Silver Moon: Chapter 7: You Don't Kiss like a Demoness

He could feel her worry, confusion, and… guilt fill her scent. The change from her allowed him to clear his head, however he was still very much running on instinct.

"This Sesshomaru is not normally affected by a female's heat, but you clearly have a strong affect on me", he lifted his head up to be nose to nose with her.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't even think about it… What do I do?" she blushed beneath him.

"As I stated before, I have never been in this situation before…"

She gulped and looked at the ceiling for answers, "I don't want to have kids right now… so what are our other options…" she looked at him and gasped at the change in him.

His stripes were jagged and his fangs seemed longer and more threatening. Most of all his eyes were full of emotion. The normally stoic orbs showed confusion and pleaded with her. She couldn't help herself. She reached up and touched his cheek.

"Do I frighten you?" he snarled.

"No, shocked but not frighten. I trust you won't hurt me… how do I make this easier for you?" she stroked his cheek.

He closed his eyes and allowed her touch to sooth him before he spoke.

"You must submit to me, it assures my inner beast you are in its possession. Beyond that it is up to our own control", he breathed.

"How do I do that?" she stammered.

"Do what comes instinctually", he sighed giving into his beast and returning to the closest source of her scent in the crook of her neck.

Sheba frowned in dismay. A beautiful taiyoukai was desperately trying not to rape her. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She allowed her hands to stroke his back soothingly. Then, very gently tilted her head and nuzzled his cheek. This earned her the soft growl from before. This time however, she felt it vibrate through her. The low sound soothed her; it was more of a purr than a growl. She ducked her head and wedged it under his chin, her arms looping around his neck. She had to be honest with herself. The position made her feel safe and cared for. After a moment his arm hauled her into his lap, but keeping their position.

"Are you bothered by my arm?" he asked in his haze.

"No", she was unsure how to continue.

He lowered his nose again to her neck, this time Sheba remembered something Kagome had mentioned about inuyoukai and the neck. She tilted her neck to allow him better access. He nuzzled there and let his fangs graze the tender spot where a mating mark would go. She couldn't fight back the soft moan.

"What are you doing?" she tried to steady her breath.

"That is where a mating mark would be placed…" he faced her.

"You still need to drink from me", she tried to change the topic.

He nodded, then, scooped her up and carried her to her bedroom. He laid her down on the bed before taking her arm and drinking from her. She slipped in and out of consciousness after he was finished. He laved the wound with his tongue. Then, he laid down so he was facing her.

"What now?" she asked sleepily curling up on her side, watching him.

"As a territorial male I will stay close", he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

"Why are you this way Sesshomaru? You are so cold but yet this is beneath it, even if it is your instinct." She sighed.

"I learned long ago if I cared for nothing than there was nothing that could be taken from me", he nuzzled into her neck.

"What would make you believe you had to live that way?" she gasped.

"I watched everything my mother loved be stripped from her when my father left her for that human wench! She refused to even look at her only child because I resembled my father too much. She withered away in her chambers alone", he snarled slightly.

Sheba sat up and looked at him with tears in her eyes, "Your own mother refused you!"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled under his chin. The submissive and genuine affection stuck him to the core. He had never spoken those words before, why did she call his soul this way? He held her tightly unable to express himself further.

"I'm not like that. I trust and care for you as a friend. I mean that", she looked up at him with tears streaming down her cheeks.

He had never felt such genuine emotions toward himself before. Yes Rin adored him but this was stronger. He waited for sleep to claim them both.

…

Sheba woke to the morning light pouring into the room. She found herself sprawled on top of Sesshomaru's chest. His strong arm was still wrapped around her waist. She looked at his face and found his markings had returned to normal. Then, her heat was over. She made no move to pull away from him though. The night before had struck her hard. He was so complicated. Yet now she knew why he was so cold, part of why he hated his brother so much, and even why he was unable to "feel". But last night his affections had stirred a lot up in her. Not just sexual tension, but his touch was so gentle. Even now she felt safe and content in his arms. She reached up and traced his stripes with her finger tips. He stirred and opened his eyes. He found Sheba's deep emerald eyes staring back at him. He could see everything in them, her confusion, her feelings, and her embarrassment. Her soft lips that he had thought of so often were a breath from his. He was not sure whether it was an effect of her fleeting heat or her closeness but he brushed his lips over hers.

Sheba was unsure of what to do at first, but his lips were warm and soft. Sesshomaru raised his hand to her cheek to better angle her. Sheba tilted her hear before returning the kiss. Sesshomaru growled low at the sweet taste of her lips. They were plump and hot against his own. To his shock she returned the kiss, gently nipping his bottom lip. He mimicked this behavior, careful of his fangs, earning him a soft sigh from her. He took the invitation to explore her mouth. He found her tongue soft and smooth. She tasted sweet with a spice of her arousal. He placed another soft kiss over his lips before releasing her.

"… I'm sorry", she blushed and sat up. However his arm prevented her from moving away.

"You do not kiss like a demoness", stated rising to face her, effectively putting her in his lap.

"Is that a bad thing?" she looked up at him.

"It is a very good thing", he smirked, and demonesses were not fond of kissing.

"Oh… what does this mean?" she looked at her lap.

"I am not sure…" he had never felt this way before.

Sheba had hoped for a confession of feelings or at least something. But all he could say was that he didn't know! She sprung away from him and scrambled to her feet, hot tears scalding her cheeks. "You can't toy with my emotions like this… you wouldn't want someone like me to actually like you, would you?"

Sesshomaru was taken aback. She was in a storm of emotions that ranged from hurt to abandonment. He didn't understand what he had done to receive such a reaction. Then, he caught her scent again. She was bleeding, her cycle had begun. He had been warned by older males of such occasions being dangerous to a relationship… However, the fact that she seemed to think that liking him was a negative struck him. The night before she had said she valued him… was he so disgusting? He left the room silently and slipped into his own.

Sheba showered but she couldn't stop crying. She clutched her stomach as a wave of cramps washed over her. She took care of them with the medication and proper feminine products. He couldn't love her… he didn't even mean to kiss her, it was probably better to keep him away for a while. Until, she could think clearly. At least she was going out today, that would give them sometime apart, it would do them good. She wiped her tears away and threw a package of tissue in her bag just in case she started to cry again. Then dressed in slacks and a button down and walked to Sesshomaru's door.

"I'm going to meet with the lawyer, I will be gone most of the day…" she spoke to the closed door.

When there was no answer she sighed and left.

Sesshomaru mulled over her reaction. She was hurt and angry, that he could tell. But what had made him change from a valued individual to someone she despised. He now had learned she was no different than his mother. He would not falter again.

…

Sheba got home late that night. Everything was settled. If she was unable to continue her days in the present everything went to Kagome. But she still felt used and hurt as she packed her bags for the Western Palace. She could not trust him with her heart, he clearly didn't want it. She honestly wasn't paying attention to what she was packing, and she really didn't care. Her door flung open to reveal Sesshomaru in his normal clothing and armor.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked curtly, his mask back in place.

Sheba only nodded. Sesshomaru picked up the bags and they made their way to her car, then the well.

The earth was softer as they landed in the past. She climbed out only to find Ah-Un waiting on her. Sesshomaru loaded the beast and set her on him, before telling the dragon to go home. Sesshomaru traveled alone to the palace. He arrived much faster than the dragon. He was greeted by Minda. The old maid smiled proudly at the young taiyoukai.

"How has my lord's journey faired?" Minda asked as he walked up to her.

"Decent, the child of the silver moon will arrive shortly. Her things should unpacked and moved to the guest chambers", he continued past her.

Minda followed at her own pace, she was his senior in years, and was well aware he would slow to meet her. When he did she spoke. "There are many guest chambers in you vast home. Perhaps my lord could specify…"

"The best and closest to your own", he spoke quickly.

"Why should they be close to my own?" Minda took note of his ill mood.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you would watch over her. I have lost her trust and I must know what happens in her mind if I am to continue the last 2 weeks of the spell." He stopped and watched his elder's reaction.

Minda frowned, what had he done? She pushed the young man's underdeveloped social skills away, "I will be a kind and attentive maid and governess, but nothing more. I will not subject a poor girl to your temper." With that statement she headed back to the palace's entrance. She would not clean up his mess, she had not done so in decades, and wasn't going to start now. However, she could keep the girl comfortable, and perhaps if this girl was kind … she could be good company to herself and her lord's young ward.

Minda watched the skies for a moment and sighed. With the raise of her right hand a guard appeared at her side.

"My lady?" the guard bowed at her side.

"Have a team of maids prepare the chambers across from my own. A valued guest of our lord's is about to arrive. Also, have a few of your men waiting to unload her bags", Minda spoke as she often had to the captain of the guard. He was devoted to her from the time Sesshomaru came to power and placed her with the title of Lady of the House. However, in all her years in such a title, and as Head Maid to Two Ladies and two Lords of the west, she was not prepared for the scent that the wind carried to her. Nor had she seen such natural beauty in decades. Atop Ah-Un was a ethereal young woman. Minda inhaled lightly, the girl's scent told a sad story. Minda put a warm smile on her face as the dragon landed before her in the open courtyard.

Sheba was shocked at the beauty of the vast palace. It gleamed like a pearl, white in the mid-day sun. There were a couple of gardens that she could see from the skies, but they quickly disappeared as Ah-Un descended to the entry way. As he landed she saw that an older woman was standing in front of a group of what she guessed were maids. The old woman had grey hair but her face still held the spark of youth. The woman smiled at her with warm honey colored eyes.

"Welcome to the West, I am Minda. I am lady to this house", Minda stepped closely to the young woman.

"I am Bathsheba and this is Sasha", Sheba smiled and motioned from herself to her large cat. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad here…

Sheba was helped off Ah-Un by male youkai, he then bowed and excused himself to direct the other men to remove her bags.

"That was Yoshi, he is captain of the guard here, and these will be your maids. However, I will be your governess", Minda offered the girl her arm.

Sheba accepted the gesture and side-by-side entered the palace, Sasha following at their heels.

Hi- I am really sorry it took so long. I initially finished this chapter two weeks ago, but when I reread it I decided to split it in half. The second half was much harder to write, and I really wanted to be good, so tell me how I did ~.*

-I just wanted to make a note that this story takes place early on in the anime/manga – So Sesshomaru's mother was not in the picture when I started this. Thus, as too why she is dead. Just thought I should formally elaborate on that ^.~

~Suki