Fallen

Chapter 17


The mood was festive as Sesshomaru landed back on the ground with Kagome once again under his arm. He had not bothered with the usual cloak and cowl as he'd been seen at the tournament. He'd been accepted earlier and honestly had been rather surprised by it. Humans had always seemed to react badly to the sight of a youkai but Robin of Locksley had simply taken it in stride. Kagome smiled at him gently as she pulled on his sleeve to get his attention. “They are waiting on us I think.” she said softly. He nodded and followed her silently.

A soft tug at the leg of his breeches stopped him and he looked down in startled confusion. A pair of large soft brown eyes peered up at him shyly and for an instant his mind was transported back to his shiro and his beloved child Rin. The little round face pinked as she fidgeted before speaking. “You are really pretty.” she said quietly. Sesshomaru crouched down to her level and gave her a slight upturn to his lips. “Do you not fear me little one?” he asked. She shook her head and grinned at him. “Grandmother says that we need not fear those from Fae if we respect them.” Sesshomaru's eyebrow rose slightly. 'Fae? They think I am from such a place?' he wondered silently. He had heard of such places from other youkai who had traveled the world. Surely he did not look as strange as all that. He was drawn out of his musings by a wreath of flowers placed on his head and a little feminine giggle of delight. A red haired girl had joined the first and it was she who had placed the wreath. “Will you tell us a story?” the brown eyed child asked shyly as more children sat around him. Sesshomaru sighed softly and nodded moving to sit against a tree. The brown eyed child climbed up on his lap as the other children gathered around him...

Marion nudged Kagome with her elbow and gestured to the scene. Kagome blinked and took a double take. “Where is my camera when I need it?” she muttered under her breath.

Sesshomaru glanced up at her and quickly had to look away from the look of longing in her eyes. He mentally smirked. Normally he would have played with Rin with great persuasion. However he had been certain that Kagome like most demonesses would absolutely melt at the sight of a male playing with pups or kids. From the look on her face his hunch had been right. Her heated stare was doing strange things to his insides, not to mention that the feelings she was having were heating his blood. Inside his baser mind cried out for the female that wanted him as much as it did. Sesshomaru focused his attention back on the young ones sitting around him.

“Is that really the end?” the brown eyed child asked curiously. Sesshomaru shook his head, as he patted her head as he would have Rin. “No, the great dog prince took pity on the cats and with a sweep of his magic sword he brought them all back to life. The leader of the cats was so pleased that she declared peace between her people and those of the great dog prince.” All of the children began to ask question after question about the story. “I think that the dog prince was in love with the cat leader and that's why he saved her family.” One precocious child stated bluntly. Sesshomaru frowned. “No the dog prince was most definitely not interested in the cat. No he had a...” he caught himself before saying too much. “An other interest.” he finished instead.

Kagome smiled as she walked over and sat with the children. Sesshomaru reached up and took the wreath from his head. “I believe these are more suited to the Lady.” he said with a questioning look at the red haired child. She nodded enthusiastically taking the wreath from his clawed hands. Kagome blushed hotly at the comment from Sesshomaru. He was different today more so than he had been earlier in the week. All of the gazes he sent her way were somewhat heated and Kagome did not really know what to think of them. She wasn't certain when his beast had taken over at the tournament but she could still hear the fear in his voice as he'd roared her name, and the arrow. Surely he hadn't been intentionally saving her from it, had he?

As the night wore on and the few little ones began to get sleepy and were sent to bed the adults gathered around the fire and mugs of ale, mead and wine were passed around. As the alcohol began to work some of the men picked up fiddles and pipes and began to play lively tunes and soon the settlement was alive with music.

Will Scarlet emboldened by his third mug full of ale, walked over and bowed to Kagome. “Might I have the pleasure of a dance?” Kagome laughing stood up and allowed him to lead her to where several couples were dancing to the cheerful tunes.

Robin moved over next to Sesshomaru and handed him a mug of mead. “You aren't fooling anyone, you know?” he said softly as he followed Sesshomaru's gaze to where Kagome danced playfully. Sesshomaru looked away swiftly. “I do not know of what you speak.” Robin shook his head. “You might fool someone who has never felt the way you are feeling, but you can not fool my eyes.” He took a long pull on his mead. “Love has many faces, m'Lord and you be wearing one of them.” he said with a slight slur and a shrug. Robin took another long drink and as he did he missed the shock written clearly on the youkai lords face.

To hide his bewilderment Sesshomaru lifted the mug to his lips and took a large gulp. He coughed as the vile liquid slid over his sensitive tongue and burned down his throat and scorched his sinuses. Robin laughed and clapped him on the back. “If the English mead is to much for you the wine may be more to your tastes m'Lord.” Sesshomaru grimaced at the mug and set it on the ground vowing that the only thing he would be drinking he would smell first. Taking the mug Robin extended he sniffed it first and pleased he took a swallow of the milder wine.

By the time he'd finished his second cup, Kagome came back to his side. Her cheeks were flushed with color and she was breathing hard from dancing but she radiated happiness. Robin leaned near her and asked her a question that with the din of music and raucous laughter Sesshomaru missed. However he did not miss the darkening of her blush as she slowly nodded and stood.

“Hey you lot, Kagome has agreed to sing for us.” Robin said and Kagome fidgeted as the night went quiet. Kagome swallowed and took a deep breath as she heard the song that she decided to sing play through her mind...

Kanashii hodo tooku ni kanjiru
“I feel sad about the distance”
Her voice shook slightly as she began to sing. Robin leaned over to Sesshomaru and asked “what is she singing.” With a mental sigh Sesshomaru began to translate.

Kimi no kokoro sagashi hajimeteru
“So I begin to search for your heart”

Itsumo soba ni ite mamorarete ita kara
“You were always by my side, protecting me”

Nee hitori ja kowai n da
“Hey, it’s scary being alone”

Nagareru jikan nante
“Even though time passes by”
Minna onaji na no ni…
“Everyone is the same…”
Ima nemutteru? Naite iru?
“Now I’m sleeping? Crying?”
Egao de ite hoshii
“I want to see you smile”

Kagome's cobalt eyes locked with his and for an instant he forgot how to breathe. She was singing to him and she wanted him to know it. Her voice was clear and strong now as she lost her fear in his topaz eyes...

Afuredasu omoi o daite ai ni yuku kara
“When I went to see you, my colored thoughts overflowed”

Sorasanaide chanto mite kimi o shinjiteru
“Yes, no one else knows that our own recollections are”

Sou dare mo shiranai futari dake no omoide wa
“Please don’t avert, look at me, I believe in you”

Tsuyokute utsukushii toki no aoi umi
“A pale sea of time that is strong and beautiful”

Sono ude sono mune ni watashi wa ikite iru
“I’m alive in your arms and chest”

Ashita de aeru hito soshite wakareru hito
“The one I’ll meet tomorrow is a person I’ll be parting with”

Kurikaesarete aruite iru
“Walking repeatedly”

Douka kimi o totte eien made tsunagu
“Please, I want to take you and succeed eternity”

Tatta hitotsu no ai ni shite yo
“For there is only one love that I have”

Kagome's cheeks flushed but she did not break eye contact with Sesshomaru as she sang. Her heart was in her eyes. Sesshomaru continued to translate though his voice was softer and and he felt that same feeling of drowning in her cobalt depths but he did not look away, meeting her gaze with his own. Something was happening within him that was as unexpected as it was strangely pleasant. Inside his baser mind purred in content as he allowed his inner emotions to rise inside of him. Perhaps it was the warmth of the wine that assisted in freeing his thoughts and feelings but he didn't care and that moment he would have gladly drowned for eternity in her eyes.


Afuredasu omoi o daite ai ni yuku kara
When I went to see you, my colored thoughts overflowed

Ima sugu kono ai o tsutae ni yuku kara
I immediately went and conveyed this love to you

Mou nani mo iranai kimi no kokoro igai wa
I don’t need anything else except for your heart

Futari de irareru nara kowaku nanka nai
I’m sure that the two of us have nothing to be afraid of

Kondo wa soba ni ite kimi o mamoru kara
This time, I’ll be by your side and protect you

When her voice died away the party commenced with the same cheerful music once again filling the air. “Beautiful.” Robin complimented simply as he handed her a mug of wine. Kagome blushed hotly as she accepted the mug but she set it down on the ground next to Sesshomaru's she didn't drink for a reason.

Sesshomaru was at a loss for words. Perhaps Kagome wasn't the best singer in the world and not the worst either, but her song had touched him in a way that he'd thought was impossible. Her eyes were still open to him as he looked into them searching for answers to his unasked questions. He knew he hadn't imagined the emotions he'd felt but honestly he'd never felt the like before and had nothing to compare the feelings too and no name for which to call them. Listening to Kagome sing had been the most beautiful thing he'd ever experienced.

Marion came over and took Kagome's arm in her's as she lead her away. “We Ladies need to speak.” she said with a merry laugh and a twinkle in her eyes from the alcohol. Kagome blushed darker but allowed herself to be led away from the center of attention. Once a suitable distance from the men, Marion sat down and drew Kagome down with her. “That song was lovely, Kagome truly, but I can't help but to feel that there was more to it than just you singing.” She tipped Kagome's head up so that she could see her eyes. “You love him don't you?” she asked. Kagome's eyes widened before they filled with tears. “It's impossible.” she cried as Marion patted her back. “Why is it impossible?” she asked.
For whatever reason Kagome felt at that moment that if she didn't confide in someone she would crumble to pieces and so in the darkness of the night she told Marion everything she dared about the situation she and Sesshomaru had found themselves in. After a time Marion stopped her. “But that doesn't explain why loving him is impossible.” she said slightly confused.
“Its not the loving him that is impossible. Its us ever being together. He's not human as you can see and he dislikes humans. Me in particular.” Kagome said softly. Marion's laughter startled her. “Oh Kagome, you are mistaken. I have seen many looks in my time but the one he had was most definitely not dislike but far from it.” Kagome looked up wiping her eyes. “Huh?” she asked. Marion smiled warmly. “I would guess from the fact he has had his eyes on you the entire night that he is quite smitten with you.” Kagome shook her head in disbelief “It can't be.” she argued halfheartedly. “Sesshomaru, my companion doesn't want me. After he kissed me he told me as much.” Marion sighed. “Strong men never like to admit their feelings, but you felt something in the kiss right? He took an arrow for you. If that is not love then I do not know what love is.”

Sesshomaru felt like his ears were burning. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop on the women. It wasn't his fault that his hearing was so good. However his hearing was hardly the issue as he listened to Kagome's inner thoughts being spoken aloud to the other woman. His ears perked up as he caught Kagome's next phrase...

“I have to tell someone, I thought I'd told him in my sleep but as he has asked me again and again I don't think I did. Oh Marion his half brother kissed me and I imagined that it was Sesshomaru instead. I've loved him for so long but I always thought it was hopeless. I'm horrible what kind of person does something like that?” Marion shook her head with another sigh. “One who is confused and in love Kagome.”

Sesshomaru felt as though the wind had been knocked from his lungs. She had been envisioning him?! All this time he'd been jealous of himself. It was laughable, ridiculous. He felt overwhelmed and relieved and truthfully a little foolish. It had been perfectly clear but he hadn't seen it, couldn't have seen it. Her reluctance to tell him the name of the one she'd thought of. Her guilt and longing. It all made perfect sense and he had no idea what to do with it. Somewhere in the netherworld his father was laughing at him, he just knew it.

He stood up as he felt a fresh batch of tears pour from her. She was crying her heart out and he was not going to just stand there while she did so, it really went against everything he had tried to be, but with Kagome and the night he just couldn't find it in himself to turn away.

Kagome looked up as Sesshomaru stood over her. His eyes were hidden in the shadows and his emotions were carefully blocked from her. She swallowed hard and he crouched long enough to scoop her from the ground. He didn't say a word as he sprang into the tall tree branches and carried her swiftly to the tree house. They had a lot to speak about...