InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Little Faith ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are created by Rumiko Takahashi, not me, but the new plots and the original characters (Akiyama, Katsuo, Natsumi, Shin, Isamu and Moriko) are mine. This fanfiction had been written for entertainment purposes only and without intention of infringing upon any copyright.

 

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing! Here's the next chapter and I hope that you will enjoy it! And oh…please note the rating, :P as this chapter contain adult themes.

 

 

A Little Faith by elle6778 - Chapter 10

 

 

The paramedics rushed around him, loading the injured demons and half demons onto stretchers, but Sesshoumaru's focus remained on the rigidly held form which was walking away from him.

 

He stared at the miko's retreating back with mixed emotions, watching her as she assisted other paramedics. He was incensed that she had the audacity to walk away from him. In addition to that, she had the nerve to reject his offer for a deal. The fact that she had once again denied him her dreams irked him greatly.

 

Then there was this odd feeling in him, a feeling which he did not want to name, one which coursed through him when she had stood up to him. Perhaps he did not want to put a name to it because it felt suspiciously like admiration. She had seen through his attempt at manipulating her and had been strong enough not to relent. There was a notable lack of living being who dared to do so.

 

He did not know if he was more incensed at the fact that she had dared to defy him or that he had allowed her to do so. It occurred to him then that this miko might prove to a little more troublesome than the one in the past. This miko was not a gullible teenager, but an adult. One which appeared to know exactly how to irk him.

 

“Sesshoumaru?”

 

He turned around to find Shippou regarding him questioningly. Then the kitsune turned a pair of intelligent green eyes towards the miko. Inclining his red head in her direction, he asked, “Is that the miko who visited?”

 

Sesshoumaru gave the curious kitsune a sidelong glance before turning his attention back to the miko. Rin must have told Shippou about that little incident. “Hn.”

 

“Who is she?” Shippou asked.

 

“No one you should be concerned about,” Sesshoumaru replied flatly. His business with the miko was personal and it would remain so. He did not wish to hear the questions or the gossips from his extended family or his employees.

 

Shippou's brow rose. “I see.” Then he gestured at their surroundings. “This illusion would hold for three or four days, so the office can run normally while we get someone to fix it.”

 

Sesshoumaru wondered how that could be possible considering that most of the employees were currently incapacitated. He felt an onset of a headache. Naraku was becoming more of a nuisance than he had anticipated. He thought of the oni's head in the bag beside him. Defeating Naraku with a blade forged from one of his own had a certain appeal to it. He could put it to good use by slicing off the hanyou's head, he decided with a smile.

 

Shippou gave him a wary look. “You're smiling.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

Shaking his head slowly, Shippou muttered, “That can't be good.”

 

Sesshoumaru did not think that the comment merited a reply. He dropped his severed arm onto the bag containing the oni's head, noting dispassionately that blood had stopped leaking from it at some point.

 

Beside him, Shippou shuddered. “That's just…disgusting.”

 

“Hn.” It was merely his arm.

 

 

Reaching down, he picked up the bag as well as his arm. A twinge of pain shot through his left side at the motion, reminding him that it would be wise to pay a visit to Shiori soon. He grimaced. The permanent loss of one arm would be an inconvenience he did not need.

 

Inclining his head at Shippou, Sesshoumaru spun around and made his way back to the stairwell. As he did so, he caught sight of the miko again. Standing still over a stretcher, she was staring at him with an expression akin to guilt, until she noted the direction of his gaze and quickly turned away. Curious, he thought. What was the reason behind her guilt? Had it been caused by their conversation earlier?

 

Brushing away his musings, he continued into the stairwell and ascended until he reached the roof. Once again, he employed his energy orb to travel. With the bag and his hand tucked securely at his side, he streaked through the sky to Tsukuyo Medical and landed on the roof.

 

Once there, he headed towards a hatch which hid a private access which led straight to the back of Shiori's office. On the other side of the hatch was a large chute, and only he and a few other demons knew about it. Opening the hatch, he jumped in. His long hair streamed behind him as he dropped down, landing on a solid floor moments later.

 

The sound of approaching footsteps and a familiar presence reached him. Shiori must have heard him land, he concluded as he pushed the door open. As expected, the bat hanyou was standing in front of him, looking frazzled.

 

“What happened to you?” she snapped, closing the distance between them. “Kagome called to say that you just left Inuyasha's company with a terrible wound.”

 

So, the miko had been concerned enough to contact Shiori. He felt an odd wave of warmth washing over him at the thought. Perhaps she had felt guilty about leaving him to his own devices. Dropping the bag and his arm between them, Sesshoumaru quirked a brow. “I presume she was referring to my arm.”

 

Shiori's eyes rounded as she stared at his lifeless arm. Then she looked up with a scowl. “One day, your arrogance is going to cost you more than an arm.”

 

“Unlikely.”

 

Shiori snorted. “Come on, lets get your arm fixed,” she said, directing him to a hidden room off her office.

 

The room resembled a surgery, but one used only when the patient needed utmost privacy. Once there, she gestured for him to lie down on the platform and made a few calls. He dropped the bag containing Goshinki's head by the shelves. As Sesshoumaru settled himself on the padded platform, he scanned the room, noting the medical equipment surrounding him. In addition to the human equipments, there was also a wall lined with shelves of demonic potions and tools.

 

Soon, he sensed the approach of another demon, one which he recognized. It was Ikazuchi Souten, the youngest of the Thunder demons. Sesshoumaru glanced in her direction when the thunder demoness stepped in, bearing an armload of potion and a clay canister. She was dressed for surgery and her hair was tied back with a short braid trailing down her back.

 

“Mr. Taishou,” she greeted politely.

 

“Hn.”

 

She stepped closer and placed her load on the trolley beside him as Shiori stepped up to them. “Souten will fix your arm. She's the best surgeon we have here.”

 

He gave Souten a nod. “You may begin.”

 

“I'm going to put you under anesthetics,” Shiori said, reaching for a syringe.

 

“That would not be necessary,” Sesshoumaru said in a clipped tone. He would not allow himself to be unconscious in such a vulnerable position. Any pain resulting from this operation could be handled without the anesthetics.

 

Shiori's lips thinned in disapproval. “Sesshoumaru…”

 

“Begin,” he instructed firmly, turning away from the irritated hanyou.

 

With a huff, Shiori spun around and left. After her departure, Sesshoumaru simply watched as the thunder demoness took his severed arm and inspected it. Placing the arm in a tray, she poured a potion onto it and watched as the liquid seeped into the arm. Appearing to be satisfied at what she saw, she nodded to herself and then turned to him.

 

“I need to cleanse…” she paused, gesturing at the mangled stump on his left side.

 

He nodded his assent.

 

Picking up a handful of swabs, she drenched them in a potion and began to dab it around the stump, cleaning off the dried blood as she did so. Sesshoumaru forced himself to ignore the burning pain as the potion seeped into his raw flesh.

 

“I'm going to place it back into position now, Mr. Taishou.” She hesitated a little before she added, “You may wish to remain motionless.”

 

“Hn.”

 

Carefully, Souten lowered the arm to his left side and positioned it where it should be. Sesshoumaru watched impassively as she placed her hands over it, willing himself to ignore the increasing pain. With a quiet rumble and a bright flare of what looked like a lightning strike, sending a jolt through his body, Sesshoumaru felt his flesh bind together.

 

Souten released the breath she was holding. “Almost done,” she told him as she picked up the suture kit. As she proceeded to sew the joint together, she added, “Your arm should stay intact, but this will help hold it together. Just in case.”

 

“Hn.”

 

Once she was finished, she straightened and said, “Be careful with it for the next couple of days.”

 

Sesshoumaru immediately swung his legs off the platform. Striding to the door, he paused briefly and said, “Your assistance was appreciated.”

 

Souten's eyes widened slightly before she nodded. “You're welcome, Mr. Taishou.”

 

He left the medical centre in the manner in which he had arrived, through the chute with Goshinki's head tucked under one arm. Once on the roof, he transformed back into his energy orb and sped towards his home. It did not take long before he arrived at the mansion.

 

He attempted to flex his newly attached left arm, only to be rewarded by a sharp pain running through it. Perhaps it was too soon to subject it to any use, he thought darkly as he entered the mansion. Immediately, the sound of pattering footsteps reached him. Soon, his diminutive retainer appeared in his view.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru!” Then the toad demon's gaze went to his exposed arm, his eyes bulging at the sight of the sutures. “L-L-Lord S-Sesshou-m-maru? Y-Your a-arm…”

 

Then Jaken promptly fainted.

 

Sesshoumaru's lips tightened at his retainer's reaction. The toad demon seemed to be rather fond of overreacting. Holding himself back from kicking Jaken's unconscious form, for it would serve no purpose since he was already unconscious, Sesshoumaru simply strode up the central staircase and then across the hallway to his room.

 

He was feeling strangely tired, he realized as he commenced his cleansing session. The healing of his arm must be using more energy than he had anticipated. Taking care not to jolt his recently reattached arm, Sesshoumaru quickly finished and made for his bed. Perhaps it was prudent for him to rest.

 

With that thought, he settled onto his bed and closed his eyes.

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes followed the small figure in the distance.

 

Two days had passed since the incident with the demon slayers. His discomfort at the entire situation had not left him since and he had found it difficult to be near the miko. What made it worse was that he did not understand his own reaction. It was as if he felt betrayed by her actions.

 

At the moment, the miko was going through her training routine on her own in the courtyard, her attention completely absorbed in the moves he had taught her. The moves which may very well assist her in a potential escape.

 

His lips tightened. It appeared that he had made an error in judgment. He had not anticipated that the miko might consider leaving with the demon slayers. The fact that she had not actually done so did nothing to ease the tension in his person. What irked him was the simple fact that she had thought to do so.

 

Had he not shown her sufficient patience in their predicament?

 

He could not risk her escaping before the bond was broken.

 

They would have to mate.

 

Now.

 

And it had nothing to do with the fact that he had been anticipating how she would feel like wrapped around him, writhing and moaning his name. Shaking away the image before his body reacted, he stiffened his spine with determination. The miko had had enough of an introduction to the ways of carnal pleasure. From what he could tell, she had taken pleasure in his touches. And now, it was time to do what was necessary.

 

Decision made, Sesshoumaru closed the distance between him and the miko with one graceful leap. Startled, the miko jumped as she spun around.

 

“Sesshoumaru!” she exclaimed, placing her hand on her heaving chest. “Don't do that again.”

 

Did the miko really think that he would obey her instructions, he wondered incredulously.

 

“What's wrong with you the last two days anyway? You barely said a word to me,” she pointed out with a scowl.

 

“This Sesshoumaru was not aware that you require conversation,” he replied levelly, surprised that she did not seem at all affected by what had happened two days ago.

 

Did this mean that she had no intention of escaping after all? If that was the case, should he still insist on completing the mating this very day? He frowned inwardly. It would make no difference whether the mating was carried out now or later. It had to occur for them to break their bond.

 

“Miko. You will await this Sesshoumaru's arrival in your chambers this evening. The mating bond will be completed then.”

 

Her lips parted slightly as she gaped at him, drawing his attention to the dark pink flesh. Unable to resist, and incensed at himself for his own weakness, Sesshoumaru dipped his head to meet the inviting flesh roughly. Before she could respond, he pulled back and turned away from her.

 

“Hey!” her indignant call reached him. “Don't I have a say in this?”

 

Deciding that her question did not merit a reply, he simply strode away, heading to the hotsprings. It was time for his daily bath, and he would use the time to meditate on the pending mating.

 

Before he knew it, the sun had set.

 

It was time.

 

It would have to be done in her chambers, he thought as he made his way there.

 

He would not risk carrying this act out in his own chambers. The last thing he needed was to be reminded of their coupling after the breaking of the bond. He frowned, disliking the notion that he was fearful of the effect it might have on him. Surely rutting with the miko would not affect him to such an extent.

 

Nevertheless, it would be done in her chambers, he decided firmly.

 

A pair of wide brown eyes stared up at him when he slid open the shoji screen.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” she stammered as she scrambled to her feet.

 

Wordlessly, he closed the screen and raised a barrier around the room. If he had to do this, he would do it without any witnesses. Much to his consternation, he felt the rise of his anticipation at the pending event.

 

“Sesshoumaru…” she called out again as he took a few steps closer to her, his eyes not leaving her face. It was clear that the miko was nervous.

 

His lips tightened. Even though neither of them wanted this, he had no intention of harming her. Or perhaps she thought that he would be unable to please her? Surely she knew from their past sessions that he was more than capable of doing so. If they had to do this, he would make sure that both of them received pleasure.

 

“Undress.”

 

Her eyes widened further as her arms shot up to clutch protectively at the lapels of her kimono. He could see her throat bobbing as she swallowed.

 

“Miko…” he warned. Then, noting the distraught in her eyes, he softened his voice. “This has to be done.”

 

He waited as the trepidation slowly seeped from her expression, to be replaced by resignation and then determination. With a curt nod, she began to untie her obi.

 

Sesshoumaru felt his body heating up as the obi fell to the floor, loosening the kimono, allowing him to see the valley between her unbound breasts. Without looking at him, she pushed the obi down her shoulders. His mouth went dry as her breast was exposed to him. Her nipples stood proud in the air, taunting him to taste them. Clenching his hands into fists, he tried to still the urge to rush forward.

 

Piece by piece, silk fluttered to the floor until the miko was completely bared to his gaze. Her face flushed, she stood unmoving, as if she was frozen to the floor. However, he did not miss the slight scent of arousal which emanated from her. And he had not even begun. Yes, he thought, inhaling deeply. The mere thought of the pending event itself had aroused the miko.

 

“Miko. You will enjoy this.”

 

Her eyes shot up to his. Then her lips twisted as she remarked wryly, “You sound so sure.”

 

He could not help but smirk. “This Sesshoumaru does not doubt his own prowess.”

 

Rolling her eyes, she retorted dryly, “Right.”

 

He closed the distance between them, his eyes running over her curves as he did so. “Have you not been shown the pleasures of the flesh in the past week?” he asked, lifting a single finger to run it from her cheek down her neck to the valley between her breasts.

 

A choked sound broke from her a moment before her liquid brown eyes glazed over. As if unconscious of the motion, the miko placed her palms on his silk covered chest. He bit back a smirk of satisfaction when she slipped a slender hand between the silk to seek his bare skin. A pleasurable tingle shot though him as she grazed a blunt fingernail against his nipple.

 

“I think you're a little overdressed,” she mumbled, her eyes still fixed on his chest.

 

“Perhaps you are simply impatient,” he returned, raising a brow. “However, this Sesshoumaru will allow you the privilege of undressing him.”

 

Her eyes shot up to his and he could see the amusement sparkling in them. “How generous,” she said sarcastically. Nevertheless, it did not prevent her from pulling the silk off his person. When she reached his hakama, she paused. Her eyes widened slightly before she ran a finger down his hardened length through the silk. Sesshoumaru clenched his hands into fists, willing himself to retain control over his body.

 

“There! All done,” she declared shakily when the hakama puddle at his feet.

 

He could only growl before he pulled her flush against him, reveling in the surprised gurgle which escaped her and the rise of her aroused scent. Slowly, he nibbled at the sensitive skin just under her ear as he allowed his hands to run down her smooth back. Her gasp sounded loud in his ear as cupped her firm buttocks, kneading them gently. The scent of her arousal wrapped around him as his own body hardened.

 

Pulling away from her neck, he trailed his teeth and tongue down her shoulders to the curve of her breast. He had wanted to do this ever since he had seen her nipples close up for the first time. Not wanting to waste another moment, he extended his tongue and flicked the rosy nub. He watched the nipple tighten before repeated the action, this time following it by clamping his lips around the bud.

 

The whimper which reached his ears encouraged him to further his ministrations. Her hands gripped his shoulders painfully as he reached up to fondle her other breast. As always, he felt his control slipping as her scent intensified, filling his senses with nothing but her.

 

“Sesshoumaru…” she called out breathlessly. Then her hands fell from his shoulders to cup him intimately, drawing a growl from him. When she wrapped her fingers around him for the first time, he let out a hiss and began bucking against her slender digits.

 

Impatient for more, he pulled her hands away only to capture her lips in a possessive kiss. Reaching behind her to press her rounded bottom against him, he grinded his hardened length against her stomach. The friction against her hot skin almost undid him, but he willed himself to maintain control.

 

Allowing his fingers to run down the groove of her rounded behind, he reach down further until he encountered her slick heat. A burst of male pride washed over him at the reaction he had drawn from her. As the miko writhed against his finger, he pulled his head back to watch her. Her eyes were glazed in passion as she bit her lips to stifle her moans.

 

Pressing harder against her heat, he hissed smugly, “You want this.”

 

“Unh…Sesshoumaru,” she moaned. “You're playing with me.”

 

He brought his other hand to her curls. Without breaking their gaze, he brushed a finger against her hidden nub. She immediately jerked and a hiss of pleasure escaped between her teeth.

 

“Why do you refrain from calling out?” he asked huskily as he rubbed her slippery nub rapidly, wanting her to vocalize her reactions. At the same time, he pushed a finger into her warm channel.

 

She issued a throaty moan as her head fell against his chest. “Because I don't want anyone to hear,” she panted.

 

His blood heated further as her inner muscles clenched around his finger. “You need not fear. There is a barrier around the chamber.”

 

With that, he pulled her down to the futon. Ignoring her gasp of surprise, he pushed her legs apart, planting them firmly to the side and lowered his head. Her scent hit him fully then and he bit back a groan. The moment his tongue touched her, he pushed two fingers into her. She arched off the futon, a keening cry reaching him while he lapped at her, tasting her for the first time. His fingers continued to pump rapidly, wanting her to scream his name as he brought her to the peak. Her entire body writhed as she bucked against him frenetically.

 

Then her body went rigid and her muscles constricted around his fingers.

 

“Sesshoumaru!” she screamed out loud.

 

His ears rang at the volume of her voice but the only thing he could think of was to bury himself in the wet slick heat surrounding his finger. Reaching in deeper, he extended one claw and carefully sliced the layer which protected her innocence.

 

She jerked, her eyes shooting open in shock. “It stings!” she exclaimed, struggling to sit up.

 

“It will ease the joining,” he explained as he withdrew his fingers, now coated with a mix of her juices and blood.

 

Her lips parted, but she could only stare at him as he rose above her. Splayed before him, her knees bent and her arms open by her sides, he thought she looked like an offering. One which he intended to take.

 

His voice was tight with barely controlled desire when he spoke. “Turn over.”

 

She did not move. Instead, she just stared at him, as if frozen. Sesshoumaru reined in his impulse to simply force her into position and take her. She was nervous, he realized. Then to his consternation, his senses detected a cloying scent, one which informed him that her nervousness had escalated into fear.

 

Perhaps he should attempt another method of persuasion.

 

Lowering himself, he nuzzled her cheeks and was rewarded with a shiver. His lips brushing her ear, he mocked, “Miko, perhaps you're uncertain of your own ability to please this Sesshoumaru?”

 

A gasp sounded before she exclaimed indignantly, “What?!”

 

Lips twitching with amusement, Sesshoumaru simply held her down as she struggled to push him off. “Are you?” he asked.

 

“Let me go! I know I'm inexperienced, but you don't have to insult me!” she snapped, pulling at his hair in an attempt to dislodge him from her.

 

He raised his head only to meet a pair of blazing brown eyes. She was no longer nervous, he noted with satisfaction. And the cloying scent of fear had departed from her person, leaving an indignant miko glowering at him instead.

 

Before she could protest, he deftly flipped her to her hands and knees, preparing her for penetration.

 

“Hey! Don't treat me like a thing,” she snapped, turning her head over he shoulders to glare at him, but she remained in the position.

 

Sesshoumaru's lips twisted in amusement. Running his claws lightly down her back and watching as she shivered in arousal, he said quietly, “Your body is not protesting, Miko.”

 

Ignoring her gasp of outrage and then fixing his attention to her tilted rear, Sesshoumaru suppressed his urge to thrust into her right then and there. Instead, he allowed his fingers to trail down the seam down the middle until he encountered her slick wetness. Her moan of appreciation was instantaneous as he began to caress her with the pad of his thumb.

 

A needy whimper shook through her as he slipped his fingers into her heat. Yes, she was prepared, he decided. He felt as if his body was attempting to crawl out of his skin, so frustrated he was at the need to hold himself back. And he had no intention of refusing himself any longer.

 

He pulled his fingers out and placed his tip at her entrance. Sensing the sudden tension in her body, he leaned down until his lips were at her neck, pushing in slightly as he did so. Inhaling her scent, he began to nuzzle her to calm her. It would not do for the miko to panic now, he thought as the justification to his gentle action.

 

Then he thrust himself fully in her, hearing her gasp at the intrusion. He gritted his teeth, feeling the contraction of her heated walls around his length. It felt better than he had anticipated. And it would feel even better if he was to pump into her. But he knew that he had to remain still to allow the miko time to acclimatize herself. He had promised her pleasure and he had no intention of breaking his words.

 

“Sesshoumaru…” she whimpered hesitantly.

 

He tensed in annoyance. Surely she did not expect him to stop now? “Miko. We will not stop until we complete the bond.”

 

“I know,” she said, and then he almost groaned when he felt her muscles squeezing him. “But… aren't you going to… umm… move… umm… soon?”

 

He blinked in astonishment. The miko did not want to stop. She wanted for him to commence. A smirk of satisfaction crossed his lips before he could prevent it. “As you wish, Miko.”

 

Then he withdrew and thrust deeply, eliciting a gasp from her.

 

Then he did it again, drawing a moan from her.

 

He closed his eyes, savoring the pleasurable sensation coursing through him as he continued to pump into the miko. Her moans and his groans were inseparable as he sped up. Wanting to feel more of her, he reached down to knead one breast in his palms.

 

“Sesshoumaru…”

 

He groaned, feeling the telltale tightness of her around him. She was about to reach her peak. His thrusts became wilder and his mind clouded completely.

“SESSHOUMARU!!” she yelled, convulsing around him.

 

He was close. Blood roared in his ears at the sensation. With a snarl, his fang elongated. Pulling her shoulders to him, he sank his fangs into the junction between her neck and her shoulder. A pulse of energy shot through him at the contact, triggering his release. As he jerked into her wetness, he dimly felt her blood rushing into his mouth.

 

The mating bond was complete. He was flooded by everything that was her. His senses pulsed with it, he noted as he withdrew from her. A soft whimper escaped her lips as he turned her to face him, only to find that she was barely conscious, her eyes only half open. She had fainted when she had unknowingly mated him the first time. The fact that she had not done so this time was a testament to her increased inner strength.

 

“Miko?” he called out softly.

 

Her eyes fluttered open and the brown orbs looked bewildered for a moment before they focused on him.

 

“Sesshoumaru…” she whispered. “It was beautiful. Did it work?”

 

A strange lump settled in his throat. “Rest, Miko…”

 

A sense of completeness settled over him as he gazed down at her sleeping form. She was his mate. And the act had occurred only because they did not want to be bonded to each other. But he could feel his blood calling out for her, enveloping him with an unfamiliar warmth.

 

And it vexed him.

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

 

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes to stare right at the ceiling of his bedroom.

 

So they had mated.

 

His memories seemed to return with greater ease in the form of dreams. However, right at that moment, he simply wished that the dream he had woken up from had not been so vivid. Particularly those which left him aching and frustrated, desperately wanting more of a certain miko. Even now, he could almost taste her on his tongue and feel the smoothness of her skin, as if she was right beside him.

 

He reached up, rubbing the place on his neck where there should be a mating mark, but he encountered nothing but smooth skin.

 

Something occurred to him then. It was possible that their joining could have produced a pup. However, the event had happened five hundred years ago. The pup he had seen at the carnival was still very much a pup. Although demons grew at different rates, surely after five centuries, the pup would have matured.

 

He shook it away, deciding that his time was better spent at home to see what other memories he could call forth. Perhaps it would help him to decide what he should do next with regards to the miko and the pup. For the more flashes and dreams he experienced, the more he was convinced that the pup was his.

 

Forcing himself to concentrate, Sesshoumaru attempted to call forth his memories again. He recalled his past self falling asleep beside the miko and then awakening a short time later.

 

His blood sang with a strange feeling as he looked down at the sleeping miko. How odd, he mused. Then her eyes opened to stare right into his. The shock in her eyes were clear when he dipped his head to capture her lips in a heated kiss, which then led to further touches and the sliding of bare skin against bare skin. Their touches escalated further and he sank into her with an appreciative groan. Once again, their bodies moved together frantically.

 

The flashes broke off abruptly as his past self groaned his completion.

 

Breathing hard at the intense memory of their coupling, Sesshoumaru clenched his fist. He had to force the rest of the memories forth. Closing his eyes, he managed to catch a flash of his past self waking up, followed by his hasty departure at dawn when he realized that they could now progress with breaking the bond.

 

The flashes broke off again, infuriatingly out of his grasp. Sesshoumaru growled and pounded the wall behind his bed in frustration.

 

Now that he knew that the mating had occurred, he needed to find out if the pup was indeed the result of his copulation with the miko in the past, however unbelievable the notion might be. After all, more than five hundred years had passed since the event.

 

Perhaps the miko's dreams were advancing quicker than his. In which case, she might know the answer to his question. Yes, there was a possibility that the miko might hold more useful information.

 

And he had every intention of extracting it from her, whether or not she was willing.

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

 

They had mated.

 

Her past self had mated with Sesshoumaru, Kagome thought as an odd shiver ran up her spine. And she had seen it in her mind with a clarity which astounded her. The thought of it made her blush profusely. The most mortifying thing was that her body kept reacting to the dream in a way she did not expect.

 

Such things should be kept private, even from one's reincarnation, she fumed irritably.

 

They had had sex. Which mean that her past self could have gotten pregnant with Sesshoumaru's baby. Which meant that Sachimaru could be theirs. Kagome frowned. Come to think of it, there was some resemblance between Sachimaru and her. Their eyes, for one, were exactly the same apart from his being gold and hers being brown. Where Sesshoumaru's silver hair was straight, Sachimaru's silver hair was a little wavy, like her past self's.

 

And hers, Kagome added mentally. Then she shook her head quickly. It was just too weird to consider that she was the reincarnation of Sachimaru's mother, which kind of meant that she was effectively his mother. But it would explain the tight bond between her and Sachimaru. But then again, how could that even be possible? Sachimaru was still a child right now whilst Sesshoumaru and her past self had sex five centuries ago.

 

“Gah!” she exclaimed out loud as she clapped her hands to the sides of her head. All this was too confusing for her to even think about. But she could not keep it from running through her head.

 

What she needed was more facts and less speculation.

 

She needed to know more about Sesshoumaru and the dreams.

 

One lesson she remembered from her dreams - study your enemy well, Sesshoumaru had said to her past self in one of their lessons. And right now, Sesshoumaru was the enemy if there was any possibility at all that he would try to take Sachimaru from her. Her lips twitched. If he knew that she would be using his lessons to try to avoid him, he would not have thought her past self anything.

 

She had to find out more about Sesshoumaru and she only had one real lead to him. After all, since she was working in a medical centre under Taishou Holdings, that should not be too difficult, right? She had already dug out his records only to find that his address was missing. Anyway, she was reluctant to face him, considering what happened in their last meeting.

 

A groan interrupted her musings and she turned to the man on the stretcher inside the ambulance. Beside him, another paramedic, her partner, was attempting to still his movements.

 

“How is he doing?” Kagome asked.

 

Moriko frowned and shook her head. “Not good. Someone got at him pretty badly.”

 

Kagome eyed the muscular man. “That poison must be pretty strong if it managed to knock down someone like him.”

 

Nodding, Moriko said, “It's not the first time, though.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“This is the second one in this month…or was it the third one? All of them with the same symptoms.”

 

Kagome frowned, remembering the attack at Inuyasha's place a which had happened a few days ago. If someone had managed to hurt Sesshoumaru, it could not be of human origin. And if this poison was the same one as that day, was this an attack on demons in general? Did it mean that Yura and the rest were demons as well?

 

“Do you think it is all related?” she asked carefully.

 

Moriko's expression became shuttered. “I don't know, but it is likely. That's up to the lab technicians to find out.”

 

Kagome blinked at her partner's reaction. Maybe Moriko was a demon too and she was trying to keep that fact hidden from her. She could not very well come out and just ask Moriko if she was a demon. It could end very awkwardly if Moriko turned out to be human. Yes, Kagome could just see her partner backing away cautiously as a reaction to the question.

 

Come to think of it, Moriko had been suspiciously absent the first time she met Sesshoumaru. Maybe Sesshoumaru had done something to keep her away then?

 

Curious, Kagome decided to ask, “Say, I've been meaning to ask you. What happened that day when you disappeared from work?”

 

“Oh.” Then Moriko glanced around quickly before turning back to her. “My…um…old friend was in town. Still is, actually.”

 

“Really?” Kagome asked with interested. Moriko rarely spoke about her personal life, even after the few weeks they had been working together.

 

Moriko nodded. “Akiyama is from the north and he came on some business. We kind of lost track of time.”

 

An image of a certain Northern Lord with wavy blue hair flashed across Kagome's eyes. Maybe it was the same Akiyama, seeing that Sesshoumaru was actually real. She laughed inwardly. “Yeah and he'd have a water drop on his forehead,” she muttered under her breath.

 

Moriko froze before her. “What did you say?” she whispered shakily.

 

Kagome blinked, surprised at her partner's reaction. Judging from that, maybe the idea was not so ridiculous after all. “Akiyama has blue hair, right?” she ventured slowly.

 

Eyes widening, Moriko sputtered disbelievingly, “You know him? But…” she trailed off uncertainly.

 

A sheepish laugh escaped Kagome. “Maybe.” So, this Akiyama was the same as the one in her dreams. Small world, she thought.

 

Moriko sat up straighter as she leaned forward. “How? I mean, Akiyama is not the most sociable de…person.”

 

Kagome quirked a brow. “You mean to say demon? An elemental? I guess it makes sense that he's running an environmental agency,” she mused.

 

Moriko's jaw dropped. “So you know! Who else do you know?”

 

“Sesshoumaru.”

 

Moriko blinked in astonishment. “How?”

 

Sighing, Kagome shook her head. “Long story. Maybe I'll tell you someday.”

 

“But-”

 

Whatever Moriko had to say was cut off by another groan from their patient. Worried, Kagome checked on him, making sure that he was as comfortable as possible until they reached the hospital.

 

“Whoever that created this poison should be hanged,” Kagome remarked angrily.

 

“There will be no more of such poison attacks,” Moriko told her.

 

“Really? That's great.” And then Kagome frowned thoughtfully before she added, “But how?”

 

“Since you know about demons, I guess it's safe to tell you.”

 

“Tell me what?”

 

“Ryoukan managed to synthesize some antidote which will counteract the poison's effect the moment it gets into a human or a demon's system. The bulk manufacture should be complete soon and everyone would get it,” Moriko explained.

 

An eyebrow rising, Kagome asked, “How would Ryoukan make sure that everyone got it?”

 

Moriko smiled sheepishly. “Actually, that's one of the reasons why Akiyama is here. He's owns the largest environmental agency in the north and have the necessary access to the waterworks and reservoirs. He had done it before, so when I mentioned this, he offered to help. But he has yet to discuss this with Sesshoumaru, so please don't say anything to him.” Then she added dryly. “They are not the best of friends”

 

“Oh,” Kagome exclaimed as understanding dawned. “Akiyama can make sure that the antidote gets into everyone through the water system.”

 

Moriko nodded and then a curious look came upon her. Hesitantly, she ventured, “So... You obviously know that there are demons around.”

 

“Yeah,” Kagome replied. And between her dreams and all, she knew what they were like. There are good ones and bad ones, she supposed. Just like humans. She pinned her gaze onto her brown-haired partner. “I'm guessing you're one too.”

 

After a pause, Moriko nodded. “But most humans don't know about this.” She took a deep breath before she added, “And we want to keep it that way, otherwise it'll be chaos.”

 

Kagome doubted that it would be complete chaos. After all, they had lived in peace all this while, right? But something compelled her to agree with her partner, so she nodded. “They'll probably be shocked.” Then she frowned as something Moriko had said sank in. “You said `most humans', so there are some who know?”

 

Moriko sighed. “Can't help it. After so many centuries, there are quite a large number of demons who mated with humans. But these humans tend to be on our side, seeing that their children are half demons. It would do them no good to expose us. You'd be surprise at the number of half demons walking around Japan. ”

 

The ambulance suddenly stopped, signaling their arrival at Tsukuyo Medical.

 

As they hefted out the stretcher, Kagome caught Moriko's gaze, “Thanks for telling me all that.”

 

A small smile crossed Moriko's lips. “Not a problem. It's good to know that there are open-minded humans out there.”

 

Kagome simply grinned.

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

(t.b.c.)

 

A/N: That's it. I hope you've enjoyed that. Please review if you can, :p. Thanks!