~Melodic Memory

Melodic Memory

Chapter 17

Kagome fell into a lite sleep humming the music in her own mind, daring images of Sesshomaru plagued her dream-like state, she imagined him playing this soft yet deep melody in her head, she saw him in the corner of the large playing room. The curtains slightly drawn, just enough light seeping through to allow vision of the keys only. She watched as the musical notes danced across the top of the piano and towards herself, she stood in the doorway, watching his body sway with each key he played. Her brows furrowed in irritation with the inability to capture Sesshomarus face in her mind. As her daydreaming went on she soon felt a very warm and very real hand move up her thigh. Her eyes opened to reveal the very man she had been spying on in her mind. She felt as if she had been caught, as if she really had crept in on his private piano session. Without control a deep blush smoothed itself gently across Kagomes face. Sesshomarus amber eyes rested on her own and he chuckled lightly at her blush.

"Kagome...what ever were you thinking?" He asked with a mischievous smile. His hands moving painstakingly up her thighs.

"Nothing!" She giggled as she jumped.

Sesshomaru laughed and moved in like a hunter towards its prey. The look caused an involuntary and very visual shudder to run through Kagome. Sesshomarus eyes sparkled and gleamed. He pounced. Kagome squealed as she laughed and giggled. Sesshomaru tickled her around her waist as he hoisted her into his embrace.

"Are you ready to greet the waking world?"

"Yes."

"Remember the last night you spent at my home?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Remember we were supposed to go out for coffee the following Wednesday?"

"Oh yes!" She laughed, she had completely forgotten about that. She really had wanted to share the enjoyment of coffee with him, but the business dinner was very nice instead.

"Well can you see that place at the edge of the window beyond the highway over there, not only is the most expensive gas in all of central California there, (Kagome laughed a soundless laugh for his quick humor) but residing there just next to it is a quaint little coffee and tea house that I frequent...for tea of course, would you like to take a walk over to this place and please my senses with a cup of what you consider delicious coffee?"

"I would love to Sesshomaru." He gracefully picked her up and pulled her closer to him.

"Sesshomaru?"

"Yes?"

"That was wonderful."

"What was?" He asked with an evil grin.

Kagome quirked an eyebrow at him, he knew exactly what she meant, he merely wanted to hear her say it. She paused and watched his eyes. She seemed nervous in asking. He smirked inwardly, he loved her bashfulness, even after all they had shared. She looked cute and sexy to him. He hoped it never changed. He loved her innocent and adorable side. He decided to help her along.

"Did you mean the lovemaking?"

Kagome rolled her eyes. She was now obviously irritated yet with a smile. She pushed her hands against him to move up off the bed but he pulled her closer to his chest with a growl. She yelped in surprise. He moved his hand to her chin and raised her eyes to his gaze.

"Kagome, making love to you was one of the most memorable moments in my life. I shall never forget it."

He offered it in a whisper with all the humor and mischief gone from his eyes. It was replaced with a soft hue of honesty and determination. She melted in his embrace. She had never expected such poetic simplicities to arise from Sesshomaru. He seemed to be a man of such few words, yet here in this safe and very secluded place, very much like his own home in Japan. He shared this side of himself with her. A side more open and unguarded. A side Kagome was falling endlessly in love with. A side she would cherish. She felt so very special to be one of the few and possibly only people he deemed suitable for such actions.

She looked up into his eyes and kissed his soft and tender half open lips. Savoring the taste and feel of them against her own. He breathed slightly raggedly against her mouth. As if his very soul was breathing. She opened her eyes, lips still feathered against his own. His eyes were closed, soft eyelashes gently gracing his lids, his face was lax and calm, she watched him breathe her in. His hair framed his jaw and face in small slivers of metallic gray. He looked relaxed and content. His face held the stoic look yet defied it at the same time with the slight smirk of his lip on one side. Kagome found it quite adorable. She was smiling as she pulled gently away from him. His eyes opened when he felt her pull away. Her eyes clung to is own.

"Thank you Sesshomaru."

He smiled one of those rare smiles, those genuine and very elegant smiles. He pulled her close and kissed her lips again. He released Kagome and she rose from the bed slowly, completely naked. She seemed relaxed and at ease walking through the room so carelessly. Sesshomaru watched her every move, he enjoyed watching her curves move with her, the way her muscles moved against her skin, how her breasts gently bounced with each graceful step she took. The way her hips caused her backside to shake in the cutest little taunt he'd ever seen. She was so tempting, he found it hard to believe that she wasn't some vixen in disguise. He couldn't quite fathom women not knowing what assets they contained even in a simple walk. He wanted to walk right up behind her and take her on all fours. He shook his head. "Confounded, this women creates strong images in my head." He thought. She turned around and noticed his perplexed look upon his face. She laughed as she bent down to grab some items from her duffel bag. She looked up at him and used her able hand to lift her black silky tresses from her face. Sesshomaru found her to look so beautiful in that moment, like there weren't enough moments to revel in, she created another for him. The cloudy sky caused a dull glow in the room that shined upon Kagomes skin in the most tantalizing of ways. She seemed to glow in the light, almost from the inside. Her smile spoke volumes of her amusement. That was about the time Sesshomaru realized her amusement was directed at none other then himself.

She laughed and pulled her hair up more away from her face.

“Sess, your so funny sometimes.”

“I'm so glad to know I can be here for your entertainment.” He mused.

She smiled again, “I'm going to take a shower, then we can walk to that wonderful shop okay?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Sesshomaru watched her move to the bathroom and close the door. As soon as the shower ran Sesshomaru walked into the kitchen to grab his cell phone.

“Hello Jaken, I need you to do me a favor. I will be gone for the entire weekend and I need you to have all reports ready for Mondays meeting at 9 am. Thank you...no...I am no longer in Japan. Whatever issues you have email them to me and I will look them over this evening or tomorrow. That is all.”

Meanwhile...

Inuyasha woke to an incredible hangover. His head throbbed with pain. His encrusted eyes slowly opened to a very dimly lit room, his room. His clock which was now sitting upright on his nightstand was gleaming in red the awareness of just how early it was. He groaned as he sat up and stretched slightly. The very movement caused severe nausea to overwhelm his body. He attempted to gain rememberance in how exactly he got back to his apartment. The last thing he could remember was the cold and venomous eyes of his older brother staring into his own, Sesshomaru's fist clearly pulled back like an arrow in a bow ready to be let go with great force. He suddenly felt his face and jaw. He felt no pain or possible injuries from what it looked like Sesshomaru was about to do. When he remembered that moment he figured Sesshomaru might have knocked him out cold. But with no hint of pain upon his face he was now even more perplexed. He dug a little further into the nights memories, what little he had of them. His eyes widened in surprise and he moaned aloud.

“Kagome...oh no...what have I done.” He whispered into his empty room. It was more of a statement to himself than a question.

He willed himself to move no matter how painful it was to be and drug himself to the bathroom. He turned the small night lite on and inspected his sullen features in the mirror. He had finally become disgusted after a long lengthy look. Depression set in quicker then he thought. He was angry but too weak to acknowledge it. He remembered the way he treated Kagome, the way he pulled her to him, they way he fondled her. He remembered the fearful look in her eyes. The way he touched her. It was forced and violating in so many ways. Any man would have been able to see it. He was surprised he wasn't dead from the way Sesshomaru looked. But he was also very confused. He walked back into the bedroom to lie down again. Thats when he saw it and knew she'd been there. She had taken him home or the both of them had. There lying on the other nightstand were two bottled waters and a bottle of aspirin. The gel caps, the ones he loved. The ones that worked every time. No one else did this for him except her. He smiled despite himself. He wondered if Sesshomaru had come with her. If by some strange charm of hers she was able to persuade Sesshomaru into helping her bring his younger brother back to his apartment. He knew if anyone could do it, it would be her. He sighed and took the bottled water and swallowed four gel caps to ease his suffering. He decided to lie in bed for a little while longer until the headache resided. He had a few calls to make. He wanted to know if he had ignorantly made headline news again or not. He was hoping for a miracle and that maybe by her help he hadn't made such a complete baka of himself. He sighed again. He cursed himself over and over in his head as he lay in his lonely and very cold bed..

“Well Inuyasha, now you've lost any chance you ever had of getting her back, the Ice Prince wins again.” He whispered to himself. He decided talking to himself was becoming a regular pastime. He knew she'd never reconsider now. He had seen the way she was around Sesshomaru, something he hadn't seen in a long time. She was happy. And for the first time in his selfish and very spoiled life, he smiled at the thought of someone else's happiness other then his own. He wanted her to remain happy. If Sesshomaru was to be that person then so be it. He was sad, but he felt he just matured about 5 years in the span of 15 minutes with that decision. Although to actually put it into action he knew would probably and most likely become his demise. He still loved her, no matter how foolish the thought may be, he still loved her and wanted to be a part of her life. But it would be for the best if he stayed away for awhile. So many thoughts ran through his mind thus causing his headache to increase in size and immensity. He breathed in and sighed aloud. He decided for now that thinking may not be the best course of action. More sleep would do more good then harm.

“Ready?”

“Yes!”

Sesshomaru watched Kagome beside him as she took in the scenery around them. Her eyes wandered over the endless hills in the distance. She wore a beautiful blue scarf that mingled with her long black hair in the cool ocean breeze. The sky was still covered in gray clouds, yet the sun peaked out here and there revealing rays of light that kissed the green hills beyond the estate. He enjoyed watching the scarf and her hair dance in the wind, he found it fascinating and meditative if there truly could be such a state while watching someone. She slowly turned to see him gazing at her. She smiled one of her signature warm smiles. So full of happiness and reassurance. He basked in the smile, taking in all he could get from it. It literally made him happy to see her smile like that. It caused him to smile.

It didn't take them long to reach the coffee shop. It was a cute little shop set away from the highway with a lovely window view of the ocean just over the cliffs. They took a window seat near the edge of the shop. The fresh smell of brewing coffee and fresh bagels permeated the entire place. Sesshomaru loved the smell of this small little shop. The scents of dark spices and cinnamon and coffee laced with hints of chocolate and vanilla made his nose tingle in the most charming of ways. The older lady whom was the owner and the barista greeted Sesshomaru by name. Sesshomaru introduced Kagome to the lady and Kagome announced that Sesshomaru would finally be trying his very first coffee.

“Well Sess, what would you like to try, espresso or coffee?”

“You are the coffee expert, I trust you Kagome, you choose for me please.”

Kagome grinned happily.

“Alright then.”

Kagome ordered herself a Chai latte and Sesshomaru a Vanilla Latte. She figured he looked like a Latte kind of guy. She thought maybe Cappuccino first but she didn't think it was enough coffee for him to try and he may not like foam and so she figured her best bet would be a Latte with a hint of delicious nutty vanilla flavor.

When the coffees arrived in their respective over sized black coffee mugs, Kagome purred with delight over her Chai. It smelled heavenly, the scents of cloves, ginger, honey, and cinnamon spice wafted into her nostrils in the tempting est of aromas. Sesshomaru watched her in delighted interest.

“This seems like an almost spiritual thing for you.” He chuckled.

Kagome opened her eyes and smiled as she continued to breathe in her Latte.

“It is, bring the cup to your nose, just below it, not over it, and breathe in slowly the delicious scents Sess.” She directed. “Like this.”

He brought the large cup to his delicate nose and slowly breathed in the latte. At first he wasn't quite sure what he should be doing. But soon he listened to her words.

“What do you smell Sess when you drink tea, surely you must smell your tea, find the desired scents of the coffee, look for your favorite reminders of what it is you like the most.”

He paused for a moment, he was almost irritated due to his unsureness but after a moment he breathed in the hot coffee before him, at first he could smell the hint of warm milk, the thin layer of froth on top, but then he began to smell the thick aromatic hints of the espresso and vanilla buried within.

Kagome watched him intently and smiled. “Thats it...now...bring the mug to your lips and taste your first taste of absolute heaven.” She cooed.

With eyes closed and lips against the rim of the mug he gently tipped the cup towards his parted mouth. The latte flowed in sips into his mouth and over his tongue. The taste was foreign yet very desirable. He enjoyed the dark and full bodied flavor that swirled in his mouth leaving a sweet and slightly heady taste of vanilla and sugar in it's wake. He opened his eyes just in time to see Kagome take her first sip of her chai. She looked to be in deep concentration over this very meditative action. She smiled after the first sip and breathed in. Her eyes opened and beamed with sheer happiness. She looked over at Sesshomaru and then towards the lady barista.

“Bravo, this is one of the most wonderful Chai Lattes I have ever had the luxury of tasting!” She said ecsatically.

“Oh thank you!” The lady said from the counter.

Sesshomaru began to chuckle and laugh slightly at her elated behavior.

“I never thought a cup of coffee could create such a surprise and utter amusement to one person.”

“Sess, this is not coffee this is an experience, and it's actually tea.”

“Really?”

“Yes, would you care to try some?”

She placed her mug in front of him, he took the cup and sipped a taste. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Mmm...taste like..like...”

“Pumpkin pie!” Kagome proclaimed.

“Ah yes, I have had that once before. Yes it has a very autumn like taste to it.”

“Well, this kind of weather reminds me of winter and I love Chai lattes during the winter months. It's my favorite tea in the whole world!” She beamed.

“So do you like your coffee Sess?”

“I love it, it smells and taste wonderful, I am fearful I may come to need such tempting tastes again and again.”

“Well if your any type of weakling like me you will.”

“This Sesshomaru is far from weak, I would rather call it an addiction of sorts.”

Kagome shrugged, “Call it what you will, this is my one and only weakness that I must give in to or else.”

Sesshomaru smirked and leaned over the table.

“I plan to rectify that addiction with an entirely new one my love.” He whispered huskily.

Kagome's eyes widened and she blushed a soft crimson red. She looked into her cup gripping it tightly in her hands, not daring to look at him in fear of his eyes.

He laughed in a whisper and freed her hands from the trembling mug. She looked up and sighed. He knew she was as addicted to him and he was to her. They both had an addiction. It was obvious that first weekend. And all Sesshomaru could think about was how he could persuade her into moving in with him.

He smiled and continued to drink his coffee. They drank in small sips, daring glances and blushes every chance they could get. Kagome felt like she was on a cloud like the ones blowing by so quickly in the sky above them outside the window. The cool air that blew in occasionally from the half open door caressed with the warm swirls of steam that rose from their respective mugs and Sesshomaru couldn't help but think how ironic they were in explaining in no words the path fate took to reach Kagome and himself together. He only hoped that he could continue this relationship and move further. He already knew she was the one. He already knew he was in love with her. He only hoped to kami that she felt the same thing.