The chirping of morning birds filled the cave, their song weaving through the soft patter of leftover rainwater dripping from the entrance. Each sound, once muffled in her world, now seemed amplified and sharp, almost startling in its clarity. Kagome's eyes flew open as realization struck her, and she shot up, heart pounding in exhilaration. She could hear.
A radiant smile spread across her face as she spun around, eager to share the joy. She didn't have to search long; just behind her sat Sesshoumaru, perfectly at ease. He leaned back on one elbow, the front of his haori open to reveal the sculpted expanse of his chest, his posture relaxed in a way that made her heart race. One leg was bent, the other stretched out, and in his right hand, he held a small yellow carton of banana milk—a detail that seemed both endearing and surreal against his fierce elegance. When his half-lidded, honey-gold eyes lifted to meet hers, a flush spread from her cheeks down to her toes.
It worked. But the method… oh, the images flooded her mind, sparking a warmth that returned with dizzying intensity. She remembered his hands, the heavy press of his body against hers, his mouth on her skin, each sensation vivid and electrifying. Just thinking about it made her face heat up.
Sesshoumaru raised a brow, his head tilting slightly as he murmured, "Kagome?"
That single word—her name in that deep, rich voice—nearly undid her. The way his tone wrapped around her, husky and low, left her dangerously close to melting all over again. Has his voice always been this devastating? Could it be that his growl was even more seductive than it felt? Her thoughts tumbled into a spiral, wandering straight back into the memories of the night before. Before she lost herself completely, Kagome slapped her cheeks lightly, trying to regain her senses, mentally counting to ten in a desperate attempt to collect herself.
But then, warmth enveloped her wrists, and her hands were gently pulled away from her face. She blinked in surprise, opening her eyes to find Sesshoumaru leaning close, concern flickered behind those amber pools.
Releasing her hands, he signed, "Did it not work?"
The depth of his care is what ended up melting her completely. A gentle smile spread across her face as she took his hands in hers, squeezing them softly. For a moment, she simply held his gaze, letting the reality of what he'd done sink in—how far he'd gone to heal her, how much he'd given without hesitation. It was more than gratitude she felt; it was an overwhelming sense of closeness, of connection that went beyond mere words.
"It worked," she said softly, her voice filled with joy. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru."
The moment those words left her lips, Sesshoumaru felt a weight lift from his chest—a sigh of relief ready to escape, but it was cut short as Kagome flung herself into his arms. She wrapped herself around him with all her might, squeezing as though she were a tiny, determined woodsnake trying to capture prey much larger than herself. The embrace, though hardly constricting, was endearing, her warmth pressing against him with such fervor.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer as he sat up, relishing the softness of her body against his. Instinctively, his nose found the courting mark on her neck, and he nuzzled the spot, breathing in their mingled scents. She stiffened under the touch and he responded with a reassuring squeeze at the back of her neck, fingers threading beneath her dark hair as he drew back.
"Does it still hurt?" he rumbled, his gaze settling on the still-angry bite mark.
Kagome's cheeks flushed, and she glanced away, her voice a little breathless. "No… I mean, a little."
"Hm." His hand lingered, thumb tracing gently over the mark. "And the spider… he is no longer present?"
She licked her lips, unwittingly drawing his attention to them, the way they parted just so. Her answer was a slight shake of her head. "I don't think so."
Sesshoumaru's gaze darkened as he continued to eye her lips. The temptation surged—last night had left him wanting to feel their velvet touch. And now, with her so close, he found it nearly impossible to resist. His fingers on her neck tightened ever so slightly, a low croon resonating from his chest. "Perhaps…" he mumbled, meeting her gaze, "a treatment is needed to be sure."
The arousal in Kagome's scent intensified and it was all the invitation he needed. Her nod was quick, a silent agreement that he seized without hesitation.
He claimed her mouth in a slow kiss, his power threading into her with a practiced ease, brushing along her aura to check for any lingering traces of a block. But the flow of her reiki was pure, unobstructed—a sensation as smooth and inviting as she was. Satisfied, he withdrew his aura, but he didn't pull back.
Instead, he deepened the kiss, his hands finding her waist as he gently lowered her onto the fur beneath them. Her gasp was swallowed by his lips, his tongue pressing forward to tease hers, savoring the taste of her. Kagome's hands came up to curl into the fabric of his open haori, pulling him closer as if she couldn't bear the thought of any space between them.
Sesshoumaru let himself fall deeper into each of her reactions, cherishing the soft, needy sounds that spilled from her beautiful lips. He wanted more, needed more, and without hesitation, he adjusted himself, shifting so that his knees pressed between her legs. His hand found her thigh, claws pressing into her plush skin as he lifted her leg over his hip. The delicate fabric of her dress slipped higher and the scent of their shared release from last night surrounded them.
The air in the cave thickened as the winds shifted, carrying with them the unmistakable presence of two approaching demonic auras. Sesshoumaru's senses honed in on the intruders, his golden eyes snapping open and narrowing into slits. A low growl rumbled deep in his chest as the haze of desire dissipated like smoke, replaced by the razor focus of his beast.
His instincts roared for him to finish what he'd started, to solidify the bond he had begun with Kagome. But logic tempered the fire within, and with a snarl, he pushed the beast back, reining in the untamed desire that clawed for control.
Standing swiftly, Sesshoumaru adjusted his attire. He placed himself between Kagome and the cave's entrance, his towering frame a shield against any unwelcome eyes. The sheer force of his power filled the small space, his aura humming with the barely restrained promise of violence.
Still catching her breath, Kagome blinked as her own senses registered the familiar auras. Her heart sank as the sound of voices and the unmistakable bumbling of two very recognizable wolves echoed at the cave's entrance.
"I told you it wasn't sister's scent!" Ginta's exasperated voice carried through the damp air, followed by the sharp smack of his hand connecting with Hakkaku's head.
"I swear it smelled like her!" Hakkaku shot back, rubbing the back of his head indignantly. But as his eyes adjusted to the dim light of the cave, they landed on Sesshoumaru. His molten gaze pinned on them like a predator sizing up prey. Hakkaku's voice faltered. "Uh... sorry. We thought—"
His words died completely when both wolves caught sight of Kagome peeking around Sesshoumaru. Their eyes widened in unison before they shouted, "Sis!" and made a move to rush toward her.
They didn't get far. Sesshoumaru's jaws snapped audibly, the sound reverberating like a whip crack. Both wolves skidded to a halt, their ears reddening as the growl that followed sent a cold chill down their spines.
Kagome scrambled to her feet, hastily adjusting her rumpled clothing and smoothing her hair before placing a calming hand on Sesshoumaru's arm. "It's okay, Sesshoumaru. I know them," she said gently.
Sesshoumaru's eyes flicked to her for a brief moment, but his focus quickly snapped back to the intruders. His gaze roved over them, taking in their familiarity with Kagome, the casual way they called her sister. The possessive beast within him bristled, displeased with the closeness implied by their words. Time dragged on as Sesshoumaru's fierce scrutiny kept the two wolves in place.
Finally, with a curt nod, he stepped aside—but not without nudging Kagome forward with an almost reluctant push.
Ginta and Hakkaku exchanged nervous glances before approaching Kagome slowly. When they hesitated mid-step, their noses twitching as they caught her scent and the undeniable sight of a courting mark, the realization hit them like a boulder.
Ginta cleared his throat, trying to hide his unease. "What brings you to our territory, Sis?" he asked, his tone sounding unusually reserved.
Kagome, now fuming from Sesshoumaru's overbearing protectiveness, shot him a sharp glare before answering. "We're here looking for Kouga. He has the last jewel shards," she said, folding her arms.
Hakkaku scratched the back of his neck. "Normally, Kouga would be thrilled to see you, but, uh..." He glanced warily at Sesshoumaru again. "He might not take the news very well."
Kagome tilted her head, confusion knitting her brow. "What do you mean? Are you talking about traveling with Sesshoumaru?" she asked, gesturing vaguely toward the demon lord.
Before Hakkaku could reply, Sesshoumaru's voice cut through the conversation. "Kagome, go bathe and change before we retrieve the shards. Then we will leave this place."
Kagome's jaw dropped at his abrupt dismissal. "Excuse me?" she snapped, hands on her hips. "What is with this sudden macho attitude?"
Ignoring her protests entirely, Sesshoumaru gave a dismissive gesture toward the back of the cave, a silent command that made it clear he was done speaking about it. Kagome's eyes narrowed into sharp slits, and with a loud huff, she stomped over to her backpack. She snatched it up with a dramatic flourish, making sure to rattle its contents just enough to emphasize her displeasure.
"Oh, sure, I'll just go clean myself up while you growl at people like an overgrown guard dog," she muttered loudly, not even trying to keep her grumbles to herself. "Honestly, when I couldn't hear you, life was blissfully quieter. Maybe I was better off!"
Sesshoumaru did not deign to respond, but the slight twitch of his ears betrayed that he'd caught every word. Kagome caught it too and let out a victorious snort before stomping to the back of the cave, her muttering trailing off as she disappeared behind the rock formations.
The moment she was out of sight, Sesshoumaru turned sharply to face the wolves once more. The force of his oppressive aura pressed down on them like an impending avalanche, suffocating and impossible to ignore.
"You dare question my claim?" he growled, each word low and venomous
"No! Not at all!" Ginta stammered, his hands raised defensively as if that might ward off the demon lord's wrath.
"We swear!" Hakkaku added, his voice trembling slightly. Beads of sweat dotted his brow as he frantically shook his head. "We were just surprised, is all! Really!"
Sesshoumaru's crimson tinted eyes swept over them with icy disdain, the silence stretching long enough to make both wolves visibly squirm. His lips curled into a faint snarl.
"See that you don't make the same mistake again," he finally said. "The next time you approach her unannounced, it will not end so favorably."
Both wolves nodded so quickly it was a wonder their heads didn't snap off.
"Of course! Understood!" Ginta blurted, his voice nearly cracking.
"Crystal clear!" Hakkaku chimed in, taking a cautious step back as though Sesshoumaru might lunge at them any moment.
Sesshoumaru's gaze lingered before he finally turned his back on them, signaling the end of the conversation.
Taking the hint—and their lives—the two wolves exchanged a brief, terrified glance before scrambling out of the cave. They left in a blur of scuffed fur and hurried steps, the echoes of their retreating voices carrying through the mountains.
"Did you see the mark on her neck?!"
"Kouga's going to lose his mind!"
Sesshoumaru's ear twitched at their muttered whispers. His focus shifted as he stared into the shadows where Kagome had gone. Her scent lingered in the air, still thoroughly saturated with his own. It pleased him, even if her earlier outburst had been grating.
"Deaf and blissfully quiet, she says," he murmured to himself, his lips frowning. His fingers twitched as though resisting his beats urge to hunt her down and finish what they'd started. For now, he would let her bathe in peace.
For now.