#sesskag monthly prompt

[a-writers-blurbs]

So I'm sitting here minding my own business & enjoying @sereia1313 story Satisfied when Ao3 decided 🖕me.

I just wanna finish the story! Is anyone else having this issue???

[noprobllama92]

chapters: 1/1

words: 4,865

fandom: Inuyasha - A Feudal Fairy Tale

rating: Explicit

warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

relationships: Higurashi Kagome/Sesshoumaru

characters: Higurashi Kagome, Sesshoumaru

additional tags: Shameless Smut, Explicit Sexual Content, POV Higurashi Kagome, Fluff, Magical Monthly Prompts November 2023, Sick Higurashi Kagome, Kagome is not having it, Kagome hates the cold

summary: Her mate is all she needs when she's feeling a bit under the weather.

————

[mrfeenysmustache]

A Happenstance of Happiness

Written for SessKag Monthly Prompts. November’s prompt: Pride

Summary: Soulmates are found with but a touch, and everyone is destined to find theirs. But for some, duty outweighs destiny. Kagome is preparing to meet her future husband, picked carefully by her father to strengthen their house, and while her clothes are straightened and her hair is combed she morns a future of love for one of loneliness. But sometimes destiny surprises us.

Also read on: AO3

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Kagome sighed as her mother helped drape and fold her kimono, the dangly bits on her hair pin jingling as the tug and pull on her obi jolted her around.

She tried to keep her heart from shattering and scattering in a million different directions as all her hopes for her life circled the drain of expectation.

She’d been foolish to have any dreams anyway, as the daughter of a nobleman her future hadn’t been hers to plan anyway; but she was a romantic dreamer, she couldn’t help herself.

“Almost done.” Her mother said, tucking a little bundle of flowers in her hair and smoothing down any stray strands before stepping back to observe her handiwork.

“There. You look so beautiful my darling girl.”

She gave her mother a tremulous smile, exerting all of her will in keeping the tears swimming in her eyes from breaking free, but her mother was ever observant.

“Oh my child, it’s not all bad! We’ve chosen a family known for their unshakable honor. Your father has known Lord Toga for years, and he assures us that his son will take proper care of you and the children you give him.”

“I’m sure he’s… wonderful. Thank you.” She whispered, turning to look herself over in the mirror.

“Mama… can I ask you something… very personal?”

Her mother hesitated for a moment, laying out her fan and a couple bits of additional jewelry, gifts from the family she was going to wear to the meeting as a show of good faith.

“Of course Daughter, what is your question?”

“I know you and father had an arranged marriage…”

“Yes we did. It is common for those in our station.”

“Right. But um… what about your soul mate?”

Her mother dropped the necklace she’d been holding and her back went straight, and Kagome worried that she’d spoken out of turn.

“Soulmates are not a luxury afforded to us. Our duties do not allow for it. Best you put such things out of your mind.”

“But have you met him? I’m worried that I will one day. What do I do?”

Her mother turned, the light in her eyes hardening into something strict and severe.

“Of course I have. We’re all destined to meet our soulmates, are we not? But I am a loyal, dutiful wife, so I let him pass me by. And you will do the same when the time comes, do you understand?”

Kagome gulped and nodded, knowing when to retreat, and let her mother finish primping her in silence.

In reality, she’d already known that would be the advice given.

She was a woman born to a certain station, and as such, she would be married to a man her family chose for her, and when the time came to meet her fated soul mate, she would resist the compulsion to be near him and remain steadfast in her marriage vows.

Her heart curdled though, when she remembered that such loyalty would only be expected from her.

One day, her husband would meet his soulmate, and he would be free to make her his and join their lives together, leaving her alone to live in his house, wife in name only.

She hoped she’d have at least a few children to distract herself with before that happened, but she was already trying to prepare herself for a life of loneliness, passing the time painting fans or picking flowers or sorting her jewelry or whatever other mindless things ladies were expected to do.

She sighed, staring into the reflection of her stricken expression, and then let her mother lead her away to meet her new betrothed.

————————————

She couldn’t keep her eyes off him.

All through lunch, through the negotiations, through their parents laughing and gossiping, her eyes kept finding his.

Her fiancé, the eldest son of Lord Toga, Sesshomaru, was a tall and stately man with fine pale hair and striking features. He carried himself with quiet pride, and dressed with understated elegance.

Beautiful, she would say, but that’s not why she couldn’t look away.

There was something about him that drew her, something that made her feel like she knew him, or that she should recognize him from somewhere, even though she’d never met him.

But no matter how many times she glanced at him or tried to search his face, should couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

It didn’t help that he was often looking at her, as well, and his eyes seemed endless in their intensity.

They were walking through the garden now, their parents walking just ahead of them as chaperones, tipsy as they were, and Kagome fidgeted in the silence that’s till hung between them. Neither had said a word, and as anxious as she was to get to know the man she would Be tied to for life, he didn’t seem inclined to any conversation, so she walked steadily at his side, trying not to feel like this was an omen of what was to come for her.

She tried not to wilt under her mounting disappointments, and in her efforts to keep her spine straight and her eyes forward, she missed the uneven paving stone and stumbled. Though she righted herself, her fan went clattering to the ground.

She reached down to grab it, and as she did, she heard her fiancé’s voice for the first time.

“Allow me.”

Expecting her to move, he bent down as well, and they reached for the fan together.

As their hands brushed they gasped, a brilliant light show of realization bursting in their minds as the knowledge of their shared soul woke up and stepped forward.

Their souls and hearts surged, and he grabbed her hand more firmly in his, their eyes meeting and never breaking.

They stood, not releasing their hold on one another, missing when their parents stopped to stare.

“Hello.” He said, voice carefully even and controlled.

“Hi.” She responded, a little breathless with wonder.

He smiled, soft and small and shining, and relief thumped painfully through her heart as she realized her fears had been for naught.

Her husband would not leave her for his soulmate one day.

Because she was his soulmate.

[elevenharbor]

Space Cadets SessKag!

Sesshomaru and Kagome are blasting off across the universe!

I’ve been working on this for three days and my eyes and wrist are tired..lol. I guess this is my first concept art for an interstellar AU fic I am working on (Cassiopeia). But I also did this as my first submission for the SessKag monthly prompt for this month (Star) because it is interstellar-themed (at least that’s what I was going for).

Well, on to my next drawing adventure! Thank you for humoring me. Enjoy!

EDIT: I fixed Sessho’s eye. It was baaad. Oh well. I’m not perfect ahahah ^^; plz don’t hurt me i’m a n00b at this

[mythicamagic]

Hunter’s Moon: Sesskag fanfic

Art by @cookieasylum​

Summary: Sesshoumaru lives an isolated life at a cabin in the mountains. One Halloween night, he has a bloody encounter with a werewolf. In the morning he finds that they've transformed into a wounded human woman. She asks for help with controlling her werewolf curse, and the hermit is reluctantly thrust into a teaching role. Touch starved and jaded, he must resist the beckoning call for 'pack' that Kagome unknowingly invites with her clumsy instincts.

Rated M

This Halloween fic is dedicated to Chocochip03/CookieAsylum who made some beautiful drawings for this fic as a collab while I did the writing! Go lookit all the lovely sesskag pictures on Ao3! Thank you so much for making them bud!

Made for the Sesskag Monthly Prompt: Fear

Read here at: Ao3, fanfiction.net or Dokuga

[watoshimi-kairou]

Prompt: Dream

Still a sketch but I updated it so it looks sooo much better than this monstrosity. Pink has always been a very “dreamy” color to me so I hope it fits. If not, they’re both dreaming so I definitely covered the prompt XD

❤ Support the Artist ❤

Commission Weebly // Buy Me Coffee? // Reblog to Share

[lynkuromuno707]

Oh no, now i'm scared to outline this... why i do this to myself... 😂😂😂😂😂

[kt-65-wrecks-blog-blog]

SessKag August prompt: Messgage

The fire hissed and crackled, it’s death rattle fighting for domination against the cacophony of cicadas that filled the night. Kagome felt no woe for the dying flames despite the dark it would inevitably usher in. The night air was warm and stagnant and the fire only made it worse. Sweat slicked her whole body, the thick polyester of her uniform stuck to her skin. She yearned for the thin cotton of her sleep tank. Unfortunately she was left wanting.

Just before sundown Sesshoumaru and his little group had crossed paths with her own. They were headed to the slayer village to hole up for the moonless night when Sango spotted Kohaku. The siblings took off to tend graves and had been in their old hut ever since. Kagome was full to the brim with love for Sango and wanted her to spend all the time she could with her brother. They had so much healing to do together, every little bit was another grain of sand in a castle they were re-building together. The monumental nature of the task didn’t escape her.

The shuffle of a rhinoceros beetle trapped under a clay bowl drew her attention to where Rin and Shippo slept beside Sesshoumaru’s dragon and Jaken. The imp’s snoring was neigh impossible to distinguish from the cicadas call. Kagome felt her lips curl up into a smile despite herself. The kids had spent the better part of the afternoon battling beetles they plucked from the forest surrounding the village under Jaken’s watchful eye. She wasn’t sure if he was watching for the childrens’ well-being for because he hoped to eat the beetles that lost.

Inside the hut behind her Inuyasha and Miroku slept. She wasn’t sure if it was her presence or Sesshoumaru’s that put him at ease. The elder brother of her dear friend seemed to find his way across their path more often recently. Since the loss of the Meido and gain of his left arm he seemed almost tempered. When they did fight the battle was lackluster and all bluff. She wondered if there was history where it came to Inuyasha’s human nights. It would have been hundreds of years ago and the berth of that lost time seemed so fathomless to her.

She was, however, suspicious of Sesshoumaru’s reason for being there. ‘I care not’ he had said when Inuyasha yelled and blustered at him before sundown, accusing him of waiting to attack when Inuyasha was in his weakened state. Kagome had ‘sat’ him then bent down to his ear and promised to keep watch all night. Still, he had settled more quickly and slept more soundly than she could ever remember on a night like this.

She had expected Sesshoumaru to leave, but now it was well after midnight and he was still there standing next to the steps where she sat. He was leaned against the wall of the hut where his brother and Miroku slept, one leg bent up and arms crossed.

She thought about trying to start a conversation with him. She had been dying for a conversation with him. Almost literally. This was such a great opportunity. But the night was so hot and stifling and LOUD.

She thought about going to sleep for a little bit, she really didn’t think he was there to hurt them anymore, but there was just so much noise. A migraine was blooming behind her eyes and she sipped a can of coffee from her era and knew there would be no rest for her this night.

“Shut up.” She grumbled quietly to herself knowing her request would fall on deaf ears. Because, she supposed, they didn’t really have ears. Looking up Kagome was a little surprised to find Sesshoumaru watching her. His golden eyes held their secrets, but she gestured vaguely to his hip before returning her face to her cupped hands.

The voices fell silent. Grateful, Kagome sighed.

The momentary silence was fleeting. And now worse, instead of bickering with each other they were yelling at her.

“What?” Sesshoumaru said, and by his tone she suspected it wasn’t the first time. She could hardly hear him over the noise.

“Tell him yourself! I’m not your middle man!” Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose, gently massaging it in small circular motions.

“What?” Sesshoumaru said again and this time Kagome actually looked at him. She drew back at the confusion he was emoting.

“Your swords...” she let the sentence hang. Maybe sentient swords should have been cause for concern, but hadn’t they run across a few in the past year? Tenseiga rattled in it’s sheath and Sesshoumaru stilled the clatter with a claw-tipped hand. “You can’t hear them.” Kagome mused aloud.

“What?” Sesshoumaru’s repeated and Kagome wanted to bang her head against the wall. This really wasn’t the conversation she was hoping to have with him. She wanted something light: ‘how bout this weather?’ ‘Naraku’s a real jerk ammirite?’

“You can’t hear your swords talking? They’ve been arguing this whole time.”

“Have you heard them talking before?” Kagome had to think about that for a moment. Maybe she had, but she had never been this close to his hip for so long before. This time she buried her head in her hands to hide the blush she felt rising.

“Hmm, I guess not. I feel kind of a ... warmth from tetsaiga sometimes, but not like this. Not actual words is what I mean.” She peeked at Sesshoumaru through her fingers.

“What?” He froze for a moment like he was gathering his thoughts or maybe trying to find the right words. “What are they saying?”

She struggled to hear out each blade. They were a mess, talking over one another, Bakusaiga cursing which was somehow even more amusing considering it was in Sesshoumaru’s own voice, and Tenseiga demonstrating vast patience which she knew was a farce considering the way he was talking before he knew she was listening.

“Tenseiga-“ she started but was rudely interrupted. “Shut up shut up shut up! Tenseiga gets to go first because he has been around longer. Oh my god! Excuse me?” She balked as Bakusaiga called her a particularly creative foul name.

Sesshoumaru’s was starting to look irritated so she pressed on and resolved to not talk to the swords directly again. “Tenseiga says that your true power lies in your compassionate heart. He says love will be your salvation and you should open your heart and your- you know what, no I’m not relaying that. Open your heart.”

“Father.” Sesshoumaru hissed. But his actions belied his words as he stroked the hilt with a tenderness that Kagome had not been expecting.

“Yes yes it’s your turn now you brat.” Sesshoumaru’s eyes snapped back from memory into the now. “Bakusaiga says your true power is in your immense strength. Strike your enemies down without conscious and you will rule supreme.” Kagome rolled her eyes. Sesshoumaru cracked his knuckles and Bakusaiga had a particularly crude suggestion of what he could do to her with those wicked claws. Tenseiga laughed.

Kagome’s patience snapped. “You know what?!” She stood too fast and the dots that blurred her vision from the migraine settling in made her dizzy. She slipped and caught hold of the nearest solid thing; the swords.

Blue and green light exploded into life. It filled the clearing, perverting the darkness. Kagome’s eyes watered at the intensity of it even though she had closed them almost immediately. She let go and so did the light.

It took awhile for her to see again. As things came into focus she realized Sesshoumaru was right in front of her. His presence had grown, taking up too much space suddenly.

“What?” He and both swords barked in unison.

“What?” She sheepishly replied. His claws encircled her wrist, she closed her eyes knowing where this was going, and it was no surprise when her hand met with the warm rattling scabbards and light filled the clearing.

As the light faded and she opened her eyes she realized she was alone.

[wbficaholic]

Damage Control, An Inuyasha Fanfiction

Written for the SessKag monthly prompt, 'Guard'

Rated M (for cherry)

Excerpt:

Below and to the left of him, the miko sat stock-still, her face white and knees folded stiffly beneath her. For close to ten minutes now, she had been frozen in this state, the basket she had been filling with various weeds long-since abandoned. From his vantage point in the canopy high above her, Sesshoumaru narrowed his gaze.

Even for her, this behavior was strange.

Had she been ensorcelled, perhaps?—or simply struck dumb, as humans seemed wont to be? It was difficult to tell from where he was currently reclining. And so, with no small amount of reluctance, Sesshoumaru slipped down from his lofty perch and approached her.

Read the rest here!! - Damage Control

[a-writers-blurbs]

Curiosity... the Dog?

As promised, I've got two updates for you guys! Here's the first one!

Ao3

WTTPD

FFN

Huge shoutiut to @ladydanitar for helping me edit this artwork! She's an awesome editor (yall should check out her ko-fi)

Preview:

Sesshomaru watched as the Miko quietly walked away from the campsite. Pain and depression radiated from her aura, causing Sesshomarus instincts to be on edge.

It was unnatural, the dynamics of their pack. Unlike what would be expected, the Miko herself presented as the alpha rather than a son of the greatest alpha to ever live, as one would expect.

And the disrespect she suffered at the hands of her first packmate as an alpha was unheard of. It made him wonder if she even understood her position as leader of the group.

[dideiphimorphia]

Finally posted my first ever work in years and for the fandom! For the @sesskag December Prompt: Moonlight. Belated but better late than never. Thank you!

Dokuga: http://www.dokuga.com/fanfiction/story/11083/1

[godhelpmeimsesskag]

Fireworks

(be aware, keen angst here. This is like a Rory Doctor Who situation, the story will explain, its also the anime storyline. Keep in mind you will need to know some basic Japanese funeral customs.) 

Kagome shivered again, pulling her yukata closer to her as she took care, she let out a breath, took care of Inuyasha. He was old, she was not. All time seemed to no longer touch her the moment the jewel had been simply... wished away. She stayed in the past to be with him, and they had tried, tried for years, decades, and now a hundred years, to create a family. Maybe it was impossible for halfbreads to father children. So few had lived as long as Inuyasha. So-Kagome delicately onited his lips with a little water. 

Preparing for his funeral took more will, and more strength then she knew she had. It seemed so alien, she barely remembered her fathers funeral, the memories almost as distant as Souta’s voice, as his face. She slowly arranged things, methodical to the last. She wasn’t at all expecting Sesshomaru when his presence, sudden as a arrow to her heart, arrived as she and temple priests began to do the final preparations. She had just placed the six coins for passing, along with a finely crafted dagger. His clothes, a fine white kimono, along with the long since last used robes of the fire rat went in next. 

He would not want his fathers blade to go with him. He’d want it to go back to his fathers grave, or to protect her. Sesshomaru, arrived without saying a thing, and simply dropped a long flattened ball into the casket as she stared to him. Uncomprehending, heart aching. 

“He used to play with it.” he told her. “as a child.” She had saved even one cup of instant ramen, finding it actually from her now moth eaten schoolbag. That went too, as the grandson of Miroku, began the wake. She winced, frowning as she sat down, there were the descendants of Miroku and Sango, Shippo, his wife and child, and now Sesshomaru. He took front and center in the ceremony. Being the only living relative left and her being the grieving wife in white. 

The next day, she could only stare to the ground as Inuyasha was given a new name. Yuuto, for utter shortness to her mind to not focus as much on it, was finally now gone. Slowly she placed a small bunch of white lilies around his neck, no longer supple and moving as his body... Kagome pulled away going back to her placement as others offered their flowers. She felt dumb and weak and only noticed the huge arrangement Sesshomaru offered. It took two of his demon leiges to carry it, and made her stare to him. 

For their whole life Sesshomaru was a rare part of it. He had not informed them of Rin’s death, nor her child’s. She didn’t even know if that child had their own children, or if Rin was now almost erased. She barely even noticed as Yuuto was carried away by Sesshomaru’s two head dragon, in a luxurious cart. She followed blindly next to the demonlord. 

Sobbing as the fire was set and roared to life, taking away the last of who he once was. It was hot enough, by Sesshomaru’s directive, to even burn away the old red robes. It took an agonizing long time, it took such a long time that she felt like she hadn’t taken a breath in the entire cremation. 

With him, she carefully picked out the bones, as he placed them into the white and gold leafed urn. Then it was done, he handed her the urn and she took them to their empty home. Barely tasting food for the next 35 days she was sure she could hear footsteps, the always bare steps of Inu-Yuuto, but then they ceased as the final day ended. And it was time to place him into his final resting place. Kagome went alone, placing his urn into a grave that she knew in a few hundred years would be demolished to be made into high-rise buildings. Whatever remaining urns and remains interred somewhere else. Somewhere no longer home. 

It was then once the grave was sealed that Sesshomaru finally came back, and stayed silent as she stared at the fresh carved stone topping his grave. “I am offering my home to you.” he told her. Kagome blinked to him. 

“Why?” she questioned, her voice was hoarse and she only realized now, she had barely spoke a word since he died. 

“It’s what he would have wanted? You protected?” he replied, almost annoyed with her. She bristled at it. 

“I can protect myself, DAI-Youkai.” she replied hissing out a sharp breath. In-Yuuto would never trust his brother to do anything, let alone protect her. The demonlord looked to her and motioned her with him. 

“Unless you wish to live as a ghost in his home.” he said simply and with more humanity she had ever heard in his voice. The reminder of their home left her feeling that keen ache. Where ever board, every screen and mote of dust for years to come would remind her... Kagome sighed and nodded. 

“I will go with you.” she said defeated by her own sorrow. She left everything there, even jewelry, and fine clothes, she never wanted to remind herself of him, allowing everything to be donated to others through the temple. Sesshomaru made no comment, only guiding her into a wing of empty rooms. Empty of everything but the basic needs of life, servants both demon and human running around her to get her settled as soon as possible. 

Maybe a year or more passed, she didn’t really care, but now she was breathing out a fog of white breath in the winter. She felt like she had always been waiting, always been running to catch up with I-Yuuto. Maybe that was why it had taken years before she had removed the necklace from him. Until she knew he was hers loyal to the last...she frowned squeezing her eyes shut. 

“Do you want your dinner with me?” Sesshomaru asked her. He asked that every night since she had arrived, it was a constant, a steady rock for her to cling to. Something in her finally crumbled, leaving way for the rushing current to pass through. 

“Yes.” she replied following him feeling a unknown giddy feeling in her for the first time in years. Ever since she had realized that she did not age, ever since she realized that Yuuto would die long before she did. It seemed either she was displaced in time, forever waiting for her era to continue her life, or that the Shiikon Jewel had cursed her, or that demon within it, to live like she was now. Didn’t demons age? Didn’t they grow old and die? 

“..Akemi, used to eat here.” he gestured vaguely to the room around them. Kagome had a brief moment of confusion, until she realized he had done the same ceremony for the little girl that she had done for Yuuto. She had a shrine next to the one for Yuuto. “I do not require to eat everyday.” Kagome watched as a fairly simple meal compared to the luxurious meals she expected him to eat were placed down. 

“Did... did she live a good life?” she asked him. He made a noise, taking a bowl of rice and eating it. 

“Yes. Long until she was like... that old woman you roomed with.” he told her. Kagome followed his suit, eating, it felt like the first meal she ever had in her life. Nourishing in a strange and thrilling way. 

“I’m glad!” Kagome told him. “How many children?” 

“How many for you?” he retorted quickly like a jab. 

“I don’t mean it like that. Me... we never could... it never took.” He looked to her and then back to the meal. 

“She died in birth, her and the child.” Kagome swallowed. “Her husband perished from a fever years later. Having never taken another.” She continued to eat in silence. They were more alike then she thought, both of them had watched as those they cared for died. Either by age, or from the rigors of child birth. “One doesn’t miss things until they are gone.” he stated flatly. 

“I know... I kept hearing the sounds of his feet.” she replied forgetting the remains of her meal. 

“Laughter.” he replied simply. Kagome closed her eyes, all her memories, they were there waiting for her. As though waiting for her to have a chance to grieve, to allow herself to come to terms with her fate. Her brothers face and voice loud and annoying, her mothers kind compassion. Grandfather’s near paranoia at all creaks from the shrine. Said shrine was just being built, to be rebuilt later, over and over again at least four times. 

“Do... do you know what will happen with me? Will I age?” she asked bitterly. 

“If you are anything as I, then no. Demons of my stature do not die until they are slain.” she felt that rushing warmth, a hot spring formed up in the waters of her soul. Warming it until she felt alive again. 

“Maybe... you need a guard?” she asked him. He looked to her. “A priestess is a very powerful ally.” she hadn’t practiced in decades, but that power could be brought back. She could still feel it as a vital part of her. 

“You may stay as long as you wish lady Kagome.” he told her, affording her more respect then she ever remembered of him. For any human. 

“Thank you.” 

Time maybe a decade or more, it was hard to tell when you are as immortal seeming as Kagome, she leaned back into Sesshomaru’s back swallowing thickly. It wasn’t alien as it was the last time. He encircled his arms around her as the fireworks burst over a river the sounds thumping over the both of them. Just like the sparkles of light from the gunpower. 

They were alone in the courtyard of his home, his arm tightened around her waist, the other holding hers in clawed hands. He breathed in the smell of her hair as she watched the fireworks. Time extended out in front of her, sure as a river coursing through, sure as a deep hot spring. Even as the world changed around the two, even as she found the modern era again. 

It was as though she never existed. Never in this modern time, as she watched Souta, her mother and father laughing as they got ready for a festival. Without the existence of the Shiikon Jewel Kagome had never been born. But she had a place to be, and long since knew this. One of the wealthy patrons of what once her families shrine Kagome smiled as she picked up the latest little hanyo. The old tree, connected to the dry well still stood. Growing as strong as ever. Sesshomaru stood beside her as they navigated the world. 

Two timeless creatures come together as one. 

[mrfeenysmustache]

Poison

Summary: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but can he teach himself?

Written for SessKag monthly prompts. October’s prompt: Poison

Also read on: AO3

🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪

It was a cool, fall morning with overcast skies. A chill breeze blew smatterings of rain against the windows as it howled around the buildings, and Kagome hopped out of bed to put on her thickest socks and coziest sweater.

She twisted her hair up high on her head, grabbed the latest book she was reading along with a plush blanket, and stepped out of her bedroom, ready to hop down the stairs and into the recliner, where she would remain until she had to order in lunch.

An acrid, burning smell stopped her in her tracks.

Her stomach lurched and she slapped a hand over her nose and mouth, panic propelling her down the stairs and into the kitchen to make sure the whole house wasn’t about to burn down, and she screeched to a halt at the sight of Sesshomaru standing frizzy haired at the kitchen counter.

He whipped around, a little wild eyed, before he schooled his features back into their usually even mask, and then he held up a mug of something stinking and steamy.

“I’ve made you your coffee.” He said, walking carefully to the table and placing the mug down in her usual breakfast spot.

She eyed it, sitting in the chair when he pulled it out for her, simply staring at it in confusion.

“Is there something wrong? You have coffee every morning, most especially on mornings like today.”

“You’ve… never made my coffee before. Or any coffee. Ever.”

“I am not a creature of such stifling habit that I cannot be spontaneous.”

She looked up at him in shock.

After so many centuries together, ‘Sesshomaru’ and ‘spontaneous’ were not words she would ever choose to put together.

But she could see, behind his carefully blank facade, a brittle hopefulness shimmered that squeezed at her heart, so she picked up the mug- her favorite one, she noticed- and took a small sip, ignoring the overwhelming stench of charcoaled coffee grounds.

She closed her eyes and wiped her mind clear of all thoughts in an effort to keep her face neutral, but the burnt bitterness that washed over her tongue and down her throat was so strong she almost choked.

She forced a smile as she glanced up at him, standing and waiting expectantly, looking almost eager for her to taste it.

“Oh wow! That was… so good….” She said, too wide smile never breaking, but his shoulders drooped just a hair and his eyes dulled.

“You hate it.”

“I do not!”

“You are lying.”

“I would never-“

He made an exaggerated sniff and stared down his nose at her, eyes narrowing in an agitated glare.

“Oh right. You can smell that kind of thing.”

“Indeed.”

“Look Sessh, it’s not… I’m really touched you decided to do this, it’s just…” she floundered, looking for the right words, not wanting to hurt his feelings even if she knew he would deny it even on his deathbed that such a thing was possible.

But there was nothing for it.

“It tastes like poison. I’m sorry, I really am it’s just… oh it’s so bad. I thought the kitchen was on fire when I woke up!”

He stared blankly at her for several moments, and she worried when he silently closed his eyes.

But then the corners of his mouth just barely twitched up, and she could see his valiant effort to hold back a laugh.

“Please don’t tell me you did this on purpose…”

“Of course not, but I cannot recall the last time my efforts toward something failed so spectacularly.”

She giggled, standing up and wrapping her arms around his waist, snuggling in when he returned her embrace.

“Maybe when you first started learning to drive?”

“You promised me you would never speak of that again.”

“The first time you used a telephone was also pretty funny.”

“Kagome.”

“Remember the first time you flew in a plane?”

“You tread on dangerous ground.” He rumbled, the tips of the fingers on one of his hands drifting over to press into her side. She tensed and tried to squirm away, but his hold was firm.

“You wouldn’t dare. It’s not like I brought up the time-“

“Miko.”

“-that you went to the doctor for that physical-“

“Kagome.” He grit out, fingers digging further into her ribs.

“And you had to-“

“I am warning you…”

“Pee in that tiny-“ she burst out laughing as he began ruthlessly tickling her, falling with her in a heap on the floor as she tried to roll away and flee.

“Okay okay! I’m sorry!!! Stop!!!”

His hands moved off her sides but he laid out on top of her, keeping her pinned to the floor.

“I was just kidding around, you know.”

“Even after all this time your sense of humor leaves much to be desired.”

She stuck her tongue out and then squeaked when he snapped his teeth at it, a darkly amused grin on his face.

“You jerk. You know I hate being tickled.”

“And you know I hate being reminded of the car, the plane, the phone and that blasted little cup.”

“I think it was just an excuse to get me under you, you big old perv.”

She gasped as his lips and teeth found her neck, her fingers closing around the back of his neck.

“Perhaps it was. I do so enjoy having you under me.” He whispered hotly against her skin, and she shivered.

“Wanna spend the day in bed?”

He answered with a lingering, open mouthed kiss on her shoulder and her eyes fluttered closed.

“And in the shower?” He growled, licking up the column of her throat.

“And maybe… on the couch? At least a couple times?”

Between one moment and the next he had her swept up and closed away in their room, coffee cold and forgotten on the table.

[kagomehigurashi]

sesskag monthly prompt; Haunting

These two would absolutely haunt each other’s thoughts like… there’s a lot going on, with Sesshoumaru not wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps but being unable to get Kagome’s smile out of his head… and sweet, sweet Kagome, unsure of what to make of the sudden pull she’s feeling towards Sesshoumaru as he becomes a constant and insistent part of her life… truly the perfect slow burn🤧

[mythicamagic]

Terracotta Teeth - Chapter One

A Halloween Sesskag fic

During a long drive to Tokyo, Kagome's car is totalled by a monstrous silver dog. She now finds herself stranded in a remote village, where the residents appear kind, if slightly distant. However something or someone seems a little too keen on making her stay, permanently.

Rated M for later chapters 

Horror/Romance/Drama -  You can read this story on Ao3, Fanfiction.net or Dokuga

Chapter 2 - here

Made for the sesskag monthly prompt - Haunting

AN: Hi all, hope you like this one.  It'll include a few smut scenes, but I'll place warnings at the start of chapters for those.

Hours to make, seconds to comment. ^^

Terracotta Teeth ~

Kagome kagome / The bird in the basket/cage,

When, oh when will it come out In the night of dawn The crane and turtle slipped Who is behind you now?

"You've been on the road for four hours straight. Don't you think it's time to stop the car and relax for a sec?"

"Stop fussing already, you really don't need to remind me. I've passed at least 10 signs saying; Tiredness can kill, take a break!" Kagome paused, hearing her brother sigh through the phone. "I've drank a lot of coffee, kiddo, there's no need to worry. I'm getting to Tokyo tonight even if it kills me."

She'd meant to sound encouraging, but the coughing and spluttering of Souta chocking on his drink told her he'd not caught the joke.

Souta cleared his throat, voice thin. "It's not like there's a special occasion to rush home for, why are you even-" he suddenly squeaked. "H-hey! How are we talking right now if you're driving?"

Kagome rolled her eyes, practically seeing his judgemental look. For a boy who was five years her junior, he sure liked to act like he was the older sibling. "It's on speakerphone, moron," she muttered, a smile tugging at her mouth. He was such a worry wort.

Continuing down the road with the moon above as her sole companion, Kagome turned the wheel at a bend, glad her headlights were so bright. Making the journey to Tokyo from where she'd been staying at her aunts was a long and tedious one, but she felt more than ready to see her family again.

She hesitated, before inquiring; "How's Grandpa?"

There was a brief moment of silence, then the sound of a long, deep sigh through the phone. "The same, but we're handling it. How- um...how are things with you?"

"Everything's fine." She said a little too quickly, soon smoothing her tone. "I'll be there soon," she promised, guilt gnawing painfully at her heart. Souta assured her as he always did that she didn't need to come home and help, but it never lessened the strain.

Deciding to change the subject, blue eyes glanced out the window to her right, seeing nothing but darkness and the moonlit outlines of trees.

"I haven't seen another car pass by for awhile," Kagome murmured offhandedly, a little disconcerted. Maybe travelling at night hadn't been such a great idea.

"Mmm?" Hearing the sounds of muted explosions and blasters over the phone, Kagome shook her head. She'd lost Souta's attention to video games yet again.

"Hey! You still with me?"

"Oh, sure, sorry. Did you see that it's a full moon tonight? Better be careful~" he chuckled darkly, making ghost noises.

Kagome laughed even as she scanned ahead. Fog was starting to creep into the road, and even the moon wasn't helping with visibility, hanging in the pitch black sky. "I'll try not to run into any vampires."

"It's werewolves, you uncultured swine!" Souta gasped dramatically, and Kagome couldn't hold back her giggle. "Well, if any do bother you, send them my way. I'm fighting Dracula in Castlevania as we speak."

"My hero," she drawled, still smiling.

Saying their goodbyes, the phone clicked, shutting off. Kagome raised her head, noticing a sign on the side of the road, and feeling hope leap in her heart. Leaning forward and slowing the car to a crawl, she frowned, trying to read.

Yet even as she squinted she couldn't make sense of it, as the words were covered in grime. The encroaching fog was getting denser with every second, grey wraiths of smoke rolling through the trees. Kagome sighed and hesitated, before deciding to carry on, stomach twisting at the thought of getting out of the car.

Trees surrounded her on either side of the road, standing tall and thin. Something about their stillness made her shoulders tense, though she knew it was ridiculous. It was probably because it was so close to winter that she didn't feel like getting out into the biting cold, and definitely not that Halloween loomed a few weeks away. Yeah, that definitely wasn't it.

Shaking her head, Kagome drove on. Silence hung in the air like a physical, heavy presence, only mildly broken by the sound of her engine.

She glanced at the map folded neatly on the passenger seat, unopened since she'd turned onto this road an hour ago. It wasn't like she was concerned, she knew to stay on this road for at least another hour, but the sign would've helped assure her.

Kagome's chest tightened, and she swallowed, deciding to lighten the mood. Leaning forward, she turned the radio on, wincing when static blasted through the speakers.

Growling in frustration, she turned the dial back and forth, glancing up at the road after a moment.

A dark shape darted out from the trees, flashing white in the headlights as it stopped in the road. Kagome gasped, foot slamming on the break immediately. Her head swung forward, but her eyes stayed locked with the creatures in front of her, heart racing as the tires screeched.

It wasn't moving! She was going to hit it!

Just as she was about to turn the wheel, the white form leaped into the air, heading straight for her. Kagome cried out. The windscreen cracked, glass caving inwards. Kagome grit her teeth, eyes squeezing shut as the shards flew by her face. As she ground to halt, she rocked forward, panting wildly.

Everything lapsed into silence, save for the sound of her frantic breaths. Terrified blue eyes peeled open slowly.

Pale, shaking hands unfurled from the steering wheel, knuckles stained white. She inhaled a breath sharply, before releasing it, chest rising and falling. She stared unseeingly ahead, mind turning impossibly fast.

"W-w-what the hell was that?" She breathed, voice thin.

Her hand shot out for the handle and yanked, pushing the door open. Ripping the seat-belt aside, Kagome climbed out of the car, legs shaking. She grabbed onto the door as her knees weakened, threatening to give out.

Willing herself to calm down, she set one foot forward, followed by another, breathing in the crisp, cold air. Placing a hand on the car bonnet to steady her, Kagome staggered forward, terror seizing her at the sight of the damage.

The windscreen was almost completely caved in. It's glass was covered in cracks, all spilling out like a spiders web from one deep indent in the screen. It was barely holding itself together, though a few fragments had broken off inside the car. There was another indent of the same size on the bonnet, probably crushing the engine lying underneath.

Cursing shakily under her breath, Kagome glanced up, searching for anything in the cover of the misty outlines of trees. What was that thing? It had looked like a dog, but none that she'd ever seen. What kind of dog was the size of a bear? And it's eyes...

Tracing her mind back, she dimly remembered hearing something hit the roof after the windscreen had caved in. Kagome reached up on her toes, feeling for anything on the roof.

Her fingers met another deep indent. Bringing her hand back quickly, Kagome cradled it to her chest, wondering what this meant.

Had the white dog jumped onto her car? Even if it had, would it really have been heavy enough to crack the windscreen like that, or even the bonnet? One thing was certain, she hadn't hit it. The creature had willingly lunged at her.

Standing stunned for a moment, Kagome just stared at the damage, at a loss what to do. "I-I guess I can't drive it like this," she laughed weakly.

First things first, I need to call someone. No, wait, its safety first I guess.

Sliding back into her car and switching the hazard lights on, Kagome grabbed her phone and stepped out into the cool night air once more. Warily glancing around for any sign of the white beast, she realized with dismay that she didn't have any breakdown services saved on her phone.

Kagome sighed, wishing she'd been a little more organised. Souta always did say I left everything to chance.

"Souta..." she murmured, hand tightening around the phone. She could ring home and ask them to arrange a pick up truck for her, but it was late and Grandpa was in a 'sensitive state' as the doctors called him. Kagome didn't want to burden her mother with any more stress on top of that.

Scrolling down her list of contacts, she decided to ring Yumi, an old schoolmate who she hadn't lost touch with by some miracle. Just as her thumb hovered over the 'Call' button, a bright light caught her attention. Kagome winced, blinded- and lifted her hand to shield her eyes.

The lights dimmed, and Kagome heard a car approaching, the headlights steadily drawing nearer.

Relief flooded her, but at the same time a faint pang of caution beat in her chest. She'd seen enough horror movies and hitchhiker reports in the news, to know that strangers in cars might not be a trustworthy gamble.

Kagome shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, breath becoming visible in the air as the car slowed and passed her. It parked not too far away.

Her heart thundered in her chest as the driver's door opened. From the light cast by her car, she could faintly make out the number-plate but little else. Fog was still hanging close, draping the stranger in a haze as they began to approach. The sound of footsteps and the faint grumble of their cars engine was all she could hear.

Kagome's eyes were wide, but she held herself still.

Now that they were closer, their form was discernible from the gloomy haze. He was dressed in a casual suit, but the tie at his neck was to the collar, clothes crisp and clean. He had long, dark hair tied back at the nape of his neck. As he stepped closer, Kagome noticed the handsomeness of his face, and found herself surprised. Out of all the people she'd expected, she hadn't thought a businessman would stop to help her. Suspicion rose in the pit of her stomach, and Kagome's eyes darted to the road.

No one else was around, and no one knew she was there. What road she was even on.

"Are you alright?" A low, pleasant voice asked.

Kagome started, and looked back at him, now able to see him clearly. The moonlight made him look ghostly pale, and somehow otherworldly- and Kagome had never thought to use that word on a person before. He stopped at a respectable distance as Kagome looked him over. The stranger seemed genuinely concerned.

"Y-yeah I'm fine," she cursed her squeaky voice.

He came closer, dark eyes locked with hers. "You're bleeding."

Kagome blinked in surprise and glanced down at herself. She was? Where? Why hadn't she noticed?

The man took pity on her and gestured to his cheek. Kagome's hand rose to her face and gingerly traced her fingers down, wincing when she felt a few scrapes.

He watched her, face unreadable. Kagome smiled reassuringly, "it's just from stay bits of the windscreen. I don''t think I have whiplash or anything. I'm mostly a little shaken up."

He nodded, "not surprising. Did you hit something?"

At that, Kagome frowned slightly. "No, well- it's hard to explain. I think a dog or something jumped onto my car and dented it. I know it sounds strange but- I mean look!" Her hands waved enthusiastically in the air, gesturing to the car.

The quiet man approached her vehicle, assessing the damage with intense, focused eyes. Kagome wasn't sure what to make of his expression. His face seemed guarded.

A large hand drew out and traced the dent in the bonnet. "While this may be strange to you, miss, the attack you described is a regular occurrence on this road."

"W-what?" Kagome breathed. "Then why hasn't someone caught the dog yet? It was massive, like- the size of a bear! I'm not kidding!" She squeaked, voice thin.

Eyes that told of secrets, but held them locked tight in a strongbox, raised to meet hers. Kagome quieted instantly, uncertain of what she was feeling.

"The village in this area is small, they don't have the funding or support to undertake such a task. Simple village folk would be no match against such a creature, wouldn't you agree?" The man straightened, expression still carefully blank, but something hard leaked into his voice.

Kagome frowned, unsure what to make of him. He spoke strangely, entirely formal and almost old fashioned.

She rubbed her arms against the chill in the air. "I-I guess. Do you live around here?"

"Hn, at the border of the village. My brother is a mechanic and owns a small business within it." He glanced at her car. "It's doubtful he could repair it, but you could at least hold your vehicle there for now."

Kagome's eyes widened. "O-oh." This was the tricky part. Could she trust his word, or was he just saying this to get her to trust him? He didn't look like a serial killer, but they hardly wore signs around their necks. "Will your brother be able to tow my car to the village?"

The stranger nodded, his stillness setting Kagome's teeth on edge. "I will contact him now. If you wish, there is also a small hotel where you could stay for the night."

"Ah, thank you very much." She smiled slightly. Realizing she'd been a little rude, she continued. "My name's Kagome Higurashi by the way."

His eyes widened, as if caught off guard and finally noticing he hadn't offered his name. "Sesshoumaru Taisho."

Kagome's shoulders eased as she relaxed a little. Someone with a name that meant 'Killing Perfection' sounded like they belonged in a gang, but the awkward way he'd said it made her smile.

He might not have been a very responsive or warm person, but he did seem nice under that indifferent attitude. However, Kagome was still uncertain, and as he turned away to make a phone call, she wrung her hands.

He'd probably offer to give her a ride into the village soon, and then she'd have to choose whether to trust him or not. Deciding to be safe, she rang Souta.

"Hey Sis, whats up?"

"Um, nothing serious, I just broke down is all." She said easily. This way she could tell him the facts and gloss over the details, hopefully making him worry a little less.

There was a panicked squeak from the line. "W-what! Are you okay?"

Kagome's lips lifted at the corners, affection leaking into her voice. "I'm fine, the 'check engine' light flashed up and I coasted to a stop. A guy pulled up and says his brother can tow my car to a village."

"You sure it's safe?" Souta asked hesitantly.

"No sweat, kiddo. He seems like a nice guy, but just in case, I'll text you my road number. I'm going to stay at the hotel overnight, and hopefully it'll be fixed soon." Kagome glanced over to where Sesshoumaru was standing, in deep conversation. He said it was doubtful it could be fixed though. Oh man, what am I going to do?

"What's the name of the village?"

Kagome's silence spoke for itself. Souta gave a long suffering sigh, as if imagining her smiling and waving it off.

She laughed weakly, "I'll text you that too." Kagome's eyes drew back to Sesshoumaru once more, but stopped short at the sight of his passenger door opening. A little girl around the age of ten stepped out, her eyes wide and inquisitive.

"Papa? Whats going on?" She asked, voice soft.

Sesshoumaru stilled, turning with a frown as he lowered the phone from his ear. "Rin. Did I not tell you to stay inside?"

Rin nodded and grinned apologetically, a gap in her teeth. Her eyes strayed to meet Kagome's, who stopped. A ripple of unease shuddered down her spine, breath catching.

When she blinked, nothing seemed to have changed, and the brief feeling of terror had vanished. Kagome realized dazedly that her hand had risen to her forehead, dizziness swaying her.

"Miss Higurashi?" Sesshoumaru's voice snapped her alert, and she smiled weakly at his inquiring look.

Mentally shaking herself and saying a brief goodbye to Souta, she put away her phone. Rin's dark brown eyes stayed glued to her the whole time, a warm smile slowly touching her face.

Kagome returned it, wondering at the faint sense of alarm that still clung to her. Stepping forward, she buried her feelings. "Your name's Rin? It's nice to meet you, I'm Kagome."

Rin nodded, her eyes landing on the ruined car. She gasped quietly. "Were you driving that car?"

Kagome, seeing her fearful look, gentled her voice."I sure was. Looks bad huh? But don't worry, not a scratch on me." At this, Rin's keen gaze roved over her face, and Kagome sweat dropped. "Well not many scratches anyway."

Sesshoumaru cleared his throat, clicking his phone off. "My brother refuses to pick up your car, but another mechanic who works with him has agreed to take it."

His expression was dark, face like thunder. Kagome hazarded a guess that he and his brother didn't get on too well. "O-oh alright. That's okay, I guess."

"We could wait for him if you wish, or I can take you to the hotel now."

Automatically, Kagome's chest tightened. Glancing down at Rin, she thought briefly to herself. He had his daughter with him, and she didn't have any reason to distrust the guy.

Raising her eyes to meet Sesshoumaru's, she smiled easily. "I'd appreciate a lift with you."

Sesshoumaru nodded, and turned to usher a beaming Rin back into the car. After retrieving her bags from the beat up wreck of her once beloved car, Kagome soon found herself being driven into unknown territory.

Sesshoumaru turned off from the main road almost immediately, driving into the pitch black cover of the trees.

The road was only a faint outline of a path for the car to follow, mist rolling through the road. Kagome held herself rigidly in her seat. An awkward silence hung in the air, and she caught herself glancing at Sesshoumaru. He met her gaze once and calmly returned his eyes to the road. If he noticed her uneasy expression, he didn't comment on it.

"Where were you travelling to, Kagome?" Rin pipped up from the backseat.

She turned to look at her, grateful for the distraction. "I was heading back home to Tokyo, but I kinda wish I'd driven a little earlier in the day."

The little girl nodded sagely. "Me too, we've been on the road for hours."

"Oh?" She hadn't thought to ask why they were travelling so late at night.

"Mmhm, we're on our way back from vacation because school starts again soon." She made a face, but then looked up inquisitively. "Why were you away from Tokyo? Were you on vacation too?"

Kagome tensed, but covered it up by smiling quickly. Her hands met in her lap, fingers threading. She wondered how to change the topic without seeming rude.

"Rin, Miss Higurashi is probably tired. Do not ask such questions." Sesshoumaru's steady voice cut through the air, making Kagome glance at him surreptitiously. She'd only hesitated for a moment, but had he somehow known she didn't want to answer?

Rin sighed and leaned back in her seat as Kagome smiled apologetically.

Her attention was grabbed when they turned a corner, leaving the trees behind them as the car was once more bathed in moonlight. A shudder ran down her spine, making Kagome violently quiver. It was as if something had physically brushed past her. Gritting her teeth against the sensation, Kagome was alarmed to find herself feeling nauseous. Breathing out shakily, she raised her head and found Sesshoumaru's gaze trained on her.

Blushing, she waved it off, missing his lingering look.

Houses awaited them, all grouped close together and looking somewhat old fashioned with their soft, quaint lights. Sesshoumaru carried on through the small, rural village, and Kagome glanced around, wondering how people could live in a place so isolated, so far away from any cities.

As they headed towards a cosy looking house, Kagome found her eyes returning to the driver once more. He was so serious and quiet, it was difficult to know what he was really like, yet she felt grateful to him for the ride. But it's not as if I'm going to hang around here to find out more about him. I'm getting outta this village as soon as I can.

Stopping in front of the two story house, Kagome noticed the lights flick on in the upstairs windows. Feeling guilty that they'd disturbed someone, she got out the car and followed Sesshoumaru up the porch steps. Sesshoumaru didn't knock on the front door, but instead waited silently.

There was a rustling from inside, and the jangle of keys being turned before an old woman answered the door. Kagome was surprised to see that she wore an eye-patch. She pulled her dressing gown tight around herself and frowned deeply at Sesshoumaru, who gazed back, non pulsed.

"Do you have any idea what time it is, Mr. Taisho?" The woman grumbled, her single eye narrowing.

"Past midnight, I suspect. This is Kagome Higurashi, she needs a room for the night." Sesshoumaru said, quick and to the point. He turned and looked back at Kagome, who awkwardly waved from behind him.

The woman glanced briefly at her, mouth thinning, eye widening slightly. Kagome felt another brief tremor of that strange sensation down her spine again, but shook it off. She should probably take some pills soon for the travel sickness.

She couldn't see Sesshoumaru's expression, but his voice softened, making the hair on the back of her neck stand up. "Kaede, this girl was attacked by the white dog that frequents the main road. Would you really turn her away after such an experience?"

Kaede's face turned pale, her eye narrowing once more. The two stared at each other in silence for a moment, something unseen passing between them that hung in the air. Kaede finally stepped aside, not looking at Kagome. "Bring your things inside then, shouldn't be too hard to find ye a room."

Kagome said her thanks, and after grabbing her bags, she followed the woman into the house as Rin waited in the car.

Climbing the stairs, Kaede showed her to a small room with a single bed, dresser and wardrobe. Kagome turned on her heel, words of thanks dying on her tongue the moment she realized the older woman had already left. Trying to shake of the feeling that she was intruding, her bags hit the floor as a sigh escaped her.

"A larger room could be arranged," came a velvety voice.

She jumped, finding Sesshoumaru in the door way. She hadn't heard him follow her up the stairs. He gave the room a once over, before settling his cool gaze on her.

Kagome shook her head. "No way, this suits me fine. Besides, you've done enough for me without all that hassle," her hand that waved in the air froze the moment he stepped closer.

He held up a face cloth, causing Kagome to blink in confusion. When he pressed it into her waiting hand, it felt damp and cool. "Because of the accident, it wouldn't surprise me if you've suffered whiplash. At the very least, you should tend to the cuts on your face."

"O-oh, thanks." She felt her cheeks burn, and smiled softly, cursing in the privacy of her mind. Great, the one time I meet a nice guy, I have seven hours worth of driving hanging over me, and we meet because of an accident. Despite his reserved nature, Kagome couldn't stifle the flutter in her stomach as his dark eyes met hers.

"Here is the number of the garage your car is being held at. My number is below it should you need anything," he murmured, giving her a piece of folded paper.

Saying thanks again felt inadequate, so when he turned with the intention of leaving, Kagome stepped forward. "I owe you. Seriously, if there's anything I can do to repay you for this, just lemme know. I mean it."

Sesshoumaru glanced back at her briefly, eyes shining from the warm light of the lamps. His lips tugged up at the corner, just for a moment- but in a flash it was gone. He nodded and Kagome watched, transfixed, as he left without another word.

Kaede only returned briefly to tell her where the bathroom was, and that breakfast was served at 8.00 am sharp.

"How much is it to stay for the night?" Kagome asked, hoping to soothe the tense atmosphere between them. Kaede's single eye landed on her and stared with an intensity that made the young woman rock back on her heels.

"Mr. Taisho has covered your expenses."

"What?" Kagome breathed, "he can't- I mean, why would he do that?" She stuttered, at a loss what to say.

Kaede's mouth tightened, lips thinning until they pressed into a grim line. "You'd best get some sleep," she muttered, shuffling down the hallway before Kagome could utter another word.

What the heck is going on? She stayed in a state of confusion even as she lay in bed, settling down under the covers. She resisted the strong urge to push the curtains aside and peek outside for signs of the white dog. She remained alert and stiff under the covers, listening. It was so quiet outside. The sound of her own breathing was too loud. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was out there somewhere. Strange, demonic red eyes glowing from within the mists, watching her hotel window.

She shivered and curled herself into a ball, yanking the covers over her head. The image of gigantic, monstrous jaws opening wide and consuming her bed whole made sleep a distant friend for awhile. Deciding to visit the garage as soon as possible in the morning, Kagome's eyes squeezed shut, and she released a long breath.

The last thing that passed through her mind before sleep claimed her, was that she hadn't asked what the name of the village was. Yet even as she tried to remind herself to ask about it tomorrow, a phantom sensation brushed through her, wiping the thought away.

-

If you like what I do please consider buying me a coffee x

[tenshibeth1]

Belated Fanfiction Friday 7

Nope, I didn't forget! I've actually been having some medical problems, and I've been out of work because of it. I would have wrote more...and better...had I not been on some of the meds I've been on. It's been a wild, fuzzy ride, I tell ya... Without further ado, I present Bonded:

http://www.dokuga.com/fanfiction/story/10892/1

P.S. I'm considering changing the title to Fanfiction Weekend. Since I can't seem to post on Friday. @.@