**LEMON** So... hehe... about that whole update the same day thing... whoops. So sorry! Hopefully this chaper was worth the wait. Probably going back to the feudal era next!

Chapter 20: Sparks

During the trip back he drove more calmly, though still very fast. They were nearing their destination, and the ride had been for the most part silent. Kagome had been reviewing the full day, and feeling like she needed to say something to him. "Sesshomaru?" She asked quietly, looking at her hand, which was still bandaged from the previous day. She waited for him to respond with a 'Hn.' before continuing. "I'm… sorry. For earlier." He glanced at her cooly, before concentrating back on the road.

"Which part of earlier?" He asked, sounding like he meant it as both a question and a jab.

"Ah… I meant for the slap… but also for the injury to your hand… and the way I acted when you carried me to the car. All of it. I'm sorry." She looked over at him shyly, seeing his hard expression was unchanged and feeling worse. Guilty for being difficult. "And asking you to take the job." She added. "And… slamming the door." Finally he reacted, cracking a slightly defeated smile and shaking his head lightly. Finally… she thought, relieved to have made him smile.

"When you put it all like that you sound like a real nuisance." He said teasingly. She looked back to her hands, thinking that sounded as much like an acceptance as she'd get. It was silent again until she looked up, seeing that he looked like he was concentrating hard on something. Just as she was beginning to wonder if he'd tell her what it was, he spoke. "Kagome… why did you slap me?" He asked evenly.

She was confused by the question. Maybe he was going to be mad at her for it, not having the time before, or maybe he simply didn't understand what had made her feel the need to. Maybe he just thought it was funny that she'd tried to hurt him at all, being a weak human. She couldn't read his tone or expression, so she wasn't sure what he meant. It seemed obvious why she had done it, right?

"I didn't want to be kissed." She said plainly, trying to think back to the moment. Didn't she though? She remembered feeling happy about it at first, then something made her panic. It was how happy she was about it. She didn't remember feeling conflicted at all, when she should have. That's when she panicked, pushed him away, and slapped him.

"Is that the only reason?" He broke her concentration just as she was beginning to realize that no, that wasn't the only reason. She hesitated to answer him, wondering if she should admit to it. Maybe though… the only reason he asked was because he noticed it too. If that was the case, he would know she was lying. Something told her she should trust him.

"No…" She said softly, her heart picking up, anxious about how he would react. "I panicked… because…" She felt the blush rise in her cheeks as she trailed off again, turning to look out the window. "The truth is… I didn't want you to stop." She smiled softly, if not a bit sadly, to herself at that. "I panicked because, I wanted it… and I shouldn't." She sighed, leaning her forehead against the glass of the window and wishing none of this had happened. How had it gotten this out of hand? If only she could go back and simply walk past him. It would be better in the long run, but there was something that still made her happy she had stayed. He was always so solitary… careful, measured, guarded… She was happy she was able to be the person he could smile at. Laugh at. Make fun of. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but she couldn't help it. He made her happy too. Not just as a replacement for Inuyasha, but as Sesshomaru. She finally dared a glance at him, seeing him look calm as he drove, his face lit by the passing street lights. She was wondering about how unaffected he was by everything when she saw him glance her way again.

"You slapped me for kissing you… because you wanted me to kiss you." He panned, finding the whole thing oddly amusing but not letting it show. She did too, when he put it like that. She giggled lightly.

"I guess I did…" She said, still feeling this strange mix of happiness and sorrow. "Anyway, I'm sorry." He concentrated on the road, unsure of what to make of the apology.

They turned into the driveway, entering the dark garage as it opened for them. As he shut off the car he paused, seeming conflicted about what to do next. She waited, feeling like there was something more to be said, but not knowing what. "Kagome…" He started, looking at her with his cool amber eyes. "I should… take you home tonight." It seemed more like he was telling himself than her. She nodded, agreeing to the plan, wondering why she hadn't been thinking that already.

"I'll go get my things." She said, opening the door.

"No, I'll do it." He said. It was better that she stay in the car, so he didn't change his mind. He waited for her to close her own door before opening his, making it clear that he intended for her to stay put. She had school, and he needed time to think about what to do with her. He left her there, going in alone to gather her things.

He did so quickly, tossing everything into one of the shopping bags from earlier, reviewing what she had said over and over. How she had felt about the kiss. That damned kiss had made him reconsider everything as well, and he hated it. He understood perfectly why she had slapped him, and was thankful she had. He'd only wanted to know if she'd felt the odd buzz that had passed between them, but she made no indication that she had. It was worse than that. She had felt something else entirely. He shouldn't care as much as he did. He shouldn't care at all, but he had been right the first time. No good could come of this. He may have been selfish, but he had no desire for her heart, which seemed to be becoming more tangled in this situation every moment. It was only her scent he wanted. Her body. Her fight. Kami, he'd wanted to tear her out of that dress, but that was before this new… complication. That kiss once again made him want only to get far away from her. Something in him begged him not to let her go, especially when she finally seemed close to giving in to his desires, but it didn't matter. His mind was made up. It was ending tonight. At least until they could both forget about that kiss, which he already knew would be difficult.

As he rounded the corner to the door with her things he stopped, dropping the bag to the floor and wondering why she had to go against his every wish, even if it was for her own good. Even when, for once, he was trying to do the selfless thing only for the sake of protecting her. He watched expectantly as she stepped through his door, her heels dangling from her hand, only stopping when she saw him already waiting for her. She felt the intensity of his stare as he watched her, freezing her momentarily in the entrance.

Even the look in her eyes was exactly what he was trying to avoid. They burned with determination to not back down, not let her fear control her as she stepped past the entrance, closing the door behind her. Her heart pounded as she dropped the shoes, slowly stepping towards him until she was only an arm's length away, staring up at his amber eyes. She wished she could tell what he was thinking. His expression never betrayed him, revealing nothing to her as she stood before him silently. As she had waited in the car she realized what she wanted, and decided to just go for it. Not let her fear of the future decide how she lived the present moment. She had followed her heart instead of her head, letting her strange conflicted emotions pull her along until she'd wound up here. It was simple, really. She didn't want to leave him tonight. She'd been fighting that truth all day, but seemed unable to do so any longer. It was like some kind of silent conversation was passing between them in a language only they spoke, both staring in silence. Kagome remembered as she stood before him, the promise he'd made to her. 'until you ask.'

"Sesshomaru-"

"Don't. Don't say it." He commanded darkly, barely believing his own words as he laced his fingers through her raven hair, pulling her close at the waist. He wanted her more than ever. He could smell the desire weaving through her sweet scent. He begged her with his eyes not to give in, knowing he didn't have the will to deny her now that she was already in his grasp. They would both live to regret this night if she asked to stay with him.

"Please-" She was stopped again, this time by his lips meeting hers. He took her breath away with the motion, feeling her relax in his arms, submitting completely to his will. He kissed her deeply, tasting her sweetness once more, hating himself for needing to feel her strange effect on him again. She was just a pretty face, and yet he let her become everything for another moment of his life. The feeling from before returned, everything but her fading from his reality as the electricity passed between them once more, instantly clearing his thoughts of anything other than Kagome's body pressed against his. It faded away as their lips parted, each of them searching the other for answers that neither had. This time she seemed to have felt it too, her eyes afraid, but still full of longing. Longing for more, the same as him. He gently lifted her in his arms without a word, carrying her to his room, hypnotised and fascinated by this intoxicating effect that he'd felt with none but Kagome.

He closed the door with his shoulder as he passed though, laying her on the bed and immediately returning to her lips. As he did he felt her hand brush up his neck, sending soft flickers of the sensation over his skin. He groaned in appreciation for whatever it was she was doing, desperate for her to continue. Was it because of her status as a Miko? Her spiritual power? It felt so similar, yet caused no pain as it had before. As he briefly parted from her lips he couldn't see any hint of her aura either, remembering the distinctive pink glow. He laced his fingers through hers, clasping their hands together as he sat up, pulling her up with him so he could continue to trade the electrified kisses with her as he pulled off his tie, unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it off his shoulders. Her hands ran down his bare chest, sending a soft shiver down his spine as it flickered there as well, spreading in waves that fanned out across his skin. He held her hand there, just over his heart as he pulled back further, leading her off the bed so he could take off her dress.

He used the hand he held to turn her away, gathering her hair over her shoulder before unzipping the back and slowly sliding it off her arms. As it fell away he pulled her back, kissing her neck and caressing her breast. Everywhere her skin met his was ecstasy, making him wonder why she hadn't done it the last time. She reacted more to his hands than she had before, seeming like it was almost too much for her. Almost. She mewled softly for him as his tongue sent sparks across her neck, tilting her head softly to the side submissively. She whimpered a bit in surprise as her bra snapped open from the front, torn down the center by his claws. She didn't seem to care at all as he pulled the ruined garment away, pushing her lightly back onto the bed to take her underwear more carefully, letting his hands run over every inch of her long legs in the process.

She watched him step back, unbuckling his belt and removing his slacks. He smiled wickedly at the soft blush that rose on her cheeks as he realized she hadn't gotten a chance to actually see him before. She looked almost shocked that she'd already been able to take all of him. He returned to the bed, laying on his side, pulling her back to his chest again. One arm curled under her, holding her to him her beneath her breasts while the other moved to her hips, pulling her back against his erection, sliding it between her legs. She sighed his name softly as he used his hand to pleasure her there, making sure she was ready, not satisfied until she was gasping at his every movement, just on the cusp of an orgasm. His teeth grazed her neck dangerously as he felt her trying to hold it back, remembering the rules he'd given her before. He was surprised she could at all, the sensation flowing across their skin making it hard for even him to concentrate. "Very good." He growled in her ear. She whimpered at that, fighting hard to control herself just a little longer, knowing he would give her what she needed if she begged.

"Please..." She panted, overwhelmed with the mixture of his caress and the fireworks that seemed to dance over every inch of her body that came into contact with him. She felt like she would go crazy if he teased her much longer, desperate for what only he could give her. He finally stopped, pressing his length inside her and giving her the command she'd been waiting for.

"Come." He growled, holding her hips down as he thrust forward. She cried out sharply as she felt him fill her, all the fireworks seeming to concentrate at that point where he entered her. "Kami… Kagome…" he rasped, feeling her body tensing around his shaft as she screamed for him. It had been a good feeling before, being inside her when he made her come, but the added sensation made it incredible. If he wasn't careful, this would all be over far too quickly. He lifted her thigh to better suit his angle, setting a slower pace that still packed heavy force, her tortured whimpers never dying out as the feeling of him pushed her close to another orgasm almost immediately. She couldn't stop it, letting it crash over her in waves. She heard Sesshomaru begin to pant with her, feeling his warm breath on her neck.

He was completely lost in the feeling of her, looking down over her beautiful body as her sweet pleading sounds filled his ears. He rolled them both forward and then back, changing positions to sit back on his heels, still buried deep inside her. His pace picked up as soon as he did, one arm still holding her to his chest while the other held her hips. He was incredible, she thought, but it was all too much. Her body couldn't take the fire he sent racing through her much longer. She needed him to finish soon, trying to think of any way she could make that happen. He was completely in control of her, giving her very few options until she remembered the marks. Kagome's fingers immediately laced through both of his hands as he surged into her, holding on to his strong grasp as he filled her again and again, the sparks seeming to move through every inch of her body.

Her cries, the electricity in her skin, and now she brushed the marks at his wrists with every thrust as well. He felt her tense once more with a little crack in her voice and tilted his head back, pressing her hips to his to feel the full effect of the concentrated sensation, letting a viscous growl escape through his clenched teeth as he did. As he continued his pace again he heard her panting becoming more ragged, her cries becoming more clipped. "Kami… Sesshomaru… please…" She cried, her voice sounding almost pained. "I can't… Ah-!" Her hands tightened over his own, struggling to catch her breath as he never slowed for her. "Please! I need you to-!" He smiled again against her neck, knowing she needed to feel him fill her with his seed. He was close, and happy to do what she wanted, sensing that she really couldn't take much more. He felt the tightness of her final orgasm releasing as he did what she begged for, finishing inside her. He held her hips down on his, another shuddering growl leaving his throat as he emptied himself into her, panting with his own release.

His tight holds on her relaxed, allowing him to pull out before collapsing once more to the side, pulling her down with him. Neither of them spoke for a long moment, both catching their breath. Sesshomaru was astounded. He couldn't recall the last time he'd broken a sweat having sex, and never with a human. Her little enhancement was incredible. He wished he'd known about this miko ability sooner, sure that he'd just had some of the best sex of his life. He was genuinely envious of his little brother discovering such a thing hundreds of years before him. No wonder he had a type.

"Sesshomaru…" she sighed, her hand still loosely laced over his, laying on his arm, letting him feel the effect fading. "That was incredible… you were incredible..." she said breathlessly, rolling her shoulder to his chest, running her fingers through her hair, looking thoroughly satisfied and exhausted. He agreed it was incredible, but was a little surprised by the praise, which he wasn't sure he deserved. Just as he was about to say so she continued. "How did you make the… fireworks?" She asked honestly, glancing at him with genuine interest. He blinked at her, realizing what she was asking. She grew a little worried at his silence, wondering if it was just her. "You know… the little sparks…"

"I didn't do anything." He said, suddenly a little worried as well. While whatever it was had been wonderful, it was definitely not normal. "It felt like your powers..." He said, wondering if it was something she didn't even know she could do. "It's never happened to you before?" She shook her head, looking confused and worried by this new development. She too had thought it felt familiar, like his copper eyes trick but with none of the fear, only heightening every sensation drastically.

"Never for you, either?" She asked, hoping he had some idea of what was going on. He shook his head, leading them both to ponder what could have caused it. "What… what could it be?" She asked, partly to herself. He didn't answer, sitting up and looking at the clock. Still before midnight, but he didn't have much time to waste. The mystery would have to wait until later.

"How do you feel? Any different?" He asked, considering that it was possible there really was something wrong, though he felt completely normal. She shook her head.

"No… only tired." He shot a knowing half smile at her, offering her his hand. Nothing seemed to have happened to either of them, so whatever it was was more fascinating than worrisome in his mind. He would be sure to figure it out, but for the time he had another matter to attend to.

"Good." He said as she took it, letting him lead her off the bed. "Go shower. You'll stay here tonight." She looked over to the clock, nodding softly. It was too late to go home anyway, though she did worry about missing more school. She was more worried that she had been missing for a whole day without calling her mother.

"Can I use your phone to call home? They'll worry…" She said softly, feeling bad for always running off unannounced like this. Between the feudal era, her friends, and now this, her mother was pretty used to her daughter going missing. Kagome felt guilty for the fact that she never actually carried the cell phone she'd gotten her, never having got used to it when she returned.

"Of course, though I already let your mother know you were here." She gave him a surprised look. He smirked again, finding it funny she hadn't thought of it until that moment. He'd called the night before while she was still passed out, tied up on his bed, expecting her mother to be much more worried or angry than she seemed. The woman had simply thanked him for letting her know, not asking for any other details. He supposed she must pull this kind of thing often to elicit such a relaxed response. Her mother never seemed otherwise neglectful. He'd wondered for a moment if she had boyfriends, but decided her apprehension about all of this made it unlikely. She was just a free spirit, used to going whenever and doing whatever she pleased. "I didn't want a search party going out." He said playfully, still holding her small hand. "Now go, I'll be in shortly." She blushed a bit at that.

"You're going to shower… with me?" she said, a bit shyly, despite the fact that she was standing completely naked before him. He couldn't help but smile at her ridiculousness. How could she possibly have an issue with simple showering but not sex? Her ideas of what she would consider embarrassing or intimate seemed to be completely random at times.

"Yes, now go." He said, turning her round to face the door. She did as she was told, not questioning it any further. He waited for the door to click shut before pulling out his phone, checking that the balance had been deposited in the correct account. Everything was in order. He would have to go tonight, as much as he would rather stay here. He wouldn't actually need to sleep again for several days, but he never minded oversleeping a bit when he had a guest. Especially one who smelled like her. He sighed, deciding it can't be helped. He laid out some clothes for her, picking up the tattered bra from the floor and noting the size before tossing it in a laundry basket to be thrown out later. With that in order he went to join her in the shower, steam billowing as he opened the door.