Falling Rain

Chapter 8

BOLD = Demon

Cool wind whipped the dried grasses, the air crisp with the signs of early fall. The scent of blood freshly spilt, hot from the bodies from which it poured tangled with the wind, excited his blood again. His eyes dropped in bliss, the salacious tempo of blood lust captivating his senses, tipping his head back to allow him to savor the moment.

The village was small, insignificant with nothing to offer; nothing but the maiden with her beautiful cries, the melody of lacerating ache as she flayed before him, undulated with him until her breaths were gone, an aggrieved lament hissing on the cool damp of the evening dew.

Their dance had been exquisite, but her body had lacked the strength he required, the insatiable drive to survive. She was not like his other lover, the first he'd taken without the presence of his propitiated half, his docile twin that ruled his duality.

He stood at the top of a hill looking out over his older brother's forest, the beast that claimed to have alpha rights, that plagued his steps even in his most tempered days. The citadel was in there somewhere, he knew this and yet he could not find it.

The citadel was essential to his progression only because there was someone there that was simply dying to see him again. She had escaped him once, slipped away under the cover of darkness, of wet and meddlesome rain. He would take full responsibility for the slip in his guard over his precious pet, but that would not be happening a second time.

He simply needed to find her again.

There were secrets she held, words that ached to fall from her blood-stained lips. An attempt to find the citadel, the place his dear brother would fall, had led him deep into his mind, to memories not shared, things unknown to him, a search for knowledge of the how, the where. His search was fruitless but for the small thing he found, the hint of something deeper, something darker and more sinister… something he craved to savor but had no idea its taste.

The little harlot had given him a name; she, the one that denied him again and again, that forsook his existence and locked him away behind beaded spells, trickery and games, knew what he was called, held power over his life.

Oh what he wouldn't give to hear his name, even once, to know what power it held, could hold. He wondered desperately what name she called him, what little utterance brought his face to her mind, the characters, the meanings, the reasons.

The nameless beast took in a deep breath, greedy to savor the taste of his work on his palate once more before taking off at a leisurely pace back inside the thick forest.

He was going to find the citadel. He was going to find her. And when he did, when he finally learned his name, then they would dance again until the rain of blood fell around her, captured her, bent and broke her and swallowed her whole.

It was going to be beautiful.

*FR*

Kagome walked through her room and into the springs, a hum hiding at the tip of her lips. Sweat soaked through her plain kimono, a grimace of distaste coloring her eyes as she peeled it away and set it aside to be cleaned before stepping into the welcoming waters.

A hiss of sore and tired muscles, aching bruises and strained energies, fell from her tired lips. Sesshoumaru had worked her hard today.

Over a month had passed since he had brought her here; weeks burdened with healing, with training, with learning. Her wounds were gone now, memories long since melted from her skin; Daisuke's miraculous work had left her with only two scars on her hips where the gashes had cut the deepest.

Her hands traced the curves of her body, the raised and toughened skin sweeping against her fingertips as they passed over the new scars crossing over old memories from a time long past when this world had been still new to her. Memories of the old scar, of the demon that sliced her fangs into her side, the bauble that spewed from her body in a shower of blood, split her mind and pulled her back into a past of less savory things.

Her body shrank in recollection, her mind shying away from the tortures of the jewel, the souls that stole from her precious energy, time and effort slinked together to bind the beasts, and she tried not to think much on it.

It was easier to pretend it didn't still exist.

She looked up as the door to the spring slid open to reveal Takara, her long braid swaying behind her gracefully, a pendulum of silk trailing from the base of her head, a hint of her slender neck peeking out with every step she took.

"Would you like some company?"

Kagome nodded, her eyes trailing behind the female that walked to the opposite side of the spring, her socks removed and her feet sinking into the waters up to her knees while she sat on the edge. She felt her skin heat up as she watched the female, a torrid web of thoughts, of what if's and maybe's sashaying across her imagination, coloring her skin in rosy hues. The images were stark, real, untrue, and she turned away to cleanse the dirtiness and the edge from the day, from her thoughts.

"Takara, did you ever think about finding someone again?"

Kagome wasn't one for dredging up old pains, the feel of them like sand and rock grating against a soul, raw and numb from memories of what could have been, but she cared for Takara more than she wanted to admit and was desperate to see her happy.

"That is not possible, Lady Kagome"

Steam and liquid and denial washed over her as she knelt, rinsing it all away, a feeling of freshness flowing around her as she waded in the center of the springs.

"You aren't the only one, Takara"

Her eyes sought sovereignty from the truth, sanctuary from the questions, truth from the lies. She could not look at her then, her face a veneer of honesty, a mask of un-lying and incapable of it. Her own truth hid her eyes from the one she called friend, but the words had to be said; she had to know that she too supported her, not just their Lord, Sesshoumaru.

The fact that he did so, however, made Kagome look at him just a little bit differently now, a wider spectrum of acceptance roving through her eyes whenever she peered at his seemingly unmovable presence.

"You know?"

Kagome looked up to find her servant, her friend, watching her with darkened eyes, fear bright and clear, her eyes darkening with the effects.

She swam to the edge of the spring quickly, grabbing her friend's hands and holding them tight under her chin much like a pleading puppy might.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear it! I was curious and … I asked"

Takara tried to pull away from her then, her hands tugging against Kagome's hold.

"I have to go"

She held tighter to her, unwilling and unable to let her go, one hand reaching out to Takara's face, not caring of the water that was soaking through her dry clothing.

"No don't! Please…stay!"

She felt Takara lean forward, watched as her eyes closed in relief, in acceptance, and she pressed her cheek into Kagome's hand. It was a sign of comfort, but it was comforting to Kagome as well.

"Kagome I can't…we can't"

Takara's hands slipped from her, a feeling of panic wrestling for consciousness when she began to lift herself from the springs. In desperation, Kagome jumped for her and placed her hands on her legs, forced her to sit again, to stay.

"Don't go! I don't want you to go!"

Eyes dark with reason, so knowledgeable, so understanding, gazed down at her.

"Kagome, you are not like me"

Kagome smiled soft and knowing, understanding finally what her friend was worried about.

"No you're right, I'm not. But Takara…"

She reached for her hand again, her other hand finding purchase over Takara's chest where she could feel the beat of her heart as it raced under her touch.

"…there are things about me that even you do not know"

Her lips murmured in soft movements, secrets whispered to the cold walls and heated air.

"I know what you feel, what you see…I understand that the world is different for you, different colors. It's okay"

"But you are not angry for it?"

Kagome smirked and shook her head.

"How can I be? Where I am from, things are different. Your preferences are your own and I have no issues with them; in fact, they interest me"

"Oh?"

Heat washed over her, unrelated and unconcerned with the steam of the waters, her body temperature rising and her skin flushing several shades darker than it ought to be.

"You are not attracted to females, Kagome"

Kagome shook her head in agreement; she was not attracted to them, not really. But there was something about Takara that had her entranced, that made her blood beat faster, hotter, her body sing in anticipation. Of what? She didn't know.

"I am not attracted to women, no, but I am attracted to you, Takara"

Kagome dropped her head to her chest, embarrassment coloring her features with her admission, curiosity coloring her words with askance. It was hard to say such things when she wasn't even sure what it would mean.

She felt a hand on her cheek and looked up to find Takara smiling down at her, a knowing and comforting smile gracing her lips.

"You wish to know what a woman feels like"

Kagome closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath, words put to her thoughts, a solid and sound foundation on which to build her curiosity, her answers.

"I want to know what it feels like to be touched…gently"

She hadn't told Takara what had happened, but any demon with half a whit could figure out the basics of it, so she knew that the older female was aware of it. She just didn't know the details and Kagome did not plan on telling her.

"He hurt you very badly. Was it your first experience?"

Kagome shuddered in tortured memory, the truth of it washing her heat away to something more, something darker.

"It was my only"

"I see"

Kagome looked up and found that Takara was reaching for her again; silently asking her to come closer, to which Kagome easily complied. Touch was well understood, companionship a staple of life, especially to humans; Kagome was no different, did not fear another's touch for the crimes of one.

"Turn around"

She turned carefully, leaned back against the edge of the springs between Takara's legs, marveling at the touch that flitted over her shoulders and back then, her eyes closing with unsolicited bliss at the soothing, powerful touch.

Whispers of pleasure fell from her lips, lavish and unconcealed in the admiration of a skill well used. She felt soft, steady hands move over her shoulders and down, further and further until her breasts were being held, massaged, worshipped, a new touch burning and cooling all at once.

Her breath escaped her, surprise welling behind sealed rubicund lips at the strangely pleasurable feeling that one small action brought her.

She felt lips against her cheek, a soft ghost against her skin that made her turn and look to find Takara smiling at her again; she found her own lips mirroring that of her friend.

"I'll come to see you later tonight. We can talk more then. I'll retrieve your supper now"

Kagome nodded and pushed gently away from the springs to give Takara room to move, watching entranced as she walked away, her hips swaying gently from side to side, a captivating and sensual glide. Had she always walked like that? Or was she doing it deliberately now that she knew that someone was looking?

*FR*

Sesshoumaru walked through the halls toward his personal chambers, not paying mind to any of the servants as he passed by, their heads bowed low as was required. One, however, was so lost in her own world that she didn't even notice him, had simply kept walking right past him, contemplation and elation stringing through her energy.

Usually he wasn't so brash with her, but she was his first ranked servant and she was defying rank.

His hand reached out, her arm snagging in his grasp as she walked by, the force of it moving against her, her feet stumbling, body jerking beside him as he all but carried her into the next room in the hall, a guest room empty of any other beings. Her small squeak of surprise wavered and morphed into a gush of air expelling from her lungs, unintentional though quiet as he slammed her up against the wall, his hands blocking either side of her to avoid her attempts at escaping his ire.

Something gave him pause though, a tickle to his senses, a scent that called out to be noticed, remembered, heeded. He could easily detect the scents of the hot springs, the soaps that were common within his wing, the underlying scent of his pack-mate Kagome, but there was also something more, something…other.

He noticed that the lower half of her pant legs were soaking wet, the sharp tang of the springs heavy within the cloth, along with several random places along her body, the pattern of it strange, inexplicable. He lifted a perfectly sculpted brow in curiosity and looked into her eyes to see her reaction.

"What have you been doing?"

Her dark eyes blinked up at him, wild and filled with a strange sort of excitement, but her words were casual, blasé, a tone of unimportance as though they were discussing nothing more than the weather in passing.

"Giving Kagome a bath"

He stood straighter, hands falling to the sides in his surprise, his head tilting slightly as he thought over her words.

"Giving Kagome…"

He blinked at the suddenly empty wall and turned his head to the side to see the soles of her sandals as she sprinted away from him, a low laughter following in her wake, quiet for only his ears to know.

While he was aware that Takara was Kagome's personal maid and would assist her with many things, he didn't truly believe that she needed assistance in bathing. That woman was almost like a fish with her craving to bathe so often, not that he was complaining.

It made him wonder in what capacity Takara was helping her Lady.

Ooh, very intriguing

More like scandalous!

Not a bad way to end a day. What were they doing in the bathing chambers together, hm?

He wasn't certain whether he wanted to know or to avoid the answer to that.

With a shake of his head, Sesshoumaru made his way to his personal chambers to complete his own evening routine, thoughts of the wild females within his citadel dancing through his mind, pulling a small growl from his tightened lips. He did not need to be thinking about either of those women in such capacity; one of them wasn't even made to be with men, the other was simply…other.

As he lay in bed that night listening to the sounds of his house, he had to remind himself that her business was her own, not his to trifle with in the dark of the night. Still, it was very difficult to not hear the sounds that slipped from her personal chambers, the heady and wanton cries that bled through the walls, an inviting yet forbidden melody of things better left unheard, unknown, unacknowledged.

Clawed fingers dug into woven silks, shreds and rips competing against the carnal echoes slipping over his awareness.

Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to place her room so close to his after all.

*FR*

Silk sheets twisted and turned, tangled around the lithe female body next to her. She was enraptured by her smile, her laughter, her kiss. Something about her made Kagome's body tingle with want, with devious and spicy need.

The sound of her breath filled her ears as it escaped her, breathless and full, lost in an afterthought while her head was thrown back in ecstasy, the silk rubbing against her skin. Heat poured from her body as the hands of her friend pulled gently at her clothing, her shirt tangled in clawed hands and waiting for permission.

"Don't stop"

Her words were quiet, firm, needy. She wanted this more than she had thought, felt it in her very soul.

Takara rested her body over hers, one hand twirling through dark strands of hair and the other scattering heated waves of pleasure, dances of fires and washes of ice wherever she could reach. Her lips danced over her face, her jawline, down her neck.

Kagome held her closely, keeping her body tight against her own, searching for the unknown, the unreachable, finding her lips and searing her with kisses met with passion.

Her lips fell open and her back arched when hands grazed her upper thigh, a quiet moan falling away from her, a sly hiss trapped beneath Takara's lips when those same hands grazed places no one dared before.

She reached down and placed her hand on her friend's ass, squeezing gently and running her nails down the back of her leg, proud of the sound she had caused her to make, satisfaction at her abilities giving way with responses of gratification.

Their meeting tonight was heated, taboo, and so incredibly sexy, an experience indescribable by its sheer prohibition.

She felt shamed at first, afraid of the thoughts of others, terrified of knowing but curious, until finally she concluded that this was her reality. Her life would never be normal again; the few that might accept her, even less consider lying with her, stay with her…all were of the demon society. She, being human, would be left with very little options for her future, though any were better than none at this point.

It did not bother her that her first truly passionate experience was of the female persuasion.

She couldn't complain that Takara happened to take an interest in her. She was surprised at her own interest for the older female, but not as afraid of it as she had thought she might be.

Takara was gentle with her, held her, kissed her, but did not push her, experience and understanding lending to her patience. Her hands never roamed where Kagome did not want them. She never touched her skin unless given express permission. She always asked and always complied, a true companion to learn from.

And throughout all of it, Takara gave Kagome something that she had not realized she had needed; another soul to lie next to her and warm her bed at night, the need foreign and unclear to her inexperienced mind.

She spent that first night learning the many curves of her friend, the sounds that she could pull from Takara, and the sounds that Takara could elicit from her with a few well-placed touches or heated kisses.

This was more than she had ever felt before; more than she had known could be possible. It was passion; it was fire, soothing waves of pleasure and comfort. She was comfortable with the demoness that made her want things she should not want, things that should make her want to turn away, but she did not, which surprised her immensely.

At the end of the night, when she fell asleep in the arms of her friend, she begged her to stay with her for a while longer, aware that such a scandal could never be known, could never be heard, seen, or thought. Kagome knew that whatever it was she had started with Takara would be interesting, intriguing, and short-lived.

It was, after all, forbidden.

*FR*

Authors Note: I realize that many of you are not familiar with / comfortable with the female-female relationships that are often found within the anime kingdom. That's fine because this isn't going to be about that. This is a step that Kagome is taking, one that she is learning from to trust, to love, to accept. It will not be her lasting relationship because as she said…it's forbidden. ;)

This is in fact a Sesshoumaru-Kagome pairing story.

Hang in there kiddies, you'll see some humor soon, along with a little more drama.