Surprising Love

Disclaimer: Refer to ch. 2.

Dinner

Kagome followed Sesshomaru around his mansion, seeing as she had nothing else to do. Every room was beautifully decorated and demonic dog murals, paintings, and drawings were frequent. Ahead of her, Kagome was ignorant of the internal battle raging in Sesshomaru.

‘What am I to do with her’ he thought viciously. A nagging voice constantly reminded him that the disgusting woman should be kept in the dungeon like the filth she is. Sesshomaru brushed the voice aside. Normally, that’s what he would’ve done, but that fire in her eyes astounded and intrigued him. ‘I’ll keep her in the guest room’ he finally decided.

Noticing the girl…well, she could hardly be called a girl any longer. The last six years in the feudal era, battling demons and finally defeating Naraku, had molded Kagome into a toned and tempting young woman. Sesshomaru growled inwardly at himself to cease the repulsively pleasant thoughts. Since she seemed hell-bent to follow him, Sesshomaru led Kagome to her room.

“This is your room,” he told her brusquely. As he turned to leave, Kagome’s voice stopped him.

“What do you mean ‘my room?’ Aren’t you going to keep me under guard or something?” Sesshomaru turned to see Kagome’s soft brown eyes alight with confusion.

“Why? Would you rather that,” Sesshomaru laid an undercurrent of threat in his question. When all he received was an intense glare, he allowed authority to leak into his voice. “Don’t leave this part of the mansion,” he told her without a flicker of emotion. “It has a garden with hot springs, a library, and a training room. You should only have to leave for meals and someone will escort you. Other than that you are free to roam.” He turned away, but before he left, he gave one more instruction to the seething Kagome. “And don’t go into the room directly across the hall.”

“And why not,” Kagome snapped irritatingly.

“Because that is my room.” Leaving her gaping at him, Sesshomaru walked away with amusement barely manifesting itself in his eyes.

‘The nerve of that jerk’ Kagome mentally bashed her captor. She was walking through the garden, trying to calm down. Any fear she had felt at being kidnapped by the dreaded Lord of the West Lands had vanished in her heated anger.

“Miss! Miss!” Kagome stopped at the sound of the insistent voice. Looking around, she found a small girl, probably only a little older than Rin, trying to get to her. Kagome knelt down so she wasn’t so much taller than the blonde. “Lord Sesshomaru sent me to lead you to dinner,” she managed to gasp out.

Kagome gave her a friendly smile and nodded. “Ok, lets go,” Kagome said as she stood up, straightening her pale blue dress. She had long since quit school. She was in the feudal era more than her own time now. She remembered the first time she had fallen through the bone eaters’ well those six years ago. It had really changed her life.

Kagome was so intent on her memories, that she didn’t even realize they had made it to the dining room. Kagome accidentally ran into the girl, who had stopped in front of the door. Apologizing profusely, Kagome slid the door open and ducked in.

There were two tables present in the room. One was huge and looked as if fifty people could easily fit there. ‘For parties’ Kagome thought. The other was the one that was set. It was a much smaller version, kind of like what she was used to at her own house. Four places were set and Kagome gave a small giggle at the sight of two fat books, one on two of the chairs.

“What is so amusing?” Kagome spun around at the cold voice.

Sesshomaru stood in the doorway with his emotionless mask. He wasn’t wearing the clothes Kagome was so used to seeing him in, but instead he wore a dazzling black outfit similar to the one Inuyasha always wore. It did nothing to hide his toned and muscled body from Kagome. She felt her heart jump rapidly at the sight of him, but it wasn’t exactly unpleasant.

Without thinking, Kagome started to give a formal bow. She stopped mid-way through in shock, but her pride made her finish the low bow. When she came up, she met his eyes defiantly. “I found it funny that the feudal era and my time use the same method to help small children reach the table,” she told him with a challenging note in her voice. She gestured towards the books. Kagome could’ve sworn the hint of a smile played across Sesshomaru’s lips. It was gone in a flash, however, when the door opened, emitting Jaken and Rin.

“Lord Sesshomaru,” Rin yelled excitedly. She ran up and threw her tiny arms around his waist. Kagome stared in wonder at the small girl. Then she noticed Sesshomaru gently pat her head. Kagome switched her wondering stare to Sesshomaru’s golden eyes. He was giving her a glare that dared her to say something.

“I picked these flowers for you, Lord Sesshomaru,” Rin told him proudly as she pulled away.

“Put them in a vase, wash your hands, and then come eat,” Sesshomaru told her. Kagome was surprised further that his voice softened. Not much, granted, but enough to make a difference.

Rin quickly rushed out the room with Jaken waddling after her, leaving Sesshomaru and Kagome alone. Sesshomaru tried to ignore Kagome’s incredulous looks and sat down in his chair. Kagome didn’t move.

“Say what it is you wish to say,” Sesshomaru growled, leaving the trace of a threat that clearly said she better watch what she said.

“That was very sweet,” was all she said. Sesshomaru just made a noncommittal sound. He looked up at her with a slight hint of wonder in his eyes when he felt her soft hand on his arm. Quirking an eyebrow, he stared at her through his emotionless mask. Kagome was beginning to learn that Sesshomaru hid what he felt, but that didn’t make him heartless.

Kagome slid her hand off his arm slowly and walked around the table to sit in her spot. Sesshomaru found himself staring at her long, tan legs as she walked and the gentle sway of her hips. Frowning inwardly at himself for the second time that day, he brought his eyes to his own plate.

Rin and Jaken soon returned and sat at the table. Sesshomaru sat across from Kagome, while Jaken sat across from Rin. Occasionally, Sesshomaru caught Kagome watching him and every time she was caught, she would avert her eyes and color a flattering red. The dinner conversation was mostly just Rin talking and Kagome asking a few questions.

“Rin, it is time for bed,” Sesshomaru announced, cutting her jabbering off.

“Yes, my lord,” Rin happily agreed. Eager to please, Rin jumped off her boosted seat and gave Sesshomaru a quick hug. When he patted her head again and bid her good night, she ran out the door with Jaken trying to keep up.

“Well, I guess I’ll go to bed, too,” Kagome said to no one in particular. She was feeling rather venerable alone with Sesshomaru, and strangely light-headed. As she approached the door, his strong voice halted her.

“Do you know your way back?” Kagome turned back to him to see him standing, watching her. His focused eyes sent a shiver down her back, which she failed miserably to hide.

“I can ask that girl to take me.”

“I’ll walk you,” Sesshomaru decided, his voice showing he expected no argument.

Kagome stared at him a second longer before nodding her acceptance. Sesshomaru walked in long strides beside her as they traveled back to their rooms. Kagome was unnaturally away of his company; his stern silence, his inhuman stature, and his every breath.

Unknown to her, Sesshomaru was wrestling between the demon and man in himself. Her scent, like flowers and grass, filled his nose and excited him. Her very movements made his eyes sway as he watched her. The demon in him was repulsed by her very presence; a mortal. He almost sighed when they finally reached the rooms.

Like a gentleman, the Lord walked Kagome to her room. “Good night,” he told her quickly.

“You know he’ll come for me,” Kagome’s bold voice rang from behind him. She watched as agitation flashed across his face.

“My half-demon brother,” Sesshomaru asked in a dangerous voice. Kagome felt herself back away involuntarily as he walked closer to her. When her back touched the wall, she looked determinedly into his amber eyes, which seemed to glow slightly in the dim light. Sesshomaru bent over until his six foot five inch figure was level with her five foot nine body build. Leaning very close to her ear, he whispered in a strangely seductive voice, “I’m counting on it.” Without a noise, Sesshomaru spun on his heel and strolled into his room.

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief mixed, to her surprise, with a slight disappointment.