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Moonlit Lives

Chapter 3

It had been a month since Kagome had arrived with Sesshoumaru at the Western palace. She had finally mastered the enigma that was the layout. Now, when she was summoned by Sesshoumaru, which she was often, she did not need Kaji to lead her through the halls to wherever the Taiyoukai might have been.

It puzzled Kagome why Sesshoumaru called upon her so often. When he did, he never really spoke, instead just keeping her there in silence, not attempting at making small talk. But after maybe thirty minutes of silence he would turn to her and begin speaking to her in confidence, about things she had never known about him. His words were quiet and calm, as he usually was, but his eyes would tell volumes of what he was feeling as he told her these things.

He often spoke of his mother and father, and of, oddly enough, of Rio, Rin's personal handmaiden. He would briefly speak of Inuyasha, and rarely, scorn lacing every word spoken of him. It wasn't until the third meeting that they had until he told her of the death of his mother and the human replacement that had so easily slid into her position that Kagome understood his deep hate. He told of the treachery that the woman was and how she would always look down on him with scorn because he was not hers. He told of his father's indifference to him, as if he was no longer important, and the long hours he trained to become strong and the pain he put himself through to show no emotion.

Kagome often would take his hand while listening, forever quiet and understanding, she would flare her aura to comfort him when he spoke of things sensitive to him.

And then she understood that, for some reason, she had become Sesshoumaru's safe vault for all of his feelings. Surprisingly, she wasn't angry that he had put this upon her shoulders to help him carry his burden. Instead, she gladly became the steady rock that he could look to for strength and became the bowl for his tears. She vowed that she would be there for Sesshoumaru when he needed her. Why? She had no idea. However, it was a vow she was prepared to make and keep.

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Sesshoumaru sat quietly on the bank of his favorite meditation spot. A small waterfall fed the lake before him, a serene twinkling sound that calmed his nerves almost as well as, he admitted, Kagome's presence did. The two sakura trees placed on either side of the brook that became the water fall let off a scent that reminded him of the demoness that had recently began consuming his every conscious thought. However, be believed that her scent was more refreshing and pleasant than the almost bland scent of sakura petals. In a week, Sesshoumaru had realized his attraction for Kagome.

He didn't know why he trusted her so, or why he always had this impulse to tell her everything about himself and his life. It disgusted him that he could become so vulnerable around her, but at the same time he had never been judged by her, nor scorned for his feelings when he spoke to her, as he been by his father.

Sesshoumaru respected Kagome more than he ever had anyone else, and had a profound trust for her that he found unnerving. However, there was something else there that he had felt when he had first lain eyes on her as a human. It was a sort of animal attraction, only amplified by her transformation into the demoness vixen she was now. And he realized that the most appealing thing about her was that, even as a demoness, she remained innocent and strong willed, unaware of her extreme beauty.

The great Demon lord was jolted from his silent thoughts when he heard a shuffling beside him. It surprised him that he hadn't sensed her before, only able to hear her at this short distance. However, now that he could sense her, he knew who it was.

"Kagome."

"Sesshoumaru." Came the quiet, melodic response from beside him. He felt her slide from her crouching position and sit cross legged beside him. "I wasn't aware that you came here. It's my favorite place in the entire garden."

"How did you manage to-"

"-get here without you sensing me?" She finished his sentence. "Oh, I just learned how to mask my youkai energy. Isn't it great?" She asked, excited. Sesshoumaru couldn't help but let his lips twitch at this. "Oh, Kami! You smiled!" Kagome screeched. However, this did not do to well for either of their ears.

Clutching his ringing ears, Sesshoumaru hissed, "I did no such thing, woman."

Doing the same, Kagome responded, "Yes, you did, Sesshoumaru. And I hope you haven't forgotten my name. But just in case, It's Kagome." by now, the ringing had worn off.

"Fine, Kagome." he responded, rubbing his ears. "How did you learn to mask your energy?" Sesshoumaru asked, turning to her.

"Oh, it was easy. I just masked it like I did my miko energy." She said off handedly. "Though I have to say, it takes a bit more force to hold back the energy. Mostly because it is me and not just the shikon jewel that I am masking."

Sesshoumaru nodded, secretly amazed that she had learned so quickly. "Kagome, have you any training in the way of a warrior?" he asked, a plan forming in his mind.

"No, not that I can remember, though I remember watching my mother practice with her bladed fans. I wanted to learn, but they told me I was too young. . . why?" Kagome replied. Her marine eyes looked up at him imploringly.

"You need to be trained. I will teach you. . . Though it would be best if I had Rio train you with the fans. She has experience with a wide variety of weapons, no doubt fans is among them. She was always very fond of flying objects." he said. Before he knew it, he had a pair of lithe arms wrapped around himself and a face pressed against his chest.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Kagome said softly, remembering their ears. Without thinking, she raised her head and kissed Sesshoumaru on the cheek. This earned and growl and she suddenly found herself pinned to the ground by her shoulders. Sesshoumaru's long, silken hair created a screen around their faces and their eyes clashed dangerously, an elemental war between two great forces. Kagome's eyes widened when Sesshoumaru's face dropped a couple inches.

"You shouldn't have done that, Kagome." Sesshoumaru growled, saying her name as if he liked the way it tasted.

Her breath hitched and her head became light as she was overwhelmed with his scent of ice and spearmint scent. Also, lacing his scent was a trace of arousal, and it scared Kagome. However, she wasn't about to let him know that. "Why?" She asked cockily, jutting her chin out and staring at him straight in the face.

Sesshoumaru's eyes clouded slightly and his voice was deep and husky, making Kagome shiver. "Because I'm far too attracted to you not to react."

Her eyes wide, she waited for him to do something. However, he seemed to be having an internal war with himself. He let out a series of growls and grunts before stopping, staring her straight in the face. "Don't do it again unless you want me to take you." Sesshoumaru growled before abruptly removing himself from her person. He started to walk away, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He didn't turn around.

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru." Kagome said quietly, and he could tell her eyes were downcast. And before he knew it, she was gone, disappeared among the sakura tree and her energy masked. Just like the moon would disappear behind a dark cloud.

Princess Kagome of the Moon Wolves. Realization hit Sesshoumaru like a block of stone. Next to his dynasty, they where the most powerful clan in Japan. Only he bested them, and was merely because he had about a kilometer more land. In battle, he and Lord Katai had never really had a victor. However, Katai's son, Yoru, was said to be learning quickly. They really were quite the honorable family, and Kagome was the great lord's kind and fair pup.

And that was why Sesshoumaru dreaded telling her about their broken alliance and the bitterness between the two dynasties.

Sesshoumaru realized it was getting late and that if he was to speak to Rio about Kagome's training then he would have to catch her before she went out on her hunting spree as she did every night. Silently, he made his way to the castle.

Kagome was breathing deeply, trying to calm herself to the point of clear thinking. She was in her room, her eyes closed to the world surrounding her. All she could see were the twin suns that burned so blindingly bright that it was impossible to look away for the fear that they would not be there once more when you looked. Instead of the quiet atmosphere in her room, all she felt was the silky white hair that brushed against her cheek and the fierce grip of strong hands on her shoulders. Silence did not grace her ears, instead, his shallow breathing echoed endlessly in her head, breaking the sound apart to reveal the intensity behind those dragging breathes.

His words then began resounding in her mind.

'Because I am far too attracted to you not to react.'

What did that mean? Was he really attracted to her?

It was a possibility to Kagome now that she knew the actual Sesshoumaru, the one who had so much on his shoulders that it was mandatory to become a cold shell. However, it was weird to think of Sesshoumaru as a potential partner, though she herself was extremely attracted to him in turn. She shook her head.

'I shouldn't be thinking things like this. He is a Taiyoukai and has a choice of any woman he could ever want, why would he want someone as young and juvenile as me? I am after all, only 19. And how old is he, two hundred? That's a difference of 381 years.'

Kagome glance over at the trap door behind her mirror.

A hot spring sounded really good right about now. It was about four o'clock, and dinner was at five thirty. That was enough time.

Kagome slid out of her short kimono, replacing it with a yukata. She let her hair down from its coiled braid, and silently opened the trap door, climbing down the latter before hitting the bottom with a small click from her hanka (those sandal things). Then, still uneasy in the slightly dingy corridor, she made her way to the hot spring. As she walked, the clicking of her hanka was the only sound, except for the sound of droplets of water hitting the stone floor of the narrow passage. Her demonic hearing could pick up the faint sound of the people scuttling around twenty feet above her. She grinned devilishly as she heard the crash of pans and an audible moan of pain, followed by a loud chastisement.

She giggled quietly and stepped out of the passage, sliding easily between the wall and a tree to come out in front of the spring. It was surrounded by trees and large, flowery shrubs, completely concealed. The water was clear and steaming, gray rock becoming the bed of the small expanse of water. Purely out of habit, Kagome looked around warily before approaching the spring and shedding her clothes. Immediately, the steam began to cling to her skin, and she gladly slid into the steaming water. She waded over to a low rock and leaned against it, relaxing and momentarily forgetting about Sesshoumaru.

A few hours later

Kagome woke up with a start, instantly overwhelmed by the scent of amber myrrh and wind. Her eyes flew open, expecting to find herself in the hot spring. But, instead, she found that it was her room that surrounded her. She wondered when she had come back, but realized that she hadn't.

"You were not present for supper. I would have thought that you would have a better excuse than falling asleep in the springs." Sesshoumaru's deep, smooth voice sounded behind her.

"Gomen, Sesshoumaru. . . " Kagome trailed off, taking a look at her attire. She was in a yukata, and not the one she had brought to the springs. She spun around, facing him. "You. . . You saw me. . .naked. . ." She nearly fainted, had it not been for Sesshoumaru.

"I did no such thing, Kagome." he said, remembering her name. "I used your yukata to cover you in the water. It was a damnable experience trying to change you into this one without seeing you indecent." he nearly pouted, which made Kagome want to squeal. It was amazing just how much Sesshoumaru was opening up to her after just a month. It made her excited to stay with him, just to unpeel his ruthless exterior. She smiled softly at this thought, catching Sesshoumaru's attention.

"Why do you smile? You have missed supper, caused this Sesshoumaru to go in search of you, just to find you asleep and naked in a spring." he paused, "I might be lying to you and have actually ravished you in your sleep." he said off handedly. He gouged her response, left disappointed when she didn't react.

Kagome ignored his last sentence. "I smile because you're going to have to feed me now." Her statement was reinforced with a growl from her stomach.

"No I won't. You are not eating tonight."

"Why?" Kagome whined.

"You missed supper."

"But I'm hungry!"

"That doesn't matter. You missed your time to eat and now you can wait until morning."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please, Sesshoumaru. . .Sama? Oh great and mighty lord of the western lands?"

"Fine, but you are getting up early tomorrow."

Oh yes, sweet victory. You can never fail with male egos. So easily persuaded.

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru!" Kagome hugged him, refraining from kissing him on the cheek.

"Ehem." Oh great, she'd created a monster.

"Sesshoumaru-sama."

"That's better." Sesshoumaru smirked. "By the way, Kagome. Your training begins tomorrow. Your time with Rin will be moved to the afternoon and the entire morning will be committed to your training with Rio and I. You will begin with me, which will be fitness, and then you will go to Rio, who will train you with the fighting fans." They were now in the hall, walking towards the kitchen.

He heard a gasp. "Is this not satisfactory? I was under the impression that you were fond of fighting fans."

"No, no, no. it's perfectly satisfactory. I have always wanted to used them, I'm so glad I finally get a chance." Kagome responded. She turned to look at him, smiling excitedly. He looked down at her briefly to nod in affirmation.

She took the next few minutes to truly appreciate the wonderful architecture of Sesshoumaru's castle. It was traditional, but the rice paper was never left bare, Every segment decorated elegantly in a flowing, silently speaking mural. It was like a river of stories that melded together in a subtle but underlyingly elaborate saga. Kagome's eyes never got used to such fascinatingly beautiful art that seemed to be a part of the castle's history.

The halls were wide and high, Large enough so that a full sized youkai could comfortably travel their lengths. The bracing that held the walls in place was light ash wood, dyed black to meld with the great mural. The great halls formed a huge frame round the inner rooms, cutting across the expanse of Sesshoumaru's home to form a cross through the center. Smaller, less grande hallways were placed here and there for the convenience of one who new his way around and needed to get somewhere quickly. A new discovery had also been found, a dojo in the garden, large and beautiful. .

Yes, Kagome had mastered the house, which really was only intimidating in it's size. The layout was quite simple when you got over the fact that if the castle was existent in modern day, it would take up over Eight hundred acres by itself, at least one thousand, six hundred acres with the garden. That's one hundred and fifty extra large high schools. It was a good thing that there were those passageways. ((Okay. . . I'm pretty sure that's not mathematically correct, but I could care less. . . it's really big, okay?))

Finally, they reached the dining room, where Sesshoumaru and Kagome sat. Almost immediately, a servant appeared from the shoji door leading to the kitchens. She looked at Kagome and smiled knowingly, though said nothing. She turned to Sesshoumaru. "Milord, how may I serve you?"

"Kagome-sama has decided that she is indeed hungry. Serve her dinner." Sesshoumaru told the woman, who bowed with a gentle demeanor and scurried off to prepare the late meal.

"You know, I could have made my own food. I did learn something while a human, you know." She said to him, though smiling because she didn't have to fix her own dinner.

"That is what servants are for."

"That doesn't justify using other youkai as tools just because you are more powerful then them."

"Yes, it does." Sesshoumaru retorted, amused at her lack of knowledge on the matter. "A servant signs a contract, agreeing to serve his or her lord as long he or she and their heirs live, or until they die or are let go, and in return, they are given free lodging, clothes, food, and protection from a lord. It is perfectly justified."

Kagome shut up, knowing that he had a point. None of the servants in his home were bitter or mean spirited, from what she had seen. They all complied with their lord's wishes faithfully. "Whatever." She mumbled, not wanting to try to win a lost battle.

"Whatever? I am not familiar with this word you speak of." Sesshoumaru said, puzzled as to here she had learned such a term.

"It means I don't care, what ever you say, drop the subject." Kagome explained.

"I see. . ." Sesshoumaru said, and Kagome, who was pretendigto sulk with her head down, looking at her lap, could picture him stroking his chin like a Chinese wise man, with it jutted out and his lips pursed comically. Kagome giggled at the thought. "What do you find so comical, onna?"

When she raised her head, she found him frozen in mid stroke with one eyebrow raised. She burst out laughing then, unable to answer his question. It was probably better that way. Sesshoumaru was about to press his question, but at that moment the servant came out with the dinner.

"Dinner is served, milady." She said kindly, placing the gilded silver on the shobunoku in front of Kagome and taking away the lid in one fluid motion. Kagome smelled the aroma of fresh rabbit meat and white fish sushi. She closed her eyes in pure ecstasy before opening her eyes to thank the servant. However, the woman was gone. Sad that she was not able to thank her properly, she pouted, but the grumble of her stomach impelled her to begin her meal. Gratefully, she complied with it's wishes, and dug in unceremoniously, forgetting about the chopsticks placed beside the meal.

After dinner, in Kagome's room.-

'Why am I still with her? I should be in my own chambers, not here, with her.' Sesshoumaru thought as he stared at the wall across from him dully.

Kagome sat beside him, wondering the exact the same thing. They sat there in perfect silence, not minding their close proximity. Kagome began to think about Inuyasha, realizing that she had never been able to sit like this with him. She didn't understand him and he didn't understand her, like it was with Sesshoumaru Now, he was only a memory, and that fact was not mutual. The only friends she had gained were now gone, dead and in another world where she knew she couldn't go. At least, not for a long time. She looked up at Sesshoumaru, who seemed to be having his own thoughts.

It was dark in her room, no illumination coming from the lamp at her futon side. However, neither youkai seemed to mind. It was better in the dark, there was no falseness in the dark, as there was when the lamp was lit. a lamp was fake light, a cheap imitation that defied the laws of nature. Kagome decided she didn't like it.

She let her gaze return to the wall in front of her, never breaking the blessed silence. She tried not to think of her lost companions, becoming melancholy when she did. And that was why she began to treasure her meeting with Sesshoumaru so, because when she was with him, she was not thinking of them. She felt his golden eyes on her, and turned her head to meet his fiery gaze with her own.

"It is late, and you have training in the morning. I will take my leave." he said softly, as if not to scare off the silence so that it may bless her once more when he had left. In a fluid motion, he stood and glided over to the door. "Goodnight." he whispered.

"Goodnight." responded Kagome before standing as well and approaching him. "I will see you in the morning, then?" She asked, a mere two feet from him.

Briskly, he nodded and turned, silently opening the shoji door, stepping out and closing it, holding her gaze until the rice paper blocked his view.

-While walking home

I saw a wild bird,

with a broken wing and pain in it's eyes

and though I knew I should leave it lone

that pain mirrored my own

and so, now I nurse the bird back to health

hoping that one day

it will sing sweetly in my ear

and thank me for what I have done-

Oh, I am loving this ending. It's so…. Final. I dunno. I be needin feed back, peepuls! Review and all that good stuff.