Battle of wills.

Kagome awoke suddenly to the sound of wood crashing against the rock floor of the cave. “Sessho--” she began only to clamp her mouth shut. A large pile of wood was set against the wall of the cave, next to that lay six or seven small fish, but the most disturbing of all, next to that knelt Sesshoumaru, his clothing covered in ice. “You're blue!” she exclaimed her eyes wide with worry.

“A true youkai does not let physical pain get in the way.” he stuttered as he began to get dizzy and brace himself against the ground.

Kagome frowned, “You shouldn't take such risks, we need each other to survive out here.”

“I will be fine.” he stated coldly before closing his eyes and falling against the earth.

“Oh gods!” Kagome exclaimed. “Sesshoumaru?...Sesshoumaru?” she called from her sleeping bag. No answer. She slowly emerged from the warmth of the sleeping bag, the cold air biting at her body as she made her way to the demon lord, placing a palm against his face. “He's ice cold.” she whispered as she pulher her hand away from his face. “What do I do?” she ran a hand over her forehead. “If he was human I would assume he was hympothermic but would he respond the same way?” she carefully considered her options. “I can't just do nothing.” she spoke softly, “I will not die out here alone.”

Her mind made up, she pushed the heavy demon lord over, tugging at his clothing to remove it. Her hands were trembling from the cold as her fingers began to go numb. She quickly untied sashes and pulled apart the vestments, adverting her eyes as she did so , not wanting to be accused of 'liking this' later. Quickly she wrapped her arms underneath him and began dragging him to her sleeping bag. She decided it would be easier to pull the bag over his body, holding him in place against her shoulder. “Gods he's heavier then he looks.” She groaned. Once the demon lord was tucked inside she hesitated slightly biting her lip. “Well.....he's in.” She eyed the unconscious Sesshoumaru, his face still emotionless as ever. 'You can do this Kagome, ' she thought internally, 'you're saving a life..and possibly your own in the process..you can do this.' Without hesitation she climbed in giving herself no time to reconsider. She shrieked, “He's so cold!” Worry began to overtake her again. What would be become of her in this world if even the mighty Sesshoumaru could not endure it? She reached for his icy fingers and began to rub and blow at them, letting her body relax against his as she grew accustom to the cold.
“Come on Sesshoumaru, wake up so I can see your face when you realize you've been saved by a human.” Kagome smiled. She rubbed her feet up and down his leg and let her palm circle around his chest, feeling his body warm under her touch.

Suddenly Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, staring up at the ceiling. “Kagome?” he questioned, confusion in his voice.

“You lost consciousness.” She answered, “Your body was ice cold. It seemed as if you were going to die, so I.” Kagome hesitated, she blushed as she thought of how to explain to him what she had been doing.

“You were attempting to keep me warm.” he interjected.

“Yes exactly.” She smiled, a little uneasy now as she realized just how much of her body was pressed against his.

“and now you wish to mate?” he interjected again.

Kagome stared at him startled. “What? NO! I was just--”

“Your excitement is detectable even in my weakened state.” he stated coldly

Kagome's eyes narrowed, “Obviously, LORD SESSHOUMARU, you are still delirious from the cold.” she bit out sarcastically pulling herself up and away from him as she attempted to pull her body away from his.

Sesshoumaru gazed upon her speechless for but a moment before replying in his trademark monotone voice. “Perhaps you are correct, forgive me. I obviously have not fully recovered.” He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her body back against his, rubbing his hands against her back the same way she had to his chest in an attempt to keep warm.

Kagome bit her lip fiercely refusing to move for a great while before she slowly began to let her hand rub against his chest again in the same innocent action. She rest her head against his neck as she did this and stopped abruptly when she swore she felt him smirk against her forehead. She looked up eying him suspiciously only to find him again deep in sleep. 'So he wasn't fully recovered.' She thought as she stared at him before pulling herself out of the sleeping bag. Kagome carefully crawled over the sleeping demon making sure not to wake him as she moved. She slipped on her no dry clothing, which had hung beside the fire and replaced them with Sesshoumaru's. She eyed the pile of wood against the wall of the cave. “Well thank the gods.” she smiled, happy that even such a little convenience existed in this time.

Kagome stared into the fire for a great while until Sesshoumaru finally woke. “How are you?” she questioned as the demon lord opened his eyes with a grunt. “Stronger.” he replied as he slipped out of the sleeping bag causing Kagome's eyes to widen to the size of saucers. A deep blush filled her face as she took in his naked form for the first time. Every muscn hin his body tensed with every small motion. It was the first time she had ever really gotten a good look at his tail she realized before suddenly turning away, afraid to let her eyes wander further. “Warn me next time will ya!” she growled as she quickly turned around, averting her eyes.

“I apologize,” he stated in a monotone voice, “ I did not anticipate your reaction. I had assumed you had all ready seen me unclothed when you had laid with me earlier.”

“I was saving your life.” she huffed.

“My thanks.” he smirked.
Kagome blinked. She swore he had sounded almost amused. Something very uncommon for Sesshoumaru. She turned around to investigate only to realize that he was still not dress and quickly turn around, the blood rushing to her face once more.

“Y-Your welcome.” she stuttered as she tried to compose herself.

After getting dressed Sesshoumaru stood next to her. “Food is very scare here. You will have to make these last for quite awhile.” he commanded as he pointed to the small group of fish. “ I believe we could find more if I searched the south.”

Kagome nodded. “This should last me at least three days. We should really concentrate our efforts on finding the well to take us back until then.”

“Very well,” he stating blandly, “You can remain here and I will further search for the well.”

Kagome gave him a playful glance, “Just don't push yourself so hard this time. If it happens again I'm going to assume your doing it on purpose.”

“What reason would I have for doing that?” he smiled before rising off again in search of the well.

Kagome gaped. 'He smiled? I didn't know Sesshoumaru could smile. I'm surprised his face didn't break.'
Her mind began to wander to other ways she could bring a smile to such a man's face. “Oh gods.” she moaned. “I need to get back.”

She curled back into the sleeping bag which was laced with the smell of Sesshoumaru. She sniffed at it. 'I'm getting as bad as a dog demon' she laughed warming herself once more before she braved the cold to cook “dinner”