Author's Note: Wow… so much time has passed. I doubt even some of my more faithful reviewers are still following this. I myself had to actually re-read my own story. In the years since writing it I had forgotten almost half of my own writing.
A few weeks ago I stumbled across a review of this story and on a whim I fired up to read some of the comments and reviews people had left. Some had me laughing and some had me crying. I had forgotten the following this story once had. An immeasurable sense of guilt settled over me at having left it incomplete. So I set out to find the motivation to revamp earlier chapters to fix errors and then finally finish it.
I think I finally may have… don't forget to review, I can't improve unless you do.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS EROTIC CONTENT. YOU ARE WARNED BEFORE AND AFTER SUCH SCENES. PLEASE SKIP ACCORDINGLY IF YOU DO NOT DESIRE TO READ THEM.
Chapter 40
Time flew by in such a blur for the couple. Sesshomaru was good to his word and her staff was amazing, taking care of every little detail for her. All she had to worry about was her dress and appearance. Fubuki fretted constantly that he wouldn't be recovered enough to witness the happy event, but his worries were laid to rest when he finally succeeded in materializing in his human form once more.
Kagome grinned knowingly as Akiko threw herself into the elemental's arms, planting a burning kiss on the unsuspecting man's lips. He immediately grinned and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as the little miko excused herself from the room. It was about time they finally got together, she giggled.
Finally the day arrived and Kagome awoke with so many butterflies in her stomach that she felt she might burst. The bride wasn't allowed to leave her room until the ceremony so Sesshomaru wouldn't see her as was tradition. Akiko fussed over her for an eternity, making sure every fold was in place, every crease of fabric fell just right, that her makeup was absolutely perfect, and every hair remained where it was painstakingly placed. The miko felt she was suffocating under all the fabric and headdress, but she had never looked so beautiful in her whole life.
A fleeting moment of sadness filled her as she spent a moment of silence thinking of her mother, Souta and Grandfather who wouldn't be present. They had supported her so much through her time travel and it was a crime that they wouldn't be there to see her happily married.
Then… it was time.
The ceremony was perfect. Even with those around her that she loved, Akiko, Fubuki, Yoko, Takehiko and his family, she found she couldn't focus on anyone but the image of Sesshomaru. He stood before her in his family's traditional ceremonial garb like a statuesque god and he similarly couldn't take his eyes off her. The palace shrine was decorated beautifully as Sesshomaru and Kagome stepped forward to say their vows. All too soon the ceremony was over. As neither of them had any family present it was short and sweet and he broke tradition by gathering her up and kissing her before everyone to much applauding and hooting, though the hooting was mostly from Yoko.
Everyone had waited so long for this moment, the two in question more so than anyone present and they were thrilled to finally see the couple together and so happy. Immediately the revelry started and everyone crowded around them to wish them congratulations and a long happy marriage. Kagome practically glowed on his arm as they all adjourned to the dining hall for the reception.
Over the singing, dancing, conversation and general noise they couldn't keep their eyes off each other, but they humored their guests as was considered polite, smiling and chatting when necessary. Covered grins and sly looks by their guests were sent around the room as everyone knew it wouldn't be long before the happy couple disappeared.
Kagome took advantage of a lull in the conversation to escape from the room for some fresh air. Her sigh of relief was interrupted by slender, elegant hands capturing her face so her husband could claim her lips. Husband. She shivered and smiled against his mouth. After a few moments they broke apart, panting slightly.
"As breathtaking as you look, you must be suffocating under there. How about we sneak out of here and make you more comfortable?" she bit her lip to hide her coy smile, failing very obviously and nodded, an adorable blush settling across her cheeks under the white of her makeup. Like thieves they stole out of the celebration hall, hand in hand. Once free and clear he turned and scooped her up, dress and all, silencing the giggling woman with burning kisses.
Somehow he managed to open the door of his room without breaking their kiss and both buried with more silk than Kagome had ever seen in her life. Tenderly he set her on her feet by the futon and wiped her makeup off with the sleeve of his haori, not caring the white streaks he was leaving on the black material. Once her face was once more beautifully clear of any makeup he began kissing any exposed skin his lips could reach while peeling her out of the ridiculous amounts of cloth she was buried under, layer by layer.
Breathlessly she captured his lips with hers, her fingers working to remove his own massive amounts of fabric. A rumbling sound of approval made her giggle again.
*BEGINNING OF SEX SCENE: IF YOU DO NOT LIKE EROTIC SCENES THEN SKIP TO THE NEXT NOTIFICATION*
Finally they were down to her last thin robe and his hakama pants. His eyes met hers and for once he was completely at a loss for words, his heart in his throat, preventing all speech, but she understood the question in his eyes. She was ready. Slowly she backed away a step, fighting the resident flush in her cheeks, neck, and chest as she slowly parted her robe, letting the fabric slide off her shoulders to finally pool at her feet. If he hadn't been rock solid before, he was now, clearly evidenced through his pants.
She was more than perfect and his wait had been more than worthwhile. Though he had known this without seeing her before it didn't stop him from staring appreciatively. Kagome resisted the urge to cover herself with her arms, she'd never stood naked before a man before and she definitely had never witnessed that expression on his face before. He almost looked worshipful.
Bashfully she came forward, breaking his spell. Eagerly he gathered her in his arms, reveling in the skin on skin contact that had been denied him so long, capturing her lips demandingly, feeling his barely reined in desire threatening to overwhelm him. Kagome as well was swept away on a current of intense longing and burning desire, though it was all new to her. His scent was intensified ten times over and she felt practically drunk with passion as his large, dangerous hands began to roam and explore her body. Gently she pushed him back a little, eliciting a low rumbling growl from him to which she giggled.
"Not fair," she insisted, tugging at the tie on his pants.
"If you insist," a smile graced his lips as he divest himself of his last garments, extremely pleased with the small hitch in her breathing and saucer-like eyes. His chest and hips, admittedly she was well acquainted with from the numerous times she had healed him and blasted his clothing away in practices and fights. But her curiosity drew her downward, following the striped, magenta lines on his hips, continued down to his beautifully sculpted thighs and calves, intrigued by the matching stripes on his ankles. His very obvious erection was a little hard to miss however and was rather intimidating to the small miko. He was much bigger that she'd been anticipating. How is THAT going to fit inside me? She started to panic a little.
Sensing her unease he gathered her up with a comforting growl, their naked bodies now pressed together, his very evident desire for her pressed against the flat planes of her stomach and a heated ache began to build in her stomach and thighs.
"You are not leaving my rooms again until I determine you can," he kissed her, slowly leading her backward and onto the futon, crawling up the bed as he situated her in the middle, sprawled out beneath him. "So be ready to never leave this room again," she giggled despite the heated blush settled on her cheeks.
Reverently he began worshiping every inch of her body with his mouth and hands. Kagome writhed on the bed, the sensations were so overwhelming and new that she didn't know what to do with herself. Sesshomaru crawled down her body, mapping all of it to memory, finding every little spot that drew out soft gasps, sighs and moans. He couldn't believe how perfect she was, her skin so soft and supple, muscles rippling underneath in the most enticing way, the soft flesh giving in so beautifully to his ministrations. Every curve, every dip, each crease of muscle, his mouth, tongue and teeth found them all.
Unbelievable heat built up in her stomach and between her legs, bathing him in the intoxicating scent of her arousal. Finally he reached her chest, moving around each breast carefully, avoiding touching her nipples fully. Kagome's hips bucked into him.
"Sessho-…" she panted, "I-… oh-" he finally sucked one pert nipple into his mouth and she cried out, arching firmly against him, her mind incapable of coherent thought anymore. He paid special attention to that one before moving on to the next, totally absorbed in giving her as much pleasure as possible. Achingly slowly he continued downward when he felt he'd done justice to the perfect mounds and began his heated trek southward. Kagome felt like she couldn't even breathe, what was he doing to her?
Gently he parted her legs as he reached the small patch of hair announcing her womanhood was close and he licked, kissed and sucked his way around it, carefully paying attention to all the wonderful dips and crevices in her thighs and hips. Her tiny hands fisting in the sheet below her amused him as he drank eagerly the overwhelming scent of her arousal. When his tongue finally snaked out and lapped at the slit opening of her womanhood she bucked hard against his mouth, his name on her lips like music to his ears.
Kagome was in a fog of desire, everything completely out of focus save for the burning between her thighs and the feeling of his lips and tongue against her most sensitive place. Finally she couldn't take it anymore and she tugged impatiently at his shoulders. Languidly he lapped at her one last time before acquiescing and climbing up her gorgeous body, his eyes glittering at the lustful look she was watching him with.
"Sesshou-… I don't… I need-…" she groaned in frustration at her jumbled thoughts and he purred appreciatively as her hands explored his body, feather light touches traveling everywhere she could reach, slowly moving down his abdomen.
"Tell me," he urged her as her trails made their way past his hips, touching the stripes curiously before continuing down, "tell me you need me," he whispered in her ear, earning a heartfelt groan from his new wife. "Tell me you want me, my little wife. Tell me you want me as much as I want you," she almost lost track of what she was doing as he kissed her.
"I do," she forced her foggy brain to work so she could form words, "I can't even describe how much I want you," she sighed against his mouth. The purring sound he was emitting solidified her resolve and her fingers experimentally dipped around the base of his erection and his rumble increased in volume, his ember eyes slid closed in ecstasy. Tentatively she slid her fingertips up the length of him before wrapping her fingers around him fully, feeling him twitch in her hand, watching with fascinated eyes as his head dropped and his breath came in pants.
"My love, as much as I look forward to letting you have all of me the rest of our lives," she blushed, "and I do not want to rush you but…" he paused, panting as her hand shifted on him, stroking him lightly, "I've waited over twenty years for you…" she stopped him with a kiss.
"Then what are you waiting for?" she asked shyly. That was all he needed. Her slender legs wrapped around his hips as he placed himself at her opening. Knowing they hadn't really discussed this at all, but hoping she'd simply understand he took her hand into his tenderly and made a small cut on the pad of her left thumb with a claw before making a mirror one on his own. She watched him trustingly, not even flinching when her blood beaded to the surface. Carefully he took her thumb in between his lips and she sucked his between hers, earning a small groan from him before he slowly slid himself inside, letting her adjust until he felt her barrier. In one small, swift movement he broke it and seated himself fully inside her. The small woman moaned in pain and pleasure as she clung to him, letting the unexpected pain subside.
Patiently he wanted for her to signal that she was ready, unsure how long he was going to last, she was tighter than anything he'd experienced. Finally she squirmed impatiently and he slowly slid out, eliciting the most delicious sounds from her. This was beyond anything she'd imagined and she clung to him like a life line, burning heat coiling in her belly as he began a slow rhythm.
Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her, burying his hands in her hair and his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply as he picked up speed. All thoughts of making love to her slowly and romantically were frantically shoved aside by their united need, years of suppressed attraction and desire, and their love. Incrementally his pace increased and he raised himself on his elbows, relishing her string of moans and the blissful expression on her face. Her eyes opened slightly and she gazed into his own hooded, burning expression, feeling the coiled spring inside her ready to snap.
Finally he couldn't take it anymore and he doubled his speed, pounding in and out of her, closing his eyes as she threw her head back and cried his name. Their moans rose in unison as they approached climax, Kagome quivered, clawing at his shoulders with trembling fingers, the whole world blotted out by a curtain of silver.
Her cry of ecstasy was smothered by his mouth as she came hard, clenching down on him tightly. After a moment of staving it off he followed her, groaning into her mouth as his hips bucked of their own accord, spilling his seed deep inside her.
***********************END OF SEX SCENE*********************************
As Kagome began to come down off her high she realized a burning sensation had begun in her veins.
"Sesshomaru," she panted, "what-" he began trembling violently and his head drooped down on her shoulder as though it were too heavy to keep up. "Sesshomaru?" the burning and itching in her veins forgotten she heaved him onto his back and panicked when he wouldn't open his eyes or respond, still convulsing slightly. Oh, Kami! My blood is purifying him!"
The taiyoukai felt like he was burning alive from the inside out and his mind screamed in pain as he struggled to regain control of his body and respond to his desperate wife. Her miko blood, he realized was clashing with his youki and the ensuing conflict was tearing him apart. In a brief moment of clarity he calmed himself, instead of fighting it he reigned in his powerful youki and let both flow in sync instead of opposed.
Kagome watched, her heart in her throat as his eyes snapped open and he drew in a ragged breath. Gently she patted his chest, willing him to regain control of the redness tingeing his eyes. As he calmed she studied his face worriedly, watching him breathe deeply and his eyes returned to normal.
"Sesshomaru, I felt like I was burning alive from the inside and then you collapsed. What happened?" finally he regained full control and dragged himself to a sitting position.
"This Sess-… I… think…" he rubbed his face wearily, "when we fully consummated our marriage, our opposite blood mixed causing a reaction. Mine just seemed to be worse than yours," Kagome blinked weirdly and touched her ears.
"I feel like my vision is too sharp and my hearing too loud," she complained. And he looked at her, noticing a small shimmer on her forehead. Looking closer and brushing her bangs away he realized a very faint silver crescent was now in evidence on her forehead, like all the ruling ladies. Abruptly he stared up at her, a thought occurring to him as he realized the shift in his youki.
"Kagome, try to burn me," she stared at him dumbfounded. "Oh come now, you've burned me plenty of times with no qualms," she sweat dropped. "Trust me. Try to singe me." Hesitantly she gathered her power and directed it to the top of his hand, enough to welt the skin. Pink purifying energy lashed out and struck the surface, unbelievably neutralizing and dissipating, leaving his skin untouched. They stared at one another in amazement.
"My love," he cupped her face, "you have developed my senses and I gained your resistance to holy energy… I did not feel a thing," with a relieved sob she threw herself into his arms. Gently he caught her and lay back, dragging her across him to lay on his chest, gently placing kisses all over her face. "Thinking back, I cannot believe how much of a brute I was to you at times, I did some terrible things to you," he gazed into her eyes and she giggled.
"Yea, you were a bit of a jerk sometimes, but you had really cute moments too," she grinned at him and he gave her a look.
"Now, to make good on my promise earlier to let you have all of me," he said suggestively with a rumbling growl, flipping her on her back and kissing his giggling wife.
In the following two weeks Sesshomaru was not able to make good on his prior promise that she train with him every morning as most of his time was consumed in researching ways to survive a war he feared was approaching. With Fubuki fully recovered Kagome returned to a normal routine of training with Sho and Daichi, spending time with her beloved husband when she was able.
One morning found Sho and Kagome sparring lightly with Akiko and Fubuki sitting in their usual spot off to the side, looking for all the world like two lovesick kittens. Kagome loved it.
Sho feigned an attack to the side and closed in for a strike, which Kagome completely and uncharacteristically missed. In fact, she had kind of stopped moving entirely. The kitsune paused and looked up at his lady, realizing she'd suddenly become very pale looking.
"Kagome-sama… are you-" abruptly she swung about and dashed for the door of the dojo, barely making it outside before emptying her stomach of its contents. In a flash her three friends were by her side. Akiko bent next to her as she continued to heave, shooing the two boys a respectful distance away. When she finally seemed to be done Akiko wiped her mistress's face tenderly, smiling to herself. She was almost positive she knew what was wrong with the western lady.
"Kagome-sama, is everything alright?" Sho asked in concern as the miko straightened finally, leveling out her breathing from exerting herself into the bushes.
"I-… I think so. I'll be fine. I think something from dinner last night just didn't sit right…" she paused and wiped her brow with her sleeve.
"That will be enough training, Sho-san" Akiko insisted. "I'm taking her ladyship inside to clean up and relax," Sho nodded his agreement and retreated after wishing her a speedy recovery. Akiko led a weak kneed Kagome into the palace and straight to the hot springs, Fubuki trailing behind before guarding the door in cat form.
"I don't know what came over me," Kagome said in shock as she sank gratefully into the warm, relaxing water. "I was fine one moment then all of the sudden," she paused and shook her head.
"Oh, I think I know exactly what's wrong," Akiko said with a knowing grin. Kagome stared at her baffled.
"Well are you going to tell me, or just laugh to yourself and be cruel?" the miko teased her friend and the neko demon laughed.
"Kagome-san, when is your next cycle due?" she was a little taken aback by the question.
"Um… I don't…" when she paused to actually consider the question, she realized she was late. Quite a few days late. Like, almost a week late. Her eyes turned into saucers. "NO WAY!"
Kagome's squeal was heard throughout the palace and Sesshomaru looked up from his paperwork at the sound. As per usual he started a countdown, and right on cue came her rapid footsteps and his door slamming open. He wasn't prepared however to see her come barreling into the room with her bathing robe barely secured about her slender body, still completely drenched, and throw herself into his arms. He barely managed to save his paperwork from a soaking before catching his flying wife.
"Kagome, what is going on?" he raised an eyebrow and looked to the neko in the doorway for answers who shrugged, completely incapable of understanding her current breathless babbling. She gave him a concentrated and irritated face before panting deeply, trying to catch her breath.
"I'm late," she finally panted out and he looked at her oddly.
"Late for what? You have no pressing appointments today," she shook her head, swallowing hard to try and stave off her heavy breaths.
"No, no! I'm late!" she pointed at her belly and it was his turn for his eyes to go wide. Abruptly he pushed her back against his desk and sniffed at her belly in a most canine manner making her giggle. Akiko quietly shut the screen with a grin and left the couple alone; thrilled that soon there might be pups about the palace. Finally his amazed gaze met hers and she grinned up at him, her eyes shining. Gathering her in his arms he kissed her ferverently, holding her tightly as she giggled in happiness against his lips.
"I'm going to be a father," he whispered against her mouth, earning a happy grin and a nod from his wife. "I'm the luckiest man to ever exist in this or any other time frame," she giggled again at his proclamation as he kissed her again, wrapping the robe around her firmly and picking her up, determined to take her back to the springs and finish bathing her himself… and to celebrate.