Chapter 45: Return to the Palace

Kaori moaned while she woke up, waking Sesshomaru as well. She kept her eyes closed and rubbed her head against his shoulder for a while. He held her head to his shoulder and groaned, but didn't say a word.

Kaori and Sesshomaru got up and dressed quickly. They had no idea where they were planning on going, but Kaori said she didn't want to return to Joo-yun without being her regular self again. Sesshomaru understood and they walked down at path without any other company but each other.

"How about your village? They could use some help in the village," Sesshomaru suggested. He felt Kaori's hand shutter. "I guess not."

Kaori shook her head no and they just continued walking.

"Why not Kaeda's village? I would like to be around friends, if you don't mind," Kaori said.

"If that friend is Kaeda, I'm sorry. She died a few days ago," Sesshomaru said. She nodded and they just continued walking. Sesshomaru stopped at a stream. "What about the palace?"

"Which one?" Kaori asked.

"Ours or Myori's. You choose," Sesshomaru said.

"Uh, ours. Perhaps the big place can make me happy. I'm sort of down right now," Kaori sighed. She was swept into Sesshomaru's arms and she yelped.

"You don't want to be carried?" Sesshomaru asked. Kaori was looking around her, a little panicky. Yes, Sesshomaru did this tons of times, but he nearly gave her a heart attack now.

"Perhaps not a good idea," Kaori said.

Sesshomaru set her down carefully. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's ok. It was just a shock," Kaori said. "It would be a better idea to just walk."

"It'll probably take days," Sesshomaru said.

"Well, more time for us to get more progress on me," Kaori said, walking forward. "Are you coming?"

Sesshomaru walked next to her down the path and started heading to the palace.

On the fourth day, walking down a path, Kaori felt a droplet of water hit her hand. She looked up to see a few dark clouds rolling in. She thought nothing of it.

A few minutes later, Kaori and Sesshomaru were running, trying to get out the rain. They ran into a river that was rushing by and Kaori turned into Sesshomaru.

"Do we need to pass this?" Kaori asked, looking at it. It reminded her of when she was washed down stream, then that Yenkin guy kissed her, resurfacing Naraku kissing her.

"Yeah. Unless you want to be stuck out here and get sick," Sesshomaru said. He placed a hand on Kaori's back and just jumped over. Kaori was calm, but then again, her eyes were closed.

When they landed, they continued running, trying to find any shelter. They eventually found a cave in a mountain and Kaori nearly collapsed on the floor. She put most of her weight on the cave wall, panting. Her entire figure was drenched and Kaori had to tell Sesshomaru that she had no extra clothes. Plus, anything in her backpack was soaked.

Sesshomaru could stand being wet, for he just shook off and was almost dry. But Kaori would get sick if she stayed wet. She set a fire, but she couldn't get out of her clothes or she would be unclothed, which she really didn't want to be. She shivered in front of the fire, trying her best to get dry.

Sesshomaru couldn't stand just standing there, letting Kaori stay wet, so he stripped his shirt off and hung it over the fire, letting it dry. Once it was, he would let Kaori wear that. It would be better than just sitting in wet clothes.

Kaori saw Sesshomaru place the shirt over the fire and sighed. At least he could take clothes off and not be so shy. She shivered again and Sesshomaru placed a hand on her forehead.

"You have a slight fever. When my shirt dries, get into it. It'll be better than this wet kimono," Sesshomaru said in a soft voice.

"You really don't have to do this," Kaori said, holding her knees.

"Yes, I do," Sesshomaru said, putting some wet strands of hair behind her ear. "I really don't want you to get sick."

The shirt dried and Kaori was a little sceptical for dressing with Sesshomaru. Yes, they changed in the same place a few days ago in a hut, but he was also dressing. He made a comment about trust to her.

"You don't trust me not to turn around?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Well, you did turn around to catch me, and I appreciate it, but now, I don't know," Kaori said, playing with her clothes.

"I won't turn," Sesshomaru said, passing her the shirt. "Just get dressed."

He stood with his back to Kaori while looking outside in the storm while Kaori sat with his shirt in her hands. Would he turn?

After a few minutes, he didn't turn at all, so Kaori got up and quickly got out of her kimono and into his shirt. Yes, it was big, but it felt awkward. She usually just wore his clothes after a session between them.

"Done," Kaori said, throwing her wet kimono with her other wet clothes and stayed standing. Sesshomaru turned to see Kaori pulling the shirt as low as it could go. He smiled, shook his head playfully, and then looked back outside.

"Why are you acting so shy? It covers you, so you shouldn't worry," Sesshomaru said. "Plus, I'm the one who is showing skin."

"Yeah, I know," Kaori said in a whisper. He looked back to see her blushing and looking down at her feet.

"What, are you turned on?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Not really," Kaori answered.

Sesshomaru turned completely around and walked over to Kaori. He stroked her cheek and was content when she closed her eyes and leaned into the touch. He lifted her chin up and kissed her lightly, her returning the gesture. Her hands led his head to follow her to the back of the cave and Sesshomaru heard her grunt when her back hit the wall. He broke the kiss to look at her. Her eyes were half closed and her head was tilted back. Sesshomaru then noticed his knee was between her legs and quickly took it away.

"Sesshomaru," Kaori whispered, giving him a kiss. He pushed her head so that her head was against the wall.

"Are you ready?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Not for that, but please touch me," Kaori sighed. Sesshomaru stroked her sides and was content when she moaned. He breathed in her ear, but Kaori pushed him away with her hands and lowered her head. He knew he just surfaced a memory. "Not that. Not yet."

"Sorry," Sesshomaru whispered, and rubbed her arms. She kept her head lowered, but allowed him closer. Actually, she pulled him so close, his chest was touching hers. He lowered his head to kiss her neck and heard her grunt, her back arching. She even pulled him closer. "Do you like that?"

"Oh," Kaori's answer was. She tilted her head back as much as possible.

A crack of lightning was heard and Kaori pulled her body close to Sesshomaru. He held her and then thunder shook the place, causing Kaori to shake.

"Scared of a thunderstorm?" Sesshomaru asked, more playfully than serious.

"No, it just startled me," Kaori whispered. She rubbed her forehead against his chest.

"You need to sleep," Sesshomaru said in a whisper. Kaori nodded.

"It's probably slightly late," Kaori said. A small growl was heard at the back of Sesshomaru's throat and Kaori laughed. "Do you want to join me?"

"I would enjoy that," Sesshomaru said, a hand reaching up to hold Kaori's head.

Kaori fell asleep later that night in Sesshomaru's arms.

They were nearing the palace two days later. Kaori touched Sesshomaru arm when she smelt something. Sesshomaru looked down and stopped when Kaori did.

"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Something smells good. But it isn't coming from the palace," Kaori said, looking around. She started walking into the trees and Sesshomaru followed.

She came through a patch of flowers and gasped. Sesshomaru continued walking forward until he was nearly blown back by the scent. It was unexplainable. Like the vanilla candles she used at home.

"Do you smell that?" Kaori sighed. Her eyes were closed and her head was tilted up.

"Yes. It smells like the candles," Sesshomaru said, looking around.

"Mmm," Kaori said, opening her eyes. "If it is, then why is it so nice for me?"

"I don't know. Want to check it out?" Sesshomaru asked. Kaori nodded and caught up with Sesshomaru, exploring the area.

It was like a temple area, but no one was around. Sesshomaru couldn't tell where exactly the smell was coming from. It was everywhere in the area.

"Over there," Kaori said, pointing to a torch that was set up. Kaori walked over to it, but it just looked like a normal torch. But the smell was coming from there.

"There is also some over here," Sesshomaru said, walking the opposite way from Kaori. He heard Kaori gasp and something fall. "Kaori?"

"Ow," Kaori yelled. Sesshomaru rushed over to her to find her finger in her mouth.

"What did you do, touch the flame?" Sesshomaru asked, taking her finger from her mouth and looking at it. It looked like it was bruising and he kiss it once.

"No. I touched some writing on the container and was burnt," Kaori said, rubbing the sore spot.

"It's metal. No wonder you were burnt," Sesshomaru sighed, picking the torch up. The flame was out already and he questioned Kaori about it. "Did you take the flame out?"

"No, it just went out as it fell," Kaori said.

"Who goes there?" A voice yelled. A priest arrived and then smiled at Kaori. "So sorry to disturb you. I didn't know you were here."

"Sorry we trespassed. We were just wondering about the smell," Kaori said.

"Queen Kaori always came here when she was upset with King Sesshomaru. Next thing we knew, they would run up the steps together, laughing there heads off and we never saw them again that day or the next," the priest said. Kaori stepped aside as the priest lit the torch again.

"Really?" Kaori asked, looking at Sesshomaru.

"Yes, but the thing is, we would hear very, um, descriptive noises from their room. It was very disturbing, since she usually came down here everyday, like she was addictive," the priest said. "But near her death, she started to tell me to keep the torches out for she hated the smell. Same with our king."

"Perhaps that explains why their secret was ruined. They probably weren't taking the stuff they needed to be like us, smell like us, or have the same advantages like us," Sesshomaru suggested.

"Yeah, like when he couldn't get through my fire," Kaori said.

"Their scents weren't the same that day. Naraku must've tricked them," Sesshomaru hissed.

"Naraku, you say? He was here everyday until their deaths. I started lighting the torches again, but it took a while for the scents to return, though," the priest said.

"What is the essence you use?" Kaori asked with a smile.

"No essence. These torches were my grandfather's and he made them so that they always can be used, sending the smell to the nearest areas. The scent was a secret of my grandfather's, that he took to his grave," the priest said.

"Thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you," Kaori said with a smile. "We should head to the palace."

Sesshomaru nodded and they headed towards the palace. But while going up the steps, Sesshomaru caught the pink on Kaori's cheeks.

"Why are you blushing?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I'm not. My cheeks just feel so hot," Kaori said, waving her hand in front of her face. Sesshomaru stopped before Kaori, and took her arm. He felt the heat radiating off of Kaori, but it wasn't from sickness, or temperature. Her blood was then sensed and he smirked.

"Never mind," Sesshomaru said, continuing walking.

Kaori got to the palace doors and stopped Sesshomaru by placing a hand on his arm. He turned to her to feel her cup his cheek and bring herself up to kiss him. He heard her moan and he turned her and pushed her against the wooden doors of the palace. She grunted, but then moaned, her hands snaking up to tangle with Sesshomaru's hair.

Sesshomaru pushed the door open and walked carefully with Kaori until they reached the stairs. Kaori tripped and fell, laughing.

"What is up with you?" Sesshomaru asked, looking down at her on the steps.

"I have no clue," Kaori laughed. She took his hand and got up, walking up the steps. But she felt his arm snake around her to pull her close to his side.

"I don't care. I like it," Sesshomaru whispered, causing Kaori to smile.

They made it to their room and Kaori put another kiss upon his lips. He pushed her against the wall of the room after closing the door and placed his hands on each side of her waist.

"Are you ready?" Sesshomaru asked between kisses. Her answer was a short moan in one kiss and he reached up to her neck. He broke away, but Kaori still wanted to kiss. "Are you sure?"

She placed a kiss on his mouth and nodded, making her way to his neck. "Why are you so talkative?"

"I just don't want you rushing into this," Sesshomaru said, bringing her face back up to his. "Do you want to take this slow, or just get it over and done with?"

"More than anything I want to take it slow," Kaori said almost silent, "but I don't want you to suffer."

"This won't be torture, Kaori. I'll go slow if you want," Sesshomaru said softly, cupping her cheek and caressing it. "Only if you want to."

Kaori kissed him once and smiled. "Thank you."

Sesshomaru placed a delicate kiss on her lips and made his hands slowly to her waist. He caressed her sides while Kaori took her hands to his chest and rubbing small circles. Sesshomaru pulled Kaori close as he kissed her neck and untied her sash, and she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder.

Sesshomaru quickly discarded the sash and let his hands rest under her bottom. She chuckled until her lifted her up and her legs wrapped around his waist. He kissed her collarbone as her head tilted back and her hands gripped his hair tightly.

"Want to continue?" Sesshomaru asked.

"More than anything," Kaori sighed.

He quickly parted the kimono so only a line of skin showed. He kissed her down it as much as possible.

A knock at the door made Kaori groan and lower her head. Sesshomaru pushed his body against her as much as possible and looking at the door.

"What?" Sesshomaru asked harshly.

The door opened a crack as a servant peeked in.

"Queen and King?" She asked.

"No!" Sesshomaru snapped. The door slightly closed and then opened again to see a a girl in a holey kimono.

"I sorry to interrupt you, but who are you then, if you are not the king and queen? And why are you in their room then?" The girl asked.

"Your king and queen are dead. We are their descendants. We are now in charged, but do not call us your king and queen," Sesshomaru snapped. "Now leave us."

The door snapped shut and he turned back to Kaori with a glare. She cupped his cheek and tilted her head back when Sesshomaru playfully squeezed his hands (remember where they were?). His glare turned to a smile as he continued kissing her collarbone.

"Sesshomaru, why don't we make it to the bed?" Kaori asked in a moan.

"Because I don't want to. Now shut up and let me continue," Sesshomaru snapped pushing closer to Kaori to hear her moan. She did.

"Why are you, ugh, being to rough?" Kaori asked.

"I can't hold it back any longer," Sesshomaru whispered into her neck. She shivered, but out of thrill. "I hope you don't mind."

Kaori shook her head no and her entire body went limp. "Sesshomaru, this is torture. Please."

That's all he needed to hear and next thing anyone in the palace knew was the screaming of one name; Sesshomaru.