Authors Notes: Sorry it's out a little later than I expected everyone, but we celebrated my birthday today and then stuff just went really crazy with my boyfriend and things have been really weird. I'm really sorry it's so late, but I really just…I dunno, it's excuses, and I'm sorry it's late everyone, please forgive me.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters.

Falls On Me

Chapter 16-Untitled

He stretched languidly, his body waking up slowly. He oddly felt lazy, like a cat in the sun. Strange, he had never quite felt this way before. Kagome's scent filled the room, even more strongly than before. She covered him, marked him. Sighing, Sesshoumaru realized he would have to wash it away, lest people notice and begin to talk. He stood and swiftly began to cloth himself in a yukata, then tied it and began to walk the short distance to his own bath.

Along the way, he felt a sort of tingling sensation begin at the base of his tail. He ignored it. But the feeling persisted, and grew. By the time he had reached the spring, it was a sharp pain that shot through the appendage, causing him to grit his teeth. What the hell was going on?

With a stifled groan he quickly closed the door the spring behind him and pulled his yukata off, looking at his tail. More pain.

Then he noticed it. It was splitting at the tip!

"Argh!" He groaned, quickly getting into the spring, hoping to sooth the fiery pain. It felt twenty times worse than when Kagome had kicked him in the groin. The warm waters of the spring did nothing to ease his pain.

Yet, despite all of this, he felt a twinge of excitement, despite how foreign the emotion might be to him. His tail was beginning to split! The pain was worth it, because after a few days, the tail would have turned into two, a sign of reaching his maturity.

Finally the rest of the council might take him seriously and Okibi would have to stop treating him like some sort of ignorant pup.

Another jolt of pain reminded him it wasn't entirely without a price. In fact, now that he had reached his maturity in the eyes of the world, he would almost be forced to take a mate. He was the Lord of the Western Lands. He had to have an heir, lest war begin for his lands after his death.

Contemplating his choices, one stood out, obviously. Kagome. She was a human yes, but she was a powerful miko that guarded the jewel of four souls. And he admitted he was attracted to her enough to sleep with her and produce an heir.

'Or several,' He smirked to himself.

And she was in a sort of dilemma as well. Indeed, it would answer both of their situations ideally. And their children would be powerful if born from such a union. Had there ever been hanyou born of a miko and a demon? He'd have to find that out.

Stifling another groan as his tail continued to split, he leaned backwards in the water and let his body float, searching for a possible way to solve his dilemma. How exactly was he supposed to go about this?

Kagome smiled down at Rin and Shippou, who were currently playing with the three new babies. Sango had ventured outside for the first time, into the garden, and Miroku watched her like a hawk for any sign of pain or discomfort.

"Miroku, I'm fine, stop fussing!" Sango exclaimed finally, exasperated. Miroku looked somewhat put out. Perhaps he had grown used to coddling his strong willed wife over the past several months, but now that she was no longer pregnant, she wanted to be able to move about and lose some of the weight she had gained. After all, one day she would be going back to her job of hunting youkai, and she wanted to be good and prepared for that day. Fat taijiya didn't get jobs.

"Now Sango, be nice. You know he only wants to make sure you're okay," Kagome chided playfully.

"I know. Miroku, I've been coddled, cosseted, and almost smothered by you for the past nine months. Please do me a favor and stop! I love you, but I just want to do some things like I used to," Sango told him. Then she kissed his cheek. Miroku blushed slightly.

"Hello Sesshoumaru," Okibi said only a second later. Kagome jumped slightly, turning to look at him. He always seemed to surprise her, making her jump. He might even be enjoying it. But there was no smile on his face as he stood about a foot behind her. Instead, it looked like he was uncomfortable.

"I see, so it's finally happening," Okibi said with a knowing smirk.

"What is?" Sango asked, confused.

"His tail is splitting, meaning he's reached his maturity," Okibi giggled. Sesshoumaru seemed somewhat angry she had disclosed that information.

"His maturity?" Kagome asked, even more confused than Sango had been.

"It means he's reached the point in his life where he's the strongest and most virile," Okibi said the last world with a bit of relish and a look at Kagome. " He'll stay that way for a few decades, then he'll lose his libido, and within the century he'll begin to age more a bit more rapidly. Inu Youkai are known for living quite a long time, but usually they pass any sort of power, such as the title of Lord, to an heir before they reach their five hundredth year, because by then they're still very strong, but their powers begin to wane," Okibi explained.

Sesshoumaru seemed angrier than before about her revealing all of this knowledge about the now rare inu youkai.

"Thank you for the wonderful lesson my people's history Okibi," Sesshoumaru growled. He moved towards them and sat down next to Kagome. She wasn't sure if anyone else noticed, but his movements were somewhat awkward. It couldn't be easy to have his tail splitting into two she supposed.

And the gentle smile on Okibi's face gave nothing away. She wasn't about to admit to speeding the process of his tail splitting. It just had to be done for her plan to work correctly. Of course, she wasn't going to admit spying on that spectacular kiss the miko and youkai had shared last night before they had gone to the other side of the wall either. Not to them at least. Perhaps to the taijiya and houshi. After all, they might be helpful with her plan. Airon was already recruiting some of the servants, though certainly not all. Just a select few.

"Oh come now, this is a time to be celebrating. I have been made aware of the fact that you tricked Kagome into telling you about what the other council members and I have agreed to," Okibi sighed. "That was very rude of you, and for a moment I was tempted to chastise you."

"Isn't that what you just did?" Sesshoumaru asked. He accepted the cup of tea Kagome poured.

"You know the difference between being called rude and being chastised by me Sesshoumaru," Okibi said in a flat tone. Then she suddenly brightened. "Remember the time you were forced to attend the gathering at my home?"

"Unfortunately," He growled.

"What happened?" Kagome asked. Okibi was older, sure, but she didn't look old and she certainly didn't act old! In fact she acted like a mischievous teenager.

"Well, Sesshoumaru was being his usual moody self and downright told one of my other guests he would rather cut off his own arm than walk through the gardens with her," Okibi said, looking somewhat annoyed. "As a single Lord, he isn't exactly supposed to do that. So I rebuked him for it," Okibi said.

"You practically took my ear off woman," He snapped.

"You're exaggerating. I did no such thing," She giggled. Kagome watched them spar, Sesshoumaru annoyed and Okibi smiling. It caused a slight tinge of jealousy in her, despite the fact Okibi was hundreds of years older, she was still beautiful, and spoke very easily with Sesshoumaru. It was something Kagome envied.

Okibi noticed the somewhat forlorn expression on Kagome's face and sighed.

"Kagome, have you considered everything I told you?" Okibi asked.

"Yes, and I've decided to look, like you said," Kagome said with a blush.

"I see. Remember everything I told you."

"I know, Okibi-san," Kagome said in a whisper. Sesshoumaru looked at her blush questioningly. What all had been said in that room?

"Ah, now look at the little ones!" Okibi exclaimed, breaking the tense silence. Shippou and Rin were asleep, the babies using them as pillows. Kagome looked longingly at them.

Sesshoumaru noticed her expression and felt a surge of interest. It seemed she wanted children of her own, badly. Perhaps she would agree to mate to him for that reason alone. But the only problem was, any man or youkai could give her children.

Dinner was uneventful. Anei returned, his knuckles bruised and bloody once more. Kagome sighed. Tomorrow was Inu Yasha's trial, or judgment, as Okibi put it. Everyone was restless, except of course, for Okibi and the other two lords, who had arrived that day. One of them was an older looking tiger youkai, Jinchi. Kagome recognized him as the one who had come to her defense during the conversation about Naraku while the other lords had been there. He was lord of the North. The Lady of the East was a very sprightly looking crane youkai with pink eyes and wings on her back, almost like an angels. She was almost…Ethereal with her pale skin and thin body. But the image of the stately woman was dispelled when she practically wolfed down food and poked fun at Jinchi. Her name was Ferimaru.

Kagome fidgeted slightly. Shippou and Rin noticed the atmosphere and fidgeted too, though they knew little of the next day's events. Kagome was relieved when dessert was finished and everyone stood.

"I think a bath is in order," Jinchi said as he yawned widely.

"Dinner was delightful, Lady Kagome, my cook must meet with yours and find out some of these wonderful recipes," Ferimaru giggled as she followed Jinchi.

"That old man, I swear," Okibi growled. "Now I'll have to wait to take my bath. Sometimes I think he does this on purpose," She finished. "I will see you tomorrow morning Kagome."

Then she too was gone. Sesshoumaru had disappeared first, so Kagome couldn't ask him to use his bath. She was tired and really wanted one. In fact she felt downright grungy. It wasn't a feeling she liked.

"Oh well," She sighed.

He had been distant all day. The miko walked to her room, Anei by her side, silent. Quickly she changed into a yukata and walked back out.

"I'm going to go take a bath," Kagome said. Anei looked ready to protest.

"Take a break, I'll be fine," Kagome told him, a command with no other option than to obey. He sighed. What could happen to her with all four of the council members here? He nodded his head in agreement and walked off to the kitchens to take in a late meal before she got back. Kagome walked in the opposite direction, heading for Sesshoumaru's private bath.

Pain consumed him. This was one of the most vulnerable times of his life. Of course, he hadn't believed his father about the whole pain thing, thinking it was merely a joke. Then again, he had never experienced it. Not until now. The warm water around him did very little to sooth his clenching muscles.

Why was his entire body hurting when it was just his tail splitting? It felt like everything in him was about to explode!

It was because of the intensely loud sound of his blood roaring in his ears that he didn't hear the door opening and closing. In fact, he didn't even notice the water moving slightly as Kagome stepped in. And the room was too steamy for Kagome to see him with her human eyes.

It was his stifled groan of pain that alerted her to his presence in fact, and his body spasm that moved the water violently.

"Oh god, Sesshoumaru I didn't know you were here," Kagome whispered fearfully, preparing to get out of the bath. When no answer came, besides another groan of pain, she began to get worried. What was going on? Wasn't he mad at her? Was this some sort of trick to seduce her?

Another groan decided her though. Despite her doubts, she began to move through the water slowly, using her hand to try and find him in the thick mist. The spring must have been larger than she thought, but within seconds she felt his leg. Blushing, she tried to move up, found herself going towards his foot, and went the opposite way.

"Sesshoumaru, are you alright?" Kagome whispered when she had finally found his face. He was floating on his back in the water.

"Get," Another groan interrupted him. His back arched in pain and Kagome felt every muscle in his body clench so tightly it seemed they might snap. "Out," He finished in a raspy voice.

Her hands moved over his chest. He would have enjoyed the caress in any other situation, especially after last night. But right now his entire body seemed to want to break in half.

Kagome tried to think of something, anything to do. It wasn't as if he was dieing, right? So she should be able to help him. She was a miko damn it! A miko helped people, and she had power.

'Think Kagome, what can you do?' Brief flashes of things she had used her powers for throughout the past couple of years. Almost everything she had done in the past couple of years, her powers had been used for offense and defense, as weapons per say. Almost everything. Except for Sango.

Trying to recall what she had done to help Sango give birth, Kagome frantically searched for any idea of what to do. Within her there lay the fear she would do more harm than good. After all, Sesshoumaru was a youkai, Sango was a human, and up until this point she had never really tried to heal a demon. Hopelessness flooded her and she began to cry. Sesshoumaru kept biting back noises that would give away how much pain he felt, but the escaping sounds, muffled though they were, betrayed him, just as his body did.

"Please let me help him," Kagome whispered brokenly.

Sesshoumaru felt the warmth spread through him. It wasn't like the fires of lust he had felt before, but a steady warmth, as if he had drunk sake. It started at his chest, where Kagome's hands rested. Soon it began to spread through his body. The pain receded when the warmth touched it. He opened his eyes to see Kagome standing over his floating form. Her hair, damp from the steam, was hanging around her shoulders in slight waves, and her eyes were closed. Pale skin shone with the moisture clinging to it. Sweat. It appeared she was pushing herself. For him. Her body swayed slightly. Before she could finish, he pulled her hand from his chest and stood. The pain wasn't all gone, but it was nothing like the excruciating feel of a thousand swords ripping him apart. Instead it was a bearable feeling, something akin to being poked with claws. More annoying than anything.

"Thank you, Kagome," He told her. His voice was slightly scratchy, but held sincerity.

"You're welcome," She told him. "I didn't know you were in here, but I'm glad I could help," She told him. Her body still swayed, only it was getting a little worse.

She had used her powers to help him. It had been rare for anyone to help him. Perhaps it had been a century or two since someone had helped him out, besides little Rin of course.

Her gesture touched him, made him feel a slight pain in his heart for her current condition, knowing he was the cause.

So he did the only thing he knew how to do, he picked her up and set her down at the shallow outer part of the spring, where the water wasn't quite as warm.

"Thank you, my knees felt a little wobbly," She admitted. "When I can walk right again I'll leave," She finished quickly. He could barely see her blush, but he knew it was there. Before she could say anything, he moved out of the spring and to one wall of the bathhouse, then opened one of the small windows near the top of the wall. Steam poured out and the cool, crisp air of the night replaced it. Soon the room was more visible, with only a thin cloud of steam fogging it. He moved back into the water before she saw anything of him though. His tail floated behind him. It had split about three quarters of the way by now.

Kagome was blushing heavily, hiding herself in the water. Not that it did much good, he could still see a little more than just the outline of her breasts. Best not to call attention to that fact.

"You don't have to leave. I'll go. I was in here to try and relax anyways. Thank you, Kagome," He told her. Kagome looked ready to protest, but practically choked on her words when he began to get out, his full, naked body exposed!

"Get back in the water!" She screeched., Sesshoumaru, not understanding, sunk back into the water. When he saw just how deeply she was flushing, he smirked.

"Kagome, why are you embarrassed?" He purred. Okay, so he was in a little pain. It didn't stop his libido from jumpstarting of it's own accord.

"Well, you aren't wearing anything!" She exclaimed, thrown off balance by his sudden purr. Was this the youkai that had been in severe pain only ten minutes ago?

"Neither are you," He whispered as he neared. Kagome sunk lower into the water. But he was coming towards her. Not slowly either. Then he was kissing her again, then nibbling on her neck like he had done the night before. His erect member brushed against her. Her breathing practically stopped and her heart seemed lodged in her throat.

His control was quickly spiraling away from him. With every bit of strength he had, he held onto it. He couldn't, wouldn't, take her. For some reason even he didn't understand, he wanted to pleasure her.

Little by little he eased her out of the spring, keeping her so focused on the pleasure she was receiving she didn't notice she was on the wooden floor of the bathhouse with only the lower part of her legs in the water. Moving his hand from her breast, he began sucking gently on her nipples. His teeth accidentally scraped against the sensitive peak once and she arched and cried out. The hands entangled in his hair pulled it even harder at that moment.

Taking that as a good sign, he repeated it, gently, increasing pressure only a little so it wouldn't become painful. Her cries echoed in the bathhouse. Before they attracted any notice(at least he hoped so) he put up a barrier, blocking people from entering the building, or hearing anything going on inside. They'd most likely assume he wanted to be alone while his tail split. However, his tail was the furthest thing from his mind at this moment as he slid his finger up and down between her out folds. Sweat covered them both, hers from the intense pleasure she was receiving, him from having to restrain himself to keep from doing what every instinct was screaming and begging him to do.

He slipped his finger into her tight opening and moved it within her, using the pad of his finger to rub the sensitive gathering of nerves within. His restraint was breaking down, but he held on as she bucked against his hand, arching her back wildly. His eyes drunk in the sight of her flushed face as she threw her arms over her head, moaning in wanton abandon. Just like his dreams. No, better. She climaxed almost violently, shuddering and trembling. But he wasn't done yet. He kissed her once and she opened up eyes that were out of focus.

"Sesshoumaru, what are you-" She began, but another cry tore itself from her throat as he began to lick the area his hand had just been in.

She had known people did it in her time, but not in this time. Her friends had even spoken about it once, wondering what it had felt like. At the time Kagome thought it would feel kind of gross. How wrong she had been! Within seconds she was arching wildly and her hands were pulling Sesshoumaru's hair as he continued lapping at her femininity. Wave after wave of pleasure hit her, and her entire body went into sensory overload as his finger entered her once again while his tongue still stroked her nether region. She lost it, climaxing again and again.

Eventually she pushed his head away form her shaking and trembling body.

"If you keep that up, I'll die," She whispered, her voice almost gone and her throat raw from crying out.

"I see," He chuckled as he moved her back into the water. Her muscles felt like they had melted. Her bones too for that matter. It helped that he let her lean against him as she tried to regain her sense of movement. But she noticed something brushing up against her leg. With a blush she realized that he had pleasured her without asking for anything in return. Maybe it was the fact that he had pleasured her and made her feel things no one had, perhaps it was her nature, which wasn't selfish, or maybe it was the fact that he hadn't asked or demanded to be pleasured, but Kagome wanted to pleasure him somehow.

So when she began to stop trembling quite so violently, she moved her hand through the waters and gently touched his still erect manhood. He almost jumped as she brushed her hand over the crown.

"What are you-" But he was cut off by a groan. Kagome touched him experimentally, hesitantly at first. She took notice of when his hips jerked and he moaned. With a blush she began to kiss him. It wasn't something she was very good at, despite being married she still hadn't kissed much. But he helped her learn kissing as he helped guide her through what his body liked. Her fingernails raked over his nipples and when he bit on her bottom lip a little harder than he would have normally, she didn't complain. She just repeated the motion. His hips were moving in time with her hand as she moved over his member, gripping it gingerly and kissing him. Every now and again she thought it sounded like he was purring in a deep sort of way, like an oversized cat.

Soon his breathing hitched and then he suddenly seemed to not breathe at all. His hand clenched so he wouldn't hurt her by scraping his claws down her back. He spilled his seed into her hand and relaxed. She was positive he was purring now as she broke their kiss.

"I hope I did it right," She said shyly. He chuckled and threw his arm around her to pull her closer to him.

"It was perfect. Thank you, Kagome," He whispered.

"You're welcome," She giggled. "Oh," She gasped, looking at his tail, which lay on top of the water.

"Hmm?" Sesshoumaru asked. He still hadn't opened his eyes. He knew they were most likely still tinged in red. He honestly didn't want to frighten her with the sight.

"Your tail, it finished splitting while we…" She didn't finish. She couldn't exactly put a name to what they had been doing. It wasn't making love, was it?

"Oh, hmm, I guess I won't have to worry about pain while I try to sleep tonight," He mumbled. If he was honest, his body felt drained, no pun intended. The youkai would be perfectly content to sleep in the bathhouse.

"Oh Kami! We have to get some sleep, Inu Yasha's judgment is tomorrow morning after breakfast!" Kagome exclaimed.

Sesshoumaru felt a little put out. Couldn't she have left that name out of this meeting? But she was right he mused, they had to be up, and if he figured correctly, they only had about another five hours before they had to be awake.

"Then goodnight, Kagome," He told her, then kissed her forehead. He didn't know what possessed him to do that. It just came naturally, though his own move surprised him. He climbed out of the spring and pulled on his yukata. The grin on his face widened when he noticed her closed eyes and deep blush. They had closed right as he had turned towards her.

So she was curious about how he looked eh? He felt almost like whistling off key as he lowered the barrier on the bathhouse and left, closing the door behind him.

Authors End Notes: Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I hope you all eat well and such.