Curse of the Witching Hour
Part 3
Kagome was unsure how to respond. Her throat was dry as though she had eaten dust for days or dehydrated herself in the Sahara desert. Her eyes were peeled open like a plastic surgeon sewed them back and her palms were clammy as if she was appearing on trial in court.
She knew the apparition's form and knew his name, but somehow seeing him in person was even more stifling than in her dreams.
Sesshomaru was seated on her desk, leg casually bent up with the other dangling over the edge. He was inspecting his sharp appendages with a keenly bored interest, flicking under the nails as though he hadn't just been protecting her in her dreamlike state.
When he finally turned his attention to her, Kagome was unable to comprehend the ghost's unwavering scrutiny. She was frightened to move and could hardly concentrate. Even in a ghost like form, the demon was immensely intense. His transparent pools for eyes remained loathingly on her with such ferocity she thought he could very well reach out and strike her.
And maybe he could. The other demon had managed to cause bodily harm to Hojo, who could say this demon couldn't as well?
She bit back a scared whimper as the apparition remained unmoved.
"You've summoned me again now it appears." He spoke, masculine tone commanding her within his blanketed statement, amusement coloring his words.
"I don't understand. I never said your name aloud." She attempted to sit up, but fumbled in her bedsheets.
He made a noise of acknowledgement and resumed picking his nails. "You were not entirely in REM sleep."
"You mean," she did manage to sit up now, confusion swimming in her head. "That because I wasn't in a deep enough sleep, I was able to summon you?"
His gaze flickered from his fingertips to her. "You talk in your sleep."
Kagome groaned, fisting her palms against her blazing cheeks. Oh my God, how embarrassing. She inhaled sharply and shook her head. Rubbing her eyelids, she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I don't know what to even say." Kagome muttered.
"You should practice listening instead." The demon prattled on, boredom still plastered on his stoic features. She had the distinct idea that he was chastising her though.
"And what am I supposed to be listening to exactly? You haven't told me much of anything!" Anger flaring, she shot up straight and folded her arms over her chest.
The demon dropped his claw and turned to face her. Something in the way his ghost form shifted caused her to flinch. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he was now acknowledging her presence solely unnerved her. Kagome, determined to remain strong, raised a defiant chin.
"I have given you direction and explicitly given you details of these circumstances. If you chose to remain ignorant, then that is a reflection of you." He stood and she swallowed.
She hadn't realized how big he actually was.
"But you haven't given me enough information." Kagome stuttered, hands curling into her biceps.
"My patience wears thin." He rumbled, dragging the textbook she borrowed from the library across her desk. "You have found the passage of our history. History has a way of repeating itself."
Frowning, she maneuvered to the edge of her bed. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she nodded for him to continue.
"The obvious answer to your question is to send us both back to the planes of Hell." The narrowing of his eyes was uncomfortable. "Despite my desires, that would be the most logical step."
Kagome felt like her head was going to explode. Between his hot and cold response, she wasn't sure how to take his odd confession of sorts. Nor was she sure how he even seemed to know what she wanted to ask. Judging on the smirk growing on his lips, she had a distinct sensation that he was reading her too well.
"How do you-"
He was suddenly before her, scalding hand bracing her chin intimately. Even as an apparition, his touch burned into her skin delightfully and she hissed.
"I am privy to understanding your simplistic emotions, woman."
Definitely a mind reader. Kagome leaned away.
"So if you two really are the demons from that story, then it isn't just folklore." Kagome reasoned aloud while reminiscing on all the tales her grandfather would tell. "Why then aren't demons alive now?"
The demon was unsettled with her question and returned to a brooding state. "500 hundred years ago, mikos and monks cursed demons from this plane of existence in an attempt to cleanse the world. However, all curses have their stipends, and thus mikos and monks lost their holy power in return."
The demon became bitter, his claws flexing at his sides and Kagome realized how dangerous the male apparition was. Her blood was chilled as his energy poured out from him around her dorm room.
She remained rooted.
"So demons can only be summoned upon invitation." Kagome theorized while redirecting his sense of anger.
His deadpan response was only fitting.
"When maneuvering between planes, we gain more physical presence and power in the bewitching hour as it is the unholiest of hours. If partially summoned, that is the hour we can take form in."
Kagome rubbed her feet together unconsciously to soothe her anxiety. "What about when you are fully summoned?"
His fang peaked out. "Then I will take full physical form again."
"So in order to not summon the other guy, I just don't say his name between 3 and 4?" She probed, worry etching over her skin. "And the last day I can summon either of you entirely is on Halloween."
The silver haired demon snorted. "Essentially."
"How do I send you back then?" Kagome teetered as the silver haired demon briskly entered her personal space again.
"You would send me back?" He whispered, voice dropping a few octaves.
She gulped. "I mean- I have to send that other guy back. He's bad news bears."
He snorted again. "Your human colloquialism means little to this one."
She rolled her eyes. "I have to send him back. I'm still deciding about you."
"Then let me be clear in this. There are some stipulations in curses which cannot be shared verbally until completion- willingly or not. I will tell you; however, I am a demon lord. One of which holds his honor."
"But how do I know-"
He interjected, his finger ghosting her open lips. He stepped away and pointed to the time. The clock read 3:59.
"I cannot tell you everything, but I will attempt to be clear to you."
He moved further back and Kagome stood up in order to follow him across the room. The demon held his hand out to stop her.
"I am bound to you as you are my summoner and thus will protect you. Expect me to keep my word."
As the clock struck 4 am, she watched as the apparition began to disappear, his billowing hakamas first to his hips. His body began to fade and her mouth dropped open as it spread to his chest and limbs. Once he was completely faded, she felt the remaining energy disperse around her.
Unsure how to interact with him without using his name, she fumbled with odd sounds of shock and frustration.
"But you didn't even tell me anything!" She groaned.
She paced her room, switching on lights and opening and closing her curtains. She checked each corner of the room to be sure the apparition wasn't hiding and she fumed when she caught no sight of him.
"Are you even with me?!" She howled, stomping her foot on the floor.
A movement in the corner of her vision had her spinning. First she was scared, but then realization hit her.
"You can still interact with me, but just can't manifest outside of 3am, can you?"
She smiled when she thought she heard a tap on her desk. She shot over and sat down eagerly. Opening the book, she read the passage again of the Shikon jewel. Chewing her lip, she grabbed a piece of paper and began jotting down things to research.
"I'm going to do some research in the library tomorrow." She gushed, new found energy buzzing in her. "But once I've got this figured out, you can bet I'm going to make you spill your guts."
A hot, scalding touch braced the back of her neck and her hair stood on end.
"Not literally!" She squeaked. "I'm just kidding!"
She squirmed, the sensation and awareness of his attention on her, and she wrote down what information she knew about him and the curse he spoke of. As the morning began to wear on, she turned to look outside her window.
Fall had taken a beautiful turn. The leaves on campus were falling in shades of oranges and yellows to cover the thinning grass. The sun was just peaking over the horizon and she found herself wearing thin.
Yawning, she threw her pen down and stretched. Moving along to rest, she laid down, snuggling a pillow in her arms as she laid on her side. A warm presence wrapped around her like a heated blanket.
I'm going to figure you out, Sesshomaru. She thought she heard a chuckle, but she fell into her nap before she could reply with a snarky response.
—
When she awoke, she went about her day as usual with no interruption. She was unable to focus in class, eager to head to the library, and found herself darting from one course to the other hoping it would speed the day along. Once class was finished, she grabbed a coffee and set about to the library.
Kagome fisted her hair into a bun and began to take over the low table on the second floor near the history section. Depositing her belongings and messily strewing them about, she began collecting books on folklore, curses, demonology, and ancient history books. She dog eared pages with passages she thought were interesting with a sad grimace, as she hated destroying public property, and began writing notes for herself.
She assumed Sesshomaru was assisting her in odd little manners as certain books would be brought to her attention, herself mindlessly gravitating to them as if she were guided.
Or possessed, she frowned looking at the sheer number of texts on the table. I don't even remember grabbing these.
Kagome shook her head side to side and cracked her knuckles. Finishing up on the current book, she felt herself gravitate to the one book on demonology. The book was worn, clearly as ancient as the texts her grandfather hoarded, and the brown leather peeling at the edges. She pulled it towards her and opened it to the Table of Contents.
The book was dedicated to naming the types of demons plaguing the world and she hummed in her throat when her finger unconsciously landed on Inu youkai.
"Page 36." She thumbed to the page and saw a remarkable picture.
The dog demon was depicted with lush white fur and magenta markings littering its body in streaks. The jowls were open, green liquid pouring from the mouth in pools, and vivid red eyes. She saw how it could be frightening, but the beauty was in the depth of the picture. Her nail scraped over the page and a sudden warmth pressed into her backside.
She shook herself to study the passage.
"Dog demons are known to be fiercely loyal and protective. Like their counterparts, they are territorial and routinely monitor their vast lands. As like the animal counterpart, dog demons are pack animals with alpha males leading. Dissimilarly though, dog demons are monogamous and choose one partner for their lifespan which are marked with a symbol of their unwavering devotion."
Kagome raised an eyebrow and clicked her tongue. "That's kinda romantic."
Reading further, she blushed at the vivid description of mating rituals and physical possession of partners. She skimmed through it finding noted remarks on strength and various cues.
"Definitely sounds like regular dogs." A pressure on her neck had her swatting it away. "Nothing wrong with that! I love dogs!"
Flipping back to the table of contents, she noted how her hand then fell to spiders. Her skin crawled and she shivered. "Guess I'll go to page 104."
The spider was by far the ugliest thing she had laid eyes on so far, but even worse was the passage. The page revealed the nasty traits of manipulation and distrust. Most of which were similar to their insect counterparts- solitary, aggressive predators who lure their prey with 'sweet nectar' and stalk them until ready to deal lethal venom. The passage then mentions how males "play mind games with their prey and perspective mates".
Her frown felt semi permanent as she closed the book. I guess demons really are just like animals. I wonder if that means Sesshomaru is a dog-
"Hey Kagome."
She startled, jumping in her seat and knocking her notebook off the table. Fumbling to straighten out her mess, she mumbled an apology for practically screeching in the library.
"No, it's ok!" The male voiced, stepping into her line of vision.
Hojo stood, her jacket in his hand, crutches under his arm pits as he waved down at her. She sighed and then noticed the cast on his left leg.
"You ok? What happened?" Kagome sat back up in her chair and closed the notebook to hide the contents.
He brushed a hand through his hair and hobbled over slightly. "I fell down some stairs the other day in your building."
She frowned, uncomfortable with both his presence and the idea that Naraku caused the accident. Even worse though, was how sickeningly sweet his smile was directed at her.
Hojo held out her jacket and she numbly took it swallowing down her nerves. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, I was on my way to give you this. I guess you left it earlier this week and I had told Eri I would bring it back to you." He rubbed the back of his neck and shyly shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry it took me this long."
"No, thank you. I appreciate it." Her heart was thumping loud in her chest and she folded the jacket beside her.
Kagome rubbed her hands together before folding them in her lap. Watching him through her lashes, she grabbed one of the books off the table to begin reading it, hoping it would steer him away. Instead he sat down in a chair on the other side of the table, unaffected by her blatant dismissal.
She heard a growl in her ear and she hiccuped. Hojo's face twisted as he looked around.
"Did you hear that?" He murmured.
"Don't know what you're talking about." Kagome rushed, opening a book to ignore him.
"Listen, Kagome," he took a deep breath and began, "I want to apologize for how I treated you. I should have been a better boyfriend. I know you were really shook up about your grandfather's death for a while and instead of supporting you, I left you."
Kagome shrugged, uninterested in his late apology.
"I just want to say I miss you and would love to take you out again if you would give me a second chance."
Kagome's hands were shaking and her head hurt. She lifted her chin with a frown and studied him. The heat at her back was blazing and she felt a bead of sweat roll down. She swallowed.
"No, Hojo." Kagome spoke firmly. "I think we're better off separate."
He wasn't ready for her answer, that much she knew based on how his face morphed into shock. His mouth dropped open and he fumbled to wipe his hands on his black pants. He coughed into his fist and managed to stand.
"OK, well-"
"Have a good weekend." Kagome refused to watch him stammer off and began reading again.
She grabbed her notebook and pretended to scribe some more notes until he finally hobbled away. Purring vibrated her back and she felt the heat simmer into warmth caressing her waist.
"I'm trying to focus here." Kagome half heartedly jotted some more notes down, but her lips twitched into a smile. "I'll see you tonight."
It felt like a date for her. She was anxious to change and fix herself, but realized she was way too early. As the hours ticked by, she tried to distract herself by reading more on curses and demons, yet all she could manage to feel was the tinge of excitement.
Sesshomaru's heat was no longer present throughout the day and she oddly missed it. Delighted though that he gave her some space, Kagome felt butterflies in her stomach as she watched the clock tick slowly by.
As the 2am hour finished, she felt a rush of energy dance through her dorm room and she flitted about trying to find him. Kagome closed the curtains and sat on her bed, feet kicking wildly. She felt like a schoolgirl again on a first date waiting for him to show.
A few minutes went by and she pouted. Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on her knees and cradled her face in her hands. Warm hands pressed into her exposed backside where her shirt had lifted and Kagome squealed.
"This one was minority preoccupied. My apologies." His warm breath fanned over her neck where her hair had tipped over her shoulder.
"Hey Sess- ah, I didn't see you there." She stammered.
She blew a huff almost accidentally saying his name. She could feel his lips glide upward into a smirk as a chuckle escaped him.
"Eager to keep this one, hm." He murmured, tracing a fang over the junction of her neck and shoulder.
Her muscle twitched in response and heat flamed in her core. She flushed prettily and snapped her spine straight. His ghost like hands pressed further into her skin and her body jolted as it felt like they passed through her, heating her organs.
"Listen here, buddy. We've got things to talk about." Kagome barked while distracting herself by scooting closer to the edge of the bed.
"So be it." He remarked, replacing her given up seat with his own apparition form. "Proceed."
She hummed to herself and idolly swung her legs again. "I read that in conjuring a spirit that it can be banished with salt water."
"So you seek to dispose of me." He phrased.
Unable to see him, she relied solely on his tone which wasn't exactly a dead giveaway. He seemed bored again, velvet tone lulling over his words as he spoke.
"Salt water is the easy route, but using the proper banishing prayer is more important."
Kagome stood on shakily legs to open the notebook at her desk. Flopping into the desk chair, she folded her legs beneath her as she read her notes. When she finally saw the lazy apparition, she was amazed at how calm and relaxed he seemed lounging in her blankets.
"Yeah, I think I found one that should work." She muttered acutely aware of how his claws picked at her blanket slowly. "How do we trap Na- um, you know. The other guy."
Sesshomaru's smirk was rewarding and she felt a string of electricity light in her womanhood. Even transparent, he was quite the specimen to study especially with that dangerous smile.
"You must fall into a dream and weave your own web for him." He responded with a dastardly flick of his hair. "And when you awaken in the 3am hour, you must have him appear as an apparition to dispel him. Otherwise he will remain trapped in between planes."
Kagome frowned. "Don't make me go back to that castle. What if I accidentally say his name?"
"Find something to keep your mouth shut then." He plainly said.
"You're saying I should tape my mouth shut before I go to sleep." Rolling her eyes, she dropped her notebook. "What if that doesn't work?"
His own resounding sigh rang out. "Then you kill him in his physical form."
She gasped. Her hand shot to her mouth and she gaped at him from her spot. Shaking her head, she repeatedly denied it.
"No, no, no. I can't kill someone! Are you mad?!" Kagome hurled at the bored dog demon.
He snorted. "Then summon me and I will."
Kagome growled, throwing her hands in the air. Why can't this be easy? She thought with a puff. Craning her neck up to see his face as he trailed over to her, she bit the inside of her cheek.
"Then convince him he's the one you want in your dream-like state. I will not interfere until you awaken."
Worry crossed over her and flooded her system. Kagome chewed her lip and ran a tongue over her dry lips.
"What if I don't wake up?" Kagome asked.
The demon above her gave no indication of his concern or any emotion that was readable to her, yet as he leaned down to peer into her soul, she felt relief wash over her.
"You will awaken. That of which I promise."
"I can't do it tonight. I don't have anything ready." She glanced about her room carefully and scratched at her covered arm.
"Tomorrow is the last night he can attempt to be summoned." The demon hovered over her, imposing and strong. "He will be desperate to rejoin life."
Kagome baited her nerves for a moment, encouraging herself to find his gaze again. She had so many questions for him, but knowing he couldn't answer everything was hard. She settled on something he could answer.
"What about you?"
Her question caught him off guard and the demon peered down his long lashes at her. She felt small under his close scrutiny and she flinched as his claw came up to stroke her cheek almost lovingly.
"I would be a liar if I said I wasn't." He answered sternly. "But I have lived an almost full life, and will return to death if that is what you deem fit."
His answer was unsettling and striking. She reacted as though physically struck. Kagome batted her eyelashes and stood in a rush. Her body passed through him slightly whereas if he were alive, she would have knocked into him. As her front pressed through his ghost form, she frowned.
"I can't do that." Kagome muttered, passing her hand through what would be his chest. It felt inflamed and burning, but with no pain. "I can't do that to you."
Her blue eyes met his and she smiled.
"So we'll plan for tomorrow." Kagome confidently remarked at his elegant brow.
"We plan for tomorrow." He responded, stepping back from her.
Wearily, she moved to the bed and patted a seat beside her. "Until then, tell me something I don't know."
The dog demon huffed, gazing down his long nose at her. "There is not enough time to share those things."
Gawking, she gasped at him and made to playfully banter with him. He joined her cautiously as if he was testing an unknown himself. She began by telling him stories of her childhood- running the shrine with her grandfather, how she would tease her younger brother, and begging her mother to let her stay up late to watch the history channel.
He listened intently until she remarked on going on her first date with Hojo after her grandfather died. She had found herself flung back and the demon hovering over her. His lips bared angry fangs and he growled low in his throat. Fear gripped her until his mouth came rushing down over her heaving chest. Heat ignited and she swallowed down a moan.
"It's so hot." She stammered out, raising her arm to fan herself as her mind turned into mush.
"You will know more tomorrow." The dog demon growled, shifting to hover higher over her.
"Um, so how do this work?" Kagome blanched and then flushed at implicating their obvious physical attraction. "We don't know each other."
The silver haired demon gave her the impression he would have rolled his eyes, but he remained unmoving and stoic. The only indication he gave that he was unimpressed was how he lazily maneuvered to rest on her bed, the mattress dipping under his metaphorical weight.
"Inu youkai determine mates by scent and instinct." He drawled, inspecting his nails once again. "While I may not be able to scent you as one normally would, instinct still drives this one."
Kagome floundered to sit up on her elbows to peer at him. His kimono and hakamas were not covered by his body armor and his pelt was strewn over his shoulder. His body language gave no implications on his stance.
"See? I didn't know you were even a dog demon!" She prattled, shifting to lay on her side. Plucking the fibers of her blanket, she smiled widely at his slow raising eyebrow.
"Did I not show you at the facility of literature?" He blew out.
"You mean the library? I didn't think so."
He closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall. "The image of the dog demon in that book is my alterior form."
Kagome scratched her head. Thinking on the demonology book, she remembered the vivid dog demon picture. Mouth shaped in an 'o', she crawled forward, pressing her stomach into the mattress beside him.
"You're very handsome." His eyelids peeling open had her blushing profusely. "I mean, that picture is amazing! Is that like your true form?"
A fang peaked at her and she hid her face in arms.
"Yes, it is."
Kagome laughed. Stomach fluttering, she managed to return his gaze. She patted what would be his leg and reassuringly stroked what would be his pelt. "I bet it's even better when you're alive."
The aura remained light and her pulse picked up. She could feel the amusement and pride radiating from the demon, and she fought the urge to stroke his ego further. Kagome and him fell into a peaceful silence, mulling over each other's curious traits until Sesshomaru grew stiff.
She could feel the change in his attitude. He clammed up as if suiting up for battle, and he began to straighten, no longer lazily enjoying her company. She knew as his demeanor shifted that 4am was approaching quickly.
"Tomorrow, I'll go to bed close enough to 3am and try to convince him that I want to summon him. If I'm asleep for longer than 20minutes, wake me. That should give me enough time to try to convince him to appear in person. Then we'll banish him together." She hurried to explain, making a mental list of what she would need to get for the following morning.
The dog demon's mouth curved upwards, and her heart hammered.
"Together." He confirmed with a smirk.
He disappeared as 4am struck and she wrapped herself in her blankets.
—
Her head was pounding.
Kagome had managed to dodge her prying friends at the convenience store, and she had trudged along to the library to grab the text book with prayers and spells. She wasn't sure if the book was exactly right, so had spent several hours pouring over the Internet in a frenzy.
She tried to meditate to cool her growing nerves and she went to the gym to attend a yoga class. Even her coffee didn't sit well with her, and she had fussed about eating too much. Her stomach was churning in knots and her skin crawled as if she were being watched.
The lights would randomly flicker and black spots littered corners of rooms. She had a sneaky suspicion of who it was as it was cold, but anytime she mentally made note of it, then the occurrences would dissipate. Kagome thought she was going to get frown lines as her cheeks grew taught and her brows pinched.
Setting up her room, she had placed the textbook on her desk with a book marker already placed on the page she would need to read from. She had cedar candles with a matchbook next to them on her desk, and she even had made it to the Chaplain to get some Holy Water.
The visit to the Chaplain was an interesting experience to say the least, especially considering she grew up around Shinto practices, but she was grateful nonetheless to hear out the older man while he blessed the water.
She kept that close to her on the nightstand.
A bag of salt rested beside her desk on the floor, opened already for quick use. Just in case. Taping her mouth shut, Kagome patted the material flat over her lips and set the tape on her nightstand.
The hard part was knocking herself out.
She was too anxious and jittery. Her palms were clammy and her mind racing. Her focus was minimal and every time she thought she saw something, her heart would pound harshly in its cage.
Close your eyes and go to sleep, Kagome coached herself, pulling the covers to her nose. Go. To. Sleep.
She tossed and turned, legs kicking and arms plastered between her pillows. Eventually, she got comfortable, but she struggled to close her mind off. Inhaling deeply, she caught a whiff of a perfume. Sweet and just like a flower-
Kagome wildly looked about. Her arms came flush with flowers and the dark night sky gleamed overhead with sparkling stars. The wind came out of her in a rush, and she tugged the front of her black satin camisole. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she sat up and immediately recognized the field of flowers.
In autopilot, the lights to the lanterns flickered on leading her down the winding path to the castle. She followed, pulling on the hem of the matching shorts. Her bare feet crushed the grass beneath her, trampling down small stems of flowers.
Something wasn't right.
Kagome curiously starred in the direction she knew the lights would lead to. When those lanterns refused to switch on, instead lighting a path to a different section of the shiro, she had no choice but to follow. Where is this taking me?
Her lip became a chew toy and she hovered at a series of steps leading upwards. Running a hand over the wooden railing, she stole a breath in and coaxed herself to take the first step. The lanterns lit further and further apart, and she found herself unable to make out more than a few steps in front of her.
Climbing the stairs, she finally found perch on the cool wooden floor. She waited, no lanterns lit up and she nervously tapped the railing trying to decide if she should head back down. Her ears strained, listening for any abrupt sound, and her shaky legs bounced, threatening to knock her over.
The flame of a lantern lit several feet to her left, showing she was in the intersection of two hallways. She glided to it, scared to lift her feet entirely off the ground.
"Hello?" She called, greeting choked out on parched lips.
Hearing no response, she moved closer to the lantern. Another flickered on, but the one behind her blew out. Jumping to, she darted to the next lantern, scared to be in the complete darkness. It continued like this further down the hall until she was almost in a full sprint.
As she approached the last lantern, it dimmed.
Unable to see in front of her and with her body momentum still going, she crashed into a firm body. She jolted, hands fisting in the harsh material of the individual's clothing. She gasped as her waist was encircled and her petite frame was swallowed by a male's.
Her hair fluttered behind her and she froze. The body moved and her hair at the crown of her head rustled.
"Looking for someone, Kagome?"
The voice was low and velvety, caressing her ears. Kagome ducked her head to lean into the man's chest and she allowed her heaving chest to press into his. He chuckled, the vibration permeated through her, and his hair tickled her bare shoulders as he leaned over her. Swallowing her fear, Kagome squeezed her eyes shut.
"I know you're searching for me." He drew, feet moving backwards to drag her.
Kagome stumbled with a gasp, her feet pattering against the wood as he mindlessly led her through the darkness. She clung to his top to steady herself, but was unready for when he pivoted. Now taking several steps backwards as his fingers dug into her waist, she hiccuped. Nearly tripping over her feet with the momentum of his body pushing her, she tilted her head back to stare into the blackness around her.
"Where-"
He interrupted her with firm command, "No need to worry. You will see soon enough."
Wide eyed, Kagome was shoved forward with the force of his body. Falling backwards into a heap, she was cushioned by some thick pillows. Her arms flailed about and she measured out what felt like a futon beneath her.
Gasping, her chin shot up as a small candle lit.
Naraku's lips were curled up in a smirk, his red eyes illuminated by the candle. Her jaw grew slack as his handsome features became visible. She snapped it shut though when he chuckled darkly. He set the candle down on a low table while stepping in. The shiro door shut behind him on its own accord with a sharp snap.
His clothed feet slid on the floor as he pressed his advantage.
He touched his navy kimono firmly as he began parting it slowly.
"Isn't this why you came back to my shiro, Kagome?" He asked, drawing open the kimono to reveal his pale chest. "Why you came back to me?"
Kagome rose on her elbows, her knees clamping together as she kicked herself backwards on the futon. Naraku kneeled before the futon, a clawed hand snaking around her ankle.
"I know why you're here." He growled, jerking her leg.
She gasped, a scream stuck in her throat, falling flat on her back to stare at the ceiling. Her arms were pinned over her head as he blocked her means of escape. His black hair spilled over his shoulder like a curtain and he came down to stare into her blue orbs.
Kagome opened and closed her mouth, her mind blanking entirely on what she had planned to say to herself.
"You don't want to say my name, do you?" Naraku bit out, teeth gnashing.
Kagome panicked. She couldn't breath. He was suffocating, his aura spilling in tidal waves and his cool body lighting her skin pinching bunches. Oh my God, he knows. She tried to find an escape, anything to help distract him enough for her to find a way to wake up.
Naraku wouldn't allow such an escape though.
The lower half of his body fell flush to hers, crashing his pelvis against hers. Her back arched with the pressure as he gripped her waist, nails nearly shredding the material of her lingerie.
"You want to scream it." He whispered hotly, the air fanning her nose.
Oh God, she thought, lids heavy as he descended on her. His mouth feasted on the skin of her neck, teeth tugging none too gently at the pale flesh. She squirmed, core igniting and legs squeezing tightly. The hand at her waist traveled south, gliding over the material of the camisole to cup her hip, and then to slide under the curve of her ass.
She had to focus, she repeatedly told herself. She had to focus long enough to convince him to take shape in the real world. Kagome couldn't though. Her mind turned to mush as his mouth moved south as well, biting the skin over her clavicle. She made the mistake of moaning, eyes rolling backwards and mouth dropping open, as he sighed into the v-neck of the camisole just above her breasts.
Her wrists over her head were yanked further up, stretching her limbs to the limits. Her back arched higher to accommodate and to keep pain from spreading across her shoulders. Kagome yelped, and the spider demon closed his orifice over a hardened nipple.
Kagome cried out, jerking in his hold as electricity danced down her abdomen lower into her womanhood. His legs tangled with hers as he ground his thick appendage into her. She moaned again, never having experienced the sensation before.
"Please-" Kagome stuttered. "I can't take it like this."
The demon's mouth drew back and she shivered, her damp nipple painfully hard.
"Wake me up," she begged, squeezing her eyes shut to hide the deceit of her plea.
"Why?" Naraku clamoured up, his lips pressing into the corners of her mouth.
"I want to say your name." Kagome whispered, losing her confidence. "I want to say it aloud."
The demon remained over her, silently mulling over her words. She dared not to think, scared she would give away her real intentions.
"Perhaps," Naraku chuckled, hand under her ass forcing her leg to encircle his hip. "How do I know what you say is true? Hm?"
Kagome blanched. Opening her orbs, she focused on the demon and his narrowing eyes. Pulling on her arms, she pleaded, "Then let me show you."
He grew amused, red eyes darting over her face to absorb the pink of her cheeks. He slowly released her arms, and she immediately draped them over his wide shoulders. Grabbing his hair, she pulled him to her, chest to chest and face to face. Licking her lips, she brought her lips to his shyly.
She closed her eyes and focused on pressing further into his lips. He reciprocated eagerly, and she found herself opening her mouth to deepen it. His tongue clashed with hers violently and he forced his tongue into her mouth. He groaned, fingers digging into her harshly. She flinched, rubbing her tongue over his as they fought for dominance.
Soon he was adamantly biting her lip with a bruising force and he ground into her again. She moaned, teetering on letting herself ride with the emotion or actively trying to end the session. Head falling back, her hands on their own guided him to her breasts again. He chuckled, tongue slipping out to wet the other nipple and she bit her lip to hold in the responding sound.
"New to this, my pet?" Naraku teased, peering up at her through half lids.
She slowly nodded, unable to speak with his mouth sucking on her breast. His hand gripped her hips as he lowered himself, mouth kissing and sucking at her abdomen as he went. Even through the satin, she could feel his teeth gnawing at her. She was frightened by the intensity of his need to draw small noises from her, yet she wasn't in control of her voicebox.
When he bit her hip, hot air passing over the exposed flesh, she realized he may have moved too far.
Panicking, she begged him once again. "Please, let me finish summoning you. I can't do this in a dream."
The demon took pity on her, eager to continue his ministrations to the virgin.
"Very well." He sat up, legs pinning her to the futon. "You shall."
Kagome startled, body sweating and core clenching tightly with a dire ache for a release she never had imagined. She felt empty and throbbing. Her foggy mind couldn't formulate how she was awake again, but her hand fell away from her forehead in a whoosh. Ripping off the tape, she gasped for cool air and whipped her palm over her swollen lips.
Panting, she rolled over, kicking aside the blanket to let cool air over her thighs. Heaving, she clutched a hand to her chest and rubbed her eyes. When she realized her position in her bed, she quickly fumbled to the edge of the bed.
She checked the room, finding it empty. She sighed, running a tired hand through her hair. I don't get it, she thought, where is he?
"Looking for me?" Whirling to the voice, she saw Naraku's body slowly take shape as an apparition.
She gaped as he lazily stepped to her bed. Kicking wildly, she fumbled to move closer to her nightstand. Panicking, she struggled to find purchase as the spider demon moved closer. Kagome clutched the sheets as he continued to approach.
Where are you? She thought, briskly thinking of the silver haired Inu youkai. Please hurry!
The black haired demon chuckled, claws lengthening as he hovered within feet of her. His knee came up to press into the mattress, the material dipping under his weight, and he gleamed sadistically.
"Call my name, human." He chuckled, ghostly hands beckoning her to come to him. "Call my name and give me life again. Then shall I show you true pleasure."
Kagome scrambled, her back hitting the headboard, and she raised her arm to cover her heaving chest. Behind him, she watched as the silver haired demon manifested. His body slowly coming into appearance. The spider, almost sensing him, began to turn, ruby eyes fixating at what was distracting her.
"Wait-" she screamed, hand flailing out to him.
He expectantly returned focus to her, and she shakily waved him to her. His resulting sneer as he crawled to her was unsettling, but playing the ever damsel, Kagome tried to hide her fear and panic. Her blue orbs glistened as she watched Sesshomaru take form.
The spider loomed and her nostrils were inflated with the scent of flowers again. Her arms dropped to her side and she slid discreetly to the side of her bed closest to her nightstand as she lowered herself to be under his looming figure.
Chills ran down her spine and she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm just so nervous." She murmured, flickering her gaze to his overwhelming physique.
He chuckled, her hair spreading beneath her as she dipped further to be away from him.
"As would be expected." He answered, focusing solely on her.
Taking a moment to judge how far the Inu youkai was, she shifted her arm up slightly and turned her head to the side as if to present herself solely to him.
"Your promise, dear." He cooed, fangs dripping in saliva. She shuttered and turned her head away.
"Yes, my promise-" she whispered before grabbing the Holy water and flicking it upwards with a splash.
The scream spilled outward and steam sizzled into lines as he jolted back. His claws came protectively to his face and she swung again, spraying the spider demon with the Holy Water. Sesshomaru sprung, having laid in wait for the opportune moment, and his ghostly presence swallowed the spider demon. Both fell into a heap on the floor, wrestling each other violently.
The demons hissed and snarled, and Kagome struggled to sit upright. She watched dazed as the two men barbarically fought on the floor, Sesshomaru pinning the spider down with a rumbling growl as his claws tore into the demon's throat.
"Kagome, now!" He barked.
The sound had her fumbling to get up. Dragging the bag of salt, she began a thick line and curved it around the two. Near completion, she knelt down, heavy bag slumping in her arms.
"Sesshomaru, get out of there now!"
His name sprung from her lips, and he froze for a moment. The air stilled and the fighting stopped instantly. Panting, she screamed it again.
"Sesshomaru, move!"
His body began shaking and fumes seeped from the layers of his kimono and hakamas. His armor clatttered together as he jolted, and the fur on his pelt shot straight up as if electrocuted. The demon beneath him squirmed suddenly, racing to the last opening within the circle.
Grunting, she flung the salt and completed the circle. He hissed, sharp nails scratching at the invisible barrier.
Hesitantly, Kagome stood, dropping the bag at her feet and she scrambled away. Her back pressed into the harsh wood of her desk and she felt hot tears prick at the edges of her vision. The dog demon writhed, collapsing against the wood of the floor and the spider demon turned to face his opponent with a hiss.
"Kagome," Sesshomaru called as his lips peeled back into a snarl.
His nose cracked and his jaw unhinged as his fangs grew monstrously. His tongue drooped past his growing canines and his markings became jagged as steam floated from his form.
His voice came out in growls and snarls, but his human words were hardly muddled. "Finish with your banishing prayer."
Scrambling, she grabbed the book and jumped to the dog eared page. Looking at the highlighted text, she began to scream a prayer. Having studied the passage, the words tumbled from her chapped lips and she choked down a sob as the Inu youkai seized on the floor. The spider began shaking as well, his limbs jerking as his apparition form weakened.
Chanting louder, Kagome sobbed as the air grew thick and almost acidic. She continued reading the prayer as her body quaked. The spider hissed again, nails raking against the invisible barrier again as Sesshomaru's skin began peeling.
"No! No! This isn't over yet, you bitch!" The spider demon roared as his ghostly shape became translucent.
His legs disappeared, and a wave of relief flooded her as it continued up his torso and arms. He collapsed, shrieking as his body turned to mist and disappeared with a final pop.
Sesshomaru though twisted, grunts and piercing snarls escaping his inhuman jaws. His body became thicker, convulsing as the peeling of his skin became layers. Kagome watched in morbid fascination as his clothes became colored and solid. She could finally hear over the thumping of her heart the rustling of his pelt on the wood floor and the scraping of his metal armor at his nails as he clutched his chest.
His back arched and she sunk to the floor as his flesh became raw and pink before turning into a pale shade. His markings took shape over his exposed wrists, magenta- a stark contrast to his flesh. His hair was suddenly shining in the moonlight and his fangs snapping as he shifted again. Writhing, he clutched onto his armor and his swords clinked as he rolled over.
The noises spilling from him simmered and his body no longer convulsed. Steam still curling from his clothes and Kagome crawled on all fours to sit beside the circle.
"Sesshomaru?" Kagome whispered, tears staining her puffy cheeks. "Sesshomaru, please answer me."
The demon answered, his nails scraping deep rivets into the floor as he readjusted himself. She flinched, but did not move further. His head turned to her and she gasped at the brilliance of his golden gaze. His face remained stoic for a pregnant pause, before his iconic fangs peaked from his lips.
"Open the circle." He demanded, voice dripping in pure masculinity.
Kagome's mouth drew dry and she numbly whipped a glob of salt away from the rest, effectively opening the circle. He rolled onto his side, regally flipping his hair out of his line of sight, and she inhaled sharply. He stood abruptly and she tilted her head far back to stare up at him.
His left arm drew up, sleeve slipping down to curl around his elbow. The magenta markings curved around his wrist and his cheekbones. His forehead was adorned with a crescent moon painted in a blue. Kagome watched in wonderment as he inspected his claws, turning his hand over slowly as if mesmerized by his own skin.
"500 years." He drawled, flicking his nails expertly. His golden attention returned to her. "500 years of entrapment and yet here a mere mortal woman has released me."
Kagome blushed, unashamed and unaware of the provocative picture she drew while heaving on the ground. Parting her pink lips, she licked them and edged herself up into a seated position to better study the demon lord.
"Now what?" She questioned, nerves rioting along her skull as his fingers coiled to flick a long lock behind him.
"Now we talk freely." He stepped forward, boot crushing the salt beneath him as he leaned over her prone body. "You may have banished him from this plane for now, but tell me, what prayer did you speak?"
Kagome gulped and dragged the spell book to her before hoisting it up to his expectant hand.
"Hm." The nonchalant noise caught her off guard and waves of heat poured from him as he dropped the book to the floor. "You used a Catholic prayer instead of our native tongue. Why?"
Frowning, she crossed her arms over her chest. "There aren't many books on Shinto practices, if that is what you mean."
The demon hummed over her, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. His gaze narrowed. "Are you not a descendant of a shrine?"
Huffing, she scuffed, shaking her head. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean Grandpa taught me much. He wanted me to attend school first before taking over the shrine."
The demon clicked his tongue against his dangerous teeth and she allowed his claws to drag her chin back upwards. Her frown dissipated as he guided her to sit taller. His face was taunt and practically sneering.
"More stipulations to deal with, but that will be at a later time." His eyes oozed heat as his fingers coiled tightly around her chin allowing no room for escape. "For now we have more pressing issues to attend to."
"What pressing issues-" she was interrupted by his hand jerking her up as he leaned down to press his mouth to hers.
She moaned as his mouth enclosed over her lips and his fangs carefully traced over the imperfection of her chapped tissue. His knee crashed beside her thigh, his hakamas brushing harshly on her sensitive skin. He trapped her with his other bent leg coming to block her right side. His chest pressed the underside of her throat as he pulled back enough to snort as her head lulled backwards.
He gave her no time to adjust as his hand enclosed around her left bicep and his knee bumped her ribs. She tilted further back, thighs screaming in protest at the stretch, and she attempted to grasp the cool metal encompassing his torso. His pelt dropped over his shoulder with his harsh shrug and he bumped her flat on her back to lay on it. Sesshomaru's knee slid as he came forward to loom over her petite figure.
"I owe you for restoring life to this one." He drawled, words curling something deep in her abdomen. His hand fell next to her head as he released her chin.
Sesshomaru's silver strands fell like a curtain over her and the silky texture caressed her bare skin and his claw traced a path down her throat to her clavicle. She inhaled as it skimmed over the top of her breasts. Her gasp penetrated the stifling air as he shredded her black camisole. Her hands reflectively came up to cover her exposed mounds, but his abrupt snarl had her freezing, arms dangling midair.
Blood pounding in her veins, Kagome whined in her throat as his other knee fell to the ground. Single handedly, he unclamped his chest plate and shoulder covering. Setting the heavy metal to the side, he snorted at her dazed expression.
"Silly woman," he cooed, tongue running over his teeth slowly as his narrow eyes circled over her breasts.
His hand slowly draped around the column of her throat, his other hand laying flat against her upper chest above her breasts. He hovered overhead and inhaled deeply. Her heart pounded violently in her ribcage as he framed her legs with his own.
"I have told you. I am a demon lord and uphold my honor." Sesshomaru's tone was laced in pride as he tilted his head inquisitively at her. "Give this one the honor of further upholding his debt to you."
Kagome blanched, mind not entirely comprehending the request, as her body became warm. Heat spreading through her limbs in waves as her core flexed unexpectedly.
"Kagome," he refocused her and she blushed prettily. "Give this one permission."
"Permission?" She asked, arms dipping close to her sides and hands openly curling around his strong forearms. "Permission for what?"
He snorted, and in a tenderness, his hand smoothed the column of her throat. Gently, he let go of her throat and planted it beside her head. Drawing in, he inhaled again, eyes drifting closed as he relished her scent.
Kagome inhaled simultaneously, realizing how masculine and strong his own fragrance was. Blushing at being caught sniffing the demon lord, she covered her breasts from the night chill.
"I will not ask again, woman. Give me permission." He snapped, lightly brushing his lips over her nose while trailing his free hand over her shoulders.
"Oh." Kagome murmured, distracted as his touch sent shivers down her spine. Fully comprehending his demand, Kagome chewed her lip.
Anxiety crept up in her and she frowned trying to adjust her thoughts. When she made eye contact with the golden eyed demon, she felt a mysterious weight lift from her suddenly. Relief swam in her as he waited for her answer, boredly but patiently nonetheless.
In the moment, she muttered, "yes, please."
He was on in her seconds.
His mouth was hot and searching as he kissed her thoroughly. Even in her dreamlike state, the other demon could not compare with how intense the Inu youkai was. His mouth devoured her and she moaned at the contact of his weight gently laying over her. She tentatively ran her tongue over his fangs and he growled in his throat, the sound vibrating in her chest.
Heat pooled between her legs and she clenched them shut to ease the tension while he trailed his warm, large hands over her arms. Kagome brought her lean arms to press into the folds of his kimono, her skin blazing their own trails over his toned chest. He pressed further into her as her fingernails scraped over his nipples.
She gasped, feeling the thickness and length of his manhood press into her thigh. He took advantage of her distraction to drag his teeth over her jawline. Saliva left cool trails down her throat as he worked his way done to her collarbone where he attached his lips to suck on her skin.
Kagome moaned, hands fisting on his shoulders as he sunk further down. His hot mouth left different shades of bruises on her unmarred skin and he scratched softly at the tender flesh of her ribs, ghosting over her breasts. She groaned, tugging on him to try to direct him to her breasts, but he skipped over them, barely skimming his nose between the valley of her pert breasts.
She arched, attempting to draw his hot mouth closer, but he dipped down. His claws shredded her shorts and she shrieked embarrassed.
"Sesshomaru!" She reprimanded, jolting onto her elbows to stare down at the illustrious demon.
He chuckled, his warm breath spanning her abdomen as he continued on his path. He raked his hands down her sides, creating waves of goosebumps in their wake as his mouth hovered over her panty line. His index finger traced the lacy material before completely ripping them off.
She snarled, "That was my favorite pair!"
He ignored her protest and closed his eyes, savoring the scent of her mound and her knees knocked together in an embarrassed attempt at covering her exposed flesh. He shifted, pulling her legs apart and resting his chest between them to hold her open. He dropped his elegant nose to her dark curls, and he inhaled again.
"Sesshomaru," the raven pleaded, unable to hide her features from him.
Sesshomaru paid no mind to her, and let his tongue dart from his jaws to teasingly lap at her labia. She flinched, lightening igniting a heat within her. She shook as the wet appendage repeated the motion slowly, but firmly. She let herself fall onto her back again as he swirled his tongue around her sensitive nub.
"You were saying?" He called, dragging his tongue up and down in nonchalant motions.
He drew various characters into her flesh and she squirmed under his expert tongue. She felt hot and embarrassed as mews darted past her lips. Her hips bucked as he pressed firmly with his flattened tongue, pressing her pelvis flush to his mouth.
Kagome, whimpering and practically thrashing beneath him, threaded her fingers into the silky mass of his silver hair and gently guided his face closer to her sex. He seemed to eagerly taste her. Her pelvic floor clenched tightly, winding into a tight knot as he continued fanning his hot breath over her and lapping at her juices. She bucked in an attempt to keep him in place, but the demon shifted.
He adjusted himself on his arms and she released an exasperated gasp. Huffing, she flung him a narrowed glance. He paid no heed and crawled up the length of her body and settled above her. He dropped his weight on her and she gasped in surprise, her fingers still wound in his hair.
"You should know one thing," he muttered, burying his nose in her neck to inhale sharply.
She hummed, distracted by the hardness of his member over her abdomen. Her hands fisted into the material of his attire as she reattempted to focus on his mouth. Kagome murmured under her breath a soft sigh, as he divested himself slowly of his obi. The rustling of the fabric brought her attention back to his half lidded eyes.
"What should I know?" Kagome muttered.
His golden eyes flashed and she was stunned at how brilliant they were. "I have no plans on sharing you when he comes back to this plane."
Kagome froze, confusion swimming in her head. Shaking her head, she shifted her chin away from him to try to better view his whole face.
"What are you talking about?"
Sesshomaru inhaled sharply, tongue flicking out to sweep over his teeth. "As part of the curse, only a Shinto banishing prayer may be used. You effectively banished him only for a time."
Kagome sat up on her elbows, scooting back to better fume at him. "What?"
The demon above her shifted upwards into a seated position, thighs spanning over the expanse of her legs. Kagome's face paled.
"Naraku will live again on next Hallow's Eve and every Hallow's Eve here forth."
