A Demon Should Act Like A Demon

Chapter Twelve: What You Can’t Hide From The Eyes of Babes


Disclaimer: Inuyasha and friends were created and lovingly brought to life by Rumiko Takahashi.

Author’s Note: ‘__’ are thought expressions


A Demon Should Act Like a Demon
By Ericedwyn


~* At Sesshoumaru’s Fortress *~

Kagome escaped from the dojo to the privacy of her room. For a long time, all she could do was pace back and forth just thinking about what had just occurred. Without being conscious of it, her fingers would find their way to her lips whenever she would relive the kiss in her mind. ‘Why did I let him kiss me?’ A deep blush crept up from her neck to her cheeks as she recalled the feel of the softness and warmth of his lips.

She muffled a scream that wanted to be let loose with her hand before grabbing the purple notebook and a pen from her ing ing table. She sat on her bed and flipped through several completed pages until she reached a blank page.


~* Diary Entry *~

Date: 15 A.D. (After Demonization)

Dear Diary,

I can’t believe it. Sesshoumaru kissed me and I kissed him back! The scariest part about it was that I REALLY liked it. It was the kind of kiss that I would have wanted for my first kiss. Gentle, warm… Oh my gosh! That WAS my first kiss. I mean, if what happened in the dream with Inuyasha didn’t count. Speaking of Inuyasha, where is he? He hasn’t come to visit. I guess he’s feeling as bad about what happened as I do. I hope he’s alright.

I am SO confused! I don’t know what’s more confusing—what happened in that dream or that I’m beginning to LIKE Sesshoumaru. You know, the like him, like him kind. I hope Tsumi won’t be busy later. I really need to talk to someone about this. I really didn’t think my life could get any weirder since that dream…

~* End of Diary Entry *~


Kagome groaned out loud and slammed the notebook on her forehead before flopping herself on her bed.

~*~*~*~

Tsumi caught the children’s squeals of laughter carrying out from the library while making her way to Kagome’s bedchamber. She smiled as she followed their voices.

“Do you think Kagome-oneechan will fall in love with Sesshoumaru-sama too, Shippou-chan?” She heard the little girl asked. She could hear the hope in her voice. Tsumi stopped in her tracks just a few feet away from the door to listen.

“I don’t know, Rin-chan. I think it’s too early to tell yet,” came the kitsune’s response.

“Rin wants Kagome-oneechan to be her new okaasan. She’s fun and nice. Sesshoumaru-sama can be your new otousan! When they get married, we can be a real family, Shippou-chan.” She heard Rin gurgle with excitement.

“Hai, Rin-,” c,” came a hesitant response, but Tsumi heard a hint of wistfulness in the kitsune’s voice.

Tsumi heard Shippou shriek, to her ears’ irritation, but a smile crept back on her face when she heard two sets of giggles coming from the room. Finally, she entered the library to find Rin tickling Shippou mercilessly on the floor in the middle of the room. A strewn of crumpled parchment and hand-drawn pictures surrounded them.

“Konnichiwa, Rin and Shippou. You two sound like you are enjoying yourselves! May I see what masterpiece you are creating today?” Tsumi knelt down on the floor in front of them with a grin.

‘Hai, Tsumi-san! Shippou-chan and Rin are making a story with pictures!” Rin said excitedly.

“It’s a love story!” Shippou added as he handed the parchment to the Hanyou.

“It’s about a lonely Ousama and his daughter and a beautiful Hime and her son! Rin thinks it’s so kawaii!” The 6 year old giggled.

Tsumi raised her eyebrows. “Oh, really? I think I will like it if you think it is kawaii, Rin.” She raised the parchment and began to read the story to herself.

~* Shippou’s and Rin’s Story *~

Once upon a time, there was a lonely Ousama who lived in a castle far away in the West. He lived there with his kawaii daughter, a woman who is like an Aunt to him, and a mean, yucky toad. Sometimes he would leave his daughter in the castle to protect his lands, but whenever he was home; his daughter could see how lonely he was.

Then one day, a beautiful Hime and her son came to live with them. The Ousama’s daughter was very happy to have a new playmate named Tail and a new oneechan. She was also happy because the lonely Ousama started to smile, but only when he thought no one was looking. His daughter secretly wished that the new Hime would become her new okaasan someday.

One day, when the Ousama was away, the Hime and the two children went for an adventure outside the castle. They were having a lot of fun. The adventure was cut short when the Hime and Tail smelled a youkai, and the Hime told the children to go back to the castle. The Hime stayed to fight the bad youkai who was trying to hurt a lady and killed it, but she got really hurt.

When the Ousama returned to the castle, he found out that the Hime got hurt. He felt really bad, but he realized that he loved her very much and wanted to protect her and make her his mate.

~* The not so ending of Shippou’s and Rin’s Story *~


“It’s not finished yet, but what do you think, Tsumi-san?” Shippou asked curiously.

The wrinkles near the corners of Tsumi’s eyes crinkled with amusement and surprise. ‘You really can’t hide anything from children…’ She reread the contents of the parchment before glancing at the children who were looking at her expectantly. “I think this is a wonderful story, Children. I think you should show it to Sesshoumaru-sama one day.”

Shippou grinned knowingly at the old woman.

“Do you think Sesshoumaru-sama will like it?” Rin asked breathlessly.

Tsumi smiled warmly and patted the little girl’s head. “I think he will find it most interesting, Little One. Well, I think I should leave you both to finish your story while I check on Kagome-sama.” She handed the parchment back to Shippou and mussed the kit’s hair before leaving them.

~*~*~*~

Tsumi rapped on the door of Kagome’s bedchamber before entering and bowing. Her eyes strayed to the young woman sprawled on the bed with a purple notebook over her face.

“Konnichiwa, Kagome-sama. Daijoubou desu ka?” Tsumi eyes dimmed with concern.

“Daijoubou ja nai, Tsumi-san,” came the muffled response from under the notebook before Kagome took it off of her face. She gazed sadly at Tsumi as she sat up on her bed.

“Would you like to talk about it?”

Kagome nodded in response. “I’m so confused, Tsumi-san.” A blush stole on her cheeks.

“About what?” The Hanyou prompted.

Kagome hesitated for a few seconds before quietly admitting, “I think I’m beginning to like Sesshoumaru…” Kagome’s already flushed cheeks deepened in color.

Tsumi hid a smile as she took the young woman’s hand in hers. “And why does this confuse you?”

“I’m supposed to be in love with Inuyasha. How can I do this to him? His own brother!” Kagome groaned as her shoulders slumped forward. The Miko looked down at her lap and wrung her fingers together nervously.

Tsumi sighed. She thought about the young woman’s words before responding. “Kagome-sama, I know you are still love with Inuyasha, but he is gone. I do not believe that he would want you to stay true to him forever and be unhappy. If anything, I think he would want you to be complete in this life. I do not see anything wrong with you for having feelings for his brother.”

“Demo… I feel weird about it.” Kagome murmured as she raised sad, soulful eyes at Tsumi.

“Kagome-sama… I think you should live your life to its fullest. Live it without regret or one day you will look back at your life and ask yourself why you didn’t do something or said something.” Tsumi the young woman’s hand a warm squeeze.

“You know, some people are not lucky enough to find love in their lifetime.” She reached up with both hands to cup Kagome’s face as her birdlike eyes looked straight into the Miko’s dark-blue ones. “If you are lucky to find it again, then it is a gift, my dear, and you should accept it.”

~*~*~*~

~* At Sesshoumaru’s Fortress, the next day *~

“The most important thing to remember about handling a sword is to keep your weapon close to your body. Be aware of where it is and how the blade is aimed.” Sesshoumaru demonstrated using a wooden katana.

Sesshoumaru brought his katana straight up in front of him and made an arc with the sword. Then he sliced through the air. “When you use the slice technique, start by bringing your arm and sword up in the middle, then continue with a graceful arc to one side. When you are ready to slice your opponent, pivot your wrist inward, making sure the blade is at the correct angle, then push it through with your strength. Stop the blade once it passes your vertical center line… like so.” Sesshoumaru demonstrated the move again.

Kagome tried to attend to what he was saying, but she was mesmerized by his movements. ‘Wow, he’s so beautiful and graceful.’ She sighed as she watched.

“Are you paying attention, Kagome?” Sesshoumaru inquired with a raised eyebrow.

‘Gosh his arm, I didn’t know it was so muscular…’ Kagome gave him a startled look at that particular thought and blushed. “H…Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!” Kagome answered with a smallish, nervous laugh.

Sesshoumaru gave her an odd look and then moved to stand behind her. He grabbed the hand holding the sword and took her through the steps. Her tantalizing scent teased his nose, but he was determined to remain in control and focused. He did, however, find the delicious blush that blossomed on her cheeks tempting.

‘I can’t take this. He’s too close.’ She swallowed hard as she tried to concentrate on the steps. She took a deep breath to focus but ended up taking a whiff of his scent. ‘He smells so good.’

“Ano… can you help me with that again, Sesshoumaru-sama?”

~*~*~*~

Kagome and Sesshoumaru practiced other techniques as the day aged two more hours. He left her to practice a simple sword kata in the dojo, to give Tsumi last minute instructions before the Hanyou left for official business. When he returned to the dojo, he found her laughing at a scene outside of the window. For a few seconds, he watched her from the doorway while a small smile briefly touched his lips. Curiosity got the better of him and he went to see for himself what was amusing her.

Outside, Jaken with his two-headed staff in hand, chased the two laughing children across the yard. “Hey, you brats! Come back here this instant!”

Sesshoumaru watched as the kitsune cub reached into his pocket before stopping in front of the enraged and puffing Jaken. “Here, Jaken!” Shippou shoved an object into the toad youkai’s hands and shortly after, Jaken found himself being pulled down to the ground, rather harshly, by a monk statue with an ofuda that grew in size in the toad’s hands. “What the…! ACK!” He heard his retainer sputter from the ground. “Get this thing off of me!”

“No! You’re mean. I hope you can find someone to heou wou with that one! Come on, Rin.” The Taiyoukai heard as he watched the kitsune grab the giggling Rin’s hand before running with her towards the direction of the courtyard.

Kagome doubled over with laughter as tears began to spill out of her eyes. “Oh, this hurts,” she clutched at her stomach as she continued to laugh. “It hurts.”

Sesshoumaru turned to watch her with amusement in his eyes, although his face, he kept devoid of expressions. He found it intriguing that her face and eyes could readily express what she was feeling inside.

When Kagome was able to speak, she began to tell him how the kitsune came into her life. “Shippou did the same thing to Inuyasha when we first met him. He was looking for Shikon shards to avenge his otousan’s death. Unless the ofuda is removed from the statue, Jaken will stay pinned to the ground.” She chuckled and looked up at the Demon Lord with a radiant smile.

Sesshoumaru’s breath caught in his lungs by the power of her smile. He realized, at that point, that he could spend all the days of his life just watching all her different smiles.

With regret, he forced himself to focus as he quickly returned them to the lesson at hand. ‘Work first, play later.’

~*~*~*~

After lunch, Kagome and Sesshoumaru found themselves in the library with the children. Sesshoumaru watched Kagome from his seat on the floor as she helped Rin with her kanji lessons.

“Ano… Sesshoumaru-sama?” The kitsune cub, sitting slightly behind him, patted his arm.

“Hai, Shippou?” He turned his gaze from the Miko to her adopted son.

“Rin and I have been working on a story together. Do you mind reading it for errors?” Shippou asked expectantly, his big green eyes pleading.

Sesshoumaru answered by holding out his hand to the cub. The kitsune placed the parchment in his hand, and with a small grin, he continued, “it’s not finished yet. We’re still working on the ending.”

Sesshoumaru nodded and began to read the story. Both his eyebrows shot up in surprised at its contents. Somewhere in the middle of the story, Shippou saw the vein in his neck began to bulge up. The kit took a few small steps back. Ses Sesshoumaru glanced up sharply at Kagome after he finished reading the story. ‘Has she read this?’ With an icy glare at the kitsune cub, he folded the parchment and slipped it in his haori.

“Hey, that’s ours!” Shippou exclaimed.

“Not anymore, brat!” Sesshoumaru said coolly.

Shippou slyly reached into his own haori, and took another folded parchment out while grinning impishly at the Taiyoukai. “That’s okay. I have the master copy right here.” He stuck a pink tongue out at the Taiyoukai and ran to hide behind his okaasan before Sesshoumaru had a chance to grab him.

Kagome was startled when Shippou appeared suddenly at her side. She gave her adoptive son a look of concern, then turned a questioning one at Sesshoumaru. “Anything wrong, gentlemen?”

“Nothing yet. There might be some bloodshed later,” Sesshoumaru murmured quietly as he glowered at the kitsune cub. Shippou did not fail to hear the edge in his voice.

‘~*~*~*~

The two adults continued their lessons after Kagome helped the children with theirs. Sesshoumaru went through the different kind of parries and made Kagome practice them unshe she could demonstrate them without flaw. He was about to end the class when Kagome insisted that they keep going.

“I think I have covered enough for one day, Kagome…” The Taiyoukai began to say only to be interrupted by her exuberance.

“Just one more hour! I think I’m getting the hang of this!”

“Alright, but I did warn you.”

They continued to go through more techniques before he finally pushed her out of the dojo. “Go and bathe. That is all I am teaching you today.”

Kagome gave him a pout before leaving the dojo. Sesshoumaru stayed behind for a little while as he imagined all the different ways he could do to remove that pout from her face. ‘I’d start with a kiss, maybe a nibble…’

~*~*~*~

“Oh Kami, this is heaven!” Kagome sighed as she relaxed in her furo. “But all good things must come to an end,” she said aloud when she decided to get out of the furo before she turned into a raisin. She stood and reached out to place her hands on the edge of the furo to climb out of it, but realized that her arms were still hanging by her sides. She tried to move them again, but it’s as if they’ve stopped working. She began to panic.

Kagome heard a knock on the doorframe outside of her bathing room. “Kagome?”

Kagome stiffened as she heard the Demon Lord’s voice. She blushed hotly as she sat back down into the water up to the neck to cover herself. “What do you want?” She asked nervously.

Sesshoumaru opened the door and walked inside. “How are your arms?” He asked calmly although his golden eyes danced with mischief.

“Th…they’re fine. Get out!” Kagome lowered herself into the water even more until her chin met the water.

“Are you sure?” The corners of the Taiyoukai’s mouth threatened to turn upwards at her predicament.

“Hai. Now get out!” Kagome sputtered in anger.

“I will if you wave me away.”

Kagome opened her mouth to curse him, but clamped it shut immediately. She tried to raise her right arm, but it wouldn’t budge. She tried with the other, but nothing happened. ‘Oh Kami, what am I going do?’

Sesshoumaru watched her struggle with pleasure. “It happened to me as well when I was a pup. I will fish you out from there.” He offered as he approached her from behind.

Kagome’s blush deepened, adding to her embarrassment. “Iie, I’m naked.”

“I have seen you naked many times, Kagome.” Sesshoumaru said softly, although he knew his words would only aggravate the situation. Somehow he found it hard to resist teasing her.

“I was probably too unconscious to tell you off!” Kagome retorted hotly.

“Are you embarrassed?”

“Iie. Mortified!” Kagome nearly screamed the last word. “Please leave,” she begged.

Instead of footsteps leaving the bathing room, she heard the fall of silk hitting the floor behind her. Her eyes grew wide. “Wha… what are you doing?” She asked nervously although she had a feeling she already knew the answer.


Glossary:
Daijoubou desu ka? – Are you alright?
Daijoubou ja nai – I’m not okay
Demo – But
Hime – Princess
Kawaii – Cute
Konnichiwa – Hello
Ofuda - Charm
Ousama – King