Chapter 23
The next morning when Sesshomaru awoke, the first thing he noticed was that he was on something soft and warm. The scent that surrounded him nearly lulled him back to sleep. It had him feeling as if he was still dreaming, laying in a luxurious bed that he never wanted to leave.
It wasn't until he felt the subtle movement beneath him that he realized his bed was breathing. Eyes snapping open, everything from the day before rushed through his mind, surging him back into turmoil. His mother was alive. She had faked her death to spite his father. She hadn't cared how it would affect Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru used to be able to say he knew his mother, that he would be able to say how she would react before she did, but now he knew the truth. He didn't know his mother at all. She had lied, had devastated Sesshomaru just to get at Touga, and she hadn't cared. She had wanted to cause harm, and she wouldn't stop just because her son got caught in the crosshairs.
Sesshomaru wasn't sure how to process this new side of his mother. She had always seemed happy. Not attentive, but she always made sure Sesshomaru knew that she cared for him. Now he wasn't sure about that. How could she care about him, and then throw him away like she did? His entire childhood was in ruins because he wasn't sure if any of it was real. Perhaps his mother had been faking the entire time.
Two soft hands were gently pressed into his hair, fingers rubbing against his scalp. He remembered then who he was laying on. Kagome had offered her comfort, and he had eaten it up, needing it more than he needed the air in his lungs. A purr left his throat at the comforting motion of her fingers. She paused for a moment, then continued as if she had been caught off guard.
"You purr like a cat." She whispered, and Sesshomaru growled halfheartedly, before purring once more as her finger brushed against his ear.
"Not a cat." His voice was languid, thick with sleep and content. He could stay there for the rest of his life if she would let him. Her hands in his hair, her warmth against his face, and her scent in his nose. It was paradise.
"Clearly." She scoffed, her fingers moving to massage his ear, a chuckle coming to her throat as his purr got louder. "Will you kick your leg like a dog if I do this enough? If you had a tail, would it be wagging? Maybe you should change into your other form so I can see."
"Woman." Sesshomaru felt himself smile. She was flirting with him. He could feel it in their bond. Yes, she was teasing him about his purring, but her intent was pure. She wanted to cheer him up, to wash away any turmoil he had left about his mother. Turning his head, he looked up at her, golden eyes glowing. "Perhaps I should bite you like a dog."
Her cheeks flushed instantly, and he chuckled as she slapped his shoulder playfully. "You're a secret pervert aren't you?"
"Hnn." If only she knew. Wrapping his arms around her waist once again, he pressed his face into her belly, breathing in her scent. "If you want me to move, just tell me."
"I don't mind." He could feel her shyness and embarrassment at admitting that. It wasn't that she was embarrassed by being there with him. It was more because that was how innocent she was. This was a level of intimacy they had not shared before. One that Sesshomaru wasn't sure he was ever going to be able to get again.
"Good. I want to smell you just a little longer." For emphasis, he breathed in deep, and again he felt her shy embarrassment.
"You really are a pervert." She huffed softly, fingers still moving in his hair. "And here I thought I would only have to deal with one pervert, now I have two."
"Who is the second?" Sesshomaru really hoped she wasn't talking about Kouga. He didn't want to be compared to the wolf at all.
"Miroku. Watch." Kagome leaned back until she had a full view of Sango and Miroku. Sesshomaru turned his head to watch whatever she was about to do. "Hey, Sango. Sesshomaru told me that he knows of a town that is fun to visit. It's mostly women and hot springs. There is also exotic dancing as exercise and-"
"Let's go." Miroku stood suddenly, starting to kick sand over the fire. Sango punched his leg, making him hop around as he held it.
"Never speak of this place again, Kagome." Sango glared at her husband, then worked on getting the fire restarted. They still needed to eat breakfast.
"So, I see." Sesshomaru chuckled again, then slowly pushed himself to his feet and hands, crouching over Kagome almost sensually. "There is one difference between the monk and I, Kagome. I may be a pervert as you call it, but that is only directed at you." Giving her a grin that had her flushing down her neck, he stood to his full height.
When he left her there, he knew she was flustered and would take a moment before she rejoined the rest of the group. That was fine. Sesshomaru enjoyed knowing he could bring that kind of reaction out of her. Maybe all hope wasn't lost after all.
"I am sure you are aware of what transpired last night. My mother is still alive." Sesshomaru started as soon as he reached the others. Both Miroku and Sango just looked at him, knowing he had more to say. "I must return home. I am not sure what mother will do, if anything, now that she knows Izayoi is still alive. Father must be prepared."
"Do you really think she would hurt Izayoi?" Kagome walked up behind Sesshomaru, concern on her face. "I can teleport there and-"
"No. If you were to teleport that far, it would leave you vulnerable." Sesshomaru wasn't going to have her risking her life for his affairs. "We have time. Mother does nothing quickly. If she does decide to retaliate, she will plan it out. However, I must leave now."
"We will go with you." Miroku stood grabbing the bag that contained their dried foods and fruits. He passed them out to everyone so they could eat. "We will eat, clean our camp, and then head back to Japan. Touga and Izayoi are family, and if Satori decides to come for Izayoi, she will have to fight us all."
"She won't get past us." Sango held out her piece of dried boar, determination in her voice. The others touched their food to hers, making a promise that they would protect Izayoi from Satori if it was needed.
When everyone pulled back their food, the girls went to sit by the fire, eating quickly. Miroku shimmed up to Sesshomaru, whistling nonchalantly. The moment he opened his mouth, Sesshomaru held up a hand. "The town Kagome spoke of does not exist. She made it up to get a rise out of you."
"Damn." Miroku walked away sulking. Sesshomaru could only roll his eyes, but he took a moment to look around at everyone in the cave. Sango and Kagome talking and laughing together, Miroku pouting in a corner, Alastar, Nakoa, Calthal, and Yumi eating the fruit Miroku had given them. This was his future. These people would come to mean everything to him, and he knew it. He had Kagome to thank for all of it.
…
It took three weeks to get back to Japan. Two weeks of traveling by horse, and then another week of traveling by ship. Finally, they were a few days out from the shiro, and Sesshomaru could feel himself getting more and more anxious the closer they got. He wasn't sure how Touga was going to react to him returning. When they had parted, Touga made it clear that Sesshomaru was close to being kicked out of Touga's life. It hurt, but Sesshomaru knew he had pushed everyone away. He was going to have to do damage control. He just hoped that would be enough.
Stopping, Sesshomaru looked around at where he was, realizing there was something else he wanted to do before he made it home. "Kagome, walk somewhere with me?" he held out his hand, and she took it without any hesitation. Something Sesshomaru took note of immensely. Looking towards the others, he nodded at them. "Keep going. We will catch up."
"See you at the shiro." Miroku waved his hand over his shoulder and continued to walk away with Sango and the horses. Sesshomaru reached into his robes, pulling out something he had been holding onto for a long time.
He had been scared to give this to her because she had rejected him the first time, but now he was sure he would get a different reaction. Holding out the blue rose, his brows furrowed in nervousness. "These are only found in China. They are rare. I am sure you noticed Nakoa still has hers. That is because they do not wither. Once plucked, they will remain in a frozen state. Their beauty is known around the world, very few get their hands on them. Still, I do not think their beauty compares to yours."
He could see the watery shimmer building in her eyes, feel her guilt through their bond. Shaking his head, he reached out, pinning the stem behind her ear. "You were not ready to receive it before. I hope now, that you are."
"It's beautiful, Sesshomaru." Reaching up, Kagome brushed her fingers along the flower, then pulled it from behind her ear. "Instead of my ear, let's put it here, that way I can see it." Grabbing her braid, she twined the stem of the rose into her hair. She always kept her braid over her shoulder. Now, even if she had the hood of her cloak on, she would be able to see the rose. Looking up at him, she gave him a smile. "Thank you, Sesshomaru."
"There is something else. But you must trust me." He held out his hand and she took it, letting him pull her to his chest. He took off as soon as she was secure, taking only seconds to arrive in a place that she hadn't been to in years.
"Sesshomaru… I don't want to be here." Kagome knew where they were immediately, refused to look around the meadow that had meant so much to her.
"The meadow did no wrong." Sesshomaru looked around the place that Kagome had once called hers. It hadn't changed much from the last time they were here. It was still beautiful, still peaceful. "I was the only one in the wrong that day, Kagome. Blame me, but not the place you loved, that you found peace in."
"It's not that easy. All I see is you and her." Lifting her hands, Kagome covered her face, blocking herself from the world around her.
"I know." Stepping back, Sesshomaru walked towards the middle of the meadow, spinning around slowly to take it all in. He closed his eyes, felt the breeze in the air, the snow at his feet. "You have given me a second chance, Kagome. That is something I can never thank you enough for. I hope one day I can earn your forgiveness, and know that I will not stop trying until I do."
When Kagome opened her mouth to say something, Sesshomaru stopped her, not yet finished. "I noticed something about you, Kagome. Something that I am in awe of. Your emotions are more controlled than anyone I have ever met before. You feel things not just with your heart, but with your mind as well. If anyone does you wrong, you do not hold grudges against the world. I made a mistake that day with Kagura, one that I can never apologize enough for. However, my actions were mine alone. The meadow, your place of serenity does not have to be ruined because of my actions. Do not give my mistakes anymore power than they already have."
"Sesshomaru." Kagome was staring at him, tears falling from her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she held it as she finally allowed herself to look around the meadow for the first time in years. It was covered in snow, all the green gone, but she knew this grotto like the back of her hand. It was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she let out her breath in a rush. Coming back here was therapeutic. "Winter is known as the season of new beginnings. Break everything down, so it can all grow back so much stronger and more beautiful than it ever was before. I think…. Sesshomaru I forgive you. For everything."
In a split second he was in front of her, holding her hands tightly. He hadn't expected to hear those words. Never had he thought he would gain her forgiveness. It had taken months, over half a year to get to this point. He wouldn't take any of it for granted. "You are sure?"
"Yes. I forgive you, Sesshomaru." She laced her fingers with his, both of their hands clasped together. "In a way, we had our winter. We were broken down, but now we can build ourselves back up together. This can be our new beginning."
"I am a greedy creature, Kagome. I want so much more than just your forgiveness. I will settle for whatever you offer, but I will not hide what I desire." Gripping her chin while still keeping their hands together, he made sure she could see his eyes, see exactly how he felt for her. She was his everything, and he would make sure she knew that.
It was her that caught him off guard. Pushing up on her tippy toes, she pressed her lips against his, kissing him. For half a second, he was stunned, frozen, but then he reacted, letting go of her hands and wrapping his arms around her.
Their lips moved together, stealing their breath while their hearts refused to beat. The world around them evaporated, melting away to leave them floating in a universe that didn't matter. One large hand cupped the back of her head while her tiny hands fisted in his hair at the back of his neck, keeping him there so she could kiss him more.
The spark that had always been there between them electrified and ignited, surging through their veins. It restarted their hearts, having them beat in time with one another, erratic but in rhythm. Never had a kiss been all consuming for him before. This kiss took away his life and gave it back to him tenfold. This kiss was the beat of his heart, the air in his lungs. It was fire in his veins, electricity over his skin. It was hot and cold. It was a dream and reality. It was everything good mashed up into one.
When he finally pulled away, they were both panting, clinging to one another as if they were going to float away. Keeping her pressed against his body, he ran his thumb over her bottom lip, noticing the pleasant way it was swelling. "I will never hurt you again, Kagome. This I promise you."
"I know you won't." Kagome, still holding his face, pulled him back down for another kiss. They held each other, the time ticking by as their lips melded against one another. He wasn't sure how long they were locked like that, but he didn't really care.
He could spend the rest of his life kissing her if she allowed it. Only when the sun set did he finally pull away for a final time. He didn't want things to go any further than they already were. He was going to take the time to cherish her, to do things the right way.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a little pouch. Handing it to her, he silently dug a hole through the snow, and into the cold hard ground. With a hole dug, he took the pouch from her, pouring several seeds inside the hole before covering it again.
When he stood, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pressing his lips to her temple. "This will be our new beginning Kagome. I will court you properly, like I should have done from the start. Our bond will grow like these seeds, wild and free. And when it blooms, it will be a rare beauty that only we share."
"A pervert and secret romantic." Smiling, Kagome cupped his cheek, pulling him down for another kiss. "Thank you, Sesshomaru, for proving me wrong, for being the man I had always wanted. For trusting me enough to be yourself." Once more, she kissed him, and Sesshomaru let her. This was their new start, and he couldn't wait to see how their relationship sprouted.
...
Look at that flirting and kissing. I know I didn't hint at the kissing in the teaser, but I couldn't. That would be giving too much away. This is the first step to them becoming closer. Sesshomaru very much so plans to do things the right way, to take things slow, and believe me, it will take a very long time before they actually mate. The chapter is in the 40's when it happens, and yes, I have written that far ahead. This story is almost done being written. lol. Hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter, and the kiss everyone has been waiting on. Thanks to Didithereaper for editing for me, and i will see all of you next week.
P.S. Guys, are ya'll getting tired of the challenges? To be honest, I didn't get the twenty-five reviews i was asking for, but I hated leaving you all without this chapter. If ya'll don't want to do the challenges anymore, I can stop. I don't want to push anyone, so just let me know.
