InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Syndrome ❯ With His Own Eyes ( Chapter 47 )

I do not own Inuyasha and Company, no matter how happy it would make me. Rumiko Takahashi does. I make no money from these fics.

Chapter 47 - With His Own Eyes

His kiss was insistent and needy, desperate for her reassurance and love. After everything that he'd just heard, with all the thoughts spiraling in his head; he needed this, needed her, more than he could ever express. Thankfully she knew without him having to utter a single word. Sesshoumaru groaned as her arms wrapped around his neck, holding him to her as if she feared he might disappear. She needn't worry. He wasn't going anywhere. No, he'd stay right there, straddling her legs and kissing her with all he had for as long as she'd allow it.

The feeling of her fingers twining in his hair while she sighed and moaned softly into their kisses was incredible and he was lucky he was able to control himself and keep from ripping her clothes off. She had no idea just how similar to his dreams this was, dreams he'd had over and over again for years. Having her there in his bed, her body tucked so nicely under his own, was more than a dream come true. It was like he'd already died and was currently experiencing the best that heaven had to offer him.

He shuddered as he felt Kagome's right leg sliding along the inside of his thigh as she lifted it. Suddenly he was terrified she was trying to get away. He wasn't nearly finished yet! He'd barely gotten started! He needed far more than just a few minutes with those sweet lips of hers. She couldn't want him to stop already. She was enjoying herself, wasn't she?

Her leg continue to move slowly and he pulled back to watch her face, searching for any sign that something was wrong. She smirked and he wondered for a second what she was up to, until his eyes widened as he felt the top of her foot sliding purposely along his achingly hard length through his pants. Kagome watched as his eyes fell closed and she moved her foot back and forth a few times, drawing out the contact, before she finally pulled her leg out from underneath him completely, her original goal. She could tell he was worried, or at least had been before she'd succeeded in distracting him, but she set out to reassure him by wrapping her now free leg around his hip.

Sesshoumaru smirked at her as he realized she wasn't going anywhere. The taiyoukai groaned aloud as her left leg began to move, following the same path as her right. Having her touch him there, with any part of her body... He'd never experienced anything like it. Sure, she'd accidently brushed up against his erection the night before, but this: she was doing this on purpose. Oh, how he was thankful for just a slight rub from her foot! It was a testament to just how long he'd wanted her touch, how badly he needed her.

Kagome pulled her left leg completely free and wrapped it around his hips as well, her entire body singing with joy at being in such a suggestive position under him. Her mind was quick to supply all the things he could do to her body in this position and she saw herself writhing in pleasure; their hot, sticky skin pressed together while he made her feel things she'd never experienced before. All she needed to do was say the word and she was certain he would be willing. Just one word, maybe two, and he could have her stripped naked and screaming his name in seconds. Why did she want to wait again?

She wrapped her legs a little tighter in an attempt to pull him closer, but he was much too strong for her and apparently wasn't getting the message.

"Closer, Sesshoumaru," she almost whined. "Come down here!"

She was tired of him holding his body off of hers. She wanted to feel all of him, have him pressed against her as close as she could allow him to get right then. True, she really wanted him even closer, as close as a man and a woman could get, but she was waiting. She had a reason, even if she couldn't really remember it right now.

Her legs attempted to tighten again and this time Sesshoumaru allowed her to pull him closer, growling in pleasure as he felt her hips cradle his. His cock was so close, pressed against her core, separated only by his thin khakis and her jeans. Why, oh why couldn't she have worn a skirt today? The heat radiating from her body was damn near volcanic and he groaned again as she tightened her legs further, pressing him more tightly against her. She moaned then and the scent of her arousal grew so high that it swirled around his head, teasing him, nearly making him lose control.

Sesshoumaru rolled his hips against her exquisite heat and she threw her head back with a gasp. Seeing an opening, he buried his face in her throat, attacking her pulse point with kisses and licks. He knew what she really wanted and he was dying to give it to her, but he was enjoying making her wait, knowing it would feel all the better for her when he finally gave in.

She writhed beneath his attentions, her every move sending bolts of electricity through his entire body. It was an overwhelming combination of pain and pleasure, his rock hard cock trapped between their bodies, squeezed tightly as he ground against her. It was torture, like standing outside the gates of heaven only to be denied access. He didn't know how much longer he could take it without something embarrassing happening, but he honestly didn't care. This moment was worth whatever explaining he might have to do if he happened to come in his pants. Perhaps she would take it as a compliment? Besides, he still had clothes in his room. He could change. Nothing was worth stopping, absolutely nothing.

Unable to wait any longer, Sesshoumaru dragged his fangs along the curve of her throat, feeling as his throbbing dick hardened even further. He hadn't known he could get more turned on, but damned if he didn't.

"Oh, fuck! Sesshoumaru!" Kagome gasped, her hands moving to claw at his back, fisting in his shirt and pulling it higher until she found the silky skin beneath. "Again!"

Who was he to deny her when he didn't want to deny himself the same? The taiyoukai repeated the action that had received such a blessed response from her and purred as her blunt human nails dug into his skin. He followed the trail he'd just traced once more, this time with gentle kisses, moving lower to cover her collarbone. He smirked at the sight of her chest heaving, noticing that her shirt was the perfect shape to allow him further access.

Kagome gasped once more as she felt his tongue slide down the middle of her chest, taking advantage of her partially unbuttoned top, until he was between her breasts, pressing light kisses to the sides of the soft, inviting mounds he ached to worship. How he wanted to slice that bra off of her and reveal them to him completely. How he wanted to wrap his lips around a tight pink peak and suckle until she couldn't take any more.

He whimpered as her hands left his back, only to smirk as he realized that she was quickly unbuttoning her shirt to allow him more access. Shirt fully open, her hips lifted against him and her fingers twisted in his t-shirt.

"Off. Take it off," she whispered in a voice so filled with need he couldn't help but shiver at the sound. He complied in an instant, sitting up and whipping his shirt over his head, tossing it away without a second thought.

"God, Kagome, you are so beautiful," he whispered, unable to keep from staring. Her breasts, so perfectly framed in red silk, were entrancing and he was having trouble ripping his eyes away.

"Come back here," she groaned, grabbing at his hair and tugging.

They both gasped as his heated flesh met hers and he kissed her once more, nibbling at her bottom lip before inviting her tongue out to play with his. Her hands slid along his sides, fingertips teasing with the lightest of touches, leaving goose bumps in their wake. When he sensed her need to breathe once more, Sesshoumaru's lips moved along the side of her throat that had yet to receive his attention, once again using his fangs, loving how she responded. It was like a dream to hear her moan and whimper because of his actions.

One deadly sharp claw started just under her chin, trailing along her flushed chest to between her breasts before he allowed himself to palm one soft mound for the first time. Her nipple was hard beneath the silk and his desire to remove her bra doubled.

Though it killed him to remove his lips from her throat, they had other, brand new places to explore and he slid slowly down her body, placing feather light kisses along every inch of her chest he could reach. Having worshiped her breasts as much as was possible, he moved even lower, tracing the tone muscles of her abdomen with his tongue, circling her navel and making her laugh.

It was such an ethereal sound, her laughter finally for him and only him. His mind immediately began coming up with all the possible ways he could draw that sound from her again. He would search every inch of her body with his tongue until he discovered every ticklish spot she had, committing them to memory so he could take advantage of them whenever he got the chance. His golden eyes glittered up at her as he did it again, holding her hips still as she tried to squirm away.

"Mine," he whispered softly, not sure if he wanted her to hear or not. She still hadn't agreed to be his, not really, and he didn't know how she might react to his claim.

Blue eyes shined back at him and she smiled, twining her fingers in his hair, forcing him to hold her gaze even though the intensity seemed too much to handle. "Yours," she whispered back.

She couldn't help but laugh as he quickly shimmied up her body once more, the sound cut off as he claimed her lips.

"Do you mean it?" he asked quietly, afraid of the answer but needing to hear it all the same. "Will you be mine?"

"I can't think of a single reason not to," she replied. "I... I love you, I do. And I want you. Gods, how I want you, Sesshoumaru." Her voice was a hoarse whisper, but he hung on her every word. "Just... Not yet. I'm not quite ready."

His heart soared at her confession while his beast howled in celebration. She loved him? She wanted him? She would be his mate? It was as if everything he had ever wanted, ever wished or dreamt of, had suddenly become a reality.

"I can wait," he replied, nuzzling her cheek with his nose. "I will wait as long as it takes for you to be ready."

"You can't wait forever."

"But I can try. I don't want you doing anything you don't want to or that you're not ready for. I will not rush you. It is my fault our time is limited, but I will hold on as long as it takes. Just knowing you'll have me will make it easier." He kissed her softly once more before shifting her leg so that he could lay on his side beside her. Her words had allowed him time to calm slightly and he was afraid that if he continued on as they had been it would be incredibly difficult to stop, especially with the knowledge that she truly did want him as badly as he wanted her. No, it was time to slow things down. She needed time and he was going to give it to her.

-

"Did he listen, then?" Izayoi asked, nervousness in her voice.

Katsuro nodded. "Yes, though I am certain he would have gotten up and walked out multiple times had Kagome not been there beside him."

"I imagine so. Do you think he believes you now?" Her face showed her honest concern, hoping and praying that she might finally be getting her son back. It had been so difficult all these years, loving him, caring about him, and having him hate her and treat her so horribly. It was like having your heart broken every single day, each morning waking and hoping that finally things would be different, only to discover that nothing had changed.

"At least somewhat. I don't think he did at first, but the more he heard the harder it was for him to ignore the truth of it. I still don't understand how he followed her so blindly, even when her lies were completely illogical."

"He was a child looking for the acceptance of his mother. He would have believed anything she told him and done anything she asked of him. It was never his fault. It was mine. I should never have pushed you to let her see him."

Katsuro put his arm around his beloved mate, the growing scent of her tears riling his beast and causing his heart to ache with hers. "You cannot blame yourself, as I have told you hundreds of times. It is not your fault. It was ultimately my decision. You did not force me and even if you had, what occurred was entirely her fault and no one else's. She planned and executed it perfectly, purposely hurting her own child in an attempt to get revenge on me. No one else is to blame."

"That doesn't make it hurt any less. I just hope he can get past this. It has to be very confusing."

"Incredibly so. I would be worried, but I know he will be fine. Kagome will help him make it through this difficult period. She will help him figure out who he wants to be, what he truly believes. She will comfort and reassure him. She will make him whole. I'm sure she will also be essential to the next part of this process, his apologies. He knows that none of us deserved his treatment, and now he will have to find a way to make amends, especially with Inuyasha."

"Oh, Inuyasha..." she sighed. "This is not going to be easy for him either."

"No, it will not, but it will be a change for the better. It will be much easier for Kagome to agree to be Sesshoumaru's mate if he and Inuyasha behave as brothers once again. I just hope she does so soon. I'm not sure how much longer he will have before the Syndrome takes him."

"He will be fine, my dear. Kagome would never let him die."

"We can only hope."

-

They had reached the correct building and Sesshoumaru had located the numbered parking spot Kagome had found listed in the paperwork Katsuro had given them. Now they were just sitting in the car, Kagome clearly feeling the dread pouring off of her future mate.

"Are you sure you want to do this now? After everything else you've been through today? You look so overwhelmed."

"I need to do this today. I need to see it to be assured that Father spoke the truth. If I do not, I am afraid that I may continue to question his honesty, to..." he trailed off.

"Yeah, I get it. I do. It just seems like you're torturing yourself. Don't look at me like that. You don't deserve it."

Sesshoumaru thought for a moment. Perhaps she was right and he was torturing himself. She was wrong in one aspect though, he did deserve it. He deserved every bit of pain that he could inflict upon himself. He had been so stupid, so blind, and had screwed up his entire life because of it. Looking around, he frowned.

"This isn't right."

"What isn't right?" she asked.

"This cannot be the right building. Mother showed me her home and it was certainly not in a building like this. It was a one-room apartment. The toilet was next to the refrigerator, for gods' sake. She would have been more comfortable living in her car." Suddenly it dawned on him and he leaned forward to press his forehead to the steering wheel. "Her car..." he whispered.

"What is it, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked, running her hand soothingly up and down his back, no longer feeling any hesitation at the thought of touching him. He was going to be hers. She felt he was already, to be honest. He loved it when she touched him and she loved touching him. Why hold back?

"This Sesshoumaru is a fool." He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice full of self-loathing. "She drove a luxury car and wore designer clothes. She took me to ridiculously expensive restaurants. How did I never notice it before?"

"Because you weren't looking for it. But it doesn't make sense. If she went to the trouble of finding a hovel to show you, why not go all the way and get a crappy car and clothes too?"

"She did not need to. It required almost no effort on her part to lie to me. I accepted every word she spoke with enthusiasm, happy to allow her to feed me hateful garbage with no thought to the logic of it."

"Stop beating yourself up. You were a kid."

"Perhaps that might be an acceptable excuse for why I believed it then, but I am only now realizing what should have been obvious. I have walked around blind for years."

"Sesshoumaru, you accepted it when you were little because you trusted her. You never questioned it before now, never considered that it might have been a lie. You just started looking for holes in her story very recently, remembering details that had faded into the background before then. It isn't your fault. It is no one's fault but hers. Please, stop tormenting yourself over things you can't change. The past is the past."

He merely nodded, not believing for a moment that this wasn't entirely his fault. He'd been so stupid, so very, very stupid. How could she look past it all? How could she love someone that had caused so much undeserved pain?

"How about we get this over with then, so you can move on with your life." He gave her a look that clearly conveyed his thoughts. How could he possibly move on? There was no way he could right the wrongs he had done. There was no possible way his transgressions could ever be forgiven. "Yes, you can," she replied to his unspoken words. "You'll apologize to your father and Izayoi, and to Inuyasha. Sure, it might take some time, but he'll eventually get over it. Then you'll have your family back and everything will be alright."

"This Sesshoumaru does not deserve forgiveness."

"Yes, you do and you'll receive it too. Besides, you'll also have me. Can't forget about that."

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but smile at her words. She had said yes. She'd agreed to be his mate, his for all of eternity. No matter what he saw upstairs, he could get through it with her by his side. This might be unpleasant, but it was necessary to close this regretful chapter of his life and move forward with his new mate.

-

Inuyasha frowned at the phone in his hand. His father had called to warn him that Sesshoumaru would be returning home with a new outlook and most likely an apology. He'd also given an order, that his youngest son would listen and at the very least consider accepting it.

How could he be expected to just forget everything his bastard older brother had done? How could he forget all the pain, both emotional and physical, that Sesshoumaru had inflicted upon him over the years? How could he forgive it? How could he possibly ever trust him again?

She would understand, wouldn't she? Kagome knew just how he'd been treated by his own blood for so long. She knew all the horrible things Sesshoumaru had said and done. She wouldn't expect him to just get over it because suddenly Sesshoumaru decided he was sorry, would she? He wasn't sure he even could, but he was worried that she would be on the taiyoukai's side now, that she'd be angry with him if he couldn't.

Surely she would understand that he would need time to figure out if Sesshoumaru was even genuine. The hanyou wouldn't put it past his half-brother to lie, to pretend that he was sorry just to look good for his desired female. Sure, it would be great to have a brother, but he'd gone without for so long now that it was easy to ignore that empty spot in his life. He wasn't sure he wanted to open himself up again, to give Sesshoumaru the opportunity to hurt him again.

Still, he'd been given an order. He would have to listen and think about it, not just because his father had told him he had to, but also for Kagome. It would mean so much to her. Things would be so much easier if Sesshoumaru did end up mating his best friend if they could at least get along. Then she wouldn't have to split her time between them.

The hanyou decided it would be worth the effort and risk of pain if it would make Kagome happy. Anything and everything was worth it for her. He would try, but he would be watching and waiting for a hint of the old Sesshoumaru to rear its ugly head. He wouldn't give him his trust quite as easily as Kagome had. Someone had to keep on their guard.

-

The elevator had taken them to the appropriate floor and they'd found the right door, but now they were just standing there. A full minute passed and then another, and Kagome looked up at the very hesitant male standing beside her. She could feel the apprehension rolling off of him in waves and sighed before turning towards him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest over his heart.

"It'll be okay, I promise," she whispered, feeling as he relaxed in her hold. "No turning back now."

With a barely restrained sigh, Sesshoumaru reached out and inserted the key into the lock, ready to face the truth. The door swung open and Kagome released him to enter, her heart aching at the whimper that escaped him at the loss of her warmth and comfort. She took his hand in an effort to reassure him that everything would be okay, that she wasn't going anywhere.

They crossed the threshold together and Kagome was unable to hold back her gasp. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

"And clearly very expensive," he almost growled. His father had not lied. No expense had been spared in the furnishing of his mother's home. The furniture was gorgeous, the wall hangings extravagant. Signs of wealth were everywhere. Hell, the place looked like it cost more to fill than his father's entire mansion-like home. It was ridiculous.

They walked together, never releasing each other's hands as they slowly explored the luxurious condo. Sesshoumaru ran a fingertip along the dining room table as they passed, finding it surprisingly clean.

"There is almost no dust. How is it that the place is so clean if it has been empty so long?"

"I saw in the papers your dad gave us that a maid comes once a week."

"For how long?" He was surprised that his father had bothered.

"A long time. I think maybe even since she..." Kagome paused before continuing in a whisper. "...since she died."

"Why would he pay someone to come so often for so long?" Sesshoumaru mused aloud.

"Probably for this, so it would be ready when you were, so it would look nice when you finally got to see it. I can't see him just leaving it with no care."

"Hn," was his only reply.

They continued their perusal, separating when they reached the bedroom. Sesshoumaru stopped to poke through a jewelry box on the dresser while Kagome moved to look through the closet.

"You weren't kidding about designer clothes! This closet is amazing!" Kagome called from the large room lined with rows and rows of expensive clothes the likes of which Kagome had never even seen up close.

Sesshoumaru smirked as he pulled an item from the jewelry box, holding it up for study. He slipped his phone out of his pocket, stepping into the bathroom and keeping his voice low so Kagome wouldn't overhear.

-

"Yes, Sesshoumaru?" Katsuro answered, rather concerned about what his son was calling for so soon after leaving.

"What is being done with all of Mother's belongings?"

"Whatever you want, my son," the elder taiyoukai said with a grin. "It all belongs to you. Why? Did you find something you like?"

"The maid must be very trustworthy to leave items of such value here for so long."

"Yes, she is. She also cleans our home," Katsuro replied, ignoring the fact that his son has completely avoided his question.

Well, that explains it. They'd never had a problem with things going missing in their home and she was certainly fairly compensated. He wasn't surprised that she hadn't cleaned the place out like some might have when given such an opportunity as she had on a weekly basis.

"I'm sure Kagome will love whatever it is you have chosen," Katsuro said with a grin.

Sesshoumaru's smirk widened. "Thank you, Father," was all he said, his voice soft, before he closed the phone and slid it back into his pocket, the chosen item being placed in his other. It was perfect and she would love it.

-

Katsuro looked at the phone as if it could explain what had just happened to him. His son had said thank you? He smiled brightly. Yes, things would definitely be changing for the better.

-

Sesshoumaru stepped back into the bedroom just in time, seeing as Kagome was coming out of the closet, done looking at clothes she never could or would wear. The taiyoukai sat down at the end of the bed and Kagome joined him, curious about the smirk on his face.

"This Sesshoumaru has a gift for you."

"Oh, no, Sesshoumaru. You don't have to give me anything."

"While I do not have to, I certainly desire to. Besides, you should at least see it before deciding you don't want it." With that said, he held up the chain he'd pulled from his mother's jewelry box, letting it dangle so that Kagome could see the pendant hanging from it. It was a white gold crescent moon, just like the one that graced his brow.

"Wow," she whispered. "It's beautiful. Was it your mother's? I can't take this, Sesshoumaru."

"You can and you will. Father said that everything here is mine to do with what I wish. It is perfect. Then everyone, even humans, will know that you belong to this Sesshoumaru."

Kagome laughed at his possessiveness. "So, the moon... Did your mother have it too?"

"Yes, I inherited this marking from my mother."

"I'm glad," she said softly, leaning in to run her fingertip over the royal blue moon on his forehead. "I love it."

"You will accept my gift then?" he asked with slight nervousness in his tone.

"Yes, of course I will." She smiled as he fastened it around her neck.

Sesshoumaru was thrilled to see his symbol displayed proudly just above her perfect breasts. No one could question who she belonged to while she wore it.

He was surprised when she threw one leg over his, straddling his lap, before kissing him passionately. It took just seconds for his surprise to disappear, his hands burrowing into her hair while his lips moved down her throat, kissing just below where the crescent moon hung on her chest. He shot her a fanged smirk before popping open the top two buttons on her shirt and dragging his tongue along her cleavage, making her shiver in his arms.

"Oh, this is hard," she whispered.

"It gets harder," he replied, his smirk widening.

Kagome smacked his arm playfully before shifting in his lap. "Wow, it is hard, but that's not what I was talking about," she said with a giggle.

"What's hard then, Kagome?"

She sighed and leaned into him. "Not tearing your clothes off, pinning you to the bed, and having my way with you. It would be so easy, too."

"You think overpowering this Sesshoumaru would be easy?" he asked teasingly, slipping his fingers under the back of her shirt and trailing his claws along her skin.

"No, but I honestly don't think you'd fight me."

"You've got me there." Suddenly Sesshoumaru realized something and he stiffened below her, and not in the way they'd been joking about moments before.

"What's wrong?" she asked, feeling the change in him instantly.

The taiyoukai looked into her eyes for a moment before looking away and shaking his head. "Nothing."

"Sesshoumaru, we agreed that we were going to be honest and open with each other. Hell, I just told you how badly I want to fuck you. Now, what is it?"

"It's nothing really, just... This mating..."

Now it was Kagome's turn to stiffen. "Don tell me you've changed your mind," she almost whispered.

"What? No. Hell no. It's just..." Now he knew he had to spill. He had to reassure her. She couldn't think he didn't want her, not when she'd finally admitted to wanting him! "It's just that... I don't know what I'm doing."

Kagome studied his face for a full minute before speaking. "What do you mean? Wait... Are you seriously a virgin?"

"You did not believe me when I told you?"

"Well, you never really came out and said it and it... It just doesn't seem possible."

He grinned at her. "And why not?"

"Because! Because you literally ooze sexuality out of every pore! Because you could have any girl you wanted with just a look! How can you be a virgin? It's not possible."

"Oh, it is most definitely possible. In fact, it is the only possible option. My beast and the Syndrome assured it." When she frowned at him, furrowing her eyebrows in the most adorable way, he realized he had to explain. "Do you remember when Father said that inu females are especially... amorous... when pupped? Oh, how I hope that the same is true with humans," he said with a smirk at her blush, brushing his thumb along one bright red cheek. After a moment he shook the distraction from his mind, dragging his thoughts out of the gutter, and continued. "He said that he could not have satisfied her, even if he wanted to. The syndrome made it impossible for him, as it did for me, to be with any female other than the one desired by our beasts."

"Impossible how?" When he gave her a look she couldn't help but laugh. "You mean you can't get it up? You?"

"Oh, I assure you that I certainly can and do become aroused, and quite often too, but only for you."

Her blush darkened. "Well that had to be... awkward."

"Most definitely, especially since I did not know why, did not even know the Syndrome existed, until less than a week ago." His eyes said it all. He was humiliated to have to admit such a thing.

"I'm sorry. That really had to suck. That's why you didn't date, huh?"

He nodded. "Now that we are going to mate, I am faced with the fact that I have no experience."

"So?"

"So? So what if our first time is terrible?" Sesshoumaru was absolutely terrified that if he failed to adequately please her that she would never allow him to touch her again. Being a virgin had never seemed so horrible as it did at that moment, and it had seemed pretty fucking awful along the way.

"Then we'll just have to try again. You know I'm a virgin too. I don't expect our first time to be perfect and earth shattering. If it's bad, that just means we'll need to practice. You can't be against practicing, can you?"

He couldn't help but smile at the thought. "No, I don't imagine I would."

"See? Personally I think it's romantic. I'll only ever be with you and you'll only ever be with me. We'll figure it out together as we go, learn each other's bodies, find out what we like, experiment. For example, what happens if I do this?" Kagome pressed her lips softly just behind his ear, trailing feather light kisses down his throat before dragging her tongue over his thudding pulse.

Sesshoumaru let out a soft moan. "It sends a stream of very dirty thoughts through my mind. That's what happens."

She smiled at him. "Good to know. So, don't worry about it, alright? It'll be fun, I promise."

"You will not be disappointed if this Sesshoumaru cannot please you?"

Kagome shook her head. "If you don't, that just means you'll try even harder the next time. Besides, I very much doubt that will happen. You could make me cream myself with just your voice." Her cheeks flared an even brighter red as she realized what had just slipped past her lips without getting her brain's permission first.

"Is that so?" he asked with a chuckle. "So, do I get a try now?" When she looked confused, he leaned in to kiss her softly. "You got to see how I would respond to something. Now I desire to do the same."

Kagome laughed and slid out of his lap. "Maybe later. Now, I think we should go home before I lose the will to keep my pants on."

Sesshoumaru let out an exaggerated sigh. "If you insist."