Time of day meant little to demon kind. Not only could they see just as well in the dark, but their superior forms required very little rest; so they were not beholden to the whims of the moon cycle.
Sesshoumaru was, however, currently somewhat beholden to the whims of the humans who had recently taken up residence in his fortress. He had promised the couples solitude to enjoy their post marital celebrations, as a part of their agreement to give living in his lands a go, and subsequent help in his plans for cohabitation should they agree to remain. So when they had found time in their schedule to meet him for preliminary talks regarding his plans, he cared not for the late hour.
It was a good start, but they would have much more to discuss in the weeks, and most likely months to come. Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango had left the meeting with at least some idea of what their new duties would entail; and in turn, Sesshoumaru had gained some knowledge of what he may require, and might expect going forward. He had been made aware of what humans would need, as well as desire for success in their day to day lives.
Their concerns regarding demons were also addressed, and he could fathom what each side would be willing to forgo, in return for assurances and comforts on his end. He had been planning this for some time, but he learned he was correct in requesting human aid in this endeavor. Matters were brought to his attention that had never crossed his mind, and being closely allied with humans gave him a rare insight into their expectations.
It wasn't only the humans who would have issues with his new world order, demons would be uncomfortable with things as well. But due to their strength and intimidating nature, the concessions would appear to be somewhat lopsided.
He could have really used Kagome at his side, but she was currently in no position to lend him aid. Her sympathies towards her race seemed to be dwindling by the day, and until she gained some mastery over the powerful youki that seemed to be absorbing her once kind nature, Sesshoumaru was aware that she would only stifle his progress.
The others at the meeting were aware of her notable absence, and Sesshoumaru was not entirely comfortable addressing it with them. He was never one to over share information, and though it did indeed affect them, he had hoped to be further along in a solution before bringing her predicament to the attention of anyone. Even the miko herself.
It would probably be wise to clue her in on the information he had gathered from his visit with Bokusenou, and he intended to... It was just a difficult subject to breach. He hated to admit that he was likely prolonging the inevitable.
There was another issue plaguing the demon, which he was very loathe to address. Bokusenou had eluded to the fact that she seemed to be absorbing his youki through their intimate encounters. He decided that the wise decision would be to hold off on such acts until she could find a way to get her powers regulated. It didn't help that the very youki she had absorbed seemed to me making her even more insatiable than before. He would have to find a way to deny her needs without harming her... or the relationship.
These were the thoughts consuming him as he leisurely walked from the meeting he had just attended back to his rooms, where the miko would likely be waiting for him. It was this preoccupation that caused him the rare lack in awareness of his surroundings, and why he was able to be taken by surprise.
As he turned yet another corner down yet another hallway on his way to his destination, he was attacked. None alive could overpower the great daiyoukai, save for the young time traveler who had him pressed against the wall, and stretched herself up on tippy toes to ravish his mouth with her own.
She used his armor to pull herself up to him, and his hands automatically tangled themselves in her thick, obsidian locks. He completely forgot about the vow he had made to himself only moments ago that he would fall back on his famous control to resist her for as long as necessary, when she grabbed his cock outside of his clothing and roughly stroked him until hard.
He bent down only enough to grab her by her thighs and hoist her up to him, and quickly spun them around so that she was now pinned to the wall. He dominated her mouth with his tongue as he ground himself harshly into her, eliciting groans from her as he did so.
He realized she wasn't wearing any panties as he felt his hakama become soaked by the wetness she produced, and all he could think of was freeing himself from them as she slid her fingers up into his hair and scratched his scalp with her blunt nails.
His youki had been making her more aggressive with him lately. And though he enjoyed it, he couldn't help but miss her gentle touch at times. She encouraged him as he reached down to loosen his own clothes, until a familiar aura barely grazed his senses causing him to hesitate.
"Hey Sesshoumaru, I almost forgot-" Inuyasha could sense them there before he turned the corner, but apparently hadn't expected the scene he was about to intrude upon. Sure, he had scented Kagome's arousal. But it seemed to be a common occurrence lately when in the presence of her dog demon lover. Just because she was excited, didn't necessarily mean they were engaging in sexual acts. This time however, it appeared that they were.
"Oh, shit. Sorry-" he began, but Kagome cut him off with anger and frustration in her tone.
"Damn it, Inuyasha! Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?" Sesshoumaru for some reason had not been as receptive to her advances lately. Now that she had him where she wanted him, she was furious that her progress had been interrupted. He looked like he would respond, but she wouldn't give him the opportunity.
"Get lost, half-breed!" Hurt graced his features initially at the old familiar slight, but his reaction quickly turned into one of concern. He had been called that name more times than he could count, most of all by the demon who just witnessed the jab. But not in a very long time. And certainly, never by Kagome.
His gaze turned to Sesshoumaru, who shared a sympathetic glance as his brother made eye contact with him for a long moment.
"I'm sorry," he sadly offered, and left the way he came. Once gone, Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to the miko he held pressed up against the wall. She smiled again back at him, prepared to continue where they had left off, but was irritated when she was lowered to the floor to stand once again.
"You needn't be so harsh with him," he scolded, and wondered if he should finally fill her in on her current predicament.
"I just want a little time with you," she reasoned, grabbing for him again. But the incident seemed to cool him off, and reminded him of why they should probably abstain. When he gently shrugged her off, she grew upset again.
"It's not like you're one to talk. You have been meaner to him that anyone!"
He frowned at the accusation; mostly because it was true. He was making great strides in mending the once tattered relationship between he and his younger brother, and he didn't appreciate being reminded of the regretful manner in which he had behaved toward him until extremely recently. He considered his previous treatment of the half demon among his least redeeming qualities. But those actions no longer represented him accurately.
"Things have changed. Obviously." He hoped she would internalize his statement, but it only seemed to sour her further.
When she turned to leave him, he should have let her go. But he couldn't leave things between them like this. He would have to start denying her. But not now. He couldn't endanger their relationship further. And he had to admit, he was still very affected by her desire for him.
"Miko." When he would use her first name, he never failed to gain her full attention. But when he commanded her by her title, she could not deny the need it caused inside her to submit to him. To obey.
She stopped in her tracks, but didn't turn to face him. She would hear him out, but he wouldn't speak.
A sharp gasp left her lips as she felt his fingertips graze the back of her thigh. And as he leaned forward further to run his palm slowly up her leg into her skirt, she closed her eyes and shuddered at the contact. It was still so amazing to her that such a soft, simple touch from him could nearly cause her to become undone in his presence.
When she forced herself to look over her shoulder to take him in, her arousal somehow progressed even more. His mouth was slightly opened, revealing those fangs that she lusted for as he breathed heavily past his lips. He wanted her desperately, and the need in his beautiful eyes that were slightly obstructed by his mussed bangs showed no signs of holding back.
His hand continued his journey up into her skirt, and rediscovered the wetness he had caused as it coated and dripped from her core.
"Kami..." she whispered, as he lightly tickled her sensitive lips. He turned her in his grasp and used his free hand to pull the back of her head into a demanding kiss.
He used one arm to lift her to press against the wall once more, and the other to finally free himself to enter her. He took her harshly in the hallway, causing her to wail and moan in pleasure and relief. It was a great relief to him to have her as well, but there was also a hint of punishment in it. For how she had acted. For what she had said.
The smoothness of his long, hard shaft filled her completely, and repetitively; and every so often he would yelp at the sensation as he hit the back of her cervix. He pressed her tightly against the wall as he craned his neck to ravish her throat, and continued his path down to her cleavage; before using his teeth to pull the fabric aside to free her breasts from the material so that he could access them directly as they bounced from his actions.
He was briefly distracted as he mentally tallied the rooms in his fortress. He wondered how long it would take them to christen each one, as they were doing to his hallway.
She wrapped her legs around him anticipating her climax, but she would be interrupted yet again. He stiffened and stopped his assault. For a moment, she thought he might have cum faster than she hoped. But as he turned his head and withdrew from her, she knew something was wrong.
"Sesshoumaru?"
"It's Rin," he informed her.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" she exclaimed, as he set her gently to her feet. Her hair was tussled wildly, and she moved it from her face with her hand. "Sesshoumaru!" she pleaded, but he was off.
He righted his clothing as he made the journey to his ward's room, and found her in a way he was accustomed to by now. She was writhing in her sleep, shrieking and flopping about. He was by her side in an instant, gathering her into his arms in an attempt to soothe. He held her to his chest gently, petting her hair and softly cooing for her to awake.
It was far too common for the girl to have nightmares. Usually involving being torn apart by wolves, or watching her family meet a similar fate. She would be inconsolable until she awoke with him by her side, and it would seem to calm her.
She cried as she came to, pressing her tear stained face into him as he assured her things were okay.
"Lord Sesshoumaru!" she cried in relief as well as upset.
"Rin. You needn't cry. You have me." The news seemed to placate her a bit, and she began to calm down.
Kagome appeared in the doorway to watch, and the frustration in her aura caused Sesshoumaru to draw his gaze from his young charge to regard the female watching them through the open door. The look in her eye caused him to start.
There was no concern. Or sympathy. No sadness, or understanding. All he saw was irritation. And disgust. It was a look he knew all too well. A look he once donned with regularity, and he couldn't help but be disgusted with it. With the miko for having it now, and with himself for ever having it. It was a look he would give when he realized how weak another creature actually was. And when he was annoyed at the inconvenience of it all.
He feared in that moment that he had lost her, but he pushed it aside. She couldn't be gone. She wasn't. He could still get her back. He would find a way. He found it very hard in that moment however to be inclined to endure her for the time being.
"Lady Kagome!" the child pleaded. In the past, Kagome would have been the first to the child's side. Perhaps even before himself. She would have offered comfort to the distressed girl. Not anymore.
It was something he had grown to love in the woman. Perhaps, even a great reason he had realized he ever loved her in the first place. He was heartbroken to find that the woman in his presence no longer seemed to harbor such traits. And didn't want the distressed child to be aware of this fact.
Rin's cries for Kagome would go without response, and he intervened.
"The miko is very tired, Rin. As are you. Can you return to sleep?" She forced herself to be strong, and nodded up at her lord. He gently laid her back down and graced her forehead with a kiss. Before he could retreat, she quickly turned her head and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek in return. The action caused him to falter.
She had never been so bold as to do such a thing in the past. He was aware that she had probably wanted to, but he wouldn't have allowed it. Would he have? It seemed now that he would, and he found he couldn't leave the needy girl's side.
"Sesshoumaru..." Kagome insisted at his hesitation, likely anxious that he return to her to continue gifting her with his less that gentle attentions. But the mood had passed him. He found it much easier to deny her now.
"Go to bed, miko. This One shall stay with Rin a while."
"You will?!" Rin exclaimed. Her earlier fret seemed to melt away. All she wanted was her lord's attention for as long as he was willing to give it.
He inclined his head with a small upturn of his lips in her direction, and the girl threw her arms around him in thanks.
Kagome was beyond pissed. He could feel it. But he couldn't care at the moment. He wouldn't even turn his attention back to her as she fixed him with a glare, and left.