The trees were comforting. Their branches rustled in the wind, providing a rhythm to the harmony of the chirping birds. Kagome was laying on her back, taking deep breaths as she focused on the auras of all the animals around her. She felt connected to the earth, could feel the gentle energy of the trees reaching out to her reiki. She would have felt at peace, if not for the dried salt tracks that lined her cheeks.
She sighed, and reached a hand up to rub at her sore eyes. She couldn't believe that she was in this position, again. She cared too much. Of course Kagome knew that she had an open heart, but she'd thought that after Inuyasha trampled all over it, she had been a bit more guarded. That thought almost made her snort, or cry again, she didn't really know which.
Kagome honestly didn't understand why the Daiyouaki had gotten so angry with her. All she had asked him for was mercy. The monk could have been thrown in jail, they could have interrogated him. But He had eliminated those possibilities with one strike of his sword. Kagome knew that mercy was rare in the feudal era, but she wasn't asking for much. As a miko, she valued all lives. And even though that bastard had threatened her children, she still didn't want him to die without having a chance for retribution. Everyone deserved a second chance. Obviously her 'alpha' didn't share the same sentiments.
Sess- The Daiyoukai's words had stung. But she should have seen it coming. There was no way he felt the same way she did. As she was beginning to realize she felt. She enjoyed having him in her life. He wasn't the most talkative conversationalist, but he put thought and meaning behind every word. He was a good leader, kind to the children and he took the time to train her... And she had gotten too attached. Assumed that a little human miko like herself had meant anything to the Lord of the West. Assumed that her opinion might have mattered to him.
She scoffed lightly, the gentle auras of the trees vanishing as her concentration snapped. Kagome curled up into a little ball, her arms coming up to cradle her head. Sniffing, she tried to hold back her tears. She didn't want to cry again, her pain didn't accomplish anything. He'd made it very clear that she didn't mean a damn to him. That must have been why he wouldn't say what she was in his pack. She must be just a temporary member, a tool to find the shards and kill Naraku.
She held back a sob.
Why wasn't she smart enough to avoid this? Here she was, being used again, and by her original abusers brother! She shouldn't have assumed that they would be so different from each other.
She should have realized that no one would ever care for her the way that she needed.
~WLITS~
"Goodnight Rin-chan, Shippo-chan. Sweet dreams," Kagome's voice drifted softly over the camp as she tucked the two children in, before climbing into her own sleeping bag.
"Goodnight Sango-chan, sleep well Miroku-sama," she said before pulling the covers up around her head. There was only one being excluded from her well wishes.
Sesshomaru grit his teeth in displeasure. Three days had passed since the... Incident. A few hours after he had removed the mans corpse Kagome had returned from the forest. She smelled faintly of salt, and her scent was stained with sadness, and self-recrimination. She had helped prepare dinner, and spoke amiably enough with the two humans and children, but he could see how forced her smiles were. They lacked her usually glow of happiness.
She had not spoken a word to him the entire night.
He didn't attempt any conversation, as he was waiting for her apology. She had challenged his right as alpha to kill all that threatened his pack. He almost couldn't believe that she wanted him to spare someone who had threatened Rin. His daughter. The sick monk had actually intended to kill her, had laid a hand on her... Sesshomaru felt his rage awaken, and he wished that he could have dragged out the mans death. But for her to question his decision, in front of everyone, was a blow to his skills as an alpha. Once he had taken power, Sesshomarus position had never been challenged. It was the reason he ruled with an iron hand, and was merciless to those who had ill intent towards his pack. Didn't the foolish miko realize that a good reputation was half the fight? If petty criminals were scared of you, then they would run with their tails between their legs rather than fight.
Sesshomaru scoffed. Yes, it was the miko who was in the wrong. It didn't matter if she'd barely spoken to him the past few days, she could see if he cared. He was the lord of silence.
~ WLITS~
He was worried. No, Sesshomaru growled to himself, Lords did not worry over the opinions of petty miko. Especially ones who challenged his authority. He didn't give a damn if it had been a week since she'd spoken anything but the bare necessities to him. The Lord of the West didn't care.
Except that were was a pain in his chest every time she opened her mouth and looked at with the old joy in her eyes only to turn away and let the words die before they were uttered. There was a longing, almost a need to see her generous smile, the one that could light up her entire face with happiness.
Since Sesshomaru could not stand lying, even to himself, he had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that he missed her. He missed her conversation and the easy joy that she brought to his life. He missed training with her, watching the Sparks in her eyes when she felt she had one upped him and the amusement when he inevitably caught her.
So he wanted her in his life. But was that enough for him to forgive her transgressions?
X
Sango shook her head lightly as she watched Kagome walk ahead of her. She stood at the front of the small group, just behind the children. She smiled and laughed whenever they made jokes but it almost made Samgo shudder to hear how fake she sounded. Her posture had changed since the fight, her shoulders were hunched over slightly, and she hadn't had a real smile since then.
She hadn't spoken to Sesshomaru either. Sango knew that he thought he had everyone fooled with his mask of indifference, but she saw the looks he gave her when no one was watching, the soft longing and sadness that they contained.
However, he didn't seem inclined to do a damn thing about it. The daiyoukai didn't attempt to engage her in conversation, didn't try and apologize for his harsh words. They just steadily went on ignoring each other, miserably. Sango shook her head at their foolishness.
~WLITS~
"Say, Kagome-chan? There is a hot spring not too far from us, do you want to come with me for a bath?" They group had made camp a few hours ago, and Sango had decided that she just couldn't keep seeing her best friend so listless. They had been bathing in cold streams for the last week, so a hot spring would be a nice reprieve.
The miko looked up at her with a spark of her old happiness, and smiled softly. "Sure, give me a moment to grab my things." After collecting her black leather bag, the two started to walk through the shady trees to the spring. They made useless small talk, until they reached the steaming waters. Both sighed happily as they sat down in the comforting pool of water.
"Ne, Kagome-chan, have you thought about... Talking to Sesshomaru?" Instantly, Kagome's shoulders hunched over slightly, and she turned a little bit away from Sango. Her bangs dropped down and hid her eyes from view.
"Why would I do that? He's made it pretty clear that he doesn't need my opinions... Or care about my feelings." She said softly. Sango frowned lightly, and reached out to grab her hand comfortingly.
"Oh, Kagome I think you're wrong. He was angry at you, but anyone can see that he still cares. He's here traveling with us, isn't he?"
Kagome's eyes slid up to look at Sango dully. "Why would he be angry at me? He completely ignored my feelings, and then said that I don't matter anyways." Her voice was tinged with sadness, and emptiness.
"Well, you challenged his rights as alpha of the pack. You know, Sesshomaru isn't used to having any one question his decisions, and you did that in front of his enemy. Plus, that man had threatened the children and Inu are extremely protective. You were asking him to ignore his instincts."
Kagome felt her heart sink even further as she listened to Sango. Her words made sense. Had she really been that big of a fool? She felt anger well up in her, creating a spark in her eyes. "But then why didn't he just say that? I would have apologized if he had explained!"
"I agree that he could have handled the situation better, but you have to remember that interacting with humans is new to Sesshomaru. He's used to everyone knowing the rights of Youaki." Kagome felt her heart sink even further as she heard that. Was it possible that she had over reacted? She'd thought that he had been the cruel one, but from what Sango said it sounded as though she was foolish one.
"But, he should apologize to you too. He was rude, and dismissed how you felt without talking anything over, which doesn't help anyone in the long run. But I think that you both need to apologize," Sango said softly. "I'm gonna return to camp now, will you be alright Kagome?" The dark haired girl nodded, and smiled at the Taijiya.
"Yes, I want to stay and think for awhile. Thank you for talking to me Sango-chan."
"Of course! Don't stay away too long," she said before beginning to walk back to camp. She had a brisk pace, and returned before long.
Kagome sat languidly in the pool of steaming water. She sighed softly, still wrapped up in her thoughts and not paying any attention to the world around her. Thus, it wasn't very shocking that she missed the approaching foot steps, and the clank of armor hitting the ground. She didn't see the Daiyouaki sitting on the ground across from her until he spoke.
"Miko, you-," he was abruptly cut off by her scream of shock, and the splash of water as she dove in to her neck. She had been covered beforehand, but one never knew with demon eyesight.
"You hentai! Sneaking up on a woman when she's bathing!" Her cheeks burned with the ferocity of her embarrassment, and she was sure he could smell the shame on her.
"I hadn't wished to resort to this, but how else was I supposed to speak with you, miko?" Kagome's heart throbbed when he didn't use her name. He hadn't referred to her as the miko since their fight and it felt cold. Formal.
"You could have just asked..." She said peevishly, attempting to cover up her sadness.
"You have been avoiding me." It wasn't a question, but she still found herself struggling to find an excuse, before she settled on the truth.
"I was scared to talk to you," She said in a voice barely above a whisper. She knew that his impeccable hearing would still make it out. It was a long moment before he spoke again, and there was a hint of strain to his voice.
"Many. . . Mistakes were made last time we spoke. This one may have made statements that are no longer true." He looked into her eyes, golden orbs piercing but not aggressive. Kagome felt a flicker of hope rise up and make her chest tighten.
"I made mistakes to. I should have spoken to you privately, and realized what I was asking for... But Sesshomaru, you were cruel." Her voice almost broke on the last syllable, and her eyes flitted away from his intense gaze.
"You challenged my rule as alpha." His tone was sharp, and he was quick to reply. She drew back a little bit, his words stinging. But they roused her anger.
"I didn't mean to! And that doesn't give you a free pass to be an ass!" Her cheeks were on fire again, but this time they were flushed with passion.
"I have the right to discipline my pack however I see fit." He said through clenched teeth. She didn't notice his hands clench into fists, or she might not have yelled back so fiercely.
"Oh really?! Well answer me this then 'alpha' what the hell am I in your pack? You avoided my question last time!" She was panting softly, voice raised loudly as she worked herself up. She felt her anger only grow as he shook his head and walked forward a few steps.
"Foolish woman," he muttered. She spluttered, arms splashing as she heard his insult.
"Fool-" her scream was quickly cut off as his lips crashed into hers.
~WLITS~
Now was the time.
Sesshomaru had gotten tired of the miko avoiding him. One way or another, he would settle this fight with her. Well cornering her in the hot spring was slightly devious, it did help further his goal. Luckily, he arrived early enough to hear her talk with the Taijiya. He heard her admit her wrongs, and admit that she was still new to demon customs. Sesshomaru himself had forgotten that fact. Her behavior, so abnormal at the start of their acquaintance, had ceased to shock him so deeply. He had forgotten the reason why she was so far from the norm.
But, hearing her take part of the blame of their fight had eased all of his anger at her. It had been... Difficult, to admit his own part in the falling out, but he had. Communication was the only way they would learn to work past such things.
But of course, she had to bring up that silly question again. He was honestly fairly shocked that she hadn't figured it out yet, he thought his intentions had been fairly clear. It seemed that she needed a demonstration of his...'feelings' before she would be complacent. He felt a flicker of triumph at the look of shock in her eyes as he jumped into the water, a mere few inches away from her. He heard the beginning of her scream of rage, saw the anger sparkling brilliantly in her eyes azure eyes, and then he was kissing her.
One hand snaked its way up into her wet mass of midnight hair, tilting her head back slightly. His other arms was wrapped around her waist, reveling in the silky smooth texture of her skin. In his tight grip, her body melded to his perfectly, her wet skin easily soaking his kimono. The heat of her was addicting. But her lips...
They were soft, plump and parted beneath his with a small gasp. He wasted no time in deepening the kiss, gently sweeping his tongue across her lower lip. He made sure to keep his kiss soft, to not scare her away with the force of his desire. After a long moment of heat between them, he pulled back a fraction of an inch, to look smugly into her sapphire eyes.
A hand cracked into his jaw with aloud smacking sound, forcing his head to turn to the side. Slowly, his eyes shifted down to the small, trembling woman in his arms. Her eyes were fierce with fury, her lower lip quivered, teeth tugging on the sensitive skin, her skin was flushed pink as she glared at him. Her anger at him was so shockingly obvious
She had never looked more ravishing.
"How dare you... How dare you kiss me... After you've been ignoring me for a week! And pushing me away whenever we got close before that!" She was almost screaming, but there was a desperate edge of fragility to her voice. Her anger seemed to be a cover for something else, and he could scent tears on her. "Goddammit Sesshomaru why must you play with me like this?" She asked sorrowfully, the emotion in her midnight blue eyes endless.
Sesshomaru leaned down and kissed her forehead. She struggled for a moment, turning her head away from him, but he only let his lips drift over to her ear. She wasn't attempting to move his hands, so he assumed she didn't want him to let her go. Which was good, since he had no Intentions to.
"I am sorry Kagome," the words felt unfamiliar on his tongue, but he knew that they were heartfelt. "I did not mean to 'play' with you, and I have already explained my actions to you for the last time we spoke." He left a gentle kiss against the heated column of her throat. "In the woods, before then, I wanted to kiss you. I have wanted to ravish you since we came back from your future home." He admitted in a husky whisper.
Her voice was the barest breath of air. "Then why haven't you...?"
He grimaced slightly, but left another soft kiss on her jaw line. "I feared that you had lingering feelings for my half brother. You felt for him for so long... And I am not Someone who shares." He pulled back to look into her shocked eyes. "But I have learned this week that I do... Care for you. I enjoy your company, and I admit to wanting more than mere friendship with you, Kagome. It is my sincerest hope that you desire the same."
~WLITS~
/ AND WHAT WILL KAGOME SAY MUAHAHHAA *dodges thrown tomatoes*
Thank you for reading and please review! Tell me your thoughts about this scene!