Chapter Fifteen – Lesson Three
Kagome took a steadying breath, and then dropped her yukata and lowered herself to the floor, bare skin tingling at the contact of the cool silk cushions piled against the wall. Sighing contentedly, she turned to Kotono when she settled, and the dragoness nodded once before removing herself from the makeshift room in the corner of Kagome's quarters. Kagome calmed her excited nerves before raising her hands to her bare breasts. Her breath caught. It had been two weeks since her first release in the springs, but it seemed that she would never truly become accustomed to the stimulation of her nipples; Kotono had assured her that it was only because her breasts were sensitive. "Mine are that way as well," the dragoness had said, lifting her breasts from the water and showing their dark tips. "Even the lightest touch sparks a response." Kagome wondered, as she rolled a taut nipple lightly between her fingers, if the rest of her body would be as easily stimulated, but the thought didn't stay long in her mind before she found herself focusing on the heat pooling in her belly. "Concentration is your ally now," Suzume murmured, her voice floating easily through the screen. "You must keep your reiki under control no matter the circumstances." Her words reminded Kagome of her task, and she continued the stimulation, turning her senses inward and nearly peaking when the sensations sparking from her breasts intensified tenfold. Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, she located the cool, gentle place where her reiki settled and began to calm it. It was a hard task, one that required a formidable amount of concentration, and Kagome found that the heat flaring through her veins was a pleasant distraction, one that grew hotter with each passing second. One hand slipped down her belly, and her reiki reached toward her fingertips with cool tendrils. Almost immediately—and noting absently that the sensation of her reiki spreading sent something shockingly pleasurable to her toes—she grasped at the stray strands of power and drew them back into her chest just as her wandering hand slipped past the slightly coarse hair between her legs. In her mind, a remembered image of Lord Sesshomaru, twisted to fit her needs, beckoned her, burnt orange kimono glimmering softly in the sunlight. His eyes were hooded and dark, his head tilted up in a way that made the line of his jaw stand out in the most alluring manner. She didn't resist his call, and instead went to him as he wanted, settling her hand in his and feeling even that little bit of contact send sparks through her. In reality, her straying hand lit against that little bundle between her legs, and the immediate fire that shot through her nearly sent her reiki spiraling out of control. She frantically caught on to the fraying edges of her power, trying to balance the swirling of her finger and the swirling of her energies. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her control slipped. "Concentrate, Kagome," Suzume warned. Her fingers were slick with the evidence of her own arousal, and her mental tryst with Lord Sesshomaru was reaching a fever pitch. His large frame was hovering over her small one, his kimono open to the roaming, wanton touch of her hands and his lips skipping over her face and throat. Her mouth was open, her eyes screwed shut against the heat he brought to life in her body, and yet she wanted, neededmore. Her fingers moved faster. "You're losing it, Kagome...concentrate!" "I'm...trying!" She gasped and lifted her hips, her mental inu lord drawing a nipple into his mouth and enveloping it in a heat more enjoyable than the springs after a long day. Her body began to tighten, her hips lifted higher, and then she caught her breath and the tension exploded out of her in trembling waves. She faintly heard a muffled groan, but over the roaring in her ears was unable to determine if it had come from her or if it had been Suzume's way of voicing her disappointment; she supposed it didn't matter either way, because her mind was fragmented and distant, sluggish in its processes. She sighed, boneless and luxurious against the cushions. A flurry of muted rustling to her right made her turn her head, and she blushed lightly as Kotono slipped around the screen, a collection of cleaning cloths in her arms. "Still so modest?" the dragoness asked, kneeling down beside the miko-in-training and sorting wet cloths from dry. Kagome couldn't find it in her to respond to the teasing note, and instead rolled onto her side, facing Kotono and shivering slightly as the cool air of her room brushed against her sweaty back and the press of her thighs sent a aftershock of pleasure to her lungs. "Did I do it?" Settling more comfortably, Kotono shook her head. "Almost, but no." Shaking away the drowsiness that clouded her mind, Kagome sighed. 'I thought I had it that time,' she groused. 'Now Suzume will be disappointed in me again.' It was a sobering thought. Kagome felt her euphoria begin to fade away, leaving behind the satisfied exhaustion she was beginning to accustom with her release, along with a slowly growing sense that she'd never learn how to control her reiki while coming to completion. It was the last stage of her training, the only thing left for her to do before she would be ready to lay with the regal inu lord. 'Well,' she amended, not exactly ready, but at least prepared.' She focused on Kotono again, suddenly remembering something that she had told her prior to the exercise. "If my reiki doesn't hurt anyone when I, umm, release, then why do I need to control it?" Kotono handed her a wet cloth, and she worked her tired muscles until she was sitting up. "The loss of control may not bring pain with it, but it does deliver an intense shock of pleasure." Smiling as Kagome realized what she meant, Kotono waved a hand. "And as unintentional as it may be, you are essentially giving pleasure to another, which is something Lord Sesshomaru will not allow." "Oh." Kagome ran the wet cloth around the back of her neck and beneath her breasts. "Well, what happens now? Will I have to try again?" "No, not today. We must allow your body to rest or the end result will be the same." She passed another wet cloth, discreetly giving Kagome privacy as she cleaned between her legs. "I think you and I should go and visit the tayū for tea. Would you like that?" Kagome nodded, after a moment's hesitation. She remembered the last time they'd visited the pleasure house, and while the time spent there hadn't been entirely unpleasant, it had been just a little uncomfortable. 'Maybe this time will be better...I understand more about the world I've walked into now...' "Ah, and before I forget," Kotono continued lightly, "Lord Sesshomaru has requested your presence this evening." Kagome felt a thrill shoot down her spine, and realized that she was oddly excited at the prospect of seeing Lord Sesshomaru; the last time they'd spoke, she'd almost killed Kotono. She felt a small twinge of residual remorse for that incident, but pushed it away. It didn't matter. "When will we go to see the tayū?" she asked, placing the soiled damp cloth to the side and accepting Kotono's offer for assistance as she stood. The dragoness helped her into her yukata. "We will depart when you return from the springs." Kagome followed her from the building, and as they stood on the front stoop, a warm breeze playing at their ankles, Kagome realized that there were two others whom she hadn't seen. "Kotono...where is Aoi? And Rin?" The dragoness clasped her hands in front of her and smiled mildly. "Here and there, little one." It was all she said, and Kagome could see in her eyes that she wasn't going to say anything else. "Oh, okay." With a delicate shoo-ing motion, Kotono sent her on her way. Before she left, Kagome glanced back, and thought that the way Kotono stood, with one hand clenched at her breast, gave away more than her simple response ever could.
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Inoue Fuyu had known that the dragoness would be back, and she had known that the twelfth would be with her, but when the two women entered her sitting room and settled across from her, it quickly became obvious that they were not the same two who had visited her just three weeks before. Kotono, for one, was nearly mischievous in the way she taunted her human companion, who took the bribing with much more grace than Fuyu thought she possessed. There was a sensuality, too, that the miko exuded now that she hadn't before, a different feel to each movement she made that told a great deal about how well her lessons had been going. She was comfortable in her own body now, more secure in the fact that she was who she was and could never be anyone different. Fuyu silently praised Kotono's efficiency. "I trust your lessons have gone well?" she asked when the tea was served. With a polite sip and a nod of appreciation, Kagome smiled. "Yes, very. Kotono is an excellent teacher." Fuyu nodded. "Indeed she is; I learned everything I know from her." Kagome gasped in delight, turning large blue eyes to a softly smiling Kotono. "You taught Inoue-sama?" "I did," the dragoness conceded, shrugging demurely. "Wow," the miko breathed, looking back and forth between them. Her gaze finally settled on Fuyu, and the curious glint in her eyes made the minx smile. "How old are you?" She seemed to realize the invasiveness of her question as soon as it left her lips; a pretty flush stained her cheeks and she looked down. "I'm sorry, Inoue-sama! I just—I mean you don't have to…erm, that is, I understand if you don't want to—" "I would have no problem telling you," Fuyu interrupted softly, finding the tiny woman's behavior to be nothing short of endearing, "but that would give away Kotono's true age, which she has, unfortunately, forbidden me to tell anyone upon punishment of death." "Or serious injury," Kotono added, the mock seriousness of her voice making the miko smile. "Yes, or that." Fuyu lifted a hand and shielded her mouth from Kotono's gaze, leaning forward conspiratorially. "But," she whispered, loud enough for both women to hear, "obaa-chan over there is much older than I am, if you must know." Eyes twinkling, Kagome nodded. "Oh I know." She lifted her own hand. "She goes to bed really early." A soft harrumph was apparently all Kagome needed to hear from the dragoness before the mirth locked in her expressive eyes flowed out of her; she dissolved into giggles upon hearing the offended sound, placing her hand over her lips. Fuyu found herself laughing along with the jovial young human, and only when their laughter died down did she realize that she hadn't truly laughed in quite some time. Pushing the revelation away for later consideration, she shook her head and took a sip of her tea. "Kagome is progressing well," Kotono said after a few moments of silence, effectively drawing the conversation back to its previous topic. "Though I still do not believe that the allotted time given was not enough." Fuyu shrugged, eyeing the little miko as she frowned lightly and sipped her tea. "Lord Sesshomaru is patient, but he is not used to having to wait in order to get what he wants." Kagome flushed immediately, and averted her gaze despite the fact that Fuyu and Kotono were speaking of her. "I suppose you're right," the dragoness responded, eyes glittering. "But if I were to gauge his assignment based on…previous experience, I would say that he was very lenient." She winked at Fuyu. "He took the others on their first nights." With a grave nod, Fuyu fixed an interestingly shaded Kagome with a serious expression. "You are very lucky, priestess." "I-I guess I am," the miko spluttered, wide-eyed and embarrassed. Her face fell after a moment, and it was clear to Fuyu where her thoughts had ended up as the first small nuances of fear began to etch themselves into her aura. "Relax, Kagome," Kotono said softly, reaching across to lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We have been preparing for that, remember?" Tea forgotten, Kagome began to wring her hands in her lap, bottom lip chewed mercilessly between her teeth. "I know, but…" She shuddered lightly and closed her eyes to compose herself before opening them and giving Kotono a look that made Fuyu worry. "I'm scared." "And it perfectly accecptable for you to feel that way," Kotono answered immediately, her voice a soothing croon that Fuyu had heard many times before, both when it was directed toward her and when it was not. "No one will begrudge you fear." She reached up, rested a clawed hand lightly against Kagome's cheek. "And besides, Fuyu can help you with that." Hesitantly, Kagome turned away from Kotono and her large blue eyes seemed larger with the hope swimming in them. "You can?" Fuyu glanced very briefly to Kotono, who gave her a single nod of encouragement. Drawing herself up, the minx nodded. "I can try, if you would like." "Oh please, Inoue-sama, I would greatly appreciate it!" Her exuberance, just like her curiosity, sent a wave of sorely needed happiness through Fuyu's system. She nodded, and found herself wholly unprepared for the joyful embrace that the young human rushed around the table to give her; she managed to return it, and only after she had endured a playful grin from Kotono did she sit the girl back and begin to explain what she thought might help.
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When Lord Sesshomaru came to get her from she and Kotono's building—something she hadn't expected and found extremely gallant of him—Kagome was a little nervous about doing what Fuyu had assured her would take away some of her anxiety. Touching him, after all, was something that had never been an option before, something that she had only thought about when she was alone and lost in her fantasies. She swallowed and composed herself. "Good evening, Sesshomaru-sama," she greeted, going down the steps after closing the shoji behind her. She gave him a deep bow, which he returned with an incline of his head, amber eyes contrasting almost beautifully with the tone of his skin and the dark gray of his kimono. They turned and began to walk side-by-side toward the main building of the shiro, and when the silence became too much, Kagome licked her lips and spoke. "I trust your day went well, my lord?" She felt the glance he bestowed to the side of her face and tried not to fiddle with the hems of her sleeves. "It went as expected," he answered at last. Kagome hummed. "That's good, then." They walked the rest of the way to the building in silence, and Kagome awkwardly removed her geta at the door as Lord Sesshomaru did the same, mumbling a shy 'thank you' when he opened the door for her and followed her inside. She tried to move out of the way once he had closed the shoji, but the hall was narrow and as she shuffled to her right, he stepped to his, and when she moved back to the left, he did as well; with an amused huff of breath that she felt stir the hairs on top of her head, he placed his hands on her shoulders and held her still to get by. The contact lasted all of perhaps five seconds, but Kagome could still feel the gentle pressure of his touch five minutes later, when they stepped out of the winding halls and reaching stairwells and into a large, airy room. She realized with embarrassment that she hadn't been paying any attention at all to her surroundings, but when she looked to Lord Sesshomaru to apologize for her absentmindedness, she noticed a shelf full of scrolls behind him and cocked her head to the side. "Sesshomaru-sama, where…" She turned, finding more shelves and more scrolls lining the walls of the spacious room. Large, elaborate torches were placed strategically around the area, high enough that there would be no accidental damage to the scrolls but bright enough that Kagome could see the entire room clearly. "This is amazing," she breathed, taking a tentative step toward one of the nearest shelves. She faltered, looked at the still silent inuyoukai. "May I…?" He inclined his head, and her heart soared with joy.
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Sesshomaru had not thought that his personal collection would make her so happy, but as he silently accompanied her through the shelves, he realized that she was deliriously so; happy enough that the smile spread across her face had not faded once since they'd arrived nearly ten minutes before. The thought that he enjoyed her smile wormed its way into his mind, and after entertaining it for a moment, he decided that he could let it take up residence. The miko did, after all, have an enchanting smile. Lips stretched widely over even white teeth, the woman made a stunning sight, clothed in a dove gray kimono that complimented his so well that he knew Kotono had been responsible for the resemblance. The wavy locks of her hair were only loosely bundled and held away from her face with the chopsticks he had given her what felt like ages ago, and her eyes stood out so beautifully that he was almost tempted to ignore the tantalizing view of the back of her neck. Almost. He was brought out of his musings when he realized that she had reached for a scroll, curiosity melting into her aura, and then had drew her hands back as though afraid to touch it. She turned those wide, expressive eyes to his face, and he found himself nodding his acquiescence even before he had fully decided to give it. With reverent care, she placed her hands on the scroll and eased it from its individual nook, cradling it in her palms as though it were precious to her and not simply something that she had been given permission to handle. The part of him that readily respected her grew a little wider. "It is one of many written about this Sesshomaru's family," he murmured as she very slowly began to unroll it. He could tell that she was being careful not to drop it or allow her fingertips to come into contact with the ink, and the way she allowed her palm to cradle it only made him wonder if she would treat his manhood in the same gentle fashion. Instant arousal fired through him, and the manhood in question swelled beneath his clothes. He wanted her then; wanted to step behind her and take the scroll from her dainty little hands; to smooth his palms over her hips and pull her against him; to hear her gasp as his need for her was made known. He wanted to ravage her right there, to brace her hands against the sturdy shelves, lift the heavy kimono up to her waist, and plunge himself into what he was sure would be the warmest, wettest, tightest sheath he had ever had the pleasure of defiling. 'Yes, defiling would be the word,' his carnal side whispered darkly. He wanted to ruin her for any other but him; he would ruin her for any other, he would be sure of it. She would never want for another man's touch, and even if he did eventually dismiss her, she would always belong to him. Her body would always belong to him. It took a faint inkling that he was being watched to bring himself out of his lurid thoughts, and he noticed that the miko was looking at him somewhat curiously; to distract her—and himself—he nodded toward the scroll in her hands. "Unless you are content to read historical accounts, there is more to see." The reminder of where they were jolted her out of whatever musing she was having, and she rolled the scroll just as carefully as she had unrolled it before sliding it back into its designated spot. She continued down their current aisle with no further goading, and he trailed after her, inhaling the gentle scent of wisteria and the soft, warm smell that wafted from her skin. As he expected, she stopped at the window that spanned the entirety of the back wall, and gasped softly as the sight of the kaiyu-shiki and a little of the flowering gardens spread out below her. Sesshomaru glanced at the scene only momentarily before he found his gaze falling to the young woman's face. She was beautiful in the muted moonlight, and with the warm glow of the torches falling on her from above and the silver tendrils of moonlight caressing the planes of her face, he thought momentarily that she could have been youkai if not for the human heart that beat beneath her ribs; the perfection of her face nearly had him imagining that she was. And then she looked up and the steady thrum of her heart quickened just a little when their eyes met. "Didn't you say that you designed the gardens, Sesshomaru-sama?" she asked quietly. He nodded, and she smiled softly. "They are beautiful." He inclined his head at the compliment, but found that although he wanted to thank her for the praise, his words seemed to be caught in his throat, and the thoughts in his head couldn't break away from the vicious cycle of reminding him how beautiful she was and then assuring him that she would be just as beautiful naked and pressed up against the window beside them. He was slightly relieved when she broke eye contact, clearing her throat and turning away with a slight flush dusting her cheeks. After a moment, they moved away from the window, and he once more followed her through the stacks, informing her of what was where. She lingered in the poem and fantastical story sections the longest, and while her interest in those was great, he found that she also enjoyed perusing a contemplative essay by Shin-ua and a philosophical piece or two by various authors. He noticed that although she was by no means stupid, she had an instinctive urge to increase her knowledge through reading and asking him questions. He had explained his views on the kami and had debated with her about the benefits and downfalls of self-reflection; they argued heatedly about the human race and spoke at length about what they each thought of the violence that had been erupting around the countryside. Their discussion on fair trade and negotiations with the mainland lasted well into the night; neither realized the breaking of dawn until a servant knocked on the door and informed them that morning tea would be served momentarily. With a glance at a startled miko, Sesshomaru indicated that tea was not necessary, and when the servant hesitantly asked if he would like for someone to escort his guest back to her building, he shook his head. "However," he added before dismissing the clearly puzzled young youkai, "inform the head of household that Higurashi Kagome is to be granted access to this Sesshomaru's personal archives when she wishes it." "Of course, my lord." Sesshomaru was still grateful later that day that the miko had decided to wait until the servant was gone to give him a joyful embrace.
Author's Note: Next chapter coming soon! Please review?
~Aubrey
