Sesshoumaru found himself in a strange new routine. During the afternoon and night he ran a thriving empire of Yakuza with influence through every major sector of society. His demons were working. Their presence was not dominant in the affairs of his rival, the spiders. They dressed casually, and watched for the workings of the other gang. The spiders were obnoxious: destroying buildings and hurting innocent people as they threw their weight around.
Sesshoumaru's men paid for the damages, gained influence with the shopkeepers, and were rewarded with information. The one who squealed the loudest had the most repairs.
But during the night and early morning he used his time to take Kagome to work, look after Souta and Inuyasha before picking her up from work. She would get into the SUV, greet him tiredly and he would have them driven back to his house. There she would pace the house, before going to the room where Souta was and check on him a few times.
"Go to bed," he would say, but she was stubborn. She sat on the couch waiting for the first light of morning before drifting off.
He got into the habit of sitting next to her. At first, she kept her distance, but after a few weeks of this routine, she leaned against him and let herself trust the protection he offered.
Her apartment remained a sacred space. After she woke in the morning, she would walk home with Souta and begin their morning routine. He would see her again at 10 am to take Inuyasha and Taeko with her and Souta to the park.
Koga and the men were banned from his house while Kagome was there. They were told to call first, knock on the door, and not to bring any weapons inside.
That morning, Sesshomaru rested while Kagome slept against him. It had been a hard night in the ER, and she was sleeping soundly. She grasped his arm, her head falling from his shoulder to his chest, and her hair fanned her face. Her slow breathing began to affect him, the warmth she offered drawing him in, so he let his head tilt forward. Slowly, his eyes closed, and Sesshomaru was getting used to this feeling. He pressed his lips to the top of her head as he drifted to sleep.
The boys were inseparable, they fed off each other's energy and neither Sesshomaru nor Kagome could tell where one boy ended and the other began. Souta took in some of the habits he observed from Sesshomaru. She realized it in his behavior and attitude changes. Inuyasha, on the other hand, was glad to be able to take a break from playing and go to Kagome for a hug. He sat with her for the early part of the morning, laying his head on her lap and absorbing all of the affection she had for him.
It made Sesshomaru jealous that his brother had wormed his way back into napping and all the gooey affection she still hesitated to give him, but she did make a habit of waking up with her head in his shoulder and leaning to kiss him deeply before standing and getting her things.
He felt her hands caress the side of his face. She had woken before him, and he could feel her amusement catch him as he slept. He opened his eyes slowly and felt her lips against his chin and bottom lip.
"Good morning," she whispered, and he didn't hesitate to take advantage of the situation. He caught her and leaned into her once more, taking her mouth when he could. Her messy hair and sleeping clothes were nearly perfect as he took her in.
Kagome smiled into the kiss and felt him tighten his hold on her. Each kiss gave way to a little more. With everything happening so quickly Kagome kept the affection to a minimum. He was not shy about his desires, when he wanted to kiss her he did, and she didn't mind it.
But their easy relationship was just beginning, and they had already jumped so many milestones, she wanted to take her time with the last one.
"I want you to stay here," he said; she groaned.
"How many times will you ask?" She questioned him, and he shrugged.
"Why won't you move in," he questioned her back.
"It's only been a month, it's too soon," she said irritably and he pulled her back as she began to stand and gather her things.
"So, I want you here,' he said, and she closed her eyes. 'You're paying rent for a small apartment that you're not even sleeping in. Move your things here and stay,' he said, and Kagome threw up her hands.
"You don't just move in with some one after a month,"she shook her head. He trapped her against him and took her mouth once more.
"That's not a rule," he said, "even if it was, I don't care about rules." He said this, and Kagome didn't want to hear it.
"I think we should," Souta came in with Inuyasha.
"Should what?" Inuyasha asked.
"Move in," Souta replied.
"Definitely," Inuyasha liked the idea of having them at home. He liked going to her house but it was small compared to his house and Taeko couldn't go outside when he wanted.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Am I always outvoted?" she asked, and Sesshomaru shrugged.
"We will be okay, Kagome. I like it here," Souta said and Kagome looked pointedly at Sesshomaru who enjoyed her brother's support.
"Then it's decided. We will notify your landlord and start packing," he said, and Kagome crossed her arms.
"So Souta has a room here, and Inuyasha has his bedroom. Where am I going to sleep?" She asked him in that tone he was starting to recognize her 'I think you're crazy' voice.
"Wherever you would like to," he said innocently.
Kagome lost that fight. Within a week her landlord had given her her security deposit back and cleared her to end the lease early. She asked him how he justified that when there was no reason but the man simply peered over her shoulder to see if anyone else was there.
"Oh I had a talk with your boyfriend and he assured me that everything is in order," the man waved his hands and Kagome sighed.
"Thanks, and sorry for all the trouble," she bowed and the man smiled
"Your a nice girl," he admired her and wondered how such a charming lady had found such a terrifying man. "Be careful out there. And remember you have until the end of the month to clear out. Also if you ever need a place to stay, you are welcome back." He said with some nervousness.
Kagome made a mental note to ask Sesshomaru what he said to her landlord. He was always going behind her, threatening people and then acting innocent when she questioned him about it. He denied making any threats but she knew he had scared them somehow.
She went to her small apartment and looked around and there was not much there. Going to the wall where she had some boxes set aside she grabbed the tape gun and started assembling the boxes.
The door opened behind her and she heard the heavy footsteps before she turned and looked into his warm smile. "Already packing? I didn't know you were so excited," he didn't hide his amusement and it took her a few minutes to process that he was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. Her eyes took in the sight.
"Wow," she admired his easy charm, he was deadly and handsome and he knew it. With a casual shrug he let her admire him for a few more moments before going to the first box.
"Where do you want to start?"
It was over in two hours. Soutas' clothes shoes toys and jackets fit into three boxes. Kagome packed her things and was done in two and the kitchen and living room were pretty empty.
The furniture was for another day, she had no attachment to any of it and didn't hesitate to part ways with it all when he suggested she bring it with her.
"I don't want any of it, though I'll miss my bed," she said and he raised his eyebrows and went over to her playfully and picked her up. "What are you doing?" She laughed as he took her with him through the hall to her room. He dropped her onto the futon and followed her to the blankets.
"I'm seeing what my competition looks like," he said matter of factly. His arms locked around her like bands of iron and pulled her to his chest. He put his nose in her hair and breathed deeply. "Not bad, we will have to do a comparison later," he grumbled and yawned. Kagome didn't think he was actually falling asleep. They had not worked long, and he hadn't seemed tired, but as his slow breaths fanned her ear she was sure. His long limbs hung over the edge of the futon, but he didn't seem to care when he shifted to his back and dragged her with him.
Kagome let her head rest on his chest. She blushed thinking that he had ruined all other men for her. Since meeting him, she had never felt so cared for. Her hand rested under her chin as she watched him. She would need to get her knife before he saw it.
Closing her eyes she let herself enjoy a nap. There was no harm in resting, but slowly she disentangled herself from his hold and sat up. She started to scoot away when she felt his arms grasp her and pull her back. His tired but amused eyes pinned her as he turned and pressed her to the futon.
"Where are you going?" He asked before settling on top of her. Her crimson face amused him further and he did not stop himself from leaning down and feathering his lips over hers.
Sesshomaru was the master of patience. He prided himself on his hyper awareness of detail and his reflexes. The moment she began to move he had woken, and when she thought she could get away he caught her. He enjoyed the chase though even he had to admit things were moving pretty quickly. He couldn't stop, he was running full speed into something he had openly mocked his men for.
When he tasted her lips he felt fire. She was intoxicating. He didn't hide his desire though he understood her reserve. It was ridiculous to think about moving in together now, or co-parenting the boys... or vacationing in the country for the winter break, but these thoughts consumed the majority of his waking hours.
Even during his work he thought of her. As they boated out earlier to the sea with traitorous men tied to cinder blocks he imagined how happy she would be to get out of the city for Christmas. The screaming and crying brought him back to the task ahead.
"I was only going to the bathroom," she lied and he caught it and let his full weight pin her now.
"You don't lie well, you were going back to work weren't you," he said and she blushed.
"Uh" she started and Sesshomaru shushed her with a kiss and started a trail down her chin and neck. Goosebumps raised on her skin. "Wait,"
"This is your punishment for lying," he said and pressed his face to her breasts. He sighed getting comfortable. She shook her head but put her arms around his neck pressing him into the soft flesh. He brought his hands to her back and pulled her tighter. She didn't notice when his hands began working but she did notice when her bra came apart and he pushed it down in the front.
Her blush was renewed. Her light skin was pink to her chest. Her hands fisted handfuls of his hair and he groaned liking the feel of her pulling it. His hungry lips found her breast and he lifted just enough to push her shirt over her mounds and take a ready tip in his mouth. The breath left her in a moan and she shifted feeling her body respond. His sensual mouth worked her into a frenzy.
Her hands went from his hair to the back of his uncharacteristic shirt and pulled. He felt her request and pulled back just enough to remove his shirt and throw it aside.
Her eyes absorbed his smooth granite flesh, and then the tattoos that ran the length of his back. She felt her face warm when he returned. Her hands were drawn to the skin of his back.
She had seen the mark of the demons and the sign of an enforcer and the image of a dragon.
Sesshomaru wondered if the sight of his tattoo had turned her on, her enthusiasm had tripled; Her hands did not leave him and as he enjoyed the pleasure of her neck and chest beneath his lips she kissed his shoulder and bit down softly.
His hands moved to the hem of her skirt and did not hesitate to draw circles on her thighs with his finger tips. She gasped and he was surprised to hear her needy gasps. Taking his time he touched her everywhere. Her smooth skin was satin under his hands, and when he thought he might go mad she grabbed into his hand and pushed it to her center.
"Kagome!" He sucked in a hard breath and cupped her ready flesh intending to take her then.
"Sesshomaru, You're so hot!" She gripped his shoulders and he felt the pressure of her short nails as she squeezed him.
They were brought up short by a knock on the front door. He was dazed, frustrated at the interruption and did not immediately stop what he was doing.
Kagome froze hearing the voice of her neighbor. "Kagome it's Keade," the old woman sang and Kagome bit her lip feeling the change in him as he tried to ignore the old woman.
"ignore it," he insisted and she nodded but the knocking continued and he groaned. He let her up then and his eyes told her how close he had come to getting what he wanted.
When Kagome answered the door, Kaede greeted her with a happy smile and some homemade snacks, "I heard you are moving," she said.
Keades' curious eyes took in the sight of the man standing behind her and her smile grew into something that resembles pride. "Yes, I won't be going far, but I've decided to end my leasing agreement here," Kagome said that ignoring the coy smile Keade gave Sesshomaru.
"Oh? And where is Souta?" She asked
"He's being watched by the sitter," Sesshomaru stepped around Kagome and accepted the snacks. He took them to the table and beckoned Keade in. "How long have you known Kagome?" He asked and Keade smiled and went to sit down.
"oh not long, only six or so months, I used to watch Souta when she was at work but she hasn't asked in a while. I thought something was happening," she said, uncovering the rice balls and gesturing for him to have one.
Sesshomaru accepted respectfully, he bowed and took the rice ball. With a single bite Keade judges him to be perfect. When he smiled she nearly swooned. "My this is the tastiest rice ball I've had in ages," he smiled charmingly.
"Oh, thank you," she covered her eyes, embarrassed.
"Its the truth, you know how picky Kagome is. She won't tell me what she likes to eat," he said and Keade nodded
"Yes she is a stubborn girl, you know in all this time I have only ever seen her eat rice bowls. I thought is was strange but I noticed her walking to the convenience store at midnight and she always returned with those convenience store rice bowls." She outed her with no remorse.
Kagome reddened as Sesshomaru openly interrogated his neighbor. " Thank you, I've been trying to get her to open up to me. She really is stubborn,"
"And she raises her brother with an iron fist, you should hear her lecture him in cleaning and doing his homework, he's a model student but she's so hard on him," Keade shook her head. " But it's to be expected as hard as she works,"
"I know, after this quarter we are hoping to reduce her working hours, I make enough to support us," he said and Kagome cleared her throat and sat between them. Keade smiled innocently but Kagome gave her a look that told the elder woman to shut up.
"Good, she needs a break, please let me know when I'll be attending the wedding," she said.
"Let's talk about something else please." Kagome came in nearly shouting as she watched Sesshomaru glowing with amusement. He took another riceball and handed it to her
"They're excellent, please have one," he said and Keade nodded enthusiastically.
Kagome could have killed him. He had shot through all of her defenses with just a few compliments and a manly smile. Glaring over keades' shoulder she put her hand on the old woman's shoulder. She took the damned rice ball and took a bite. The flavor rushed to her and she felt her mouth water, her stomach rebelled, but she swallowed the rice and bean paste and didn't wince when she felt the responding ache. He watched her carefully. His predatory eyes searched for any sign of weakness. And she didn't back down through her neighbors fawning.
"What do you think?" She asked and Kagome smiled appreciating the thoughtfulness of the gesture.
"It was really good," she said and Keade handed her another one. Kagome took it and looked for some water. It had been too long since she had eaten to indulge in sticky rice and bean paste.
Kagome worked through another and stood. "I'm full now, please Sesshomaru, enjoy the rest for me," she said and went to the boxes and started taping them closed.
"I'm so glad you are taking care of my Kagome. She has been stressed out for a long time. It will be nice to see her relax a bit," Keade muttered standing. She looked between the two and went to the door and opened it. She said goodbye and left them.
Kagome turned on Sesshomaru. "That's how you're doing all this, you manipulative bastard," she hissed and he laughed.
"What did you call me?" he said incredulously.
"You know what you're doing!" She said and put her hands on her hips. Sesshomaru had never been insulted to his face, the emotion that accompanied her anger roused something in him and going to where she was he leveled with her and in all seriousness, picked her up once more and took her back to the bedroom to finish what they had started.