What was that?
Whenever Kagome had envisioned her first kiss, she had pictured two pairs of lips touching. She fantasized about being held close, breathing in the scent of her boyfriend's cologne, and seeing fireworks explode behind her eyelids. None of those things occurred when Sesshomaru kissed her. Kagome had been too surprised to notice the way it felt to place her hands on his chest or how he smelled. Her eyes had been blown wide instead of fluttering closed. Her first kiss was nothing like the one she had imagined.
It left her feeling unsettled.
They'd been walking for over two hours and Kagome could still feel her face burning. Of course, it was nothing compared to how her neck felt. She was sure if her handmaidens checked now, there would be a mark.
A mark!
Suddenly, Kagome remembered what Lady Tsugumi had shared with her during the reception.
"I see you've yet to be bound. I've heard receiving the mating mark can be painful for humans, especially those paired with a daiyokai. Though, given how easily you've brought Lord Sesshomaru to heel, I trust it is only a matter of time. Do be sure to make him earn it, won't you, little miko?"
She hadn't recalled their conversation earlier. It explained why her handmaidens had been so disappointed. They must have assumed Sesshomaru didn't want to mate with her. Kagome traced the spot on her neck where Sesshomaru's lips had been. Had he overheard her conversation with Izumi and Yukana? Was that what prompted him to kiss her? And if so, did that mean he cared about her?
Her cheeks burned hotter.
Inuyasha nudged her. "Are you sick? You look like you have a fever."
Kagome turned away. "No, I'm fine," she assured him.
"If you say so," Inuyasha replied, stretching his arms overhead. "I get you wanted to travel faster but did you have to come without horses? At this rate, the seasons will change before we reach Wakkanai."
"Horses leave tracks," Sesshomaru pointed out.
Inuyasha scoffed. "Are you implying that dragons don't?"
"No."
Kagome glanced behind A-Un. She didn't see a single footprint. Her brow furrowed as she inspected the ground for signs of his nails scraping along the dirt road. There were none. She smiled to herself, once again surprised by Sesshomaru's attention to detail.
"Well, what about our tracks?" Inuyasha questioned.
"There are none," Sesshomaru answered.
Glancing over her shoulder, Kagome realized he was right. There was no indication that anyone had traveled along the path.
"A-Un's tail has many uses," Sesshomaru remarked.
"You've thought of everything," Kagome said.
"Everything I do is to ensure the success of this tour."
His reply made Kagome think of a door closing. There was nothing cold about his tone and his words weren't harsh. Regardless, she felt uneasy. She wasn't sure why his response bothered her. Their goal hadn't changed. The purpose of the tour remained the same. They were on a mission to save demon-kind. Sesshomaru needed her to help broker peace with the country's leaders. Once he had their allegiance, Kagome's role as Shikon Miko– and his bride –would be complete. She would be able to return home.
Home.
How long had it been now? She had forgotten to keep track of the days with everything that had happened. School usually helped but Kagome hadn't attended classes since the day before she fell through the well.
She wondered how Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka were doing. Had they passed Mr. Nori's math exam? Did Ayumi get her selection for the choir approved? Had they already signed up for roles at the school festival? And what about Gramps, Mama, and Souta? How were they managing the shrine with her gone? Was Gramps still trying to sell tchotchkes in the gift shop? Had Mama hired someone to help with the grounds? Did Souta start soccer practice? Kagome had missed so much in the few weeks she had been gone.
Kaede had promised to help her find a way home. Kagome wasn't sure if that offer was still open. Kaede hadn't seemed open to talking about it at the wedding. Kagome couldn't make sense of her attitude. Kaede was the one to push her into the marriage. Without Kikyo present, she needed Kagome to save face with the Taisho clan. Kagome hadn't expected to see her at the wedding. She assumed it was so Kaede could confirm Kagome had upheld her end of their bargain. Since Kaede had seen them take their vows, Kagome wasn't sure why she was upset. The young girl was acting completely out of character.
It was the same with Kujaku.
Like everyone else, Kagome was shocked by Kujaku's sudden outburst. She knew how dedicated the guard was to her post. Despite her opinions about Sesshomaru, Kujaku never behaved rashly. Even Seiten appeared surprised by his mate's actions. It was as if she had lost control.
There has to be a reason.
"Huh?" Inuyasha cocked his head as he stared at her.
Kagome blinked, realizing she'd spoken the words out loud. "Nothing. Never mind."
He shrugged and resumed stretching.
As he arched his back, Kagome peered around him at Sesshomaru. Her husband— the term was hard to accept —was focused on their journey. He seemed determined to make it to Wakkanai within three days. Kagome had seen his dedication before— first with compiling their plan and then with her training. She knew the tour wouldn't be any different, especially after their conversation with Touga.
Sesshomaru operated with intention. Every task was completed with diligence. When he spoke,— which wasn't often —he did it with a clear purpose. Even small things like the length of his stride or the fierceness of his gaze were carefully managed. Kagome had never met another soul who was as ambitious as Sesshomaru. If she had to define him in one word, it would be intense.
Which was the exact term she'd use to describe his kiss.
Her heart was hammering away so loudly that she was sure they both could hear it. As for her face, the skin was as red as a majushage. She pressed her fingers to her cheeks, willing the blush to fade.
Kagome stumbled over a pebble in her path. Inuyasha glanced over at her. She pretended not to notice. Kagome wondered if she could die from embarrassment. It had to be less painful than this constant back-and-forth going on inside her head.
Why had Sesshomaru done that? Was it because there had been so many people around? Maybe he was worried about how their sudden decision to travel alone appeared to others. Was the kiss another staged event like Hiten? Was Sesshomaru attempting to solidify their marriage? But then why her neck? Why not on her forehead or cheek the way Touga did with his wives? And why was he acting so differently now? Kagome couldn't understand him.
Sesshomaru paused in the middle of the road. He scanned the area, then with a subtle nod to A-Un, announced, "We will rest here."
"Finally," Inuyasha drawled, immediately plopping down on the ground. "You know we aren't your soldiers, right?"
"I am well aware. My soldiers do not complain."
"That you know of," Inuyasha muttered.
Kagome shook her head. It didn't matter the era. Siblings would always find something to bicker about. She wondered if that was how she and Souta sounded? Were all their fights this petty?
"What do you think, A-Un?" She asked as if he could speak.
The dragon's heads tilted, indicating he was listening to her but since— as Sesshomaru had previously pointed out —the beast could not respond verbally, her question went unanswered. Regardless, Kagome took A-Un's nudge as a sign of agreement.
Sesshomaru had commissioned a leather saddle for the dragon. It was equipped with compartments on both sides. There were ties across the rear portion of the saddle to keep her backpack fastened. The design made it so that her bag doubled as a seat back. It was another example of Sesshomaru's ingenuity.
Kagome undid the fastening on the nearest saddlebag in search of water. Yukana and Izumi had packed provisions for their journey north. Kagome suspected they would need to replenish their supply during each stop on tour.
As she went through each compartment, Kagome made a mental note of their inventory. There were palettes of makeup, dozens of hair ornaments, and enough fabric to rival a fashion show. Kagome wasn't sure how her handmaidens had managed to stuff so many garments into a single satchel but it was evident that she would have her choice of outfits.
After rummaging through the last bag, she frowned. "We're missing supplies."
That comment caught Sesshomaru's attention. He appeared at her side, peering into the open satchel. "I provided a complete list to the attendants. What was forgotten?"
"There's only one bedroll."
"Do you require more than one?" he questioned.
"Of course not! But it's not like the three of us can share."
"There is no need to share. The bedroll was procured for your use and your use alone," Sesshomaru stated.
"Where are you going to sleep?" Kagome asked.
"I do not require the same cadence of rest as you do, miko. I will be standing watch while you slumber," he explained.
Kagome remembered Inuyasha alluding to Sesshomaru's lack of repose. "You don't sleep at all?"
"I can sleep if I wish to."
"But you don't need to?" she finished for him.
"Only in rare cases such as injury or illness."
Her eyes widened. "You can get sick?"
His lips twitched with amusement. "You are more concerned about illness than injury?"
"Of course I am! You're practically untouchable."
"Present company excluded."
Kagome grinned. "That goes without saying."
Sesshomaru studied her face for a moment, then dropped his gaze to her sandals. "Those shoes are not meant for long distances. How are you faring?"
She sighed. "I'd prefer my boots but I know that's not considered proper footwear for a lady."
"There is no need to observe such etiquette in the wilderness. If you prefer a guard's uniform to a kimono, change."
Kagome eyed A-Un's saddle longingly. If only…
"I had Yukana include yours with the essentials," he added. "I advised her to keep them well hidden."
Sneaky, Kagome mused,but thoughtful.
His confession stopped Kagome's mind from cycling through possible explanations for Sesshomaru's behavior. Without that to distract her, she realized that her legs were sore. There was a cramp in her left arch and her lower back hurt. She wasn't sure how the women of the Sengoku Period managed. Kagome didn't think she could walk another five minutes, much less five days.
Sesshomaru leaned down. "My mother will never know."
That made her laugh. Sesshomaru's humor was dry, almost indiscernible from his blunt remarks or concise observations but Kagome had learned the difference. She was catching on to the subtleties of his character. The more time Kagome spent around him, the easier it was to recognize his preferences.
Sesshomaru was relaxed outside the palace. His mood had lifted. Kagome guessed he was more comfortable under open skies than behind an ornate wall. With the war over, he was free to enjoy the natural world surrounding them. He was not constrained by his duty— not the battle-ready kind at least.
"You may change over there." Sesshomaru indicated a section of overgrown brush. "We will wait."
Kagome didn't need any further encouragement. She found her uniform hidden within the folds of a formal kimono. Her boots were also camouflaged. Yukana had tucked them beneath bags of apples packed for A-Un. Each shoe was stuffed with socks. When Kagome unfurled the first pair, she discovered her tanto blade. She took the clothes and the knife with her into the brush.
With a snap of her ankle, she kicked off her sandals. She had never been angry at an article of clothing before. Kagome glared at the offending shoes as she began to untie her obijime.
The bush to her left began to rustle. She froze. The branches stilled.
Kagome backed away from it, cursing herself for not keeping the tanto on her. She angled her body in the direction of Sesshomaru and A-Un. They were close enough that if she broke into a run, there was a good chance she would make it.
The bush began to move again. Kagome watched, ready to bolt as soon as she caught sight of the perpetrator. That's when Jaken tumbled out of the brush.
"You!" she cried, torn between anger and relief. It was the former that won out when she realized he had almost seen her undress. "Pervert!"
The imp's eyes bulged. "What?"
"Get away from me!" Kagome shrieked.
The bushes behind her moved as Sesshomaru stepped into the clearing. "What is the problem?"
Kagome pointed at Jaken. "Your friend was spying on me while I was trying to change!"
"I was not!" Jaken snapped.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"I would like to hear that explanation as well," Sesshomaru said.
The imp's gaze bounced between them. His mouth opened and closed several times before he was able to articulate a response. "I am here to serve you, my lord."
"Did I not order you to remain at the palace?"
"Y-Yes," Jaken stammered, "but, Lord Sesshomaru, you are traveling without any attendants or guards to assist you. Surely, you do not expect me to leave you at such a disadvantage?"
"Are you questioning my judgment, Jaken?"
"No! No, my lord! Never! I am your most humble servant. My life's wish is to fulfill your every request."
"Then why have you come here when I specifically told you not to?"
Jaken's focus shifted to Kagome. She knew he didn't like her but this time was different from his usual sneer. This look was more akin to the way people viewed a poisonous snake— with caution and unease.
"I posed a question, Jaken. I expect an answer," Sesshomaru prompted.
"I trust your judgment, my lord. I don't trust her." He spat the last word.
"She is my wife. You will grant her the same respect and loyalty as you show me or you will be removed from my service. Is that clear?"
Jaken started to protest but Sesshomaru's glower silenced him immediately. "Yes, my lord," he relented.
"Good. As you are already here, you may tend to A-Un. I am certain he requires fresh water."
Jaken bowed and scurried off to do as directed.
The tension eased from Sesshomaru's face. "I apologize. Jaken is unaccustomed to dealing with anyone other than me. I fear he has grown too comfortable with our proximity."
"He's served you for a long time," Kagome replied. "I'm sure he doesn't like the idea of giving you up."
Sesshomaru raised a brow.
"To him it must look like I'm stealing you away, you know, being your wife and all." She rubbed her arm and laughed nervously. "I guess that's why he hasn't exactly warmed up to me."
"Do not trouble yourself. Jaken's opinion of you does not concern me. I know who you are, Kagome, and what you're capable of."
Blood rushed into her cheeks. Every time she thought she had him figured out, he managed to surprise her. "I…um…should probably get changed. If you wouldn't mind…," she trailed off, gesturing for him to leave.
A few minutes later, when she stepped out, Sesshomaru gave her an appraising look. The memory of their first kiss jumped to the forefront of her mind.
Kagome couldn't look him in the eye the rest of the day.
BREAK
"My lord? My lord. Lord Sesshomaru!"
He grimaced. There were several reasons Jaken had not been invited to join them. Sesshomaru had not anticipated his vassal would follow them. Imps were not known for their courage. However, it appeared that Jaken's concern about being replaced outweighed his fear of the wilderness.
"Lord Sesshomaru," he called once more, huffing as he attempted to keep up.
Sesshomaru did not shorten his stride to accommodate him. Their pace was abysmal at best. The prior day's shenanigans had put them behind schedule. They could not afford to dally. Tardiness would not invoke confidence in his leadership. They had to reach Wakkanai by sunset tomorrow. If that meant forging on ahead without Jaken, so be it.
There was a jab to his side. He glared down at Inuyasha. "Tell him to shut up, will ya?"
"If the noise is bothersome, then address the issue yourself."
"It's annoying," Inuyasha grumbled, "and not just to me." He jutted his thumb over his shoulder. "Look how uncomfortable Kagome is."
Sesshomaru did not need to. He knew exactly how the miko looked. She had flushed skin, red lips from her constant worrying, and absent hands. The latter was the most distracting. Every time he peered over his shoulder, Sesshomaru found her stroking A-Un's side or combing his hair. He was beginning to regret allowing the dragon to accompany them. Perhaps he'd take her and leave the others behind.
"My lord!" Jaken's incessant squawking continued.
If his sword had not been destroyed, Sesshomaru would waste no time in running the imp through. His hand hovered the empty place at his side. He had not expected to be parted from his weapon. Procuring another meant visiting Totosai.
Sesshomaru had never liked the swords smith. After seeing him at the wedding, Sesshomaru did not wish to patronize the senile yokai. Unfortunately, he had no choice. His blade needed to be well-crafted, using the finest materials. Only Totosai was capable of creating such a masterpiece.
A fact that Jaken had pointed out before their departure. Sesshomaru scowled, recalling the conversation.
"What shall I do about the miko, my lord?"
"Pardon?"
"Clearly she is an imposter. Do you think she is an assassin? Shall I have someone dispose of her?"
Sesshomaru frowned.
"No one in the land has ever heard of her," Jaken continued, "and there is also the issue of your sword. Do you not find it odd that no one has ever been able to separate you from your weapon? Yet this nameless wench comes along and does it with ease."
"I find it…intriguing."
"Intriguing? Intriguing!" the imp cried.
"Indeed. She is quite an interesting woman."
"She is not a woman at all! She's a harpy. Her mission is to gain proximity so she can dig her claws into you. Once she succeeds, the Taisho clan will fall. There can be no other reason. The evidence is all there! How can you be so blind, my lord?"
"Jaken, enough."
"But Lord Sesshomaru—."
"I said enough," he repeated sternly. His vassal fell silent. "Regardless of her background, Kagome is my wife. She took vows, as did I. You should treat her as an extension of myself."
Jaken had not appreciated his answer. Sesshomaru knew his decision was not well received. He was surprised the imp felt strongly enough about it to travel out here, though he had a suspicion that Kagome was correct. Jaken's motivations were less about protecting himself and more about securing his role as Sesshomaru's closest ally.
Jaken's pursuit was in vain. His fear had come to fruition. Sesshomaru would protect the miko at all costs.
"How much further?" Inuyasha inquired.
"Roughly seven hundred and fifty kilometers." His brother released an agitated huff. "If you take issue with our route, Inuyasha, you are welcome to return to the palace."
"Yeah, right. Like I'm going to leave you two alone after the other night."
"The other night has been resolved. You worry over nothing," Sesshomaru responded.
"Really? Cause you two have been acting weird ever since. And what was with that kiss yesterday?"
Behind them, Kagome tripped. Sesshomaru whipped around to see her grab onto A-Un to steady herself. His hands clenched at his sides.
"Is a husband not allowed to kiss his wife?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. Why'd you go and kiss her neck?"
Sesshomaru's nostrils flared. His patience was dwindling. "Where and how I kiss my wife is between her and me. We are a pair, Inuyasha. You have no place in this relationship."
"I'm her friend. Friends watch each other's backs!"
He turned to his brother, halting in the middle of the road. "Are you insinuating that I wish to harm my wife?"
Inuyasha also stopped. "I'm saying that I don't like how you are messing with her."
"I do not believe you understand the concept of affection. Perhaps your mate was as cold on her back as she was on her feet."
Inuyasha's fist flew.
He dodged.
His name sounded from Kagome's lips. Her cry was one of irritation and fear. Sesshomaru knew his words had provoked Inuyasha— a habit he had held since the time he was a pup. He also knew how the remark would incite his wife. Kagome never turned away from a fight, especially when she perceived another being treated unfairly. Sesshomaru made certain he was positioned in front of the miko to ensure Inuyasha's blows couldn't reach her.
"You'll pay for that, bastard."
"It is ill-advised to speak poorly of our father, Inuyasha."
His brother charged again. Sesshomaru crouched, avoiding the swing of Inuyasha's fist. Though they had sparred together for years, his methods remained unaltered. Sesshomaru could foresee every action Inuyasha took, right down to the second he chose to draw his blade.
He glanced to his right. The ice was building in his wife's eyes. Sesshomaru pivoted around, narrowly missing Inuyasha's follow-through. He spun toward Kagome. Risking her anger would not aid him in earning her trust but Sesshomaru could not permit Inuyasha's comments to continue. The more he ran his mouth, the more uncomfortable Kagome became. Sesshomaru had not been able to prevent Inuyasha from joining their tour, but he would put a stop to needling.
"Knock it off, both of you!"
His brother did not stop and neither did he. The air splintered as the metal sliced through it. Light reflected off the blade as it moved, drawing a harsh white streak across the forest floor. Sesshomaru noted the shift of Inuyasha's weight and how his grip on the hilt transitioned. He would aim for a shoulder strike next.
How predictable…
Sesshomaru would incapacitate him with a single palm strike to the chest. When done correctly, it could knock an opponent off balance and disrupt their senses, forcing them to pause and recover. By then, Inuyasha would come to his senses. Or Sesshomaru would render him unconscious. He was going for the latter.
There was a rush of wind as Inuyasha brought his sword overhead. Sesshomaru began to lower himself, targeting the ribs.
"I said stop!"
Kagome situated herself between them. Her hands were up. She was facing him, eyes squeezed shut tight. Her back was to Inuyasha and his blade. Any gratification Sesshomaru felt at having her choose him was quickly replaced with the need to defend.
He slipped his arm around her waist, lifting and spinning Kagome out of range. Though Inuyasha's reflexes were not as heightened as a daiyokai, he was able to change the angle of his sword before it came down. The blade sunk into the dirt with a dull thud.
"What are you doing, Kagome? Are you crazy? I could have killed you!"
"Me? What about you? How could you draw a sword on your brother?" Kagome demanded, stepping out of Sesshomaru's hold. A pink light illuminated her hands as she approached his brother.
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "You heard what he said! He deserved it!"
"What Sesshomaru said was crude but what you did was worse! You can't pull a weapon on someone just because you're upset," Kagome snapped.
"I'm defending her honor!" he argued, yanking his sword out of the ground.
"You're picking a fight!" she retorted. "Honestly," she muttered, rolling her eyes, "I don't know what's gotten into everyone lately. First Kaede, then, Kujaku, now you." Kagome pointed at Inuyasha. "It's like you've all lost your minds."
Sesshomaru contemplated her statement. He was unfamiliar with the late miko's sister. If her attitude at the wedding was uncharacteristic of her true self, it would explain why Kagome had taken such offense to her early departure. As for Kujaku, Sesshomaru agreed that her behavior was peculiar. The inuyokai guard had strong opinions but she never allowed her emotions to jeopardize her orders. Then there was Inuyasha. Sesshomaru considered him a reckless opponent. Out of the three of them, he was the most likely to attack impulsively. However, he was willing to admit that their fight had escalated more swiftly than previous altercations. Perhaps Kagome had sensed a danger that he had failed to recognize.
"You've lost your mind if you think he's not to blame for this!" Inuyasha groused.
"I didn't say Sesshomaru wasn't wrong for saying what he did. He owes you an apology."
His attention returned to Kagome. "I will do no such thing."
"Sesshomaru! You can't go around insulting people's mates. How would you feel if someone did that to me?"
"I would remove their lungs from their chest so they could never utter such an offense again."
She sighed and brought her hand to her forehead. He wondered if restraining her powers had given her a headache. "Sesshomaru," she groaned. "This is exactly what I've been talking about. You can't react to situations without considering how others feel. If your roles were reversed, you'd be the one swinging the sword instead of Inuyasha."
He observed the pinched expression on her face. Her reiki was not the cause of distress. He was. Sesshomaru had committed to adhering to Kagome's lessons yet he had not made it through a single day. Ignorance would have him blame Inuyasha. Sesshomaru was not naive. He understood the grievance was his to atone for.
"When you don't like what someone is saying, tell them to stop. If they don't, you can always walk away," Kagome suggested.
"I am not accustomed to retreating," Sesshomaru said.
"You aren't on the battlefield anymore. You need to start thinking about things from a civilian's perspective instead of a soldier's. I know it's hard to change habits, especially ones that have kept you alive for so many years. Try to remember that I'm here now. You aren't alone. You don't have to face problems by yourself. You can rely on me," she told him. "That's what partners are for."
Sesshomaru stiffened. Despite his poor conduct, she continued to uphold her promise to serve as his partner. Though she had been quick to anger, her emotions did not sway her resolve. She remained committed to him. He would endeavor to do the same.
"How would you have handled the situation?" he inquired.
Her reiki pulsed, then the light faded from her hands. A tentative smile appeared. "Well, for starters, you shouldn't have said that about Kikyo. I know when you feel cornered or uncomfortable it's easy to lash out. Keep in mind that you can't take something back once you've said it. I learned that the hard way."
Kagome's eyes became unfocused. Her scent soured with her melancholy expression. Sesshomaru had the impulse to reach for her but the moment passed and suddenly her carefree smile returned. "Anyways," she said, running her hand through her hair, "my point is that you should consider how your response will change the conversation. Replying in anger usually leads to more anger. Make sense?"
"Indeed."
"Of course, if you're being threatened, that's a different story."
"You are referring to the situation with Tsubaki?" he surmised.
"I don't think talking it out will work with her," Kagome confirmed.
"Nor I."
"I may not be able to mend my relationship with her but you and Inuyasha are different. You two are brothers. It's natural to fight. Just remember not to let your pride get in the way of things." She paused to glance over at Inuyasha. "That goes for both of you."
While his brother wrestled with the miko's words. Sesshomaru took her advice. He considered her lessons as a training regime. As with learning any new skill, the first round was the most challenging. Sesshomaru had never told his brother that he was sorry. Despite numerous altercations, neither he nor Inuyasha had ever exchanged an apology. They either avoided each other until the fight was forgotten or ignored the issue entirely.
Sesshomaru found no fault with this method. When it came to Inuyasha, his limited patience was tested until it became nonexistent. The same could not be said for Kagome.
He enjoyed discovering how she responded to situations. It was always a gamble to see whether or not he knew the outcome. In some aspects, she was predictable. Her righteous indignation, for instance, was one of her more easily discernible reactions. Sesshomaru suspected another was her aversion to physical intimacy.
Based on how her scent spiked each time they touched, he knew she wasn't opposed to him. There were times when Sesshomaru caught her staring at him and he could hear her pulse quicken. Regardless, each time he initiated any contact, she became uneasy. Her actions implied she was conflicted. Sesshomaru was unclear as to why. He had made his intentions known in both word and deed. If he had demonstrated the same level of interest in any yokai courtesan, they would have flocked to him like a moth to a flame. Yet his new bride seemed confused by his actions.
Kagome had offered to listen to his troubles and encouraged him to share his worries with her. Sesshomaru wondered if that included concerns about how to approach her. He was determined to get her alone and find out.
But first, he needed to resolve matters with his brother.
"Inuyasha, I apologize for my remarks about your mate. Kagome is correct. If I heard someone speak of her in that manner, I would be incapable of restraining my anger. It was wrong of me to speak ill of her."
Sesshomaru could not decide who amongst their travel party looked more shocked— Inuyasha or Jaken. His vassal, who had conveniently gone missing during the fight, had reappeared in time to hear his explanation. Jaken and Inuyasha wore identical expressions. Their disbelief was evident in their wide eyes, lifted brows, and gaping mouths. Even A-Un looked interested in their conversation. Both heads were tilted as the dragon stared at Sesshomaru.
The only one who did not appear surprised was Kagome.
He had observed his wife when she was mad, excited, frustrated, scared, and pleased. Sesshomaru had cataloged her myriad of emotions in his mind. The one he saw now was a blend of wonder and joy.
And it was directed solely at him.
