Striking A Deal

A/N:Sorry, I had to take a break. Anyways, I don't own IY, and I want to thank you guys for reviewing. I love reading what you guys think and it makes me want to write more. So, here you guys go.
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Sesshomaru reached over and hooked a finger underneath Kagome's chin. He lifted her lips to his and kissed her softly. Kagome stiffened at the initial contact, but then allowed his lips to seduce hers. Sesshomaru felt Kagome relax into the kiss, and decided that this was the perfect opportunity to deepen it.

When his tongue swept into her mouth, Kagome closed her eyes, and savored what he was doing to her. She felt her body tingle with anticipation as he continued to invade her mouth. He broke the kiss after a couple of minutes and proceeded down to her neck, nipping at it and softly growling at her, telling her that the best was yet to come.

As he slowly began to bring Kagome back to the ground, his tail swept out and settled underneath her to give her something soft to lie on. Kagome sighed; she loved the feel of his tail against her naked skin. Upon seeing her satisfied expression, Sesshomaru allowed his mouth to descend to her breasts, licking and flicking her nipples as he continued to pleasure her.

Kagome moaned and arched her back, thrusting her breast into his mouth. Sesshomaru greedily accepted the offered treat and sucked on the breast mercilessly. He smirked when he detected a strong scent of arousal coming from her, proud to know that he invoked such reactions from her. His fingers slipped down and entered her passage, getting her ready for his invasion. When he was satisfied that she was more than ready, he released his arousal and plunged it deep within her body, causing Kagome to groan in relief. He, too, groaned and felt whole once more. His thrusts were gentle, but demanding as he made love to her. His hurtful words forgotten as he made up for his foolishness by giving her the passion she so craved. His fangs elongated and he could feel his mouth watering as he waited for the right moment to plunge them deep within her neck, marking her once more, and taking away any chance for the wolf to claim what belonged to him. The moment came as Kagome reached her climax. She screamed his name into the darkness of the cave, and then felt his fangs pierce the soft skin of her neck.

Sesshomaru could hear his beast roar his pleasure inside his head. His climax had come on fast and hard, sending his hot seed careening into her body and to be stored in her womb. When he bit into her, his beast purred with satisfaction, knowing that she belonged to him once more. He gently pulled himself from her body, taking great care not to aggravate her wound. He could hear her breathing softly as he leaned down so that his mouth was next to her ear.

"You are mine forever, my love. I will never allow you to be free from me ever again." Sesshomaru said, softly.

Kagome smiled into the darkness, her hand reaching out and cupped his cheek. "Those have to be the sweetest words that I have ever heard." She whispered, before allowing her eyes to shut. This had been one hell of a day.

Sesshomaru smiled down at his mate. He got up and pulled his hakama back on and wrapped her body in his haori. He fastened his swords back on his hip and then lifted his mate into his arms. He also made sure to grab up the wolf's armor and furs. He was not stupid. The wolf would need them for battle. When he was satisfied that he was not leaving anything behind, he walked out of the cave and through the waterfall. It was time to go back to camp. He had a matter to take up with Jaken. He clearly remembered the toad calling his pups "˜demon spawns from hell'. Now, all he had to do was come up with a suitable punishment on the walk back to camp. He wasn't worried. After all, he was a master of the art of torture.
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Inu Yasha made it back to camp with a very naked Kouga hanging off his shoulder. His tail kept batting from side to side, hitting Inu Yasha in the face. The hanyou had to resist yanking on the offending appendage to make it stop swaying, but the wolf was calming down, and needed to rest. He walked through the camp and set Kouga down on Kagome's sleeping back. He covered the wolf, and walked over and sat down with Miroku.

"I take it that Sesshomaru found Kouga and Kagome." Miroku said.

"Yeah, he did. Says that Kagome is fine and that Kouga should be normal in the morning. Hopefully, Sesshomaru will straighten out this mess and reclaim Kagome. That will put an end to this competition between the two." Inu Yasha said.

"I wouldn't count on it. Kouga has told Lord Sesshomaru that once this quest is over, he will challenge him to a fight for the right to mate with Kagome." Miroku told him.

"Well, from what I saw, I don't think Sesshomaru has any reason to worry. He totally wiped the floor with Kouga." Inu Yasha laughed.

"Well, from what I saw here at camp, Kouga did a hell of a number on Lord Sesshomaru. I bet that Kouga used up much energy in the fight with Sesshomaru here and then to get Kagome away. That could be why the fight ended with Sesshomaru as the winner. I doubt that if Kouga's youkai were to get loose again and go after Kagome, Sesshomaru might meet his match. I am impressed, however. I didn't know that Kouga's youkai could be so vicious." Miroku said, in an amazed voice.

"Most youkai are vicious, monk. However, they rarely show themselves for fear of losing control." Sesshomaru explained as he walked into the camp. He threw the furs at Inu Yasha and told him to dress Kouga. Walking over to sit by the fire, he nestled Kagome in his arms so that she could sleep comfortably.

"Forgive my, my lord. I am simply surprised that Kouga's youkai was so merciless in his attack." Miroku said.

"Kouga's youkai was more focused on getting Kagome away from me rather than engaging me in battle. The urge to protect a mate is overwhelming for a youkai. He believed that she belonged to him and saw her as his mate. Obviously, he was shown something that made him believe such. I don't blame him for his actions; I would have done the same if I were in his shoes. That is why he still lives." Sesshomaru explained. He allowed his gaze to sweep over the camp and saw that the slayer was sleeping with the pups curled up next to her. He was shocked that the monk was not near her, trying to cop a feel. He then looked for that stupid toad of his. He finally caught sight of him, leaning against Ah-Un and sleeping like a newborn pup. Sesshomaru's lips curled back in a sneer. Tomorrow the toad would answer to him. Perhaps he had been too lenient on the toad. Well, he would just have to fix that, wouldn't he? He would become Kagome's toad in waiting. He would wait on her hand and foot, since he did not seem to get along with the pups. It would be interesting to see Jaken's reaction to becoming the handmaid of a human. Very interesting indeed.
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Kikyo was upset. Her plan did not work as she had suspected. The demon lord and her copy were once again mates and the little group had been told that she was behind their problems. Now, if they saw her again, she would more than likely be killed on the spot. She looked over at the little girl. This was all her fault.

"Because of you, Kanna, I am now going to be hunted. You are pathetic." Kikyo sneered.

Kanna stared at the golem before her. Even though Naraku had freed both her and Kagura, her younger sister, Naraku had attacked her and Kagura, Kagura gave up her life to give Kanna the ability to think for herself by merging a part of herself with her older sibling. So, with Kagura's sharp mouth and quick temper infused into her being, Kanna said what she thought about the situation.

"It is not my fault that your plan failed, Kikyo. Your plan was not thought out and you only wished for them to be miserable. You are the one who told me what to do, and I did it, so don't blame me if your plan sucked." Kanna whispered.

Kikyo stared down at the child. "I could purify you where you stand, you do know that child?"

"And I could suck what is left of your soul out of you before you had a chance to move. Looks like we are at a stalemate. Now, we do things my way." Kanna whispered.

Kikyo looked at the pale little girl. Did she honestly expect her to follow orders? Kanna looked up at the dead miko and said, "I don't care if you want to go along with me. You can stay here and rot for all I care. They will find you and destroy you. They know that you are the one pulling the strings. I am not seen as a threat to them, you, however, are a different story."

"Did you read my mind, bitch?" Kikyo snarled.

"No, your emotions are visible on your face. Just like everyone can tell that you are desperately jealous of your reincarnation. It is obvious to anyone who looks at you. You don't hide what you feel very well and it will be your undoing." Kanna warned. She stood up and walked into the forest. Kikyo stared at the back of the child and then shrugged. Nothing that she has tried worked, so perhaps it would be best to see if the child can do any better. She walked behind the girl, taking note that the child was deadly calm and collected. What Kikyo didn't know was that Kanna shared her former master's taste for treason. Soon, Kikyo would be at the enemy's mercy and she would be reunited with her beloved sister. But, for now, it was time to collect shards.
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Morning came and Kagome stretched in Sesshomaru's arms. She opened her eyes, and found herself looking into the golden eyes of her beloved.

"Good morning." Kagome whispered.

"Good morning, mate. How did you sleep?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Like a baby. And my side doesn't hurt at all." Kagome chirped happily.

Sesshomaru got up and turned them around. He wanted to look at her wound for himself. He opened up her kimono, but checked to make sure that the monk was occupied with the slayer first, and nearly gasped. The wound was almost gone. There was only one way that it could have healed this fast. And he knew for a fact that he had not done it the previous night, which left Kouga to be given credit for her speedy recovery. He closed her kimono and placed her on the ground. She smiled up at him and then accepted the bowl of oatmeal that the slayer had offered her.

Sesshomaru walked over to where Kouga lay, taking note that the wolf was awake and staring at the sky.

"How do you feel?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Well, I know now why you are the most feared demon alive. How is Kagome?" Kouga asked.

"She is healed, thanks to you. This Sesshomaru is in your debt." Sesshomaru said.

"No. I love Kagome and so does my youkai. Her health and well-being are our number one priority. I know that she loves you, which is why I have come to a decision. I am not going to challenge you for her, but I want an agreement between us. If something should ever happen to you, she is to come to me. It will not matter if I take another mate, if you are killed then I will make her my mate and the other female will be a concubine. This is a fair compromise, and you know that she will be loved." Kouga said.

Sesshomaru glared at the wolf, then shrugged. It would have to go through Kagome first, but it did comfort Sesshomaru a bit to know that Kagome would be taken care of should something happen to him. So, Sesshomaru nodded.

"This Sesshomaru agrees, however, it will be Kagome who makes the final decision. But, you must agree to join your lands with my lands. They of course will be ruled separately, but in times of war, we will be united and there is one other thing." Sesshomaru said.

"Agreed. Now, how are we going to get Kagome to agree?" Kouga asked. He raised up and looked down at his body, surprised to find it dressed in his armor. He raised his eyebrow up at Sesshomaru who looked over at Inu Yasha. Kouga followed his gaze and then choked back the urge to throw up. The thought of that half-breed touching his naked form make him sick to his stomach. Then, Sesshomaru said something to cause his discomfort to strengthen.

"It was also Inu Yasha that carried your naked body to camp." Sesshomaru said, watching the wolf's face go from pale to green. Sesshomaru had to bite back a smirk. Well, he was a sadistic bastard after all, and it was time to prove that fact to Jaken.

Sesshomaru walked over to where Jaken sat and addressed him.

"Jaken. What was the name that you called my pups last night?" Sesshomaru asked quietly.

Jaken's eyes went wide. What did he say? Hmmm, he remembered that he called Rin a vicious brat, but she was used to hearing that. He called the fox pup a terrible burden, but of course, that was the truth. Then it hit the toad. He remembered that his kimono had flown up, revealing his backside to all that was present at camp. He had walked away muttering about the children being"¦..then it hit him. Jaken glanced up at the angered Sesshomaru, how stared down at him with a look that promised misery.

"Yes, I heard you, Jaken. Since you are not taking to my pups as I would like, I am going to give you a different job." Sesshomaru said.

Jaken breathed a sigh of relief. He hated being a babysitter. Let the hanyou do it, after all, he was made for such work. Jaken saw Sesshomaru motion for him to follow and he quickly got up. Perhaps his lord would make him his assistant once more. Holding his head high, he followed the demon lord and stopped when his lord sat back down with Lady Kagome. Sesshomaru motioned for Jaken to sit down in front of Kagome, and allowed a smirk to cross his beautiful features.

"Jaken, I have decided to make you Kagome's personal handmaid." Sesshomaru said.

Both Kagome and Jaken stared at the demon lord as though he lost his mind. Jaken now fully understood that his lord was punishing him for calling his pups names, as did Kagome. But if he was upset, then Kagome was totally outraged.

"Ok, what exactly did I do to be punished?" Kagome demanded.

Sesshomaru cocked his eyebrow up. "I just thought that you would like a lady in waiting, or rather, toad in waiting to help you on this journey. He is responsible for your comfort and will do as you request. He will tend to your every whim, regardless of how meaningless it seems."

Kagome stared at her mate. "I see. And how long to I have this "˜honor'?" She asked.

"As long as you wish to keep him. If he doesn't please you, I will have to kill him. It won't do to have a servant who is fickle about the tasks he is given." Sesshomaru explained.

Kagome nodded and then sighed. Hate him as she did, she would not allow him to be killed. She looked at the toad, and glared at him. Man, she could not stand him.

Jaken's mind was swimming. He was a nursemaid, and now he was a handmaid. Why were the fates so cruel? He looked over at his mistress to see her seething with anger. It looked as though Jaken would have to prepare for the worst. But, he had to wonder how he would look in the handmaid's kimono. The colors were to die for.

"Jaken, please go and get me some water. I want to wash mine and the children's faces." Kagome said.

Jaken nodded and then turned to walk away. Rin giggled. "Jaken, you didn't curtsy to mama. At home, the maids always curtsy."

Kouga looked over at the toad in amusement. "The little girl is right, toad. Handmaids curtsy to their mistresses. So let's see it."

Jaken shot the wolf a look. Kouga raised his eyebrow and smirked. "Careful, maid. I am now the close ally of your lord. It would not be wise to insult his comrade."

Jaken's face took on a look of horror. It couldn't be. But, one look at his lord told him that the wolf spoke the truth. Kouga's smile broadened as he saw Jaken's distress.

"Now, let's see that curtsy." Kouga said, happily.

So, Jaken curtsied. But, he messed it up and ended up falling on his face. Lord Sesshomaru made him get up and do it again and again until he had perfected the art. Finally, he was allowed to go and get the water. When he returned and gave the water to his mistress, he was given permission to go and sit down. He sighed and walked to Ah-Un. He sat down and held his head in his hands. He had never been so humiliated. Even mooning the entire party had not compared to this. What was next for him? Would he be handed out to a brothel and passed around like a piece of toad candy? His misery knew no end. He could only hope that they found those damn shards and quickly.