MOLLY COOL

She pulled herself off of him and tugged her skirt back in place as he rearranged his clothing. He then quickly spun her around and placed her between his thighs, pulling her back flush against his torso so that they may both enjoy the view once again.

Running his hands down the length of her arms, he entwined his fingers with hers before closing them. And with a gentle tug he crossed their arms, squeezing her tighter to him, and rested his chin at the top of her head.

She turned her head up to look back at him to find him once again looking off into the distance, a far-off look in his eye. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

Smiling wide and regarding him dazedly she confessed, "I like you," before placing a lazy kiss under his jaw.

"Why?" he finally asked after a moment, still staring off to the horizon as the sun began its descent.

"Your cock," she answered matter-of-factly and with a smirk.

His eyes cut down to her then, "Really?"

"Yes," she was still looking at him, but he returned his gaze forward as the corner of his lips shifted downward.

"What?"

Nothing.

"C'mon, out with it," she demanded, tugging on their hands against her flat belly for emphasis.

Something was troubling him, and she was afraid he wouldn't let her in. Why does he hesitate?

"Today, in the springs...Inuyasha called me your 'fuck toy.'"

Now it was her turn to frown, but before she could speak, "It was said in jest. However, it made This One think to this morning. The way you laughed when asked if the only way This Sesshoumaru would ever get to see you is when you are on your back."

She remembered. She was sure he had only been teasing her, but maybe she didn't want to accept that he was becoming attached to her. And she, him.

"If that were the case, would that upset you?" It was new territory for him. He was unaccustomed to females attempting to distance themselves from him- when he wasn't trying to kill them of course. Neither was he accustomed to desiring the company of one for any longer than necessary.

"It would be acceptable. And disappointing," he admitted.

"Well, we've spent the whole day together, and I was never on my back," she tried to assuage.

"It does not count."

"Why not?"

"Because you were in my lap."

"Are you complaining?"

"No." He definitely wasn't. "Do you truly only view This Sesshoumaru as valuable to you with his hakama removed?" The notion was off putting. Did she really not see all that he could offer? How could he possibly be lacking in anything? What was it about her?

Letting out an exasperated sigh, she returned her gaze forward and hugged herself tighter with his arms. He seemed to need some reassurance.

"Sesshoumaru is the strongest, most powerful demon I have ever met. He's got a gorgeous face, a killer body, and a huge cock," this wasn't news to him, so he didn't react to the compliments.

"But those are just superficial things. And, while enjoyable, they are not what is important to me. He's also very generous. He's incredibly brilliant, and fiercely loyal. He has this twisted sense of humor that I love. And, would you believe he is actually fun?" He hunched himself lower so he could rest his cheek beside hers.

"But best of all, and don't tell him I told you this- he's kind. I continue to be astounded at every turn by his compassion. I mean, you think you know a guy!" She could go on and on, but decided to get to her point.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru has a remarkable body. And I can honestly say, my favorite part of it...is his heart." He continued to listen to her in silence, but was hugging her tighter as she spoke. So, there was more here than just sex. He had assumed as much. Then why was she holding back?

"It's ironic, you know? The first thing Inuyasha ever told me about you was that you didn't have one. Now, I don't think even he could say that honestly. I wonder if you changed, or if he did..."

He wasn't the cold, cruel demon he had once been, that much had been made painfully clear. Neither was she the wide-eyed school girl tripping across feudal japan- despite her outfit. But she never was as much a fool as he'd perceived, even back then. It could stand to reason that he had never really been as heartless as she'd thought.

It was an idea worth pondering, but she didn't want to get sidetracked. "I don't know what's going to happen with you and me, but I'm excited to find out. I love spending time with you- hakama or no. But can we just have fun for now? These past few years have been so heart-wrenching...so tragic. I finally feel happy, maybe for the first time. I just want to keep it light...for now. Do you think we can keep enjoying each other, and see how it goes?"

It was the best answer she could give at the moment. Never had she considered that Sesshoumaru would end up catching feelings, let alone for her. She meant what she had said, though the risk of his feelings being fleeting and leaving as soon as they came was a real one, and a distressing thought. But she wouldn't be rushed. Not now. If this was worth doing, it would have to be worth waiting for.

He detected no lie, and appreciated her candor. After regarding her only a moment, she was rewarded with a kiss; slow and sweet.

He was immortal, and had all the time in the world. In a sense, that made her time more valuable than his. Humans had a short life, and only moments to spare. If she was content spending her best years simply frolicking with him, he would allow her that. He would take what he could get without animosity.

"Acceptable."

The sun had set, illuminating the fluffy clouds from below with a mesmerizing pinkish orange hue. It was another point for the past, in Kagome's pro/con list as to whether or not to remain. The smog and construction would be rendering such a sight impossible in 500 years.

Darkness soon gave way, and she was no longer able to make out the handsome features of the demon behind her. Another sight she would be denied if she left. Or would she? Was he there too? Would he be? If she stayed, would she be born again, and see him?

Not long ago, being in the dark woods far from the village would have scared her. She didn't know if it was how strong she had become since then, or the powerful demon that was still holding her so tenderly to himself, but at that moment she knew no fear.

"You might as well stay one more night," she tried. She knew that others needed him, but she wasn't ready for him to go.

"I must return. I have some very important guests arriving soon. This one must prepare."

She got the feeling he wasn't referring to the lords that would be arriving for the summit.

"A few hours won't make a difference. Watch the sunrise with me. Rin will still be asleep when you get there." He could see just as well in the dark as the light, but she felt he should wait until morning to travel.

He seemed to hesitate, and something struck her.

"We don't have to fuck. We can just hang out. Please?" She didn't want him to think that she was just trying to get laid. She had gotten the feeling from their previous conversation that he was beginning to feel like a piece of meat.

"May we speak?"

"Sure! What do you want to talk about?" He laid on his back then, pulling her with him to hold her against his chest. She happily obliged, and he waited until she had gotten comfortable before making his request.

"Tell This One about your home."

"My home?"

"Yes. Tell me about the future as you know it."

"Let's see, where to start? I guess a lot of things in my future are influenced by the west."

This got his attention, and she realize how it sounded, "Not your west. In the future, even further west of Japan is Europe. And even further west, over the ocean, America is being discovered...right about now, actually. Well, the Vikings have been going there for a few hundred years already, and there are those who have always been there...anyway. Much influence on my generation comes from these countries. Western culture, they call it." She was kind of all over the place, but he seemed to understand. She stopped herself there.

"I don't know how much of this I should tell you. The paradox of time travel is that by visiting the past...simply by existing here, I may alter the future. If you learn too much from me, there is a chance I may never be born."

"But you were."

"That is the paradox." This was something he hadn't considered. What had she changed already by coming here? Surely, she has had an effect on many she has encountered. What if, in the past, Naraku had been successful in completing the jewel without her there to kill him, and the future she knew was somehow a result of that? Or what if she had always come to the past, on every timeline, and she was meant to alter the future? Still...

"This Sesshoumaru would rather not risk it," he gave her a squeeze and demanded, "Instead, tell me of your family."

He was being so sweet, and it was by no means shocking to her. Most who encountered him only ever saw the terrifying, ruthless killer; only ever knew death and destruction at his hands. What a shame that few were privy to this side of him.

She was being selfish again, and felt special at the expense of others. She smiled at him.

"Well, I live with my mother, grandfather, and little brother..."