Push. Crash. Pull.
The steady rhythm of the waves hitting the coastline sounded like a dramatic song. A crescendo of salt water peaked as it slammed along the sand, followed by softer notes as it was dragged back into the ocean. The piece played on repeat.
Kagome smiled. The pattern reminded her of what she had with Sesshomaru. They hadn't started out on the best terms. Beginning with misunderstandings and prejudice to all the secrets in between, their relationship seemed doomed to fail. She glanced over her shoulder.
Less than ten paces from her stood the stoic demon lord. His head was tilted down as he addressed his vassal. The sea breeze toyed with his long hair, causing segments of it to flap behind him like white ribbons. He was beautiful. Outside and in.
It had taken Kagome time to peel away his harsh exterior. Sesshomaru was not the murderous, tyrant others painted him to be. Maybe he had been during the war, but Kagome knew that wasn't who he truly was. The warrior everyone knew was only a mask. The real Sesshomaru was calmer and surprisingly gentle. She experienced his patience in their training session and had seen his compassion in how quick he was to defend her. None of these were quite as rewarding as when he chose to open up to her. His vulnerability demonstrated trust — something Kagome was certain he rarely gave.
The upside to flying was that Kagome got to spend one on one time with Sesshomaru. Though they had spent weeks sparring together, the focus of their sessions had always been around developing her skills. They rarely talked about anything else. This trip was the chance Kagome needed to find out more about her husband.
It hadn't been easy. Sesshomaru was not a conversationalist. Most of his answers were brief and blunt. They offered no opportunity for follow-up questions or further discussion. Kagome tried incorporating topics she thought he'd be more inclined to speak about such as his sword but even that didn't work. Sesshomaru didn't seem interested in anything except her.
So Kagome told him about growing up at the shrine. She started by explaining why she, Mama, Souta, and Buyo moved in with Gramps. Sesshomaru had tensed when she spoke about her father's accident. Only after Kagome finished did he speak about how he'd almost lost Touga.
She hadn't expected Sesshomaru to divulge something so deeply personal. As he recanted the day, Kagome began to understand his strained relationship with Inuyasha and Izayoi. From a young Sesshomaru's perspective, they were to blame for his father's near demise. Had Touga not taken a human as his second wife, none of them would have been targeted. It wasn't justification for Sesshomaru's prejudice but it did give Kagome a glimpse into his reasoning.
They veered away from the heavy topic to chat about growing up as the older sibling. She had hundreds of memories with Souta. Sesshomaru had far less with Inuyasha yet they still found common ground. Privacy, for instance, was something that neither of their younger brothers paid attention to. That issue was problematic regardless of what time period Kagome found herself in. As if to prove that point, Inuyasha strolled past his brother to join her at the water's edge.
"Did you change into a fresh outfit, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked.
"No."
"Then why are you here?"
Inuyasha dropped into a squat, leaning over to inspect the sand. "I'll change in a minute. I wanted to see the ocean."
"You can see the ocean later. For now, concern yourself with getting ready to meet our host," Sesshomaru advised. Inuyasha grumbled but did as he was told.
The pair had stopped their constant fighting. Tension remained between the two but at least they weren't yelling anymore. No weapons had been drawn and no blood had been shed. It was an improvement. Kagome hoped they would continue to behave this way. It was exhausting to play referee.
She stepped away from the water to join Sesshomaru on a cluster of rocks that overlooked the water.
They'd arrived just before dawn. The sun hadn't risen above the horizon yet. Sesshomaru woke her just in time to see it emerge. Watching the golden orb of light transform the dark sky into a palette of pinks and oranges had been fascinating. Kagome had seen the sunrise a handful of times before but none of those moments compared to witnessing it at the beach.
The absence of mountains and foliage allowed her to focus on the gradual transition from night to day. She noticed the highlights on the water's surface. She watched as objects hidden by the shadows became visible. Likewise, the stars that once shone so brilliantly faded away. Kagome was grateful to Sesshomaru for the experience.
After watching the sunrise, Kagome recognized how cold the north was. Yukana had mentioned it numerous times but her warnings hadn't prepared Kagome for the biting chill. The sea spray made it worse. Any part of her that was bare became covered in a thin layer of salt water. In the summer, it probably felt refreshing. Currently, it was more akin to being pricked with tiny needles. She understood why the beach was barren.
When Kagome envisioned going to the beach, she'd thought about swimsuits, inner tubes, and sunblock. She hadn't considered the location or the time of year. Cape Souya was not a traditional beach where people flocked with their towels and umbrellas. As the northernmost point in the country, Cape Souya served as an important geographical marker for those navigating the waters between Japan and its neighboring countries.
Kagome turned to Sesshomaru. "Does this yokai clan trade with their counterparts in Korea and China?"
"Rarely. Perhaps once or twice a year at most," Sesshomaru answered. "The seas are dangerous for those who are unfamiliar with how to cross them."
Kagome didn't doubt that. Though she knew how to swim, she hadn't spent much time at the beach. She had learned how to swim during gym class. The water in a pool was always stable. The ocean was anything but calm. She listened to the cadence of the waves. They seemed to grow louder and more violent as if they sensed her fear. She shivered.
A hand settled on her shoulder. "Do not let it unsettle you," Sesshomaru said. "Our host's temperament differs greatly from the waters under his reign. Lord Obayashi is the ruler of the northern sea demon clan. He is a generous leader who is on good terms with foreign traders and humans. You have nothing to be anxious about."
"What time is he expecting us?"
"We will send Jaken along ahead once you are prepared to meet him." He indicated a stack of folded garments situated next to a vanity box.
Kagome sighed. The multi-layered kimono Yukana had packed would be warmer than her guard's uniform, but she was worried about changing. Cape Souya didn't have a washroom for her to dress in. There wasn't even a shack to take refuge from the wind. The closest village was thirty kilometers away, which meant she'd need to change outside.
And that wasn't even the worst part.
Her main concern was Sesshomaru and how close he was going to be. Kagome knew it didn't make sense. After all, he'd carried her all day. Regardless, she couldn't tame the butterflies in her stomach. Kagome wasn't sure if she was nauseous or drunk. She'd never been intoxicated before but the heady sensation she was experiencing reminded her of how others described the experience. At least she could blame her blush on the cold weather.
"I'll freeze before we get there," she murmured.
"Just because you are unable to spar does not mean you cannot practice other abilities," Sesshomaru remarked.
"What do you mean?"
"Your barrier," he clarified. "Erect it around yourself. It will serve as a shield against the wind and provide a stable environment for you to change."
Kagome stared at him for a moment, trying to decide if he was teasing her or not. Sesshomaru's expression remained impassive.
"Right. Okay," she said, silently chiding herself for not thinking of that.
Kagome wiggled her fingers. They were nearly as white as the wave caps. If there was any hope of her producing a barrier, she needed to focus. To do that, she had to stop thinking about the cold.
She recalled the first time her barrier had formed. Kaede had fired an arrow at her. Instinct took over and her reiki manifested into a protective shield. This situation was the same. The difference now was that Kagome needed to protect herself from the elements, not a projectile.
Focusing on the wind, she tried to feel its flow without cringing from the temperature. The air swept down from the northwest. It shot across the empty beach and over the dunes toward the mainland. Kagome imagined a hut appearing around her— one with a roaring hearth and a thick burlap door facing away from the sea. She envisioned the wind cutting around the building, unable to enter.
"Open your eyes."
At the sound of Sesshomaru's voice, Kagome did. She saw the seagrass swaying and heard the waves crashing, but she felt neither the cold air nor the salt spray. She was cut off from both.
Inuyasha had returned in new linens and had his arms buried in his sleeves to stave off the cold. A-Un stood off to his left, munching on grass while Jaken muttered about something. Probably me, Kagome thought. The imp's opinion of her hadn't changed. Sesshomaru was the only one who appeared to have noticed her success.
"You can still see me," she said in realization.
"So make it that I am unable to see you."
Kagome pursed her lips and closed her eyes. Again, she thought of the hut. She pictured the thatched roof sitting on top of a wooden frame. Kagome thought about the thick wooden boards arranged side by side to create the walls. She imagined her door being carved from the same lumber. It would slide to the left to open but in her mind, the door was firmly shut. She was insulated, sheltered, and warm.
"Huh? What happened? Where'd Kagome go?"
She opened her eyes, instantly finding Inuyasha next to his brother. Kagome forgot about the hut and the barrier shattered.
His eyes were blown wide. "What the hell?"
"Again," Sesshomaru instructed.
Inuyasha's face scrunched up. "Are you two training together here?"
"I am guiding her. Do not interrupt."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to retort, then seemed to think better of it. He remained next to Sesshomaru, watching Kagome.
Having an audience made her uncomfortable. What if she managed to erect the barrier but while she was changing into her kimono it collapsed? What if she made the barrier too strong and couldn't get out? All of her companions had yokai blood. They wouldn't be able to reach her. No matter how nice Lord Obayashi was, he wouldn't believe she was the Shikon Miko if she couldn't control her powers. She'd ruin their first impression.
"Kagome."
She blinked and glanced over at Sesshomaru.
"You are capable of doing this. Clear your mind and try once more."
"How can you be sure?"
His brow furrowed. "Pardon?"
"How do you know I can do this? I don't even know if I can do this!"
"What occurred in the courtyard was not a fluke. You possess unparalleled strength. You could go further, yet you did not. You reigned in your emotions and demonstrated control. You can do this."
His words struck a chord in her. Kagome recognized that things had been changing between them but she didn't expect Sesshomaru's confidence in her abilities. It gave new life to the euphoric feeling she experienced earlier. The butterflies had been replaced by a warm buzzing that seemed to extend to every part of her. Kagome felt invincible.
"I can do this," she repeated.
His lips pulled up in a smirk. "Show me."
This time, when Kagome closed her eyes, she didn't clench her jaw. The hut came into view. The blazing hearth filled the interior with an orange glow. Shadows from the support beams danced across the walls. Kagome focused on the door. Reaching out her hand, she imagined sliding it shut.
The wind stopped. There was no salt stinging her face. She couldn't see the waves crash along the shore. All she saw was the illusion of her own making— a pile of firewood burning in the hearth, walls decorated with hand-woven baskets and tapestries, and a sturdy wooden door latched shut.
Kagome looked around. The hut was an exact copy of the one Kaede lived in with one minor addition. Her kimono sat folded up near the doorway. A pair of sandals lay across the top. She walked over to the outfit slowly, afraid that any sudden movement might disrupt her barrier. Carefully, Kagome knelt and set the shoes aside.
She unraveled the kimono. It had been dyed to match the colors of the sea. There were various shades of blue with green accents embroidered along the sleeves and skirt. Tucked into the obi was a hair comb fashioned out of a scallop shell. Kagome set it aside and quickly changed out of her damp uniform.
Without Yukana or Izumi to help her, she struggled to put on all the layers of her outfit. Kagome couldn't believe some women spent this long getting dressed every day. She'd rather stay home in her pajamas than have to go through such torture. Casual wear and pajamas didn't bother her. Kagome had never been interested in fashion. What was the point when she couldn't afford any of the latest styles anyway?
Nothing she wore was new. By modern standards, her garments were traditional. Her kimono was so old it would be considered an antique. Her wedding kimono would likely be viewed as an important historical relic. It was probably worth more than everything in Gramp's storehouse. Not that those tchotchkes were a good metric to measure by. They were worthless.
Shaking her head, Kagome slipped her feet into the sandals. She took a deep breath and slid the door open.
It was like waking from a dream. The instant she blinked, the hut vanished. She found herself on the beach with Sesshomaru acting as a barrier from the wind and sea instead of her reiki.
"H-Hi," she stammered. His proximity was distracting her. Again.
"This needs to be centered," he stated, reaching down to adjust her obijime.
Kagome held her breath as she watched him move the knot. This close, she could see how the markings on his wrist wound around to the underside of his palm. The color differed from the crescent on his forehead. His banded markings were vibrant magenta while his forehead bore a purple moon. She wondered which held more significance to the inuyokai clans.
"The angle of your collar is incorrect." He pinched the material between his fingers and yanked it open slightly. Kagome gasped.
Inuyasha's head popped up over Sesshomaru's shoulder. "What are you doing?"
"My bride requires assistance with her kimono."
Inuyasha glanced at Kagome's face then back up at his brother. "Looks fine to me."
"Your opinion has no merit. The state of your attire is no better."
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha groused.
Sesshomaru ignored him. He straightened out a crease on Kagome's left sleeve and stepped back to assess her once more. "That should be adequate."
Kagome pouted. She'd been proud of herself. Their shrine was too small to hold any events so Kagome only ever wore her kimono for holidays. Mama always helped her get ready. Considering it was her first time dressing alone, she thought she did well— especially since there was no mirror.
Annoyed, she said, "You're going to have a hard time doing my hair and makeup."
"That would be true if you were an ordinary woman," Sesshomaru returned.
Her eyes widened.
"Surely you did not think your training was over for the day? You've been practicing for less than an hour. If you wish to improve you must dedicate time each day to strengthen your skills."
"I haven't seen you practicing your forms since we left," she grumbled.
Sesshomaru leaned close. "I was otherwise occupied," he said with a pointed look.
Her cheeks flushed. If she didn't know any better, she'd think he was flirting. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Sesshomaru had made it clear that he had no interest in taking a mate— yokai, hanyo, or human. The only thing he cared about was ensuring the longevity of yokai. Kagome was nothing more than his ally.
Her shoulders slouched. She had heard the phrase, 'The truth is a bitter pill to swallow.' Kagome hadn't understood the adage. She wrote it off as one of those things people said to sound smart. Ironically, the phrase was clever. It was also completely accurate.
Kagome told herself that Sesshomaru was her friend just like Inuyasha but Inuyasha didn't make her heart race. His voice didn't cause butterflies to soar in her stomach. His smile didn't bring heat to her cheeks. She could tell herself that her feelings for Sesshomaru were the friendly kind. Kagome could claim she was doing all of this because she wanted to help him. That was true.
Mostly.
If she was being honest, her motivations were not entirely selfless. There was a part of her that wanted this time with Sesshomaru. Kagome wanted him to stop thinking of their relationship as a strategy and start considering her his real partner.
Yeah, like that will ever happen.
Kagome regretted dismissing her handmaidens. Having to rely on Sesshomaru was a nightmare. He wouldn't just be scrutinizing every pore on her face, he was also going to be judging her ability to maintain her barrier. As if having him so close wasn't troubling enough…
"Are you ill?"
She blinked and found him studying her.
"You seem upset."
Get it together, girl, she told herself. The only thing worse than knowing Sesshomaru didn't reciprocate her feelings was having him find out that she had those kinds of feelings for him.
Kagome waved off his concern. "I'm fine. Let's get this over with." Her tone came out sharper than she meant but he didn't appear to notice.
He led her away from Inuysaha and over to the cluster of rocks where the vanity kit was waiting. As soon as she sat down, Kagome thought about the hut walls appearing around them to block out the elements. Creating the barrier was becoming easier. However, maintaining it was a challenge.
Sesshomaru situated himself behind Kagome to work on her hair. Being unable to see him had her flustered. His movements were silent so she couldn't predict what he would do. When he brought a comb to the crown of her head, Kagome flinched.
"Are you alright?"
"Fine."
Briefly, he paused. Kagome was sure he would question her strange behavior but the interrogation never came. Sesshomaru resumed brushing her hair.
The way he handled the comb was unlike how Yukana did it. Kagome wasn't sure how to describe the differences. It was nothing as simple as the pace or the pressure. The main contrast was how she felt. When Yukana brushed her hair, the process was obligatory but soothing. Sesshomaru's strokes were pleasurable. Each pass set off sparks. They ricocheted around inside Kagome's head before landing at the base of her skull and dissolving into a tingly sensation. It reminded her of stepping into a hot bath. As the warmth seeped into her body, her skin broke out in goosebumps. She was glad her arms were hidden beneath the kimono's sleeves.
"You are unusually quiet today," Sesshomaru observed.
"I'm tired," she lied, immediately regretting it. How could she complain about that? Sesshomaru hadn't slept since they left the palace. Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose. Why did she always act so stupid in front of him? She wanted to impress him but all she managed to do was make things worse.
"I will request herbal tea for you. If you drink it before retiring this evening, it will help quiet your mind."
"Thank you."
They fell into silence. Sesshomaru set to work on her hair, leaving Kagome to her thoughts. She tried to tell herself that her attraction to Sesshomaru was based on their circumstances. He was the one person who had stayed by her side. Of course, Kagome would feel a connection to him. But she couldn't forget that her feelings were one-sided. They had an agreement. Once relations between yokai and humankind were stable, this farce would come to an end.
The truth wasn't bitter. It was painful.
The scent of salt made his nostrils flare. It was not the sharp aroma wafting off the sea. This smell was familiar. Sesshomaru angled himself to the side, peering around the miko to catch a glimpse of her face. A lone tear drop descended. She hastily wiped it away and cleared her throat.
Sesshomaru scowled. He could not fathom what had altered Kagome's mood so suddenly. She appeared excited to wake up at their destination. Her face was bright with anticipation as she watched the sunrise. At one point, he could no longer tell if Kagome was glowing from the golden rays or her own light.
Perhaps Sesshomaru had pushed her too far in training. He assumed she enjoyed testing her limits. After all, Kagome was not the type of female to shy away from a challenge. Quite the opposite. She tended to rise to the occasion and exceed expectations.
Her skills were advancing at an alarming rate. If Kagome did not learn to control her abilities, it was likely she would cause harm to herself or others. Sesshomaru was indifferent to the latter. He was concerned about his wife's well-being. She would be inconsolable if she accidentally hurt someone. He would need to continue guiding her. It was the only way he could protect Kagome from herself.
Before that, he needed to address whatever issue had caused her distress.
"Do you miss your family?" Sesshomaru inquired.
"I'm worried about them," she admitted. "I've been away for a while."
"You do not wish to send a message?"
"I can't."
Sesshomaru frowned. Kagome refused his offer because she did not trust him. She knew that whoever delivered the scroll would report back to him. The whereabouts of her home would no longer be secret. He was aware that her apprehension was in service to her family. Kagome was protective of them. Sesshomaru could not fault his wife for her concern. He had a poor reputation amongst the humans. It would take a great deal of convincing to obtain her family's approval. That could only be achieved after he had earned her trust.
He reflected on their conversation from the day prior. His focus had been understanding courting customs. For each question he had asked, Kagome had dozens more. She wanted to know about his childhood. She questioned him about the war. Her interest was not limited to his past. Kagome inquired about his routine— what kinds of scrolls he read, what his favorite forms were. She was an inquisitive creature.
Had anyone asked him about his life, Sesshomaru would have been suspicious of their motives. It was rare for others to approach him and rarer still for those to inquire how he spent his days. With Kagome, he could see the genuine interest in her eyes. Her attention was on him throughout their entire discussion. No point was too trivial. She delighted in learning all of it, especially topics she was unfamiliar with such as each clan's particular customs.
Sesshomaru recognized that she had initiated each conversation. He had not offered up any details without being promoted. Her silence was an opportunity to reciprocate.
"The style of one's hair is important. It signifies your rank and your purpose. How you choose to express yourself through your appearance can be an advantage. In some cases, it can even alter the outcome of a situation."
Kagome remained quiet but Sesshomaru noted the change in her posture. She sat upright. The cadence of her breathing had evened out. He gathered her hair into an elevated bun.
"For initial meetings such as this, you want to distinguish yourself. Yet, you must be cautious. While the goal is to be memorable, you cannot outshine your host. That would be disrespectful. You have to balance attention to your unique attributes with humble grace. Your kimono's colors were selected for this very reason. The blue accentuates your eyes while also paying homage to Lord Obayashi's clan."
"And my hair?" Kagome queried.
"An updo is expected for formal social gatherings such as this one," Sesshomaru told her. "By accenting it with the shell comb, you are demonstrating your appreciation for the area under his rule."
Her lips quirked up. "All that just from an outfit, huh?"
"Have you studied poetry?"
"A little."
"When determining the verse's meaning, one must consider more than just the words on the page. One must take into account the poem's theme, the overall flow, and how it concludes. The author conveys their message in layers. It is the same for outward appearance. The details of your ensemble speak to your audience." He finished securing her bun by tucking the comb into the top fold.
Sesshomaru moved to sit in front of her. As he opened the makeup compartment, Kagome asked, "Where did you learn all this?"
His hands froze. While Sesshomaru had expected the question, he found himself unprepared to respond. It was not because he did not wish to answer Kagome. His pause was due to her gaze. The way she was staring up at Sesshomaru had him immobilized.
Though her power first drew him to her, Sesshomaru could not deny that her physical traits were equally pleasing. Kagome did not require paint or powder. She could captivate an audience in a plain uniform. Her appearance did not rely on elaborate enhancements. She was a natural beauty.
He could not look away from her face. Those cerulean eyes that gave away so much were fixated on him. Sesshomaru had never coveted someone's attention as desperately as he wanted hers. Nor had he ever desired to kiss someone. Kagome's lips were parted in anticipation. She was waiting for him to apply the stain but his mind was on more rewarding pursuits.
Her brow creased and she closed her mouth. "Sesshomaru?"
He blinked, realizing she was waiting for him to reply. "My mother taught me."
Kagome's face relaxed. "Did you two spend a lot of time together before the war?"
"When I was a pup," he confirmed, straightening up. "At the time, I was too young to wield a blade properly so I spent my days in the library studying combat techniques. In the evenings, my mother instructed me on etiquette, including grooming. She had me practice on myself using her mirror."
She laughed. "That's cute."
His lips pinched together. Sesshomaru had never been described as such. He did not appreciate that particular term. It made him sound approachable, which was not how he wished to appear in front of his opponents.
"I bet your mom is proud of you," Kagome said as he began to apply powder to her face.
"She is not. After years of waiting for my father to return from battle, she did not want me to follow in his footsteps. My mother would have preferred that I join her on a different battleground."
"Court," she surmised.
Sesshomaru nodded. "While my father was swinging a sword, she was cutting people down with words. My mother is a brilliant conversationalist. You will believe her remarks to be a compliment until she walks away. Then you recognize her actions for what they are: a fatal blow. I have seen her shatter alliances, broker peace, and even alter the outcome of a succession line. She achieved each using only the power of her voice."
"Wow." Kagome exhaled with awe. "It sounds like she should be on this tour instead of us."
"My mother is familiar with many things but human customs are not among them. I am afraid she lacks the expertise to deal with your people."
"They're not really my people," Kagome replied. "The fact that they are human doesn't mean that I'll automatically take their side and it doesn't mean that I understand their expectations. That's why we are doing this. We're meeting with each of the leaders to establish a relationship with them and build trust."
"Does that goal apply to us as well?"
"Of course! I told you that I wanted to get to know you better. Traveling together is a great way to find out about someone."
"Hn." Sesshomaru returned the powder to the vanity chest. The miko spoke of the tour as an exercise in friendship. There was no romantic connotation in her reply.
Her eyes were on him as he applied rouge to her cheeks. The closer he leaned, the more difficult it became to determine where the color was. Kagome's cheeks were becoming flushed.
Sesshomaru could sense her reiki wrapped around them. The barrier had not broken. Without wind, the cause of her reaction was likely emotional. No sour notes were polluting Kagome's scent. It was not shame or anger. Intrigued, Sesshomaru bowed forward until his forehead was touching hers.
Her breath hitched. The tantalizing aroma of honey and vanilla flooded Sesshomaru's nose. His suspicions were confirmed. Angling to the side, he ducked down to kiss her neck. His lips brushed over the same spot he had kissed at the palace gate— the same spot he planned to mark her.
He pulled away slowly, savoring each breath of sweet warmth. Kagome's expression mirrored the one she had given him at the gate. Only this time she had nowhere to run.
"Sesshomaru?"
"Yes."
"Does kissing someone's neck have a specific meaning for yokai?"
"The purpose varies between clans," he told her.
Sesshomaru watched her hands twisting nervously in her lap. "What does it mean for inuyokai?" she asked.
"Between mates, it is considered a display of devotion. The kiss signifies reaffirming their commitment to one another."
"What if the pair aren't mated?"
"Then the kiss is a sign of intent, a promise for the future. It signifies the giver's intention to take the recipient as their mate."
Her eyebrows knit together. "But no one can see you right now. The barrier is still in place."
"Why does that matter?" Sesshomaru inquired.
"Well, that's why you did it during the tour departure, right? So Yukana and Izumi would stop talking about me?"
He nearly snarled— partially due to her insinuation and partially because the handmaidens had upset her. The former upset him because Sesshomaru understood his actions were to blame for her mistrust. The latter would be dealt with when they returned to the palace. He would not permit useless gossips to linger around his wife.
"I was unaware your handmaidens were so unrefined. That will be remedied."
Her eyes widened. "No! It's not…they didn't mean anything by it. I think they were worried about me." Her gaze dropped to her hands, which began toying with the forgotten rouge brush. "They kind of thought that you and I…," she trailed off, swallowing uneasily.
"What assumptions did they make?" he pressed.
Blood rushed to Kagome's cheeks, erasing all evidence of the makeup he had applied. "Uh…well…the thing is, I said we were up late— which was true! —and they kind of took it to mean that we had…," she trailed off with an exasperated sigh, "…you know."
The pieces came together. He had uncovered the explanation for her erratic behavior. Sesshomaru did not know exactly what her attendants had said but he could speculate. "They believed we had mated but when they saw your neck was bare they thought I rejected you?"
She nodded.
Careful not to smudge the powder, Sesshomaru hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head up. "Look at me." Blue eyes lifted to meet his. "My choice to kiss you did not hinge on whether or not there were witnesses. I wished to make my intention known."
"What are you saying? That this," she gestured between them, "is real? This isn't just another ploy to make our relationship look good?"
"N-." His response was cut off as his sense alerted him to the arrival of an intruder. Instantly, Sesshomaru shifted to cover Kagome with his form.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"We are not alone." Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder, trying to discern where the scent was emanating from. The coastal wind made it difficult to trace. He would need to meet the foe head-on. "I will deal with this. Stay inside the barrier."
"No way!" she cried. "I'm not going to sit here and wait for you. I can help."
He started to protest but the attempt was in vain. Kagome dismantled her barrier.
Once the reiki walls were gone, it took less than a second for Sesshomaru to identify the source of his concern. A few meters from the beach was a dark form. He saw the yokai's tail flick across the top of the water. She was hunting. He followed her gaze to where his vassal was combing the beach.
Nure-onnas inhabited bodies of water such as the sea. With the head of a woman and the body of a serpent, the yokai target human sailors and wandering travelers for their meals. It was uncommon for them to hunt other yokai, even one as weak as Jaken.
Sesshomaru stalked toward the water. Kagome's barrier had hidden his yoki signature. Once the nure-onna sensed him, she would flee and he could resume the conversation with his wife.
However, in planning the swift resolution, Sesshomaru failed to consider a key factor.
His brother.