"What are you doing here?" Sesshomaru snarled.
Arisu observed him with serene grace. She ignored his disgruntled tone and replied, "I see the rumors are true."
"Rumors?"
"Your father had a great many qualities; his compassion for humans was not one of them," his mother stated.
Sesshomaru growled. He untied his hankimono and shrugged the silk off of his shoulders.
His mother gasped. "What happened?"
He followed her gaze to what remained of his left arm. "Tetsusaiga."
Arisu's golden eyes burned with rage. "That half-breed mongrel!"
"Don't call him a mongrel," Kagome snapped from where she had resurfaced. "He was protecting me."
Before his mother could respond, Sesshomaru stepped between them. "Here." He held out his hankimono to Kagome and turned away.
Her damp fingertips brushed his hand as she hastily grabbed for the covering. He could scent her anxiousness. Whether it was a result of his mother's impromptu visit or the fact she was bare, Sesshomaru could not be certain. He resolved to respect her wishes and kept his gaze ahead of him.
As she dressed, he watched Arisu closely. Sesshomaru knew she would not attack anyone in the palace but not all damage was caused by claws. His mother was more than capable of destroying a person with far crueler means. To that end, Sesshomaru refused to let her near Kagome.
"Answer my question," he demanded.
"I'm disappointed, Sesshomaru," she said with a dramatic sigh. "You showed such promise. To throw it all away..." Arisu trailed off, shaking her head. "You're just like your father."
"Hey, back off!"
Sesshomaru glanced over to see Kagome glaring at his mother. Her hands rested on her hips and she was leaning toward the demoness. There was a fire in her eyes and fury in her tone.
She had wrapped his hankimono around herself several times, tying the access fabric into a large knot on the side. There was a primal satisfaction in seeing her dressed in his garments. Even barefoot and half-soaked, Kagome was alluring.
Her anger only served to heighten his attraction.
"Sesshomaru is loyal to a fault. Whether he chooses to defend humans, demons, or hanyos shouldn't matter. What determines someone's worth is their character. Your mate left you, not your son. Stop taking your frustrations out on him. Despite everything, he turned out great," she told Arisu.
"Well, aren't you a surprisingly mouthy little minx," his mother purred. She folded her hands in front of her, eyeing Kagome. "I can see why you like her."
"I do not recall extending an invite to you, mother," Sesshomaru responded tersely.
"Do I require an invite to visit my only son?" she quipped.
"Proper etiquette suggests you should," he countered.
"Etiquette." She scoffed. "If you were concerned with that, you wouldn't be keeping food as a pet."
"I'm no one's pet," Kagome retorted, irritably.
"Exactly. Your only value is as a meal."
Arisu raised a single clawed hand. Sesshomaru went for his blade but Kagome was faster. A halo of pink light appeared around the miko, swelling until it covered him. He stared at his mother through the barrier, stunned into silence.
"Don't even think about it," Kagome advised.
His mother's gaze flickered from her to him. Slowly, her hand lowered and her lips twitched in amusement. "I stand corrected," Arisu said.
Kagome maintained her shield for a moment. Evidently, she did not trust his mother. Sesshomaru could not blame her. Even among demon-kind, Arisu had always been an acquired taste.
When Kagome let down the barrier, his mother turned to him. "This is a risky move, even for you," she remarked, "but strategy was always your strong suit. I imagine with her at your side, Tetsusaiga is within your grasp."
Sesshomaru growled. He had expected his mother to cause trouble. He had not anticipated she would attack him where he was weakest. His attention went to Kagome.
Her face was unreadable but her scent was a mixture of emotions— surprise, indignation, and regret. The last one hit him like a physical blow. It tainted her otherwise light scent with a sour smell, like decay and death.
"Kagome."
She stepped out of his reach, slipping past him and through the doorway.
"Let her go," his mother ordered.
"You have no authority to tell me what to do," he growled.
"Someone needs to. You forget yourself, Sesshomaru. You represent two great clans, are part of the daiyokai court, and are Touga's firstborn. You are his heir. You are meant for more," she insisted.
"More? More of what? Tedious court summons and useless social gatherings? That is your prerogative, mother. It is not mine," he returned.
"You are of age. You should be entertaining ladies from the court, not—," Arisu gestured toward the doorway—, "whatever that was."
"I have no intention of seeking a mate at court," Sesshomaru told her.
"You need to produce an heir, consolidate the power your father and I gave you," she persisted.
His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why are you here? You have not stepped foot on these grounds since I was a pup, so why return? Why now?"
"It is a mother's duty to look after her child."
Sesshomaru loomed over her, his aggravation increasing. "That is not an answer."
"The little demon informed me of your... indiscretions so I came to bring you back to your senses," Arisu explained.
He seethed as he straightened up. Jaken would be dealt with. Though the imp was clever for discovering a loophole in Sesshomaru's instructions, the inudaiyokai would make him pay.
"You are not to interfere again. Stay away from my guests. They are under my protection. Any action you take against them will be considered a punishable offense," he warned her.
"Don't be foolish, Sesshomaru. Humans are a means to an end."
"You know nothing," he snarled.
Without listening for her reply, he tore out of the bathhouse and went to search for the miko.
He did not have to go far.
Kagome was running across the yard with an arrow nocked in her bow.
"I'll show her who's a pet," she snapped, charging toward the bathhouse. "Who does she think she is saying that stuff? And trying to pit me against you? What kind of mother does that? Why I ought to— wait, why are you looking at me like that?"
He plucked the bow out of her hands and cast it aside.
"Sesshomaru, that's—."
He enveloped her in a hug, practically burying his face in her hair.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Yes," Sesshomaru confirmed.
He could not think of any other way to express how grateful he was. Kagome had seen through his mother's trickery. She was not angry with him; she was mad for him.
Few others could see beyond the veil of arrogant deceit Arisu shrouded herself in. She was a master of manipulation who rarely was unsuccessful in her endeavors. Kagome's defiance in the face of adversity was just another reason why Sesshomaru was convinced she was the correct choice.
Whether his mother could see it or not, did not matter to him. The decision was his to make and his alone. He would have her or he would have no one.
"Uh, Sesshomaru?"
"Hn."
"Could you, um, maybe put on a shirt?"
He blinked, releasing her. As Sesshomaru stepped back, he noticed her face was scarlet and her eyes were downcast. She appeared embarrassed but her scent said otherwise.
"You are wearing it," he reminded her, smirking.
"Oh, right," Kagome replied meekly. "I'll just run inside and change and then you can have it back."'
He listened to the rapid beating of her heart as he said, "I will escort you."
She licked her lips nervously before kneeling to retrieve her quiver and bow. The fabric tightened around her curves as Kagome moved. She was unaware of how the makeshift dress rose up or how closely Sesshomaru watched her.
"It suits you," he commented.
Kagome glanced up at him, confused until she saw his appraising gaze. "Um...thank you."
"You may keep it, if it pleases you," Sesshomaru offered.
"It's a bit big on me," she replied, laughing.
"I can have Chizu tailor it."
"No, don't," Kagome protested. "It would be a terrible waste. The silk is so fine. I've never felt anything so soft." She paused, chewing on her lower lip. "Well, except for maybe your hair."
Pride bloomed in his chest. He would have to find an excuse to have her wash his hair again. Perhaps if he was willing to reciprocate...
"Lord Sesshomaru."
His attention left Kagome to focus on Ena. She was rocking a squalling Rin in her arms and looked utterly miserable.
The instant Sesshomaru saw them, he became tense. He did not want his mother near Kagome but the miko could defend herself. His ward was another matter entirely.
"Come," he said to Kagome as he walked to meet Ena. "You and the pups are moving out of the guest wing."
"Why?" she asked, rushing to keep up with his long strides.
"My mother will not give up so easily. I shall not permit her anywhere near you, Rin, or Shippo. For the time being, the pack will be relocated to my chambers."
"Wait, what? "
He ignored her perplexed outburst and took Rin from the lizard demoness. "Ena, please make the necessary preparations. Be sure to notify the rest of the staff that my mother is to be kept away from Kagome and the children at all times."
"Of course, Lord Sesshomaru," she responded with a curtsey. Ena hurried back inside, leaving him with a stunned Kagome.
"Sesshomaru, I don't know if this is a good idea," she began. "Your rooms are very nice but won't this just upset your mom more? Plus, Shippo will be all over you for attention and Rin still struggles to sleep through the night sometimes and..." she trailed off, fidgeting anxiously, "...and there's only one bed."
"You offered no complaints when we were in the hut," he pointed out.
Her cheeks colored. "Right, well, that's different."
"How so?"
"We were guests of Kaede's. She only has one room," Kagome explained.
"The guest chambers are not safe while my mother is here. I could place you in a separate wing but that will require time to get ready. Until then, you will stay with me," he decided.
She sighed. "I guess that makes sense but just until another room is available," Kagome relented.
"Until then," Sesshomaru said, grinning down at Rin. The infant gave him a wide, toothless grin.
If he had his way, there would be no need to prepare any additional rooms.
Moving into Sesshomaru's private chambers was awkward. Between the palace attendants taking all of her belongings, Shippo asking dozens of questions, and Rin needing to be fed, Kagome was barely able to keep up.
By the time she finished burping the baby, all of her belongings had been moved and Shippo was already making himself at home on his cot in the corner. He didn't seem to be confused by the transition. In fact, Shippo was delighted. He kept relating their room-sharing to having a den.
To his credit, Sesshomaru's chambers were darker. He didn't have as many windows as the guest wing. The majority of his light came from oil lamps. Kagome assumed the lack of windows was for security reasons but it might have been for intimidation.
Not that Sesshomaru needed another reason to be considered alarming. The demon lord was unnerving all on his own.
Kagome's heart hadn't slowed since he hugged her. She hadn't been afraid of him hurting her. That fear had died long ago. No, what scared Kagome had to do with her proximity to his bare chest.
And he knew it. Smug jerk.
If Sesshomaru thought she hadn't noticed him gloating, he was wrong. It was obvious that he knew what effect he had on others. He wasn't as haughty about it as his mother seemed to be but he wasn't shy either.
Kagome found herself slightly jealous of his confidence. She wished she was a little more self-assured.
"I am pleased to see that at least the kit is happy," Sesshomaru remarked.
"He's very excited," Kagome agreed.
She hadn't been able to look him in the eye since their embrace. She also hadn't had a chance to change, which meant he was still strolling around with every inch of his perfect skin on display. Kagome stared at the floor, willing herself not to blush.
"You are uneasy," he observed.
"I haven't shared a room with a guy before," she admitted.
"You have traveled with men in the past," Sesshomaru reminded her.
"Yeah, but that's different. Miroku and Inuyasha are my friends. You're—." Kagome stopped herself before she finished her sentence.
"I am what?" he prompted, leaning in.
"Our pack's alpha," Shippo answered for her.
"Right, exactly," she said, gently dabbing Rin's face clean.
"You can be an alpha too, Kagome," the kitsune went on. "Usually packs have one male and one female leader."
"Mates," Sesshomaru concurred.
Kagome's cheeks burned at the suggestion.
"We're not mates," she pointed out.
There was a murmur in response.
"What?"
"Nothing," Sesshomaru returned before adding, "I will have Aiko deliver our dinner to the rooms. We will eat here tonight."
"Like a picnic?" Shippo asked.
The demon lord looked at Kagome questioningly.
"Sometimes when we were traveling, I would lay a blanket down in the grass. We sat around on it and ate together. Where I am from, people share meals that way in the park. They call it a picnic," she explained.
"I will have Ena provide us with extra blankets," he decided.
"This is going to be fun, right, Kagome?"
"Super," she replied, feigning enthusiasm.
How was she supposed to handle her growing attraction if Sesshomaru kept her confined to his quarters? She couldn't catch a break. They weren't even going to the kitchens for dinner.
I could study, she thought, though Kagome sincerely doubted she'd get any work done. Between the eager kitsune, the babbling baby, and the shirtless demon lord, Kagome knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate.
At least not on homework.
"Here." Sesshomaru draped mokomoko around her.
Startled, she glanced up at him expectantly.
"Your hair is still damp. You will catch a cold," he advised, tucking her wet tresses behind her ear.
"Thank you."
His hand lingered on the nape of her neck. Kagome held her breath, sure he could hear her heart thundering in her chest. It was pretty much the only sound she could make out. Not even Shippo's cheerful musing about dinner was loud enough for her to pick up.
"We should discuss sleeping arrangements," Sesshomaru said.
Kagome found her gaze drawn to his massive bed. It could easily fit all four of them and still have room for more.
More? More what?
She had a vision of twin blue-eyed pups with silver hair and roguish grins. Kagome blushed and shook her head, willing the image out of her mind.
Stupid hormone-addled brain, she chided herself.
"You may have my bed. I have scrolls to review," Sesshomaru told her.
His offer snapped Kagome from her thoughts.
"What?"
"I do not require sleep as often as you. I will be fine to work while you rest," he assured her.
She didn't know why his explanation bothered her but an unpleasant feeling was churning in her stomach. "You won't stay with us?"
Sesshomaru frowned. "My desk is there." He indicated the table across the room. "I will not be leaving you alone until my mother has gone."
Kagome felt the feeling ebb slightly. "Okay," she replied softly.
"Does my absence concern you?" he inquired, studying her expression.
"No!— I mean, yes, erm...I mean—."
There was a knock at the chamber doors. Sesshomaru's hand dropped away and he went to answer it.
Kagome watched as he paused to murmur something to the visitor, then he was glancing over at her. "Ena has brought you a change of clothes."
"Oh, alright. Thanks."
He permitted the demoness entry into the chambers. Kagome followed her to the far corner of the room where a changing screen was set up.
"Here you are, Lady Kagome."
"Ena."
The lizard demoness smiled. "Kagome," she corrected. "Chizu made this for you."
Kagome unfolded a crimson furisode adorned with hand-stitched white blossoms. She gasped. "Oh, Ena, it's beautiful. Please thank Chizu for me."
"She will be pleased to hear you like it," Ena responded. "Would you like help dressing?"
"No, thank you. I think I can manage," Kagome told her.
"Then I will leave you to get ready," Ena said with a curtsey.
Kagome thanked her again and began to untie Sesshomaru's hankimono. She wondered if Chizu had made the furisode for her based on his instructions. Was that why he hadn't commented on her wardrobe lately?
The fabric was smooth except where the detailing was. Kagome grinned. She had never been able to afford a garment as well-made as this one. While eating dinner, she would need to be extra careful. She didn't want to ruin it.
As Kagome slipped into it, she realized the sleeves were going to be a problem. "Uh, Sesshomaru?"
"Yes?"
She swallowed and prayed that her voice didn't waver as she asked, "Can you come here, please?"
There was a pause, then Kagome heard his boots on the hardwood as he approached the changing screen.
"Do you require Ena?"
"No, could you help me with this?" Kagome asked, feeling the heat of her cheeks increase.
There was a rustle as he snuck behind the screen. Kagome was glad her back was to him. She didn't want him to see how red her face was. There was no difference between the fabric and her skin. "I, uh, can't reach behind to tie it closed. The sleeves are too long," she told him.
Wordlessly, he secured the layers of the outfit and fastened them shut.
Slowly, Kagome turned around.
"Tha—."
Her gratitude was left unsaid as she came face to face with him. Sesshomaru pupils were blown, his lips were parted, and his markings appeared slightly darker. Could demons blush?
Kagome started to ask if he was alright but found she couldn't speak. The words stalled in her throat and her mouth became dry.
For a moment, time was suspended as they stared at each other in the dimly lit corner, mere centimeters separating them.
A cry startled them both out of the reverie.
"Rin," Kagome said, brushing past him.
He caught her by the arm and gently wrapped her sleeves around so she was able to move freely. "I will tend to her. You—," Sesshomaru paused, his golden eyes lingering on her face, "— can help the kit prepare the picnic."
"Alright," Kagome replied, nodding.
The strange feeling in her stomach turned to a warm fluttering sensation that worked its way up into her chest and remained there long after he let her go.
Aiko and the staff brought them dinner. The old dog demon appeared amused to find the kit, the miko, and the baby crowded around Sesshomaru. They sat in the center of the room on a large blanket Ena had found. Kagome and Shippo set the dishes out as Aiko and Daichi handed them over.
"It looks great, Aiko," Kagome said before thanking the attendants for the extra effort of bringing the food upstairs.
"I can't wait to try that one," Shippo remarked, pointing to a streaming clay pot.
"Did you wash your hands?" Kagome asked as she ladled a helping of miso soup into a bowl for him.
"Yes," the kit replied.
"Be careful. It's hot," she warned, setting the bowl down in front of him.
He barely waited more than ten seconds before gulping it down.
Kagome laughed and shook her head.
"Sesshomaru, what would you like?"
"I believe Aiko sent that one up for me," he replied, indicating a covered dish.
She reached across the blanket to pass it to him.
"Thank you."
"Welcome," Kagome returned, keeping her head down.
She had gone back to avoiding him as though she thought distance would help. Sesshomaru wanted to tell her ignoring the pull would not work. He had tried the same tactic. The effort was in vain. Sesshomaru could not be rid of her any more than he could remove the markings from his body.
And he did not want to.
At her request, he had dressed, though he had left off his armor. At the present moment, he had no need for it.
There was no room for conversation between them. Rin fussed occasionally and Shippo was busy asking questions about training— both his and Kagome's.
Sesshomaru found he was not annoyed by the kit's constant chatter. The fox had become part of his pack, part of his life. He was eager to learn and even more eager to please. Sesshomaru found purpose in being able to teach him.
He absently wondered, if things had been different, would he have a similar relationship with Inuyasha? As his older brother, Sesshomaru could have taught him fighting techniques and court customs. Perhaps then he would not have had to bear the burden of their legacy alone.
Once they had had their fill, Kagome prepared some formula for Rin while Shippo began cleaning up. Sesshomaru went to his desk under the guise of reviewing his scrolls though his attention remained on the miko. The tasks Jaken had left for him were not nearly as captivating as the way she held his ward or the happy glow she wore while surrounded by the two children.
Sesshomaru completed a perfunctory review of the scrolls, crafted his responses where necessary, and deposited the papers into a vacant basket. Jaken could see to delivering them. Sesshomaru had more important matters that required his care, primarily the issue of his mother.
He was contemplating how to handle the situation when he heard the kit cry excitedly, "Oh, Kagome! Do me next! Me next!"
On the other side of the chamber, the miko had already put his ward to bed and was in the process of doing the same to the kit.
Lowering her face to his, Kagome rubbed the tip of her nose against the kit's face. Sesshomaru could not make sense of the scene. She tucked the fox in with a smile. "Goodnight, Shippo."
He rolled over and muttered a sleepy, "Night."
As Kagome straightened up, she caught Sesshomaru staring at her quizzically. "Is this another strange human custom?" he inquired as he approached her.
"Probably," she admitted. "It's called an Eskimo kiss."
His brow furrowed. "What is an Eskimo?"
"Probably," she admitted. "The Inuit call it kunik. It's a gesture usually used between family members as a form of greeting. We learned about it in school."
His brow furrowed. "Who are the Inuits?"
"Well," she tapped her chin pensively. "They are a group of humans who live in the north, farther north than Japan goes, where it's winter year-round."
"How do they survive?"
"They have learned to adapt to the harsh climate," Kagome answered.
She explained how they wore layers of furs and insulated their homes to keep warm through the harsh winters. When he nodded in understanding, she went on to tell him about their hunting habits and customs. Sesshomaru listened to her speak, more fascinated by the way her eyes lit up than the topic of their conversation.
By the time Kagome concluded, Shippo and Rin's breathing had slowed. They were both asleep.
"Show me," Sesshomaru challenged her.
Her eyes widened. "What?'
"The kunik," he clarified. "Show me."
"Oh, um, okay." She gestured to the bed. "Can you sit down first?"
He did as she instructed. Tentatively, Kagome stepped closer, coming to stand between his knees. She placed her hands on either side of his face, holding him steady as she leaned in.
Sesshomaru saw her eyes close just before she dragged the tip of her nose across his own. She moved from side to side a few times. It was a peculiar sensation, though not unpleasant. As she withdrew, he caught her hands.
"That is a poor excuse for a kiss," he informed her.
Her blue eyes darkened and Sesshomaru heard her heart rate increase once more. "I- I never said it was a kiss," she stammered.
He ran the pad of his thumb across her lower lip, watching as color bloomed across her cheeks. "This," Sesshomaru told Kagome, "is a kiss."
Tilting his head to the side, he pressed his mouth to hers.
A/N: I'm sorry about the delay. I've been having some health issues and needed to take some time away to recoup. I should be able to get back to my regular weekly posting schedule now. Fingers crossed! Thank you to my beta, Lunar_Demise.