Not every demon at the party let their distaste for her species show, but their discomfort at her miko status was hard to ignore. She was doing her best to mask it, but there wasn't any in attendance who didn't seem to be aware what she was capable of; what most in her position would do to their kind. Her reputation as the one who purified Naraku to dust had apparently preceded her, and she found herself wishing that Sesshoumaru was there to help her break the ice with the wary demons.
Inuyasha was in high demand- the celebration was for him after all, and she didn't want to cramp his style at what was essentially his coming out party. She longed to be by his side, but figured he would have a hard enough time gaining their acceptance without her clinging to him.
The others had long since retired to their rooms, likely as worn out by the heavy scrutiny as she was. She would probably have done the same, but Sesshoumaru hadn't set her up with a room of her own yet. She supposed it was her fault- if she had come with her friends as planned, she wouldn't be in this mess. So for now, it appeared her penance was to be somewhat of a sideshow in this circus.
It had been hours since the gardens, and she had seen no sign of the demon lord. She had hoped he would return from his meeting to play host, but it seemed that he and the General had a lot to discuss. 'It's been long enough,' she finally decided, and began scanning for a guard that appeared to be on duty.
She didn't have to search long; the vicinity was crawling with them, and made her way quickly to a muscular bear demon with dark features. He stood comfortably as she approached, keeping his lazy gaze on the socializers.
"Um, excuse me. Can you take me to Lord Sesshoumaru please?" His pupils slid towards the miko, but his frame remained still.
"I shall not disturb my lord, human." No spite was present in his tone.
"Oh, uh, it's just, I've found this ring- I think it belongs to him." She pulled it out of her pocket to show him, and finally gained his interest.
"Give it to me. I will take it to him," he demanded as he held out his hand expectantly. She knew those weren't the orders he was given, and she figured he would tell Sesshoumaru he had found the ring himself.
"I need to make sure that he gets it. Maybe another guard will-" That appeared to do the trick. If he wanted his reward, he would have to bring her personally.
"I will take you, follow me," he relented, and led her from the hall. It was a winding maze of hallways and corridors. She was right, she never would have found him on her own. She tried to memorize the way, but it was a long journey of seemingly endless paths, side doors, and one or two hidden entrances. They finally reached a subtle door at the end of a hallway when the guard stopped her to knock.
When the door opened, it wasn't Sesshoumaru who opened it, and Kagome blushed as the demon regarded her passively. She assumed it was the General, but couldn't be sure. She wasn't facing him when he discovered them in the gardens. "The miko has found My Lord's family ring."
"His ring?" Jiro asked, unaware it was missing.
"Ah, yes. I had misplaced it. Enter." As he moved aside to allow them passage, Sesshoumaru became visible at his desk; standing over the scrolls and maps that were laid out upon it. They appeared to the pouring over the details, hopefully having come to some agreement on whatever had been discussed with the council. His handsome face was a welcome sight, and she tried not to beam too hard when he looked at her coolly.
The guard lead her passed the General, who eyed her with suspicion, and stopped when Sesshoumaru straightened and began to make his way over to meet them. "Where did you find it, Miko?"
"Uh, it was in the garden." Jiro recalled catching them there, but betrayed nothing in front of his lord. The sight had concerned him, fearing that the female might mean him harm; but after, when Sesshoumaru remained in one piece, he had been able to breathe easy.
It appeared he had not heeded his earlier warning regarding the past repeating itself. It didn't really surprise him; Sesshoumaru often followed no counsel but his own. Jiro sighed internally.
"Well done in bringing her, soldier. You shall receive your reward in the morning," Sesshoumaru praised, causing excitement to radiate from the guard. "Until then, shall a promotion suffice?"
"A promotion, My Lord?" Sesshoumaru stood before him now.
"You are a level 2, correct?" A nod was his only answer.
"You are hereby a level 3. Jiro will have your assignment tomorrow."
"Thank you, My Lord!"
"That is all." With a pleased smile at Kagome, the guard made his exit. Hn. Perhaps a 'positive reinforcement' approach would prove useful when instructing his soldiers to accommodate the humans.
"You misplaced your ring?" Jiro prodded. Something was amiss. Sesshoumaru was not the forgetful type.
Sesshoumaru's face was trained on Kagome as he responded, "You are aware of how careless This One can be at times." Her lips ticked upward at the inside joke.
"...Indeed," as in, not at all careless. The demon lord finally regarded his general then.
"It is late. We shall continue tomorrow, Jiro."
"Yes, My Lord," he gathered some scrolls and made to leave, but eyed Kagome as he made his way out, "Not too late, I hope."
Once the door was closed, Sesshoumaru slid his arms around her hips, and she rested her wrists upon his broad shoulders.
"And what shall be my reward, My Lord?" There was that sarcastic hint to her language again. Why did it affect him so?
He drew his face nearer to hers, and ground himself into her, "Hmmm. This One will think of something..." She was finally in his home! There was so much he wanted to do with her, he could barely remember where he had meant to begin.
"Until then, a promotion will suffice," she informed him with a grin. He smirked.
"How about, we upgrade you from 'casual rutting partner of the Lord of the West' to 'Exclusive Rutting Partner?" She had all but told him in the gardens that she wished to be his only female. It occurred to him then that she already had been. He guessed it really didn't matter what he called her; it would change nothing between them.
"Hm. Does this position come with any perks?"
"I am so glad you have asked," he began playfully. "Free room and bored," he quickly pressed his lips against hers, "Your own personal guard dog," another kiss, "and best of all: unlimited, unrestricted access to The Lord of the Western Lands." She was giggling at his antics. When did he get so charming? She could get used to this side of him.
"Wow! Those are some attractive perks. The title doesn't really roll off the tongue, though." A rare smile from him was distracting, especially only an inch from her face.
"Where I come from, I would be called your girlfriend."
"As you wish. Unfortunately, that will not register in demon society. They will simply see you as my mate to be," he informed her. He had no intention of rushing her along, it was simply fact. Demons just weren't monogamous creatures, unless their beast had chosen a mate. When it had, the mating was usually not long in coming. Being that it seemed to have selected a human, he would have to take a non-traditional route.
"Acceptable." Her answer earned her a long, deep kiss; and her palms seemed to find it impossible to leave the hard plains of his upper chest unexplored. It was so exciting to be with him in his domain; but she felt kind of like she was in her boyfriend's room under the guise of studying, with his parents right downstairs.
"Oh! I almost forgot to give you back your ring," she pulled it from her pocket to hand to him.
His face took on a serious countenance, and he voiced his desire to her, "It would please me if you kept it."
"Really?"
"Would you wear it? As a token of your loyalty to This Sesshoumaru?" She hesitated.
"I am not proposing marriage... not at this time. It will, however, serve as a warning to human males that you are 'off the market.' The symbol of my house alone will deter any demon who wish to advance upon you for pleasure, or otherwise." This would save her a lot of trouble, and probably some lives.
"But you aren't proposing marriage? Is it because you're a demon?" She wanted to play with him a little more. And if her tone didn't give away her intentions, the grin she wore would more than make up for it.
"Not at all. The woman I am seeing is simply insisting we take things excruciatingly slow."
She put it on her finger, and the sight swelled him with pride. He had marked her as his, and though not completely, it should serve to placate his beast until she would allow him to do so with his fangs. They pulsed at the prospect.
"Slow, huh?" She regarded her new jewelry a moment, before gifting him with her attention once more.
"I heard she is already screwing your brains out at every opportunity. You call that taking it slow?"
"Where ever did you hear that?"
"I have my sources."
The hunger in his gaze betrayed the predator in his soul, and the threat in his tone caused a shiver through her being.
"Hn. As far as This One is concerned, that is taking it slow."
Her throat dried at the insinuation.
"Well, if I recall, it can be enjoyable to take things excruciatingly slow..."
"Remember priestess, however I take you, your enjoyment is assured." He began kissing her throat in the way that she loved, and she had to exert some control to simply respond.
"In that case, maybe we can speed things up a bit. When can I move in?"
Her simple question was music to his elfin ears.
"I shall have a room made up for you tomorrow." The room for the Lady of the West was adjoined with his own, for easy access. None had stayed there since his mother had moved out when he was a boy. He would allow the miko to decorate as she saw fit. Perhaps she would like to bring some items from her time- he would welcome anything that would make her more comfortable. This was to be her home, now.
She no longer wore a grin, and she was no longer playing around.
"...But I want this room."
He gave her a long, heated stare. Pulling her in for a kiss, he used his other hand to undo the binds of his armor. She helped to pull it over his head when the straps were loosened, and he hoisted her by her thighs, causing her to wrap them around his thin waist. She savored the familiar taste of him as he led them through another door. Once in his sleeping quarters, he threw her unceremoniously on her back, and she landed with an 'eep;' the softness of his bed broke her fall.
She stretched herself onto it, luxuriating in the comfort and size. There was more than enough room for two, and she realized it was larger than a king mattress in her era. 'Lord sized,' she mused. He moved to sit beside her, leaning in as he took her lips again. She rose to her knees in response, placing her palms on his chest to peruse that which was covered moments before.
Her tongue in his mouth felt a foreign movement then, causing her to start. It was a pulsing of his fangs, following by elongation, and the razor-sharp tip sliced a small gash on her lip. He froze in realization, and looked at her apologetically. He had to exert more caution with her! She was so fragile...
"I am sorry," he began, and she could tell he was warring with himself. He had a wild, repressed look in his red tinged eyes, and his breathing seemed to be coming more labored. The taste of her blood that was so thick in reiki forced him to swallow down his urge to take her roughly, and make her his forever.
She seemed to understand his dilemma. She didn't want to be branded. It wasn't that she didn't want to be his, she just wanted to take the scenic route with him. Like that night they had made love slowly.
She decided to try and meet him halfway; to give him something for his troubles. She pushed her mouth to his, and used her wet appendage to stroke his canines. She slowly and sinfully pressed the tip to one of the bones, dragging it up to his gum line, and trying to massage the tooth that lie beneath.
It seemed to work for him, and he visibly shuddered at the contact. She tested the tip- carefully!- , and moved to touch every centimeter with her mouth. She moved to the second deadly fang, applying soft pressure up and down the length of it, before moving her chin lower so that she could try and suck on the throbbing weapons.
He felt as if he were trespassing; for no demon belonged in heaven. He simply sat back with his jaw open, letting her have her way with his mouth. The bones had so longed to sink themselves into his female, and though growing hard to restrain himself further, it offered a balm to them to receive such attentions. He would have to put a stop to things soon however, for it wouldn't be long before-
His eyes had no amber remaining in them, glowing hot even in the lit room. He pulled her from himself, and forced her neck to bear. He placed his nose at the crook, inhaling deeply before brandishing his miko-slobbered fangs. When he drug them lightly across the skin there, careful as not to pierce through, she had worried that perhaps she had made a misstep.
"Sesshoumaru-" she warned, hoping she could get through to him in his weakened state.
"Just the tip," he pleaded, the rasp in his voice causing her to stiffen. "Just for a second. Just to see how it feels..." he was begging to proceed, and she couldn't help but be amused by the request.
'Yeah right. I've heard that before...' She knew he would bring her no harm. If he broke skin, would he be able to control himself? Be able to stop there, without forcing his youki down into her bloodstream?
She had to trust him. Had to give him this. Worst case scenario, it would only speed things up to where she assumed they were headed anyhow. She grabbed his hair to pull him away from her, and looked into his eyes. For a second, he thought she would refuse.
"Just the tips. You will control yourself after that." He nodded in understanding, and had to contain his elation as he did his best to approach the juncture of her neck slowly. He placed himself right over her pulse, and felt her rapid heartbeat under his aching fangs. With measured caution, he allowed enough pressure to pierce the ends through her soft, temping skin. He was playing with fire. She must be quite confident in his control to allow this. He would not see her trust in him misplaced.
His groin tightened painfully and he became light headed. The yelp she offered was tantalizing to his ears, but barely broke through his haze. Her blood sizzled on his teeth and caused pleasure to surge through his being. He was allowed to marinate in it only a moment before a familiar rush to his loins caused him to shudder and stiffen.
He closed his eyes tightly, and made no attempt to stifle the orgasm that forced itself through his body. He put his hands on her thighs to brace himself as he let it run its course, and when he was finished, he reluctantly withdrew himself from her flesh.
After licking her blood from his receding fangs, he ran his tongue over her damaged skin as a salve. He knew he could never do such a thing while he was inside her. Not until she was ready. His practiced control could handle one invasion or the other, but not both. When he finally was let to mate her, he would have to remember to bring her to her peak first. If this was any indication, he would not be able to last long when fully sinking to her flesh from both ends.
She was not unaffected by the act either. Though not brought to orgasm, the small amount of his youki at war in her bloodstream caused a current to rip through her, and pool low in her belly. She reached down to alleviate some of the wonderful pressure, but he would have none of it. Words could not express his thanks adequately, but his mouth was not without resources.
He persuaded her to lay back on his bed- their bed- and pulled down her bottoms with a gentle care reserved only for her. When his velvety tongue made contact with her clit, she moaned in satisfaction meant to encourage and praise. He brought her to completion, lazily and unrushed. After, she snuggled to his side as he held her to him.
The wisps of her hair were scattered, and clinging to her damp shoulders; and she pushed her exhaustion aside in favor of speaking with the one she had been aching for all day.
"I can't believe I missed Inuyasha's big day."
"You will be there for his wedding. I suspect it is more important to him that you are there for that. He will require your support." After a beat, he added.
"I am not pleased with how he spoke to you regarding the wolf incident."
They say that opposites attract; and in that moment, the adage proved glaring. How was his own hair still so perfect, and skin so deceptively unaffected?
"He was just worried about you. You should have heard him defending you. It would have been cute if it wasn't so hurtful." He frowned at her statement.
"I just wish I could have seen him up there, taking his oath. How did he do?"
"His recitation was sufficient."
"Jeez, spare me the details."
"It is a standard oath. Nothing exciting, simply obligatory. It was committed to his memory, and pledged after This Sesshoumaru formally introduced him to the soldiers."
"I wish I could have heard you present him to the demon world."
He longed to grant her every wish. So far, she was making his task an easy one.
"I can repeat it, if you wish."
"Really?" When it looked like he would begin, she cuddled closer to him in the way she preferred for story time. He made to sit slightly to accommodate her, wrapping her in one arm.
"I, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands, hereby present my heir, Lord Inuyasha: Son of Inu no Taisho, and brother to This Sesshoumaru. Do you swear to uphold these lands, protect its inhabitants, and defend its principles; to offer swift and brutal justice to those who would see it harmed, and rule with honor and integrity until your dying breath?
"And then, he gave his oath, which is along those same lines. At this point, I borrowed a custom from your human wedding: If any know of a reason why Inuyasha should not be named heir then speak now, or forever hold your peace.
"Of course, none dared challenge this Sesshoumaru's claim." She rolled her eyes, but couldn't deny she loved his confidence.
"In that case, may I formally introduce: Lord Inuyasha, Heir to the Western Lands.
"At this point, the Western Soldiers pounded their right fist over their breast to signify solidarity, and he returned in kind. There was then a grand feast in his honor, followed by the celebration. It was at that point which you had arrived."
She remembered arriving as the party had commenced, the conditions of her lateness still causing her grief. She also remembered how she had found him, on the receiving end of attentions from an attractive panther demon. She pushed the memory away for now.
"How was the meeting with your council? I heard you took some guys head."
"His disrespect could not be forgiven. Had I allowed him to live, it would have only invited dissent from others who disapprove of Inuyasha's place in the council," he rationalized. She didn't blame him. He knew the politics of the lands far better than she. Hopefully his death would not be in vain.
"Was it okay other than that? Did you find a solution for your population problem?"
He allowed a sigh passed his lips. "Not entirely. There is still not enough space in The West to accommodate its new followers adequately. I will need significantly more land than has been agreed upon by the other lords. I wish to avoid taking it from them by force, but if there is no agreement soon, I fear that I must." He went on.
"Lives will be lost if I am to go to war. It can be avoided, but I must have cooperation. The South is desolate, and not suitable for my needs, and The East is too far to be practical. The bulk of what I require must be taken from The Northern Lands disproportionately, and the lord is being...difficult." He chose his words carefully, unsure if he should continue.
"He is getting on in years, and allowing his daughter and heir, Touran, to take up the negotiations. But what she wants, I cannot give."
"What does she want?" He regarded her cautiously.
"This Sesshoumaru."
"You?"
"She has desired to ally her lands with mine by way of a mating. She has been playing a long game, and will accept no less in forms of trade. I have offered her wealth in amounts that are more than fair, but to no avail."
"She's the panther demon I saw you with."
"The same. If we can find no solution soon, our lands will be at war."
She cuddled to him then, and he kissed her forehead. She wasn't jealous of the demon. She had no question where Sesshoumaru's loyalties lie. She just couldn't help but feel kind of bad that she may be standing in the way of world peace. If he wasn't with her, would he have made the deal? It seemed kind of hard to believe that Sesshoumaru would agree to anything that he wasn't on board with, but he had said that he used sex in his business dealings in the past.
Kagome latched on to her beloved demon, where she stayed until a long-deserved sleep overcame her. He remained awake for some time after that, watching his girlfriend, and pleased with the evening's events. It had been a trying day, but things had ended up better than he could have hoped. Tomorrow would be his brother's wedding, and it had to go well. With the miko at his side, he had no doubt he would succeed.
A/N: I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But there is still some fun to be had...
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both