A Sister's Gift

Chapter 23 – Dawn awaits

Just before dawn Sesshomaru decided it was time to wake his sleeping miko. He hated to do it. She was sleeping so peacefully, and he loved feeling her nude body pressed against his flesh, but they needed to get dressed and return to camp.

Something was tickling her ear. It felt kind of nice. Something warm and cozy was nuzzling her neck. Suddenly Kagome remembered, and she nuzzled deeper into Sesshomaru’s warmth. Her lids were heavy and her body was a little sore. She could feel the sore ache between her legs, but it only made her smile. “Ohayou my taiyoukai.”

“Ohayou my little miko.” Sesshomaru breathed into her ear, promptly sending shivers down her tender flesh. “I think we should prepare to return to camp.”

Kagome moaned and stretched like a contented feline over the body of her demon lover. She blinked the fuzzy remainder of sleep from her eyes and reluctantly sat up, instantly missing the warmth her youkai offered. “Oh, do we have to?”

Sesshomaru chuckled at her lazy complaint. “Unfortunately we must, and if I know you at all you are going to wish to bathe before we depart this morning.”

Kagome smiled at him sheepishly, “You know me all to well.”

“There is a stream near here. I will take you. First let us return to camp and gather some fresh clothing.” Sesshomaru said, as he pulled her to her feet. What a lovely sight she was this morning. Her tousled hair and heavy eyelids were very alluring. Her tiny body set with ample curves only made him want to lay her down and take her once more, but alas, time was of the essence. No doubt Inuyasha and Kikyo would be wondering of their whereabouts.

Kagome slipped on what remained of her clothing. ‘Hmmm I may need to have a few more outfits sewn. Those claws of his are hell on the old miko clothing.’ She shrugged it off, for what’s an outfit compared to one’s first time with the one she loves. Loves? ‘Do I love him? I think... maybe... I do.’

“Sesshomaru?” Kagome whispered. He turned to her then, and she grabbed his hand. She held his golden gaze and told him so. “I love you.”

Sesshomaru could not help the flood of emotion that those three words brought to him. After his mistake, he could only hope that she didn’t wake up today and tell him that she hated him. His little miko was full of surprises. He pulled her into his arms and held her close, just enjoying the feel of her. His mate. “Thank you Kagome. That means so much to this Sesshomaru.”

After a long contented moment of silence the two lovers began the walk back to camp. Kagome had her shirt tied in the strangest way across the front to keep her bosom from falling out where Sesshomaru shred it during their love making, and much to her distress there was a huge slash down the thigh of her pants as well, which could not be covered. Sesshomaru walked proudly beside her. His tattered haori was a thing of the past. He had flung it away beneath the tree, as it was no longer a shirt, but strips of silken cloth. His hakama’s were, thankfully, still mostly in tact, leaving the taiyoukai to walk half nude beside his dainty mate.

Kagome almost fell. ‘Cursed rock.’ Of course if she had been looking where she was going instead of staring at all those bulging muscles on her mates chiseled chest she would have seen it. ‘Stupid rocks.’

Sesshomaru chuckled at Kagome. She couldn’t seem to keep her eyes on where she was going for staring at his chest. His little spitfire was sure to be a vigorous lover indeed.

He could see the flicker of the dying fire through the trees ahead. The fist rays of morning light were peeking through the canopy above and Sesshomaru took a deep breath to prepare himself for the idiot that awaited them. Earlier he thought to leave Kagome and retrieve their clothing, but the hanyou would still know. His inu nose would not lie. So instead of parting with his mate he tugged her back to camp. ‘May as well get this over with.’

Inuyasha was in the process of helping Kikyo sit up. She still held the look of one who had just risen from a deep slumber. They both turned to their approaching traveling companions, and no amount of drowsiness could stop the huge knowing smiles that slowly graced their faces.

Inuyasha felt like he would burst if he didn’t remark on the condition of their clothing, so he did. “Damn brother! Get a little carried away? By the time you two get home you’ll be traveling in the nude!”

“Shut up Inuyasha.” Sesshomaru replied with a death glare.

Kikyo tried to hide her giggle, behind her hand, but Kagome saw it clearly. She was sure that her body had just flushed straight through every range of pink and red hues. ‘How embarrassing!’ She quickly busied herself gathering a fresh change of clothing for herself and Sesshomaru, as well as bathing supplies.

Kikyo noticed that she was gathering bathing supplies and asked, “Are you going to bathe, Kagome? Do you mind if I accompany you?”

Kagome looked to Sesshomaru, who shrugged in his ‘not caring’ way, so Kagome nodded in agreement. Kikyo gathered her things, and told Inuyasha she would return shortly. The three walked in silence until they came upon the tiny stream of water. Sesshomaru bowed out and headed for a spot further down stream, to give the ladies some privacy.

Kagome and Kikyo swiftly stripped, and began the task of cleansing their bodies as best as they could with what they had.

“Um... Kagome? If it’s not to forward of me to ask... Was last night your first time?” Kikyo said as she flipped her long hair to the side while she splashed the cool water over her neck.

Kagome was a little shy about it, but it was pretty obvious to any fool that she and Sesshomaru had been together, in that way. “Uh... yes. It was, and I refuse to regret it.” She held Kikyo’s gaze for a moment. She had cried enough last night and she wanted to make sure that Kikyo understood that she did not want to hear any downgrading words at the moment, concerning her choice of lovers.

“Oh. Don’t worry, Kagome, I understand. After all, me and Inuyasha are... well you know.” Kikyo said a bit shyly. “Did you... you know... enjoy it?”

Kagome blushed again, but smiled mischievously to her friend. “Yes... very much.”

The girls giggled knowingly and continued their bathing. Kikyo looked up to Kagome to ask another question, but noticed something then that stunned her. On her neck, was a mark. A bite mark.

“Oh my Kami. Kagome? Did he mark you?” Kikyo stuttered, as she placed her hand on the girls arm.

Kagome raised her eyes, which now held a saddened look. “Yes. His beast took over and chose to mark me. I... I guess it scared me at first, once he explained it all to me.” Kagome couldn’t help the tear that traced its way down her cheek. “What hurts the most is that he regrets it so. He said it was a mistake.”

Kikyo rubbed her arm reassuringly, “Kagome, I’m sure that he didn’t mean it like that. He only knows that he put you in a bad position by marking you. In the eyes of others, not himself.”

Kagome sniffled a little. “Do you really think so?”

“I’m sure, but maybe you should speak of your worries to your mate. I can not answer for him.” Kikyo said softly. “And do not fear, my friend, I will stand by you.”

Kagome smiled warmly at her new friend. “Thank you, Kikyo.”

“Come. Let us dress and return to our Protectors, shall we?” Kikyo said with a smile.

“I’m right behind you.” Kagome said as she began to pull on her clothing. “You know, Kikyo? We kind of look like sister’s in these matching outfits.”

Kikyo laughed, “That we do, and we have paired with inuyoukai brothers. Quite a coincidence isn’t it?”

Kagome giggled as she gathered her things. “Yes, quite.”

The two women walked back to camp chatting about nothing in particular. The men had already prepared their horses and were awaiting their arrival. They packed away the last of their things and mounted up. Sesshomaru pulled Kagome up behind him.

“I hope that last night got some of that out of your system girl, ‘cause I don’t think I can remain sane trailing behind a horney female all day again!” Inuyasha said with a hearty laugh.

All three of his companions turned to him at once and said, “Shut up, Inuyasha!”

“Fey, whatever.” He retorted.