Merry Christmas my little ornaments!
Ok! The semester has ended and I was able to write for this story again!
Everything is fine. I finished my first grad semester strong and I'm ready to go forward! Grad school has been a hell of a ride and this semester really challenged my writing skills. I'm in a better place and I miss my fanfic community so dreadfully. But enough about my life because that's not what you came here for...
With that being said, I'm going to finish this story asap!
I know right! "OOO chilllleeee bout damn time!"
Yeah, I know! But I'm gonna wrap this up because I don't like leaving this hanging for too long and I want to finish this before moving to other things.
So...
WARNING: These next few chapters will be RAW and unedited! I just want to finish this story and maybe I'll go back and clean it up. But I just want to complete it! It only has about a few chapters left! Maybe I'll enlist for a Beta but I feel like that is gonna take time annnndddd I'm impatient with reading my own shit PLUS I'm on a tight schedule myself. So here you go...
WARNING: The grammar in this is terrible.
And no need to leave reviews or anything. I'm finishing this for my own enjoyment and sense of fulfillment.
I know right? Whatttt?
And I will answer and respond to all the reviews from Chapters 41 and 42 on the next installment. Just trying to knock this out.
Love you all!
"Blessings"
Check my profile for scheduled story update times, disclaimers, and additional information.
Chapter 42: Acid Reflux
"Rin…"
The sound of the young girl's name broke the silence in the empty space as reality came to claim what was lost. Unseeing eyes fluttered briefly to grasp the shadow of darkness engulfing everything nearby the woman that had just awaken. An intense pain clutched at the woman's mind and left her body withering alone and cold in her resting place. The young woman curled onto her side and thanked the Gods for the welcoming of darkness' cool embrace, knowing that the brightness of the light would have killed what was left of her. Her eyelids lay heavy against their dark lower lashes as every neuron and fiber began the sluggish procedure of awakening one by one. Her body felt as if it was weighed down by thick red bricks, making it very difficult for her to gather herself up off the cold and soft fabric underneath her. Her skin felt clammy as she moved to find anything to ground her to the world. Her mouth felt dry and swollen shut. Various tastes assaulted her confused palate leaving a very bitter aftertaste.
Needless to say; she felt like shit.
"Ugh…" Kagome groaned as she pushed her weight up with one arm while the other hand focused on cushioning her throbbing head. Her fist gripped the cool fabric beneath her that wrapped around her legs like thick snakes keeping her tied to what she realized was a giant oversized bed. The room spun a bit as she adjusted her posture, sitting fully upright. Her equilibrium had been thrown off from the motion sending her in a spiral. She lowered her body back down to the sheets finding an odd sense of comfort in the scent that lingered on the thick pillows and blankets. Glazed brown eyes fought relentlessly with much effort to open after several failed attempts.
The sound of creaking wood caught her attention, but it was hard to ascertain where the sound was coming from in the surrounding darkness. A migraine unlike anything she had ever experienced seemed to move along her frontal lobe and forwards towards her face. She could still hear someone approaching but the pounding in her head distracted her from further investigation. A healthy dose of fear still lingered and reminded her of her circumstance but not much could be done due to her current circumstances. She knew her only weapon of attack that she had would be the sour bile that threatened to rise from her esophagus and erupt from her sore throat.
Cautiously, a door opened to reveal a soft light that flitted into the room, illuminating gently the surrounding area. A tall silhouette strolled in leaving only a shadow from its wake that grew larger upon the parallel wall. She narrowed her eyes and tried to squint to see who it was before another wave of pain assaulted her senses. Her body folded inwards and the limb that was holding her up, began to waver in strength. Her stomach quivered as she dry-heaved a bit to keep whatever that was trying to make a comeback at bay. The foundation beneath her sunk as whoever it was came to sit calmly next to her. Items were set down somewhere to her side and her head turned to see what it was. Shortly after, two strong arms came to her and she found herself lifted to sit up straight.
"My head…" She whined and leaned on the generosity of the stranger that held her close now to the radiating warmth. Her head lolled to the side, searching for a safe crevice to bury itself in. The scent of the earth mixed with a rich masculine fragrance coated her nose to slightly quell her nausea. The familiarity of the sheets and pillows calmed her as the source of the scent washed over her. Fingers and claws combed through the sweaty mess of thick black hair that clung to her sweaty forehead and neck before trailing down over her pulse point and forehead. The gentle touch nearly brought her to tears as she reached forward to hold onto her newly found support system. The hand felt cool to the touch and she followed it wherever it went, holding onto the relief it offered. A soft silky texture met her fingertips that roamed across the surface of the stranger that paradoxically offered heat and cool aids. A strong familiar demonic aura wrapped itself around her like a thick blanket providing much needed comfort and support from whatever illness that had gripped her during the night.
She knew who this was. His name rested on her tongue, yet it burned her throat to even speak his name. Relief flooded her and gave comfort that at least she was with someone whom she trusted. The throbbing pain had built blockades preventing her from thinking further. It hurt too much to think beyond her demons' name who held her. She gripped the silk beneath her fingers as a silent plea of desperation. Tears slipped free of their ducts and rolled down onto the silk that rested against her heated cheek. Her slim fingers dug into him harder as panic rose up and ignited her aura into a bright burst of pink light that died down as quickly as it came. "Please…" She sobbed unsure of what to do but explode into tiny fragments of herself.
A large hand gripped her waist and the other pulled her closer until she could feel herself being sat onto his lap. Her chest was pressed into his body and her face lay fully onto him. A sob escaped upon the deep inhale she took of his scent. His demonic aura swelled around her body and smothered her until she gave up the will to fight, almost suffocating until she finally relaxed and let him have her. The masculine aura of the demon made himself known and branded itself onto her subconscious. The tiredness that corroded her heavy bones and muscles prevented her from doing anything further. The prickly sensation of her spiritual energy sizzled before dying out like a wispy candle that didn't quite catch the offered flame. A deep rumbling noise soothed her worries further, coaxing her to sink further into the arms of the demon. The aura that surrounded her eased across her skin with nothing more than a gentle rub of affection and care. It sank underneath her flesh to relax her into her protectors hold and slowly the pain began to lessen. Long strands of silver silk tickled her face and fell onto her bare shoulders. The hand holding her, rubbed soothing circles into her back seemingly cajoling her into some action that she couldn't quite name.
"Kagome."
Round eyes popped open at the baritone sound of her name being spoken. A jutsu had been dispelled and some parts of her body was functioning again. But it wasn't quite enough. The pounding and nausea in her body still raged violently inside of her going unchallenged. The call of her name again laid onto her ears and coaxed her into attention. Her head managed to titl upwards to see two golden eyes staring down at her. His eyes roamed her face in the darkness before staring intensely into her eyes. She kept her grip upon him and never looked away despite feeling his aura languidly pour over her body as if it was dying of thirst and in search of something. Her mind and body buzzed with the sensation of being enraptured by this demon. His aura flared and the weight on her vocal chords lifted long enough for her to whisper his name. "Sess-Sessho-maru."
The demon moved and picked up her right hand from off his shirt, gently plying her fingers from their captive hold. She watched in awe as he placed it onto the crown of her head. He moved then to retrieve her left hand and placed it onto her summersaulting belly. His eyes stayed connected with hers, never breaking contact. "Heal." He simply commanded as his aura pushed to dig further into her body and coxing her aura. It jostled her spiritual aura to corral it into rising with the ferocity and aggressive temperament he knew that she was made up of.
Sesshomaru could sense her tiredness and ill body from a great distance. Upon being so close, anger, concern, and protectiveness rose inside of him to treat the onna that had been stricken by the contents of demonic liquor. It took him everything to not hunt Naraku down and gut him for the possible damage that he could have caused. He knew it was him from the sight of the spider upon his exit of the elevator to the investigation of the food and wine Kagome drank that night that left her in the state she was in now. The only saving grace and reason he did not leave to hunt was due to the uncertain time Kagome would awaken in need of assistance. Also, there was the comforting fact that she was a miko and he knew that Naraku wouldn't have given her anything too strong that would kill her. But still alcohol poisoning was nothing to take lightly.
Her heated skin pressed intimately against him went unnoticed as he focused his energy on helping her sort herself. He sniffed the miko and noted the lingering scent of the wine upon her breath and the sweat of her fever that had taken her. It mixed with her gentle fragrance that called for his beast to cure what was ailing her. His instincts meshed with his conscious to push as much of his aura inside of her to coax her from the painful bondage that held her captive. He had seen this in others…and he knew, she could heal herself. She just needed to focus.
A flicker of pink light broke through the shallow darkness of his room. The contrasting spiritual light illuminated her face as it mingled with his own, following his directions. It heated his flesh but caused no harm against him. Its raw vitality swirled and left a trail that ended at the top of her head, to the bottom of her belly. His right hand came down from her back to grip the side of her waist so his thumb could dance affectionately on the side of her hip, encouraging her to dig deep and extinguish the pain that he knew was there.
Kagome focused on the swelling of his aura that poured into her in waves and sought to match its gentle rhythm. Her energy swelled in the deepest reaches of her soul and crept forward through her body, concentrating on ridding the toxicity that she could now feel making her sick. She cringed at the foreign sensation that found its way inside and slowly eliminated the substance throughout her circulatory system. Her kidneys and liver eased along with the decrease in inflammation of her stomach and throat tissues. The heat in her body and the contrasting silky cool texture of her skin reached normalcy. Her eyebrows drew together as her head lowered so she could look down at her hand and his placed over her belly as if something much more loveable was there. The burning scent of alcohol arose and she cringed at the lingering scent of it on her tongue, giving an answer to the source of her problems. Slowly, the sickly sensations that had left her paralyzed began to evaporate until the only thing left was the throbbing pain in her head.
The light from her belly died and a more concentrated glow began to move upward until her the fine strands of hair on her head was illuminated. The urging of Sesshomaru's demonic aura never left her even as she finished healing one lobe in her brain at a time. His eyes never left her face as she glanced back up to see herself reflected within them. His gentle motions along her skin encouraged her actions until the deed was finally done. A window of history and knowledge opened inside of her upon completion of the healing task. Slowly, everything started coming to her in waves causing a cocktail of emotions to bubble inside of her. Embarrassment happened to be the strongest of the bunch.
"Oh" She squeaked as her cheeks enflamed. Her miko powers died down leaving them both to sit in the partial darkness with the light from the hall peeking through the opened door. Kagome looked down, realizing the intimate way her body sat against him. Her legs were turned to his side but her front was pressed against him. The motions of his fingers and hands on her barely covered body left her quivering despite the disappearance of her illness. The lingering sensations of his aura imprinted in her skin and burned to life her own need for his touch. She immediately pushed away from him afraid of the exposure of the new sensations she was feeling. Her legs tangled disastrously in the sheets making her lose her balance and tilt sideways. The hands that were once soothing her nerves, came to catch her and bring her back steadily onto the bed. A bed she just realized was their foundation for a while now. Shame gripped her as she fought to untie her feet, trying desperately not to look at him.
"Kagome, stop this." Sesshomaru demanded as he reached to help her untangle herself, finding the task impossible as she kept moving her legs.
"I got to get out of here! I need to get to Rin! Where's Rin? What time is it? I need to go." She rambled as she pushed and pulled in the dark against her demons. Thoughts rapidly entered her mind as she pulled the sheets. Each one worst than the last. The shame she felt for feeling whatever desire she just felt for the demon warred with her temporary lapse of her responsibilities and judgements. Her shirt was gone leaving her in her white tank top and her pants were gone leaving her legs and thighs bare just added another layer on top of everything. The embarrassment of over drinking and getting intoxicated only added to the emotional roller coaster she had just boarded. Time and space were lost to her as she mentally searched deeply to explain these things.
Sesshomaru growled lowly and gripped onto her arms to keep her still. "Do you not trust this Sesshomaru and his pack to protect our pup?" He hissed finding her questions offensive and her behavior erratic. The fear in her eyes sickened him and the desire to see to annihilate every one of them grew until he could feel his fingers twitch to reach for the sword that once rested on his hip. But the demons that were chasing Kagome lacked flesh and spirit but were simply prisons inside of her own mind. Prisons she needed to free herself of this instance before she was going anywhere else. Especially, now that he knew Naraku knew her fears and sins as well. While Naraku was the closest thing he could ever have to a "friend", he knew the spider would do anything to reach his end game. An end game that clearly had Kagome and Rin seated at the focal point. Focusing on the female clutching his arms he spoke again. "Rin is safe with my pack at home, Kagome. Everyone is aware of your absence and everything is fine. This Sesshomaru has taken care of everything." He finally caught one twisting leg and untied it.
Kagome pushed harshly against him then as more tears came down the sides of her eyes. 'Oh God, everyone knew!' She thought as she cringed inwardly at the implications. Now she was sure to be ridiculed for not taking care of her responsibilities and everyone probably thought she was a drunk. Or that she didn't care about her duties. People were probably waiting for her. Her pup was most likely going crazy searching. Kagome flickered her aura in search of her pup to barely feel Rin respond back. "Oh God…" She muttered feeling horrible for the thought. An understanding of what Kikyo must feel like constantly gripped her and she knew she needed to apologize to her sister. The feelings she felt were so overwhelming she didn't know what to do first. "I got to fix this! I got to take care of Rin! What time is it?" She muttered again as she looked around for a clock. "We need to go!"
"Miko! Look at yourself!" He said slightly shaking her and drawing her attention back to him. Her eyes grew big as he shook her slightly to get her to focus. Her hands came up to rest on his, touching him in desperation. "You are in no position to help anyone until you have helped yourself!" Sesshomaru angrily snapped as the fiery woman beneath him stilled and gazed up at him. He searched her face watching her expressive features and round eyes tell him of the internal process she was taking to register his words.
Kagome swallowed thickly unsure of how to proceed as she finally stopped moving. Sesshomaru's aura still rolled along her flesh gently. She searched his expression for something to hold on to before she finally saw it within his gaze. Her shoulders sank and her body released the tension she had just held. Kagome sensed nothing dangerous or saw anything that spoke of deception within him. She took a deep break and reached up to wipe her eyes finally. She watched as the wet tears splattered across the back of her hands, slowly gathering herself. "Sesshomaru…" She spoke as she wiped her face quickly and straightened her legs slowly across the bed at an angle. "I-I'm..." She started unsure of exactly what she wanted to ask until she just spoke free of conscious thought. "I need you. I need you to help me make sense of all of this."
Kagome healed her body of the dangerous effects left from what felt like alcohol poisoning. She hadn't gotten drunk since she had received Rin into her care. Questions loomed surrounding that whole scenario, but she did remember dinking quite a lot of wine but not enough that warranted the illness and her spilling her guts. She was embarrassed about the opportunity her mind and lips took to be loose, especially in front of Sesshomaru of all people. The demon who was once her antagonist knew everything about her now. Even her most darkest inner thoughts that were of the worst kind. He must of thought her to be crazy or worst… What would he do now that he knew how messed up she and her family were? Would he tell Kikyo? His parents? Would he take Rin?
Sensing her growing fear, Sesshomaru growled loudly in the dark then. His mind raced to figure out how to respond until his body kicked itself into autopilot and instinct gripped the wheel. In a move quicker than either one of them could predict, he pulled her close to him again until she was on her knees flushed against him and claimed her reddened lips with his own. His hands gripped her by her shoulders to keep her still as she fell into him with her hands resting onto his chest. Upon contact of their lips, his demonic aura exploded to drench the room in his power.
His aura spoke of the frustration of the accumulation of time that had passed between them. Times where the miko challenged him brazenly without fear of him or of consequences. Times where she stood up for him, his pack, and her friends against anyone that threatened them. Times where he witnessed her caring nature to everyone around her before seeing to her own selfcare. Times where she had offered him space and opportunities to vent his personal frustrations free of judgement or ridicule. Times of watching her mother not just Rin but others around her as if she was born to be a powerful matriarch of some big clan. Times when her voluptuous body and heated aura taunted him and followed him even to the far reaches of his dreams where it was her wearing his crescent mark and walking around in the brilliant colors of his family's crest and namesake. All of this came out of his being and fell onto her body for her to feel…for her to know without doubt. His aura simply just lay heavily upon her so she could feel everything he couldn't say. It was never Kaguya…it had always been Kagome.
Kagome's eyes grew big and her words died in her throat. His lips upon hers and his hands on her shoulders burned a fire that edged slowly through her body. His aura was everywhere and she could feel his needs, his thoughts, and his desires. Kinship, affection, sadness, pain, joy, and desire flooded the already hectic emotions of her body for her body and soul only to know. Her own tumultuous emotions deflated as the answers she sought were given to her. The protectiveness that she knew was guaranteed from Sesshomaru along with the other emotions she felt radiating from him, pulsed through her own darkness until she found clarity. Shock and awe laid bare in its wake as she deciphered the truth of Sesshomaru's predicament and the perceptions he had of her.
Kagome had felt as if she had just risen from a coma. She closed her eyes slowly and focused on the present feeling of his lips against hers. His lips were soft yet demanding as they slanted over her own a few times before staying still to linger a breath's space away from her own. The simple gesture was monumental. He was giving her a moment to respond and he understood that this would probably overwhelm her. But little did he know, he laid to rest much of her concerns and awoken something else in her. Something that had been dormant for years that was suppressed. A fire in her belly began to grow until her hands slowly made their way upwards touching him to make sure the reality before her was true.
Sesshomaru inhaled her soft scent of calm lavender and felt the tumultuous fluctuation of her miko aura against his own. The subtle scent of the sweet wine she drank lingered but now its' tastes were muted and no longer dripping through her pores. Her sweat left her skin slightly damp under the gentle light of the lighting coming from the hallway. Her warm body pressed against him lightly as he simply waited for her to respond. He was bare for her to retort in any way she felt necessary. If she chose to fry him with her spiritual prowess, he would be simply the fool that tried to get close to the flame he knew he shouldn't touch.
His hands rested on her hips as he stayed still waiting to see what she would do. Her eyes opened to look into his again, a mixture of emotions swam deep within them. Kagome sat up against him frozen as his cool breath blew across her parted lips. Her supple curves were felt against his hands as his fantasies finally had truths to thrive on. He felt her sway and quiver a bit, unsure of what to do next. The unfamiliar doubt that came in brief spurts these days, revisited upon her indecisiveness. Sesshomaru looked into her wide eyes as she continued to stare at him. He did not want to confuse her nor add to the pile of chaos she was already experiencing. The choice to do whatever was hers and with that his hands slacked against her. But he would be a fool to say that this unplanned kiss did not fill him with satisfaction. Having had the opportunity to taste briefly the sweetness of her lips and feel the smoothness of her soft skin against him was enough. Instinct pushed him to take more but the deep respect and honor he felt for the miko was enough to prompt him to give her space and time to make whatever decisions she will about what was occurring.
Sesshomaru moved to pull back slowly afraid to have shocked the wounded miko, but Kagome's arms came up of their own accord and pulled him back towards her. Her fingers shook as she gripped the back of his shirt with her right hand and her left hand came up to grip him by the nape of his neck. She felt his hands reapply themselves to her hips. Her lips moved against his with a softness that began to get heavier with experience. His scent and aura surrounded her in comfort as she focused only on the moment. The coaxing of the embers in her belly grew along the rhythm of her beating heart. She shifted her weight forward and leaned against him for support as her fingers dug into his silky hair and the other hand rested against his bicep. Her flesh felt heat and the desire for more bubbled in her subconscious practically begging her to seek solutions. Her muscles began to clench with desire for a different sort of want unlike anything she had ever felt. It served as a reminder that she was a thriving young woman and woman that still had needs.
Their kisses became more frantic as they both tugged against each other. Her body managed to mold itself closer to his leaving no room between them as he held her tightly to his front. Her weight fell fully onto him until she climbed into his lap with her legs parted on the sides of his hips. He simply guided her along until she sat snugly pressed to his front. The heat of her lower half sat fully upon him and the beginnings of his own arousal grew as she moved. The spike of her heady desire and need blossomed and called to his beast, awakening his suppressed desire. With her encouragement, his hands moved to feel her curves along her sides and down her shapely thighs. He thanked her judgement process that made her wear the white tank top she wore underneath her chef's uniform and the removal of her pants that she kicked off during her feverish restless slumber. A gasp left her lips and her lips ripped from his to hold onto him like he was her life raft. The feel of his hands upon her was dangerously addicting.
Sesshomaru moved a bit to kiss along the column of her slender neck and down to her clavicle. Her aura danced with his until his mind cut through the fog of his arousal to think briefly. His large finally rested again on Kagome's hips as his aura did the talking for him. Her plea for answers resonated deeply with him and he responded, sharing what he could through the connection of their auras. An intimate gesture that he wasn't quite sure would work due to their polar natures and their lack of familiar bond. He kissed the sides of her neck at this and ran his tongue over the spot where his mark could be laid. He nuzzled the area and flared his demonic aura, sending his thoughts and everything pushed through his demonic aura into her.
A cry echoed in the room from Kagome as information seeped into her along with the caress of his hands, lips, and tongue against her heated skin. The bearing of her heart had seemingly opened the door for reciprocation of Sesshomaru's own reveal of demons he was battling. The frustration he felt and the constant push and pull with his instinctual nature versus the social constructs built by this new society smothered him. It lay heavy on his heart as years of this inner battle raged until he found a solution. Then came her family which provided him a glimpse of everything he wanted but it had been too late. But the desire for them, especially her didn't waver. It never changed but stayed steady and offered her a safe haven where she wouldn't have to worry about her and her family's livelihood ever again. A safe haven that also promised her the freedom from loneliness should she want to accept his courtship. Kagome had felt for the longest that Sesshomaru was gunning for her all the time but really…he wanted her. No. He craved her. His basic instincts spoke to her on a primal level that agreed with the logic of his own mind. He didn't hate her. He desired her. He didn't want Kaguya. He didn't want Kikyo. He wanted her, Kagome.
Sesshomaru was willing to go through with the bureaucracy of an unloved mating bond had it not been for Kagome's arrival into his life. The reveal of the depths of blackness in Kaguya's and her family's plot for power and prestige also gave him much reason to pause in his approach at creating a family. He slowly came to realize that through just his interactions with Kagome and her blended family, he was given everything he didn't know he wanted. And she also reflected the abundance of wealth he had around him already. Everything he wanted and needed was already within and around him. He simply needed to free his mind of these false perfections he had thought would create the perfect life for him.
Kagome felt the gentle touches of his lips along her shoulder as she experienced all these thoughts and emotions with him. Kagome felt his admiration of her taking on the responsibility of not just caring for a child but a demon that could give her nothing but challenges. The strength he saw in her brought wet tears to her eyes and a smile to her lips. She never cared about how people judged her for the company she kept. She loved all kinds of people genuinely and her food was a way to gather people together and around her. Kagome never looked for gratification or approval to care for others. She just did it and went along about her day. She turned her head to kiss his lips and share that with him by copying his response through her own aura.
His affection for her grew as she felt his words slide against her heart and nudge her subconscious. She felt his playful demeanor surface now that the mess of their thoughts and emotions had been some-what sorted. Desire flooded her body for him and the remnants of fear and uncertainty left her until it became nothing more than a faint memory. His arms held her tightly to him. His hands roamed downwards to grip the sides of her thighs and pull her towards him. Sesshomaru nipped her chin playfully as she rubbed against him, feeling his own need for her grow between her thighs. Her weight upon him coaxed his own arousal and had him seriously contemplating throwing caution to the wind. The bulge in his pants pressed against her thinly covered heated core that left her feeling out of breath. The sensation was enough for her to find his lips one more time before she pulled away to gather herself. Her fists had moved back to clutch the front of his white silk shirt as she leaned back slightly to peer up at him through thick lashes.
"Wow…" She gasped as she pushed lightly against his chest and closed her eyes to focus on calming herself. Her chest rose and fell harshly as Sesshomaru's fingers loosened from her thighs to roam to her hips. The other hand came up to finger comb her sticky hair and bangs away from her face. She held onto him loosely now as she relished in his offerings of affection, support, and safety. Things she never thought she would experience in a potential partner.
Sesshomaru gazed down at her heatedly, intoxicated by her permeating arousal and affection that bled through her aura. He lowered his head to sit on top of hers gently while keeping her close. He focused on his own control as he took shallow breaths unlike of her deep ones. He held her still allowing them both time and room to calm down and process what just happened. Smug with validation, Sesshomaru smirked in the semi-darkness as his own sense of clarity came to him. Of course, it would be in the arms of the frustratingly nonsensical beautiful intelligent miko in his arms.
Breathing heavily, Kagome shifted off of his lap as he moved to lean over her. Suddenly, soft golden light flooded the remaining space. Kagome blinked several times before her gaze swept the ample minimalist space. Thick white curtains hung all around large windows that surrounded the fairly large room. A large wood dresser and a few coffee tables were spread out with various items covering their surfaces including her purse and papers that she had brought with her earlier. A closet was to the side that held an open door for her to see a few shirts, pants, and jackets hanging of neutral and monochromatic colors. On the floor lay callously her crumpled black pants. On the seat of one cushioned tuft chair lay her now clean white chefs coat which was folded and hung loosely off the back.
Kagome looked down at herself again and pulled at the hem of her white tank top to cover her exposed midriff. She ran her fingers through her own sweaty hair blushing at the realization that she was semi naked with nothing but her black bra and underwear with the simple overlay of her usual white tank top to cover her. Her bare tanned legs contrasted against the white silky sheets on the bed that she had just woken up from. The scent of the demon next to her permeated everything in the room and she knew without a doubt where she was.
Kagome licked her swollen red lips and made to get her pants before she was caught again in his grasp. A finger reached to push her chin upwards so she could see him now in the soft light. The rushing of blood through her veins and the drumming of her heart beat loudly as she met his golden gaze once again. The clarity, desire, and openness that reflected back at her, left her dumbstruck and at a loss for words. Kagome gazed at the strong lines of his face and the sharp structure of his nose. The delicate magenta colors that stretched across his cheeks. Her hand came up to gently stroke the striking symbol of the Inu crest upon his forehead incased by his thick silver bangs before falling back down into her lap. It was as if she was looking at him for the first time. And really she was…not as a rival or a foe, not as a being in need of her unsolicited help, not as some overpowered entity that the world sought to have, but as a real true friend and a potential lover. "Sess…" She muttered.
Unabashedly, Sesshomaru stared down at her looking slightly mussed after the exchange. His hair had fallen a bit loose from its binding. He watched her move her finger and felt her soft caress against the moon on his forehead. The intimacy of the gesture, she would never know unless someone explained to her and he hoped someone would do it soon because it just reaffirmed his desire to have her. His hands loosened away from her body, disconnecting them from any touch that they shared. Yet his aura still hovered around her as a silent reminder that she was safe and protected in his space. He reached over to the side table to give her the items that he had originally came upstairs to provide her.
Kagome watched silently as Sesshomaru grasped the glass of water and two blue pills; offering them to her as an olive branch. She took both into her grasp before taking them without worry. The trust she had for him lay unwavering after the exchange they just shared. If he wanted to ruin her… he could. If she wanted to ruin him…she could as well. But she knew without a doubt he would not betray her. She felt it for herself the truth and she was humbled that he would be so open with her. She tossed back the pills and drank the room temperature water greedily, feeling the cool water soothe her once aching throat and move down pass her lungs.
Sesshomaru watched her, pleased that she had taken from him and accepted the medicine that would cure any lingering effects of the migraine she had. His eyes flitted towards the large windows that hid the bright light of the sun and clear blue sky that spoke of the noon that had come about. He looked back to the items he brought upstairs while she was asleep and spoke. "Rin is fine, Kagome. She is with my Alpha, Beta, brother, and your sister. They have taken Rin on a family outing to the countryside so that she may release some energy and play with a few pups near her age at a children's shelter my brother is quite fond of. Having the pack companionship right now is providing comfort against the anxiety the pup feels from the connection she shares with you. No one knows of the reason of your absence except for the excuse that you had worked yourself into illness and is currently resting in solitude after finally exhausting yourself. Everyone agrees that you are in need of rest and is pleased that you have taken time off before restaurant week. Your sous chef has been notified of your absence and is handling your affairs at the Shikon. I have approved of the menus and everything is being ordered for the event for both of our establishments." He stated with finality as he looked to see two large brown eyes stare at him and the glass hanging cautiously in her hand. Sighing, he reached over and took the empty glass from her and set it down back on the table.
Kagome released a breath she didn't know she was holding. She looked down onto her lap and placed her face into the palms of her hands. Roughly she pulled them down before placing them back into her lap, trying to gather herself back into the professional order that she prided herself in the day before her drunken stupor. "Thank you." She simply said as she worked quickly to bring her knees together and sit properly on the bed. Her mind was already working on gathering her things before her body moved to follow. A prickly sensation at the edge of her conscious suddenly called to her and she side glanced around the room finding nothing.
A warm hand fell on top of her hand, causing her to still and her attention to focus on the demon beside her. Her breaths turned into shallow ones as she thought about the follow-up questions. The questions that addressed the real issues and elephants in the room. While she enjoyed every moment of what just happened, reality came to remind her that he was off limits. She swallowed her pride and tossed her head back to look at him again, trying her damnest to ignore the heat that seemed to now radiate in her direction. "And I'm sorry for dumping all of that on you. And you can forget all of this. I promise I won't speak of this to-"
"I thought we weren't running anymore, Kagome?"
Kagome shut her mouth and looked upon the demon with confusion. His gaze was upon her and unwavering. Everything she said about the hate and mistrust she had for her family and the pain she felt for the losses she suffered came back to the forefront of her mind. It felt oddly freeing to have said everything she had been holding back for God knows how long. The remnants of embarrassment and shame still lingered but it wasn't necessarily about what she said as much as it was how exactly the words came out. Her hand came up to touch her face, wondering what sort of hell she looked like she escaped from. Her fingers combed through her hair pulling at a few knots before letting it go to fall behind her shoulders. She looked up at Sesshomaru with finality in her expression. Her fists balled on her thighs as she spoke. "I'm not running…anymore Sesshomaru. I'm not some weak little girl that cries all the time. I have been through hell to get here. I'm not weak and don't you dare call me that ever again!" She growled out remembering his callous words that he tossed to her in his kitchen earlier. A spike of her aura flared, fueled by her words.
Sesshomaru turned and a slight smirk rose at the corner of his lips at the display. "I expect nothing less of you, little onna." He responded affectionately as he watched her seemingly transform before him back into the confident woman that once confronted him across tables in the past. Her creamy tanned skinned shined under the glow of the lamp lighting, highlighting her thighs and curvy figure. The light flickered across the shadows of the dip in her waistline and the tops of her breasts. Her black hair hung about her in a great mass of thick black locks that had him curious as to what style her hair would look like after doing much more frivolous activities.
Kagome watched his expression study her intensely. His eyes had taken on a much more molten amber that danced under the light next to them. His aura brushed against her languidly reminding her of their recent intimacy. Her cheeks darkened as she looked away, feeling a slight coil in her belly that refused to lay dormant. She couldn't understand how she went from finding him unbearably arrogant the day before to charismatically caring this instant. She couldn't deny that his attractiveness was always present and she would be a liar if she said she hadn't noticed. But with everything going in her life, she never gave him or any guy for that matter more than a minute of her time. She shook her head of her thoughts and made to move away. "I should go." She spoke lowly, untrusting of herself now that these new revelations were made. It didn't matter what she wanted, he was taken by another.
"Is that what you wish?" He simply asked looking across at the thick drapes covering the large windows. His jaw had gone taut at her actions.
Unsure of what to do exactly, Kagome just responded with the sobering truth. "What I wish for has never really worked out." She responded honestly. There was no point in hiding anything, anymore. He knew it all, so it was best to just be upfront and honest about everything.
Sesshomaru made to stand, but a small hand reached out and grabbed his arm. He turned slightly to look at the woman as she returned his heated gaze. "But…What I-I want…" She stopped and shook her head. "No. What I need…" She started again this time with a little more base in her voice. "I need to speak to my sister and be truthful with her so we can fix all of this between us. I need to fix my relationship with my brother. I also need…" She dragged before looking up at him with a thoughtful expression. "to let my support system help me so that Rin has a family that can love and protect her in ways that I can't. Now…as for want…" She muttered before reaching for his fingers and lightly laying her hand in his. She looked at how their skin tones and textures clashed under the lighting of the lamp next to them. "I-I want you to be free and for everyone around me to find peace and happiness. I-I want to explore what this is between us even though it scares me." She said pulling her hand away and motioning to them. "I mean this waking up hungover and kissing random demons is not me and I-I don't do this type of thing with anyone. I mean not that I'm out in the world doing much of anything…or that I wouldn't kiss you…I mean I just did…" She began to ramble as her mind went to the feel of tenderness still lingering across her lips and the heat she could feel radiating from the demon next to her. His aura still pressed against her intimately but it was no longer evasive as much as it was curiously soothing. "And-d you still have Kaguya in your life. And it's not right what we just did! And…" She back peddled with heat scorching her cheeks at the implications of her previous wanton actions.
"Kagome." Sesshomaru simply called, immediately silencing the miko as she looked upon him with a hopeful expression. Explanations is what she was seeking to make sense of the mass mixed emotions and thoughts he tried to share with her. Sesshomaru could feel her fear and anxiety grow and it displeased him. Sighing, he reached for her waist gently and pulled her closer to his body once more. Her shoulders grew rigid next to him until he had her situated back onto the bed with her body placed in its original position. Her back was to the black headboard and her feet was outstretched towards the end with his body situated on her side. He turned, giving her his full attention. "Kaguya and I are no more. If anything, she is just a bad judgement from my instinctual nature to reproduce." He explained carefully trying to avoid his words from dripping in malice.
"What?" Kagome's breath escaped her body in a puff of air. "W-what happened? Oh no, Sesshomaru! I'm so sorry!" She said reaching out to him with her hand already thinking of the implications. "What's going to happen?"
Sesshomaru watched as her genuine fear for him changed her facial expressions. He reached up to cup her cheek and ran his thumb across her still plump lip before responding. "Nothing that needs to have tears wasted on." He spoke as he moved his hand away and watched her sit up expectantly waiting for further explanation. "It is uncertain how this will play out. It seems everyone has had a hand in this one's affairs." He muttered bitterly thinking of his mother and Naraku's side deals.
"I know." Kagome said softly with a hint of sadness in her voice. Sesshomaru quickly turned to her with a demanding expression for her to explain herself. Kagome tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I know people have been meddling in your business. No one likes Kaguya and everyone can see she makes you so unhappy." Kagome explained, turning her gaze to her hands in her lap. "I also know that you are Apexing and I assume that this along with your pride is partially the cause for your troubles."
Sesshomaru's eyes widened at this and he looked at with disbelief. Kagome nodded her head and went further to explain. "Your father gave me lots of books and I've also read up on a lot of behaviors of demons from my miko training. Also, the way you go about your relationship with Kaguya doesn't leave a lot of sound explanations as why you deal with her besides duty. And your aura just confirmed it for me." She said with a small smile and a flicker of her spiritual energy against his own demonic aura that still lay wrapped around her securely. She warmed feeling his aura press against her in response as she looked up into his gaze. "So…was I right?"
Sesshomaru leaned back and studied her for a moment. Her intuitive nature and investigative skills was impressive if she was able to deduce all of this by herself from simply interacting and observing him. That left him feeling somewhat exposed and he questioned if others besides his immediate family could see what she managed to find. He prided himself on being unreadable and unpredictable, yet Kagome wasn't fazed by the defense he had sculpted around himself. He watched as she sat still and controlled before him. Speaking about this as if they were discussing the weather.
Pride and an uncomfortable feeling filled him at being exposed by the miko. The fact she was able to see through everything and make deductions for herself only validated his choice of selecting her as someone he would court. The longer they sat there, the more secure and stronger she became; a far cry from the chaotic distressed onna from earlier. Kagome wasn't weak by any means. Not to mention, he was usually on the receiving end of her aggression and sharp remarks which only proved how astute, intelligent, and unapologetic she was when she knew she was right. At one time he would have found her to be disgusting and beneath him due to her humanity and spiritual nature. How fitting that none of these things flitted through his mind as he gazed upon her. He sat back, giving her some space before nodding his head in affirmation to her conclusion. "This Sesshomaru is ready to begin a pack of his own and it is true, my instincts along with my own reasons have caused this…predicament."
"That's an understatement." Kagome responded with a roll of her eyes before she slapped her hand over her mouth. She caught the sharpening and narrowed gaze of Sesshomaru. "But we all make mistakes!" She quickly tried to pacify.
"Onna…" Sesshomaru warned fighting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose at her impromptu time to also remind him of her intricacies. "Yes, Kaguya was not the best of choices but, from a breeding perspective she is the best choice among youkai society." He explained with annoyance laced in his words. "But, Kaguya has proven herself to be immoral and deviant. She and her family will go to great lengths to ensure their power and wealth." He spat with disdain, showing a glint of fang at the memory of Kaguya in his family's kitchen.
Kagome tilted her head to the side in thought. "Well lucky for you, you have friends looking out to help you with these things." She said softly knowing that this was uncharted territory for them both. She couldn't help but feel a little bit of glee at the prospect that Kaguya was out of the picture. It was of course for selfish reasons but she couldn't help herself. She never liked the demoness and Kaguya wasn't exactly giving anyone reasons to vouch for her. She managed to make enemies with everyone and revealed too soon the type of person she was. She remembered the night Kaguya made a scene at her restaurant. Kaguya threw her tantrum about the place, causing a scene and vowed revenge. Kaguya's vengeful nature is what caused the fiasco in the papers regarding the ratings of her restaurant and stirred a whole bunch of trouble. "But…are you sure, you have dealt with her Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked as her eyebrows narrowed in thought. "Kaguya…just from my interactions with her, isn't the type to just let things go. She might do something. She could try to hurt you in some way. Maybe try to take everything from you." Kagome rushed through her thoughts, sorting them as she spoke. "I'm not sure of the specifics of how this whole duty and bonding contracts work but I know there are consequences for breaking them regardless of who had done it."
"Hn." He affirmed before looking back at her. "Kaguya has tried doing many things behind my back to ensure our mating. The contract was her sword and shield, but she has made the mistake of being caught violating the rules of our engagement. However, I have learned from my sources that she had been seeking to get pregnant by various means and her family is holding on dearly to our mating agreement." He growled lowly.
Kagome felt the rumble through his chest. A pang of something she couldn't name stung when he mentioned Kaguya and pregnant in the same sentence. She shook her head to quickly shake off whatever that was before switching to think of how Kaguya could use such a tactic to gain a union with Sesshomaru and why she would do it. Worry pulled at her heartstrings for the demon. She knew more than she was letting because of her last conversation with Kikyo who told her everything. She didn't know if Kikyo signed the documents or not to bring his business into light but she hoped something was done that would bring justice to Kaguya and her family while also keeping Sesshomaru and his family safe from their clutches. She pulled her legs up and tucked them underneath her thighs as she sat up. "Maybe she's broke." Kagome stated with finality thinking of options.
Sesshomaru stilled at this and looked at Kagome. His head tilted to the side desiring her continue with her sleuthing skills. Kagome placed a finger to her lips and thought deeply on the matter. "I mean why else go through all of this?" She questioned tapping her lips in thought. "She's already famous and an heiress of her own estate right Plus, there are plenty of other rich guys out there but maybe you offer something she can't find anywhere else? The only thing I can think of that would bring someone so desperate to go after someone else like this is if they have something the other needs. I would guess that maybe she and her family are secretly broke or losing something they need. And you are the solution to secure whatever it is they need. I think its money, personally."
Sesshomaru stilled thinking over the conversation he had with Inuyasha that same day Kaguya showed up in his kitchen. Inuyasha said money and property was steadily moving out of the Utomi's fortune. And the people that they do their dealings with, were also vanishing as well. All of these people were known racists and purists that aligned their views with the Utomi's for their own personal gain. Everything was being stripped from them by Naraku…allegedly. His eyes grew wide at the implication Kagome was making. That Kaguya's marriage to him was a safety net for her and the Utomi's estate. He looked at Kagome as she nodded her head and slammed her tiny fist into the palm of her hand.
"Yep. I would bet money that she is suffering some-how, and you are the key to her success." Kagome concluded before she found herself overshadowed by the silhouette of the tall Inu. A finger captured her chin and she was forced to look up at Sesshomaru's piercing gaze.
Sesshomaru rubbed her bottom lip with his thumb gently as she stared up at him. "You miko, are brilliant." He bent down and quickly captured her lips causing a moan to escape her before he released her lips and backed away towards the door.
Kagome was dazed for a moment before she yelled out at his retreating form. "Wait! What? Where are you going?"
Sesshomaru turned around and looked at her. "This Sesshomaru is leaving to see to his affairs and investigate this idea of yours."
Kagome shuffled her legs from the covers and moved to the edge of the bed. "Wait! I'm coming too." She stated as her feet planted firmly on the cold hardwood floors.
"No Kagome." He said as his aura pushed against her body. She slightly leaned backwards, propped up by her hands on the bed. Her aura flared against him in retaliation. Sesshomaru watched her puff her bangs from her forehead as she glared at him angrily. Sesshomaru walked towards her and bent down so that they were face to face. "I will not drag you into this. You are correct. Kaguya and her family have no boundaries to how far they will go to have whatever they want. You and Rin must stay out of this. This Sesshomaru will see to the end of Kaguya on his own terms."
"What!" She shrieked throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation. "And leave you to deal with this alone!? No!" She made to move before an angry loud noise erupted from her stomach. She cringed at the sound as the fight within her deflated. A blush came to her cheeks as she sat up to hold her stomach as if to suffocate it from speaking out again.
Sesshomaru smirked at the sound simply walked towards her. His aura affectionately nudged her again to encourage her back to the safety of his sheets before he bent and once again captured her lips with his own. This time she was ready as she met him halfway before he quickly pulled back. "You will go back to bed and rest. I'll bring you back something from downstairs." He stated casually as he moved away. "Once again onna, you can simply use your words to request for this Sesshomaru to provide you nourishment." He shot while reaching for the empty glass next to her on the nightstand.
"You are still such a dick." Kagome rolled her eyes and shook her head with a small smile remembering the comment from the previous night. "You know…" She started as she tapped her chin. "Maybe it was really your food that made me sick? Maybe I was better off starving."
He stood and looked at her heatedly with a smirk that tugged the corners of his lips giving him a deadly appeal. "You tasted it had hadn't complained yet, little miko."
Kagome's mouth shut tight and the double meaning in his words. Her face felt hot as she looked away from his smug look. She muttered underneath her breath as he turned and walked towards the door. He motioned to the hallway with his other hand. "I would suggest you try to get rest but you have a habit of not listening to this Sesshomaru. So, the bathroom is next door and towels are on the sink. I'll return shortly with something for you to eat." He finished while watching her stare at him from his bed looking as if she came with it upon purchase. "Or you can come downstairs to the restaurant and get service there too."
"What?" Her eyebrows drew in. She looked around the room and gazed downwards as if she could suddenly see through the floors. Shock touched her features before she looked up at him. "We're above the Tenseiga?" She asked shocked. "So this is where you escape to when everyone is tearing up France looking for you?"
Sesshomaru placed his finger to his lips and made to leave before she called out again. He turned slightly watching as she reached up to ruffle her messy hair. A playful thought came into her mind at possibly checking out his staff and watching them prepare the meals. "Come get me in an hour." She stated feeling excited to do a little exploring. "Reservation for two please."
Sesshomaru smirked and nodded before exiting the room. Kagome watched him leave and close the door behind him. The smile she had on her face didn't leave for awhile until her eyes landed on her purse and papers across the room. Kagome scooted to the edge of the bed again and walked over to her purse. She reached inside and found her phone. A sense of dread creeped into her at the thought of what she would find. She took a deep cleansing breath before pressing the button to unlock her phone. The dark screen lit up dimly due to the energy saving mode from the low battery alert on her screen.
She looked to see she had several missed calls, texts, and voicemails that stirred up a few remnant emotions of doubt and self-deprecation. She quickly returned to the safety of the bed before crawling in and getting comfortable on the mattress. The calming scent of Sesshomaru lingered against her skin and wafted from the sheets and pillow cases. His aura still flexed reminding her that he was nearby and that she was safe. With courage, she proceeded to simply text everyone briefly that she was fine and reaffirming the story that she had passed out from exhaustion. She politely told everyone that she would call them when she was up to it later in the evening. Of course, there were a select few that just had to call to hear her voice for themselves. Kagome obliged just to confirm that she was indeed safe and quickly got them off the phone.
Kagome sighed in relief, happy that the story that Sesshomaru gave was well accepted and no one thought twice of it. The remarks she got back (rather the chastising from Izayoi and Inutashio) was proof that they really believed that she simply overworked herself. This left her to ponder briefly if everyone really did think this about her. That she worked so hard that literally she made herself sick. Kagome looked at the time on her phone and realized that she needed to get that shower before Sesshomaru came back upstairs. A warmth spread to her cheeks and she bit her lips at the new development in their rather odd relationship. She couldn't deny that she wanted whatever this was but then her mind went to his troubles.
Again, a prickly sensation caught her attention and this time she turned towards the window. Gripping her phone tightly in her hand, she moved off the bed towards one of the large white curtains, shading the window. She reached out and slightly pulled back the drapes and cringed as her eyes were assaulted with natural sunlight that shined through the window. She pulled it back fully allowing the light to shine into the room. Kagome glanced outside at the bright sky and the busy street below where everyone crossed and stared starstruck at the Iron Lady grandstanding before all of Paris. She smiled at the scene below before her eyes caught the sight of movement in her peripheral vision. She turned her head and saw a tiny spider move along the edge of the window pane and disappear behind the curtain. Her eyebrows creased watching it vanish.
"Spider…" She dragged before turning to her purse on the table. She looked to her phone in her hand and then glanced again at her purse. She contemplated her next move before nodding her head and walking over to her purse again. She reached inside and dug in one of the pockets in the seams and pulled out the velvet black card she was given before. She flipped the card and read the name embroidered in gold and turned it again to read the number on the back. She looked to her phone and unlocked it again, noticing the battery was almost done for. She quickly punched in the number and held the device up to ear. She listened to it ring twice before the familiar smooth voice answered on the other side of the line.
"Hello, Mr. Onigumo?" She asked to confirm it was with whom she was speaking to. "You may not remember me but this is Kagome Higurashi. You ate at my restaurant with your fiancé a few nights ago."
"…."
"Naraku…of course." She responded with a lighter tone, feeling oddly at ease at his friendly response. "About that offer of your assistance. I really need to talk to you about something private and maybe you can help? It's about Sesshomaru." She asked before smiling brightly at his follow-up words. Nervousness crept into her belly. Sesshomaru needed all the help he could get. Naraku as far as she was told, handled much of the family business and was Sesshomaru's best friend. He could do something to help! She knew it. She listened to his voice provide details before she turned feeling the uncomfortable sensation of being watched that lingered. But she sensed nothing else as she flexed her aura about the room. Her eyes scanned seeing nothing about her. Only the tiny little black spider that vanished behind the glass was noticed.