Holy balls another disclaimer.

XIV

He walked them down the hall, showing everyone to their respective rooms as he went. Finally he stopped at the door next to his room.

"This will be your room, Kagome." Sesshomaru said, holding the door open for her. She walked in, before looking back at him and smiling.

"It's beautiful, Sesshomaru!" she exclaimed. He smiled and looked around.

"I suppose it is. I'm glad you like it." he told her.

"Will you sit with me a while? Maybe have some tea?" she asked shyly. Tilting his head, he studied her.

"As you wish." he said, walking in and sitting on a mat. She sat on the mat next to him, and he flared his youki. A maid came in a second later.

"Tea." he said simply. The maid bowed, and left. Kagome chuckled at him.

"What?" he asked, looking at her. She shook her head.

"So stoic." She teased poking his shoulder. He chuckled with her.

"Only around some." he said, bopping her head gently.

"Oh, that's true. You've become quite playful this past week." she laughed. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Of course." he replied. She took a deep breath, fidgeting with her fingers in her lap.

"Well... I was- it's so stupid. I just...what do you think of me?" she stammered, blushing. He watched her, smiling at her nervousness.

"Ethereal." he said softly. Her gaze snapped up to his, eyes wide.

"Wh-what?" she said. He smiled warmly at her.

"You are ethereal, Kagome. In every way. Your strength, is beyond this world, your heart is more pure than any regular being, and your beauty is far beyond compare. You are ethereal." He answered, their eyes locked and his voice soft and rough.

"Ses-Sesshomaru..." she whispered. "Thank you so much!"

She shot forward, hugging him around his neck again, but practically sitting in his lap. He chuckled, hugging her back and nuzzling her hair.

"Mine." His beast said, breaking through for just a moment. Kagome looked up at him, shocked. His eyes were tinged pink, just barely. It was obvious he was still in control, though. Was it him and his beast that spoke?

"Sesshomaru?" she asked. He blinked and his eyes returned to normal. He looked at her and smiled again.

"I'm fine." he said.

"Why'd.. Your beast. Why'd you say mine?" she asked. Her face got warmer and warmer, and his eyes grew wide.

"I did? Out loud?" He asked. Obviously he was as shocked by it as she was.

"Uh..yeah. What was that about?" she asked again.

"Kagome... I'm... feeling things I've never felt before. I think I know what they are, though. It's all instinct though." he said.

"What kind of feelings?" she asked breathlessly. He looked into her eyes a moment, finding the words.

"Love. I'm falling in love with you, Kagome. I'd like to ask for the honor to court you." he explained, taking her hands in his and rubbing his thumbs across them. He looked at her face, only to see tears in her eyes. He instantly grew worried. "Kagome?"

"This is... I wasn't expecting... Dammit, Sesshomaru!" she gasped, grabbing his face and pulling it down to hers. Her lips met his softly at first, until it registered with him and he deepened the kiss.

"Is that a yes?" he asked when they pulled away, resting his forehead on hers. She giggled a little.

"Absolutely, it's a yes." she said, kissing him again. With a growl he pulled her closer into his lap, kissing her. His clawed hand found its way to her hair, pulling her onto his lap as he kissed her tenderly.

"You never did answer my question, Kagome." he whispered. She looked up at him confused, before understanding dawned and she laughed.

"So I had read these stories about the will-o'-wisps in Scotland, little lights that lead travelers away from the path. It's said they have a metaphorical meaning, being a hope or goal that leads one on, but will never actually happen. They sounded interesting, so I looked at a few pictures-er, paintings of what they look like, focused my reiki, and imagined one. After that, it was just practice on getting it to do what I want." she said, as she formed one in her hand to demonstrate.

She sent it off, moving it with a wave of her finger. It danced around, weaving about the room. Slowly, it moved closer, bobbing around. Closer and closer it got, until it hovered in front of their faces, then darted behind Sesshomaru. He chuckled when he felt it pull at his hair before coming round.

"I wonder..." Kagome muttered, before moving her fingers about. The wisps image morphed moving with each flex of her fingers, until it formed a little pink fox. She smiled brightly at it, then turned her gaze to Sesshomaru. He was staring at it wide eyed with a very impressed look on his face.

She giggled, then made the fox run, around and around it ran, darting behind Sesshomaru only to pop out from his hair, making him laugh. Kagome enjoyed that, most of all. It was so rare anyone got to see him smile, let alone laugh. She felt honored for it. As a finale, she had it nuzzle against his cheek before running away and exploding in a flurry like snow before dissipating completely. She leaned against Sesshomaru, just a bit more tired than before.

"Hmm seems that took a bit more than expected." he said, wrapping her in his arms. She hummed, curling closer.

"Just cause I was already tired from today." she replied sleepily. He stood with her in his arms walking her to the bed. He supposed it was a good thing his mother was so into the western style, with their fluffy chairs and big poofy beds. She snuggled in, and he tucked the blanket around her. With a kiss to her forehead, he bid her goodnight.

When he walked from the room, he noticed Naoshi and his mother standing there, Miroku in tow. The latter mouthed 'I'm sorry, their idea' to him.

"So, Sesshomaru. What were you to up to?" Naoshi teased, eyebrow raised. Sesshomaru actually scoffed and walked off, nudging Miroku to follow, who gladly did. The other two followed close by.

"I felt reiki, was she showing off?" Shiori asked with a bright smile. Sesshomaru looked back at her and almost rolled his eyes.

"She answered a question from earlier." he said simply. They won't get it out of him that easily.

"I suggest drinks in the library." Shiori said, lacing her arm with Naoshis. Sesshomaru nodded, pointing to the left for Miroku, so they didn't end up running into each other. The monk nodded in thanks.

"Oh! Lady Shiori, my Lords," Sango said, coming to a sudden stop in front of them. If she hadn't been paying attention, she would have ran right into them.

"What's wrong, Sango?" Miroku asked. Sango shook her head with a laugh.

"I just couldn't fall asleep. I figured I'd find someone still awake to chat with, or walk till I was tired." she answered, shrugging.

"Come, then. Join us in the library for drinks." Lady Shiori said, smiling. Miroku offered her his arm. With a small laugh, she took it. Together they walked the corridors to the library.

Sango gasped when she saw it, and Mirokus jaw dropped.

"It's so beautiful. These are western, aren't they, Lady Shiori?" Sango asked as they all sat in plush chairs. Shiori nodded with a smile.

"Indeed they are, Sango. Very good eye." she praised, causing Sango to blush.

"Have you read all of these?" Miroku asked, walking along the bookshelves. Shiori looked around in thought.

"I believe so, yes. Oh, wait no." she said, standing and walking to the far corner. She floated to the very top shelf, pulling out a single book. Returning to the ground, she walked over to Miroku and handed it to him.

"I found this some time ago, in a very deep crater. It had a tomb in it. I was just passing by, and I noticed a little boy walking away from the hole with an older man. He seemed to be a priest. I didn't see anything of interest at first, so I was going to continue on my way. But then I felt a wave of spiritual power, coming from the hole. The two humans were too far to have felt it. So I swooped down and got it. It was then, I heard a voice.

"A male, a monk, had begged me to keep the book safe. He said his son should not read it until he is a man, and understands the curse. I figured, one day, I'd end up running into that little boy." she said, smiling.

Miroku stared at her in shock. He looked at the book, then Shiori wide eyed. She rubbed his arm, before going to sit back down. Quietly, tucking the book in the breast pocket of his robe, he sat as well.

"Sesshomaru, dear. Are you ever going to tell us what the reiki was about?" Shiori asked when all cups had been filled with sake. Sesshomaru sipped his drink.

"She made a will-o'-wisp, then transformed it into a fox. It was quite impressive." he said before taking another sip. Sango smiled in awe.

"Did she really? What was it like?" she asked. She was riveted, she'd never seen anyone do anything of the sort with their spiritual powers.

"It was beautiful. She made it dance around and pull my hair." he said, smiling.

"Well, it is fair." she laughed in return. He nodded.

"How so?" Miroku asked eyebrow raised. Sango broke into giggles.

"Just having some fun." Sesshomaru said with a smile.

"Felines and canines vying for attention." Sango said between giggles and Sesshomaru nodded.

"Was that all that happened?" Naoshi asked. Sesshomaru reached over and punched him.

"She agreed to my proposal to court her." he said, sipping his drink again. Miroku fist pumped, again.

"I knew she would." he said, proudly. Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow with a chuckle.

"So, what happens with demon courting?" Sango asked, looking between the three demons. Shiori chuckled.

"I'm somewhat surprised you weren't taught this." she said. Sango shook her head.

"I mean no offense with this, of course, but we were taught only of demon powers, their ranks and how to identify them, and how to defeat them." she replied. Shiori nodded.

"Sensible, I suppose. Courting is quite simple, really. Sesshomaru needs to prove he can care for her. Mind body and soul. That includes being able to provide." she explained.

"Like hunting? He'd have to hunt for her, provide shelter, things like that?" she asked.

"Yes. I would also have to prove I can protect her." he said. Miroku laughed.

"You'd have to get her to let you protect her." he said. Sesshomaru froze. And then he groaned. Shiori and Naoshi started laughing.

"Ah, don't worry. There'll probably be plenty of times to protect her." Naoshi said, downing his second cup of sake. Shiori looked over at him.

"I'm sure that was supposed to come out better than it did." she said, bopping his head with her fist.

"No worries, Sesshomaru. Kagome can be a bit klutzy at times, even saving her from tripping over her own feet could be considered protecting her." Miroku said, and Sango punched him.

"Shut up! She's gotten a lot better over the years, and is actually very good at getting around without even leaving footprints. I swear, sometimes she doesn't even touch the ground." she said defensively.

"Yes, you're right Sango my love. She has become quite graceful." he said thoughtfully.

"She is much like a feline." Sesshomaru said making Sango laugh again.

"Feline, my son?" Shiori laughed. Sesshomaru shrugged.

"Indeed." he answered with a smile.

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