The aftermath of the unexpected kiss was like a tempest in the hearts of both Kagome and Sesshoumaru. While they attempted to carry on as usual, the omniscient reminder of the incident loomed over them. Though they didn't acknowledge it, it lingered in the corners of the fortress, a specter in the space they cohabitated.
While Kagome tried to bury herself in her routine duties that currently held revising how the fortress managed their food supplies, Sesshoumaru took cover in the solitude of his private library. The quiet was his refuge, his sanctuary where he sought to reconcile with his confusion and disquiet.
He blindly stared at an old scripture. Weapons capable of changing form. He had read over the passages many times until he finally admitted that he was not paying attention to the writing. He found his thoughts wandering back to his past, where he had previously explored intimacy.
His first venture had been in his youth, with a demoness belonging to another prestigious family. The interaction had been dictated by social convention rather than genuine interest. The memory was tinged with discomfort, the awkward and unfulfilling experience far from the romantic notions often associated with the act. Neither he nor the demoness had found any semblance of satisfaction, the event leaving them both with an unsettling distaste.
Sesshoumaru's second and latest encounter, nearly two centuries ago, was of similar experience. This time, his partner was more eager, yet the result was just as disappointing. The exchange, though more animated, did nothing to enhance his perception of sexual intimacy. If anything, it left him more perplexed about the fascination his male peers held towards such engagements.
The memories of his past encounters with physical affection left a lingering taste of dissatisfaction in Sesshoumaru's mouth. Each time was nothing more than a mechanical act, a duty to perform as per the norms of his society and lineage, lacking any true sense of connection or longing. Intimacy, in his world, had been reduced to a sterile transaction.
Those instances, though separated by centuries, had left indelible marks on his understanding of such relations. It was as if he had been wading through a shallow stream, feet firmly planted on the ground, never truly experiencing the depth or flow of passion.
Yet, his recent interactions with Kagome had shaken him, the unexpected rush of sensations and emotions when they kissed throwing him into a realm of unknown. He swallowed at the memory. Trying quickly to divert his mind from conjuring vivid images of her swollen lips, lest it threatened to cause his body to react.
It was as if he was suddenly plunged into the depths of an ocean, the waters swirling around him, both thrilling and terrifying. It was a world he hadn't known existed, one that held the power to evoke potent feelings inside him. And that frightened him.
This was not just uncharted territory for the demon lord, it was an alien landscape, stretching far beyond the familiar horizons of his stoic existence. And within this chaos of uncertainty and curiosity, one thing was becoming exceedingly clear to him: he was beginning to experience something he had never felt before. A longing for someone else's touch, a desire for closeness that wasn't driven by duty or demand, but by an innate need he couldn't quite name.
Each passing moment seemed to deepen his inner conflict, every thought of Kagome stirring his core. The echo of her laughter, the warmth of her touch, the earnestness in her eyes – all conspired to unsettle him, to fuel his turmoil. The demon lord, known for his composure and aloofness, found himself navigating an emotional maze, his typically unflappable demeanor wavering in the face of an unversed sentiment, which was slowly, yet persistently, starting to resemble something akin to desire.
In this swirl of his internal maelstrom, a new, powerful variable was added: Kagome's fertility. Kagome's health had been steadily improving since her miscarriage, her body resiliently healing and finding its way back to normalcy. With this, her cycle was stabilizing as well. For the first time since the unfortunate event, she was ovulating again.
Sesshoumaru, a full-fledged demon with senses far superior to any human, was acutely aware of this. The scent of her fertility was intoxicatingly strong, a primal call that set his instincts on edge. It was a commanding, enthralling force that threatened to rattle his carefully composed self. He was no stranger to this scent; he had smelled it before, of course. But now, the fragrance was wrapped around a woman who had recently invaded his thoughts and dreams.
This was a biological urge that had nothing to do with his past experiences of intimacy, which were marked by a distinct lack of emotional involvement. Now they were completely overshadowed by a memory of a mere embrace. This involuntary physical response, combined with his lingering thoughts of Kagome, was a potent cocktail that left him further perturbed.
Despite his inner disarray, Sesshoumaru maintained an iron control over his outward demeanor. He appeared as poised and unreadable as always. After all, he was the Lord of the Western Lands, and he wasn't about to let his internal struggle tarnish his formidable image.
The opportunity for Sesshoumaru's newfound struggle to manifest came soon enough. He found Kagome in one of the castle's gardens, a beautiful vision amidst the blooming flowers. Kagome, unknowing of the sensory havoc her body was wreaking on him, greeted him with a friendly wave, her innocent smile sending another jolt through his system.
"Sesshoumaru, I wasn't expecting you," she said, a hint of nervousness lacing her words. The kiss they shared coming back to tease her cheeks with a flush of red.
Sesshoumaru had to mentally brace himself. The scent of her fertility seemed to intensify, enveloping him, and he found himself taking a step back, trying to put some distance between them. He cleared his throat, something he rarely did, adding to the strangeness of the situation.
"Kagome," he started, then paused. His usually commanding voice was oddly strained. Kagome tilted her head, a confused purse playing on her lips.
"Is... something wrong?" she asked. She was observing him intently now, her intuition sensing his out-of-character behavior.
"N-nothing," Sesshoumaru responded, his denial too quick, almost desperate. He could almost see her eyebrows climbing higher on her forehead at his stutter.
Kagome took a step closer, concern replacing the earlier confusion. "You seem... different," she said, her eyes studying him, trying to discern the cause of his distress.
With her proximity, the enticing scent hit him like a physical blow. His golden eyes widened, and he took a hasty step back, bumping into a stone lantern behind him. The clatter it made as it tipped over echoed through the garden, startling them both. Kagome's eyes widened as she watched the usually graceful demon lord fumble. He hurriedly righted the lantern, his actions awkward and rushed.
"I... I must depart," Sesshoumaru stated abruptly, turning away from her without another word. He needed to compose himself, to figure out how to manage this new, disconcerting reaction his body was having to Kagome.
As he left, Kagome stared after him, her bewilderment growing. He was possibly even more flustered by the kiss than she was, Kagome innocently thought.
Leaving the castle behind, Sesshoumaru embarked on his self-assigned mission to find Inuyasha. He moved like a swift wind through the forests and fields, his long strides fueled by a mix of concern and a strange sense of urgency that had been sparked by Kagome's condition. His path led him to the familiar run-down hut, where his half-brother often took shelter.
Upon entering the cabin, he was met with a dense layer of dust and a tangible silence. The evidence of Inuyasha's prolonged absence was glaringly apparent. Sesshoumaru frowned, his irritation towards his irresponsible half-brother bubbling up. He couldn't deny that he was worried about the whereabouts of the half-demon, but it was the infuriating realization that Inuyasha had left his wife alone during such a crucial time that had the typically composed demon lord cursing under his breath.
"Damn you, Inuyasha," he growled, his voice echoing through the desolate hut. His golden eyes glinted with an uncharacteristic fire. "Abandoning your duties like a coward..."
He paused, his eyes straying to a carelessly left piece of Inuyasha's attire. As he picked up the cloth, he found himself continuing, the words half mocking, half serious, "...if you don't return soon to claim your wife, Inuyasha, I might just do it myself."
The vow hung in the air, the words resonating deeper than he intended. Sesshoumaru stiffened, letting the fabric fall from his hand. The implications of his threat were too dangerous to ponder, too disturbingly enticing to ignore.