It was a mistake.
Sesshoumaru was smirking, Inuyasha was cursing, and Miroku was grinning like an idiot. "Well, this is certainly an interesting development," the monk chuckled.
Sango groaned and smacked him upside the back of his head. "Not everyone is a perv like you," she said.
"But my dear," he argued, "Lord Sesshoumaru called her—"
"Kagome."
She would've blanched if there wasn't so much blood rushing to her face. Why did he have to say her name like that? The fact that he was holding out his hand, fully expecting her to take it, wasn't helping either, but what else could she do but take it?
Sango smothered Inuyasha's protests as their fingers intertwined, telling him to grow up before threatening them both with Hiraikotsu.
"Do you have to call me that?" Kagome asked, trying to ignore the glint in his eyes.
"It is your name, is it not?"
She pursed her lips. He knew exactly what he was doing, and the fact that he knew made it worse. Or better—she hadn't figured out which yet. "Well, yeah, but—"
"Does calling each other by our chosen names not show our connection?" he continued.
"Yes, but—"
"Do you not wish to show our connection, Kagome?"
She grabbed onto his collar, close to shaking him. "Would you stop already? You're doing that on purpose!"
He had the audacity to chuckle. "Perhaps." Nimble claws combed through her hair, brushing it over her shoulder. "There is another name I wish to call you, but it is not yet time for that, so you will have to live with me using your name for now."
She wanted to question him on that, but the moment was interrupted by Miroku barreling through them, Inuyasha hot on his heels, threatening to separate his hands from his body.
Kagome groaned, ready to chastise both of them, but Sesshoumaru leaned close, using the chaos to steal a kiss and leaving her speechless—and a little breathless.