Devour
Kagome clung to the arm of the poor maid assigned to drag her back to her room. She hadn't realized she had drunk so much. It had been only a few cups, right? When she tried to think back on exactly how much she had drunk, her memory became foggy. The world moved in funny ways, and she found it difficult to not fall over. A small pouch of gold coins hung from her obi and it jingled loudly whenever she stumbled over her own feet.
An errant giggle escaped her. Kitsune really knew how to party! After dancing, Hajime insisted that they all play some gambling games with some other kitsune in their family. Since they were using their youki in attempts to deceive others out of their money, it was easy for her to detect the trick using her own powers. After a few rounds, Kagome had gotten very good at guessing through the kitsunes' disguises, making her the winner of quite a few coins. She hadn't laughed like that in a really long time. It was so relieving to be in a place where she could relax and have fun and not have to worry about all of the troubles in her life.
After stumbling through countless hallways the diligent maid finally managed to get Kagome to her room. The maid tapped on the door before sliding it open, ushering a still drunk Kagome inside and making her escape.
Kagome fumbled inside, her eyes still adjusting to the light of the room. It was dark all except for a few candles lit inside intricate red lanterns, which cast a rosy glow about the room.
To her surprise, Sesshoumaru was laid out of the fur covered futon, his eyes closed in sleep. It was such a strange thing to see him sleeping so peacefully in his jinbei, his fur spread around him like an extra blanket. So…normal. It felt like she was intruding on his privacy.
Kagome took a deep breath. Sesshoumaru was obviously asleep, and she didn't want to wake him up. She rose up on her tippy toes. The floorboards creaked under her as she carefully walked a few steps, before tripping on the futon.
"Eeep!" She cried out despite herself. Her arms flailed as she tried to keep her balance, but ultimately fell forward anyway.
Sesshoumaru woke several minutes prior once he had heard Kagome giggling and stomping down the hallway, only pretending to be asleep. He sprang forward, catching her around the waist and awkwardly pulling them both down to the bed. He cursed his drunken reflexes. Gold coins from Kagome's evening winnings spilled across the bamboo floor, tinkling and rolling to all corners of the room.
Kagome stared in bewilderment as she found herself kneeling between his legs, his strong arms holding her steady at her waist. A sloppy grin broke out across her face.
"I'm so glad to see you Sesshmaru! I missed you at the party. We had sooo much fun." If her stomping down the hall hadn't been an indicator of her drunkenness, then her reddened cheeks definitely gave her away. She moved her arms around Sesshoumaru's shoulders, wiggling her fingers behind his head as if she were stretching them. His eyes glowed dark amber even in the pale light, and his cheeks were flushed just as hers were. Starting behind his elven ears, she threaded her fingers through his thick white hair. He closed his eyes as her blunt nails massaged his scalp.
"I think...you're drunk, udderwise you might not… lemme do thiss." She commented matter-of-factly.
He would definitely let her do this drunk or sober, but he had no dignified answer to give her, so he said nothing.
"Iss 'kay. We can be drrunk together." Her slurred words reassured him. She pulled a silver lock around to examine it closer. His fine silver hair even shined in the dim light. "You're hair's so pretty..." She mumbled.
He gave a soft "hm" as answer. She was being ridiculous, but he didn't mind as long as she stayed close.
Her beautiful blue eyes gazed down at him. "How many other people can get this close to you?" She asked softly, her eyes heavy lidded and her shiny black hair falling over her shoulders in tendrils.
He gave an amused huff, and pulled her closer to him until she leaned her body against his. "No one."
She brushed his bangs out of his face, and leaned down. There was a moment of hesitation before her lips gently, cautiously, touched his.
As soon as her soft lips touched his and Sesshoumaru knew he wanted to devour her. All thoughts of keeping his desires to himself disappeared. He responded in kind and moved his lips against hers. She sighed against his mouth, her posture relaxing as she slid her body against his. Her kisses tasted of the mild plum wine she had drunk earlier. The corners of his mouth curled up into a small smile that Kagome felt against her lips. She pulled back to look at him, her eyebrows drawn.
He didn't believe she could get more beautiful to him than she did in that moment. Her lips were red from his kisses, and her cheeks flushed from their actions.
"You're smiling!" She said shocked. "What for? Did I do something wrong?" Her sincere expression of worry from a kiss caught Sesshoumaru off guard, and a chuckle rose from his throat.
He slid his hand behind her neck and pulled her closer for a hard kiss. She gasped as he tugged on her bottom lip, feeling a dangerous fang slide against it. He took the advantage and deepened the kiss, tasting her.
He released her, breathless. "You got drunk...off of a wine that is so mild, children drink it."
She frowned. "Hey, that's not fair. I didn't know...it wasn't meant for mikos...You're drunk too. What's...yooouuurrr excuse?"
The soft rumble from his chest she heard meant he was laughing again.
"I don't like kitsune."
She thumped him on the shoulder. "You're so rude!"
"You make it tolerable." He grumbled.
Kagome smiled, and leaned into him again. He didn't miss the opportunity kiss her. His hands slid up her back and over her obi. She shivered as his youki flowed over her, warm and inviting. She too dropped her hand to slide under his kimono top, feeling his hot skin.
Sesshoumaru almost groaned at the pleasure he was feeling from just having her small hands on his body. Her reiki settled over him, sending small jolts of pleasure down his body.
She let a small sigh escape, and he kissed across her flushed cheeks, and down her neck. It was then that Kagome felt the power humming between them.
She tensed in his hold. "Sesshmaru..."
He hummed against her neck. "Yes, the energy..."
"How?" She asked lazily.
He'd rather her not think on it, but feel what he was feeling. Sesshoumaru could feel their combined power like a golden thread stretching between them. Their power was vast, strong, and tangible.
"Can you see it? Feel it?" He asked.
She focused on that line of energy that moved from her body to Sesshoumaru's. It was such an otherworldly sensation. She had only been exposed to her own power for ten years, but nothing prepared her for feeling the extent of Sesshoumaru's youki. In her mind's eye it was a deep never ending chasm of youki. She tentatively tugged on the line, feeling his youki respond to her call.
A growl rumbled in his throat as he basked in feeling her touch him in such an intimate way. No one in his long life had ever been so close to him as she was then. This went beyond physical intimacy. She had access to his power. This could be extremely dangerous to allow anyone a way to control him. Yet he did not fear her. He trusted her. This power was a two-way street, in which he also had access to her power. It was amazing that she would trust him in this way.
She pulled away, letting his youki slip from her.
"I'm sorry..." She murmured. Her body drooped, feeling exhausted.
He grabbed a hold of her hand, and kissed her palm, before setting it over his chest.
"Do not apologize for being strong."
Kagome smirked. "You would say that."
She shifted a bit and fanned herself. "I'm too hot. Help me take off this obi." The three layers of kimono were felt suffocating.
Sesshoumaru watched her fall backward and roll around before she sat with her back to him.
She tugged at the cord around her obi, pulling it off. Mindful of his claws, he carefully pulled the obi bow loose. Kagome stood up on wobbling legs. The obi fell and pooled in a spiral around her.
Sesshoumaru sat amused watching her stumble around, and toss the obi aside. She kept her back to him as the second layer of the kimono fell to the floor. Much to his disappointment, she tied the small cord around her waist keeping the thin garment together. She turned around and tumbled back down beside him. She flopped over on her back and threw her arm over her eyes. "I...think the energy...thing...drains me. I am soooo tired."
Sesshoumaru rumbled an agreement. He couldn't admit it out loud, but she was right. His limbs felt heavy and lethargic, in a way they weren't before.
Kagome's eyes popped open, when his arms snaked around her middle, and gathered her against his chest. She let out a comforted sigh of content as she snuggled her body against his, wondering the last time she had laid like this with someone.
"Sesshoumaru…Are we...courting? What is this?" Kagome asked sleepily, running her fingers gently along the line of his jaw.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and basked in the wonderful feeling of her so close. Her light lavender scent mixed with her arousal filled his senses.
"Are you ready... to court anyone?" He asked, his eyes slowly opening to look into hers once more.
She drew her hand across his chest idly. It felt right being with Sesshoumaru. She really should just admit to herself that she was in love with him. But...she wasn't ready to let go of Inuyasha...
"No." She said simply.
"Then we are not courting."
"Everyone will talk..."She mumbled.
"They already do. It matters not."
Feeling bold, Kagome asked, "Were you this attracted to me when we first met?"
"No, but you were not the same person then as you are now."
She wanted to feel offended, but she understood. "You were not the same person then either."
"Hn."
She smiled with her eyes closed. He closed his as well, sinking into sleep.
"I wish you had danced with me tonight." She slurred.
"Perhaps one day I will show you how inuyoukai dance."
She smiled. "I will hold you to that."
xxxxxxx
Author's Note: Oh My! I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. More updates to come in the next few days. Once again, thank you to Saruwarui!