Sequel to Chapter 1 (SessKag, Resort Owner, Opalescent)
The day had dragged on longer than its predecessor, Sesshoumaru snapping at everyone who came to him about anything by the time his shift ended. His brother had snapped back, telling him to pull the stick out of his ass before coming back to work, but he'd barely heard him, the memory of sapphire eyes still burning in his mind.
Mermaids were real. And he'd promised to go swimming with one.
Considering he owned the resort, he could have just spent the day in his hut, but he'd thought work would keep him busy and make time pass by faster.
How wrong he'd been.
He made a quick note of things that would need to be addressed tomorrow, then grabbed his coat and ran back to the beach. He had the forethought to have his swimming gear ready to go before he left that morning, changing into a pair of midnight blue swim trunks before heading back outside.
The waves were calmer than before, the storm having raged throughout the night before moving on come morning. She hadn't specified a meeting place, so he settled on the one where they'd met, eyes searching the placid surface, breath hitching every time something moved.
After a while, he got impatient and dove into the water, sunlight filtering through the waves as he swam out to a small outcropping of rock, hoisting himself up.
"You got started without me."
Sesshoumaru jerked, falling back into the water. Her melodic laughter was distorted as he sank below the surface, sputtering before grabbing onto the rock.
"Hello," she said with a smile, jewelled eyes glinting at him, pearls glistening in the sun.
"Hello," he echoed, pushing his bangs out of his face.
"You came back."
"Of course I did." He realized how that sounded, heat blooming on his cheeks. If she noticed, she didn't mention it, simply grabbing his hand and pulling away from the safety of the outcropping. Living on the beach guaranteed him to be a strong swimmer—his mother would've accepted nothing less—but the siren moved differently, and it took him a while to adjust.
"How well do you see underwater?" she asked, leaning closer to inspect the gold orbs.
Sesshoumaru pulled a pair of goggles out of his pocket. "We use devices to increase our ability to see," he replied, handing them over.
Her webbed fingers traced the outside, then along the band. "Fascinating! Some of the other sirens have watched your kind and notice that most of you keep your eyes shut." She held up the goggles. "These are smaller than the ones I've seen."
"I am able to hold my breath for extended periods," he boasted. "Others typically use a whole face mask."
She gave him a sly grin, then handed back the goggles. "That's good. I want to show you something." Barely giving him enough time to put them on, or take a breath, she dragged him beneath the waves.
His eyes flickered between her and the coral, reminding himself to regulate his need for oxygen, having to resurface before following her further down. Dark hair flowed around her head as she treaded water, pointing to some of the wildlife as they passed.
Usually, the tropical fish would scatter when he got near, but it seemed like her presence calmed their worries, groups of rainbows swirling around them. They reached the bottom, and she twirled her tail, various crustations and even an octopus scattering as sand fluttered everywhere.
She continued to point out several animals, but his air supply was running low, and he motioned to the surface. She blinked in surprise, then grabbed his face and pressed their lips together, breathing air into his lungs.
If he'd been prepared, Sesshoumaru would've been able to continue their exploration, but he wasn't, all of her offered air leaking out of his mouth as it fell open in shock. Panicking, he kicked off the ocean floor, kicking swiftly before breaking the surface.
"Was it not enough?" she asked innocently, giving him a concerned look after catching up.
Still coughing, Sesshoumaru turned away. "It was sufficient," he hedged, the blush returning to his face.
"What's the problem, then? If I give you air, you can stay down there longer—"
"What you did means something different to humans," he blurted.
"Sharing air?"
His cheeks darkened. "Air is not usually a factor."
She swam around him, confusion written on her face. "I don't understand."
Sighing in resignation, he ran a hand through his bangs. "When humans press their mouths together, it is seen as a sign of affection."
She blinked again, head cocking to the side. "Oh, you mean a kiss, right? I've seen that sometimes—when there are lots of people on the beach."
"Hnn."
"I still don't see a problem." He opened his mouth to retort, but hers curved into a sweet smile. "I mean, we can do it up here if it's easier for you."
Sesshoumaru stopped treading water, his body sinking under the water before he thrashed, quickly resurfacing. "You would kiss me by choice?"
"Would you kiss me by choice?"
His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer but stopping himself from dipping his head. "I would have your name first."
She hummed softly, pursing her lips. "I think it depends on the kiss."
Taken aback by her boldness, he couldn't help but chuckle. Her lips were warmer than he expected, webbed hands sliding up his bare chest to cup his face. She appeared to have done her research, slanting her head to the side, but she gasped when he darted his tongue out, quivering against him before doing the same.
If it was difficult to keep himself afloat and kiss her at the same time, and he was forced to pull back, blue eyes half-lidded as she stared up at him. "And now?"
"Kagome," she grinned. "My name is Kagome." And then she was kissing him again, twisting them between air and water, never once letting go of him.