Chapter 9 – A lick?
A groan and the shuffling of sheets sliced through the morning air. The room was lightened by rays of sunlight. The soft chirping of the birds and the swaying of the trees outside. Kagome woke up with her hands stretched upwards and her feet kicking the sheets off her. She gave a loud unladylike yawn and rubbed her eyes with balled fists.
"What a long sleep…" She muttered under her breath. She continued on stretching, this time her back.
"O-ow." She complained as she tried to move from her current position.
"Cramps?" She was shocked. "Just how long have I been asleep?" She wondered to herself.
Without much of a choice, She dragged her feet to the bed's edge. They felt numb and cold. Her lips was chapped and her hair a complete mess. Kagome tried to flex her feet but couldn't as she felt stabs of pain from cramps.
"What the hell is happening here?" she wondered some more. It was as if she escaped from her long endless slumber.
In her despair, She shut her eyes and cried inside.
"What's wrong with me?" She thought some more. "Is this a side-effect of my transformation?"
She pondered on her thought without moving an inch. Her head hung low and silver locks framed her face. Her mind was a total blackout. Kagome didn't remember anything. All was but mist covering her thoughts and memories inside her head. In frustration, Kagome growled out loud and clutched a fistful of the cloth beneath her.
Her finger traced her lip and felt the cracks. She licked her chapped lips with her saliva.
"I need a bath." She stated with a low sigh. She looked at her current attire. Still the same kimono she wore ever since that morning. But, she saw a drop of blood. Drops of blood.
"Where did those come from?" It was as if a breeze blew away the mist in her clouded mind. She gasped in shock as she remembered everything that happened. Her two hands covering her mouth and her eyes widened in surprise. Recaps of the scenes flashed to her.
She was dressing up when Sesshoumaru came. They had an argument. He held her by her neck. She blasted some of her miko powers at him. He jerked his hand. Red bloody claw marks on her cheek. With a shaky hand, she reached up to her cheek and felt the claw marks Sesshoumaru made. Her mouth gaped up more and she inhaled deeply as realization struck her more. After that was but a misty haze again but she clearly heard Inuyasha's voice. And the warmth she felt as she was being held by Sesshoumaru.
The Inu-gang had reached to this place? When? Kagome was confused. She was too confused.
"Miko?" A voice cut off her train of chaotic thoughts. Her head swiftly looked at where the voice came from. Sesshoumaru stood just a few steps away from her. The Lord wore his usual outfit and his face was the usual stoic mask. His hand covering the Mark of the West on his forehead.
"S-Sesshoumaru?" She stuttered out in her low voice. She faced the other side, not wanting to look at him. If she hadn't, she might've given her a cold death stare.
"Your sleep has lasted long enough. It is good to see you've awakened." Sesshoumaru stated in a flat tone.
"Long sleep? How long was I out Lord Sesshoumaru." The word 'Lord' had a different tone to it but Sesshoumaru brushed it away.
"You have been asleep for a week." He put it simply. Sesshoumaru walked forward, just about three steps from Kagome.
"Your group has come into the Western Palace without notice. Inuyasha hasn't missed a single day without wrecking havoc in my area. This Sesshoumaru wants you to straighten this mess you've made." The almighty tone of Sesshomaru might have caused Kagome to snap. It was either that or the claw marks on her cheek.
" I don't give a damn on what Inuyasha has done! I have no longer connection to that hanyou!" She had raised her tone in this early of the morning. Typical, Inuyasha is always her day ruiner. Sesshoumaru remained unfazed to what she said. But, she clearly felt his gaze harden.
"You, ningen, will not raise voice to this Sesshoumaru." He bit back at her, with an almost growl at the end.
"Hello? If you haven't noticed , I haven't been human for a couple of days now. Lord Se-shou-ma-ru." She stressed every syllable in his name. Irritating, Sesshoumaru thought. Kagome turned her head to face him. She wasn't afraid to have a staring contest with the Ice Lord. This demon Lord needed a serious wake up call.
With a swift movement, Sesshoumaru held Kagome's neck with one hand and had her lifted from the ground. Kagome grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand and tried to pry off his clutch. Her feet dangled but was able to land on the bed's edge. She then put all her strength and tried to pull off Sesshoumaru's death grip on her neck.
This was a replay of what happened the last time. Morning. They had an argument. He held her like this and she made a wrong move. Should she do it again? Or should she just let him choke her to death?
Definitely the first choice. Kagome shut her eyes close and tried to scream out loud. Before she could even blast out a wave of her miko powers, Sesshoumaru had removed his clutch. She fell back first on her bed. Her deep breaths and widened eyes. Shock, what happened to Sesshoumaru?
The Lord stood in front of her. His head hung low and his eyes not in view. His forehead buried deep on one palm. And to Kagome, She heard Sesshoumaru give a low deep growl.
"Kagome, my mate." Sesshoumaru said in a deeper voice, grumbles and growls. Kagome froze in her spot. What has happened to Sesshoumaru?
"Do not fret. It's still me, Sesshoumaru." He said taking a step closer. His hand fell to his side and he looked straight at her. Blood shot eyes and pupils of the color blue. The marks on his face intensified.
"S-Sesshou-ma-ru." Kagome stuttered as she tried to move her body. Her hands and feet were numb and they felt as heavy as cement. She needed to call help. But her parched throat cracked and her voice came out so small.
"Let's get rid of that wretched smell." Sesshoumaru crawled on the bed, above her unmoving body. Her eyes shut closed and she tried once more to scream. Her hands clutched the bed and her feet tried to kick off Sesshoumaru.
They were face to face now. With a clawed finger he tilted her face to the left, showing the three claw marks he made on her right chin. His face twisted in disgust as he sniffed in the scent of iron. Kagome struggled beneath him. But her body didn't move a bit. She was whimpering in fear. Sesshoumaru heard her whimper and nuzzled into her neck. Kagome's face heat up in a red blush and hand goosebumps all over her body.
"S-Se-Sesshou-maru." She managed to stutter out with her quivering lips. She felt him inhale deeply. His warm breath against her skin. He withdrew and looked into her eyes. But she avoided the eye contact, she couldn't even breath properly. She felt her sweaty hands and her heartbeat grew faster. Nervous? This was new. She closed her eyes hoping that when they open them again, he would be gone.
Kagome felt something wet touch her cheek. Sesshoumaru was licking the claw marks he had given her. He was gentle and he seemed to calm down. But when she attempted to move, Sesshoumaru growled. And so, she remained unmoving. He continued to lap at the red scratches with long licks. After a minute or two, he stopped and crawled off her. It was then when her body moved magically. She crawled off at the opposite edge of the bed.
Sesshoumaru seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in. He stared at the miko with confused and angry eyes. His mouth was agape but she didn't hear him growl. Kagome softly touched her cheek. It was warm, she could still feel Sesshoumaru's tongue and saliva. Her gaze fell downwards and her cheeks tinted a light pink.
"W-what did yo-" She was cut off when she heard the door creak open.
"Kagome!" Daichi was the one who had interrupted her question. Kagome sighed in relief. She couldn't bear to be alone with the demon Lord anymore. Kagome shyly glanced at the Sesshoumaru only to get the gaze of the Lord. His brows furrowed but then he huffed and cut their eye contact.
Daichi felt the weird tense feeling in the room and decided not to go in further.
"Did I interrupt something?" he asked looking between the two.
"Daichi!" Kagome exclaimed, as if granting the older demon permission to enter the room.
Shaking, she attempted to walk towards the older demon and found that her feet were stuck to the floor. Rather than walking forward, she tripped forward. Her legs were like cement that did not want to move. It was as if she got a frostbite. Sesshoumaru rushed to aid Kagome. It was unlike of him but his body dashed to the fallen miko. After seeing Sesshoumaru rush to the girl's aid, Daichi himself hurriedly went to Kagome's spot.
"Miko!" surprising concern was dripping in Sesshoumaru's exclamation. Kagome was still in the same position, the way that she tripped.
"Don't come near me!" Kagome shouted, hot tears ran down her cheeks. Sesshoumaru outstretched a helping hand to her.
"What did you do earlier?" She asked. She faced the opposite side, she didn't want to accept his help without his answer.
"This Sesshoumaru wa-" Daichi cut in, kneeling down and grabbing Kagome's elbows, to aid her.
"I can't have you, my Lady, sitting on the floor; especially because you have just woken up." Daichi said taking an arm of Kagome and wrapping it around his neck. With that, He guided Kagome to the nearest couch. Kagome angrily wiped her tears away.
"I must inform Lerhea immediately. She has been waiting for you to wake." Daichi said, hurrying to the door and leaving once again.
"Answer me Lord Sesshoumaru." Kagome pressed on for an answer. Her tone solid and demanding. Kagome stared right into Sesshoumaru's eyes. But it wasn't for anger anymore. It was simply because she wanted to understand him more and Sesshoumaru felt it.
"This Sesshoumaru's beast despised the scent of iron." He simply stated, facing the Miko and giving a flat look on his face.
"Scent of iron? But if I have been asleep for a long time, why didn't the scratches disappear? Weren't they supposed to heal by themselves? Demonic regeneration skills?" Kagome blabbed on the questions and Sesshoumaru gave a short grunt in return. His arms were crossed and he faced the other side. Her effort to corner the Lord had failed.
"… Either way, you scared me earlier. You looked possessed by your beast. Was that it then?" Kagome softly asked. Her tone was sweet compared to the wrath that was dripping of her words earlier.
"…" Sesshoumaru's mouth stayed shut but then as he looked into Kagome's eyes, he felt the need to answer to her question. "This Sesshoumaru 's beast acted on his instincts."
"Well, if you can, say thanks to him okay? I don't have to deal scars on my face because of what he did." Kagome said with a small smile on her face. Sesshoumaru turned around
"… I will." He surprisingly said in reply. For the first time ever since she woke up, Kagome smiled.
"Thank you Sesshoumaru." With another huff he left the room just exactly as Daichi and Lerhea entered.
"Lord Sesshoumaru!" Lerhea swiftly bowed and quickly went inside the room.
"Lady Kagome! I'm glad to see up!" Lerhea's joy was radiating off her. In her hands was a small
"Uhmmm… If I may ask, who are you?" Kagome
"Right right, introductions. Forgive me my Lady. I am Lerhea the head medic of the whole Western Palace. I'd be glad to serve you." Lerhea bowed down and smiled at Kagome.
"No, no. Just call me Kagome." Kagome hurriedly replied.
"You look amazing Lady Kagome. I've been making daily rounds on you, ever since you Daichi-sama call for my help." Lerhea stated as she took one of Kagome's hands.
"You have normal temperature. Normal blood pressure and … in a complete stable condition! What a great improvement Lady Kagome." Lerhea said in glee. Gently she laid down Kagome's hand back.
"Now, if I may, please face towards the left. I want to check up on those claw marks." She said as she was about to tilt Kagome's face. Her hand was blocked by Kagome.
"There's no need Lerhea, it's not there anymore." Kagome said tilting her head to the side and grabbing her hair away, to clearly show her cheek. True, there wasn't a single scratch nor a single mark, except for the two magenta stripes, on her cheek.
"Huh? It's not there. Hmph… and to think I prepared a freshly made chiba cream for those claw marks." Lerhea puffed out. She bent and took a closer look at Kagome's clear face.
She stared at it, in different angles and still no single mark that there had been three claw marks on her cheek.
"This is impossible. It should've at least left some kind of mark… Such fast and superior regeneration. But, why did this happen just now whe-"
"Sesshoumaru was the one who healed it."
"Not to be rude but the last time I checked Lord Sesshoumaru didn't have any skill related to healing." Lerhea stated in a flat tone. Kagome giggled at that note.
"So… Could you please tell me what Lord Sesshoumaru did mi'lady?"
"H-He kinda … licked the scratch." Kagome's cheeks got tainted by the color of rose.
"He licked it? Hmmmmmm… you seem pretty serious. Especially because of that blush right there." Lerhea tapped a finger on her chin. Thinking the reasons behind such an action.
"Sesshoumaru licked it?" Daichi seemed to be very surprised. Why would he? Kagome was a human, despite being the Miko of the Shikon. Sesshoumaru would never touch nor would he be touched by a mere ningen.
"H-he was out of his normal self. It was like as if he was possessed. Daichi-sama, could a-an inner beast take control of the body?" Kagome meekly asked, quite unsure if she had the right to ask questions.
"Hmmm Yes, the inner beast may take control but it rarely ever happens." Daichi said in a confused tone.
"Well, he seemed to be out of himself earlier. Colder than the usual Ice Lord aura." Kagome stated.
The beast of Sesshoumaru? The Lord of the West must have perfect control over his beast. I'm talking about Sesshoumaru here. He never really loses his temper over petty things.
Maybe it wasn't his temper, maybe it was the temper of his inner
Then what could've triggered it? Really, it must be a big reason to be able to let his inner control his body, without letting it transform to it's true form.
"Daichi?" Kagome's wide amber eyes looked for a response from Daichi.
"Well Lady Kagome, It seems this conversation should continue with the presence of Sesshoumaru. Would later afternoon be to your liking? I bet you'd want to freshen up, eat then spend some time outside right?" Daichi hurriedly said, with a hand rubbing the back of his head and nervous giggling coming from his lips. "Learhea, I leave the Lady to your care. Good bye."
"Well that was odd." Lerhea said with a soft sigh. The two shared a look and then lightly giggled at each other's face. As everything fell silent, Lerhea looked at Kagome with soft eyes.
"I was right. You are a kind person, Lady Kagome. I'd be glad to serve you!" Lerhea said with such passion that it made Kagome blush.
"Well, I'm not really the Lady. But as long as this mark-" She said tapping the purple crescent on her forehead. "As long as this mark remains, I guess… I can't really do anything about it." She stated.
"Hmmm, for one thing. It looks good on you. And for another, you and Lord Sesshoumaru look like twins when you two are together." Lerhea teased, wiggling finger at Kagome.
"Female version…" She uttered beneath her breath. "Well, I definitely won't copy his cold personality." Kagome said with her cheeks puffing up. Lerhea lightly giggled at her Lady's statement.
"Cold personality hmmmm? Well the sun with thaw the ice." Lerhea said with a definite tone in her voice. "I would just like to remind you my Lady. Remember not to step on thin ice, the cracks are hard to recover from." Kagome's head titled, her eyes filled with confusion. Lerhea just smiled to Kagome, the girl will come to know of the meaning of the statement in due time. For now, the Lady had to be treated and taken utmost care of.
"Well, shall we go? Would you like to take a bath first or eat a meal instead?" Lerhea asked. Kagome seemed to snap out of her train of thought.
"A bath would be very nice." She replied with a smile.
Sorry if it took so long. Writer's block /3 Anyways, hopefully it'll go away soon. Especially since I've been trying to type ever since last week. Sparks of inspiration!
If you guys are wondering, I'm still going to finish this story and the others too~
Be back to you guys real soon! :)