This chapter is dedicated to kiraracutie4! Sorry Guys! I know I haven't updated in so long, but that's why I made last chapter so long! It wasn't so bad huh? This chapter… well, I don't know where this chapter is headed yet! I guess we'll find out soon!
Sesshoumaru twitched his nose, some foreign object was tickling it, and some… thing was jammed in his ribs, and something was laid against his face that felt oddly like an arm. Cracking open one eye he nearly groaned at the sight before him. Kagome was sprawled out on her back, one knee nudged in between his ribs, her right arm clumsily flung across his face, and her wild black hair tickling his nose. The normally silky tresses were now aggravatingly rough and felt odd against the smooth lines of his face. The urge to scratch caught up with him and he tried, unsuccessfully to move her arm. She merely flipped over, ramming her knee up higher into his ribs, causing an almost silent 'oomph' to escape his parted lips, as she now swung her opposite arm across his face as she snuggled into the drool-soaked pillow.
'She really has a problem with that…'
He carefully moved her… appendages, from himself and sat up and watched as the early morning rays cast a soft red glow to her face. My but she was beautiful. Even like this, she was beautiful because she was… Kagome. That was the only adequate way to put it. Sesshoumaru traced one smooth plane of her creamy cheek with his index finger and stopped when he came to her parted, powder-pink lips. Sesshoumaru smiled fondly at last night's events and secretly thanked every God he knew that she did not reject him. He vividly remembered how soft they felt against his own, the warmth that tingled through his normally numb limbs, the flowing of his blood. Even thinking about it brought back those feelings, even if the sensation was long since gone. Even if… after this week, he and Kagome parted their separate ways… he'd always remember last night. Even if she didn't… Sesshoumaru felt the all too familiar thickness of sadness spread in his mouth, the taste foul, leaving a bitter aftertaste in its wake. Looking down at her, he let his mask fall and the sadness invaded his eyes as he brushed a stray piece of hair behind one delicate ear. Leaning over he whispered, "What have you, a stranger, done to me?" The words were thick on his tongue…
His only response were the even, deep breaths that signified that she was still blissfully unaware of what was going on around her. Sesshoumaru sat back and stared at the ceiling.
'How long will this continue?'
Yes, how long would he and Kagome keep up this charade? How long before he dug himself in too deep? How long before Kagome revealed that everything that they'd been through in this short period of time had really, all just has been a play? Sesshoumaru dreaded the day. Glancing back at the sleeping girl he sighed audibly. He would take life as it came, and if fate were so cruel as to bestow upon him momentary happiness only, then he would deal with it when it came.
"No… Sesshou, don't go… stay… ugh…"
Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome amusedly. She was dreaming about him was she? Maybe he wasn't the only one with mixed emotions? Reaching out gently he began to run his fingers gently through her hair, down to her back where he ran his fingers up and down it lazily, making some intricate pattern on her t-shirt clothed back. Kagome wiggled and giggled lightly in her sleep, to which Sesshoumaru raised one slender eyebrow.
'So she is ticklish huh?'
He smiled evilly as his fingers stopped tracing, and her giggles died out. That would be useful information for sometime later in the future. He glanced at the nearby clock and decided now was as good a time as any to wake her up. He mildly wondered what type of morning person she would be, although he figured he pretty much already knew the answer to that question. Shaking her gently he watched slightly annoyed as she swatted at his hand, and grumbled a few un-lady-like words. Sesshoumaru frowned and shook her shoulder a bit rougher and watched as she cracked open one blue eye and glared at him half-heartedly.
"You know… it's rude to wake people…" She sat up and yawned, stretching her limbs above her head, "Especially when they were having the most WONDERFUL dream."
To this Sesshoumaru smiled wickedly, glancing at Kagome who was unaware of it.
"Oh really? Well, I DO apologize, what was this dream that was so wonderful?"
He watched as Kagome's face turned beat red and she turned away from him, her arms crossing her chest.
"That sir… is none of your damn business!"
He chuckled lightly at the attitude she held in her tone, oh yes… she was clearly embarrassed… Giving a mock sigh he began… "Well, it is understandable… I am quite the wonderful person to dream about. I suppose I would be mad at being woken up from such a dream myself…"
He watched as Kagome's mouth dropped open and he cheeks flushed a darker shade of red and she turned towards him, shock evident on her face. Sesshoumaru leaned his elbow on his knee, and placed his head lazily on top of his outstretched palm, his fingers curling slightly under the weight.
"My, but that IS an adequate way to catch flies."
He said, watching as she quickly shut her mouth and narrowed her eyes at him. She then stuck her nose up haughtily and got up from the bed making her way towards the door. Turning the knob she put one foot out of the opened doorway glanced behind her shoulder and said, "You are SUCH an ass, you know that?" And the she stepped out. Sesshoumaru gave annoyed huff as he himself stood up. That wasn't exactly the reaction he was going for, but it would do for now. Padding over to her mirror he noticed, grimly, that his hair was slightly mussed and he found her nearby brush and ran it through his silver tresses. Changing into more… appropriate attire he smiled as Kagome appeared in the doorway, that same haughty look on her face as she said, "I just realized that I need to dress."
He smirked at her, as a light pale pink stained her cheeks as she said, "And I do not think that I wish to do so with you in here… so…"
Sesshoumaru blinked, then grinned lazily and said, "You don't think? So you are undecided on rather you wish it so or not? Well… I think I could help you with your decision there Kagome."
He watched, highly amused, all thoughts of aggravation gone as her face turned a bright lolly-pop red and she made inaudible noises before pointing towards the door and saying, "OUT!"
Chuckling he tipped his imaginary hat to her and closed to door behind him, grinning when he heard the thump of something being throw at the door and the growls of, 'hentai' and 'stupid men' coming from the closed door. He shook his head and headed towards where he believed the kitchen was. The slight rumbling of his stomach reminded him that it was almost time to eat. The smell of fresh coffee filled his nose and he sighed, immediately calmed. Although he himself did not personally drink it, he found the smell to be quite therapeutic. Opening the swinging door to the kitchen he was greeted by the last person he expected… well, not really…
"Hello Sesshoumaru…"
Sesshoumaru stared into the speaker's eyes, they held something to them. Some type of fire in them that made Sesshoumaru almost think twice before answering.
"Hello… Souta."
Souta nodded and continued making breakfast, Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow and said, "Do you always cook breakfast?"
Souta blinked and laughed, the sound was slightly harsh to the ear, causing Sesshoumaru to inwardly wince.
'Damn teenagers and their voice changes.'
"Me? Cook? Oh boy that was a good one! No, Mama was just too tired to do it this morning, and I thought I'd do the family a favor and start on it."
Sesshoumaru nodded and seated himself at the counter where Souta offered him a plate of eggs, bacon, toast, and grits. He shook his head at the sight. Suddenly, he… he had lost his appetite. A favor? A favor was running to the grocery store for some milk, not killing your entire family. He really hoped the boy didn't cook every morning, because that looked positively disgusting. Feeling his rumbling stomach once again, and the pleading look on Soutas face, Sesshoumaru weighed his options.
'There's the chance of insulting him, somewhat my host, so that's not good. But who cares about insulting him if I'm alive, which…' he thought looking at the plate in front of him, 'I might not be if I eat this… substance. But then again… I am hungry.'
Sesshoumaru mentally weighed the choices in his hands, and even if it probably wasn't his best decision, he decided to eat the food. Smiling grimly he picked up his fork and skewered an egg and brought it up to his mouth. Shutting his eyes tightly he popped the egg in quickly and chewed it up before swallowing. Opening his eyes he stared down at the plate in surprise. He smiled slightly and popped another bite of egg in there and chewed it slowly, ever conscious of his manners.
'Once you get past the crunchiness, it's really not so bad…'
Looking over to Soutas eager face he said, "Not so bad… but what's this crunchy element?"
He watched as Souta coughed slightly and blushed, smiling sheepishly. He stared down at his swinging feet and said, "I kind of, you know, dropped some eggshells into the mix, accidentally."
Sesshoumaru stopped chewing and stared at Souta. He put eggshells in his food? Shrugging his shoulders he swallowed his egg and moved to take a bite of toast.
'I wonder what Kagome's doing…'
He looked at Souta who was staring at him intently; he wanted to ask him a question, this Sesshoumaru could tell. But… something was holding him back. But what? Pausing in consuming his food Sesshoumaru gave a bored look to Souta who in turn blushed and looked away, ashamed of being so rude.
"Sorry… eh? Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru merely titled his head in sign to go on and wiped his mouth with his napkin before settling in for some sort of conversation.
'Oh joy I wonder what that will be!'
Soutas face-hardened and he took in a large gulp of air before saying, "What are you playing at?"
Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrows at that one. Whatever he had been expecting, it sure as hell wasn't that! Sighing he decided it was best to play dumb and let the boy decide the next course of action.
"Playing at?"
Sesshoumaru felt the twitching of his lips at Soutas face. He was trying so hard to look serious, but looked so much like a scared rabbit that it made him look quite ridiculous.
"You know what I'm talking about. With Kagome… what are you playing at?"
Sesshoumaru glared at the boy. That whelp DARED accuse him of having an ulterior motive? Sesshoumaru turned his face away before coldly saying, "I am unaware of what has given you such an impression of me, but I assure you… I have no motive."
Souta scrounged up his face and said while Sesshoumaru walked towards the door, "I'll be watching you Sesshoumaru…"
Sesshoumaru paused in the doorway, smirking slightly as he said, "See that you do. I thank-you for the food… it was an experience."
With that he left, leaving a slightly perplexed yet smiling Souta in its wake. On the outside he looked calm and collected, but inside… inside he was seething! Is that how this whole family saw him? As some scheming bastard that was trying to play their precious Kagome as a fool?
"Shit…"
He said while pacing back and forth furiously in the den. Not noticing when Kagome stepped in and took a seat on the couch, watching him amusedly while he paced back and forth, and muttered curse words every now and then. Sneaking up behind him she hugged him round his waist and placed his face into his back. Even if this was only temporary, and all a play to him. It… it felt nice. She felt him stiffen and then slowly relax. He brought her to face him and gripped her chin in between his thumb and index finger saying, "Kagome…"
Kagome stared up into his golden, honey-dew-kissed eyes and smiled, her own blue orbs large and innocent.
"Yes Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru's face warmed slightly at hearing his name on her lips. She was so beautiful… Really, whatever they needed to talk about could wait, but for now… He stared at her and slowly his gaze met her lips, sighing he brought his face down to her in a light, soft kiss, smiling when he felt her hands tighten on his shoulders. Bringing his hand up he ran his hands through her black mane, and pulled back to look into her innocent orbs. A light pale pink dusted her cheeks as she searched his eyes, smiling slightly at him. Sesshoumaru swallowed hard, something was happening and it was frightening. He pulled her into a gentle embrace and lay his head on top of hers, his fingers still idly playing with a few strands of her fine hair. He heard Kagome sigh and felt her snuggle into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"What are you playing at?"
'Am I playing at something?'
Sesshoumaru frowned and looked down at the small creature in his arms, so vulnerable, so beautiful. No, he decided, he wasn't playing…
'But where is it going?'
He'd find out soon enough…
Hey guys! Here's the second half of chapter nineteen! I hope ya'll liked it! Don't forget to R&R!