A/N: Guys, thank you so much for your reviews. I tried to respond individually to most of them, but I'm sure I missed some. Anyway, please enjoy this new chapter. It's sweet and lighthearted, a nice change from the angst.

Kagome's POV

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Chapter Twenty-Seven: Trepidation

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A week had passed since Chisaki and Kira were married.

It had also been a week since I awoke next to Sesshoumaru, our lengthy hair tangled together and his warm cheek resting on my collarbone. Jeweled hairpins were knotted into my tresses, and Sesshoumaru's solid weight had made it difficult to breathe.

But I hadn't moved.

Dappled sunlight highlighted the flawlessness of his face, had turned every dark eyelash golden brown and emphasized the slight hollow of his cheekbones. No line marred his skin, and I'd felt that I couldn't wait to wake up next to him every morning if only to see him so peaceful.

With hesitant tenderness, I'd smoothed away the silver fringe of his bangs and kissed his forehead sweetly. I'd had no desire to leave him, though, judging from the angle of the sun, it'd been rather late.

So, as I'd adjusted myself and attempted to twist out from underneath Sesshoumaru without waking him, I'd been more than a little surprised when he murmured my name.

And I, feeling my heart flutter like a hummingbird's wings, had softly brushed my lips to his and failed to see his molten eyes flicker open.

He had yet to let me live it down.

Presently, I sat with him in his study, poring over scrolls and handwritten notes, trying in vain to find anything able to cut his skin. His intent on making me immortal had not slaked in the slightest, and with our wedding less than two weeks from now, his determination knew no bounds.

I looked up at Sesshoumaru where he lounged in a window seat on the opposite side of the room and scowled. He was still pretending to be asleep.

Honestly, sometimes he was no more mature than a child.

"You might as well finish sorting through those, Sesshoumaru," I said, gesturing to the papers littering his lap. "I know you're awake."

He didn't stir.

With an aggravated huff I stood and crossed the floor to him. "Sesshoumaru," I repeated, and jostled him gently for effect. "Come now, this is absurd. I can't possibly look through all these scrolls while you laze about, trying to get me to kiss you."

When he didn't so much as twitch, I leaned closer, scrutinizing his supposedly sleeping face. "Sesshoumaru?"

In the next instant, his hand slid around my neck and brought my mouth to his in a chaste kiss. "My, you're a stubborn one," he said, grinning widely as he let me go.

"You had best stop with this foolishness if you ever wish to kiss me again," I chastised teasingly. "Besides, what about waking up to me kissing you was so wonderful?"

His expression turned serious and he grasped my hand. "It was wonderful, as you put it," he muttered as he caressed the underside of my wrist with his thumb, "simply because it was you."

Blood rushed to my face, displaying my embarrassment for all to see. "W-Well," I stuttered inarticulately, "you certainly know how to charm a girl, don't you?"

He laughed, and I reveled in the melodic sound. "I've been alive for quite some time, koishii. Before you, I've never had an opportunity to put my allure into practice. I must say it's been relatively entertaining."

"Oh, your allure?" I chuckled. "Is that what you call it?"

His mouth dropped in mock outrage. "You wound me, Kagome!"

As I laughed, he circled me in his long arms, holding me close, and I decided lazing about wasn't such a bad thing.

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A/N: Hope you liked it! Please review!