Fallen

Chapter 18

Once Sesshomaru entered the tree house he set her on the bed and then moved to his place by the wall. He had not said a word to Kagome and even now he could hear her heart pounding, and he could feel her uncertainty. She was scared at that moment and he found that rather than enjoy the bitter scent as he had once, instead it troubled him. Slowly he turned his eyes to her and spoke.

“Kagome I am not angry with you.” he said quietly. He heard her swallow and then she spoke her voice low and breathy like a faint whisper. “You heard everything didn't you?” He didn't answer and didn't need to his silence answered for him. Kagome sighed as she climbed to her feet and picked up the discarded arrow he'd pulled from his shoulder. His topaz orbs locked with her cobalt in the muted moonlight. She held up the arrow. “No more secrets.” she pleaded as she looked at him. She wanted some answers. She was no longer the timid fifteen year old who was unsure of her self, though she was still afraid of rejection she was tired of silent questions. He nodded slowly waiting for the question he knew was coming. “Why did you save me? Was it just the spell or was it more?” she asked softly.

Sesshomaru sighed, something he had been doing more often since opening up to Kagome, and took the arrow from her fingers. “In that moment Kagome, I forgot about the spell. All I saw was the instrument of your death and I reacted. I did not wish you to die.” Kagome blinked in surprise at his honest answer. He hadn't hesitated to speak and he hadn't broken eye contact as he spoke. “ You are under my protection and I take that very seriously, Kagome. You are bound to me and I to you, I will never allow harm to come to you.”

While it was not a declaration of undying love he had given her a vow of protection and had acknowledged the bond, things she'd never thought to hear from his lips. But he wasn't finished speaking yet and Kagome felt her cheeks heat with a blush as he continued to search her eyes. “Kagome there are many things that I feel will need to be spoken of but I do not wish to speak of them while I am unsure of their meanings. It is not my intention to hurt you.” he added seeing her crestfallen countenance. In an effort to soothe her hurt he gently touched her cheek with the pads of his fingertips. “I did not mean the words I spoke after I kissed you.” his confession was voiced so softly that Kagome had to strain to catch it. In his own way he was baring his heart to her and Kagome was unable to speak.

Sesshomaru held out the arrow to her. “I will always protect what is mine.” he reaffirmed as he stepped closer to her. His eyes contained the solidity of his vow and the intensity of the feelings he could not voice. His long clawed fingers were gentle as he carefully tipped her chin up so that he could fully see her eyes. Kagome's mouth went dry as she tried to remember how to breathe. He was leaning closer to her and Kagome began to tremble. Her hand was shaking lightly she reached out for the arrow he offered to her to steady her self as his face was slowly coming closer...

As Kagome's hand closed over the shaft of the arrow light erupted around them. Before either could utter another word they were drawn in to the familiar vortex...

~*~*~*~*~

Sesshomaru knew instantly that something was off the moment he opened his eyes. The room was slightly fuzzy and he could not clear it. His skin was riddled with goosebumps and he shivered. Raising his hand to wipe the sleep from his eyes Sesshomaru froze 'What the?' he wondered as he examined the small appendage in front of his eyes.

His body was sluggish as he climbed to his feet to look around. The ground was a lot closer than it should have been and he frowned. “Kagome?” he asked softly, startling himself when it was Kagome's voice that spoke. Kagome sat up and rubbed her eyes, jumping to her feet with a pained yelp as she poked herself in the eye with a claw. “Ouch.” she whined in rumbling baritone. She gaped as she stared at her body looking back at her with a look of utter disbelief.

Sesshomaru drew a deep breath and was distracted by the weight of his chest. Curiously he cupped the mounds of flesh as he tested their weight. “Hey! What do you think you are doing?!” Kagome growled in his voice. Her body jumped at the sound and Sesshomaru felt the burn of a blush creep over his cheeks as he met her angry glare. “I was curious.” He replied arrogantly. Kagome took one look at her own expression and began to laugh. It was a deep pleasant sound that would have made Kagome melt but it only seemed to annoy Sesshomaru. “Do not make a fool of this Sesshomaru, Kagome. I do not laugh.”

Kagome huffed as she shook his head noticing out of the corner of her eye the long silken strands of his silver hair. A smirk graced her lips as she reached over her shoulder and pulled the luxurious mass into her hands. Happily she plopped gracelessly to the ground and began braiding the silver locks. “It's so pretty.” she praised in his deep voice. Sesshomaru sat down and crossed his arms for a moment before pulling his midnight hair over his shoulder and running his fingers through it. “It's like silk.” Kagome's voice purred out.

Kagome blushed under his praise. “Thank you Sesshomaru.” she said shyly. Sesshomaru couldn't stop his lips from curling in to a smile as he felt her joy. “How long to you think we will be like this?” Kagome wondered aloud. Sesshomaru grinned “Do you not like being in my body?” he asked with a wicked smirk that Kagome had no idea that her face could make. Kagome grimaced and shifted uncomfortably. “No, its just that you have something kind of bulky in the front of your pants...” Kagome felt her face flaming as it dawned on her what the bulge was. “Um...Uh...I...Kami, I just want my own body back!” she moaned in utter mortification as Sesshomaru gloated evilly.

Sesshomaru had been disoriented at first but quickly had found that aside from showing any and all emotions clearly on his face, that being in Kagome's body was not as simple as he would have thought. He'd been amused at Kagome's innocence and her embarrassment with the differences between them physically but he was not amused with how helpless he felt in her small form. It was disconcerting to not feel the constant waves of his own youki swirling through his blood. It was also humbling to think that Kagome felt such on a daily basis. How had she survived?

Silently Sesshomaru made a firm decision. He was going to train her so that she never would feel helpless again. He was going to teach her to fight and to control the power flowing through her. It really was the least he could do for her even if he didn't plan on letting her out of his sight again.

Kagome finished braiding the silver hair and twisted a strand around her claw. How did Sesshomaru do it? His body was heavy and the slightest movement made the muscles ripple in contained power. It was almost unbelievable the energy flowing through his veins, every movement had to be carefully thought out or it would wreck havoc just with his sheer strength. No wonder he didn't touch anyone, it would be terrifying to think you could crush someone in a moment of thoughtlessness. She looked at his claws with a look of sympathy. “Sesshomaru, are you lonely?” she asked in his voice.

“Not any more.” he replied quietly with her voice...

Light poured around them as they were pulled deeper in to space and time colors spun around them as everything shifted and then snapped in to clarity. Wind whipped through their hair as they moved swiftly to their next destination. Kagome felt dizzy as she tried to remain awake, but as everything began to spin again she succumbed to the welcoming arms of sleep...



*~*~*~*~*~*~


The rosy light of dawn filled the room as Sesshomaru's eyes opened. He was pleased to feel the comfort of his own body nearly groaning in pained desire as Kagome snuggled deeper in his arms. Truly this way of arriving at each new location was going to be the death of him and he really was not certain that being judged by the Gods still seemed like such a bad thing... Kagome's eyes opened and her gentle sleepy smile was almost his complete undoing. To his relief it seemed that the Gods were merciful this time and had not taken from them their clothes, though the light shift and breeches did little to conceal his obvious desire.

Sesshomaru wracked his brain for anything that would save him the embarrassment of trying to explain why he was aroused to Kagome. Finally he conjured in his minds eye an image of Jaken that had him rather nauseous and horrified but definitely not aroused. Kagome was becoming more alert by the minute and Sesshomaru's arms tightened around her just enough to discourage her getting up and leaving. He had been in the middle of something when they'd been pulled through the gateway and he fully planned on finishing it or at least punctuating his confession a little.

Before Kagome could speak Sesshomaru closed the distance between them and brushed his lips over hers. “Good morning, Kagome.” he said softly against her lips before pulling back and smirking slightly at the dazed disbelief in her cobalt eyes. She swallowed heavily and opened and closed her mouth for a moment. Deciding he liked her reaction he wanted to also see what would happen with a slightly longer kiss but Kagome recovered herself and spoke, “Good morning Sesshomaru.”

'Okay, I think I just woke up in the twilight zone.' Kagome thought as she squirmed out of his grasp and stumbled to a tray of food that had been left on a low table in the room. Kagome snatched up a goblet and drained it without thought. She coughed as the burn of alcohol slid down her throat. As she coughed she really looked at the room and realized right away the pillars of white marble that resembled Atlantis.

Sesshomaru sat up as soon as Kagome began to cough. Moving to her he took the goblet from her hand and sniffed it. Relief flooded him at the familiar scent of normal wine. He shook his head but swallowed the chastisement that rose to his lips. It was his fault that Kagome hadn't been thinking after all.

Refilling the goblet from the chilled pitcher he also helped himself to refreshment. The wine was the sweetest he'd ever tasted and he was pleased as he drank a second and a third cup full. Kagome had helped herself to the second goblet, drinking it slower this time. It was as he was pouring himself a fourth glassful that he realized that the pitcher still had the exact same amount in it as when he'd poured the first glass. His mind was on instant alert as he fought to clear his head of the alcohol induced haze. “Kagome, you must stop, this wine is enchanted.”

Though she tried not to she raised the goblet to her lips unable to stop herself. Sesshomaru knocked it from her hands with one hand while he drew her close with his other. His senses were weaker than normal as he struggled to determine their location from the scents. Realizing that he was unable to smell more than Kagome's scent he encircled her in the protective circle of his arms, searching the room with his eyes.

A cheerful male chuckle rang through the room. “I guess that particular wine was a bit too strong for a mortal wasn't it?” he laughed again. Sesshomaru growled. “Show yourself.” he demanded. Another hearty chuckle. “I don't think so Sesshomaru. You are by far one of the most fearsome and violent of any who have come to this holy place. We have determined that one such as your self will need to be slightly tamed. We have lessened your power and dulled your senses. But do not worry Sesshomaru, when you leave this place all shall be restored to you.”
A soft sigh drew his attention down to Kagome. She was asleep once again and try as he might she would not wake. “What have you done to Kagome!” Sesshomaru demanded heatedly. The cheerful male chuckle returned. “She has no head for the wine of the Gods.” he laughed. Sesshomaru felt dizzy as the room began to spin. His vision was darkening, “Where are we?” he asked struggling to lay Kagome back down before his knees gave under him

“Mount Olympus.”

Kagome awoke to another strange room but she was alone on the bed. The red gold light of sunset spilled into the room and painted the tall white pillars in the vibrant colors of the dying day. Glancing around her eyes landed on Sesshomaru who was still sleeping soundly on another bed at the other side of the room. Though she was not quiet as she got up he did not stir. A soft female laugh made her turn from looking at the slumbering youkai. A woman leaned against one of the pillars. Her blonde hair was piled into an intricate ornate mound of curls with a few tendrils streaming down her back. Her heart-shaped face and figure made her the most beautiful woman Kagome had ever seen and she felt very plain. The woman's lips curled up into a gentle smile. “Welcome to my palace Kagome.” she said cheerfully with a voice that chimed pleasantly.

Kagome jumped at the use of her name. “Excuse me but do you know me?” she asked cautiously casting another look at Sesshomaru and wishing that he was awake. The woman smiled “I've watched you all your life, but that hardly explains who I am. My name is Aphrodite and you needn't worry over Sesshomaru, he is under my power and will sleep for a while yet. In the mean time Kagome, you and I need to speak.” She moved to the shocked midnight haired woman and embraced her. “I know you have been hurt dearest. But you must let go of all of that guilt. From this point on everything is going to change and clinging to the hurt you felt will hinder your path.” she spun her around and smiled brightly “Enough of all that! Its gloomy and depressing. Its been FOREVER since I've been able to play dress up with a beautiful priestess like you” Aphrodite giggled excitedly.

Kagome felt a faint tremor of dread at the look in the endless and beautiful eyes of the goddess of love. She was about to primped and pampered and whatever else she had no idea. Aphrodite clapped her hands and ladies in waiting appeared to full fill their mistresses bidding. A curtain was drawn a cross the room dividing her side from Sesshomaru's, sconces were lit on the wall behind her and the ladies in waiting pounced.

Sesshomaru's eyes opened slowly and he reached for the spot Kagome should have been, but his hands met only air. Siting up he scanned the room for her and froze. His senses picked up Kagome's scent from behind the curtain but he could not tear his eyes from the slender silhouette of the very woman he'd been searching for. She was nude, he could tell but she was being dressed and he could see every second of it as though some one had planned it that way. He tried to turn his back but found himself unable to move. He did not fight it knowing that it was the will of the Gods whose care they were under.

“It's about time, Sesshomaru.” a light chiming voice said as a woman stepped in to view. “I was afraid you'd sleep right through dinner and then where would my planning be?” she teased as she sat next to him on the bed. “ Welcome to my palace. I am the Goddess Aphrodite.” She watched him struggle to speak for a moment before she fixed him with a intense stare. “Do you know how precious your Kagome is?” she questioned searching his eyes for the answer as he could not speak under her power. Aphrodite smiled. “Ah I see that you do, that was a very noble and selfless thing you did for her. We are pleased with you Sesshomaru.” she said with a slight smile, “A warning though, heed me well, this gift we place in your hands, but it is as fragile as a tender bud. Crush it and it will die.” she said seriously.

He was given no time to contemplate the meaning of her words as she released him from her power and clapped once “ I am certain that you have many questions but for now, let's get you dressed...” she said with a grin as he was surrounded by giggling handmaids.

Kagome blushed as she looked in to the mirror that one of the ladies in waiting held up for her to see herself. She was breath taking. The robes she'd been clothed in would normally have made her uncomfortable but something about the way the soft white material caressed her skin made her feel sexy, even if they were low cut in the front and high cut on the sides. She chewed her bottom lip as she wondered what Sesshomaru was going to think of her appearance.

Sesshomaru's growl of annoyance was again met with a giggle as the hand maids continued to dress and groom him despite his objections. Finally they stepped back and a woman stepped forward with a mirror. “Look my Lord see what you will.” she said softly. Sesshomaru was taken a back by the glory of his appearance. His hair pulled up in to a flowing top knot reminded him of his father but he did not object nor did he have complaints about the soft midnight blue robes that were the same color as the highlights in Kagome's hair. He seemed like a god in his magnificence and yet he knew that that was not how he saw himself. “Whose eyes am I looking through?” he questioned. The goddess from before stepped forward tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Kagome's. When she looked in to the mirror she saw her self through your eyes. What do you think she saw?” she asked simply when his eyes widened. “ Don't worry she was pleased. Kagome waits for you, will you go to her?” she asked. Sesshomaru scoffed lightly at the question. “Always.” he replied firmly. Aphrodite smiled secretively. “Then I present her to you.” she said with a wave of her hand.

Sesshomaru stood rooted to the spot by some unknown feeling as his eyes devoured the woman before him. Her misty white robes hugged the feminine curve of her breasts and hips before cascading elegantly to the floor. Her midnight locks had been swept up leaving the graceful column of her ivory neck exposed to his eyes. She shifted under his gaze and his eyes immediately fell to the expanse of her leg as it was bared to his view. He squelched a groan of desire as it rose in his throat.

“Are you going to stare at her all night?” Aphrodite teased as she snapped her fingers and the room shifted. It was night now and the court yard was filled with the brightest starlight and cradled in the center was a pavilion set with a meal for two. Aphrodite gestured with her hand and smiled. “Enjoy.” she urged giving him a slight push towards her.

Sesshomaru stepped forward and bowed slightly offering his hand to Kagome who shyly took it in to her own. Her innocent touch sent fire blazing through him as he led her forward to the candle lit table. After seating her on one of the oversized cushions he watched in amusement as she gazed around in wonder. Soft music filtered through the perfect night air and Kagome smiled at him. “This is so beautiful, isn't it?” she asked. Sesshomaru didn't take his eyes from her as he replied “the most beautiful sight I've seen.” Kagome blushed.

Kneeling on the cushion in front of her he leaned closer. “Kagome, may I kiss you?” he asked a breath away from her lips. He waited only long enough for her to refuse before brushing her lips with his. Kagome's hands caught his face in her palms, as she pressed her lips firmly to his. It was sweet and chaste at first but as Sesshomaru nipped at her bottom lip it quickly became heated with the passion burning just beneath the surface.

The kiss was transcendent and unlike any experience either of them had ever had. The echo of each others pleasure heightened every emotion and sensation. As his lips moved on hers and his tongue swept into her open inviting mouth, Kagome felt as though she was being swept away in the torrent of raw feeling. It was overwhelming and she found that she could not contain the overflow of emotion that surfaced as tears of joy.

As a tear dripped from her cheek and landed on his hand Sesshomaru pulled back breaking the kiss to look at her. A frown marred his lips as he glared at the offending drop and then turned his worried questioning gaze to Kagome. He could barely speak himself as the raw emotions still coursed through him but he managed to form the question despite it. “Did I hurt you?” he asked uncertainly. Quickly Kagome shook her head and placed her small hand on his chest as she looked up in to his blazing topaz eyes. “It feels...there's so much...” she took a deep breath and smiled. “Sorry. I just got overwhelmed all at once and it came out as tears.” she said as she laughed lightly. He sighed as he pulled back and looked over the trays of food on the table. It was all finger food as Kagome called it in Atlantis.

Plucking a cluster of red grapes from the tray he rolled one of the tiny globes in his slender fingers before pressing it to her lips. Kagome giggled as she opened her mouth for the fruit. While she chewed she took a small bunch from the tray as well and plucked a grape from the bunch. She held it up shyly but he shook his head at her offering as he gave her another. Chewing the second grape she thought of an idea. Raising the offered grape to her lips she kissed it and then offered it to him. With an amused look he leaned his head to her fingers and swept the grape from them with his tongue. Kagome shivered in delight as the smooth and wet appendage caressed her fingers in passing.

Sesshomaru smirked as she again kissed a grape before offering it to him. This time he took her small hand in his and stuck her finger and thumb in his mouth with the grape, once again sweeping his tongue over her fingers before releasing her hand. He was enjoying this snack but he was more than ready to move to the next course...