InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nothing Left to Lose ❯ Enjoying the Hot Springs ( Chapter 4 )

A/N: Oh dear, seems I forgot to explain Sesshomaru's arm. Don't worry, it's coming. Patience is a virtue and all that stuff. `K? I still don't own anything. Sob.

 

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Kagome was awake again. `Kami, what an awful day. Can't it be tomorrow already?' Her head was feeling better and her lips no longer felt swollen, but her shoulders were still tender.

 

`Sesshomaru grabbed me by the shoulders and slammed me into a wall. He shook me and called me a bitch. Then he kissed me.' Her hand went to her lips. `That was not expected. I've never been kissed like that before. Yeah, sure, I've only been kissed twice and both times by the same guy, but this was from another world! There was nothing soft, he wanted to devour me.'

 

Much to Kagome's embarrassment her lips were tingling as she remembered Sesshomaru's touch. She remembered leaning into him, not fighting anymore. `I don't love him! Hell, I don't even really like him! Why do I want to kiss him again?'

 

Kagome sat up, shaking her head. `I may have hit that wall harder than I thought. Obviously something has rattled loose.'

 

“Good evening, Kagome-sama.” Kumo was standing in the doorway. She whispered to another servant who scurried away, then moved to care for her lady.

 

“Good evening, Kumo. Were you watching me?”

 

“Hai, my lady. Your dinner will be here in moments.” Kumo lit the lamp next to Kagome and rearranged the pillows so she could sit comfortably. “Sesshomaru-sama is out with Rin-sama, but he will be back shortly.”

 

“Wow, Kumo, that's the most I've heard you say since I saw you this morning.”

 

Kumo blushed. “I will be more contained, Kagome-sama.”

 

“No! No, I like having someone to talk to.”

 

A servant carrying a tray slipped into the room. The tray was set in front of Kagome, causing her stomach to growl. The servant was gone before she could thank him. Kumo was moving about the room, straightening and putting things away. “Kumo, is there somewhere I could clean up? I would love to take a bath.”

 

“There is a hot spring behind the palace. I can take you there when you are done eating if you feel strong enough.”

 

“For a hot soak I will go anywhere!” Kagome was inhaling her dinner with no sleeves to slow her down. “A hot soak will probably do more for how I feel right now then anything.”

 

Kumo glanced at her, but turned back to her work. Kagome-sama would need her bath supplies so that she could bathe after her meal. Sesshomaru-sama had not told Kumo that she was Kagome-sama's servant, but somebody needed to help this strange human. Many of the servants resented the human being there, but Kumo only saw a lost and lonely young woman. Not unlike her own daughter.

 

Kumo led Kagome through the palace carrying the towels and soaps she would need. The springs were everything Kagome could have hoped for. They were enclosed, with stairs carved into the rock. Marble benches and tables offered places to store clothing and to change. The hot springs were empty at that time, so Kagome quickly slipped out of her robe and into the steaming water.

 

On Kagome's fair skin it was hard to not notice the bruises. The cut on her stomach did not look too concerning as the bandages were removed, but the fresh bruises were caught Kumo's attention. Where had those come from? She did not have them this morning.

 

The servant's stare confused Kagome, then she realized what Kumo was staring at. “I had an . . . argument with Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

Kumo fought not to react. “You need not explain to me, my lady. It is none of my business.”

 

“You looked concerned, Kumo. Don't worry, I've been through much worse then a few bruises.”

 

Kumo nodded, turning away. `No, Sesshomaru-sama could not be courting this girl. That was impossible! But I could smell him on her, and what else could drive the lord to lay his hands on a female this way? The courtship between inu-youkai could be very rough, it could be more than this ningen could handle!'

 

Kagome sank down in the water to her chin. “This is heavenly, Kumo.”

 

“Come, Kagome-sama, let me wash your hair.”

 

“Oh, I can do that, Kumo. Really.” The protests did not seem to do much good, since Kumo was already working on her hair. “Well, if you really want to, then I guess its okay.”

 

*~*~*~*

 

The servant told him that the miko was awake and eating. Sesshomaru turned to Rin. “It is time to return. You may play in the palace, but you must not go outside in the dark.”

 

“Hai, Sesshomaru-sama.” Rin was disappointed that their walk was being cut short, but at least it was not straight to bed. “Is Kagome-chan okay?”

 

“She is fine, but do not disturb her tonight. She is resting.”

 

“Hai, my lord!” Rin ran ahead, chasing a firefly towards the palace.

 

Now he must deal with the miko. His behavior during the afternoon had been repulsive, nothing better then an animal. Losing control to his youkai urges had never been a problem at home, only in battle. Now it had happened with this ningen. The lust was still there, despite coupling with the inu-youkai female. It was more controllable now, but it was the miko that his body desired.

 

`Why?! Why this obsession? I have developed a reluctant respect for the miko from watching her in battle, but nothing else. I have tried to kill her in the past, where does the obsession come from?'

 

`She defied you. A strong female who showed you no fear. She dared to touch you, to push on your body. She tried to make you obey her will.'

 

`Keh.' Sesshomaru did not like those thoughts. `If she is so strong how did she end up injured? If she had continued to act like a bitch in heat she may not have survived. But I meant her no harm.'

 

Sesshomaru's eyes widened. It was true, he had meant her no harm. Another youkai would have welcomed his behavior, but this human . . .

 

A quiet, angry figure sitting amongst the flowers, her kimono slipping down her arm so he could see the marks on her. A cold glare before turning her head away.

 

`No. I am not an animal. She is unwilling. Not even a ningen will be forced. I will control myself.'

 

Rin giggled and sang, unaware of her Sesshomaru-sama's brooding thoughts. Sesshomaru followed her chatter, thankful for its soothing effect. There was little hope for peace in his home in the near future. `Damn her.'

 

*~*~*~*

 

The miko's room was empty. There was no sign of a struggle, so she had left on her own. But where? Sesshomaru sniffed at the air, finding her scent. `There, heading to the back of the palace. Is she trying to escape?'

 

Servants scattered as the youkai lord moved through the palace. `What does that miko think she is doing? And who is with her? I recognize the scent.'

 

Kagome never saw him come in, he was just suddenly staring at both of the women. “You were not in your room.” His face and voice held no expression.

 

Kagome stared back, too shocked to react. She was halfway out of the water, reaching for the soap. Sesshomaru was getting quite an eyeful of Kagome's naked form. Despite the danger of losing control again, he could not resist sliding his eyes over the muscular young body in front of him. Bubbles were sliding down skin that was pink from the hot water.

 

Kagome snapped out of it. “Ah! What are you doing? I'm naked! Get Out!” She ducked under the water up to her chin, blushing and glaring.

 

“Kumo, why is she here?”

 

The servant knelt and looked at the floor. “The lady wished to visit the hot springs. I followed her wishes, I did not know Sesshomaru-sama would be looking for her. Forgive me, my lord.”

 

The same cold stare answered Kumo.

 

“Hey, it was my idea, leave her out of it!” Kagome came up out of the water to defend Kumo.

 

Sesshomaru's eyes returned to Kagome. She blushed even darker and ducked back into the water, but refused to look away.

 

“There was no harm done. Kumo, help the lady back to her room.” Sesshomaru continued to stare at Kagome as Kumo grabbed a towel for her.

 

“I am not coming out until you stop starring!” A long sweeping look made Kagome wonder just how long she was going to be in the water. Sesshomaru had that ghost of a smile back. `Oh, he is enjoying having me trapped like this. Damn hentai!'

 

Without a word the great lord left the two women alone. Kagome sighed, realizing she had been holding her breath. At least she would be able to leave the bath in peace.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Losing control was again a problem, but now for a different reason. Back in his room Sesshomaru allowed himself to chuckle. The miko had been furious, trying to hide and yell at him at the same time. She had been at a disadvantage, being naked, but she had certainly tried. `She is so shy. With the clothes she wears you would think that she cared not who saw her, yet she acts like an innocent!' He fought the laughter back down.

 

It never occurred to the youkai that she may actually be an innocent.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Kagome glanced nervously at the door between her room and Sesshomaru's. “I don't suppose there is a lock . . .”

 

“A lock? Why would there be a lock, Kagome-sama?”

 

“Oh, no reason Kumo, just curious.” Kagome plastered her best fake smile in place. `Just hoping he doesn't pull one of his appearing acts while I'm changing.'

 

`Strange girl.' Kumo sat Kagome down and started to work through her hair.

 

“Kumo, you know I can do that for myself . . .”

 

“You are now my lady, Sesshomaru-sama has said so. My purpose is to care for you and assist you.”

 

Kagome blushed. “I'm afraid that you are going to have a lot of spare time on your hands. I'm used to living in the woods around a fire. I don't need any help.”

 

“My lady, you are no longer in the woods. You need help.”

 

`Blushing is becoming a habit for me,' Kagome groaned in her mind. “You are right, Kumo. So, your job is to keep me looking like a lady?”

 

“Hai. You are very lovely. You should dress as a fine lady, it will please Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

“Keh. I will not wear those sleeves for him. Only for Rin would I try to wear those sleeves.

 

Kumo was silent, not arguing with her lady but taking notes on what the lady would wear without argument. She would save the arguments for special occasions. Kumo had been serving young demon females for many years and knew how to manage them. This young human was not that different. In a matter or weeks she would have a routine down that would have the lady looking stunning without a fight. The trick was patience.

 

“If Kagome-sama is ready for the night I will go and leave her in peace.”

 

“Arigato, Kumo. I really do appreciate your help.”

 

Kumo bowed low, smiling. This female would be a joy to serve.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Kagome did not even startle when Sesshomaru appeared in the door. She was getting used to it. She would just hide in the closet when she wanted to change. The great and mighty lord was little better than a hentai!

 

“Are you well?”

 

Kagome studied the youkai's face. He showed no emotion. His voice gave no clue as to what he was thinking. “Much better, Sesshomaru-sama. It was a great relief to find that you have your own hot spring.”

 

“Yes, you did seem to be enjoying yourself.”

 

`Damn that blush! He's teasing me again!'

 

“I believe that you enjoyed the hot spring tonight as much as I did,” she snapped, then slapped a hand over her mouth. `Oh great, Kagome, you never learn. Just push the big powerful demon, why don't you. Is he laughing?' She couldn't be sure, but she thought she heard a low chuckle. His face showed nothing and his voice was devoid of clues.

 

“Hai. This Sesshomaru did enjoy the hot springs tonight.”

 

The door slid shut.

 

Mouth hanging open Kagome stared at the door.

 

`What the hell?'