"You seem happier lately."
The statement hung in Kagome's mind, repeating itself like a mantra even as she left the lunchroom. She hadn't felt any different, but all the other teachers at the table had chimed in, either agreeing or wondering about the reason behind it. Her routine hadn't changed much; the only difference was that she wasn't jumping every time someone knocked at her classroom door.
It was going on three months of being Hojo-less, and even Megumi had stopped commenting on how good they looked as a couple. Kagome had never wanted to hurt her, especially when she'd talked about wanting her as her mother. Many of her students saw her in that role, but having it reinforced at home didn't help, and if it hadn't been for Sesshoumaru, there would've likely been a public confrontation.
Or a restraining order.
Kagome knew he was harmless—he'd never given her any indication that he was violent, and Megumi was well-adjusted, even when he worked late—but maintaining the boundary between her professional and private life shouldn't involve her students.
Thinking about her private life had "You seem happier lately." running through her mind again, she couldn't stop the heat rising to her cheeks. Was she less stressed because Hojo was leaving her alone? Absolutely. But she'd be lying to herself if she didn't include a certain daiyoukai in the same category.
There hadn't been an overt change, and they hadn't really spoken about it, but ever since he'd kissed her in the forest, he'd been more generous in his public displays of affection, even when no one was around. There hadn't been any steamy make-out sessions—they definitely needed to have a conversation before that happened—but he always kissed her goodbye when he dropped her off at her apartment, and she could sense the restraint rippling beneath his aura.
She'd been tempted to stoke the flames with her own power, but until there was an official label, she wasn't about to push anything.
They'd continued their role of allies in the hopes of deterring Hojo's advances, and she knew she wanted more, but although he was warmer than she'd ever known him to be, Sesshoumaru was still, well, Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha was much easier to read, even through his bluster, while his brother was just as likely to insult you as he was to save you.
And this came from personal experience.
Heaving a sigh, Kagome slumped into the chair behind her desk just as her class returned from break. Knowing the routine, they put their coats away and changed their shoes before settling into their tables. She knew she had a few minutes to collect herself before they'd need her attention—or, at least, she would've if Megumi hadn't heard her sigh and approached her desk.
"Are you alright, sensei?" she asked.
Kagome plastered on a smile. "Of course, Megumi-chan. I just have a long list of things to finish by the end of the week and I'm trying to figure out which ones to do first."
The girl tapped her chin, deep in thought, then grinned. "You should have the prince help you!"
She felt the beginning of a blush tint her cheeks, and she rubbed the back of her head to cover it up. "Which prince is that?" Megumi gave her a deadpan look, and Kagome burst out laughing. "Sorry, I forgot how smart you are."
She preened, then turned as one of her friends beckoned her back to the table. "He'll probably help you if you ask. He likes to do things for you."
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "And why do you say that?" she replied, honestly curious how the girl picked up on so much without her knowing.
Megumi snorted as if it were the most obvious answer in the world. "Because he likes it when you're happy." The blush returned, and Kagome couldn't do anything to hide it. "Smile at him after school, sensei. You'll see what I mean."
Now she had two thoughts rolling around in her head, and even though they were part of the same thought, they were still fighting for dominance and making her dizzy. Megumi patted her hand as she passed by, taking her place at the end of the line before giving her a thumbs up.
Kagome pursed her lips, but she couldn't fault the girl, especially when a tendril of youki brushed against the side of her arm as she stepped through the door to greet the parents. Each student gave her a wave before they ran to their grown-up, but Megumi hung back, giving her an expectant look before tilting her head in Sesshoumaru's direction.
Biting the inside of her cheek, Kagome turned her body enough to catch his eye, flashing him what she hoped was a bright smile. He blinked in surprise before his posture relaxed, expression softening as he inclined his head in response, and her heart clenched painfully.
Had he always been that obvious?
Megumi tugged on her sleeve, forcing her to bend over before giving her a reassuring hug. "See?" she whispered. "I told you." She patted her arm again, then skipped off toward her daycare, grinning madly.
Kagome managed to keep it together as her class left for the day, grateful that Sesshoumaru kept his distance until the last child turned the corner out of the courtyard. The crunch of gravel signalled his approach, fingers sliding up the back of her arm to echo his earlier greeting. No one was around, so there was no point in keeping up appearances, yet his lips still made contact with her temple.
"Good day?" he asked.
Kagome couldn't contain her smile this time. "Something like that." He followed her into the classroom, settling into the chair at the carpet as she tidied her desk. She never felt smothered by him, even when he showed up at her work, and though she still wasn't exactly sure what his job in finance entailed, she had a feeling he cut out early anytime he came to see her.
"Are you free for dinner?" he asked after a few minutes, chin in his hand.
"Would it have stopped you from showing up if I wasn't?"
"No, but I find myself wanting to extend our time together." A few well-placed words were all it took to have her smiling again, perking up at the thought that even if she'd been busy, he would've stopped by to see her. That meant something, right?
Trying to keep her reaction casual, she rearranged the pens in her desk drawer. "You could always text me ahead of time."
"I would rather see you in person." He'd been inspecting an art display, but amber eyes slowly slid in her direction, and Kagome could barely remember the cold and calculating Lord of the West from centuries prior. He looked so different, the dress shirt and slacks doing nothing to hide the power underneath, and she suddenly wanted to know what it would be like to climb into his lap.
He caught her staring—and likely what she'd been thinking about, considering the way he tensed—and she cleared her throat, making a few notes about her day so she'd remember where to start tomorrow. "Are we going anywhere special?" she asked. "Or am I cooking?"
"I would not show up unannounced and force you to provide the meal, Kagome," he said, features pinched in a slight scowl.
She couldn't suppress the shiver that wracked her body the moment her name escaped his lips, and it distracted her long enough for him to corner her behind her desk, hands on either side of her chair. Swallowing slowly, she met his gaze. "I don't mind cooking for you." The last two words slipped out without permission, but she had no time to take them back, his mouth descending upon hers.
She responded immediately, back arching for a better angle as she gripped the front of his shirt. She was beyond caring that a colleague could walk in on them at any moment; all she cared about was the rapid beat of his heart against her palm and the decadent taste of spice and autumn rain.
His chest vibrated, a growl stuck in his throat when he pulled back, Kagome's lips thoroughly swollen. "This is not the place for this," he murmured, though he didn't sound as confident as before.
"For what?" she asked dazedly. That earned her another kiss, one that had claws digging into the back of her neck, and another growl was ripped from his lips when she moaned softly. He looked dishevelled, but there was no way Sesshoumaru could be anything but pristine, so she had to be seeing things.
Breathing deeply, Kagome rolled her shoulders before getting to her feet. The action forced Sesshoumaru to take a reluctant step back. He was still encroaching on her personal space, but she found it wasn't enough for her to say anything, and she grabbed her bag from under her desk.
"Do you have a preference?" he asked, offering his arm.
Kagome's hand slid easily around his bicep. "For food? Not really. You always find fun, new places for us to try, anyway."
They paused so she could lock her door, and Sesshoumaru waited expectantly before she grabbed his arm again. "Something with a little more legroom, perhaps." She didn't know which one of them said legroom would be for, but she had a feeling she wouldn't be concentrating on the food much.
He never failed to surprise her when it came to his taste in cuisine. She never considered him a connoisseur, especially back then, as she'd never seen him eat. Inuyasha was ravenous even as a hanyou, so someone with Sesshoumaru's power would require twice as much food, but his clothes—his white clothes no less—were always in perfect condition, not a speck of dirt or food on them.
So when he took her to places like this, a small, family-owned café filled with fragrant sandwiches and decadent parfaits, it only left her desperate to discover more about him. This time, he ordered for both of them, promising to cook for her himself if she didn't enjoy the selections, and Kagome had to stifle a giggle at the haughty expression on his face.
"That confident, are you?"
"I would like to think I know you well enough to procure the right dishes," he replied, resting his chin on both hands as the server walked away, menus under her arm. It felt like a loaded statement, but she planned on enjoying herself, so she let it go.
For now.
"I'll make sure to tell you if anything tastes wrong," she said cheekily, mimicking his posture.
The edge of his mouth quirked, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Do as you please."
Her smile only grew. "I will. And I'll enjoy every minute of it." He continued to stare, and she raised her chin to challenge any comeback he may have, then jerked when his shoe brushed against the inside of her leg. The tables were old but solid, the wood covered in long tablecloths and hiding their lower halves from view.
The edge of his shoe continued its movement, tracing a path along the inside of her calf before sliding back down, and Kagome's hands clenched in her lap. She took it back; he was still as devious as before. Moreso, perhaps. But two could play at that game.
She leaned back in her chair, pretending not to notice his teasing, and the next time his foot made a pass, she zapped him. Sesshoumaru started in surprise, and she blinked innocently at him. "Something wrong?"
His fingers flexed, and he reached for her. "You know exactly—"
"I thought you wouldn't be caught dead here," sneered a voice, causing them both to jerk apart, and Kagome stared up into a pair of icy green eyes. The woman stood a solid six feet, though several of those inches were due to her designer pumps, and though she wasn't as tall as Sesshoumaru, she was no less intimidating.
Dark roots gave way to flaming red hair, giving her the appearance of glowing embers, though the disdainful expression on her face showed no warmth whatsoever. Kagome glanced between the two youkai—the woman was a bird of some sort, but she couldn't pinpoint which—and since she was glaring at Sesshoumaru, Kagome assumed they knew each other.
"I believe I said I would never be caught dead here with you," he replied.
The woman bristled, eyes flashing as dark nails tapped against her hips. "I never pegged you to scrape the bottom of the barrel, Taisho-san. If this is the current company you're keeping, I'm glad it never worked between us."
Knowing they weren't close enough for her to refer to him by his first name had a wave of relief washed over her, but Kagome was still on edge. She couldn't tell if they'd been together and split or if it had been one-sided on her part. Either way, Kagome wanted her to leave, and she cleared her throat. "I don't believe you were invited," she said.
The woman immediately spun in her direction, the tips of her hair catching fire, and Kagome realized she was a phoenix. They were as elusive as daiyoukai and just as powerful. What had Sesshoumaru done to piss this one off?
"I could say the same about you, you filthy little mortal. Just because he kissed you once in the woods doesn't make you special." She flipped her hair over her shoulder, the flames somehow not spreading to her clothes. "Now be quiet. The adults are talking." She turned back to Sesshoumaru, shifting her weight to something more seductive. "I'd be willing to take you back," she drawled. "If you begged for it."
Kagome didn't even try to stop herself, instincts taking hold as she grabbed her glass of water and dumped it over the woman's head. She made a point of shaking the last few drops out, ensuring she knew it had been done on purpose.
The phoenix sputtered as her hair went out, claws already lengthening. "You little ingrate. How dare you!" She grabbed the nearest fork, intent on doing far worse damage, but Sesshoumaru caught her wrist, preventing her from spilling any blood. Kagome hadn't been worried. She'd never given up her training, and her power buzzed beneath the surface, waiting for the woman to give her a reason to bring it out.
"You have already crossed several lines, Honou," he said, voice low. "Leave now before the authorities are involved." With how he emphasized the word, Kagome knew he didn't mean human police and wondered how much authority he had in the youkai world.
She looked ready to call his bluff, so Kagome stepped closer, daring her to try something, and the woman flinched, yanking her hand out of Sesshoumaru's grip. "My father will hear about this," she hissed, glaring at both of them.
"Be sure to remind him that you were the one to break the agreements of our betrothal in the first place," Sesshoumaru said smoothly, relaxing back in his chair. She turned with a huff, half stomping out of the café, and Kagome waited until the door shut behind her before sitting back down.
"You have the worst taste in friends," she said, using a napkin to soak up the water that had dropped onto the tablecloth.
"I assure you, Kagome, she is no friend of mine."
"Just an ex-fiancée."
He observed her for a moment, his expression giving away nothing. His shoulders eventually slumped. "A union arranged by our parents centuries ago, I assure you." He left it at that, and Kagome had to bite her lip to prevent herself from demanding more information.
Centuries, maybe, but time moved differently for youkai, so it might've not felt as far away as that. She avoided his gaze with the excuse of inspecting the décor. Had he agreed to the union? How long had they been engaged? Had he chosen her?
Her mind whirled as the ugly hand of jealousy took hold, fingers clenching as she tried to keep from shaking. No, that couldn't be true. They'd discussed all sorts of things from his past, and the harpy hadn't been mentioned once. His mother had forced it on him, and Honou had gone along with it for as long as it suited her.
He reached across the table, covering her hand with his own. "You need not worry about her coming back. Phoenix's tempers are short, but her type is known to be flighty when it comes to confrontation. My rejection was more obvious with you here."
The hope that had been building was quickly snuffed out.
All his gestures, all the small considerations, the displays of affection meant nothing. The connection she'd thought they'd had was merely a farce—the same farce she'd asked for in the beginning. And she'd known there was a reason behind their first kiss. She'd known someone was watching them but had used it to create the fantasy that he actually liked her.
He didn't like her. He was using her, just like she'd been using him.
Kagome slowly pulled her hand away, forcing a smile onto her face—it almost painful to do so, considering the concern in his eyes. "It's fine. I'm not worried." And she wasn't; at least, not about the woman coming back.
All she needed to worry about was how she would put her broken heart back together after he dropped her off at home.
