Author's Note. I have renamed the story "I Can't Feel You When You're Gone." Nothing else has been changed but the original title didn't really work with the way the storyline has grown since the first chapter.
This one was hard for me to write, I don't normally do this type of scene. I hope you all enjoy it.
The others had quietly left the room after Sesshoumaru's breakdown. Their own relief, and eagerness to help in the wake of Shippou's success could wait. Right now the couple needed to be alone together.
Kagome was staring in shock at the sight of her stoic mate openly weeping. Even with the openess he showed to her, this was something she never could have fathomed. She hated it.
Reaching for his face she gently wiped his tears whispering words of comfort to him. "It's alright, my love, I'm here. I'm still here."
Her words shocked him. She was the one who nearly died, the one who spent so many days bearing the loss of half her soul, and she was offering comfort to him?
Turning his gaze to Kagome he pulled her closer, kissing her deeply before burying his face in her throat, his words muffled against her skin. "Your strength and compassion will never cease to amaze me, dear mate. I ought to be the one comforting you after all you have suffered, yet you seek to ease my own pain? You are unfathomable, my beloved."
She laughed gently at that, a beautiful soft sound that made him ache with the joy of hearing it again.
"I can't help it." She whispered. "I hate to see you in pain. How can I take comfort from you when you have none?"
Lifting his face to hers Sesshoumaru studied his mate, reading all the emotions swirling in her eyes, the fear, the sadness, the loneliness. Leaning down he pressed another warm, deep kiss tenderly to her lips. Seeking to comfort and soothe away the pain she still carried.
Pleased when he felt her body relax and her hand lift up to caress his cheek, he let the kiss linger, drawing out the sweet connection until she broke it herself, her gaze no longer quite so pained as before.
Nuzzling her cheek and throat before sitting up and moving to lean back against the headboard, he pulled Kagome up to nestle in his lap, wrapping his pelt around her for warmth and comfort. Looking down at her face he was relieved to note that some color had returned, and her scent wasn't full of desperation any longer. She wasn't anywhere near her normal self yet, but the change was still palpable enough to ease the ache in his heart.
He lowered his head to pepper soft kisses anywhere he could reach, while his hands gently roamed over her back. Slowly but surely she began to relax in his arms, her death grip on his robes finally easing.
He was just starting to think she had at last fallen asleep when he felt her shift and nuzzle against him. "I still can't feel you properly." She whimpered. "Not like I should be able too."
Her reiki was whispering along his skin, seeking for any connection it could find, and he released his control over his youki in answer. Letting it flare out and pour over her to meld with her own power until she finally succumbed to much needed rest.
He held her close, content to sit with her in his arms for as long as she needed. It reminded him of the days when they slept like this any time their group would stop to rest during the hunt for shards. His protective instincts never satisfied unless the tiny woman was as close as possible. That had never changed.
Closing his eyes he breathed in her scent and drifted off himself, waking some hours later to the welcome sound of his mate's determined voice commanding him to "Tell me everything."