Upon taking note of the threadbare state of Kagome's current attire, the result of incessant daily wear, the servants made a daring choice. They decided to dress Kagome in a kimono that held great significance, a vestige from a bygone era that once belonged to Lady Sesshoumaru, their master's mother. Tucked away for countless years in a cedar chest, the garment had been meticulously cared for, retaining its pristine condition.
With utmost respect, they unfolded the silk garment, its resplendent beauty catching the light in the room. Kagome, for her part, was struck by the kimono's elegance, her breath hitching at the sight of the delicate fabric. The cream-colored silk boasted the prominent crest of the House of Sesshoumaru - a silver crescent moon cradling a cluster of stars, meticulously embroidered, gleaming in its intricate details.
Her eyes widened, a gasp escaping her lips as she held the fabric up to the light. The texture was exquisite, smoother than anything she'd felt before, the embroidery intricate and impeccable. The crescent moon and stars were woven with such delicate precision that they seemed to shimmer against the pale backdrop, almost as if they were real celestial bodies pinned to the sky-blue fabric. She traced her fingers lightly over the crest, her fingertips tingling with the tactile memory of silk and silver thread.
Before she could voice her concerns, Itachi, the weasel demon servant, picked up on her hesitation. "Luv," she addressed her gently, "I get your worries, right. It's a hefty piece of history, innit. But, this kimono ain't just fabric or a hand-me-down."
She paused, her paw delicately trailing over the embroidered details. "It's meant for showin' off beauty, grace and all that. Been locked up in the dark for donkey's years. It's about time it got a bit of daylight, got worn by someone with a bit of sparkle. No better choice than you, right? Rather be prancing about on a bonny lass like you than stuffed away in a chest, unseen."
Her words, sincere and grounded, caught Kagome slightly off-guard, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. Yet, the sentiment seemed to alleviate her concerns, making her see the act of wearing the kimono as more of a tribute rather than a theft.
After a moment, Kagome cracked a smile at Itachi, her decision made. She gave a nod of agreement, feeling a strange, newfound respect for the garment in her hands.
As Kagome was guided into the kimono, she marveled at the weight of the garment, substantial yet somehow ethereal. The silk hugged her form gently, its cool touch a sharp contrast against her warmed skin. She caught her reflection in a nearby mirror, and for a moment, she could barely recognize herself.
The robe transformed her, the silver embroidery catching the light and making her feel like she belonged to a world of fairytales. The dignified family crest near her heart seemed to pulse with its own rhythm, connecting her, in a small yet profound way, to the ancient lineage of the House of Sesshoumaru.
When Sesshoumaru first laid eyes on Kagome adorned in his mother's kimono, a flash of irritation coursed through him. The idea of another woman, one who was not his wife, wearing the robes that held his family's insignia felt like a transgression. This wasn't just any clothing, it was a symbol of his status, his lineage, his very identity. The sight of Kagome, a human woman, in such attire felt like a mockery, an invasion of his private life.
Yet, he found himself swallowing down his initial discontent. He remained silent, watching her move gracefully in the long layers of silk, the delicate material accentuating her every motion. He recognized the look of bewilderment on her face, no doubt overwhelmed by the sudden change in attire and the wealth it represented. He also realized she hadn't chosen this herself but was simply going along with the servants' decisions.
After a while, as the shock wore off, Sesshoumaru found himself reassessing the situation. Kagome wasn't trying to claim a position she didn't have.
In the solitude of his quarters, he found himself reluctantly admitting that the kimono did complement her. Perhaps more than he would have liked to acknowledge. The way the silk cascaded over her form, the cream fabric against her raven-black hair, and the gleaming insignia of his house near her heart painted a picture of harmony that was unexpectedly pleasing.
The sight of her, in those robes, made her look like she truly belonged in the Western Lands, in his home, and strangely enough, by his side. It was a sight that was both startling and pleasing, a notion that both unsettled and intrigued him.
As the days melted into weeks, Kagome began to feel a strange sort of comfort within the stoic walls of the fortress. Its cold and bare exterior belied the warmth that seemed to hum from its corners, pulsed with the heartbeat of its inhabitants. However, she couldn't shake off the nagging sense of impersonality that clung to the air — a lack of homely touch that made the fortress feel more like a garrison than a home. A fortress it might be, but it was also a place where people lived, where life ebbed and flowed with the passing seasons.
Compelled by this realization, Kagome decided to infuse some warmth into the fortress. Together with the ever-dutiful servants, she took on the mammoth task of dusting the long-forgotten rooms, clearing away the cobwebs of disuse, and breathing life back into the dormant chambers. Dust motes danced in the sunlit rooms as they worked, lending an ethereal beauty to the surroundings. The faint echo of laughter and whispers of encouragement reverberated through the fortress.
Once the rooms were clean and sparkling, Kagome turned her attention to decoration. Her hands, though more accustomed to the arts of medicine and healing, adapted swiftly to the delicate craft of ikebana. With the guidance of the elder servants who had seen many seasons pass, she arranged flowers and foliage in traditional yet inventive ways. Cherry blossoms, peonies, and irises graced ornate vases, their vibrant colors infusing life into the stoic stone.
The change was gradual, but unmistakable. Each room that Kagome and the servants breathed life into began to hum with a gentle warmth, their stone-cold austerity replaced with a cozy ambiance. The once stern fortress was slowly transforming, shedding its harsh exterior to reveal a heart - a home.
On a particularly warm spring day, a guest arrived at the fortress. Her sinuous form undulating gracefully as she traversed the expanse of the grand courtyard. The serpent demon healer, a renowned figure known for her exceptional healing capabilities, had returned to check up on Kagome. Her emerald scales shimmered under the sunlight, a spectacle that was both mesmerizing and intimidating.
As she slithered into the reception room, her serpentine eyes scanned Kagome's figure. She extended a delicate claw, cold to the touch, and began her thorough examination. Her sharp eyes missed nothing, her long years of experience in the healing arts clearly evident in her methodical approach. She hummed thoughtfully to herself, her fingers pausing over specific spots, before finally retracting her hand.
"Ah, milady, your vitality is significantly improved," she announced in a soft, melodic tone, her tongue flicking out to taste the air. "It won't be long before your constitution is strong enough for you two to attempt conception again."
Kagome's cheeks heated at the mention of a topic so intimate. She looked briefly at Sesshoumaru, a mix of surprise and a hint of mortification coloring her face. But she refrained from correcting the serpent healer's assumptions. She was a guest, after all, and Kagome was well aware of her position. It was not her place to contradict her.
Sesshoumaru, who stood stoically in the room, didn't bat an eye at the demoness's statement. He didn't correct her, didn't deny her presumptions. Not because he feared the rumors that such a misunderstanding could spark. He had weathered far worse and had little care for what others thought of him. His reason was more straightforward; he detested the idea of others meddling in his personal affairs. The fewer outsiders knew about the intricacies of his life, the better.
When the serpent healer finally left, slithering away with a soft rustle of scales on the stone floor, her words echoed still, assumptions about an intimate relationship between Kagome and Sesshoumaru.
They both had the chance to rectify the misunderstanding, to clarify the actual nature of their relationship. But neither of them spoke up.
Kagome, still feeling the warmth in her cheeks, allowed her gaze to drift towards Sesshoumaru. The way he stood there, tall and composed, belied any tumult he could have been feeling. It was a misunderstanding, but it was also a reflection of their complicated relationship, one that had been borne out of necessity and mutual respect. But to be assumed lovers? The thought sent a flustered jolt through her.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes met hers. There was a brief ghost of...something in his gaze, quickly masked. A silent conversation passed between them. The air seemed to crackle, laden with the weight of unaddressed issues. The silence wasn't an agreement to the healer's assumptions. Instead, it was a moment of mutual confusion, a recognition of an uncomfortable and unexpected situation.
"Lord Sesshoumaru..." Kagome started, her voice tentative, trailing off into the quiet of the room.
He held her gaze for a moment longer before turning away, a silent acknowledgement of the oddity that just occurred. There was something new in their dynamic, a bewildering understanding that left them both grappling with questions they weren't ready to answer. And so, they let the silence speak, understanding that the serpent healer's assumptions were just that — assumptions.
As the deep velvet blanket of night unfurled over the Western Lands, an unusual invitation found its way to Kagome. It was conveyed by Taneiko, the trusty vassal of Sesshoumaru's, on behalf of his liege. Sesshoumaru had requested her presence at the veranda, for a session of stargazing. The invite, coming from the usually reticent demon lord, was unexpected, sparking a mixture of curiosity and apprehension within Kagome.
Stepping onto the veranda, she was greeted by the sight of Sesshoumaru standing with his back to her, looking up at the cosmos. The nocturnal light painted him in an ethereal glow, lending an air of serenity to his usually austere demeanor.
"Lord Sesshoumaru," Kagome greeted, her voice a gentle whisper in the calm of the night.
Without tearing his gaze away from the sky, he responded, "Kagome. I thought you might appreciate the celestial view from here."
Their eyes were drawn upwards, towards the night sky. An array of stars twinkled down at them, each with its own story written in the language of light. Sesshoumaru began recounting the ancient demon myths, the stars acting as a celestial guide to his tales. His voice, usually curt and clipped, took on a mellifluous rhythm as he weaved the stories of demon gods and celestial battles.
Kagome listened, utterly captivated, as he introduced her to a universe steeped in tradition and myth. When he finished, there was a pause, the silent night listening in on their shared moment.
Encouraged by his openness, Kagome shared her own knowledge of the stars, recounting the Roman and Greek mythos associated with the constellations. Sesshoumaru listened attentively. His pride as a demon lord clashed with his growing respect for the human woman's intellect and strength of character. He was subtly impressed, even if he didn't voice it aloud.
As the hours passed, they sat there, side by side, a picture of unexpected camaraderie against the grand backdrop of the cosmos. The shared silence spoke volumes, revealing understanding and appreciation that required no words.
And thus, underneath the soothing veil of the night, Kagome and Sesshoumaru were both absorbed in the quiet tranquility that the starlit sky offered. The demon lord was silent, his golden eyes tracing the dark expanse above. He then allowed his gaze to lower towards the woman beside him. Her face, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, appeared so serene. Her eyes reflected the beauty of the celestial bodies, the stars appearing brighter in her gaze.
Caught in the vulnerable tranquility of the moment, a longing stirred within Sesshoumaru. The corners of his lips tilted upward in a rare, almost invisible smile. "The stars, they seem different tonight, don't they?" he ventured to ask, his voice muted.
Kagome turned to him, surprise playing in her eyes at his unexpected query. "Different?" she echoed, her voice filled with wonder. "How?"
Sesshoumaru looked at her, his golden eyes searching her face. "Brighter," he said simply, his gaze reflecting the starlight mirrored in her own eyes.
Against his resolve and better judgement, an urge far too long stifled took hold of him. Before he could rethink, he found himself leaning towards Kagome. His lips brushed against hers, a feather-light touch, a test of waters. He was prepared for her to retract, but she didn't. Emboldened by her acceptance, he delved deeper, his lips claiming hers in a kiss that held eons of suppressed desire. It began as a tender exploration of uncharted dominion but as the woman's mouth slightly opened, Sesshoumaru's own grew more demanding.
A soft whimper escaped Kagome's lips, a sound so faint only his demon ears could catch. His heart thrummed against his chest, an ancient rhythm that echoed with an emotion he hadn't felt in centuries. His arms wrapped around her, cradling her against his body as he slowly pushed her onto the veranda floor, their bodies aligned under the twinkling canvas of the night sky.
The proximity, the intimacy, it was inebriating. As their bodies pressed together, he felt an unfamiliar but not entirely unpleasant sensation awaken within him. He was all too aware of Kagome's figure against his, and his body reacted of its own accord, hardening in an unwitting response to her closeness. Pardoning her lips, the demon lord glided his mouth lower on her jaw, sampling the skin of her neck.
Caught in the throes of their shared neediness, Kagome's fingers clung tightly to the haori draped over his broad shoulders. His breathing felt as burning fumes against her pulse. His lips explored her neckline, as far as the bounds of her kimono would permit. The garment, though beautiful, was now an obstacle, a barrier that kept him from fully appreciating the inviting curve of her figure.
A low growl rumbled in Sesshoumaru's chest, a token of his mounting frustration. It wasn't akin to the kind he experienced in the face of inept subordinates or elusive battle strategies. It was a physical frustration, an insatiable hunger, primal and devoid of reason. Aiming to satiate this mounting hunger, he returned his attention to Kagome's lips, abandoned for too long. His lips sought hers with renewed urgency, hoping to drown in the taste of her, to get lost in the intoxicating sensation that only she could offer.
Just then, he caught the faint aura of his servant approaching. Taneiko. Pulling away from Kagome, Sesshoumaru quickly regained his composure, masking his earlier passion behind a stoic facade. Kagome, on the other hand, appeared dazed, her lips swollen from the kiss, her eyes glazed with a mixture of desire and confusion as she stared at Sesshoumaru.
Not a few seconds later Taneiko arrived, bowing, completely ignorant to the heat that had just transpired. "Lord Sesshoumaru, I beg your pardon for this untimely interruption. But we have discovered a small outbreak of oni mold in the eastern wing of the fortress. It must be dealt with promptly, lest it infects the rest of the castle."
With a visible effort to steady herself, Kagome got up and stammered, "I... I should go back to my quarters." Without waiting for a response, she once again fled from him.
Sesshoumaru watched her go, a whirlpool of thoughts storming inside him. The emptiness of the night more hollow than ever, as he sat contemplating the shift in his thoughts, a newfound feeling that was as raw and real as the woman who had awakened it.
He turned to Taneiko, his eyes dark and voice thick. "Alert all of our available men to search for Inuyasha. It's time his wife returned home."