InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ An Unforeseen Flame ❯ Sesshomaru's Resolve ( Chapter 18 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: Another new chapter! Enjoy! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters, nor could I ever hope to be as genius as Rumiko Takahashi.

Sesshomaru spent the rest of his evening resting under the protection of the trees waiting out the storm as Kagome, his Kagome, slept peacefully against his chest. He finally understood his father's reasoning for falling in love with a human woman. Despite this woman's humanity, she had a pure and fiery spirit that no demoness could ever possess, and despite her mortality, it was her fragility that made her existence in this world so much more beautiful.

He couldn't imagine anyone better suited to travel by his side. The woman possessed more inner strength then anyone he had ever come across, and, by no means, could she be considered helpless. He, Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, had finally come to grips with the fact that he had been completely and totally captivated by the love of a human woman.

While he was not sure about the particulars of their relationship or its future, there was one thing Sesshomaru was certain of. He would go to the ends of the earth just to keep her as happy as she was at this moment in time. He brushed strands of raven hair away from her face tenderly, as he gazed down her slumbering face. There was nothing he couldn't do for the love of this woman.

Through the eyes of a lone Saimyousho, Naraku observed the Youkai Lord's tender displays of affection for the young woman resting comfortably on his chest. How convenient for him that the flying insect had been caught in the heavy downpour. If not for the sudden storm, it never would've landed in the trees that Sesshomaru and Kagome had wandered into to escape the weather.

"Hm, what an interesting development, wouldn't you agree, Kagura?" Naraku asked the wind sorceress snidely. He was well aware of her developing interest in the Youkai Lord, and he so enjoyed breaking her spirit whenever the opportunity arose. He was certain she was hurt by the sight, but Kagura did not deign to reply. "I wonder if Inuyasha is aware of the girl's new infatuation," the evil hanyou continued, his mind obviously at work. "I have a feeling this could prove most entertaining for me."

Kagome's eyes fluttered open sleepily shortly after the morning sun had risen. For a moment she lay still, trying to remember whose heartbeat she was currently listening to, and then the memories of the kiss she and Sesshomaru shared came flooding through her mind. She sat up quickly, to make certain it really was the Demon Lord that she had fallen asleep on and that earlier events had not been some fantastic dream.

A deep blush spread like wildfire across her cheeks, when her soulful eyes met with the inuyoukai's rich amber eyes. She couldn't believe he had let her fall asleep on him. All of it was so new, and it was going to take a long while for her to become accustomed to such intimate scenarios. After all, she was eighteen and had only ever kissed Inuyasha. On top of that, Sesshomaru's kisses were nothing like those she had shared with the hanyou. They were passionate and filled with a desire so strong it made Kagome's knees weak.

"How was your rest?" Sesshomaru inquired softly, interrupting Kagome's private thoughts. Her heart started to pound in her chest furiously at the sound of his voice. He could hear the steady drumming, smiled inwardly.

"Is it a new day already?" she replied stifling a yawn. The youkai nodded in reply, and the woman's usually cheery face fell a little. "Yesterday was such a good day, it's a shame that it's over."

"We can make more good days," Sesshomaru replied, pulling her face to his for a deep, hungry kiss. She kissed him back, and a faint pink blush returned to her cheeks. It was strange to him how natural it felt to be with Kagome in this way, after all the time he spent denying his feelings for her. If only he had realized how easy it would be sooner. He almost felt as if he had been wasting his time until now.

"Who would've thought that Sesshomaru, fearsome Demon Lord, would actually turn out to be such a romantic?" Kagome giggled, a huge smile plastered across her face. She pulled away from him to stretch, before rising to her wobbly feet. Her ankle was swollen and still fairly sore. "We should probably be getting back to Rin and the others soon. Rin is good natured, but Jaken is a pest, and I wouldn't want to leave her alone with him and his complaints for too long."

Sesshomaru agreed wordlessly, and also rose to his feet, taking Kagome's dainty hand and leading her out into the morning sunshine. The ground was still damp and slippery, so the inuyoukai maintained a tight grip on the priestess's hand as she hobbled along by his side, but he didn't offer to carry her today. He wanted to spend as much time alone with her as he possible could, before returning to his other companions. Soon he would return to his search for Naraku, and she would be occupied with caring for Rin.

Kagome was also lost in her thoughts as they walked slowly, their fingers interlaced. It felt so sudden, Sesshomaru's outpouring of affection. She still felt confused and a little overwhelmed, not that she was unhappy. But, she didn't understand where this left them. Dating of her time and the courtship of the Feudal Era were two very different things already, but there were also the complexities of the demon aspect that Kagome had no idea about. How did demons date or court or whatever it was that they did? What was going to be expected of her? What should she expect of him? Was this just going to be a fleeting fancy or was he actually invested? Suddenly Kagome found her head swirling with uncertainty. Maybe she should ask Sesshomaru.

The thought made Kagome's stomach turn with anxiety. All he had done was kiss her. Really what did that mean? In her time, a kiss was nothing to most people. There were no obligations that came with a kiss. It wasn't like he had told her that he loved her, but he had said they would have more good days together. Her mind was starting to run away with her. She decided she would just let everything happen naturally and deal with things as they came. There was no need for some embarrassing relationship discussion if there was no real relationship to discuss, and no need for her to scare him away so early. She decided to appreciate what she already had and remain cautiously optimistic for the future.

As if he knew what she was thinking, Sesshomaru gave her small hand a quick, reassuring squeeze. She smiled up at him brightly, and even though his expression remained unchanged, she could see his smile behind his eyes. Kagome was overcome with a feeling of complete contentment. So maybe it wasn't perfect, and maybe it wouldn't end up lasting forever, or maybe it would. But right now, it really didn't matter. For the first time in almost two months Kagome felt like she was okay. In fact, she was better than okay. She was happy again.

It was early afternoon by the time the pair reached the rest of their small party, because of Kagome's slowed pace. The brutal storm had cleared as quickly as it had come; leaving almost no evidence of its existence, save for the muddy ground. The bright sky was blue and cloudless, and the afternoon sun hung overhead bathing the land in warm rays of light.

They were received warmly by their companions, Rin squealing in delight and beaming at the fact that the Youkai Lord and the priestess were hand in hand. Jaken was genuinely happy for Sesshomaru's return, though he had hoped it would be without the priestess. He eyed their interlocked hands with distaste, obviously unhappy with the new development. Kagome rolled her eyes. She could already tell the little toad was going to have something to say about the gesture.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lady Kagome! I am so glad you are back!" Rin welcomed them exuberantly. Kagome dropped the inuyoukai's hand to drop to the young girls height and embrace her tightly.

"I'm glad to be back, Rin. Did you behave for Jaken while I was away?" she replied smiling at the girl. She wished that she had thought to ask to bring Shippo along with them as a playmate for Rin. She was sure the kitsune wouldn't have minded staying with her, and he probably would've enjoyed having a playmate close to his age. She decided she would bring it up the next time she was able to see her friends.

"Mm hm!" the girl nodded in answer with a toothy grin, adding in little more than a whisper, "Although, I don't know if Jaken thinks so."

Kagome laughed aloud and patted the girl on the head jovially. She felt so at home here with Rin and Sesshomaru. She had never thought that she would have this feeling away from Inuyasha and her friends, but now they felt like strangers to her and the Youkai Lord and his young ward were Kagome's new family. It was nice to feel as though there was somewhere she belonged completely.

A few feet away, Jaken was fidgeting uncomfortably trying to formulate the right words in his dense head. He was wringing his hands as he shifted himself closer to the towering inuyoukai. Sesshomaru didn't even bother to look in the imp's direction.

"M'lord," he started nervously in his strident voice. "Do you think it's best to be seen traversing the lands hand in hand with a…a human?"

Sesshomaru could clearly hear the disgust in his vassal's voice. He had known that he was going to meet with disapproval from the annoying creature, and probably from many others as well, but it really didn't matter to him. He was Lord of the Western Lands, and he would do as he very well pleased.

"Mind your own business, Jaken," he answered coldly, his eyes focused on the priestess and the young girl chatting exuberantly. He was amazed at how good Kagome was with Rin. She had taught the young girl so much more than Sesshomaru had the time or patience to teach. He knew that he was lucky to have come across such an extraordinary woman, not only for the girl's benefit, but for his own as well. Rin might have melted the ice around his cold heart a little, but Kagome had completely thawed it.

"But m'lord," the irritating demon interjected, rudely interrupting the Youkai Lord's thoughts. Sesshomaru was already vexed by his meddlesome vassal. "Aren't you worried that other demons will think you weak and try to seize control of your lands? Or what if the humans protest your union like they did with your father?"

Sesshomaru almost laughed aloud. He had never back away from a challenge, and now was not the time for him to start. "Let them try."

It did not matter who protested or disapproved of his tender relationship with the human woman. He did not have to explain himself to his vassal or anyone else, for that matter. He would defeat Naraku and any other demon that threatened their happiness, bare-handed if that was what was required to keep Kagome by his side and happy. Any fool that made the mistake that his fondness for the human made him weak was dead wrong.