Kagome woke as she felt Sesshomaru's youki nudge her awake. She hadn't intended to fall asleep but since she had it made her eyes want to stay closed. When she finally managed to pry them open she realized she was in Sesshomaru's bathing chambers. She was so confused that she looked around quickly, had Sesshomaru not been holding onto her she'd have fallen off his back.
"Why are we in your bathroom?" Kagome asked as she moved to climb off his back.
"You said you needed to bathe." He stated as he helped her down. She'd figured he'd take her to her room where she would grab her things before heading to the household bathing chambers. She was thoroughly surprised to find herself in his bathroom.
"I could have just gone to the house bath." She stated as she moved to face him.
"This was closer," he said as he began to slip off his armor, "now undress." Kagome blushed at his forwardness, but was too tired to argue, so she began to disrobe. It wasn't long before her arms started to feel like jello and untying her hakama started to become hasslesome. Sesshomaru watched as the Miko struggled to untie the back knot in her hakama, she looked ready to give up when he decided to assist her. Effortlessly he loosened the knot and the hakama fell, pooling at her feet, leaving her only in her top and pink panties. Quickly he set to removing her kimono top, he took in the sight of her standing there in only her undergarments, before those too were left in a pile on the floor. Kagome stood still and let Sesshomaru undress her, after all it wasn't like he hadn't seen her naked multiple times now. 'No real point in being body shy', she thought, though she knew she was just too tired to put in the effort of being modest. Sesshomaru's hand caressed from her abdomen to her breast, making her blood feel like fire, leaving a need in it's wake. Her knees gave out and Sesshomaru caught her before she hit the floor, carefully he lowered her to the warm stone floor.
Sesshomaru leaned down and pressed his nose and lips to the Miko's neck, her scent, even tainted with sweat, was delicious. His hand found it's way to her breast as his knee pressed against her core. He moved his lips from her neck to her breast and began to lavish it. The Miko's body jerked in response to his musings, pleasing him greatly. The Miko ran her fingers through Sesshomaru's beautiful hair, and held his head lightly, urging it to continue lavishing her breast. He pulled back slightly and kissed the ribs right below her breast making her arch her back, the next kiss was slightly lower, as was each one after. His musing causing heat to pool at her center. Sesshomaru replaced his knee with his hand and ran the pad of his thumb across her nub, making her moan. With his tongue he drew circles on her hip bone, followed by gentle nips at her skin. Finally when he could take no more he climbed back up her body and captured her lips with his, before sliding himself into her needy cavern. With every thrust he heard a soft moan escape her lips, as she got more aroused the moans turned to murmurs of his name, and when she climaxed she cried out his name causing him to spill his seed into her greedy body. The two laid there still intertwined, breathing ragged. Carefully Sesshomaru cradled Kagome's cheek and kissed her passionately, before removing himself to kneel at her side. Effortlessly he picked her up and slid them both into the water. Sitting her down, Sesshomaru grabbed the hair soaps and began to lather the Miko's hair. No words were spoken as he bathed her, just peaceful silence, once she was cleaned Sesshomaru moved on to his own bathing needs.
Kagome leaning against the edge of the pool with her head laying sleepily on the stone. Her body was in peaceful bliss, she fought to keep awake knowing should she fail she'd probably get a mouth full of water before Sesshomaru could save her. A small wave lapped against her skin and she opened her eyes to Sesshomaru standing next to her.
"Miko, are you finished bathing?" He asked. She looked at him blankly for a few moments as his words sunk in.
"Mhm." She replied sleepily.
Sesshomaru leaned down and scooped her out of the water and sat her on a towel before drying her then himself off. Once more he scooped her up and exited the bathing chamber, he could feel her once again dozing off. Careful not to jostle her he tucked her into bed and he moved to lay on the other side. Sesshomaru pulled her body to him, cradling her body with his. Sleep had consumed her moments later leaving Sesshomaru to contemplate their relationship, after what felt like forever sleep consumed him as well.
Kagome woke to an empty bed, not that she was surprised, it seemed to be late morning, early afternoon. Jumping up she frantically looked for clothing knowing she was late to training. At the foot of the futon was a floral kimono and a pair of her undergarments. Quickly she dressed and exited Sesshomaru's room, thankful the den was empty, she quickly ran to her room to change into her miko garbs so she could go continue her training. When she arrived at the training field she was immobilized by what she saw, bodies were laid out in rows, covered by black sheets. Kagome guessed there was at least a hundred bodies there. She spotted Sesshomaru near the exterior gate talking to General Kaii. Quickly Kagome made her way to him only to see more bodies being carted in.
"What happened!?" She asked frantically. It was General Kaii who responded.
"Our soldiers didn't stand a chance they were outnumbered almost four to one." His voice was filled with remorse.
"How many made it back?" Her mind went to all the bodies. A solemn look fell over General Kaii's face,
"Twenty." He replied quietly. Kagome's heart dropped at the number, Sesshomaru had sent a little under 300 soldiers as reinforcements, which in the scheme of his army was only about an eighth of his forces, though no one would have guessed almost 400 soldiers would lose so badly to the enemy.
"Just twenty!?" She choked out, "We sent so many, how could this happen?" She asked mostly to herself. Turning she looked at Sesshomaru who was talking to a wounded soldier. She moved to stand next to him, when the soldier saw her he bowed and walked away. Sesshomaru looked down at her, his face completely emotionless.
"We move out in two days time. Will the slayer have returned by then?" He asked. Sango and Kagome had come to a compromise, Sango and Miroku could help, but they would stay out of the fight by staying in in the manor to keep their children as well as Shippo and Rin safe. War-time was the worst time for a child to be kidnapped and ransomed.
"She should arrive later tonight. What do you need me to do?" She asked.
"Find the half breed and inform him of the new time table, after that tend to the children." He replied emotionlessly.
"Do you need anything?" She asked as she thoughtlessly reached out to touch him. He grabbed her hand before it made contact, she thought he was going to scold her for trying to touch him so casually in front of his men, instead he brought her hand to his face and leaned his cheek into her palm. Not a single youkai present dare take a breath, lest the moment be broken, with a sigh Sesshomaru released her hand, "Tend the children, I'll follow soon." Kagome looked at Sesshomaru, who's face now showed a slight hint of sadness, solemnly she bowed before leaving to do as he had requested. All eyes were on them. Kagome found the children in the den, playing a game she assumed they'd made up.
"Shippo, Rin, come here, we need to speak." Both children looked at her hesitantly before going to her.
"Mama, what's the matter?" Shippo asked sensing her sadness.
"Sesshomaru, InuYasha, and I will be leaving in two days. Sango and Miroku will be staying here to protect you, their children will be staying here as well. For now we are going to see InuYasha." She said softly. The children looked confused but agreed.
"Lady Kagome? Why are we going to see InuYasha?" Rin asked as she followed behind Kagome as they walked.
"Well, because I have news for InuYasha and if you look at it this way, Sesshomaru and I have you two at all times, you're our little family, InuYasha doesn't have any other family to spend time with before he leaves, you two are like a niece and nephew to him, so make sure to give him lots of love and well wishes before we head out. Same for Sesshomaru, he may not openly welcome your affections, but he probably won't deny them either."
After a couple minutes they made it to InuYasha's room, softly Kagome knocked on the door, when it opened she was thankful he was actually in his room and answered when she'd knocked.
"Hey." was all she said, though they'd been training together they hadn't really spoken much.
"Hi InuYasha!" Shippo said enthusiastically, cutting through the awkwardness. Happily he jumped up and sat on InuYasha's
shoulder.
"Hey Shippo, what are you guys doing here? I haven't seen you guys in a couple weeks." He said, shifting his eyes to look at Kagome but keeping his face turned to Shippo.
"Mama said we should spend time with you." He replied happily. InuYasha looked at her and finally she spoke past the nervous lump in her throat.
"We leave in two days time, I figured you'd want at least a little company before then." InuYasha nodded.
"Why so soon?" he asked, as his hand caressed Shippo's head. "Did the first wave retreat?" A wave of sadness fell over the room as the memory of all the bodies being laid out came to her once more.
"Some did, the rest didn't make it." InuYasha looked confused so she continued. "Only twenty made it back alive, most are in pretty rough shape." Two days to gather supplies and head out, everything was moving so fast in her opinion. InuYasha nodded in understanding.
"Do me a favor," InuYasha said as he looked her in the eyes, "wear the fire rat robes, these are dragons, fire is their main weapon." Kagome shook her head at the thought.
"You're should be wearing them not me." InuYasha looked down as Rin walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist to hug him. Silently he patted her head before looking back up at Kagome.
"I'm more resistant to it than you are, faster too. Besides, General Cranky would never allow it." Kagome couldn't dispute that, never had she met man nor demon more uptight then General Kaii.
"Fine, I'll wear them. Just promise not to do anything stupid. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you." She said sincerely. A cocky smirk came to InuYasha's lips.
"Che, leave it to women to over react." He said before patting Rin's head once more and looking at Shippo. "Alright you two, I gotta get packed, take the mushy hugs to that bastard Sesshomaru. Annoy him for a bit." Kagome rolled her eyes at him but Rin released him and Shippo jumped over to Kagome's shoulder. With a wave good bye Kagome took the kids back to the den, where they spent time talking to Kagome through her doorway as she packed a few things she thought she'd need. A little while later Yueyui came in the den with lunch for the children and tea for Kagome.
"Lady Kagome, is it true you'll be moving out with the troops?" Yueyui asked, he voice full of concern.
"Yes, we leave in two days. I meant to ask sooner, but is Morimaru deploying as well?" Kagome asked as she turned and looked at her.
"No, thankfully he's been tasked as one of the guards that will be staying here to defend the manor." Kagome smiled at her sweet lady in waiting, glad to hear he'd be safe from the battle. "Is there anything you need before I leave?" Yueyui asked.
"Sango and her family should be arriving in a couple hours, if you could have someone set up a couple rooms for them that would be helpful." She said as she slid two spare bow strings into her bag.
"Yes M'lady." Yueyui said before bowing and exiting the room. When she decided she'd had enough packed for today she went back into the den and sat with the children as they ate.
