InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ripples ❯ The Sound of Silence ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8: The Sound of Silence

Slowly, Sesshoumaru cracked his eyes and took in his surroundings. <What the Hell happened?> His head felt like a boulder had fallen on it. Groaning and rolling over, he discovered that he was not in his own room. Jerking upright, he found himself on Kagome's bed in Kagome's room. Memories of the atrocious smell came flooding back and he rubbed his nose vigorously. Standing, he took in the sight of a sleeping miko curled up in a chair next to the bed. Shaking his head, he poked the girl unharshly. She stirred and opened still sleeping eyes to him.

"Get up, woman and sleep in your bed."

Groggily, she stood and stumbled over to the bed. When she reached it, however, she just stood there, looking for all the world like she hadn't the faintest idea how the contraption worked. Sighing, the taiyoukai tugged off her robe and pushed her onto the bed. She squeaked, but crawled under the covers anyway. He pulled them up to her chin and she caught his hand. Spreading his fingers out, she pressed her own palm against his.

"So different, Sesshou."

"Hai, very different."

"Yet so similar."

He took her dainty hand and examined it before looking at his own. "Hai, Kagome. Very much the same."

She smiled sleepily as her eyes fluttered shut. He waited until her breath had evened out to relinquish his hold on her fair hand. It was so tiny and fragile, like a bird, yet those same hands wielded immeasurable power. Still, her delicate hands were beautiful and that thought made him look at his own. His were aristocratically shaped, but had callouses from years of carrying a sword. His claws gave the impression that they were more used to spilling blood than attending social balls. They were sharp and deadly even in their retracted state. Kagome's nails were neatly shaped, but were easily broken. Two opposites in appearance.

His: rough. Hers: smooth.

His: strong. Hers: fragile.

His: large. Hers: tiny.

But they were similar in other ways.

Both were powerful,

Deadly,

Fascinating,

And alone.

They were both alone. Yet despite the similarities, he could kill her in one stroke. So it came as a shock to him when she wrapped her petite hand around his menacing one trustingly. She drug his hand to her face and rested it there. His eyes crinkling in an unknown emotion, he took his hand away and ran it through her raven tresses. Then he traced her jawline to her chin where he ran a clawed thumb across her bottom lip. Sighing in contentment, she kissed his finger and mumbled something.

Drawing back and escaping to his own room, her words haunted him. What was this woman-child? Was she casting a spell over him? Shaking his head at his own lack of understanding, he ignored the feelings her words dredged up. Huffing, he stomped to his balcony and flung open the doors. The wind whipped around him as he stared into the eye of a raging storm, uncaring and unflinching.

"Um, love you, too."

Did she mean them?

**Damn damn damn damn. The wench was in heat and the only way he could possibly salvage any amount of dignity he had left was to stay as far away from her as possible. Her scent now permeated the walls of his home and try as he might, he could not get the devil incarnate wench out of his mind. She even had gone out of her way to be nice to him since he'd been in a foul mood all week. She didn't complain, didn't argue, wasn't loud, wasn't sarcastic and the Buddha cursed bitch even brought him violets once to cheer him up. That went over well, he grimaced.

Flashback

A timid knock on his study drew a scowl from the tense demon lord. After a moment of not answering the entreaty, he heard dishes clang together as a tray was set outside his door. Growling in irritation of being interrupted and basically just because he was the fucking Taiyoukai of the Western Lands and could growl whenever the Hell he wanted to do so, he ripped open the door and bore daggers into a retreating Kagome. She turned upon hearing the door open and offered an unsure smile.

"I, um, brought you your supper."

"In the future you would do well not to disturb me when I'm behind closed doors. If I had wanted something to eat, I bloody well know the way to the dining room."

"I was just…"

He cut her off. "You forget your place, wench. Take care that you learn some manners before our next unfortunate encounter. I will not tolerate useless bitches sticking their noses where they are not wanted. And you are most assuredly not wanted."

She looked like he'd slapped her. Instead of the argument he expected, he watched as her jaw clenched and she hastily retreated back the way she came. Sesshoumaru kicked the tray of food she'd brought and smirked in satisfaction as it cracked against the wall, spilling the contents across the hall. A spot of purple winked up at him, and his anger melted when he realized that she had brought him violets. The flowers lay broken next to their shattered vase. Stillness engulfed the demon as he scooped up the tattered testament to his relationship with the kind miko.

"Jaken!"

The toad came scurrying around the corner and looked humbly at his master. "Hai, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

"Clean this mess up quickly."

"Hai, Lord Sesshoumaru," he squawked as he began picking up the pieces.

"One other thing."

Jaken looked up, waiting for his next command to be eagerly performed.

"Keep an eye on the Guardian and tell me if she does anything," he paused, "unusual. More unusual than normal."

"Hai."

The taller demon drew back into his study.

End Flashback

Now it had been a week and still she hadn't spoken to him. Not that he particularly cared, mind you, it's just that he disliked change and the change in her attitude toward him was hardly unnoticeable. A book lay beside his elbow and he opened it to where tiny, dried purple flowers lay nestled in the pages. A claw lightly traced the edge of one petal. A scent that had been undetected in his study for an agonizing week drifted to his nose. She stopped outside the door and paused. The book was swiftly closed as he waited for her to knock. Strangely enough, after a moment, he heard her leave. Trying to quell the sense of disappointment he denied he felt, he opened the door, eyes searching for any sign of her. Sighing, he gazed up at the ceiling as if all his answers lay in the wood and stone there.

Breakfast came and he immerged from his seclusion in order to eat. Rin was the only person seated in the dining room and a sudden anxiety that perhaps Kagome did not care to eat with him descended upon the expressionless man. Outwardly calm, he took his usual place at the head of the table. Rin grinned and held up her chubby hands. Her fingernails were a sparkling blue.

"See what Kagome-neechan helped Rin with? She let me pick the color and then she painted my nails pretty! The paint smelled icky for a while, but Kagome-neechan had put a handkerchief on Rin's nose, so I could stand it until she was done. Aren't they pretty?"

"Hai, Rin. Where is Kagome?"

"She said that Shippou-kun's school was letting her visit today, so she went to see him. She said she would be back either today or tomorrow and that she wanted me to practice my writing. Rin is learning her alphabet!"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed at hearing of Kagome's departure. "Hai, Rin, I'm sure you are doing just fine. Why did Kagome not tell me that she was leaving?"

Rin looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. "She was kinda angry when she found Jaken spying on her. Maybe she forgot after she knocked him out. I've never seen him shut up so fast!"

So that was why the stupid toad did not inform him of this event. Jaken would live another day. The wench, on the other hand…<Stop it, moron! What are you going to do? Punish her? She's a guest who can leave as she pleases. You told her to stay out of your way.>

<Yes, but…>

<Oh, shut up. You have to apologize because you were a jackass.>

Sesshoumaru rubbed his temples when a headache he was sure would last all day made its presence known. It just wasn't worth getting out of bed some mornings. This whole week was a perfect example.

**Present Day** Kagome muttered about stupid dog demons as she climbed out of the well in her own time. She heard the phone ringing and hurried to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Oi, Kagome? You just get back?"

"Hey, Inu. Yeah, in fact, I ran out of the well to answer this call. What's up?"

"I was wondering where Sesshou is. I've been trying to get a hold of him, but couldn't so I figured I'd try you just in case you were back. So is he there?"

Kagome flopped down on the couch and tossed her bag onto the coffee table. "No, oh, hang on a sec, someone's at the door."

Sesshou stood there with his back to her. When she opened the door, he turned and took off his sunglasses.

"Hey, you're just in time to take a call from your brother, come on."

Sesshou rolled his molten eyes and followed her into the house.

"Inu? Sesshou just drove up. Here he is."

The annoyed youkai took the phone in exasperation. "What? NO I'M NOT SO STOP ASKING! Grow up, Inu." Then, he hung up the phone.

"Um, all right. I take it you two are having a small spat?" she asked as she handed him a bottle of water.

He took it and leaned against the wall. "I suppose you could call…hey, nice outfit," he said as he noticed her attire. She was still dressed in a traditional kimono. It was blue and had silver sakura blossoms embroidered on it.

Kagome blushed and sat down. "Yeah, well, you did get it for me. Speaking of which, you happen to be acting like a jackass to me right now. I'm not getting on very well with his highness."

Taking a seat across from her, he snickered. "Ah, yes, seems I did a very unlordly thing of kicking a tray full of food down the hall."

"Yes you did, and then you made poor Jaken clean it up. Ha, didn't know I knew about your little temper tantrum after I left did you? You are a very spoiled boy, Sesshou, did you know?"

He smiled slightly. "I can't deny that, well, I could, but I'll save us an argument and not. Are you going to go get ready to see Shippou? Or are you going like that?"

"Give me forty-five minutes," she called back as she dashed up the stairs.

Forty two minutes later, she reemerged wearing a simple light white dress with long sleeves and strappy sandals. She was lovely. Kagome couldn't decipher the emotion in Sesshou's eyes as she walked over to him. It was gone as quickly as it came.

"You know, Sesshou, I miss your tail."

Grinning, he opened the door to his mustang for her and then climbed into the driver's seat. "I have to keep it away from you."

"What? Why?"

"Well, seeing as how you're the only one who dared to actually pet the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands' tail, my tail remembers you vividly. I happen to recall how much it likes you and would save myself that humiliation."

She giggled and playful whacked him. They were in front of the school in no time and pulled into the gate. The fence stood at least eight feet tall and refused visual access to the school. As soon as they had parked and were out of the car, Kagome watched as Sesshou's demon markings reappeared and his tail came into view. The fluffy appendage rested on his shoulder and twitched in happiness when it saw the young miko.

"Neat trick," she whispered when his transformation was done.

He stared at her intently as she leaned against the side of his car. Kagome glanced down and when she looked up, he was six inches from her. She felt those molten orbs drawing her in and she was lost. He wasn't fairing any better. Her own blue/grey stormy eyes were drowning him and breathing became difficult.

"Kagome," he whispered raggedly.

"Nani?" she whispered in the same tone.

"I would like very much to kiss you now."

"'kay."

And he did. Kami, he did. Sesshou closed the distance between them and claimed her lips with a gentle, chaste kiss that left no room for thought. Timidly, she responded at first, but then he wrapped his arms around her and neither knew where one began and the other one ended. The kiss became passionate and Kagome opened herself to him, groaning when he lick her bottom lip. Sesshoumaru heard the little noises she was making and had to physically force himself to stop. Both were panting slightly and Kagome's forehead was resting on his shoulder as he continued to hold her.

Suddenly, he heard her heart speed up dramatically and she jerked away. When she opened her eyes to look at him, they were glowing pink. He grabbed her and looked into her glowing eyes.

"Kagome? Kagome, what's wrong?!"

A pink light surrounded them and Sesshou stared at her as her facial features began to change. Slowly, her cheekbones became more delicate and her eyelashes grew longer and thicker. Her eyebrows became more elegant and her human ears grew somewhat pointed. Naturally pleasing lips grew more pink and plump as her entire body took on a more Elven look. She closed her eyes and the pink light disappeared.

"Kagome?"

Her hands gripped his biceps as she tried to catch her breath. When she looked up, her eyes were even more captivating than before, if that was possible.

"Sesshou? What didja do to me?"

He brushed her now knee length hair away from her face. "Nothing. I think you just transformed into your true form. I'll take that as a compliment that my kiss broke the seals you placed on yourself."

"Could you get me a mirror?"

He got her hand mirror out of her purse and handed it to her. She looked at her reflection and then back at him in confusion.

"I don't look very different."

Sputtering, he just looked at her. Finally, it dawned on him; she couldn't see her own beauty and probably never would. Giving up, he explained to her that what she saw and what everyone else saw was two different things, but still, she couldn't understand her own attractiveness. Suddenly, she gasped and grabbed his hand with tears in her eyes.

"Nani?"

"Sesshou, look at my back."

Realization hit him and he nodded somberly. She turned around and allowed him to look down the back of her long sleeve day dress. He replaced her clothes and she turned around with hope in her eyes. He didn't say anything and her smile faded.

"They're still there aren't they?"

"No, they're completely gone, like it never happened."

Tears spilled over her full eyes and she hugged him close, sobbing lightly. His tail curled around her as he stroked her hair comfortingly. Laughing, she pulled back and wiped away her tear tracks.

"I'm sorry, I cried all over your impeccable suit."

Smiling, he offered her his handkerchief. "I don't mind. Let's go, Shippou is waiting."

She nodded and took his arm, but paused. Sesshou groaned and then glared at his tail occupying Kagome's waist. Kagome petted it a bit and giggled.

"You have to behave right now, tail. It is important not to embarrass Sesshou in front of his fellow youkai. I'll play with you later."

To their relief, it agreed and resumed its place on his shoulder. Finally, they were able to make their way into the school.

**The school had an assembly on visitation days where the principal would outline anything important that had happened or was happening. All the parents sat fidgeting in their seats with anticipation of seeing their children. Finally, the lecture was over and silence filled the room as Sesshou rose, drawing Kagome's chair back for her and offering her his arm. She smiled and took it, following his lead until they were on their way to Shippou's dorm room. As soon as they had left, she heard the room behind them buzz to life.

"What on Earth was that about?"

"It is proper to wait until the most powerful being leaves, to show respect."

"But still, it was complete silence when we left, Sesshou. What's the deal?"

He promised an answer later because they had come to the kit's door. Hesitantly, Kagome knocked and waited for an answer.

"Come on in."

She smiled and took Sesshou's hand as she opened the door and walked over to her son. He grinned and launched himself into her outstretched arms.

"MOMMY! I'm so glad you made it. I was afraid you wouldn't be back in time. Oi, you look different." He sniffed. "And you smell different, too."

"This is your mother's true form, kit."

Shippou looked at the two adults for a moment before grinning again. "Wow. Mom, you're totally hot. That's so cool. Wait a sec, how come you seem to smell an awful lot like Uncle Sesshou?"

Kagome blushed and looked at Sesshou who just shrugged. Shippou looked inquisitively up at the older demon and-wonder of wonders- he saw his uncle wink at him in an obvious manner.

"Wow, it's `bout time you two got it over with."

His mother was dying of embarrassment and Sesshou seemed quite happy with himself. The cub showed them around his school and told them every single exhausting detail of what he'd been doing. It was time to leave before any of them knew it. Kagome hugged Shippou close.

"I'm so very proud of you, Shippou. I'm glad you like it here. You know if you have any problems who to call, right?"

Her son nodded. "Hai, either you or Uncle Sesshou or Uncle Inu. One of you will fix the problem. Bye, Mom, I'm gonna miss you."

"Me too, kit," she said as she kissed him on his head.

The adults left him with promises of letters and packages of chocolate. Five minutes later, Sesshou sighed as he glanced at his watch and told Kagome to make her bathroom break fast. She had been in there a while when the Lord of the Northern Lands, a prominent kitsune, motioned for him to join a conversation. The golden eyed taiyoukai walked over and began the diplomatic courtesy chat.

Kagome came out of the bathroom and bent over to get a drink out of a water fountain. Suddenly, she heard a shocking wolf whistle and a gruff arm came around her waist as she straightened.

"I gotta say, babe, that you are the finest woman I have ever laid eyes on."

Turning to face the rude man, she found herself staring at an outrageous wolf youkai. Pushing herself away, she straightened her dress and looked for Sesshou in an obvious dismissal of the man. The man caught her wrist and made her look at him.

"I'm Koga and no woman looks away from me. Come on, sweet cakes, what's your name? If you're nice, I might just have to see what you keep hidden under all that dress."

Pursing her lips, she glanced around and thankfully saw Sesshou on his way over. In a blur, Koga was on his butt, and Sesshou had his arm protectively around the Guardian's shoulders. All movement in the hall stopped and the three became the center of attention. Growling, Koga leapt to his feet and dropped into a fighting stance. Sesshou pushed Kagome behind him, crossed his arms over his chest, and leveled an icy stare at the furious wolf demon.

"What the Hell are you doing, Sesshoumaru? She isn't your mate, so why the Hell do you care if someone else partakes?"

Sesshou felt Kagome's anger spike and stepped out from in front of her. Pink sparks were occasionally flaring from her eyes and her hair swirled around her with an unseen wind. The taiyoukai gently put his arm around her waist and whispered something in her ear. All the power flared and then seemed to be sucked back into the miko. She looked at Sesshou and nodded slightly. He, in turn, glared at the stunned wolf.

"I wasn't protecting her, you stupid mongrel, I was saving your worthless butt from being disintegrated. You just tried to put the moves on the Guardian, you brainless mucus clog of navel lint. Be glad I care enough about this school to want to keep the mortal attention away. Otherwise, you could witness her wrath first hand."

With that, they turned and left the school leaving murmurs and whispers behind them. Oh, yes, everyone felt very honored to have met the Guardian and all agreed that she was such a kind and compassionate person. Koga got exactly what he deserved.

Outside, Sesshou scooped Kagome up and flew off, leaving his mustang behind. His tail came down from his shoulder and curled snuggly around her, protecting her from the harsh winds. Kagome looked up at the still enraged youkai.

"I don't like men like that, Sesshou."

"Neither do I, Gome, but they do exist. I've never liked Koga and this is just one more strike on his record. On the up side, maybe he'll leave me alone about his sister, now."

Kagome was petting what she had affectionately dubbed `Tail,' and unconsciously rubbing Sesshou's ears. He was doing his best to ignore both sensations and keep them in the air.

"What about his sister?"

The roll of his eyes she received was her answer.

"Oh, he wants you to mate her."

"Hai, dumb wolf. Even if I could stand her, which I cannot for any length of time, I could not ever tie myself to anything that has to do with him. I would kill him."

They had just landed inside Kagome's bedroom, when she noticed that Sesshou's eyes were glowing yellow and were glazed over.

"Um, Sesshou?" she ventured when he didn't put her down.

His response was to nuzzle her neck and jaw affectionately. Slowly, still nuzzling her giggling body, he walked over to the bed and lay her down on it. Too late, she realized what she had done. She had once again reduced him to his playful puppy stage.

<How did I manage to do that? The only thing the same was…his ears. That must be his puppy spot.>

He was straddling her on all fours and pouting cutely because she wouldn't play back. Grinning, she tackled him to the ground and wrestled with him for the top position. He, of course, came out on top and smiled down at her triumphantly. She resorted to her last trick and began to rub his ears once more. Leaning into her hand, the taiyoukai bent down and licked her face fondly.

"Oh, no, Sesshou, not this again. Haha. Cut it out!"

He just kept bathing her face until he was satisfied. Sniffing, he glanced down at the wrist Koga had grabbed. He nosed it until she turned it over and showed him the cut and bruise there. Growling softly, he licked her wound clean and then cuddled her neck and chin. She got the hint and relented, giving him yet another tongue bathing. When she was done, she looked into his happy eyes and kissed him softly. It was a brief, chaste kiss, and when she pulled away, Sesshou made a small whimpering noise and looked at her disappointedly. Kagome brushed the hair out of his eyes and traced his markings. He nipped playfully at her hand, but jolted up when they heard the door slam. She could tell all of his instincts were on alert and he was still in dog mode. He quickly got off of her, giving her cheek a gentle nip and lick, before slinking downstairs.

"Oi, Gome? Are you and Sesshoumaru here? I just got the weirdest call," she heard Inu's voice break off and knew he'd smelled what state Sesshou was in. "Holy shit. Um, Kagome? Now would be a good time to make an appearance."

She rushed downstairs and found the previous puppy Sesshou was now the grown, deadly dog Sesshou. And he was growling as he stalked the poor hanyou. Inuyasha was scarred out of his mind. He'd only seen Sesshou like this one time and that time he barely escaped with his life. The only things Inu knew at the moment was not make any jerky movements, and whatever you do, don't run. Dog youkais were notorious for their love of the chase. Slowly, Kagome walked over to Sesshou and put her arms around him. His tail wrapped around her possessively and he glanced down. The miko saw her chance and kissed him hard. He resisted for a moment before finally melting against her and nuzzling her face. He was back to puppy mode. Kagome led him over to the couch and had him sit down on it.

Inuyasha was still in shock. No one, and he meant no one had ever stopped his brother so quickly or so peacefully. Sitting in a chair, he gulped when he noticed Sesshoumaru bare his fangs for a minute when Kagome wasn't looking. It was a sign that clearly said that if Kagome was not here, neither would Inuyasha have continued to live.

"Y-you've changed him into his dog stage, Gome. Do I wanna know how that happened?"

She laughed as Sesshou continued to nip and lick at her. "I just, well, let's just say, he has a certain `puppy spot.' I'm sure you have one as well, but I'm betting that it isn't the same as Sesshou's."

"Make him stop; it's freaking me out."

"I don't know how. Back in feudal Japan, he just snapped out of it on his own."

"Hold up. Are you saying this happened before? What were you doing?"

Kagome threw a pillow at him. "Hentai. I think maybe he just needs to sleep it off. Can I call you tomorrow?'

"Hai. I'll just tell you my news then. See ya later, Gome, Sesshou."

She waved as he left. Sesshou let out a snort when he was gone. "Oh, so you're proud of yourself, are you? Well, hopefully, you won't remember this because I'm sure it would embarrass you to no end to know that you had been this, well, opposite of what you usually are."

Inu poked his head back in for a moment. "Oh, yeah, hey Gome. You're looking good," he said and shut the door before she could say anything.

Sighing in exasperation, she led the demon up to her room for the night. Gramps was in the shrine and Sota was staying at a friend's house. Kagome's mother would be home from work shortly and Kagome wanted to be out of sight, and therefore, out of mind when she came home. She made her way upstairs and looked at Sesshou when they were in her room. Deftly, she slipped him out of his coat and helped him take off his shoes, tie, belt, and shirt. Silently praying that he didn't go commando, she took off his pants. Thank Heaven for boxers. When his clothes were folded neatly and he was sniffing her bed, she changed into a nightgown.

She pushed Sesshou over to make room and settled down under the covers. He stared at her for a moment before nipping her shoulder. She rolled to look at him and helped him under the sheets as well. Sesshou snuggled against her and Tail resumed its place around her waist. His arms snaked around her and he entangled his fingers in her own. Turning to kiss his cheek, she then drifted off to sleep.