Inuyasha woke up with a low groan and felt unbearable pain shooting up his left arm. He managed to open one eye, but the other was still swollen shut. As he adjusted his vision, he saw a shadowy figure sitting across from his futon. Inuyasha's heart started racing as he realized he wasn't alone. He tried to sit up and move away from the threat, feeling tears burning in his eyes.

"Relax half-breed, I'm not your brother. Now stop moving before you hurt yourself further." The mysterious demon pulled open one of the tent flaps allowing sunlight to cut through the darkness.

A hiss escaped Inuyasha's clenched teeth as the light momentarily blinded him. After blinking a few times, his single golden eye began to adjust and assess the unwelcome visitor.

Katsu couldn't stop the amused smirk from spreading across his face as he watched the crippled half-demon squirm. He had been more than willing to keep watch over the pup while the healers reattached his arm, reset the other one, and stitched up the remaining wounds.

"You are lucky, Lord Sesshoumaru could have melted your arm, but he chose to leave it intact." The general chuckled when Inuyasha finally noticed the left arm strapped tightly to his body. "It will take some time before you can use it again."

Trying not to hyperventilate, Inuyasha clutched his formerly amputated arm and snarled out, "You call this lucky?! The bastard nearly killed me!"

The impish smile fell from Katsu's face and a darkness seeped into his hazel eyes. He slowly rose from the floor and began to prowl around the room, "I'd think by now you would have learned to show your Alpha respect." The scent of fear was filling the small space fueling the general's thirst for blood. "You are under my command now half-breed, and I will not tolerate such vulgarity."

Inuyasha tended to blurt out whatever came to mind, without considering the consequences of his words. This impulsive behavior was one of his most destructive traits, and Katsu was determined to break it.

With one swift movement, Sesshoumaru sliced another dragon demon in half, its body falling to the blood-soaked earth with a sickening thud. The dog demon moved across the battlefield with deadly grace, his golden eyes scanning the area for his next victim. He watched intently as Lord Raika's remaining troops began to retreat, their movements quick and clumsy. Ever since Sesshoumaru had stepped foot on the frontlines, the dragon lord's attacks had dwindled, as if he knew his army was no match for the powerful dog demon.

After the confrontation with Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru's inner beast craved blood. It took until the beginning of spring for the hound to finally quench its thirst. Now, the Western Lord was returning to camp, disregarding the soldiers who made way for him as he strode past. His unsheathed sword still dripped with blood, leaving a trail in his wake.

During his battles, Jaken would find him and deliver any letters sent from the Shiro, hoping one of them was from Kagome. But each time, he was left disappointed, only receiving updates from Masaru, Myoga, or remorseful words from Rin. The child still blamed herself for destroying the priestess's home, but it seemed the kit was helping her through it.

As Sesshoumaru entered the campsite, Lord Haruto caught sight of him and jogged to catch up before he disappeared into his quarters for the evening. "Lord Sesshoumaru!" he called out, hoping to gain his attention.

Despite hearing the bear demon, Sesshoumaru chose not to engage and continued on his intended path. But just as he was about to reach his tent, Haruto dashed in front of him, blocking his way. The bear's dark hair hung loose in waves around him, swaying in the breeze as he asked, "Is it true that your half-brother is here? I've heard word that General Katsu has taken the pup under his wing."

"This One has been out fighting your war while you lounged around camp, yet you still cannot be bothered to investigate what you seek answers for on your own?" Sesshoumaru watched Haruto flush and begin to straighten his partially open robe. He truly was useless. He continued, "The half-breed is here recovering. Once he is fully healed, he will be under Katsu's command. We would advise you not to meddle and let him be." Sesshoumaru's words were firm and clear. He knew that Haruto had a tendency to get involved in matters that did not concern him, but this time he needed to stay out of it.

Haruto could sense the unspoken threat from Sesshoumaru. The message was clear - if Haruto didn't leave the half-demon alone, he would have to face Sesshoumaru's wrath. The bear tried to ignore the chill that ran down his spine and quickly moved out of the dog's way. With a few clears of his throat, he spoke, "Understood, Lord Sesshoumaru. I am grateful for your protection and advice. I will have a hot bath and a delicious meal prepared for you."

"No need to trouble yourself. The river will suffice for our needs, and This One prefers to hunt for food." Casting a quick glance towards Haruto, he continued, "I would also appreciate it if you could refrain from sending any more of your concubines to my quarters."

Upon entering his tent, Sesshoumaru noticed the dark brown stain on the rug. Jaken had thrown a fit after Inuyasha was carried away, demanding Haruto's a servants find a replacement, but Sesshoumaru dismissed the idea. He wanted to keep the stain as a reminder of his restraint, something he was sure would have pleased Kagome.

Sesshoumaru gracefully stepped over a bloodstain and began to disrobe, carefully placing his armor and swords by his desk before stripping down to his hakama. The air was filled with the sweet scent of water lilies and rain as Jaken pushed past the tent flap with the day's correspondences.

"Welcome back, My Lord. I have brought-" Jaken started to speak but was quickly silenced by Sesshoumaru snatching the missives from his tiny hands before he could finish.

With his back turned to his retainer, the demon lord quickly dismissed the imp and used his sharp fangs to rip open the envelope, his eyes eagerly scanning its contents.

Dear Sesshoumaru,

I am sure by now you have been informed about the incident of the fire. I am relieved to inform you that Rin is safe, and we managed to reach the Western Shiro at the start of winter.

I would like to express my thanks for letting Shippo and me stay at your Shiro with Rin until you return. Adjusting to new surroundings has been quite a challenge, but I am determined to push forward and take care of Rin. She started her Court Lessons this week now that she has come of age. I have been attending the classes with her and taking notes since the countless rules in a demon-run court have been overwhelming.

In your last letter, you asked me what I did when I saw the pictures you sent me. It's embarrassing for me to say, but your beast has been honest in sharing its feelings and thoughts, so it is only fair that I do as well.

My first reaction was surprise. I have always wondered what you looked like under your armor and layers of silk, and I was not disappointed by what I saw. Recently I have been keeping the photos under my pillow, not wanting anyone else to see them. But there are nights when I will take them out and admire them, it makes me happy to be able to see you even if it's only as a small photograph.

There have been times when I've… had time alone to relieve myself of some tension. It was in a hot spring that I read the letter your beast had written to me. His words sparked a heat inside me, and I could picture the scene he described. What it would feel like to have your tongue tasting and teasing me. Pushing deep inside and touching places no one has before. Even writing about that night has me wanting more, wondering what it would feel like to have your hands touching me instead of my own.

Now will you tell me more about your stripes?

Kagome.

A growl reverberated throughout the canvas tent. Sesshoumaru soon found himself in bed with the portraits of Kagome, her scent covered scarf, and her latest letter. It had been some time since he had pleasured himself and after reading about how she craved his touch, his cock was painfully hard.

Dropping the letter and looking over at the photo of her in the green and white uniform, Sesshoumaru quickly untied his hakama and pulled out his engorged length. His beast was panting in its cage, yearning to rut and to taste her blood.

Blood.

That word brought back a memory he hadn't thought about in some time. Closing honeyed amber eyes, he began to drift back to that day in the clearing where Kagome took out an entire herd of boar demons on her own.

Kagome stood before him, drenched in the blood of her prey that had soaked into her hair, skin, clothes, and her soul. It was a heady image as she dropped the large kitchen knife she'd used as a weapon, rising from her knelt position and seemed to lock in on her next prey. Him.

Scarlet clashed with sapphire and the grip on his cock tightened. Gods she looked magnificent. Who knew that one day the mouthy little bitch that once followed his brother around would be the subject of such a vision. Would make him want her as badly as he did.

Sesshoumaru began pumping his fist in time to the slow, seductive steps she took. Approaching him with a hunger burning in those stormy eyes. Once she stood only a few paces in front of the dog demon he could wait no longer and reached out and roughly pulled her to him. The need to taste her, devour her first was unbearable.

Kagome's soiled robes smeared crimson onto his own as he leaned down and began to lick the enemy's blood from her angelic face. With each long drag of his tongue, she would let out a breathy gasp that made his cock twitch. When Sesshoumaru made it down to her neck he gripped her around the waist and turned so that she was trapped between his unmovable body and a tree.

He lowered himself, still licking and tasting, as he peeled off her once white robe. Minor scratches and cuts covered her heavy breasts, begging him to soothe them with his mouth. Sesshoumaru cleaned and lapped at the injuries before tasting a dusty pink nipple. He teased and bite until Kagome's buried her small hands into his mane while moaning out her pleasure.

After one last hard suck he popped the nipple out of his hot mouth and continued his journey south. His thumb ran over the tip of his cock, smearing precum around the swollen head as he came face to face with her bare sex.

Massive, clawed hands reached up and parted Kagome's thick thighs, lifting one and placing it over his shoulder. He imagined her flushed folds would already be dripping wet, eagerly waiting for Sesshoumaru to consume all that she gave him.

Bloodred eyes looked up into midnight blue. Plump full lips were slightly open as she began to plead, begging him to take what she offered. Being the benevolent demon that he was, Sesshoumaru granted her wish by pushing his long, hot tongue into her.

A loud cry from the Goddess above him was his reward. He feasted on her center, occasionally pulling away to take her clit between his lips and suck. Each time resulted in her gripping his silver locks and moaning his name.

She tasted like mulled wine; spicy, warm, intoxicating to his senses. Plunging his tongue past her inner lips once more and he curled it towards him causing Kagome's thighs to shake, and her breath hitch signaling he'd found a particularly sensitive spot inside and he decided his plan of attack.

Her begging made him growl low and she jerked from the vibration. Raven curls cascaded down her back as Kagome threw her head against the tree. Still using his tongue, he peered through his thick lashes watching Kagome writhe against his onslaught of pleasure. Watching her fight the pleasure she was due made him want more of her. Every time his tongue curled and pressed against that earlier spot she shook and begged for his mercy, or at least her completion.

The fist wrapped around his cock squeezed tighter and he began to move faster, hips lifting from the bed thrusting up with each downward drag of his hand. Throwing his head back he let the vision of pleasuring Kagome overtake him once more. Sesshoumaru bared his fangs as his balls tightened. He fucked Kagome with his tongue and began using his thumb to roll her clit until the dam inside her broke

"Ah! Sesshoumaru!" She screamed out fisting a handfuls of his silver hair as she held his face to her sex riding out the aftershocks of her pleasure. He didn't stop and kept plunging deeper, drinking every last drop of her desire for him.

A sound that was a mix between a grunt, and a roar escaped through clenched fangs as Sesshoumaru spilled his seed all over his fist and thighs. Watching the evidence of his desire drip from the head of his cock as the vision of what he should have done years ago to her haunted him.

Deciding to take a short rest before venturing to the river for a bath, Sesshoumaru closed his dazed amber eyes. As he began to drift into a sated slumber, he wondered when he started referring to the priestess by her name.