Kagome was due to return home to follow up with her doctor. It was now past the two-week mark for the scheduled visit, but she was in no hurry to get back. Having snuck out to return to the feudal era, she knew her mother would be upset once she returned; that thought alone kept her in the past.
Rin had taken the freshly charged electronic tablet with her when Sesshoumaru arrived that evening to collect her. He had been kind enough to let the young girl stay in the village for a week while Kagome's arm was healing. Using her portable solar charger and USB, she uploaded more lessons for Rin to watch while she was away traveling with her demon lord.
Would Sesshoumaru watch them with Rin? Kagome wondered as she went to the nearby hot spring for a much-needed bath. She had never asked him how he knew so much already, so she could only assume he was helping Rin. The thought of the large demon sitting by a campfire with his adopted daughter while they read lessons together brought a smile to Kagome's full lips.
Things had still been tense around Sango for some reason. Her friend seemed uncomfortable with the idea of learning sign language, so when they were in the village, she would avoid Kagome. She hoped to understand why the slayer had been acting so strangely. Miroku tried his best by using his limited knowledge in writing but ultimately stayed close to Sango. Inuyasha was… well, he was just being Inuyasha. At times, he would forget and speak to Kagome like nothing had changed and then get angry when she did respond and storm off. Whether or not he was angry with himself for forgetting or at her for being unable to hear, she didn't know.
Walking into the small clearing where her heavenly bath waited, Kagome let her reiki flow. Sensing no demons or humans in the area, she quickly stripped down and tiptoed into the warm waters. It had become difficult to get away to bathe; she had feared going alone, so she had to wait until Shippo or Rin could join. With the young girl gone again and Shippo leaving with her other companions, Kagome was left to brave the waters alone.
Sinking further into the steamy onsen, the priestess let out a relaxed sigh. The peace didn't last in her mind as her thoughts drifted home. Staying here, she felt like a burden and was being left behind as her friends continued their mission without her. Being deaf didn't hinder her ability to detect jewel shards! With a huff, Kagome splashed the water in frustration. Tomorrow, she would leave a message with Kaede for her companions and Rin, telling them she would go home for a few days.
Deciding it was time to leave her sanctuary and head back, Kagome stood and made her way to the edge of the spring. As she attempted to lift herself out of the small pool, pain shot up her right arm, causing it to lock up. The shock made Kagome slip, and her arms buckled under her weight. A loud splash was followed by her cry.
Spitting out a mouthful of warm water, the priestess caught sight of crimson bleeding into the spring. Her stitches had torn open.
As Rin leaned over the fire to cook the fish Jaken had caught, she noticed Sesshoumaru's body go ridged.
"Lord Sesshoumaru?" The demon met her worried gaze.
"Stay here. Jaken will watch over you." Sesshoumaru stood and made his way out of camp, but not before giving Jaken a swift kick in the head to wake him from his nap.
The familiar scent of pure blood had assaulted his senses; he knew who it belonged to, and the girl was bound to attract many hungry demons. The little priestess did have a knack for getting into trouble.
As he followed the spicy scent of her blood, he could hear the fast approach of another demon. Sesshoumaru used his demon speed and arrived at the onsen the priestess occupied just as a giant salamander demon broke past the tree line across from him. He spotted Kagome sitting on the edge of the spring, wrapped in a white cotton robe. She had her arm exposed, showing the cause of her distress.
The slimy brown salamander let out a high-pitched hiss and lunged for the priestess as her back was facing away from it. Sesshoumaru wasted no time speeding to meet the bloodthirsty creature halfway and sank his poison claws in its flesh. The lizard let out a strangled cry as it melted into the earth.
The rush of wind as the demon lord passed Kagome caused her to look up just as her savior eliminated the threat. All that remained of the salamander was a pile of acidic goo.
Flicking his demon's blood from his claws, Sesshoumaru turned to Kagome and stalked to where she sat.
"You should not be alone." He was angry. He was furious. If Sesshoumaru hadn't smelt her blood in the air, then she very well could have been killed.
"I can take care of myself!" Kagome's retort was weakened by the wince she made while moving her injured arm.
"Clearly." The demon lord sat beside her and lifted the arm to inspect the damage.
Only one set of stitches had survived when she fell, leaving two of the deep gashes split back open. Sesshoumaru frowned and released her arm.
"If you let me, I can help." Sesshoumaru's golden eyes met her glassy blue ones.
Kagome tilted her head in question. Did he know how to stitch up wounds? Looking back down at her torn skin, she knew she would need to have it closed soon so as not to lose too much blood. Not wanting to make it worse, she responded with a nod, trusting Sesshoumaru to stop the bleeding.
Sesshoumaru did not move for a few minutes; instead, he held her eyes with his own. Sensing no fear or hesitation in her scent, he reached out and took her arm in both hands, lifting it to his face. Taking one last look at the priestess, he opened his mouth, letting his tongue swipe over a cut.
Whatever Kagome had been expecting, it wasn't this. Her body tensed up at the first touch of his long, rough tongue on her skin. Her pain began to dull as his saliva worked its magic, sealing the cuts. The sight of the demon cleaning her wounds was mesmerizing.
Pausing, Sesshoumaru pulled away and stared at the remaining gash stitched together with thread. Looking up, he silently asked if he could remove them and finish what he started. Kagome felt like she was in a daze and gave another nod, giving the demon permission to continue.
"Do not move." She watched his hands make the demand and nodded once more.
A single claw dragged across the stitches, cutting through them neatly. Sesshoumaru then carefully pulled out each thread before placing his mouth on her again. This time, the demon held her dazed half-laid eyes with his own deep golden ones as he worked.
The demon lord let himself give her now smooth skin a few more long licks before pulling away. Leaving her gaze to look down at his work, he let out a pleased rumble. What was once three deep lacerations were now pink strips that would soon fade away.
"You need to be more careful. Why are you alone?" The stern look on Sesshoumaru's face sobered her up a bit.
Flexing her newly healed arm, Kagome pulled her blood-stained sleeve back down. "I wanted to be alone, " she added, looking down. "There is no one in the village to accompany me anyway."
So, her so-called friends left her alone again. This information only caused the demon to deepen his frown and fully take in the priestess's appearance. She appeared to have become thinner and had dark circles under each eye. It was hard to believe that just a moon cycle ago, this small priestess had played a crucial part in taking down Naraku. The half-breed was neglecting his duties as alpha to his pack.
"Come. You will stay with me tonight." Sesshoumaru stood and extended a clawed hand to Kagome.
The demon lord's expression told her he would not take no for an answer. The priestess would accompany him back to camp whether she wanted to or not. Looking up at the large demon, Kagome took in his regal appearance. Darkness had set while she bathed, and now the moon was shining down, illuminating his silver hair. Mokomoko's fur brushed the side of his face as a breeze swept past. His eyes seemed to glow as he stared down, waiting for her to join him.
Slowly, Kagome reached out her much smaller hand and allowed his large, battle-worn one to envelop it.