Chapter 21

A snarl had her eyes snapping shut, preparing for the attack she knew was coming. However, when the wolves began to yelp, the snarling intensifying, she opened her eyes, surprised to see the large white wolf standing over her, its fangs barred in threat towards all the others.

Now that Kagome was looking at the wolf, she saw what she missed before. The stripped marking, the yellow eyes. She knew this animal. It wasn't a wolf at all, but instead a demonic dog. "Sesshomaru?" Kagome reached out to him, seeing his eyes flicked towards her though his fangs stayed bared towards the younger wolves.

Kagome tried to stand but hissed and fell back to the ground when she put pressure on her injured leg. Holding her wound, she tried to stem the bleeding. She hadn't realized just how bad she had been bitten. Before she could do anything more, Sesshomaru turned towards her, head low.

She could feel his apprehensiveness through their bond. He didn't know why she was here. It was strange being able to feel his emotions. She had kept them blocked for so long now that she had forgotten that they even existed.

He had blocked the body almost immediately after they met. That meant at some point, he had opened the bond to her again, but she had already blocked him. All this time, neither had been able to feel the other. It was forign, but not bad. She was able to see a part of Sesshomaru that he kept hidden from everyone else.

Slowly, as if not to startle her, Sesshomaru used his nose to move aside the torn clothing from her leg. She sat back, watching him with curiosity. The other wolves had listened to his command, had sat down themselves and no longer seemed to be a threat to her.

When Sesshomaru's tongue darted out, Kagome jumped, surprised to feel that appendage against her skin. He looked up at her, then back towards her wound. Quickly he cleaned her of her blood, and Kagome could only watch in amazement. With every lick, her wound healed. By time he finished, the only evidence that she had been hurt was the tattered clothing.

When she was healed, Sesshomaru looked at her once more, and she noticed his eyes were stuck to her scar. Her fingers rushed up, pressing against it. "Can you heal it?" She felt his curiosity through the bond and set her hand back on the ground.

Slowly, he stepped over her, his fur brushing against her face as he licked at the wound he had left many years ago. She knew it didn't work when she felt his disappointment and guilt, heard his growl of frustration. When he went to back away, she knew he was going to leave again. She could feel it, the grim acceptance. He was going to leave and not come back.

Before she could even think, her arms went around his neck, holding on to him tightly. "Don't leave." His entire body seemed to stiffen, freezing as she held him. She wasn't sure what possessed her, but she pressed her face against his fur, breathing him in. He smelled of the forest around them, and something that was distinctly just him. "I'm sorry, Sesshomaru."

His confusion was loud and clear, even if he didn't say anything. Holding him tighter, she felt the warmth of his body against hers. "I shouldn't have let you leave. I shouldn't… your father asked me to give you a chance, and I didn't realize until today that I never really did. You wanted to apologize, to earn my forgiveness, but I stopped you before you could even try. It wasn't fair of me. I'm so sorry, Sesshomaru."

His body began to shift then, growing until it wasn't a dog she was holding, but Sesshomaru himself. The bond between them was stronger in this form. She could feel everything that was coursing through him. The guilt, the hurt, the loneliness. She also felt how happy he was that she was there, touching him. She felt how relieved he was that she hadn't been hurt any further. She felt the hope that had blossomed within him at her words.

"Kagome. No one, including myself, blames you for not giving me a chance. It is to be expected after what I have done to you. I do not think there is anything I can do that would make up for the years of torment you suffered at my hands." Grabbing her arms, Sesshomaru reluctantly pulled her off of him, sitting on the ground in front of her. "I left because I realized this. I left, because with me around, you were not happy. All I want, Kagome, is for you to smile. I want you happy, and if me leaving is what it takes, then so be it."

"I'm not happy that you left!" She snapped, hitting the ground beside her in a rare show of a tantrum. "I can't explain it. I don't know why I'm feeling what I am. I don't know if it's the bond between us, or something else, but when you left… Nakoa wasn't the only one that felt your absence." She looked up, meeting his eyes. That hope was there, visible for her to see. She didn't need the bond to understand what he was feeling. "I don't know… I can't promise that I can forgive you, Sesshomaru. But I can promise that I will give you an actual chance. This time, I will let you try."

Reaching out, Sesshomaru cupped Kagome's cheek, eyes on hers. Amber met blue, and for a long moment, they could only stare at one another. Sesshomaru's brows furrowed suddenly, his lips parting in surprise. "You released the bond."

"I couldn't find you." Kagome placed a hand over his, hers so much smaller than his in comparison. She went to look away, but he gripped her chin, keeping her looking at him.

"Are you sure, Kagome? I can feel your nervousness. Even now, you are not sure how you feel about my touch. Do you truly want me to follow you again?" Kagome's mouth parted in surprise. Even after all of this time, she still wasn't used to seeing him being so compassionate about her feelings and emotions. He was a different Sesshomaru from the one she had met so long ago.

Swallowing, Kagome nodded. "Yes. Come back. I want to… I need to know if I can forgive you."

Sesshomaru held on to her chin for a moment longer. Kagome could feel the want in him, the need. He wanted to kiss her, and the thought had her heart pounding in both nervousness and anticipation. Before he could give into his needs, he pulled away, putting space between them. It left Kagome feeling both relieved and disappointed.

Changing the subject, Kagome pointed at the wolves that were still patiently sitting a few feet away. "Friends of yours?"

"Hn." Sesshomaru growled lowly, and their heads lowered, whimpers leaving their throats. "They came across me, and took me in. In return, I taught them better techniques for hunting."

"A little too good." Kagome scoffed, motioning towards her tattered clothing. "I'm going to have to buy a new pair. Sooner the better. It's too cold to be walking around with that much skin exposed."

"Until then…" Sesshomaru lifted his hand to pet the white fur around his neck. It came to life with a single touch. Quickly it moved from Sesshomaru, wrapping itself around her leg. One end covered her exposed skin, the other coming to wrap around her shoulders. She felt toasty warm and sighed in content.

"You sure you won't get cold?" Kagome eyed him, daring him to lie to her.

A corner of his mouth lifted, amused at her. "I am sure. The cold does not affect me like it does humans." He paused for a moment, his face losing the rare smile that had formed. "Not that being human makes you weaker. I mea-"

"It's okay, Sesshomaru. I know what you meant." Kagome looked around the forest, back towards the wolves that were getting antsy with sitting still for so long. "What are you going to do with them?"

"They will go on as they did before they found me. Perhaps a bit smarter." His arrogance peaked its head, and Kagome rolled her eyes, unable to keep herself from smiling at him. It was soft and small, but she still felt his elation at seeing it. He really did just want her happiness.

Looking back at the wolves, Sesshomaru made a noise in his chest. The wolves all stood up, one approaching him to lick him on the cheek before they all turned and ran away, their happy yips fading the farther away they got.

"Come." Sesshomaru stood, holding out a hand towards her. She took it, letting his large fingers wrap around her and pull her to her feet. "It will be late soon. I want to get you new clothing before the sun sets. Sesshomaru eyed her over, brows furrowing. She was wet from the snow melting beneath her. She needed warmer clothing, not just what she had on. "I will get you a cloak as well." When she opened her mouth to argue, he held up a hand. "It is the least I can do, Kagome. You are wet and cold because the wolves I taught attacked you. I will fix this problem."

Huffing Kagome conceded, then looked up at Sesshomaru warily. "You know, I can't teleport until my energy replenishes itself. It will take hours to get to the nearest village by foot."

"Then what do you suppose we do?" Sesshomaru began to look around, determination on his face. "There is a cave a few miles away. We can camp out until morning. My boa will keep you warm through the night."

Reaching out, Kagome pinched at the white fabric of Sesshomaru's sleeve. He looked at her curiously, and she blushed, not able to meet his eyes. "I've never been flying before."

"Never?" Sesshomaru was surprised by this, but when she shook her head, he held out a hand with no judgement. "Then perhaps we can fly?"

"Really?" Kagome couldn't help but to grin at him. She felt his happiness to see her own. With no hesitation, she placed her hand in his. He pulled her to him, wrapping his arm around her waist, and forming a cloud beneath their feet.

Kagome squealed as they took to the skies, pressing her face into his side to help ease the feeling of rushing into the air. At Sesshomaru's chuckle, she peeked out from his chest, surprised to see how high they were. Snow was falling around them, and then beneath them. The world below her seemed so small and large all at the same time. The trees that had just been towering over her looked as if they were small little bushes.

She leaned over, trying to get a better view. However, she didn't account for the cloud giving away under her foot. With a yelp, she started to fall forward, but Sesshomaru caught her, pinning her to his chest. "Careful."

Biting her lip, she felt the wash over protectiveness that surged through him. Their bond was stronger than it had ever been. She could feel everything he did, and while it was overwhelming, it made things easy. She could understand him like never before. He wasn't emotionless, he just hid his feelings better than anyone she had ever met before. If anything, he felt deeper than she did. Every emotion was felt with his whole heart, whereas hers was felt with both her heart and her brain. He didn't compartmentalize what he felt, but instead let it be, let go as it would without any restraints. It gave her that much more to think about.

It took less than an hour to reach a suitable village to buy the things she needed. Kagome tried to barter for the items, but Sesshomaru paid for them out right. He bought her an entirely new miko garment. She could admit she had been needing one, even before the wolves attacked. On top of that, he purchased a cloak, something she had never been able to afford before. It was made from real wool that had been sheard from the sheep and then dyed. It was red with white fur outlining the hood. She wanted to deny him, knowing it was expensive, but he ignored her. On top of that, when she went to return his boa, he had told her to keep it. It now sat tucked around her neck and beneath her cloak. It was the warmest she had ever been in the winter.

When they were back in the sky again, Sesshomaru flew faster than he did before. Now that she was dressed for it, she could handle the cold winds better than she had been able to. It was only when he spotted the others that he began to slow down.

"Kagome." Sesshomaru looked down at her, and she looked up at him, a hand subconsciously rubbing the boa around her neck. "Thank you for giving me a chance. I understand that it may all be for nothing, but a chance is more than I deserve."

"Don't make me regret it, Sesshomaru. That's all I ask." She watched him nod, a silent promise. Swallowing she looked back down at the makeshift camp that had been made. The moment Nakoa noticed them, she reared back, nickering loudly in excitement, and charged towards Sesshomaru. When they reached the ground, Kagome stepped out of the way just in time for Sesshomaru to be knocked to the ground by Nakoa who trotted around him happily. She punished him for leaving but offered her neck to help him stand.

Walking away so the two could have their reunion, Kagome approached her brother, who was eyeing her new clothing. He said nothing, instead stoking the fire where several rabbits were roasting. His eyes lifted as Sesshomaru stepped towards them. Miroku and Sesshomaru stared each other down, neither one saying anything for a long time. It was Miroku who looked away first. Miroku reluctantly accepted Sesshomaru's place in their group.

"Now that we are all back together, let's eat!" Sango said cheerfully, picking up two rabbits and handing them towards Kagome. Kagome grabbed them, then passed one to Sesshomaru. He accepted the rabbit and for the first time, the four shared a meal together and it wasn't tense and suffocating. Perhaps, with time, they could all grow to be a family.

...

Look at that step in the right direction. They aren't together by any means, but at least now, they are friendly. Kagome is finally giving Sesshomaru a chance, and Sesshomaru isn't going to waste it. He is going to fight to prove himself everyday. With the bond opened on both ends, kagome can now feel exactly what Sesshomaru is feeling. That will give her a better understanding of how he is feeling. It will make it easier for her to process this new Sesshomaru and the changes within him. This is the start they both needed.

Thanks to Didithereaper for editing, and i hope you all enjoyed.