Sesshoumaru pulled her into the cottage with an indignant sniff, arm wrapped firmly around her waist. "She is the one who has chosen me. I am just grateful she saw fit to allow me the chance to make up for all my misdeeds."

Kagome's eyes widened as they settled in front of the fire, silk and fur intermingling. It was different from before—when his true nature had been hidden behind crimson eyes and a lack of markings.

"Was it hard for you?" she asked, reaching up to trace the moon on his brow. "To be stuck in your other form for so long?" Her fingers moved down to the stripes on his cheeks as she ignored the knowing looks from both her mother and the queen, the latter whispering something before inclining her head and disappearing out the door.

It was probably something important, but being this close to him in such a confined space overwhelmed her senses—especially with how he leaned into her touch.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, enjoying their proximity. "Once we are able to control our youki, much time is spent as the beast as a means of relying on nothing but instinct." He leaned his head down, Kagome sitting sideways in his lap. "It did not bother me until…" Trailing off, he buried his face against her neck, inhaling deeply.

"Until?" she prompted, even as shivers wracked her body. She knew he wouldn't try anything—her mother was still puttering around in the kitchen in plain view—though she couldn't be sure if she actually wanted him to stop.

Sesshoumaru took another drag of her scent, arm tightening around her waist as if his very survival depended on being close to her. "Until you."