Moonlit Lives

Chapter 4

Two months at a place she now unconsciously referred to as home. And then there was the last month. A month of constant training, rigorous and unforgiving. One month of sunset walks in the garden with Sesshoumaru, sometimes speaking, sometimes not, but every walk was pleasant. Kagome began to truly look forward to seeing Sesshoumaru, just so that she could speak to him as she did no other she had ever met. No meeting between them was ever even slightly unpleasant. However, today, that record was about to be broken.

"Sesshoumaru, how many times are you going to say that?" She asked, bewildered.

"As many times as needed." he answered, letting the slight smile that Kagome had grown so accustomed to adorn his lips. But then, his face became serious and he stopped her in her next step forward. Finally, after getting her full attention, he took a deep breath and began.

"Kagome, you are of the moon wolves, of the northern lands, am I correct?"

She nodded, confused at his sudden seriousness. "Yes, I am." A small pang of longing shot through her.

Sesshoumaru saw the small amount of yearning for her family flash across her eyes, making him want to die for what he was about to say. "Well, the moon wolves and the inu clan had a very strong alliance about a hundred years ago. My father and your father were not friends, but the alliance between them was strong, and they, being the two most powerful youkai in the four lands, were a force that was not to be challenged."

Kagome grinned, still remembering her father and his great strength. But Sesshoumaru's solemn expression dulled her joy. They were now walking again, headed towards their favorite spot.

"However, ninety five years ago, when I was in my last year of training, their alliance was broken. It was because Inuyasha's mother, who was now in the picture, committed a great sin against Katai's mate, your mother. It is part the reason why I hate her so." He paused, looking at Kagome, whose eyes were wide as she took in the information. "Kagome, Izayoi attempted to have your mother assassinated, because she believed the my father had eyes for her. Of course, he didn't, I could tell. But Katai confronted my father, telling him what had happened, and my father didn't believe him, saying that he was only angry at the fact that Izayoi was human."

"That human bitch almost had my mother killed, and in turned almost killed my brother and myself! Sesshoumaru, that is unforgivable." She stared at him.

"I know. And that is why my father didn't want to believe Katai when he told him this. If the mate of a youkai attempts to take the life of another's mate, then the penalty is death. Katai was outraged that this had happened, and my father was outraged that Katai would claim such a thing. But neither wanted war, so the alliance was broken." They were now sitting beside the lake, looking across it's glassy surface.

"And what did Izayoi do?" Kagome asked, unhindered hatred lacing her words.

"She feigned innocence. I could smell her lies, but my father's senses were so clouded with whatever she was giving him that he didn't notice. I caught her in the hall, overlooking the feud between them through a window, smiling like a wicked little bird." Sesshoumaru said in a dead voice. "I tried to warn my father, but she was pregnant with his pup and he would not have any of it. I was secluded to my room for month's, Rio my only window to the world outside."

"Oh, Sesshoumaru, that's horrible." Kagome said, touching his hand with her long, clawed fingers. "But that's in the past, and your father is no longer here. Could we not mend the alliance? I am after all, his pup, and I can vouch for you, tell him that you had nothing to do with it, that you had tried to tell you father what was happening."

Sesshoumaru marveled at her, wondering where she could possibly get so much incite. However, there was a flaw. "Kagome, how will he know that I haven't lied to you?"

"Because you haven't. I would smell it, remember. And if he wants proof, then we'll have to find some, won't we?" She smiled brilliantly, then her expression darkened and she grasped his hand. "I won't have my only true friend taken away from me because of his stepmother's mistake.

Once again, Sesshoumaru had to pause and revisit the part of him that admired Kagome endlessly. It was amazing to him that even though she had no real reason to trust him, Kagome was willing to sacrafice her honor just to keep him in her life."It is admiral what you are doing, Kagome." Sesshoumaru said to her in the same, cold, calm voice he always used.

Kagome blushed slightly and smiled, looking down at her white kimono. The obi matched her eyes, long enough to hover just a bit over the ground. It really was amazing what Kaji could do with those hands of hers. Kagome then took out her fighting fans, the ones that Rio had given her only a week ago. One was black, the other red. Their metal shone brightly in the afternoon sun ((I know that fighting fans aren't really made of metal, but they are Chinese, so the Japanese ones get to be metal, so HA!)) On each fan, in white, were dragons, their wings spread across the fans and their jaws spread in a malicious grin. Personally, Kagome found them charming in a horrible way. Of course, on the other side of each fan was a feminine, gentle design in white of sakura petals floating in the metallic surrounding.

They had been a gift from Rio, because she was coming along so quickly. However, she was forbidden to use them until her training was complete. Kagome sighed. It was going to be a long time before that happened.

--------

"Kikyo!" Inuyasha called, walking angrily through the village. "Kikyo! Get out here right now!"

"What, Inuyasha? Is something wrong?" Kikyo stepped out of a small home, a young, two year old girl on her hip. The girl was playing with her long, ebon hair, tugging it gently. Kikyo smiled sweetly at the girl, readjusting her placement on her hip. Inuyasha's eyes softened when he saw the interaction between the two. He forgot what had been troubling him and approached Kikyo and the child. Before he was even in the vicinity, the child had sprung from Kikyo's grasp and pounced on his head, tugging at his ears as she had his mate's hair.

"Look Kikyo-san! Puppy ears!" She squealed delightedly. Inuyasha just stood there, his expression dark.

"Oh, Inuyasha. Please stop, you look like a sulking puppy." Kikyo laughed. It was such an infectious sound that Inuyasha had to smile as well. But then something panged inside him, and he seemed to remember another woman who laughed like that.

He was brought back to earth quickly and gently picked up the girl, prying her from his now sore ears, and handed her to Kikyo. He turned to his mate. "Come back to the house soon. I have to talk to you. Alright?"

Still smiling, Kikyo nodded. "Alright. I'll only be a bit."

----------

"Sesshoumaru, We've been running for at least two hours. Don't you think it's about time to head back?" Asked Kagome, who wasn't winded at all, but knew that her training with Rio began soon.

"Alright. You go your fastest all the way back. Whether or not you train with Rio today depends on your speed. You have," He paused, "two minutes to get back to the training grounds." he smirked at Kagome's widened eyes.

"I should kill you for doing this to me." She growled.

"One minute fifty seconds."

Kagome started, realizing he was serious, and turned around, going her fastest. Though she was barely winded, she doubted she could go that fast. However, she pushed her self faster, going to her ultimate limit. Thirty seconds, she counted, one minute twenty seconds left, and she wasn't even a fourth done. Almost impossibly, she pushed herself to go faster, the terrain turning into blurry images that passed quickly.

Twenty seconds.

One minute left. She dug deep, her strides becoming longer and quicker, if possible, and her arms working faster than they ever had before.

Thirty seconds left.

She could smell the palace. However, she couldn't go any faster. She kept the stride.

Ten seconds left. She pushed harder.

9. Just a few more steps.

8. It all became slow motion.

7.

6.

5.

4. One more step.

3. 2. 1.

Kagome grinned like a Cheshire cat as she stopped in front of a waiting Rio. However, now she was tired, and her happiness became fatigue, ending in a heap of Kagome on the ground.

Sesshoumaru showed up a few seconds later, shaking his head at her. "She did quite well, too." he said. "Pity." Rio grinned knowingly at him as he picked her up with the gentlest of care to cradle her in his arms. Somewhere along the line, Kagome had healed and regenerated his arm with her last bit of miko energy.

As he walked to her bedroom, he gazed at her, studying the demonic markings that were so elegant and regal that only they could belong to Kagome. However, a voice interrupted his reverie, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"You have grown quite attached to her, Sesshoumaru." Rio said from behind him. "Even more so than the child."

Sesshoumaru looked down at the angelic demon in his arms. "I have no knowledge of what you talk about, Rio." he responded coldly.

"There is no need to be so cold around me, Sesshoumaru. I know you, the true you." Rio said gently, a clawed hand touching his arm.

Sesshoumaru stopped, closing his eyes. When he opened them, his eyes were no longer icy and distant, but burning with passion and intelligence. " I know, Rio." When he spoke, his voice wasn't emotionless, but compliant and almost juvenile. "When I am with her," he paused, gazing down at Kagome once more. "I can feel my control slipping, can feel it all melting away into this, which I have only shown to you. You are only so lucky, Rio." Now, his voice was more masculine, resonating softly with his power.

Rio smiled at her former ward. "Of course, Sesshoumaru." She responded, "If you would like, I will take Kagome-san to her room. Then you may return to your business."

"No, Rio. I will do it myself. Rin, though, is in need of companionship other than Jaken." He hinted. He watched Rio bow and go off to find his ward. It was only a few more steps until they were at Kagome's chambers. Easily, he slid the door open with his head and closed it behind him with his foot. At the moment that he had set her down on her futon, her eyes shot open. Kneeling beside her, he was too surprised to put his mask on. However, maybe it was better this way. "Really, I'm beginning to think you just enjoy being in my arms, Kagome." he teased, not bothering to put up his mask now that she had already seen his true self.

Kagome sat up, supporting herself with her hands behind her, and smiled brightly at him. She was still a bit weak, but she believed she just needed water. "Sesshoumaru." She whispered. "I knew you wee not truly like that." She reached up and stroked her fingers through his silken white hair. "So soft." she murmured, still in a bit of euphoria.

Unable to control himself, Sesshoumaru growled in pleasure and leaned his head against her soft, massaging fingers. Kagome giggled at him. She stopped though, still smiling at him. Light filtered easily through into her room, cascading down around him. It made him look like a god. Sesshoumaru stopped growling and stared at her for a moment before standing and turning to leave. "You will have training tomorrow. Rio is occupied at the moment." he smiled at her as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Rest." He turned from her, slipping his mask back into place. However, Kagome's voice stopped him.

"Sesshoumaru. Will you stay with me?" She asked. It was the same request she had given him three weeks ago, but somehow, this time it was different. This time, she didn't just mean stay and sit next to her so that she might fall asleep quickly. However, it was asked in pure innocence, and Sesshoumaru understood.

Nodding, he turned back towards her. He kneeled next to her on her futon, looking into her eyes. Then, with a comical expression, Kagome said, "We smell, Sesshoumaru. Perhaps we should bathe first." it took her a moment to realize what she had just said. ". . ." She looked away awkwardly.

However, She felt his clawed finger on her chin, pulling it back to face him. "That isn't a horrible idea." he responded, smirking at her widened eyes. "You may bathe first, Kagome." he said. "I will stay here." Sesshoumaru acted as if they had not just hinted at the obvious attraction they held for one another.

Kagome decided to act the same and nodded, getting up from the futon. "No peeking." She said sternly before grabbing a yukata and her favorite soaps and dropping down the now open trap door.

"Don't fall asleep." Sesshoumaru called to her. It was responded to with a less important soap thrown at his head and a slammed trap door. He grinned. He enjoyed acting like this around Kagome. She brought out the young demon in him that he thought he had lost.

Twenty minutes later, the trap door opened to reveal a wet, clean smelling Kagome, in nothing but a yukata. She was mumbling darkly about something concerning see through yukatas and how they should all be burned.

"Have fun?" Sesshoumaru asked, causing her to raise her head and look at him, wide eyed. Remembering that he was supposed to be here, she growled at him, pulling the yukata closer to her sopping body. This did nothing to stop Sesshoumaru's roaming eyes.

Sesshoumaru couldn't help it. Right then and there, he wanted to take her.

"Stop staring at me, you hentai!" Kagome hissed, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Go get clean!" She finally said after he wouldn't stop staring, no doubt undressing her with his mind.

Sesshoumaru responded a moment later with a nod and grunt. He then stood and walked to the trap door, winking at her before disappearing down the hole in the floor.

Kagome grumbled some more before closing the trap door that had been left open and taking off the yukata. Using her Youkai energy, she quickly ridded her bare body of every droplet of water running down the milky skin. Her long, raven hair dried as well, smooth and shining, as though it had never been wet. It wasn't even noon, and she had been told to rest. She didn't want to rest. Her fatigue was gone, and she had just met a whole new side of Sesshoumaru.

So, in a determined way, she went through her wardrobe, finally finding what she wanted. Grinning, she picked out the obi, triumphantly glaring at it. She had just recently learned how to tie an obi in several ways, thanks to Kaji. Quickly, she bound her breast, and slipped on her underwear from the future, more comfortable than what she had been given. Her bra was now too small, but her hips had not grown all that much.

She looked at her selection. The kimono was white, with a navy blue version of Sesshoumaru's Sakura design printed over the shoulder and down the back. It was long, but a part in the front was bunched up deliberately, the fabric cut longer so that only that part was risen from it's original place. The bunching created a fashionable slit up the side, make Kagome more able to move around and fight if necessary. The sleeves ended at her elbow, becoming bigger so that they hung widely from her arm at the end. She had several kimono's designed this way, for when she went out. The obi was white as well, though it was thinner and lighter than a traditional obi, more of a sash. On it were intricate designs of sakura flowers. Really, they were her favorite.

Kagome put on the kimono, securing it with the obi, tying it in a simple bow at the back. The ends hung down to her knees. Kagome put her hair up into a bun, the ends of her long locks splaying out in a fan at the back of her head, dead in the center. She held it up with two tongs, running them through the hair parallel to the other. Looking at herself in the youkai mirror, she grinned, allowing her fangs to poke out under her top lip.

At that moment, she heard the trap door flip open. She turned to see a silver clad head pop out from the hole. Sesshoumaru's face turned to her, surprise briefly crossing his face at her clothing. Obviously, he had somehow gone to his own chambers and retrieved new clothes, because he was in his own clothing, and they didn't smell bad. His wonderful scent wasn't marred any longer by sweat and salt. Kagome grinned.

"Sesshoumaru, I decided I'm not tired enough to go to sleep just yet. It's not even noon! And since you don't have anything to do today, We are going to go do something." She walked over to him, grasping his hand in her smaller one. Surprisingly, He didn't reject her hand as he usually did.

"What do you propose we do?" he asked, his mask in place and his dead voice resonating through the room.

She looked up at him with her puppy eyes. 'oh no.' Sesshoumaru thought. "Could we go see the villagers at Kaede-sama's village? I want to see Kaede and to see that they are okay? I also kind of wanted to see the well." She looked up at him, pleading like a pup would.

"What about Inuyasha?"

She hadn't thought of that. he eyes became downcast. "He will not know me."

"And what about you?"

"I'll manage." She looked up at him with earnest eyes. "It would be worth it to see Kaede."

"Fine, but at the first sign of Inuyasha, we are leaving."

He was rewarded with a tight hug. "Deal." Kagome murmured from behind the haori's fabric.

-A woman was crying on the road,

and to help her,

I gave her money

she gave it back

I offered food

She did not eat

I offered my home to her

to which she replied,

I want only my home

but it was taken from me

and I cannot find it

And so I offered my assistance,

which she refused as well

She said,

My home has been lost to my heart-

So? You like? Yeah, next chapter will be pretty dramatic, I think. If you haven't noticed, I'm totally winging this thing. Lol. Not really. I know exactly where this story is going. . .at least, that's what I'm telling you. - Review!