Tears were like raindrops.
The moonlight glittered off of them, shaking slightly before falling upon the mikos heaving chest. Her breathing was rough, her chest pushing into the taiyoukai's unforgiving armor. He was still caging her in up against a tall pine tree, one hand above her head, gripping the wood. The other hand had been around her neck, but now it rested gently against her collarbone, rising in time with her uneven breathing. His hand looked pale, against her sun kissed skin.
Sesshomaru's amber eyes were wide for once, emotions tentatively brought to the surface. There was pain, as his memories weren't fond. He had done everything his father asked of him, became the greatest warrior he could at the time, always striving for perfection.
But Inu no Taisho couldn't have cared less.
He'd run off to his human woman at every chance, leaving Sesshomaru on the battlefield when ever he could. He spent every free moment with his newborn child and fragile mate. But every second spent with the hanyou in joy had been a second that Sesshomaru hated. He'd had to earn every glance, every word from his father. Why did the tainted pup get so much of his attention, his care, when he could do nothing? It simply wasn't fair, and he hated it.
But it was not his place to speak out. He'd kept his mouth shut, and won their wars, fighting with all of the rage and unjustness he buried deep inside. And when the great dog lord had died, for his human family, Sesshomaru had scoffed. He'd taken control of the west easily, and led it ever since. But the sword at his hip, the dull, useless blade never let him forget for long how much he craved his father's acknowledgment. He'd kept everything under wraps, kept it all deep inside and dead...until now.
Until a little human woman decided to shed tears of pain for the great Taiyoukai. She was sniffling lightly, just loud enough to be heard, even at their insane closeness. Her tears were falling steadily, twin rivers that gleamed in the moonlight down her cheeks. He had expected her eyes to be closed, or looking away. But she looked him right in the eye. Her watery, sad azure eyes looked at him with sympathy, and the empathy that he had craved for too long.
One of her small, calloused hands were laying gently on the junction between his shoulder and neck, where his kimono revealed skin as white as the ivory cloth. That hand was a little sun upon his cold body, a spot of hot fire. It surprised him how warm she could be, in the cold autumn night. Then again, he was always being surprised by this Miko.
After an immeasurable amount of time, days, seconds, it was lost to him, Kagome closed her eyes. She took in a shuddering breath, her eyes a little but sore from the salt water.
She had felt bad.
Here she was, screaming to Sesshomaru that he had no right to speak to her, since he couldn't understand her pain. Get over it? You try getting over it, ice lord.
But he did understand. His words had proved her wrong, that even with all his coldness the Taiyoukai was no stranger to rejection. He understand her feelings perfectly, and she'd only added insult to injury with her insensitive words.
Once his words made it all clear it her, she'd been overwhelmed with Shame, and hurt. She knew exactly how he'd felt, and the tears had started to pour without a thought. Because what really broke her heart was that no one had been there for Sesshomaru to lean on. He hadn't anyone to care, to help him through his pain. The Miko was a truly empathetic creature, so she'd cried for him, for the pain that even he'd denied.
Of course, she'd expected him to push her away, to sneer that he didn't need her tears, they were wasted on him. She'd almost gasped in surprise when he didn't move, staying impossible close to her. His golden eyes were open, and inviting; for once showing the depths of emotion that the Taiyoukai contained. She'd only wept harder then, but for another reason.
He really did understand. He knew exactly what she was going through, the pain and the rejection. Even though it was really a small matter, she felt the slightest bit less lonely.
It made a world of difference to her.
As her tears eventually dried up, she hesitantly removed her hand from his shoulder, wondering how he got such smooth skin. He was cool to the touch, complimenting her over heated body nicely.
Blinking, she wiped the tears from her eyes, noticing that the taiyoukai discreetly stepped back, removing his long fingers from her collarbone. She shivered lightly as his heat left her, the chilly night air creeping in between them. She glanced up into his eyes, not surprised to find that they were once again guarded. But not all of the emotion had left the once icy lord. She could make out the gratitude, and a certain softness in the amber depths.
"You should return to the village," he said softly voice low and calming, betraying nothing.
Kagome bit her lip lightly, feeling exhausted, but the crying had been cathartic to her. Returning to Kaede's hut to sleep seemed so mundane, out of place after such an event. "Can we stay here? Outside, I mean."
He gave her a surprised glance, but backed away a bit further and began to walk into the trees further. Taking his lack of a reply as a yes, Kagome followed after him on tired legs. He led her through a small patch of woods, the tree's thinning into nothing almost immediately. They were left on a dark green hillside, sloping down gently to the river that ran along the village, carving a path of silver under the starlight. The large, full moon was low in the sky, looking impossibly close to the earth.
Kagome plopped down in the grass, looking around in Wonder. "Wow," she said lightly. "It's beautiful here." Sesshomaru sat next to her, nodding in agreement. He sat cross legged, hands resting lightly on his knees. To his superior senses, the night was just as bright as the day. The Stars were like candle flames, scattered across the inky depths in thick spirals. The moon cut through it all, a bright path of luminescent white. He felt his blood thrum under its glow. His mother was from the house of the moon, and its influence could be felt by him. Kagome sighed softly, her navy blue eyes slowing taking in the scenery around them.
He didn't particularly know why he had led her here. Even though he was the one to mention returning to the ningen village, it just seemed like too mundane an ending for the emotional night. He did not wish to deny the events that had happened, or their cathartic effect on him.
Kagome's voice was heavy with sleep when she spoke next, some time later. "Sesshomaru? Why...why do people leave?"
He stiffened slightly, before sighing, his eyes mirroring hers as they looked up at the brightly lit sky. His voice was even, but filled with a quiet strength, one gained from years of pain, and finally...letting go of it all.
"Because they are not meant to stay with us. We can be happier on our own." She sighed lightly, but a little smile stretched the corners of her pink lips.
"Yeah...that makes sense. But," she turned towards him, azure eyes looking deep into his inquisitive amber orbs. "I'm glad that you've stayed," she finished softly.
His eyes widened slightly in shock, but the ends of his mouth slowly lifted up into a smile. Eyes softening, he replied to her kind words. "I do not regret staying with you, Kagome."
Her smile deepened before she let out a weary yawn, her head dropping to rest on Sesshomaru's fluffy shoulder.
"Night, sessh...Maru..." Sighing, she fell asleep quickly, her head resting upon the Taiyoukai who was for once, not so cold.
He smirked lightly at the trustworthy woman, keeping watch on her throughout the night.
Miroku awoke early, his eyes blinking open to look upon Sango's sleeping face. She was cuddled up into his side, his arm slung over her waist. His eyes softened as he looked at her pink lips, parted softly as she slept.
He hadn't expected Sango to fall for him.
He'd harbored feelings for her for quite some time, but he never thought she would reciprocate. He'd been so shocked after they left Inuyasha, when he was teasing her, and she kissed him. She'd blushed madly, and made a few excuses, but he knew what it meant. And he loved it. But, there was just one problem.
The kazaana. The wind tunnel imbedded into his palm, discreetly hidden under his prayer beads. He could never start a family with the constant reminder of his impending death. How could he with this curse upon an innocent child? Upon Sango, no less.
He'd never tell her, but loving her both filled him with joy and broke his heart each and every day.
He sighed, eyes leaving his lovers face to look around the small cottage. Kaede had retired to the second room some time last night, and a mat was hung over the entranceway. Rin and Shippo were snoring lightly in a little heap, cuddled up before the glowing embers in the hearth. He cocked an eyebrow, looking around for Kagome, as she was usually found sleeping close to the children. Today, she was absent. He remembered her sneaking out of the cabin later that night, but he'd assumed that she'd returned.
He had a sneaking suspicion where the woman was: with the imperious Taiyoukai. He'd noticed how close they had grown, but unlike Sango he felt much more than just surprise. He was happy that the kind Miko had someone in her life, even as a friend.
A powerful friend at that. Miroku was quite familiar with the taiyoukai's battle prowess, and even a little bit envious. They could use his power in the fight against Naraku. He needed to ask Kagome what her plan was regarding the filthy hanyou, and how she planned to find the rest of the jewel shards. Sighing, he settled jack down, awaiting the mikos return in his lover's arms.
Dawn stained the inky sky with pale fingers, blotches of periwinkle blue bleeding through the deep purples. Rosy red started to come through as the sun rose, painting the sky in glorious warm tones.
Kagome sighed softly as she started to wake. There was something...something warm, and much too soft to be her sleeping bag plastered against her cheek. Her fingers were on something soft, but harder...like marble? No, that wasn't quite right. Her bleary eyes fluttered open, taking in the scene before her.
Fluff. There was a great amount of soft, white fluffiness in her face, cradling her cheek and neck. Her hands were scraping against a a silk kimono, white with a red hexagonal pattern of flowers by the edges, before giving way to smooth, pale skin. Her followed up the ivory column, looking past elegant lips, curved slightly. They were in the shape of...a smirk? Her sleep eyes grew a bit confused, but kept looking, only to find an amused pair of amber eyes looking directly at her.
A fire red blush bloomed on the miko's cheeks as she clutched her hands to her chest, gasping in shock and embarrassment.
"Sess-Sesshomaru!" She squeaked.
He huffed lightly in amusement, the arm was around her waist pulling her tighter for a brief second.
"Yes, Kagome? You're certainly a...heavy sleeper," he said teasingly.
She turned her eyes away, cheeks still flaming. "It's not fault that we're in this..."
"This what?" He asked as one eyebrow arched up elegantly.
She huffed, crossing her arms. "You know what!"
"Actually, I'm afraid that I have no clue what you're referring too, Kagome," he said, drawing out her name.
Cheeks puffed, she glared up at him, only to have her eyes widen in shock at the little sparks she saw in his golden gaze. "Are you...teasing me?" She asked incredulously.
"Perhaps," He said, before unwrapping his arms from her waist, noticing the little shiver that ran along her skin, goosebumps rising where his flesh had been.
"Humph." She tried to look angry for a moment longer, only to have a little giggle escape the light confines of her lips. Sesshomaru only smirked rakishly at her, bringing her laughter out in full force. Shaking, she rolled away from him and onto her back, a hand coming up to cover her mouth.
He sighed lightly, but the taiyoukai's Amber eyes were gleaming with amusement, and contentment.
Kagome sighed as she stopped laughing, her hands settling on her stomach. She propped herself up, slowing sitting cross legged. "You're quite...fluffy, you know, Sesshomaru."
He sat up, his back straight as he loomed over her, growling slightly. "That is not a word used to describe this Sesshomaru."
She held back a giggle, a hand reaching out to brush moko-moko. "Are you sure?" She asked peevishly, an all too familiar smirk on her lips.
He growled lowly, but there was no real anger as he looked into her mischievous azure eyes. His hand whipped out, grabbing her wrist and holding it up above her head. He shifted, sitting up on his knees, her limbs away from his..voluminous, moko-Moko. Her little pink lips were parted, a gasp of shock whooshing through them. He leaned closer to her, her eyes wider than the sky as they stared into his.
"Do you really wish to continue that statement, Miko?" His voice was a low purr, his warm breath misting across her face.
"I..." Her mind felt empty, overwhelmed with the closeness of him. Sure, they'd been closer last night, when she'd been crying, but this...this was different. There was heat to his gaze, something predatory...she'd forgotten that he was a hunter. And by the lazy undertone, he was one that was used to catching his prey.
It made her blood sing. She sucked in another breath, attempting to wet her throat. His lips only curled into a knowing smirk, before he let go of her. The taiyoukai rose to his feet, pretending that he didn't see the completely flustered Miko at his feet.
She took in another shuddering breath, before resolving to sort out her confused, hazy thoughts with Sango. She needed a girls only talk, and from the looks she'd caught exchanged between the slayer and the monk, Sango would appreciate it to. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, the Miko rose to her feet, albeit shakily.
"Shall we continue to the village, Kagome?" Sesshomaru looked over his shoulder at the flushed Miko, eyes still glimmering with amusement.
She crossed her arms, feeling exposed before his knowing look. "Yeah, we should. Sango and Miroku might be wondering where I am."
Sesshomaru nodded at her, before turning and beginning to walk into the trees toward the village. Kagome walked after him, trying to quell her still flaming cheeks.
/hey guys, I sorry this is a bit of a filler chapter. I have a lot going on the next one, and this seemed a good place to end it.
Because the next one is long, it will take me a while to get out, plus school is going on break so I'm very busy. But never fear, I will KEEP WRITING!
Thank you for reading, and please, PLEASE review! I'll write more fluff that way! Or more battles,what ever you want, tell me in a review