Hunt

Sesshoumaru kept his gaze on the cup of tea in his hands, the sounds of morning breakfast washing over him. To his left Rin sat chatting with Shippo about their plans for the day. Across from him sat the Miko, a small bowl of white rice in her hands, her eyes glazed over as she picked at the rice like a bird.

It was easy to tell her mind was wandering and it wasn't hard for him to know exactly where it had wandered. The overly sweet scent of her arousal curled under his nose and he was glad that pups didn't recognize it for what it was until they had their first season. Already he had to explain to the miko's kit that the odd scent coming from her was normal and that he had no reason to fret.

The kit had accepted it with a smile and a nod and had gone on about his day like nothing was wrong.

If only he had it as easy. Her scent curled around him, sweet and mouthwatering. He knew she was trying her best to hide it, covering it with the smell of perfumes and spices, yet it was still there under all of it. Raw, pure, and demanding.

He made no mention of it knowing it would only embarrass her and make her awkward around him. It was a tension he did not desire to bud between them, not over something so trivial.

Humans were so scared of their sexuality, it was odd to him, they repressed their desires even though they were as natural as breathing. He knew the only reason the miko was so aroused was due to her condition, his own mother had not left his father alone during her pregnancy with him. A fact he could have lived his long life without knowing but a fact that he knew nonetheless.

So as the scent of her arousal curled around him like a plume of opium from his smoking pipe, he gulped down the rest of his tea and set the cup down on the table, the sound of it making those around him turn to him in question.

"The stores of meat are getting low; I shall replenish them." He turned his gaze to the kit, "You will join me." He knew the kit wanted to help provide for his mother and by allowing him to join his hunt it would instill a sense of pride in him.

Shippo gulped, having never really ever been the sole source of the older demon's gaze. It was still an odd transition for him, to accept the cold lord as their new alpha. The few interactions they had prior to the fall of Naraku were never really...cordial, often ending with the two Inu brothers fighting each other.

Post Naraku they were brief and aloof, and now? They were still awkward at times but it was becoming easier to accept the older more powerful demon as a part of his life and he found himself worrying over how the older demon viewed him and he was quick to look away in shame.

"I uh, I've never gone hunting..." It was true he had been too young when his father had been alive and once, he had been killed by the thunder brothers he had sought out the jewel shards in hopes of bringing him back and in doing so had met his mama. Ever since then she had provided for him and he had no need to hunt. He had asked to go with Inuyasha once and the hanyou had been so cruel in his dismal of him that he had never asked again.

Sesshoumaru let his eyes slide closed, anger pulsing in his veins, just when he thought the whelp could fall no lower, he did. How could the boy call himself an alpha if he had never taught the kit to hunt? Sure, he knew their own sire had not been around to teach him but someone had, otherwise he would have died long ago from starvation.

He had neglected to teach the kit his wife considered a pup an essential skill of survival, even if he knew no better his very instincts should have told him to teach the pup...

Shoving the thoughts of the whelp down he opened his eyes and gazed at the nervous pup, his silence no doubt put him on edge. He allowed a small flash of reassurance flashing in his eyes at the small kit as he stood from the table.

"Come, I shall teach you." He paused to turn towards the Miko, hoping she would not take offense to his statement to the kit without asking her first. He was startled by the watering of her eyes and the bright smile that split across her face.

"Mama, can I?" The excitement that layered the kit's voice made him turn back towards him, surprise flashing in his eyes before it was squashed down.

The miko gave a light sniffle as she swallowed thickly, her bright blue eyes shining. "Of course. Go get ready." Shippo gave a light yip of excitement as he rushed towards his room, Rin running with him, his excitement contagious.

Kagome could only smile after them before turning to give Sesshoumaru a bright smile. "Thank you." He merely nodded, not trusting himself to reply vocally, a strange warmth settling in his chest as he listened to the kit and his pup giggle with excitement as their mother continued to smile up at him, her hands on her stomach.