Chapter Four:
Coming to the top of the stairs, his eyes roamed the large courtyard. This was indeed a shrine. The stone ground was artistic compared to the concrete sidewalk below. It was wonderful. This shrine was indeed something that she seemed to fit nicely in.
A place that was peaceful and calm was her. The various shacks were decorated tastefully. The large tree was adorned with a prayer sutra. The semi large home was small enough to be cozy looking, but it was also big enough to be comfortable.
"So," she once again, and never fails to, drew his attention, "what do you think?"
Taking another look about the area that he could see, he truly liked what he saw. "It is," he motioned for a proper word, "tranquil, Kagome."
That was apparently a very good compliment to her because she was suddenly sporting a different type of smile that left him weak in the knees. It was a smile that said she knew exactly what he meant by 'tranquil' and that she appreciated it.
"It is my home," she stated as brown eyes gazed into his. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
That look. He motioned slowly towards her. Her eyes were heavy with an emotion that he was not familiar with, and he knew it wasn't lust. Her edible lips grew red and wet under the soft caress of her tongue. The scent to her body shifted to something comfortable and blissful.
Reaching out, he didn't miss the soft moan as his hand cupped her cheek. Brown eyes closed at his caress and he couldn't help the need to roam his thumb against the softness of her lips. They were parted ever so slightly that it left him dizzy with need.
It was a need to taste her, to capture her lips with his and hold her close. It was a desire and passion to keep her by him, tight and protective against him. She was his. He knew it with every fiber of his being. No one has ever broken through his shields to capture him so, and no one ever will. He knew it.
She was his. She belonged to him. Her sweet voice was calling to him long before he had ever seen her. Her sweet scent was familiar to him long before he sensed her. She was his.
Growling low, the unwelcomed scent of the hanyou came just shortly before the flash of black and white hit the shrine grounds. Kagome looked up at him confused before the recognizable sound of her hanyou's snarl came to her ears.
Turning, she was face to face with his brother before he could protest. She held his hand suddenly in hers, resting them gently at the small of her back as she stood before him. He was grateful for the action, but he wondered if it would continue if she knew they were brothers. Hearing the half-breed before them, he couldn't held but know he would soon find out.
"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha growled low in his voice, the rumble vibrated through her and he could feel it in her hand in his, "what the hell do you think you're doing?"
It was his turn to let loose his contained rumble, setting it free to shudder through the body of the woman before him. "That is none of your concern, brother."
Just like that, she turned in a flash of movement and was now looking between the two men before her. He was silently pleased that she hand not let go of his hand yet. It was still gripped securely in his, and if he had anything to do about it, it would stay that way.
"Brothers?" she whispered softly.
Brown eyes darted between the two. The hair color that she had thought all dog demons had was a stark resemblance between the two as were the amber in their eyes. Their height was different, but not by much. The only thing that had kept her from connecting the two brothers before was that Inuyasha was a hanyou where Sesshomaru was not.
"Half-brother," Inuyasha corrected. "We had the same father but different mothers. Mine was a human."
The hatred and venom in his voice was a blessing to the slightly older brother. The simple tone had startled her, bringing her closer to him. It was obvious she was unfamiliar with the pitch coming from the half-breed where he was.
"Don't touch her, Sesshomaru."
The command was yet another blessing more than a curse as she took one more step closer to him. Her scent was changing to something stronger and more heavy. He knew she was getting angry long before her pulse began to speed up.
"He can touch me if he wants to, Inuyasha." The growing anger in her voice shot through them both, along with her miko powers dancing around her lightly. To have a miko angry was not wise at all. That she was conscious enough in her powers to keep it in check just after her little release was impressive.
"Kagome," Inuyasha growled low, "it is Sesshomaru. He's not safe."
Safe? He thinks I will hurt her? The thought of it alone sent rage and fire through him. To harm her would kill him. The mere thought of her injured set fire to his veins.
"I assure you, brother," the youki behind her spoke through a clenched jaw, "that the miko is safe with me." He knew she believed him, reassuring him as she squeezed her hand in his. She trusted him, and that fact alone calmed his blood slightly.
"Kagome," the hanyou turned his attention back to her, ignoring the man behind her as he did, "trust me. He hates humans, and he'll hurt you once you let your guard down. You know me. Have I ever hurt you? Have I ever lied to you?"
She stood between them, silent. It was only when her grip in his hand loosened did he grasp hers and tug her closer to him. Her small frame was pressed against his much taller one. Her body wrapped in his embrace as she fell slightly limp in his grip.
Inuyasha snarled as he motioned forwards.
The taiyouki jumped back a good few feet before the hanyou could touch her. The sound he let loose from his chest covered the area around them, rocking through her body against his and stopping the half-breed in his movement.
"I would suggest not to take another step closer, brother. It would not be wise."
"What the hell do you want, Sesshomaru." The confusion and anger was strong and potent from him. "Is it because I like her? Is that why you're here? Is it because I care for her?"
Her body tensed against him. Was she really thinking he was pretending so he could get to the hanyou? No. This wasn't right. This wasn't how it should be.
Looking up from the raven haired beauty, he leveled dangerous eyes on him. "No, Inuyasha, that is not the reason."
The look in those eyes shook him still. His mind rolled with confusion and bewilderment. "Then, why? Why Kagome?"
"It is simple, brother." She was relaxing. That was a good sign. "I am drawn to her. Everything inside of me is drawn to her."
And just as quickly as things had started to cool down, the rage and fire was back up. It had her grasping to him. She was scared of his brother right now. Her fear was justifiable because the half-breed just figured out what he had so subtly said…
She was his destined mate.
"No." The bark was strong and loud. Within seconds, he was right before them and reaching for her.
The taiyouki was faster though. The miko and he were several feet away before his hand touched her. Inuyasha's clawed hand grasped at air, searching desperately for her.
"You're lying, Sesshomaru." Red bled into his amber eyes. "I know you are. It can't be true. She was suppose to be mine. I found her first."
"It is true, brother. You and I both know it."
Those red orbs narrowed and glared at the pair before him. He didn't miss the slight shift of her aura as she took in his rage. "Kagome," her body tensed against his, "tell me its not true. Tell me you aren't drawn to him too. Please."
Silence. She was silent and remained that way. The lack of a response was more of an answer than he ever wanted. He knew her since they were kids. She never liked anyone. She wasn't drawn to anyone. He always thought that he was her one and only, that he was the only one she would ever get close to. He loved her more than anything and now…
And now the youki in her arms had her. Sesshomaru was the object of her love and devotion. If not now, they both knew it would be soon. Kagome was a stubborn woman, and she would deny anything to keep her freedom. To know that fate made Sesshomaru her intended mate will set her off to no end until she grasped that it was the right decision.
That thought alone calmed him…because if he could get to her before her own mind does, She'll stay with me. She's mine, and god help anyone who tries to keep her from me.
And just as he made his promise, he left. The silver haired hanyou vanished before them, leaving them in silence and her own inward struggle.
—
"I had a dream last night," she whispered into his ear. "I dreamt that we were mates and you proposed and asked me to marry you."
Looking to the beauty in his lap, amber eyes narrowed in confusion towards her. "Marriage? I don't understand. You are my mate. There is no stronger bond than that."
"I know." Her fingertips brushed against his skin as she moved the loose strands of hair from his face. "Just call me traditional."
His eyes changed to a soft scowl at those words. There is nothing more 'traditional' than mating. Does she not realize that.
"My love," a soft smile played on her lips, "I would just like to follow in my own customs. I would like to be married."
Nodding, he could understand that.
She woke in his arms. The night chill couldn't touch her while she rested in his arms. There was nothing but warmth in his embrace.
Smiling, she thought back to the events from earlier. Inuyasha had come and gone. Sesshomaru confessed that he knew about what the fates had planned for them. Then…nothing. She had fallen, passed-out, in his arms.
Looking around, he was right outside her bedroom window. The roofing shingles were far too familiar. She had spent a lot of nights asleep or just sitting out here. It was her solitude and comfort. The stars were always bright, and the wind was always soft.
With a sigh, she snuggled back into that warmth about her.
He felt perfect. There was no other way to put it. He was perfect. Perfect for her in so many ways where others aren't. Yet…
It is so strange, though. She hadn't known him for a week, and she was already having a hard time envisioning her life without him. Destined mates are not unheard of, just uncommon. There have only been rare cases of the true meaning of a 'soul mate' happening now.
Yet, it isn't uncommon.
With a deep sigh, she pulled out of his arms. He stirred ever so slightly but didn't wake. She wasn't ready for him to be up yet.
Looking out over the shrine, her eyes lingered on the god tree. Inuyasha and her had spent a lot of time just sitting under it and talking. She had spent so many years in his lap under that tree. It was their tree…she was his.
She had been by her hanyou's side for so many years. Can she just abandon him now? He had been there for her for so long, and then…
Her eyes drifted to the youki over her shoulder. He had come into her life and tore it upside down. He had come, and now she was suppose to mate with him? Just like that, she was suppose to be his just because the gods thought it should be that way? Didn't she get a say in it? Didn't she get to choose?
With a practiced leap, she was at the bottom. Her feet landed gently on the stone ground. There was only the slightest tingle through her thighs. Looking back up, he was still asleep.
She needed time to herself right now, and with him near, it was hard to think. All she ever wants to do when he's near is run to him and hold him. All she wants is to have his arms around her. Just to feel his lips on hers is a yearning she never felt before.
Get over it, girl. There's no way in hell we're letting them decide who we spend the rest of our life with.
She was too stubborn for that. Just because the gods wanted her with someone specific doesn't mean she'll want to be with him too. No, she wanted to choose who she would be with. No one else.
Besides, I've got a date tomorrow.
—
Sesshomaru woke up on the roof outside her room. The cold chill of the morning air was his for clue that he was alone. The absence of her body was the next, and it was the most unnerving one.
Jumping up, his eyes scanned the area around him. He found her instantly. She was standing down at the bottom with a cup of, what he thought, was tea. She had a plate of egg and sausage in the other. Her school uniform was gone, replaced with a light blue skirt that was just as short and a black turtle neck shirt. It was tight as it clung to her.
"I made breakfast," she smiled up at him. "I thought you would be hungry."
Within a second, he was standing right in front of her. She didn't seemed startled at all. Too many years with the half-breed he assumed.
"Come on in," she started to move to the house, but stop short, "or do you want to eat outside?"
To be honest, he would have liked to have gone inside, but there was something that compelled him to stay out here. "Outside," he answered after a second, and she seemed to have liked the answer.
Directing him around the corner of the house, there was a small table and two chairs. His food was placed before him before she went back inside to get her own tea. It didn't take her long, and before he knew it, they were acting like a real couple.
He liked having breakfast with her. He just liked being with her. Just having her presence beside him was perfect. She was his, and he need to have her with him.
"There's something I have to tell you." Her voice broke the silence so suddenly that it left him slightly startled. Her tone was what made him narrow his eyes, however.
"What's that, Kagome?"
Taking in a deep breath, he could hear her heartbeat slow drastically. "It's about last night—after noon—whatever." Her hand waved it away. The action caused her to slip her mask that he hadn't realized she was showing until right then.
"What about yesterday?" He had a feeling he wasn't going to like where this was going.
His suspicion was confirmed when brown eyes leveled on him. The strength and power in her showed through those eyes. Her frustration and irritation showed in that gaze. "I'm not just going to give in. We might be soul mates, but that doesn't mean I'll just up and agree with it."
With that said, his pulse sped. The blood in his veins warmed. His beast rose inside of his with a stubborn need to…to…to do something to change her mind. Instead, he clenched his hand and tried his hardest to control himself. "Why?" was the only word he could let out within loosing it completely.
She didn't miss the struggle he was under. She had been anticipating it, suspecting it. Her miko blood allowed her to feel his demon grow angry, scared, and panicked. Her mother had made her study demon mating when she was younger. She knew why his beast was reacting the way it was.
Whenever a demon felt it was loosing his mate, it mostly was with the males, they would loose control and do whatever was necessary to keep her. Most of the battles that had happened back in the federal era was because of power struggles to claim mates, but…
It was the male of the destined mate pairing that would grow vicious and dangerous without the mating process to have began. Normally the male wont loose control unless it has already mated, but a male that was loosing a soul mate was drastically different.
She knew she was treading in dangerous waters, but her stubbornness was pushing her on. She didn't want to be with someone that she wasn't certain she wouldn't be happy with. She had read about too many soul mates that stayed with each other and hadn't been happy. She didn't want that.
Looking into those amber eyes across from her, the need to go to him was strong. The need to be held in his arms was overpowering. The waver in his gaze told her that he had saw it too. He had felt her need, and that pushed her on to what she was doing.
"I need to live my life my own way and not someone else's." She was trying to be honest with him. "I don't want to feel like I'm doing something or feeling something that isn't what I want or isn't real. Just because we're suppose to be together doesn't mean we'll be happy together. I need to know that. I need to have that security that I'm not making a mistake."
He wanted to argue with her. He wanted to assure her that he would do everything in his power to make her happy, to keep her happy, but he also understood her worry. He understood her concern and knew what ever he would say wouldn't change it.
No. Instead, he accepted it. He would just have to 'court' her like every other man. He would have to win her trust and love.
Something inside of him whispered that it would be better this way. To earn her affection and love would be better than having the fates force her with him. He wanted her, there was not doubt about it. He knew she was the love of his life. He just had to convince her that he was hers too.
He could do that, right? With a mental sigh, he nodded to the woman across from him. "I understand, Kagome."
With a smile, she leapt from her chair and went to him. The sudden change in her mood was so abrupt that it left him shock still. Her lips gave him a quick peck on the cheek before it ever registered with him.
"Thank you, Sesshomaru." She whispered into his ear as she wrapped her arms around his next. It was more a gesture one would use towards an older brother than a lover, but it still left his growing hard.
She was back in her seat, while he finished his meal. It was only when she moved to clean up that he realized she didn't eat anything. The only thing she had had was her tea. "Kagome, why didn't you eat?"
Walking to the door, she answered over her shoulder, "I have a lunch date with Kouga, remember?"
A growl was torn from him as his eyes bled red. No, he had not remembered.