#skw:Day3

[jafndaegur]

Sesskag Week: Day Three

Bonds

Sesskag Week 2018 | Day Three: Sudden, steal, soft, breeze

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The two of them walked in a companionable silence. Sesshomaru drew the door to the well-house open and allowed Kagome passage in. She nodded gratefully at him, her arms full of medicinal and first-aid supplies. Stopping before the steps that led down to the base of the well, Kagome looked back at the daiyoukai. He stood, staring outside at the outline of the Tokyo skyline. His face blank, his eyes warm, the girl felt that he was at war with himself.

“Are you upset?” she asked gently, shifting the provisions in her arms.

His gaze swept over to her, the faint glitter in his eyes catching her off guard.

Kagome blinked away her disbelief and allowed herself to inquire another question. “What on earth are you thinking?”

“This Sesshomaru is amazed,” he started slowly, closing the well-house door. “That you, little miko, travel back and forth between your time and ours.”

“That’s it?” she laughed.

“Remember how this one told you, he expected things highly of you?” He stepped close to her, standing toe-toe as he gazed down upon her.

Quite rudely, although you did think I was deserting our group. She nodded.

“Miko, it seems you depart from a life of luxury into a life of war and fighting quite constantly. All for what? A little stone.”

That was the first time she’d ever heard a demon call the Shikon Jewel a little stone.

The daiyoukai egged on. “There are feats here that I would never have associated with humans before. And yet, you live in a time where everything to your kind is possible. Despite all of this, you travel far back in time to help with a quest that should never been yours in the first place.”

Her mouth gaped slightly in astonishment. “Sesshomaru…where is all this coming from?”

“Admiration,” he declared, looking down at her with an emotion in his stare that she could not decipher. “You little miko, are not as weak as I once thought you to be.”

A back-handed compliment? Kagome shook her head. “Sesshomaru…it must be the air here that’s causing you to say these things. I’m not deserving of your esteem, at least I don’t think so.”

He did not say anything—his gaze hardened just a bit.

“You have to understand, I’m probably about as weak as you used to think I was,” she cast her sight down, discovering that she found the worn-out leather of his boots and her loafers far more interesting that his scrutinizing look. “I’m just a jewel detector. I’m not a warrior, or a fighter. I’m not even a real miko.”

Silence enveloped them like a storm. She could feel the anger crackling off of Sesshomaru like static. In her mind she begged that he would just drop the conversation and take them back to the others. All they had to do was take a few small steps and jump into the well. Why was he dwelling on this?

“Do you think my words so lacking in credibility that you would blame the air?” His voice cut through the oppressive quiet in the way that his old sword Tokijin may have once cut through an enemy. His words sounded rough and harsh. His tone was strained.

She dared not steal a glance at him. Instead, she squeezed her eyes shut and hunched up her shoulders while she endured his scolding tone. She felt like a child. Offense had not been her intention when she mentioned that he hadn’t meant his words. But to have garnered the great daiyoukai’s respect, as much as she was pleased to hear that, she knew she had not earned it.

A sudden touch beneath her chin startled her. Her head was titled upward without her own request. Sesshomaru gently held her chin between his fingers, his thumb stroking along the edge of her jaw. A small sigh escaped her in a shaky breath. There were no thoughts in her head. She could not find anything to say. The youkai lord spoke of nothing as he continued the gentle ministrations to her skin without a word. His calloused fingers felt comforting against her jawline, and his grasp on her was nothing short of tender. Her mind felt like a clear window, she could see everything on the other side: his contemplative countenance, his shockingly kind eyes. This was it. He was going to kill her right then and there.

“You make it incredibly trying for me to act like myself, Kagome,” Sesshomaru murmured.

She squeaked. “I’m sorry?”

“With your nonstop babbling during our long walks in the day, your disgustingly sweet kindness towards the kitsune kit and my human ward, your unending patience towards my moronic half-brother…your obstinate modesty and humility,” he rumbled, his hand slowly slipping away from her face. “You make it exceedingly difficult for one such as myself to act like this Sesshomaru.”

“I’m not sure if I’m insulted or complimented,” she whispered, watching him carefully.

His lips upturned in a wry half-grin. Without further say, he gathered her up into his arm and braced her once again against his chest. They both assured themselves that they had everything the would need to bring back in time with them before he jumped into the well. The grasps of time’s power clutched onto them and sent them spiraling through. Crisp clean energy engulfed them and pushed them forward together. It was thrilling, the way they were churned and urged to where they needed to go. It was thrilling the way the powers seemed to completely overtake them like the might of the oceans tide. It was thrilling the way the girl pressed close against the daiyoukai to make sure that they would not be separated.

They alighted on the opposite side of the well’s time stream, the warm weather of Edo letting them know that they had been granted safe passage. In a single bound, the Inu leapt from the Bone Eater’s Well and onto the grassy surface outside. He did not release the human from his hold however. He wanted to enjoy one last summer breeze with her in his arms before the oncoming and inevitable hell would break loose—and he would lose another chance at this moment forever.

“Sesshomaru,” Kagome’s voice was trembling, and her arms threatened to drop her articles of medicine. “What…what do I make you want to act like?”

“Pardon?” Pieces of his old mask had started to stick back onto his façade now that they had returned to Edo, but he allowed her the look of surprise because he knew that he must soon return to his expressionless demeanor.

“You said,” she mumbled. “That I make it difficult for you to act like yourself…so I wanted to know, what it is I make you act like—or want to act like.”

He blinked slowly, unsure of how to answer. By now Inuyasha had caught trace of their scent and was surely rushing towards them. Before the hanyou would get there, he would have to let go of the little miko. However, he caught no hint of his half-brother, nor could he hear the indications of approach. There was still precious moments that he could hold between himself and her.

At his leisure, so as not to scare her—for the first time in his life, he did not want to scare her—he leaned down. Her bluebell eyes gazed up at him in confusion and he found that look far more pleasing than that of fear. Without hesitation, and nothing more that he could say without this gesture, Sesshomaru covered her lips with his own and placed upon herthe softest kiss he could.

A surprised gasp fluttered and escaped her while he withdrew with a low exhale.

“You make me wish to act as a man, Kagome.”

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[chierafied]

SessKag Week Day 3 - Hanabi

Scent of Power

Modern Day AU / Meet-cute /  1,014 words

Sesshoumaru didn’t like crowds. For one, he valued his personal space… and crowds always generated too much noise, carried too many smells. He had very good control over his senses and could filter out most disctractions, but crowds were chaotic and unpleasant.

That was why he would – under normal circumstances – never consent to attend a summer festival in Tokyo.

But the cursed little girl had him wrapped around her finger; an irony so delicious that his mother never passed an opportunity to bring it up.

The girl only had to aim her large brown eyes at him, with her lower lip trembling just so, and Sesshoumaru would have given his left arm to make sure she’d get what she wanted. 

Even though he knew how irksome it was to grow back a whole limb.

So here he was, at the summer festival, wrinkling his nose at the loathsome crowd. The various stalls lining the both sides of the street made the space feel even narrower, and a whole river of people was meandering along the street, pausing occasionally at one stall or another.

Rin’s small hand securely clasping his larger one was the reason why Sesshoumaru didn’t snarl or turn on his heel. She looked even more adorable than usual, her hair on a side ponytail and adorned by a butterfly clip. 

The hair clip as well as the checkered yukata were of his mother’s making – Sesshoumaru wasn’t Rin’s only daiyoukai conquest.

Sweeter still was that bounce in Rin’s step as she walked beside him. She was bubbling with excitement, and Sesshoumaru was glad he’d given in to her whim despite his aversion to festivals such as this one.

As long as Rin was happy, Sesshoumaru was content.

“Sesshoumaru-sama! Look!” Rin gave him a toothy smile and tugged him towards a stall in front of which tiny goldfish swam in a shallow pool.

Someone bumped against Sesshoumaru’s back with a startled gasp. A squeaky “sorry!” followed soon after.

Sesshoumaru’s lips curled in a snarl, but the growl died in his throat.

That scent!

He whipped around, but saw nothing but a glimpse of purple and then the stranger was lost in the crowd.

He turned around and allowed Rin to pull him towards the goldfish, scenting the air. It was faint but there; a scent with a crisp edge of power. A scent he had not caught in decades, if not a full century.

The scent of a miko.

  The evening was darkening. The crowd was even bigger now, much to Sesshoumaru’s displeasure. He did like the sight of the paper lanterns, however. The light they provided created a much nicer mood than the harsh electric ones did – and it reminded him of different times, now long gone.  

The bounce was gone from Rin’s step. After hours of excitement and several tasty treats, she had tired enough to drag her feet.

They were almost done, Sesshoumaru assessed. There was only one thing left, the crowning event for the day.

“The fireworks display will start soon,” he told Rin. “Let’s go find seats.”

She perked up and grinned at him, walking lighter as they headed towards the designated area.

After the fireworks, they could finally leave.

The promise of going home should have been more of a relief to him, Sesshoumaru reflected. 

But a part of him was still remembering the scent he’d caught earlier.

A miko. Here. Now.

That same part would have loved to hunt her down – but finding her here at the festival would be close to an impossible task, even for him. With this many people about there were too many different smells mixing in the air, from food and sweat to various brands of shampoo. Too much information to flood his sensitive nose with.

A lot of people were already sitting down, waiting for the fireworks to start. Sesshoumaru stayed at the edge of the gathered crowd and settled down to wait.

Rin had more trouble staying patient; she couldn’t stop fidgeting.

Time passed slower for the young.

Finally, the fireworks show started. As the first burst of colour flashed against the evening sky, Rin gasped in delight.

Sesshoumaru spared only few sparse glances at the display. He had seen fireworks many times over the course of his long life.

Rin’s face, tilted up, her eyes reflecting the glowing colours, her smile bright and full of delight was much more precious sight.

Over the boom of the fireworks, Sesshoumaru caught a sound of rushing footsteps that came to a stop.

“Shoot,” the person muttered to herself, out of breath, “it already started.”

Something purple moved in Sesshoumaru’s peripheral vision, a few feet to his left.

He tore his gaze away from Rin and turned his head sharp enough to almost crack his neck.

It was a young woman, in her twenties if even that. She was wearing a purple yukata, and shadowing her eyes with one hand as she looked up at the fireworks splaying against the sky.

Sesshoumaru’s nostrils flared as he inhaled deep.

The familiar scent made his hackles rise.

Power. Cold and raw… and there was a lot of it.

His youki swirled restlessly, but Sesshoumaru was intrigued. She was not just a miko, she was a strong miko.

As if sensing his stare, she looked away from the fireworks. Startling blue eyes met his gaze, gleaming with curiosity.

“Sorry,” she said, her lips curving into a hesitant smile. “Am I bothering you?”

She couldn’t have been trained. Otherwise she would be wary of him.

But then, in a world where the old powers were fading, giving way to technology, who would be around to train young mikos?

Nonetheless, she must have felt his energy, because she was leaning towards him in a way Sesshoumaru suspected was wholly subconscious. The expression on her face mirrored his own intrigue.

“No. Not a bother.” He paused. “I’m Sesshoumaru.”

“Kagome.” Her smile grew surer, brighter. “Nice to meet you!”

It certainly was, Sesshoumaru agreed. And one way or another, he would have to make sure he would meet her again.

[rin-afananditshows]

She’s totally on her toes to reach. XP

[jafndaegur]

Sesskag Week: Day 3 ~Hanabi~

Wasn’t a Dream 1227 Words, Goblin: the Lonely and Great God AU

Stretching her arms above her head, Kagome gave a happy sigh. Work was finally over and she could finally pack up for the day. She put away any remaining texting, making sure that the edges of the old old paper wouldn’t crinkle or rip. Sometimes working in the museum’s archives made tedious work, but at the end of the day, it felt worth it. Taking her place among history, somehow it comforted her, as if it was a substitute for reopening the well.

She could wish anyways.

Speaking of wishes, Kagome smirked, her hand fishing into her cardigan pocket to search for her cigarette lighter.

If her boss caught her, she probably would see the end of her career. However, it was only three seconds. That was all she needed. Sliding the little spool with her thumb, a flame flickered to life. It fluttered and danced and she watched the pretty colors with excitement. Without second thought she blew the fire out in a single puff, her lips forming an “o” and her cheeks puffing up. The light disappeared in wispy plumes of smoke. Shoving the lighter back into her pocket, she picked up her purse and hopped anxiously up and down. In her mind she counted backwards, starting at three.

               Three…

                               Two…

                                               One.

He appeared suddenly without announcement or warning. A spatula was held in one hand while a salt shaker was held in the other. Sesshomaru looked up, his face as emotionless as ever—but his eyes pooled with confusion. One glance to the Shikon Miko told him she had wished him to her.

Shaking his head, lips quirking in their rare smirk, he tilted his chin toward her. “Hey, woman, dinner is going to burn if this Sesshomaru does not go back.”

“You smell like steak, old man,” she sniffed, grinning. “Nice to see that your expensive taste in food hasn’t changed one bit.”

Licking his top lip, he quirked his brow and allowed his formality to slip just a bit as he winked at her. “Well are you going to hurry up or not? Dinner will not taste any good burned.”

“Yes!” She squealed, rushing to him and grabbing onto his arm.

He rolled his eyes, nose nuzzling against the crown of her head. Leading her to the door of the archive’s room, he pulled her through followed by a plume of lilac smoke. They stepped into his kitchen not a moment later than when their feet passed through the door frame. Giggling, Kagome rushed immediately to the stove pulling off the slightly smoking pan from the burner. Sesshomaru waved his hand over it, the gray fumes dispelling instantly. The two looked down at the shriveled potatoes and the charred meat. Leaning her head on her palm, the young woman sent the goblin an almost smug smirk.

“Say anything and this Sesshomaru will put you back on the street,” he rumbled.

Nodding, she complied before tugging on his sleeve. “Take me back to Canada.”

“Canada? At this hour?” His nose wrinkled, whether in disapproval or surprise at the idea he left for her to decide.

“Yes. They have delicious steak there,” she nodded, casting up at him from underneath her thick lashes. “It’d be fun.”

“This Sesshomaru is hardly known for fun. But he is known for his ability to withstand feminine wiles,” he grunted, before setting down the flipper and the shaker of salt. “Go get your coat or I leave without you.”

With a quick kiss to his cheek, Kagome ran to the front door, trying to both pull her jacket off the coat rack and put it on simultaneously. With a shake of his head, and a very slight—and hardly audible—chuckle, he resumed his place at her side and helped her into the article of clothing. She beamed up at him gratefully before swinging the door open and pointing out. Determined to surprise her, he strolled out of the door with his power swirling around him as she followed.

The miko shrieked in shock at the sound of a loud whistling firework spiraling up into the air.

“It’s Canada Day,” he smirked. “You might be able to get treats more delectable than steak today.”

“Like what?” She oohed, watching as the sky erupted in colors of red and gold.

He leaned down and brushed his lips against the shell of her ear, pressing a soft and gentle kiss. “This Sesshomaru believes you will find that tangerine cake you so enjoy.”

“Oh,” she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. “You planned this didn’t you?”

“I do have a tendency to spoil the goblin’s bride,” he murmured, holding her close.

She looked up to him, eyes wide and happy—

                                                                          —to find that he wasn’t there.

                                                      ~ ~ ~

Kagome awoke, gasping and clutching at her chest. Her legs rubbed against the soft linen of her twin bed in her small apartment. The sunlight barely streamed in through the curtains of her room window. Her heart sunk, as her eyes scanned the room frantically.

Sesshomaru was not there.

She twisted around, grabbing the scented candle that rested on the hutch over her bed. A small, round flame still wavered on the wick—almost a smolder rather than anything that resembled fire. Hoping and praying with all her might, she blew out the flame. Her fingers gripped the glass container tighter, the knuckles on her fingers and her hands turning white as she pulled it, and clutched it to her chest.

One…two….three…

Her breath came out in a shuddering sob as she lowered her head, seeing Sesshomaru disappear on that roof top in plumes of lavender and lilac tendrils.

…four…five…

The smell of sakura overwhelmed her and she looked up to see the white-haired goblin standing beside her bed. His clawed hand rested in his hair while the other one reached forward for her. He only wore a kimono, loose hakama, and slippers. Gold eyes closed and he sighed deeply—she wasn’t sure if he was made. He leaned forward, resting his forehead on hers. He said nothing, and did not bother to open his eyes to look at her.

“Surprised,” he whispered. “It is so early. This Sesshomaru dare not consider the possibility that something was amiss with you.”

“I was scared,” she whispered, her hands cupping his cheeks, thumbs running along the magenta stripes that decorated the skin there. “I was so scared it was a dream. I woke up and you weren’t here.”

“This Sesshomaru is now,” he murmured, kneeling at her bedside. His hand extended and stroked her bangs, the motions trying to soothe her as he extended his youki. It approached her reiki slowly, before the edges of his powers began to mix with hers, calming her spiritually as well.

A small cry escaped her lips. “You left me. That wasn’t a dream. You disappeared, in smoke and wind and…”

He hushed her, placing his fingertips on her lips. His mouth was drawn and his eyes finally opened. “This Sesshomaru knows.”

Her lip trembled. “You left.”

The goblin bowed his head and rested it on her shoulder. Against her collar bone, he could hear the patterns of her heart, thumping against her chest. He continued to brush both her hair and her power—trying his best to show the woman that he was here. Now he was. 

“I am sorry.”

[chierafied]

Kagemi (SKW2018d3)

Prompt: Sudden, steal, soft, breeze

Historical AU (Edo/Tokugawa period). 642 words.

Shoutout to my darling @lordmaru! 💙 Happy birthday, sweetheart!  💕

The marriage had been decided. Agreed by both of the families and suggested by the go-between.

No one seemed to care how Sesshoumaru felt about the match. No one had likely asked his bride’s opinion on the subject, either.

But then, as it was in their society, a marriage was not a union between a man and a woman; it was a union between two families.

Had someone asked Sesshoumaru what his feelings regarding the impending matrimony were, he would have confessed he wasn’t all that enthused about it.

Not that he was opposed to it either; he knew his duty, and he would carry it out without complaint.

It just didn’t quite feel real to him. 

He had not even met his bride and knew nothing of her – save that she matched his social class and that her father’s business and political interest aligned with those of his father’s.

The kagemi must have been Sesshoumaru’s mother’s idea.

Even more than his father, his mother was determined to make the match work. She must have figured out that if Sesshoumaru were to catch a glimpse in secret of his betrothed, he would feel less lacklustre about his upcoming nuptials.

And that is how Sesshoumaru found himself lurking by the wall and peering around the corner into the enclosed garden. He felt very foolish, skulking around as he was just so he could have a look at his bride without drawing notice.

Had it not taken the combined effort of his mother and the go-between to arrange for the entire thing, Sesshoumaru would have walked away without a second glance.

They should not have troubled themselves with this kagemi nonsense. Even if his betrothed would have the face of a frog, Sesshoumaru would marry her, because it was expected of him.

But there was no use grumbling about it all now because his mother and the go-between had gone to the trouble and he was here, hiding behind a corner like a thief.

The garden was empty yet. The cherry trees were in bloom, but the other plants were still biding their time. The day was warm for the early spring but overcast; the sun hiding behind grey clouds.

And then, finally, there was movement at the edge of his vision and Sesshoumaru straightened.

It was a young woman, crossing the garden at a leisurely pace. An older woman, most likely an attendant, followed a few steps behind.

The colourful brightly patterned kimono was what caught Sesshoumaru’s attention first. After all, she was too far away still for him to be able to make out much of her features and the crisp and straight silhouette of the colourful kimono revealed nothing of the shape of her body.

The woman stopped beneath the cherry tree, tilted her face up to admire the pink blossoms.

She was closer now, but the angle was all wrong. He still couldn’t see her properly.

A breeze stirred the branches. The soft pink petals of the blossoms tore free and fell down.

The woman laughed and turned a slow circle, as the petals fell around her like pink snow.

Sesshoumaru drank in her warm laughter, looked keenly upon that face, young and sweet and full of joy.

It stole his breath.

Then, all of a sudden, she tilted her head and looked up, straight at him.

Sesshoumaru froze and stared into that bright blue gaze.

He was caught.

She glanced away at her attendant. And with the spell broken, Sesshoumaru darted fully around the corner, out of sight.

But even as he was hurrying away, his heart still raced, his mind still whirled, lingering on that young woman who was his bride.

For the first time, since hearing about the wedding, that word seemed welcome. And as Sesshoumaru thought of his wedding day, something soft and fragile unfurled in his chest.

[mrs-han]

This makes me want to get back into obsessing over InuYasha again, OMG THIS IS SO AMAZING (*^▽^*)

Sesskag Week: Day Three

Bonds

Sesskag Week 2018 | Day Three: Sudden, steal, soft, breeze

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The two of them walked in a companionable silence. Sesshomaru drew the door to the well-house open and allowed Kagome passage in. She nodded gratefully at him, her arms full of medicinal and first-aid supplies. Stopping before the steps that led down to the base of the well, Kagome looked back at the daiyoukai. He stood, staring outside at the outline of the Tokyo skyline. His face blank, his eyes warm, the girl felt that he was at war with himself.

“Are you upset?” she asked gently, shifting the provisions in her arms.

His gaze swept over to her, the faint glitter in his eyes catching her off guard.

Kagome blinked away her disbelief and allowed herself to inquire another question. “What on earth are you thinking?”

“This Sesshomaru is amazed,” he started slowly, closing the well-house door. “That you, little miko, travel back and forth between your time and ours.”

“That’s it?” she laughed.

“Remember how this one told you, he expected things highly of you?” He stepped close to her, standing toe-toe as he gazed down upon her.

Quite rudely, although you did think I was deserting our group. She nodded.

“Miko, it seems you depart from a life of luxury into a life of war and fighting quite constantly. All for what? A little stone.”

That was the first time she’d ever heard a demon call the Shikon Jewel a little stone.

The daiyoukai egged on. “There are feats here that I would never have associated with humans before. And yet, you live in a time where everything to your kind is possible. Despite all of this, you travel far back in time to help with a quest that should never been yours in the first place.”

Her mouth gaped slightly in astonishment. “Sesshomaru…where is all this coming from?”

“Admiration,” he declared, looking down at her with an emotion in his stare that she could not decipher. “You little miko, are not as weak as I once thought you to be.”

A back-handed compliment? Kagome shook her head. “Sesshomaru…it must be the air here that’s causing you to say these things. I’m not deserving of your esteem, at least I don’t think so.”

He did not say anything—his gaze hardened just a bit.

“You have to understand, I’m probably about as weak as you used to think I was,” she cast her sight down, discovering that she found the worn-out leather of his boots and her loafers far more interesting that his scrutinizing look. “I’m just a jewel detector. I’m not a warrior, or a fighter. I’m not even a real miko.”

Silence enveloped them like a storm. She could feel the anger crackling off of Sesshomaru like static. In her mind she begged that he would just drop the conversation and take them back to the others. All they had to do was take a few small steps and jump into the well. Why was he dwelling on this?

“Do you think my words so lacking in credibility that you would blame the air?” His voice cut through the oppressive quiet in the way that his old sword Tokijin may have once cut through an enemy. His words sounded rough and harsh. His tone was strained.

She dared not steal a glance at him. Instead, she squeezed her eyes shut and hunched up her shoulders while she endured his scolding tone. She felt like a child. Offense had not been her intention when she mentioned that he hadn’t meant his words. But to have garnered the great daiyoukai’s respect, as much as she was pleased to hear that, she knew she had not earned it.

A sudden touch beneath her chin startled her. Her head was titled upward without her own request. Sesshomaru gently held her chin between his fingers, his thumb stroking along the edge of her jaw. A small sigh escaped her in a shaky breath. There were no thoughts in her head. She could not find anything to say. The youkai lord spoke of nothing as he continued the gentle ministrations to her skin without a word. His calloused fingers felt comforting against her jawline, and his grasp on her was nothing short of tender. Her mind felt like a clear window, she could see everything on the other side: his contemplative countenance, his shockingly kind eyes. This was it. He was going to kill her right then and there.

“You make it incredibly trying for me to act like myself, Kagome,” Sesshomaru murmured.

She squeaked. “I’m sorry?”

“With your nonstop babbling during our long walks in the day, your disgustingly sweet kindness towards the kitsune kit and my human ward, your unending patience towards my moronic half-brother…your obstinate modesty and humility,” he rumbled, his hand slowly slipping away from her face. “You make it exceedingly difficult for one such as myself to act like this Sesshomaru.”

“I’m not sure if I’m insulted or complimented,” she whispered, watching him carefully.

His lips upturned in a wry half-grin. Without further say, he gathered her up into his arm and braced her once again against his chest. They both assured themselves that they had everything the would need to bring back in time with them before he jumped into the well. The grasps of time’s power clutched onto them and sent them spiraling through. Crisp clean energy engulfed them and pushed them forward together. It was thrilling, the way they were churned and urged to where they needed to go. It was thrilling the way the powers seemed to completely overtake them like the might of the oceans tide. It was thrilling the way the girl pressed close against the daiyoukai to make sure that they would not be separated.

They alighted on the opposite side of the well’s time stream, the warm weather of Edo letting them know that they had been granted safe passage. In a single bound, the Inu leapt from the Bone Eater’s Well and onto the grassy surface outside. He did not release the human from his hold however. He wanted to enjoy one last summer breeze with her in his arms before the oncoming and inevitable hell would break loose—and he would lose another chance at this moment forever.

“Sesshomaru,” Kagome’s voice was trembling, and her arms threatened to drop her articles of medicine. “What…what do I make you want to act like?”

“Pardon?” Pieces of his old mask had started to stick back onto his façade now that they had returned to Edo, but he allowed her the look of surprise because he knew that he must soon return to his expressionless demeanor.

“You said,” she mumbled. “That I make it difficult for you to act like yourself…so I wanted to know, what it is I make you act like—or want to act like.”

He blinked slowly, unsure of how to answer. By now Inuyasha had caught trace of their scent and was surely rushing towards them. Before the hanyou would get there, he would have to let go of the little miko. However, he caught no hint of his half-brother, nor could he hear the indications of approach. There was still precious moments that he could hold between himself and her.

At his leisure, so as not to scare her—for the first time in his life, he did not want to scare her—he leaned down. Her bluebell eyes gazed up at him in confusion and he found that look far more pleasing than that of fear. Without hesitation, and nothing more that he could say without this gesture, Sesshomaru covered her lips with his own and placed upon herthe softest kiss he could.

A surprised gasp fluttered and escaped her while he withdrew with a low exhale.

“You make me wish to act as a man, Kagome.”

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