Kagome was surprised that it took a whole week to get back to Edo, she didn't realize they walked that far. Looking at her container of jewel shards was a little depressing because there was still a lot more that they needed to find before it would be complete. She's already been away from her home for about a month, at this point it'll take years before they're done. She looked at Inuyasha, who had been acting a little better since her fight with him, and on her shoulder to sweet Shippou who was sleeping on her. Then there was Sesshomaru, the man she was apparently meant to spend the rest of her life with, the one she was falling for hard and fast. She decided that taking a long time wasn't such a bad thing. She'd known for a long time she didn't really fit into her era, she felt more comfortable being here. She felt bad even thinking that though because she loved her family with all her heart and they were so kind and loving to her.
She mentally shook her head and decided to think about that later, or never, her family respected that she had a duty to finish this. They love her and want what's best for her, it'll all work out… she hoped anyway. She just wished everyone she cared about could be in the same place because she missed her family. She was happy that she was going home for a few days and she was going to be able to introduce her friends to her family.
Kagome smiled brightly when the well came into view and she couldn't stop her feet from speeding up and running to it. Her excitement and the bumps from running must have woken Shippou. She realized this when he spoke sounding wholly unimpressed. "Is this it?"
"Yup, this is how we're going to get to my home." She heard Sesshomaru growl so she looked around and tried to listen to her reiki like he taught her but she didn't feel anything, she looked at him and he was staring at her. She became distracted when Shippou spoke again.
"You're telling me we really just have to jump down there and we'll go to the future?"
"Yup."
"Okay, now I know you're messing with me. I knew it was too good to be true. Kagome that's not nice, I'd expect something like this from Inuyasha but not from you!" Shippo whined.
"No, Shippo, I'm completely serious, ask Sesshomaru, he's been there with me."
Shippo scurried around her shoulders so that he was facing behind her and able to see Sesshomaru, he simply nodded his head. He scurried back around and looked at the well again, this time with wide excited eyes. "Woah…"
Kagome wanted to roll her eyes, of course, he'd believe Sesshomaru over her, he had a kind of hero worship going on with Sesshomaru. She had to admit though that it made her heart warm when she saw the two interacting. A few days ago after they made camp for the night she noticed Shippo off in a corner and it seemed like he was speaking to himself.
"What is he saying?" She asked Sesshomaru quietly.
"He is building up his confidence."
"For what?"
"He has a question to ask this one."
Kagome wanted to ask more but decided to wait and see. It took another half hour with a few failed attempts before he actually made it in front of Sesshomaru, with a few times he started to walk toward him before backing out after a step or two. When he made it to Sesshomaru he bowed deeply.
"Rise, kit"
"Sesshomaru-sama, this Shippo would like to be trained so that he may become a strong yokai like you."
"The training will be difficult, this Sesshomaru will not go easy on you just because you are young."
At that point Shippo smiled brightly, it was clear he already knew he won. "I am up for the task, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Then we shall start on the marrow."
Kagome smiled brightly and then stepped up onto the edge of the well. "Okay, it's fine if it's hard to believe, it's an unbelievable story. Just watch me!" She jumped and before she fell into the well she yelled, "See you on the other side!"
Her smile grew when she landed, looked up, and saw the roof of the well-house. As quick as she could, she climbed up, she knew that the others wouldn't be far behind her. She looked into the well waiting for the blue sparkly light signaling that they followed her. Her smile slowly turned into a frown when she felt like she'd been waiting for a long time and still hadn't seen anyone. She was just about to jump back in when her smile brightened again because she saw the light.
"What took you so long?"
"It was my plan to go last but it seems that for some reason it is only I that can make it through the well, neither the kit nor the whelp were able to pass."
"What? Why?"
"This one is uncertain but has narrowed it down to two reasons, it is either because we are soul-bound and therefore a part of each other, or your magic in my beads is letting me pass."
"Oh no, what are we going to do? I was planning on being here for a few days but now I feel bad, it's not like we can just leave them… but I have tests I have to take and I promised Mama I'd come back at least once a month and stay for 4 days at a time, at least."
Sesshomaru jumped up from the bottom of the well, walked over to Kagome, and pulled her into his arms. He was starting to learn more about her and he knew that when she went off worrying like this he had to calm her down or else she would spiral. After a second he took a deep breath and sunk into his arms.
"It is fine, dear one. The kit was disappointed but they decided to wait at the village while we were away. They do not want you to rush for their sake."
Kagome couldn't help but laugh, "Yeah right. As if Inuyasha really said that."
Sesshoumaru chuckled dryly, "No, he did not. The kit did though and the whelp will just have to wait."
"I feel like a terrible person taking time off from our quest. For all I know, people are dying because they're being murdered by evil people with the jewel while I'm here worrying about my grades and family."
Sesshoumaru was not one to lie or soften his words but he did not want to hurt his already upset mate to be. She was right, he wouldn't doubt that people were dying because of the jewel while they were here but feudal Japan was a dangerous place and people died all the time, a few more would not make a difference, to him anyway. He had a feeling though, that the same would not be true for his little miko. "Fear not, miko. You are doing nothing wrong with taking care of your needs. If you did not, you'd not be at the top of your game, which would lead to mistakes, and those mistakes could take lives. You must do what you need to, to calm your head enough to be able to focus while we are traveling looking for the shards."
He thought he might have said the wrong thing when she pulled away from him but knew that was not the case when she pulled back just enough to be able to smile up at him and he felt the tenseness in her body soften. He could not stop himself from leaning down to kiss her if he tried, thankfully he had no urge to do so. It only took seconds for their kiss to become heated and for him to smell that sweet scent of his miko's arousal perfume the well house. He was walking a fine line, everything in him wanted to and was ready to make her his but he knew that she was new to the ways of pleasure and he learned from her that humans did things differently and slower than youkai. He wanted it all but he did not want to push her too far. It was not easy to find where the line was and where to stop.
He decided it would be fine if he gave in a little bit, they'd be with her family for a few days and they'd been with their pack for weeks before. It was not always easy to find time for themselves so he was going to make the most of it while he had the chance. He pushed her against the wall of the well house and grabbed the underside of her thighs so that he could lift her up. She took the hint and wrapped her legs around his waist, she felt a blush come over her when she felt his excitement against her most intimate of places. The blush grew brighter when she felt him start to grind himself against her like he'd done one time before.
He left her lips to start kissing and nibbling her neck, the same spot that he would one day, hopefully soon, bite her to make her his. He pulled his mouth away from her supple flesh just enough to groan, "I want you, Ka-go-me, more than I've wanted anyone before."
The sound of need in his voice wrenched a moan out of her. She lost control of her mouth and the words she wanted to say just wanted to come out so instead she nodded her head eagerly, agreeing with him. His husky chuckle made goosebumps come over her skin and a shiver went down her spine. "You want me to, yes?"
She was surprised but proud of herself when she was about to croak out a "Yes!"
"You're mine, aren't you, miko?" He asked as he used his claws to trail over her skin that he'd revealed by opening her shirt, leaving goose bumps in his wake. When he made it to her skirt he teased her by slipping his fingers under the elastic but going no further. Kagome was surprised with herself by the needy grown that sounded like a plea when it came out of her mouth. He chuckled again, normally that husky chuckle was a sound she loved that made her shiver but right now, it made her angry because she knew he was playing with her.
It lasted a long time, in fact, Sesshoumaru was proud of himself because he was just as in need as she was and he was teasing himself possibly more than he was teasing her. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when she finally uttered the word he was waiting for, "Please!"
Who was he to leave his woman wanting? Instead of going through her waistband, he decided to run his hands from her knee up to her thigh and then under her skirt. When he reached her apex he felt her underwear covering where he wanted to be most. He ran his fingers over her covered center, putting a little extra pressure over her bundle of nerves. He could hear that he was bringing her pleasure but he could also hear it wasn't enough. He decided he was done playing and finally used his fingers to push her underwear aside so that he could have access to her. He ran his finger down her slit feeling how wet and ready she was for him. It made his cock throb in want and he had to take a second to convince his beast that it wasn't yet time to take her fully. Once he had control over himself again while idally rubbing circles over her clit bringing her closer and closer to her climax he decided that even though it wasn't time to make her his fully, he could have more. He'd been wanting to taste her since the first time he smelt her arousal. So he rubbed his finger in a circle one, two more times before making her moan in disappointment because he took his hand away so that he could grab her ass and carry over over to the well. He sat her on it and smirked at her when he saw her look of confusion before getting on his knees, pushing her skirt up, grabbing her left leg, and kissing from her ankle all the way up to her apex until he made it to her center and finally getting to taste what he's been longing for, for weeks now.
He knew by her surprised but pleasured yelp that she was enjoying it. The first lick of her made his eyes roll back in pleasure, she was the most phanominal thing he'd ever tasted and he knew he needed more so before he was done savoring his first taste he went back in for more.
He realized he must have gotten lost in her because he came back to himself with his one hand fisting his cock, pumping in time with him pleasuring her, and her covering her mouth and she came down from her high that he must have brought her while he was lost in her. He felt himself no longer to hold back when her juices flowed from her orgasm and finished along with her. He was surprised when she used her foot, which was resting over his shoulder, to push him away.
She had to work hard to be able to hold back a laugh at the look on his face. He looked like a puppy that just had his favorite treat taken away from him and after a second thought, she realized that might be accurate. She took a deep breath, they'd been at this for a while and she lost count of how many orgasms he brought her since he sat her down on the well. "Sesshoumaru, I don't think I can take anymore. I need a break."
Sesshoumaru was confused, he knew Kagome wouldn't be calling it quits after just one, and he came to the realization that he might have lost himself in her for a while. He looked down at himself and held back a scowl at his state. He stood, tucked himself away, grabbed her by the hips, lifted her so that she was standing, patted her clothing down, and then used his youkai to cleanse and right his clothing. It was the great thing about having youkai-made clothing. He wanted to laugh at her and her discontented look. She looked thoroughly ravaged and he knew he looked pristine. It was clear she was unhappy with this. Her look changed to something akin to regret and she took the two steps to be in front of him and put her hand on his chest.
"What about you?"
"What do you mean?"
A becoming blush came over her face. "I-I mean, you know, you made sure that I uh, that I was taken care of but I didn't uh, return the favor."
He was looking at her softly but at her words, his look turned lascivious and a leer came over his face. "Oh, do not worry, miko. I was 'taken care of' as you say but any time you'd like to return the favor, I'd be more than willing."
She wasn't sure she could blush any harder but his last words proved her wrong. The thing was, she wanted to… you know, return the favor. She was just embarrassed, and anxious, and inexperienced. She didn't want to make a full of herself by doing a horrible job at it, and she didn't want him to be disappointed in her. They were supposed to be like meant to be or whatever and what if she didn't satisfy him? He lived in the feudal era, a time when it was normal to have a wife and be able to sleep with other people, especially a lord. Look at his father, if he didn't sleep with someone other than his wife then Inuyasha wouldn't even exist. She just couldn't accept that. She needed the man she married or mated or bonded with, or whatever to be loyal to her and only her. She didn't know if he could do that but she knew if she didn't make him feel good then it was way less likely that he would stay loyal to her.
She must have been too lost in her worries and let it show on her face because the next thing she knew she was in Sesshoumaru's arms and he was rubbing the back of her head while murmuring to her quietly, "… all is well Kagome. Tell me what is bothering you… I'm here for you."
She could tell it wasn't easy for him to be comforting, he seemed mildly uncomfortable but he was trying8. She took stock of herself, trying to realize what she had given away during her downward spiral. She decided it didn't really matter, she was a mature confident woman, with the man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with, the man, no male, she was quickly coming to think she could love, the male she was almost positive she already did.
So, she took a deep breath, looked Sesshoumaru in the eyes, and decided to tell the truth… except, the calm conversation about her insecurities didn't quite come out as she hoped they would, "I can't be with you if you're going to have mistresses, I don't care about any soul bond, I won't stand for another woman." Kagome winced at her accusing tone and opened her mouth to take it back but didn't know how because everything she said was true.
She expected the surprise that flashed on his face, what she didn't expect was the anger that followed swiftly after. It was even more surprising when his eyes not only flashed red but stayed that way. The next thing she knew she was pushed up against the wall of the well house with a snarling Tiyoukai with his fangs on her neck. Kagome believed that she was safe with him and that he had no intention to hurt her but it didn't stop the worry from happening. She didn't know a lot about instincts or canine properties but she thought she remembered seeing something about this on Animal Planet, he was showing his dominance, so she did the only thing she could think of and moved her head to the side, giving him more of her neck.
They stayed like that for what felt like forever for Kagome but what was only moments in reality until he finally let go of the light hold he had on her neck. He used his tongue to soothe the tooth marks he left behind. He wasn't used to the feeling of guilt but he had it when he saw the prickle of blood dripping from his two canines that broke the skin. Though he still didn't have complete control so he was still growling when he spoke.
"This is where I will mark you, you will be my mate. Do you know what that means, Kagome?"
"I-I thought so."
"It means you are mine… but just as much as I am yours. I am not one to change my mind once I commit to something or someone. I have more honor than that and I do not appreciate you thinking thusly of me."
"Sorry, it's just I know that it's not an uncommon thing to do in your time but it's not like that where I'm from. Here, something like that is cause for divorce."
"Divorce?" He tried the word out on his tongue.
"It's a legal thing couples do to end a marriage."
Sesshoumaru looked surprised that a thing like that even existed. "Hn, it is good then that we will not be needing such a thing because this 'divorce' is not yet invented in my time, where we will be until it grows into this."
Kagome's eyes opened widely, she knew logically that he wasn't planning on staying in the future, and that for them to be mated, they'd have to be together. But she never really put it together that would mean leaving her time, her friends, and her family. It was a lot to take in and she didn't know if she was ready to commit to it. Yes, it was true that she felt more comfortable in the past but that didn't mean she wanted to leave her family forever. She mentally shook her head, she didn't have to worry about it right this second, there was still time. Who knew how long it'd take to find all the jewels, for all she knew, it could take years and then maybe the answer would seem more clear.
Sesshomaru was watching her the entire time she was thinking and had a feeling he knew where her thoughts were. He opened his mouth to speak to push the issue but heard Kagome's little brother tell her mother he heard noises in the well house. He was glad that his miko didn't have the hearing of a youkai because knowing her, with her strange human sensibilities, she'd get embarrassed having been heard. He pulled back and made sure one more time that their clothing was righted.
"Come, miko. Your brother is on his way."
Just as they opened the door to the well house, Kagome's arms were full of her little brother, "Kagome, you're home! We were so worried!"
"It's okay, Souta, I'm fine. Sesshoumaru did a great job of keeping me safe, you don't have to worry about me."
Kagome noticed then that her mother followed Souta out to greet them and saw her mama making a face that clearly said, 'You're crazy if you think we're not going to worry while you're away.'
Kagome was filled with a sense of home at that moment and felt tears coming to her eyes. She was able to keep them from falling but they didn't go away. As soon as Souta let go of her, she ran toward her mother with open arms, "Mama! I missed you so much."
"Oh, Kagome, I missed you too. How are you, baby?"
"I'm great, it's been going good. We've even picked up two people who are traveling with us."
"Who?"
"Sesshoumaru's half-brother Inuyasha, and this little kid named Shippo, his parents were killed by people that were after the jewel."
"Oh Kagome, that's horrible. You should have had them come with you. It sounds like Shippo might need some family right about now."
"We tried but for some reason, only Sesshoumaru was able to make it through the well."
"Hmm, I wonder why that is."
Kagome felt a blush coming on because she wasn't ready to tell her family about being tied by the red string of fate with him. "We're not sure, really but we're going to try to figure it out."
"And how are you, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"This one is well." He said simply and Kagome thought it was a little rude not to return the question.
Kagome's mother, Ayame wanted to get to know the man, no male who was traveling for weeks on end and spending his nights with her daughter but he sure wasn't making it easy on her. She decided that while they were here for the next few days, she was going to make it happen, even if she had to lay down some rules. He might be stoic and able to fool most people but she knew that look, he was a besotted male who was interested in her daughter. There was no way Ayame was going to let that happen unless she gave her approval and right now she wasn't inclined to.
Kagome knew that look on her mama's face, she was up to something, and by the way she was staring at Sesshoumaru, she was sure it had to do with him. She didn't like that thought very much so she decided she was going to try to keep them as separate as possible while they were there. In fact, maybe she should send Sesshoumaru back to the feudal era, she was safe here and didn't need his protection. Yeah, that's what she'd do. She wanted her mama and her boyfriend… fiance? To get to know each other but she wasn't ready to tell her mama everything and she knew if Sesshoumaru was asked, he would not lie. So yeah, keeping them apart was her best option as of now.
"Come on, Sesshoumaru, let's get you in different clothes, remember I promised to show you around? We can go shopping for our supplies while we do."
Seshoumaru remembered no such conversation but he knew his little miko was up to something so he decided to play along, maybe it would end with some time for more pleasurable activities. "Hn, though I do not know why I'd need to change my clothes, they are a symbol of who I am and what my status is."
"They are? Huh." She said thinking that over for a moment before shaking her head. "It doesn't matter, here you're just another person and you'd stand out like a sore thumb. You need to blend, you know youkai aren't around or at least they don't let themselves be known here. You have to do the same if you want to leave the shrine."
"I have some clothes that will most likely fit you, Sesshoumaru, they were my husbands. I'll drive you, there are things I need too, so I can't just give you the credit card. It's okay though, we'll all go together." Ayame did an evil little laugh in her head because her plan was already coming together, she'd be able to get him to talk while they were in the car together.
Kagome on the other hand was not happy, 'So much for being able to keep them apart.'
She followed her mother and Sesshomaru into the house to get him ready. It didn't take them a long time to find something to fit him well enough. Now the only problem left were his markings and his claws. Though she supposed the claws could be ignored, she doubted that anyone who saw Sesshoumaru would be bothered to look at his hands, his face and chest on the other hand…
"Okay, I guess I can try to cover up your markings with makeup."
"What is wrong with my markings?" He asked, sounding insulted.
"Nothing, I told you, you have to blend in."
He still didn't look happy but didn't complain anymore. Kagome was surprised when the markings simply vanished off his face. "What?"
"We have the ability to blend in with humans, if we did not, I would not have this form at all. You've seen me in my true form, this is just a cover."
Kagome didn't know how she felt about that, she knew that he was an inuyoukai but she didn't really think about the fact that meant that he was an actual dog. She kinda thought that meant he just had the ability to turn into one, not that it was his truest self instead of how she knew him. She decided that was something else to think about later.
"Okay, we're ready then."
The shopping trip was going well, there were no major mishaps with Sesshoumaru, well, other than the whole car situation. Thank goodness Kagome was paying attention because their car almost became a pile of melted metal when her mother turned it on. Sesshoumaru thought he was protecting Kagome when he tried to use his poison on the beast that wanted to steal his miko. After that little situation, Kagome had to explain to Sesshomaru not to think anything was attacking them unless Kagome was scared too because more likely than not, it was just another invention that he had yet to learn about.
Ayame was disappointed, it was not as easy as she hoped to get the lord to talk. He wasn't rude or anything, if she asked a question, he'd answer but it was always answers that were short and to the point while barely giving away any information. She was at the end of her rope, they'd been shopping for hours and she'd gotten almost nowhere. She decided she'd have to corner him at the house while Kagome was at school tomorrow so they could talk one one-on-one alone.
Kagome was pleased they had gotten everything they needed during their travels so the next few days she could focus on school. It was also nice and sometimes funny to see Sesshoumaru marvel over the changes and inventions that happened over the last 500 years, he now understood why she reacted so strongly to seeing that bore he'd hunted for her.
They were walking toward the exit when she heard a voice call her name. She cringed because she knew who that voice and she also knew that Sesshoumaru had a tendency to get possessive and aggressive when someone else showed interest in her. She kept walking pretending she didn't hear her name being called when her mother stopped.
"Kagome, don't you hear? It seems Hojo is shopping too today."
"Huh? No, I didn't. I guess I was in my own little world." She turned to him just as he caught up to them.
"Kagome, it's so good to see you up and about, I was so worried about you when you missed so many days at school. I came to check on you but your grandfather said you were too ill with shingles. You look so much better now."
"Oh, hi Hojo. I am doing much better, in fact, I'll be in school tomorrow for our exams."
"That's great, Kagome, I'm so happy you're better. I was planning on coming over this afternoon to bring you some remedies from my family's medicinal shop."
Kagome heard the telltale sound of Sesshoumaru's growl and turned her head enough to see his eyes flashing while he was standing very close behind her. Hojo on the other hand was so focused on Kagome that he hadn't even noticed the big scary guy behind her. She wanted to fix the situation but wasn't sure how. She grabbed Sesshoumaru's arm and pulled him next to her. "Hojo, this is Sesshoumaru, my boyfriend."
She wanted to cringe again because she saw her mama's eyebrows raise in surprise but decided she'd have to deal with that later, she had to put out one fire at a time, and saying that about Sesshoumaru was enough to get him to stop growling and his eyes to stay golden.
"B-b-boyfriend? Isn't he a little old for you?"
"No, he's not." She said simply, she didn't feel the need to explain more to him. "Anyway, we have to get home, we have some perishables. I'll see you tomorrow in school." She waved, grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand, and started walking out the door. It was quiet while they loaded the car and as they sat, her in the back with Sesshoumaru and her mother driving. She didn't feel safe leaving Sesshoumaru by himself in the car after earlier But as soon as the car turned on and she saw the way her mom was looking at her in the rearview mirror, she knew she had some explaining to do.
