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Higurashi	By : WillowCarlisle Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 21294 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
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"Anyone else hear a pin drop?" Shippou muttered from the corner of his mouth, shifting his eyes sideways as a decidedly icy gaze came his way.
Tsuyako laughed. Amaru glared. The air in the little breakfast nook grew suddenly ten degrees colder.
Upon their return to the house, Kagome had made a hasty retreat to the confines of her bedroom, leaving the unfortunate Inari couple in the company of Amaru's smoldering wrath. The pair waited patiently, albeit in strained silence, for the girl to change and return to begin what would most likely be the conversation deciding their very fates.
"Really, Amaru," Tsuyako chided playfully, "isn't there somewhere else you'd rather be right now? I'm sure planting yourself to that spot, seathing fire and brimstone, wasn't at the top of your to-do list today."
Shippou sighed, both relieved and wary that the paralyzing glare was now turned to his wife, instead of himself.
"Have a little faith in us, will you?" the miko went on, seemingly unphased. "We've given you our word that the courtship will remain discreet. It's your turn to uphold your side of the bargain."
"What's the worst that could happen?" Shippou put in jokingly.
He regretted the comment immediately, finding himself locked once again in that viciously probing glare. Despite the time that had passed between the two, it still only took something as miniscule as this to send shivers down his spine. Amaru hadn't changed so much as everyone believed. The demon was still as strongwilled and steadfast in everything he did as he was decades ago. Not only did he get anything and everything he sought out, but he did it in a way that was so simple and straightforward, one could do little more than relent and give in willingly no matter the cost. He'd begun to feel the usual stirrings of doubt that came with any agreements between the two.
It wasn't charm alone that had brought the demon to the position he was in. Inwardly, Shippou chuckled. If it was charm, then the kitsune would have to begin questioning his relationship with his own wife. No. It was written into the demon's very essence. Amaru meant power. A power that ran deeper than those which were granted him by his lineage. It seeped into a person's mind and devoured what little resistance they may have, leaving them open and succeptible to those piercing golden eyes and the nearly invisible stream of youki that flowed through them.
Jaw clenched, he breathed deeply, looking toward the door as the other demon finally turned his gaze elsewhere. There, Kagome stood quietly, just beyond the threshold leading into the living room. Shippou's heartbeat quavered slightly at the look in the girl's eyes. The insecurity shone vividly, despite the smile on her lips. Something inside gave him pause once again. Eyes drifting to his wife's face, he saw his concerns reflected there as well.
Is she strong enough...? the question echoed in the back of his mind. Kagome-sama... Where will this lead?

"Kagome."
It was Amaru that spoke first. Shippou watched the demon move. His eyes widened as he saw the man's hand rise immediately to stroke the curve of the girl's neck. Something beneath the collar of Kagome's blouse caught his eye before vanishing a moment later. A light tug on his sleeve brought his attention to his wife, who looked at him with knowing eyes. Nodding slowly, he rose to meet the two who stood motionless before him.
"Would you like to go into the living room, Kagome?" Shippou asked her as he beckoned toward the adjoining room. "It'll be a lot more comfortable there."
She nodded, accepting the hand he offered. He could feel the heat rising from the other demon's skin as they moved past to enter the quaint little sitting area. Amaru was certainly in no mood for quiet conversation, but the demon would most definitely have to hold true to his word. They would have their time with Kagome now, or not at all.
"I will leave you to... regain lost time," Amaru murmured, taking a step forward
"We'll take good care of her," Tsuyako reassured him, coming to sit in the largest of the two couches. "You need not worry for her safety."
Eyes narrowed at the implication behind her words, the dog demon nodded slowly. "Then I will take my leave."
They watched as the tall figure strode across the room to the front of the house. The door had barely closed before the couple breathed identical sighs of relief. Shippou grinned sheepishly as Kagome turned questioning eyes toward him.
"Well that was exciting, wasn't it?" he joked. "How are you feeling, Kagome?"
Kagome stared at the man before her. The smile on his face confirmed it: something was going on, and Shippou knew what it was. She'd felt it the moment they'd begun their trek back to the house. Despite his age and appearance now, he was every bit the same kitsune she'd taken under her wing. There was nothing he could keep from her. From the tilt of his head, to the slope of his shoulders, she could make out the signs of worry.
"You're hiding something," she reasoned aloud, watching his every move. "So why don't you just come out with it?"
Her eyes narrowed. Beads of sweat glistened against the demon's brow and his eyes shifted from her face to the woman seated across from them.
She knows something, too, the thought came suddenly.
"It's been so long since we've seen each other," Shippou evaded, scratching his head. "Isn't there anything you want to ask? About me, or Tsuyako? Or Inuyasha, even?"
Arms crossed, Kagome insisted, "I already asked you to tell me what you're hiding."
"Well, I -"
"Let's not waste anymore time, koibito," Tsuyako murmured quietly. "There's precious little time left already, wouldn't you agree? Kagome, what do you think of Lord Sesshoumaru?"
The question surprised her. She wasn't expecting to have the tables turned. Not like this. Her pulse quickened at the mention of the name, and she could already feel a blush rising to her cheeks.
"Sesshoumaru...?" she whispered his name and couldn't help the tiny smile that followed it.
"I see," Tsuyako said with a nod. "So... you love him?"
"Love?!" Kagome gasped, eyes wide, gaping at the woman who leaned forward slightly in her seat. "I... I didn't say that! I mean..."
"Do you love him, Kagome?" Shippou asked her slowly. "I want you to be honest. Do you have these feelings for him? If you do... I won't do anything to make you change your mind. I only want to see you happy. I want to see the Kagome-sama that I used to know."
She watched him silently. Do you love him...?
She'd asked herself that question already. Numerous time, in fact. She'd also wondered, if that were true, if the demon lord could feel the same way. Not if it was plausible, but if it was possible.
"I've loved him for a long time," the words surprised even her as they slipped from her lips.
"Kagome?"
"I've never told anyone," she pushed on, shaking her head to silence the kitsune. "I've never said it out loud before, but it's true. Before I ever met you, Shippou. Before Inuyasha and I..."
"Does he know?" the miko asked cautiously, stretching forward and taking the girl's shaking hand. "Have you said it to him, yet?"
Kagome shook her head. "Not really. Not like this. How could I?"
"You have to agree, our earlier memories of Sesshoumaru aren't exactly fond ones, Tsuyako," the kitsune laughed.
"Yes, it's unfortunate," the miko agreed. "We do have Inuyasha to thank for changing that, however..."
"Why did you ask me that, just now?" Kagome put in, shaken but undaunted. "How do you know about Sesshoumaru's past? You're human, aren't you? And you, Shippou? Why won't anyone tell me what's really happening here?"
She watched the two exchange looks. It was the kitsune that turned to her first.
"I'll tell you everything you need to know," he began, "but first, you have to tell me something else. Has Sesshoumaru... Have you and Sesshoumaru...?"
Kagome's eyes widened. "What?! No! You mean...? No! Shippou!!"
The man laughed, relief evident in his features. "Ok, ok! It's important that I asked."
"Why?!" the girl demanded, face red with humiliation.
"If he hasn't... you know... then has he ever kissed you? Is there someplace he seems fond of touching you? I know it's embarrassing, but I really must know, Kagome."
Her eyes cast downward. He watched as her hand lifted to instinctively touch the curve of her neck. Moving slowly, he reached to her collar, tugging it gently down. It was there. Faint against her pale skin, but pulsating with the strength of the dog demon's youki, was a small pink mark. Leaning closer, he could make out what appeared to be three thin slashes glowing beneath her skin. The welts were smooth, but hot to the touch, and resonated powerfully on contact, giving off the disctinct scent of the demon who had placed them there.
"What is it?" Kagome murmured breathlessly. "What's this feeling?"
Drawing back, Shippou searched her face once again. She truly didn't know. Here she was, a young woman in the midst of perhaps one of the most ancient demon mating ceremonies known to his kind, and she was not only clueless of it, but unaware of the markings placed upon her own body. Brow furrowed, he turned to his wife. Tsuyako's features glowed almost fondly as she looked toward him, her hand drifting to the curve of her own delicate neck. Her dark lashes lowered over chestnut eyes, and her cheeks flushed prettily as she smiled at him.
"Shippou...?"
Dragging his eyes away, he returned his gaze to the girl before him. It took little debating for him to make up his mind on what to do next.
Forgive me for breaking your confidence, my friend.
Taking a deep breath, he reached for Kagome's hand and began to speak. "I'm going to tell you a little story about demons..."
*~~~
The front entrance of Hanataka Heights was uncharacteristically quiet that evening. Angie Weston had opened her shift to what must have been the slowest work day of the week. The older woman allowed her gaze to traverse the open entryway. A single bellhop manned the gates to the elevator on the left. The tables in the spacious sitting area near the front entrance were stocked neatly with new magazines and the day's paper. Concierge had rotated shifts and her front man, Juuro, now handled the doors leading into the day restaurant off to her right. All was silent, but for the single hotel recipient currently making their way across the marble floor toward the front desk.
"Touran," Angie greeted the woman as she came to a halt, face twisted in a scowl. "What ever is the matter?"
"That damnable Amaru Kiken," the cat demon grunted viciously. "I swear, if I didn't like you so much, I'd tear this place apart just to spite him. Lucky for you I don't like the idea of leaving you on work detail."
"Oh my. Has it really gotten that bad?"
Their eyes met and Touran's face softened fractionally. "No, I guess not. At least we're finally getting somewhere with this plan of yours. He's been out to see that girl, did he tell you?"
"Unfortunately, Amaru's been a bit upset with me, of late," Angie sighed deeply. "I'm not taking a liking to this deceit business. I'll be glad once I see it over and done with."
The two nodded in unison, falling silent as a woman walked by the desk.
"Don't start having second thoughts now, Angie," Touran prodded lightly. "You said it yourself. He'll never get everything together in time if we leave it all up to him."
The older woman sighed again. "Yes, I know. New moon, and all that. It doesn't make me feel any better about lying, though."
"A few more days," the demon whispered conspiratorily, "and it'll be over with. All we have to do is keep our heads down and our eyes open for a few more days. Plus, we have the Inaris on our side now. That makes the job half as hard. We'll take care of Inuyasha, they'll take care of the girl, and everything will be smooth as satin."
"I hope you meant as smooth as 'silk'," Angie corrected, tapping her pen to her chin lightly. "Either way, let's hope you're right about that. It's about time that man took a gosh darned vacation. God forbid he should have some time for himself, were it up to him to decide."
Touran grinned at the statement, gazing up at her grand surroundings. This was one more thing to look forward to once they got the demon lord away from the hotels: free room and board for as long as she wanted. If only he'd hurry along with his plans. She could just hear the jaccuzzi calling her name.
*~~~
"The least you could do is help me up, hanyou."
The woman glared at him with angry charcoal eyes, her hands clenched into tight little fists as she picked herself up from the ground.
"Whatever you say, lady," Inuyasha grunted, glaring back in kind. "I don't see why I'd have to help you any. You're the one sneaking around like some kind of crook. You expect me to feel sorry for you 'cause you fell on your ass while you were spying on me?"
He could sense her movement before he saw it, and still the blow caught him off guard. For such a small person, she sure packed a punch. He could feel his cheek throbbing where her fist had made contact.
"What the hell!" he growled, rounding on her with a scowl on his face.
"That's what you get, you jerk!" she roared back, preparing to swing the other fist.
"Now wait just one goddamn minute!"
Sidestepping her flailing arms, Inuyasha made a grab for the girl. She ducked out of his way, running along the river bank toward a bridge leading back onto the road he'd been walking on prior to her appearance. He didn't know the girl. Not really. He'd only seen her perhaps once or twice at the eatery in the little village a few miles east from where he now stood. She had served him food on one of his visits to the place, and had done little more than stand and watch him eat thereafter. What she had been doing following him out of town was beyond his understanding. He didn't know her name, or much else about her, besides the fact that she had long black hair and piercing eyes. She was cute, he had to admit, but completely out of her mind if she thought stalking him would get his attention.
He had simply stopped near the river, to relieve himself of the four jugs of liquor he'd had, when he'd spotted her slipping behind the trunk of a nearby tree in an attempt to hide. Uncaring, he finished his business, knelt to wash his hands in the stream, and turned back to the road only to run head first into the same girl who'd been hiding only a few moments before. The next thing he knew, she was sprawled on the ground with a hand to her head claiming bodily injury.
"You're not much of a stalker, if you think I didn't notice you the whole time," he called after her, finding himself wandering after her shapely behind as she continued to storm away.
"Shut up!!" she screamed back at him.
She turned abruptly, pinning him with her glare as she stuck out a tiny pink tongue before whirling and stomping away once again. Inuyasha couldn't help but laugh, which probably wasn't such a good idea as she came to a screeching halt a few feet from the bridge.
"What are you laughing at?" he heard her demand as she began to turn back toward him ever so slowly.
This only made him laugh even harder. "You're the one following me around in the middle of the night. What are you getting mad about?"
She was silent.
"Now what would you do if I turned out to be some sick perverted freak that wanted to screw you under a bridge somewhere and leave you for dead?" he asked as he came within arm's length of the furious little human.
"Well," she bristled, folding her arms and facing him head on. "I'd say you're in for a surprise if you think I'd let you touch me without begging for it first."
Eyes wide, he took an involuntary step backward. She burst into laughter, and he frowned deeply before shaking his head.
"What's your name, anyway?" he asked, stepping past her and back onto the road.
"You first," she challenged, hopping up from the bank to walk beside him as they headed away from town. "You can't be serious about that whole 'Inuyasha' thing. Who names their child 'Inuyasha'?!"
He stopped, eyes narrowed. "My dad, apparently," he muttered.
She laughed again, turning and walking backwards as she waited for him to catch up. "Alright then, Inuyasha. My name is Misako."
"Misako," he repeated. "Cute name."
"I know," she agreed, winking at him before turning and skipping further ahead.
Shaking his head, Inuyasha followed close behind. He didn't know where she thought she was going, but she sure the hell wasn't going there with him. He'd have to make sure she knew he wasn't inviting her home with him, if that's what she had in mind. He didn't need some hard-headed human girl following him everywhere he went. Next thing you know, she'd be talking about kids and settling down. That was the last thing he planned to do this century.
*~~~
"The proof is etched right there in your own skin, Kagome!" Shippou argued, rising and following the girl as she ducked into the kitchen. "Why is it so hard to believe? Do you think I could make something like this up? You should know me much better than that."
She stood by the sink, spine stiff and hands clenched as she glared down at the dirty plates there. He paused in the doorway as he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. Tsuyako stood behind him, shaking her head as he made to walk into the little tiled room.
"Can you give us some time alone?" his wife whispered. "Just for a little while, alright?"
With a loud sigh, he nodded. He pulled back reluctantly and pressed a kiss to her cheek as he walked back to the couch and slumped down.
The miko smoothed the front of her blouse and straightened her shoulders. This wasn't going to be easy, but she'd be damned if she didn't try to set things right. Shippou, lovable creature that he was, wasn't exactly the most elloquent individual on the face of the planet. His good intentions were spoiled by his heavy handed approach. He'd planned to inform the girl about Amaru's decision to have her by his side, but instead had gone into a discussion on demon mating and the risks surrounding them. Suppressing a mischevious smile, she walked to Kagome's side. This was not a job for her dear, amorous husband. Something this delicate would require a woman's touch, and she would do her best to provide one.
"Kagome," she spoke gently while placing a hand on the girl's rigid arm. "Will you sit with me? I'd like to talk with you."
The girl was steadfast, shrugging her off and reaching for a wash cloth as she turned on the faucet. "I think Shippou's said enough."
The older woman smiled gently. She knew she would have to compromise.
"Alright," Tsuyako relented easily. "Then will you allow me to help you?"
She reached for a towel resting on the countertop without waiting for an answer. They stood side by side and quietly set to work. The sound of the running water filled the air around them as Kagome washed the bowls from her earlier meal, pausing before handing them to Tsuyako to rinse and dry.
"May I ask you something?"
Kagome looked up at the somber tone in the woman's voice. The miko's eyes were downcast, her hands falling still on the edge of one of the bowls she was drying. The flow of water ceased with a turn of the silvery knob, and the silence hung thickly over them as the woman awaited her reply.
Kagome was wary as she lowered her hands to her sides. "Ask what?"
Calm chestnut eyes turned to look at her. Dark lashes lowered slightly and a crease appeared between Tsuyako's brows.
"Are you afraid?" her gentle voice inquired.
The girl frowned at the question.
"My best friend almost killed me just to get to his brother," Kagome's voice was strained as her fingers clenched the material of her skirt. "The little boy I used to know comes back into my life, and he's not only older than me, he's married to a woman who shouldn't be able to tell me things that happened hundreds of years ago. I'm... I'm in love with a demon who could probably destroy me and everything around me in a thousand mile radius. Of course I'm scared! Why wouldn't I be?"
Tsuyako smiled. "Because you have the love of someone who would never let anything so terrible happen to you. Don't you know that?"
Kagome gaped at the woman standing across from her. This wasn't the explanation she had expected for all the insanity earlier in the day. She'd hoped, secretly in the less rational part of her mind, that the events of the day would be easily explained away with a few direct words. 'You're slowly losing your mind, and the world is coming to an end' would have done the trick. Who was this stranger who could bring her spinning senses into brilliant focus so suddenly with such heart-wrenching words? How did she know to say the one thing that would bring her that heady feeling of hope and anticipation; something that was so desperately lacking in her life?
The dishes in the sink were completely forgotten.
"How do you know?" Kagome breathed uneasily, allowing the woman to guide her toward the breakfast nook, her mind still in shock. "How can you tell the way he feels? Did he tell you? Shippou said -"
"You'll have to excuse my husband," the miko laughed as she lowered the girl into a seat and reclined across from her. "His explanation probably wasn't what you needed to hear at a time like this."
"It made me think of Inuyasha," came the whispered reply. "Shippou said youkai sometimes choose a human mate because they're easier to manage... because they're loyal and they'll stay with that youkai at all costs. I thought about Inuyasha's mother and what she must have gone through being a youkai's mate. I thought of him and what he had to live through because of the parents he had. I don't want any of that... If Sesshoumaru marked me because he wants me to be that kind of girl..."
"We went about it all wrong," Tsuyako murmured with a shake of her head. "We should have explained to you why we were here before telling you what those marks would mean. I want to explain it to you now, Kagome. I want you to listen to me and try your best to understand it."
She reached across the table and placed a hand beneath the girl's chin, lifting it to meet the questioning sapphire eyes.
"You were chosen by a very powerful youkai to stand at his side and share his empire with him. You've been marked as his, not because he wants to control you, but because he wishes to protect you. In their tradition, this is a kind of courtship. Sesshoumaru's gone a great many centuries without ever taking a true mate. From what I've learned through Inuyasha and Shippou, there was only one other woman he's ever cared for this way, and still not nearly as much as he cares about you. He can't say it in words, but by doing what he's done, he's telling the world that he wants you to be his, Kagome. We've made a mess of things by telling you this, but you had to know. You do have a choice."
Releasing the girl, she leaned back in her seat. "Yes, there are dangers. We can't fool ourselves into thinking there aren't still others around who would target those close to him in hopes of overtaking his empire. This is far beyond the warring states era, but that only means that demons alone aren't the only threat. The point is that you would be protected. You'd have the freedom to be with the one you've loved for so long, under a bond that can't be removed without force. I'm living proof that it's possible to find happiness with one of their kind. Isn't that what you've wanted for yourself?"
"I've known Sesshoumaru for a long time, Kagome," Shippou's voice came from the doorway behind them. "He's never done anything he hadn't planned for beforehand. The fact that he asked us for help only proves how dedicated he is to this ritual."
"Ritual?" Kagome breathed, all else forgotten at the mention of that one word.
She watched as the two exchanged glances. The kitsune came to stand at his wife's side as he prepared to reveal the second part of their task.
"Yes," he nodded, taking a deep breath. "He came to us specifically because of the skill Tsuyako and I have developed over the years. Sesshoumaru plans to sacrifice himself. It's a ritual that requires him to pass through the gate between this world and the next. It's something he's done before, but this time he can't rely on any tools to help him. It'll deminish his youki and create a change similar to what Inuyasha goes through on the new moon. Sesshoumaru's planning to give up his life... his power as a youkai... to grant you the ability to stay by his side."
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