Prompt: a kiss on the space between shoulder blades.
"What does it do?"
Kagome blinked and looked up. "Hm?"
"Your sword. What does it do?"
"Oh!" sliding a hand to the purple hilt of her shiny new blade, Kagome patted it. "You'll see once we come across an attacking youkai."
Sesshoumaru arched a brow, "you fear testing it against this one? I provided the fang for it."
Worry fanned into the miko's scent, and she glanced away a little awkwardly. "It's not that I think you couldn't handle it," she mumbled. "It's just that it reacts defensively instead of launching a long-ranged attack like Tetusaiga, and it packed quite a punch the last time I used it. I don't even have a name for the thing yet. Let's just wait until I've had more practice with a sword before I go blindly swinging it around."
This did not help to temper the Daiyoukai's curiosity, and he was half tempted to flush a random demon out from hiding in the bushes to frighten her into using it. Alas, he was not a pup. He could behave, for now.
When the weather started to take a turn for the worst during their journey on foot, Sesshoumaru decided to scoop up the miko and fly them the rest of the way towards his domain, enclosed in a white orb of youki to keep the rain out- though they'd already been soaked through. Kagome squirmed and complained, saying it defeated the purpose of travelling to help the needy if she was being flown around. He dismissed these concerns; it wasn't as though either enjoyed walking in heavy rain.
Soaring through grey skies, it took the remainder of the afternoon to reach the Western Stronghold. Unfortunately due to the white orb obstructing her vision, Kagome hadn't been able to witness its outside structure. Sesshoumaru set her down on a grandiose balcony, his powers sliding away. They ducked into the adjoining bedroom, and Kagome's breath hitched upon glimpsing an outside view of the courtyard. From what she could see, it spread vast and wide, perfect for a military force. The compound buildings looked sleek and white, as though carved from marble stone. Cold, but beautiful.
"Did you...grow up here?"
"Hn," he removed his damp armour, setting it down and proceeding to twist the fall of his hair over one shoulder, water droplets pattering to the floor.
Kagome felt that the place aligned quite a bit with his character and values, but she found it interesting that he never seemed to visit it often.
"I will find a servant to attend us," he turned on his heel, stilling when Kagome casually set both hands on his waist. She planted a warm kiss against the damp material of his silks between his shoulder blades, resting her forehead there for a moment. Sesshoumaru stiffened, heat touching his cheeks.
The miko hugged him from behind, before drawing away. "Sure, I'll wait here," she said easily, opening a cupboard to help herself to a towel, rubbing at curling dark hair.
He shook himself and continued onwards, warmth curling in the depths of his chest. She gave affection so easily, it had felt a little strange to experience it in his Stronghold. Strange, but not unpleasant.
After being left alone, Kagome leaned her shoulder against the sliding door to his balcony, watching the rain start to die down. She was the one who had insisted on being introduced in his home, rather than be kept a secret- but that didn't mean her stomach was free from butterflies. She somewhat dreaded facing the occupants of his home, no doubt sharp-tongued demons who may openly ridicule her or Sesshoumaru's choice of woman.
Sesshoumaru isn't the type to let people insult him though, she mused distractedly. I hope this goes relatively smoothly.
No sooner than that mildly hopeful thought had crossed her mind- a creature lunged at her from outside- and blinding power erupted.
Sesshoumaru froze from where he stood in the hallway talking to Jaken, the hair raising at the back of his neck. Sensing a youkai swiftly fly at the mansion, he turned and quickly sped through the halls. His form blurred, a white streak flying by servants and nobles. Slamming the door to his chambers open, he was just in time to witness his balcony and outer wall get demolished.
It was a curious thing. As Kagome had said, the blade only reacted when the brown inuyoukai had drawn in close. At the point of contact with Kagome's drawn sword, several tiny explosions of pure pink reiki burst forth- before abruptly becoming massive and swallowing the youkai's attacking paw whole. The inuyoukai howled in pain, ripping its arm free and destroying his room in its haste to put distance between them.
Kagome panted, gripping her sword tight. Her arms and legs shook.
Golden eyes remained wide, darkening slightly. He ran his tongue over the roof of his mouth, claws twitching, heat hooking low in his stomach. It had resembled Bakusaiga, he realised belatedly. Raw consuming energy had sought to crush its enemy with an explosive force. Magnificent.
Drawing up close to her side, Sesshoumaru reached out and placed a gentle hand on the pulsing blade. It did not react, as he did not intend harm. Instead it settled down, quelled by the familiar brush of his youki. Kagome released a hard breath, lowering her sword and shifting closer against him, eyeing the youkai hovering mid-air with horror and wariness.
Melodic, tinkling laughter reached their ears. A demoness smoothly swept down from the upper floors, landing on the brown inuyoukai's head and fanning herself.
"My, my~ it seems your little miko certainly is powerful, Sesshoumaru," she purred, adjusting her furs. Sharp golden eyes smiled.
Kagome gaped, looking between the two. The resemblance was uncanny. "I-is she...?"
"Hn, my mother," Sesshoumaru confirmed dryly. How very like her. The brown youkai licked at its wounded paw while his mother inspected them with a haughtiness befitting her station. She never got her hands dirty; that was what servants were for.
"A pleasure to meet you," Inukimi fanned herself. "Though I anticipated your trysts with my son coming to an end- I find this outcome of your apparent courtship much more amusing," ruby red lips curved up at the edges. "Welcome to the Western Stronghold, Shikon Miko."