Chapter Seven: Unresolved Sexual Tension

Evening was gathering itself in strengthening shadows as Shippou and Rin discussed strategy, deciding which potions to drink and what tactics to employ should the artifact be guarded by enemies. Sesshoumaru offered council when asked, but otherwise allowed the children to formulate a plan themselves, weighing options and outcomes with potential risks. He was fascinated to find this diversion had contained valuable training opportunities, as well as revealed new facts about the miko that required further investigation. Possibly through prolonged contact alone.

Kagome watched the sinking sun, biting her lip in indecision. The duo speaking from either side of the daiyoukai were obviously vested in continuing the adventure – neither had mentioned the hour. The next planned encounter was a long one though, and she knew Inu-Yasha would come searching for them before it got dark, despite his sore feelings. Sesshoumaru had been resoundingly astute in his guess – she had leapt through the well after a few bites of cake and a flurry of opened cards, eager to spend the day indoctrinating Inu-Yasha into D&D. Surely, he would try it for her birthday.

But he had refused, they had fought, she had 'oswari'ed, and then vowed he wouldn't ruin what remained of the beginning of her seventeenth year.

"I hate to say this," Kagome began. "But I think we might have to call it here."

A pair of round faces spun to her, crestfallen.

"Just for now," she rushed. "It'll take you a long time to reach the circle of stones anyway. Longer than we have light left."

"Not if I transform," Sesshoumaru saw the pups' despondent expressions just as clearly. "They could ride atop me, and we would be there in a fraction of the time."

"You can't do that," Kagome insisted. "Being an inuyoukai is already a stretch of the rules. I've let you use your strength and heightened senses – you'd be horribly OP if I allowed you to become a towering canine too."

"OP?"

"Overpowered," she clarified. "If a character is endowed with too much, it breaks the system, removing any sense of urgency or peril. You could basically walk around as a god, smiting whoever you felt like, taking whatever you wanted, not caring about the ramifications because you could easily repel anything thrown your way."

Sesshoumaru's perplexity eased, and a corner of his mouth turned up. "Are you calling me a god, miko?"

"What?! No! I just meant—."

"I am playing myself in this tale," he reasoned. "You have just revealed if you grant me full use of my abilities I will be 'overpowered' – enough to rend the very fabric of your pretend world apart. Since I have no narrating keeper in real life hampering me…," Sesshoumaru trailed off.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "In real life, there are always greater threats, always escalating battles where opponents find new ways to pull strings and exact revenge."

"And gods do not go around punitively attacking and abducting all in their path," he pointed out.

"You are NOT a god."

"So you claim now."

Shippou and Rin's attention darted back and forth between the adults as their exchange became a match.

"Look Sesshoumaru," Kagome tried again. "This has been a very pleasant surprise. Let's not jinx it, okay? We should end here, on a high note."

"Whose sake do you say that for? The pups want to continue."

"Inu-Yasha will come looking for us soon."

A soft growl rose up. "I would not see this end because of him. Gods do not bow to the whims of ill-bred hanyou who hit little ones and berate women they supposedly harbor affection for."

Kagome swept a hand through her hair, closing her eyes to gather patience. "Just because you have different forms doesn't mean you're a god," she repeated.

It wasn't lost on Sesshoumaru she hadn't refuted his allusion to Inu-Yasha's poor behavior, and decided he would have some choice words with the contemptible wretch about how he treated those under his protection. If such a message needed to be conveyed from the end of a blade, or after an arm impaled his chest, so be it.

Kagome's annoyance endured, and Sesshoumaru studied her discreetly, amused at how oblivious she was to his baits at play. "Do not forget," he drawled, wondering how far he could jest before dawning filtered in. "I can also resurrect the dead, call forth razored light whips, use corrosive poison, fly, heal quickly, detect enemies from a vast distance, live for thousands of—."

"Okay," Kagome palmed the air. "I get it."

"And all this with only one arm," he smirked. "Imagine how elevated my divinity would be with two?"

She groaned. "Have you always been this insufferable?"

Sesshoumaru lifted his nose high. "I believe the descriptor you seek is impressive."

"Ugh. You're impossible."

"The price one pays for perfection."

Kagome appraised him, finally hearing the playfulness in his tone. "You're teasing, aren't you?"

"Quite," Sesshoumaru replied. "Another quality you did not think I 'had in me'," he leaned forward. "Come. Let us continue awhile longer. I will detect Inu-Yasha's presence long before he senses mine," golden eyes glinted in challenge. "In this world, there is no human female neutering my power. I am free to transform into a 'towering canine' and swiftly whisk Rin and I away without discovery or repercussions."

"Pfft," Kagome blew her bangs. "You wish you were that lucky, mister. I bet any woman, human or not, would set you straight real quick."

His lip twitched. "Is that an offer?"

"NO."

"Are you sure?"

"Please, Kagome," Shippou interjected, pulling his hands into a begging clench. "Just a bit more?"

Rin followed suit, bringing her best doe-eyes to bear. "We're having so much fun Kagome-sama. Please don't make us end here. I will treasure this day always, but never forget the sorrow of stopping early," she implored.

Kagome gaped as the girl's gaze began to glisten, and looked to Sesshoumaru for aid.

"I told you," he said. "She does not make many requests, but when so inclined, they are insidious."

The woman's look went dry. "Takes after someone else I know."

"As I've stated, you know little about me, miko."

Shippou glanced to the daiyoukai. "She'll learn pretty fast Sesshoumaru-sama. There isn't a person alive who Kagome can't work out."

"I will endeavor to end her streak then."

They had only been able to play for another half-hour before Sesshoumaru had stiffened mid-sentence and gotten to his feet. Rin's face crumpled and genuine tears welled, knowing they would have to leave for real this time.

Smoothing the creases in his hakama and sweeping wayward hair from his kimono, Sesshoumaru peered down at his ward. "What do we say, Rin?"

The girl dutifully stood and bowed low, wiping as wetness trailed and dripped from her cheeks. "Thank you Kagome-sama."

"You're welcome," Kagome gave a small smile. "But it's Shippou and I who are grateful," her smile strengthened as she looked up at the daiyoukai. "To both of you.

Sesshoumaru crossed the space to her rock, dropping back to a knee. "You may bid farewell to the kitsune, Rin" he said over his shoulder. "But no gifts."

Moving limbs and rustling cloth sounded as the girl bequeathed a hug, and the demon lord sighed as Shippou gasped.

"What did I just say?" He whispered to Kagome.

The woman grinned again. "It doesn't get easier," she whispered back. "Just so you know."

Sesshoumaru offered a glum nod. "That is unfortunate."

"Thank you for participating by the way," Kagome murmured, staying quiet for a semblance of privacy. "I know it meant a lot to Rin."

"It was not as much of an imposition as I thought it'd be," he confessed.

Joy stretched her face, and he searched it, hunting for something. "And you? Did my involvement please you as well?"

Kagome lowered her head as a blush bloomed. "I-It did. You helped make my birthday special."

Clawed fingers took her chin, drawing her gaze back to his. "I'm glad."

The touch was warm and gentle, and Kagome's blush blazed. "W-We should do this again sometime," she managed, marveling she was still able to talk. His face – close once more – was unfortunately not stupid at all.

Sesshoumaru stroked her chin idly, letting his claws linger. "I would be willing," he declared, dropping his voice. "But perhaps we could attempt a session without the children? I am curious to see how far your roleplaying skills go."

Kagome's stomach flipflopped. Was the earth about to open up, swallowing her down into its maw? "Urk—."

He craned close until their bangs entangled. "You might rethink your views on my status as a god as well."

Kagome was sure she'd just been thrown into Pernith's fantasy world, because Sesshoumaru had definitely not just said what she thought he'd said. To her. In front of others. After one afternoon of niceties.

Gracing her with a slight smile, more replete than any she'd seen him give, he rose.

"Until then, Dungeon Master."

A/N: This is the end of the fic for now. Who knows, maybe I'll take it back up for SessKag Week next year. Thanks for reading and leaving a review!

Prompt: Unresolved Sexual Tension (Day 7: Trope Generator)

Date: Originally posted 7/26/20 on Dokuga

Words: 1,500