InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part IV): Power of the Purified Shinju ❯ Love's Warm Embrace ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter Sixteen

Love's Warm Embrace

Sango woke in her darkened room and looked to Kagome's bed. She sat up quickly when she realized that she wasn't there. Apparently she hadn't been there at all. Her bed was untouched. Sango slipped on a robe and wondered into the corridor. She quickly checked each of the rooms where the children were and saw no sign of Kagome. A movement caught her eye as she walked by one of the small studies. Miroku was sitting at a small desk reading over scrolls.

"Miroku, have you seen Kagome? She hasn't come to her bed tonight." The monk looked up from the scrolls and felt a sly smirk cross his face. "My dear Sango, I suspect that Kagome has already retired for the night."

Miroku had caught the look that Kagome and Sesshoumaru had shared briefly and noticed the demon's interest in her when she left the room. Miroku recognized that look all to well.

He smiled inwardly at the confused look on Sango's face. "I believe Kagome may have found…other quarters to retire to tonight." He said with a hint of amusement. Sango felt her cheeks grow hot as his meaning sunk in. "You mean InuYasha…" she said softly. Miroku's face darkened. "No, something is troubling InuYasha. He left the castle hours ago. I checked up on him before coming in here to read over these scrolls. He is perched in a tree near the western wing of the castle." Sango again took a confused look and Miroku smiled. "I believe Kagome is with Sesshoumaru."

Sango let out a slight gasp at hearing his words. "Kagome would never…" she said but stopped when she noticed the look Miroku was giving her. "What?" The monk stood and walked towards her.

"Sango, Kagome and Sesshoumaru spent much time alone together. He also went out of his way to rescue her from Naraku. It is only natural that they begin to feel towards one another. These feelings tend to lead to a physical relationship." Sango turned a deeper shade of red as Miroku watched her with a mixture of amusement and interest.

"You know Sango, you and I have spent much time together. And on more than one occasion I too have saved you." He said in a teasing tone expecting a quick slap to the cheek or a nice lump to his head. He was shocked when she looked up at him nervously.

They stared at each other for a moment and Miroku could tell that Sango was intrigued yet frightened of his next move. He contemplated what he should do. Momentarily considering taking advantage of the situation and then decided that cared too much for Sango to do that.

"You should go to bed, Sango." He said in a hoarse voice. He turned away quickly lest he change his mind. She stood watching him both relieved and disappointed at his words. Finally, she turned and left for her room. Miroku went back to the scrolls and began looking them over. He let out a small sigh and gave up, knowing that the scrolls were the last thing he would be able to concentrate on now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshoumaru lay awake holding Kagome to him. He could feel her energy working hard and a tension in her body while she slept. He gazed down at her and softly ran his fingers through her hair. `It's no wonder she is so exhausted, her sleep is even more strenuous than her time awake.' Soon she woke and looked up at him. He could tell immediately that she was upset.

"I couldn't get to Hitomi." Sesshoumaru knew that she was nearing tears. He shushed her comfortingly and then spoke to her. "Kagome, you are fatigued. You have had a very troubling time with Naraku and only recently had his mark removed. Sleep the rest of the night and allow your body to regain its energy. Tomorrow you can try again."

She began to protest and tell him of the need to do this now but he softly brought his lips to hers before reassuring her. "Kagome, I want you at your strongest when you go to her. I want you to come back to me safely." She looked up at him and finally let herself relax.

He pulled her tightly to him and she began to run her fingers across his chest and lay kisses in the same path. He groaned and for a moment allowed her to continue her exploration of him. He felt himself becoming aroused and finally found his voice. "Kagome…" he choked out. "You need to rest and regain your strength." She looked up at him softly and smiled. He reached down and brought her dainty hand to his mouth and kissed it softly and pulled her to him tightly again. "Tonight you need sleep."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome woke just before dawn, realizing that she would need to explain her absence to Sango. She planned on sneaking into the room but quickly realized that would be impossible. Kagome was lying on her back and looked up slightly to see that Sesshoumaru had moved during the night. He had his head rested on her chest and his arms were both circled around her body tightly. His hair fanned over them both and Kagome began to slowly run her fingers through it. She didn't realize that being with him would feel so right. He had been so tender with her and his comforting words played in her mind again. She lay there and for the first time in what seemed like forever, relaxed and felt safe.

She thought back to InuYasha and how he had reacted to her. She really couldn't blame him; the reality of what had happened to her was probably a shock to him. No matter how tough he talked, he was a very innocent person when it came to some things. She then thought about Sesshoumaru. She knew he had smelled Naraku on her and had known what happened and yet he didn't allow that to turn him from her. She felt him stir and seconds later he lifted himself from her. He noticed that she was awake and moved up the bed, pulling her into his embrace again.

Kagome smiled and spoke to him. "I will need to tell Sango where I was all night." Sesshoumaru was silent for a moment before speaking, "Will you tell her the truth?" Kagome sensed something in his voice and looked up at him. "Of course I will, why wouldn't I?" He contemplated her for a moment. "I am sure your friends would not approve of you being with me. I am a demon. Not just any demon, I am InuYasha's brother." She watched him for a moment, sensing that there was more to his words. "My friends would only want me to be happy." He tightened his arms around her, thinking her rather naive. "I'm sure you're right."

Suddenly she pulled her head up to face him. "Do you trust me?" He stared at her for a moment. "Do you trust me?" She repeated. "Of course I do." He said softly. "Then I have some things that I want to show you." He stared at her for a moment and then nodded his head slightly. She nestled back into his tight embrace and focused her powers. Reality dissolved and she was again standing in a field not far from the home Sesshoumaru had grown up in. Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru who was standing beside her holding her hand. "Come, it's time you meet your father."