A/N: And here goes the "sequel" to Games! Well... second chapter? Woo-hoo! Really... I'm trying to be a good writer, I really am..
Disclaimer: I don't (but really I do) own InuYasha! Three DVDs and lots of pictures. When I get enough money from tutoring- again- I'm buying the whole set of manga in one bloody sweep! Cha!
And here en-lies the tale of The Great Lord of the Western Lands of the feudal era and the priestess of the future who captured his ice-ridden heart...
Or continuation...
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When the young priestess finally awoke, she was still wrapped between the haori sleeves of the lord. Surprisingly he was in a light doze himself; but she knew, from what everyone had taught her since she came to the feudal era, that his senses were dulled to a minimum necessity- if at all. That way, he could protect them. And she knew he would.
The last thing she clearly remembered was the brilliant sunset- the striking hues so contrasting and yet the perfect blend, like good food. Now the first thing she was seeing was the handsome face of the demon lord who had willingly embraced a human. Well, two human girls and a fox demon, she thought with a small smile. Sadly, Kagome didn't know what exactly the embrace was saying. Was it supposed to be love? Whatever it was, she knew that there was little chance she'd find out just by asking.
What kind of guy would he be if he shared his feelings with a girl?
Oh, obviously a sensitive but very knowledgeable man... As she finished that thought, she noticed the shivery feeling of Sesshoumaru's steely gaze, and turned slowly in his arms. That softer glow Kagome believed she had seen last night had magically reappeared in his eyes! The spark which so similarly alighted his golden eyes in the heat of battle had made his eyes shine with an indescribable emotion.
She searched his face for any sign of doubt in their speedily growing- surprisingly- relationship but found no trace of hindrance. Her dazed view landed on his lips, and with shocking realization, noticed that the corners of his mouth had twitched upwards ever-so-slightly into what anyone would consider a smile. He definitely wouldn't though. He's too prideful; 'stubborn as a bull'- my mother always says.
The demon lord saw the slight widening of her eyes when they had sighted his lips and thought she had been flustered with thoughts of them together. Oh, how wrong he was. With careful deliberation, Sesshoumaru made his smile a fraction larger, silently delighting in the way her own smile grew so much from the sight of his.
Reaching up, Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of it. The smell of sandalwood and pine reached her olfactory senses, and she unconsciously curled herself closer. Taking her chances on morning conversation, she spoke up, barely audible over early morning forestry sounds. "Good morning, Lord Sesshoumaru..."
"Good morning, Kagome."
So far, so good! Oh, gosh- what else do I say! She thought frantically. Tensing slightly in the demon's arms, she held back a gasp.
Sesshoumaru had a hard time holding in a much-needed laugh at her expense. He could sense her confusion on what to do; fear of what he was truly thinking at that moment; and yet an extreme peaceful security from being in such proximity to him. His lordly instincts were telling him not to give into her charms- the swaying abilities of a priestess's powers over a demon, but his masculine side was enjoying nothing more than relaxing with her in his lap, the kit and Rin still sleeping in fetal positions against Kagome's and his sides.
He suddenly felt the girl lean away from him and became increasingly worried when she refused to look at him and turned her head away. Though Sesshoumaru did not show it, he reveled in the feeling of her embrace; for the first time in a long time, he felt truly loved- truly cared for. But with the way she refused to look at him, that comforting feeling was quickly dissipating; and he loathed to admit it.
The dog demon lifted one of his clawed hands up and gently grasped her chin, tugging it slightly toward him so she would get the hint. Apparently she didn't want the hint because the force at which she tried to turn her chin the other way told everything all too well... and yet not well enough.
"Look at me," Sesshoumaru commanded quietly. The volume got her attention immediately.
Kagome turned her head while his hand guided, but her gaze was still off. Her thoughts were warring within her mind. What if, in the end, this day was just a fluke? What if he decides to forget tomorrow- or later today- that I wasn't worthy after all of his attentions and pretends it never happened? But what if... he wants me to stay with him? I'd be going against the friendship I share with InuYasha, by being with his brother. I'd be tarnishing a relationship I worked so hard to achieve after so much turmoil all these years. How am I supposed to stay here when I live in a completely different time? I can't do that- because then I would be causing an eternal continuation in the time and space continuum. Oh, great! I went off on a tangent...
"Kagome, I said: look at me," the demon lord commanded again, this time more stern.
She locked gazes with him in that instant, and he knew what she was thinking. It was all so clear in those eyes that told everything.
"You believe this is wrong, in some way. Tell me, Kagome, what could go wrong."
Kagome shuddered lightly; it was too strange that he knew her thoughts so immediately, so immensely. And to think: once before, in a land far, far away, Sesshoumaru- Lord of the Western Provinces and mind reader extraordinaire- was her enemy. Who would've thought?
Sesshoumaru had released his grip on her chin and she turned away, shading her eyes with her bangs. When he was about to speak, Kagome mumbled quietly. "This isn't wrong, but... Sango and Miroku will be okay with us; or at least the prospect of us. InuYasha... he is my friend, and I don't want to hurt him. I feel- guilty. I-"
"You feel guilty for this relationship. If this does not feel right, then it must not be a proper decision," the demon lord spoke suddenly, his voice a cold monotone.
"No! I- Sesshoumaru, that isn't what I meant!" There was an eagerness in her eyes. "Please don't think that," she whispered. "InuYasha doesn't like you. BUT I DO. I know that I can't change his thoughts but he's been my friend for so long and I'm worried I'll hurt him more than anyone could imagine. Think from his position: witnessing the relationship of your half-brother and best friend blossom before your eyes, and you can't do a thing to stop them, for fear of hurting your best friend."
The lord watched silently on as crystalline tears poured out of her eyes and her doing nothing to be rid of them. He pulled her chin towards him in urgency. Still, she refused to look him in the eye. He knew the pain he would see in her eyes; like so many humans, their emotions were as clear as a cloudless day.
But the peacefulness of the flowery clearing was shattered when a red-cloaked figure rushed into the clearing, nose turned up into the air to sniff. The two awake-occupants turned their eyes to the half demon as he searched around. When a light breeze blew from behind them toward the half demon, Kagome visibly tensed while Sesshoumaru inwardly cursed. Why wasn't he watching the wind patterns!
InuYasha looked over to them when he caught their intermingled scents, and cursed his bad luck and unawareness. He could have been watching Kagome and Shippou instead of brooding, and now look at what had happened! Kagome was sitting on Sesshoumaru's lap! Unknowingly, he had walked farther into the clearing with very wide eyes, expressing much more shock than he actually felt.
"Kagome..."
She was so worried. How would InuYasha really react? What if he turned full demon out of anger? Or what if he was okay with it, seeing his brother act so kindly? That idea couldn't hurt someone, could it?
The young woman turned back to the demon lord she was sitting on, a frown marring her features. Sesshoumaru's grip around her waist tightened as he looked at his half-brother from across the grassy expanse. Using one hand he picked up the sleeping Shippou and placed him next to his surrogate daughter. When Rin felt the kit's presence, she snuggled closer to his side, grasping the kit's tail for her life's worth.
The demon lord swiftly stood on his feet and helped Kagome to hers, still with his arms wrapped possessively around her waist. So quickly had he found something worthy of his attentions, and he would be moronic to give it all up for InuYasha's expense. Tugging a reluctant Kagome behind him, Sesshoumaru walked toward the center of the clearing where InuYasha stood waiting. The two brothers said nothing but stood watching the other, while the priestess fidgeted nervously, scuffling her feet and gripping her uniform shirt with her free hand.
"Do ya mind explaining, Kagome?" InuYasha's voice rang out in the eerie silence of the field, startling the said girl.
"I- I... Lord Sesshoumaru is here for a visit, InuYasha!" Kagome looked up with a hopeful expression. Ah, the all-purpose 'puppy-dog eyes'!
InuYasha snorted derisively. Who was she kidding! He found her sitting in the feared Western Demon Lord's LAP! "You're going to tell me the truth, Kagome. Sooner or later, you'll have to tell me," he said coldly.
"Later sounds good," she whispered back.
With the fear radiating off Kagome's person, Sesshoumaru moved closer to the girl around behind her, and wrapped both arms around her waist again. The steely glare he sent InuYasha spoke volumes- Don't make her cry half-breed or you'll regret it.
"Rin, Shippou. Come. We will be visiting the human village." Sesshoumaru knew they had awoken a slight time ago. He had heard their breaths quickening during the 'discussion' with his family member.
Without a second thought, Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome away from the clearing and headed in the direction he knew the village of the old priestess to be. Passing by InuYasha, the half demon growled lowly in his throat at the couple's close proximity. She doubted that InuYasha knew she could hear. What have I gotten into!
A/N: Okay! Seconds have been served! If people actually like this story, then maybe I'll continue. I was going to have the bros fight but then thought, 'naw...'. After all, there is a reason for the rating. AND, this is supposed to be like four years after the completion of the jewel and such. Kagome had grown in power and can still cross time- blah, blah, blah...
InuYasha's un-brash-y attitude is based on the prospect of change. I remember somewhere in the episodes that I had watched on TV, that someone had stated a slight change in InuYasha—how he wasn't so vulgar all of the time and how he acted more mature. So I wanted to use that. Especially since I prefer Aus and this is an accomplishment for me!
The time expanse has given Lord Sesshoumaru time to heal his arm, and he also found someone willing to help him out in the mystical arts department. Thusly, the quickened regeneration of his appendage.
Tell me what you think! And read my other stories, please!