Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

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
- 25
- 26
- 27
Sesshoumaru sat calmly on the bamboo mat at the pool's side. The soothing scent of herbs wafted on the breeze to fill his nostrils. The kitsune had been rubbing the fragrant leaves against his skin for nearly twenty minutes now. Eyeing the man from the corner of his eye, the frown on Shippou's face told him all he needed to know. The man was obviously concerned. He was taking an added precaution, using not only the basic cleansing herbs, but also a combination of preservative salves and narcotic stems in hopes of providing added protection to the youkai's body, should his soul have any difficulty in his journey through the gates. He didn't bother to suppress a grunt of frustration. Enough was enough.
"I would greatly enjoy having some of my skin to return to, chemist," Sesshoumaru murmured, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. "There's no need to prolong your treatments."
Shippou's hand faltered at the comment. "So, I've been found out, eh? Better safe than sorry, Sesshoumaru. You know that, even if you're not willing to listen to reason. You did a really stupid thing last night, you know."
"I will not-"
"No," the other man interrupted while setting the bowl of herbs down. "You need to hear it. You love the girl. Fine. You want her as your mate. Equally fine. That�s fantastic news, as a matter of fact. Nobody I know could protect and care for her the way I know you can. It's not my point. The point is I'm weaker than you, and I almost died on my way in, Sesshoumaru. Don't give me that 'you're just a delicate flower' look. You should've kept your� thing in your pants where it belonged. What happens if she's pregnant? You're not the only one that'll suffer. Remember Tsuyako?"
"There's no need to concern yourself," the demon lord breathed patiently. "There is no child. Kagome is safe."
There was a long silence. Walking around the seated demon, Shippou reached for another bottle of water, then paused. He watched as Sesshoumaru's eyes drifted toward the girl currently being doused in herbs by an obviously overexcited Tsuyako. The demon's features grew tight and pained, and he found himself looking at the man before him as though for the first time.
"Did you want there to be?" he asked silently, letting the bottle rest for a moment as curious golden eyes turned back to look at him. "I know you don't talk about it, but I see the way you look at Kimi. I saw the way you used to look at my boys before they left for Thailand. Is that what you wanted? You wanted Kagome to get pregnant?"
The silence engulfed them again and as Shippou bent to wash his hands, he wondered suddenly if the youkai's feelings for the girl ran deeper than he had expected.
"An heir serves many purposes," was the nonchalant reply. "Kagome... would be cared for. She would be given my title; power over my domain. A child raised under our laws would make a fine leader in my stead."
"That's not what I'm asking you, and you know it."
Sesshoumaru glared at him silently with little response aside from a stubborn flick of his herb-drenched hair. Breathing a deep sigh, Shippou relented. It was clear enough to him now. Keeping his eyes downcast, he began preparing the draught to be administered prior to the ritual's open. It really wasn't his place to demand an explanation, despite the feeling of foreboding that had begun to overcome him. Had the taiyoukai really been making plans for Kagome's protection in the event of his own death? It was inconceivable. It was he, Shippou, that was prone to worry in these cases. Sesshoumaru had never shown any sign of concern up until that moment, but something told him that the demon had never allowed the thought to go unexplored. Perhaps preparations truly were being made, if they had not been made already. He should have known that his old friend would already have thought of something like this, but knowing only made him that much more apprehensive.
He breathed yet another sigh and lifted the concoction to gaze into its depths. Their time was growing near.
Several yards away, shivering against the morning air, Kagome waited. She stared down at the marble tiles beside her mat and tried her best not to look in Sesshoumaru's direction. She'd seen the look in his eyes when he turned to her. That piercing gaze carried unaccountable promises and infinite possibilities, but beneath it was a sadness she couldn't quite understand.
"Kagome, please!" Tsuyako pleaded for the seventh time that morning, distracting her with a gentle poke in the ribs. "Snap out of it and tell me what it was like. I'm dying to know!"
The comment sent a fresh burst of warmth into her cheeks. "How can you talk about something like that? It's... embarrassing."
"Oh, come on," the woman laughed. "You don't really think that way, do you? You don't seem like the blushing bride type to me. If I were in your place, I'd be singing it at the top of my lungs! Do you realize that you're the envy of thousands, if not millions, of women everywhere?! This is coming from a happily married woman with three kids, mind you. You have a responsibility to share every juicy detail at every opportunity available to you!"
She couldn't help but laugh at the miko's strange logic.
"There," Tsuyako said in a more sedated tone. "That's the glow I was looking for. I'm glad to see the smile in your eyes again, Kagome. This is your special day: as important to any woman as the day of her wedding. In a few moments, you'll share the most extraordinary experience of your life with someone who loves you more than anything else in the world. So smile, ok?"
"I guess it hasn't really registered yet," Kagome sighed. "Everything's going by so fast, I can't even think. It's not something you study for, you know? How do I know I'll make a good mate? I don't even know what a 'good' mate is..."
A soft prickle cascaded along her neck and she raised a hand to the blood mark. The familiar ache began to pulse through her, gently probing at her senses, and as though through sheer instinct, she found herself looking across the way in search of her lover.
Their eyes met and held as they'd done so many times before. It was a moment that was growing familiar to her now, she realized. Like a tentative caress, a breath of an instant where so much could be said without words. She greeted his regard with a confidence she hadn't felt she could achieve, and in a fraction of that instant, everything was clear. There weren't any questions left to be answered. The sting of unshed tears was an exquisite awakening to the words he'd whispered for her ears alone. She truly did see the reflection of eternity in his eyes.
"Are you ready?"
Kagome blinked rapidly, turning her attention back to the woman at her side. Those words were starting to take on a new meaning.
"I..." she paused for a moment before smiling brightly. "Yes. I'm ready this time."
Tsuyako returned the expression with a happy one of her own and extended her hand to help the girl to her feet. A cool breeze surrounded them, drawing her gaze beyond the lip of the balcony wall and outward to the horizon. Dawn had begun its iridescent approach, streaming soft light over the rooftops of less prominent buildings below. She could feel the morning's call begin to echo in her veins. A quick glance toward her husband told her that the time had finally come. She gave the girl a moment to slip from her robe, noting without words the sureness in the motion that revealed more than her answer had done.
Kagome looked as though she was ready now. She only hoped that the gods favored the young girl that day, and none would come to stand in the way of this long-awaited union.
*~~~
Touran paced the forest floor, fists clenched and teeth gnashing at being made to wait for so long. Sesshoumaru's bonding was supposed to have been some time that morning, but with so much going on, she'd completely lost track of time in her oh-so-busy schedule.
Ok. So she overslept and forgot to pick up the taiyoukai's stupid little brother. It wasn't her fault at all! With a violent flick of her hair, she stomped in the opposite direction from where she'd come. He was a miserable little runt with a bad temper and an annoying way of getting under her skin. She deserved a break, too, damn it! She wasn't afraid to tell that pompous blowhard exactly what she thought of it all, either. Well... at least she wouldn't be afraid to tell him... by phone... once she was well on her way out of Tokyo...
Either way, Poteto was late, and she wasn't in any mood to deal with the little bitch's excuses. She needed to get back to the hotel before Angie started work. Frowning slightly, she came to a halt. It was strange how much she started to like the old woman. In fact, it had made her feel absolutely horrible to see her so upset over lying to Sesshoumaru. Granted, it wouldn't be long before the truth came out. She was almost certain, after her run-in with Inuyasha the week before, that Sesshoumaru had put things together on his own and knew she had teamed up with the Inari pair already. It still left a sour taste in her mouth. Angie was such a sweet lady.
Squaring her shoulders and beginning her pacing once again, Touran made a vow to herself. She'd do right by Angela Weston, or she'd cut off her hair and go into the priesthood. Well... maybe she'd just cut off some of her hair... But robes were ever so unflattering... Maybe she'd just get a haircut and buy the woman some chocolates. That would fix everything! Grinning to herself at her brilliant plan, she turned at the sound of someone approaching.
"It's about time, P-chan," she growled as the girl walked toward her. "I need to get Inuyasha back so Tsuyako can take that thing off of him once the ritual's done. Where did you hide him?"
"Aww! Do you have to take him now?" the guardian pouted. "We were having so much fun... Come back tomorrow! He'll be all set to go by then, I promise."
Touran eyed the creature as it hunched down onto the ground, gathering its limbs together and taking on the guise of a little girl. "You know I can't do that. Come on. Where is he? If I don't get him back, he'll just keep getting worse until he loses it again, then Tsuyako'll have to do the whole 'calm down' thing again, and we'll have to wait another week to take the beads off."
"I know," Poteto said calmly, chewing on the tips of her own hair as she watched the demon.
"So then what's the hold-up?!"
"Do you like it here, Touran?" the girl inquired softly. "Here in my forest. Do you like it? I used to love it here. It's just like the forests in the human world... I was happy once, you know. Happy to be the guardian of the Gate of Puerility... Only the souls of lost children ever pass through here. All the ones that the Soul Piper leaves behind, I help find a path to the afterlife. It's not such a bad place, really. They call it 'Hell' but it's just another path, you see?"
She was getting irritated with the kid's rambling. What did all of this have to do with bringing Inuyasha back? She opened her mouth to ask that exact same question, and froze. The little demon had begun to rock from side to side, her hair falling to cover her features.
"I used to love it here, Touran."
The voice that came from the creature before her was unfamiliar. The words were ground out in a vicious, scathing tone that bit through her in icy rivets. She took a step backward as furiously burning eyes locked with hers and drew her in, paralyzing her movement and gluing her to the spot she stood in.
"W-what are you doing?!" she cried, struggling against her invisible restraints to no avail. "Let me go, dammit! This isn't funny!"
Uncoiling rapidly, the girl serpentine forward, wrapping herself around the unmoving cat demon.
"No more games," Poteto whispered into the woman's ear as she clenched her muscles dangerously tighter. "No more games..."
*~~~
The urge to pull him back from the water's edge was unbearable.
Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru lowered himself into the pool, clenching her fists at her side and biting down on the insides of her cheeks. Something felt very wrong as she watched the water rise until it lapped against his upper abdomen. Her hands itched with the need to rush forward and rescue him, but as Tsuyako began to propel her toward the glimmering water, the feeling quickly passed and was replaced by budding excitement.
While Tsuyako held a sweet-tasting drink to her lips, Shippou had begun to lay out the final instruments for the ritual. Fresh leaves were strewn about the balcony floor, some of which fell into the water and immediately began to sink. A branch lay near the steps where she now stood waiting to be directed. The miko bent before her, pouring the rest of the herbal draught over her feet before gesturing for her to take her place at Sesshoumaru's side.
"Slowly, now," Tusyako murmured. "Try not to disturb the leaves. Make your way to him and stand face to face. We'll do the rest."
A feeling of bashful wonder came over her as she stepped carefully into the water. He was watching her. That same consuming look that filled his eyes the night before was turned to her again, and she could feel the undeniable response to it building inside her with every timid step. Jokingly, she speculated that she would probably have to figure out a way to control that once they were joined. They had gotten into enough trouble because of those impulses already... She couldn't control the smile that spread across her lips as she finally came within arm's length of him. The look on Sesshoumaru's face told her he probably was having the same thoughts that she was, and it made her skin grow hot.
"Pervert..." Kagome whispered, smiling at the look of amusement in Sesshoumaru's eyes.
"For you alone," he murmured in reply. "Is it... acceptable?"
She laughed and bravely drew closer, their thighs brushing underwater. "It's not so bad, for my first time..."
"You seem to be doing quite well, as far as firsts go," he chuckled as his hand slid up and over her hip. "I feel I should be concerned. You've already begun to surpass all of my expectations..."
"Haven't we already covered the risks of pre-ritual sexcapades?" Tsuyako's voice called sternly from the far end of the pool. "Keep your hands to yourselves, children."
Kagome laughed at the look Sesshoumaru threw in the miko's direction, squeaking slightly as the stubborn demon drew a fraction closer.
"You're going to get us in trouble," she sighed, leaning into him despite her own warning.
"It's time," Shippou called from her right. "You'll need to stay as still as possible, Kagome. When you start to feel sleepy, say so. Sesshoumaru, you know what to do if that happens. Tsuyako?"
His wife nodded and raised her arms high above her head. On cue, the kitsune lifted a leaf from his pocket and cast it into the wind. There was a blinding flash, a ringing explosion, and then a burst of blue flame that filled the air above them in a swirling vortex. Kagome squinted against the blaze, doing her best to stand still as she looked up at the display. It was foxfire, she was sure. The whirling flames descended slowly to linger just above the water's surface. Heat licked at the skin of her back and she nearly jumped away before Sesshoumaru's hands held her steady.
"Be still," he said with a soothing stroke of his palm along her arm. "If nothing else, the kitsune is careful in his method. You'll come to no harm."
Nodding, she tried her best to relax. It was a beautiful sight, danger of incineration aside. With some effort, she began to breathe calmly, inhaling the coppery scent of the flames and exhaling again until her fluttering pulse had returned to normal. The fire burned softly all around them, bring the water to a comfortably warm degree. Kagome could feel her limbs grow heavy, her head lolling forward to rest against Sesshoumaru's chest. Stifling a yawn, she looked up into his eyes.
"I'm getting tired now," she mumbled dazedly. "Is it too soon...?"
His voice was muffled against the side of her neck as he spoke. "You've had little time to rest. It's to be expected."
"But... I have to stay awake," Kagome insisted. "I want to see you before you go..."
She could feel his lips curve into a smile against her skin and gave him a persistent little jab in the side. She glanced in Tsuyako's direction, only to find that both the woman and her husband had vanished from sight. The translucent wall of fire had dissolved as well. Beyond the water's edge, the balcony lay bare and desolate. No sign remained of the herbal leaves or the bottles of spring water. Clouds scattered in think wisps across the brightening sky above them; the rumble of early morning traffic echoed far below.
"Is it already over?" she asked dubiously. "Everything looks the same."
Sesshoumaru was silent. Leaning back slightly, she looked up to find that his eyes had drifted closed; his head tilted forward, his chin resting against his chest. Kagome reached toward him, pushing a heavy lock of wet hair over his shoulder to get a better view. Surprise filled her as she realized that he'd drifted off to sleep.
"Sesshoumaru?" she whispered, drawing closer. "Sesshoumaru... I don't think you're supposed to fall asleep..."
He didn't respond. Panic rose like bile in the back of her throat, and she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her ear to his chest and holding her breath as she listened carefully. Seconds ticked by, anxious and strained. Eyes growing wide, Kagome pulled back with a start.
"Sesshoumaru?!" she cried, frantic now as she began to shake him violently. "Kami, no� please... Please! Wake up!!"
His arms had begun to slip, his weight shifting with the current as her desperate motions caused waves to rise up around them. Feet sliding on the pool's bottom, Kagome found herself being pulled forward, her small frame dragged downward by his greater bulk. He'd slipped backward and nearly out of her reach, the water rising rapidly from his chest to his shoulders, body submerged and head pulled slowly under by the weight of his own hair. She struggled to draw him back from the deep, her own feet slipping out from under her. He was too far away. She couldn't reach him; couldn't save him. He was drowning, right there in front of her eyes, and she was too tired and too consumed by absolute terror to do anything to help him.
"Please, just hang on," Kagome pleaded, splashing forward and attempting to take hold of his waist again. "Please..."
Clenching her teeth, shoulders aching at the effort to lift her heavy limbs, she dove blindly toward him, reaching with all her might. Fingers straining, muscles screaming in agony, eyes blinded by the rising water, she'd nearly given up when her fingertips brushed an expanse of frightfully cold skin. Undaunted, she extended her other hand and grabbed hold. She pulled back as fast as she could, and nearly shouted in relief when she felt solid ground beneath her. Kicking her feet, she drew them out and away from the deep rushing water until her shoulder broke the surface and she could breath deeply again. Fighting back fatigue, she pulled them both to the edge of the pool, leaning her back against the smooth surface and dragging her mate up against her, arms wrapped around him from behind. Closing her eyes, she whispered her thanks to the gods.
"You're ok," she murmured against his skin. "You're ok. I'm here. Everything's ok now."
"Is she alright?"
The question came from someplace behind her, half muffled and somewhat garbled to her ears. Lifting her head, she squinted up into the light to find a visibly troubled Shippou gazing down at her from a kneeling position at the pool's edge. Beyond his shoulder, an equally concerned Tsuyako continued to chant, a thickly smoking branch in her hands as she strode in slow steps along the path of leaves they'd strewn out.
"Hm?" Kagome muttered in confusion. "You're back."
"As are you," a weary-sounding Sesshoumaru murmured from beyond her shoulder.
He stood there, water up to his midsection, perfectly safe and sound. A quick look around told her that they hadn't moved from the spot they'd been standing in. He hadn't been in danger after all; hadn't been on the verge of drowning; and she, more obvious to her now than a moment ago, hadn't risked life and limb to save him.
"I think... I had a dream," Kagome breathed weakly, overcome by the awareness of the fact, and the relief that it had only been a nightmare. "You were underwater. I think I jumped in to get you..."
"Hm?"
"It was weird," she went on, with a shake of her head as she looked down at the tiny waves between their bodies. "It was... so real..."
"Kagome," Shippou called, rising and walking around the rim of the pool.
"It's ok," she called back to him with a smile. "I know it's just a silly dream. It just scared me a little, that's all."
�No," the kitsune dismissed quickly, reaching for the bowl of draught as he hurried back to his position. "Sesshoumaru. You need to take hold of him. Quick!"
Chest clenching painfully, she spun toward her mate in time to see the top of his head slip beneath the water's surface. She didn't need to be told a second time. Grabbing his wrist, she pulled him back to her, slipping an arm across his chest and tugging until he had re-emerged.
"I'm awake this time, right?" she groaned as she hauled Sesshoumaru's heavy frame up against her. "I'll be really mad if I'm asleep again and he drowned without me knowing it..."
Shippou chuckled at the comment, dipping the bowl into the water and swirling the remaining mixture around until it dissipated.
"You're awake, I promise," he assured her. "We're getting closer now. I want you to bring him to me. Keep his back to you so he won't go under again."
She followed his instructions and waded to the pool's eastern wall, the demon lord in tow. Turning her back to the wall, she drew him up until his head rested against her left shoulder, pushing his hair aside so that she could see his face. He was fast asleep, it seemed. Pale lids fringed with dark lashes had fallen to hide his brilliant golden eyes. Kagome stifled a giggle as she watched his nostrils flare and wondered idly what he smelled this time. His chest rumbled with something akin to a growl and his brow furrowed suddenly, casting a severe scowl across his restful features.
"It's starting," Shippou muttered in dismay. "It's earlier than I thought it would be, but considering that this is Sesshoumaru, I guess anything's possible."
"What should I do?" she asked, tensing as the growl began to evolve into a hostile snarl.
Shippou rose from behind them and trotted back to where he'd left the bottles of water. "Talk to him. It doesn't matter what you say, he just needs to hear your voice. Let's hope it'll calm him down enough for Tsuyako to begin the purification."
"Purify?!" Kagome gasped, looking up at the woman who'd begun to sway silently to and fro. "You didn't say anything about purifying him. What if something goes wrong? What if-"
A loud, guttural snarl accompanied by a violent spasm brought her attention back to man held firmly against her chest.
"Just talk to him," Shippou insisted gently. "I promise you, Kagome, nothing will go wrong. We're so close now. I just need you to call him back. Keep him distracted. He needs to hear your voice."
"I... I..."
Her eyes fell to his pale face, to the strained scowl marring his brow, and the words seemed to pour from the very depths of her soul.
"I love you, you know that?" she whispered through quivering lips. "I didn't think I'd be saying it while I was naked in a pool full of leaves, but..."
A low rumbling echoed inside his chest, and she watched the frown disappear, and a feeling of relief washed over her as she saw that he was laughing. She turned slightly, lacing an arm beneath his and stroking his cheek with her free hand. His eyes remained closed, but a small smile curved his pale lips.
"You don't have to look so satisfied with yourself," she grumbled lightly, blushing at the memory of the last time she'd used those words. "I'm pouring my heart out to you. That's not easy to do, you know... You should be the one keeping me awake, not the other way around. I'm really not cut out for this kind of thing."
"You're beautiful."
The words caught her by surprise, and she had to catch herself to keep from losing her grip and sending them slipping underwater.
"W-what did you say?" she gasped, leaning forward so that she could hear him more clearly.
"I've... waited for so long," his voice was hoarse as he spoke. "So much longer than you know�"
Cheek pressed to his damp hair, she waited for him to continue.
"I knew that you wanted me that day," he murmured with amusement. "That very first time I saw you, I could never forget the smell. Sweet and unexpected. You were less able to hide it back then. I think... I was more drawn to your scent than to my father's blade... that day..."
Kagome blushed. She could remember it as clearly as if it was yesterday: Sesshoumaru, riding along on a demon's shoulder, glaring down on them as if they were nothing but ants. He'd scared the living hell out of her that day. He�d made her aware that there were things in the world more powerful, more sinister, more... beautiful... than anything in her own modern world. She'd feared him... craved him... even dreamt of him for nights to come. It didn't matter that he'd used a puppet of Inuyasha's mother to lure them into a trap. She'd secretly forgiven that misdeed only a few days later, her girlish fantasies finding rationality in every one of his flaws.
Holding him like this, she felt all the years past were finally justified. Smiling to herself, she felt a tear trickle down her cheek to disappear amidst the quickly drying strands of his hair.
I was only fifteen back then...

"It... was the first... time..."
Teeth clenched, Sesshoumaru bit back a groan. He quietly cursed the gods for his hesitant tongue. He could feel Kagome's weight against him; could clearly feel the waves lapping against them both, and the hard stone tiles beneath his feet. He was as strong now as he was an hour ago when the ritual had begun. Why, then, could he not control the movement of his lips? Why could he not form the words he so desperately wished to say? As he'd held her against him in her slumber, he'd felt calm and sure of himself. He was prepared for whatever would be thrown his way. This, however, was unexpected and wholly unwelcome.
Fists balled, he opened his lips and tried again. This time, however, nothing came at all. No sound, no words. There was only a numbing feeling of disembodiment that threw his entire world off balance and set his mind into a flurry.
Something had to be done.
Raising his lids slowly, he squinted into the morning light shining above them like unholy flames. The first things to come into focus were the soft white bits of floating cotton he suddenly realized were clouds. Blinking in astonishment, he stared at them a bit longer before deciding his eyes had not deceived him. They truly were clouds, and yet, they weren't. Like willowy tufts of fabric, the puffy white clumps lumbered along on a gust of wind. He'd never seen them quite so robust and awe-inspiring before. Turning his head slightly, suddenly aware of the gentle pressure that rested against it, his view was obscured by a glorious cascade of ebony locks and the sweetly serene face framed by them. He lifted a hand to touch her cheek, his breath stilled as her lids rose, and he looked into her eyes
"Kagome."
His eyes weren't the same anymore.
The thought came as it had when he'd appeared to her under the cover of night. Kagome stared down into those unfamiliar eyes and felt her heart leap at the overwhelming impression they made amidst his ashen features. Brilliant amber receded and paled, leaving in its place a black-rimmed shade of silvery gray. The dark pupils grew large, dilating and then constricting as they searched her face.
"You stopped," she said softly, lifting a hand to press the one touching her cheek.
"Hm?" he breathed, his attention suddenly shifting to her lips. "What was that?"
"Y-you stopped talking," she gasped. "You were... saying something..."
He had indeed changed, but the sensation that came from being placed at the center of his attention had remained the same. Kagome could feel the warm stirring of arousal before he began to move. The mark at her throat prickled sweetly as he rose to his full height, turning toward her at the same time, water trickling down his limbs, waves rising and falling with his every move.
"Ah, um..." Shippou's voice sounded above them. "You... you probably shouldn't do that just yet..."
Heedless of the warning, she drew herself up as well, drawn to the source of that undeniable impulse. As Sesshoumaru's lips descended, she rose to the tips of her toes to greet him, dissolving into the embrace with eager anticipation. She moaned in abandon. He tasted different, as well: warm and salty-sweet, and even more deliciously appealing than before.
"It was the first time I'd felt the urge to taste these lips," he murmured against her mouth.
"Mmm," she replied, lifting her hands to his cheeks and pulling him back to her.
"K-kagome!" an exasperated sputter came from somewhere nearby.
Ignoring the kitsune's outburst, she brazenly slipped her tongue forward, licking a trail along her mate's lower lip. "If you don't like it..."
"Oh, Kami, we've created a monster," Tsuyako groaned, coming to sit beside her husband.
Kagome turned reluctantly to the pair, squirming as a pair of large hands tickled their way up and over her hips, tugging her until her back met a solidly muscled chest. She stifled a giggle, forcing her attention to the miko slumped against Shippou's side.
"It's all done now?" she asked excitedly. "The ritual's over?"
Wrapping a supportive arm around his wife, Shippou nodded slowly. "This part of it is. It didn't work the way I thought it would, but it looks like you two are doing ok."
"You're taking it pretty well, Kagome," Tsuyako put jokingly. "When you answered the door, you looked like you wanted to hide under the rug. Now, I bet you don't even remember where your robe went. And I thought Sesshoumaru was the only one here who enjoyed public nudity..."
Eyes wide, Kagome looked over her shoulder to where the demon in question stood. She'd have to remind herself to have a little talk with him about that one. Strangely, though, she had to admit that she was feeling less timid than she had before.
"You're right," she agreed, looking down at her bare breasts as they bobbed on the water's surface. "Is that... normal? It's kind of weird, right? I think I should feel embarrassed or something."
"It might be a residual affect," the miko explained, "but you shouldn't be the one feeling it... It's the human's soul that's shared with their mate's shell at first. Plain and simple, you're what's keeping Sesshoumaru here right now. You can't just purify a full-blooded demon and expect it to get up and walk around a minute later. If his soul was pushed through to the other side with nothing to anchor him here, he'd just... well... die. You're his tether now, though."
"The bond is really the opposite of its name," Shippou continued for her as he rose and went to retrieve the discarded robes. "What we do in the first portion is dissipate the youkai enough to sever the soul from Sesshoumaru's body. While it's pushed out, same as any demon's, it doesn't expel into this world. It goes straight to Shenzu's gate, which is why we have to be quick and tether yours to his. In a few days, the rift will 'heal', so to speak, once his youki's regenerated itself in this form. After that, the soul pretty much wakes up and realizes that the body's not dead after all, and it follows your shared link back the way it came, affixing itself to the both of you along the way. It's the Inari Mega Special Super Glue Formula: with extra sticking power!"
Kagome stared at him in disbelief. Tsuyako laughed. Sesshoumaru sighed in frustration.
"Either way you look at it," Tsuyako put in as she took a robe and passed it to Kagome, "everything's official. I now pronounce you mate and mated, or whatnot. You can feel free to go off and rut to your hearts' content."
"For Kami's sake, woman," Shippou howled, chucking a second robe at Sesshoumaru, "don't encourage them."
Kagome smiled at the two, walking to the water's edge and accepting the garment being handed to her. Despite Shippou's barbs, she felt absolutely incredible. She was energized with every step; filled to the brim with happy anticipation for what was yet to come. Silently, she began to ponder over what she would do next. She'd have to talk to mom about what was going on. And Souta would probably want to know if she'd be leaving home. Probably so that he could have the bigger room, she laughed inwardly. This meant there'd have to be a talk with her loving mate about their living situation... It was all moving so quickly! One minute, she was just plain old Kagome with a long-standing crush on a youkai lord, the next she was the mate to a taiyoukai and the intended overseer to an empire so vast she still had no idea just how far outside of Japan his power extended.
She'd have to find out if she wanted to be useful to him. She was sure he would-
"Sesshoumaru!"
Stopping in mid-stride, Kagome whirled around at the urgent yell. Her hands flew up immediately, knees buckling and folding under her and the ground rising to meet her as she crashed to the floor, Sesshoumaru falling in an unconscious heap on top of her.
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Higurashi