InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ A Truce and A Slow Melting ( Chapter 17 )

{Disclaimer: Hey! I've done this at least {::looks back at the chapters::} SIXTEEN TIMES already! If you don't know by now that I don't own them, you never will!}

Chapter Seventeen: A Truce and A Slow Melting

"Where are you going with him?" Kagome demanded as she struggled to get her arms free. One of the captors released her, allowing his cohorts to each grab an arm as he lightly tapped Kagome's nose.

"What you should be more concerned about is what we're going to do to you," he breathed in Kagome's face. She winced and shook her head instantly, trying to forget the smell of his breath as he and the others began to laugh.

"So you don't like my breath, eh?" he said as he tugged at the zipper of her skirt. "Too bad. You're going to smell a lot more of it in a moment."

"Really?" Kagome said doubtfully, finally gaining his attention. He let go of the unrelenting garment, deciding to just rip it off later as he glared into her eyes.

"Really. Why? What do you plan on doing about it?"

Kagome answered by kicking him in the groin, followed by kicking the one on her left in the ribs. She crossed her foot over and kicked the one on her right, the heel of her shoe slamming into his chin. He stumbled back, as did the one in front of her as the one on her left recovered. He waited until his comrades came to their senses, then they circled Kagome like a pack of wolves.

"Ganging up on a girl I see. Chivalry really is dead," Kagome said as she raised the zipper of her skirt to mid thigh. 'There,' she thought as she raised her fists. 'Now that's better.'

"We were planning on being easy on you, but I don't think our employer will care if you have a few bruises," the first one said as he charged forward, initiating the attack.

Kagome ducked, then kicked him square in the chest. He groaned as one of his ribs snapped, but came at her again. Kagome kicked him in the temple, watching with a smile as he slumped to the ground, unconscious.

The second one, after wiping the blood off his chin, tried to knock Kagome's feet from under her. She countered by jumping up and kicking him in the forehead, rendering him useless to the third one as he too slipped into the dark abyss.

The third one, seeing how bad of an idea it was to attack Kagome first, motioned for Kagome to come closer. She smiled and obeyed, seeing through his tactic. She twirled in neat little circles as she came to him, pulling her hair out of the bun to swirl around her like a cloak. He watched, confused, as she came closer. Kagome waited until the last second, then backhanded him across the jaw. He reached for her and she attacked him again, this time kicking him in the shin and breaking his kneecap.

Kagome's smile widened as he sat down with a thump on the cold linoleum, pain shooting up in his eyes as he glared at her. Kagome shrugged and ran to the elevator at the end of the hallway. She pushed the up button for a few minutes, then mentally smacked herself. 'Duh Kagome!' she told herself as she tried to pry the doors open. She applied her ki to her hands, watching with a satisfied smirk as the doors opened effortlessly.

"Hold on Takamada. I'm coming," she said as she took a few steps back, then launched herself across the elevator shaft to the cab cables. She grabbed hold and slid down to the elevator cab.

*

Sesshoumaru glared at the men around him as they taunted him and celebrated his capture.

"What are you going to do to my assistant?" he demanded. He didn't like the look on Kagome's face when he last saw her, and he could have sworn he smelled her captors' arousal before the elevator doors closed.

"Oh, not a whole lot," the one holding him from behind said. "They're just going to have a little fun with her, that's all."

Sesshoumaru lowered his head as anger seeped into his blood. He struggled to keep his eyes from reddening as the men around him laughed.

"Don't worry man," another said from the other side of the elevator. "She's in good hands. OUR hands."

This received another round of laughs and cheers from the men as Sesshoumaru expanded his youki. He refused to allow anything to show but his true eye color as he relished the feel of his old strength coursing through his veins.

Sesshoumaru instantly rammed his head backward, into the nose of the man behind him. He slumped against the elevator wall, holding his spurting nose as the others ganged up on Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru ducked a wild punch from the first one, watching the fist as it passed his face in slow motion before smashing his fist into the guy's stomach. He shoved him to the side as two more grabbed his arms. He quickly brought his arms together, slamming the two men into each other head first.

They were quickly tossed aside as the man with the broken nose decided to test his luck again.

Sesshoumaru made short work of him, punching him in the nose then throwing him into the last man standing. He shrugged off his comrade, jumped in the air and tried to land a kick to Sesshoumaru's temple.

Sesshoumaru easily caught him, holding him upside down as his face seemed to say 'Now really, did you think that would work?' as he slung him into the elevator walls repeatedly. After a while Sesshoumaru dropped him in a heap along with his friends.

{SF: Ooooo…that was sadistic. That poor guy…NOT!!! Muhahahahaha!}

'Now that that's done, time to get Kagome,' he said as he reached for the elevator stop button. He paused as something landed on the ceiling outside of the car. Sesshoumaru backed up as he heard the latch to the emergency hatch snap open, his fists balled and ready for another fight.

"Takamada?" a timid voice asked as hair as dark as midnight cascaded into the elevator. The scent of thunderstorms and jasmine followed. Sesshoumaru relaxed, then returned his eyes to their human hue as he walked under the hatch.

"I'm right here," he said. Kagome smiled. "How are you?"

"Still sane, thank you very much," he told her as he reached up. Kagome rolled her eyes, then gripped his shoulders as he held her waist and helped her inside the cab. Kagome looked around after Sesshoumaru set her on her feet.

"Wow, what happened here?" she asked as one of the men coughed.

"How are you?" Sesshoumaru asked, choosing not to answer her question as he looked her over. Other than the split in her skirt being higher (And I mean a LOT higher) she looked none the worse for wear.

Kagome smirked. "Were you worried about me Mr. Takamada?" she teased, knowing she'd get a 'Hell no' in response.

"Yes, actually."

Kagome looked back at him, her eyes widening impossibly. "Really?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. "Really." He wrapped her in a gentle and disarming embrace, leaning slightly so his chin could rest on the top of her head. "You may be tough, but you're still female. They could have hurt you."

"Wow," Kagome whispered as her eyes widened more. "Um, thanks Takamada."

"Oh my aching head," one of the men said. Kagome and Sesshoumaru instantly sprang apart, Kagome blushing as she stared at the semi-conscious man.

{SF: Arg! That guy ruined the fluff! Arg!}

"Why is his nose bleeding?" Kagome asked as she pulled him off the others. Sesshoumaru shrugged as Kagome grabbed the man by his collar.

"Hey! Wake up!" she demanded, lightly slapping his face. The man opened his eyes, glancing at her then Sesshoumaru. His eyes widened in terror as he started to shudder.

"Keep him away from me! He's a monster!" he shouted. Kagome and Sesshoumaru fought the urge to cover their ears as Kagome looked back at Sesshoumaru.

"What's he talking about?"

"Like I know," Sesshoumaru said, giving an Inuyasha-like response. Kagome shrugged and looked back at the man.

"HEY! He's not the one you have to worry about! I am! I want information, NOW!"

"Ok, ok," he said, glancing behind her every so often. "I'll talk!"

"Who's your boss?"

"I don't know."

Kagome sighed. "Fine." She shoved him backward suddenly, the back of his head cracking on the elevator floor before she brought him to face her again. "Let's try again, shall we? Who's your boss?"

"I don't know!" He struggled when Kagome moved to 'punish' him again. "I don't! We never see his face! All we see is some dude in a baboon pelt!"

'Naraku!' Sesshoumaru mentally hissed, his eyes glowing a polished gold before he calmed. 'I should have known!'

"What were your orders?" Kagome demanded, shaking the man to rattle his nerves.

"O-Our orders were to blow up Takamada's plane and kill any survivors but you!" Kagome blinked curiously as he continued. "Then when you showed up in Seattle, the guy ordered us to take you both, but make you think Takamada was dead!"

"Thank you," Sesshoumaru growled as he reached over them to stop the elevator again. He jerked the man out of Kagome's grasp.

"Tell your boss," he growled. The sound rippled through the man's body, sending every nerve on high alert.

"That this is a warning: Leave me and mine in peace, or he'll be found in pieces."

Sesshoumaru pushed the button for the doors to open, tossed the battered and bloody man onto the next floor and closed the door behind him.

"What did you do that for? And what was that 'Stay away from mine.' You said that crap at Naraku's ball!" Kagome demanded as Sesshoumaru reached inside his breast pocket for a handkerchief.

"You understand Japanese?"

Kagome rolled her eyes irritably. "Duh! I did spend my summers there, remember?"

Sesshoumaru sighed. 'I did forget that didn't I?' "To warn Naraku."

"From what?"

"From becoming a bother. It would seem that he didn't take the hint."

"We don't even know if Naraku sent them!"

Sesshoumaru glared at her as he cleaned his hands of the man's blood. "I know."

"Great! He's Miss Cleo now!" Kagome said as she stood up and threw up her hands. She checked on the men behind Sesshoumaru, a grim look on her face as she checked their pulses. "They're alive, but barely. Man, I'm not sure you need me after that. Oh!"

Kagome stood up and yanked Sesshoumaru backward, ignoring his outraged protests as she glanced at the back of his head. "You're bleeding!"

"What?" Sesshoumaru said distantly. He didn't remember being hit, so how was he bleeding?

Kagome searched the bloody area, then sighed. "It's not your blood," she said as she took Sesshoumaru's handkerchief and wiped her hand. Sesshoumaru straightened up, only to be pulled back down as Kagome dragged him out of the elevator.

"What are you doing?"

Kagome ignored him as she walked down the hall past a few employees, who stood open-mouthed at the disrespectful way Kagome handled Sesshoumaru. She opened the women's bathroom door moments later, sending dirty glances at the two that were in there. They blushed and scampered out, covering their giggles with their mouths.

"I said what are you-"

"Do you ever stop talking?" Kagome asked as she shoved Sesshoumaru's head into one of the sinks. Sesshoumaru immediately stopped, shock reverberating over him as he registered what she said.

"I can't believe you said that," he growled as Kagome turned on the water. "Ack! The water's cold!"

"I know," Kagome said gently as she scrubbed away at the back of his head. "But there is no hot water."

Sesshoumaru mentally grumbled, but kept quiet otherwise. He also made a note to add hot water to the bathrooms at the next budget meeting. Kagome rubbed away for a few minutes before she turned the water off and reached for a handful of paper towels.

"There," she said as she rubbed his hair dry. "Now let's see." She threw the towels away and gasped. "Oh no!"

"What is it?" Sesshoumaru asked as he glanced at himself in the mirror. 'Gods' he thought as he touched a strand of hair. 'I look like a chia pet!'

"It's pink!" Kagome replied. "The back of your head is pink! Why is it pink?"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, reached inside his breast pocket for a comb, and proceeded to straighten out the gigantic afro into something more acceptable. He pulled it all back moments later, watching as Kagome turned an interesting shade of green.

"What is it?"

"We have to go back to the hotel," she said. Sesshoumaru quirked a brow. "Why?"

"Because there's blood in your hair!" Kagome hissed. Sesshoumaru shrugged. 'I've been covered in blood. It's never bothered me before.' "I'm not taking off because of a little blood."

"But it's blood!" Kagome countered as she followed him to the bathroom door. "We have to get that out!"

"I said no."

Kagome stopped in her tracks, glaring a hole in Sesshoumaru's back. "Fine then. Be that way." She shoved past him and out the door, ignoring the curious glances from the other employees as she opened Sesshoumaru's office door and slammed it shut behind her.

Sesshoumaru stood, still in the place she shoved him, trying to control his youki. 'She will be punished for that,' he mentally growled as he pushed back his growing power. He willed his eyes to return to their human color as he stormed down the hall and into his office, only to stop at the scent of Kagome's blood as he entered the room.

Kagome sat behind his desk, her shades hooked to her laptop. Sesshoumaru leaned against the front of his desk, deciding to wait until she finished her report to find out why she was bleeding.

*

"No Sango, we're fine," Kagome said as she fiddled with the wire attached to her glasses. "They didn't hurt us. "

"Are you sure?" Sango asked from the other end. "You look drained."

"No lunch," Kagome complained. "I'm starving."

Sango gave a relieved laugh. "You know what? You're a trip."

"Yeah, a regular voyage to India. What's happening there?"

"Not a whole lot. Someone stole Inuyasha's laptop."

"Which one?" Sesshoumaru asked, moving into camera view.

"Um," Sango turned to Miroku, who shrugged. "The black one. Not the IBook, if that's what you're thinking."

"Oh." 'No big deal then. That's just his journal.' Sesshoumaru leaned against the front of the desk, deciding to continue to wait for Kagome to finish once again.

"When did this happen?" Kagome asked, trying not to wince. Her right leg hurt for some reason, but she'd be damned if she showed this. It was her problem after all.

"Yesterday," Miroku said. "We were at a café. Some bloke ran past us and jerked Inuyasha's suitcase from Katrina. He shoved her pretty good too. She has road rash like a sonofabitch."

"Oh!" Kagome gasped. "Poor Katrina!"

"Yeah, she's the only thing that kept us from going after him. Inuyasha almost had a fit! I thought he'd go after the guy without us, but we took Katrina to the hospital instead. Poor kid."

"Aww. Well, tell Inuyasha and Katrina I said hello, OK?"

"Sure Kagome," Sango said. "Oh, and before you unplug, call Shippou. He wants to talk to you about something."

"Alright. Kagome out." Kagome disconnected with Sango and Miroku and immediately tapped the button to Shippou.

"Shippou here! What can I do for you Kagome-mama?"

"You wanted to speak to me?"

"Sure!" Shippou held up a bag of gumball bombs. "I need for you to send these back."

"For what?"

"I've improved them. See, instead of just balls that blow up, I've made some for different purposes."

"Such as?"

"The green ones are tear gas, the blue ones are smoke screens and the red ones are the bombs. Oh, and the purple ones have beanbag bullets inside, so watch out when they go off."

"Oh. Ok," Kagome agreed. "Oh and Pup?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to send the arm daggers back to you too."

"Why?" Shippou asked with a pitiful expression on his face. "Don't you like it?"

"Of course I do!" Kagome cooed, forgetting her hurting leg as she crossed her legs. "It's just that it's a tad bulky. I need something more discrete."

"Oh!" Shippou brightened. "I have the perfect thing! It'll be in Jacksonville before you get there. Just send the other stuff when you get back there."

"OK Pup. Kagome out." Kagome unplugged the shades, then stuffed them and the laptop back inside her attaché. She glared up at Sesshoumaru as he watched her, his arms crossed over his chest.

"You know," he started "assistants don't sit at their boss's desk."

Kagome answered this by leaning back in his chair and propping her feet up on top of his desk. The split of her skirt fell open, revealing to Sesshoumaru a gash along her leg. He kneeled down and grasped her leg firmly, a silent order for her to comply as he inspected the wound.

"When did this happen?" Sesshoumaru asked as Kagome blushed.

"I'm not sure," Kagome told him. "Most likely when I jumped down the elevator shaft. Don't worry about it, I'll heal it later. It shouldn't scar."

"But it can get infected," Sesshoumaru countered. He opened a desk drawer and pulled out a first aid kit, opening it and pulling out a tube of disinfectant. "Now hold still."

"OW!" Kagome whined as Sesshoumaru spread a disinfectant-covered q-tip over the wound. "That hurts!"

"Why did you not tell me you were injured?" he asked her.

"I didn't want you to worry after what you said in the elevator. I'm perfectly fine."

"Sure you are," Sesshoumaru teased as he wrapped the cut. "You're lucky. It doesn't need stitches."

"That's a relief," Kagome breathed as she glanced at him. Sesshoumaru chose to look up in that instant, and gray-blue connected with hazel.

Kagome's breath caught in her throat. 'Wow,' she thought as she stared at him. 'His eyes are so beautiful. It's almost like a pure gold.' The idea of golden eyes brought her out of her musing. Kagome glanced down at the bandage, trying to fight the blush that threatened to stain her cheeks.

'What was she thinking about?' Sesshoumaru wondered as he caught the faint darkening on her cheeks. He opened his youkai senses to her and inhaled deeply, drawing in her scent, plus the fading scent of her heat. 'That's a small relief,' Sesshoumaru sighed as he inhaled again. 'One less thing for me to worry about.'

"This is a great job Mr. Takamada," Kagome said. "Where did you learn to do this?"

"I have to know a lot in this business," Sesshoumaru told her as he stood back up. He continued to breath in her scent, curious as to the faint twinge of guilt in her aura as he heat faded away. 'It's guilt and relief all at once,' he thought as Kagome inspected the bandage. 'Why would she feel like that, unless…"

"Kagome?"

Kagome blinked and looked up at him. "Yes Mr. Takamada?"

"I'm going to guess why you didn't tell me about your injury, and why you want me to wash my hair so badly. You let me know if I'm right, alright?"

"Whatever," Kagome grumbled, all good will for Sesshoumaru fleeing for the door in an instant. 'I forgot I was supposed to be angry with him.'

"You feel guilty, don't you?"

Kagome's eyes widened. 'What? How does he know-'

"You feel as thought you could have stopped the men earlier if you were only paying attention," Sesshoumaru continued as he read her aura. He could tell how correct he was by the way her aura flashed between amazement and curiosity, and by the way the guilt inside seemed to darken with conviction.

"The blood in the back of my head is like a reminder of your foolishness, and the wound you feel you deserve for not doing your job, correct?"

Kagome nodded miserably. "I'm so sorry Mr. Takamada," she whispered, on the verge of tears. "I know I messed up. I'd understand if you wanted to replace me."

"Replace you?" Sesshoumaru wondered. "Why?"

"Why not?"

"Because you've done nothing wrong," Sesshoumaru assured her as he sat on the edge of his desk. "You are only human Kagome. You can't be on top of everything, even with your powers."

"But I'm supposed to protect you," Kagome countered. "How can I do that when people come from out of nowhere and just drag you away!"

"But they didn't, did they?" Sesshoumaru reached over gently tugged her chin up to raise her face to his. "You would have stopped them-"

"But you went all kung-fu on them," Kagome grumbled. Sesshoumaru quirked a brow, biting back the growl in his throat. "I'm not finished. Don't interrupt again."

Kagome blinked, but closed her mouth and waited patiently for Sesshoumaru to continue.

"As I said, you would have stopped them eventually. That must have been your intent when you jumped down that elevator shaft, which was very brave of you by the way. I'm very impressed with you Kagome. You have done a wondrous job so far, and now I know that you'll go through just about anything to protect me. That is a comforting thought." Sesshoumaru sighed and looked away, considering something as Kagome gazed at him in surprise.

'I can't believe it!' she mused as Sesshoumaru kept his hold on her chin. 'Is he…he's not mad at me?'

"I tell you what," Sesshoumaru said finally. "Since the rest of the day is pretty much shot, and there's no hope of me finishing work whatsoever, how about we return to the hotel at-" He glanced at his watch. '3:02 pm.' "3:30? Then I'll wash my hair. Sound good to you?"

Kagome nodded weakly as Sesshoumaru released her. "Sure, Mr. Takamada."

"Nothing to it. Now if you please…"

*"Oh, sure. Sorry about that," Kagome said quietly as she stood up and hobbled away from the desk. Sesshoumaru watched her, waiting as she sat down and closed her eyes. She glowed pink moments later, it lasting for a few minutes. She opened her eyes and smiled.

"All better!" she announced. Sesshoumaru nodded. "Good. Now, a cup of tea would be good."

Kagome shook her head good-naturedly and left the office for the break room.

*7:13 PM Seattle, Sesshoumaru's Hotel Room*

"Where are you going?" Kagome called as Sesshoumaru walked past her. He backtracked to the kitchen and peered inside.

"I'm going to wash my hair," he told her. Kagome shook her head and pulled a chair from the nearby table. "No, I'm going to wash your hair," she said as she placed the back of the chair against the sink.

"Why?"

"Because you can't see back there. I can," Kagome told him as she took the shampoo and towel out of his hands and pushed him into the chair. "Now be still."

Sesshoumaru thought for a moment to berate her for ordering him, but decided that it might be nice to have someone else do the tedious chore than himself. 'Besides,' he thought as he relaxed against the sink. 'It is her place.'

Kagome gently tugged Sesshoumaru's hair free of the ponytail, watching for a moment as the pale blonde strands poured into the deep basin of the sink. 'Wow,' she thought as she turned the water on and grabbed the sprinkler. 'His hair is better than mine.'

She fiddled with the water's temperature, then sprinkled a little on Sesshoumaru's head. "Too cold?" she asked.

"No," he muttered.

"Too hot?"

"No."

"Good." Kagome sighed, then started to dampen the left side of his head. She reached over to get the left side, but found it too difficult to reach. Kagome sighed, then moved to Sesshoumaru's right.

"What are you doing?" Sesshoumaru asked when she picked up the sprinkler again.

"I couldn't reach, so I moved."

"Ah. I see."

Sesshoumaru quieted as Kagome dampened the rest of his hair, brushing back his bangs to mingle with the rest of the dampened strands.

Kagome paused for a moment, gazing at Sesshoumaru's face. 'He's…perfect…' Her eyes took in his every feature; the perfect arch of his eyebrows, the dark lashes that curled onto his cheeks like tiny strands of black silk, and the scar-less, creamy skin. 'His lips, they're surprisingly full for a guy. I wonder what it would be like to k-'

"Are you alright Kagome?"

Kagome blinked out of her stupor, blushing furiously. "Oh, yeah. Sorry about that." She nervously picked up the shampoo bottle from beside the sink, squeezing some in the palm of her hand. She ran soapy hands through his hair, admiring the pale strands as she worked on the infernal pink spot in the back of his head.

Sesshoumaru relaxed under her fingers, enjoying the way her short human nails lightly scratched his scalp. He could imagine her doing the same thing in his true form, his tail thumping the ground steadily under her gentle ministrations.

'How disgraceful,' he thought with a mental snort. But…'Human females have a tendency to cuddle soft things. Perhaps I will show her my youkai one day, and allow her to indulge in my fur.'

****

SF: If that's not arrogance, I'll eat one of my bracelets.

****

Kagome stepped away and made her way around him to his left side, repeating the process on this side of his head.

Sesshoumaru nearly opened his eyes when she stepped away, but held on when he felt her eyes on him. He focused on her aura instead, and found her in deep contemplation. He could imagine her in one of her typical thinking poses; with her arms crossed over her chest, a dainty finger resting on her chin with her tongue caressing her upper lip. The mere thought warmed his blood suddenly and he struggled not to shift under her gaze.

'Ugh! There's no way a mere human would cause this kind of react-'

Sesshoumaru froze as he felt something slide past his knee, his ears twitching slightly as the whisper of fabric settled between his legs. 'What is she doing?' he wondered as he realized the warmth between his knees was Kagome. 'Is she purposely trying to seduce me?' He mentally shook his head. 'No. She wouldn't. I've known her too lon-'

All thoughts stopped when he felt something brush past his hip. Sesshoumaru finally opened his eyes, watching in barely veiled shock as he watched Kagome straddle his lap, her knees settling on either side of him.

"What are you doing?" he asked as she raised herself up and grabbed the sprinkler. Kagome blushed slightly before answering.

"I'm not trying to seduce you, if that's what you're thinking."

'That's exactly what I thought.' "Then what are you doing?"

Kagome's blush darkened. "It's too much trouble to walk around you to rinse your hair. This way is faster."

Sesshoumaru nodded as Kagome leaned up and over his head, her hands shaking his hair slightly as she rinsed it free of the soap. Her scent engulfed Sesshoumaru immediately, plunging him headfirst into swirls of jasmine, lavender and thunderstorms. He long distinguished the thunderstorms to be her power, but it surprised him at times. It would seem stronger when he was close to her, but not threatening. Sesshoumaru inhaled inconspicuously, his finger softly tapping her right knee.

"There!" she exclaimed softly, mindful of how close she was to his ears. "All finished!" She smoothed Sesshoumaru's hair down, searching for any sign of pink.

"No more blood! I'm thrilled even if you're not," Kagome said as she stepped to the side of his chair. "Just the thought made my stomach-oh!"

Her foot slipped on some water, throwing her forward and into Sesshoumaru. He instinctively caught her before she could fall into the sink, but came up close and personal with her chest as his nose smashed into it, knocking the back of his head against the sink counter.

"Uhhhhhhh…" Kagome groaned, her head hovering inches above the sink basin. "What happened?" She glanced down, in confusion at first, then in horror as she registered what happened…and who's head that was underneath her.

"Are you ok Takamada?"

"Mhumuhph."

Kagome mentally groaned as she slowly raised herself up. Sesshoumaru glowered from under her, his features obviously displeased at the abuse as his nose glowed red.

"Oh no," she gasped, plunking herself into Sesshoumaru's lap and grabbing his face. "Are you alright? I'm so sorry!" Kagome touched his nose gently, searching for any signs of injury as Sesshoumaru watched her.

"You don't have to worry about anyone else," Kagome grumbled good-naturedly. "If this keeps up, I'm going to end up accidentally killing you."

"It is a small thing," Sesshoumaru whispered, finding her concern endearing. "Are you injured?"

Kagome shook her head. "No. Thanks for catching me."

"No thanks are necessary." He raised a hand to his face, it resting on one of hers.

"Did you hit your head?" Kagome asked incredulously. She moved one of her hands to the back of his head, her fingertips lightly brushing against his scalp in search of a wound. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, leaning his head into her hand before gazing in her eyes. "I'm fine, Kagome."

He took some kind of pleasure from the soft shiver from her, the silky way he said her name having some unknown affect on her…

And in that moment, he knew how to make her agree to stay with him.

Sesshoumaru raised her hand from his face, softly pressing his lips against her palm before returning it to her. "Thank you for being so concerned."

"Of-of course," Kagome stuttered, trying her best not to focus on the thrill that raced through her veins. "I didn't mean to-"

"I already know this," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her and tugging her closer to him. He lightly pressed her head to his shoulder, leaning his head on hers and tenderly caressing her hair. "Don't worry yourself over me."

"Takamda-"

"Shhhh…."

Kagome instantly quieted, wondering to herself why she didn't bother to get up as Sesshoumaru's fingers gently glided over her face and hair. She yawned suddenly, the stress of the day taking its toll on her. Kagome curled her fingers inside his collar and yawned again.

"You're tired. Why don't you sleep a moment? Don't worry, I'll protect you for once."

Kagome nodded sleepily, relaxing around him in an instant as she fell asleep. Sesshoumaru watched as her legs slackened their hold, swaying slightly on either side of him.

'I wasn't sure that would still work,' he thought as he released his mental influence. 'Especially on a miko as strong as she.' He looked down at her, her head nestled under his chin with an innocent smile on her face. 'She's going to make me soft,' he mused as he stood up. Sesshoumaru assured himself of his hold on her, then walked into the living room. He sat down softly, adjusting Kagome's legs around him before resting his chin on her shoulder. 'But…I don't care. At least not in private. She's supposed to take comfort in me, to obey me. All I have to do is get her to fall in love with me, then the rest will be easy.'

Sesshoumaru sighed, inhaling another swirl of her scent before drifting off to sleep, unaware of the crack that formed in the ice wall surrounding his heart.

----

SF: And so begins Sesshou's manipulations…

Silver Fox: Which will inevitably be his downfall.

Kagome: Truly. {::looks around as Inu-cast stare at her::} What? You hear SF say it a few times and I'll rub off on you too!

Sesshou: What do you mean 'Will lead to his downfall'? This Sesshoumaru-

SF: Don't start that crap again.

Sango: I know. That 'This Sesshoumaru' mess gets old after a while.

SF: {::blinking::} Thank you…Sango. I couldn't have said it better myself. Oh, and the preview and the reviewer responses are below.

Chapter Eighteen: Sesshoumaru's Influence

'Fine. If it will get you to hush, then I do care. Happy?'…"In there," Sango pointed to Sesshoumaru's room. "About to rip Inuyasha's brother a new one."…'He's fucking toying with her!'…"But if you keep going, you'll regret it and so will she."…"I'm Dr. Robert Kelson, and I'm the technician in charge of the Tetsusaiga project."…"But you really should get that appraised. It looks like a pink topaz, but it's too heavy, like a diamond or something."

Responses:

Dark Whispers: I'm sorry! {::hides behind Sesshou::} Don't hurt me! I had to. Sesshou: It is true. She promised a long overdue fight scene with yours truly, so that is the reason for the cliffhanger. SF: See, I told you it was for a good reason.

Badgerwolf: I know! He is, isn't he?

Cryxxy-chan: Alright! I just had to make sure! If you haven't seen it by the time I post this chapter, email me again or try to find it on mediaminer. You did and thanks so much! ^.^

AnImEfReAk81: Thanks a lot! The Tetsuaiga and Kanna appear in totally different chapters of the fic. I think the Tetsusaiga appears in the 'Sesshoumaru's Influence' chapter and hints of Kanna are in the same chapter. Kanna is also in one of the last fight scenes.

Tranador: Not long from now, I assure you. I still have some things to do first.

LadyoftheDragons1: Thanks! Leaving a cliffie is slowly becoming an art form to me.

Kikitravel: You know, Sesshou called me that exact thing on my bio page...ok, he said I was an evil bitch, but something close to what you said. Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying this! I hate homework too.

Child of the Ancients: Thanks a lot! I'm glad you're getting a good mental picture, because I can't draw a straight line. You've read all the fics? Wow, I'm flattered. Thanks again.

REDWOLF: I totally agree! I love it when he shows any kind of domineering power. Sesshou: You know what that means, don't you? SF: {::sigh::} What does it mean? Sesshou: It means that you secretly want to be controlled. You know, {::grabs SF's waist::} I'm just the youkai to do it. >Whap!< SF: {::sigh::} Why me? Anyway, thanks for the review!

Rain of Stars: If cliffies were illegal, I'd already be put in jail and you'd have to wait until I get out to get the rest of the story. Moms has already assured me that she wouldn't post bail, so I'd be stuck for a while. Now of course I couldn't tell you who said that, but I'm sure that you'll look for whoever said that in the above chapter. I haven't even started on 'What a Difference' but I have started 'Butterfly'. However, I don't even have a chapter one yet. I'm working on it, I am.

Jazzylady: I know, I've heard that exact thing all week with what I did for the 'UA' series. Don't forget to read my bio page, just in case you haven't already.

Silver Mystic: Don't worry, Kagome's reaction is coming soon enough. I thought so too, but I'm going to have Inu-chan say something smart (gah!) and Sesshou do something dumb before he comes to that revelation.

StarryEyedChick: Someone gave me the name Rei as one of the secretaries, but I like that name too. I'm pretty partial to Nassruddin too. I think it's because its long and hard to say. Thanks a lot for the flashback review. I was kinda worried that Sesshou would be occ in it, but I've been told that he's occ in the entire fic. {::shrugs::}

Sukera: Yeah, it's called 'To Save Your Life' or something like that. It's pretty good too. Thanks for the originality vote though!

Val: I know, the jerk! I can't believe him! But what can you do. {::shrugs::} I agree with you on the slow relationship though. Sesshou's not going to realize just what he feels for her until Inu-chan does something smart (gah again!) and he does something stupid. I know, how weird is that, but you'll see what I mean when he does it. And you're right about the whole Japanese thing, but I would guess you figured that from the above chapter.

Aira^o^: Sesshou will make his 'move' on his own turf. See, this chapter starts his plan to possess Kagome, but after about chapter 17, the ball really gets rolling. I think it's chapter 17. Anyway, I want to see that too, but I'm not entirely sure as to when that will happen.

Nymph Demon: We were terrors. I admit that now. I denied it when I was a freshman, but now that I think about it...{::nods her head::} we put devils to shame. {::reads the grabs Kagome part of the review:: ::falls out of her chair laughing, leaving Silver Fox to finish the rest of the review::} So goofy. {::pokes SF with his toe::} Oh well. Anyway, it's good they both hit you. SF: Shame on you, S. Fox! They shouldn't have hit her! {::SF and Silver Fox start to argue, effectively ending the review::}

Tessa3: Sorry for the wait, I don't mean to take so long! Unlike 'UA' and 'Sango's' this one isn't near finished. I write the chapters per week. {::blushes at the thankyous::} You're quite welcome! I live to please, or else I wouldn't be going into the food services industry. {::shoves Silver Fox to the front::} Say hello, stupid! Silver Fox: Hello stupid! >Whap!< SF: Don't start that! Behave! Silver Fox: Alright already! Hello to you too, and you're very welcome! I have to kick her butt every few days to get her writing, but it's worth having to replace moccasins every two days to see your review. SF: {::eyes narrowed::} I should hit you again...

Niamha: Total hell, but I passed. Thanks for asking. Anywhen, I know what I did for 'Trial' was rather ugly, so I decided to post the first chapter early! Enjoy!

Bikutoria: Good, because I don't know jack about him! {::blushes::} I can't believe that either, but hopefully I'll get lots of help! That analogy came from Silver Fox himself, who read the chapter and said, 'It's kinda like he doesn't want Kouga touching his pet hamster or something.' {::sigh::} He's so strange, but what male isn't? Silver Fox: I heard that. Yup, I'm SF's cousin. The little muse is still running around here somewhere. SF didn't like the idea of a 3 year old writing fluff and lemons, which I happen to agree with, so I offered to write them for her. So the fluff is hers, the ideas are the little muse's, and the lemons on mediaminer are mine.

Sesshyangel: Oh Gah! I'm so sorry about that! Ok, check this out: the Tenseiga itself is that large sword-like thing described in the earlier chapter. The pen-like lasers are connected to it, kinda like a cellular phone. The Tenseiga is the power source for the lasers. Get it? If you don't let me know and I'll get Moms to explain. She's able to explain moss on a rock. Now you know that I'm not going to allow Sesshoumaru to get kidnapped twice! That's just not me. It helped to get one of the many fight scenes underway. I deleted 'Tested' because I got stuck. Dreaded writer's block jumped me and hasn't let go since. Of course I missed you! I check you're bio page to see if you update, and my email just in case. I'm not going to post 'Gundam Equ.' until 'Trial' is three chapters away from being over. Oh, and speaking of 'Trial' did you hear? I updated it early...

HellzAznGrl: It's all a part of the deal I promised Sesshou. You see, to get him to agree with this, his contract states that he has to have at least 5 fight scenes and he gets to kill Naraku. {::shrugs::} Men, they won't do a thing for nothing anymore.

Inu-Tsuki: Glad you think so, because he's going to be hanging out there for a long time.

Strawberry: The kidnappers were human, which explains the excessive beat-down Sesshou managed to serve. Wasn't it great?! I love it when he does that! Nope, Kagome still doesn't know. I know, I'm dragging the hell out of it, but it's for a good cause. You'll see, I promise. You know, I've heard the same thing about outbursts. If it's true, then I need to seek professional help as soon as possible. Thanks for the praise and I'm working on the next chapter as we speak.

AkxTp: Yup, you get your wish. You are going to do something important for the case at hand. You'll see. {::grins mischievously::} Kagome's going to find out soon, I promise. I still have to get some things accomplished. Yup, you guessed right. Another sneak. Shame on them! {::shakes her finger at Sango and Miroku::} So unprofessional! Crab cake is a little round patty made of crab meat and breadcrumbs. There are other things too to hold it together, but it's basically that. Um, it's pretty good, as long as you get the right crab meat. Some people get the wrong kind and try to freeze it. Then they nuke it and serve it to you. Totally tastes like a rubber Mighty Mouse ball. {::throws a purple glass bead at Fluffy:: ::Fluffy disappears::} There, that takes care of your Fluffy problem. Silver Fox: Where did he go? SF: Straight to the showers in the theatre basement.

Hinoke: Alright, the cliffie was very wrong of me. Almost as bad as what I did for 'Trial'. If you're willing to forgive me, then I won't cry and flood the stage.

ForestSprite: Thanks a lot! I update every Wed. Welcome to the archives!!!

Aki no Yume1: I have been waiting for your question! I'm so glad you asked it! It is rather unusual for Naraku to want something that's designed to be of some good, isn't it? Well, I'll let you in on a little secret: He doesn't want it by itself. He wants three things, and the Tenseiga (or one of them) just happens to be on his grocery list.

Koinu: I know! I love it too! Oooo! {::divebombs brownies::} Thanks so much! We love brownies, right gang? {::Inu-cast agree as Silver Fox glances over his shoulder from the computer::} Silver Fox: Hey! Are those brownies? SF: Yup! You want some? Silver Fox: Sure! {::SF goes over with the plate in her hand:: ::Sesshou steals it away::} Silver Fox: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!! Sesshou: No brownies for you until you write at least one of the lemons for mm. You haven't even started, you lazy kitsune!

Silver Fox: You may scare the girls around here, but you don't scare me! I'll kick your ass and make a lemon about you and Kouga! {::reaches for the brownies:: Silver Fox and Sesshou get into it::} SF: {::sigh::} And there they go. Honestly, how on earth do I get any work done. Never forget to burn the Kikyou dolls. That is a must, and the fumes help the story.

Phoebemoon: Yeah well, I'm always blushing around here. There's no telling what you guys say. I love it though.

Em Starcatcher: I know! I'm so proud of myself! {::pats back::} I didn't think it was possible! I think the first chapter to 'Trial' might be longer though. I don't pay attention anymore. It's school's fault. I read Celyia's 'Falling Stars' and it was the first time I'd seen Sesshou nice to Inu-chan's mom too. I thought it was a good idea so...here we are. Thanks for the compliment! Oh, and did I tell you that you're in the next chapter? I did! Oh well, I'll tell you again! ~.^

NoLabel: If you change your name one more time, I'm going to get confused- Silver Fox: Which isn't hard to do. >Whap!< SF: {::standing on Silver Fox's chest::} Let's not deal with him right now. Thanks for the compliment! I'm glad you liked it! {::starts to laugh::} You got shivers?! Wow, I didn't think I could do that. Kagome: Um, SF. SF: Yeah? Kagome: Silver Fox is trying to tell you something. SF: What do you want now? Silver Fox: I see London {::gasp::} I see France {::pant::} I can see SF's {::gag::} underpants. SF: GAH! {::kicks Silver Fox, calls him a pervert and walks away::} Silver Fox: {::shrugs::} What? She was standing on my chest. Like I could help it.

Kagome: Me either! I've read some good ones, but the pairing as a whole bothers me. It's like incest, you know? I'm coming as fast as my little fingers can go, but thanks for being willing to wait for me! Oh, and no problem about the long message. I like them!