Masquerade

Author’s Note:

Every thing in parenthesis () in the first segment, between the lines, are quotes from past chapters.



Chapter Twenty-One- If It’s Not Dirty I’m Going To Wear It



Kagome was very pleased with herself.

She’d been rid of the Shikon jewel, restored peace in the Northern lands, reunited Kikyou and Inuyasha as well as Leiko and Masao, then bedded Sesshoumaru to appease her recently discovered sexual appetite.

Of course, it was all in her mind. But perhaps if she dreamed hard enough, it would come true.

Slowly, she peeled one eye open.

Scratchy futon. Hot room. Snoring guard. Sesshoumaru.

Nope. Nothing different.

Oh, except for the demon lord staring at you. That’s new.

Maybe something did come true!

She opened her other eye, blinked, and drew her vision down his body once.

Guess not. If it had come true he’d be naked. And perhaps, if she were a good little miko, panting too.

She met his eyes and drew up so she was leaning on her elbows. “Why are you here?” She asked sleepily, bringing one hand up to wipe at her eyes while yawning.

“Do you think you floated back to your room, priestess?” He drawled almost lazily, leaning down so one of his knees was bent on her futon.

She looked down at the white-clad leg, wincing when her still damp hair shifted on the uncomfortably wet cloth over her back. She glared and tugged the scratchy blanket up, blushing when it uncovered a bare leg. Sesshoumaru’s eyes – inexplicably bright in the dark room – trailed down to the flesh, stopping over a particularly white scar.

“What caused that?” He asked, a clawed finger on his hand brushing over the skin delicately.

Kagome kept her gaze on his face and answered evenly, “A horse… The first time Kikyou was teaching me to ride bareback I fell and it stepped on the edge of my thigh…”

Sesshoumaru’s eyebrows drew down, and the finger pressed more firmly against her fiery flesh. “You should have been more damaged…”

“I was in the presence of the Kikyou. Besides, I learned to mend bones that day.”

His hand trailed a little further up, his palm – calloused and velvety – lay flat on her scarred skin. He stopped over a long, slender wound, his brows still crumpled. “And this one?”

Kagome’s breathing tightened a little, “I-I don’t remember. I think it was a rock on the bottom of a river, but I’m not sure.”

He nodded and moved his hand up till he was brushing against the – too hot, too hot – blanket covering the rest of her leg. Slowly, his hand drew away.

Kagome mourned the loss for only a moment, and then his hand was back on her skin, tugging one of her arms over his lap. She blushed, but he ignored her and pulled the long sleeves of the yukata over her elbow. When the skin of her forearm was exposed he ran a claw lightly over another small blemish. “How about this one?”

“An arrow nicked me…”

His eyes turned up to her face. “How?”

Unable to hold his eyes – they melted her, tossed her around in a golden field and wrenched at the unused organ pulsing in her chest – she looked down at their arms and, as a result, his lap. “Kikyou had to fix my stance and hold with the bow to that of the proper form… It was very different and at first I missed…”

“Is every inch of you abused, miko?”

His voice seemed softer now, drifting calmly around her without the usual commanding, warlord tone. The creases of his accent wrapped around her arm twice, but she couldn’t seem to wrap it around her mind.

“Not every inch.” She dug out, her fingers curling in the air over his left leg.

He hummed in response and slowly his hand drew up the rest of her arm. His cool flesh was a welcome reprieve to her sweaty skin. When her sleeve would rise no higher he stopped and she met his eyes. “Priestess?” He questioned.

“My arm is asleep.” Smooth Kagome.

He glanced over at her right arm – the arm that had been supporting her weight this entire time – and his lips curled a little. “Then you should lie down.”

Her fingers clenched as she did as suggested, drawing her arm leisurely over his thighs while she laid back. His eyes shot to hers once again, though she still couldn’t make out any emotions.

(Like the final draw of the bow before it shattered-)

Kagome sat up abruptly so they were seconds apart. His nose brushed on her cheek while he turned toward her a little more, and she brought a hand closer to his thigh. She kept her eyes glued to his, letting the sound of the guard outside her room fade away. “Sesshoumaru-sama…?”

(Just don’t look away.)

“Yes, priestess?”

“Would you despise me if I were to…?” To what?

“I’m not sure. Elaborate.”

“Would you despise me if I were to repeat previous offences?”

(It was an angry kiss, full of the vehemence the two had yet to spill in blood.)

A tress of silver fell over her arm, “It depends…”

Her eyes watched his lips move, “I’m afraid it’s a chance I’ll have to take.”

His lips were really soft.

Kagome drew in a half-breath against his face, inhaling the smell of smoke and spices. I’ve been a good little miko, I promise. Her pouty bottom lip was pushed against her teeth, so he drew it into his mouth. She brought her right hand up and grasped the empty sleeve on his left side, ignoring how he stiffened.

Together, they fell back to the futon. He drew away from her, panting, “Kagome… we have to stop.”

Kagome grumbled and bit lightly at the skin under his chin. His teeth snapped closed and he moved his face against hers, putting his hand on her shoulder. “I won’t be able to stop, miko-”

“Good.I don’t want you to.” He groaned and lay over her, cool strands of sleek hair brushing over her thighs. A wet, aching slide of his tongue and he could taste her. Like black tea, Kagome, and involuntary want. His hand returned to her thigh, and she-

Woke up.

(You’re lying to yourself.)

Kagome’s eyes opened reluctantly. Met with the unfeeling roof of the inn, she felt no need to hide her vicious glare.

She rubbed both hands over her face then tossed the blanket away, a sigh leaving her. She stood up and stretched, knowing it was daylight. Awake and heated Kagome looked down at herself. I don’t have any clothes.

Head shaking – so many, many reasons – she walked to the door. Opening the shoji screen quietly she stuck her foot out and-

Stepped on something squishy.

Hm. Priestess robes.

Yay, clothing.

Grasping the package, Kagome continued to walk toward the bathing house, still (really, reallyreallyreally) angry. At being unsatisfied, at being a priestess, at being Kagome basically.

“Thank you very much for your hospitality, but really, I must be going-”

“Must you?”

“Yes.”

“But, priestess-san-”

“Thank you again!”

Kagome began down the road leading out of the village, glaring at the path and listening to the rattle of the arrows in her quiver. Ignoring the cheerful calling of villagers and their respectful bows she continued on until the village was behind her, the fields of farmers and workmen a monotonous blur.

He appeared next to her magically, her only alert to his presence the barest of brushes against her arm. “You retrieved your clothing. Have you eaten?”

“I wasn’t hungry.”

“Why not?”

Really soft, good little miko, “I don’t want you to”, aching slide, returned to thigh-

Nope. No huger. At least not for food.

“I just wasn’t, okay?”

Sesshoumaru looked down at her – wrenched at the unused organ in her chest – wondering at her annoyed tone. Her scent had deepened, he realized. It smelt fiery and even less pure than last night, making him inhale experimentally and want. “Are you sick?”

“No.”

“Did Naraku invade your dreams again?”

She stopped walking and turned narrowed, darkened eyes to him. He looked back at her, slightly perplexed at the immoral emotion bounding around in her eyes. “No. He didn’t.” She said and began her stride again.

Sesshoumaru blinked slowly, analyzing her answer. “He didn’t.” She said he with special emphasis, then her eyes had burned. And she’d been looking at him, Sesshoumaru.

Fascinating.



Leiko was hyperventilating.

Or dying.

Masao wasn’t sure which.

“Leiko, calm down.” He whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder pleadingly.

“Calm down? Calm down? My baby’s a whore and she likes it! You want me to calm the fuck down?!”

“Shh!”

“Don’t shush me you fuc-”

Inocencio watched both of them disbelievingly, her amethyst eyes wide and her nose twitching every couple seconds. Sure their scents said they were her parents, but it was possible she had contracted a cold, so she couldn’t be sure. And maybe she looked like them but one was a cat and one was a dog… so it wasn’t possible.

If it were I’d be a cog… or a dat… She shuddered, and turned away, placing her brush on the table by her mirror.

Masao watched his daughter, trying to mask his pain. “Inocencio-”

“I told you, my name is Hatsuho. Quite calling me that other name.”

Leiko flinched under Masao’s hand and he cast her a glance before standing and approaching the back of his daughter. “You were born Inocencio.”

She turned back to him, her waiflike face slightly hesitant. She knows, Masao thought. “You don’t really want to stay here, do you?”

Hatsuho turned her back to him again, looking at her reflection. “It doesn’t matter. Even if I wanted to leave…”

“We’ll help you!” Leiko said, standing and putting her hands on her shoulders with a triumphant grin.

Hatsuho looked in the mirror, studying her white hair – so much like Masao’s – her dark purple eyes, laced with emerald green and pale peach – aren’t you such a lovely reflection of you mother? – and the two metallic stripes on her cheeks.

Masao and Leiko looked at each other, holding their own silent conversation.

Masao’s eyebrows drew down and his lips grew thin. (Translation: It’s our fault she’s in this position.)

Leiko’s eyes watered and she looked away. (Translation: It’s my fault.)

Masao reached over his daughter’s back and grabbed Leiko’s hand affectionately. He smiled warmly, squeezing gently. (Translation: At least we can fix this.)

“Kagome.”

Sweaty, fade away, really soft, bit lightly at the skin under his chin-

“No more! I give! Please, Buddha…” Kagome wrapped her arms around the tree she was leaning against and cried against the bark. I’m sorry! I know I took too much from the village in the South, but they swindled me out of my best socks! I’m sorry!

Sesshoumaru placed his hand on her shoulder, shaking her.

She jumped and looked at him.

Sesshoumaru was about to speak when something… stuck out to him. He was standing up, and he was a very tall male. Kagome was sitting down, and she was directly in front of him. The possibilities.

“You said earlier you had not eaten. There is a village to the right, you may go in and pick out what you need but return here.”

Kagome nodded and stood up.

Aw, Sesshoumaru lamented momentarily.

She took the money in his outstretched hand – it was from her own savings, after all – and trekked toward the town, asking Buddha for forgiveness.

Once there, surrounded by bustling merchants and happy buyers, Kagome looked around the food stands slowly. Not here. She walked a little further. Uh-uh. A little further she traveled, then further and further and further until she stood in the middle of the red-light district. Finally, she saw it.

Like the answer to all her problems, like a beacon from Buddha, like great enlightenment, it glowed to her.

Sake.

Ya’ll must forget.



“The clouds are pretty,” Kagome giggled, stumbling back to the campsite airily.

A pretty normal phrase, but it was night. And cloudless.

She’d done exactly as Sesshoumaru had said. She’d had fish, biscuits, and fresh water. Then for desert, she’d had sake. And to wash it down, she’d had sake. Then, because she’s such a glutton, she’d decided to indulge with – gasp – more sake.

Taking a swig from the almost-empty bottle in her hand Kagome let out a burp then slid down a tree in the campsite.

A miracle she made it back, but-

Fairy! Look at the pretty she-fairy! Kagome giggled and looked up at Sesshoumaru. “Hi, she-fairy!” She said calmly. (To her it was calm; to him it was a slurred, obnoxious yell.)

“Miko, what did-?”

Kagome placed a finger shakily over his lips, trying to shush him. “Ssssshhh-” She hiccupped and giggled more than shook her head. “Don’t scare the fairy away.” She said quietly, stifling her giggles.

Sesshoumaru grew confused, “What fairy?” He asked around her finger.

Kagome’s eyes widened, and she swayed. “That one!” She said, poking him in the chest.

Sesshoumaru sighed and grabbed the bottle away from her ignoring her whine (“Fairies can’t have that! It’s magic tea!”) and her sloppy smack on his arm.

“Priestess. Sit down.”

“No!”

Sesshoumaru shoved the bottle out of her reach then sat and yanked her down so he was staring her in the eyes. “Kagome,” she hummed in response, “Priestess.” She gurgled and smiled, “Look at me!” She turned her attention to him. “Why did you deem it all right to drink?”

Her brows drew down as she contemplated the question in her fuzzy head. “I don’t-”

“You know. Why?”

She sobered a little and met his eyes. “Naraku and the jewel and- and Inuyasha and it.” She said in a slurred, hushed tone.

“It?”

Kagome nodded – managing to bounce her entire body up and down – and leaned toward him. “If I tell you,” she said quietly, “about it, do you promise not to tell the other one?”

“The other one?”

“You know. The demon lord thingy.”

Sesshoumaru sighed, she thinks you’re a fairy, roll with it. “I promise.”

Kagome grinned and clapped her hands. “’Kay. So last night, I dreamt.”

Sesshoumaru waited for her to elaborate.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

“Well?”

Kagome looked up, “Huh? Oh, yeah. Well I had this dream and he, the demon lord thingy, was in it.”

Sesshoumaru felt smug.

“And in it, he was askin’ me about all my scars. I was ashamed, ‘cause I’m sure he’s use to seeing perfect demon-women things I don’t com- com – com… what’s tha word?”

“Compare.”

“Right, I don’t com- whatever to. But he didn’t seem disgusted, and I fell better.”

“Felt better.”

“Are you tellin’ the story or is I?” Kagome asked, swaying in her spot and still glaring.

Sesshoumaru blinked at her, “Please continue.”

Kagome nodded, “Dats right. Anyway, so he starts with my leg, then my arm. Eventually I pull away from him ‘cause my other arm fell asleep. I lay down, but I didn’t stay that way. I shot up and we were this,” she shoved her face near his so their noses brushed, “close.”

Sesshoumaru hummed a reply and stared into her oblivious eyes predatorily.

“And then I get all these images, you know? Of memories and stuff. And I remember the thing that happened between us.”

“What thing?” Sesshoumaru asked, watching a portion of her dark bangs fall into her eyes.

“The thing. Don’t you know?”

Sesshoumaru’s eyes moved to her lips. “Inform me.”

She sighed and leaned her forehead against his. “The kiss thing.”

“Oh. What happened next?”

Kagome giggled and looked into his eyes, their close proximity hurting her vision. “Well, we repeated previous offences. Except he wanted to stop. But we didn’t. And it would’ve gotten further, but I woke up.”

“That’s why you’ve been in a bad mood all day?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Sesshoumaru nodded slightly and closed his eyes.

Kagome followed his example, leaning more against him.

“You said the thing could never happen again.” Sesshoumaru stated while opening his eyes so he was looking down at her throat.

Kagome swallowed and sighed. “Mm, I was scared.”

“Of what?”

Her eyes opened and she looked over at the deep forest, looking incredibly sober. “Of knowing what it was like to be with someone for a short time then dying alone.” She said, and then looked back at him, an inane smile on her lips. “But it wouldn’t matter. The demon lord thingy so’s confusing anyway.” A pensive expression crossed her face then she clapped her hands again and fell back. “I rhymed!”

Sesshoumaru studied her quietly. “Miko?”

“Hum?”

“Is that really what you’re afraid of?”

Kagome blinked and sat up, looked at him a few moments, then got really, really close to his face again. “No.” She said gravely, “I’m scared of spiders.” She giggled and fell back again, “Spoof!” She said randomly.

Sesshoumaru sighed and grabbed her shoulders, flattening them to the ground and leaning over her so they were nose-to-nose. “Priestess.”

Kagome looked up at him with big blue eyes and blinked innocently. “Sesshoumaru-sama. When’d you get here?”

He sighed and watched as the red of the alcohol on her cheeks brightened, trailing back to her ears.

Almost disgustingly adorable. Hn.

“Never will you drink again.”

Kagome giggled and patted his arm. “I wasn’t drinking.” She said, then grew serious. “Didja see where the fairy went?”

Sesshoumaru blinked slowly. “No.”

“Damn. I gotta find her. She knows stuff.”

Insulted, Sesshoumaru glared a little at her, though it completely lacked any malice. “It was a male.”

Kagome’s mouth opened. “It was?”

“Yes.”

“Wow. Well, I would have known if he was naked.” She tittered loudly and fell quiet languidly.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and bowed his head a little, “Miko.”

She wasn’t listening to him, though. A shiny lock of silver hair had fallen on her shoulder and she lifted her hand – with much difficulty, thanks to Sesshoumaru’s hold on her shoulders – so she could twirl the tress around her finger.

Sesshoumaru watched her fascination with his hair, then looked back up to her sleepy, satiated face. His anger melted and his eyes grew warmer.

Kagome didn’t notice though, giggling when the silver hair brushed her cheek.

She yawned again and closed her eyes.

Sesshoumaru’s hair dropped from her fingers and she managed to crack an eye open to look up at him, “Goodnight, Sesshoumaru. Sorry for disrespecting you person.” She managed in surprisingly understandable language.

Just don’t look away.



Sesshoumaru: …

Kagome: Never again. Never. Ever. Again. I swear off sake!

Author: That isn’t what I meant!

Plot: I don’t care.