InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Moonlit Meetings ( Chapter 13 )

A/N - I know it's been a while and no I have not let this story die. My life's just a little bit hectic at the moment and I'm not finding the time I'd like to actually sit down and write.

I would like to dedicate this chapter especially to my mom because without her advice I would still be struggling over the first half of this chapter. Thanks for yer help mom!

 

Anyhow, do not worry, I maybe slow at posting but I fully intend on continuing this story.

 

Disclaimer - I do not own anything or anyone that comes from the Inuyasha anime. They are the sole property of their creator. I'm just borrowing them a bit for the delight of twisting their love life around to entertain those of you who look forward to my ramblings… :P

 

Thank you for all the patience you guys are giving me. I am grateful for it.

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Chapter 13- Moonlit Meeting.

 

He had been there, her dream filled with the comfort he always seemed to give to her. At one point his image had seemed to fade and she'd reached out to try and keep him with her. Of course one cannot hold a dream and his image had faded away to be replaced with that of other people who filled her life.

 

He had returned later, when her rest had become troubled, chasing away the dark images that had threatened to consume her soul. As always the unknown man protected her in his warm embrace, sheltered from any who would dare harm her in the dream world.

 

There was deep regret when she found herself awake, her body aching and even the simple act of breathing cause severe pain to run through her chest. If Ozeki hadn't broken her ribs the day before, then surely the snakes had finished the task. She lay there a long while; her eyes closed as she took stock of the injuries she'd obtained in the last fight and discovered that the snake's scales had indeed left several new cuts along her arms and chest where it had coiled around her.

 

Slowly deep sapphire eyes fluttered open to take in the fading light of day and a deep confusion clouded their depths. There was something she was suppose to do yet her pain fogged mind simply refused to let her know what it was. Instead, Kagome stared out the small window trying to remember exactly what it was. She was lost to the world around her as she contemplated what that could be and missed the presence lurking in the dark shadows in a far corner of her room.

 

“Inuyasha!” She cried as the memory flooded back to her with sudden clarity. A small groan ripped from her lips as Kagome forced her body to quickly rise from her bed and to the tansu.

 

The healer had left only her dressed in the simple black lace bra and matching panties and the cool evening air sent a chill along her bare skin. As quickly as she could, Kagome threw open the wooden doors and pulled a deep green kimono from the mass of colored silk.

 

It was only as she turned did she notice that someone else was in the room with her and modesty instantly brought the fabric up to cover her nakedness. Her first instinct was to scream in outrage at the intrusion upon her privacy but she fought it down knowing that it would only bring other youkai to investigate. That was something she didn't want because the situation was embarrassing enough as it was.

 

“What are you doing in here?” Kagome demanded angrily, her deep blue eyes sparkling with rage while a crimson blush colored her cheeks from embarrassment.

 

“Watching over you,” Ozeki replied with amusement in his voice. “The lord has commanded you be kept under constant watch incase the shadow demon returns.”

 

“Why? Does he think I am not safe in my own rooms?” Kagome was having a hard time restraining herself from purifying the insolent bear that stood laughing at her predicament and that was making her even angrier.

 

“If this is a true shadow youkai, then no you are not.” Ozeki calmly told her losing all humor in light of the situation. “So since I am now your humble servant, Lord Sesshomaru has commanded me to watch over you.”

 

“Turn around.” Kagome huffed indignantly. Strangely the news had brought a two-fold reaction to it. One being anger at having her privacy so easily stripped from her, while at the same time it was comforting to know that Sesshomaru actually cared enough about her to want her kept safe. The question was why did it have to be Ozeki instead of a female guard? Did his status as her servant warrant such intimacies?

 

Ozeki grinned again and turned as she requested. Really the modesty of some races never seized to amuse him. In his homeland there was no such silliness, everyone there were free of the constraining clothing that others insisted on wearing.

 

The rustle of silk told him exactly what she was doing and the grin widened even more. This woman was not afraid to battle youkai, go on dangerous missions, and take on the world in general, yet the simple act of dressing with one of the opposite sex watching seemed to upset her greatly. He could smell the discomfort tainting her normally soothing scent. It was really amusing to finally get to her one way or the other, even though he hadn't intended on it.

 

“Why does he think the shadow youkai could attack me here?” She asked and Ozeki could hear the pain just beyond the edges of her voice though she was doing a good job of trying to hide it.

 

“There are two types, one who hide in the shadows, blending in with them until they cannot be seen. The other has the ability to travel great distances through the deepest of shadows.” Ozeki explained patiently as he waited for her to finish doing whatever it was she was doing. “The last are the true shadow youkai and many believe that they are born of shadows at some evil gods whim. Many legends center on these beings yet none have been seen in the last century or so. Humans believe that the were wiped out in the great battle between Midoriko and her enemy because that is the last known occurrence.”

 

“Oh,” Kagome's voice was full of surprise. “So is that why Sesshomaru wants someone to be with me at all times, because he thinks its one of those?”

 

“Yes,” Ozeki replied. “He believes that perhaps it is one of the demons who were rumored to fall into the slumber upon the Shikon's creation. The lord does not wish to take any chances until we can be certain of who is behind these continuing attacks.”

 

“You can turn around now,” Kagome told him, pulling the heavy mass of her hair over one shoulder to brush the tangles from it. The hour was growing late and she really didn't want to keep Inuyasha waiting for too long knowing how his temper was.

 

Ozeki wasn't expecting to be instantly thrown back into childhood memories but as he gazed upon the stunning picture of beauty that Kagome cast he couldn't help it. The flowing green kimono she had chosen was in fact several shades of rich green that faded into one another with the darkest being at the bottom. Small golden leaves had been embroidered along the sleeve hems and down the right side of the fabric. A soft green sash accentuated her slender waist. All in all she was missing only the pale golden flower crown and necklace that was worn by the rare woodland demons from his home.

 

They had been a mystical race that he'd admired in his youth, the visions always reminded him of the forest around them and now once more he was reminded of how much he missed his mother and brother. Duty kept him here, but Ozeki planned on visiting his family once the war was over.

 

Kagome shifted nervously under that far off gaze and tilted her head to once side in curious anticipation. She had never before seen Ozeki that deep in thought and wondered what was going through his head.

 

“Are you alright?” She asked softly. Her hands stilled over the silken strands of her hair, the brush she'd brought from home stilled half way down the mass.

 

“Yeah,” He answered tearing eyes away from her to stare out the window in thought. “You just reminded me of home.”

 

“Oh,” was all she could say. She hoped it was a good thing but there was something about the look on his face the stopped her from asking about his home.

 

“Weren't you in a hurry to get some where?” Ozeki asked looking back at her with an amused sparkle in his dark eyes.

 

“Oh! Inuyasha!” Kagome blinked in surprise dropping the brush. She'd almost forgotten and was sure that her friend would be angry with her by now. “I almost forgot I was suppose to meet him in the gardens tonight!”

 

“Then allow me to escort you there, M'lady.” Ozeki chuckled, he enjoyed the way she flushed when she was worried about something and right now she was worried that Inuyasha was angry with her. Offering her his elbow in courtly fashion he tried to hide the amusement from her.

 

“Why I would be delighted.” She giggled sliding her hand through his arm. She wondered if his friendly manner toward her had anything to do with the earlier attack but didn't ask for fear that whatever it was would shatter, returning him to his normally arrogant self.

 

On the way to the gardens they talked and joked on all sorts of things, their pace kept slow due to the injuries she had suffered. Ozeki didn't mind, keeping his pace slowed to hers, because slowly he was learning more about the one he'd sworn to both serve and protect. The woman was a truly amazing creature and he found himself valuing the time he spent in her company.

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Inuyasha paced back and forth in the gardens, his patience waning with every passing second he was kept waiting. He had believed that she would be there; as she had agreed the day before but worry started to take over the longer she kept him waiting.

 

He had heard there had been another attack on her life, yet his arrogant brother wouldn't allow anyone except the healer and that irritating bear close to her chambers. No one would tell him the extent of her injuries or even knew if she was all right and that was worrying Inuyasha more than anything.

 

His friend might need him but no one was letting him know what was going on. The thought angered him and when Inuyasha had asked Sesshomaru about it the only excuse he got was that Ozeki was her personal servant and Sesshomaru would not deny the miko her servant should Kagome have need of him.

 

It was the lamest excuse Inuyasha had heard in his life. He couldn't help but wonder what exactly his brother was up too and was about to barge into the arrogant demon's study to demand being allowed to see Kagome when her laughter echoed through the air.

 

Inuyasha's demon hearing picked up the sounds of conversation as she talked with Ozeki and he breathed a sigh of relief knowing his friend was doing better. What did bother him was the fact that there was a tiredness that tainted her normally happy voice, one that told of hidden pain and other hidden worries that she tried to hide from the one she spoke with.

 

Golden amber met deep ebony and Inuyasha could read the worry in Ozeki's eyes as the two shared an unspoken moment. Each knowing what the other worried about instantly.

 

Kagome seemed oblivious to it as she stepped forward to embrace her best friend and looked up at the inu-youkai with a shadow of her normally bright smile.

 

“I'm sorry to keep you waiting Inuyasha, I guess I over slept again.” She said softly.

 

“Keh,” He snorted gently returning her hug mindful of the way she favored her ribs. “I was just about to come get ya.”

 

Ozeki nodded and turned away to wait for the girl by the garden door. He was determined to watch over his charge while still giving the two the privacy they deserved. There was much in the way Inuyasha was acting that told the bear the two had much to discuss between them.

 

Inuyasha gently guided Kagome farther into the gardens to where a bench was positioned so that she might rest while they spoke.

 

“So what did you want to talk to me about Inuyasha?” Kagome asked softly. Whatever was going on in his head she wanted to get it out and over with so that they could get on with more important matters.

 

“What are you doing here Kagome?” Inuyasha asked sitting beside her. His intense gaze threatened to burn a hole in her and Kagome looked away.

 

“You know why I'm here,” Kagome replied softly focusing on a single white lily that was blooming amongst the rich greenery of some unknown ground plant.

 

“You shouldn't be here, you should be home raising a family or doing whatever that school thing was training you to do.” Inuyasha began his own eyes fixing upon the lily. It was odd to see it there, alone and isolated from the rest that bloomed several yards away and it reminded him of his friend. “I don't want you to be hurt. This isn't your fight this time Kagome, you need to go home and let us deal with it.”

 

Kagome sighed, she had known this was coming and as she looked back to her long time friend Kagome realized that there was a lot more riding on her being here than anyone thought. If she could save her friends from whatever fate had planned for them then she would sacrifice herself willingly.

 

“I do not know why the well allowed me to come back, Inuyasha, but if it wanted me here than I am suppose to be here.” She fixed him with a sincere look that spoke the silent words she could never say. “In this past year I have learned so much about myself, things I cannot tell you right now, but let me assure you that I have as much right to be here as I did back during our shard hunt and the well reopening proves that.”

 

“Will you ever tell me?” He asked looking deep into those stormy blue eyes he remember so well from her youth.

 

“When the time is right,” She nodded.

 

“Kagome,” He sighed pulling her to him in an embrace that was so gentle it surprised her. “I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you in the past and cannot thank you enough for what you've done for me and Kikyo. I want you to know that I have always loved you but not the way you had wanted me too. You have always been like a sister to me though I did not realize it until you'd disappeared that day on the battlefield. I wish I could have told you all this before that, let you know somehow how much you meant to me.”

 

Kagome looked up at him confused by his behavior, it was so unlike Inuyasha to tell her exactly how he felt that she wondered if someone else was impersonating him. When she opened her mouth to say something the look in those golden eyes stopped her.

 

“You were never just a shard detector to me. I will admit at first you were the biggest pain and I was pissed that I had to be subjected to depending on you to find what I wanted, but as I got to know you better that all changed.” He continued when she remained silent. “Now that you're here, I've been given the chance to set things right no matter how hard I tried to ignore that. This last attack on your life made me see that and I want you to know all this incase something happens to one of us. This battle will be a lot harder than when we faced Naraku and I want you to return home before things get ugly. Get out of here and live your life in happiness somewhere far away from all this.”

 

“I can't do that Inuyasha,” she hugged him back knowing how hard it must be for him to admit to something so emotional. “I cannot leave you guys to face this alone. I couldn't live with myself if I did. You guys are my family and I love you as such. I will do all I can to ensure your safety you know that. So please don't ask me to leave, I can't do that.”

 

“I know,” Inuyasha sighed giving her a gentle squeeze before letting her go. “I can't promise to always protect you this time, Kikyo and my son have to come first, Kagome. So please try not to do anything that would cause me and my mate to overly worry about you.”

 

“I'm sure Ozeki and Tatsu will see to my safety,” Kagome couldn't help grinning when her friend looked at her in surprise. “Tatsu agreed to train me and Ozeki, so when I get to feeling better I'm sure I'll be in their care more often than not.”

 

“Yeah well that mangy bear better protect you or he'll have me to deal with.” Inuyasha snorted loud enough for said bear to have heard him. An answering growl came from a distance away and Kagome knew that Ozeki had indeed heard.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome shook her head at his antics, seeing that he was returning to his normal self. “Don't antagonize him.”

 

“Why not, it's the truth.” Inuyasha insisted smiling down at her while he stood. How he had missed her and everything about her in the past ten years. It was good to have her home even if he wished she were somewhere safe. Extending his hand to her, Inuyasha helped Kagome to her feet. “Oh before I forget, Kikyo wants to know if you'll join us for dinner tomorrow.”

 

“Tell her I'd be delighted.” Kagome beamed up at him. Now that the air had been cleared between them the uneasiness she had felt was gone. In its place there was a warm ball forming and she knew she was home. A place that no matter what would happen along the way was the one place she was meant to be.

 

They talked a little while longer while strolling around the beautiful moonlit garden.

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Iyashii scowled at the woman before him, her news had brought nothing but added worries to the young inu-youkai's mind. She stood there a female mirror to his own appearance yet he knew her for what she truly was. A cold shape shifting youkai who had long hid her true appearance from the world to assume any form she wished. Sora was no more inu-youkai than he was human yet she wore the disguise easily letting him know that she had done it on more than one occasion.

 

She had arrived at the castle gates earlier in the evening claiming to be his sister to gain admission to the castle. A summons had brought him to the front gates where he'd reluctantly vouched for the demoness who had spent her time flirting with the scraggly looking bear that guarded the gate.

 

Once he had guided her to an area where he was sure no one could over hear their conversation he grilled Sora on why their master had saw fit to send him most valued spy. Her ability to change her appearance at will had come in handy during many a battle in the past and Iyashii held no doubt that was what she had been sent to do.

 

Her words had surprised him thought and now that he was better informed on his master's demon brother, Iyashii was at a loss as to what to do. Sora had suggested helping to protect the miko thus winning her favor in the attempt but something about the whole idea seemed dangerous especially now that the Western Taiyoukai was allowing no one near Kagome.

 

“Look,” Sora smiled seductively up at her ally, “Let me handle Sesshomaru, you just worry about getting the miko on our side.”

 

“What makes you think you can handle him?” Her confidence amused him. She had no idea what she was up against if her plan included seducing Sesshomaru. He was as outwardly cold to everyone around him as the snow was on coldest winter day. The strange demoness held no chance of getting close to him.

 

“Greater youkai than him have fallen in my web.” Sora cooed up at him. Her display of sensuality was making him slightly ill even though he liked the way her sensuous curves pulled at the scant clothing she wore. “It will be nothing to distract him from his musing over the human woman. Besides what kind of pure breed passes up a chance to be with his own in favor of a disgusting human?”

 

Her light laughter filled the air around them but to Iyashii it sounded forced, unlike the pure sweet laughter of the miko he had his sights set on. Sora was every bit as forged as the edge of his sword only her creator had given her the deadliest weapon of all. Hers was that of her body, knowing exactly what kind of pleasure she could bring to those she set out to get. It was her alluring attitude and flirty ways that had drawn so many to her in the past.

 

For one brief second, Iyashii was glad that he was not her intended victim. Perhaps her plan would give him some time to be alone with the miko after all.

 

“Just don't do anything that would place my mission in jeopardy,” Iyashii warned her, his teeth bared in a sign of dominance, “or else you will find your seduction doesn't always work.”

 

“You worry too much.” Sora laughed again and took his arm in a sisterly fashion. She was determined to play the little farce as far as the irritable youkai would allow her. “Now introduce me to this delightful morsel before someone else can taste him.”

 

“Are you sure you don't have some sort of spider youkai in you?” Iyashii looked at her warily while leading her into the main halls of the castle. All new arrivals were required to meet the young lord for his inspection and Sora would be no exception even though she proclaimed to be his sister.

 

“Hmmm,” her delicate pink tongue traced along her upper lip as though considering his question before a seductive smile graced those pale lips. “Maybe just a little.”

 

An involuntary shiver raced along his spine at the implications of her words and he found himself wondering just what had happened to those who were unfortunate enough to fall into her trap.

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Sesshomaru was inspecting his soldiers when word came that a new arrival had been granted entrance into his castle. It was customary to meet new arrivals in the main hall, by his own orders and knew whoever it was would be waiting there. He had been told it was a female inu-youkai claiming to be Iyashii's sister but something about information didn't sit right with him. All his information on the inu-youkai had never indicated he had any living relatives and Sesshomaru did not like to be misinformed.

 

Curious as to whom this woman really was, Sesshomaru returned to the main hall where as expected Iyashii waited with the new arrival. They spoke in low tones as they waited but when they sensed the lord's presence they turned and respectfully bowed low.

 

Sesshomaru took his seat on the dais and commanded them to rise. He watched as the woman slowly rose giving him a great view of pale well-rounded breasts that threatened to break free from the straining cloth that bound them. Even in the faint torchlight that illuminated the hall Sesshomaru could see her outfit was made from a rich cream colored silk that hugged well-defined curves. Her skirt was dangerously short, twin slits racing up the sides exposing long well formed legs while her bare arms held the faintest traces of feminine strength.

 

He let his gaze travel upward to take in her delicately tipped ears and high cheekbones. Golden eyes gazed back at him, filled with the sweet promise of untold pleasures. Her smile held the shadow of that promise on full pale lips and Sesshomaru found himself fighting down the arousal that threatened to show in his eyes.

 

“Great lord, may I be so humble as to submit my older sister Sora for your inspection.” Iyashii spoke in the court manner though Sesshomaru caught the barely concealed disgust in the other's voice. Apparently the so-called siblings had disagreed on something before his arrival.

 

“It is an honor to finally meet you, Milord,” Sora's honeyed voice brought Sesshomaru's attention back to her in time to watch as she dipped down in a reverent bow that exposed her breasts once more to his gaze. A single long platinum blonde strand of hair spilled over her shoulder to pool on the floor in front of her.

 

“Welcome to this Sesshomaru's holdings, Lady Sora.” Sesshomaru's mask remained intact even as his arousal threatened to surface. “What has occurred to bring you to these lands?”

 

“I was told that my brother, whom I had been separated from during an attack on our village, was in residence here,” Sora replied, the lie coming easily to her lips as she kept her golden eyes on the floor in front of Sesshomaru. It was disrespectful to look upon the lord and she took great care to follow all courtly etiquette until such a time as she could strike her earlier gaze at him had been a ruse to catch his eye. A trick that had worked better than she had first believed as she could sense his interest in her. “I came in hopes that these rumors would be true and to my delight am now reunited with the one I'd believed dead.”

 

“Is this true, Iyashii?” Sesshomaru found it hard to pull his gaze away from the vision of mature beauty to look at the one she called brother. A small alarm when off in the back of his mind to be careful where this female inu-youkai was concerned but it went unheard as other more beastly urges threatened to surface.

 

“Yes, my lord,” Iyashii replied shifting slightly where he stood. He too had not looked up and it pleased Sesshomaru that these two were showing him the proper respect his station deserved. “I also believed her to be dead and happy to see that she still breaths.”

 

Something about Iyashii's answer strengthened that warning allowing Sesshomaru to maintain control. There would be other times to inspect the demoness' hidden promises, but now was not that time.

 

“Then you are free to move about this castle, but take heed you do not venture near the soldiers quarters. They tend to become quite persistent with a woman of your virtues.” Sesshomaru explained letting his gaze travel along her succulent body once more.

 

“You have my deepest gratitude my lord,” Sora's golden gaze raised momentarily to lock with Sesshomaru's in a daring attempt to keep his eyes on her. “Should you require anything in return please allow your humble servant the knowledge of what I may do.”

 

With a curt nod, Sesshomaru stood and stalked from the room, he needed to be away from this enticing female before his control slipped enough for everyone to see. It had been many centuries since he had dealt with the likes of this woman and wondered if he should allow his animalistic urges give way to her womanly wiles before he extracted her head from those delightful shoulders.

 

Sesshomaru was no stranger to the ways of woman and had delighted in their virtues on several occasions in his years. He knew that one day he would have to choose one as a mate in order to produce an heir but right he was in no hurry. Maybe Sora would prove to be a useful distraction to keep his mind off another enticing female with ebony colored locks. A female he knew he could never have even if there were a way; she was destined for something else and he believed she was far beyond his reach.

 

Wanting only solitude so that he might make some sense of his jumbled thoughts, Sesshomaru sought the seclusion of his gardens. He would be able to think there. Maybe even rid himself of the vision of beauty he longed to possess, but even his traitorous mind would give him no peace as Kagome's stormy blue eyes replaced that of Sora's golden ones.

 

How was it possible that he, Lord of the Western Lands and full inu-youkai, could desire the touch of a human woman over the promise of unknown pleasure in another full blooded inu-youkai's eyes? Was he finally losing the sanity he'd held onto for so long or was he under some sort of spell cast unknowingly by the miko's purity?

 

Even though he outwardly appeared as stoic as always, his inner mind was a turmoil of questions that were left unanswered. He desperately wanted to purge these traitorous ideas, banish them to the darkest regions of his mind but they returned time and time again.

 

Once in the vast inner gardens, Sesshomaru seated himself under a Sakura tree, his eyes closing in meditation. He thought he was alone since it was so late but when the voice of the woman he desired reached his ears he opened his eyes with a start. What was she doing out here so late at night?

 

“Oh come on, Ozeki,” Kagome softly chided the huffing bear. “It's late and I am not going to disturb anyone. I just want something to eat, honest.”

 

“The servants have long since retired for the night,” Ozeki snorted not knowing why he tolerated the pesky woman beside him other than the fact he was suppose to be keeping her out of trouble not helping her to get into it. “Besides if the lord finds out, he'll be angry with me.”

 

“For what?” Kagome demanded tugging at one of Ozeki's crossed arms. “I'm hungry and surely Sesshomaru wouldn't want me to starve to death now would he?”

 

“I suppose not,” Ozeki sighed giving into her simple request. “I'll summon someone who can fetch you proper fare.”

 

“You don't have to do that, just show me where the meals are prepared and I'll do it myself.” Kagome grinned up at him happy to have won the small argument. “And you can help me.”

 

“I don't know how to cook for humans.” Ozeki snorted indignantly. The idea of cooking one's food sounded down right disgusting.

 

“Well it's about time you learned,” She laughed seeing the distaste in his eyes. Even in the moon's pale light it was plain enough for anyone to see. “Besides I may have you prepare me meals on occasion after all you are suppose to do what I say.”

 

“Yes my lady,” Ozeki sighed and followed the young woman into the castle. “I'll warn you though that if you disrupt the cook's meals he will be sorely angry with you and not even the lord will be able to save you. Cook is renown for his temper.”

 

“Don't worry no one will know we were even there,” She grinned looking around the castle halls. “Now which way is it?”

 

“Follow me.” Ozeki sighed again knowing he was going to hear it in the morning.

 

 

Curious as to what the two were up too, Sesshomaru followed at a distance knowing that his presence would be undetected by either of them. After all, his entire castle was full of other youkai and Kagome's miko sense would probably be muddled by the other's youkai.

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Sesshomaru watched with amazement from the shadows as Kagome got the bear to chop several different vegetables and throw them into a pot of water she had placed over one of the open hearths. The woman had a knack of getting others to do what she wanted them to do and had to suppress the laughter the threatened to spill out each time the petite woman scolded the large bear every time he did something wrong.

 

He watched with fascination as Kagome introduced the bear to what cooked food tasted like. Ozeki's eyes had flown open with surprise when the spiced sauce coated his tongue with delightful tastes he had not known existed until now. He had then looked at Kagome as if really seeing her for the first time and a new respect shone in those dark eyes.

 

“See and you thought you wouldn't like it.” She grinned up at the bear with delight in shining brightly in their sapphire depths.

 

“The taste is truly not what I believed it would be, yet nothing beats the fresh blood spilling over one's taste buds.” Ozeki snorted trying to hide his pleasure from the young woman but she saw through his mask.

 

Kagome sighed and shook her head as she dished out three bowls of the venison soup she had prepared. Ozeki watched her with curiousness as she set the bowls on the table and went to retrieve the wooden spoons from the cabinet.

 

“Are you expecting company, Kagome?” Ozeki asked taking a seat at the low table his eyes never leaving the young woman.

 

Sesshomaru wondered whom she could be expecting this time of the night and a brief moment of jealously surfaced as he thought of Iyashii. Could she have had time to ask the demon to meet them here before Sesshomaru heard them in the gardens?

 

Kagome shook her head taking her seat at the table and looked expectantly toward the darkened doorway of the kitchen.

 

“You can come out now Sesshomaru, I know your there.” Kagome almost laughed when Ozeki quickly stood to bow before his lord as Sesshomaru walked into the kitchen. He looked as emotionless as ever but his golden eyes held an amused gleam to them.

 

“To your feet General,” Sesshomaru commanded with a smirk as he sat at the head of the table. “It isn't polite to let your meal go cold after all her hard work.”

 

“Yes my lord,” Ozeki muttered sitting back down. His eyes trained on the bowl in front of him. The smell was tantalizing but he was waiting for Sesshomaru to reprimand him for allowing the human woman to take over the kitchen.

 

“How did you know I was there?” Sesshomaru turned his attention toward the amused miko, a single eyebrow rising in amusement.

 

“Since you decided to follow us from the gardens,” Kagome's soft chuckle sent a chill down Sesshomaru's spine and he looked down at the stew she'd prepared.

 

“I did not believe you would feel my presence amongst so many other youkai,” He replied calmly while dipping the spoon into his bowl.

 

“Your youkai is different than the others,” Kagome told him her eyes training on her own bowl. Suddenly she wasn't feeling so hungry anymore as her mind drifted to the demon that sat only a few feet from her.

 

“I see,” Sesshomaru replied and fell into the comfortable silence that had filled the room. The silence drifted into pleasant conversation between the three and ended as they turned in for the night.

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Sesshomaru returned to his quarters even more determined to rid his mind of the miko, forcing it to turn to the female inu-youkai that was now housed in his castle. He wondered as he prepared for bed whether he should take her up on the promise that Sora had held in her eyes as she'd stared at him or if he should just retire for the night.

 

The young demoness would surely drive away Kagome's image from his mind and give him the much needed relief his body desired after being in the woman's presence. It might even be fun, he allowed himself the pleasure of envisioning the bold demoness' body trapped below his, her golden eyes looking up at him filled with lust and those pale tresses spread out about the pillows.

 

Slowly the visions took on a life of their own and Kagome's image slowly replaced that of Sora's. Her eyes closed tight while her head was tilted back in the throes of passion. The vision startled Sesshomaru and he pushed the images quickly from his mind. Tomorrow he would get to know this Sora woman better and maybe then he would be able to rid his mind of the miko once and for all.

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Well it looks like Sesshomaru maybe in trouble…think he can handle it?

 

Thanks to all of those who have followed my story, its you guys that keep me from letting this story die and I deeply apologize to you for making you wait so long. I hope you find this worth the wait.

 

Much love - DJ