It was a peaceful afternoon in the forest, the kind that made everything feel softer. The leaves rustled in the breeze as Kagome knelt beside Jinenji, the gentle half-demon healer, who carefully handed her a bundle of medicinal herbs. His large hands, though rough from years of labor, moved with surprising gentleness.
"Thank you so much, Jinenji," Kagome said, her smile bright and warm. "These herbs will definitely help Inuyasha recover faster."
Jinenji blushed, shifting awkwardly under her gaze. "It's no trouble," he muttered, ducking his head. "I just hope they help."
Inuyasha had recently sustained a serious injury during a brutal encounter with one of Naraku's incarnations. The fight had been fierce, with the poisonous tendrils of Naraku's latest creation lashing out with terrifying speed. Though Inuyasha had managed to defeat the creature, he hadn't escaped unscathed. The venom from the creature's claws had seeped into his wound, weakening him significantly. Kaede had done all she could to purify the wound, but the poison lingered, making the need for stronger herbs urgent. That was why Kagome had sought out Jineji, whose knowledge of medicinal plants was renowned.
Kagome patted his hand, her touch light and friendly. "You're always such a big help," she said kindly. "I don't know what we'd do without you."
A few feet away, Sesshoumaru stood watching, his face a cold, expressionless mask as usual. But hidden beneath his stoic demeanor was something else—something that had been stirring more often lately. Ever since the two of them had quietly acknowledged the growing feelings between them, Sesshoumaru had been wrestling with emotions he was unaccustomed to. They hadn't told anyone about their relationship, not even Inuyasha, and though neither of them said it out loud, it was something fragile and new, something that felt worth protecting.
And right now, it felt like something was testing that.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes narrowed as he watched Kagome laugh softly with Jinenji, her smile lingering a little too long for his liking. The familiar tightness coiled in his chest, an unwelcome sensation. He was Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands. Such emotions—jealousy—were beneath him..
Or at least, they should have been.
He took a step forward, his presence suddenly making itself known. Kagome, still caught up in her conversation with Jinenji, didn't notice him at first.
"You're the best," she said warmly, her voice full of gratitude.
Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed. He didn't care for the tone she used—nor for the fact that she was payingthismuch attention to the hanyou healer. His steps were slow but purposeful as he closed the distance between them.
"Are you quite done, miko?" Sesshoumaru's voice cut through the air, as cold and sharp as ever, though there was an edge of something unfamiliar—something taut beneath the surface.
Kagome looked up, blinking in surprise. "Sesshoumaru!" she said, her voice caught between surprise and curiosity. "I didn't realize you were—"
"Obviously," he interrupted, his tone flat, though his clenched jaw betrayed his irritation.
Jinenji, sensing the tension in the air, began to fidget. He had no idea why Sesshoumaru, of all people, was suddenly so interested in their conversation, but it made him uneasy. "I-I should go," he said quickly, scratching the back of his head. "I've got more herbs to gather."
Kagome smiled at him, oblivious to the storm brewing behind her. "Thanks again, Jinenji. You're the best!"
As soon as Jinenji disappeared into the forest, Sesshoumaru took a deliberate step closer to Kagome, his eyes narrowing. His posture, as always, was calm and dignified, but there was a stiffness to it, something barely contained.
"The best?" he repeated, his voice low and icy. His gaze never left hers.
Kagome stood, hands on her hips, looking up at him with amusement dancing in her eyes. She knew this side of him now—the side that no one else ever saw. Ever since they had become closer, Sesshoumaru's usual unshakable demeanor had begun to crack, just a little. And though he would never admit it, she could tell when something bothered him.
"What?" she teased, a knowing smile creeping onto her face. "Don't tell me you're jealous, Sesshoumaru."
He scoffed, turning his head slightly, though his eyes remained on her. "Jealous?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. "Of that hanyou?"
Kagome bit back a giggle. Jealousy was such an absurd concept for Sesshoumaru, yet here he was, his icy composure barely masking his frustration. She had come to realize that when it came to her, Sesshoumaru's feelings—though unspoken—ran deeper than either of them had expected. Still, it was rare to see him flustered, and Kagome couldn't resist.
"Youarejealous," she said with a playful smirk, stepping closer to him. "I never thought I'd see the day when the great Lord Sesshoumaru—"
"Miko," he growled softly, cutting her off. His tone was calm, as always, but the sharpness of it told her everything she needed to know. He wasn't used to feeling this way—this possessiveness—and he certainly wasn't used to being teased about it.
Kagome stifled a laugh, looking up at him with a mix of affection and mischief. "You don't like it when I'm nice to anyone else, do you?" she asked, her voice teasing but soft.
Sesshoumaru glared down at her, his jaw tight. "You waste time with such meaningless sentimentality," he replied, though his words lacked their usual venom. He was deflecting, and Kagome could see right through it.
"So…" she said, tilting her head, "youdon'tlike it when I'm nice to Jinenji?"
His silence was telling. Sesshoumaru's face remained impassive, but there was something in his eyes—something that flickered just for a moment before disappearing behind his usual mask. He turned his head, as if to dismiss the conversation, but Kagome knew better.
"I am above such trivial matters," he said, his voice low and controlled, but Kagome had learned to read the subtleties in him. She had spent enough time by his side—shared enough stolen moments in the quiet of the night—to know when he was holding something back.
She couldn't help but laugh again, a soft, melodic sound that made his eyes flick back to her, a flash of irritation crossing his face. "Sure, sure," she teased, her voice light and playful. "Whatever you say,Lord Jealousy."
His eyes narrowed at the nickname, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned abruptly, his long silver hair swaying behind him as he began to walk away. His stride was graceful, as always, but Kagome noticed the stiffness in his shoulders, the slight tension in his normally fluid movements.
"Hey!" she called after him, still laughing. "Don't worry, Jinenji's just a friend. You've got nothing to be jealous about."
Sesshoumaru paused for a brief moment, just long enough for Kagome to catch it. He didn't turn around, but she knew he had heard her.
"That's irrelevant," he muttered, his voice almost too quiet to catch.
Grinning to herself, Kagome jogged to catch up with him, her playful smile still lingering. She glanced up at him as they walked side by side, her heart warming at the thought of how far they had come. Their relationship—still new, still hidden from the world—was something she cherished, even if it meant dealing with Sesshoumaru's stubborn pride.
Without thinking, Kagome stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick, light peck on the cheek, her lips brushing against the magenta stripes. Sesshoumaru froze for a split second, his eyes widening slightly in surprise at the unexpected gesture. Before he could react, Kagome started to turn away, a satisfied smile on her face.
But just as she took a step to leave, Sesshoumaru's arm moved with lightning speed, his hand catching her waist. Kagome gasped as she felt the cold, hard metal of his breastplate against her. The spikes on his armor were dangerously close, and she had to adjust her body slightly to avoid getting poked by them.
Sesshoumaru pulled her closer, not caring about the discomfort his armor might have caused, his eyes locking onto hers with a look that sent a shiver down her spine. His grip was firm yet controlled, his fingers tightening around her waist as he brought her flush against his chest. Kagome barely had time to register the intensity in his gaze before his lips crashed down on hers, firm and demanding.
The kiss was overwhelming, igniting a spark that spread through her like wildfire. Kagome melted into him, the cool steel of his armor pressing against her but doing little to cool the heat of the moment. She raised her hands, careful to avoid the sharp spikes on his armor, and instead rested them gently against his chest plate, feeling the solid, unyielding strength beneath.
Sesshoumaru deepened the kiss, his lips moving against hers with a passion that he usually kept buried beneath layers of stoicism. His hand slid up her back, pulling her impossibly closer, as if he couldn't bear the thought of her being even an inch away.
When he finally pulled back, his golden eyes smoldering with barely restrained emotion, Kagome was breathless. She stared up at him, her heart pounding in her chest, still feeling the coolness of his armor against her heated skin.
"Don't provoke me, Kagome," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous, but there was a softness in his gaze that contradicted his words.
Kagome grinned. She liked how he still often referred to her as "miko," a title he had used since the day they met. But now, every time he called herKagome—like he just had—it made her heart skip a beat. It was rare and precious, the way her name sounded on his lips, a sign of the intimacy that had quietly grown between them. Hearing it reminded her that, despite his cold exterior, she was special to him in ways no one else was.
Her pulse still racing as she looked up at him. "You say that like it's not fun," she teased, her voice a little breathless.
Sesshoumaru's eyes softened just a fraction, his grip on her waist loosening slightly, though he still held her close. He didn't respond, but the look in his eyes said more than words ever could.
With a soft smile, Kagome leaned her forehead against his chest plate for a moment, feeling the cool, solid armor beneath her fingertips. Despite the hard exterior, there was something warm in the way he held her—something that made her feel safe, even in his spiked embrace.
They stood like that for a moment longer, the quiet of the forest wrapping around them like a protective veil. The world outside might have still been unaware of the bond they shared, but here, in this moment, nothing else mattered.
