Still high-strung and suffering from an unquenched thirst for her lips, Sesshoumaru entered his study to find Jaken pacing nervously, his two-headed staff clutched tightly in his hands. The instant Jaken saw his lord, he bowed clumsily.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, I—I have returned!" he stammered.
Sesshoumaru clenched his jaw and suppressed the urge to vent his frustration at the green imp. "You have news?"
"Ah, well," Jaken hesitated, "it was Rin who insisted we return. She was quite eager to see you again, Lord Sesshoumaru."
A resigned sigh escaped Sesshoumaru's lips. He vigorously rubbed his temple with the hand that bore no demon claws. Even though at first, the asymmetry of his hands had bothered him, he had grown appreciative of the instances when his claws were not in the way.
"Very well. Let us join them for dinner."
The castle staff had impressively quickly prepared a setting for four diners instead of the usual two.
The dining room itself was a battlefield of unresolved sexual tension and stifled emotions. Kagome avoided eye contact with Sesshoumaru, her focus inexplicably fixated on her miso soup.
Sesshoumaru, seated at the head of the table, couldn't keep his eyes off Kagome. Invisible to the eye, but painstakingly obvious to all his other senses were the effects of their previous encounter on her body. The swollen rouge on the lips he had but a moment ago ravished. A patch of bruised skin that peeked from underneath the collar of her kimono. He had sucked her neck so fervently that it had left a mark, and the mere thought pulsated through his groin.
Sesshoumaru's complexion was unusually pale, and a light sheen of sweat dotted his forehead. He barely mustered enough restrain not to stand up and whisk her away whenever he caught a waft of her. Even if she had rejected him, for now, he could smell the unrelenting want radiating from beneath her robes. His keen canine nose did not fail to notice that not all those beckoning scents were from earlier. She was still aroused.
The demon lord's hand trembled as it gripped the edge of the table so tightly that the wood started to splinter.
Oblivious to the tension, Rin filled the room with cheerful banter. But even she couldn't remain completely ignorant of the strained atmosphere—especially when Kagome seemed nervously preoccupied and Sesshoumaru looked as if he were about to snap the table in two.
"I think it's time for me to go to bed," Rin finally announced, yawning and stretching her arms.
Kagome's eyes widened in sudden panic. With a forced elegance, she cleared her throat. "Rin, before you retire, I'd love to hear how you've progressed in your studies."
Rin's eyes brightened, and she smiled warmly. "Oh, I'd like that, Kagome!"
Sesshoumaru's gaze shifted sharply between Kagome and Rin. A muscle in his jaw twitched.
Jaken, completely ignorant of his master's romantic turmoil, felt it was his moment to contribute. "Ah, a splendid idea! Intellectual discussion fosters growth and well-being!"
Everyone turned to look at Jaken, who quickly shuffled his feet and turned his attention to his plate.
Kagome rose from her seat with an air of finality. "Great, Rin, let's go then."
As she moved towards the door, she dared to glance back at Sesshoumaru. For a fleeting moment, their eyes met — stoking at the cinders within both, sparking dangerous sensations. Then she quickly averted her gaze and exited the room, following Rin.
Sesshoumaru was left watching the closing shoji, shoulders sagging ever so slightly. Jaken, meanwhile, stayed silent in a corner, blissfully unaware of the passionate drama that had just unfolded.
As dawn broke over the fortress on a very special day, servants scurried around early. All sorts of creatures were busy finalizing the preparations for the grand ball to be held that night. Everyone was invited – meaning mainly Sesshoumaru's staff and soldiers that had been called back to the castle from their posts for this one night.
The courtyard was adorned with intricate lanterns and flower arrangements, the silken banners bearing the crest of the House of Sesshoumaru. A stage was set for a host of performers, dancers and singers. The chefs, mainly Itachi and some kitchen assigned guards, were busy preparing an array of mouthwatering dishes, while musicians practiced melodies that would soon fill the air with music.
In the midst of this orchestrated chaos, Kagome made sure that Rin was always by her side. The innocent presence of the young girl acted as a shield, providing an essential boundary between Kagome and the demon lord whose mere proximity stirred feelings she was too embarrassed to even describe in private journal.
With every tick of the clock, the fact that this was the third day, the day of her promised departure, became harder to ignore. Kagome found herself torn between her desire to stay and the duty she felt to her family.
While Kagome was in her room getting ready, Rin chatted away, her young face alight with excitement. The child was oblivious to the plaguing uncertainty gnawing at Kagome, her cheerful innocence a welcome distraction from Kagome's inner conflicts.
Across the fortress, a similar scenario was unfolding in Sesshoumaru's chambers. Taneiko and Jaken were at odds, both insisting on the honor of helping the demon lord prepare for the evening. Their banter was a humorous contrast to Sesshoumaru's quiet stoicism, the demon lord tolerating their squabbles with an air of mild annoyance. Underneath the indifference, however, was a building sense of anticipation. As Sesshoumaru prepared for the night, he was acutely aware that this was his last chance to convince Kagome to choose him, to choose a life in his world.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the castle grounds, the fortress was ready to host a night that none of its inhabitants would forget anytime soon. All that remained was for the guests of honor to make their appearance.
Dressed in a hakama of lustrous black silk, Sesshoumaru cut a striking figure. The dark fabric contrasted sharply with his silver hair and moonlit skin, accentuating the unearthly beauty that was inherent to his lineage. A light gold haori rested on his broad shoulders, the crest of his house adorning the back. His usual stern expression was softened by quiet anticipation in the pit of his stomach, an anticipation that shone all the way up to his golden eyes.
In her quarters, Kagome was in the final stages of getting ready. Instead of traditional Japanese attire, Kagome chose to wear a gown, prepared by the servants, that blended elements of her modern sensibilities with the elegance of the era she was in. The result was a unique dress made of exquisite silks in shades of deep blue and violet, cinched at the waist with a silver sash. The bodice was adorned with delicate white laces, and the skirt cascaded down in waves of fabric, moving with her like a river under the moonlight.
Their eyes met across the bustling courtyard, each taking in the other's appearance. Sesshoumaru's golden eyes flared with an indescribable emotion as he beheld Kagome in her resplendent attire, her splendor standing out amongst the colorfully dressed attendees. Kagome, on the other hand, was awestruck by the demon lord's imposing figure, the contrast of his inky black garments against his silver-white hair and golden eyes making him look even more breathtaking. Both acknowledged the striking beauty before them.
As Kagome walked up to Sesshoumaru, the demon lord wordlessly offered his arm.
In the courtyard, the stage was set for a kabuki play, a celebration of art and culture that held the crowd in excitement. Colorful lanterns hung from the trees, their soft glow illuminating the scene as the first actors stepped onto the stage, their vibrant costumes adding to the festive atmosphere.
As Sesshoumaru and Kagome took their seats, the play began, the rhythmic beat of the taiko drums and the melodious tunes of the shamisen filling the air. Yet, for the two of them, the real performance happened off-stage.
Seated closely together, shoulders brushing, both could feel the others warmth, despite the crisp weather. Their bodies close enough to share the same breath. Every now and then, she dared to sneak a glance at him, only to find him looking at her with an intensity in his gaze that was like a physical touch. It brushed at her hair, lips, and whole body.
Sesshoumaru's attention was completely captivated by her. He hardly glanced at the stage, mesmerized by the play on her face under the lantern light. Her cheeks were tinged with a blush that deepened every time she caught him staring, and her lips parted slightly as she involuntarily gulped.
The play continued, the actors moving gracefully on the stage, but the music and dialogue seemed to fade into the background. Kagome's heart pounded so loudly in her chest, she was sure Sesshoumaru could hear it. The realization hit her suddenly – he could. With his heightened senses, he could probably hear every accelerated beat of her heart, smell the subtle shift in her scent as her body responded to his proximity.
A wave of embarrassment washed over her. He could smell how turned on she was. Feeling the brush creep up her forehead and down her chest, she braved a glance at him.
His golden eyes had given way to deep black, dilated pupils that betrayed his own arousal. Swallowing with slight difficulty, Kagome peered downwards. There was definitely an evident mound in his lap, staining against his hakama. She shifted uncomfortably on her zabuton and felt the slickness that spilled from within her.
Sesshoumaru frowned and leaned closer, in one of his trances where he completely forgot the rest of the world that was not Kagome.
"I need some air," she blurted out, the excuse sounding moronic even to herself. They were outdoors, surrounded by the cool night air. But she needed to escape, pronto.
Without waiting for a response, Kagome, in what had become her signature move by now, fled from her seat, her dress rustling softly as she moved quickly through the crowd. She didn't dare look back.
Sesshoumaru remained seated, watching her retreat. A small, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips.
Kagome stumbled through the corridors of the fortress, her gown billowing behind her. She had to leave, now. She could not risk even saying goodbyes to Itachi or the other friends she had made during her stay. She'd write to them. To stay a moment longer was far too risky right now.
As she hastened towards her quarters, the faint strains of a song from the stage play floated to her ears, the lyrics taunting her with their relevance:
"Fly away, small bird, to the open sky,
Before he finds you, and time passes by.
In his grasp, a world you'll never conceive,
Fly away or you'll never want to leave."
Kagome's steps faltered for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. The song felt like a mockery, its words an eerie mirror to her current plight. She feared getting caught, yet part of her yearned to surrender to the pull. She quickened her pace, desperate to get to her room.
But Sesshoumaru was not far behind, moving with predatorial grace and speed. He was like a shadow, one moment a distance away, the next perilously close. Kagome felt him closing in, his presence overwhelming, inescapable.
Panic surged through her as she heard his steps growing louder, closer. In a last-ditch attempt, Kagome summoned her priestess powers, her hands glowing with a faint light. She turned to face him, her eyes fierce with determination. But to her shock, either her powers faltered or Sesshoumaru had become immune. The barrier shimmered into existence but dissolved as quickly as it had appeared, allowing Sesshoumaru free passage.
Before she could react, Sesshoumaru was upon her, his arms encircling her waist, drawing her against his chest.
"Beneath the golden sun, across the sea so blue,
Lies a haven safe and bright, just waiting for you.
Don't linger in the shadows, don't heed his call,
Spread your wings, little bird, rise above it all."
Alas, she could not.
When his lips sought hers, she drank from them just as greedily as he offered them. She couldn't get his clothes off him fast enough, tearing at his haori. He slammed her back to the wall, growling and grabbing her everywhere his hands reached.
A wanton whisper escaped Kagome's mouth and Sesshoumaru didn't have to be encouraged twice. He moved them to the nearest possible door, which happened to lead to his study, and tore the door open and rushed them inside.
A/N: Oh, hello. Where have I been, you ask? (I've gotten many messages asking if I'm okay.) Well, as I've explained in previous author's notes, I work two jobs, I'm currently (still….) studying for my second bachelor's degree and I'm also a single mom.
So, if and when I go MIA, the reason is in one of the aforementioned. Ooor that I recently got into AC: New Horizons and clocked something like 300 hours on it recently. But surely nah – who would leave their readers on a cliff-hanger for months on end to selfishly indulge in bug collecting? *gulps*
Anywho, I hope it will appease you that I'll be doing a bulk update today. Four chapters on three of my stories. If you are left with an appetite for a romantic Kagome/love triangle long-fic, please check out "The Ages and Between" which will get a double chapter update today.
I usually hibernate for a while and emerge with larger updates, bear with me.
Oh, and fret not. I'm not skipping on the smut scene just because the chapter ends here. Hehee.