The morning air was crisp, the early sun casting long shadows over the forest floor as Kagome and Sesshoumaru set out on their journey. The silence between them was thick but not uncomfortable. Kagome walked beside Sesshoumaru, her posture relaxed, her expression serene. There was no need to fill the space between them with unnecessary words. In this, they were alike—aloof, cool, and focused on their goal.
Kagome found a certain amusement in how Sesshoumaru maintained his stoic composure. She could feel the subtle brush of his aura against hers, a constant reminder that he was keenly aware of her presence, even if he didn't acknowledge it. For a demon who seemed to pride himself on being emotionally detached, he seemed far more… attentive than he would ever admit.
He's probably just making sure I don't slow him down, Kagome thought with a small smile tugging at her lips. She matched his pace easily, her senses sharp and alert, yet her mind wandered to the tension that had been simmering between them since they'd left the Western Palace. Every glance, every subtle movement, seemed charged with something unspoken.
Their journey had been silent for the past few hours, and Kagome couldn't help but enjoy the peacefulness. But there was a current of tension beneath the surface, a tension she knew Sesshoumaru was just as aware of. It amused her to no end that he seemed determined to ignore it, as though pretending it didn't exist would make it disappear.
The cool breeze ruffled her hair as she turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of Sesshoumaru's profile. His expression was unreadable, as usual, but she could sense the quiet intensity behind his golden eyes.
"What is it, miko?" Sesshoumaru's voice cut through the silence, his gaze fixed ahead, though he had clearly noticed her subtle glance.
Kagome raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking in amusement. "Nothing. Just enjoying the view."
There was a beat of silence, and then Sesshoumaru's eyes flicked toward her, cold and assessing. "Your distractions could prove costly."
She smirked, unbothered by his warning. "I think I can handle myself."
Sesshoumaru's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, his expression unreadable before he turned his attention back to the path ahead. Kagome's smirk widened. She was starting to enjoy this game of theirs—neither acknowledging the tension, both fully aware of it.
As they continued, Kagome noticed that Sesshoumaru's aura flared slightly when they neared a densely wooded area. His stride didn't falter, but she could feel the shift in his energy.
Before she could ask, a familiar whirlwind of dust and leaves spiraled toward them.
"Kagome!"
Kagome sighed internally, immediately recognizing the voice. Koga.
The wolf demon appeared in front of them, his blue eyes gleaming with excitement as he stopped a few feet away. "Kagome!" Koga proclaimed, striding confidently toward her. "It's been too long, my woman!"
Kagome couldn't help the amused smile that tugged at her lips. Still with that, huh? she thought. Before she could reply, Koga reached for her hands, clasping them between his.
She glanced down at their hands and then up at Koga with a bemused expression. "Koga… we've talked about this."
Koga ignored her, his grin widening as he shot a glance at Sesshoumaru. "And what's the ice prince doing with my woman?"
Kagome resisted the urge to laugh. She could feel Sesshoumaru's aura shift beside her, a subtle, almost imperceptible flare of irritation. She turned her gaze toward him, curious how he would react. His expression hadn't changed—still stoic, still cold—but there was a tension in the air that hadn't been there before.
"I am not your woman, Koga," Kagome said calmly, pulling her hands back with a practiced ease. "You're getting predictable."
Koga barely seemed to hear her. His attention shifted fully to Sesshoumaru, his grin fading into a scowl. "What's your business with Kagome, Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed slightly, the only indication of his rising displeasure. "This Sesshoumaru has no need to explain himself to you, wolf."
Koga bristled, stepping forward as if to challenge him. "Kagome doesn't need your protection. She's coming with me."
Kagome chuckled softly to herself. This should be interesting. She folded her arms across her chest, watching the two demons square off with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
Sesshoumaru didn't even blink. "Do not waste your time. Kagome is not yours to claim."
The way he said her name—so casually, yet with such finality—made something flutter in Kagome's chest. It was almost as though he were stating a fact, one Koga should have already known. She bit back a smile. Oh, this is getting good.
Koga growled, clearly offended. "What gives you the right to say that, Sesshoumaru? Kagome and I have—"
Before Koga could finish his sentence, Sesshoumaru moved. In a blur of motion, he was in front of the wolf demon, his hand wrapped around Koga's throat, though he didn't squeeze. His grip was firm but measured, a clear display of dominance without unnecessary violence.
Kagome watched, slightly impressed despite herself. Sesshoumaru had always had that air of effortless control, as though every action he took was calculated and deliberate. She knew he could have killed Koga easily, but this… this was different. It was a warning.
"This will be the last time you challenge me, wolf," Sesshoumaru said, his voice low and calm, yet laced with dangerous authority. "Kagome travels with me. She is not yours to claim."
Kagome couldn't help it—she laughed. It was a soft, amused sound, but enough to catch both demons' attention.
Sesshoumaru's eyes flicked toward her briefly, his grip on Koga loosening slightly. Koga, for his part, looked at her in confusion.
"What's so funny, Kagome?" Koga asked, rubbing his throat as Sesshoumaru released him.
"Oh, nothing," Kagome replied, her voice light, a teasing edge to her tone. "I just find it amusing that Sesshoumaru even bothered stepping in. I can take care of myself, you know."
Sesshoumaru's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "The wolf's arrogance required correction," he said coolly, his tone dismissive. "Nothing more."
Kagome raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She didn't believe that for a second, but she wasn't about to push him on it. Not yet, anyway.
Koga, still sulking, crossed his arms. "Fine, whatever. But you better believe I'm not letting this go." He shot a glare at Sesshoumaru before turning back to Kagome. "So, what are you two doing out here, anyway?"
Kagome's expression sobered slightly. "We're investigating the blight that's been spreading across the Western lands. It's affecting demons and plants—wiping out entire villages."
Koga's brow furrowed, concern flashing in his eyes. "I've heard about it," he admitted, his usual bravado fading. "But it hasn't reached my tribe yet. We've heard rumors, though. They say it's worse than anything we've seen before."
Sesshoumaru stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "Your tribe has not been affected?"
Koga shook his head. "Not yet. But we've been on guard. If it reaches the mountains, we'll know."
Kagome frowned, her mind racing. "That's strange. It seems to be spreading quickly everywhere else. Why hasn't it hit your territory?"
Koga shrugged. "No idea. We've been lucky, I guess."
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Or there is something preventing the blight from reaching you."
Koga scratched his head, clearly puzzled. "If there is, we haven't noticed. We've been doing everything we can to prepare, though. I've sent scouts to keep an eye on the borders."
Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru, who seemed lost in thought. "If Koga's tribe hasn't been affected, maybe there's something there that can help us figure out how to stop it," she suggested.
Sesshoumaru nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on Koga. "We will continue north. If the blight does not reach your lands, there may be something we can use to our advantage."
Koga, still eyeing Sesshoumaru warily, finally relented. "If you're heading that way, I'll let my tribe know you're coming. Just don't expect a warm welcome from everyone. Some of my packmates aren't too fond of outsiders."
Kagome smiled. "Thanks, Koga. We'll be careful."
Koga gave her a half-hearted grin before turning to leave. "Stay safe, Kagome. And don't forget—if you ever need real protection, you know where to find me."
With one last glance at Sesshoumaru, Koga sped off into the forest, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.
The silence that followed was heavy. Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru, her expression thoughtful. "Do you really think Koga's tribe could be immune to the blight?"
Sesshoumaru's gaze remained forward, his expression unreadable. "We will see."
Kagome fell into step beside him, the tension between them simmering just beneath the surface once more. But this time, she didn't mind it. If anything, it amused her even more. Sesshoumaru's calm facade had slipped—just a little—but it was enough to show that he wasn't as unaffected by her presence as he pretended to be.
She glanced at him, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile.
This journey is going to be interesting.