TITLE: Cursed Twins

AUTHOR: InuYoukaiAki

DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha and Co.

Author's Note: This is the edited chapters. Thank you to my wonderful beta who never tire of giving me advices, criticisms and encouragement. Thank you!

Chapter 15: Evening Tryst

It was sunset when Sesshoumaru had decided to start back to the castle. Kagome had pouted and asked him to stay for a little while longer. She even argued that they could stay the night. It was not as if she was not used to spending the night outdoors. But Sesshoumaru had refused her this request since he knew that the others would think the worst. And he did not want her reputation ruined.

Normally, he would not care about those things. But he had not been acting normally around the little miko. He cannot allow the others think the worst of her. She was a pure and innocent creature who was unfortunate enough to be chosen by the Fates to carry a burden on her fragile shoulders.

They had spent the day relaxing on the beach. She had played in the water happily and even coaxed him to join her. He had ignored her during these times but she was persistent. He had sighed in resignation when he saw her plead with him through her wide blue innocent eyes and he knew he could not deny her when she used that look. Sesshoumaru had smirked when he saw the miko blush as he disrobed in front of her. He had watched as she averted her eyes shyly and then took a little peek. Sesshoumaru heard her gasp when she realized that he was totally naked. Her eyes were round as her blush deepened. He almost laughed out loud when she made an "eep" sound and ran to the waters when she saw him advanced toward her.

He smiled at that memory and glanced at the miko who was sleeping peacefully against him. His heart warmed at her carefree attitude the whole day. Her eyes sparkled and her smile was wide. He felt exhilarated that he was the one to make her feel carefree.

His smile disappeared as he saw the looming castle. Sesshoumaru had almost been carefree, letting the miko coax him to do things he would never do in the presence of others. He grudgingly admitted that he had fun. It was too long since he had fun. He had almost forgotten the feeling until now. And now, the day has ended. He would resume his duty as the Lord of the Western Lands.

He gently shook the miko awake as they neared the castle. "We are almost there," he said gently.

Blue orbs opened sleepily. Kagome smiled at him and stretched lazily. They landed at the front of the castle where Inuyasha, Kenji and Yoji waited irritably while InuTaisho was observing them with amusement in his eyes.

"What took you so long with whatever business you did?" Inuyasha demanded hotly. "It is nearing midnight already!"

Sesshoumaru stood irritably and did not deign to answer. Kagome had not moved away from him and was in fact leaning against his side. Her eyes were drooping and she gave a yawn.

He watched Kagome waved her hand clumsily in Inuyasha's direction. "Tired," she said with another yawn which she covered with her other hand. "Talk tomorrow," she added incoherently and leaned more heavily against Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru was amused as he realized that she had promptly fallen back to sleep on her feet while leaning against him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and the other under her knees and carried her. Inuyasha was about to protest but Sesshoumaru's cold glare stopped him. He turned to go inside and felt the miko snuggle closer to him. Warmth again bloomed in his heart at the involuntary action that the miko did.

- - -

Kagome awoke with the sun gently caressing her face from the open shoji doors. She heard the birds chirping merrily and she smiled. Memories of yesterday came back to her and her smile widened. She really had fun that day. She got up and hummed all the way to the hot spring to take a bath. When she was through, she went to the dining area where she knew everyone would be eating their breakfast together.

"Good morning!" Kagome greeted everyone as she entered. She sat on her designated place beside Inuyasha and InuTaisho.

"You seem more radiant today," InuTaisho commented with a fond smile. "I wonder what brought this on." He then covertly looked at his eldest son who remained stoic as he looked straight ahead. But he had caught him looking at Kagome briefly at the corner of his eyes.

Kagome smiled at the older demon. "Why, thank you," she said.

"You promised to go with me today," Kenji burst out. He blushed when all eyes turned to him. "But it's okay if you don't want to," he grumbled.

"Of course I would go with you," Kagome said with a smile. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said, embarrassment coloring his cheeks.

She nodded. "What should I wear?" she asked casually. "I would not want to dress inappropriately." Kagome glanced at Inuyasha when she felt him flinch. She had not forgotten his harsh words yesterday but she had not expected him to react to her words since she had no intention of making him uncomfortable with it.

Kenji smiled boyishly and Kagome had to smile. "Anything you're comfortable with," he replied.

"Okay," she said. The happy grin on Kenji's face warmed Kagome's heart.

- - -

"Jealous?" InuTaisho asked his eldest son. They were at the window in the library. Sesshoumaru was watching Kenji and Kagome depart. "They have been very anxious to be alone with Kagome. You should not monopolize her. After all, every one of us deserves the chance to get to know her."

Sesshoumaru's unreadable gaze turned to his father. "I am not jealous," he said coldly but his eyes flickered for a second that InuTaisho almost missed it.

He was amazed at that brief flash of emotion on his normally cold eyes. InuTaisho was able to hide his surprise well enough that Sesshoumaru did not notice. It was one he did not expect to see in those cold depths. Sesshoumaru was insecure.

InuTaisho smiled at his son's back. Kagome had really changed him. And Sesshoumaru seemed unaware of this change. He knew what it felt like to be insecure of something. He had experienced the same thing when he had decided he wanted Sesshoumaru's mother. She was one of the most beautiful and most sought-after demonesses at the time. She was carefree while he was considered the most ruthless and coldest demon in the land. And many sought her. He had never even dreamed that the most beautiful creature would choose him over the many youkai that wanted her as a mate. But she did and they had been happy until she died protecting him. A bittersweet smile crossed the old demon's lips as he remembered his mate.

"Kagome has become more radiant today," he commented innocently. "The excursion yesterday had been good to her. Her old cheerful attitude is back."

Sesshoumaru did not comment but InuTaisho noticed the softening of his features. It was very slight and almost unnoticeable unless one is looking for the change. His shoulders lost stiffness and his lips lifted ever so slightly. And that was when InuTaisho knew that Sesshoumaru needed Kagome in his life although he did not know it at that time. But he will soon realize this.

With a final glance at Sesshoumaru, he went out with a smile. He knew what he had to do.

- - -

Kagome's laugh broke through Sesshoumaru's musings. He had been at the gardens all day, not being able to work as his thoughts kept being interrupted rudely. Memories of yesterday flitted in his mind and he could not help wondering what Kagome was doing. His eyes traveled to her giggling form as she and Kenji walked to the castle grounds.

Kenji was blushing furiously and Kagome was giggling. "Aw," Kagome said once she calmed down. "You should not be embarrassed. You look so cute with—"

"Enough already," Kenji cut her off when he noticed Sesshoumaru sitting under an oak tree. His blushed deepened.

"All right, all right," Kagome said, giggling madly again. She wiped the tears off her eyes as she noticed Sesshoumaru observing them. She smiled serenely at him. "Hello, Sesshoumaru."

He inclined his head in response and felt a jolt in him as she directed a smile towards him. She was wearing a yellow kimono and her hair was braided neatly. She looked positively radiant as her eyes sparkled.

"What are you giggling about?" Inuyasha grumbled from the entrance.

"Nothing special," Kagome answered with a secretive smile directed towards Kenji. "Unless, of course, Kenji would enlighten you."

"Of course not!" Kenji said vehemently. "You said no one would know."

Kagome lifted her hands, palm outwards in mock surrender as she began to giggle again. "I'm not saying anything," she said in a singsong voice before walking inside the castle.

Sesshoumaru was intrigued but kept it to himself. He watched her disappear inside and walked back inside.

- - -

The following day, Kagome had spent the day with Yoji. Sesshoumaru had also been unable to work. He spent his day wondering if Kagome was enjoying herself. It irked him to think that she had enjoyed her time with Kenji yesterday. It was evident when they arrived with Kagome giggling. This continued on until dinner where Kagome and Kenji teased each other mercilessly.

Sesshoumaru situated himself at the oak tree near the entrance of the castle. The sun was barely setting when Kagome arrived with Yoji smiling a few steps behind. Kagome was twirling around and humming to herself.

"I had so much fun!" she said happily as she turned her dazzling smile towards Yoji. "That was a neat trick!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed today," Yoji answered.

Kagome twirled again. "I would never have thought you'd be able to do that!" she said with a laugh.

Yoji nodded and Kagome giggled as they disappeared inside.

Sesshoumaru watched on and wondered what they did and where they had gone. There was no use wondering. He would not find out unless somebody told him. And he was not one to ask.

- - -

Kagome strolled in the gardens. She had just finished dinner with the others. The stars were twinkling brightly tonight and she wanted to watch them. The breeze blew gently as Kagome closed her eyes to feel the wind's gentle caress on her face. She hummed to herself and walked in the gardens.

"You enjoyed yourself?" a familiar voice inquired.

She spun around and saw Sesshoumaru lounging at the pavilion. Kagome had walked around it, not wanting to go near it. The incident was still fresh in her mind. She smiled as she looked at the stoic demon lord. She had missed him in the two days that she was not able to spend time with him. She nodded and twirled around. "But not as much as the day at the alcove," she said happily.

"Hn," he replied.

Kagome looked at him, her eyes sparkling. "And how was your day?" she asked casually. She could not help the giddy feeling she felt whenever Sesshoumaru was near. And she knew that she now loved him. He may be cold and mysterious but she knew that he also feels. He is really a warm person beneath that cold exterior. And she loves him.

He looked at her curiously before answering her with a noncommittal "Hn."

She giggled. "I think I have decided," she said with a smile as she looked at the demon lord. "But it's not yet final. Maybe by the end of the week." She saw Sesshoumaru stiffen slightly and smirked. She could tell he was really interested.

"I've been thinking a lot," she began, opting for a thoughtful air. "I really need to decide very soon if I want to ensure that I would not be consumed. So I've spent time with all of you. Of course, I have my own criteria. And I think it would be enough to decide whom I would choose. I would just have to spend time with your father tomorrow to decide." She saw the slight surprise in his features before he had quickly recovered from it. Oh, she was loving this.

"You are also considering my father," he stated flatly.

Kagome nodded. "Of course," she replied cheerfully as hope blossomed in her heart. "He is, after all, a plausible choice."

He nodded. Kagome watched him straighten up and walked towards her. She saw something in his eyes that she could not define. It was a mixture of emotions that made her whole body tingle in anticipation. "Sesshoumaru," she whispered his name as she looked up into his golden orbs. She was so lost in them.

It was as if they were both mesmerized and could not take their gazes from each other. Sesshoumaru's gaze shifted from her eyes to her lips and Kagome could not help but run her tongue on her suddenly dry lips. Anticipation rose in her as his head descended slowly towards her.

"Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha's voice broke the spell and Kagome jumped away from Sesshoumaru. Her cheeks were so red with embarrassment.

"I have to go," she mumbled before quickly running inside before Inuyasha found them together again.

End chapter