Chapter 17: Interim

I woke up alone and I wish that I hadn't. I had gotten used to waking up to him the last few days. I wanted him there, especially after last night. The bathroom door was open, and steam was coming from the tub. I tore off what little clothes I had on. I practically dove into the tub. I grabbed the body wash my mother had packed. I scrubbed my body and my face. I just wanted to feel clean again. I wanted, no I needed to forget what his hands felt like. I dunked under the water after. I stayed there for a while enjoying the silence. I came up for air a few moments later. I saw Sesshomaru standing there just watching me. I slicked my hair back, wiping the water from my face

"Is something wrong?" I asked quietly.

Part of me was worried he cared about the gathering being ruined last night. Another thought had struck me. What would happen after last night? He had cut off Akio's hands. Could he just up and do something like that without any repercussions? I was waiting for him to say something but he didn't. Instead, he started to strip off his clothes. He sat in the tub on the side opposite me.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

I pulled my knees to my chest, resting my chin on my knee. "I'll be alright."

"You do not need to lie." He said softly. "It is only us. There are no guards or maids nearby. You can speak freely."

I exhaled. "Honestly. I don't know how to feel. I had worked so hard for last night, just for it to be ruined by one man. There is no telling what people will say after last night..." I trailed off.

"Kagome. I do not care about their gossip. I want to know how you are doing."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and took a deep breath. "I'll be fine."

"Kagome," he said.

I gnawed on the inside of my cheek.

"I hate that he touched me," I said quietly. " I want to forget what they feel like. He made me feel so... disgusting at that moment. I was so... angry! I wanted to hurt him more than I already had. I wanted more than just his hands to be taken. It made me feel crazy... I had never been that angry before."

"Something like this has never happened to you before."

I nodded.

"Scream," he said plainly.

I looked over my shoulder at him. "I can't do that. The guard might not be near, but if I did that they would rush right in here. The maids too."

"You need to."

I looked down at the water. I took a deep breath, before going under. I let the water muffle the sound of my scream before I came back up.

"I feel a bit better.

"Good."

How did you know that would work?"

"Rin often does such things. I wondered if it would help you as well.

He grabbed my wrists, pulling me on top of him. I was straddling him with my breasts pushed up against his chest.

I could feel my face get hot. "Sesshomaru what are you doing?"

I felt his hands cup my ass. "He touched you last night. I am removing any trace of his scent, that could have been left behind." He said licking my neck.

"Your scent marking me?"

"Hn."

He kissed my breasts and nipped at my nipples. Lightly brushing his lips against them

"Sesshomaru... are you sure that's all you're doing?" I whispered.

"You wish to forget what they feel like; his hands."

He kissed the mark on my neck. I could feel him rubbing up against me. I moaned, rocking my hips back and forth. I grabbed his face and kissed him. It was as if my body was moving on its own. He sucked my tongue. I pulled it away and bit his bottom lip. He slipped his hands under me, spreading my lips and sliding them inside me; just barely.

"Oh God," I said breathlessly.

"I will take your mind off of last night," he said low.

Distract me. Please.

I didn't even realize I wanted him this badly. that I needed him. He teased me, pushing it in slightly and then pulling it out again.

I looked him in the eyes.

"Stop it," I whined.

"Stop what?" He whispered roughly.

"Please do not tease me."

He licked and sucked my bottom lip.

"Tell me what it is that you want."

He was trying to distract me from what had happened, and it was working.

"I want you to go deeper," I whispered.

I couldn't look him in the eyes. I was too embarrassed to do it while speaking like that.

I could feel his hands on my hips.

"Look at me," he ordered.

I slowly met his eyes. He slammed into me from below. I threw my head back, arching my back.

"AHH."

The mark on my neck burned, but not in a painful way. It set the rest of my body on fire. He pushed my breasts together, sucking both nipples. I dragged my nails against his skin. I could feel that pressure coming. My body shook as I came. I was cumming but he didn't stop. He hooked an arm around my waist. Using his other hand to grab the back of my neck. He kissed me roughly, cumming in me. I could feel him throbbing. I laid on him exhausted. His arms wrapped around me. I liked the sweeter side of him. I liked this; lying here with him inside me. I felt connected to him when we were like this. I listened to the sound of his breathing. I could fall asleep like this, and I would have if he didn't break the silence.

"Are you truly alright?"

"Not fully, but I'm better. I will be okay. Thank you for the distraction."

I could his claws tapping on my thigh.

"Is he dead?" I asked quietly.

"No, but he will be. What I did was a warning."

I took some comfort in that. The tightness in his voice didn't go unnoticed.

"Sesshomaru, what was your father like?" I asked suddenly.

I was curious and it was a question I'd never asked Inuyasha. The only thing I knew about the man was his portrait and what the inside of his bones looked like. I wanted to know more than just the history in some old book.

He seemed surprised that I'd asked.

"When it came to being a ruler, he always did what was best for his people. He was feared, but also very respected. He was the strongest demon to walk this land. He and my mother ruled together. Until he found Inuyasha's mother, and from that moment on his priorities were skewed. In terms of his looks. He was slightly taller than me. His skin was an olive color. The markings he had were not a slender magenta, but a jagged blue. No crescent moon sat on his brow either. Those are things I inherited from my mother."

I rested my chin on his chest and looked up at him.

"Oh, your mother? I've been curious about her. Where is she?"

He pointed upward.

"Oh. Heaven? I'm sorry I didn't know that she passed away too."

He chuckled. It was the first time I had heard it. I didn't even know that he was capable of doing that.

"She is not dead. She lives in a sky palace. It is directly above the western palace. It is hidden deep within the clouds. People rarely see her. She does not leave her palace often."

"Does she know about me? That we are mated I mean."

He nodded.

"Does it bother her that I am human?"

"She has said nothing to me specifically. Only a single letter. Like father, like son."

"Ouch."

"Hn. However, it could mean many things. She has a twisted sense of humor. However, she does not dislike you."

"You can't know that for sure."

"Your governess went to my mother. It seems she was worried about her Lady's happiness. She spoke to my mother and she sent me an interestingly lengthy letter."

Lady Amelie had told his mother on him. I tried my best not to laugh.

"Will I ever meet her; your mother I mean."

"I supposed so. One day."

"Do you not want me to meet her?"

I was holding my breath waiting for his answer.

"I would not willingly introduce anyone to her. She is-"

I smiled. "Strange?" I finished for him.

"Precisely."

He leaned back and relaxed, hanging his arms on either side of the tub.

This felt nice. It was the little moments like this, that helped me feel a bit normal. The way, we were talking about his family. We had done things backwards, by getting married first. Still, I enjoyed these small moments.

"We didn't talk about my father while we were there. He died when I was young. So I do not remember much about him. My mother always spoke fondly about him though. So, he must have been a good man."

"Is your family fond of him? Of Inuyasha I mean."

"They are, specifically my younger brother. I think in a way he looked up to him. Sort of like a big brother."

"What a shame."

"A shame?" I asked confused.

"That he took it for granted."

"It's fine and it's all in the past."

Now it seems there is someone who isn't taking it for granted.

The water was starting to get lukewarm. I straightened up and I noticed his eyes lingering on my breasts. I could feel him getting hard inside me. I licked my lips. I had to admit, I was insatiable when it came to him. He could help me forget everything.

I was grateful for another much-needed distraction.

The next few months were better; and quieter. Sesshomaru had kept his ear to the ground. Things in the East were quiet. One of Akio's brothers had taken over as interim Lord. Still, the search for Akio didn't stop. Sesshomaru wanted his head and he was determined to get it. He expressed that he regretted not taking it that night. So, the first chance he got. He would finish him, even with all going on behind the scenes. I was happy here, and things did get better. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo visited me often and spent a few nights with me. Ayame had been allowed back on the palace grounds. So long as she promised not to whisk me away again. Sesshomaaru and I took trips back to my time when we could. He was for me going, knowing that Akio was out there somewhere.

The guards and servants had warmed up to me. Sesshomaru started spending more time at the palace with Rin and me. He started smiling more too. Not a big beaming smile, but small ones here and there. He would only do when it was just me him and Rin around. This place finally started to feel less of a cage, and more like home. Lady Amelie and I often wrote each other letters. It was getting more difficult for me to stay away from him. The mark constantly pulled me to him... just as my heart did. I would trace the nail marks and hickeys I left on him. They never stayed long, because he healed so quickly. I enjoyed them while I could. I would often catch myself stealing looks at him while he slept. I was becoming more obvious, with each passing day. I had graduated from an open book. I was now a neon sign. In these few months, we spent a lot of time together. I woke to him, went to sleep with him, and had sex with him often. It was only a matter of time before these feelings got even worse. My stupid human feelings were always getting in the way. I couldn't fight my feelings even if I wanted to. History always had a funny way of repeating itself. I fell for someone who didn't love me back, again. If he did know. I was grateful that he didn't say anything. I don't think I couldn't handle the rejection. I kissed his lips softly. I would have to settle for this. That is all we would ever have. I would constantly try to break through this hard shell of his. As sad as it made me, this was my reality. I twirled his hair between my fingers. I could see him finally waking up.

I smiled. "Good Morning. You've been asleep for quite some time."

"Hn."

He had this look in his eyes. A look that I'd never seen before, but I knew that look. It was soft. It was the kind of look you would give someone you loved. Was it all in my mind, or was I seeing this? I thought I was being delusional but he kept looking at me that way. He brushed my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my hair.

"Sesshomaru... why are you looking at me like that?" I asked quietly.

I held my breath waiting for his answer.

"I-

Before he could finish his sentence, there was a knock on the wall. A slip of paper came under the door. It was a new rule of ours. No one was allowed to bother us in the mornings. Not unless it was an emergency. The last time this happened, the villagers on the western borders were being raided by lower-level demons. He quickly got out of bed and plucked the paper from the floor. I watched him read it. He quickly dressed and left the room without a word closing the door behind him. Something was very wrong. I got dressed and slid the door open. Botan stood in front of the door.

"Botan get out of my way," I ordered.

He bowed. "I am sorry My Lady I cannot."

"As Lady of the West, I order you to get out of my way. Now!"

Still, he didn't move. He gave me a look that meant sorry.

"I was ordered by Lord Sesshomaru my lady. Not to let you out, Lady Kagome. Please accept my deepest apologies, but you cannot leave."

I tried to push past him but it was like trying to move a wall. I kept struggling even though I knew what the outcome would be. I groaned angrily and slid the door shut hard. I went over to the windows and looked outside. I couldn't see anything visibly wrong. I took a closer look. No, more guards were stationed on the palace grounds. I went back over to the bed and sat down. I had no choice but to sit and wait for him to return. I was trying my best, but my heart was racing. I felt like I was going to be sick. I ran to the bathroom and threw up in an empty basin. I rinsed my mouth out and went back to the bedroom. All of this was making me feel uneasy.

Just what the hell was going on?