Warning: mild gore. Starts at the werewolf transformation if you want to skip it.
Chapter Three
The return trip consisted of Kagome singing in time with the cassette tape's music. She wasn't bad, but it wasn't as though she was a trained professional- often singing off-key. Sesshoumaru groaned and rested his cheek against his knuckles, driving one-handed.
When they finally arrived back home the sun had long since disappeared beneath the horizon, so Kagome endeavoured to make jam that morning, rising early. So early that Sesshoumaru found himself groping around in bed for her, only to snatch his hand back. Pathetic. Do not get used to her presence.
Padding downstairs tiredly and scratching his stomach beneath his shirt, he blinked blearily as Kagome flitted about the kitchen. She seemed intent and focused on jam making, so he did not disturb her.
Changing clothes for the day and deciding to patrol the area, Sesshoumaru set out alone. Walking along mountain trails through thin trees and noting a layer of frost lacing the leaves and forest floor, his eyes narrowed a touch.
A fusty scent looped around in a faint trail. It smelled similar to Kagome, and he almost dismissed it as her...yet somehow it just didn't align correctly. He'd been up close and personal with her scent for many nights now. Hers was sweeter.
Frowning softly, he followed the scent as far as it could go- stopping at the edge of a river far from his cabin. Since the area wasn't soaked in the stranger's presence, he could only assume they'd passed through and gone about their business.
They must have continued on via the river to mask their scent. A smart stranger, whoever they were. The thought did not comfort him.
Deciding to pivot on one heel and start heading home, Sesshoumaru scented frosty air. He comforted himself with the knowledge that their scent was stale. If they were a male as suspected, they hadn't marked any territory.
The sweet, pungent odour of blackberry jam reached him, and he smiled slightly, soon distracted. Reaching the front door and opening it, he expected to find her merrily preparing food in the kitchen, a regular occurrence these days. Stepping foot into the living room, something hard split and crumbled beneath his boot.
Sesshoumaru stopped and lifted his foot. The scattered, shattered remains of pottery and earth littered the floor. Kagome's bonsai lay on its side, ruined. His heart clenched, throat seized with something unnamed. Hurrying through the cabin, he noted a trail of destruction around him; bookshelf knocked over and chair tossed to one side, claw marks scraped across the walls, curtains tattered.
"Kagome?" her name slipped from his lips in a thin hiss.
Moving to the kitchen and seeing an abandoned plate of half-eaten jam on bread, he stiffened upon hearing glass shatter to his left. Speeding over to the partially open door of his food cellar, he yanked it open- revealing her crouching form. She was bent over and facing away from him, so he could not see her face. Judging from the guttural, gnashing noises, he could only conclude her to be eating from the floor.
Glancing around at the spilt contents of dried meat he'd been storing, Sesshoumaru's brows drew together.
She'd been holding it in. After several days of denying her want for meat, something had to give. Now she uncontrollably gorged herself on it.
"Kagome," he said again, kinder.
She jolted, back stiffening. Slowly, she wiped at her chin, turning to face him with tearful eyes. Her claws were out, face a mess, hair slightly wild. A piece of meat was held within her fangs, and she swallowed it guiltily.
"I couldn't… h-help myself," she croaked, looking dazedly at the ruined food scattered around her. "I'm so-"
"Do not," Sesshoumaru uttered, causing her to wilt on the spot. He tsked and took a knee, wiping away some dried blood clinging to the corner of her mouth. "Do not… apologise, foolish woman."
Kagome shuddered, inching closer and leaning against his warmth. Sesshoumaru rested a palm on the small of her back, rubbing slightly when she began to let out stifled sobs against his chest, shuddering.
He held her while Kagome cried her heart out, mourning her own condition and the silent acknowledgement that she was not normal. That she could never return to being normal. It would always be a pretence.
Carrying the shaking woman to his bed since she'd tired herself out from crying so much, Sesshoumaru tucked the covers up to her chin. He then got to work.
Cleaning up the house was a simple task. The menial labour took his mind off glimmering blue eyes and the deep well of grief she was currently wallowing in. He doubted she'd allowed herself to mourn Hojo, instead punishing herself over and over in a continuous cycle. He understood, perhaps better than anyone.
After disposing of the ruined meat, tidying up his living room, kitchen, and rearranging furniture to cover claw marks- along with replacing his curtains and then scrubbing all surfaces clean, Sesshoumaru didn't stop there.
By the time Kagome wandered downstairs after a few hours, creeping through the shadowed house gingerly, he'd set up everything perfectly.
She stopped and stared, breath catching in her throat.
A decent sized tub of water sat within the living room before a flickering fireplace. Steam licked at the surface of white bubbles. Shampoo, soap and conditioner along sat to one side.
Kagome slid wide, disbelieving eyes to Sesshoumaru, who leaned against the wall. Pushing off from it, he tossed a fluffy towel in her direction, which she caught. "S-sesshoumaru, what- why did you…"
"The water is turning cold, do not put my efforts to waste by having a lukewarm bath," he grunted.
She bit her plump bottom lip, before abruptly lurching closer. He started as she crossed the room in long strides, rising up on tiptoe and cupping his cheek. Soft lips pressed to a magenta stripe, and his entire being flared alive.
Kagome rocked back on her heels and beamed up at him with palpable emotion. Despite the strength of that smile, her voice came out soft. "You're the best."
Golden eyes searched her face. "Hn," he shifted with the intent to leave.
"You can stay...if you want."
What?
Sesshoumaru paused, not able to mask his surprise as he glanced at her, witnessing rouge dust pale cheeks. "N-not like that! Just...stay and talk to me f-from a safe distance, no perving," she muttered, turning on her heel and starting to wriggle her sweater above her head.
The sight of an arched, bare back had him swiftly facing away. Sesshoumaru closed burning eyes and counted to ten, trying to ignore the sounds of articles of clothing slipping off her body to pool at her feet. Hearing her approach the bath and make a noise- indicating her testing the temperature- the sound of lapping water came next before she let out a long, exquisite moan.
Sesshoumaru gnashed his teeth together, hard. This had not been a seduction attempt. He'd merely been trying to make her feel better. How had things turned out like this?
"You can turn around. I think the bubbles are covering enough," she mumbled.
Opening his eyes to glare hard at the wall, he cleared his throat and hummed, sitting before the fire and sparing her a glance. Long legs had draped over the side, one hooked over the other. They were sleek, mouth-watering- a faint sheen of water gliding down her knees that beaded into droplets. By the Gods, he ached to chase those water droplets with his tongue.
He shook himself, abdomen tightening.
"Hojo was my boyfriend," Kagome quietly confessed into the hushed room.
He gave a noise of affirmation to show he was listening, dragging dazed attention back to the flickering flames.
"I got bitten when I went hiking with my friends. It happened when we camped for the night near a forest. After hearing a noise, I left my tent while everyone else was sleeping...and this thing jumped on me. It was massive and had a stocky, bulky build- not like me when I change- so maybe there are different werewolf forms. I get the feeling it was a male, all grey fur and attitude. It bit into my shoulder but didn't get to do anything more as my friends attacked it and scared it off," she sighed. "I went to the hospital and they figured it was a wolf bite. Hojo was really sweet and supportive throughout. He visited me at home and gave me a bunch of herbal remedies to help with the wound. It...healed so quickly. Then the meat cravings started. I caught myself salivating just smelling the stupid stuff. In fact, my senses steadily grew so focused and sharp the slightest noise would irritate me it was so loud. I yelled at Souta to turn down the volume of his video game even when it was on the lowest setting."
Kagome tilted her head back against the tub, "when the full moon rolled around...I knew something was wrong. I knew, yet I'd been avoiding Hojo so much because of my changes that I felt bad when he showed up for a date I'd cancelled. So I let him take me out to the movies that evening- some crappy horror movie," her breathing hitched and she smoothed a hand through dark locks. "We were the only two in there. I remember screaming in agony as I changed but no one came to help us. The staff must have left us unattended. I- oh Sesshoumaru I...I…"
"You do not have to keep going," his voice was a calm, steady thing in the middle of the storm.
She let out a muffled noise, having pressed her hands to her face. She then sank beneath the surface of the water- rising after a moment and sighing. "Feels better to get it off my chest. You can imagine the rest."
"Hn," he slanted his attention back to her. "Does your family know that you are alive?"
Kagome nodded miserably, shifting and crossing both arms to rest upon the rim of the tub, cushioning her chin on them and gazing at him with dark blue eyes. "Phoned Mom after it happened. I was a mess and…told her it would be safer for everyone if I was away from them. Mostly though, I just feel awful for Hojo's poor parents. They should see their son's murderer get justice but instead I ran away like a coward."
"You did not want to kill him that night, and you could hardly stand up in court and transform," he snorted. "Forgive yourself, woman."
Kagome blew at her damp bangs and giggled softly. "You're using that commanding tone again. Not gonna happen this time, bud. You can't demand something like that. However I'll…try. One day I might be able to face his parents…"
Sesshoumaru didn't think that a wise decision, but decided not to try and dissuade her. Seeing them would be her choice.
Lounging back in the tub and beginning to lather her arms and collarbone with soap, she hummed. "Sesshoumaru, is it going to be this way forever? Will I always be afraid of losing control?"
He quickly looked away, heat hooking low in his stomach. "No. You will master your reactions."
Washing herself, dark brows furrowed, her voice gentling. "How do you know for sure? I mean you've mastered your reactions but you're still afraid."
"... I do not fear losing control."
"Yes you do, just not in the same way."
Golden eyes widened a fraction, and he turned to face the impudent woman- only to find her watching him. Kagome seemed to drop it, lips thinning. "Never mind. You...haven't heard of a werewolf curse being broken, right?"
"The only way to break it is to kill the beast."
Her wet arms wrapped loosely around herself, fingers brushing against her neck absentmindedly.
Sesshoumaru eyed the faint scar from his bite lingering upon that glistening skin. "If the possibility of a 'cure' was open-"
"I'd take it in a heartbeat," Kagome grit out. He frowned, shifting, wondering why that bothered him. Slowly elaborating, her words shook with barely suppressed feeling. "Then I wouldn't have to mind myself constantly. I wouldn't feel like this broken, twisted...thing instead of a person."
Sesshoumaru bristled and stood. The part of him that had viewed them as 'alike' sneered at this sentiment. "It is unwise to view yourself as broken merely because you cannot be 'normal.' You have changed, but are not damaged beyond repair."
"But I feel like I am!" she snapped, sitting up. "I'm a damn puzzle piece that doesn't fit on the board anymore! Walking among those people in the village just made it worse! Y-you mentioned before that I'm maintaining a glamour, well I can feel it now," gripping the tub hard, knuckles bled bone white. "All the time. It's like my body is constantly fighting to maintain this shape. Do you really want to see what I look like if I just let it slip? How ugly I really am now?"
"Yes, you fool!" he hissed, stooping down and getting right in her face- in perilous range of her jaws. Let her bite. "This one has seen monsters. Real monsters. I am one," Sesshoumaru searched her gaze. "Show me your worst, little mortal," regal tones dipped into a mocking lift as he tilted his chin up to regard her beneath pale lashes.
Kagome bristled and panted, breaths coming quicker and quicker, chest heaving. She gripped her hair and shuddered, keening and yowling in distress as her body quaked- before letting go with a shudder. Sesshoumaru wasn't sure how to describe it. It was like an invisible hand had smoothed down her skin like one would fur, creating a gliding effect and ripple. Black hair puffed up and became wilder in volume. Her body shuddered, bone-cracking sounds assaulting his hearing before Sesshoumaru felt a shove hit his abdomen, lurching his body away.
His back made heavy impact with the ground- the base of his skull smacking against wooden floors. His head throbbed, a guttural growl echoing through his ears along with the sound of bathwater thrashing before he focused on the figure poised above him. His shirt became soaked from water dripping down her body.
Knees bent and a misshapen hand lay flat upon his chest. The fingers were long, nails having elongated into claw-like talons.
Wet, pale skin had turned ashen grey due to a slight layer of fur upon her skin. Her ears were pointed and thin, no longer the fluffy triangles upon her head- they were sharp, partially hidden by the waves of damp, dark hair hanging down, obscuring her face. Two blue eyes stared at him unblinking through the strands, the whites of her sclera gone, having dyed a dark black.
Sesshoumaru lifted a palm up- only for his hand to be pinned down beside his head. Sharp claws bit into his flesh, a thunderous snarl wrecking her naked frame. He was not deterred though, and exposed perfect white teeth, bellowing out an answering snarl. He then reached with his free hand.
Kagome jerked and reared back, but he was quicker, pushing the strands aside.
Her nose had partially transformed into a flat muzzle, lips peeled back as high as they managed to expose a large jaw full of teeth, canines pronounced, fangs ready and glistening.
This was not the willowy, beautiful woman, nor the sleek, lustrous maned wolf. She was something in between. Malformed. A chimera of features.
Sesshoumaru looked up at her placidly in all his pale beauty, seeing the note of distrust lurking in her eyes, hearing it behind that simmering growl locked behind her teeth. The fear of rejection soured the air like pungent spilt milk that had festered for far too long. He despised it.
His eyes snapped wider then, dying crimson red. Surprise registered on her monstrous features. Nonetheless, she held still as he leaned up, silver hair rippling with a phantom breeze to whip around them. Pretty magenta markings became jagged and bold. Thin lips peeled back to expose sharp teeth, but they spread wider and wider- cutting across his face and straining his handsome features into a frightening, bestial smile.
The monster woman exhaled through large teeth in a quiet hiss, leaning closer.
His lashes fell partially shut as she glided her cheek against his, nuzzling and growling lowly. It vibrated from her body into his. Sesshoumaru answered with a rumbling purr, curling a loose grip into the soft, wild hair at the nape of her neck. Warm breaths intermingled, strong arms curling about a slim waist. His calloused hand dragged over cool wet skin, gliding up her spine.
Kagome's clawed fingers rested delicately against his cheek, and he leaned against her palm without fear, unflinching even as one nicked his skin. She made a noise, brushing her nose against his and running the flat of a slick tongue over the scratch, causing it to sweetly sting.
Sesshoumaru found himself panting, staring into dark, arresting eyes. Pale lashes lowered to her mouthful of sharp teeth, uncaring, leaning closer-
A distant howl caused them to freeze. They broke apart, snapping their gazes to his living room window. Kagome stiffened and clambered off him, snatching up a towel and yanking it haphazardly around herself, staring out at the dark woods.
"W-what…" she breathed. "What was that? There are no wild wolves in Japan…are there?"
Sesshoumaru collected himself, standing and smoothing out his features once more. Following and stopping directly behind the woman whose face and body had also reverted back to her regular one, he squinted.
"None that I have heard of," he uttered tightly.
"Could it...be?"
"There is no full moon tonight," Sesshoumaru quietly dismissed.
Kagome nodded, gazing out at the silent and still trees beyond the house. "Maybe it was just a fox or something."
He chuckled, the action sending puffs of air dancing across the nape of her neck and causing goosebumps to rise. "Foxes do not sound like that."
"Oh? And are you the expert on foxes, mister Dog man?-" Kagome had turned, voice suddenly losing strength when noticing his proximity. The memory of what had almost transpired moments before came to mind. Sesshoumaru stepped back slowly.
"This one will go and...check, to be certain. Enjoy the remainder of your bath," he muttered, stiffly moving away and grabbing a coat, tugging it on.
Kagome nodded, cheeks heating. Disappointment fanned into her scent. "Yeah, sure."
He swallowed and left her alone, padding out of the cabin into the cool, biting night air. Highly aware of her vulnerability while bathing, Sesshoumaru did not stray far, instead looping around the area in a loose circle, scenting the woods.
There was nothing but the elusive smell that had caught his attention earlier. Whatever it was, he silently demanded it leave them in peace.
They shared a bed every night without fail. The routine they fell into varied slightly depending on what Kagome wanted to do, but they more or less practised hunting every day, along with breathing exercises and glamour.
Both had become so wrapped up in this safe space of daily habit that the next full moon loomed upon them faster than expected.
"I'm not ready," Kagome had said firmly. "I know I'm not. Don't let me get loose, Sesshoumaru."
He'd considered her gravely, wanting to argue. Cooping up such a magnificent beast didn't sound right. However, after she'd expressed fears of hunting the villagers in her changed form he'd reluctantly agreed to her terms.
The evening of the full moon, Sesshoumaru tested metal secures bolted deep into a wall, tugging them. They didn't budge. When he tried to exert some force, he frowned, sensing the tenuous amount of pressure they could take. He could break free from these, but her? He wasn't certain.
"Do I want to know why you already have silver manacles set up in your basement?"
Sesshoumaru glanced at the woman lingering in his doorway. There was already something wilder about her eyes- hair slightly puffy in volume.
"I set them up after we agreed to this...living arrangement. Just in case you desired to be cuffed."
Kagome's expression flickered with shock, raising her brows and gaining a mischievous expression. "Oh really?"
"Not like that," thin lips tugged up into a smirk.
"No, no, continue," she teased. "Tell me all about it."
Giving a dusty chuckle, Sesshoumaru turned back to the shackles fixed to the wall, giving them another tug.
Kagome drew up close to his side and closed her hand around one, yanking. The metal protested, remaining in place.
"I hope they're enough," she murmured.
"They're not the only safety measure in place, you are forgetting about the most important one; myself."
Kagome giggled with mirth, lifting both hands and putting her wrists together. "I guess there's no point in putting it off. I might change soon. Tie me up," perfect lips curved, masterfully hiding her mounting terror.
Sesshoumaru could sense it though. Indulging her with an answering smile and grasping her arm gently, the cool metal was closed around her wrists, locking them.
He did the same for her ankles, lengthy chains on the cuffs taking into account her changed form so that she'd be able to stand comfortably. They were mostly for show though. The main power keeping her fixed to the wall were the bulkier silver chains that he crisscrossed over her chest- looping over one shoulder and hooking under her arm.
Kagome blinked up at him when he was done.
"How are you feeling?" he uttered.
"Kind of ridiculous, and hungry, and...scared," Kagome murmured, looking up at a small window near the ceiling that allowed moonlight to partially enter. She shuddered, starting to breathe heavier. "You should step back. I can feel it coming."
Sesshoumaru tilted her chin up, running a thumb over her jaw. "By all means feel ridiculous and hungry, woman, but do not be afraid," he stepped back, closing the door and bolting it shut. "This one will be here."
Blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Kagome nodded, before starting to groan and hiss with pain.
The process contorted her body- made her jolt, spasm and scream. Bones cracked and quivered, expanding- her skin rushing to accommodate them and sometimes failing- causing blood to be shed and flayed muscle exposed until fur started to race over flesh.
Sesshoumaru observed it all with wide eyes. The transformation was ghastly, horrific. Perhaps the worst part was his inability to do anything. He kept inching slightly closer and then away again, crooning softly and trying to soothe her through it. Her agonised sobs, whimpers and cries tore at him in new ways. Kagome looked helpless as she collapsed on the floor, gazing at him sightlessly with wide eyes- until she squeezed them shut and visibly stopped fighting it. Black silky fur then spilt forth like gushing water- cloaking her form until she lay unrecognisable. Pointed ears perked up atop her head, a fluffy long tail sweeping out.
The large maned werewolf shifted and picked herself up, long legs shaking. She stumbled slightly, raising a thick black neck and pinning him with a narrow-eyed glare. She growled, paws attempting to move- only to be held fast. Lowering her head and sniffing at the metal between her ankles, Kagome bit at it with pearly white teeth, her snarl rising in volume.
Sesshoumaru let out a rumbling noise, stepping closer. "Stop," he commanded. "You will remain here."
She jerked and opened large jaws wide, bellowing out a snarl of rage and baring her teeth. The wolf began to yank her body away from the wall with quick, hard tugs. Muscle, sinew and bone strained against metal.
Sesshoumaru got up in her face, appearance morphing and shifting so that his features became ghastly and partially transformed. Slamming his palms into the wall beside her head with a louder, deafening snarl, he allowed spittle to coat his bared fangs. Maintaining eye contact, the Daiyoukai silently bid that she back down.
This appeared to be the wrong decision.
Kagome immediately bristled, hackles rising. She lunged for him with the intent to bite, and when he deflected- a forehead smacked into his chest. Sesshoumaru grunted, moving back and blurring mid-air to escape from her jaws. By the time he touched down on the floor again- a screech of metal sounded out moments before the busted shackles hit the ground at his feet.
With the toss of her head- chains clenched between teeth were ripped free from the wall. Sesshoumaru grit his teeth as brick and dust burst forth. He flicked a wrist up- green energy whip sputtering to life. Lashing it towards her with every intent to bind and shackle her again, golden eyes widened as she bent low on her knees before bursting forth in a jump that sent her straight to the tiny window instead of heading for the basement door as he'd anticipated.
A hole was blown out of the side of his cabin, shaking the foundations. From within the debris, a monstrous black wolf lept free, bounding away and lifting her muzzle to the heavens; singing her freedom.
Sesshoumaru jumped out of his ruined basement through the sizable hole and blurred across frosted grass in hot pursuit.
Continuing to howl a haunting, drawling ballad, Kagome ran at full speed down the mountain path.
She's heading in the direction of the village!
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed and he forced youki to rise, cloaking power around him. The action felt nostalgic as he suddenly soared into the air, flying. He hadn't taken to the skies in so long…
Following the black streak darting down the dirt path, he sped quicker, passing her and dropping down before the wolf. Expelling acid from his claws and lashing them in a wide arch at the ground caused her to yelp and stop. The green substance before her paws ate into the grass, opening up a small gaping gash that hazardous fumes curled free from.
Sesshoumaru watched her through the acidic haze.
"Turn back," he forced out through clenched teeth.
She looped back and paced the length of the hissing, putrid earth, quietly seething. He could hear it in the simmering growl building at the back of her throat- the agitated shake of her neck, mane-like fur swaying.
'I will kill you if you get in my way', she said in her movements.
'You cannot defeat me', said his. Then, because she let out a thunderous sound of outrage, Sesshoumaru gentled his tense stance, tucking sharp claws against his palms. 'I do not wish to fight.'
She showed her teeth, letting thick saliva pool onto the ground as a mournful noise slipped free. 'Everyone fights me, no one wants what I am.'
His eyes gentled, 'that is not true.'
Black ears twitched, the creature pacing back and forth like a caged animal. 'What do you want?'
Sesshoumaru thought for a moment, pausing and straightening, looking to the trees. 'I want to run by your side.'
Jagged jaws spread higher on her face in a mockery of a smile, barking a high noise. 'Ha! Very funny. You'd chase me on those scrawny legs, Mr Dog Man?'
His gaze flattened. 'You'd be surprised.'
Kagome shook her herself, glossy fur catching the moonlight as she preened, mind and confidence unfiltered in this form. 'I won't accept a companion who can't keep up with me. I'm too powerful and wonderful to make myself smaller for any male,' she started to prowl towards the forest away from him.
"I would not demand that of you- stop!" Sesshoumaru suddenly exclaimed. The large wolf did not listen, her hand-like paw tripping a thin wire.
His body collided with hers seconds before a rope could close around her ankle- the tight noose skittering up to hang from the branches.
Rolling and scraping his back painfully along some rocks, Sesshoumaru landed with his shoulder blades hitting the ground- a solid mass of fur flopping atop him heavily a second later- causing him to wheeze like a bagpipe. He probably made a noise like one too.
The wolf huffed, shifting big paws and levelling her muzzle to look straight down at him. Sesshoumaru stared back without fear, despite sharp, strong jaws in range of his throat.
She shifted her attention to the branches, eyeing the rope.
A rabbit trap.
Her black nose twitched, regarding him again with solemn blue eyes.
Resting a hand in the puffy black fur of her neck and minding it aside slightly to see better, Sesshoumaru frowned at the trap. "I did not leave that there…"
She tensed with a sharp inhale, yanking herself up from atop him and standing, head lowering, ears flattening and tail pointing straight behind her. He watched her face transform into a mask of ferocity. If he thought she'd been growling loudly at him before, Sesshoumaru had been mistaken. Kagome let out a thunderclap of a deep, threatening sound, hair standing erect on her back, lips curling back and incisors on full display.
Sesshoumaru had no choice but to crane his neck back inelegantly, looking at the upside down forest.
A large tawny coloured creature padded out from the shadows.
Immediately the masculine scent gave it away, the wolf regarding them with cobalt blue eyes. His tongue lolled out, tail swishing in a slight wag.
Sesshoumaru attempted to sit up, protect her- but Kagome shoved her paw against his chest, raising her head and crouching slightly as though ready to pounce, snarling.
'Keep your distance!'
The male stopped and tilted his head, before starting to frolic around in his own personal space, placing the front of his body down in a bow and raising his rear high in a playful stance.
Sesshoumaru and Kagome shared a look.
'W-what is he doing?'
"That is not a werewolf," he grunted, shoving her paw aside and slipping out from beneath her to stand, dusting himself off. "That is a male wolf demon, and it appears he likes you."
Kagome kept up her silent snarling, fur bristling.
The wind picked up around them, twisting and twirling around the male in a mini cyclone. By the time it died down, leaves scattering, a dark-haired man stood in its place, grinning broadly.
"Heh...I knew you'd be somethin' special ever since I caught your scent a few days ago, but you're even more beautiful than I imagined," he said confidently, jabbing a thumb against his chest. "The name's Kouga. I'm Chief of a wolf demon tribe further east." It appeared he only had eyes for Kagome, not sparing Sesshoumaru a glance, which he grumbled slightly at. "Who are you, pretty eyes?" Kouga leered at the maned wolf.
Kagome remained tense and poised, silent now. 'That's not your business.'
He chuckled and scratched his nose, stepping closer- only to halt when Sesshoumaru raised a hand, nails shimmering with a faint green glow. "You, boy. Are you the one who set up that trap?"
Kouga raised bushy brows, adjusting his tank top and standing comfortably despite the chill in the air. "Yeah I am, what of it? Wanted to get her attention a little, is all."
Sesshoumaru wasn't sure what to take umbrage with first; the idea of a male hunting on his land or the possible hair-brained scheme that would've resulted in this dolt stringing up Kagome to get her attention.
She shook herself and trotted away before either of them could react, snubbing the wolf. 'Well you don't have it.'
Kouga jumped with surprising speed, blocking her path in an instant and spreading his arms wide. Sesshoumaru noticed the brown tail remaining untransformed on the male start to swish in an excited wag again.
"Don't be like that, you should feel honoured! I've decided that you're perfect. You'll definitely become my woman."
A stab of pure unadulterated fury shot through his bloodstream faster than any hit from a drug, causing Sesshoumaru to pant once, twice- then swallow his breath and try to stifle it. Kagome's nose twitched before she pointed her muzzle up in the air.
'No.'
Kouga dropped his arms, "hah?"
Growling softly, Kagome doubled back on herself and prowled up to Sesshoumaru. Her head reached his shoulder in height, so when she bumped her muzzle against him it rocked the demon slightly on his heels. She didn't stop there, brushing around him and pushing her head beneath his throat in an unmistakable sign of something Sesshoumaru wasn't ready to confront.
Kouga gaped, "what the fuck? Y-you're not serious! He's an old man!"
The Daiyoukai's throat had closed, seizing up with too many emotions, so he failed to respond in any meaningful way other than stiffly glaring. His body had gone still, instincts slightly responding to her continual nearness and nuzzling against him, stirring his blood and heartbeat.
'He is not! He's plenty young and besides, that's not the point. He's who I-'
Sesshoumaru rested a shaky hand against her feathery soft head, petting. "Enough. Let us...let us leave…"
She crooned and gnashed deadly teeth in a playful huff, bumping noses with him. Sesshoumaru blinked but ignored the cold, wet patch now irritating his face, cheeks heating. He turned and started to stride away, resting a hand on her neck as the wolf followed.
"Hey!" Kouga bellowed from behind them, clearly unused to not getting everything he wanted as an alpha. "I'm not just gonna give up, ya know! I sense it, it's close! You'll say yes then!"
Too wrapped up in inwardly screaming, Sesshoumaru stoically kept walking instead of questioning this. A part of himself calmly and dryly thought that if all he'd had to do to get werewolf Kagome under control was let her nuzzle and flirt with him, perhaps he'd have done it sooner.
Maybe.
Kagome growled softly, an indication that she was annoyed, he wasn't sure by what. His lack of interest in removing the whelp from his territory certainly frustrated him, but he was reeling too much to focus.
Eyeing the sizable hole she'd left in his cabin, Kagome flicked her gaze to mist-laden woods. 'There's still time left in the night. Can we not run together?'
Sesshoumaru lowered himself down through it to land in his basement, sighing and looking at the damage. "No. We will start work on repairing this. Knock over a tree for me."
Pointed ears flicked, tail swishing in an agitated manner. Golden eyes narrowed up at her, "now, woman," tone dripping with venom and tempered steel, he forced a command into it.
Silky black fur seemed to shiver. Letting out a soft noise, the werewolf turned and trotted away, stopping at a sizeable tree.
Sesshoumaru got to work on clearing the debris from his basement with a broom, clearing it away with a good amount of speed due to his supernatural abilities.
Kagome dragged a tree over to the cabin, her jaws locked on a thick branch. In no time at all, the tree had been chopped and cut down to size, whittled and sanded down into planks. Jumping into the basement, Kagome watched from inside as he patched up the hole. It wasn't completely professional but it would do for now.
By the time he'd finished, the moon had crept across the sky a little. Music softly floated out of a tape player as they settled within the basement together, his house not allowing for her giant size to snooze elsewhere.
Back against the wall and a whisky in hand, Sesshoumaru sat on a nest of furs- the previously rabid and feral wolf laying against his side. He listened keenly for any further sounds of Kouga but it appeared he'd slinked away. Kagome shifted, pressing closer.
Resting a clawed hand within the thick feathery mane atop her neck, long fingers combed through silky strands tiredly.
"Why did you listen to me? Help me with the house?" he muttered. "Earlier, you seemed set on wreaking havoc on the village."
The werewolf couldn't answer, resting her great head on hand-like paws and giving a long exhale. Talking to her while she was in this form felt mildly freeing, in a way. He didn't have to confront any emotion brimming within beauteous blue eyes or catch his breath at the sight of long exposed legs.
"You wonder why I don't transform, do you not?" Sesshoumaru murmured into the darkness. Everything lay still and undisturbed, music drawling softly in the background. A pretty, melodic tune. "It is because I remember it when I become my true self. A certain day. The scent of ash chokes air from my lungs. Burning bodies fill my nose, sharp like trapped water. There is fire everywhere, licking at tall trees and blocking my path. I cannot save them. I can never save them, not even in my dreams."
His hand had become still, so he felt Kagome's neck shift as she raised her head, likely looking at him.
Dimmed golden eyes slid shut as he tilted his head back, pressing his skull against the unforgivingly cold wall. He downed the rest of his whisky, basking in the acidic and bitter aftertaste it ignited in his throat. "This one was not fast enough. It ultimately did not matter how much power I possessed or what strength I'd accumulated. The armies still found my kin and slaughtered them. I had been distracted by battle at the time, and a forest fire blocked my path once I realised the deception. Despite wielding a sword so godly it could bring back lives- by the time I reached them it was too late. They were but ash."
Clawed fingers twitched and curled. "My son…he- was small. Too small for a pup. I held him...after the fire."
Sesshoumaru knew his expression hadn't flickered with emotion. His control was perfect, his voice flawlessly steady. And yet for some reason, a wet sensation began to drag over one of his cheeks. Kagome licked at his face, pulling back a little to croon softly.
He blinked, lips twitching upwards. With a dusty exhale, the demon pressed his face against a cosy mass of fur at her neck, closing his eyes.
"Foolish woman."
With a gentleness that her great form belied, the werewolf tucked him closer and curled herself around him protectively, shielding him against a faint chill in the air.
Upon waking together that morning, Sesshoumaru dutifully carried her upstairs and paused at the window, noting the first snowfall of the year.