Author's Note: The "short" chapter that wouldn't end. I stole a line from a reviewer too – SeruleanOrbs. Thanks!

A Distant Promise – Mini-Chapter # 36

He wanted her.

As embarrassing as it might seem, it was all Sesshoumaru could contemplate. The miko was determined to torture him, with inappropriate comments and suggestions – statements which she probably didn't mean, in any case. After all, she drank too much, and alcohol made humans act sleepy, confused, or deranged. The drinks were talking to him, not Kagome. But that didn't keep him from noticing it, when she made ridiculous offers, like… like… how he should help her remove all her clothing.

The desire surprised him. Physically, she was very attractive. He was willing to admit this to himself, even if he did not state it out loud. For instance, earlier in the evening, when he first saw the blue dress that she wore, it had traumatized him. A dress on a hanger was nothing until it was worn. But that did not mean that he should behave like some hormonal teenager, chasing after a girl. Physical urges were normal. By now, he should be old enough to control them.

Besides, hadn't his association with Kagome started when he disapproved of her dating his son? His reaction had been unfavorable, when he believed that Satoshi was interested in the girl. Why should it be unacceptable for his son, yet perfectly fine for him? That was hypocritical.

Or perhaps, he was simply finding excuses to escape her presence until morning. Technically, she still needed assistance in getting to bed. Although… not that kind of assistance…

Damn it. Dignified behavior was not supposed to be this difficult. And thoughts were not supposed to be traitorous.

Unfortunately, while he stood at the foot of the bed, his companion managed to lurch closer to him. Arms slid around his waist and Kagome landed against his chest, with an oomph. Wisdom began to leak out of his ears, pooling on the floor and goading stupidity into the scenario. After a few minutes, he realized he had embraced her in return, and the miko was currently nuzzling his shirt.

All right, then. This situation required a firm hand and gentle guidance. Since he was sober, he would be the responsible one, here. Put her to bed, bring a glass of water to the bedside table, place a trash-can next to the mattress… what else?

"Crescent mooooon!" complained the priestess, forlornly, thumping his chest with one hand. "Your concealment spell is still covering your markings."

Blinking once, he stared at her, as though she had turned purple. "Yes," Sesshoumaru said slowly, "I will uncover my markings, if you will release my waist."

She complied, so he pulled off the covers on the queen-sized hotel bed, untucking the sheets, before leading her toward them, one palm on each shoulder. "Whoa," Kagome mused, "You move fast!"

Of course. A double entendre delivered by a drunken girl – that improved his mental health. "Get under the covers," the taiyoukai coaxed.

"But the dress will get all wrinkly."

"Then change into a bathrobe."

"I don't have one…"

"In the washroom!" Sesshoumaru ground out, through his teeth.

Unsteadily, she nodded and wandered toward the lavatory upon his suggestion, only to stop halfway there. Without turning around, Kagome asked him, sadly, "Did you think I looked okay, tonight?"

"Yes," he answered mildly, wishing he could comprehend what inspired this random melancholy in her.

"Because you never said…" she sniffed, leaning against the wall. "Nevermind."

The silence became oppressive, while she changed, and he discovered his feet were rooted to the floor. This was ridiculous. At first, he had been opposed to the priestess, when he thought Satoshi was entering into a relationship with her. Then, once he learned of his mistake, he forgave her. And after spending many months with her, he had learned it was relaxing to be around her, putting work, responsibility, and everything else aside, for a little while. She remembered who he used to be, then, and she knew who he was, now, but neither one of these personas mattered to her at all. Instead, she simply enjoyed their time together.

In the end, he had realized that he liked her. Because he had made a mistake in never accepting what he felt for Rin, until it was too late, he had resolved not make that mistake with Kagome. He invited her to this conference, as a first step, something small, yet obviously meaningful.

When he had asked for her presence, however, she had specifically avoided using the word "date" to describe the event. She had called him a "business associate" taking her on a trip. They had gone out for coffee, lunches, and dinners, they had walked together in parks and libraries, they even went shopping once. None of these excursions had been described as "dates" either. Somehow, he had thought a conference in another city, at an expensive hotel, followed by a leisurely day of travel through Kyoto…

Well, it seemed obvious to him. The way she purposefully skipped calling this a date, clearly, that signified benevolent rejection. She enjoyed being his friend, and she was unwilling to be more. Since he valued her friendship, as well, he had been willing to accept this.

So, what did it mean, if the miko wanted a compliment on her dress? She looked fantastic. And she had commented earlier that he could take all her clothes off, if he wanted…

And she was DRUNK so this line of thought was completely inappropriate!

The door opened, and the dark-haired, blue-eyed priestess meandered back to the bedroom, collapsing on the mattress. "I'm fine, now," she continued, as though the conversation had never paused, "Thank you for helping me upstairs. I don't need a goodnight kiss, even though I am a princess."

A subtle smile trailed over his mouth. "Is that so?"

"Yes, my mom says so," explained Kagome blearily, "S'why the goodnight kiss becomes necessary, you see. A princess deserves one, every day. It's duty."

Exiting the room, right then, probably would have been wise. Except for the fact Sesshoumaru noticed that she never actually made it beneath the covers, so he felt compelled to tuck her feet under the blanket. And to ensure the alarm would not wake her to early in the morning. And to brush the hair off her forehead. "If it is a duty to bestow a good-night kiss," he stated at last, "Then this one shall comply."

She giggled. He told himself it was to be a simple kiss on the cheek, but as soon as his lips touched her soft skin, Kagome turned her head. So, Sesshoumaru adjusted his plan accordingly. Full kisses were fine too. With a sharp intake of breath, she opened her mouth slightly, and he let his tongue linger on her bottom lip, tasting her salty and sweet, full of peaceful warmth. Sliding her hands into his hair, she tugged him forward, and he shifted, deepening the kiss, tilting his head to one side. When the kiss turned sensual, she moaned.

Soon though, he pulled away, gasping for breath. Sesshoumaru decided that he going to go crazy, quietly and quickly. He wanted her. She wanted him. And she was too intoxicated to make clear decisions, on the matter. So, he bid her sweet-dreams, and painstakingly removed himself from the equation. For another few hours, at least.