Seeing her distress, Sesshoumaru gently took her hands and pulled them away from her face. He looked into her watery blue eyes, his gaze steady and reassuring. Without a word, he led her back to him. Using a thumb, he gently parted her trembling lips before leaning in to kiss her properly.

This time, with their mouths open, Sesshoumaru focused intently on transferring his demonic aura into Kagome. He honed in on the mysterious blockage, probing delicately until he felt her holy powers respond. The intensity of the sensations were beginning to overwhelm her and just as she was about to push him away, his hand found the back of her neck, fingers burying themselves in her hair, grounding her with his touch.

Once satisfied that their powers were now working in tandem, Sesshoumaru made to pull back. But he stopped when he heard a faint whimper escape Kagome's lips. The soft sound ignited something within him, something primal and unfamiliar. His grip on the back of her head tightened slightly, while his other hand pressed firmly against the bed beside her. Slowly, he tilted his head further, deepening the kiss, eliciting another small, needy mewl from her.

Kagome was utterly lost in the moment. As the pressure from his aura receded, a new, thrilling, unexpected one took over. She found herself pressed into the bed with Sesshoumaru hovering over her, the heat from his body surrounding her. His fresh mint and pine scent enveloped her, and the first brush of his tongue against hers sent a jolt of electricity through her body. He tasted sweet, like the strawberry pocky he enjoyed, making her crave more of him.

Sesshoumaru's tongue began to explore hers with slow, curious strokes. Each movement gradually grew into a blend of dominance and tenderness that made Kagome's heart race. The low, rumble building in his throat reverberated through her, deepening her own desire for more. She tasted faintly of her last meal, but her natural flavor, a mix of spicy and sweet like cinnamon-covered apples, overpowered it. Small hands clutched at his shirt, desperate to keep him close as he encouraged her tongue to join his in a dance.

Their breaths grew ragged, and Kagome felt a heat pooling in the pit of her stomach, spreading through her veins like wildfire. The heat only intensified when her tongue tentatively traced one of Sesshoumaru's fangs. The sharpness of it sent a thrill through her, and she reveled in the deep groan that seemed to vibrate through his entire body.

Sesshoumaru, driven by this unfamiliar but undeniable need, allowed himself to be swept away by the moment. His usual restraint crumbled under the softness of the woman beneath him. He moved his hand from the bed to her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. The feel of her body pressed against his was a heady sensation he had never experienced before.

Finally, the need for air forced them to break apart, both of them panting, their foreheads resting together as they struggled to regain their breath. Kagome's eyes fluttered open, meeting Sesshoumaru's gaze. His honey-gold eyes were darkened with a hunger to continue, and something deeper, something that made her eager for more.

They both closed their eyes, trying to gain some composure and understand the intensity of what had just happened. Kagome drew in a few long, deep breaths, feeling her energy drain as his power urged her own to work through the blockage. The fervor of the moment caught up with her, leaving her exhausted.

Sesshoumaru was the first to open his eyes, wanting to ensure she was alright. He noticed her blinking heavily, on the verge of sleep, overwhelmed by the combination of his power and her own efforts. Her already injured body must have been struggling to cope. To his surprise, she then fell asleep, breathing softly in his arms as he still held her close. Gently, he released his hold, taking his time removing himself from her, his touch lingering far longer than it should.

As he sat back in his chair and looked over her, he couldn't help but be drawn to her slightly parted lips. They were swollen and a deep shade of red, evidence of their exchange. He thought back to what his father had said about other intimacies shared between humans, ones that were uncommon among his kind, and felt a faint blush covering his cheeks and the tips of his ears. Sesshoumaru quickly tried to banish such thoughts from his mind, shifting in his seat to make himself comfortable.

For now, all he could do was watch over Kagome and wait to see if his plan would work. Once she woke, he would check her injuries and inquire about her well-being. Part of him hoped this would be a one-time treatment, a fleeting necessity. But another, darker, more curious part of him was eager to experience it again. The memory of her taste and the feel of her body pressed against his lingered in his thoughts, stirring something within him again. He watched her sleep, her face serene and peaceful, and felt an odd warmth in his chest.

As Sesshoumaru stayed by Kagome's side while she slept, the sun began to rise, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. Nurses came and went, quietly checking on Kagome's condition and ensuring she was comfortable. Each time, Sesshoumaru's remained still as a statue, never once taking his eyes away from the slumbering Priestess.

The soft sounds of the hospital stirred and grew louder as the day began in earnest. Finally, Mrs. Higurashi entered the room, her demeanor cheerful and relaxed as she saw her daughter sleeping peacefully.

"How did last night go?" she asked quietly, her eyes searching for any hint of trouble.

Sesshoumaru's gaze remained steady. "It was fine," he replied, trying to keep his tone even, offering no details of the early morning's intimate events but unable to hide the faint blush across his cheeks.

Kagome's mother merely smiled at him as she took a seat on the other side of her daughter. She noted her coloring looked better and showed no indication of pain.

Turning back to Sesshoumaru, she said, "I think you deserve a break. Kagome will be alright on her own for an hour or so. I'll take you back to the shrine so you can rest, and I'll come back and stay with her."

The impulse to refuse her offer was on the tip of the demon's tongue. But a glance at Kagome in a deep slumber and then back at her mother made him reconsider. He had sensed no danger in this place and was confident that the older female could watch over her daughter.

With a final, lingering glance at Kagome, he rose from his chair and followed Mrs. Higurashi out the door. They stopped momentarily so she could speak with the doctor and a few nurses, ensuring that Kagome would be monitored in their absence.

During the drive, Mrs. Higurashi informed Sesshoumaru that she had placed the clothes she had purchased for him in Kagome's room and that he was welcome to rest there. "You'll find everything you need," she added, glancing at him with a warm, motherly smile.

Sesshoumaru nodded in appreciation, though his mind was still occupied with thoughts of Kagome. Arriving at the shrine, the fresh air and warm atmosphere provided a welcome contrast to the sterile environment of the hospital. Mrs. Higurashi ushered him inside the home, pointing to the stairs and giving brief directions to Kagome's room.

"I'll be running some errands before heading back to the hospital," she said, pulling her purse over her shoulder. "Please make yourself at home."

He watched as she hurried out the door, leaving him alone in the living room. The quiet of the shrine was soothing, but his solitude was short-lived as Souta came down the stairs. The teenager was surprised to see the demon standing there.

On his way to the kitchen, Souta signed to Sesshoumaru that he was heading out to school and would return home later that afternoon. Sesshoumaru nodded, following the boy into the kitchen and sitting at the dining table, observing him prepare breakfast.

Souta moved with the ease and newfound energy from the added company, quickly assembling his meal. He paused to glance at Sesshoumaru, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?" he asked.

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "No. I do not require anything at the moment."

The boy nodded, accepting the answer without question. As he ate, Sesshoumaru found himself contemplating the human interactions he had witnessed and participated in since coming to this era. It was a different world, one filled with warmth and emotions that he was only beginning to understand. Perhaps he should have paid more attention to his father's ramblings about the human condition.

Just as Souta was about to leave for school, Sesshoumaru stopped him. "I have a question."

The boy nodded, curious what the demon wished to know.

Sesshoumaru hesitated for a moment before mimicking the sign Kagome had used to describe him at his camp before the centipede attack. "What does this mean?"

The teens eyebrows rose in surprise before a knowing smile spread across his face. He spelled out the word "Beautiful" in sign language. "It means 'beautiful,'" he said simply before rushing off to school, leaving Sesshoumaru standing in the doorway in mild shock.

Beautiful? Why on earth would the Priestess describe him as beautiful? Wandering back into the kitchen, Sesshoumaru leaned against the counter, crossing his arms.

With a furrowed brow, he thought back to that night. He recalled the way Kagome had looked up at him, her cheeks deepening to a rosy hue as she examined his features. Was that truly how she saw him?

There was a time when none dared to be so close to him. Then Rin had come into his life, and before he knew it, his tolerance for being near others had changed. Well, it has only changed for certain individuals. It was obvious that the Priestess no longer feared him; in fact, he suspected she had never truly feared him. The image of her younger self threatening him with his father's sword brought a rare smile to his face.

If she wished to call him beautiful, he would not stop her.

Still grinning to himself, Sesshoumaru made his way upstairs. He followed Kagome's scent to her room, noting that it was more heavily imbued with his half-brother's stench than the rest of the home. His mood soured slightly at the reminder of the half-breed.

Opening the door, his smile vanished immediately when he spotted a red-clad figure by the open window. The intruder turned to face him with a scowl on his face.

"Where the hell is Kagome?"