Petals
Kagome pealed her eyes open, squinting against the morning light. Her head pounded with pain from the gratuitous consumption of alcohol the night before. What was she thinking drinking so much?
Pulling the fur blanket over her head, she rolled over away from the intrusive light, right into Sesshoumaru's arms. With a soft growl, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest.
A furious blush covered her face as memories of the night before rose to the fore front of her thoughts. She had kissed Sesshoumaru. She had been pleasantly surprised to find that not only did he not murder her for the trespass against his person, but he returned the affection full-hardheartedly.
He slid one eye open to observe her. By his attentions this morning, it was obvious he did not regret his drunken decisions.
Both of his eyes opened in surprise when the small miko in his arms tucked her head under his chin, and threw an arm around his middle. He could hear her heart beating and feel her soft body against his.
He was a coward for not openly offering a courtship. He was spitting in the face of tradition, and if he were fair, disgracing them both to a degree, but he didn't care. His pride would take enough of a blow when he mated her, but he refused to do so with that idiot still on her mind. He had always imagined that he would eventually find another youkai worthy for him to mate. His mate would be powerful, and their children would be pure blooded youkai, cleansing him of the taint of his father's legacy. He would have an empire that would be passed on through the generations of his family. He alone would bring honor back to his family.
Yet...
The woman in his arms pulled away to look at him, drawing him out of his thoughts.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, what time is it?"
Kagome's hair hung in messy ringlets framing her round face. Her clean feminine scent curled around him enticingly.
"Hm...A few hours past dawn."
"Oh good. I don't wanna get up yet." She said before her mouth opened in a yawn. Her head tilted to the side and her eyebrows drew downward in confusion.
"What?" He asking seeing her expression.
She reached over and pulled a pink flower petal from his stark white hair.
He raised an eyebrow. "Sakura?"
Kagome rolled out of his reach and sat up. "Where did this..." Her eyes wandered across the room to where petals were scattered everywhere. She rubbed her aching head. What the hell had happened?
Sesshoumaru sat up next to her, resting his arm on his leg. His eyes glared at the bright morning light as if it were a thing to be killed.
Spotting something he leaned over and plucked a small pouch off the floor. Without explanation, he dropped it in her lap.
She tilted her head to the side. Didn't she have coins in this purse? She turned it upside down, and a small pink sakura petal fell out and onto her palm.
"Where. did. my. coins. go?" She growled.
A small smile crept up his face. "You are holding one."
Her head whipped around to face him. "They tricked me!"
"You wouldn't be the first nor the last." He mumbled.
"Ugh!" She cried out in frustration crushing the petal in her fist.
Her anger brought out her reiki which skimmed harmlessly across his skin in a pleasing manner.
A low growl rumbled from his chest. She turned her attention back to handsome daiyoukai at her side.
He leaned over to her, running the back of his fingers across her rosy cheek, before threading his claws through her black tresses.
"Ah..."She said softly as she felt his youki slide over her skin, sending soothing pleasure down her body. Her headache subsided, giving her relief.
Her eyes drifted closed, and his lips touched hers with purpose. Kagome hummed against him. He shifted over her, until she laid back down. Her hands grasped his biceps as she kissed him with little care. His fangs nipped at her bottom lip, earning him a moan as she arched against him.
The wooden door flew open with a crack.
"Good Morning, Miko-sama!" A maid said cheerfully.
Kagome's eyes flew open. "Hmmpt!" She pushed against Sesshoumaru.
He momentarily pulled his lips from hers, only to trail kisses down her neck.
"Ah...Sesshoumaru..."
The kitsune maid shuffled across the room, heedless of the actions of the guests still in bed. She pulled open their travel trunk and pulled out a new kimono and obi.
What the hell? Why didn't the maid leave immediately? Kagome felt Sesshoumaru's youki ripple with agitation.
Supporting himself over her with his left forearm, Sesshoumaru slid his hand under her collar, pulling aside her juban. She felt his warm breath against her shoulder before he grazed his fangs across her neck and gently bit down. He moved his hand down her chest to cup a breast.
Kagome cried out, closing her eyes against the pleasure.
Sesshoumaru lifted his eyes from his captive to glare at the maid who stared at them with a keen eye.
"Leave." He growled against her skin. Kagome could hear the threat he didn't voice, 'Or I'll kill you."
The kitsune's gaze lingered on them a moment before turning and discretely leaving the room.
He turned his attention back to the beautiful miko in his arms, warm and flushed from his attentions. Why did he crave her touch so much? Especially when her very person was so jarringly different from what he had always imagined he would find in a mate.
Her eyes opened slowly to gaze at him. His eyebrows drew together, focused. She smiled and lifted her hand to his face. Her gentle fingers smoothed out his brow.
"Why did you allow her to see us like this? No telling the rumors that will start now." She asked.
He regarded her a moment before sitting up off of her.
"She was sent to spy on us."
She sat up, pulling her juban closed. "So? You didn't have to give her a show!"
His golden eyes slid to her, but he gave no answer.
Kagome rubbed her temples. Why would they spy? If they already assumed they were a couple, why all the...
It dawned on her then, that he was sending a message. They could deny they were courting all they wanted, but his actions clearly spoke of otherwise.
She knew that in a practical way, it would keep certain unwanted suitors at bay. Yet a part of her wanted to rage at the very idea.
Her blue eyes bored into him. "I understand why you felt the need to do that. But know that I am not one to be claimed."
He studied her flushed face, seeing the anger simmering below the surface. It had been a necessary action in order to avoid further harassment, and she understood that, but apparently it still upset her. He could say nothing of her accusations since they were true. She would be claimed by him one way or another eventually.
He abruptly stood. "Go ahead and get dressed. We should get going."
Kagome opened her mouth to protest.
The door snapped shut behind him as he disappeared from the room. She frowned. Kagome rubbed her head, feeling her hang over returning with a vengeance.
Kagome grumbled and dragged herself over to where her kimono was laid out. Picking up the silk material, she noticed several brown packages tucked away behind the large ornate trunk. When did those get there? She knew they didn't pack them or bring them here. Quickly, she shoved her arms through the kimono, and did her best to wrap the obi around herself and tie the bow. It didn't nearly as nice as if a maid had done it, but it would do.
Kneeling down, she picked up a package closest to her. Kagome carefully untied the string around the box, and opened it up. Her eyes widened at the sight of a colorful ball, one exactly like the toy she had tried out at the market. She didn't have money for this so how did it end up in the room?
Kagome turned when she heard the sound of the wooden screen door sliding open. Sesshoumaru stood before her, changed out of his junbei into his formal clothing again. She held up the colorful ball to show him, a look of confusion on her face.
"Gifts." He said simply. The situation felt awkward since he was not accustomed to giving anyone anything. He folded his arms into sleeves, shifting uncomfortably.
Kagome stared at the other packages with confusion. "Gifts? For what?"
"The kitsunes do not lie when they say that you have done much to help the kingdom."
"Oh...they didn't have to give me anything," she commented gingerly placing the toy ball back into his box.
Sesshoumaru frowned. "They didn't."
Kagome turned to look up at him. "Did...you?"
He nodded.
Her irritation from earlier faded and her lips curved into a smile.
"Tortuga had offered suggestions..." He trailed off, uncertain of how to express his feelings to her. When he had spoken to his advisor about it, Tortuga had admonished him for the way he spoken about Kagome. Admittedly, the rebuke made him cautious.
"This is a wonderful gift. Katsurou will be so excited."
"Open the rest." He urged.
She leaned over and grabbed the other small boxes. The next box she opened contained the gleaming ruby hair pin that she had wanted to buy for Rin, which contained a hidden dagger.
Kagome laughed. "Rin will very pleased."
Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement, moving closer to her.
The third box opened to reveal a beautiful red silk fabric for a kimono. Kagome's eyes widened as she let out a long, sighed "oh", as she ran her fingers across the embroidered flowers and leaves on the fabric.
"Sesshoumaru-sama...it's gorgeous. I don't remember seeing this at the market. Did you pick it out?"
He had no idea why but her question made his face flush in a rather undignified manner. "Yes. Is it to your liking?"
"I love it. Thank you so much for all the gifts."
The awkward sensation returned. "I...wanted to express my gratitude to you."
She smiled broadly, folding the material and placing it gingerly back into the box it came from.
"There is one more gift." Sesshoumaru said, reaching into his robe and pulling out a small bag. Kagome stood to her feet, and seeing her curiosity, Sesshoumaru placed the silk drawstring bag into her open hands.
Puzzled as to what exactly could be inside, Kagome untied the drawstring bow and slowly opened the bag.
Suddenly, a heavenly scent that transcended time and space wafted up to her nose, causing memories to flood her thoughts.
The familiar scent triggered homesickness with such a crippling force.
Souta, her brother, spilled chocolate batter on their kitchen counter as she carefully helped him stir the mixture more efficiently. Kagome's Grandfather red-faced from yelling as he tried his best to get Kagome and Souta to allow him to add one of his weird, ancient ingredients to the brownie mix. Her mother, her sweet, caring mother, removing the tray of hot brownies from the oven, her face aglow with happiness…
Sesshoumaru became alarmed when tears fell across Kagome's cheeks.
"Kagome-dono?"
Her vision swam. "How did you find roasted cocoa beans?"
He furrowed his brows. "I had the kitsune search for it."
Sesshoumaru never knew what to do with crying. It made him uncomfortable.
Kagome held the bag of beans to her chest. "I...Sesshoumaru, I don't know how to repay you for this kindness." She gave a weak chuckle. "You probably think I'm crazy for crying over some stupid beans, but...they mean a lot to me."
He eyed the bag more closely. It smelled so odd. Maybe the scent is what made her cry?
Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru's confusion. "There is a dessert from where I am from that is impossible to obtain here. My mother used to make it all the time. These beans can be used to make something similar. They smell of...home. Something I didn't think I would ever smell again."
She missed her mother with a terrible ache.
Sesshoumaru's eyes softened. The memories a scent could dredge up was powerful and that was something he understood very well.
There had been times long ago, when he would stumble upon an old fur or clothing of his father's. The familiar smell of his father would bring a terrible ache to his chest. His father's scent has long since faded away, but the memory remained.
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. Her arms circled his middle, and her head rested against his chest.
His youki slid over her comforting and soothing. Their energies mingled effortlessly in their embrace.
"Thank you." She murmured against his chest.
He pulled away to look at her soft flushed face. Her blue eyes searched his before he leaned down pressed a kiss against her lips.
Pride surged through him. Despite Tortuga's concerns, Sesshoumaru had managed to find the perfect gift to make Kagome happy.
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