Masaru stood outside Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Kagome's tent, a tray laden with the priestess's favorite breakfast foods in his hands. When it was just Lady Kagome inside, it was easy enough to approach and announce himself. But now that the Alpha was back by her side, things were... decidedly more nerve-wracking.
The camp had collectively sighed in relief the day before when the sounds of their lord's rutting with his bitch echoed from their quarters. Even Lord Haruto seemed at ease, knowing the Western Lord was focused on his future mate again. Everyone hoped this would bring some calm.
Still trying to figure out how to bring the food in, Masaru jumped when the canvas flap opened unexpectedly. Standing before him was none other than Lord Sesshoumaru—completely nude.
The young demon swallowed, his words lost. So instead, he extended the breakfast tray toward his lord, his hands trembling slightly.
Narrow gold eyes flicked over the tray, noting the items tailored to Kagome's tastes, though he said nothing about it. He took the tray from the anxious pup, nodding curtly. "Thank you, lieutenant."
He turned to head back inside but paused. "The Eastern Lord's concubines have a special tea. Acquire the blend and bring it to our next meal."
Without another word, Sesshoumaru disappeared back into his den, leaving a stunned Masaru behind. It was the first time his lord had ever thanked him. The simple acknowledgment filled him with a strange sense of pride, his chest puffing slightly as he hurried to carry out his next task.
Inside the tent, Sesshoumaru set the food down on a low table and moved to where Kagome lay sleeping. She was sprawled on her stomach, black hair wild and scattered across her back and pillow, a thin linen sheet draped over her lower body. The sight of bruises and love bites covering her neck and shoulders filled him with warmth. The demon could not wait until he was able to properly mark her as his.
Sesshoumaru carefully climbed onto the bed, leaning down to nuzzle her messy hair while rubbing small circles on her back. The soft purring coming from his chest was what finally woke her.
"Mmm… Sessh…" Kagome mumbled, squirming a bit under his weight.
She was exhausted—her body and mind—thanks to the previous night's activities. The comforting scent of breakfast mixed with the gentle way his hands moved made her feel like she could drift back to sleep. But then Sesshoumaru shifted closer and she felt it—the reason for her soreness.
"Keep that thing away from me," Kagome hissed, trying to escape from under Sesshoumaru, only to wince and hiss again in pain.
"Be still," he crooned, trying to keep her from hurting herself further. "Your pet has brought the morning meal," he added, standing to fetch their breakfast.
"Don't call him that," Kagome pouted while sitting up and wrapping the blanket around herself. Her mood, however, brightened when Sesshoumaru handed her a bowl of miso soup, which she eagerly sipped.
"Hm," was Sesshoumaru's only response as he settled beside her with a plate of perfectly arranged unblemished fruit.
Kagome peeked over her bowl, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Are you jealous?"
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, his expression almost insulted. "Of that pup?" he drawled. "Not in the slightest."
Setting her now empty bowl aside, Kagome scooted closer to him, plucking a grape off his plate. "Sesshoumaru."
There was a syrupy sweetness in her voice, an automatic red flag for the demon.
"Yes, my Little Goddess?" He used the affectionate term hoping it would deter whatever trouble she was about to stir up.
It almost worked—almost. Kagome's cheeks turned a soft pink as she looked away, popping the grape into her mouth. Once she swallowed, her questioning expression returned.
"What happened to Inuyasha? Why has he been acting so... weird?"
The urge to sneer at the mention of his half-brother's name from her beautiful lips was strong, but Sesshoumaru held his inner beast in check. Using the excuse of fetching more food, he rose, walking across the tent hoping his perfect physique might distract her. It didn't.
"Sesshoumaru." She said his name with a hint of authority this time. If he thought she would let this go, he was sorely mistaken. Kagome had dealt with Shippou's tricks to avoid difficult conversations too many times; she wasn't about to let Sesshoumaru do the same.
Letting out a resigned sigh, Sesshoumaru made her a plate and poured tea into the delicate sun-themed teacup. There was no evading this.
Returning to the bed, he handed her the items, but she set them on the table beside her. Her eyes held a determination that made Sesshoumaru groan with a mix of frustration and need. He leaned back on his left arm, using the blanket to hide his now-obvious arousal.
"When the lieutenant wrote to me about the half-breed's disrespect toward you. It..." He paused, looking away, jaw clenched until the muscle in his cheeks twitched. "It was my duty to ensure he was properly disciplined. He now trains under General Katsu to learn the ways of a proper soldier."
Kagome studied him as he spoke, noting how he wouldn't meet her eyes. She had a strong suspicion that whatever "discipline" he had delivered wasn't just a verbal scolding. The question was—did she really want to know? While Inuyasha seemed physically fine, it was clear his emotional wounds were still healing.
Gently, Kagome reached out, guiding Sesshoumaru's face back to hers. "Thank you for standing up for me. But next time, run it by me before you inflict harm on anyone in my name." She leaned in, giving him a quick peck on the lips. "I still need to talk a few things through with Inuyasha, so no freaking out when I go looking for him. Okay?"
He gave her a reluctant nod, and that seemed to be enough for her, as she turned and began to eat her meal, happy once more.
Sesshoumaru still didn't like it. There was an unfounded fear gnawing at him whenever she was around his father's bastard, but he trusted her. Kagome was strong—more than capable of taking care of herself. And he knew well enough that whatever lingering feelings she might have had for Inuyasha had faded. He also concluded that it was best Kagome never learned about the bear demon he had slaughtered for calling her a whore.
The need to be closer to her had the demon pulling her into his lap. He peppered kisses along her neck, inhaling the blend of their scents—marking her as his. It filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction.
The hardness pressing against her backside didn't go unnoticed by Kagome. She let out a small, exasperated laugh. "Sesshoumaru, you really need to give it a rest."
Sesshoumaru smirked, his lips brushing the shell of her ear as he murmured, "I cannot help it. You tempt me, Little Goddess."
Kagome shivered at the nickname, the baritone of his voice igniting a small fire despite her soreness. Any other morning, she would have tossed her meal aside and pounced on him. But the lingering ache from his knot still made her wary. She shot him a tired glare. "Listen here, you horn dog, it's going to be a while before we do that again. I don't think my bits will ever recover." She winced, the memory enough to make her shift uncomfortably.
A mischievous glint flashed in Sesshoumaru's eyes. In an instant, he set Kagome's food aside and had her pinned beneath him. He tugged gently at the off-white linen blanket, exposing her completely to his gaze. Leaning down, his lips began trailing kisses slowly working their way down her body.
"Then allow me to heal the damage I caused," he whispered, his breath hot against her cool skin as he settled between her legs, his mouth dangerously close to her core.
Kagome's eyes widened. "If you think using your... special healing slobber means I'll let you shove that thing inside me again, then—Ah!"
Her protest cut off with a strangled cry as Sesshoumaru dragged his tongue slowly across her tender folds. The sensation was unexpected, a blend of pain and pure pleasure. He worked with almost torturous patience, his tongue moving in a slow rhythm, his lips brushing over her most sensitive spots.
Kagome's hands gripped the sheets, her protests lost in a haze of sensation. He was relentless, devoted, as if each kiss, each flick of his tongue was an apology, a promise of worship. Her thighs trembled and instinctively parted wider.
"Sesshou...maru..." she panted, her fingers finding their way to his hair, tangling in the silvery strands. She felt his growl vibrate against her, sending another ripple of pleasure up her spine. His eyes lifted, locking with hers, the amber darkened with hunger but softened with something else—something almost loving.
"If it hurts, I will stop," he murmured against her thigh. But there was a challenge in his eyes, almost daring her to say she wanted him to cease.
Kagome's breaths came out in shallow pants, her mind spinning. Her body felt hypersensitive under his ministrations, a mix of soreness and undeniable need. She tried to form words—tried to protest—but the heated flush of desire overwhelmed her senses. Instead, a soft moan slipped from her lips, her body arching slightly as she gave in.
Sesshoumaru's smirk widened and he continued, lavishing her with attention, his mouth working wonders. His hands held her thighs open, his claws brushing lightly against her skin as he traced the kanji of his name along her clenching walls.
"Sessh..." she moaned, the rest of his name swallowed in a gasp as his lips sealed around her clit, sucking lightly. Her back arched off the bed, her entire body trembling as he pushed her to the brink.
He didn't let up. His tongue teased and tasted, exploring every inch of her, determined to bring her nothing but bliss. Kagome's body tensed, her mind a blur of white-hot pleasure as she fell apart beneath him. Her cries filled the tent, her legs shaking as she came, her release flooding her senses in a dizzying rush.
Sesshoumaru didn't stop until her trembling turned into exhausted little quivers. Slowly, he raised his head, a satisfied grin gracing his lips as he licked them clean, savoring her taste. Her flushed face, her parted lips, the dazed look in her eyes—all of it filled him with a possessive pride.
Kagome panted, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. She gazed up at him with half-lidded eyes, her body still tingling with aftershocks. "You... are impossible," she finally managed to say, her voice breathy, laced with both exasperation and affection.
Sesshoumaru merely hummed in response, leaning down to nuzzle the hickies on her neck, his body pressing against hers with his cock hot and heavy against her thigh. "I promised to heal you," he whispered, "but I never said anything about my own restraint."
Pulling back and sitting up with an amused glint in his amber eyes, Sesshoumaru peered down at her. "Though, if you are still weary, there are other ways you can satisfy me," he murmured with a wicked smile. "Perhaps like you did last night—with your mouth."
Kagome's cheeks instantly flush a vibrant red. "You—!" she sputtered, her eyes widening in shock and embarrassment. Before he could blink, she grabbed the nearest pillow and swung it at his head.