Chapter 7:Realization

I looked down at her sleeping in my arms. I had been too rough with her last night. Though she did seem to enjoy it. I smiled at the thought of the many ways I had pleased her the night before. I would have to be more careful with her in the future. She slept so peacefully in my arms. This is how it was meant to be; how it should always be. Her here in my arms, covered in the marks I left on her body; me still inside of her. I pulled her closer, smelling her hair. I have never enjoyed the presence of someone so much to the point that it did not feel right to be without them. I did not know it was possible to feel this way… to care about someone this much. Or to have someone care about me. It was a foreign feeling to me. I ran my fingers through her hair. It was as if being this close to her was not enough. I wanted to be one with her. To know what she felt, what she thought. I clenched my jaw. It was at that moment I realized just how jealous of that boy I was. I had never been jealous of anyone. God nor man. I had no reason to; until now. He understood all the parts of her that I wished for; the parts of her that I never would. They were truly one. Two halves of one whole. They would never stop seeking out one another. It was against their nature; because of that she would never truly be mine and that burned me. He knew her without even having to try. He has done what I have failed to do so many times. My eyes went wide as the realization hit me. Just how deeply did I care for her? Did I… love her? Was I capable of such an emotion? Was this love? Or was it some obsession I had conjured up? The same as my father with his countless mortal women. No, she was more than that. I did not want a harem of women scattered across Greece. There was only Kagome. No one else. I only wanted her. She stirred in my arms. Her eyes opened slowly. She looked up at me giving me a small smile.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

How long have I been sleeping?"

"The entire night, and part of the day. It is about noon."

Her eyes went wide.

"Noon?"

"I feared you would never wake up." I teased.

"I cannot believe I slept for such a long time."

I smiled at her embarrassment.

"Yes, you seemed to be very tired for some reason."

She buried her face in her hands.

"Do not poke fun at me, Sesshomaru."

I enjoyed teasing her like this. Spending nights with her. Waking up with her. I enjoyed it all. No war could ever give me a rush like this. I could feel myself getting hard inside of her, and I am sure she could feel me too. She pushed against my chest. She tried to pull her leg off me, but I grabbed her thigh keeping it in place.

"Sesshomaru, please, no more for right now. I'm still… sore."

She whispered the last few words. I smiled, kissing her roughly; which I should not have. It only made me harder. I groaned, pulling out of her, willing my erection to go away. Breaking the kiss, I looked at her. Her skin matched her cheeks. I grabbed her hand, kissed her knuckles, and pulled her close.

"I will devour you more later. When you are ready." I whispered in her ear.

I pulled away from her. She had turned an even darker shade of red. It made me smile; she made me smile. I ran my thumb over a love bite on her breast.

"I apologize for this. For all of them."

I was in fact not sorry at all, which I am sure she knew.

She looked down at her body.

"Oh, my Gods! Sesshomaru How am I supposed to cover this up? I will not be able to see anyone like this"

"I suppose you will have to stay inside… away from prying eyes," I smirked. "Yes, that is very… unfortunate."

Away from that boy as well.

"Did you do this on purpose?"

"Not at all. This just so happened to be a happy accident." I lied.

She sighed. "These will take at least several days to fully go away."

I trailed my fingers up her thighs.

"Do not worry. I will make sure to replace them once they do."

A slight blush crept across her cheeks.

"I have no dresses that can cover them all."

I slid my fingers up her side, brushing my thumb against her nipple.

"I suppose that you could wear nothing at all. I would not mind spending the coming days with you in the nude."

She licked her lips. I could see the desire lingering in her eyes.

"Sesshomaru." She whispered.

I smiled, pulling my hand away from her.

"Alas, you are still sore."

I could see the disappointment in her eyes. I enjoyed knowing that she wanted me. As greatly as I wanted her. It may have been childish, but I wanted to do whatever in my power to keep her here and him away from her. I would give her to no one. She exhaled and curled up beside me.

She yawned. "I am still tired."

I ran my fingers through her hair.

"If you need sleep then sleep. It is alright."

Her eyes were already beginning to close.

"I am afraid that if I do. You will disappear again."

I kissed the top of her head.

"I will be here when your eyes open. I will never leave you again. You have my word."

It was at that moment I had admitted it to myself. I loved her… I just did not know when I would be able to admit that to her as well.

She had gone back to sleep. As I knew she would. As quickly as I could, I had made my way into town and bought her new dresses. Some that would cover the majority of the marks I had left on her. I had to hurry back. I did not want her to wake up without me; I did not plan on breaking my promise to her. I hurried to the front of the house, dresses in hand. Annoyed at what I found there. It was that boy. He was pacing back and forth in front of the door. I tucked her dresses under my arm.

"Why are you here?"

He nearly jumped out of his skin.

Pathetic.

He put on his best brave face.

"I am here to see Lady Kagome. There is something I must tell her."

"She will not be speaking with you. Today, or ever again for that matter."

"Why not? You do not get to make decisions for her."

"That is none of your business. She is none of your business."

"She is my friend. She enjoys speaking to me and spending time with me. You know that as much as I do."

I smirked. "We spend much, time together, and now she is sleeping after all the time we have spent together. She and I will continue to spend much more time together. Time that will continue to make her tired."

I could see the anger in his eyes, but there was nothing he could do but hold it in and swallow it. It seemed that he was able to understand exactly what I was telling him.

He shook his head. "That is a lie. Lady Kagome would not do those things. She is a pure woman. Especially not with the likes of you. You are a monster. She spends time with you because she pities you."

"So, you know who I am; and what I am. Good. When she spends time with you she speaks of me. That should tell you something. Kagome does not think I am a monster. That is all that matters. I know her in ways that you never will. She chose to show those parts of herself to me; not you. Accept when you have lost, boy. Now, I must go. She is in bed waiting for me."

I stepped inside, locking the door behind me. I made my way up to the bedroom, where she still slept. I set the dresses to the side. I stripped myself and got in the bed.

Something had to be done about that boy. Before he became a problem.