Deep within the Western Forest, Sesshoumaru ran as if pursued by a relentless horde of oni. Trees whipped by, a blur of green and brown, but he hardly noticed. His usually apathetic face was twisted in an expression of exasperation, and could it be... desperation?
Under his breath, he muttered phrases that, to the untrained ear, could've been mistaken for rites to ward off pesky spirits.
He came to a clearing and spotted a pristine lake shimmering under the moonlight. The sight brought him a brief moment of serenity until his mind inconveniently flashed an image of Kagome. The unblemished neck adorned with love marks, the tantalizing quiver of her thigh, and the overpoweringly sweet scent of her dripping sex.
Sesshoumaru let out a low groan as he raised his hand to his lips. Less than an hour ago those fingers had been pressed to her core, separated only by that foreign strip of clothing. He plunged out his tongue to sample the residue of her arousal left on his digits.
Another deep growl was emitted from the demon lord's chest, his cock demandingly strained the front of his hakama, weeping with unfulfillment. How could he rid himself of this feeling?
Determinedly, he strode toward the lake and, without a second thought, dived into its numbing, icy embrace. Usually, such a cold immersion would have reset even the most distracted of minds. But emerging, still gasping from the shock of cold, he felt no relief from the burning desire that held him captive.
"Is there no escape?" He lamented to the heavens, his despair bordering on the comedic.
As he later returned to his chamber, he hoped the familiar surroundings would put his mind at ease. Alas, it was not meant to be. Tossing and turning on his futon, his face wore a mask of agony. Every minor sound, each subtle play of light, conjured memories of her.
"Why must she be so... maddeningly... alluring?" he whispered, dragging his fingers down his face.
The mounting pressure in his scrotum was becoming unbearable, a sensation unfamiliar to him. Past flirtations with arousal had been fleeting, often leading to dissatisfaction. But this... Nothing had ever plagued him like this waking hell of lust.
If only she hadn't spurned his advances, he mulled over in his mind. He dreamily stared at the wall next to his table. He'd have taken her then and there, against that wall.
Rising, he approached his desk, the scattered fabric samples evidence to earlier distractions – Sesshoumaru picked one up. It was the one Kagome had suggested for him, carrying still the traces of her smell. He pressed it against his face and inhaled deeply, his pants getting tainted by a wet spot and the pain therein mounting to greater heights.
He hadn't relieved himself by hand for a very long time, mainly since there was nothing that had compelled him to. He hadn't really fantasized of sex because his past experiences had been underwhelming. But Kagome... with her, perhaps things would be different?
Untying his hakama pants, he shimmied them down and grabbed a hold of his cock which begged to be inside the human woman. With nothing better to offer to satisfy its hunger, Sesshoumaru formed a tight circle with his fingers. He began pushing his manhood against the makeshift hole, all the while clinging to the fabric and filtering the air by breathing through it.
"Fuck…" He cursed as his fist pumped up and down on his cock, up and down like he would have had her hips move on his lap, faster, making her cry and scream, making her beg for more, feeling her sweet pussy clench––
A splutter of thick white ooze was suddenly expelled from his veined, pulsating cock. Coating the wall, the floor, his pants and hand in explosive shower of dog demon residue.
"Haa…" He heaved, leaning against the wall, taking a moment to collect himself. It was times like these he remembered why he seldom indulged in solitary pleasures. Cleaning up was going to be a chore.
The uneasy energy returned to the fortress, following the fallout caused by the kiss (and then some). The servants whispered about it in the corners, their speculations laced with curiosity.
Kagome and Sesshoumaru walked on eggshells around each other, their previous warmth replaced by the appropriate and impassionate status quo they held as in-laws.
Sesshoumaru kept his promise, but it was not without effort. Each time he saw her, the curve of her lips and vibrant eyes drew him in, and he had to remind himself to maintain distance, to respect her wishes. He yearned to pull her into his arms, to kiss her, and take her, but he resisted the urge.
As the days passed, Kagome found herself missing Sesshoumaru's company. Despite the tension, there was an undeniable comfort in his presence. She missed their conversations, and their soothing companionship. His avoidance, however necessary, felt like a penance. She longed to bridge the gap between them, but her guilt held her back.
In the heart of the fortress was Sesshoumaru's library. It was a small room, nearly austere compared to the opulence of the rest of the house now that Kagome had had her decorative hand at them. The shelves were lined with scrolls and ancient texts, many of them rare and priceless, an indication of Sesshoumaru's pursuit of prudence and wisdom. Kagome stood at the entrance, her eyes wide with wonder and curiosity. She hadn't been allowed there before.
Sesshoumaru had invited her to visit the place he rarely shared with anyone. It was a part of him that he kept hidden, an intimate crevice of his self. As she stepped into the room, Kagome felt a wave of awe wash over her. Here was a side of Sesshoumaru that she hadn't known to its fullest extent, a side that showed his intellectual curiosity. Kagome had always found herself drawn to Sesshoumaru's passion for knowledge, and his ability to explain complex theories and histories with ease.
Overwhelmed, she looked around the room, her eyes lingering on the antique texts. The scrolls were beautifully maintained, their content rich with history, philosophy, and the art of warfare. Each one was a treasure, holding wisdoms that were both ancient and profound. She looked at the demon lord, her heart filled with a newfound respect for him.
In the hushed peace of the library, Sesshoumaru gently unrolled a scroll, the ancient parchment rustling under his careful touch. "This," he regally began, "is the 'Scroll of the Serpent Sage.' It is an account of the teachings of the legendary serpent sage, renowned for his foresight and strategic mastery."
Kagome leaned closer, her eyes tracing the elegant calligraphy. "I've never heard of him before," she admitted, her quiet voice attempting to convey respect for the place they were in, at his inner sanctum. She was trying hard to focus on the scroll, but his closeness was distracting. Each word he spoke was laced with masculine assertion that she found incredibly attractive.
"He was not widely known, but his influence was profound," Sesshoumaru continued, his golden eyes intently studying the scroll. "In these teachings, there is a lot of wisdom – about life, about strategy and balance."
The undercurrent of tension was suppressing, yet they both ignored it, drawn together by their reciprocated curiosity and the thrill of discovery. The moment was intimate, more than any physical touch could be.
As Sesshoumaru talked, Kagome found herself falling further under his spell. His intelligence, the depth of his understanding, his eloquence – everything about him threatened to dissuade her from upholding appropriate distance. His scent, a mix of forest and musk, was intoxicating, fueling her desire for him. She desperately wanted to lean in, to close the distance between them and kiss him. She peered past him. Briefly pondering if his study kotatsu would be sturdy enough to withstand him throwing her on the table, then fucking her forcefully.
Slightly startled by her own thoughts, she stole a glance at him, her heart pounding in her chest. He was engrossed in the scroll, his brow slightly furrowed as he interpreted the antiquated texts. She watched as his lips moved, forming the words. She couldn't decipher what he was saying, too distracted by the wetness that spilled from within herself.
Sensing her struggle, Sesshoumaru paused. He turned to her, his golden eyes seeing all of her. He could smell her desire, feel the heat radiating from her. A large part of him also wanted to close the gap, to be reminded of how her lips tasted. Her whole constitution was begging for him to overcome her. Shadow of lust was set deep in the pools of her enlarged pupils, her lips ajar – beckoning his own mouth to invade hers.
But he had promised. He would not break his word.
"Kagome," he said, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it before. "If you feel indisposed, we can continue on another day."
Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She wanted him, desired him with an urge she hadn't known she was capable of. But she shook her head, meeting his gaze with a determination. "No, Sesshoumaru," she said, too proud to admit defeat. "I want to learn. Please, continue."
For a moment, they held each other's gaze. The few inches separating them from touch was charged with intense sexual energy. But then, with a nod, Sesshoumaru returned to the scroll, continuing their exploration of mythos'. Their passion for studying momentarily overshadowed the passion of other nature that threatened to consume them.
The realization of her desire for him brought a sense of satisfaction, a smug pleasure that he couldn't deny. But he respected her wishes, keeping his distance even though it was difficult.
Kagome felt a pang of disappointment. She wanted him, more than she had ever wanted anything. Still, she understood his respect for her wishes. His consideration spoke highly of his character, of the honor that was an inherent part of him. As she watched him analyze a particular aspect of a story he was in the midst of explaining, she couldn't help but feel her admiration deepen.
In the heart of the rat demon's lair, a sinister gathering was taking place. Nezuooki, the king of the rat demons, paced the length of the grand hall, his sharp claws clicking against the stone floor in agitation. The monstrous king, with his gnarled fur and vicious fangs, was a terror to behold. His eyes, dark with malevolence, were fixed on the rough map of Sesshoumaru's fortress spread on the giant table before him.
"It seems the mighty Sesshoumaru and his woman have decided to hole up in their fortress," Nezuooki growled, his voice rumbling through the cavernous space, "they are too cautious."
Around the table, the rat demons shifted uncomfortably. They were a gruesome lot, their bodies gnarled and twisted, eyes gleaming with cunning. They had been watching the fortress for months, looking for an opening, a vulnerability, but there had been none. It was as good as impenetrable.
"Patience, my king," a voice slithered from the shadows, "even the mightiest fortress has its weaknesses."
Nezuooki glared at the speaker, an old rat demon. The olden creature was cunning, a strategist of sorts, and the king reluctantly acknowledged the wisdom in his words. However, within the lair, whispers of Nezuooki's indecisiveness had begun to grow. The younger rat soldiers, restless and eager for battle, murmured about their king's hesitancy. Nezuooki had sensed it; a hint of rebellion, the potential of someone else trying to usurp his throne if he appeared weak or indecisive for too long.
"I'm running out of patience," Nezuooki snarled, "we need to act. Now."
Silence fell over the gathering, the demons looking to each other for support. The idea of a direct attack was terrifying. They had seen Sesshoumaru in battle; they knew of his strength and his mercilessness. But they also felt the pressure from within their ranks. Nezuooki was right. If they didn't act soon, internal rifts could be their undoing.
"There is another way, my king," The old rat finally said, his eyes gleaming with an ominous light. "We burn them out."
A wave of surprised murmurs swept through the gathering. To set fire to the fortress was a daring move, one that could lead to great victory or devastating defeat. The risk was high, but so were the rewards.
"Burn it down…" Nezuooki murmured, his eyes shining with an unholy light, "yes, that could work. We burn down the fortress, smoke them out, and strike when they are at their weakest. That will teach the dog not to meddle with us!"
Around him, the rats began to stir, their fear transforming into eager anticipation. Their king had given them a plan, a chance for victory. The mood in the grand hall shifted, the demons whispering among themselves, their eyes gleaming with a hunger for battle.
"Prepare the troops," Nezuooki ordered, his voice filled with a dark determination. "We shall soon march."
A/N: I know I promised smut, and we're easing into it! Chapter 14 literally has had my eyes sweating because the stuff I've been proof-reading is HAWT. I mean a legit fire hazard. Pray for Sesshoumaru.