InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate - ON HOLD ❯ PART SEVENTEEN ( Chapter 17 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

DISCLAIMER - The ownership and general brilliance that is the original Feudal Fairy Tale remains the property of its honored and rightfully revered creator Rumiko Takahashi without whose brilliance, we would not have fodder.

Edited by: Meara

Mature: Sexual content, you have been warned.

Reviews are fuel.

Japanese Phrases/Words Used In Part Seventeen

Tatsu - Is the native Japanese dragon. In Japanese art the dragon is never totally visible. It is partially hidden in swirling clouds or stormy waves, as "no mortal may look upon its entire body and live." Both Chinese and Japanese dragons were given the power of air though they were usually wingless. Dragons are often seen in pursuit of a jewel - either fighting for its possession or grasping it with its claws.

Yakuza - are members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan, also known as GokudÅ.

Arigatou gozaimasu - Thank you for going to the trouble

Gurache - Thank you

Dou itashimashite - You're welcome, not at all/think nothing of it

Moshimoshi - Greeting when answering a phone (Hello)

Daijobu desu - Calm down/ It's alright (epiphany)

Oyasumi nasai - Good Night (when turning in for the night)

Otooji - parent's younger brother, uncle

Gosei - Understanding

Watashi no namae wa Satori desu - My name is Satori

Part Seventeen - This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate

Kagome hummed to herself as she plugged in the hair dryer and wiped away some of the mist that still clung to the vanity's mirror, just enough to look into her own rather happy eyes. Sesshoumaru had flat out refused her offer to dry his hair with that noisy little contraption that whirred and irritated his sensitive hearing. He had had quite enough of things that buzzed for one day.

Wrapped in nothing but a fluffy, white bath towel secured like a sarong about his lean hips, he looked very much like a Grecian statue brought to life. He pulled the bathroom door open and re-entered her bedroom proper carrying his previously discarded damp hakama and haori alone. He partially closed the bathroom door to lessen the noise of the device.

Kagome flicked on the dryer and continued to hum.

“Miko?”

The steam had finally dissipated from the bathroom leaving nothing but moist air, `My hair would need trimming soon,' she thought as she continued to brush the shiny onyx silk she called hair.

“Miko!”

Kagome paused, flicking off the dryer and listened intently.

“Did you say something, Sesshoumaru?”

A handsome towel dried head came around the doorframe, one silver brow arched imperiously in question.

“Where are this Sesshoumaru's…” he paused in mid sentence and sniffed, before turning away from his Mate to refocus his glower at the bedroom door. Kagome approached the bathroom door to see what he was looking at frostily.

“Come,” commanded the Lord, as though granting an audience at the Western Shiro.

Mrs. Higurashi had changed into a tan colored silk dress of simple fitted design and pearls - her good pearls - about her neck with matching studs in her delicate ears.

“As you were both somewhat occupied, I took the liberty of removing both katana, armor and sundry. They are safe my Lord. I have brought you a kimono and yukata, as I noted you traveled rather light. You will also find some casual trousers and a shirt and other items you may have use for. They should fit,” said Higurashi Aiko as she bowed and handed the items to her daughter's Mate, politely not making eye contact with either Kagome or the Western Lord.

Sesshoumaru's previous expression changed, as he bowed and accepted the neatly stacked assortment.

“Arigatou gozaimasu.”

Kagome was awestruck at the grace with which her mother handled the current situation, never would she under-estimate her simple manner again. Still waters did really run deep.

Putting down the dryer next to the phone on her dresser, she too bowed deeply.

“Gurache”

“Dou itashimashite,” replied Mrs. Higurashi as she turned to leave then hesitated, glancing back into the Taiyoukai's face. Her eyes traveled to his neck and the slight discoloration there, then to her daughter's own with its pronounced darkened patch which would eventually form the crescent of the Taishou clan.

The phone rang interrupting the perusal of her son-in-law and her daughter, his Mate.

Kagome reached for the phone, glad of something else to do. Her mother's previous statement and speculative glances were causing her face to glow the color of crimson. She now knew her mother had heard.

“Moshimoshi,” the priestess said turning away from the duo.

“Hi Houjo, how are you?” she said brightly with a happy smile in her voice.

The Miko's pleased tone while speaking to the male was not in the least bit comforting to the youkai Lord. Did she have no female friends aside from Sango, he wondered irritably. He was so pre-occupied in listening to her laughter and the near inaudible responses of the insufferably pleasant male, he failed to notice Mrs. Higurashi's amused expression as she left, quietly closing the door behind her.

Throwing down the garments on the bed and growling softly, he stared daggers into the back of his bitch's head with his arms folded, clawed digits rhythmically beating a tattoo on his flexed biceps. `The Miko had merely asked him to be lenient with the males in her family, she said nothing with respect to any other ningen males,' he mused with a vicious gleam in his golden eyes.

Unconsciously while speaking, Kagome pressed her fingers to the still tender sealed punctures on her neck. They suddenly felt itchy and burned slightly.

“Sorry, can you repeat that Houjo?” she said, apologetically, “Ahh tonight? Well…” she said hesitantly looking in the direction of her Mate - `Oh dear, someone isn't pleased.'

“What about tomorrow? I can pop into your father's store sometime in the afternoon and we can catch up,” she smiled pleasantly, as she turned to face the now exceedingly livid demon Lord. The burning sensation at her neck intensified, and it became difficult to concentrate much less talk.

“Ooooooowwww,” she said involuntarily. It finally struck her what had been happening.

Sesshoumaru was jealous, hence the burning sensation. Taking a very deep breath, Kagome accepted the pain and willed her own powers to the surface while Houjo babbled worriedly. He thought she was having another attack of sorts.

The Taiyoukai golden eyes flashed, as he felt something akin to an invisible caress pass over his left cheek, down his neck, and over his shoulders. Confused, by this ghostly touch, he looked into the Miko's eyes. She was placating him and allowing him to feel her own aura. Houjo was a non-issue.

Abruptly, the burning sensation ceased.

“Huh? You are leaving for vacation tomorrow afternoon? So you are coming now for dinner tonight?” she said as her eyes became as big as saucers when she mouthed `Sorry' to the Western Lord before sighing loudly…. “She did… did she? Okay…see you shortly,” she said ringing, off looking at the phone with an aggravated expression.

Another soft, apologetic tap at the door, “… Speak of the devil,” Kagome said under her breath.

“May I come in?” said Mrs. Higurashi as she entered moments later, once more bearing gifts, this time in the form of a covered thin lacquered box of masculine design. The priestess recognized it instantly. It was her father's prized amulet's case.

Cautiously, the Miko looking from the handsome male, who had calmed considerable once the phone conversation had ended, to the beautiful, little female traitor in their midst.

“Mom, did you, or did you not tell Houjo he could come to dinner tonight?” the Priestess said, quietly. She did not need a repeat performance of her earlier censure by both her Jii-Jii and Ruru's Master.

Mrs. Higurashi had an impish expression on her face as one delicate hand touched her lips apologetically. She waved the box in the Taiyoukai's general direction before Kagome took it. The Priestess realized though he had cooled down considerable, he was not exactly in the best of moods at the moment.

“Yes, I did. He can be a very persuasive young man, when he is after something and so very polite, too. Lovely boy,” she said, sneakily watched the rapid change in the Taiyoukai's facial expression. `He is beginning to integrate emotions,' she mused privately.

Anticipating the outcome of her mother's comment…true to form, though no longer burning, Kagome's mating mark began to throb.

“Mom, how exactly are we, and I do emphasize `we', going to explain Lord Sesshoumaru's… ahhh strategic tattoos exactly?” said Kagome as she retreated to the bathroom briefly with a sudden thought. `Foundation hid a multitude of sins! Could she get him to wear it?'

A gruff, stooped, aged male suddenly appeared in the doorway, looking less than pleased at the current state of undress he found the demon Lord in. The narcissistic pup was only in a towel.

“Disgraceful! The young of today have no modesty,” said the elderly male disparagingly as he took in the Taiyoukai's familial markings curiously. He needed a better look at the young, fit male that was joining his family. He had overheard his Granddaughter's query.

Sesshoumaru growled softly in the direction of the short, bent male currently making another speculative pass around him, as though he were a choice bit of venison on display at market.

“We can say he is a member of the gokudÅ,” said the Guji brightly as he smiled, revealing large gaps where there should have been teeth.

Kagome heard when her grandfather entered her bedroom, though she did not need to. Sesshoumaru's jyaki had spiked, telling her instantly he was not a happy inuyoukai Lord. Gramps' solution was a classic.

Peaking out the bathroom door as she continued to rifle the cabinet, looking for her make-up bag, she bellowed.

“Gramps, thanks but no thanks. We will not be saying the Western Lord is a member of the Yakuza. Your imagination knows no bounds at times. I have suffered with your excuses for three years, and I don't want my Mate to do the same,” she said as she took an oversized bathrobe from behind the door and put it on before re-entering the room.

She had made a decision.

Reaching up to the annoyed demonic Lord, she lovingly stroked his forehead's crescent and then his cheeks, smiling softly up at him before turning, once more, to face her mother and her well meaning, and now that she thought about it, possibly senile, Granddad.

“Houjo is welcome at dinner…not that I could stop him anyway,” she said under her breath, pulling the well-toned arms of her Mate around her waist and holding them there firmly.

“This is Lord Sesshoumaru and whether anyone outside our family likes it or not, I am not going to explain my Mate's appearance to anyone. He is gorgeous beyond measure just as is and I wouldn't change a hair on him,” she affirmed breathlessly. His grip about her waist tightened, the only sign he had heard.

“As it should be, my daughter.”

Mrs. Higurashi approached the couple, reaching into Kagome's oversized pocket and removed the box her daughter had placed there moments before.

“Then you will have no need of this little trinket while here.”

A clawed hand covered that of Aiko-sama's briefly before gently taking the box from her grasp. Kagome craned her neck to look up at the Taiyoukai in question.

“What is this?”

Mrs. Higurashi took a moment to weight her words carefully before speaking. All three waited to see what she would say.

“Open it. The Omamori within allows the wearer to mask their true form. Your father used it on many occasions. There are only two in existence. It allows those unaware of its presence to see that which the wearer wishes them to see,” she said softly.

Kagome took the box from Sesshoumaru's clawed hand and opened it, revealing a dark braided silken rope with a white etched jade pendant with the symbol of Tatsu holding a crescent moon within its claws. The moon was a shade of the palest yellow jade.

“Mom?” said Kagome with awe. Though she had seen it about her father's neck repeatedly as a child, its true meaning never reached her, until now.

Her mother merely smiled and reached for her father-in-law's hand, pulling him quietly out of the room. Jii-Chan did not protest but followed her silently, closing the door his face took on an odd quality, deep in thought. Why had he not been presented with the feather. He needed to finish the bow made of the sacred cedar branch from Mt. Asuza? Surely one of them had it within their possession?

Sesshoumaru glanced at the closed door, then at the necklace the Miko held lovingly. Her fingers caressing the cool jade, her expression far away, deep in thought.

“Kagome?” he said softly as he turned her around to face him.

She smiled sheepishly up at him, quickly holding it out to the Taiyoukai.

“Your choice, of course,” her face suddenly becoming an expressionless mask, or so the Miko thought.

The Taiyoukai quirked a brow in amusement at the pathetic attempt his bitch was making at indifference to his choice.

“Do you wish this Sesshoumaru to wear it?”

“Not necessarily…it would make dinner go smoothly, truthfully without Houjo asking unnecessary questions, but no, I don't care. Do as you like,” she said turning away from him to look at the pile of clothing on her bed.

“We need to dress and be downstairs,” she said, hoping to close the subject. `This has to be his choice not mine.' In no way did she want him to have the impression she was ashamed of his appearance. She wasn't, and she thanked Kami for his differences.

Holding the kimono to him, she observed that its midnight blue silk complimented his pallor. The Taiyoukai remain frozen in place, dangling the rope of the necklace over the claw of his index finger, simply staring at the Miko.

An errant thought crossed Kagome's mind and she smiled in wicked glee. There amongst the various items lay a plastic pack of men's briefs…and just the right size.

“You know something? Mom and I are going to have to have a talk. There is more to that woman than meets the eye. Someone had her full attention this afternoon but after dinner she is mine, do you hear that Western Lord?” she said in a playful tone that held a kernel of truth.

Kagome turned when Sesshoumaru did not respond to her words. There around his neck was the talisman.

Coming to her side, he took the brief she handed to him. Looking at it quizzically down at his towel, he removed it with a flick, deducing the general function of the garment and then proceeded to put it on - backwards.

“Ruru looks a bit uncomfortable,” Kagome said as casually as possible, stifling a snort. The Taiyoukai's movement had proved too swift for her to stop the error in the making, and if truth be told, she had been more pre-occupied with thoughts of tracing those mouthwatering stripes on his hips with her tongue to their final, succulent destination.

Selecting instead to gently pull at the waistband, she lowered them slowly looking up to slightly pinked eyes. He had been perfectly aware of her thoughts. She blushed.

“We will speak of the mating bond, when we return to your quarters,” he said as he stepped out of one leg and then the other. “You will stop looking up at this Sesshoumaru in that manner, Miko, if you wish to attend the evening meal,” he said in a soft, husky baritone. Thrusting his hips forward meaningfully, the demon garnering her instant attention, as she licked her soft pink lips and Ruru, like a good not-so-little soldier - ever vigilante - stood at full attention awaiting his orders.

Kagome blinked, and averted her gaze. Her mouth suddenly went dry, unlike some other parts that would remain nameless.

`Focus Kagome! Focus! We have other things to do….and there was always later tonight.'

Pulling her up gently to his chest, he nuzzled her neck softly then pushed her away from him with a groan of frustration. He wished to take her now more than ever. The Miko smirked. `Mutual torture was always a good thing,' she thought.

Backing away from him, she smiled before returning to the assortment of clothing. “So, what do you want to wear exactly?”

He flicked through the items dispassionately and came across the trousers - she might have known - `When in Rome as they say.'

The camel colored dockers fit him like a glove. The narrow pleats emphasized the flat plains of his stomach and slim hips. The crisp, white linen shirt emphasized his broad shoulders and long arms handsomely. The dark, tan kid leather belt was the final touch with its brass toned buckle - her father's - did nicely clinching the look. Even in modern clothing he looked what he was; an aristocrat. Fresh white tabi hid a multitude of claws she noted. Her mother thought of everything.

There was the minor fight with the two top buttons. Sesshoumaru did them up, refusing to show his neck, and the Miko on tippy-toes unbuttoned them, staring daggers up at him. They compromised with one button undone. Finally satisfied with her work, she checked the amulet once more, with a perplexed expression.

“Mom did say it changed your appearance right? Then why is it you look just as ravishingly edible as usual, stripes and all?”

“This Sesshoumaru assumes no one in our family will see any difference. It is enchanted,” he said as he sat, somewhat awkwardly, in the only other chair in the room, discarding the oversized stuffed toy that smiled at him vacuously. He noted absently, the toy's `Dockers' were missing before it went sailing through the air.

“Hey! I love Winnie! Be careful,” she said petulantly, retrieving Pooh-Bear from the corner he had been thrown. She pulled his shirt down lovingly before setting him on the lamp table beside the Western Lord.

“Senseless trifling and it is indecently attired. Get dressed, Miko,” he said reaching over his shoulder for one of the thin bound scrolls, its title, “Every Girl's Fantasy.”

Kagome eeped and tore across the room reaching for the magazine. Ayumi had left it there on her last visit. The Taiyoukai, ever swift, rose and held it high. He had quickly scanned the pages in the blink of a pair of amber eyes.

“Do you find the ningen males depicted arousing, Miko?”

Blushing furiously and attempting a casual air as she flipped her hair over her shoulder, the Miko raised her chin defensively. “THAT is not mine. It belongs to a friend of mine. She happened to leave it here,” she said, trailing off in what she hoped was an unimpressed manner - neglecting to mention the other copies under her bed in a nice, little box. She hadn't looked at any for over a year now. Now that she thought about it, she stopped shortly after she had begun irritating the Taiyoukai at every opportunity on their accidental meetings. She had found her ideal Mate.

The Taiyoukai's brows rose in disbelief before he returned to turning the pages slowly, “Get dressed, Onna.” Then as an afterthought, “They appear healthy, far healthier than the ningen of this Sesshoumaru's time. Your species has improved.”

He had finally reached the centerfold Kagome lowered her head in her hands,
`This is sooooooo embarrassing.'

Her heart had stopped. Peaking through her fingers she looked straight into deep citrine pools which looked rather smug and amused at the same time. The Miko would not have to wait long as to why he looked so pleased with himself.

“If this particular male represents the best of those within your species, they are decidedly lacking. This would explain the dower expressions on the majority of human female faces this Sesshoumaru has encountered in his travels.”

Kagome held her head high, harrumphing. Then not being able to resist she walked towards the Taiyoukai with a purposeful gate waving her index finger up at him.

“You smug …! It isn't the size of the katana that matters so much as how effectively it is used. Or so I have been told,” she said. Kagome turned and headed back to her closet, throwing open the doors, and began rifling through her dresses in quick succession, mumbling to herself about dog demons, their egos, and tape measures. `How dare he categorize human males that way?' Though she would never test the theory, it was obvious it was the quality of the man that mattered, not his genitalia's size.

The Miko refocused on the multitude of choices in front of her. Mom had set the tone of dress for dinner tonight. Jeans were not an option.

Two clawed hands shifted her robe and cupped her breasts firmly giving her nipples a tweak, as he leaned his hips into her. Kagome closed her eyes biting her lower lip. If he kept this up they would be late for dinner for sure.

“Are you not satisfied, Miko?” he purred into her ear teasingly, nipping a lobe. He loosened the belt of the robe, and grazing his claws gently over her flat stomach up towards his two other favorite parts of his Miko's anatomy. That's it! If she did not stop his wandering hands, she would throw him down on the bed and have her way with him.

Kagome took a cleansing breath and slowly turned to lecture her tantalizing Mate. She tried to put a cold impassive expression on her face. `Kami, he's delicious,' she thought.

“You will either sit on that chair as far away from my person as possible, or you will go downstairs now. I will never get dressed at this rate, or you can make yourself useful and find that damn feather. It is in the pack somewhere. I forgot to give it to Jii-Jii earlier with all the excitement. I want to give it to him after dinner,” she said with her hands on her naked hips.

The Taiyoukai acknowledged her wishes with a slight incline of his head. His silken mane fell forward, partially obscuring his eyes, which traveled to the dark well-trimmed silky curls between her legs, intentionally licking his lips.

Glaring at him, the Miko growled in frustration and returned to her task.

Kagome was a quick dresser. Never one to dally, she decided a little teasing of her Mate's libido did not hurt and selected to wear a fitted, black skirt that accentuated her curves.

The skirt went to mid thigh, and did wonderful things for her long, well toned, tanned legs that appeared to go on forever. She took the black, silk camisole off its padded hanger and threw it on over her head tucking it into the skirt. A quick check of her hair and a light application of lip-gloss later, she was ready as she slipped her feet into her less than attractive house slippers.

Sesshoumaru looked displeased at her choice of footwear.

The Miko looked down at her feet and shrugged, “Well, we aren't leaving the house, so why bother with proper shoes?”

The Taiyoukai raised himself elegantly from the overstuffed chair he sat in, the feather securely tucked into his left breast pocket and side stepping her completely diving into the bottom of her closet to her shoe rack. Flicking wayward tendrils of silver as he rose, he brought out a pair of black stilettos she and Ayumi had bought on a dare. She had yet to wear them.

Handing them to her, he moved towards the door and opened it softly, giving his Mate one last long smoldering look before having to descend to the main floor of the Higurashi home.

“You will remove those garments slowly when we return to your quarters `to rest,' Miko and you will put those,” he pointed at the shoes in her hands, “on for my inspection. Their lack of functionality intrigues this Sesshoumaru,” he said flatly, before exiting.

Yes, with that parting comment from the youkai, the Lady of the Western Lands began to laugh; laugh like she had never done before, as the light dawned. She had only read about fetishes, and it turns out, her Taiyoukai had one, even if he refused to acknowledge it.

Placing the shoes on her dressing table neatly with a smug smile, she checked herself in the mirror once more. “Inspection indeed, why you dirty, little Taiyoukai” she whispered before smiling secretly. She quickly changed her little camisole for a short, black silk and cotton button up sweater that covered her mark. Kagome entered the bathroom to apply a little translucent powder.

“Oh, I'll give him a show alright,” she said to the mirror.

The phone rang once more. Kagome waited to see if it was picked up, and it was, and continued primping for her Taiyoukai.

sks

The rice wine was warmed to perfection, Sesshoumaru thought appreciatively as he sniffed its delicate aroma before sipping it. A set of dark brown, filmy eyes glared at him, over its own cup of sake, slurping loudly, causing Sesshoumaru to cringe. `He and the Hanyou would get on well at table,' he mused.

Souta who had no interest in the current staring contest flipped the remote and proceeded to channel surf garnering the Western Lord's interest. This must be the moving pictures he had heard the half-breed discuss on more than one occasion. Apparently, other ningen were bewitched and trapped within this device and provided entertainment for their masters. `Intriguing. They have evolved much, but have maintained their cruel streak.'

A soft, scratching sound at the back door caught no one's attention but the Taiyoukai. He leapt to his feet, and sniffed, causing Souta to start and look in the direction the demon Lord was staring at intently as he backed towards the closet, and reached for Toukijin. Grasping its hilt, the Western Lord was a blur on silent feet, as he approached the back door, followed closely by the small male.

“What is it Sesshoumaru-sama,” the young warrior whispered, tugging on his belt, only to receive a frigid glare and a clawed digit pressed to the Taiyoukai's lips. The scent was vaguely familiar. Perhaps a neko youkai had masked its scent. Swiftly moving Souta behind him, the lord pushed open the door leading to the garden.

“Meeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwww.”

The first thing the youkai noticed was a set of blue feline eyes peering up at him innocently in the darkness, eyes reflecting the light of the moon above. The portly neko in question sauntered through the door, casual as can be and leapt into Souta's arms.

“No worries, Lord Sesshoumaru. This is Buyo. He's `Gome's cat,” said Souta as he scratched behind Buyo's ears playfully before letting him jump to the floor.

Sesshoumaru glared at the tail held high suspiciously, as it entered the kitchen. The Western Lord detested the tubby feline on sight. It was genetic, after all. Fortunately for this Buyo youkai's own longevity, he sensed no danger in its presence, he would allow it to live - for now.

The youkai stood impotently at the door, feeling a little foolish. Nothing in this world was familiar. It did not help that the elder Higurashi male was choking with not so well suppressed laughter at his overreaction.

He needed some air, and decided to take a walk with Toukijin for company, exiting the open door missing Kagome's grand entrance in heels, which she had specifically worn for his enjoyment. Of course, she intended to take them off the minute she got downstairs. `Just to see his face would be priceless,' she chuckled softly as she carefully made her way down.

Now that the general excitement was over, Souta went back to the trapped ningen in the noisy box assuming a dazed vacant expression.

“Oka-saan, when's dinner I'm starving?!”

Mrs. Higurashi answered from the kitchen, “We are waiting for Houjo. He is going to be a little later than expected. He was kind enough to stop and pick up dessert.”

Kagome carefully continued to descend the carpeted stairs afraid of catching her heels on the nap of the carpet, possibly spoiling her entrance. Her Mate, she observed, was nowhere to be found. Not in the living room, and peering around the corner, he wasn't in the dining room, either. The doorbell rang and a scuffling sound was heard beyond it. Kagome did not notice in her haste, that the door had begun to open seemingly of its own volition.

“I'll get it Mom,” the Priestess said, forgetting her previous decision to go slowly in the unfamiliar footwear, deciding to take the stairs two at a time, before Houjo rang it again.

He had a tendency to be impatient and she knew the high pitch would do nothing to endear him to the Taiyoukai, regardless of where he was in the house.

It is said, one must bear a friend's infirmities. In the Shikon-no-Miko's case that had everything to do with her ever so light tendency towards being a little less than, coordinated. To that end, the last six steps proved Kagome's undoing. Her high pitched scream shattered the peaceful, night air, arms and legs going in every which direction in her rapid descent.

Kagome mused on things Sesshoumaru as she fell.

For example, his facial expression should he find her in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs and, once assuring himself with judicious prods that she was not injured significantly, the harangue she would have to endure about her clumsiness.

`Perhaps death was preferable,' she thought, distractedly as she crashed into something firm and clearly male which `Oooouumppphhed!' on impact. The speed with which the priestess flew at the innocent, kindly disposed male friend of her youth carried them both down through the door and onto the porch.

Houjo had arrived, not coincidentally, so had the Taiyoukai.

To say he looked like a volcanic eruption in the making would have been the understatement of the century, his blunt perfectly white teeth evident to Houjo who looked up at him with a shell-shocked expression as did the miko.

The tall, flaxen haired male was growling at them, thought Houjo, now not so entirely sure it was a good idea to come to dinner.

Sesshoumaru was blind with rage. There on the front porch, in all her curvaceous feminine glory, lay his bitch atop a ningen male, both parties frozen in shock. `The Miko had no shame either. Instead of looking contrite, she merely stares above this Sesshoumaru's head, her large soft brown eyes the size of saucers with her mouth open.' the Taiyoukai thought indignantly.

Everything in life is simply a function of perspective.

Take for example the Miko, now trying to find her footing once more in an effort to save her Taiyoukai from being humiliated for what she thought was the third time that day. In reality, it was the fourth, Kagome realized, but who's counting.

She had managed to right herself as the sweets box Houjo had graciously stopped to pick up, on Mrs. Higurashi's behalf, began making its own rapid descent.

The Western Lord usual wore everything with aplomb. In fact, he was quite possibly the only living being who could pull off sackcloth and ashes. Not so the sticky goop now coursing down his silvery mane and smudging his cheeks and pretty much everything from the head down.

To add insult to injury, the entire Higurashi clan and that Houjo pestilence stood around him in morbid fascination, including the overweight neko, who currently was licking his tabi covered feet. Some of the sticky, sweet tasting substance had found its way there.

The first to approach him directly was Gramps. Kagome cringed, as she saw her Jii-Jii, who was well known for his sweet tooth, do the unthinkable. Taking one gnarled digit, he reached up to the Taiyoukai's cheek, and swiped a more than generous dollop of the mousse and just as judiciously stuck said finger in his mouth happily.

“Chocolate,” he declared brightly, before pushing aside Mrs. Higurashi and Souta and re-entered his home, chuckling softly. No one noticed, or so he thought, that he swiped the feather, which eerily remained clean.

“I'll get some towels. Souta, Houjo, come with me,” said Mrs. Higurashi who, unbeknownst, to Kagome could also feel the Taiyoukai's jyaki rising to a violent level. It would be best if there were no witnesses. The pendant was losing its ability to maintain the illusion of smooth unmarked skin and rounded human ears rapidly. The Taiyoukai was losing control.

Taking her life in her hands, the Miko bowed to her mother silently and stood in front of her demon Lord, glancing up into his stony, chocolate covered visage. Perhaps a joke would help.

“Only you could still look gorgeous covered in chocolate mousse.”

No response. Maybe he would respond better to a direct attack.

Walking around him, assessing the full damage, and suppressing the urge to laugh, Kagome stopped in front of her Mate once more. She pursed her lips and quirked a brow up at the still intransigent male looking beyond her head.

“You do realize all of this,” she waved her hands about, “is entirely your own fault, don't you?” `That did it.' He exposed rather sharp looking fangs at his bitch before stepping back and glowered down at her instead of giving into his original urge to assert his dominance over her. Sesshoumaru's eyes were crimson with unexpressed violence and frustration. Had she been anyone else, her head would have left her body that instant.

Despite her fear and the sudden resurgence of the intense pain in the region of her neck, Kagome stood her ground and glared right back at him. The Taiyoukai's sticky chocolate covered lids moved almost imperceptibly, she noted, as his focused distance gaze saw the shadowed outline of the well-house.

Kagome blinked as a rapid series of images involving the well passed in front of her eyes, all seen through a red haze. The Miko felt an equally swift succession of emotions; chiefly amongst them anger, followed by humiliation, hurt, loneliness, and most of all fear, a fear of things one could not control.

The front door opened once more. Kagome waved her mother back into the house.

“This Sesshoumaru wishes to return to the Sengoku Jidai soon, Miko. His lands require his presence.”

The Priestess looked up at her Taiyoukai, unsure of what to say. He would not appreciate her mentioning what she had felt just moments before.

Kagome decided to sit near her favorite spot on the front step, taking off the rather painful pair of shoes and massaged her aching toes while looking up at the still full moon.

“It's beautiful isn't it?” she said quietly, “Dad and I use to sit out here sometimes and I would be mesmerized by it while he told me stories, of mythical beings called demons, magic, good and evil and all things in-between. Little did I know, he was preparing me for the greatest adventure and the love of my life,” the priestess said softly as she continued to massage her abused toes.

“How exactly is `all of this' this Sesshoumaru's fault?” said the flat, bored, chocolate covered baritone beside her. He sat across from her watching her toes intently. Kagome smiled.

“Well, Lord Kinky, you wanted to see me in these shoes up close and personal. So, I decided to surprise my beloved Mate and tripped down the stairs into Houjo.”

The door opened briefly then closed again.

“How is this Sesshoumaru to allow you into battle when you are incapable of standing for any length of time? What of our pup's safety in your womb?”

Scooting closer to him, she leaned into a chocolate covered shoulder, “Then you had best keep an eye on me, hadn't you?” she said, smiling up at him.

“Hn.”

“Oh and for future reference, no more of this `allow' crap. We are equal partners. I support you and you support me. We are a team, Sesshoumaru, in good and in bad. You are the one person, sorry youkai, I should be able to count on through thick and thin,” the Miko said, as she pulled his sticky chin towards her. “You are my other half, as I am yours. Together we are stronger than anything we can ever face. Even chocolate mousse,” she said as she licked his lips suggestively and grinned.

“Your sense of humor leaves much to be desired, Onna,” the Taiyoukai said with a bored tone while reaching behind him for the towel he knew had been placed there moments before by Aiko-sama.

“Yeah, but you still want to see me in these don't you?” she said, dangling a single stiletto on one finger with a licentious smirk, waggling her brows.

“Hnnnn.”

The danger had passed, she realized. His tension and loneliness had eased with her words.

“We did come here to do a few things, and maybe we can finish it all tomorrow and return …home. I have this less than fabulous feeling something is going on in the shiro we are not entirely privy to.”

Sesshoumaru turned and looked at her questioningly.

“Didn't you notice that Rin was not herself entirely and Kaede is old, but she seemed a little more fragile than usual? Which reminds me, I have to stop at the drug store for her before we return, there is bound to be something over the counter I can get to ease her pain.”

“Hn.”

“Lord Sesshoumaru, if you `Hn' me one more time, I swear I will clobber you with one of these come-fuck-me instruments of torture you are so fond of! Oh and never mind feeling around for the feather. Jii-Jii snatched it from you when he was taste testing your face. He enjoys doing slight of hand to the unsuspecting, by the way. Should have told you that before, sorry, my Lord.”

“Does insanity run in your family, Miko? This Sesshoumaru ask merely out of concern for our pup's mental health,” the demon Lord said atonally.

Kagome released an audible growl.

“Aaaallllrightttyyyyy then! I get it. You detest my family. I know they are not up to your high and mighty standards, Lord Stick-In-The-Mud. Fine! Whatever floats your boat. Just don't make fun of them. In fact, do what you want for the next day. I will talk to Mom in the morning, and find out what she knows and ask Jii-Chan about the feather and then we can go. You can go off prancing in the woods beyond the garden. Just please don't kill anything, it is a reserve. There are rather severe penalties for doing so in my time and I don't want to lose the youkai I love more than my life because he is an intolerant, self important, pompous ass I cannot live without!” the Miko said, getting up on naked feet, then turning once more. “Oh and you best tell Ruru he isn't going to be visiting his girlfriend tonight and if he complains to you? Tell him to talk to the hand - your hand!”

The Miko abruptly found herself looking at the world from another perspective; mainly upside down as she was carried back into the house and up the stairs. Her only vantage being the tight butt cheeks of her insufferable Mate.

Mrs. Higurashi came to the foot of the stairs to inquiry.

“Everything alright, Lord Sesshoumaru?”

Sesshoumaru turned briefly bowing to all concerned and said, “Oyasumi nasai.”

Kagome stared at her mother in shock, as she bowed in response to the demon Lord's courteous good night to his host, the family and her guest.

“Hello? I'm the one upside down here and you ask him if everything is alright?! I love this family! Oh and Mommy, we need to talk in the morning about the letter Daddy left on the other side of the ….” she trailed off, suddenly remembering Houjo sat at the low table bug eyed and confused.

Gramps took the opportunity to nudged Houjo conspiratorially, twirled a finger to his right temple, and winked in the young man's direction. Souta was too busy with his video game console to care. He liked Sesshoumaru just fine and at least he, unlike Inuyasha, could control his sister.

Kagome had given up.

“Night Houjo, have a great vacation. See you next time. Glad you got to meet my husband. No, I have no ring, but I have bites to prove it. Oh and yes, let Gramps tell you all about hubby's infamous career with the Yakuza. I know he's dying to.”

Kagome's bedroom door slammed.

Mrs. Higurashi returned to her remaining guest with a serene smile. All waited, with bated breath to see what she would say. She said the right thing always.

“Would anyone like some tea?”

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Kagome felt the material of her comforter firmly under her back while a male with a less than comforting expression looked down in her beautiful face curiously, sniffing her neck gently. Kagome pulled her neck away and looked up at him menacingly, receiving a low growl in response for her disobedience and lack of submission.

“You smell of chocolate,” she said diffidently, moving her face away from his once more. `Those damn lips are so tempting and still streaked with chocolate,' she thought desperately, licking her own.

“You want this Sesshoumaru, You are aroused, Miko. Do not pretend.”

She snorted, “Yeah right, you wish.” she said indifferently, forcing space between their bodies with her arms folded across her chest.

Several clawed digits found their way under her skirt, and dived into her panties and buried themselves in her moist folds, causing her to squirm beneath him with a soft moan of pleasure. Bringing his slick fingers up to his nose, the Taiyoukai's eyes bore a decidedly lewd expression as he sniffed them appreciatively.

“The bitch desires her Master's katana, as he desires to sheath himself within her saya,” he intoned as he tweaked her almost painfully before kissing her, forcing her lips open with his tongue. He explored her mouth thoroughly before allowing her much needed air.

“Mmmmm… Sesshoumaru, please…downstairs…my family,” she mewled incoherently between breaths as she tore at his chocolate covered shirt.

He raised her skirt above her hips to her waist, making short work of her fragile underpinnings and spreading her legs releasing her inviting feminine scent. The Miko's sex was slick with need for her Master and Mate.

Tonight The Western Lord knew instinctively that their first pup would be conceived.

Lowering himself to her slick mound, he lapped softly, teasing her entrance with the tip of his tongue as she arched into his intimate caress. Her little hands held his sticky, silken head where she wanted it, biting her lower lip with her eyes tightly closed, enjoying his sweet torturing of her delicate flesh.

“Mmmmm…Seeeeeesssshoooouuuuuuuuuu! Mmmmm…yes...,” she whispered as he suckled her expertly. Kagome refused, in that moment, to wonder where he had acquired this particular oral skill. Yet, the Miko could not help herself. She had to know and chose to pull him away, her viscous ambrosia leaving a slick tendril connecting his tongue to her clit as he looked up at her questioningly with lust reddened eyes, less than pleased he had been interrupted while supping on his chosen bitch.

“You are way too good at this. Who was she?” she said, though trying to keep jealousy out of her voice. She had to know. Someone had clearly had this treatment before.

“No one,” he said as he returned to his joyful meditation of all things deliciously pussy Higurashi Kagome.

Not one to enjoy without question, she pulled at his hair again, her fingers sticky from the drying chocolate confection, and looked at him with hooded questioning eyes, “No one?”

“No, Miko. Sesshoumaru enjoys pleasuring his bitch. My beast has never deigned to suckle another female's sanctum before this. You are a delicacy to this Sesshoumaru, who enjoys your taste and scent. Stop interrupting, you tiresome Onna.”

His tongue entered her then forcefully, effectively shutting down her higher cognitive processes.

“Oooohhhhh Kami, your tongue is divine,” she moaned softly as she raised herself to her elbows. His tongue pierced her convulsing core repeatedly, his head bobbing rhythmically, his cheeks slick with her feminine juices which flowed from her freely feeding his insatiable thirst.

“Mmmmmm…yes, oooooh ….yes, more…” moaned the Miko.

A soft rapping at her door stopped the Taiyoukai mid lunge. The Miko's thighs held him in a sudden headlock, rendering him incapable of further movement, much less air.

“I have left a light supper at the door. You both would do well to eat, it promises to be a long night,” said Mrs. Higurashi discreetly as she padded off on shoeless feet down the stairs happily. Her Granddaughter would be conceived this night, as foretold.

Kagome listened to her mother's retreating footsteps, relaxing the muscles of her thighs, and snorted.

“Hn….” rumbled the Taiyoukai as he set about his delicious task in earnest with the writhing female below.

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Dinner was delightful. Though originally planned with family, it proved extraordinarily delicious with the intimacy of two, post shower, wrapped in towels. They fed each other. Kagome had given up hope when it came to Sesshoumaru truly enjoying food. The only thing he apparently ate with reckless abandon was…well, the less said the better.

Kagome carried the lovingly prepared tray down to the kitchen. Washing the dishes and putting them away, she turned to return up the stairs, scoring some sake for her Taiyoukai and ran face first into her mother in her nightgown smiling at her.

The priestess clutched her chest with the small bottle and cup.

“Oka-saan, you scared me!” she said in a high-pitched squeal.

“You have questions, my beloved daughter?” said Mrs. Higurashi without further ado.

The priestess stared at her blankly. Something about her mother's countenance was not familiar.

“Daddy left me a letter,” the Miko began cautiously, putting the bottle and the cup down on the counter, “ It spoke of a war with Naraku and why we would be victorious if we figured out the power within the four aspects of the Shikon-no-Tama and how it related to our tachi.”

“You mean your tachi, Kagome.”

“Yes, well it is Inuyasha's tachi really. I am just a member.”

“Far from it, my daughter. It is your tachi. Inuyasha is a vital part of that tachi. He is honorable and will do anything for you, as will the others. You are their cog. Remember this.”

“So you knew? All this time as I traveled back and forth through the well and said nothing?” Kagome sat on the stool, unsure of what to make of the sudden burst of emotions she felt.

“Sometimes my child, discoveries are to be made by the individual who is partaking. No amount of warning will help, and in fact could aid the enemy. This is not to be allowed.”

“See, that is what I mean. What the hell does all that double talk mean?” Kagome said in frustration.

“Kagome, more than your understanding is at stake. This is where your Mate will prove useful beyond measure. Trust him. He loves you to distraction, though he will never put those words on the air. He needs you. Perhaps more than you need him, in actuality.”

“I know he loves me, Mommy. I felt it when we…” the Miko looked away, somewhat embarrassed then continued. “When we made love earlier today,” she said, looking through her bangs at her mother shyly.

“No need to be embarrassed, my darling. Sensuality is a beautiful thing with the right partner. You have found yours. You will never tire of his touch, nor he yours. Remember this. I very much suspect that I will have many grandchildren. If luck holds, I will meet most of them before my eventual departure. Higurashi Aiko, who I embody, has lived long Kagome and is well pleased in your incarnation and that of your ordained Mate.”

Kagome froze at her words.

“You embody my mother?”

“No, you misunderstand. I am your mother and your spirit guide,” she said with no further words of explanation, selecting to change the subject.

“Your first task upon your return is to aid Miroku, Kikyou and Inuyasha with Rin; to keep her safe. Your next task is to understand the four aspects of the jewel with the help of your husband/mate. This is more vital than you can imagine. It is your trump card against the evil one, Naraku.”

Kagome grew agitated by her words.

“I kind of lost the letter, so I am not entirely sure who belongs to what. It seems I was so afraid that Kirara was hurting Sesshoumaru that I stepped into the light before I should and since I was holding it at the time, it disintegrated.”

Mrs. Higurashi held her face softly between her hands, observing her daughter, the Miko, in affection glancing furtively at the thin bottle about her neck containing three Shikon shards.

“You have everything you need. Tomorrow you and your grandfather will finish the sacred arrow. The feather will make its path true. Then you will both return to the Sengoku Jidai. You have only two immediate tasks now; vigilance and my granddaughter.”

Mrs. Higurashi removed her hands from her daughter's exquisitely feminine face, sighing softly with unexpressed emotion and made to leave.

The tiny woman padded softly up the stairs to her own bedroom, stopping just short of the final stair.

“Your Miko powers work here. Perhaps, a barrier for sound?” said Higurashi Aiko and then she was gone.

Kagome blinked. Was it her imaginations or was there a familiar violet glow around her mother?

The Miko's brow quirked in mild annoyance at her Mate's need to skulk instead of being direct with her as a silhouette moved gracefully in the living room's shadows.

“Why do you do that? I hope that you will stop that over time, Sesshoumaru. This Kagome will never keep anything from you of importance.”

The shadow moved forward quietly into the dim light of the kitchen.

“You were gone for longer than anticipated. This Sesshoumaru grew impatient for your return and took a walk under the light of the moon.”

“How much did you hear?”

“All”

“Did she get anything wrong?”

“Nothing. Your mother is remarkably perceptive for a ningen.”

“I love you too, you big silly handsome puppy.”

“Hn” said the Taiyoukai noncommittally, flashing his Miko a smile - a rare thing.

“This Sesshoumaru will make the barrier this night. Your ability to concentrate will be muddled shortly.”

“Kami! You're cocky! It's not like that is all I think of when it comes to you!” she said indignantly, folding her arms across her amble cleavage.

“Hn…is that so, Miko? Then why is it that you are saturated and your scent, though subtle by ningen standards, permeates the room, inviting this Sesshoumaru to once more take what is his?”

She touched her mating mark as it burned, but differently this time, taking a straight path to her nether regions.

“We will talk of its many uses tonight, Miko,” he said as though anticipating her next question.

“You now have my life span, additional physical strength and will feel that which I do, just as this Sesshoumaru will always have the misfortune of feeling your every undisciplined emotion. I will of course compensate, for this failing.”

“Ahhhh, Sexy Lips, if Ruru plans to get any, you need to stop,” she said pointedly, knowing full well the minute he touched her, her knees would be about her ears as she mewled and thrashed incoherently with his every thrust.

“Cease your protestations, Miko. We both know better,” he said smugly with one elegantly raised brow.

Unable to come up with a suitable retort, her eyes grazed his hips and the evident protrusion there, as she clenched in wanton anticipation of his conquest of her more than willing flesh. `Perhaps before that a little promised dessert,' the Miko thought as a slow smile graced her soft pouted lips.

“Race you to the top of the stairs?” she said as she attempted to barrel past him unsuccessfully, finding herself once more, over a strong shoulder, sighing. Sometimes losing was winning, she thought happily.

“You want me to wear them in bed? While we…” were the final intelligible words, whispered by the Miko in the darkness before the bedroom door clicked softly shut.

An eerie blue-green glow escaped beneath Kagome's bedroom door while the other Higurashi of the household slept peacefully. Seemingly only Buyo stood guard at the door licking his clawed feet distractedly, his eyes glowing red in the darkness. If it was possible for a cat to smirk, he did, as he curled himself into a ball and settled down for the night. Silently Mrs. Higurashi finally closed her door with a pensive expression.

Hours would pass before a blinding white flash of light pierced the darkness, slowly fading as though it had never been there. The lights origins was the unassuming bedroom of one Higurashi Kagome, the Shikon-no-Miko of the Sengoku Jidai.

Though no one had witnessed it, the beacon of light entered the well-house. The light arched as though being lead by a conscience mind, surging through the portal that was the Bone Eater's Well, its hue interwoven strands of multi-colored light surrounded by a red pulsing aura.

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The two Shikigami materialized in front of the Miko, Kikyou. One on bended knee in azure blue, and the other standing, her arms folded within her yellow kimono sleeves. It demurely waiting as a sudden windstorm blew nearly knocking the weakened Miko off her feet but for the fact that she leaned against the tree of ages for balance.

Kikyou had seen them both, but her pale countenance was far more intrigued with the well and the aura she felt emanating from its interior, though her face remained emotionless, and her body weak.

“We have brought the arrow as requested Lady Kikyou. The Soul Collectors will return when you are done,” said Kocho, pausing noting her mistress' extreme fragility.

As though anticipating the next words from her Shikigami “It is not for Inuyasha to know I am here or why.”

“But if he knew…”

“Kocho, enough! Inuyasha's wishes are irrelevant. I do not do this for him. It is what Naraku deserves. He must not always have his way,” said the Miko, her mind a maelstrom of emotions as she raised the bow westward waiting for the critical moment to release the glowing arrow with one missing plume. It was then Kikyou saw the shaft of light snaking over the wells lip as if searching for something in the wind.

“Midoriko, make its path swift and true,” said the Priestess, releasing the arrow to its fate with a thin smile.

Sensing the sudden discharge of spiritual energy, the shaft of light followed its lead westward.

The sudden windstorm that had overtaken Inuyasha's forest died just as quickly as it had begun. Kikyou held firm to the Goshinboku's bark, summoning strength to leave.

`Inuyasha, I have aided you, despite myself,' thought the Miko, tiredly. Would these feelings of love never leave her? It colored all things. Tsubaki had been right.

“We must go now, while my invisibility holds,” said the priestess walking back into the darkness of the forest. Her ethereal servants, the Shinidamachu, glided overhead on their appointed rounds of soul collecting, while her Shikigami bore Kikyou to her resting place within the barrier.

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Miroku and Kaede stood at opposite ends of Rin's palette their faces bathed in sweat. The pale orange barrier they had managed to erect about the Western Lord's ward requiring absolute focus and stillness.

They had deduced more and more of her soul was pulled from her body each night. Rin's small form lay unconscious, sweating profusely. Her face contorted in pain as she moaned softly.

Inuyasha stood guard on the opposite side of the fusuma to her chambers, fuming. He dismissed Rin's usual night guards and Jaken, who was a blubbering mess of no use to anyone, not even himself.

“Go put a cold compress on that pointy little head of yours!” said the Hanyou, gruffly, proud of the two fresh swollen knots and the black eye he had given Jaken earlier.

“Do not give me orders you filthy, little pup!” screamed the little kappa. He pointed his staff at Inuyasha once more, while continuing to blubber. “She is my charge and I will remain. Lord Sesshoumaru would never forgive me, if I abandoned his ward.”

“More like he would kill your sorry ass, you mean!” said Inuyasha, a little more harshly than he intended. Though what he had said in a moment of spite was true, he equally recognized the toad had a hidden affection for the child despite his bluster to the contrary.

Jaken mumbled and turned his little back to the hanyou, as he blew into his linen handkerchief then opened it to examine its contents speculative, before hurriedly tucking it away. He looked up at the hanyou self-consciously, he was observed.

“Oi! That's disgusting! If you insist on staying, just shut up and don't look at me or anything, you dirty little toad, said the hanyou folding his arms and continuing to glare at the portly, little youkai with abhorrence. `I'll never understand the relationship Lord Icicle has with this idiotic cringing toad,' thought the hanyou, distractedly.

Needing something else to focus on Inuyasha turned towards the moon bridge and the still pond beneath reflecting the stars above. `That fucker isn't going to like the state of those two stupid trees he is always fawning over,' acknowledged the half-demon with an evil grin; a grin that suddenly froze on his lips. The air had shifted and now took on an electrified scent.

“This place is way too fuckin' quiet for my liking,” said the half-demon, shuffling his feet nervously. Inuyasha felt something akin to charged air approaching, as the trees within the garden that formed the inner courtyard, swayed ominously. Slowly the hanyou unsheathed Tessaiga, planting himself in front of the fusuma that led to Rin's chambers.

“Naraku, if that's you, you're dead!” growled the hanyou whose eyes became feral slits. A dull thud sounded next to him. He need not have looked.

Jaken had fainted. This day had proved far too taxing for the little kappa.

“Useless,” Inuyasha muttered under his breath, kicking the little toad demon out of the way. Jaken's round little body rolling of its own accord into a corner. His staff of two heads thrown after him.

At first the half-demon saw nothing but the bowing of the trees and an eerie glow that overtook the honmaru then coalesced into a singular ball of light. Amidst the tumult that was the maelstrom of electric current he now stood in the pond's water and did not move. The light source floated over the moon bridge towards him, illuminating the still water below. Inuyasha became frightened, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood to attention.

The sounds of the trees soughing in the wind that uncannily sounded like the word, “Otooji”.

“What the fuck?” said the hanyou, spinning round looking about him. Who the hell was calling him Uncle? He had heard it echoing off the walls of the inner courtyard as the light continued to move slowly towards him.

“Daijobu desu” came a pacifying call, before the blinding light flowed over and within him. Tessaiga began to glow, as it had done the night before. He knew not why, but he slid opened the shoji then. Kaede was the first to see the hanyou, and hobbled backwards in fright effectively breaking the barrier she had made with Miroku in defense of Rin.

“Kaede!” Miroku screamed, as he threw himself over the small body, no longer able to hold the barrier alone. Now it was to be a force of wills, the houshi realized. Inuyasha's golden eyes glowed with a pearlescent hue as he re-sheathed Tessaiga with a blank expression and kept approaching the priest.

“Inuyasha, you are possessed!” yelled the Houshi, as he lifted Rin and backed up towards her small window in hopes of escape. Reaching her small balcony, Miroku stood for a moment, shaking his head, mindful of his small charge, as he made to leap the closer Inuyasha came.

“Gosei” said a ghost like whisper from the hanyou's lips.

“What exactly am I to understand? Who are you, and why have you taken possession of Inuyasha?”

“Watashi no namae wa Satori desu.”

A small red headed fox demon appeared at the door, rubbing his large, beautiful green eyes and yawning. At first, he blinked repeatedly taking in the state of affairs. Inuyasha was out cold on the tatami in front of Rin's palette. Miroku sat poised on the balcony's railing, with his unconscious friend in his arms and Kaede, sat looking towards the balcony, assessing the entire situation, her one good eye looking at nothing in particular beyond Miroku. It became clear they both thought they saw `Dog Boy' when Shippou knew perfectly well the orb of light in front of the houshi was certainly not the half-demon. `More reasons not to drink when grown.' He thought reproachfully.

Shippou approached Miroku, who now became aware of the kitsune.

“Shippou get back to your chambers now! Inuyasha has taken leave of his senses and is probably possessed by Naraku,” said the priest, now distressed.

Looking over his shoulder at the crumpled red heap by Rin's futon, Shippou retorted.

“Miroku, please don't drink anymore sake at night. It does funny things to you. Inuyasha is over there by Rin's palette,” the kit pointed behind him.

“Apparently you both must have gone on a bender tonight. Who are you talking to?” said the small youkai sarcastically, and then he too felt it...but differently.

Turning slowly towards the beam of light the fox demon smiled.

“As, soo desu ka,” bowed Shippou with a radiant expression, his tail held high. He would no longer be alone in this world, he finally had a sibling, his own something to protect.

Miroku grew impatient, as he now realized the kit and the entity were speaking.

The kitsune bowed and turned from the light and looked from Miroku to Kaede.

“Momma is with pup. Her name is Satori, and she has come to help. Please place Rin on the futon. We haven't much time. We need to recreate the barrier before Kan'na attempts to scry,” said the kitsune with surety.

This was so far fetched the monk thought, that it was quite possibly true. Throwing caution to the wind, Miroku cautiously placed the small youjin on the futon once more, brushing back sweaty tendrils tenderly. `Innocence should never be harmed in this way. Naraku will pay dearly for this.'

The Houshi began backing away from the palette, his foot hitting against something hard yet pliant… “Inuyasha!” said the priest, in shock. `If he was there, then he could not be…' and the illusion faded in that moment, as a blinding light lit up the entire chamber.

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Kagome bolted upright in Sesshoumaru's arms. She felt she was burning up and slowly extricated herself from his embrace. The Taiyoukai released her reluctantly.

“Miko?” said the Lord who could scent both fear and sudden exhilaration coming from the Miko. He watched her get out of bed and head for the window that overlooked the front of the house. Her sight traveled instinctively to the tree of ages then beyond it to the well-house. Without thinking, Kagome pushed her tired feet into her slippers and made for the bedroom door, only to be stopped by a towering, naked male barricading her way.

“Please Sesshoumaru, don't do the He-Man thing right now. I'll come back,” said the rather tired Miko. They had not gotten much sleep as it was. In fact, looking at the clock, they apparently had just drifted off to sleep a matter of minutes before.

“You will not go without me,” intoned her Mate firmly. He reached for his yukata and opened the door, allowing her to exit first.

Though it did not look like morning yet, it was early, about 4:00am, as the Western Lord and his Miko stood on the porch, both oblivious to the entity keeping vigil seated in the swing on the other side of the porch.

“Ohayo gozaimasu. Are you all hungry?” said a pleasant feminine voice to the left of them.

Sesshoumaru snarled involuntarily nearly upending his bitch has he swung her behind him more forcefully than he intended.

The Miko eyed her mother from behind her Taiyoukai shaking her head. Exactly how long was she expected take his imperious need to not pick her up like a porcelain doll and placing her wherever he chose?

Out of the shadows rose Mrs. Higurashi looking rather pleased with herself beamed at all three. Yes, there were now three.

Author's Note

Enter Satori…

Ja Ne