Wile
Over the next few weeks, it became clear that Sesshomaru and Kagome were a couple. The children were happy for them but it seemed like the adults in the group were hiding something. They kept speaking in low tones whenever Sesshomaru and Kagome were occupied with each other or whenever Sesshomaru left the pack to hunt or take care of his lands. Kagome was getting upset because it was clear they were hiding something from her and she didn't know what.
Most of the time, it was easy to ignore because she was focusing a lot on her new relationship with Sesshomaru. She just kept hoping that whatever they were talking about, they would get over it so things could go back to normal and how it was before. Well, normal-ish, since she and Sesshomaru were a couple now and that wasn't going to change. That didn't happen though, the rest of the pack was acting more and more strange around her until one day, she had enough.
"Okay, out with it already. What are you guys hiding from me? I'm sick of all the whispers when I come around or the long looks you give me when you think I'm not paying attention. Just tell me what's going on!"
Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha all looked at each other like deer caught in headlights before Sango sighed and looked at Kagome.
"We've noticed that you and Sesshomaru have been getting closer lately"
"Well, yeah. We're courting."
She noticed Inuyasha cringe and she felt bad about it but they decided they were better as just friends a long time ago. This is just something he's going to have to work through.
"Yeah, that's pretty much what we thought…" Sango started to say but Kagome cut her off.
"I'm not going to stop being with him."
Sango's face softened, and she looked at Kagome with caring eyes. "We're not asking you to, Kagome."
Kagome's shoulders slumped in relief. "Oh, good."
"No, we're just a little worried and want to make sure this is what you really want."
"What do you mean? Of course it is, I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't want to."
"The curse, Kagome."
"The curse? What curse?"
"The one that old lady with the jewel shard put on you two a few weeks ago."
"That didn't do anything, remember? We don't want to kill each other."
"Yeah, but I was thinking about that. She used the words "True desires." What if she thought your truest desires were to kill each other but they weren't? What if you're only doing this because of the curse?" Sango said softly.
Kagome felt like the bottom dropped out from under her. Is she really only doing this because of a curse? Just then, Sesshomaru landed gracefully next to her. He must have been close enough to be listening this whole time. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. Usually, that would bring her comfort but now it's just making things more confusing. How can she know if this is really what she wants to do or if it's just a curse making her? Sesshomaru must be able to tell that she's not okay because he wraps his arms around her and lifts them both up on his cloud. About two minutes later they land in a field not far from the pack but far enough away that they can speak privately.
"It does not matter if it's a curse or not. The curse just brought out what we both wanted. There are no forced emotions here, Kagome. What you feel for me is all your emotions, as are mine. The curse just made us stop denying them." He grabbed her chin and lifted it so they were looking each other in the eyes. "The wiles of that woman failed, she wanted to end us, instead, she helped bring us together."
He leaned down and kissed her softly. She was stiff for a few seconds before giving in. Everything Sesshomaru said was true, the only thing the curse did was make them stop living in denial. If anything, the curse helped them, who knows how long they would have kept ignoring their feelings because it was easier. It still didn't sit right with her though. How can she know for certain that's all the curse did?
Sesshomaru sighed, "If it will make you feel better, my miko, we can take a detour to Bakusino and see if he knows the best way to break the curse. Though I do not find it necessary, we can wait to mate until it is gone."
Kagome smiled brightly at him, "Thank you, Sesshomaru. I think that would be best. It would give me peace of mind. I would hate to mate with you, and then somehow the curse is broken and you regret being with me."
His eyes flash in anger. "Miko, do you think so little of one such as I, to not know his own emotions?"
She rolled her eyes and replied sarcastically. "Oh, I'm sorry my lord. You must forgive me. How could I think such a thing, I deserve to be punished."
Sesshomaru's eyes flashed again, this time with hunger. Kagome thought back on what she said and realized how it might have sounded. "Yes, you do, my onna. However, that will have to wait until all this curse nonsense is settled. I greatly look forward to it."
Kagome felt a shiver go up her spine at the look in his eyes. She decided she might like getting punished. She mentally shook her head. 'Fix curse now, deal with new dirty hentai thoughts later.'
She cleared her throat. "Alright, let's get back to camp so we can pack up and get going. I want to get this fixed as quickly as possible." She said then turned around and started walking.
Because she was walking away from him, she didn't see the lustful glint in his eyes. 'As do I, little miko. There will be much fun to have to teach you the ways of pleasure once you realize you were mine long before that old hag cast a 'curse' on us.'
They had been traveling for two weeks but they were finally close to getting to Bakusino. They were on the other side of Japan when they decided to make this 'detour'. Inuyasha complained long and hard about going all the way out to see 'The Old Tree' because they were just there and there weren't any jewel shards to be found. He was shut up fast by Sesshomaru though, so they went.
It was a hard two weeks for Sesshomaru and Kagome. It was getting harder and harder to ignore the urge they both had to forget about this trip and seclude themselves in a cave to mate. Noticing that made Kagome's insistence on seeing the tree louder. It also made her more nervous that the only reason they even want each other is because of the curse. Or at least, the only reason he wanted her, anyway. Because she knew she wanted him for a long time.
Sesshomaru, for his part, was beyond annoyed at this point. He knew this trip was unnecessary, he knew how he felt about her before the curse but Kagome just couldn't believe that he'd want her without there being something making him want her. He has got past many of the problems he's had with his half-brother but this is something he'll never forgive him for. It's Inuyasha and the dead one's fault that Kagome thinks so lowly of herself. She is everything he could want in a mate but she just didn't see herself that way because of the years of Inuyasha talking down to her, comparing her to the dead miko, and leaving her for the dead one.
He was also incredibly frustrated. Ever since the other members of the pack brought up the curse, Kagome wouldn't let him touch her more than a hand on her hip or a kiss on her forehead. Sesshomaru might not seem the type but he was a very affectionate being when he found someone he cared about. It was the way of the inu. That is why he could not wait to get this nonsense over with so he could finally take his Onna and make her his mate. He was done waiting. As soon as this was settled he'd wrap her in his arms and fly to the cave he already had prepared without saying a word to anyone.
When the Inutachi entered the forest, Kagome knew there was something different about it. She could feel the power at her feet. There were strong, old beings here, and they were watching her. She looked at Sesshomaru and saw that he didn't seem worried about it so she trusted him and kept walking. Eventually, it seemed like Sesshomaru just stopped in his tracks for no reason. She looked around but didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
All of a sudden, the tree next to Sesshomaru started moving its branches in a way that shouldn't happen. There was no wind but the branches were flowing. Then there was a groan and a face opened up on the bark of the tree. Though she'd seen a lot over the years in the feudal era, this still caught her off guard, she squeaked and took a step back. The problem was, that the step she took was over a root and she tripped over it. She would have fallen on her butt if Sesshomaru did not use his demon speed to catch her. She looked up at him while she was in his arms and blushed.
She cleared her throat and once she got her footing, took a step away from him. "Um, thanks, Sesshomaru." She hated how awkward she felt around him. She didn't know how to act though, she just wanted to have this all figured out so she could have her feet on solid ground again. She just wanted to know one way or the other how things were going to go with the man she loved. When his curse was broken, would he look at her with disgust, wondering how he could have ever lowered himself to be with her? Would he just walk away and never speak to her again? Would he pull her aside and tell her how he enjoyed their friendship, but that was all it ever was for him? Or would he pull her in his arms, declare his undying love for her, and tell her they'd always be together? She doubted it'd be the last one, but a girl could hope.
Sesshomaru growled angrily, she was his woman, she shouldn't recoil from his touch thusly. He looked at the tree demon, it was time to get answers.
"Hello, young lord. It has been a while, what has brought you to seek out this one?"
"The reasons I am here are twofold. One, I need your help finding out if there is a curse on this one."
"And the second?"
"I've come to present to you my intended, as is customary when the Lord of the West takes a mate."
"You have finally chosen?"
"I have."
Kagome didn't know how to feel about this. She didn't know this was going to happen and she couldn't help but worry about what would happen after the curse was broken. What if he did change his mind? He'd look fickle in the eyes of his people. She couldn't let herself be 'presented' until he knew if he'd actually want her. She had to stop this.
"Well, show her to me. I've long awaited this day."
Kagome laughed awkwardly before stepping up and speaking shyly. "Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but is there any way we can focus on the curse part of this visit first? It is quite important and might affect the other reason he's here."
Sesshomaru growled angrily at her. When will she understand? She is his and she will not get away from him. Does she think so little of him that she feels he does not know his own mind? He took a deep breath. Fine, he would humor her so they could finally get passed this. Though he made sure to look at her so she could know how angry he was at her for not believing him. She flinched and felt a little bad but knew this was what had to be done.
"And why would you think there was a curse put on you? Who have you angered this time?"
Sesshomaru growled again, this time annoyed. No one but Bacusino could speak to him in such a way. The only reason he was allowed was that he was an elder and because of Sesshomaru's respect for him, along with his father's. "We are on a mission to collect the cursed jewel shards. An old croan who had one used her dying breath to curse me and my betrothed for taking them from her."
Kagome flinched, and even though she tried to hide it, Sesshomaru saw. He was more than just upset at this point, he was hurt too. Did she think her feelings for him would change when the curse was broken? He'd been thinking their mating was a done deal but was he wrong? Did she not want him?
"Hmm… come closer." Sesshomaru stepped right up to the tree and Bakusino looked at Kagome, "You too, little one. You were both cursed, were you not?"
She took a deep breath and then took the five steps it took to get next to Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. Bokuseno closed his eyes and became completely still. After a full minute of nothing, Kagome started to become uncomfortable but with a look at Sesshomaru, she saw he was calm so she took a deep breath to calm down herself. Eventually, he opened his eyes.
"Hmm, I see what you are speaking about but there is nothing to fear, little one." Bokuseno moved his eyes so he was staring right at Kagome.
"How do you know? We were cursed. How am I supposed to trust that we're doing this on our own free will?"
"Because the curse is incomplete. She started to curse you but perished before she could finish. There is nothing happening here that is against your will. All that is left of you are remnants of a failed curse. I can direct you to a cleansing spring in my forest if that will help put you at ease."
Kagome felt Sesshomaru's shoulders relax and hers did as well. So nothing is stopping her from believing this is real? The curse was never completed? This is just her and Sesshomaru? Before she let her heart get too excited, she decided she'd make Sesshomaru take a cleansing bath just in case and she'd take one too.
"You're sure? There is no need to worry?"
"No, young miko. You are both of your own free will."
She looked and Sesshomaru and smiled brightly before boldly standing on her toes and kissing him. He growled lustfully before eagerly returning the kiss. He was happy this nonsense was finally over. He tried to follow her mouth as she pulled away but she put her hand between their lips to stop him.
"I still want each of us to do the cleansing bath in the spring, okay?"
She was confused when a wicked glint entered Sesshomaru's eyes. "That is fine, little mate. Though we will cleanse together. In the way my kind does. It is part of the mating process. In fact, we should have done this when you agreed to courting. It breeds closeness between us."
A brilliant blush came over her face and she stuttered before being able to get any words out. Bokuseno spoke before she could.
"I take it this is your intended, young lord?"
"Yes, this is my Kagome. She is the Shikon Miko and my intended."
"Yes, I feel the power radiating off her. She will breed you strong pups and be a great mother to them as well. I see much happiness in your future with her. It is a pleasant surprise, I did not see such for you. Your father was scared you'd end up in a mating as he was. Forced to forsake your chosen when you found her because you've already mated for politics."
Sesshomaru scoffed disgustedly. "I would not let myself fall for the same follies of my father."
Bokuseno chuckled. "Hn. It seems you have not. I, along with the lands of the west, approve your mating. May your relationship be fruitful and filled with joy."
"Hn." Sesshomaru bowed his head slightly to the tree, Kagome almost gasped because she'd never seen him show respect like that for someone.
Sesshomaru, for his part, was thinking over the tree's words. He added to what he was supposed to say when approving a mating. All that he was meant to say was 'may your partnership be fruitful for the West.' He'd have to later think about why Bokuseno changed the words.
Sesshomaru waited until the pack was far enough away from Bokuseno to not disturb his peace when he turned to everyone and said, "Camp here, my miko and I will be back."
"Oi! It's still daylight and we've already taken weeks out of our search for you. We're not wasting any more time!" Inuyasha said angrily.
"Then go ahead, it matters not to me. My miko and I have things to do."
Kagome was about to suggest letting Inuyasha get his way when Sesshomaru wrapped her in his arms and took to the sky. She should be used to it at this point but flying with him still freaked her out a little so she grabbed on tight. When they landed, her blush returned with a vengeance when she saw they were at a spring. She assumed this was the cleansing spring Bokuseno was speaking about. The blush grew darker when instead of speaking, Sesshomaru started to undress.
She eeped then spun around. "Sesshomaru! What are you doing?"
"Come now, mate. With as much time as you spend doing it, you must know what bathing is."
"But you're just getting naked in front of me!"
"Do you expect me to bathe clothed?"
"What? No. I'm asking why you're getting in the spring now, I thought I was going first."
A lustful look enters his eyes, "I already told you, I am going to join you."
