InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Her Protector ❯ A Feast For The Senses! ( Chapter 11 )

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Inuyasha, it's the sole property of Goddess Romiko Takahashi, and I cannot take credit for her genius.

 

Kagome is a college student unaware of the mortal peril she is in. He's a bitter silver - haired Adonis with a checkered past and a vow to protect humans. So when the two meet, it's a given that fireworks follow…

 

 

A/N: Hi, I'm back! Okay, a couple of quick words before you read this monster chapter.

 

First, this chapter is dedicated to Rowdyjaner for her invaluable help. Without her, it is very possible, that this chapter would have been delayed and would definitely have been stranger. Thanks, Jane!

 

Also, a big thanks to all those who gave me inputs for this chapter - Sovereignity, Deleteriousmouse, Moonlight marauder, Starwindess & Fluffy Angel. While some ideas I have used, others despite being quite good, unfortunately, could not be incorporated into the storyline.

 

Also, there are elements in the chapter which will definitely make you say `WTF?' My advice is: please read the whole chapter, and believe in me and the story. Remember, the pairing is Sess / Kagome. Even though I am quite prepared for hate mail, I do hope most of the readers will support the story.

 

And lastly, PLEASE READ AND REVIEW. I've chewed my nails blunt over this chapter! I'm sure most of the ones named above will validate this. ::smiles::

 

 

Chapter 11

A Feast For The Senses

Part I

 

 

"Undress!"

 

Kagome stared at the demoness. "Wh…what?"

 

Instinctively, her hand moved to the V of her robe and clutched it, as if she was afraid that the demoness would tear it off her.

 

Sesshomaru wanted to bite his tongue. 'Great going Sessy! Excellent word usage! Now she's looking at you as if you're going to rape her. Baka youkai!'

 

He raised the bottle. "To apply the lotion. You're going to be in agony tomorrow and will probably moan and bitch about it the whole day, making my life absolute hell. So, I'm just trying to avoid that by applying this. Consider it a favour for me."

 

Kagome gaped at him. "Why are you being so nice, suddenly? First the food and then the lotion..."

 

Sesshomaru wanted to shout at the girl for her silliness; instead he spoke dryly, "One time I try to do something nice and you act as if I've committed a crime. Fine, have it your way. This has all been a mistake. Don't worry, I will make sure not to repeat it!" He banged the bottle on her bedside table and made his way to the bathroom.

 

Kagome felt ashamed at the demoness' cool words. She was silent for a minute before she spoke. "No, Kikyou! I'm sorry. I didn't mean it the way it sounded... I'm actually very grateful for the food and the lotion."

 

She watched as the demoness ignored her words and closed the bathroom door. She bit her lip and thought about the matter. 'I know that Kikyou is right. Tomorrow my body will become as stiff as a rusted hinge and that will hurt a lot. If I can avoid it with this...Only thing is, I really don't want to undress in front of her.'

 

A few minutes later, a tracksuit-dressed Kikyou emerged from the bathroom and moved to her bed. Without a word to Kagome, she lay in her bed and turned her back to the human's gaze. Kagome bowed her head. `It seems we move one step forward, only to move two steps back.'

 

No matter how nice she wanted to be to her roommate, somehow or the other, the opposite seemed to happen. The truth was that Kikyou irritated her on a fundamental level, with her delicate, over-feminine actions and her cool, emotionless attitude. And yet, there was something about Kikyou that fascinated the young girl. `She's so different from everyone else…so enigmatic and…whenever I think I've figured her out, she goes and does something that forces me to re-evaluate her…I just don't understand her! And then there is that strange… feeling… I get from her that gives me the chills…She's such a strange girl!'

 

Kagome sighed and picked up the bottle. Taking a deep breath, she rubbed a little of the cool, green liquid on her sore forearms. The result was almost instantaneous and nothing short of miraculous. The soreness reduced with each passing second, before vanishing completely. The girl gasped with delight. She then tried to apply some of the magical lotion on her back but her shoulders and back painfully protested the move and the girl gave up within a few seconds.

 

She looked at the bottle, and then at the demoness, then the bottle again, thinking: `Kagome, don't be an ass. Really, what do you expect her to do? She's just trying to help and you're taking it all wrong. And after all, its not like she's a guy or anything…And even though there is a strong chance that she is a lesbian, why are you conceited enough to think that of all people she would be interested in you?... You are hurting, and will hurt more tomorrow. Don't let your stupid modesty get in the way of feeling better. Unbend a little and ask her to help you!'

 

Making up her mind she slowly loosened her robe. "Umm, Kikyou...could you please help me with this?"

 

Sesshomaru had his eyes closed, though he could hear every sigh and every gasp as she applied the mint-scented lotion. He was a little miffed that the girl had been so suspicious of him. And even more so, since he truly had no ulterior motive, beyond the fact that she was his principal, for helping her. Though a part of his mind acknowledged that had she known his real thoughts she would have run away screaming, the other part of him had argued that since he would never actually follow up those thoughts, Kagome had no reason to fear him. When he heard her hesitant words, he turned slowly.

 

He swallowed deeply at the vision that met his eyes. She had loosened her robe and was sitting with her back towards him. She had shrugged the robe from her shoulders, leaving them bare. The collar of her robe was almost skimming her waist, exposing the creamy skin of her slender back to his heated gaze. She smelled nervous and was holding the front of her robe closed just above her breasts with a trembling hand. She looked over her shoulder at him and gave him a small tremulous smile.

 

For one second, Sesshomaru was tempted to ask Kagome to redress and go to Sango. But then lust reared its head and the demon decided not to miss this opportunity to touch her.

 

Kagome was nervous and growing more apprehensive with each second. She knew her anxiety was irrational but couldn't help it. 'Kami, I'm behaving as if Kikyou is a boy. Get a grip on yourself…And why is she just sitting there? Is there something wrong?' Unnerved by the demoness' stare, Kagome turned her head to look at the far wall and licked her lips.

 

She started as she felt a tingle travel all over her body as cool hands touched her exposed skin. Giggling inanely, she shifted herself forward. "Your hands are cold."

 

She felt warm breath tickle her ear as her roommate whispered. "Well, then we'll just have to warm them up." The hands, warmer than before, were back on her skin within seconds, gently stroking her shoulders. She heard Kikyou growl something that sounded suspiciously like 'control' and then the hands were off her skin.

 

Kikyou spoke from behind her, her brisk voice making her sound like a doctor. "Now I'm going to prod your back. Tell me where it hurts and I will focus on those areas."

 

The demoness poked different areas of her back evoking winces, yelps, growls and in one case a loud yell from the injured girl. "Wow! You've really done a number on your muscles. I am going to apply the lotion now. You'd better lie down on your stomach; otherwise it will drip all over your bed."

 

Sesshomaru watched as the girl awkwardly lay down on her stomach, struggling to avoid exposing too much of her body. She made sure that the edges of her robe were pinned beneath her body and yanked the hem to ensure it covered most of her thighs before propping her head on her arms.

 

The demon was inflamed by desire, but knew that this was one time his desire was going to be thwarted. Exercising discipline on himself had been tough when he had touched her velvety skin. While he had imagined touching her several times since that day at Poison, he had never imagined how soft her skin would be or what it would make him feel. He longed to shred that flimsy piece of cloth covering her body and trail his claws sensuously all over her body. 'Doesn't matter what I want, seems like I will have to be happy with just her back for now.'

 

He picked up the bottle and squirted some lotion on one palm. Tugging her robe further down with the other, and ignoring a surprised yelp from the girl, he slowly started rubbing the liquid into her tender flesh. Moving his hand in slow circles he concentrated his attention on applying the balm and attempted to ignore the fact that she was semi-naked.

 

Kagome was feeling good. She smiled against the duvet as the lotion soothed her aching back. The cool liquid numbed her skin and then eased the pain, leaching it out of her tired muscles. As the demoness' hands moved rhythmically on her back, soft mewls of pleasure escaped her mouth. 'Damn, but she's good with her hands...'

 

Sesshomaru nearly came undone as a breathy sound of pleasure came from her. As he rubbed her shoulders and back, louder mewls and moans of appreciation issued from her soft lips. His mouth went dry as he remembered those same sounds coming from her the other time he had laid his hands on her. A picture of the flushed Kagome whom he had pleasured came to his mind as his rubbing slowed and became more sensual. Sesshomaru realized that he had officially lost control and, even as the thought crossed his mind in horror, his demon crowed and took over.

 

He leaned down and sniffed Kagome's neck taking in her divine scent. He was usually a rather dominating and rough lover, but something about Kagome's scent soothed and relaxed him. Of course, the fact that he was encased in a feminine body could have had something to do with his mindset. The demon's beast tried to reverse the charm, but his more primal nature could not affect the enchantment and he gave it up after a few seconds.

 

Kagome's body loosened up under the demoness' skillful fingers. Along with each dissolving knot in her muscles, her worries were also escaping her. The girl had almost dozed off when she felt a certain shift in the air around her. She had just opened her lips to ask Kikyou if she had felt the strange vibe when shock froze the words in her mouth. Kikyou's fingers that had, until a few seconds ago, been stroking her sides, were now gently caressing the sides of her breasts. Warm breath tickled the back of her neck momentarily, and then a warm, moist tongue licked her sweet flesh. The tongue traveled from her neck to beneath her left ear and then sharp fangs carefully closed over her earlobe and gently tugged.

 

Kagome was beyond shocked. 'When I wanted confirmation of Kikyou being a lesbian, this is not the kind of confirmation I was looking for!' Her body was frozen and though a part of her mind was shouting at her to leap away, the rest of her mind was reveling in the unexpected contact. She shivered as Kikyou planted open mouthed kisses on her neck and shoulders. The demoness' hands had shifted from her breasts and had grasped her hips. Slowly Kikyou began making her way down her spinal column, kissing each vertebra with deliberation. Each successive kiss on her sensitive skin drove Kagome crazy with need and she quivered each time the demoness' lips came in contact with her skin.

 

Sesshomaru was lost in ecstasy. Kagome tasted divine and he couldn't get enough of her. He knew that the female was going to come to her senses soon and would stop him. So he tried to get as much of his scent on her as he could. He could smell a small spike of arousal in her scent and that drove him harder.

 

Kagome felt the demoness suck the skin on the small of her back and the sharp tug made her realize the demoness' destination. She immediately raised her head and breathlessly cried out. “Kikyou, stop it!”

 

There was a moment's hesitation and then the demoness unhanded her and moved off her. Kagome sat up, taking care to hold the robe closed. Both females stared at each other. While Kikyou was unnaturally calm and composed, Kagome was trembling and breathing deeply as she tried to get her body under control.

 

Kagome was confused. She had been enjoying what the demoness had been doing to her. It was only the fact that it was a female who had been doing it that had disconcerted her. `I'm in bed with a female who just did the most wonderful things to my body and could probably do even more wonderful things. She's obviously a very experienced lover. And she clearly feels some desire for me...But she is a she…'

 

Sesshomaru saw a gamut of emotions play out on the girl's face. He opened his mouth to apologise for his behaviour when the girl raised her hand to ward off his words and spoke softly, “Just let me think this through!”

 

The perplexed demon stared at the girl. `What is there to think about? I lost control and she…didn't realize what was happening. I should just apologise and get it over with it…unless she plans to complain about my behaviour to the dorm manager?'

 

Kagome's mind was whirling as she argued with herself. `So what if she is a she…in fact, it is perfect for you. You can enjoy her attentions to your body with no fear of any pregnancy, disease or commitments!'

 

`But it's wrong for me to do this, isn't it?'

 

`Wrong? Do you actually think what Kikyou did a few minutes was wrong? Did it feel wrong?... No, it is not wrong. But if you are uncomfortable you can always pretend that someone else is doing this to you; someone like that silver-haired freak from the club. You'd like him to do this to you, right? So use your imagination and for heavens sake give him a name.'

 

`But…'

 

`You'd promised yourself that you would be more aggressive this term, so go for it. How long do you want to remain a pure little shrine maiden? Look what that got you: only disappointments and Hojo! And a random encounter against a bar wall. This is the real thing…And besides everyone experiments in college!'

 

Kagome looked at the waiting demoness and decided. She released her hold on the robe, letting it fall around her waist. She waited for Kikyou to make a move but the demoness only stared, one perfect eyebrow rising in a mute question. The girl swallowed and spoke self consciously. “Kikyou, please, continue what you were doing…I want, just for one night, to…to feel loved!”

 

Sesshomaru was shocked. He had expected everything from tears and arguments to ranting and abuse, but he had not expected this. He had not expected her to ask him to continue and certainly not to bare herself to his eyes. And, even though his avatar's face was as stoic as always, Sesshomaru was drinking in the sight of her naked body while simultaneously wondering about the sensibility of continuing his by-now-subdued beast's actions.

 

Kagome fidgeted as the silence continued. Embarrassment grew in the girl as she realized that she had made a mistake. She drew the edges of the robe over her nakedness, when the demoness stopped her. A rough gravelly voice whispered. “To hell with it all!” Kikyou then smiled reassuringly at the girl. She stroked the girl's chin and then asked her softly. “Are you sure you want to do this?” At Kagome's nod, the inu whispered. “Good!”

 

Sesshomaru leaned forward and kissed the girl's eyes, her nose and then her chin. He moved to kiss her lips but Kagome turned her head slightly and Sesshomaru nodded in understanding. He slowly licked beneath her left ear and dragged his tongue along the side of her neck before nipping at her pulse-point. Kagome shifted her head to one side to give him better access to her neck, subconsciously submitting to him. He smiled to himself as he nipped and licked her neck sensuously; making sure that she would have his mark on her the next morning.

 

Within seconds, Kagome found herself on her back with Kikyou kneeling beside her. She moaned softly as she felt Kikyou's hand on her breast. As the demoness nipped and kissed her neck, her hands gently kneaded the human's soft breasts. Kagome felt wave after wave of pleasure flow through her entire body and her eyes closed as she savored the feeling.

 

Sesshomaru kissed the hollow of Kagome's throat as his hands spread the edges of her robe. He raised himself to look at the beautiful creature who was giving herself to him. He knew that if he was in his male form he would have been harder than a rock at this moment.

 

Kagome's eyes fluttered open as she felt Kikyou stop. Her breath hitched as she saw Kikyou stare at her breasts with a strange intensity. “By all the ancients, Kagome, you are so beautiful!” Kagome flushed at the words. No one had ever told her that she was beautiful. The words warmed her, even if they were coming from a member of her own gender. She firmly pushed the thought away and closed her eyes again, concentrating on enjoying the experience.

 

The demon kissed the tip of her breast, before suckling at her rosy nipple like a babe. He flicked at her nipple with his tongue and then bit it gently and tugged it, unleashing a deep moan from Kagome's soft, pink lips. She dug her hands into his shoulders as he paid similar homage to her other breast while massaging the first one. With each pass of his rough tongue on her mounds, Kagome shuddered and moaned, her skin glowing pink from his attention.

 

Kagome was lost in pleasure. `Who knew that breasts could give so much pleasure? Kami, don't you dare stop!' A dull ache had begun in her loins and she squeezed her thighs to relieve the pressure that was building there.

 

Sesshomaru's nose caught the spicy smell of her arousal swirling around him and gave a low growl. He followed his nose to the source of her arousal with small kisses along her flat abdomen. Seeing her squirm under his kisses and draw deep breaths at each kiss emboldened him further. He drove his tongue into her belly button, licking and suckling the flesh there with fervor.

 

Kagome held onto the demoness as her whole body quivered with anticipation. As Kikyou moved further southward, nipping and caressing, with lips, tongue and teeth, her heated flesh, the girl could not help but moan in appreciation at her lover's skills. Having experienced her first orgasm at the hands of the golden-eyed demon, the girl was looking forward to reliving the experience with a more accomplished partner.

 

Sesshomaru paused as he reached his destination. He looked up at the squirming girl's face as he knelt between her legs. Silently grinning to himself, he positioned his hands over the last barrier between them. He hooked his fingers in her underwear's waistband and slowly slid them down her long, glorious legs, revealing her core to his greedy eyes. The spicy aroma of her arousal drove him mad and he brushed his nose against her curls to better acquaint himself with it.

 

Kagome felt Kikyou remove her underwear and opened her eyes, suddenly apprehensive about the events to follow. Since, until now, she had been imagining a lava-eyed, silver-haired male inuyoukai pleasuring her, seeing the black-haired female inu's nose buried in her curls, gave her a little shock. A gasp of pleasure erupted from her as the demoness rubbed her nether lips. She quickly closed her eyes and went back to her imaginations where “Moonie”, as she had named her mysterious inuyoukai, continued to pleasure her.

 

Sesshomaru spread Kagome's nether lips and began stimulating her clit. He glanced at the girl's flushed face as she emitted small murmurs of pleasure. The whole situation reminded the demon of the meeting at Poison and he was inflamed with a surge of lust. He had almost turned his charm off when he heard Kagome whisper, “Don't stop, Moonie.” Though he was confused at the use of the name, the whisper served to lessen his lust to controllable levels. He realized what the girl was doing and the fact that she was imagining him to be someone else insulted his pride. Deciding to teach her a lesson, he bent down and replaced his fingers with his mouth.

 

He slowly moved his tongue across her seeping slit, the languorous licks catching every last drop of her essence. The very first taste of her had surprised him and he had made sure not a drop of her fluids was wasted. He had had many women in the past but none of them had tasted so potent and so...utterly irresistible.

 

The slow licks were driving Kagome insane. She cracked her eyes open and raised her upper body to see the demoness' eyes focused on her face. The erotic sight of the cold Kikyou licking her so intimately aroused Kagome and she started panting and groaning. With each pass of the demoness' warm, moist tongue over her burning core, Kagome squirmed, her body undulating with desire.

 

The demon saw the naked want playing across Kagome's face and decided to change tactics. Abandoning his lazy licks, he focused his attention on teasing her clit with his tongue and fangs.

 

Kagome cried out at the flood of exquisite pleasure coursing through her. She felt as if she was melting, and moaned loudly at the demoness' actions. She dug her fingers into the mattress and grabbed fistfuls of the sheets as her pants grew in intensity. By now the girl had abandoned her imaginations, for nothing in her mind could compare with the exquisite reality that Kikyou was showing her. 'Of course, being an Inu demoness, she would know how to lick ...but, Kami, this feels sinfully good!'

 

Sesshomaru continued to tease her clit, while gently probing her inner lips with his finger. As Kagome gave a particularly loud cry, Sesshomaru slowly pushed his middle finger into her. He kept his gaze on her face for any sign of pain but, though her face had stilled and her mouth had frozen in a surprised 'O', no sign of pain appeared on her face.

 

Even though his avatar's finger was long and thin, Kagome's inner walls were extremely tight around the intruder. Sesshomaru imagined his organ entering her tight cavern and groaned mentally, once again almost succumbing to the temptation of undoing his charm. A stray thought brought him back to the matter at hand and he looked critically at the girl, storing the information away for later consideration. He took a deep breath and then slowly removed the finger. Kagome gave a loud moan as his finger created a delicious friction against her walls. Just as the finger was almost out, he pushed it back in, and then out again beginning a torturously slow rhythm.

 

Kagome knew that the demoness was engaging in what was crudely called finger fucking. The term had always seemed rather coarse and uninspired to the young girl but at the moment she could easily say that it was the best thing that had happened to her. With each pass, the demoness' finger was driving her crazy and the girl panted as she felt the build up of a strange tension in her. Just when she thought that it was too much for her to bear, the demoness inserted another finger into her, stretching her already full channel. Kagome loved the feeling but also felt that she was missing something. The slow rhythm of the demoness' fingers was not satisfying enough for her and without knowing what she wanted she spoke up. "Please, more..."

 

Sesshomaru smiled to himself. He had wondered when she would ask him for this. He himself wanted to pump her faster but wanted to give the girl a taste of the yearning he was going through. At the same time, he was punishing her for imagining someone else in his place. In his avatar's cool voice, he asked her. "More?"

 

If she was not being finger fucked at the moment, she would have laughed as her words reminded her of a story she had read as a child. "Please, this is not enough...please, I want...I want...more."

 

She bucked her hips in an attempt to find the `more' but Sesshomaru placed one hand on her abdomen to hold her down. "Tell me, Ka-go-me, what do you want?"

 

Kagome was getting desperate. The coils of tension were still there but had somehow diminished and she could almost feel it slipping away from her. She knew she was near orgasm but the demoness was teasing her, keeping her away from completion.

 

"I beg...you, Kikyou, please..."

 

Sesshomaru smiled in triumph as he heard her gasp out his avatar's name. Though he would have preferred her to call out his real name, he was pleased that, at last, the girl had had to acknowledge the one she thought was pleasuring her. Abandoning his cruel game, he gave the girl what she instinctively wanted. He pumped his fingers into her with more speed and the girl instantly voiced her delight. He knew she was close to the edge and so he pushed her over it by leaning down and sucking on her swollen clit.

 

Kagome's world exploded as a tornado of pleasure coursed through her veins. Each and every nerve in her body was dancing and the girl felt as if she had glimpsed heaven.

 

He felt her shudder in the most delightful manner, her walls rippling around his fingers as she screamed in ecstasy. He continued to pump her till she was spent and then licked up her juices savoring her unique taste. He gazed at Kagome's face as he sat up, taking care not to miss a single expression of her bliss as he licked his fingers clean of her essence.

 

For a few seconds Kagome was in heaven and then as she touched earth, she felt Kikyou move from between her legs. A small seed of panic burst in the girl's mind as she wondered about the demoness' next move. 'I hope she doesn't want me to return her favour...' To her relief, she saw Kikyou disappear into the bathroom.

 

Kagome quickly wore her robe and then laying down on her bed, covered herself with a sheet. Now that the entire episode was over and the haze of desire was off her, her mind was in turmoil. While, on the one hand, she was extremely happy and satisfied at the night's activities, on the other, a small kernel of guilt and disgust was beginning to bud in the girl. Hearing the demoness come out of the bathroom, she screwed her eyes closed and pretended to be asleep to avoid talking to the demoness about the incident.

 

Kagome could not believe what she had done. Though in all technicality she had not done anything, that very fact damned her. 'I should not have let her do this to me. I should have been strong enough to stop her from taking advantage of me. What was I thinking? How could I have made such a bad decision? How could I have allowed a girl to do this to me? And to have enjoyed it the way I did...does that mean I'm a lesbian?'

 

Her eyes flew open at the thought. `Am I a lesbian? Shit! Is that why boys avoided dating me? Did they get the lesbian vibe from me?...oh my god, that has to be the reason. I've just discovered my true sexual preference!...But I never felt attracted towards Sango…maybe she isn't my type…My type? I never thought my type would be from my own gender! Kami! This is such a mess!'

 

She heard Kikyou move around the room and then the bed creak as the demoness lay on her bed. Kagome's anger and hysteria grew and irrationally, she decided that the responsibility for this entire catastrophe lay with the demoness. `It's all her fault! If she hadn't started it, I would never have realized the horrible truth...My entire world has been turned upside down and the bitch is enjoying her beauty sleep. How can she be so matter-of-fact and calm? Doesn't she realize what this experience has done to me?…Passionless fucking Ice-Cube!'

 

On the other bed, the ice-cube was in very hot water. Sesshomaru was extremely disgusted with himself at loosing sight of his objectives. Even though he was relieved that his cover had not been blown, at several times, it had been touch and go for him. The realization that he had violated not one but several of his own iron-clad rules made him feel hollow and weak. And, he despised that feeling. He was also extremely frustrated. All he wanted to do was to turn forms, find a willing girl or demoness and plow into her, but due to the nature of his cover, this was one option he could not follow. So he had taken the only other cure he knew of; he had taken a cold bath. Though even that had not helped much since there was nothing physical for him to cool; it was his very blood that was super-heated.

 

He knew that matters had gotten rather complicated with his principal and was therefore glad that to find Kagome asleep when he returned from the bathroom. He eyed the girl's shapely silhouette, mentally berated himself for his hentai thoughts, and retired to his bed.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

It was dark when Sesshomaru awoke. Though dawn was still an hour away, he was too charged up to sleep for any longer. He glanced at the slumbering form of his client and sighed. `I am really not looking forward to her getting up. I'm sure she will have questions and I …What the fuck will I tell her?'

 

Tense and wound up, he turned to the one person who he was most comfortable with. Despite the early hour, he could wait no longer to talk to Rin. Making up his mind, he texted her to meet him. He crept out of his bed and tiptoed to the wardrobe to dress. He took care not to make any noise that would wake up his charge and silently threw a web of his youki around the window and the doorway as a sort of modified burglar alarm. Taking one last look around the room, he headed out.

 

Kagome waited for the demoness to leave before getting out of bed. Throughout the night, the girl had tossed and turned, sleep coming in fits and spurts. She had just fallen asleep when a soft thud had awoken her. She had heard her roommate move around the room, but had pretended to be asleep to avoid any talk of last night. Though her body was no longer hurting from the after-effects of the archery class, the events after that had deeply affected her emotionally. She sighed deeply. `Kuso! This is all so fucked up!'

 

Deciding that this was an emergency and that she needed to talk to someone, she got off her bed. She didn't know where Kikyou had gone, but she knew where she had to go, to Sango. She hoped that her strong, more worldly-wise friend could help her out with her confusion.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

Rin awoke to the irritating noise of her ringing phone. She ignored it for a few seconds but then cracked an eye to locate the infernal machine. To her surprise, the room was still dark. The fact that someone was calling her at night drove sleep away from her. She quickly snatched up the phone to discover a terse SMS from Sesshomaru asking her to come to the front of the dorm house and to bring her explanations with her.

 

Sudden dread welled up in her but she ignored it as she rushed around the messy room trying to get ready in the dark. Though she bumped into various pieces of furniture a couple of times, she finally managed to get ready and creep out of the room. The girl ran down the corridor, leaving the door open in her haste.

 

A sleepy Sango raised her head grumbling at the open door. She hit the dial on her luminous watch, raising her eyebrows at the early hour. She had heard Rin bustling around with all the grace of a bumbling elephant but had thought that the girl had an early class. 'Where could she be going at this ungodly hour?'

 

She rose from her bed and moved to the window to catch a glimpse of the girl as she emerged from the building, when she saw another figure waiting on the dorm house's porch. In the pre-dawn haze, Sango could not recognize the figure but could just about make out that the person sported black hair. Then as Sango watched in confused silence, Rin flew down the steps. She halted in front of the figure, exchanged a few words and then hugged the figure. Both then disappeared into the wooded patch that lay beyond their dorm house.

 

Sango smiled as the answer came to her. 'So my clumsy little Rin's got a boyfriend...though it sure is a strange hour to meet a boy.'

 

A sound from the door caught Sango's attention and the surprised girl moved towards the door to see Kagome standing there in silence. “Kagome, what are you doing here?”

 

The girl sounded relieved as she whispered. “Oh, Sango, I'm so glad that you're awake. I was about to turn back…”

 

Sango ushered the robe-covered girl inside and shut the door. Switching on the lights, she peered at her friend's face. "Is everything alright? You don't look too good."

 

A wry smile appeared on Kagome's face. "Thanks, that's just what I wanted to hear this early in the morning. How come you're awake?”

 

"You know Rin, my roommate? Appears she had an urgent early-morning appointment with someone on the porch, and so she knocked over half the furniture in the room trying to get ready in the dark. I swear that that girl doesn't know the meaning of subtlety. Still, I guess since she was meeting her boyfriend I can excuse her waking me up like this.”

 

Glad that they were talking of mundane things while she gathered her courage, Kagome smiled. “She has a boyfriend?”

 

“I don't know. I assume it was her boyfriend. All I could make out from here was a tall figure with longish black hair. It must be a boy she's seeing in secrecy. The way she hugged him and the fact that they moved into the woods, which is a popular make-out point on this campus, just about proves it. Who else could it be at this time of the morning?”

 

Kagome bit her lip and thought of the empty bed in her room. A soft murmur escaped her lips, “Indeed, who else?” She attempted to think rationally about the whole situation. `Both Kikyou and Rin are missing. Two unrelated people having separate reasons to be up at this time of the morning… is too much of a coincidence. And Sango's words do strengthen that possibility…not that I care about what Kikyou does! She could go to the devil for all I care… '

 

Sango noticed her friend's silence and led her to her bed. Sitting the silent girl on her bed, she sat next to her and asked gently. "What is the matter, Kags? What's troubling you?"

 

Kagome looked at her friend's concerned face and felt her resolve crumble. "Sango, I...I...I think that...I mean...I'm pretty sure that I...uh...I might be a lesbian."

 

Sango looked at her friend and then burst out laughing. "That's the funniest thing I have heard."

 

Kagome glared. "What the hell are you laughing for?"

 

"You…a lesbian? Are you serious? You, who always tried to maneuver Hojo into making out with you? You, who has ogled boys right from her teenage years? Who tried to seduce Inuyasha at the extremely mature age of thirteen? You who never stop chattering about boys...you say you are a lesbian?"

 

Kagome visibly deflated. "Sango, that is all talk. At the end of it all, I am still an eighteen year old virgin who has spent three years with a gay boyfriend without even realizing it.”

 

Sango interrupted her with a gasp “Gay boyfriend…you mean Hojo was gay?” Seeing her friend nod miserably, the fighter gave her a brief hug. “When did you realize…and why didn't you tell me?”

 

Kagome ducked her head, “Recently…and I really don't want to talk about it.”

 

The fighter nodded. “Okay, I understand. But that doesn't prove anything.”

 

Kagome looked at her friend's serious face and then sighed. “I don't know, Sango. It's all very confusing. Who knows, maybe I had lesbian characteristics and finally turned into one after Hojo's betrayal. Maybe I no longer desire men any more..." Moonie's face came into focus and she hastily amended her statement. "...or maybe I'm bisexual."

 

 

Sango was looking at her curiously, a small smile flitting on her face. "Fine….! So, you're saying that the fact that I'm sitting here in my frilly little nightdress has got you salivating for my hot body?"

 

An abashed Kagome ran her eyes over friend's tiny night garments and mentally agreed that Sango was looking good. She had not noticed the fighter's lack of proper garment's earlier being so preoccupied with her own problems. But despite the fact that Sango was looking extremely good, she felt nothing for the fighter. "Uh...I think...You're my friend...I don't think I can desire you anyway."

 

Sango smiled and sat crossed leg on the bed. "Hmm! Why don't you tell me what happened that made you question your sexuality and maybe I can help you with it?"

 

Kagome blushed and cleared her throat. “Uh…yes…um…uh…yesterday, after the martial arts class…I was really tired and hurting…then…Kikyou got some food for me and a salve for my sore muscles. I couldn't apply it and so I asked her for help…uh…and…”

 

“And?”

 

“Uh…she was applying the lotion on my back when I felt her…fondling me. Then she began…kissing my neck and spine. One vertebra at a time…”

 

Sango sighed, a dreamy look on her face “Feels wonderful, doesn't it? It drives me wild when he…oops! Sorry! Go on.”

 

“Yes…it felt good. Too good! And that's exactly the whole problem. I actually enjoyed what she did to me. How could that be possible if I was straight?”

 

Sango doubled over with laughter. “That's all? She just kissed your back?”

 

Kagome looked away. “I stopped her before she could go too low.” `Of course, then I rolled over and let her do whatever she wished. However, I think that piece of information I'll keep to myself.'

 

“Did you kiss or touch her? No? Then I really don't think there is anything to be worried about. Unless…tell me truthfully, are you attracted to Kikyou?”

 

“No! I'm not sure I even like her at all. She's just so cold and…perfect that it irritates me no end. I feel like I'm somehow less when I'm around her. Less beautiful, less graceful, less smart…”

 

“That's utter bullshit! You're any day better than her.”

 

Kagome gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks! But really, she is a very strange girl. Despite my dislike for her, I cannot help be curious about her. And sometimes, I get a really strange vibe from her that puts me on my guard…something rather feral and strong.”

 

“Baka! She is inuyoukai, after all. And since we're clear that you are not attracted to her, the matter is settled. And if you still have any lingering doubts, my advice is - just get yourself a guy!”

 

Kagome laughed. “As if you're having much luck with yours. And that reminds me, how was the training session?”

 

Sango growled. “That spineless bloody worm never came for the class. I had warned him that I take my training very seriously but it seems that he thought I was jesting. If I get my hands on him, I will…”

 

“Probably forget all about your training.” Kagome smiled and winked at the outraged fighter. “You forget that I heard you two over the telephone. If that was any indication of your times together, it's no wonder that you haven't been able to train with him at all.” She smiled at her friend's blush. “Why don't you invite your amazing youkai for the celebratory dinner? That way, everyone can meet him.”

 

As Sango beamed and started discussing her plans, Kagome smiled. As she had hoped, her conversation with her friend had lightened her mind. And, even though she was not sure about herself, she was glad that the girl had distracted her from her own confused thoughts. Abandoning her gloominess, she let herself be swept away by the other's excitement.

 

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

A cold wind blew across the forest, causing Rin to shiver. She rubbed her hands together and blew on them, silently following the grave youkai. Though he had greeted her with affection at her appearance, it had been a sober greeting. Kikyou's expressionless features had frightened her with their severity and Rin knew that the time ahead would be extremely trying. In her nervousness, she had immediately agreed when he had suggested they retire to somewhere more private for their discussion. Sesshomaru had then moved into the forest. Instead of following the paths, he had ventured into the darkness, Rin blindly following him and trusting him to guide her safely. The wind tugged at Rin's messy hair and the girl hoped that they would reach their destination soon.

 

Within a few minutes of walking, she caught sight of a shelter built into a rocky area of the forest. It was so cleverly built that it was not easily noticeable and blended into the foliage and rock formations.

 

The inu led her inside and closed the door, pointing her towards one of the rickety chairs. “Sit!” He changed into his true form and then deactivated his power limiter. His till-now restrained youki rushed through him, revitalizing his body, before blazing through the small room. A small sound of pleasure escaped his lips as he felt his abilities return to their normal strength. “I hate that damn thing! With it on, my senses just go for a toss. It's a relief to be back to normal.”

 

He stretched and then smiled at Rin. “Did you know about this place?” At Rin's hesitant denial, he grinned. “Good! In my time, few people knew about this place. At that time, it used to be the haunt of the most powerful demons on campus. I can't smell anything recent, so I'm guessing that this place is either not known or is off limits.”

 

He gave the room a careful look. “This brings back such memories …both good and bad.”

 

 

A determined Sesshomaru strode into the shelter, taking in the cluster of youkai gathered there with a disdainful glance. Despite being a new student, the moment he had heard whispers of a secret youkai club on campus, he had immediately decided to rise to its leadership. After giving the matter grave consideration, he had decided that an open contest would be the most effective way of gaining the prestigious position.

 

His entry caused little commotion but when his youki flared dramatically and surrounded him in silent challenge, the others got the message. His little power display resulted in varied reactions from the gathered youkai. While some Seniors stiffened in submissive poses, others aggressively flared their youki to answer his challenge. And then Sesshomaru attacked…

 

 

An aloof Sesshomaru sat in one of the chairs, his reputation as a brutal, efficient killer holding the other youkai, each powerful in his own right, at bay. His obvious power and lethal skills had propelled him to the head of the youkai pecking order on campus, and the others seemed to fear him. While most used the shelter as a place of vice - gambling for slaves, money and land; imbibing illegal substances and holding human baiting matches, Sesshomaru actually had little patience for the activities that were held there, and only came to the cabin to ensure that his position was not threatened.

 

A serpent youkai, drunk on the potent nectar that was flowing freely across the table, called to him to join them. Sesshomaru declined him dismissively, raising the intoxicated demon's ire. The slighted serpent lost all reason in his rage and inebriation and viciously attacked the reclining inu. A wicked, green whip shot out from the bored inu's finger and slashed his opponent to bits…

 

 

The young girl screamed as the gag was ripped from her mouth. She huddled against one corner, her terror at being in the midst of strange youkai making her shiver. Sesshomaru was disgusted at the proceedings and at what he knew would follow, but merely turned a deaf ear to the girl's pleas not considering her worth his attention. He knew he could have stopped the youkai with a mere word but felt it unnecessary to tax himself over a measly human. And then he caught her scent through the thick terror...

 

 

The sweet girl smiled at him, talking away nineteen to the dozen, as Sesshomaru glared at her. He was tired of being in her presence and his temper was rising. She tried to get him to respond but the taciturn demon turned away from her. He paced the shelter, suddenly exasperated, and smashed one of the chairs violently. He turned and moved towards her with all the deadly grace of a born hunter. The girl blanched…

 

 

Rin watched his stoic face, guessing his thoughts and inner turmoil. She covered his hand with her delicate one and gently squeezed. Sesshomaru looked at her and sighed, as she tried to console him. “It was a long time ago, Sessy. You were a different person then.”

 

He glanced at a smashed chair lying in one corner and nodded. “Yes, time changes everyone and everything.” He paused and then giving her one of his inscrutable looks, spoke softly. “…everything, even your scent.”

 

The worry was back on Rin's face as she tried to get her breathing back to normal. She knew that he would never hurt her, no matter what the provocation, but knew equally well that if she did not handle the matter carefully, Miroku could come to great harm at the hands of her protector. Carefully assessing his mood, she pleaded with him. “Sessy, I wanted to tell you as soon as you reached here, but I mistook Kagome for you and then could not confess later. Please listen to the whole story before you take any decision.”

 

He nodded and she took a deep breath. She launched into a highly edited version of the events that had lead to the agreement. She stressed Miroku's gallantry and his repeated help and highlighted Inuyasha's bravery and strength. The only thing that she hid from the inu was the fact that Inuyasha had kissed her and the fact that Miroku had confessed to being a letch and a womanizer. “…And so after giving the matter some thought, I thought it was a good idea and agreed to his plan.”

 

Sesshomaru was silent for a few seconds. He looked at the eager girl and gave her a considering look. “Are you sure that there is nothing more to the story? Nothing that you are hiding from me?”

 

Rin's heart skipped a beat but she pouted adorably. “You doubt my words?”

 

The demon only looked at her in silence. Then he softly asked her, “Do you like the dragon-tailed human?”

 

A surprised blink, and then she laughed. “Yes, but not in the way you mean.”

 

“Thank the Kami for small mercies! He fairly stank of women, so I am not sure how far he can be trusted in this matter. But you say he helped you and that you trust him…” Sesshomaru sighed and then relented. “Fine, I suppose there is nothing wrong with it…as long as he keeps to the agreement. By all the ancients, if he makes one wrong move, I will split him into two.”

 

Rin beamed at him. “Great.”

 

After a few seconds of comfortable silence, Rin started the conversation again. “So, how's your new principal?”

 

`Soft, sweet and sinfully tempting!' He gave a vague shrug. “She smells nice and seems like a good person.”

 

“Wow! She really didn't make much of an impression on you. I was surprised to see her. She resembles you so much. You must have been shocked when you saw her.”

 

`You have no idea just how shocked.' He bit back a smile and nodded.

 

The girl chirped on. “She seemed nice. Do you like her?”

 

`I like the way she moans and pants; the way she tastes, smells and feels; the way she drives me crazy with desire; the unbridled passion in her…but do I like her?' He gave a small smile understanding the girl's curiosity and reason for the question. “I don't really know much about her. I like what little I've seen of her but...I don't know whether she will be a good principal.”

 

“I know you can handle her, Sessy. I've met some of the crazy women you've had to protect in the past. This one seems to be quite normal compared to them.”

 

`Handle her? Oh, I'd love to handle her…specially when I'm in my true form.' He leaned back. “She's a miko. There is nothing normal about a miko. And specially a miko who smells like…”

 

Rin was hanging onto his words and made a disappointed sound when he stopped talking. “Smells like?” She scrutinized his face and was surprised to see that he was disturbed about something. Concern bloomed in her voice. “Sessy, what's wrong?”

 

Sesshomaru was considering telling her about his strange attraction for his principal when the concern in her voice froze him. `I can't tell her about that! She would probably, first, be very disappointed in my behaviour and then worry about the success of the case and its affect to my already guilt-wracked mind. I must divert her attention…'

 

Looking at her, he sighed and revealed his other source of tension. “I met Inuyasha.”

 

Rin stiffened imperceptibly at the mention of her nemesis, but kept her face calm. “Yes, I remember. You were walking with him. How did the meeting go?”

 

“Rin, it was…I…I couldn't stop staring at him. He is so different from what I had imagined him to be. I had imagined a weak, cowardly hanyou but I was wrong. He is so powerful…his youki…I actually thought he was a full demon. I could feel the power of our father's blood rushing through his veins. It called to me, Rin! Why did I not recognize it that day? All this could have been avoided if I had taken them in…”

 

He breathed deeply and unclenched his fists. “I had planned in my head what I would say when I met him. I had it all chalked out. But when I saw him, I realized that my approach had been geared towards a weakling, and would not work on someone so obviously powerful like him. He was within feet of me, smiling at me…and even when Kagome left us alone, I could not think of one thing to say to him. Not a single thing! Rin, you have to help me!”

 

The girl squeezed his shoulder. “Baka! You should have talked to him normally. I mean, you're a guy. Just talk to him like you would to another guy.”

 

As the demon gave her a level look, she hit her head. “Kuso! I forgot that your normal would consist of icy glares and arrogant words. Hmm, this does pose a problem.”

 

“The problem is that I have no idea what he is like…If only I knew more about him…” He snapped his gaze to the girl as an idea came to him. “Rin, you said you've met him. Tell me about him, about his nature. What did you think of him?…And, how can I hold his interest?”

 

`Just kiss him and run like crazy. That will get his interest like nothing else!' The girl giggled at the thought and then rubbed her head. “Uh…well…let's see. He's very loyal to his friends. He's brave and one heck of a fighter.” One hand unconsciously drifted to her ribs as she remembered their `sparring' match. “He's very protective and has a quick temper. He's arrogant and rude, thinks no end of himself. He…he's actually quite like you, Sessy.”

 

The inu snapped his eyes to her face at her words. “Like…me?”

 

Rin nodded. “Yes. Both your natures are quite similar. Only thing is that he's more emotional than you and he lets it show.”

 

Sesshomaru ran a hand through his long hair, as he mulled over the girl's words. ”Hmm.”

 

“If you don't understand him, just imagine yourself in his shoes. Try to put yourself in his mindset - how would you feel if what had happened to him had happened to you - and you'd be able to relate to him.”

 

Anguish laced the demon's voice. “I would hate my brother! With every single fiber of my being!...And I know he hates me. I know it!” He started pacing the room. “I can't risk alienating him in my avatar's form also. I have to do this perfectly. I have to get close to him…but I can't do this without knowing him. Kami, this is such a quandary. I need to befriend him to get to know him better, but to befriend him I first need to know him! And I can't do either while I'm protecting Kagome!”

 

Rin watched him pacing, her dislike of the hanyou rising, irrationally, at the sense of pain she was getting from the demon. She knew Inuyasha had no hand in her protector's current state, in fact it was the opposite, but she could not help getting angry. Suddenly, the demon paused mid-step and looked at the girl. Rin felt a chill run through her at his assessing look.

“Rin…can I ask you for a favour?”

 

The girl tensed. She knew, instinctively, that she would not like the favour he was asking of her. Keeping her expression open, the girl nodded. “Of course, what is it?”

 

The demon dropped to his haunches. “You are Miroku's girlfriend and Miroku is Inuyasha's best friend. This gives you the perfect opportunity to be around him and to get to know him. Please, can you help me by collecting more information about him? I really don't want to mess up anything.”

 

Rin heard the words with rising horror. `Be around him? Get to know him better? Kami, Sessy, don't ask me to do this!' Inuyasha's smirking face came to her and she flinched involuntarily, both hate and desire warring with each other within her. `No, I will not do this! I can't do this!' She looked at the waiting demon and spoke carefully. “Sessy, uh, we don't get along with each other…and so I really don't think it will be a good idea.”

 

Sesshomaru huffed at her denial and clenched his fists. His voice dropped low. “Why don't you get along with him, Rin?”

 

The girl bit her lip. `What do I tell him? I definitely can't tell him about the kiss. What else can I say that will convince him?' She tried to find a convincing argument but not finding anything good enough, just shrugged. “Don't know. He doesn't like me…and he's so different!”

 

The demon snorted. “Exactly! He's different. That is why I wanted your help.” He stood slowly, a heartrending look of bitterness on his face. “Doesn't matter, I'll find another way.”

 

Rin's heart lurched at the expression on the demon's face. Unbidden, tears sprang to her eyes at the situation she found herself in. But she knew what she had to do. Even as her mind screamed at her not to do it, her traitorous mouth opened and the dreaded words spilled out. “No, Sessy, I'll do it!”

 

A large smile bloomed on the demon's face. “My dear, you are an absolute gem!” Rin discreetly wiped the moisture from her eyes and smiled. Though she was uncomfortable with the whole deal, she made sure that the demon was not aware of it. Glad that he was distracted and not paying much attention to her scent, she smiled. Giving him a light punch, she quipped, “And don't you forget it!”

 

The demon's mind was racing. “Yes, you will be the perfect spy. Now, you have to make sure you get invited for Sango's celebratory dinner.”

 

Rin gave him a curious look. “You will be there, right? I mean, since you are Kagome's roommate, she will have to invite you.”

 

`After what I did, it'll be a miracle if she'll talk to me!' He shook his head. “I wouldn't count on it. That is why, I'm covering all bases. Since it is all hush-hush, I will have no information about the party. Kami knows where they will hold it! With you as my mole, I can get all the info and plan accordingly. And you can make use of the opportunity to befriend Inuyasha.”

 

Rin almost squirmed with unease. `Kami! I have to befriend that rude animal? Why can I never get a break?'

 

She stifled the urge to scream and simply smiled. “Sure, piece of cake!”

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

A smiling Kagome exited Sango's room. The early morning sun had not dispelled the night chill and she wrapped her arms around herself to keep herself warm. The fact that she was wearing her micro-robe was not helping her much in her endeavour.

 

Kagome's mind was buzzing with what Sango had told her. Even though the fighter had laid an extremely convincing argument, Kagome was not totally convinced. She needed proof and wondered how to get it. In her preoccupation, she didn't see where she was walking and crashed into someone. “Oooof!”

 

She would have fallen, if a pair of strong arms had not caught her. She looked into warm, twinkling eyes as a strange youkai male grinned at her. “Hey, pretty lady! Watch out, you almost hurt yourself there!”

 

Kagome stared at his face, not comprehending her situation. Without really thinking, she moved further into his arms and pressed her lips to his. The male was clearly shocked, but only for a second. He responded admirably to her kiss, kissing her back thoroughly with skill. The feel of his warm lips on her lips, teasing and hard, would have had currents of pleasure threading down her back at any other time, but today Kagome felt nothing at the close contact.

 

Horrified at her act, and even more, at the hollow feeling the kiss had evoked, she pushed the demon away. Panting, she looked at him wide-eyed and then ran towards her room. She entered her room and quickly closed the door, afraid that the demon would want to follow her inside. And she was proved right. The demon banged on the door and called to her, but when she did not open the door, she heard him cursing and moving away.

 

It was only then that she let the revulsion wash over her. She collapsed to the floor, a solitary tear flowing down her face. `What is happening to me?...The kiss proves it. I no longer desire men. Kami! This is awful! What will people say?'

 

She started as the door banged open and an icy Kikyou strode in. The demoness gave her a brief look before carefully examining the room. Kagome watched in awe as the demoness growled and moved back to the door. There, she sniffed the door and then apparently satisfied, closed it. It was only then she moved towards the human who had scrambled off the floor. “What happened? Why are you crying?”

 

Kagome was embarrassed at being caught in this state by the graceful demoness. She hastily wiped her tear. “Nothing!”

 

She started to move away, as the demoness neared her, but a strong hand caught her arm and held her motionless. She was surprised to see Kikyou's eyes widen as she came closer, and her hand fall away. The demoness growled again. “Hmm, nothing!”

 

Sesshomaru was angry. His burglar-alarm youki had alerted him to the fact that a stranger had made contact with the door, and so he had changed forms and quickly orbed back to the room. And now the only strange youkai smell in the room was concentrated around his principal's mouth. He tried telling himself that it did not matter who Kagome kissed, since it was not his business. But the thought of Kagome with someone else angered him and the fact that it angered him, baffled him. `Perhaps I'm angry at the competition with this other youkai. After all, I don't care for the girl. It's only this strange lust that is making me behave like this. Once I bed her, she'll be out of my system!'

 

He moved to his bed, taking care to not look at her in her robe. `Kami! Her wearing that robe should be banned!'

 

Kagome moved to her wardrobe and began riffling through it, to ensure that she would not have to come out of the bathroom in her undergarments. The tension in the room was thick enough to be cut with a powersaw. And the flutter in her stomach at the sight of the demoness had scared her and she wanted to escape the whole situation. So she was jolted when the demoness spoke to her. “I hope your body isn't hurting after last night?”

 

Kagome flushed at the words. “Umm, no, you were…very gentle.”

 

Kikyou gave her a level look. “I was talking about the lotion.”

 

Embarrassed, Kagome ducked her head. “Oh!” She took a deep breath and decided to say the words that had been rushing though her head all night. “I…I wanted to thank you for your help…but what happened after that…was a…mistake. Don't take it wrongly but I hope you understand it was a one off thing.”

 

Sesshomaru was incensed. `The bitch is rejecting me? After all I did to pleasure her!' Then he realized that it was not him she was rejecting but his avatar. “Fine, it is not like I can do what I want, with you.”

 

Kagome saw red. `She can't so what she wants to do…what the hell!' Her voice sharpened as she spoke acidly. “Is that why you were out today with the other girl?”

 

Sesshomaru was perplexed and then he saw light. `She thinks that Kikyou likes girls? Oh, but she is correct. If only she knew…'

 

Kagome saw the demoness raise one perfect eyebrow and say mockingly, “Kagome, I didn't know you cared.”

 

Kagome turned away and spoke frigidly. “I don't.”

 

“Hmm, fine. And since we are getting to know each other better, I'll ask you something. Are you a virgin?”

 

Kagome glared at her roommate. “And how is that any of your business?”

 

Kikyou spoke airily. “As someone who had her head between your thighs, I think I deserve an answer.”

 

Kagome flushed at the crude words. “Yes.”

 

“I ask because, though your scent is pure, you lacked a hymen.”

 

Kagome wanted to slap the demoness. “Yeah, well, Inuyasha and I used to rough-house and spar a lot. I think I lost it then.”

 

A tinge of disbelief laced the demoness voice. “You can fight? Then why did you choose archery?”

 

Kagome sat down on her bed a thoughtful look on her face. “I don't know. I guess I thought it looked easy and interesting. Hmm, I never really examined the reason. It's just that when they asked me, archery was the only thing that came to mind.”

 

Sesshomaru looked into the distance, the reason for the choice becoming clear to her. `Miko! What else?' Carefully, he remarked. “I see. If you've fought Inuyasha, you must be quite good at fighting!”

 

Kagome smiled. “Kind of. I remember my mom was at wit's end the first time we fought. Like you, Inuyasha, had also not been trained in martial arts as a child. As a hanyou, he was not allowed to join any dojo. So, mom had asked one of her helpers to teach him when he entered his teens. And the baka, he refused to learn till I learned. So we took lessons together.”

 

Sesshomaru absorbed the information gratefully. He knew why Inuyasha had been untrained till his teenage years and the knowledge pained him. Deciding to pry further, he asked, “So, you two are quite close. How did you two meet?”

 

Kagome clammed up at Kikyou's question. “Yes, we are very close. He's the best friend a person can have.” She then gave the demoness a speculative glance “The rest, you'll have to ask him.”

 

As she disappeared into the bathroom, Sesshomaru gave a sad smile. `Ah, Kagome. If only I could!'

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

Kagome stretched as she entered her room. The whole day had been an emotional roller-coaster for her. In a span of a few hours, she had discussed the possibility of being a lesbian with Sango, kissed a strange demon, had an intimate and surprisingly civil talk with her one-night lover, attended an extremely boring history class and made plans for Sango's dinner with Inuyasha and Sango. The day had been strange, to say the least.

 

The most irritating part had been Kikyou's proximity. No matter where she had gone and what she had done, Kikyou had always been nearby. And that had annoyed the girl immensely. She had been trying so hard to avoid remembering the pleasure the demoness had given her but with Kikyou always fluttering around her, that had been one thing that was always on her mind. Even in history class, a subject she loved with a passion, she had been unable to concentrate, her thoughts often straying to the female sitting a few seats in front of her.

 

Every time she looked at Kikyou, she remembered the cool demoness licking her intimately, her glittering eyes focused on Kagome's face. And that would immediately send a shiver of desire through her. Several times during class, she saw demonesses and demons sitting around her turn and give her strange looks, but Kagome ignored them completely. She knew they could smell her desire and that she should be more careful as they might get the wrong impression about her, but truly she could not help it. Even the slight anger she had felt at the demoness earlier, and that had acted as a shield, had weakened tremendously.

 

After class, she had sat with Inuyasha and Sango in one of the gardens to plan for the dinner. Even then the cold demoness had been within sight, sitting under the shade of a tree and leaning against the gnarly trunk, a book in her hand. Kagome had tried to ignore her, and toughen herself against the demoness' allure, and must have succeeded for Inuyasha's sensitive nose had not caught anything. Despite her resolve, she could not avoid covertly glancing at the relaxed Kikyou every now and then.

 

Sango had been in fine spirits. Apparently, her youkai had made up with her and as reconciliation, invited the entire group for dinner at an extremely exclusive club owned by one of his friends. Since Sango's lover would be paying for the meal, they had decided to limit the guest list and to make it a couple affair.

 

Inuyasha had winked at Kagome roguishly and had informed her that she was the lucky girl who would be his date for the night. Kagome had punched his arm lightly, bemoaning the lack of romance in him, and had then accepted. Though they had often gone together for couple events in the past, today, Kagome could not but help glance at Kikyou before accepting. And then immediately, guilt and disgust had flooded her at her antics.

 

Now, back in her room, Kagome wondered what would happen now that it was night. Though, in the morning she had told Kikyou that it had been a one-off thing, she now hoped that the demoness would disregard her words.

 

As Kikyou entered the room, Kagome tensed imperceptibly but the demoness ignored her completely and went to her own bed. Kagome sighed and then lay on her bed. She gave the demoness one last longing look, before closing her eyes.

 

On his bed, Sesshomaru was having trouble holding himself in check. The whole day he had trailed Kagome, ready to protect her from danger, but the day had been boring and calm. Sesshomaru was feeling highly frustrated and was actually looking forward to trouble so that he could relieve his frustration through a good fight. It did not help that the source of all his aggravation was a mere feet away. Sesshomaru wanted to touch her, to pleasure her, to re-scent her, to taste her but was loath to approach her after she had made her thoughts clear. It was clear that she did not want him.

 

His anger stemmed from the fact that though she had allowed him to do the most intimate things to her body, she had refused to let him kiss her. And then, she had allowed some other youkai to kiss her, as was evident from what he had scented in the morning. His rage at her actions had been great but he had banked it. She was his principal, after all, and could kiss anyone she liked. It was not like he had some claim on her. `Bitch, I will follow your request...for now!'

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

The veiled woman gasped, “My lord!”

 

The masked man snarled, “I am still waiting for your report.”

 

The woman took a gulp of air. “My lord, I have scoured all the clubs in the area for the One, but have not been able to find her. I have found many other low-ranking miko, but since we have enough ki-shards in our possession, I have not captured their ki.”

 

The man grunted. “So, what do you plan to do now?”

 

She braced herself, fortifying herself for what was happening. “I am now considering moving to…other large cities to find her. I was thinking…either Osaka or Tokyo. I shall scour all the restaurants and clubs there…”

 

He nodded and spoke silkily. “Yes, that seems like a good plan. But remember, I have work to do and soon, would have to attend to that. You must find her before that.”

 

She gasped loudly. “My lord! Yes…But perhaps we can…use it to our advantage?”

 

He froze, a small smile spreading across his face. “Yes…I can see what you mean! Very good! You will be rewarded for it.”

 

Immediately, he resumed thrusting into her, as she began panting loudly. As he sped up and thrust more brutally, his palms squeezing her naked breasts viciously, the woman screamed in pleasure. He tore her veil off her face and removed his mask. Pulling her upper body up by her long white hair, he began kissing her violently. A thin rivulet of blood dribbled down from her lips, as he bit her soft lips in his passion. The woman moaned with heightened desire at his rough treatment of her. He continued to bite her at various places, always making sure to draw blood. The painful love-making continued for some time before he finally brought her to orgasm and came in her.

 

The man looked at the bloody mess she had become and grinned ferociously at her. She smiled back through cut lips, her blue eyes sparkling with pain. He rubbed a thumb, thoughtfully, across the wicked scar over her right eye and then withdrew from her. His voice was soft as he moved away from her and re-attached his mask. “The One must be found! I will not tolerate any failure from you! You will find her and …she will be mine!”

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

Kagome looked at the clock and squealed. The day had passed in a blur of merriment. The entire group had gotten together in the on-campus canteen, discussing the upcoming party, and joking with each other. Since Miroku was still without a date for the party, the others had enjoyed pairing the hentai with the most ridiculous females on campus. Inuyasha had joined in the fun but had sported a rather cynical smirk, and Miroku himself had muttered that he would find a suitable date without their help, but Sango and she had enjoyed pulling the prankster's leg.

 

And now that evening was approaching, she was getting a small panic attack as to what she would wear. She had invited Sango to her room, both for her help in getting ready and for moral support in facing Kikyou. Surprisingly, and a little disappointingly, Kikyou had been missing. And, so the two girls turned the room upside down while getting ready.

 

Sesshomaru walked into his room and gaped at the mess on the floor. Clothes of all sizes, fashion and colours were strewn about on every surface. The bathroom door opened and Sango emerged, dressed in a short black dress. `What is it with these women and short clothes? Even though this thing is longer than Kagome's robe, it still comes close to being indecent …'

 

But despite it, he had to agree that she was looking rather sexy. The mid-thigh dress had halter straps and was backless, with the skirt starting at her waist. The asymmetrical hem gave peeks of her well- toned thighs and her long hair was piled on her head in an elaborate coiffure. The dress suited the fighter, emphasizing her curves and softening her muscular built. `Damn, but she's looking hot. Her demon will surely not be able to take his eyes off her tonight.'

 

Sango noticed the demoness standing at the door and stopped fussing with her make-up. Remembering Kagome's words, she furtively attempted to pull down her hem, while giving the demoness a nervous smile. “Oh, Kikyou! You startled me!”

 

“I'm sorry for that. You're looking very good. That dress suits you.”

 

Sango laughed uneasily, again smoothing her hem. “Thanks.”

 

Sesshomaru found her nervousness rather amusing and was about to tease her some more, when he heard a sound behind him. He turned slowly, having identified the owner of the intoxicating jasmine scent behind him. But one look at Kagome, and he was transfixed. Emerging from the same bathroom that Sango had vacated some time ago, she was a vision in her dress.

 

Her floor length, wine-coloured satiny dress, offset her creamy skin giving her a rosy look. The plunging `V' neck of the dress that reached her waist and displayed her delectable cleavage, was embellished with intricate gold trim. The fitted bodice nestled her firm breasts and emphasized her slim waist. The skirt was straight and flared slightly at the hem. The back of the dress also had a plunging `V' that reached her lower back. All in all, it was a very sensual dress, and Sesshomaru was dry-mouthed looking at her.

He wanted to rip the dress off her and have his way with her, but somehow was able to keep control. Giving her a smirk, he huskily said, “I'm thirsty and in that wine-coloured dress, you look like something that I wouldn't mind drinking.”

 

Kagome had been frozen in place. She had felt pinned by Kikyou's eyes as the demoness had examined her minutely. Her heart had hammered wildly as the demoness had finally looked at her face with a half-smile.

 

When Kikyou uttered those soft words, Kagome flushed heavily to resemble her bright dress, as memories of the demoness doing exactly that came flooding through her. The human was becoming aroused and to avoid the demoness from recognizing her weakness, she quickly turned to anger to camouflage her want. “Why don't you slink back to where you came from, Kikyou? We're trying to get ready here! And, we really don't need a depraved hentai panting over us!”

 

Bright anger flared in the demon at the girl's words. `Bitch! How dare you command this Sesshomaru…' Collecting himself, he raised one eyebrow. “You flatter yourself, human! I was just pulling your leg. Why would I do something I've already done…and regretted?”

 

Kagome gasped. Turning on her heel, she moved towards the curious fighter who had been giving the whispering pair inquisitive glances. Giving her friend a reassuring smile, Kagome began brushing her hair.

 

Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome, cursing the girl for her hard-headedness and her fiery anger. He had been planning to talk to Kagome about the party but once again, things had gone horribly wrong. And now, having angered his principal, there was no chance of accomplishing that.

 

Earlier he had tried to speak to Rin, but the girl had been in class. And then he had been confined to a noisy canteen for most of the day. He was still unsure whether Rin had managed to secure an invitation to the dinner party, and the lack of knowledge was irking the demon.

 

Deciding to change tactics, he addressed the fighter. “Sango, can I ask you for a favour?”

 

The fighter gave him an assessing look. “Yes.”

 

“You're going to town for your celebratory dinner, right?” As Sango gave a hesitant nod, the demon gave his most charming smile. “Can I get a ride to town with you?”

 

Sango glanced at Kagome's stony face. “Uh, we might be a tight fit in the car since I don't know what car he's sending for us.”

 

From Rin's descriptions and his own interactions with her, Sesshomaru knew Sango was a soft-hearted person, and so gave his most beseeching look to her. “Please, it's really important…or I wouldn't have asked you.”

 

Sango hesitated, and then shrugged. “Sure, Kikyou, we'll squeeze in.”

 

Kagome threw her a dirty look, but the fighter ignored her friend, getting back to her make-up. Sesshomaru gave the glaring Kagome a triumphant smile, and then strolled into the bathroom to get ready.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

Sesshomaru alighted from the stretch limo, at the heart of the city, a grateful smile on his avatar's face. “Thanks Sango!”

 

As the car moved off, the smile slid of his face. He examined the surrounding carefully, and finding the place deserted, deactivated his charm and power-limiter. He took a deep breath as his youki rushed through him. Removing his red jacket, he reversed it and wore it, now dressed in unrelieved black. Turning himself into an orb, he carefully followed his quarry, the web of his youki on the car helping him identify it from the sky. Since only Kagome and Sango were in the limo, he had no fear of his youki web being detected.

 

Within seconds the car stopped in front of a large building. Sesshomaru stopped in one of the alleys, watching as his charge and her friend alighted from the car and entered the club called Gokan. Within seconds, he reached the gates, raising an impatient eyebrow at the bouncers who were barring his way. “Hey, where do you think you're going? This is a highly exclusive club, and only people with their names on the list can enter.” The beefy human gave the demon's plain black clothes a disdainful look. “…And I doubt we'll find your name on the list.”

 

Sesshomaru gave the human a steely look. “You dare to decline entry to this Sesshomaru?”

 

The human snorted. “Yes, so what are you going to do about it?”

 

`Decapitation or disembowelment?' Checking his beast's fury, he growled. He knew killing the human would be both excessive and unseemly for a demon of his stature. So, he flared his youki aggressively, alerting the youkai bouncers to his power and true status. Immediately, all the youkai bowed to him. A tiger youkai pushed the human away and addressed the demon. “My Lord, whom do I have the pleasure of serving?”

 

Sesshomaru withdrew his youki and arrogantly replied. “Sesshomaru Taisho, ex-chair holder of the Grand Alliance and Lord of the Western Lands.”

 

The human's mouth dropped open as he realized the close brush with death he had had. Due to his close interactions with youkai, he was aware of the awe in which the lord was held. He knew that the inu was renowned for his extreme brutality and quick temper, and instantly, bowed lowly to pacify the demon lord. Sesshomaru was immediately ushered inside, with several low bows and polite words.

 

Once inside, Sesshomaru looked about the club. The club was divided into three levels. While the ground level held the bar and the dance floor, the other two levels were dining areas and could be seen from the dance floor. The first level was open to the public, but the second was designated as the VIP floor. Sesshomaru knew that Kagome was in the VIP area, and that he could have joined her there, but not wanting to meet Inuyasha in his true form, he settled onto a bar-stool. Despite the varied and enchanting distractions around him, his eyes never strayed from the wine-coloured female sitting two floors above him.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

Kagome breathed the fragrant air around her, a small smile on her face. “This is a beautiful place, Sango.”

 

Sango nodded. “Yes, it's very classy. But, I'm surprised that the baka reserved the entire VIP floor for me.” A smile split her face as she looked at the deserted floor.

 

“Looks like he's really trying hard to please you. He must be really sorry for ditching your training session.”

 

Sango gave a smile. “Oh, he is. He called up at least a dozen times to apologise after I blew him up. And then, he sent me a dozen red roses. It was so sweet!”

 

A slight noise behind her had her whirling around. She saw an elegantly dressed Miroku enter the room, his date trailing behind him. As he winked at her, and moved to meet Kagome, Sango was shocked to see that his date was none other than Rin. She looked at Kagome, and raised her eyebrow. Kagome returned her baffled look, and then greeted the newcomers.

 

Miroku gave both the girls appreciative looks. “My, my…three beautiful girls and just one of me! Don't worry girls, we can share! Buddha always rewards the faithful!”

 

The girls rolled their eyes, as Rin gave him a lighthearted slap on the arm. “Miro, behave!” Miroku pouted, but subsided as the other two girls burst into laughter.

 

Sango joked, “Finally, Miroku, someone who can keep you in line.” Turning to Rin, she spoke innocently, “…though I am surprised that you agreed to be this hentai's date.”

 

Rin coloured faintly as Miroku gave her a crushing one-armed hug. “Well, then you'll be even more surprised to know that the both of us are together.”

 

Kagome burst out. “What? You mean…like a couple? Wow, that was fast!”

Rin nodded shyly and looked up at Miroku. He looked down into her eyes, and with an enigmatic smile, said, “Yes. We were also surprised at the suddenness of the whole thing. One moment we were friends and then, bang, we became more than just friends. I could not help but commit to her, never having been in such a situation before!”

 

Rin smothered a smile. `Miroku, you're such a drama queen!' Even though the boy was speaking nothing but the truth, his choice of words projected a totally different meaning and made the entire episode seem rather theatrical. `But I salute your skill at bending the truth!'

 

Sango turned away, and moved towards their table. “Congratulations, you two. Seems like this is a double celebration! Come, let's sit down.” She sat at the head of the table, watching the approaching couple with narrowed eyes. `If they are together, then who was the person I saw Rin meeting in the morning? It couldn't have been Miroku, because that boy had longer hair than Miroku's dragon tail. She must be cheating on him…Oh, Miroku, seems like you've finally met your match!'

 

Miroku sat at Sango's right, with Rin sitting beside him, at his right. Kagome sat opposite Rin, with her back to the railing from where the dance floor could be observed. There were two more empty chairs on the table. One for Inuyasha, who would sit opposite Sango and between Rin and Kagome, and the other for Sango's youkai who would sit opposite Miroku, at Sango's left and adjacent to Kagome.

 

The girls had begun chattering, when two males entered the room. One of them was Inuyasha, but it was the sight of the strange youkai that had Kagome's eyes widening in dismay. It was the same youkai she had kissed after emerging from Sango's room two days ago. The good looking-youkai bent down and kissed Sango lustily, causing Kagome to blanch.

 

Sango rose and put her arm around her youkai. “Everyone, this is my trainer and my boyfriend. I present to you…Kouga!”

 

 

 

TBC…

 

 

A/N: How many people guessed correctly? Raise your hands! ::grins::

 

I know that I had said that chapter 11 will have the dinner party, but it was getting so long that I decided to break it into two parts. I would have ended this chapter earlier, but decided that at the very least Sango's youkai should be revealed in this chapter.

 

Next chapter will have the dinner party and should be up by 1st week of March.

 

Also, I am a little surprised that no one has asked about the identity of any of the unnamed characters - veiled woman, masked man and Sesshomaru's HER. With my description of the veiled woman, I'm sure most of you must have guessed her identity. And the others?

 

Like it, Hate it or just indifferent to it, Please review! And preferably, please sign in and review, so that I can also reply via mail / message to your review.

 

My heartfelt thanks to all my wonderful reviewers:

 

MM

 

Sovereignty: WOW! 5 reviews? Claire, you are the best! Thank you so very much for your ideas and support. I am glad that you like the story. Big warm hug to you for making me feel so much better! As for censoring… ::sigh:: I hate doing that!

 

Sesshomaru_Kagome_lover_4ever: Thanks Angel, you truly are one! Since you and Sov are the only ones who are reviewing this on MM, a big warm hug to you. Thank you for your support! And yeah, I love you too!

 

FF

 

FluffyandKagome: Thanks and thanks! Yeah, I know! The lack of reviews does trouble me a bit… Each review is a boost for me and gives me motivation to write! So, the more reviews I get, the sooner the chapters get posted! ::laughs:: I`m glad that you're enjoying this story!

 

Nekoinukid: Hey, KPW. Thanks! Makes my day!

 

Moonlit marauder: Thanks Sara! Your support and wonderful comments really helped me get over my funk!

 

OtakuAnime131: Yep, pure evil! ::laughs:: But I didn't want to prolong your torment and so let him out in this chapter. Did you guess correctly? And thank you, I try!

 

DarkFallMoonBeloved: Thanks. ::Grins:: yeah, I loved writing the sword part! It was just so funny imagining them like that!