SessKag Week 2022 - Day 3
Prompt: "Demons" by Imagine Dragons
..::**::..
"Do you have a colour preference?" Kagome asked, sifting through the large array of kimonos Sesshoumaru had in his closet.
"I would not have asked your opinion if I did," he replied, lounging on his balcony, smoke encircling his head from the pipe in his mouth. She wasn't sure when they'd gone from allies to friends to asking for wardrobe advice, but she enjoyed it all the same.
"What's this event for anyway?" She grabbed a deep fuchsia kimono, holding it up against an aqua obi, smiling at how it showcased the snowflakes on the shoulder before a plum one with pale green vines caught her eye.
"Mother has adopted Rin's enthusiasm for celebrating the date of her birth."
Kagome's mouth fell open. "It's a birthday party for your mother?" No wonder Jaken had been in a tizzy since she'd arrived—he hadn't insulted her lack of breeding once, citing he was too busy with much more important things.
"It is an excuse for her to order people around and be the centre of attention."
Shaking her head, she held up the three items against his shoulder, trying to figure out which set matched the elaborate headdress currently pinning up the right side of his hair. "Which one do you like better?"
He took a long drag from his pipe, eying her from across the room. "You are supposed to be the one choosing."
"Hey, it's not my fault you look good in everything," she smirked, finally deciding on the plum and aqua combination. "Do you still have those earrings from that red-headed mermaid?"
A sculpted eyebrow rose. "You are speaking of the southern lord's daughter?"
"Yeah, her." Kagome began rifling through the large chest of jewellery next to the closet.
"Mermaids do not exist."
She rolled her eyes. "She's got a dragon's tail and spends most of her time in the water. She's a mermaid."
"You have been reading folklore to Rin's pups again." There was a swish of silk as he got to his feet, displacing the circle of smoke as he crossed the room. Kagome hated the smell, but after commenting on it, Sesshoumaru had changed up the mixture; it was more floral now, and less harsh on her nose.
"They enjoy the magic in them," she said, allowing him to push her hand out of the way so he could fish the set of blue and white opals out of the chest. "Plus, it gives Rin and Jinenji some time alone."
"Rin should just order them to entertain themselves."
Kagome burst out laughing. "Try that when you have your own kids, and let me know how it goes."
He flipped what hair was untied over his shoulder. "Mine will be taught early to obey commands."
"Children aren't soldiers, Sesshoumaru. They need space to flourish. To get dirty and make mistakes. That's how they learn." She couldn't help the ire that crept into her tone, hands going to her hips as she faced him. "Haven't you learned anything from your own upbringing?"
The daiyoukai pursed his lips, and she raised her chin, daring him to contradict her. In the end, his features relaxed, and he gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. "Perhaps you are right."
"Perhaps I am," she mocked, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Besides, I have it on good authority that you are incapable of saying no to them."
Golden eyes glared as he turned around, retreating to his spot on the balcony. Kagome laid his outfit on his bed, humming to herself as she recalled her last conversation with Rin. "Seems like Jinenji has had some trouble getting them to eat their vegetables at dinner time because someone has been loading them up with sweets every time he visits."
Another shrug of his shoulders told her just how worried he was about it. "The pups are free to refuse my gifts." She tried not to laugh, but the image of Sesshoumaru playing the role of an overindulgent grandfather was too ludicrous to pass up.
"They're trying for a third, you know."
"I am aware." Something in his tone made her pause.
"Does that bother you?"
"It is not so much their number as the passage of time, miko. Every child they add just reminds me of their mortality."
Ah.
She knew youkai measured time differently, especially considering their extended lifelines, but the fact that Sesshoumaru, the Killing Perfection, did so in the lives of his ward's children was a sight to behold.
"Rin's mated to Jinenji," she reminded him, "their lives will be longer than the average human's."
"Hnn."
She sat down beside him. "Don't look at it as a finish line waiting to be crossed; you'll miss out on too much of their lives that way. You have to enjoy each moment for what it is, regardless of how many or few they have left." She patted his knee, giving him a reassuring smile.
He gave her a considering look, then took a long drag from his pipe and blew the smoke directly in her face. "You are too young to be lecturing This One, miko."
Her laughter was sandwiched between coughs, and she shoved his shoulder. "I'm old enough for a lot of things. Including kicking your ass."
He snorted. "You have yet to do so."
She raised her chin as she leaned back on the balcony. "I was close last time."
"Close will still get you killed. You continue to hold back even when I have told you not to."
Kagome pursed her lips, annoyed it was so obvious. "Yeah, well, maybe it's because I'm fighting someone I don't actually want to kill."
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as a wayward breeze ruffled her hair, reminding her that she still needed to get ready herself. She probably wouldn't do much with it, but maybe Rin would—
She froze as an ebony lock was caught between perfectly manicured claws, Sesshoumaru's fingers brushing the curve of her ear as he tucked the unruly hair behind it. Her heart lurched painfully, confusion bubbling under her skin at her body's reaction.
"Do you wish for a different partner?"
He meant sparring partner, yet the single word hung between them, furrowing her brows as her stomach rolled. Was she ill? "Of course not."
"Good." He leaned back, turning his gaze upon the gardens below. "I enjoy our time together."
She stared at him for a moment, trying to discern any ulterior motives, but the stoic daiyoukai gave nothing away. Finally shrugging it off, Kagome got to her feet, waving to his bed. "Your stuff is all ready to go. You haven't forgotten how to dress yourself since the last gathering, have you?"
He was smirking when she glanced over her shoulder. "Are you offering your services?"
Her heart lurched again, but she managed a groan. "I'll see you downstairs, jerk." His chuckle followed her through the doorway and down the hall, the sound causing her to absently rub her chest.
She was definitely ill.
..::**::..
"Keh, the bastard looks like Shippou ate too much of your sweets and threw up."
Kagome elbowed Inuyasha, knowing he didn't mean it but not letting him get away with it regardless. "I'll have you know I chose those colours."
"Not helping, K'gome. Now there's two of ya to blame," he smirked, pulling at the collar of his navy ensemble, no doubt forced into it by Inukimi herself. The accessories, however, had been his own choice.
"Keep making comments, dog-boy, and I'll tell Kouga the real reason your obi is the same colour as his eyes." Kagome watched as Inuyasha's face turned a deserving shade of scarlet.
"You wouldn't dare."
She lifted her chin, the beads attached to the clip in her hair clinging merrily. "Try me."
Inuyasha swallowed, then looked over at the wolf prince, Kouga taking that moment to do the same, flashing them a grin before excusing himself from the conversation with Miroku. The hanyou cursed under his breath, then turned on his heel, half stomping into the next room.
Kouga's eyes were laced with confusion when he drew near. "What's eating him?"
"I think Jaken served him some bad meat," Kagome lied fluidly, "why don't you go check on him? You know how he always refuses to ask for help."
"Why are the cute ones always so stubborn?" he muttered, shaking his head as he followed in Inuyasha's wake, turning back at the last moment to yell across the room. "You're the best-looking one here!" Several guests around him sneered, but Kagome couldn't help but laugh—he was like the drunk girls in a club bathroom, always ready to cheer her on.
"The wolf is as brash as ever," Inukimi mused, clicking her fan shut.
"Which you enjoy."
"Naturally, but do not tell him that," the matriarch said with a smirk. "I plan on using it to further dishevel my dear son when he is being exceptionally difficult."
Kagome hid her laughter as she bowed. "Congratulations on your celebration. It looks like a resounding success."
Silver hair was flipped over her shoulder, Inukimi clicking her tongue at the same time. "It would be a success if my lovely offspring could carry on a conversation for more than a few minutes."
Frowning, Kagome turned towards Sesshoumaru, noting the air of annoyance and disdain even from the other side of the room. He was flanked by a set of blue-haired twins, the peacock youkai chattering away as they both strived to gain, and keep, his attention.
"Maybe he's just talking to the wrong people." He never had any issue talking to her.
Inukimi scoffed. "I have provided the most influential youkai from the north. His current company hail from royalty."
"Wait, you're trying to set him up?" she said, taking a moment to process the information. "I thought this was for your birthday!"
"Of course, little miko. I am simply multi-tasking."
Kagome scowled. Trust his mother to turn her own party into a match-making scheme right under Sesshoumaru's nose.
"Were you planning on telling him about it?" she asked, trying not to grind her teeth. The last time this happened, a neighbouring lord had threatened war after his daughter and mate had thrown themselves at Sesshoumaru, convincing the lord that Sesshoumaru had bewitched them both.
"He will soon come to realize the benefits of having a powerful mate." Inukimi waved her off, then gave her a meaningful look. "He continues to waste his time on frivolities which interfere with solidifying his claim to the west."
Since when was training a frivolity?
"He should be allowed to choose for himself," she countered, "not forced into a marriage against his will."
"Mating for something as trivial as love is for peasants and fairy tales, miko." The daiyoukai motioned around the room. "All of the couples here are the result of carefully crafted unions, based on advantage and power."
Heated rage started to climb up her limbs, reiki sparking as blood boiled. "It's barbaric!"
"It is tradition."
"That's not the point!"
Inukimi stared at her for a moment, then clicked her fan open. "Oh? And what is the point, then?"
Kagome opened her mouth, ready to blast her with all the points, but was suddenly at a loss for words.
Why was she bothered by this? People became involved all the time. What did she care if Sesshoumaru found a potential mate tonight?
Her ears began to buzz as she slowly turned to look at him. His chin was lifted in his usual nonchalance, magenta stripes accented by the multiple stones in his ears and the colour on his lips. The aqua of his obi was a stark contrast to the plum kimono, yet as she expected, he pulled it off beautifully.
The twins were practically swooning, and the buzzing got louder. She wanted to march over to the two youkai and tell them off. Or better yet, drag them out of the room by their hair. But as gold met sapphire, as the corners of painted lips twitched, Kagome felt all the blood drain from her face.
She wanted him for herself.
Because she loved him.
Speckled lights appeared in front of her eyes, and she struggled to breathe. She couldn't—shouldn't. They were friends; that was all they needed to be. It would be selfish to ask, to want, for more.
He wouldn't want to be around her if he knew.
Gripping the front of her kimono, Kagome bowed her head, letting out a pained whisper. "If you'll excuse me." Then she dashed from the room, feeling his eyes on her as she staggered out into the garden. She kept walking until she found a tree, using it for support as she sucked in huge gulps of air.
She was in love with Sesshoumaru.
She was in love with Sesshoumaru.
When had the comfort of their friendship stopped being enough? When had he become the centre of her universe to the point of wanting to interfere with his?
Kagome's fingers dug into the rough bark of the tree, heart hammering against her ribs as she attempted to ground herself. She'd have to leave. There was no way she'd be able to hide this from him—to go on as they had before. She could become a travelling miko again. She'd done well last time, before she'd come to—
"Are you unwell?"
She willed the tremors wracking her body to stop, keeping her back to him. "I'm fine. I just needed some air." She heard a rustle of silk, holding her breath in the hope that he would leave it at that and go back inside.
No such luck.
Deep plum filled her vision, her eyes still on the ground. Kagome vehemently shook her head, her feet rooted to the ground even as her mind screamed at her to run. She felt his confusion, his concern, but when he reached for her, she scrambled back, avoiding his touch.
"Kagome—"
"Don't!" She covered her face with her hands, hyperventilating as the hysteria continued to build. But she wasn't fast enough, Sesshoumaru's hands wrapping around her arms to keep her from escaping. She flinched at his touch. His grip was firm, holding her upright as she stared at his chest, still unable to meet his gaze.
The back of his fingers brushed her cheek, his voice soft and cajoling. "What terrifies you so?"
She whimpered, her newly discovered emotions tearing her apart. Her hands gripped his kimono, the expensive fabric bunching between her fingers. Tears overflowed as he cupped her cheek, tilting her head up, golden eyes searching.
"Losing you."
He was taken aback by her answer, shock written clearly on his face. "What did my mother say to you?"
She shook her head again. "Nothing."
"You left after speaking with her," he argued.
"It wasn't about what she said," she evaded, pushing against his hold even as her grip on his clothing tightened. Why couldn't she walk away?
"Then what—"
"I love you!" she blurted, the hysteria returning with every word that spilled out of her. "Your mother invited those women to try and set you up, and I can't—I don't want—" His mouth descended on hers, cutting off her rambling as he pulled her flush with his own body. Kagome allowed her a few moments of bliss before shoving him away.
But he was relentless, his arm snaking around her waist to keep her anchored against his body. His other hand buried itself in her hair, some of the pins coming loose as he coaxed her to open her mouth.
Her muscles gave out, and she slumped against him, hands sliding up to his shoulders. He tasted like a summer storm, wild and unforgiving, and Kagome wanted all of it. All of him.
He attempted to pull back, giving her a moment to breathe, but now she was chasing him, pulling him down as her nails dug into the back of his neck. His growl only spurred her on, her tongue sliding along his fangs before he yanked her back by her hair.
"Woman, keeping my hands to myself during our training sessions has been challenging enough. Do not tempt me further."
Chest heaving, face flushed, Kagome bit her lip, tasting the lipstick she knew was now smeared across her face. "Have I been doing that?"
Sesshoumaru groaned, burying his face against her neck. "You cannot be that oblivious."
She wanted to laugh. She wanted to cry. But mostly, she wanted to kiss him again. "I'm sorry?"
"As you should be." His voice rumbled against her pulse point, sending shivers dancing across her skin.
"Why didn't you say anything?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"For the same reason as to your earlier outburst." His response was so matter-of-fact that if it weren't coming from him, Kagome would've thought he was mocking her.
"Does that mean you'll tell your mother to take her match-making and shove it? Because I don't share." She gasped as fangs scraped her flesh.
"Such a possessive creature."
"Am I allowed to be?' Insecurity belied her hopeful tone.
"You are allowed to be anything you wish," he said, finally pulling back, "as long as you are mine."
All she could manage was a slight nod, but it was enough to dispel any lingering doubt, heated promises of what was to come shining in his eyes as he kissed her again.
..::**::..
"Did we do well, mistress?"
Inukimi gave her attendants a sideways glance, her attention locked on the new lovers in the garden. "Very much so. I applaud your performance."
The peacock twins smiled at each other before bowing. "Anything to please you, Lady Inukimi."
The inuyoukai waved them away with her fan, giving them the rest of the night off as an added bonus before turning back to her son. Sometimes even the most skillful of warriors were blind to their greatest conquest.
Confident that the pair would finally progress on their own, she whirled around, intent on paying her mate's son the same favour.