The village hummed with life as vibrant decorations adorned every hut and stall. Brightly colored banners fluttered in the breeze, and lanterns swung gently, casting warm glows on the bustling streets below. Children darted around, their laughter echoing through the air as they flew kites with long shimmering ribbons that danced in the sunlight. Rin, Kohaku, and Shippo were right in the thick of it, their hands full of spinning tops that whirled and glowed with faint, playful fox magic. The tops buzzed and sparkled, leaving trails of light as they zipped along the dusty ground much to the delight of the younger children who cheered and clapped.
Inuyasha trailed behind Sango, his protective instincts on full display. His arms hovered near her ready to catch or support her at the slightest hint of fatigue, though Sango waved him off repeatedly. "I'm fine, Inuyasha!" she grumbled.
Her words fell on deaf ears as Inuyasha muttered, "Just making sure," earning him an exasperated sigh.
Miroku watched this exchange with amusement until a group of young women strolled by, giggling and casting shy glances his way. Without missing a beat, the monk shifted gears, offering them his most charming smile and a respectful bow. His flirtation, however, was cut short by a swift whack to the head courtesy of Inuyasha. "Focus, Monk!" the half-demon growled.
Kaede sat just outside her hut, enjoying the lively atmosphere with a bottle of sake already half-empty in her lap. She chuckled as Kiara and Ah-Un, both lazing beside her, sniffed curiously at the open bottle. With a mischievous grin, Kaede tipped the sake cap toward them letting the creatures have the barest sip. The fire cat let out a soft purr of approval, while Ah-Un's twin heads made a rumbling noise of delight.
Meanwhile, Kagome found herself inundated with well-wishers and gift-bearers. At first the tokens of gratitude—a basket of ripe tomatoes here, a bolt of fine silk there—had warmed her heart. But as the day wore on, the gifts piled higher and higher until she was surrounded by a veritable mountain of produce, livestock, and handcrafted goods.
"It's too much," Kagome muttered to herself as yet another villager approached with a bundle of herbs and a heartfelt thank-you. She smiled politely, accepting the gift, but her cheeks ached from hours of forced cheerfulness.
Her silent plea for rescue was answered when a familiar gust of wind swept through the village. Sesshoumaru descended from the sky, his silver hair glinting in the fading sunlight and his armor pristine despite his recent battle with yet another group of demons testing the village's barrier. His arrival caused the crowd to part and let him through.
Kagome felt her anxiety ease as his golden eyes locked onto hers. He took one look at the ridiculous mound of gifts surrounding her and raised a single eyebrow.
"What is this?" he asked, his tone as dry as the midday heat.
Kagome sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "The villagers' way of saying thank you. It's sweet but… too much."
Sesshoumaru stepped closer, making the crowd scatter. With one smooth motion, he extended his hand to Kagome, who gratefully took it. "Enough," he declared, his voice low but commanding. "The priestess has been sufficiently honored." The villagers exchanged nervous glances but quickly nodded, retreating with murmurs of agreement.
Kagome shot him a grateful smile as he pulled her away from the mountain of offerings. "Thanks for the save," she said, leaning against his arm.
Sesshoumaru glanced at her, his expression softening just enough for her to notice. "You are not a beast of burden to be buried under their gratitude."
She laughed softly, the sound drawing curious glances from nearby onlookers.
The festival roared on well into the night, the lively sounds of laughter, music, and clinking cups filling the air. Villagers and travelers alike reveled in the abundance of food and drink, their faces flushed with joy and sake. Torches flickered along the paths, casting warm, golden light that danced against the cool darkness of the surrounding forest.
Kagome sat near the edge of the festivities, sipping from a small clay cup of sweet rice wine and enjoying the sight of Rin and Shippo chasing fireflies. Her heart felt light as she watched their carefree joy, but her attention gradually drifted elsewhere.
Sesshoumaru, who had been a silent but steady presence at her side all evening, was no longer next to her. She spotted him at the edge of the crowd, his tall frame illuminated briefly by the torches as he moved further and further away.
She realized then how much he had endured for her sake. The constant noise, the press of humanity, and the overwhelming scent of food and drink—all things that must have grated on his sensitive senses—had been tolerated without complaint. But now, it seemed, he had reached his limit.
Their eyes met across the distance. His golden gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the nearby trees.
Kagome stood, smoothing down her blue dress as she handed her cup to Kaede. "Goodnight, everyone," she said with a smile, earning a chorus of farewells and thanks as she excused herself.
The cool night air brushed against her as she followed the direction Sesshoumaru had gone, her steps carrying her up a gentle hill and into the darker edges of the woods. The breeze tugged at her dress, causing it to swirl around her legs as she climbed higher. The sounds of the festival faded behind her, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the chirping of crickets.
Just as she stepped into the denser part of the forest, a clawed hand shot out from the shadows and grabbed her wrist. Kagome gasped as she was pulled against a broad chest and pressed firmly against the rough bark of a tree.
"It is dangerous to wander alone, Priestess." Sesshoumaru's voice was a low growl.
Kagome's heart raced as she looked up at him, his features half-hidden in shadow but his eyes glowing with a reflective light. She barely had time to respond before his sharp fangs grazed her neck.
"Sesshoumaru—" she started, but her words were cut off as his hands slid down to grip her hips possessively.
"The night holds many dangers," he murmured against her skin.
Kagome's hands rested lightly against his chest, only now noticing his armor had been removed. "Are you warning me… or reminding me?" she asked in a breathless voice.
His lips curved into a faint smirk. "Both," he said, his claws brushing along the curve of her waist. "Though it seems you've already found the most dangerous beast in these woods."
Kagome tilted her head, exposing her neck and mating mark to his attentions, and whispered, "You didn't have to endure all that for me."
Sesshoumaru stilled for a moment, his gilded eyes meeting hers. "I endured because it pleased you," he said simply, his voice losing some of its edge. "But now… I require reprieve."
Sesshoumaru's lips descended on hers, his fangs teasingly grazing her bottom lip before he claimed them fully. The kiss was demanding, fierce, yet threaded with an undercurrent of unspoken devotion. His claws traced possessively over her sides, pulling her flush against him as though the mere act of touching her wasn't nearly enough.
The faint hum of the barrier flickered at the edge of his senses, a reminder of the world just beyond them. Yet, Sesshoumaru dismissed it as inconsequential. The pacing demons outside could claw and snarl all they wanted—nothing would intrude upon this moment. His focus was singular, riveted on the woman who had turned his carefully controlled existence into something wild and unpredictable.
Kagome gasped as Sesshoumaru's hands slid down her thighs and lifted her as though she weighed nothing. Instinctively, her legs wrapped around his hips, her fingers clutching the soft silk of his haori for balance. "Sesshoumaru, what are you—Ah!" she began but her words dissolved into a startled cry when his hand disappeared beneath the hem of her dress and ripped her underwear off.
Without giving a reply, he pressed two fingers into her slick heat drawing a soft moan from her lips. The tightness that greeted him made his blood hum with anticipation. He moved with purpose, preparing her for him as his patience frayed with each shallow thrust of his fingers.
The rough bark pressed into her spine, but she barely felt it as her body quivered under his touch. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, each one hitching as Sesshoumaru's movements grew more insistent.
When he withdrew his hand Kagome felt a pang of loss, but it was short-lived as she heard him deftly untie the knot of his hakama.
He positioned himself at her entrance, the blunt tip of his arousal nudging against her, and paused. Kagome met his gaze, her sparkling blue eyes locking with his. There was no mistaking the question in his eyes.
Her nod was small, the silent permission was all Sesshoumaru needed.
He pushed into her and her body stretched to accommodate him. The sensation was still new and her body gradually relaxed, molding to his.
Sesshoumaru groaned, his claws flexing against the soft flesh of her rear as he buried himself fully within her. The warmth and tightness of her walls was almost enough to undo him.
The past few days had been torment for Sesshoumaru. They had mated, her scent now intertwined with his, her very essence carved into his being. Yet, he had been denied what his instincts demanded—a nesting period. A sacred fortnight to sequester her away, to worship her, to lose himself completely in the rhythm of their bond without interruption or restraint. Instead they had been thrust back into the chaos of duty, of people and responsibilities, with no reprieve to solidify their union. It left his beast restless clawing at the edges of his consciousness.
Now, with Kagome pressed between him and a sturdy tree, Sesshoumaru could finally indulge in what he craved. His hips snapped forward with increasing urgency, his claws piercing sweat slick flesh just to keep her impossibly close. Her body took all of him, her heat pulling him deeper into the haze of desire.
But even as his body claimed hers, another hunger gnawed at him—one far more unsettling. The beast within was insatiable, yes, but the man feared this wouldn't be enough. Just once wouldn't quell the storm inside him nor would it ease the fear that had rooted itself deep within his mind.
As he moved within her, his pace quickening, Sesshoumaru's thoughts betrayed him, returning to the jewel and the wish she would make. Would it take her away from him? Would it sever the tenuous thread that connected her to this era? What if her wish meant she could no longer return to her home—or worse, what if it trapped her here, unable to visit the family she cherished so dearly?
He snarled, but it wasn't entirely from pleasure. The fear churned inside him, sharpening the edge of his movements. What if this was their last night together? What if the promises they made—promises to remain together despite time and worlds—were nothing more than fragile words destined to break under the jewel's power?
Kagome's hands slid to his neck, fingers tangled in his hair, and her whispered moan of his name snapped him back to the present. Her eyes, glassy with desire, met his. She was his—here, now. Whatever came after this moment, he could not let fear steal her from him before the jewel even had the chance.
"Kagome," he murmured, his voice a low rasp as he buried his face against her neck. His lips found the mating mark and he pressed a lingering kiss, letting his fangs graze the delicate skin. "You are mine."
"Always," she whispered back.
Something inside him steadied at her words. He surged forward with renewed purpose, his movements not just fueled by desire but by the need to imprint this moment into their very souls. If the jewel dared to separate them, it would not do so easily—not without a fight.
Their bodies moved in perfect rhythm, their shared heat building to a crescendo. Kagome's cries grew louder, her body arching into his as her pleasure overtook her. He followed her moments later, a guttural roar escaping him as he buried himself to the hilt, his release shaking him to his core.
For a long moment they remained entwined, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. Sesshoumaru's arms tightened around her as though he could shield her from the uncertainties that awaited them.