Kagome groaned, draping an arm across her eyes as she struggled to fall asleep.

For the seventh night in a row.

"Stupid Valentine's Day. Stupid traditions," she grumbled. "Stupid Inuyasha baiting me into kissing his brother."

It wasn't actually Inuyasha's fault—her temper and pride were just as much to blame for her current predicament as his dare.

Ever since she'd accidentally kissed Sesshoumaru, she hadn't been able to be in his presence for more than a minute, let alone meet his gaze. His visits to the village seemed to have increased since the incident, but Kagome was positive that had nothing to do with her.

And yet here she was, once again fighting insomnia, and all because her mind was determined to continue the scenario.

Without any interruptions.

Kagome was convinced she'd be able to tell the difference between Sesshoumaru's touch and anyone else's at this point. Her dreams had started out innocent enough—a glance here, a whisper there—but it had evolved into a full-on erotic nightmare.

And it had been going on for almost a month; a month of them barely uttering a word to each other during the day and her waking up in a cold sweat, body pulsing from where his hands had been at night.

And all from a kiss!

A kiss he hadn't even agreed to.

Not that that bothered her, of course. She hadn't thought about that at all.

More than once a day.

Another groan escaped her, and Kagome glanced out her window, resigned to the fact that she'd one again be watching the sun rise.

At least she wouldn't have to worry about avoiding Sesshoumaru today. He'd seen Rin only the day before—which was probably why she couldn't sleep—so she had at least three days before he showed up again.

She hoped.


She should've seen it coming.

Kagome hadn't been able to discern a specific pattern with his recent visits, but she'd thought for sure that he wouldn't be here today. However, it seemed the fates had different plans because the Lord of the West showed up in the midst of the village's White Day celebration.

Bouts of music and laughter swirled together as the men presented their wives or admirers with gifts, hands intertwining before gentle kisses were exchanged.

She shouldn't be so bitter, but in her excitement of introducing the concept to the villagers, Kagome had forgotten what it was like to be one of the only single people in a crowd of couples.

Back in her own time, her friends had been so intent on setting her up with someone—anyone—that they'd hand out Valentine's Day chocolate behind her back and pretend it was from her. She didn't even know half the people who gave her gifts on White Day.

Minus Houjou, of course, with his offerings ranging from irrelevant health remedies to useless trinkets that had accidentally fallen into the garbage before she'd even left the school. Yuka had been aghast when she'd finally admitted what had happened to everything Houjou had given her.

Kagome would've rolled her eyes at the memory if Sesshoumaru hadn't caught her gaze first.

She immediately felt her face get hot. A pale eyebrow raised, and she turned away, his gaze lingering on her as she moved away from the festivities and escaped to Inuyasha's forest. Hopefully, the commotion was loud enough to cover the sound of her rapid heartbeat.

She swore she could feel his hands on her, claws dragging down her spine and across her thighs. Goosebumps roughed her skin, and she rubbed her arms.

"I'm an adult. I'm not hiding from anyone," Kagome muttered to herself as she leaned against a tree.

"Your actions would speak to the contrary."

She jerked, head whipping around as her foot caught a root and threw her off balance. She grabbed for purchase and found nothing, resigning herself to an awkward fall to the forest floor, but it never happened. Slender fingers wrapped around her wrist, keeping her upright, and Kagome overcompensated, falling forward instead.

"Are you always this jumpy, miko?"

Willing her cheeks to return to their regular colour, she tried to disentangle herself from Sesshoumaru's arms, the sensation of silk bunched in her hands too familiar for her comfort. She tried to put some distance between them, but he hadn't released her wrist yet.

"I'm not jumpy," she grumbled. "I just wasn't paying attention, so I didn't sense you."

"Such a lack of awareness can get you killed."

"Yeah, yeah. I don't need you to tell me that."

His eyebrow raised again. "Have I done something to warrant such hostility?"

Kagome sighed. "No. I just didn't sleep well last night. Sorry." She didn't go into detail about how he was responsible for her exhaustion, as indirect as it might be; she'd embarrassed herself enough in his presence as it was.

"This One had thought you would be at the centre of the frivolities, not out here muttering to yourself."

She looked towards the village and then shrugged. "White Day is mainly for those who gave someone a gift on Valentine's Day. Seeing as I didn't do that, there's no point in me—"

"Incorrect."

Blinking in confusion, she forgot she was trying to avoid his gaze and looked up at him, her breath catching at the strange gleam in his eyes.

"You presented someone with a gift."

What was he talking about—

Her eyes widened, and she tried to wave her hands in front of her, suddenly realizing he was still holding onto her wrist. She tugged, but his grip was unrelenting.

"That wasn't intentional—you don't have to—"

"And dishonour myself by leaving a favour unanswered? I think not."

She tried to think of a valid argument but came up empty, her shoulders hunching in defeat. "Alright, I guess that's fair. Though I can't think what you could possibly give me."

His smirk was more a baring of fangs, and Kagome caught a glimpse of the predator within. A shiver of anticipation went through her before he raised her wrist to his mouth.

"An eye for an eye, miko," he said, eyes never leaving hers. "Or in this case…"

Kagome gasped as he dragged his fangs across her wrist, the movement causing heat to shoot through her. She thought—hoped —that was the end of it, not wanting any more of her lewd dreams to become a reality, but then he pulled her forward, keeping her arm extended as those same fangs found the junction of her neck.

She'd never figured out which parts of her body were the most sensitive, had never experimented enough to try, but Sesshoumaru seemed to be well-versed in each of them. Or was at least doing his damnedest to find out.

The collar of her robe was pushed aside, giving him better access, and she arched when he bit down. It wasn't hard enough to break the skin, but it had her hissing through her teeth all the same.

Fangs were soon replaced with tongue, the appendage soothing her abused flesh before sliding over her shoulder and up her neck. Kagome barely stifled a moan when it nudged her ear, his cheek rubbing against hers. His other arm had wrapped around her waist, and it was then that she realized he hadn't worn his armour.

He'd planned this from the start.

"Inuyoukai have a different way of 'kissing'," he rumbled, the vibrations only making the heat worse. "I hope it lives up to your expectations."

And then some, she thought, managing to nod her head.

She wasn't sure how long they stood there, but it wasn't long enough for her to fully get her bearings, and she was forced to use a tree for support when he finally released her. His expression was curious at first, but he seemed to find what he was looking for, his lips curving up into a smug grin before he turned around, heading back towards the village.

"Feel free to gift This One with a kiss anytime, miko," he said, sliding his hands through his hair as he gave her a backwards glance. "I will delight in returning the favour."

Kagome knew she was in trouble when the promise in his eyes made her stomach do somersaults.