Jiro wasn't necessarily shocked at the scene before him. If anything, it was more troubling that he stood mere feet away and his lord was none the wiser. Though, he supposed he shouldn't be too surprised. It appeared as if the young demon had been quite busy last night.
He dozed in his bed, in a sleep so deep he would not detect a threat that were right in his face. He hadn't seen him in such a state since they were pups. And back then, he certainly didn't have a nude female on either side, clinging to him in their own unconscious bliss.
Such a situation was not uncommon for a demon of his stature. It was simply uncommon for this particular demon of stature. This was the second time in as many nights having caught Sesshoumaru engaging in wanton acts of carnality; before that, he couldn't even remember the last time he'd seen any evidence of a female in his lord's vicinity. He would learn of them, later, when deals had been struck or certain moves had been made with no other explanations apparent.
He had wondered if he would alter his methods now that he no longer retained the status of eligible bachelor, but it appeared he now had his answer. He had assumed that the miko would demand he put a stop to it, but he was also aware that this woman was not your average female. Perhaps she wouldn't be as much a hindrance as he'd thought.
A forceful clearing of his throat was meant to inform the lord of his presence, but it was only the miko who stirred at the noise. He had expected her to flush with embarrassment once made aware of him, but when she cracked her sleepy eyes, she only fixed him with a look which betrayed annoyance.
She regarded him coolly for a long moment, no words exchanged between them. Finally, as if resigned to the intrusion, she gently placed her palm on the side of Sesshoumaru's face to wake him.
His senses seemed to regain slowly, culminating in the opening of his amber depths to finally recognize the woman staring back into them, mere inches from his face. Seeing a genuine smile plastered across her features, he returned it with one of his own, causing Jiro to flinch at the unfamiliar sight.
The miko's eyes cut to him then, causing Sesshoumaru to follow her line of sight. And once his attendance in the room became known, the demon's eyes narrowed dangerously; a far cry from the warmth they had just held.
"I do not recall giving you permission to enter, Jiro."
His tone was deadly, and promised ill fate to the one at which it was directed. The General was unfazed, however, for once not intimidated by his lord's idol threat.
"That is likely why I do not recall asking."
The tense exchange alongside the flaring of youki from the conversing demons caused the fourth party to stir from her sleep as well. Her brief elation at waking beside The Western Lord was short-lived, as she quickly became aware of the extra presence in the room. This female did flash signs of embarrassment, likely at being caught in her ill-gotten dealings, before masking the signs with her own façade.
"Now that everyone is up, perhaps we can begin."
"I should go," Touran began to sit up, but Jiro halted her ascent.
"No. I am glad you're here, Touran. This concerns you as well. May I assume then, that an agreement has been reached concerning our land deal?"
His audacity was astounding, and Sesshoumaru was currently running the risk/reward in his head from killing his general on the spot. If he felt so comfortable barging into his room and disrespecting his females in his presence, perhaps he could afford the time it would take to train a replacement. Touran's calm insertion at least delayed his punishment.
"You are correct, Jiro. I trust Sesshoumaru will take only what he believes to be fair." She had been true to her word, and therefore earned his respect. He was sure to relay that in the brief gaze he allowed her.
"Excellent. My Lord, I have been critical of your methods in the past, but it appears you have-"
"Jiro," he had really pushed his luck, and was sure he was to pay dearly for it later.
"Leave." He had worn out his welcome, not that he'd ever had it, and didn't attempt to test the last thread on which his life appeared to be dangling. With a nervous smile and a bow, he made his exit with no further comment.
Touran stood and dressed, while Sesshoumaru remained in bed with his girlfriend. He had an unreadable countenance, gazing at Kagome in what seemed to be a sort of appraisal. Was she okay with what happened? Had they made a mistake?
But the warm smile she gave him offered nothing but admiration, and she pressed it to his face to steal a good morning kiss. 'So far so good,' he thought with only slight relief. He would have to let it marinate a bit before he could determine the true effects. But in the meantime, he kissed her back, trying to relay his love for her so that she need not question.
As Touran made to leave, Kagome stopped her progress, "Wait!" The panther turned, curious as to what the miko wanted. Kagome got up and put on a robe.
"I need to talk to you real quick. Just let me go get dressed." At Sesshoumaru's worried glance, she offered, "It's all good, I promise. Why don't you say goodbye, and I'll be waiting outside."
Touran approached him, still in bed after Kagome left for her adjoining chambers.
"Thank you, Sesshoumaru. For everything."
"Thank Kagome. This was her doing, as you know."
"She really is something, isn't she?"
He only huffed informally, somewhere between amused and incredulous.
"I see what you see in her. I know no one else here does, but she has a light..." she was having a hard time putting it into words.
"I know I have been difficult, and for that I am sorry. I just wanted you so badly... but I hadn't taken your wants into consideration." She was speaking softly, and her words were genuine.
"I never suspected you had any real emotions. You hide them so well. But seeing you with her... I was wrong. I love you, Sesshoumaru. So much so, that I truly wish for your happiness. That is why I will leave you be. The path to your happiness seems to be in the form of that human girl. I will not stand in your way any longer. You have my word."
She leaned down to him then, and placed a hand behind his neck. When she pulled him into a kiss, he did not resist. He knew it would be their last, and he would allow her this. When they broke, she gave him a sad smile, and went to speak with the woman he loved.
He just sat and watched her go, but his mind was on the miko outside. Until mere hours ago, he was so certain that love didn't even truly exist. And even on the off chance that it had, it was nothing he had any use of or interest in. In nearly eight centuries, none had ever expressed harboring such emotions for the daiyoukai; at least not to him. Now suddenly, he had heard the confession twice in a twelve hour period. And it was all because of Kagome.
She stirred the emotions within him to cause him to make such a confession himself, and she had returned in kind. And though true that he didn't love Touran, it was Kagome's insistence that he display some affection to her that likely gave her the courage to admit such a thing to him.
He couldn't help but wonder if that was the key to gaining such regard from others. He didn't seek a romantic love from anyone else but his miko, but perhaps opening himself up a bit deeper would inspire a new depth of trust from his followers, and from pack mates. Sure, he had their respect; their loyalty. But he was now seeing the value in tapping deeper to gain something stronger, and more powerful from them. Perhaps Kagome knew this as well...
On the other side of the door, Kagome had been waiting. Touran initially felt panic when the miko threw up a barrier around them, but relaxed once she realized that it was most likely for some privacy from the sharp hearing of the demon lord who held both of their hearts in his palm.
"Thank you, Kagome, for-"
"Okay listen." She cut her off, somewhat surprising the panther.
"You got what you wanted. This was a one-time deal, understand?" She nodded.
"You did what you said what you were going to do, and I respect that. But you are never to approach him sexually for anything in the future. If you ever get it in your head that you want to be with him again, you come to me. But never him, got it?" The panther was shocked by her curtness, but nodded in understanding.
'Would she allow such a thing to happen again? Perhaps if the circumstances were right...'
But she'd given her word to Sesshoumaru. Still, she would file the information away for later.
When Kagome was satisfied the panther understood, she pulled her in for a quick, seemingly obligatory kiss, and vanished back into the dog demon's room. Despite the night they had just shared, the kiss, for some reason, felt awkward.
It had been hours since Sesshoumaru had taken to his desk. Now with a deal finally in place, he could draw out the plans for his expansion. He would remain true to his word, and not be excessive in his eminent domain. He would take enough to make himself comfortable, and no more. He hadn't really had to give up much for it, provided his relationship didn't suffer as a result.
It appeared that Kagome had been right. In offering his body, and extending his affection in the process, Touran had been more than fair in what she had offered in return. He hadn't even needed to draw out the details before they began, and was not taken for a fool. Not only that; she seemed to now understand that their mating could never be, and even freely gave his relationship her blessing. Not that he needed it; it just made his life easier. Kagome seemed to have a knack for leadership and negotiations, despite only being in The Western Lands a day. He wondered where she had acquired such fortitude.
His musings were interrupted when the miko in question let herself into his study, and made her way to his side. Since last night, she had been walking around with an air of confidence that seemed new on her, which was the exact opposite of what he was expecting. She had also remained true to her word, displaying no jealousy or regret of their actions, and his part in them. Regardless, he was being extra attentive toward her; wanted to be sure to leave no question in her mind where his loyalties lie.
She had his full attention as she rounded his desk. He waited to hear whatever she had wanted to tell him, but she said nothing. She made her way behind him and stopped, placing her hands on his shoulders to begin working the tension out of his neck.
She knew he was uncomfortable with the previous arrangement, but he had made the smart move. They now had everything they needed, and there remained peace between the lands. She wanted to make sure he knew she wasn't harmed by the experience, and appreciated his involvement.
Another strange feeling had been flowing through her as well. Something foreign, and sinister. It was like a sense of accomplishment, at getting him to do her bidding. She had the dog on a leash, and now knew without question that she could have him do anything on a whim, she need only request it. She should be appalled at the cruelness of the thought, but was consumed by the power of it.
He closed his eyes and relaxed his neck, letting her work the knots from his shoulders. As she rubbed him, she leaned over his shoulder to see what had him occupied at his desk so long. She recognized Tanaka's name on areas in the scroll, with a fresh line drawn through them.
"Who will be Tanaka's replacement?" she asked him, and he seemed startled at the question. Why was she reading his scrolls? And why such a sudden interest in his politics? She needn't worry herself.
"No heir has yet been named. Kashi has no other family of which This One is aware, so it is likely he will choose among his generals," he decided to inform her anyway, not seeing any harm in it.
"Why don't you pick someone for him?" He turned to look at her, and for some reason became slightly suspicious of her intentions.
"They are his lands. It is his decision. It is not my place to interfere."
"But the dragons have been nothing but trouble, right? You are stronger than him, why not just force him to pick someone you approve of?" The ethics of it was terrible, and he couldn't form an answer.
"Think about it. You have Touran eating out of the palm of your hand now. Kouga is eating out of mine. If we had an ally as Heir to the South, we would basically run the entire country."
'We?' Why was she talking like she was a lady of land? Sure, she was to be his mate, eventually. And he appreciated her input and judgement to a degree, but mates of lords had no say in the goings on of the lands.
He supposed, it did work to his advantage that Kouga had been in love with her. If the fear he harbored for the demon lord wasn't enough to ensure his cooperation in most things, his regard for her would likely take care of the rest.
And Touran was in love with him. Now that she agreed to put the mate business to rest, he assumed he could still use her feelings to his advantage. But he needn't rely on all that. He would succeed because had the best ideas. The best armies. He could stand on his own. She was becoming somewhat opportunistic, and it was beginning to concern him. Still, she continued.
"Do you know of any dragons who will bend to your will, if named as heir?"
"I know of none."
"What about Ah-Un?" He snorted.
"The dragon is a beast of burden. It is in no way fit to rule."
"Well, where did you get it? Does it have any family we can pursue?"
"The dragon was bred and sold. It has no family."
She rounded on him then, forcing him to move back as she took a seat on the edge of his desk and crossed her legs.
"How about some reconnaissance work? Basically, only dragons can survive in The South, right? Well, send Ah-Un there. Have it live in the South, make some friends, gain some trust. When a suitable dragon takes it into its confidence, we convince Kashi to name it as heir. Then we will be unstoppable."
There was that 'we' again. He was already unstoppable. He had no interest in continuing with her strange line of questioning.
Rising to stand, he forced her legs apart so that he may stand between him. His kiss was commanding as he ran his clawed hands up her skirt, bunching it in the process. She threw her head back to moan, and he took the opportunity to devour her throat, while at the same time hooking his fingers around her panties and dragging them down her legs.
Once removed from his hakama, she smiled wickedly at him and wrapped her legs around his waist. He took her fast and hard, while keeping his face very close to hers throughout. He much preferred this to sharing her, and simply wanted to drown himself in her scent. He needed her to know that she was the only one he would ever want, and the way she clung to him for dear life soothed the ache in his being ever since last night.
The desk was thumping against the floor at his movements, and the claws at the wooden edge dug grooves in the top. When she came, she bit down on his earlobe, drawing blood. And when she began using her mouth to clean up the wound, it pushed him over the edge as well.
He picked her up off the desk, legs still wrapped around him, and sat them back down in his chair. He just wanted to hold her near; to wash away the memory of inviting another to disturb their intimacy. He couldn't fathom how much it had affected him.
He had used sex to settle business a thousand times, but this last time was hard to get over. It felt like it had cheapened what they had shared with one another, and he was afraid it would change things between them physically, and otherwise.
If this was any indication, it appeared that everything still seemed to work right. His insecurity, however, was a new and very unwelcome emotion.