InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ Marked ( Chapter 19 )

It was late at night. The entire manor slept, but for a few servants and a Ningen. Kagome had been flying in her sleep and woke up, coming down from her dreamy euphoric liberation to settle into a sense of lightness and joy and, unfortunately, extreme wakefulness. She knew she would be better served falling back to sleep, but it proved elusive. She was lying in her place next to Sesshoumaru, who had his arm loose around her and was breathing deeply. The brazier and lamps had long burned out, and the room was devoid of light. Kagome let her fingers see for her. Her hand, resting on Sesshoumaru's chest, began to explore. He was well shaped, but where her chest was mounded, soft and pliable, his was flat and firm. She moved lower to his rib cage. Under the layer of hard muscle she felt ridges and traced her fingers back and forth, first defining each bone, then the hollows between. A hand covered hers.

 

“Miko, what are you doing?” Sesshoumaru asked, barely awake.

 

“Touching you,” she replied, stating the obvious.

 

“You're making it difficult to sleep.”

 

“Sorry,” she said, without meaning it. She thought about the evening. Was it so wonderful because she had been expecting the worst, or was it perfect on its own? She had never let her past label her, but she worried it still influenced this new experience too much. There was only one way to learn the truth. Her hand weaseled out from under his, and she began to stroke his long fingers, starting at the tip of a claw, following the bones into his hand and around his wrist. He had said his hands contained poison. How could something so deadly make her feel as she had a few hours ago, she wondered. The hand moved again, trapping hers.

 

“Sleep,” he ordered. Apparently the truth would have to wait until morning.

 

When Kagome woke again, the sky was beginning, ever so vaguely, to lighten. She was still stretched out along a large, naked demon. She ran her hand over his abdomen, feeling hard, clearly articulated muscles. She strayed around his waist and caressed up and down his hip, then centered again, touching the depression of his navel. Her hand wandered lower, encountering a vertical line of fuzzy, soft hair, which coarsened and thickened as she went lower. As she ran her fingers through it, she wondered if it was white like the hair on his head, or dark like his brows and eyelashes.

 

“Miko, don't start something you don't plan to finish.”

 

“Mmm, I think I'm just beginning.” She found an intriguing line in his flesh, an indentation that ran from his groin up to his hip. Lightly tracing along, she smiled with satisfaction as he twitched. Her hand roamed down his thigh, then up the inside to his balls. She cupped him, stroking, testing weight, symmetry.

 

He growled and reached over, kneading a breast, then her back, going lower. His hand roughly squeezed her backside and moved down between her legs. She moaned and arched her back, granting him full access to her sex. She was already dripping and open and her scent thrilled him. She is as eager in bed as she is in the training arena, he noted hotly. She bit his shoulder as she attended to his rapidly hardening erection. She explored length and girth, smoothness and veins, until the fingers thrusting into her proved too great a distraction, and she was reduced to begging. “Ohhh…please…don't stop…ohhh.”

 

“What do you want, miko?” he teased.

 

“You…I want you…now,” she groaned. He pushed her back, mounted her, and sheathed himself in one fluid motion.

 

“Ow.”

 

“What it is it?” he asked with concern.

 

“I'm a little sore.”

 

“Do you want me to stop?”

 

“No,” she said quickly. “Never.” She reached around the back of his head and drew his face to hers. They kissed as he began to move. Slowly, tenderly, then their mouths grew more intense as she pressed up to meet him. He reached a hand under, angling her pelvis for deeper penetration. “Ohhh yesss.” Kagome grew more confident, asking for more, giving more, until all she asked and all she gave became the same thing. Their needs were one need. To please and get pleasure. She reached her climax first, relaxing liquidly, panting his name. The clenching of her orgasm while he slammed into her was too much, and he followed shortly after.

 

As they lay together, Kagome sighed in bliss. Perhaps this is regularly attainable, after all, she thought, and her future with him suddenly took on an exciting, new dimension. “Did you mark me last night?” she asked, thinking about the delicious sensation of him nibbling on her neck.

 

“No, you'll know when I do.”

 

“Why didn't you? I thought it was kind of important.” Kagome was still unsure about Inuyoukai mating customs.

 

“One thing at a time, miko. I refuse to be rushed, and I wanted our first mating to be about only that, nothing else.”

 

“When will you?”

 

He propped himself up on an elbow and looked at her curiously. “Tonight. I'm surprised at your eagerness to be bitten. It's going to hurt.”

 

“What?” Kagome quickly half sat up, brow furrowed. “Your mother said it wouldn't.”

 

“Hhhmmm, I think she was not quite forthcoming. My sister said it was very painful.”

 

“What? I…but…I don't want to be hurt!” She was becoming increasingly agitated.

 

Sesshoumaru pulled her down again, calming her. “Maybe it's not that bad…my sister was a tad dramatic.” She started to settle back into his arms. “I didn't think you'd get so stirred up over a little pain,” he said.

 

Kagome frowned. “You just said `very painful'. I don't like pain. I do try to go out of my way to avoid it, you know.”

 

Sesshoumaru laughed softly. “My experience is that you seek it.” He tilted her head up and kissed her lips. “You'll be fine.”

 

She kissed him back. “Simple for you to say.” They held each other quietly a few minutes. “What will you do today?” she asked.

 

“Receive the overnight patrol reports, supervise drills, train with the infantry, meet with the Advisors. How was Gina yesterday?”

 

“She said she'd been expecting an arranged mating ever since the two of you were no longer intended, and she is fortunate to have been free this long. She knows she's a Taiyoukai, after all. I don't know how she's so accepting. When I was told my future was decided for me, I was terribly angry.”

 

“You? Angry? I don't believe it.” She jabbed him in the ribs. “Gina has been raised as a daughter since she arrived. My mother will move heaven and hell to avoid her unhappiness.”

 

“I think maybe you care about her,” Kagome observed, gently taunting.

 

“Nonsense.”

 

“My understanding was that she is too useful in the infirmary to leave.”

 

“She was. You're here now.”

 

“Oh,” Kagome said with concern. “Is it my fault that she has to leave?”

 

“Miko, why are you so willing to feel guilt over matters in which you are completely blameless?”

 

Kagome didn't answer. “When will you spar with me? You seemed impressed with—”

 

He put a finger over her mouth. “Never. You don't give up do you?”

 

She bit his finger playfully. “Where's the fun in giving up?”

 

“What are you going to do today?”

 

“Well, if you're not going to spar with me, I thought I'd see if there were some clothes to launder or stables to muck out.” It was Kagome's turn to be poked.

 

XXXXX

 

General Inutaisho suspiciously watched his mate, normally so composed and elegant, running toward him and grinning like a lunatic. “What's gotten into—”

 

“Isamu, darling, I just saw Sesshoumaru and Kagome. They positively reek of each other. Oh, I haven't been this happy in ages. I bet he marks her tonight. Thank the heavens!”

 

“Let's postpone the celebration until the deed is done, shall we? Those two have a strange talent for anger and injury.”

 

“Don't be so pessimistic. He'll mark her tonight, and I can stop fretting about it and concentrate on playing the flawless hostess when the families' representatives visit.”

 

“Yes, that reminds me. Sato and I were discussing the role Lady Kagome should play.” General Inutaisho scratched the back of his head. “We don't want them to think we are flaunting a miko in front of them. Perhaps she should keep to herself while they are here.”

 

“That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard,” Lady Seiobo said, clearly exasperated. “We do not have to stow her away like she's something of which we are ashamed. She's the mate of the heir to the West and should be treated that way. They will never accept her if they don't even meet her. She's a charming child, and I'm certain that if they see us regarding her as a cherished member of the household, they'll be far less threatened than if we pretend there's not a Ningen here at all.”

 

“I see your point, but—”

 

“No buts. I can't believe Lord Sato would even suggest such a thing. Honestly, what would you do without me? I'll take her under my wing and craft her into the perfect Lady.”

 

General Inutaisho was only moderately abashed. “I think perhaps you'd have a slightly different attitude if you'd have seen her at the training grounds today. She disarmed Endo in under two minutes.”

 

Seiobo scowled. “We may have some work in front of us, but I never back down from a challenge.” She kissed her mate on the cheek. “Now I'm off to take tea with Gina. I should invite Azami as well. It will be much easier to keep an eye on her if she's nearby.”

 

XXXXX

 

Kagome entered the bathhouse changing room and immediately regretted her ill luck. Azami was the only other soul therein. Deciding an abrupt departure would be too obviously rude, Kagome tried to be as friendly and natural as possible. “Good day, Lady Azami.” She put her clean clothes and comb in a basket and began to unbraid her hair. Kagome thought Azami was one of the most exquisitely beautiful Youkai she'd ever seen, and she wryly noted her own dirty, sweaty appearance. Azami watched her with an unreadable expression.

 

“I suppose I have you to thank for the death of my bastard half brother,” she said.

 

Kagome had no inkling how to respond. “I…ah…”

 

“I know it was my father who dealt the killing blow, but you're the root cause, are you not? And now I'm stuck here.”

 

“Lady Azami, I'm sorry. I…don't want to be the cause of any trouble. I was hoping perhaps we could be friends.”

 

Azami laughed dryly. “I don't have any friends. My father and Naraku saw to that. I think we should just stay out of each other's way.” She left.

 

Kagome felt bad.

 

The day had gone so well until that point. After breaking fast, when Sesshoumaru was departing, he kissed her and walked through the door, only to return less than a minute later, to kiss her again. He told her he had to leave, and did so, returning to her again quickly, and she was sure they would have found themselves in bed, had Kouga not come knocking. Poor Kouga. Sesshoumaru was not happy to be interrupted, but was even less amused by the knowing, mocking glint in his officer's eye. Kagome later trained with General Inutaisho's troops and acquitted herself ably, fighting against his second in command. When they finished she noticed that Sesshoumaru had been watching. She went to him, and he whispered with pride and lust, well done. Sometime after she had finished training and taking midday meal, they saw each other again. Seiobo happened upon them and realized they had mated. She looked so giddy and silly, Sesshoumaru asked if she was drunk. She ran off, babbling about finding the General, and Sesshoumaru laughed. A real, happy laugh. He recovered quickly, of course, and acted as though he was incapable of making such an absurd sound, but Kagome thought it the best thing she had ever heard.

 

She immersed herself in the warm water, wishing that Azami, if she did know the truth, didn't blame her. Kagome had no desire for enemies, especially one with as much strategic importance as this cousin. She allowed the water to wash her free of anxieties. She would go to the infirmary and help Gina, who was planning on making various tinctures that day. They were eager to compare information and learn all they could from each other. Kagome hoped Gina would not have to leave. They truly enjoyed their shared company, and Gina was a vital link to understanding her enigmatic mate. Though, recalling his lascivious eyes, maybe he wasn't so difficult to comprehend.

 

XXXXX

 

“Where are you going to bite me?” Kagome was still a bit nervous about being marked.

 

Sesshoumaru had her half undressed and was currently focused on her full bosom. It would not do to have her distracted. He softly bit the flesh in between her neck and right shoulder. “Here. Or, more specifically, here.” He licked the hollow above her collarbone, feeling the strong heartbeat there. Kagome reached up and ran her fingers along his scalp. He traveled lower once more. She moaned when he reached her breasts. He squeezed the round plumpness, then captured the sensitive peak in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it. He sucked and bit gently, caressing the other side, and was rewarded with a low throaty growl. Her animal side was exciting to him. Wondering of what other sorts of sounds she was capable, he bit harder.

 

“Ohhh, Sesshoumaru. Oh like that.” And she said she didn't like pain, he smirked. He flung her robe away and laid her back on the bed. Her lovely, graceful body was white in the faint moon light. The slender muscled form softened by curvy breasts and hips. She stretched like a cat in the sun as he memorized her. He kissed down the flat plane of her belly to her hips, nibbling on tender skin.

 

Her eyes widened as he went lower and parted her legs. Some of the miko she knew had sexual experiences before entering the Sisterhood. Others had friends or older sisters and learned things. They all talked, so Kagome was aware of the thing he was about to do in theory. In practice, though, she was completely unprepared. Sesshoumaru felt his eyes redden as he inhaled her essence, so close. He started by lightly flicking her budding nerves, circling teasingly with his tongue. Kagome grabbed handfuls of sheets and bit her lip. He went lower, delving into her folds, savoring the taste and textures. He caressed her thighs with his hands and spread her legs wider. His tongue increased pressure and went deeper. He licked up and down, in and out, biting softly on her swollen outer folds. She moaned and gasped, but came completely undone when he added fingers to his mouth. His thumbs rubbed on either side of her opening as his tongue plundered, and she groaned incoherently. When he slid two fingers into her and licked her bud, she cried, “Ohhh, Sesshoumaru, stop…please stop.”

 

He looked up. “What's wrong?”

 

“I can't…I can't take it. It's too much.”

 

“Silly miko. Stop talking.” He returned to the task at hand and the feast in front of him. His mouth continued its rhythm, and his fingers stroked her inside. Kagome alternated between contented sighs and delirious moans, all the while thrashing her head from side to side. She arched her hips into his face, abandoning sheets to pull at his hair. She whimpered as her release and the aftershocks tore through her body, and he brought her down slowly. “Kagome, roll over.”

 

“Mmm, I can't move. You killed me,” she smiled, keeping her eyes closed.

 

He bit the inside of her thigh, eliciting a squeal. “There, you're resurrected. Roll over.”

 

She complied, slow and lazy, resting her head on her arms. Sesshoumaru took his time crawling up the length of her, planting wet kisses in the furrow of her spine. As he gently settled his weight on her and nuzzled her neck, Kagome smelled herself on him and wanted to taste. She moved a hand to the back of his head and brought his mouth to hers. He hissed in approval.

 

As one hand ran down her side, he whispered, “Open yourself to me.”

 

Kagome spread her legs and felt him at her entrance. She pushed back as he pushed forward, both breathing each other's names. He didn't move, simply taking in her heat and nearness. Her body under his was such a wonder of contrasts, her firmly muscled back and soft hair, angled shoulders and rounded ass, tiny waist and full hips. He pressed his face into hers as she stroked his cheek.

 

Kagome was amazed at the position. The warmth of his weight and the veil of his hair were both comforting and sensual, shielding them from everything but each other. Slowly he moved. Kagome sighed as she was touched in a new way, and was suddenly aware of surfaces inside her she didn't know existed. She rose to meet his thrusts, matching his intensity. Sesshoumaru groaned as she moved with him, and when she began to rotate her hips in time, he let instinct take over.

 

He brought an arm under her chest, elevating her, and brushed aside hair and the necklace and smelled her. They sped up their pace, and his vision clouded red. He felt the edge approaching and put his mouth on her, upper fangs resting on the pulse point above her clavicle. Kagome felt his mouth near her neck, then the pressure of his teeth. Slowly he began to bite down and break skin. She fought the urge to scream and recoil from the pain. His fangs sank into her flesh, and he tasted blood. Her blood. He tightened his grip around her torso, bit harder, and drove into her body, shaking as he passed the crest.

 

After he stilled, he took his mouth from her. Kagome felt the fangs sliding out, then blood dripping down her chest. Sesshoumaru rolled off her, gently pushed her on her back, and cleaned the blood from her skin and tongued the bite marks. Kagome had never known anything to feel so intimate as his ministrations to the wounds he gave her. She gasped at the unexpected connection, the perception that they were now bound closer than she thought possible. After the blood flow was staunched, he gathered her into his arms, breathing deeply.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

“Sesshoumaru…I feel different.”

 

“You should. I'm in you now.”

 

“Do you feel like part of you is missing?”

 

“Nothing's missing. It's just in you, and you're right here.” He kissed her forehead, then leaned back, inspecting his work. Two red holes against her white skin. “You're mine now,” he said possessively.

 

Those words said in that manner a week ago would have sent her in a frenzied fury. Now she felt included in something bigger than him or herself alone. She was part of a they, a we. She was accepted and needed and wanted. She smiled softly at him and burrowed deeper in his arms. “I'm yours.”