Author's Note: So this is a shorter chapter. I sometimes tend to ramble so I figured I'd try to cut it shorter. Let me know what you think! PLEASE REVIEW!
And I don't own Inuyasha, we know this.
Kagome and Miroku make it back to the others in 5 days. They had been gone for almost two weeks and it was good to be home. Edo was like paradise for Kagome, wanting to rest her sore muscles. There were millions of tiny cuts on her limbs from trekking through the forests that needed to be cleaned. And she was sure she smelled something close to a pig in mud. But all of that could wait.
The other members of the group could sense the relief and excitement rolling off the monk and priestess. Especially Inuyasha. And he knew, then, they had accomplished it. They not only raked in wolf-breath, but his asshole brother as well. The wolf wasn't so surprising. He was still trying to woo Kagome. To that, Inuyasha snorts lightly. What is really amazing is Sesshomaru accepting. How the hell had they managed that?
They sit in a tight circle around Kaede's hearth as she cooks a large pot of stew for her friends. Kagome and Miroku tell everyone what happened, from start to finish, everyone except for Inuyasha cheering about the help coming. Kagome decides to leave off the fact that the demon Lord tried to choke the life out of her. She knows Inuyasha will only use it as a reason to not join forces with him.
They hadn't made a plan of when the two new groups would arrive, but if Kagome could guess, it would be the next day. After they finish their supper, Kagome decides to go off to the nearby river to wash off. Sango decides to tag along with her for a little girl talk. Kagome strips off her clothing and wades into the cool water, relishing in it as the currents brush against her curves.
"So how did it go with Sesshomaru? I'm surprised he even accepted." Sango said after a few minutes of companionable silence.
"Oh well, haha, you know how he is." Kagome says, slapping at the water.
"Wait...Kagome...are those bruises on your neck!" Sango says, wading closer.
"I sort of opened my mouth and really wanted to insert my foot right after." Kagome says, sighing.
"He choked you!" Sango says, her voice raising higher.
"Shh! Don't you dare say anything to Inuyasha. He hasn't noticed. His mind must be elsewhere." Kagome says, rolling her eyes.
"Oh about that-"
"I saw the soul collectors earlier. I know she's near." Kagome shrugs, slapping the water around again, this time more angrily.
"Kagome I really think it's time to let go. Fully."
"For what? I have nothing but Inuyasha. And I promised-"
"You promised when you were 15 years old! You're a woman now and you deserve the be happy with someone. I just want to see you smile, really smile, again." Sango says, sighing and placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You too now? Miroku was harassing me about it, too." Kagome grumbles.
"We just want to see you happy." Sango says quietly.
"As happy as you two are." Kagome says, surprised at the bitterness in her voice.
After a moment Kagome grunts a little, scrunching her eyebrows together.
"I'm sorry Sango, that was just rude of me."
"Don't worry Kagome, I know you don't mean it. Believe me." Sango replies, loosely hugging her, and settle into a comfortable silence again.
"Do you think Sesshomaru...never mind." Kagome says, flushing.
"No, tell me. You know you can say anything."
"I just...I find him sooo...attractive." She says in a whoosh.
"Oh. Well. He does have a handsome face, that's for sure. It's most likely the dangerous air he exudes that attracts you...but he just choke you, Kagome, what are you thinking? He could have killed you!"
"I know, I know. But if he wanted to kill me, he would have." Kagome says, almost pleadingly.
"...You're right. But if he tries that again, purify him." Sango growls out.
"Jeez, Sango!" Kagome says, laughing.
Sango laughs along with her and gets up, grabbing a towel Kagome brought back with her from her time.
"I'm going to head back, are you coming along?"
"I think I'll stay a bit. But hey, thanks for listening and not judging." Kagome says, grinning at her friend with love.
"Always, Kagome." Sango says, giving a wave as she walks off.
Kagome watches as her friend walks off. She slides under the water until it just reaches her bottom lip and she lets out a sigh. Just then, she hears a loud slap and Sango screaming "PERVERT" right after. She must have caught him trying to peek on her way back. Kagome giggles and shakes her head. She leans back again and stares up at the starry sky.
She must have dozed off at some point. Because there was no way she was seeing what she was seeing right now. She was in the same spot, leaning against the bank of the river, currents caressing her naked body. She's still looking up but something is blocking her view of the stars. A handsome, pale and cold face staring down at her, silver bangs brushing across his molten eyes. Kagome blinks a few times and cocks her head to the side, staring at the god-like creature. She closes her eyes and shakes her head softly, trying to wake herself up.
She opens her eyes again and he's gone. She feels...disappointed. Of course she was just day dreaming. She sighs and pushes herself upward, ready to get out, when suddenly a hand grabs at her shoulder. She nearly shrieks but shock clenches her throat closed. She then feels something...huffing near her neck. Sniffing. She freezes, terror turning her into a statue. She hears a low rumble, sounding something like a pleased hum coming from the creature behind her.
Suddenly she's whipped around, her chest exposed, as the creature faces her. She squeezes her eyes shut, waiting for death to come. Her heart beats loudly in her chest, her blood turning to ice in her veins. She sends a quiet 'I love you' to her mother, grandfather and Sota and waits for pain.
"Miko." A voice growls out.
Shocked her eyes fly open, knowing that voice. Sesshomaru. His eyes have bled red, staring hungrily at her. Kagome gasps, crossing her arms across her chest, staring at him. His eyes stare hungrily at her, devouring every curve of her body. She stares at him, fear surrounding her, suffocating her.
"Sess-Sesshomaru?" She whispers, shakily.
Suddenly, he blinks, his eyes returning to gold. He seems to have no idea where he is at first and looks around, a confused look flickering across his now blank eyes. He then stares down at Kagome, noting his hand on her shoulder, and her naked body. He jumps back, almost as if she burned him, and growls. With that, he disappears.
Kagome is left standing, staring at the place where he stood. She wasn't sure if she was terrified or turned on. Maybe both? She sinks back into the water, dumbfounded. Had that really happened? Had he really been right there, staring at her...dare she say, desiring her? She had never seen that look on a man's face before, at least, not directed towards her. But she recognized it. But she is just a filthy human! It can't be right. Sesshomaru must have mistaken her for someone else. That's it.
Kagome groans and gets up out of the water, grabbing a towel to wrap around her body. She still has goosebumps, and not from the cool temperature of the water. She begins walking back to the village, replaying what happened again in her head. Little does she know, a very confused and flustered demon Lord is watching her retreating form from the forest edge.