Archive of Our Own

Pulled from the Shadows

“I need your help!” The shoji door barely had time to slide open before Kagome’s voice echoed through the room. It was far from the first time she’d showed up unannounced, but normally she’d at least knock before barging into his study. Even now she stormed into the room, eyes full of panic, hair wild, and breath coming in quick pants from the rush it took to bring her before him.

He lowered his brush, ignoring the trade negotiation before him as he stared. All that was missing were sparks of her reiki, the telltale sign of her temper replacing the panic, and he would once again be in the presence of the legendary Shikon Miko. It had been a long while since he’d witnessed her in such a state. Even with the distress pouring off her, she was still a glorious sight to behold.

“A pleasure as always, Miko.” Her eyes narrowed at him and his thinly veiled attempt to spark her ire to chase away the panic overwhelming her. He was never as good at igniting her temper as his brother was. A pity considering how much he detested seeing her in the state she was in now.

“I don’t have time for games, Sesshoumaru. Shippou’s in trouble.” He continued to stare at her, an eyebrow raised in doubt. Over the years her kit always found himself in some kind of trouble, even more so after he left this safety of the miko’s arms to live on his own. But she was an excellent mother, always worried about her son, regardless of how old he became.

“This One is certain your kit is fine and fully capable of finding his own way out of trouble.”

“You don’t understand,” she scoffed before pacing in front of his desk, the ribbons wrapped around various scrolls dancing in the breeze she created. “This isn’t like all the other times.” She ran a hand through her wild hair, fingers catching in hidden knots. He sat back, watching her like the predator he was.

Kagome was well aware of the trouble her kit normally got into. She may not have birthed him, but her penchant to attract trouble certainly continued in her son. This also wasn’t the first time she’d come to him for aid for the kit. But this was the first time she appeared so panicked.

“Sit and explain to This One what has happened.” She finally stopped pacing and stared at him for a heartbeat before taking a breath and flopping down on the pillow before his desk.

“I think he joined a cult.” He blinked at her, unsure if he heard her correctly. In the century since the fall of Naraku, the kit had gotten himself into all sorts of situations, some rather dangerous if he were being honest. But for her to be so concerned over a cult compared to the time he smuggled aboard one of the Dutch ships returning home had him at a loss.

“Kagome,”

“Look!” She thrust the letter at him before he could finish. The parchment was balled up and wrinkled, nearly beyond recognition. He took the message from her hand, carefully opening it with his claws just enough to read the short message it contained. His eyes scanned the words, still not understanding what had the miko in such a panic.

He looked up from the paper, eying her warily. Kagome growled before leaning over his desk, thrusting her finger against the end of the message. Citrus and jasmine surrounded him, the sharp tang of lightning slowly lacing through her scent as her panic diminished with each passing moment.

“There, don’t you see! He’s asking me to send him the gold necklace he left under the floorboard in my hut. That’s from his first hoard, and he wants to just give away!” A jolt of pain lanced through his head as she shouted in his ear. He glared at her. His quiet growl in reprimand had her backing up to sit back on the other side of the desk, a mumbled apology on her lips.

“Hn,” He scanned over the note again before putting it down. If that trinket was part of his hoard, it was no wonder she was so panicked. Kitsune didn’t just give away their hoards, even a small part of them. They were as bad as dragons in that regard. “What do you propose?”

“Drag him back home by his tail.” Sesshoumaru snorted at her suggestion. He would love nothing more than to watch the legendary Shikon Miko rise from the myths just to collect her wayward kit. But that wasn’t going to happen. Kagome was so determined to let herself fall into obscurity, to live as close to a normal human as she could after the changes the Shikon had done to her. She may still look human, but she hadn’t aged a day since the cursed gem disappeared.

She sighed, rubbing her forehead as her shoulders slumped. “I just need to get him out of there, and given how dangerous cults can be, I don’t want to do it alone.”

“What do you need from This One?”

“You’re about the only one he listens to anymore.” Kagome scowled at the wrinkled message laying on his desk. That wasn’t entirely true. The kit still listened to her, but his aid was more than just reigning in the kitsune. It was partially keeping her from making things worse. They both knew it, but neither would admit it aloud.

When Shippou had sailed away with the Dutch, he was the only thing keeping the miko on land. She was so determined to follow the ship in whatever vessel she could get her hands on; it took him having to ask his mother for aid in snatching back the kit. Given her constant questions over their friendship ever since, it was something he nearly regretted. His mother simply couldn’t fathom how the two of them were nothing but friends.

After the fall of the spider, the two of them kept in touch, mainly for their children’s sakes. It was hard work raising a kitsune, especially for a single miko. And though she had help from his brother and their small pack, it wasn’t the same as the aid he could give the kit. Just as the aid she provided him was irreplaceable.

Throughout the decades, she shared hints of what was to come. After he first learned of her origins, he always took those tid bits to heart. There was a reason she was guiding him, one that would no doubt aid his people in the long run, but with little detail to change too much of the future. Her guidance was a boon of their friendship that continued to this day, one he took very seriously.

Kagome had been there to help curb his instincts when Rin first started courting. She was there when his daughter married, and when she had her first child. And she was there to pull him from his melancholy when Rin passed from this world.

“Hn.” Sesshoumaru took the time to replace the lid to his ink stick before standing from his desk. “Come, we will save the kit.” Kagome scrambled up, hope blooming in her eyes as he glided past her and out of his office.

“Are you able to orb us there?” She rushed to keep pace with him as they traveled through the halls of his shiro. He could slow down for her, but she had made it abundantly clear time was of the essence. Besides, he rather enjoyed the caress of her hair against the back of his hand as it rhythmically swayed from her rushed stride.

“It’s too far for you to travel that way, and This One would rather not test the limits of your immortality.”

“But —” He stopped, turning to stare at her. They locked eyes, but he was impervious to the doe eyes of the woman before him. Rin had trained him well in that regard, his ward using every tactic she could to get her way as she grew up. After a heartbeat, Kagome sighed and her lower lip jutted out in a pout: tempting, tantalizing, and oh so biteable.

He looked away lest he forget himself. Instead, he moved closer, her delicate scent washing over him once more. Before she could protest further, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him and forming his youki cloud under their feet. A small gasp escaped her lips as they rose into the air, her hands clinging to his arms with a grip tight enough to hurt had he been human.

Still, he refused to look at her.

This wasn’t the first time they had traveled together, nor did he think it would be the last. But this was the first time in many years they traveled by his cloud, their bodies pressed together, their scents mingling. Typically, he could set aside the longing that always bloomed when the miko was near, but it had been far too long since he’d last seen her.

In the early days after the defeat of Naraku, he would visit her village far more frequently. Not just for Rin, but also for Kagome. Especially as time moved on and she slowly became all that was left of their shard hunting group.

After a few years with no sign of aging, his brother had vowed to remain by her side as she had once promised him. As the taijiya and houshi grew older, it was a hard vow to keep. Kagome was so determined to stay by their side for as long as possible, but Inuyasha had already outlived humans he loved. It wasn’t long before he left the village, unable to witness his friend’s slow demise.

Inuyasha would visit, of course, nearly as much as he himself visited Rin before her marriage, but as the years passed, his visits became less and less. It wasn’t a hardship for him to step up where his brother failed and check in on the miko when he was near. He and Kagome had already formed the begging of a friendship by the time he realized his brother wasn’t around as much as the miko needed him to be. He had made a point to visit even after Rin had married and no longer needed him the way she did in her youth.

Sesshoumaru couldn’t pinpoint exactly when his feelings for the miko had changed. He was simply visiting one day and witnessed one of the villagers blushing at something she said, and it sent all his possessive instincts on edge. The sheer intensity of his want was the only thing he ever truly feared in his life. Kagome had spurned the advances of all who confessed to her, youkai and human alike. Losing her friendship, losing what connection they had because of unrequited feelings was unacceptable.

So he kept it to himself.

It wasn’t difficult. Not when their visits, though frequent, were brief. It was only these last few decades that made things far more difficult. When the taijiya and houshi passed, Kagome was nigh unconsolable. Even Inuyasha returned in her time of need, his mate Kouga at his side, a pleasant distraction for the miko. That was also when she retreated from the village proper.

Instead of living amongst the few humans that still knew her, that remembered who she was and what she had done for the world, she moved to the outskirts of the village. Fewer visited her with each passing year, he being the only one to constantly spend time with her. Each visit pained him more than the last as he watched her slowly sink into the shadows. The woman he had fallen for fading away with the passage of time.

When Rin passed, she started traveling to him. Spending time at his shiro and forcing him to work through the pain of her loss. For nearly a decade, they spent more time together than they had apart, her old self returning. When the taijiya’s first born passed away a few years ago, Kagome had stopped visiting him all together.

He let her mourn, and was planning on stopping by to drag her out of her hut again soon, but she finally came to him. If she wasn’t so worried about the kit, he’d praise him for forcing his mother into action. It was an opportunity he wouldn’t let pass by. Now that she was out and about, he would keep her from returning to her seclusion. Even if that meant dragging her back to his shiro after settling things with her kit.

Sesshoumaru’s arm tightened around her waist as the outline of a village appeared on the horizon. The trip to where Shippou requested she take the trinket from his hoard wasn’t too far, unfortunately. He would have much preferred having an excuse to hold her in his arms longer, given it was the only time he could. As torturous as having her so close was, he relished the ability to do so every chance he got.

With the possibility of this village being a cult, as Kagome feared, Sesshoumaru wanted to arrive in a show of power. The miko may wish to become nothing more than a legend, but he had no qualms of ensuring all knew the killing perfection still walked the Western Lands. “Do not scream.”

“Huh?” He felt her shift against him, felt her eyes on his profile as he flew them to the center of the village. His youki cloud dissipated, and the two of them fell to the earth. Kagome sucked in a breath, her nails digging into his arms as he controlled their fall. He held her tightly against himself as they landed, protecting her from harm.

Dust kicked up around them, obscuring the village from sight. Murmurs floated around them as the dust settled, revealing a crowd of humans and youkai; all dressed in the same sea green yukata. His eyes narrowed as he took in the odd group. It was still uncommon for youkai and humans to live together, more so with each passing decade. Kagome was right. They had found themselves in the heart of a cult.

Glittering silver tents encircled the clearing he had landed in. Many of the cult members stood back, peaking out from tent flaps, but a significant amount approached them. One elderly human particularly stood out amongst the crowd, a deep green leaf pinned to the collar of his yukata. He wasn’t the only one with the leaf, but there were only a few that had the embellishment, a clear symbol of hierarchy within the cult.

“Welcome, travelers.” The elderly man smiled, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening from the pure joy radiating from him. “Are you here to request blessings from the Hondengodin?” Kagome shifted in his arms, likely to get a better look at the man. For a brief moment he wished he had taken the time to don his armour before they left. The human may appear to be docile, but that could easily be an illusion, much like the tent village.

It was easy to dismiss the settlement, thinking it was a poor village unable to provide true homes for its inhabitants, but that was far from the case. Even from this distance, Sesshoumaru could identify the youkai fabric used to create the temporary structures, an expensive silvery cloth that would keep the insides at the perfect temperature. Their yukata too were made from a similar fabric, designed to stay clean and knit itself back together, much like his own.

“The what?” Kagome stepped away from his embrace, standing beside him, arms crossed, and he imagined the glower she sent toward the old man. He loved watching others fidget under her gaze. Yet this man showed no sign of discomfort. “No, I’m looking for my son.”

“Ah.” The serene smile on his face refused to falter. If anything, it encouraged some of the other villagers to move closer to them. His fingers twitched, dokkasou yearning to bubble around his claws. Though the human hadn’t made any untoward movements, his constant joy was unnerving. “With an offering for the Hondengodin, I am certain you will find him. Come.” The elderly man turned, the sea of humans and youkai parting to allow them passage.

Kagome hesitated, arms falling to her sides before grabbing the edge of his sleeve. “I don’t like this,” she whispered so softly he barely heard her.

“Hn.” He shifted to take the lead. If they were being led into a trap, he would ensure she was safe. The Shikon may have stopped her aging, but they refused to experiment to learn if it had done more and made her truly immortal. He would rather live in ignorance than risk her safety.

The villagers that weren’t interested in watching them as they traveled deeper into their home were focused on daily tasks. It appeared no different from the village Kagome lived near, with the exception of the uniformed yukata and tent homes. Children still ran around laughing, the adults chopping wood and setting up more tents.

Another tent appeared over the crest of a hill near the end of the village; this one a swath of vibrant crimson rather than silver. It had to be where the leader of this cult resided, where this Hondengodin could be found.

There were no whispers of concern as they made their way to the red tent. None of the villagers worried over the strangers in their midst visiting their leader. How often did new members join if a daiyoukai such as himself was no cause for concern? A pulse of reiki washed over him, the bite of lightning overpowering the cooking fires in the village; Kagome’s impatience flaring as she called out for her son’s youki.

There was no answering pulse.

They weren’t in the wrong place. Shippou’s letter was clear where he could be found, and given everything they’re witnessing, it was unlikely there were two cults in the area. Taking a deep breath, he searched for the kit’s scent.

Still, nothing.

And that was the problem.

It wasn’t just the lack of kitsune that had him on edge. There was a lack of many scents. Those that were outside the tents were easy to pinpoint, but those within, even partially? It was like they weren’t there at all. The youkai fabric of the tent kept their scents from permeating the area.

They were hiding something.

A soft growl rumbled in his chest.

“Sesshoumaru?” Kagome’s concern was sharp, the tang of anxiety lacing her scent. He subtly shook his head. They finally reached the red tent, the other tents setup far away, giving it a wide birth. None of the other villagers lingered near the structure, giving them some semblance of privacy.

“Wait here while I get the Speaker.” The man bowed, the smile still glued on his face, as he slipped inside the mysterious red tent.

“I really don’t like this.” Kagome shifted closer to him, and he assumed she had a hand on the hilt of the small knife she carried at her side. Though she was still far more proficient at the bow, he had encouraged her to learn a modicum of self defense with the blade. There were too many times enemies slipped inside her guard, and he would have none of it. Especially as she was determined to live on her own.

The tent flap shifted, and his eyes narrowed, prepared for anything to appear. The elderly human stepped out first, ensuring the tent flap remained as closed as possible while he escaped the silken fabric, preventing him from catching any of the scents inside. This is where they were hiding whatever it was they wanted to keep secret.

When the tent flap shifted again, a youkai slipped out, even quicker than the old man and Sesshoumaru scoffed. He should have known.

“Welcome travelers!” The serene smile was a sharp contrast to the wicked glint of mischief in emerald eyes that stared at them. Though clearly using an illusion to make himself appear older, there was no mistaking the youkai standing before them. The kit was dressed in the same sea green yukata as the others in the village, but his leaf was a brilliant silver. “I hear you’ve come seeking a blessing from our great Hondengodin in search of your son.”

He scowled as the sharp tang of anxiety in Kagome’s scent shifted to the burning spice of her ire. If the kit had hoped to bring out the legendary Shikon no Miko, he was succeeding.

“I received a message indicating he was in trouble.” Her arms folded across her chest as her foot began to tap, a common pose she used when reprimanding her son. “It seems like he’s the one causing trouble instead.”

“I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think.” Shippou’s lips twitched as his arms opened to indicate the village behind them. “No harm can come to those under the great Hondengodin protection.”

“Lovely.” She sighed before rubbing her forehead, all fight fading away. “Well, if you see him, tell him that I’m giving his hoard to Ah-Un.” His smile nearly faltered, his eyes the only thing showing the panic that rushed through him at her words.

“I shall endeavor the great Hondengodin to inter-seed upon his behalf.”

“I’m sure you will.” Kagome shook her head a final time before turning on her heels and storming off. Sesshoumaru stared at the kit a moment longer before he too shook his head, silently following the miko. After all her worry, this was just another one of Shippou’s tricks. Something to pass the time as he amassed power and grew older. Something that Kagome should have been prepared for, and expected given his nature. He was certain if she wasn’t so consumed with her grief, she would have.

At least her kit did well to drag her from her home and force her back into the world. Now he would ensure she stayed there.

___

With a sigh, Shippou slipped back inside his tent. Running his fingers through his hair, he whimpered. “Fear not, kit, I shall replace your hoard, should your plan succeed as you claim.” He glanced up at the daiyoukai lounging on the bed of pillows in the tent’s corner. Her golden gaze was focused on her claws, searching for any imperfections.

“Don’t worry baa-chan, it’ll work.” He sat down next to her, leaning back on his hands and chuckling. “You should have seen his face. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him so irritated with me.”

“And riling him up is part of your plan, how?”

“Simple,” He smirked and looked at her, a canine slipping past his lips. “I know my mama. You have nothing to worry about. I’ll have some siblings you can spoil soon enough.”

___

“I can’t believe him!” Kagome growled, pacing just outside the village… outside of Shippou’s cult. “Of all the hair-brained, stupid things for him to do!” She stopped, facing the daiyoukai standing patiently behind her. “I thought he was in trouble, not causing the trouble!” She threw up her hands before resuming her pacing.

“I will agree this is one of the kits more creative tricks.”

She snorted. He wasn’t entirely wrong, and given enough time, she will probably look back on this and find it funny. But that was still a long way away.

“I was serious about giving Ah-Un his hoard. Let them bury it where he can’t find it for all I care.” She stopped pacing again, guilt filling her as she stared at him. She made him drop everything and for what… “I’m so sorry I dragged you out for this.”

“It was not a complete waste.” He closed his eyes, a gentle breeze playing with his hair. “It has been too cold until recently for travel and This One does not like spending so much time inside.” She stared at him, eyes narrowing. That’s not what he wanted to say. There was no hesitation in his words, but she was certain his reasoning was something else. It was the tightness around his eyes that gave him away.

“Still, you’re always so busy.” She walked over to stand next to him, prepared for him to take them back to his shiro via his cloud again. She looked away, hoping to hide the flush in her cheeks at the thought. It was rare they would travel in such a way, and each time she relished the moment.

She always kept an appropriate distance for their friendship, not wanting to cause any issues for him. She may be timeless, but she was still human. Hanyou still had the same challenges Inuyasha and Jinenji faced, and that was likely never to change, no matter how she wished otherwise. With Sesshoumaru being a lord, she couldn’t risk causing him trouble by getting too close to him. When she heard the first whispers of rumors of something more than friendship between them. She knew she needed to stay away.

It was during her last visit with Inuyasha and Kouga when she heard them. Kouga had asked her if things between her and Sesshoumaru had changed. If they were courting each other and didn’t tell them. Inuyasha was predictably horrified by the idea, but she was shocked. Of course she had feelings for the daiyoukai, who wouldn’t when they got to know him. But she was certain she had never expressed them openly. She doubted Sesshoumaru even knew of her closely held secret.

Yet someone had noticed.

Be it from all the time they spent together over the years or something else, she didn’t want to hurt his reputation or standing in the youkai world. So she did what she could to squash the rumors and stayed away. No matter how much her heart ached to see him or how lonely she got.

It was easy to let him think she was consumed by grief, not wanting to leave her home. And though she was surprised he hadn’t stopped by sooner to check on her, she also knew things were busier than he was letting on. Change was coming to Japan, more than what they’ve already seen. Sesshoumaru was a good ruler and was neck deep in negotiations to ensure the survival of his people. She’d given him enough clues and warnings over the years he could navigate the coming times smoothly, but he would need to focus for that.

Yet the first thing she did when she got Shippou’s letter was to run to him for aid. He didn’t have time to deal with her kit and his nonsense, not when there wasn’t any true danger. But here she was, dragging him away from his vital duties after promising herself to stay away and let the rumors die down.

“You can always help This One when we return to the shiro. It would not be the first time your aid was welcome.” She hesitated for a moment before nodding. He was right that it wasn’t the first time she’d helped with his paperwork, but that was also before the rumors. She hadn’t taken him away for too long, so maybe she could just help with organizing, and nothing that required true decision making or influence. She could already imagine how the whispers would flourish should she actually help rule the West by his side, even for a day.

Sesshoumaru’s arm wrapped around her, pulling her close to his warm body. She gripped his other arm as his youki cloud formed under their feet and they lifted into the sky. Pressing her face into his chest, she closed her eyes, relishing their closeness. Perhaps she should travel overseas once she helped him catch up with things. What better way to silence the rumors than to be completely apart from each other?

Taking a deep breath, she relaxed into his hold. Though she didn’t have the heightened senses he had, there was no missing the deep musk and spicy amber aroma that surrounded him. She always loved how he smelled, and so rarely got a chance to partake. If she really was going to travel for a while, she would make the most out of this opportunity.

Unfortunately, it felt like it took less time to return than it took to get to Shippou’s little happy cult. They landed in his courtyard and she continued to hold him, waiting for the dust to settle. His arm fell away from her waist, replaced by an all too familiar chill. Stepping away, she turned to face the shiro lest he see her disappointed frown at the loss of his heat.

He moved past her, his hair flowing behind him, beckoning her to follow. Neither spoke as they made a B-line for his study. Not even Jaken’s excited squawk at his return was enough to make them pause.

It didn’t seem like much was added to his stack of scrolls while they were gone, which was both a blessing and a curse. It could mean that nothing pressing was going on; that their excursion was perfectly timed. Or it could be that disaster had struck and messages were limited. Either way, the two of them sat side by side, shoulders brushing and hair twisting together, just as they always sat when she’d helped him. It was far easier for her to shift whatever she was looking at to show him if she had a question than if she were sitting across the room or even on the other side of the desk. It had nothing to do with wanting to feel the heat of his body against hers.

The first few hours they worked in silence, broken only when Jaken entered the study with a tray of tea. The heady scent of the jasmine tea and the musk that was Sesshoumaru had her head swimming for a moment before she forced herself to once again focus on the task at hand.

She scanned the paper she was holding again, brow furrowing in concern. It wasn’t uncommon for Sesshoumaru to get messages from humans, not when youkai had yet to fade into legend. But she hadn’t expected Shousetsu Yui to have reached out. Was the Keian Uprising already upon them? Had time really flown by so quickly?

“Sesshoumaru.” She shifted the letter requesting aid closer to him. “Don’t get involved in this.” He turned toward her, his hair falling over his shoulder to caress the back of her hand. She swallowed, her gaze flicking up to meet his. He was focused on the message, something she was grateful for as she fought against the heat coloring her cheeks.

“Hn, This One shall be cautious.” It was what he normally told her when she warned him about something. She made a point to be vague, not wanting to change too much of history, but he always took her warnings to heart. She suspected when the time came for the bombings and she told him to leave Japan completely, he would do so without question.

He took the scroll from her hands, his fingers brushing against hers and sending a wave of heat to pool in her core. His nose twitched, the slightest of pink bleeding into his sclera as he tossed the scroll into the pile he would have Jaken file away for later. She’d noticed that he hardly ever destroyed the documents he received, keeping even the most mundane messages should they ever be needed.

“So,” Kagome cleared her throat, turning away from him to look at the now clear desk. She hated when this happened, when she lost the battle with her emotions and he was able to pick up the deep want inside of her. “Unless there’s anything else you need…” She stood, stepping away from the desk before she made a bigger fool of herself. “I’ll head to my room before dinner.”

The silence that followed her out of the study was damning. Of course, he wouldn’t need anything else from her, not when she couldn’t get herself under control. She was letting these rumors get to her, to make a fool out of her. None of the servants bothered her as she slipped through the halls of the shiro to the room Sesshoumaru had given her decades ago when she first started spending time here.

It wasn’t too far from the family wing, given that she was helping him with Rin when the room was first assigned. In all the years of their friendship, it never changed, even after Rin left and moved in with Kohaku. Sliding open the shoji door, she stepped into the room that was a home away from home.

It was considered small compared to the other rooms in the shiro, especially the family rooms. But it was bigger than her hut back at the village, and she didn’t need much. She slipped her shoes off as she crossed the tatami to the futon that was perpetually laid out across the room. It was one of the best things about staying with Sesshoumaru. The soft, plush futon was so reminiscent of her western style bed back in her time. How he got it to be so luxurious she’ll never know.

Flopping down on the futon, she hid her face in the feathered pillow. Maybe this wasn’t the first time he’d noticed her secret feelings for him? It would explain why his visits had faded recently. She thought she was being so careful, but she should have known better. It wasn’t easy keeping things from a youkai, let alone one as powerful as Sesshoumaru. The only thing left to do was follow through with her musings of travel.

Kagome lifted her head to stare out the window. It wasn’t quite sunset yet. If she left now, she could get a few hours away before he even noticed she was gone. Was it cowardly? Absolutely, but she’d rather be a coward than face him at dinner after making such a fool of herself. Plus, she’d helped him get caught up from the time she took away from him today, so it wasn’t like she was leaving him in a lurch.

Taking a deep breath, she rolled off the futon and stood. It would be heavenly to sleep here, just as it always was, but she knew it would be so much harder to leave in the morning compared to if she left now. At least now she had shame spurring her into action.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she turned back toward the door and slipped on her shoes. She opened the shoji door without looking and moved to leave the room, only to run into a solid wall. Blinking, her vision was filled with white. Dread filled her as her gaze shifted up, locking on to molten gold, staring down at her in question.

“Sesshoumaru.” She swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. “Wha- what are you doing here?” He shouldn’t be here, he couldn’t be here. If he was here, there was no way she could sneak away like she planned. It was as if he knew what she was thinking, and frankly, she wouldn’t put it past him if he did.

He didn’t say a word, just continued to stare at her. She fidgeted, unable to look away from his searing gaze. “Now that I know for certain Shippou’s safe, and you’re all caught up from our trip, I was going to head home early.” His eyes narrowed, and he leaned down, his nose nearly brushing hers as he inhaled deeply.

“Lies.” His voice held the faintest of growls and sent delicious shivers down her spine. Her eyes slid shut as she fought against the heat threatening to consume her. Now was not the time to get worked up over his stupid sexy voice!

“No, I wasn’t going to head home.” She admitted and opened her eyes to look deeply into his. “But I was still going to leave.” He continued to stare at her for a moment longer before pulling away.

“You are not permitted to do so.” She jerked back, blinking at him in astonishment. Surely she hadn’t heard him right.

“I’m sorry.” She smiled at him, the same smile she would give Inuyasha right before she activated the kotodama. “I don’t think I heard you right. Because I know you didn’t just tell me what I can and can’t do.” The ass had the audacity to smirk at her.

“You did not mishear, Miko.” Her eyes narrowed, and she ground her teeth at his haughty response. “If you are so determined to leave, you will do so in the morning, at a respectable hour. I will not have it said that the West cannot take care of our guests.”

“Oh! I’m a guest now?” She folded her arms across her chest, her reiki swelling with her indignation. He hadn’t called her a guest since the first time she stayed here taking care of Rin when she caught a cold.

“Given how you’ve avoided This One like the plague, what else would you be?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She rubbed her temple, closing her eyes. “You can’t be this out of touch with the world.” Opening her eyes again, she glared at him. “Of course I’ve been avoiding coming here. The last thing I wanted to do was to give more credence to the rumors going around and making things more difficult for you. If you paid more attention to things that didn’t involve bloodshed, you would be thanking me! Besides, it’s not like you’ve come to visit me either!”

He scoffed before flipping a lock of hair over his shoulder. “This One doesn’t care about what others say about him.”

“You might not, but I do!” She ground her teeth together as she glared at him. “You’re a Lord, Sesshoumaru. That means that you need an heir at some point, and the rumors I’ve been trying to quiet won’t help that!”

“Hn, there is only one who has ever been worthy of becoming This One’s mate and mother to the Western heir.” She blinked at him, chest aching at his words. Of course, he already had someone in mind.

“Good. I’m sure she’s thrilled at all the wagging tongues about us.” She snorted, a deep hurt replacing the spark of ire their verbal spat created.

“Hardly.” She looked back at him, the loss reflecting in his eyes mirroring her own hurt. “She has become a phantom of her former self, her name practically a myth even among youkai. The strength she once held nearly vanished with the passing of time.” Kagome swallowed hard, licking her lips, trying to wrap her head around his words. When she licked her lips again, there was no missing his eyes following the movement. Her pulse picked up, hope blooming in her chest.

“And if she wasn’t?” She bit her lip, eyes locked on his as pink began to bleed into them once more. “If she was just waiting for someone to pull her out of the shadows?”

“There would be no stopping This One from claiming her as he should have a century ago.” She swallowed, eyes flicking to his lips. Was this really happening? Had she fallen asleep on the futon without realizing it after a long, stressful day? Did she dare surrender to him?

Yes.

More than anything, yes.

Her eyes slid closed, and she slipped her shoes off once again. The world may no longer have need of the Shikon Miko, but at least one person did. How many times had he tried to pull her out of the shadows and back into the world’s consciousness? How many times did she fight him, claim that she wasn’t needed anymore, that she just wanted a quiet life? How many times had she yearned for more, thinking it was beyond her reach, when she simply needed to reach for him and him alone?

She opened her eyes, staring deeply into his molten pools. No more. She was done hiding.

“Then do it.”

Red fully consumed his eyes as he lunged for her. His lips pressed against her own, soft yet dominating, a clawed hand on the back of her head, keeping her in place. Not that she wanted to run. Not any more. With a moan, her eyes fluttered shut as his tongue swept into her mouth — tasting, controlling, consuming. His other hand gripped her waist as he pushed her into the room.

The world spun as he pressed her against the wall next to the door. “Mine,” He growled against her lips and she shuddered. The hand in her hair tightened, pulling her head to the side and exposing her neck. His lips trailed down the sensitive flesh, his fangs grazing her pulse. Her hand flailed to the side, searching for the edge of the screen, her mind refusing to allow anyone to see what bounty she was about to behold.

His hand left her hip, snapping the shoji shut with more force than necessary before his claws returned to her, their bite adding a delicious edge to her growing pleasure. “Yours…” she moaned, her hands grasping his arms, pulling him closer. “Always…” He snarled, the claw at her hip pressing against her, guiding her across the room.

Kagome’s heels brushed against the edge of the futon as his lips left hers. Eyes fluttering open, a whimper threatening to escape as she stared at him. Sesshoumaru’s own eyes bored into her, gold completely overtaken by teal, the markings on his face jagged with his loss of control.

She did this. She took the hard-won control away from the most powerful daiyoukai to walk the earth. And she loved it.

A sultry smile spread across her face. She nipped at his lips before slowly sinking to her knees. His hands flexed at his sides, but he made no attempt to move, his eyes watching her intently, waiting for her. Without hesitation, her hands moved to his obi, undoing the knot and releasing the silk to flutter to the floor.

Her hands slid up his thighs, the muscles twitching under her gentle caress. How many times had she fantasized about his taste? She bit her lip, gaze flicking up to him a moment before lowering his hakama. She swallowed hard at her first glimpse of him, already ridged, twitching with a need for attention, matching jagged stripes along the base… she wondered if they would feel any different against her tongue. She leaned forward, determined to find out.

Kagome licked him from base to tip, the heady musk of his pre-come exploding across her tongue. He snarled out her name. A hand latched itself to the back of her head, claws scraping against her scalp. His fingers pulled at her hair as she licked along his strips, their silken texture smother than the steel velvet of the rest of his shaft.

With a smirk, she enveloped as much of him as she could into her mouth. Her hand wrapped around his cock, meeting her lips halfway as she sucked him. Her eyes flicked up, a wave of heat washing over her as she witnessed the great Sesshoumaru undone by her.

Cheeks sunken, she bobbed on his shaft, eyes sliding shut once more as she reveled in the feel of him in her mouth. His growls and snarls spurred her on, heat pooling in her center, her own thighs shifting together to relieve some of the building pressure. She pulled him from her mouth with a pop, kissing him from base to tip.

“Pull me back from the shadows.” She squeezed him, hand pumping him as she looked up at him through her thick lashes. Dragging her blunt nails down his inner thigh, she reveled in his shudder. “Show the world the Shikon Miko is more than just a legend.” Hand falling away, she leaned back until she lay across the futon. “Take what has always belonged to you.”

With a snarl, he was on her, shredding her plain yukata and lips claiming hers once more. His fingers found her breasts, his demanding kiss a harsh difference between the softness of his touch as he worshiped her with his hands. Gasping, her hands laced through his hair, pulling at the strands as his fingers twisted and pinched her hard nipples.

Her back arched and her lips pulled away from his as his name escaped her in a cry of passion. His sinfully skillful lips trailed down her neck, sucking at the juncture of her neck and shoulder before moving lower. The heat of his mouth enveloped one of her hard peaks and her nails dug into his scalp, pulling him closer.

“Please…” she begged, licking her lips and rubbing her thighs together. The deep chuckle she received in answer sent chills through her body. No amount of begging or pleading would rush the daiyoukai hovering over her. Not after how long she made him wait to claim her. Nipping the side of her breast had her eyes sliding shut once more, surrendering to whatever he had planned.

His lips trailed down, her body humming in anticipation. His hot breath ghosted over her core, her legs falling open at his silent command. He looked up at her, his lips inches from her aching heat. He inhaled deeply, eyes sliding shut, and her hands fisting the soft fabric of the futon.

“So sweet.” He positioned her legs over his shoulders, pulling her core closer to him, presenting her for his wicked delight. He parted her nether lips, inhaling deeply again. “So ready.” She shivered, panting as his eyes languidly opened once more, staring deeply into her own. “And all mine.”

Then, he licked her.

Eyes rolling to the back of her head, a keening moan filled the room. His tongue rolled over her clit with the perfect amount of pressure. Her head tossed side to side as her hands ached to latch back onto his skull and force him to stay in that one place that sent her aflame.

His lips captured her bud, sucking hard, and all thoughts shattered. She cried his name, the ache within her growing. She felt him smirk against her, a plea for more on her lips before his tongue speared her and she exploded. Her scream of pleasure filled the room as his fingers replaced his tongue — testing, stretching, exploring.

“Please,” Kagome’s whispered plea fell on deaf ears, his fingers thrusting into her, his tongue laving at her clit. It was too much. It was not enough. Her hips thrust in time with his lapping and her hands shot out, fingers tangling in his silky hair, attempting to pull him closer. Sesshoumaru wouldn’t move. His hand not buried inside her gripped her hip tightly, keeping her still, keeping her at his mercy.

Another orgasm built within her. A deep crescendo more powerful than the last. Then his fingers disappeared. A rush of panic washed over her and her eyes snapped open. The devious smile on his face as he looked up from her nether regions did nothing to abate her. “Sesshoumaru…” It was a whine, a plea, a near wail for him to continue. To not leave her on the edge of the precipice.

He leaned back, coming to his knees before her, eyes locked on hers. Her center ached for his touch and her eyes fluttered shut and she moaned, her core clenching in need. A rustle of fabric and the rest of his clothes were gone once her eyes reopened. He was deliciously naked. She licked her lips, eyes roving over his well-defined chest and arms. The same markings on his wrist and cheeks adorning his hips. She yearned to run her tongue over their jagged edges and see if they were just as smooth as the ones on his cock.

“I want to taste you again.” He snarled at her desire, pulling her up into his lap.

“Not now.” He claimed her lips once more, his thick member rubbing against her clit, her honeyed cream coating him. “I need to claim you.” He dragged his lips down her neck to suck at her pulse again. “Make you mine.”

“Yes,” she groaned, her arms wrapping around his neck, head thrown back, and hair cascading over her shoulders. “Make me yours.”

He thrust into her.

Kagome screamed, the sensation of finally being full pushing her over the edge into another orgasm. He stilled as she grew accustomed to his size and returned to earth once more. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and she licked the jagged markings on his cheek as her vision cleared. He thrust again, jolts of pleasure rushing through her body like lightning.

She wanted more.

Keening, she pressed her face into his neck, sucking on the same spot he had on her own flesh. He growled, pumping into her harder and faster. Her lips fell away as she bounced in his lap, his hard member filling her over and over again, faster than she could keep up. The slaps of their flesh meeting filled the room, barely covered by her screams and his grunts of ecstasy. Kagome tossed her head to the side, exposing her neck to him. Presenting him with the tender flesh he would claim.

He swelled within her, his rhythmic thrusts jerking, and she knew he was close. Moving her hand down, she rubbed her clit, determined to fall with him one last time. Her fingers moved rapidly over her swollen flesh, the coil of pleasure building higher and higher with each passing second.

Then, it snapped.

With a scream, she exploded around him. Her channel gripping him like a vice. He pulsed within her, his hot seed filling her in thick ribbons. He grunted, teeth piercing her neck; the bliss of their shared climax overpowering the pain. His youki poured into her, wrapping around her as he filled her body. Her reiki swelled, twisting with his power, welcoming him, pulling him deeper.

Panting, Kagome rested her forehead against his shoulder, a satisfied smile on her face. The contented purr like growl rumbling from his chest teased her still hard nipples pressed tightly against his chest. She hummed, fingers scratching the back of his neck. She should have surrendered to him long ago. Now they needed to make up for lost time.

___

“Oh great Hondengodin, we call upon you!” Shippou raised his hands above his head while standing before all the followers he accumulated over the past few months. His foxfire swirled around him, an illusion of lightning filling the sky. “We ask for your blessing!” His youki swelled as he planned for an illusion of rain upon the horizon, but instead, an orb of light shot overhead to explode between him and his followers.

Blinking, he lowered his hands. The humans and youkai gasped as Kimi appeared in the fading light and dust, her entrance as theatrical as any illusion he could have created. He hadn’t expected her to visit today, not after she had stopped by a few days ago when his mama had stormed through. But he wasn’t complaining. This was much better than an illusion of rain.

“Oh great Hondengodin! We are honored you have graced us with your presence!” He bowed low, the others kowtowing before her. He didn’t need to look up to see the satisfied smirk on her face.

“Blessings to you, followers.” The sound of a fan opening caught his ear, and he looked up. Her golden eyes sparkled with mischief over the fan covering her face. “I am very pleased with your offerings, and now I must speak with your leader to impart the blessings to share with you once I depart this mortal plane.” Shippou had to bite his tongue to avoid laughing. She was having just as much fun with this as he was! He knew she was more fun than Sesshoumaru let on.

“Please, return to your homes!” He stood, addressing the crowd once more. “We shall have a special ceremony upon the morrow where I shall share the blessings given unto me from our great Hondengodin!” Cheers erupted around them as the humans and youkai stood and followed his instructions. He glanced at Kimi before leading the way back to his special red tent. He didn’t expect Sesshoumaru to come by again anytime soon, but one could never be too safe.

Once they were in the safety of the scent blocked tent, he turned to smile at her. “I love when you visit baa-chan!” She smirked at him, folding her fan back and stowing it in her sleeve. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon, though. Is everything alright?”

“Exceedingly. I’ve come to give you congratulations for your success.” She tossed a scroll over to him. He caught it easily, but didn’t unroll it, instead just cocking his head to the side to look at her overly pleased face. “My son has requested my presence at the shiro while he and the Shikon Miko travel for a honeymoon.”

Shippou laughed, tossing the scroll to the side, letting it bounce on the pillows in the corner of the tent. “You don’t say!”

“I suspect I’ll be there long after they return.” She looked at her painted claws, inspecting them for invisible flaws, as if she would ever present herself when less than perfect. “They’ll need help when the pups arrive, after all.”

Shippou laughed before flopping down on his bed of pillows. “I told you that your rumors wouldn’t work.” She glared at him briefly before returning to inspecting her nails. “Do you really think he’ll pup her so soon? Wouldn’t they want some time alone for a while?” His mama and Sesshoumaru had been dancing around each other for so long, why wouldn’t they want some time alone first?

“My son will not give her another chance to escape now that she’s finally where she was meant to be all along.” He chuckled, imagining what his mama would have to say about that. As it was, he dreaded her finding out just how much he and Kimi meddled to get her and Sesshoumaru together. “You will need to finish up here soon so you can join me at the shiro.” He didn’t need a mirror to know the mischief in her eyes matched his own. “We have much to plan before your siblings arrive.”