Touch

The sun had set by the time the wedding guests had made their way down the mountain. Balls of green fox-fire illuminated the pathway, casting an eerie light on the kitsune.

Kagome's eyes widened when the mansion came into view. A large bonfire blazed in the field behind the building. Cushions sat against long tables, stretching out before a small stage. Red lanterns swayed in the air, suspended only by fox magic. Vendors and stalls were set up with trinkets, food, and toys. Servants awaited the guests with trays of food and bottles of saké. Drum beats and trilling flutes filled the air.

The kitsune around them barked and transformed into large foxes before dashing away, eager to start the festivities.

Kagome could understand their excitement. She had only been to a few family weddings when she was a child, but certainly nothing like attending a kitsune wedding. She was living out a legendary experience! Her eyes wandered to her stoic companion, who walked beside her with a firm grip on her hand. They had walked all the way down the mountain this way, and he had yet to let go of stomach turned with nervous excitement.
What was going through his head? Surely he wouldn't hold her hand for the fun of it, you know, because he wantedto. He must have a reason for it, right? She narrowed her eyes at him. Who are you and what did you do with Sess…Her eyes widened. What if…he wasn't Sesshoumaru? Did a sneaky kitsune trick her?!

No, no, don't over think this, she chided herself. His youki remained draped around her like a cloak. She would know if someone had switched him out for a doppelgänger. Plus, she knew that would make him unbelievably mad. Still…that golden kitsune was very strong. She couldn't afford to underestimate him.

How could she make sure the Sesshoumaru she was holding on to was the real Sesshoumaru.

Perhaps, she should try something bold. A kitsune would welcome her advances, right? And Sesshoumaru wouldn't...she assumed.

She pressed her body against his arm, and trailed her free hand up under his sleeve, her fingertips sliding over his skin, only stopping when she squeezed his hard bicep. Her reiki sent soft tingles up his arm, and mingled freely with his own youki.

He turned his head and looked down at her. A delicate silver eyebrow raised in question.

His meandering thoughts came to a sudden halt at the feel of her hand on his arm. This behavior was rather odd for her. She touched everyone rather freely, but not him.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, do you find me attractive?" Kagome asked sweetly.

Her question confused him further. Did he find her attractive? Of course. What kind of game was she playing?

He regarded her for a moment before answering.

"This Sesshoumaru is not blind. Why ask such a foolish question?"

Her face turned beet red. He was without a doubt, Sesshoumaru. And to think that she had touched him so openly and...wait, did he just admit that he found her attractive?

He looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer. Her mouth opened and closed, grasping at a plausible answer.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'm sorry. I...it's just unusual that you would want to touch me so much. I just thought that maybe a kitsune had tricked me. I wanted to test you to find out."

His brow furrowed and a look of open disgust crossed his face.

"Do you not trust your own senses?"

"I do...but I didn't want to be caught off guard."

Sesshoumaru scoffed. "You do not give yourself enough credit. You have known the truth. None of the kitsune here are powerful enough to take you from my side."

He paused in his step and pulled her against him. Taking his hand from hers, he ran his fingers up her back to slide underneath her hair to cup the back of her head. Youki trailed warmth up her back,where it spread outward, and pooled southward. She closed her eyes and sighed. The energy felt so undeniably him: protective, powerful, and overwhelming. He had been right; she had known it was truly him, she just doubted herself.

He leaned in close against her ear. "Why do you assume that this Sesshoumaru does not enjoy your touch? More importantly, if you knew this one was not a kitsune, then that begs the question, what did you hope to achieve with this ruse?"

She leaned back away from him, her mouth agape. "Look I…"Her eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute, why do you insist on holding my hand? Is this for show or…?" She held their hands up for emphasis.

He didn't answer her, but rather narrowed his predatory glare. She glared back, unwilling to lose this staring contest.

Sesshoumaru had no desire to discuss why he felt the need to hold on to her. Perhaps he wanted protect her after Hatakeyama's threats, or maybe he wanted to send the message that she was his, but the truth was far harder for him to explain. He wanted to hold her, touch her, feel her. They had briefly achieved what no other had been able to accomplish, and he craved that feeling of completeness that only she could give him.

So instead of trying to articulate his reasons, he glared at her.

After a few minutes, she had enough. It was obvious he wasn't going to give her an answer.

"Look, can we just forget about this? I'm hungry and I want to enjoy myself tonight."

"Hn."

His eyes softened, and he held out his hand for her to take.

She hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his. She shouldn't have given in to him so easily, but she found that tonight she wanted to enjoy herself. The past could stay in the past, and for a brief moment she could forget about the weight on her shoulders. It just so happened that enjoying herself included walking around a romantic festival hand in hand with none other than Sesshoumaru.

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Author's Note: Hey guys, I'm so sorry it's been so long since I have updated! Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! There should be another update in the next few days!