A/N: This is the last installment for Photograph and I think I should rejoice that I finally finished a fanfiction! Review please because I honestly want to hear your opinions on this new piece.
Photograph
As the taiyoukai lead her into the dense forest, Kagome began to wonder what he might be up to. It was unusual that he'd seek her out and demand her company so unannounced, so she began to think something was awry and that quite possibly she was in for a shock. He didn't stop walking for a full hour before they reached their destination, and when they came to the sparse area where the trees didn't crowd around in a small patch of grass Sesshoumaru stopped and faced her.
"I have a question," he said as he pulled out his own camera from his haori, pointing to a random photo. "Why do you take pictures?"
Kagome heard it before, but tried not to sound snappish, and opted for another one. "Well, I told you it's my life. But there is another reason, too."
The taiyoukai's silence told her he was waiting for her to continue.
Looking away shyly, Kagome scoffed her heels on the grass. "When my father died when I was really young, I started taking pictures, hoping I could capture the life he can't see now." She shook her head vigorously, turning away from the demon lord, willing herself not to cry. "It's a stupid reason, really. It's just...I hoped he would be able to see them in the after life. So much has changed since he past away."
She was suddenly aware of the close quarters with the taiyoukai when she felt his hot breath on her neck, barely centimeters away from the tender flesh. "It's not a stupid reason," he said, letting her know he was really close to her. "I think that's a better one than your other reason."
"But both are equally good reasons," she said in reply, hoping she didn't anger him. Or worse; encourage him.
His hand came to rest on her shoulder, and slowly traced a path down with his claw.
"But your first reason is of selfish concerns," he said in a heated voice that almost had her agreeing with him.
Kagome regained some of her composure and whirled around to face him, staring straight into his amber orbs which seemed to be illuminated by a hidden emotion. "How is it a selfish reason?" she asked, aware that she was a little breathless and lightheaded while he continued to stare at her like she was the most important thing in the world.
His breath mingled with hers, and she could taste him on her tongue, which seemed to erupt butterflies and cause a tight knot in her stomach to coil.
"Your second reason is more understanding because you're doing it for your deceased father." Sesshoumaru got closer, leaning in, nose barely touching hers, eyes piercing through hers. "Your first is solely for you."
"A-am I not allowed to have something for just me?" she countered, trying to remain undaunted by his proximity, but the shivering of her arms and shortened breath proved likewise.
Sesshoumaru's arm came up to cup her cheek, lightly rubbing the pad of his thumb along her jawline. Kagome's breath hitched and her eyes fluttered for a second. Sesshoumaru smiled. "It is not as though you are not allowed to have something for yourself," he replied, continuing to stroke her cheek until it became akin to a caress. He could feel the tripping of her heart and the pulse fluttering against his fingertips as he did this. "Don't you think it would be more satisfying to do something for someone...together?"
Not quite comprehending because of his consistent attention on her neck, Kagome nodded her head. "W-well y-yeah. I guess. But it's just---"
"You want something just to yourself. You don't want infringement from someone else, you just want your own thing so you can be yourself with it. Having another person there with you will upset this balance and it will not feel the same." Slowly, almost painfully, his hand slipped away. "So when you take pictures, you prefer solace so you can concentrate."
"It's also to preserve memories," Kagome said quickly. She was losing concentration fast. "I take pictures to commemorate things that are important in life, too."
"And what was it you were trying to commemorate yesterday?"
Startled, Kagome tried to form an answer, but the look Sesshoumaru gave her told her to spare her words. He started fading away in the distance, and despite his demand Kagome said, "I...was trying to remember both of us...come back...please..."
The mere thought of her actually emitting these words had her blushing furiously and whirling around so she wouldn't have to see his face. He was probably retching as of now. Was probably bursting with laughter. May be even smiling at her for her juvenile attempt at trying to get him back to her. He probably thought she was a lunatic, a complete dimwit who was just too stupid to even consider her own words before blabbing them out. He probably just thought her young and immature and naive and so she wouldn't waste his time anymore.
'I'm not going to be rejected,' she thought determinedly, and started away from him. 'If he thinks that I'm just a young brat than fine!'
The air stirred around her, and suddenly a hand was clasping her wrist and a body was pressing against her back. Breath hitching, Kagome allowed him to twirl her around so that her form was flush against his own, for the first time since he came to fetch her she noticed he wasn't glad in his armour. Only in his haori and hakama pants, swords even forgotten this time. She also noticed how captivating his scent was...how it was everywhere...and how the soft silken strands of his hair brushed against her skin to tickle her a bit.
"Sesshoumaru?" she asked breathlessly, wondering what the powerful taiyoukai was thinking of now.
"You want me to stay?"
She couldn't believe how velvety his voice sounded from so close.
"Y-yes, please,"
"And what do you propose," he lowered his face so that she couldn't quite see his profile but so that his lips were skimming her hairline, "we do?"
Kagome felt so foggy and lightheaded that she thought she couldn't bring herself to speak. Was he honestly expecting an answer from her when he offered distractions and saying things so sensually that it made her senses enthralled? She hoped he wasn't, since she thought she may faint at any moment.
"Kagome?" he said, his breath just tickling her ear, though when she shivered it had nothing to do with it. "Are you still with me?"
Gasping, Kagome nodded her head, refraining from using her words. She was afraid they'd come out scrambled and he wouldn't know what was wrong with her. 'Hell, I don't even know what's wrong with me!'
"That's good," he murmured, and she felt the tips of his pointed claws graze her collarbone minutely, "I didn't want to feel alone now..."
What was his motive? Why was he doing this to her? And why now of all times? Was he finally revealing his true intentions with her...? So many things flashed through Kagome's mind at less than a second. Synapses of pictures presented themselves to her from the recent pictures she'd taken with him. Had she missed something vital? Had he been trying to send a message to her? The memory of the other day popped up and had her cheeks flushing crimson.
"You are blushing," he commented, swiping the back of his hand against her forehead. "Is the heat getting to you?"
'Oh, yes, the heat...the heat is getting to me...your head...'
"Would you like something cold?"
'Cold? As in an icy lake...why I think I'd--'
Before she could finish that thought he pressed his temple to hers, and instantly that one spot began to freeze. What was he doing?
"You are cold now, right?" was what he said, lips just barely brushing against hers. Kagome didn't even think she possessed the will to affirm his question. "It's the moon on my forehead. Just as the markings on my cheeks, and wrists. Here," he brought up one of her hands and placed it on his cheek, and she could feel the coolness start to seep into her clammy hand. "And here," he clasped her wrist around his one, and again she felt the chill from the contact.
She felt her eyes slit, for the combination of hot and cold were nullifying her senses. Sesshoumaru then abruptly removed his forehead from hers and moved his lips to her neck, where he gave a small lick of his hot tongue. Kagome's legs quivered, threatening to buckle under her weight. Her eyes were wide open, and she was frozen in spot. What was he doing!?
"Now, I assume that is hot," he said blandly, and then nipped at her flesh. Kagome yelped, but didn't pull back. "And that was painful?" he sounded almost apologetic, but Kagome wasn't so sure...
"N-n-no," she breathed, sucking in a lung full of air when he pulled back from her neck. Surprisingly, she knew it didn't, but envoked something deep inside of her that she didn't really want to venture into.
She barely saw the smirk that grazed the pompous taiyoukai's face. He captured her hand again, lowered his face, and watched from the veil of his eyelashes her eyes roll in the back of her head. He placed a kiss at her wrist, where her pulse tripped from his actions, then started to trail soft, lingering kisses until he reached her elbow. By then Kagome was pudding, and he had the opportunity to do whatever he pleased.
"Would you like to make a memory with me?"
Too immersed in the affects he was reigning on her, she nodded her head vigorously, and Sesshoumaru leaned up and kissed her full on the mouth. Kagome felt the heat rush to her core and didn't spare any time being chaste with the demon lord. Without Kagome's consent or her knowledge, Sesshoumaru snuck his camera from the belt loop around his waist and aimed it up high, snapped the photo, and returned it to his side quickly.
Kagome stopped the kiss, knew exactly what that flash was, and gave him a very hard glare.
"Delete it." She deadpanned. "Now."
Smirking, and stealing a kiss, the taiyoukai started to run away with the evidence, much to the miko's chagrin. Flustered, but at the same time unable to help the smile that pulled at her lips, Kagome chased after him, shouting at the top of her lungs, "That's not really what I had in mind!"