Toxin

Kagome watched with a sense defeat as Sesshoumaru's mother carried her son off to who knows where. A warm hand slid into the collar of her kimono around the back of her neck, and she flinched in pain. She took a step back out of Sesshoumaru's reach.

"You are hurt."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Yes, your mother was not very friendly."

"She must like you."

A harsh laugh erupted from her mouth. "Like me?! She tried to kill me."

"Yet, you are alive."

Sesshoumaru watched her clench her fists, her anger obvious.

"Will Katsurou be alright around her? She won't hurt him will she?"

"Hn. She will protect him. He is her first grandchild."

Kagome crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't mean to be rude, but technically he isn't related to her. Why would she accept him?"

"My father was her mate. Any offspring of his, she would consider her own."

That didn't make any sense to her at all. If that was true, why was Inuyasha abandoned by his family after his mother died? Did Manako not consider Inuyasha a child of her mate's? There that word was again. Mate.

Sesshoumaru stepped closer to her once more. Her neck was bruised, and had bleeding lacerations from where his mother's claws had scratched her. He placed his hand against her injured neck, feeling the toxin his mother had left behind. He would not be surprised if she left had her poison on purpose, just so that he would have to remove it.

Kagome brought up her hand shoo him away.

"Stop it, it hurts alright?" She said taking a step back.

Sesshoumaru caught her hand, and pulled her closer to him instead. His eyes glowed dark amber. His focus on her was unnerving. Her small hand remained trapped in his hold.

His mother's remark came floating back to her conscience. Sesshoumaru's mate.

Kagome swallowed thickly, and placed a hand on his chest.

"You need to explain some things to me. Your mother seems to be under the impression that I will mate you."

Sesshoumaru did his best to not let his irritation show. Damn her for revealing his plans too soon. He had hoped to convince her to mate him eventually, but now he had to change his plans.

He leaned down over her, and buried his face in her neck.

She immediately stiffened in surprise. Her skin became flushed and her heart pounded in her chest.

"Hmm." He murmured against her bruised skin. "I will explain the situation."

Kagome clenched his kimono lapels. "What situation? What are you doing?"

He brushed his lips against her neck.

"Sesshoumaru-sama?"

His tongue darted out to run along the dark lacerations. He regretted that the only time he has been able to taste her was when she had become injured. However, he was more than willing to help. Her holy energy gave her such a sharp, clean taste that combined with her gentle soft scent of lavender, he felt like he could lavish her for hours. Unfortunately, his mother's poison remained on her skin, and fouled his experience.

Warmth spread out across her neck, the pain slowly ebbing away. Kagome closed her eyes, and tilted her head back, baring more neck for him. He snaked his arm around her back, supporting her. She relaxed into his hold, leaning closer against him. A rumble of approval filled his chest. His youki spread across her as her neck healed under his ministrations. Faintly she thought, she found his youki pleasant. His youki was not burning her like it usually did. It was so purely him, that she found it comforting.

Her scent had become thicker, heady, and more feminine. Sesshoumaru realized with a start that she must be aroused. He slowly pulled away from her to look down at her flushed face, her soft lips parted, her eyes closed in pleasure.
He longed to close the distance and kiss her. He could not allow himself to; for fear that it would push her away.

Her eyes slowly opened to gaze up at him. He watched as her throat moved as she swallowed.

"You have a lot to explain." She said softly.