A/N: K, so I broke my promise…what's new? I'm sure if you've been with me from the beginning you've realized that me keeping a schedule is about as likely as our dear series being picked up again *tears*. But anyway (more ramblings to be found in A/N 2.0), buckle up, kids. This is the longest chapter so far by a long shot, and it's because I've moved the plot forward in a HUGE way — a lot of huge ways actually. Also, the beginning is all pretty much one scene, but I've separated different POVs into their own sections (you'll see what I mean). Anyway. you all know the deal, I do not own these characters yadda yadda, I just have fun with them. Enjoy!
XXXXX
Chapter 21:
Touga growled, landing on his feet and sliding back as his body transferred the momentum of his throw. The younger man had been relentless in his assault since he had gotten his first opening. He had appeared to have been waiting patiently for him, not engaging Kenta or Yoshirou, but instead waiting in the snow covered clearing with a sick smile on his face.
"Really?! I hardly thought I'd have the great taishou of the west on the run so soon."
The younger youkai bellowed, appearing before him; he snarled, his body reacted without thought, thankfully, his sword arching up quickly to parry the downward swipe of the dragon's sharp claws. Though one of them was only using their body, the sound that sang through the air was like steel meeting steel. The inu lord however had much better leverage, aiding him in throwing the overgrown lizard spawn back to go on the offensive.
While his sword was larger than any katana he had carried before, Touga found he could still wield it with relative ease, and he strategically ran through his forms in an effort to gauge his opponent's skill level. The ryū youkai hadn't yet opted for a weapon himself, but he was certainly adept in his avoidance maneuvers.
Then he retreated abruptly. Before the western lord even had even a second's time to consider why he had done so, a plume of flames was hurtling toward him. He jumped, as was the only thing possible, and just narrowly was able to bring his armored forearms up to cover his jugular — a well orchestrated sneak attack. With no surface to gain purchase on while in freefall, Touga coupled his push back with a burst of his youki, sending his opponent flying a fair distance of his own. Both landed with a soft crunch on the fresh powder blanketing the ground.
"Who brings war to the west?"
Touga demanded during the respite. He was growing more and more incensed with the arrogant smirk on his opponent's face, and his hand tightened around tessaiga's hilt while he considered a million different ways to carve it off. The continued aggravating expression clearly indicated the younger youkai wasn't a mind reader, or perhaps he was…either way he would be paying for his insolence.
"I do not seek war, my lord. I hold no political affiliation. As I said before, the only thing I desire is your annihilation."
Touga growled savagely watching the expression of mirth grow bigger.
"It was the dearly departed who wanted war. My father's friend too, Lord Hyoga, courted war."
Though his face remained stoic, the western lord was surprised at this new revelation. An ally of Hyoga's?
"I will bring you his firstborn son when he is born. He stole my boy from me, it's only fair. Besides, consuming a daiyoukai pup would give you the strength you desire. You can also assume control of the south, as I myself will be taking the western seat after that cur is dealt with, but that's still much more territory than Hyoga promised you."
Clouds of smoke billowed from the enormous dragon's snout as he sighed, considering the proposal. Ryukotsusei truly had no need for the lands or the position of power. He sought real power, so that he might do as he pleased when he pleased, not to become a figurehead and slave to a kingdom and subjects. And why should he even be inclined to believe this man that he could follow through? The last one to stand before him, seeking his constituency and making promises, was now dead by the same man's hand that this new one sought vengeance upon.
And the former had been much stronger.
No matter, Hyoga's undertaking had been much more ambitious. All the neko wanted was help to dispatch the one inu, and then he could be rid of him as well. Two cardinal seats up for grabs would kick up a comparable amount of chaos as a foreign conqueror ever could, perhaps even more. The culling that would ensue would surely be wonderful.
"Fine. You bring me his son,"
The panther lord did nothing to hide his smile of wicked glee hearing the dragon's agreement —
"And you will take mine, Orochi."
"My father never wanted a silly title, merely to take advantage of the freed land once Hyoga's army began clearing out all the worthless, degenerate filth. Youkai and ningen alike. You embarrassed him striking down his associate as you did."
Feeling the swell in the lad's youki, Touga braced himself for the battle to begin again.
"I did nothing to embarrass your father, it was his own poor choices in allies."
Finally, the smirk was gone from the younger man's face. The ends of his shoulder length white hair floated up as the air around him became more charged.
"You shut your mouth."
Touga watched as the boy's cheeks enlarged to impossible proportions, the feat only made possible because of the aid of his strong youki. He was less disturbed to see the attack building this time since he knew what to expect. Though very (over)confident in his abilities, and to his merits there certainly were some, his opponent was still young. His brash attitude aside, the dragon hadn't even fully developed into his abilities and was still only producing fire.
The maw flew open suddenly - and that was another thing, the young one was quick - and a wave of flames burst forth with a roar. Stabbing his mighty blade into the earth, Touga crouched behind it. The small inferno parted along what looked to be the edge of the sharp blade, but in fact the blade's own power did not even allow that much contact. It kept the flames from touching it and its master; they flowed past unable to battle through the spiritual wind of sorts.
It wasn't keeping out the heat though, that was for sure. He posited his opponent thought he would try to soar above the attack again, thus leaving himself vulnerable while in the air, so he chose to instead take the brunt of the fireball. In the tense moments of waiting, he wondered if there was a more effective way to do this if he was successful, flame proof cloth? No matter, he could consider things like that later.
If he could be seen a smirk would've been observed on his lips, as he could now launch his own offense.
As the flames died down, however, and he noticed his opponents eyes were not trained on him, Touga took pause.
"Another friend of yours, Touga-sama?"
Following the younger man's eyes, Touga felt his blood run cold. What the fuck was she doing here?!
"Well, let's give her a warm welcome then!"
He watched the ryū's cheeks widen up like a bellows again and his dread only grew; there was no way he would make it to her in time.
"Move, Kago-"
The sight of the fireball shooting on target stopped him short and his heartbeat came to a screeching halt. He couldn't move. He couldn't…he couldn't think.
It didn't start up again until a heavy weight slammed against into his chest, knocking him back.
"Here, pull yourself together."
A cold voice had him blinking back to reality, and he finally took notice of just what exactly had collided with him. The head of raven black shifted up and cerulean blue met honey topaz as the "what had" noticed him too.
"Touga?"
The clang of metal on metal - or claw on metal, as it were - had both sets of eyes trained quickly back on the action. Yoshirou had his blade drawn and was fending off Orochi for the moment. The northern lord flicked his eyes over his shoulder at the still pair, and noted the look of question clear through his rival's stoic expression.
"Debts are harder between friends, I hate you."
He offered, pulling his blade's twin from the other scabbard at his hip and slicing at his opponent. Orochi jumped back to avoid injury, seething at this new development, especially as he watched his prey bound off with that woman in his grasp after a small nod of thanks to the one engaging him now.
"My fight is with the lord of the west!"
He hollered, his body actually beginning to quake with his rage. He did not have time for this.
"Well, now your fight is with me."
The northern lord said easily, rushing him.
Meanwhile, Touga had touched down in another clearing not too far off, but far enough. He dropped the miko's feet to the ground so she stood on her own before letting her have it.
"Woman."
He snarled, grabbing her chin and forcing her eyes to his. Kagome did not miss how they flashed dangerously.
"Touga, I—"
"Clearly we understand the meaning of 'hide' very differently."
She twisted her head out of his grip and tried to take a step away from him, but he did not allow it, growling savagely as he grabbed her about her waist and pulled her back to him.
"Stop. You're not supposed to be fighting me."
"You're not supposed to be here."
He bit out scathingly, nostrils flaring in his rage, but she shook her head, pressing one small hand against his cold breastplate in an effort to create some space between them. The other was cradled close to her.
"I can help you."
Kagome insisted, offering what was in said hand to him. He stared at it for a moment in speculation before narrowing his eyes at her. After plucking it from her fingertips he released her, stalking back toward the fight.
"You've assisted me. Now stay out of sight."
Kagome sighed, repositioning her arrows on her back.
"That's not how this works."
XXXXX
"C'mon, Sessho, you love this game."
Shippo tried to coax his smaller companion into a smile, peeking out from behind his hands at him, but he was so far finding himself without luck. The obstinate baby was simply not having it.
."Mother. Father.".
Sesshomaru whimpered instead, and he continued to ignore the older boy in favor of staring at the hatch, waiting for them to appear. Where were they? Why weren't they coming?! They always came!
."Safe.".
The little one's eyes darted to the the older boy's.
."Safe".
Shippo growled again, leaning forward to wrap the baby in his arms again and settle him awkwardly in his lap. While he himself hadn't grown much since the last time he held Sesshomaru like this, the young prince was almost twice as big as he had been then, but Shippo didn't mind.
."Safe with me, don't worry".
XXXXX
This was not good.
It wasn't that Kagome had any doubt in Touga's ability, but his younger opponent had the advantage of…well…being insane, if his propensity for monologuing was any indication. Their plan, that she hoped with all of her being was mutually understood, called for the younger youkai to behave a certain way.
"Kirei was able to use this on me because once his aura disappeared he was invisible to me. But you said you had known he was there-"
"Because I heard him."
Kagome nodded.
"But if you didn't?"
The restless western lord rolled his eyes, not keen on being away from the ongoing fight for so long.
"I would have smelled him."
She nodded again.
"But if you couldn't…"
"Then I would have—"
With a huff and a wave of her hand she dismissed his next thought before he had even finished saying it aloud.
"If your senses were, for the most part, useless to you, then—"
'Then I suppose he would have been invisible to me as well."
He had been being an ass, skeptical that she could really be of any help to him, but she had seen the flicker of recognition in his eyes after the words tumbled from his lips. Though reluctantly, he had been willing to work with her after that. He had jumped back into the fight with new vigor, relieving Yoshirou, who had fared well but had been burned rather terribly on his arm, leaving her to make her own way back to the clearing.
But the dragon wasn't really behaving fact, his newest tactic was nothing short of frightening. Despite his speed, he had been unable to strike the western lord; even if the inu was throwing up a block at the final moment, the fact was that he was still able to anticipate him. So he did something unexpected, fully absorbing a downward swipe of the lord's sword, allowing his own forearm to be lobbed clean off. But he had continued forward, that sick smile still plastered on his face, as he countered the lord's own forward momentum and dragged his claws down his back.
Touga would never cry out, somehow Kagome knew that, but she could see his pain in the scowl etched deeply into his handsome features. It was time to end this. The longer the battle stretched on, the happier the bastard seemed to be becoming. The two clashed again, and she moved herself into a position to catch Touga's eye. Spotting the movement in his peripheral, he saw her nod minutely at him, and he reluctantly backed off in unspoken agreement.
Or he was leaving her to die, she couldn't really be sure.
But she had a feeling. Even when couldn't sense him anymore, she trusted he was close by.
"Hopefully this works…"
She mumbled mirthlessly, coming face to face with the enemy once more. He had whirled around for a moment like a confused child, looking for his disappeared enemy when his eyes finally landed on her.
"You're that woman the cat was so on about…you are annoying."
Kagome rolled her eyes, the little voice in her head screaming at her to remind him that he was the one that had disturbed her night of sleep; if either of them was being "annoying" —
"Where's your dog gone, little onna?"
But she continued to ignore him. He snarled at her disregard, his deadly smile spreading back toward his ears. Kagome felt the threat of bile at the base of her esophagus watching as it continued to grow horrifically, this transformation nothing like the few inu she had seen. Where the humanoid canines gracefully and seamlessly adopted their true forms, despite even growing to such large sizes, the change for of this dragon was grotesque. His remaining extremities shot out from his body first, settling on the ground at strange, hammered angles, the skin stretching thin as it was pulled. Elasticity depleted it started to rip in awful small seams, scales pushing up through the cracks. His back hunched forward and large wings sprouted out of his back. His neck grew next, stretching skyward as a menacing snout formed.
Kagome took a breath. 'Scary…'
Moment over.
In order for her execute her plan correctly she needed to move quickly. She notched an arrow with practiced ease while setting her feet. She inhaled again and took aim, shaking her head imperceptibly as the youkai made no attempt to avoid her shot.
"Only allow your enemies to underestimate you, and let it be their downfall."
Biting her lip as the taishou's words echoed in her head, she loosed her arrow. A faint shimmer danced over the flying arrowhead and curled around the shaft before it embedded itself on the dragon's snout. She had her next arrow at the ready when her holy power began to purify him, loosing it as he began to rush her and managing to hit him right through his right eye. Spiritual energy went to work eating his vision, so he only was only partially on target when he reared back on his hind legs and swiped at her with his remaining arm. It was when she got all the way to the ground to roll and avoid a giant sweeping wing that she realized what damage had been done, however, her left side igniting in pain.
The monstrous creature roared in its agony and anger, the screech near deafening to the inu lord who was descending from the sky with red eyes. The unsteady creature would meet its end now. Seeing him incoming, a small smile reached Kagome's lips; hastily she rose a barrier around her scent, not wanting to distract him again, before calling out to him:
"His belly…it's soft!"
She clutched her own side with a grimace. The dragon was barely processing information from his surroundings, looking up too late for the inu that had already dropped in front of him, who wasted not a second more before thrusting tessaiga into the creature's stomach. Kagome shut her eyes after that, not needing to see another savaging in her life. There was one more awful cry, and then a disgusting thud. But it was done.
He was dead.
A breath she didn't know she was holding left her in a sigh of relief as Touga's youki washed back over the clearing.
It was over.
XXXXX
"Oh, my baby, I'm so sorry."
Kagome whispered, clutching the wailing pup closer. The only way she managed to disguise her own watering eyes was by hiding them in the child's hair.
"It's okay. It's okay now, I've got you."
Touga had snatched her up in his arms again after Orochi had been eliminated, damning her stupid plan, but she shoved herself away from him, stomping over to where Yoshirou stood. Her sweet smile and offer to heal his injured arm clearly caught the northern lord off guard, but he allowed her to aid him. Touga boiled, grabbing her up again as soon as she had finished. She was going to demand he take her to the boys immediately, but thankfully they appeared to be on the same page. He hadn't stopped to address anyone on the way, though it seemed his staff was still operating smoothly (protocol, maybe), and she was thankful for it.
Kami, what was wrong with her? She was relieved, sure, but there was no reason for all this blubbering. She hoped a small sway would soothe the both of them and started to move accordingly, but the smallest stretch had her hissing in pain, fresh blood spilling from the slash in her side. Right…at least now she had another excuse for the tears.
Shippo gasped, noticing the red spreading over her yukata.
"Okaa! You're bleeding! What-"
"Quiet."
The taisho bellowed, numbness traveling quickly up his arms from clenching and unclenching fists; he could feel the same sensation spiraling up his powerful legs. He knew this feeling. He needed to get things under control. Only the older pup actually went mum, his eyes going wide with shock and contrition; the younger continued to scream, however, still horribly overwhelmed.
"You do notyell at him like that!"
And now the woman was hollering, her yells replacing those of the older child. As the last of the adrenaline burned out of her blood stream it seemed she was content to harp on for a good while too, never too fatigued to come to the defense of her son. The sensation had covered his limbs completely, and was now slithering over his stomach and back, climbing higher to his brain. He knew he only had a few seconds remaining before —
What…was this creature so enraged about?
"…and I for one think it's far past time that YOU sir-"
"Mama."
Kagome ended her tirade abruptly, looking down at Shippo at the uncomfortable feeling of his slight claws pricking the back of her leg. His gaze did not meet hers, though, and instead focused on the more imposing elder. With bated breath Kagome followed his eyes, finding a pair that was certainly giving her its full attention. Indeed, once the teal irises - set frighteningly against blood red sclera - locked on to hers, they did not shift. These were clearly the eyes of a predator.
A beast.
"T-Touga?"
His top lip curled away from his dangerous teeth with a growl in response to his name. Kagome bit the inside of her cheek as she assessed her situation. Why wasn't communication ever a viable solution? Just once?!
He seemed to be making the decisions now anyway, as evidenced by the way he all but snatched Sesshomaru from her hold. She let him, not wanting to continue stimulating his ire. He appeared relaxed enough in her presence, but the latent threat was not missed by the miko; his piercing stare had barely faltered since finding her, daring her to give him a reason to spring. He had flicked his gaze to Shippo for an inquisitive moment or two before training it right back on her. With bitter amusement, she mused about how reminiscent this was of their first meeting '6 months ago…', but kept her opinions to herself.
Good. The screeching had stopped. He could focus on his smaller pup now. And after this was resolved he would check up on the older one he saw standing behind the stranger. Between his screams, the baby whimpered for his father's comfort, cheeks stained with tears and cherry red from his fit, and the beast was quick to action. The growl that came from the daiyoukai's chest was loud, but non-threatening; he had to get the frightened little one's attention. Aiding his method with a soft brush of his youki against the child's own he found some success. Almost immediately, the wails ceased, quieter whimpers replacing them as his golden eyes finally opened.
Growling lower now, almost purring, the beast cradled his little pup closer, leaning down to nuzzle his nose against his chubby striped cheek. The child blinked out the last of his tears, and the daiyoukai gently lapped them away. Pulling back he saw the baby was now staring warily back at him - as these were not the eyes he was used to seeing on this face - but the anxiety continued to fall away from Sesshomaru's form. This was still his father, he was sure of it. The beast's chest continued to rumble, pleased that his pup had accepted him.
Breathing in deeply again had his nose scrunching in irritation, the metallic tinge of fresh blood almost making him want to sneeze. He was shocked he hadn't noticed it sooner, it practically soaked the small room. In reality, the seal she had on her scent had just fallen, the miko responsible too fatigued to maintain it. He pinpointed the seeping wound quickly on the stranger's side, the blooming crimson stain across the thin garment impossible to miss.
A quiet gasp made his eyes flick up to the stranger, an unfocused blue stare locking with his. No, this wasn't a stranger. For starters, this was a woman; there was certainly no mistaking curves like those. And he recognized this face. Up until now the visage had been distorted by the veil of his cage, but those eyes were unmistakable to the beast. This scent as well, he knew it. Crisp lemongrass and spice, yes, he could recall the pleasurable stench teasing his nose many a time during the past few months. And cream — so she was a mother? But the pups here was his, were they hers too?
Noting the older pup's fearful whimper and pained expression as he observed the ailing female, the beast deduced he was correct. He slipped dangerously clawed fingers carefully inside of the existing rip in her yukata, tearing it with the smallest effort as he crouched before her. Now level with the laceration he eyed it critically. He growled in warning when the female whimpered and flinched away from him. It was necessary for him to see if there was any poison or budding infection; she needed to behave.
"He says stop it, okaa."
His eyes snapped back to the older boy, now standing only slightly behind her. He had peeked out from where she had shoved him protectively, not fearing the beast — as he shouldn't. He knew the odd sounds to be the human tongue. The man used it with ease, and he could as well, but the beast much more preferred the language of his kind. But that revelation had him leaning slightly forward on the balls of his feet, pressing his nose against the skin beneath her naval and inhaling deeply.
There it was: the faint scent of death that he had missed earlier. It hung over all humans, at varying degrees depending on their age and condition. Save for this particularly nasty wound, though, she was in excellent health; far better than any humans he had come across before which is probably why he had missed it. A ningen woman was mother to his pups? Not only that, but a miko? The moment his nose touched her skin he had felt like he was buzzing as her spiritual power spread over him.
A clipped growl had the older boy moving closer to him. His scent hit him clearly too now that it wasn't being drowned out by the miko's, and so sparked another revelation: this pup wasn't his, despite their matching coloring. At least, not by blood. But he reeked of him, that was for sure, and the maroon sash tied around his waist was one of his colors too. It appeared that, no matter his true parentage, he was his pup now, and at the moment that was enough for the beast. From his crouched position he was eye to eye with the boy, who still looked straight back at him unafraid, and slowly he extended Sesshomaru in his direction.
."Be careful of your brother".
He growled as he settled the baby in the boy's open arms, nipping his nose to remind him who was alpha. Shippo whined in agreement before taking a step back and the daiyoukai finally turned his attention back to the bleeding woman.
This is why he left decisions, for the most part, to the man and slumbered in his cage. Everything about this situation was perplexing him. The adopted pup was the easiest part to accept, but the miko? What had possessed the man to allow a miko to mother his pups?
As soon as his tongue made contact with her broken skin he had his answer. He ignored her slight hiss as he lapped up her life blood much more eagerly. She tasted positively divine, even better than she smelled. Her spiritual essence was tangible in her vital fluid, sizzling on his tongue and tingling down his throat. A pleasant warmth was growing in his chest with each languid stroke of the wet muscle and sending pulses to his groin.
Kagome bit her lip against the small squeaks attempting to jump out of her throat with each pass. This wasn't the first time she had felt his tongue on her body, of course, but…well how was she supposed to have known beforehand how sensitive of an area that was?! After the initial stinging had passed, an almost pleasurable tingle had started on her side. Now it was a damn four alarm fire! Sure, she knew she was a bit ticklish, but no one had ever licked her there before; she could not be held responsible for her body's inclination.
But the beast was insatiable; it all made perfect sense to him now. He had grabbed her hips to ensure she stayed in place and worked slower. The wound had knit itself almost completely back together under his ministrations, but he was not yet ready to stop. Her power sang to him, and her blood was so sweet. She was his, there was not mistaking it. His woman. His bitch…his mate.
"Touga!"
He reeled back feeling a slight sting of purification on his shoulder. He looked at the offending little hand resting on him before glaring up at his woman. Kagome smiled sheepishly down at him, relieved that he only seemed annoyed with her and not like he was going to eat her.
"He says he wouldn't leave a scar, okaa."
She had enough blood still in her body to flush from embarrassment it seemed, her face heating up as she looked anywhere but at her son's innocent and horrifyingly curious face.
"Well, you can tell him that's fine, but I've got it from here."
She said nervously. She certainly wasn't going to tell Shippo why she very well needed the daiyoukai to stop. Kami, could she just have a bath and this dreadful day come to an end?
Ah, her purity. How could he have missed it? The bigger question was how and why he hadn't managed to mate her before now. Obviously she was not completely unfamiliar with his touch, but they were no where near as acquainted as the beast would've liked. No matter, he would remedy that.
"…bath"
He heard her faint mumble; she probably hadn't even meant to speak aloud, but he agreed, they were all in need of a bath. And he couldn't forget they were also currently in the presence of an audience, a fairly young one; having her would come later.
The beast stood, calling Shippo to him. Collecting his family, he brought them out of the safe room with one measured leap.
XXXXX
"I don't think so."
The daiyoukai said in almost a hiss, his free hand wrapping around her small wrist and pulling her back toward him. Kagome gasped, tumbling back away from her own door and into his hard chest; Shippo's hand still firmly clasped in hers, he too stumbled over his feet as he got dragged back too, but was far too exhausted to make much protest. He whined, resting his head on her leg instead. Kagome ruffled his damp, soft hair gently and apologetically, glaring at the western lord. The cardinal in question only rolled his golden eyes, however; he maintained his aloofness in a way only he could while offering his explanation.
"You are sleeping here."
"Oh yeah? Well-...wait what?"
Kagome found her planned retort died on her lips, heat flying to her cheeks instead. She should've seen something like this coming considering what she had just went through.
Squeezing her eyes shut and taking a deep breath in, she dropped her robe and moved hastily to the water. The air left her in a puff of relief as she was encased in the soothing warmth. No sooner did she feel familiar arms go around her waist and she was pulled flush against the beast again. He purred in her ear bringing a soaped cloth to her front. She couldn't resist the tension melting from her body at the soothing sound, and opening her eyes she was at least happy to see that his remained on her face as opposed to traveling lower. She supposed he had deemed her front clean enough, as he turned her and started on her back.
In an effort to steer her thoughts away from her current predicament, Kagome kept her eyes trained on the two boys in front of her. As promised, Shippo kept a watchful eye on Sesshomaru, splashing at the water by the baby's tiny toes to keep him entertained. Even as small as he was Sesshomaru had an aptitude for taking in the mood of a space - he always had. Noting the angry weight of his father's powerful aura clogging the room, his usual peels of laughter were subdued to happy gurgles and coos, but even that was enough to bring the surrogate mother peace.
Her head dipped to the side in her appraisal, a small smile growing on her lips. Her sweet Shippo was filling his role of big brother so well. It had just been the two of them for so long, and even before that Kagome had spoiled him as much as possible. She had wanted to shield the sweet boy from any more pain after losing his parents, and had admittedly indulged every whim that she could. It filled her with joy to see that he wasn't growing up selfish.
She gasped, feeling his tongue again, traveling up the side of her neck. Shivering and just barely biting back a mewl of pleasure, Kagome made mental note to really be more careful about exposing her neck to him. He didn't seem so inclined to stop anytime soon, nipping teasingly at a particularly sensitive area, and she decided she could allow the beast this.
"You may stay and soak a bit longer if you wish."
Or the man, rather, his deep baritone thrumming into her bones.
At first the miko did nothing, actually settling deeper in his hold with a sleepy groan of understanding. Never one to waste an opportunity, Touga kept his arms securely around her, inhaling her crisp, clean scent. It's what finally pulled him back to consciousness. He chuckled, feeling her go stiff as recognition pierced the fog of her mind.
Touga only rolled his eyes again, toeing the fusuma he stood in front of to the side and stepping into his large room. He stared at her when she did not follow and after clearing his throat in obvious irritation, he spoke again.
"I said you are sleeping here."
She sighed in exasperation.
"Yes, I heard what you said."
"And yet, there you stand."
Sesshomaru began to fuss against his father's shoulder, his small fists clenching in the cool fabric of his haori as he whimpered, taking the western lord's attention; he turned his back to her to walk deeper into his chambers, emitting a steady purr to comfort his son.
A dim glow flickered to life from a grand hearth that sat against the right wall and crept into the large space, recognizing the return of the master of the house. Cautiously, Kagome entered. A slight tug on Shippo's hand was enough to make him follow. The little boy was sure that the end result of whatever was about to happen would be him in a bed, so he was fine going along with things until then.
After her shock and awe had dissipated the slightest bit, Kagome found - once again - anger building in the pit of her stomach. Well, it was more jealousy than actual anger, but still…
She had thought her chambers were lavish, but this?! Not that she was even all too interested in that sort of thing but by Kami.
As the heat spread in the space, so did the light, creeping across the room and throwing the shadows into a wild dance. Across from the fire was a…Kagome hesitated in thinking that thing a futon in any right, it was enormous. At the very least quadruple the size of the traditional sleeping arrangement. It was bedding, that much she was sure of, the sheets and pillows supporting her theory. As she considered it more, she presumed it was made to suit him in either of his forms, though it would have to be a smaller version of the massive size she was sure his inu form commanded using her memory of grown Sesshomaru for reference.
"Shippo."
No sooner than the daiyoukai had finished uttering his name had the little boy dropped her hand and trudged away from her in favor of him. She pouted at the betrayal, watching as he squealed in amusement when Touga grabbed and tossed him into the middle of a pile of pillows. 'Cute, but he's still a traitor' she thought, stepping in and sliding the screen closed behind her. The closer she got to the imposing bed, the larger the waves of tiredness that crashed upon the shores of her mind. As stubborn as she still wanted to be, she realized she had zero energy left to sustain her.
They would talk later. She assured herself they would talk about all of it later, ignoring his golden gaze on her as she settled down on the opposite side of Shippo and quickly found sleep.
XXXXX
Tonight, the miko slept against him. Indeed, now she finally slept. For an eternity she was as stiff as a board, her heart beat erratic and her breathing shallow as she tried to disguise it. Now, though, it was even - nearly inaudible. And her heart had slowed, thumping sure. It was almost even serving to soothe his ire.
'Hn…almost.'
She had attempted to evade him again, thinking she'd slip past him on her way from the bath under the guise of taking Shippo to bed.
Wrong.
He could see where her machinations failed her, of course; she had been acting rashly again, not thoroughly examining her plan for flaws. First, and perhaps the most insulting, it was clear that she had forgotten he would hear her — she was only two rooms away!
Second, she had really thought she'd be able to sway the little one against him. This wasn't completely her fault, she didn't understand enough about the boy's youkai nature quite yet. Perhaps she could've picked up on it during the days passed, as the child had been clinging to him every chance he could since the incident. Yesterday, while he discussed the reconstructions that were needed, Shippo lay asleep against his chest. His advisor and groundskeeper proceeded as if nothing was amiss, but maintained a respectably quiet tone. Grateful that he was, he elected to ignore their occasional smirks. How could he blame them anyway? If he was in their position - watching his lord try to conduct business with a pup draped awkwardly on him, snuggled blissfully unaware up to his regal mokomoko, while also using his foot to rock a cradle where another snoozing pup rest - he'd probably be amused too.
"But why, okaa?"
Shippo had asked, no doubt with sleepy golden eyes blinking confusedly up at his mother. The corner of the daiyoukai's mouth twitched as he mused; he had almost been able to hear her mind working frantically to find an answer to the boy's question in the silence that followed.
"Don't you want to sleep in your own room?"
She had tried, a noticeable plea in her inquiry.
"No."
Hm… too bad. The firmness in the little boy's answer left no room for argument either. He smirked, again, at the memory. Of course Shippo didn't want to be apart from him. For starters, inu were very affectionate creatures. The pup was getting the best sleep of his life tucked near his pack.
At least he would certainly start tucked. For the second night in a row the western lord had been roused in the middle of the night with a kick to the face, however. He had yet to determine how the tyke was managing to arrange himself head-to-foot, because he was decidedly good at it. Neither he nor the miko would wake while he maneuvered - it was always that kick in the face!
But still there was another layer to this she didn't grasp. More than just average pack, he was nestled warm between his mother and father - his ruthless protectors. They had differing energies, as they were opposing beings, but both gently stroked against his in calm waves, shielding him with good feelings. So soon after the attack on the palace this was exactly what he needed; Touga understood that and he knew the miko did as well. Of course, she had reached this conclusion later than he, and now —
His breath hitched in his throat for a second as the miko whimpered, shifting only slightly onto her side, unconsciously settling her perfect rear against him in a pleasant way. His youki rose sharply, slowly knocking up the temperature in the room. The beast within him still stalked just at the fringes of his control; it would be set off surely at her unconscious tease and he could not let that happen.
For Kamis' sake, that's how he'd ended up with his firstborn.
He was familiar with the overabundance of youki that was leaving his body buzzing. He found as a being who commanded great power that he actually very rarely used too much of it. When he did, though, it took a bit to settle again - as what was happening. It had served him well during battle, certainly. The fight had ended, however, and he still felt it coursing through his veins like fire. This was when it didn't.
There were no dragon or panther upstarts daring to challenge him now, Touga had no outlet. Well, save from the wiggling woman in his arms. Indeed, while on the opposite side of the spectrum from savage violence, divesting her of her thin sleeping robe and pinning her warm, soft, curvaceous little body beneath his for the next several hours and having his way would no doubt remedy his surplus of energy, but he couldn't. He wouldn't. Even on her most vexing day, the little miko was worth more than a victory rut. Certainly more than a victory pup; even his beast was cowed at that thought, agreeing that the timing was not in place for a new addition, but inhaling deeply her sweet scent and tucking away the thought for later.
"Be still."
Part whisper, part growl, all plea, his words ghosted over the sensitive skin right behind her ear; one leg shifted up between hers, while he found his arm tightening around her middle. Kami, she was so small. She made another noise as she shifted closer making him grit his teeth and groan, the final thread of his sanity stretched taut. After what was certainly an eternity she settled with a sigh of content. Dropping his head to her shoulder his own breath of relief left him in a puff, tickling the back of her neck. Before she could get restless again from the cool sensation, he covered the spot with the warmth of his lips.
Deciding to take full advantage of this surely fleeting moment of peace, Touga finally followed his pack to sleep.
XXXXX
Night three found the daiyoukai and miko at odds again — surprise surprise.
"I'd rather we stop needing to have the exact same discussion moving forward."
"It's not a discussion if you don't let me speak."
Kagome shot back. Kami, if he would just listen to her! Why was he even fighting her on this? Why was he always fighting her on everything? More than half the time she could hardly be sure if the youkai lord wanted to share a room with her, and suddenly he was insisting that she stay in his bed?
She had to stop herself abruptly, lest she slam into his back as he had stopped too.
"Speak."
He whirled on her and said after allowing both her and himself a moment for a breath or two.
"I wish to return to my own quarters."
"No."
"Touga!"
She shouted indignantly; it took everything in her not to stomp her foot childishly.
"You have no right!"
"I have every right!"
He yelled back, golden eyes blazing.
"If there is anyone who is wondering, mere days after an attack to me and my claim on these lands,"
He stalked closer to her.
"Why I, as their lord, have decided to share chambers with my pups and their mother,"
Her eyes popped open in shock as she actually felt him breeze past her, and she spun in time to see him storm from the room and into the dark hall. 'Oh no…' she thought, recognizing a dramatic scene in the making.
"I will gladly field all questions now!"
He called even louder, his words echoing cruelly in a mockery of her. And after that, complete silence, but he milked his moment for longer; he paced a few steps in each direction, daring any sound of objection to meet his ears before whirling back on her.
"Nothing?"
He asked rhetorically, drawing himself a mental notch of victory when she responded with an indignant huff and looked away from him. A smirk twitched at the corner of his lip at the sight of her exposed neck, and he was before her in a flash. Leaning down to nuzzle her fragrant skin, he whispered:
"Come to bed, Kagome."
A/N 2.0: And boom goes the dynamite. Please, you all, please please, REVIEW! I worked so so hard on this chapter and I want to know what you think! The lengthiness was really a bit of a thank you to each and every one of you who continues to support me and this story. I know that the waits can be long, but please believe that I am always thinking of this story, and of each of you! I never just want to throw crap out (granted this wasn't beta read, so you'll have to forgive grammar/spelling) and it truly does take weeks/months of writing and rewriting to get what you see, so spare me a few minutes and sound off! I can't say when the next update will be, but know that I have started working on it - hopefully this will tide you over for a while!
Btw, did anyone catch the panther devas reference from Kirei's backstory? And/or notice my addition of Lord Hyoga's story from movie 1? I tried to incorporate as many canon elements as possible, but of course took my own liberties. Anyway, I love you guys! I hope everything is going well!