As Death Gives Life

Chapter 27 – Kagome’s Great Escape

A/N: I’ve been reading and enjoying a relatively new story on A Single Spark, and I would like to recommend it to everyone looking for something a little different, Hidden in Plain Sight by Oniko. Give it a try! Some of the other stories I’m reading? Hmmm... Poison of Erised by Vyncent an excellent story, Dirty Little Secret by sesshou_lover with very yummy lemony goodness. When Two Paths Entwine by Barbara_Marie a really well written AU fic. The Arrangement by Beautiful Silent Death a very naughty fic that I love, and you must read the one-shot Closer by KogasAngel for it is so damn hot! There’s many more I love but there just isn’t room to write them all! Forgive me!

Now, on with the show....

~~~***~~~

Dawn was breaking over the majestic mountain plain. Nighttime predators crawled into caves, nests and burrows while daytime life began to stir and look toward the rising sun.

Deep inside of the Western Lands a beautiful young miko lay snuggled warmly against a powerful taiyoukai.

Kagome began to stir. Her back was aching from sleeping far too long and her bladder was in dire need of emptying. She struggled to pull herself out of the foggy void of sleep and back into the world of the living. She moved her arm slowly up to rub her puffy eyes. As she did this she noticed an unfamiliar weight draped across her side. With a rough little groan she moved her head to investigate the object of her hazy curiosity.

An arm.

Trying very hard not to panic, Kagome quickly ran through the possibilities of what was going on. Nothing came to mind. She was pretty darn sure that she had not had sex. If she did it was horrible, because she couldn’t remember it at all. Okay, she decided to back track to the last moment she was awake.

Anubis!

It all flooded back like a powerful tsunami. Anubis had come to meddle in her pathetic life and she had gotten so upset. Then... well... then... she couldn’t seem to recall. The arm around her waist was definitely not Anubis. The magenta stripes painted so perfectly there sort of gave that away.

The only one with magenta stripes was... SESSHOMARU!

‘Okay Kagome, breathe. No big deal. It’s just a bed that you slept in with Sesshomaru. Oh My God! I have been sleeping in the same bed as SESSHOMRU!!! Calm down... another deep breath.’ Kagome tried to regain control of her rapidly beating heart that threatened to push her into a state of utter panic. A few deep breaths later and she opened her tightly shut eyes and looked down again at the long pale arm decorated beautifully with contrasting magenta stripes. She followed it down to the large claw tipped hand that was currently resting peacefully while curved over her right breast.

A right breast that wore nothing except her navy blue lace bra.

Holy cow!

Her heart, that had previously slowed, began to race at a phenomenal speed. She gasped and felt the color of her flesh burn with embarrassment. Further inspection revealed that she was currently half-naked, left wearing only her bra and panties. Things were not looking so good at this point.

‘What in the hell happened?’ Frantically she tried to recall some memory of the event that led her to be placed in the bed, half-naked, with Sesshomaru. Nothing seemed to click and sheer panic began to take over.

“Your heart is beating entirely too fast miko. Calm yourself. Such is not good for the child in your womb.” His deep voice whispering against her neck sent a bevy of chill bumps racing over every inch of her flesh. Kagome stiffened. ‘He’s awake! What in the world is going on here?’ Slowly she gained enough courage to roll onto her back.

Bad move.

She was met with the sight of a slightly disheveled Sesshomaru, who was looking at her closely with those Kami forbidden golden eyes. He didn’t utter another word and he didn’t remove his damned hand from her breast.

Kagome slowly removed her eyes from the trance-like state that he held her captive in and traced the path of his arm down to her breast where long claw tipped fingers curled gently over the soft mound. Even through the bra she could feel the heat of it like a burning coal warming her blood and making her feel things that she was unprepared to feel.

As she stared at the hand, Sesshomaru seemed to finally realize he was grasping her in such an inappropriate manner. Quickly he released it and she drew in a long deep breath, which until that moment she had not realized she had been desperately in need of.

Kagome sat up to grab the sheet wrapped around her ankles, but before she could do so, Sesshomaru’s shoji screen door flew open heralding a mass of chaos.

Jaken stumbled in followed by a breathless Sango, who was accompanied by Kat and Inuyasha. Before anyone could recover from the complete shock, they were joined by a groggy Rin and a mumbling Shippo who both were knocked into complete alertness by the sight before them all.

Sesshomaru was the first to recover, emitting a ferocious warning growl as he snatched the white silk sheet up to cover Kagome’s... assets. “What... and this had better be sound... is the meaning of this intrusion into my private chambers!?!”

Jaken immediately fell to his knees and placed his face upon the floor. “Forgive me master! I could not stop these crazy intruders! They refused to listen to reason!”

Sesshomaru was none too surprised about that.

Inuyasha was next to recover, and the sight before him had shaken him to the core. He released a low, long whistle, and cleared his throat. “Well, well, well, looks like you two are getting pretty damn cozy around here.” His sarcasm was highly evident and his anger was growing rapidly. “I knew I couldn’t trust this bastard with Kagome.”

Kat placed her arm around Inuyasha’s waist and intentionally sent a wave of soothing energy into his body. He groaned deeply in answer and half-turned, snatching her from beside him to stand in front of him. She quirked a mischievous smile when she felt the evidence of his heavy erection pressed flush against her backside. Before she knew what she was doing she absently pressed against it. In a flash his mouth was against her ear and he growled a warning low for only her to hear. “Stop that bitch,” he whispered and she fought the urge to laugh.

All eyes turned back to Kagome, who now looked very, very pale. She was trying very hard to come up with an excuse for this whole thing, but not knowing how she got here in the first place was making it really difficult. Thankfully Sesshomaru had no need for excuses and took over from there. “It is no concern to you what this Sesshomaru chooses to do and who he chooses to do it with. Now state your reason for intruding upon my privacy or face your deaths.”

Jaken, once again, fell into a fit of begging and sniveling, but it was Sango who stepped forward with a low bow. “Please forgive us Sesshomaru-sama, for invading your home in such a manner.” She turned her eyes, which displayed her complete desperation, to Kagome. “I have an urgent, and most troubling, problem and I need Kagome’s counsel desperately.”

Now that was very unlike Sango, and immediately Kagome became highly alarmed. First of all Sango had come all this way to see her, obviously followed by Kat and Inuyasha, but where was Miroku? Something terrible was wrong. Forgetting all about her overwhelming embarrassment for the moment, as well as the many reasons that she needed to purify Sesshomaru into the great beyond, she focused completely on Sango. She held her hand out and pulled her down beside of her.

Sesshomaru had no interest at all in what the slayer had to say, and was still debating on whether he should lop off her head, or possibly Inuyasha’s? Admittedly it would have been justified to decapitate the taijiya for the intrusion, but much more pleasurable to watch Inuyasha’s head drop sloppily to the floor. He raised up and stood, prepared to take some sort of action, when the slayer completely shocked him with her words.

“Miroku is planning to slice his tongue in two!!!!”

The room filled with silence, the only sound that could be heard was a very distinctive gulp made by the tousled miko. Even Sesshomaru could not stop the curiosity over this highly unorthodox decision made by the infamous houshi. He turned to the taijiya and asked, “for what purpose?”

Kagome glanced over her shoulder to the now standing Sesshomaru, noting with great relief that he still wore his clothing. Thanking the Kami’s that he had slept fully dressed; she turned her full attention back to the panicking Sango.

“It all started just after we were married. He thought that his lecherous ways would depart his character after taking me as his wife. Unfortunately they have not, and more than once his hand has wondered where it didn’t belong. Then a strange foreigner came into our village. He announced himself as a Hindu priest on a pilgrimage across our lands. He was welcomed and offered sanctuary. During his stay he and Miroku have spent a great deal of time together, and apparently Miroku confided in him about his troubles. The priest told Miroku of a rare practice in his religion, the splitting of one’s tongue. It is done to gain focus and control over one’s body and mind. The expelled blood is thought to pass out the evil impurities.” Poor Sango relayed this unbelievable tale with sorrow and barely contained panic.

Kagome could feel Sango literally shaking beneath her hands. She took a deep breath, trying to decide how to proceed. What could she say to this? It was the most absurd thing that she had ever heard of! Had Miroku completely lost his mind? Was he that worried about his wondering eyes and hands?

Kagome released the breath slowly and shook her head. “I can’t leave you all for a minute without all hell breaking loose.”

Sesshomaru suppressed the chuckle that unexpectedly rose in his chest. This group seemed to bring out the strangest behavior in him. Had it been anyone else to intrude upon his private domain there would have been certain death in their future, but here he was, listening, and actually finding humor, in this whole escapade. Killing them would be useless. First of all, they had plenty reasons to kill themselves, and second, he would be depriving himself of their occasional flash of entertainment.

“Hn.... Kagome, I leave this to you.” With that said, the now immaculate taiyoukai made his way out of his chambers, giving Inuyasha a deadly glare as he passed with Jaken close on his heels.

After watching Sesshomaru walk by, wishing that she could have had a moment alone with him simply to let him know how much she did NOT like the surprise of waking up undressed in his bed, Kagome turned her attention back to Sango. Clearing all other thoughts from her mind she tried to focus completely on the task at hand. It was very obvious that Sango was very upset over Miroku’s stupidity or she wouldn’t have barged in here like this. “Well, Sango, I can see why you are so upset.” She ignored the suspiciously sarcastic ‘humph’ from Inuyasha and continued. “What in the world is Miroku thinking? He’s usually so calm and centered about things. What do you want me to do?”

Sango needed Kagome right now more than she could express. She just knew Miroku would listen to her. He just HAD to listen to her! “Kagome, I know that you are with child and traveling is difficult, but I really need you to talk some sense into him. I have tried my best. Inuyasha has tried...” Sango growled slightly and threw him a heated look. “... though it didn’t go very well at all. Even Kat tried to talk to him. Kaede thinks he’s gone mad, and that stupid priest has up and gone leaving us to deal with his ‘imparting of wisdom’!”

Kagome smiled and clasped her friends hand reassuringly, “Sango, you know that I will do what I can. Although I’m not sure why he would listen to me.” Her voice revealed her uncertainty, but Sango immediately interjected. “I just know that he will listen to you Kagome. He really thinks highly of you, and since you traveled from the future he places even more faith in your words.”

A soft gasp from the back of the group sent several eyes to the source. Rin looked at Kagome curiously. She had always thought the young miko a little strange. Her attire, her way of speaking and her acceptance of anyone different than her was most unusual for the Sengoku Jidai. Could the warrior woman be crazy, or was Kagome really from the future?

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and growled. “Well, now look what you’ve done Sango. You’ve informed the enemy where she’s from and put Kagome in more danger!”

If Rin had doubts before, they were now gone. Kagome was really from the future.

Kagome glared at Inuyasha. “Just be quiet Inuyasha. For one, Rin is not our enemy, and two you just verified what Sango said by arguing about it.”

Inuyasha snarled and shifted his feet. “She may not be your enemy, but that doesn’t go for me. Any kid of Sesshomaru’s is an enemy of mine.”

Rin turned her very own rendition of Sesshomaru’s death glare on the baka hanyou. “Why don’t you go scratch your flea’s somewhere else Inuyasha.”

The hanyou puffed up and stepped toward her, but another gentle caress from Kat sent him into a state of quivering flesh and intense arousal. He turned on her and pulled her once more in front of him. Ignoring the others he leaned in close and whispered his warning as he rubbed the heavy evidence of his arousal against her backside. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to have to punish you.” To which Kat only blushed with a little giggle.

“Never mind me, we have a serious problem on our hands. Now everyone out. I’m going to get dressed and grab some things then we can go,” Kagome stated, announcing her intentions.

Another irritated huff heralded Inuyasha’s snide comment. “Well that would be a change of pace for you Ka-go-me. It sure doesn’t look like you’re used to wearing much at all around here.” Kagome turned to ‘sit’ him, but Rin and Shippo beat him to the punch... literally. With one on one side and one on the other, their simultaneous kicks to the shin sent him to the floor. “OUCH! What the hell was that for?!”

Kagome snatched the silk sheet firmly around her neck as she stood up and pointed with her free hand. “You know exactly what that was for Inuyasha, and you deserved it! Now out!”

The group of unexpected visitors filed out of the room leaving Kagome to gather what remained of her dwindling dignity as well as Sesshomaru’s sheet, and headed back into her room. Within minutes she had washed using the basin of water in the corner and donned a fresh new pale green yukata. She wasted no time in throwing several items she would need for the journey in her bag and was soon heading out her door.

And right into a solid wall of youkai flesh.

“Where do you think you are going?”

Kagome looked slowly upward and found herself pinned with piercing sun kissed orbs. He looked... angry? “Um... well... you see... It’s just that....” Darn it all! She couldn’t even construct an intelligible sentence in front of him! She threw up her hands in frustration and stomped her foot lightly, to which he reacted by drawing up one elegant brow in question. That only served to frustrate her more and finally she just spat it out. “I’m going to the village to talk some sense into Miroku.” She held her head high and squared off her shoulders in preparation for the coming argument.

Because there was definitely going to be an argument.

“Hn... And you actually think that I am going to allow such irresponsibility?” Sesshomaru questioned without budging at all. Kagome was now beginning to get angry. He couldn’t just hold her here like some kind of prisoner or something! She could leave if she wanted to leave!

She sidestepped to go around him, but he merely stepped to the side, effectively blocking her path. His look was the same, but she could feel his irritation growing. “Look Sesshomaru, I have to go. My friends need me.”

“You will not go, and that is final.” His deep steady voice did not waver as he delivered his judgement on the matter, and Kagome was busting at the seams to yell her fool head off.

She growled in frustration, which he found rather arousing, and thought it would be interesting to hear it again. He reached out, surprising her, and grasped her waist, pulling her flush against his chest. He buried his face in her long hair and inhaled her feminine scent.

She was so shocked at his sudden move that all she could do was release a shrill little ‘eek!’ before she was molded against his hard body. ‘What IS he doing?!’ she thought frantically, but then stilled when his breath brushed over her ear. “Growl again for me Kagome. It stirs my blood.” His voice was so low and soft that to anyone near it would have only sounded like a smooth low growl. Kagome, however, heard it all too clearly and her heart began to race. He was so close. Too close. What in the world had gotten into him lately? “Um... Sesshomaru... I....” She couldn’t speak. All she could think about was the hard length of him now rubbing repeatedly against the flat of her stomach.

From behind Sesshomaru, the arrival of Inuyasha completely brought her back to reality, however, Sesshomaru completely ignored his presence and continued to hold her tightly against him as he seemed to be trying to inhale her very essence into his lungs. Inuyasha was now making gagging noises and it was all Kagome could do not to die of embarrassment. She was torn between investigating the sensations washing over her further and screaming while running for the castle gates.

“For Kami’s sake, can’t you two keep that shit to yourselves. You’re making my stomach turn,” Inuyasha snorted. “Come on Kagome. Times a wasting and if we don’t get there before that Hindu guy gets back Miroku’s going to be spitting blood for a week!”

Sesshomaru stepped away, watching her face flush crimson as he released her from his grasp. He hid the amusement well, and turned his attentions on his ingrate half-brother. “Kagome will not be accompanying you, Inuyasha. Leave now.”

Kagome was trying desperately to shake off the wave of delightful cloudiness that had settled over her brain. With a rattling shake of her head she was finally coming back to her senses. She almost growled again, but stopped, as the last incident had proven to be her undoing. Instead she stepped to the side of Sesshomaru. “I have to go. You can’t keep me here against my will!”

Sesshomaru did not even spare her a glance when he replied, “You are mistaken Kagome. I can, and I will.”

Inuyasha growled and stepped forward, prepared to fight for her freedom to come and go as she pleased, but Kagome stopped him. She stood just behind Sesshomaru and pointedly winked at Inuyasha. At first he looked at her strangely, but he quickly caught on. This was one of the ways they often used to trick others during their travels. Miroku was, of course, the first to utilize such a strategy. Kagome made a big show of sighing in defeat. “Fine. Inuyasha please tell Sango that I will not be able to go with you, but it would make me happy if you could stay for a little while longer.” She winked again, and he nodded, but did not give her away. He crossed his arms and said, “Feh, whatever. I’ll tell her.” Then he turned and descended the stairway.

‘Too easy,’ Sesshomaru thought suspiciously. They both are as stubborn as the oldest oxen yet they gave in without much of a fight at all. He turned to Kagome who was pushing her door open. He wasted no time in pulling her again into his embrace, and taking what he desired. He enveloped her mouth, reveling in the softness of her lips as he nipped and pulled before plunging his tongue into her moist mouth. He smirked against her lips as she began to respond to his advances and he pulled her even closer against him.

What was it about this woman that made him so insane for her? What was it that drove him mad with hot aching need? All questions that had no answers and ones he cared not to ponder at length. Her scent was driving him on and he traced her small form with his clawed hands until he grasped her buttock in his palms. He consumed her little surprise and devoured the following soft moan.

He had to pull away. He could not take this further that he already had. If he did not gain control of himself now, very soon he would not be able to stop. Sesshomaru moved from her lips to trace soft tiny kisses along her jaw. His breath was fast as he reigned in his baser instincts to mate. “Kagome.... you know not what you do to me...”

Kagome could not lie. She was enjoying Sesshomaru’s attentions very much. He was so passionate and tender, which was so unlike his normally stoic demeanor. He was the ice prince, yet here today he had proven that fire lay deep beneath the ice. She tried to regain her breath, but was having serious trouble doing so. She pushed against his chest, needing to get away from him. Needing space to regain her good sense.

He released her reluctantly, and stepped back. He didn’t make a sound and she could not read anything in his face or eyes. Then he said, “Staying within the castle is for your own protection, Kagome.” In a flutter of white and red silk he disappeared down the stairwell.

Kagome moved backwards, into her room, and shut the door before collapsing upon her futon. She lay motionless for awhile trying to make sense of what was happening to her. Why was Sesshomaru suddenly so interested in her? Not that he wasn’t very attractive, on the contrary, she had always thought he was absolutely gorgeous, but it was all happening so fast.

After chasing the questions over and over in her mind she decided that it was crazy to try to figure him out. No one but Sesshomaru knew what he was really thinking or feeling and it was doubtful that he was even in tune to himself in this particular situation. With a heavy sigh, Kagome traced her lips lightly with her finger. His kiss had been so... mind blowing. She giggled and sat up. This was no time for silly day dreaming. She had to come up with a plan to sneak out of the castle.

~~~***~~~

He watched silently as her friends finally departed, even doing so well as to take the fox child with them. Lord Buhito and his family was due to depart the following week and soon all would be quiet in his home once more. Feeling rather light after watch Inuyasha depart, Sesshomaru decided to retire to his study and get some work done.

Kagome hugged everyone and even managed to shed a few tears for show. Only Rin was aware of her plan and she promised to keep the secret, even though she wasn’t very happy about the whole thing. The plan was to wait about an hour after they left to sneak out. Inuyasha would be waiting near the fence at the far end of the courtyard and from there they would make their escape, hopefully unnoticed. In the meantime she needed a bath.

She hurried down to the springs and bathed quickly. It felt so good in the naturally heated pools, but she didn’t have time to linger. As soon as she rinsed her long hair she gathered her things and headed back into the castle. She gathered her bag and as quietly as possible made her way down the stairs and out the back door with Rin standing guard near the hallway containing Sesshomaru’s study.

Her heart was racing in excitement as she trekked across the vast courtyard toward her destination. She felt like a spy as she jumped from shadow to shadow, concentrating hard on quelling her aura to escape any guards making their rounds. Just when she was about to be caught by a young soldier, she heard Rin behind her make a noise of distress. She hoped that the girl had not really hurt herself as she watched the youkai warrior take off in her direction. Kagome wasted no time in running the rest of the distance until she spotted Inuyasha crouched in the shadows. She ran up to him and he growled his usual, “About damn time.”

She crawled on his back and they were up and over the fence in a flash. Kagome had made her great escape.

~~~***~~~

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! Next update we discover why Sesshomaru insisted that Kagome stay within the castle walls. Will he punish her for her disobedience? Can Kagome convince Miroku not to split his tongue? And will Inuyasha ever get rid of his hard-on? The next update will tell.