I am so sorry. So, so sorry. It's been way too long since I've updated and I've had this written out for quite some time! I pretty much know what I want to happen, I just need to find time to write now. I'll try and update more often, and as always reviews are very welcome!

Thank you for reading~!

~WLITS~

He was everywhere. One of his hands was on her waist, rubbing small circles and leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. She could feel Claw tipped fingers twining around her hair, pulling lightly. His lips were placing hot, gentle kisses along her neck. As if that wasn't enough, he was pressing her so tightly to his chest that she could feel every inch of him. There was only a scant layer of silk between them, and it was growing damp from her skin. He felt like marble, hard and unrelenting as her curves pressed up against him.

She could feel the tension in him, and it only heightened the anxiety she felt. She didn't know what to say. He wanted her, that much was obvious. He wanted more than her body. That made a flush of happiness overcome her, and she felt almost dizzy with joy.

But.

Could she trust him? Could she really open up and giver her heart to someone else after Inuyasha? He had torn it out and threw it on the ground, while sneering in her face. Sesshomaru seemed honorable, he had proven that much. But could she live through another rejection?

"Kagome?" His voice was husky, but held an undercurrent of desperation. She opened up her eyes, and gently pulled away from him, just enough to look up into his golden eyes. They were warm, and looked almost anxious.

"I... I want this too," she said softly, swallowing back her fear and insecurities and smiling nervously at him.

"Are you sure?"

She felt her smile deepen as he cocked his head to the side, and all of her fear was washed away. He would treat her right.

"Ye-" She started to say, before his lips crashed down on hers again. This time, there was no gentleness. It was all heat and passion and she gasped in shock. Her lips parted under his with ease, and he wasted no time in sucking on her bottom lip.

She trembled in his arms, arching her back so that she could press even closer to him. The tiny shift seemed to rub against all of her sensitive skin, and a small moan slipped past her lips.

Sesshomaru stilled almost immeadialty, and Kagome felt a nervous shiver run through her body. As he pulled away from her lips, she couldn't help the embarrassed blush that consumed her face. That noise she made! It had been so lewd... Maybe that was wrong? Was that why he was pulling away from her? She felt her thoughts still as his lips pressed against her throat, right underneath her ear.

"Cease your worrisome thoughts, Kagome. This Sesshomaru fears that if we do not return to camp I shall ravish you here in this hot spring," he said with a growl of contentment as he nipped her earlobe. Kagome could feel her blush recede, and she nodded, fearing that if she opened her mouth another moan might slip out.

Sesshomaru sighed as he eventually pulled away from her body, keeping his eyes away from her bare chest through sheer force of will alone. He wanted very badly to look, but he had cornered her in a fairly underhanded manner and would not dishonor her in such a way. He could feel his beast thrumming with desire, the fact that she was untouched only increasing his want for her.

Carefully, Sesshomaru turned his back on the delectable female and gracefully climbed out of the water. He heard her clumsy splashes as she got out of the hot spring, and kept his back turned until he heard the slid of cloth. She was still blushing, and hurriedly tied the obi on her white miko haori. The red pants served only to remind him of his puerile half breed brother. He would need to acquire suitable clothes for her, Sesshomaru thought as he patiently waited for her to gather up her monstrously large bag of bathing supplies. Before long she was standing before him, wet hair clinging to her shoulders. He saw a small tremor run through her and frowned lightly. Catching a cold would not be beneficiary to their cause, and it might spread to Rin.

He tossed his own wet hair behind one shoulder, before releasing a burst of his aura to dry himself. Kagome squeaked at the sudden rush of Youki, but if merely swirled around his body harmlessly before disappearing. He watched with amusement as her eyes grew wide with surprise, and she gasped loudly.

"How did you do that? You're dry now, even your clothes!" Kagome Knew that Sesshomaru was a powerful daiyoukai, and what some people would consider magical, but still. Instantly drying your clothing? That wasn't even fair. She watched indignantly as his lips twitched into a smug little smirk.

"I merely have to flash my aura, allowing a small amount of Youki to appear and dry this Sesshomaru. Do you need help, Kagome?" He asked with a gleam in his Amber eyes. She wanted to cross her arms and snort, but the shivers running through her body made the decision for her.

"Y-yes I do," she said. He stepped closer to her, and his hands came to rest loosely on her waist. Kagome felt her breathing speed up lightly, he was so, so close to her. Sesshomaru bent down so that his face was almost level with hers, and carefully flared his aura. His blue and green Youki swirled around them both, and Kagome braced herself for the shock it should bring her. Surprisingly, it never came. The energy gently washed over her in a warm, soothing wave. She was about to close her eyes contentedly when she felt her reiki start to stir. Kagome bit her lip with a flash of fear, what if the holy energy burned Sesshomaru?

But he seemed fine. Streaks of pink and purple slowly drifted around her body, mixing with the blue and green Youki that still wrapped around them both. Kagome felt her own eyes open wide as she watched the beautiful colors at play, before they both slowly receded back inside of her and Sesshomaru.

His golden eyes were pinning her with a curious stare. Sesshomaru wasn't quite sure what had happened. His aura hadn't seemed entirely under his control at the moment, and had drawn hers out. He kept waiting for the burn of purification, but it never came. Her reiki seemed only to soothe him, bringing a feeling of peace. Slowly, he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Well, I'm not sure what that was but I liked it," she said softly as she took in his curious look. The best part was that Kagome felt warm and dry now. She gently smiled up at the Taiyoukai and asked, "Should we leave now?" He nodded, and the two were on their way through the darkening woods.

Kagome was nervously twiddling with the straps to her black leather back pack as they walked. She had been eager to get back to camp, and spill all of the details to Sango, but what was she supposed to say? She made out with Sesshomaru and now they were. . . What were they? She felt like only he could answer that, but what if he took it the wrong way? What if she had taken everything the wrong way? It wouldn't be the first time an assumption had caused her pain... Nevertheless, she took a deep breath and slowly turned to him.

Sesshomaru was curious to see what the little miko was going to say. He had smelt her emotions change from happy to excitement to nervousness and then to sadness in the span of abut five minutes. She was such an emotional creature, and it made her both infuriating and desirable.

"S-Sesshomaru?" She asked, avoiding his piercing gaze as she stared nervously at his forehead. "What-that is, I, uhm... What is this between us?" She nervously clenched the straps of her backpack as a small pit of fear gathered in her stomach. If she had been wrong, if he only wanted her body. . .

His deep voice dragged her from her depressing thoughts. "I am courting you," he said with a tiny hint of a smile. Kagome exhaled loudly, her eyes closing briefly in a moment of relief. Sesshomaru wanted to laugh at the miko. He was an honorable being, what else would they be doing together? If he had wished merely for someone to warm his bed, then he would've taken her right there in the hot springs.

Kagome knew about courting from Sango, who had spoken to her of demon customs over the years. Apparently it was like dating, at least that was the impression she had gotten. She felt the smile return to her lips as Sesshomaru and her strolled into the camp they had made. /

Sango and Miroku were sitting by a small fire, leaning on each other's shoulders. Their hands were entwined, and Kagome couldn't help the flush of happiness she felt for them. Rin and Shippo were seated across from them, voices soft as they played with some of the paper and crayons Kagome kept on her. The over atmosphere was peaceful, and well deserved. Sometimes it seemed like they never got a moments rest, between Naraku and unwanted company on the dangerous roads of the Feudal Era. Kagome sighed as she plopped down on the ground. Sango gave her curious look, her eyes widening when Sesshomaru gracefully sat beside Kagome. She grinned, and the miko couldn't help the blush that rose to her cheeks.

The color didn't go unnoticed by Sesshomaru, he smothered a chuckle as the children walked over to them, handing the crayons and papers to Kagome to keep safe. How anything was safe in that infernal bag of hers, he would never know. Things seemed more likely to be lost than found in there, to him at least.

"Kagome?" Shippo said shyly as he looked at the ground, twiddling his thumbs. The miko smiled at him, reaching a hand out and gently smoothing Shippo's hair back. The kitsune blushed, but leaned into her touch eagerly.

"Yeah?"

"Ar-are you and Sesshomaru done fighting?" Sesshomaru had to stifle a smirk as Kagome's cheeks were instantly colored a bright shade of red.

"Y-yep! We're alright now," she said sheepishly. The Taijiya and monk snickered lightly as they watched the exchange, eyes noticing the closeness between the Taiyouaki and the miko. Before this afternoon, they had sat at opposite ends of the campsites and studiously ignored each other. Sesshomaru felt the corner of his mouth lift, revealing a hint of a smirk.

"More than merely alright," he said lowly, so that only her ears could hear. He was rewarded with another flush of color in her cheeks. Kagome turned her head away, almost shocked to hear such a comment from the stoic daiyoukai. Though she supposed that she shouldn't be, hadn't he just proved how, um, 'lewd' he could be? Not that she hadn't enjoyed it! Because she totally had. His battle honed body had felt totally scrumptious pressed against her and ohmygodshehadmadeoutwithhim. Kagome felt the heat rising again in her cheeks. She'd been too swept away in the moment to really think about anything more than how good it felt but well, they had just decided to give this a try, and she'd already gone that far?! What if he thought she was... Loose?

Sesshomaru was having a hard time. At first he had been trying to erase his smirk, which betrayed his stoic image, but the dark haired miko at his side wasn't helping things at all. She had blushed a lovely color at his side comment, but surprisingly it hadn't faded. She seemed to be absorbed in her thoughts, if her glazed over eyes were any indication. But her blush has steadily increased, until her face seemed to drain of all color. He didn't like that pale shade on her. She shouldn't ever look so scared, not his fiery miko. Whatever it was that bothered her, he would fix. Where she was scared, he would be strong. Where she needed someone to lean on, he would be her comfort. So he had decided and so it would be.

Golden eyes gentling somewhat, he reached out and grabbed her hand, lifting the delicate thing up to his lips. No, that wasn't the right word. Her hands were small, feminine, but not delicate. They were calloused and dusted with small scars. Some might be disgusted at such hand on a woman, but it only made him admire her more. These marks were proof of her trials, of the hard work she'd put into this life. Unable to keep the slight smile off of his face, he pressed a kiss to her palm. Kagome was looking up at him now, her eyebrows drawn together in confusion.

"Sessh-"

"Stop worrying." He said lowly as he gently kissed the tips of her fingers. Her blush returned, but it was gentle this time, a pale pink glow that illuminated her smile. She eyes sparkled with humor as the tension drained out of her shoulders. Of course he didn't think those things about her. She really did need to stop being so self conscious. If anything, she could trust Sesshomarus honor and honesty. He would never have asked to court her if he had any low opinions of her character.

"I'm sorry," Kagome said gently, looking up into his Amber eyes. No, they were like molten gold tonight. "You've had to reassure me so many times tonight," she said with a sheepish smile. The humor in his eye deepened, and he lowered her hand, but kept it clasped between his.

"While I do wish you wouldn't have such unnecessary thoughts, I've found that reassuring you has been fairly... Pleasurable." She bit her lip to keep from laughing and disturbing the otherwise quiet campsite.

Her smile widening, she said softly, "I can't disagree." They held eye contact a moment longer, sharing an intimate look until it was broken by Kagomes yawn. The small sound reminded Sesshomaru of a kitten, but he was aware that unlike a baby animal Kagome didn't have endless energy. Looking around the camp, he noticed that the monk and slayer had already succumbed to sleep.

"Rest," he said authoritatively. She waved his comment off with a flip of her hand, but leaned back against his chest tiredly.

"Yeah yeah... night sho'maru." She said sleepily as her blue eyes drifted closed. Sesshomaru didn't say anything, but his arm curled around her protectively.