A Sister's Gift

Chapter 16 – Village Visit

The village was much larger than the one she lived in. Kagome looked around to the many merchant shops and large huts. There were larger houses built into the hillside. The streets were lined with people hurrying about. Kagome watched warily as each and every one stopped briefly to stare at Sesshomaru in fear and awe, immediately looking to Kagome curiously. Recognition of his position seemed to set in quickly, and the villagers once again moved on about their business. Kagome glanced to Sesshomaru who had taken up his public submissive stance. She hated it when he did that. It hid his eyes. His eyes were beautiful and the key to his emotions. She wasn’t stupid, though. These people needed to see this. Otherwise they would run in fear.

Kagome asked a passerby for direction to an inn, and soon she and Sesshomaru were hitching the horses. The innkeeper had one room available, and was more than happy to offer it to her, however when he got a look at Sesshomaru standing just outside the doorway, he began to fidget around about it. This attitude towards her Protector ultimately pissed Kagome off.

Kagome shot the innkeep a sharp narrowed gaze, and lowered her voice a notch in warning, “Do you dare to deny me, the miko Higurashi Kagome, a room, because of my Protector? I would hope that you would be willing to face the Emperor’s guard with the consequences of your actions.” Ha. Let him deny that! Kagome huffed in disgust. The Emperor could probably care less about her problems, but this guy didn’t know that.

She watched as the innkeep glanced down quickly in defeat. “Why... uh... no, honorable miko, I would never deny you a room. Uh... last door on the right. I will send a boy for the horses.”

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to leave, but stopped. “Oh yes, my companion and I passed a horrible scene on the road south. There were three dead. One a miko. Bandits, it appeared. Please send someone for their bodies. Maybe someone will know who the poor souls were.” The innkeeper immediately motioned to a young boy siting behind the counter, who ran quickly out the door. Kagome nodded, “Arigato. By the way inkeep, have someone prepare a bath for myself and my companion.”

The man looked a little nervous once more, and Kagome thought for a moment that he would argue. She turned to him sharply and the lanky little man immediately said “Hai, my lady.”

Sesshomaru followed Kagome to the room with their belongings, which he deposited on the floor. The room was fairly small, with a large futon against the far wall. She stretched her aching muscles and lowered herself beside the already seated inuyoukai. She joined him in meditation until a knock at the door summoned them that their baths were prepared.

Kagome grabbed her change of clothing and Sesshomaru followed her closely out the door. Out the back door and around a rocky wall they were led to the bathhouse. The tubs of steamy water were each in a room positioned over a bed of embers. Kagome took the first bath and nodded her approval to Sesshomaru who followed the servant to the room next to her.

When Sesshomaru was alone he stripped down and was about to slide into the welcome water, when he looked to the screen dividing his bath from Kagome’s. Her slender shadow was clear to his sight as she pulled her dusty clothing from her body. He slowly stepped into the steaming bath, never removing his eyes from the vision before him. Her miko garments discarded, the lovely shadow of Kagome revealed her slender curves, before she gracefully lowered herself into the pool.

The taiyoukai growled as her image disappeared from his sight. He fought the feeling that swarmed over him to go to her. To touch her, and kiss her. Instead he busied himself with cleansing his hair and body of the grime. His hair was the worst of it, but he swiftly managed it and rose from the tub. After slipping on his fresh clothing, Sesshomaru stepped out to stand guard while Kagome enjoyed her bath.

Kagome saw Sesshomaru take his place in front of her door. His presence was a comfort to her at all times, and she relaxed a little more in the hot liquid.

When Kagome emerged Sesshomaru caught his breath at the sight of her. Her skin glistened in the light of the sun, and her wavy raven hair, wet with water, clung to her head enhancing her lovely face. Her clean fresh scent overwhelmed him for a moment, and before he was aware of what he was doing, Sesshomaru held Kagome against his chest, while nuzzling his face into the nape of her neck. He breathed in deeply enjoying the wonderful aroma from her hair. He felt Kagome shiver against him, and was pleasantly surprised when she slipped her tiny hand around his neck.

The kiss ended in a sigh of longing and regret. Neither dared to look directly into the eyes of the other. Instead they stood embracing for a fleeting moment before turning to leave the bath house.

Sesshomaru followed his mistress back to their shared room, where she proceeded to help him comb through his luxuriously long silky hair. As Kagome pulled the wooden comb through it, she marveled at the strength. The texture was so soft and thin, yet each strand held as much strength as a lock of her own human hair. She couldn’t help but imagine what it would feel like against her bare skin. Kagome turned a little pink when she gave in to the urge, and rubbed the softness her cheek. ‘Nice...’ Sesshomaru turned his head slightly and she thought she caught a little smile before he looked away.

Once they groomed themselves, Kagome and Sesshomaru made ready to leave the inn. Kagome took a moment to admire the fine work of the seamstress, daughter to old Myoga, who fashioned the white silk haori and matching hakama’s. The red obi sash set off the intricately woven red designs along the sleeves and shoulders. Kagome had to admit that she had never seen him look more handsome.

Sesshomaru averted his gaze from Kagome. He wondered if she had any idea how her scent was affecting him. Is it possible that she has no control or is it that she simply doesn’t understand the delicacies of the inu nose? ‘Damn. How can I spend everyday with this woman, forced to smell her arousal time and time again? To know she wants me to take her, but never be able to do so? This is a fate worse than death.’

Finally Kagome turned to leave the confines of their room. Sesshomaru tried to clear his head once outside in the village square, but the ever-present smells of a bustling human village only proved to make his stomach churn. The visits to Kagome’s village served to help him build up a bit of tolerance to the putrid smells, but the initial few breaths were somewhat close to mild torture.

Kagome stopped in front of the tavern. This place would serve them a warm meal, but she had never entered a tavern in her life. The two of them stood just out front as Kagome tried to decide what to do.

“Mistress, I sense a demon presence inside this place.” Sesshomaru said, breaking her indecisiveness.

Once hearing that, she made up her mind. She didn’t want to mention it to Sesshomaru, but she was unsure of how receptive to his presence these people would be. She was hesitant to place him in an unfavorable situation.

“Come Sesshomaru, we shall dine here,” Kagome said as she headed toward the establishment.

Sesshomaru took up his defensive position, placing Kagome behind him just before they entered the sliding door. The crowd was a cross between the weary traveler and the rowdy drunk. The appearance of a male taiyoukai in the doorway drew the attention of the majority of the patrons. He swept the room, ignoring the glares, searching for any possible danger.

The smells in the room, were strong, and maimed his main defense to some extent. The strong smells of the alcohol, food, and humans made it very hard to pinpoint where the youkai presence was coming from. It appeared to be safe for Kagome, though, and he stepped aside to allow her entrance.

The human males in the room, leered at the beautiful young woman who had just joined their midst, causing her guardian to let out a low growl from just behind her. Kagome glanced back to make sure everything was still fine. It appeared so, as her companion made no move to defend or attack. Kagome glanced around the room, unsure of how to proceed. She noticed all the lust filled eyes directed at her, as well as several wayward women who seemed to be finding Sesshomaru quite the object of interest. That knowledge sent a strange feeling through her body, which she certainly found distasteful.

Kagome took a deep breath for a boost of courage, and began making her way further inside. Soon a young woman was leading her to another room, which was separate from the one at the main door. The smell of food was stronger here and Kagome figured that this must be the place where one could be seated to enjoy a leisurely meal.

Sesshomaru tensed at once, and the action did not go un-noticed by Kagome. She glanced back to her Protector and followed his gaze to a relatively shocking sight.