InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 22 ( Chapter 21 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Pleasure's a sin and sometimes sin's a pleasure.
-Lord Byron, Don Juan
CHAPTER 22
Sesshoumaru awoke to the intense drumming in his head. He remembered being in a fight with another demon in an effort to save...
Lady Kagome!
He was about to jolt up, when he suddenly became aware of a light hand across his chest and the warmth of a small body pressed to him. Following the hand up to see who was the owner of the appendage, he noticed the milky smooth skin, bronze shoulder-length hair, the fragrance of lilies and gardenias...
`LILIES AND GARDENIAS?!' Wait a minute. There was only one person he knew had that scent.
Lady Kagome.
He let his gaze fall upon the miko's face. She was at the moment, sound asleep in his arms. He smirked. Lifting a little the many blankets that covered them, he noticed that she wasn't completely naked - unfortunately. Surveying his surroundings, he observed that they were in a large dojo and that it was still dark outside - not for long though.
He searched his mind for an answer to his awkward position. Sesshoumaru knew they hadn't had sex. He was more than sure he'd remember doing THAT with her. So, the question was what exactly HAD they done? Unintentionally, he brought her closer and kissed the top of her head. Her scent washed all over him and he could not help but sigh.
Looking down on her again, he let himself enjoy her and wait for the many other questions that still lingered in his head. It surprised him how much his youkai cared for this small woman and how holding her like this was as pleasing as the thought of mating her. He could easily take her now. Nobody would know. Yet, his demon was willing to wait. Sesshoumaru knew that, in the end, it would be worth it. She would be worth it.
He watched Kagome until the first rays of the sun crept into the crack outlining the door. The morning light basked her figure. She was positively glowing with beauty. He felt her shift to a more comfortable position until her eyes began to flutter open.
When Kagome's eyes were completely open, she paled when she saw two golden eyes staring down at her with amusement.
~~~~~~~~~~
“Ohayou mate. I trust our night of passion was as great for you as it was for me.” He grinned and turned on his side so his face was right next to my ear.
“N-nani? Mate?” I stuttered. With both my hands, I pushed at his chest and so I was now also on my side facing him.
“Are you trying to tell me that you don't remember the most amazing night of our lives?” A hurt look appeared on his face, before he burst out in a hysterical laugh.
“Oh you... you... stupid demon!”
“Stupid?”
“Hai. What the hell were you thinking? That was not funny. For a moment there I thought we had... you know?” Again that stupid blush.
“Don't flatter yourself. I would never take advantage of a girl. Especially one that has no experience,” he said while he lay back once more.
“Please, don't flatter yourself! Besides, I'm pretty sure that even if we had done it, it couldn't have been that good for me not to remember.”
Sesshoumaru moved too quickly for me to stop him. He had turned towards me and was very, very close. I gulped and sucked in a breath. He leaned in further and began to place butterfly kisses on my neck I knew his proximity was deliberate, that he sought to intimidate rather than seduce, but that didn't do anything to quell the frantic beating of my heart.
“Believe me, Lady Kagome,” he trailed more kisses up my neck and down to my shoulder, “when I tell you that if I had made love to you, there is no possible way you would forget.”
My lips parted, but I couldn't have uttered a word if my life depended on it. I breathed when he paused, stopped when he moved.
Sesshoumaru's finger slid along the line of my jaw and asked, “Don't you think so?”
I tried to shake my head, but my muscles refused to obey.
“Are you sure?”
This time, my head betrayed me and gave a little shake. He smiled and we both knew he had won.
~~~~~~~~~
Sesshoumaru knew he had to be insane.
There could be no other explanation.
He kissed her.
Intimidation had been his intention, and so he'd moved closer and closer until she, an innocent, only cowed by his presence. She wouldn't know what it was like to have a male so near that the heat of his body seeped through her skin, so close that she couldn't tell where his breath ended and hers began.
She wouldn't recognize the first prickles of desire, nor would she understand that slow, swirling heat in the core of her being. And the slow swirling heat of arousal was there. He could smell it and see it on her face.
But she, a complete innocent, would never comprehend what he could see with one look of his experienced eyes. All she would know was that he was looming over her, that he was stronger, more powerful, and that she had a made a dreadful mistake in removing their clothes.
He was going to stop right there and leave her bothered and breathless. But when there was barely an inch between them, the pull grew too strong. Her scent was too beguiling, the sound of her breath too arousing. The prickles of desire he'd meant to spark within her suddenly ignited within him, sending a warm claw of need to the very tips of his toes. And the finger he'd been trailing along her cheek - just to torture her, he told himself - suddenly became a claw that cupped the back of her head as his lips took hers in an explosion of anger and desire.
Kagome gasped against his mouth and he took advantage of her parted lips by sliding his tongue between them. She was stiff in his arms, but it seemed more to do with surprise than anything else, and so Sesshoumaru pressed his suit further by allowing his hands to slide down her side and rest one against the curve of her hip.
“This is madness,” he whispered against her ear. But he made no move to let her go.
Her reply was an incoherent, confused moan, and her body became more pliant in his arms, allowing him to mold her even closer to his form. He knew he should stop, knew he damned well shouldn't have started, but his youkai was begging to be released, and she felt so... so...
So good.
He groaned, his lips leaving hers to taste the sweet honey skin of her neck once more. There was something about her that suited him like no female ever had before, as if his body discovered something his mind utterly refused to consider.
Everything about Kagome was... perfect.
She felt perfect. She smelled perfect. She tasted perfect. And he knew that if he removed the thick blanket that was shielding her skin and took her there on the floor of the room, she would fit underneath him, fit around him - just perfect.
It occurred to Sesshoumaru that when she wasn't arguing with him, Minamoto Kagome might bloody well be the finest woman in Nihon.
Her arms, which had been imprisoned in his embrace, slowly edged up, until her hands were hesitantly resting on his back. And then her lips moved. It was a tiny thing, actually, a movement barely felt on the thin skin of his forehead, but she was definitely kissing him back.
A low, triumphant growl emerged from Sesshoumaru's mouth as he moved his mouth back to hers, kissing her fiercely, daring her to continue what she'd begun. “Oh Kagome,” he moaned, towering over her until he was hovering over her body. “Kami, you taste so good.”
“Ohayou, Lady Kagome?” came the voice of the man from outside. “Are you awake?”
“Sesshoumaru?” Her voice was tremulous, the word more of a question than anything else.
“Don't say anything,” he whispered. “Whatever you do, don't say anything.” Eyes closed and forehead against hers, he panted.
“But - “
“Not a word,” he interrupted, pressing a finger to her lips. The last thing he wanted was for her to ruin this perfectly good moment by opening her mouth and arguing.
“But I - “ She planted her hands on his chest and wrenched herself away, leaving him off balance and panting.
Sesshoumaru let out a curse, and not a mild one.
Kagome scurried away, not all the way across the room, pulling one of the yukata over her body. She gripped the edges closer, and then darted towards the door, thinking that it might be a good idea to have a nice wide space between them.
“Why did you do that?” she asked, her voice so low it was almost a whisper.
He shrugged, suddenly looking a little less angry and little more uncaring. “Because I wanted to.”
Kagome just gaped at him for a moment, unable to believe that he could have such a simple answer to what was despite its simple phrasing, such a complicated question. Finally, she blurted out, “But you can't have.”
He smiled. Slowly. “But I did.”
“But you don't like me!”
“True,” he allowed.
“And I don't like you.”
“So you've been telling me,” he said smoothly. “I'll have to take your word for it, since it wasn't particularly apparent a few seconds ago.”
Kagome felt her cheeks flush with anger. She had responded to his wicked kiss, and she hated him almost as much as she hated herself for initiating the intimacy. It had been her idea to sleep with him in semi-nude after all.
But he didn't have to taunt her. That was the act of a bastard. She gripped her yukata until her knuckles turned white, no longer certain if she was using it as a defense against Sesshoumaru or as a means to stop herself from lunging forward to strangle him.
The voice called again. “Kagome-chan, wake up!”
~~~~~~~~~
“Just a moment Hiro, I am not dressed.” Sesshoumaru's evil smile widened when he had heard what I replied.
I closed my eyes and breathed in trying to quench my anger. I picked up my pants and put them on before I dropped the yukata and reached for my shirt. Some of the pain was still there but I ignored it. There was a slight breeze that crept up my uncovered back. Tying the knots on my chihaya, I moved back again towards him and knelt in front of him, lifting my hand to his face. He jerked back.
“Hold still. I am merely trying to make sure your temperature is back to normal.”
“Hm. I didn't know you were worried about me,” he murmured.
“I'm not. I just need you to be well so you can go back to playing prince in your castle.” I crawled to him. He made no more movement and let my hand check him, following me with his gaze.
I stood and went around him recalling his punctured back. I touched his skin and asked him to lie on his back. He hesitated, mumbling something about me overreacting, but he did as told. When I was sure he was okay, I smirked. There was a jar with tea which I had left overnight to increase its potency. Grabbing a small cup, I poured some into it and gave it to him. He was reluctant about drinking. Especially after I made a rude remark on what it was, but startlingly, he chugged it down.
I was amazed at his bravery. So, he had called my bluff and trusted me. I would have never drunk anything a stranger handed me and it surprised me that he did. I felt a grudging respect for him. The man had a lot of guts, I'd give him that. But at the end of the day, guts didn't account for much, and all they would do is get him killed if he continued to be around me.
Hiro's voice rang once more. “Kagome-chan, I must speak with you!”
Suppressing the need to roll my eyes, I stood up once more and walked to the door. Sesshoumaru's hand clasped my wrist and stopped me. I glared at him.
“I need to get rid of him or else he could come in here,” I whispered heatedly.
“If he were foolish enough to do that, I would skin him for interrupting my sleep. Then I would kill him for looking at you without proper clothing, because that yukata, as thick as it is, can not be deemed proper.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You will do no such thing. Now be quiet.” I turned and without a sound I moved my lips to tell him, “Not a sound or...” I made a motion with my hand across my neck.
He smirked at this.
~~~~~~~~~
Sesshoumaru had started to go after Kagome the moment she scurried to the corner, but stopped himself. He wanted to see what she would do. What she intended.
Kagome put on her hakama and pulled off the yukata she had grabbed in a hurry. His breath caught at the sight of almost bare back, except for a knot that held the undershirt covering her front. Every muscle on her body rippled as she removed the yukata and draped it over a trunk. The woman was exquisite. Her creamy, bare back and silky skin of her shoulders inviting. Delectable.
But what stunned him was her right arm and shoulder, which were a total mess from the snake's attack. He gasped at the sight of what the youkai had done. Kagome on the other hand didn't seem to be the least bit bothered by her vicious wounds. She went about her business as if nothing happened.
He frowned at her grabbing a small cup. As she moved toward a jar, he caught sight of a black smudge onto the small of her back. And right above it was a fierce-looking bruise where something had hit her. He cringed in unexpected sympathy. For the first time in a long he actually felt sorry for someone. It looked brutal and painful.
Once she poured the strange yellowish liquid into the cup she practically shoved it in his face. “Here,” she said, her voice ringing with its usual, rude hostile note.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Poison and vomit.”
He screwed his face up in disgust at the thought. “Hontou ni (Really)? And yet you managed to hack that up so quietly. Who knew? Thanks. I've never had vomit before. I'm sure it's extra special.”
Well, so much for thinking Kagome actually had a kinder, gentler side. “Drink or don't,” she growled. “I don't care.” He held his breath, debating what to do. Taking a deep breath, he drank the liquid which was refreshing and very tasty.
Sesshoumaru could only stare at her retreating figure. Even through the heavy fabric of the yukata, he could still make out her form. Fortunately for him, he no longer had to imagine. He'd already had a great view of it, up close and personal.
Before she exited she warned him to remain quiet or she would slit his throat, which felt more like a tease than anything else. Kagome closed the door behind her, but thanks to the still rising sun, the light was able to cast shadows of both figures outside.
“What brings you here Hiroyaki?” she asked confused.
He noticed that she made no effort to keep their voices down. Probably because she was well aware of his fantastic demon hearing.
“I had to see you. The children told us what happened yesterday and we all went to find you, fearing the worst. When Lana came back and informed us that you were here and that you were unharmed, I knew I had to see you. However, she said that you demanded to be left alone. And now here I am.” The young man moved in to embrace her. “I don't know what I had done if anything happened to you.” He kissed her cheek and held her in place.
Sesshoumaru couldn't believe what he was seeing. The idiot kid - because that was what he was - had the audacity to touch what was his! His claws were digging into the sheets that were covering his lower body. His vision reddened and without his notice, a threatening growl escaped his lips. Had this male been a demon, the latter, along with his scent on his woman, would have been enough to warn it that she was taken.
Kagome was too shocked to even move. The young samurai had never been as bold. He usually settled for a smile and a quick pat on the shoulders. A low growl reminded her of the demon prince.
`Stupid Sesshoumaru, I thought I told you to keep quiet,' Kagome thought.
Hiroyaki straightened but did not release her. “What was that?”
She used Hiro's distraction to push him away and land a punch in his face and using the momentum, she pounced on him. She held his arms down with both knees so he could not jerk away. Hiro looked up to her in surprise.
Sesshoumaru ceased his growl and watched as she pushed away the kid. To say that he was astonished was an understatement. He moved closer to the door and slid it open just a hair's length to get a better view of the scene.
“DON'T YOU EVER TAKE SUCH LIBERTIES WITH ME. I HAVE OPENED THE DOORS OF MY HOME TO YOU AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME? LISTEN UP.” She gritted and he nodded. “NEVER MAKE ME REGRET LETTING YOU NEAR. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?” Hiro looked away.
Kagome released his arms and pushed herself up. Sesshoumaru couldn't have been more proud that his mate...
`WHOA! When did he start calling her his mate?'
Giving his head a shake, he looked back out the door to the two. Kagome remained silent for a long moment gazing at a down faced Hiroyaki. She sighed and walked over to him, but remaining at arms length.
“While I do appreciate your concern, I do not wish for something like this to recur. I am quite capable of taking care of myself. You and my father seem to think that I am still some little helpless girl who needs sheltering. Well,” she opened her arms and turned all the way around, “you can see that I am now all grown up. In fact, I stopped being a little girl the day he send me away to train and become this.” Sesshoumaru was watching her face when she was speaking. The hurt in her eyes reminded him of her face on the night he forced her to sing.
“Forgive me Princess Kagome. For a moment I forgot my place.” He was already heading back when her voice stopped him.
“Do not let it happen again.”
Hiroyaki took one step in her direction and stopped. Another growl. `Perhaps he was hearing things?'
“I won't.” That said he walked back to the castle somewhat satisfied that at least she was alright.
~~~~~~~~~
“STOP THAT INFERNAL GROWLING!” I spat at him when Hiro's form was no longer in sight or hearing distance.
My back was to him so I could not see if he had any reaction. However, the door closed and I heard retreating footsteps. I reopened the door and stepped in just as he was trying to pull over his haori. Noticing his frustration and his wincing, I reached for a sleeve of his clothes.
“Isoginasai (Hurry up). The sooner you leave, the faster I can be rid of your annoying presence.”
He had paused in his dressing when I had spoken, but didn't say anything. I folded the blankets we slept in and reached for the basin with water to offer it to him. He grabbed it with both claws and sat. Reaching with one clawed hand, he cupped it and brought some water to his face. Repeating the task, he scrubbed his face and then he looked at me.
For a moment, all I could do was gaze at how naturally beautiful this demon was. I blinked away my stupid thoughts and handed him a small piece of cloth so he could dry himself.
I went to pick the yukata he had never used. “Come on.”
“Can't wait to get rid of me?”
“Just hurry. I want to take a bath before the morning is over.”
“Oh. I thought you wanted to me to leave, but now I see that you want me to bathe with you.” he teased.
I glared at him. I wasn't going to let him get to me. At least, not like he had this morning. I stepped out and waited until he was outside to lock the shoji door. Taking the trail that went into the forest, I motioned for Lord Sesshoumaru to follow me.
We walked side by side in silence. When I noticed the edge of the wooded area, I pointed and said, “You can go in that direction until midday, or for another twenty minutes in your case, and then turn north. You will recognize your lands when you have crossed the small hills overlooking a small run down hut with no door.” I turned back the way we were coming.
“Matte Lady Kagome,” he blurted out.
I realized that if I faced him, he would probably look at me with those beautiful caramel-colored eyes. One look was all it took for my will to completely disappear. “Nani?” I seethed before I realized how forceful the word had left my mouth.
“I told you when I first came that we needed to talk.”
“And I said that there was nothing less to say.” Please leave!
“Look at me,” he commanded.
When I didn't heed his words, he grabbed one of my shoulders and slowly turned me to face him. My body instantly stiffened and not because of my revulsion of contact. I could sense his eyes searching my own, trying to find something.
Dammit. Why can't I do this? I couldn't possible hate the demon - arrogant or not. Except...
“Just hear me out, alright? You don't have to say anything. All I ask is that you let me finish and then I will leave and you won't have to see me ever again in your life.”
I pondered his request. Without further thinking, I nodded curtly.
“First, I wish to apologize for any disrespect to your person. Not just today, but especially for the evenings of our celebration. I figure that since you probably ruined my chance to mate with Lady Michiru, I should take something from you that were almost as equally painful.” He put a finger to my mouth when he saw I was about to protest. “BUT, I now understand that what I did to you was more hurtful and I had no right to do that to you.
And secondly, I was hoping that we could put all this behind us. After all, we are now even. I saved your life and you saved mine. I'm not saying that we could just become friends, but for the sake of the treaty that binds us, let's at least refrain from killing each other.”
I withdrew his hands and I stepped as far away as possible and to lean on a nearby tree. “I told you before that we should avoid each other all together. You shouldn't have come here to begin with.” Pushing myself off, I gave him a small bow and trotted along the path.
“I know you're still upset, but does my apology mean nothing to you?”
I half turned to him, looking directly into his eyes. “Did Susano-O (God of Storm in Japan mythology) truly mean what he said to Amaterasu when he said `...I wish you no harm. My only desire is your warm company, a glimpse of your lovely face, and a few pleasant words?'” He remained still, from the truth of my words or perhaps from the lack of proper retort, I wasn't sure.
I chuckled bitterly at him. “No, I didn't think so either. Maybe someday when you rid yourself of your arrogance... maybe when you find someone who will inspire in you the will to change your ways... someone who can save you...” I turned once more letting him finish my thoughts with whatever he wished.
“Will you save me?” His question was a mixture of curiosity and unbelief.
I continued walking. “Perhaps...” I whispered.
“So... that's it. We are just going to leave everything like this?” a hint of disappointment in his voice.
“Hai.” I shouted from where I was walking. My heart was saddened at this, surprisingly. Somehow, I wasn't bothered anymore by his knowledge of my secrets.
Sesshoumaru made no more noise. For a brief moment, I thought he had left. Then he spoke again. “You still owe me an explanation as to why you were sleeping with me - naked.” I mentally cringed and I was almost positive that he was smiling.
I stopped and looked back at his almost unrecognizable face. “I will not lower myself by explaining my actions to a youkai.”
“The blankets were just fine. There really was no need for you to remove my clothing. I'm sure you know that.” He chuckled.
He was right, but so was I. At that precise moment, that was the only reason I had to remove his clothing.
“Sayonara, Prince Sesshoumaru.”