As Kagome slowly blinked her eyes open, she found herself cocooned in the warmth of Sesshomaru's fur. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she glanced around and noticed a small fire crackling nearby, its flickering flames casting a soft glow over the clearing. Her senses were greeted by the enticing aroma of cooking meat, wafting tantalizingly through the air.
"You are awake, koi," came Sesshomaru's voice, drawing her attention. She turned to see him approaching, his regal form illuminated by the dancing flames of the fire.
"I prepared food for you as well as brought you clothing," he informed her, his tone gentle yet resolute. With a sense of gratitude welling up within her, Kagome couldn't help but feel touched by his thoughtful actions.
As he drew closer, Kagome couldn't help but admire the way his silvery hair caught the light of the fire, casting him in an otherworldly glow. Despite his stoic demeanor, there was a tenderness in his eyes as he looked upon her, a silent reassurance that she was cared for and protected.
"Where did you get it?"
"We are on my lands," he handed her the bundle of white and red garb. "There is a nearby demon village."
"Thank you," she smiled. "How long have I been asleep?"
"You slept throughout the night and most of the morning," he turned his back towards her. "You used more reiki than you thought with your sacred arrow."
"Oh," she bit her lip, looking towards the sun that was sitting high in the sky. "I hadn't even realized how tired I was." She must have been running on adrenaline and not realized it.
"Hn, we should meet with my brother."
Slipping out of Sesshomaru's kimono, she dressed in the Miko garb but something seemed different about it. "What has happened?"
"Something has caused the demons to act out, several of them are flying towards the north. Not too far from where my brother went."
"We should hurry then," she tied up her hair in a high ponytail. "They might be in danger."
"Eat first and we will leave."
Turning to face Kagome, Sesshomaru's eyes flashed with a primal intensity, a low growl rumbling deep in his chest as he appraised her state of dress. Kagome felt her cheeks flush under the intensity of his gaze, a tingling warmth spreading through her as she met his piercing stare. "Is something the matter?" she asked, unable to hide the nervous flutter in her voice.
"This one prefers you in your traditional attire," Sesshomaru stated firmly, his clawed finger tracing a delicate line along her cheek.
"I avoid wearing it for Inuyasha's sake," Kagome explained, her gaze dropping slightly as she recalled the complex dynamics between her and her half-demon companion.
"My brother shouldn't matter," Sesshomaru countered, his tone unwavering.
"I just don't want him to think of Kikyo every time he looks at me," Kagome admitted, her voice tinged with sadness as she spoke of the long-deceased priestess who had once held Inuyasha's heart.
"You look nothing like the dead priestess, nor do I believe that you are her incarnation," Sesshomaru stated matter-of-factly, his grip on her chin firm as he forced her to meet his gaze.
"Why?" Kagome questioned, her confusion evident in her furrowed brow.
"This one met her when she was still alive," Sesshomaru explained, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "You two have nothing in common other than being female human priestesses."
"Doesn't make the fact untrue," Kagome countered, her doubts still lingering despite Sesshomaru's reassurances. "My soul belonged to her when she was still living."
"Whoever spoke this to you is a liar. I never felt such a pull towards the dead one." Sesshomaru confirmed, his breath warm against her skin as he leaned in closer. "Even now, the only pull I feel is from the the piece of your soul that she covets."
Confused by his admission, Kagome furrowed her eyebrows. "How?"
"Mount Hakurei," Sesshomaru explained, his gaze locking with hers. "I felt a pull towards her. It's why this one was there when Naraku pushed her off the cliff. The piece of soul that belongs to you called me there, at the time I still hadn't recognized it for what our bond was."
"Are you saying that I'm not her incarnation?" Kagome asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
"As far as I am concerned, you are of no one's incarnation," Sesshomaru declared, his tone leaving no room for doubt. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against the patch of skin behind her ear, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine. "Your soul is mine just as mine is yours," he proclaimed, his voice a low rumble that stirred something primal within her.
Before Kagome could respond, Sesshomaru continued, his words sending a thrill of anticipation coursing through her. "In order for us to be mates, your soul would have to be your own. Otherwise, my mate would be the dead one and not you."
Kagome felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her as Sesshomaru's words sank in. Relief washed over her like a soothing balm, knowing that her soul truly belonged to herself and not entangled with another's. Despite the twinge of jealousy that flickered at just the mere thought of Sesshomaru being mated to Kikyo, she couldn't deny the overwhelming sense of belonging that his declaration brought her.
In that moment, the realization that she was truly her own person, separate from any past or future incarnations, filled Kagome with a profound sense of liberation. And as she looked upon her handsome demon lord mate, she couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the bond they shared.
"Koi, are you jealous?" Sesshomaru's smirk brought her back to the present, his teasing tone laced with amusement. His claw stroked her neck in a slow, lazy manner, "this one only desires you."
Heat flooded Kagome's cheeks at his words, her heart fluttering with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. "You're making my face warm," she stammered, her cheeks flushing under his intense gaze.
A mischievous glint danced in Sesshomaru's eyes as he leaned in closer, his claws grasping her neck and squeezing ever so slightly. "This one will enjoy defiling your innocence," he murmured, his voice sending a shiver down Kagome's spine.
His words sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through her, mingled with a hint of apprehension at the possessive tone that underscored his declaration.
As Sesshomaru turned away, Kagome's heart swelled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. And as she reveled in the intoxicating allure of her handsome demon lord mate, she knew with certainty that she was exactly where she belonged.
"Mommy!"
"Kagome!"
As soon as her feet touched the ground, Sesshomaru released her, allowing Kagome to run forward and embrace Rin and Shippo. Sango and Miroku followed closely behind, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.
"LORD SESSHOMARU!" Jaken's voice rang out, filled with both distress and relief as he ran towards them, tears streaming down his face.
"Where is Inuyasha?" Kagome's voice held a note of urgency as she scanned the area, unable to spot her boisterous best friend amidst the group.
Sango's expression darkened, while Miroku laughed nervously, but it was Shippo who spoke up. "The Holy One was here, and Inuyasha caught the scent of Kikyo on them."
Kagome's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kikyo's name. She turned to Sesshomaru, her eyes wide with concern, searching for answers. His gaze was inscrutable, his eyes flashing with a mixture of determination and something else she couldn't quite decipher.
"Sesshomaru?" she pressed, her voice tinged with apprehension.
"My brother speaks true," Sesshomaru confirmed, his tone clipped. "The dead one's scent is strong here."
A sense of unease settled over Kagome as she absorbed his words. Despite the urgency of the situation, she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that washed over her. The thought of Inuyasha confronting Kikyo's presence filled her with a sense of foreboding.
"Did he chase after the Holy One?" Kagome finally asked
"He went to scout the surrounding area for any sight of Princess Abi as her scent is also strong." Miroku gestured to the dead demon birds that the villagers were cleaning up.
"Okay,"
They had all made camp after following Sesshomaru, who had picked up the scent of Princess Abi. The children had drifted off to sleep early, exhausted from the day's events. Miroku and Sesshomaru remained at camp with them while Kagome asked Sango to join her for a walk.
Throughout the day, Kagome could sense the turmoil raging within Sango's aura—anger, sadness, and regret swirling around her like a tempest. It was palpable, suffocating almost, but Kagome knew that Sango wasn't one to openly discuss such emotions, especially in the presence of Miroku. However, Kagome could sense that Miroku had some inkling of what was transpiring between Sango and Inuyasha.
"Go ahead," Kagome encouraged gently as they found themselves in a tranquil forest clearing. "I know you want to let it out."
Sango wordlessly unsheathed her sword and began hacking away at a nearby tree with a fierce intensity. Sweat glistened on her flushed skin, and her breaths came in ragged gasps. Eventually, she dropped to her knees, the sword clattering to the ground before her, exhaustion washing over her like a tidal wave. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the dirt and sweat.
"Anytime Inuyasha is around Kikyo, or even just the mention of her, he becomes so indecisive!" Sango's voice was raw with emotion, bordering on a yell. "The way he looked at me earlier... as if he were apologizing for betraying me."
Kagome enveloped Sango in a comforting embrace, feeling her friend's anguish radiating through every fiber of her the early days after Kikyo had been revived by the witch, he often looked at her the same way. While she never felt for him in the romantic sense, it still hurt to know that her best friend could only see Kikyo when he looked at her, even calling her Kikyo at times in his most vulnerable state.
"How do you put up with it?" Sango's voice wavered with frustration.
Kagome sighed softly, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Sango's tear-streaked face. "I... I never really did," she admitted quietly. "He would apologize but I knew that he would run to her, because she came first. Not to mention that she died young, full of hate, betrayal, and anger at what the jewel had done to them. But I found solace in compassion. I understood that Inuyasha's bond with Kikyo ran deep, and I couldn't fault him for that. So, I tried to be patient, to swallow my own feelings as best I could."
Sango's expression hardened, her eyes flashing with a mixture of sadness and anger. "I don't have your capacity for forgiveness," she confessed bitterly. "If I saw him right now, I'd push his stupid face off a cliff and ensure that he would never walk again."
Kagome couldn't help but chuckle softly at Sango's dark humor. "I've had those same thoughts," she admitted, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "But luckily for me, the subjugation beads are quite effective. A simple 'sit' command and he's down for the count."
Their moment of levity was interrupted by a startled scream echoing from the direction of the camp, followed by Kagome's name being shouted through the air. Sharing looks with one another, they bursted into laughter.
"I guess he had returned to camp," Kagome smiled. "I suggest you bathe before heading to camp since you reek of sweat."
The demon slayer scoffed but smiled guiltily as she knew that she spoke the truth. "You can accompany and explain to me what is going on between you and a certain demon."
As they walked towards the nearby river, both girls maintained a comfortable silence, lost in their own thoughts. Kagome settled herself on the riverbank, watching the gentle flow of water as Sango waded into the cool depths to bathe.
As Sango emerged from the water, her skin glistened in the sunlight. She listened intently as Kagone recounted every detail of the events that had unfolded between her and Sesshomaru over the past forty-eight hours, including their most intimate moments that had left her blushing scarlet.
By the time Kagome had finished speaking, Sango had dried off and dressed, and together they began to make their way back to camp.
"So I was right then?" Sango's smirk was accompanied by a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I always knew he had a soft spot for you since Mukotsu poisoned you."
Kagome's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "How... how did you know?"
"I woke up from the poison first," Sango explained, a reminiscent smile playing on her lips. "I watched him tend to you, healing your wounds and dressing you with such care. He looked... different then, vulnerable almost."
"I never knew," Kagome smiled more to herself as she wondered just how long he had known about their bond.
Upon their return to camp, Kagome couldn't help but notice Inuyasha's avoidance of Sango's gaze, his attention solely focused on her instead. She wore the miko garb that Sesshomaru had given her, feeling a sense of empowerment in its familiar folds.
"It suits you," Inuyasha finally remarked after a prolonged silence, his tone softened. "You've really grown into your own."
His words tugged at Kagome's heartstrings, and she exchanged a glance with Sesshomaru, who gave her a subtle nod of approval. Turning back to Inuyasha, she offered him a gentle smile. "Let's go on a walk, Inuyasha."
As they strolled together, the rhythm of their footsteps echoed the memories of their early days, filled with heartfelt conversations and shared vulnerability.
"Sesshomaru explained to me the bond between you two," Inuyasha began, breaking the silence. "I didn't believe him at first. I lashed out, accused him of lying just to take you away from me. That's why I resisted his offer to join our group, despite us becoming somewhat civil with each other."
Kagome nodded, understanding the depth of his initial skepticism. "When did you start to believe him?"
Inuyasha's ears twitched before he admitted, "When you stormed off. I reflected on every interaction between you two over the past two years, and I had to admit that he had changed."
A soft chuckle escaped Kagome's lips. "Do you approve, then?"
Inuyasha turned to her, his eyes glinting in the dimming light. "Not until I witnessed him yesterday. Any doubts I had vanished then. I've only ever wanted you to be happy, Kagome. I know you've sacrificed a lot to be here and fulfill your duty."
"Inuyasha..." Kagome began, touched by his sincerity.
He snorted, scratching his neck awkwardly. "Even if it's with my bastard of a brother."
Rolling her eyes fondly, Kagome reached out to grasp his hand. "Inuyasha... thank you."
He shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Just don't expect me to suddenly be best buddies with him. If he does anything to hurt you, trust me, I'll hack off his arm again."
Kagome laughed, squeezing his hand affectionately. "I'll keep that in mind."
"So, wanna explain to me what's going on between Sango and you? Why did you follow Saint Hijiri?" Kagome asked, her tone gentle but probing.
Inuyasha's expression darkened, a shadow of conflict passing over his features. "Saint Hijiri isn't Kikyo, but I did smell Kikyo's ashes," he admitted reluctantly.
Kagome's brow furrowed with concern. "Her ashes? Does this mean someone robbed her grave again?"
"That's what I thought," Inuyasha replied, his gaze drifting upward as if seeking answers from the sky. "But I don't understand why her ashes were there."
Sensing his confusion, Kagome pondered for a moment before voicing her thoughts. "Do you think it's possible that she's alive, and perhaps Saint Hijiri might be helping her?"
"I don't know," Inuyasha sighed heavily, the weight of uncertainty bearing down on him. "But I know Sango is angry with me."
Kagome nodded sympathetically. "More hurt and frustrated than angry. We all understand what Naraku did to Kikyo and to you, but it's difficult to see you lose all logic when it comes to her."
Inuyasha's shoulders slumped with guilt as he absorbed her words. "I...I almost lost you because of my obsession with Kikyo," he admitted, his voice tinged with remorse. "I know I've apologized, and I don't expect you to forgive me easily."
Kagome reached out, gently placing a hand on his arm. "I don't hold a grudge, Inuyasha. It was years ago. But I need you to understand that your actions have consequences. We're a team, and we need to trust each other."
Inuyasha nodded, a mix of gratitude and determination flickering in his eyes. "I hear you, Kagome. And I'll do my best to make things right."
"What of your feelings for Sango?"
His face grew red, "I don't want to ruin things."
"You won't and if you do, then I'll just say that one word until there is an Inuyasha shaped crater in the ground." She flashed him a smile, "Now let's head back. You've got some apologizing to do," she said gently.
Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head, a sheepish expression crossing his face as he avoided her gaze. With a nod, he silently led the way back towards camp, listening as Kagome began to talk about restocking on supplies soon.
