Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Inuyasha series or characters or any other copy written stuff that I may have referred to or used in this story.
This chapter contains a lime. Please if you are under age then don't go any farther. Thank you.
From Our Past
Chapter 10 What is important in life?
"Neither we are going to the estate. Check them for any tracking devices." Sesshomaru ordered calmly. Miroku grinned pervertedly and reached forward only to have Inuyasha grab his shoulder and haul him back.
"Not like that you letch." He then used a bug scanner to look over the girls. He found a couple on each and quickly disposed of them out the sun roof before they left the main streets of LA. Twenty minutes later the limo was driving down a fairly deserted paved road along the coast. Sango was the first to wake up and look around confused. Then it all came back to her. She immediately pushed back into the seat. She watched the men wide eyed then heard the moan from Kagome next to her. Not taking her eyes off of Miroku and Inuyasha she patted Kagome's arm tenderly to awaken her.
"Where are you taking us?" She stammered out quickly then turned her attention to Kagome.
"To dinner just as I explained." Came the reply of Iyoutai. Sango looked at him then back at the other two in the car. Miroku could see the look of betrayal she was feeling in her eyes. He felt bad but it was necessary. "You both will stay the night at my estate then tomorrow if you wish to return then I will make arrangements." Kagome sat up rubbing her forehead.
"Wouldn't it have been easier to just go somewhere in town. This seems a little radical." Kagome said irritably.
"Possibly but I would not have been able to show you some things that you really need to see to understand my position completely. Now would either of you like a drink. We still have quite a drive ahead of us." He opened the small bar that sat on one side of the limo then proceeded to pour himself a scotch. Sango looked from one person to the next still uneasy about things. Miroku took a glass and made her drink of choice then handed it to her.
"This will help with the anxiety a bit." He grimaced when she took it from him and guzzled it down then handed it back to him. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her display. Kagome was studying the many different bottles of alcohol that were present in the bar. Finally she leaned forward and picked up a bottle of strawberry sake which she opened and drank straight out of the bottle. This also surprised Sesshomaru. He looked at Inuyasha and then at Miroku who seemed to be just as surprised. Inuyasha cleared his throat and leaned forward to take it away from Kagome but she wrinkled her nose at him and took another swallow.
"In a minute I need this for now ok. It isn't every day you get kidnapped by someone you are investigating with the help of an EX-LOVER." She spit out hotly and took two more swallows. She brought the bottle down and made a face but forced herself to take yet another swallow.
"So I take it you're still angry about the other night." Inuyasha said in awe of how much she was drinking. She brought the bottle down but didn't take it way from her face. She looked at his sorrowful eyes and frowned.
"You could say that. I would say I am still very PISSED OFF." She fumed. Sesshomaru sat back amused watching the exchange as did Miroku and Sango. Miroku handed Sango another drink but this one she nursed still concentrating on the feuding couple.
"Ok Kagome I understand you are mad but you don't need to drown it in alcohol. Just give me the bottle." Inuyasha reached for it again but she jerked it back so violently she ended up leaning into Sesshomaru. Inuyasha growled deep in his chest. She looked up at Sesshomaru and smiled innocently.
"Sorry about that." She slurred out meekly.
"No problem." He replied with a big smile on his face. Gently he helped her set back up then relieved her of her bottle of sake. "Inuyasha please hand me a glass." Inuyasha complied then after Sesshomaru filled the glass half way he handed the bottle to Inuyasha and the glass to Kagome. She accepted it happily but still glared at Inuyasha. He resided to stare out the window and ignore her. After almost another hour of driving they arrived at a pair of gates set in a tall stone wall that disappeared into the darkness. Once past this they drove through a dark forested area for quite a while before they came into a clearing with a mansion set on top of a low hill. Even though it was dark the place was lit up with many bright lights making the view captivating.
Sango and Kagome were feeling pretty tipsy by now (Kagome more then Sango) and were in complete awe of the building. Sesshomaru led the way out of the car with Kagome and Sango then Miroku behind them. Inuyasha took a few moments to straighten up the bar before exiting the vehicle. Sesshomaru walked regally up the stone steps without a glance back. Miroku was holding Sango's elbow coaxing her up as they talked back and forth. Kagome stood at the bottom of the steps still staring up at the building trying to remember where she had seen this particular building design.
Tentatively she took a couple of steps but kept glancing up at the many bright windows. A breeze filtered across her face and she could smell the salt water of the ocean in it. As she took a step forward she inhaled the fresh smell deeply while closing her eyes. She realized a bit too late that it was not a good idea to close your eyes when you are drunk and slipped on the steps. She scrunched her face up waiting for the pain that would follow the fall but it never came. She began to realize someone was holding her in their arms. Slowly she opened her eyes to see Inuyasha's strong handsome face looking back at her with concern.
"I told you not to drink so much." He whispered softly.
"Who are you my mother?" She hissed then fought to stand back up. 'How dare he try to make it look like he cared.' She thought angrily. He released her reluctantly. She swayed back and forth for a bit then took a step back from him only to hit her heel against the step and start to fall again. He quickly grabbed her by the arms and pulled her to his chest. He stared into her eyes. His lips forming a frown. "Thanks." She whispered sheepishly a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. He gently rubbed it away with his thumb. Instinctively she shied away from his touch by turning her head but he held her firmly. He cupped her cheek with his hand and turned her face back to his. Slowly he closed the distance between them and brushed her lips softly with his.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. His breath danced across her lips as soft as a butterfly kiss. She stared into his eyes unable to stop the tears that started to fall. All the pain she thought she had been able to bottle up was back causing her heart to thump with the heart break she felt when she saw him kissing Kikyou. She closed her eyes and lowered her face ashamed of her own inability to control her emotions.
"I suppose you think that takes care of it." She hissed softly but couldn't put as much venom into it as she wanted. She wanted him to feel the pain she felt.
"No it isn't enough." He lifted her face to his and kissed her so deeply she felt her knees give way. He broke the kiss only when they both needed to breath. "It will never be enough. I want to show you just how sorry I am. But I can't even fathom how to let you know what I feel right now." He said in a husky voice. His arms became tighter on her small frame then he lifted her up bridal style and carried her up the steps. At the door he let her down so she could walk on her own. She looked at him with astonishment clear in her eyes. As they passed the butler that was holding the door open she gave him her empty glass then allowed Inuyasha to lead her into the dinning hall with her hand held firmly in his.
The others were chatting back and forth patiently while they waited but said nothing when the two arrived hand in hand. Inuyasha slid her chair out for her then took his seat between Sesshomaru and her. Sesshomaru refused to discuss any business over dinner and asked if they could wait until after so they could enjoy the beautiful meal that the cook had prepared. They all ate quietly with Kagome picking at most of it since her mind was somewhere else. After they had finished Sesshomaru ushered them into a parlor where a warm fire had been started in the heath. He offered them all a drink again and could only smile when Kagome shook her head. After pouring his own he took a seat in a large cushy chair near the fire.
"Well now that we have had our dinner and it is getting fairly late, I think it would be a good time for us to discuss your questions." He waited patiently while Kagome thought about what she wanted to ask. Most of her questions at the moment were concerning Inuyasha not him but she fought the urge to start with him believing it was better to discuss their personal problems in private.
"I am sure it is safe to assume you know why we are investigating your company." She started.
"Yes I know all about it. First you should also know that there is more to those disappearances then you were originally told. It is very true that some of the youkai that have disappeared did sell their companies to me but you don't know the whole story and that is what I wish to get cleared up with you tonight. First I need your complete and utter silence about what I am going to tell you. There are many lives at stake and I would hate to have to rid the world of such an amazing woman." He smiled at her blush.
"You have my promise to remain silent about what I hear." She stammered out quickly then glanced at Sango.
"I won't say anything either." Sango confirmed from her spot on the couch next to Miroku.
"All right then, to start I believe I need to give you a little family history." He walked over to a shelf that had several old books on it. He looked briefly through them then settled on one and brought it over to her. He opened it up for her and laid it out on the coffee table for them all to see. There was an elegantly hand drawn picture of a family tree with in the pages. "This will make it more imaginable for you. Just start at the top and work your way down." Kagome and Sango started at the top with the Great Lord InuGinrou first Ruler and Commander of the Youkai Society established in the year 1105. He mated with Lady Bashira of The Inu-Clan Akachi of the North. They had four sons, InuTaisho being the oldest, second was Noaki, third was Mito, and the youngest being Yani. Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru but he had his back turned and was staring into the fire.
"Is this referring to the youkai Yani that was involved with my ancestor Lady Moridico?" She had to know for sure he only nodded and waved his hand for her to continue. She went back to the book to follow each line of heritage. InuTaisho mated the Lady Hairi of the Noble family of Inu-Itami in the year 1487. They had one son named Sesshomaru. Lady Hairi died shortly after the boy turned one hundred years old. InuTaisho took another mate, a human named Lady Kimiko of the Noble house of Takizawa as a treaty offering between clans in the year 1702. She bore him a son named Inuyasha. Kagome and Sango looked at each other then at Inuyasha. He smiled sheepishly then looked at Sesshomaru. "Is this referring to you?" Kagome looked at him questioningly.
"I will answer that for you." Sesshomaru sat back down in his chair and took the book from the table. "The answer is simply yes. I am sure you know by now that youkai are able to hide their appearances with the use of their youki or ki as most humans know it. Many others may refer to it as magic. It is essential for us to be able to blend in."
"Wait! What do you mean by 'us'." Kagome interrupted him quickly to make sure she heard him correctly. He smiled and looked at her thoughtfully.
"Yes I am youkai just as Inuyasha is hanyou. We both use our ki to help us disguise ourselves from humans." With that said Sesshomaru removed the wig and used a bar towel to rub the make up from his face. They both gapped at the markings on his face and his long white hair. Kagome looked from him to Inuyasha several times. "Yes we are brothers. I am Sesshomaru current ruler of the Greater Western Lands of Japan. Inuyasha show her." The hanyou scowled at him but lowered his spell. His golden orbs stared at them hesitantly. Both women were glaring at the triangular shaped ears that sat on top of his head swiveling back and forth to catch every sound they could. Then they both squealed with delight as they hurled toward him.
"Oh god they are so cute." Kagome was the first to react by grabbing one and stroking it mercilessly. "It's so soft." She giggled happily. Sango was right next to her with one in her fingers petting as well. Inuyasha struggled to get them off him and after several tries finally managed to pry them away from his sensitive ears long enough to say something.
"Now you can see why I keep them hidden. Damn I think I'm going to go deaf." He rubbed the tender ears then twitched them back and forth gaining another round of squeals from the girls. The ears immediately flipped back and laid flat against his hair to drowned out the high pitched sound.
"Ladies if you will cease this childish display we can continue." Sesshomaru had his hands over his ears to drowned the squeals out too. Both girls then looked at Miroku but he held up his hands defensively.
"I am a simple human nothing more." He said quickly. They both looked kind of deflated but turned their attention back to Sesshomaru.
"Well now as I was saying. There is more to the disappearances then you know. I will be completely honest with you and tell you now that we are involved in some but as you will soon see it is not what you think. To explain better I will start with the problem that we youkai are facing. We have our own society. Along with the laws of humans we have our own laws. Since the time of Yani and Moridico we have been forced to seek our own methods of preserving our race.
For the last 2 hundred years we have had a problem with the lesser youkai disappearing through out the world. We have searched and have been unable to track down just what is happening to them. All we know is they are gone from the face of the earth completely with out a trace. Some species have become completely extinct. In more recent years we have noticed stronger youkai are beginning to disappear. We have our suspicions but no proof. Because of this existing problem the Nobility of our race came up with a plan of our own to insure the survival of our race until this threat can be extinguished.
Thanks to the efforts of many youkai and loyal human scientists we have been able to accommodate that need for self preservation rather well. This information I will gladly show you tomorrow should you choose to become one of our allies but if not then I must decline from any further conversation about it. If a list of names will assist you to clear our company then I will provide that for you."
"But how do we know that they are safe. There is that 'proof of life theory' that must be considered before we can drop the investigation. And then there is this other threat you referred to. Can you explain it in more detail. Maybe we can help with that." Kagome seemed more coherent then before. She was studying Sesshomaru's moves and listening carefully to the way he spoke to determine if this was just some hoax to stop the investigation. Sesshomaru smiled at her ruefully.
"You are very intelligent Ms. Higurashi. I may be able to arrange for you to accompany me to the facility tomorrow and there you may see your proof of life as you put it. But in order to do so I need your blood oath that you will not even hint or whisper its existence to anyone. We have been very careful to screen out any who may leak its where abouts. On the second question we only have suspicions. They are centered around a hanyou named Naraku. He is very evil and would be considered a part of the Underground Mafia in human terms but he deals mostly with youkai. We have found evidence that shows most of the lesser youkai that were disappearing so many years ago were in fact employed by him at the time. There is little else to go on unless we can get information from inside his organization.
I would prefer that you not investigate him. He is very ruthless and would not hesitate to put a mark on you or anyone else's head. He has the most organized assassination team known in the world. His informants are everywhere. There is even one existing within the company that hired you to help get to me." Both women looked at him with wide eyes. He chuckled to himself. "You would do well not to mention this to anyone inside that company. We still are not sure who the informant is and it may cause you some trouble if Naraku finds out you know anything. He would get to you before you ever figured out what was happening. In fact I believe you met his top agent at the banquet the other night." Both women had a confused look on their face. "She is by far the best I have ever seen. Beautiful and deadly in one luscious package." He smiled when Kagome's eyes became wide with understanding.
"You mean Natai? She seemed so nice. I thought she was a personal guest of yours." She looked at Sango who was as white as a sheet.
"Yes Natai and she was my guest. She is actually very nice and she is my chosen mate. Of course that is another long story and I am afraid I have reached the end of my endurance for this day. If you will excuse me I will retire. Breakfast is at eight in the morning." He bowed low to them then disappeared out of the parlor door. Miroku whispered something in Sango's ear that made her giggle then helped her to stand.
"If you two will excuse us we are going to explore the mansion." He said as he pulled Sango with him. They exited out the same doors not waiting for an answer. Kagome looked around the room feeling left out in a way then her gaze settled on Inuyasha. He stood in front of the hearth just staring into it. The light danced off his golden eyes making them glitter like jewels. They were truly breath taking. She wanted to say something, anything would be better then this stale silence. Her mind began to wander back to the conversation with Sesshomaru.
It all seemed strange to her. She never thought about how old youkai actually were. She had always considered them just like other people. After thinking about it she realized that Inuyasha was a lord not just some playboy jetting around after pretty girls. She lowered her gaze thinking more about this. His age was something to consider too. He was much more experienced then she was in a lot of things. She felt her cheeks heat up with a blush at the thought of how much experience he might have. Her thoughts were shattered by his suttle voice.
"If you are tired I can take you to your room. Just let me know." He said without looking at her. She could see he was deep in his own thoughts and for some reason she desperately wanted to know what he was thinking. 'Probably about Kikyou and wishing she was the one here instead of me.' She felt her heart drop a bit. But if that was true then why did he apologize and kiss her like that on the front steps? She shook her head trying to gather her thoughts better. 'What was I thinking by letting him kiss me like that after everything.' This was all just a big mistake. She hardly knew him but wanted more regardless. Inside she yearned to know all of him.
"Just how old are you?" She asked out of the blue.
"What?" He looked at her shocked.
"I asked how old you are." She looked up at him with innocence while her fingers fidgeted with the hem on her skirt.
"What does that have to do with anything?" He calmly said still looking at her. She looked down at her lap nervously.
"Well we don't really know that much about each other. I was just thinking maybe it would make things clearer if we got to know each other more. I know I am not making much sense right now but it is all I can come up with because I really don't want to go to sleep yet. My mind is still trying to process everything Mr. Iyoutai...your brother said. It is just still very hard for me to comprehend and..." She looked up into his eyes as his finger hushed her rambling. 'How did her get so close with out me knowing? He never made a sound when he walked over. And those golden orbs were so warm and inviting. I have never been this close to a youkai in their true form as far as I know. At least she didn't think she had that is until the night she met him but then he wasn't really in a true form. He was using a spell to conceal it.' Her mind raced with these thoughts as she stared into his eyes.
"Almost 300." He said softly as he ran his eyes over every feature of her face like he was memorizing it.
"Excuse me?" She was captivated by his eyes and flawless skin. She wanted nothing more then to touch him again like she did that first night but after everything that happened since then that night seemed more like a dream.
"You asked how old I was. Almost 300 years but in human years late 20's. Is that a problem?" His voice remained low to keep from scaring her. She shook her head no and bit her lip while her eyes locked on his soft tender lips. "Good." He slowly closed the gap between them. Tenderly he kissed her in a chastised way then pulled back waiting for a reaction of some kind. The suspense was killing him inside and even rejection would be better then this. She ran the back of her fingers down his face lovingly a tear slipped down her cheek. He kissed it away then pulled her into a hug. "Don't cry. Please just don't cry. I'm not worth your tears." Her arms slipped around his neck drawing their bodies closer together.
"What happened to us? What went wrong?" She sniffed and buried her face in his shoulder relishing his natural scent.
"I happened to us. I'm so sorry you got caught up in that. I never thought anything would happen. It seems every time something goes right my damn luck turns it sour. I should have known better." He rocked her back and forth gently. He nuzzled her hair with his nose enjoying the smell of her even more then he had the first day he met her. "I just wanted to be with you so much I wasn't careful." She pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes again.
"Then tell me what happened. Why were you in the garden with her? And if you two were a couple again why didn't you just tell me instead of leading me on." She searched his eyes the anger from that night began building in her gut but this time she was ready to hear what he had to say. No she needed to hear what he had to say. With a sigh he let her go but held on to her hands.
"We were never back together. I just got caught up in a moment. Kikyou was always good at reading those moments and using them to get what she wants. We dated for almost five years. During that time she left many times but always come back begging me to forgive her. After a while it was comfortable because I knew she would always come crawling back and it gave me a sense of security. I know it sounds lame but if you were me you would understand what I mean. I have always had problems forming lasting relationships with others because I am hanyou." He had a hard time looking at her while he spoke but forced himself to look into her eyes so she wouldn't think he was making it up.
"We all have problems with relationships. It is part of life." She patted his hand comfortingly. He smirked knowing she didn't understand at all. She was so pure and innocent it was completely endearing.
"No you don't understand. For me growing up was hell. Youkai dispised me because I was half human and humans hated me because I was half youkai. That prejudice carried on into my adult life as well. Youkai women didn't want anything to do with me because of the human half and once humans found out about the youkai half they would break it off too. Kikyou was the first woman who didn't care. The down side to that is she was only interested in my money and never really cared about me as a person. I found myself not caring about the money. There was a certain amount of security in knowing she didn't care about my heritage so I didn't care what the price was for that bit of companionship.
But the last time my pride just said no more. She was caught cheating on me in my own home. I couldn't allow it to go on any longer. I made sure all her things were out of my condo and I sold it. I have been living in hotels ever since trying to stay away from her. When I met you I thought I was in a dream, it all felt so right to be with you I didn't want to let go. That night at the banquet I was so happy to be with you and everything was looking so good it didn't dawn on me she was planning something. When I came out of the restroom a waiter was there with a note from her saying she was going to be killed and she needed my help. I should have known then it was a trap to get me back but I thought the least I could do was put her on a plane to somewhere and that I owed her at least that much.
I went out there to talk to her and she was crying. The one thing I can't take is a woman crying. Don't use that against me in the future ok." He looked at her and she grinned. Satisfied he went on with his story. "As I was saying, she was hysterical and started telling me about some gambling debt she had. If she didn't get it paid off then they were going to kill her. I was trying to comfort her like I used to and well she turned it around on me like she always did. But this time you saw it and something inside my heart snapped. The thought of losing you and hurting you tore me up. It was more important to me then any of her bullshit. I felt like dying when you drove off in that cab. I took her to the airport and sent her back home to her parents. Of course I called them to make sure they picked her up.
I never should have listened to her from the start but I have always been so lonely it felt good just being able to rely on one person and know what to expect. I know it is only a lousy excuse and I can't apologize enough for my foolishness or for hurting you like that. There is..." He was stopped this time by her putting her fingers over his mouth.
"Your rambling." She said softly then leaned up and kissed him passionately. He returned the kiss eagerly pulling her close to his chest. She allowed her body to mold with his reveling in sensation of how right it felt to be in his arms. He leaned her back on the couch while putting more desire in the kiss. She moved her hands up and down his back causing him to growl. He reluctantly pulled back knowing that she would need air soon. He lavished her face and neck with kisses hungry to have more of her while she caught her breath.
"Does this mean you forgive me?" He asked in between kisses. She smiled letting a small moan escape her lips.
"Maybe, what else are you going to do for me?" She giggled when he growled. Quickly he pulled her legs the rest of the way on the couch with him laying in between them. He licked and nipped down her neck to her collar bone while running his hand up her skirt. Just as he was about to start biting the buttons off her shirt someone clearing their throat broke the mood. Inuyasha pushed himself up to look over the back of the couch.
"You should not be doing such things on Lord Sesshomaru's couch. There are bedrooms upstairs for such activities." Jaken hissed at him. Inuyasha scowled at him then growled.
"You dried up old prune. I bet you never had a woman in your life. But we will take this else where just so you can't watch." With that he stood and hauled Kagome over his shoulder. He bounded out the door then jumped all the way up the stairs in one hop. Kagome squealed all the way. She laughed when he flung her on the bed then pounced on her like a starving animal.
He kissed her feverishly at first then lavished her neck with kisses and licks. He leaned back after a moment and stared into her eyes. "Gods you are an angel." He ran the back of his fingers down her face tenderly. He kissed her again more gently. She felt like her heart would burst from the feelings he could invoke in her. She sighed happily when he moved his seductive kisses down her jaw and to her neck.
Timidly she ran her hands down his shoulders to remove his jacket. She snagged her finger on the gun holster over his left shoulder but didn't stop. He easily slipped each arm out to assist her with out stoping his carresses. Her nimble fingers worked their way across the muscles of his chest until she found the buckle of the holster and quickly unlatched it. He moaned when she started her own asault on his neck while she pulled the holster off him and dropped it to the floor next to the bed. That action only spurred him to continue.
Kagome began to work the buttons on his shirt open so she could slide it off his shoulders. Then a thought came to her. Tentatively she raised on hand up and gently began to massage his ears. A low rumbling purr erupted from his chest sending a gentle vibration through her body. He rested his forehead on her shoulder as a moan escaped his lips. "Christ, do you know what you are doing to me?" He mumurmed softly. He ground his pelvis into hers slow pressing himself into her to show her. She gasped from the sensation it sent through her lower body. It was maddening but she didn't stop her administration to his ears. He groaned again then looked at her with hooded eyes.
She returned his heated stare with one of her own. Shyly her tongue came out and ran along her bottom lip to moisten it then her teeth pulled on it seductively. He couldn't take any more and he lunged at her. His lips seared hers in a demanding kiss that drove her senses over the edge. She no longer cared what was going on around her as long as this feeling never stopped. They rode the waves of their pleasure together with a heated kiss filled with more passion and love then he ever thought was possible. Panting he wrapped his arms around her slender body and held her close to him. It was at this moment he realized that they still had some clothes on. His shirt was stuck to his sweaty back and his pants were still wrapped around his knees. Her skirt was pushed up around her waist and her blouse as well as her bra were still drapped over her arms. He moved a little to try and get the tongue of the zipper out of his knee but she moaned and shuddered..
"Oh god don't move." She giggled. "I'm too sensitive." She let her arm fall from over his shoulder to flop on the bed uncerimoniously. He chuckled deep in his chest but did as she asked for the moment if only to give himself some time. He looked down into her flushed face and ran a finger along her swollen lips.
"You are so beautiful. How did I ever get your attention?" He asked openly.
"Mmm..just lucky I guess." She teased. Then smiled at him brightly. He gave her a peck on the nose.
"Smart ass." He grinned at the surprised look on her face. Then he got a serious look on his face. "No really Kagome, you are something more then just special. I missed you so much it was killing me inside like a part of me was missing." Her eyes soften a bit then she smiled at him.
"Wow, if that is what I get for being gone only a couple of days what are you going to give me if I leave for a month?" Her eyes twinkled playfully. His serious look turned almost evil as he golden eyes studied her face.
"I would have to punish you if you were gone that long." He grinned showing off his fangs in a fake sneer.
"Hmmm...sounds interesting. I just might have to do that and see what you would do." She giggled at his shocked look. His mind switched to just how he would punish her and his grin became sinister. He grabbed both her wrists and held them over her head with one hand then used the other to carress a nipple playfully. This got a moan out of her. She looked at him with hooded eyes and played with her bottom lip with her teeth again. Willfully he flexed the muscles of his body against hers looking for reaction. Her moan of passion was music to his ears.
"Maybe I should just show you now." He whispered into her ear. "But first I want something." He leaned back and looked at her. His experssion was tender but serious.
"What is it you want?" She asked curiously.
"I wanted to know if you would be my mate." Her mouth dropped open and fear filled his heart. "I know we haven't known eachother very long but what I am feeling is so right. I could stay like this with you forever. I just don't want to lose it or you. Please will you consider it?" His eyes pleaded with her. They reminded her of a lost puppy in a way but she pushed that comparison to the back of her mind. Her heart yearned to say yes while her mind was trying to be more resonable. Then he did the unthinkable and caressed her again willing her to feel him the way she had just had. She moaned and bit her lip. He kissed her passionately then whispered in her ear.
"Can you tell me anyone has made you feel like this? Has anyone done this to you?" The sensation of his seductive dance caused yet more pleasure to course through her body.
"No... no one." She panted trying to recover from the thrills he was sending her body through.
"Then you know we are made for eachother." He kissed her neck then licked the tender flesh where her neck met her shoulder with a hot tongue. She moaned and squirmed under him. She bucked her hips up wantingly. Iit was agonizing for him when his beast side wanted to just claim her while the human side wanted her concent. It was important that she agreed to the mating otherwise she would end up hating him for it. Her moans of pleasure prompted him to continue his speech.
"Youkai believe that only a soul mate can make you feel this kind of ecstasy, this kind of want that only your other half can fill. That is what I feel when I am with you like this. I felt it the first night but I didn't want to scare you away. Then when I saw you drive away like that I..." Her hand went over his mouth to silence him.
"Mmmm...God you talk to much. Just...mmm..." She panted out. He shook his head and stopped altogether. She whimpered at the presure that was built up inside of her and was not being satisfied.
"You feel it don't you?" He licked her neck sending a shiver up her spine. She nodded and whimped again trying to move but he used his body wieght to hold her in place. "Then answer me. Will you be my life mate? I have to know Kagome. I'm in love with you so you see I need to know." Her eyes shot open and she stared at him. Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"Do you honestly mean that?" She sniffled a bit trying to hold back tears. He kissed each eye and nodded.
"I truely do." He leaned his forehead on hers and kissed her nose.
"Yes." She squeaked out. He opened his eyes and looked at her to make sure he heard her correctly. "I love you too." She managed to get past her dry mouth. He didn't waist any time and used his claws to relieve her of her remaining garments. Minutes seemed like eternity as they danced in a mating ritual. As the time came to claim her he sunk his fangs into her soft flesh where her neck met her shoulder making it official in the eyes of all youkai. She snuggled back into his warmth and he instinctively wrapped his arm around her tighter as he licked the wounds caused by his mark. They colapsed in exhaustion on their sides.
"Don't move for a bit love. My body needs time." She wiggled against him and he could feel himself getting excited all over again. "If you don't stop moving then I will have to take you again." He bit down on the mark but not hard enough to draw blood. She moaned but stopped moving. "Just rest for now it won't be long." She nodded and soon he could hear her even breathing. Once satisfied that she had settled down he too closed his eyes to get some much needed rest. This mating business took a lot out of a person.
Sesshomaru got up from his bed where he had been reading to close the door thanking Kami that the walls were fairly sound proof. He strolled over to his balcony to look at the moon. He smiled thinking about how happy Inuyasha must feel now that he has found someone to accept him. Even though it was true that in his younger days Sesshomaru himself was less then kind to the hanyou. During those times everything seemed different. But it was that one chance moment when Inuyasha put all the bad feelings to the side and came to his rescue that had changed the way he looked at life. For the first time he understood what family really was. Once he learned that he would not give it up no matter how annoying the hanyou could get.
He looked down into the gardens and saw the two humans setting on the edge of the fountain. They actually made a striking couple if he did say so himself. They seemed deep in conversation as he watched. Miroku would touch her tenderly and she would show signs of shyness. After long minutes they were kissing passionately and he knew they would retire upstairs soon. Sesshomaru looked at the moon again feeling a need that he would have to learn to squelch for a second time in his life. She was beyond his reach now but that didn't make it feel any better.
'Well dwelling in self pity will not due.' He thought to himself. With a deep sigh he decided a nice cup of tea would make him drowsy enough to fall asleep. With forced mechanical movements he descended the steps toward the entry. Half way down he stopped and looked around at the cold stone walls. This structure had been in his family for centuries. It had cost him a small fortune to have it disassembled, shipped to the states, then reassembled on this location. His most fond memories from his youth were spent in the rooms above him. But at this moment no life seemed to flow through its ancient walls. He felt akin to its lost warmth. The blood that ran through his veins felt like ice. His mind struggled to convince his tired heart that things would be all right.
Shaking off the feeling he continued his journey to the kitchen. Upon arrival he found his assistant, Rita, setting at the table with a pile of papers in front of her. She nibbled casually on a sandwich that was in one hand while the other reached for what smelled like hot chocolate. He breathed in deep the smell of the intoxicating liquid and smiled when he realized it was more then just hot chocolate. Silently he walked over and leaned on the counter just to the left behind her and cleared his throat. She almost jumped out of her seat while her sandwich went flying into the air and the cup of chocolate was tipped over causing its dark brown liquid to flow out on the table. In a rush she cursed under her breath as she hurriedly began to scoop up all the papers so they wouldn't get soaked.
"Damn you scared the crap out of me-e-e---" her sentence came to a stop as soon as she turned around and realized whom it was that had cleared their throat. "Oh um----Mr. Iyoutai, I was trying to catch up on some work." She looked at him dumbfound when he handed her a dish towel to help clean up the mess. Slowly she reached out to take it from him while she stared into his eyes. For the first time in almost 10 years she thought she caught him smirking. Shaking her head she quickly finished cleaning up the mess off the table.
"It is quite all right Rita. I should not have scared you. My deepest apologizes." He couldn't help but smirk at her nervous smile. She had worked for him the longest of any human assistant he had ever delt with and the only one he had ever revealed his youkai form to. For what it was worth he found her to be more reliable then most youkai under his employee with the exception of a few such as Jaken. At times it was almost as if she could read his mind. Her ability to predict what he wanted or what he would need at any given time was uncanny. He leaned against the counter again as he watched her lean over the table soaking up the remainder of the chocolate.
Her sandy blond hair fell loose over her shoulder sliding back and forth across her back with the movement of her arm. A piece randomly slid over her shoulder and would have landed in the sticky liquid but his quick reflexes prevented it. He gently tucked the strand back around her ear when she stood up and looked at him in shock. Swallowing hard she finished what she was doing then picked up her sandwich from the floor. At this point Sesshomaru began to feel a bit ackward. He quickly walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out the items to make her another sandwich. Upon hearing the frig door open Rita turned around and looked at him. Blinking in disbelieve she began to wonder what happened to her boss.
"I believe you had a ham sandwich?" He glanced at her. She nodded with a confused look on her face. Finally her senses over came her shock.
"Sir, you don't have to do that. I can make----" She protested but a sharp look from Sesshomaru cut her off.
"Nonsense. It was my fault for being malicious. Now do you prefer swiss or american cheese?" He waited patiently for her answer.
"Oh---umm---swiss I guess." She stammered out still dumbfounded by his actions. As soon as the sandwich was finished he neatly sliced it from corner to corner and set it on a plate in front of her then proceeded in making one for himself. She waited politely until he was seated next to her at the table before taking a bite. He looked at her expectantly so she quickly picked it up and began to eat. Satisfied he took a bite of his sandwich. He watched her out of the corner of his eye and noticed she would glance at her emptied cup with yearning.
"What kind of hot chocolate was that? It didn't smell like any I have known." He smiled inwardly at her gasp. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Well that is because it wasn't exactly hot cocoa." She replied hurriedly while covering her mouth with her hand to hide her tongue that flicked out to catch any escaping crumbs of bread.
"I see. What was it then?" He inquired farther.
"Nothing much just something I like to drink from time to time to help me sleep is all." She said hesitantly. He raised an eyebrow wondering just how often she needed help sleeping.
"Indeed." He said flatly. Her shoulders slumped a bit at his disapproving tone.
"It is nothing much really. You have heard of a drink called White Russian?" She saw his nodded that he did know what she was talking about. "Well that is basically what it is accept I heat up the cream and don't use any ice. The heat kills part of the alcohol content so it really is more like a hot totty then an actual alcoholic drink. I could make one for you sometime if you wish." She offered as a piece offering knowing her boss didn't indulge employees using any form of substance on a regular basis. He looked at her considering her offer for a moment then nodded.
"All right. Now would be good. You say that it helps one sleep?" He watched her once again with amusement as conflict flashed through her brown eyes. The emotions that flew across her face were a delight to him and he often found them very entertaining. She slowly stood and walked over to the sink where she had placed the glass measuring cup she had used earlier to heat the cream in. He watched her intently as she moved around the kitchen acquiring the items she needed. A fine eye brow raised when she pulled a quart of vodka from the pantry that he had assumed only contained canned food. It seemed there were things in his own household that even he didn't know. Something he would have to rectify.
He watched with interest as she made two mugs of the drink as skillfully as a bartender. It only took a few minutes before she set the steaming substance in front of him. A heavy scent of cocoa with a slight scent of alcohol assaulted his nose. Instinctively he inhaled deeply to get the full effect of it. Rita took her seat next to him hesitantly as she watched his reaction. A smile crossed her lips when he inhaled so deeply. He looked at her then took a sip. A small smirk appeared while he licked the remaining sweet liquid from his lips.
"So what do you think?" Her grin was wide with pride.
"Very nice. I will have to consider this more but for now it is getting late and we both need to retire for a busy day tomorrow." He took another sip as he stood. Subconsciously he picked up what was left of his sandwich and set it on the counter for the morning kitchen help to dispose of then turned back to her with the cup still in his hand. She followed his example then picked up the papers and tucked them neatly under her arm as she followed him out of the kitchen. They walked in silence across the main entry to the steps that led up to the bed chambers above.
"Sir?" She interrupted the quiet air as they started up the stairs.
"Please call me Sesshomaru when we are away from the office." He offered as he looked at her. Yet another array of mixed emotions flew across her face to entertain him. Once again he smiled inwardly to keep her from seeing how much he liked her display of emotions.
"Yes---well then---Sesshomaru, do you think your guests will help with Naraku?" She looked at him with a mixture of concern and what he almost thought was fear.
"I don't know yet Rita." Was his only reply as they parted ways to go to their own rooms.