InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nothing Left to Lose ❯ Mine ( Chapter 13 )

A/N: Thank you for the review and spelling help, A! Media Miner is eating my reviews again, so I can't get your name, but I remember how to spell Sesshomaru now. I think I do, anyways. Everyone has a weakness, and that one's mine. Okay, we've got everybody together again, lets hit puree and see what we get. *grin* And now I only own Kumo, since Takanou refuses to come out and play. The rest are not mine.

 

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`This is, awkward.' Kagome sat between Rin and Sango, keeping an eye on Sesshomaru as he glared at Mirokou.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Things had started out well. Sango had filled Kagome in on her relationship with Mirokou while they had relaxed and changed. Rin and Mirokou had joined them for lunch and a tour around the palace. Kagome was overjoyed to hear that Mirokou and Sango would be getting married and rebuilding Sango's old village that had been destroyed. While the monk still had eyes that wandered, his hands stayed on Sango only. Even with the sharp smacks to remind him of his manners.

 

After a long walk, and a long talk, Sango had retired to the room she was sharing with Mirokou to rest. Kagome had gone to the reception hall to make up for the practice she had missed with her friends. Her new instructor had insisted that she learn to take up a sword as well as her staff. With a wooden blade the miko moved through the same drills that Rin had practiced that morning.

 

`Rin's better at this than me.' Kagome smiled at the thought. `That one just seems to know what to do, while I have to think about each move. It slows me down. It's a good thing I'm a miko, because I don't think I'm cut out to be a fighter.'

 

In the quiet room she was able to concentrate, slowly bringing up her aura and working with her powers as she drilled. She could sense that someone was watching her, and she had a good idea of who it was. “Good afternoon, Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

The youkai lord was rather surprised that she knew he was there. Normally he would have been able to watch her to his heart's content, but now she could sense him. `She is getting stronger.' He moved out of the shadows to where Kagome continued to practice. “Miko.”

 

Kagome threw a glare over her shoulder. “Hey, knock that off.”

 

A low growl rumbled through his chest, but he was not angry. “Kagome.” He loved it when she would get that defiant look in her eye.

 

The glare changed to a smile. “Are you here to watch me practice?”

 

“Hai. You are in need of assistance. Your movements are stiff and disconnected.”

 

Back to glaring. “Gee, thanks.”

 

“Here.” Sesshomaru moved behind her, laying his hands on hers. “It is not a series of movements, it is one fluid movement. It is not a tool, but an extension of your arm. Stop thinking about it and just do.”

 

“If I don't think about it then I don't know what to do!”

 

“Calm yourself. Your body has been learning the responses, let your body go.”

 

Grinding her teeth Kagome started the drill again. Sesshomaru was not pleased with her efforts. “That is not calm. That is tense and angry.”

 

`Okay, fine. Breathe in, ignore the damn arrogant bastard, breathe out.' Repeating her deep breath several times made her relax muscles she did not even know were tight. Shaking her shoulders out Kagome started again.

 

“Close your eyes. Just feel.”

 

`Bah, this is like a bad movie's training sequence.' Kagome closed her eyes and tried to relax. `All one movement.'

 

The miko was starting to move. Finally, she was starting to move her body instead of snapping through a routine. The youkai watched carefully as she ran through her drills, a much more fluid and dangerous picture. He moved to pick up a practice blade of his own. “Now, without tensing, come at me.”

 

`Don't think, don't tense, just do it.' Kagome did not stop her drill, she simply turned and included Sesshomaru. `Breathe, girl, keep breathing.'

 

Sesshomaru was not interested in pushing her, he just wanted her to move while engaging her enemy. He moved about the hall, encouraging her to move instead of just standing there like a target while she tried to make up her mind. He increased the tempo slowly, making the miko rely on her reflexes rather then her mind.

 

After an hour of steady work her opponent stopped attacking. Kagome was exhausted, but elated. Not only did she think that she had a feel for this now, she had sparred with Sesshomaru without blood loss, bruises, or burns! Both were major accomplishments. She smiled up at her partner. “Arigato. I think I see what you mean now.”

 

`Kami, I want her.' The inu-youkai fought hard to keep himself under control. The images dancing through his mind distracted him, making it hard to focus on the miko in front of him. He moved towards her, only partially aware of what he was doing. His arms went around her, pulling her up against him. He stared down into her eyes, feeling her pulse quicken and her body react.

 

Kagome could see lust raging in those gorgeous eyes, lust and something else. Was he proud of her? “Sesshomaru. . .” His mouth dropped to hers, stopping her words and making her see stars behind her closed eyes. `I could never get enough of this.' She wrapped her arm around him, the other hand still gripping her practice blade.

 

`Mine.' Sesshomaru fought against that voice, his youkai instincts trying to take over. `Mate.'

 

The youkai broke lose, his pale skin going to pure white. `Mate? What?' He stared at the miko who was gazing back at him with a curious look.

 

“Sesshomaru? Is something wrong?” If she didn't know better, she would say that the youkai lord was scared of something.

 

“No, nothing is wrong. There is something that this Sesshomaru needs to attend to.” He ran a hand over her cheek, then turned and left the hall. Kagome watched him go with a perplexed expression.

 

`Now what?'

 

*~*~*~*

 

Kagome had not seen Sesshomaru after practice. She had cleaned herself up and found her friends. Sango had filled in Mirokou on her new situation, so now Mirokou was after her.

 

“You should know better than to give your heart to someone that cannot return your feelings.”

 

“Hey! I just kissed him, it's not like I've married him or anything. And I don't see how it is any of your business!” Kagome was starting to get pretty upset over this. “You guys were all about me and Inuyasha, and we saw how well that went. I've learned my lesson.”

 

“Really.” Mirokou was giving her a blank look. “You are fine to be here and have some sort of, relationship, with him and know that he can't feel anything for you?”

 

“He does feel something. I know he cares about me. A little.”

 

Sango sat down next to Kagome and pulled her into a hug. “Jo-chan, you know that unrequited love is the hardest to give up on. We just don't want you to trap yourself here, in love with a demon who cannot love you back.”

 

`I will not cry!' Kagome bit her lower lip. `I need to find out what Sesshomaru is thinking. Does he care for me? If not, what do I do then?'

 

A tap at the door had stopped the heavy discussion. Rin waited politely for about a second, then started to rap at the door. “Kagome-chan, are you in there? We will be late!”

 

“Is it that late already? Come on, you two, time for dinner. And behave yourselves, I've finally got Rin to the point she will sit through the meal, I don't need you two to cause a relapse.”

 

*~*~*~*

 

Sesshomaru glared at Mirokou, who was glaring right back. Sango was wishing for a weapon, any weapon. Kagome was trying to intervene and keep things from spiraling even more out of control. “Mirokou, why don't you try some of the fish, it is wonderful.”

 

Mirokou ignored her in favor of glaring at the host. Rin was looking back and forth, mystified. “Kagome-chan, what are they doing.”

 

“They are being idiots, Jo-chan,” Kagome hissed to her.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, what are your intentions with Kagome-sama?”

 

“Mirokou! What are you doing?!” The miko had gone to bright red and looked furious.

 

“This Sesshomaru's intentions do not concern you, monk.” The steady glare never changed, but Kagome could see his hands starting to tense.

 

`Fabulous, I was worried that they were going to give Rin a bad example and here they are going to kill each other over the table.' Kagome was signing at Mirokou to stop, but he did not even glance her way.

 

“We are her friends, with her family gone we are here as her family. I want to know what you are planning for her.” Mirokou was leaning over the table, blatantly challenging the youkai lord.

 

“That is for Kagome to discuss, not you.”

 

Mirokou jumped to his feet. “Kagome, I will not leave you here with him.”

 

`Not again.' Kagome rolled her eyes. “Mirokou, sit down and behave. I am not in any danger and I'm not going anywhere.”

 

“I do not want you to get hurt again. Sango, talk to her.”

 

Sango stared at her hands, then looked up to her friend. “I'm worried, Kagome. He is going to break your heart.”

 

All eyes returned to Sesshomaru as he let out a low growl. “You do not know this Sesshomaru or his intentions.”

 

Kagome was startled by the outburst. His voice did not change, nor his expression, but his eyes were starting to bleed red. “Sesshomaru-sama . . .”

 

Mirokou knelt down next to her. “Kagome-sama, please listen to me.” He put his hand on her shoulder.

 

“MINE!”

 

Sesshomaru leapt over the table, knocking Mirokou across the room. Sango ran to the monk, standing between him and the enraged youkai. “Stay away from him!”

 

“Sesshomaru, what are you doing?” Kagome was on her feet now, running to protect her friends. “He's a friend, he did not mean anything by that!”

 

`Oh, Kami, Sesshomaru is gone. The youkai is in control.' The inu-youkai's eyes were red and a low growl was rumbling from him. `He's going to kill Mirokou for touching me.'

 

Desperation helped Kagome as she threw a barrier up around herself and her friends. Sesshomaru paced around the perimeter, testing the barrier as he glared at Mirokou.

 

“Kagome, what are we going to do?” Sango was helping Mirokou up. He seemed to be unhurt, just dazed. “He is going to kill us.”

 

The miko gazed at the youkai. Taking a deep breath she stood and walked through her barrier. Sango tried to follow her but was not able to pass the barrier. “Kagome! Stop!”

 

“Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

The inu-youkai glared at her, growling as he moved closer.

 

“Sesshomaru, it's the miko. Kagome. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere.” Kagome moved towards him slowly, looking at about his chest level and tipping her head to the side in a submissive gesture. “It's Kagome, Sesshomaru. I'm not going anywhere.”

 

He was only an arm's length away, still growling. Kagome reached out to touch his arm, trying not to jump back as his growls became louder. Carefully she moved to him, running her hands up to his shoulders. “Sesshomaru.” She pressed her face to his haori, breathing deeply. His arms came up slowly, wrapping around her. He moved his head down so that his cheek was pressed to her hair.

 

“Mate.”

 

The soft whisper was almost missed by Kagome. She glanced up in shock, relieved to see the amber eyes gazing back down at her. “What did you say?”

 

That slightly afraid expression was back in his eyes. He reached up to touch her hair, whispering to her. “Later. When there is no audience.”

 

Kagome was suddenly aware that Mirokou and Sango were staring at them from inside of her barrier. Rin was still at her spot at the table, looking confused and a little hopeful. The miko started to move away, but Sesshomaru pulled her back to him. Rolling her eyes she turned in his arms to release the barrier around her friends. “Mirokou, Sango, are you alright?”

Sango nodded slowly, astounded at what she had just seen. Kagome had calmed Sesshomaru down from a killing rage, and now he would not let her go. She was standing in his arms, leaning back against him. Mirokou was still being glared at, though, so Sango put him behind her. “Kagome, are you alright?”

 

A soft sigh escaped the miko. “Yes, Sango, I'm fine. I'm going to suggest that you and Mirokou call it a night, though. I'm going to stay with Sesshomaru for awhile, just in case. Rin, would you like to come with us?”

 

Rin was relieved that she had not been forgotten. “Hai, Kagome-chan!” She jumped up from her spot and ran to her two favorite people in the world. “Sesshomaru-sama, do you feel better now?”

 

The inu-youkai tucked Kagome's head under his chin. “Hai.” `I feel much better now. What has happened? Has my blood decided that she is my mate? Later, now I need to get away from that male before I throw him again. Kagome would be very upset if I killed him.'

 

Still glaring, Mirokou was dragged out of the room by Sango. The youkai exterminator was not taking any risks around the newly mated youkai lord. Youkai males can be very touchy about new mates.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, could we go into the courtyard? You will be with us, and there are guards. It would be good to get some fresh air.” Kagome was gazing up at him big eyes, hoping that she could see the sky that night.

 

`Now I know that I am in trouble. That look is becoming very difficult to resist.' “Hai.”

 

A great cheer exploded from Rin as she ran ahead. Sesshomaru walked beside Kagome, resting his hand around her waist. The miko was not going anywhere until he was certain that he was in full control again. It was not certain what could set him off, but if she was with him then she could make sure that no one would get hurt.

 

The stars were glorious with a full moon providing light to the courtyard. The fireflies were dancing about the gardens, creating a scene straight from a dream. Kagome breathed in, glad to be outside again. “Ah, that is better, my lord. I needed to get outside.”

 

“Do not do that.”

 

`Huh? What'd I do now?' “My lord? What did I do?”

 

“That. Do not call me `my lord'. It does not suit you.” Sesshomaru's eyes were on the gardens, but his arm tightened around her waist. “I would rather you call me `youkai'. It suits you better.”

 

Kagome was not sure what shocked her more, the fact that she was being told to not use a title, or the fact that he had spoken informally to her. The youkai saw her shocked expression and used a finger under her chin to push her mouth closed. She turned to watch Rin skipping about the courtyard. She had been going quietly insane kept inside away from her flowers. She could not get to the gardens, but at least she could feel the night air on her face. She scrambled up a tree, reveling in her freedom.

 

“Rin! Don't you dare get stuck, Kumo will kill me if I rip anymore clothes!” Kagome glared up at the girl that was easily making her way to the top. “Those damn lessons are making her strong enough that she can get into even more trouble.”

 

Contentment eased over Sesshomaru, a new sensation that he was not sure he understood. He was happy to stand here with Kagome and watch the pup playing in a tree. `Yes, this is what a family is like. Not the family I had planned on, certainly.' He turned to the beautiful female at his side. “Kagome, we do need to speak.”

 

“Hai,” she whispered. “You may want to move back, though. I'm about to get pretty loud and I don't want to hurt your ears.”

 

Sesshomaru reluctantly moved back.

 

“Rin, you get down here right now! Don't pretend you can't hear me, I know that trick!” Hands on her hips Kagome glared up at the tree. “Don't make me come up there!”

 

A giggle came down from the tree. “Rin is not sure Kagome-chan can make it this high.”

 

“Oh, she did not just say that.” Kagome stomped over to the tree, grabbing a hold of a branch and tucking up her kimono. “You are so dead when I get you.”

 

“Enough.”

 

Sesshomaru was in the tree next to Rin before either of the females saw him move. “Rin.”

 

“Sorry, Sesshomaru-sama. Rin will get down now.”

 

With a sigh Sesshomaru scooped the girl up and jumped down. Rin bowed politely when she was set on the ground. “Rin is ready for bed now, Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

“Oh, Rin, I'm not mad at you. I know you have hated to be locked up inside. Come on, I'll tell you a story before you go to bed.” Kagome took Rin's hand and walked with her across the courtyard. Sesshomaru followed behind, trying to figure out what he would say to Kagome when she started to ask him questions.

 

`Mate. And she heard me say it. Now she is going to want to know what I meant. Am I going to take her as my mate? I was not looking for this. I did not want this. But I could never let her go. I need her near me. The monk almost died tonight because he dared to touch her. She could still talk to me, though. If not for her I may have killed tonight, or destroyed part of the palace, or both. Can I take a ningen? She is not weak, or foolish. She is more like an inu-youkai female than anything else. It does not matter what I wanted for a mate, I could not be without her. My blood has already made the choice. The question is now whether or not she will run.'