people would be wondering where I was. "Cold cold cold!!!" I shouted in agony and quickly wrapped the towel around myself. I noticed in the corner a folded robe of mine designed to be for pajamas. I took it, put it on, and then hurried outside.
I was a woman with a mission.
~~~***~~~
I raced quickly through the hallways as fast as I could. To my surprise, the party was still going on. People were coming and going everywhere. "Sesshoumaru…?" I looked around. Where was he!? "Sesshoumaru?" I called out.
Suddenly to my left I noticed Kaede walking slowly around the corner. "Kaede!" I exclaimed happily. I ran to her.
She saw me approach and smiled warmly. "Ah, 'tis Lady Kagome…"
I nodded. "Glad to find you! Are you returning from the party? I'm afraid I didn't see you…"
The old woman chuckled. "…I'm afraid retired personal advisors for the Queen aren't as important as they should be." She said sadly. "But yee had a wonderful party, make no mistake." She added.
I blushed a little. "Thank you, Kaede…I wasn't sure what to do at times, but gradually everything flowed together and I had a wonderful time after all. It was…very fun. I enjoyed it."
"Yes. Lord Sesshoumaru in particular made an excellent speech in front of us. I was quite impressed by it, indeed. He has shown some important leadership skills that I did not think was possible for someone not of this world. Most impressive indeed."
I nodded. "Yes, Sesshoumaru has definitely…changed." 'Should I tell her my new thoughts towards him?' I asked myself.
Kaede smiled slyly. "Yee have changed as well, Kagome. Yee looked most content when dancing with His Highness. Could yee have changed the feelings yee once felt of him? Hmm…"
I blushed wildly. Her smile grew wider in understanding. "Um, Kaede, just so you know I would still like to visit you tomorrow so you can continue the story of Sesshoumaru and I. Will you be able to meet me tomorrow at your house? I really am anxious to hear it. The story is very interesting, Kaede."
She nodded. "Yes, that would be fine. Tomorrow, then."
Kaede turned to leave, but I stopped her quickly. "Before you go, Kaede…have you seen Sesshoumaru? I've been looking for him…"
"Yes." She replied. "I saw him retire to the royal bedroom. I imagine he must be very tired."
I smiled. "Well, he did dance with me after all!" Kaede chuckled. I thanked her and she turned to leave. I watched her go for a few moments, then continued to walk down the hallway.
'She knows my intentions.' I thought to myself. Oh well, Kaede could see through anything, so it wasn't much use trying to hide it, I decided. Still though…well, it just bothered me.
I shook my head. 'Stay focused, Kagome!' I scolded myself. 'First thing's first—find Sesshoumaru, THEN worry about Kaede!' I hurried on down the hallway.
~~~***~~~
I ran into the bedroom and looked around wildly.
He wasn't here.
My heart dropped for a second but then I remembered where Sesshoumaru normally was at this time of night. I raced to the balcony and peered outside. My instincts were correct—there he was, sleeping peacefully in that tree of his. I smiled a little and reached to wake him.
Sesshoumaru opened his eyes slowly and looked at me quizzically. "Kagome…?"
I smiled and nodded. "Sorry to wake you up, Sesshoumaru…"
He sat up. "I wanted to talk to you about something. I looked around the castle, but I couldn't find you, so I went asleep. I'm sorry."
I immediately felt guilty. Sesshoumaru had tried to tell me something but I was in the bathtub. "You can blame me for that. What do you want to tell me?"
He looked at me for a few moments, and then shook his head. "Forget it…it's not important. But…why did you wake me up?"
From this my resolve weakened. "…Forget it…it's not important, Sesshoumaru." I said in the same way.
He leapt down from the tree suddenly. There we stood on the balcony together, under the stars. "…There's something on your mind, Kagome…" He said after a while.
I avoided his piercing gaze and looked at the moon, listening. "…The music…" I remarked. "You can still hear it from all the way over here…"
"…Just what are you impl-" He was cut short when I quickly took his hand.
"-One more dance, then?" I asked quietly. He closed his mouth slowly and thought for a few seconds, looking at me suspiciously. "We might need the practice for later, right?" I added hopefully.
He continued to stare at me for a few more moments in disbelief, then nodded slowly and began to put his hand around my waist like before. I pressed against him carefully and we began to dance in the same way as we did hours ago, only this time with no other people around us. I don't think he quite understood why, but he didn't question anything regardless. Eventually I began to feel sleepy. Sesshoumaru noticed this, so he gently picked me up and laid me down on the bed. "Sleep now, Kagome." He whispered softly. I smiled and drifted off slowly.
Review Responses:
sakurapetal13: Lol, yes yes, of course it's Sess/Kagome. Would I lie to you? =D
ChibiTenshi15: Hehe, the dancing scene seems to be everyone's favorite part…lol. But yeah it's definitely one of my better scenes.
Gomen: Ah, so you DO have a name, eh? Well nice to see ya and hope you enjoy this chapter!
Skitzoflame: The real king and queen never existed (but don't get me wrong, they're NOT dreaming). Just lost in another world…meh, but don't worry too much about it. That's not what's really important after all, ne? Everyone luffs their relationship, after all.
bloodbunny: YAY!! Now who could ignore shiny things!? ^________^ Not me!
ashley a: Aw, arigato! Glad you like!
Satu-Chan: Ha, well it won't be what you expected, I bet…
BlueEyedKorean: Um…by mailing list, do you mean…? Well what DO you mean? *confused* I r teh smart…
zeddy200: Hehehe, you know you make a good fanfic when people stay up late trying to finish reading it! Lol
tellu444: Heh heh, thanks! We'll just have to see, lol.
My DeathWish: Arigato! Hope you can read this update! ^__^
cali1043: Bah, not many can, heh. ;)
Sentinal-Breeze: Yay, another lover of the fic! Lol, I can certainly say that's what I was shooting for. Well, glad you like!
Vegetas4Life: AHHH!!!! Okay, I'm definitely feeling bad now…*digs a hole, goes inside, brings shiny things, covers up the dirt again, stays there forever*
zeddy200: Lol, hey! You already reviewed! Okay well, I hope this was fast enough! To reiterate, this was a hard chappy to write…
bonessasan: Interesting, eh? Yeah I suppose so. Arigato!
Shley-Sama: O_o out of pure curiosity (and you don't have to answer) is Shley short for Ashley…?
kitsune-chan3: lol, well it had to end eventually, ne?
Guardiun-Angel15: Aww…yes, it truly was a kawaii scene, hehehe.
Annnnd that's all. R&R please!! 20 reviews, yay! This definitely will NOT be the only lemon chappy, so no worries. Next up, Kaede's story, aka THE fluffiest chapter in this story yet! Promise! Anyways, tell me what you think! Arigato! Ja ne!! ^___^
