Shattered Illusions

Chapter 3
A New Start

Good god you’re coming up with reasons
Good god you’re dragging it out
And good god it’s the changing of the seasons
I feel so raped
So follow me down

So far Inuyasha had not been able to find them. They had split up about a week ago and Kagome was congratulating herself and everyone on what a fine job they had done; silently. What Kagome hadn’t thought of was that Sesshoumaru might not like it when he found out they were in his lands. Surprisingly, he hadn’t shown up that day. Kagome felt like she had been stood up. She had been hoping he would show up just to prove to him how good she was at being the Queen of Ice. She hadn’t smiled, joked, laughed, cried, or shouted since that day. She showed no emotion; all of her friends were starting to worry about her. Shippo was silent; Miroku even more lecherous, if that were possible; and Sango tried to get her friend to talk all the time.
“Hey Kagome! Let’s go to the hot-springs together. We haven’t had girl time for a while.” Sango sang out in a merry voice.
“Alright, let’s go.” Kagome said quietly.
Walking out of the camp Sango tried to draw her old friend out again. Honestly she missed the old Kagome.
“Kagome, do you want to talk about it?”
“About what?”
“About what happened with Inuyasha and how much of a creep he is?”
“No, not really Sango, I just want to go bathe.”
“Fine! God Kagome you can’t just keep it all bottled up forever. You have to let it out somehow!” Sango huffed, “I’m going back to camp! If you won’t talk to me then I don’t know what else to do! I’m trying to be your friend; someone you know will always be there! But you don’t even want to let out all the frustration you feel towards Inuyasha!” Storming off Sango heaved one last thing over her shoulder at Kagome. “You know what? You and that jerk Sesshoumaru would make a perfect couple! You are both cold as ICE!”
Kagome watched as her best friend stormed off. She knew it would forever change their friendship when she decided to become like Sesshoumaru. She just hadn’t realized her friend would become so angry about it. Shrugging Kagome continued on to the spring. She wondered if Sango would ever forgive her for not unleashing all her pain on her. If she ever found out about this sort of pain then she would.
‘I guess since I am here I should go ahead and wash.’ Kagome thought to herself.
Stripping her clothes off Kagome sank slowly into the steamy spring. Nearby she heard a twig snap under someone’s foot. Looking slowly toward the sound Kagome sensed Sesshoumaru’s aura.
“Sesshoumaru.” Was all she said before he stepped out of the tree line.
“Wench. So you have indeed perfected ‘the cold shoulder’ I believe you called it.”
“So it would appear. What are you doing here Sesshoumaru?”
“Enjoying the view. What else would I be here for?”
“I know you are not enjoying the view, it is a ningen you would be viewing. You could be here to settle the terms of our bet. Or did the mighty Lord Sesshoumaru forget?” Kagome asked quietly, not allowing her surprise at what he had said show on her face or in her voice.
“This Sesshoumaru did not forget. I was simply too busy to play that game with you.”
“So what are the new terms for our bet? I won the last one. So I get something. Do you want to make a new deal?”
“What are you proposing?”
“I do not know. I set the last bet up it is your turn this time. Or are you afraid to lose the next one?” Kagome asked him.
“This Sesshoumaru afraid? You must be stupid. I fear nothing. I will set up the next bet. After you tell me what you want in return for winning the last one.” Sesshoumaru stated it as if it were a fact.
“I want something no ningen could ever hope to attain from you. A kiss. A simple no questions asked kiss. I would take that from you Sesshoumaru.”
“You think this Sesshoumaru will give you something like that?”
“It was a bet that I won. I get to take something from you that you are unwilling to give. To demean you in some form. Or are you going to back out on a deal?” Kagome asked a sneer on her face.
“This Sesshoumaru does not back out on anything.” He said as he walked to the edge of the pool.
Standing Kagome climbed out of the pool and stood in front of him. Naked. (A/N: that’s right our Kagome has grown a back bone! Way to go girlie!) She leaned forward as Sesshoumaru leaned down to her. Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck her fingers going up behind his head to bring him closer. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes like he was waiting for his death. Kagome closed hers and went the rest of the way touching her lips against his. Sesshoumaru relaxed and brought his hands to her tiny waist touching his tongue to her lips begging for entrance. Kagome stepped back her hands going to his shoulders. She looked up at the demon lord in front of her.
“Sesshoumaru, the terms have been answered. You can let me go now.” She said her eyes showing the first emotion for a week. Confusion at his reaction and hers to their kiss. It was only for a bet. It should not have affected her like that.
Growling Sesshoumaru pulled her close again. His own mind wrapped in confusion. All he knew was that he needed more. His beast demanded more. So when Kagome pushed against his shoulders to step back again he growled a warning and tried to take what his beast wanted. What he didn’t expect and what his mind couldn’t remember was that she was a miko. With purifying powers; so when he felt a burst of purification energy shoot into his chest he dug his claws into her hips and pushed her back a step.
“Sesshoumaru, stop now. I do not wish to purify you.” Kagome stated breathlessly. She was as excited by the kiss as he apparently was but did not wish to show it.
“Kagome? Kagome!?”
They both turned toward the voice calling out her name. Suddenly Kagome realized that she was standing naked with her hands on Sesshoumaru’s shoulders and his on her hips. With her best friend coming closer. Stepping out of his grasp and letting her hands fall to her sides Kagome calmly strode to grab a towel and wrapped it around her. Sesshoumaru watched her the whole way. When Sango appeared out of the tree-line she gasped and darted her eyes between the two. Sesshoumaru staring at Kagome and Kagome looking at her wrapped in nothing but a towel.
“Kagome I came to see you alone but apparently someone already beat me to it.” Sango said a little too cheerful.
“What do you need Sango?”
“Miko we will discuss our business tomorrow.”
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru as if she had forgotten he was there. Shrugged her shoulders and said, “If you say so.”
Sesshoumaru turned and walked off through the forest. When he got out of their sight he sat down on a boulder that was covered with moss. He didn’t know why but he just wanted to hear what was being said by the slayer.
“Kagome I’m sorry about jumping on your case like that. I am just hurt that you won’t talk to me anymore.”
“Sango I know you only wish to help. But this is just something I have to do on my own. I just hope that you never have to go through this yourself.”
“I just wanted to apologize, Kagome. I’ll see you at camp. But I would like to know what business Sesshy has with you.”
‘Sesshy? Is that what they call me?’
“Nothing really. Just something that has to do with Inuyasha.”
“Okay. See you later.”
Turning Sango walked back toward camp leaving Kagome alone once again. Kagome unwrapped the towel and sank back down into the water. When Sesshoumaru heard her groan he stood and walked away.
‘The Miko fascinates me too much. She could be the ruin of me. I am supposed to loathe humans. Yet I have a human ward I care for as if she were my pup and now I am fascinated by a human miko.’
*You aren’t just fascinated with her. Oh Kami she makes my blood boil. I can only imagine what she does to you. Hmm maybe we can see her again soon. The vision of her wet body coming out of that hot spring was almost to much to bear. You know it and I know it. I also know something else that you don’t know yet. Nor are you ready to know.*
‘No one asked you anything. Isn’t there someone else you could bother with your stupidity?’
*No.*
Sesshoumaru shook his head and told his demon to be quiet. He then summoned his demon cloud and took off into the night.
Kagome relaxed as her body soaked in the hot water. She took her washcloth and poured her body wash onto the soft cloth. Soaping it up Kagome began to rub the cloth over her body. After washing her body she got ready to wash her hair. Before she got the shampoo container she heard another snap nearby. Turning Kagome narrowed her eyes. She jumped out of the water and had the towel wrapped around her once again before Inuyasha walked out of the forest.
“There you are Kagome.” He sneered.
“What do you want Inuyasha?”
“Not much. Just to know why Sesshoumaru has been hiding you.”
“He hasn’t. We just decided to come here because it was the last place you would think to look. Were we wrong?”
“No, but Kagome why did you leave like that?”
“Inuyasha what do you want me to say? That is not an easy question to answer.”
“So what? Just answer the question Kagome.”
“Alright if you insist.” Kagome started in a cool tone. “I left because I will never be more than a shard detector to you. I left because of every time you hurt me and I forgave you. I left to save myself. It might seem a bit selfish to you because you no longer have your precious shard detector but it was for my own good.”
“What if I apologized for everything? Would you forgive me?”
“Ha that’s funny Inuyasha. When have you apologized to me and actually meant it? You know I have been hearing some strange stories about you and Kikyo lately Inuyasha.”
Inuyasha was instantly on guard. “Like what Kagome?”
“Just that the dead woman cannot detect the sacred shards. That you two have been running around in circles killing any demon you believe to possess the shards. Only you have found none. I must wonder how that is possible if Kikyo is everything you said she was before.”
“GRRRR….. You know nothing about it! NOTHING! You know why I really came here if you know all that! Why did you string me along like that!? YOU BITCH!!”
“Tsk tsk Inuyasha. Don’t lose your temper.” Kagome taunted him in a disinterested tone.
“WHY YOU!” Inuyasha reached for her intending to punish her. Suddenly he was thrown back. A giant dog demon had appeared out of the blue.
“Sesshoumaru! What are you doing here!?” Inuyasha asked furiously.
The giant Inu demon just let out an outraged roar and bared his fangs at the Hanyou.
“Kagome what the hell is this shit? Have you trained Sesshoumaru to be your guard dog?”
“No Inuyasha I haven’t. I do not know why he is here. But apparently he wants you to go as much as I do.”
Inuyasha’s face screwed up into an outraged sneer. “Fine, Sesshoumaru I get the picture. Now I know something that Kagome would kill me for if it ever got out. Even you Sesshoumaru would love to kill me for it.” Turning around Inuyasha walked out of the clearing.
Kagome turned toward the Inu demon beside her. Taking a good close look Kagome smirked.
“Did you think I could not defend myself? Against him?” Kagome asked quietly.
Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat. He turned and started to take off. Flicking his tail back and forth agitated.
“Sesshoumaru.”
He turned around looking at the young miko. To another her face would seem completely impassive. But to him her eyes spoke everything. In their blue depths he saw confusion. He changed back into his human form.
“I can not answer your questions Miko. I do not even know why I came back. And I knew you could handle him. I don’t even recall changing.” He told her in a bored voice.
“Alright. You can leave now.” Kagome replied in an equally bored tone.
“I don’t think so. I believe I shall join you.” Sesshoumaru stated. He just wanted to see her reaction.
“Suit yourself. You scrub my back and I’ll scrub yours.” Kagome answered turning around. She pulled the towel off and slid back into the water.
Sesshoumaru just stared at the miko. It was not the reaction he had been ready for. She really had perfected the ‘cold shoulder.’ He removed his armor, intending to join her.
Kagome looked over at him. “Aren’t you coming in?”
Nodding his head once Sesshoumaru removed the remainder of his clothing. He stood in front of the young miko for a minute to gauge her reaction to him.
Kagome held her breath. He looked magnificent. She let her eyes wander across the plain of his chest. She looked at the broad expanse of his shoulders. Down at his flat muscled stomach. Lower still to his narrow waist, she almost stared at his penis which was nestled in a nest of silver hair.
He felt like chuckling. Although she did not let her emotions touch her face she showed every thing in those oh-so-beautiful eyes. He walked toward her slowly, coming to the edge of the spring he slid into the steamy water next to HIS Kagome.
‘She is not mine. Where did that come from?’
*You mean she is not ours YET. And it came from me.*
‘I thought I told you to go away.’
*I never listen to idiots.*
Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome she was soaping up some sort of cloth.
“Sesshoumaru, turn around so I can wash your back.” Kagome spoke up.
Turning he presented his back to the Miko. Which stumped him why he would do such a thing? He left himself completely open; he never presented his back to anyone.
Kagome began to rub the soft cloth across the expanse of his back. She had thought his back would be safer for her sanity. She was way wrong; instead of being safer it was if possible way worse. His backside was sexier than his front. Kagome thought she would die from over exposure to pure male sex. There was just something about him that made her mind, and sex drive, go haywire.
Sesshoumaru felt the soft cloth smoothing over his damp skin. His senses were skyrocketing. His normal senses were intense anyway. He could feel every last bubble of soap. He could smell her scent, she was aroused and afraid. He could hear every thing around them; even what was going on at her camp. He could see the owl sitting on the highest branch of the tree a hundred yards away. He could feel himself losing control of his beast.
Kagome took her time washing his back. She was entranced by his smooth skin. She watched her hand glide over his skin, the bubbles from the soap gathering on his back. She had to force herself to look away.
Kagome had a hard time speaking around a lump in her throat.
“You can rinse off Sesshoumaru.”
Sesshoumaru submerged himself to rinse the soap off. When he came back up he turned toward the miko. She was holding the cloth out to him. He grabbed the cloth and looked at the miko as she turned her back to him.
“I washed your back now you wash mine.” Kagome stated as she pulled her hair off her neck and held it out of his way.
Sesshoumaru began to rub the cloth on her skin. When he was satisfied that her back was nice and slick he dropped the cloth and began to rub her back with his hands. He heard Kagome draw in a sharp breath. He let his hands wander over her back; he had never known a woman’s back could be so sexy. His hands went to her shoulders and he turned her around. They looked into each other’s eyes and he bent down and kissed her.
His kiss wasn’t hesitant or even gentle. It was demanding; he was demanding a response from her. Kagome gave in after that initial shock and parted her lips so he could gain the entrance he wanted.
Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat and wrapped his arms around her; moving one hand into her hair the other slipped down to her waist and slipped around pulling her against him. He was hard, he wanted her tonight; actually he wanted her right now. He could also tell that she wanted him just as much.
Kagome could feel him pressing against her abdomen. She wanted him; wanted him in a way that she had never wanted Inuyasha. Kagome slid her hand down his back. She clenched her hand into a fist at the small of his back.
Sesshoumaru couldn’t retain control over himself. He had lost to his beast. This was the first time any thing like this had ever happened. He grabbed control of his beast.
‘You fool! She doesn’t know yet!’
*As if you would have known if it hadn’t been for me!*
‘But if we do any thing right now we might scare her off! Back off and let me handle this!’
Sesshoumaru set Kagome away from him slightly. His lips still on hers but gentled greatly from the harsh demanding kisses. He finally pulled away from her taking a deep breath he got out of the pool. Feeling her eyes on him as he got dressed.
“Sesshoumaru?”
“I must go, Rin is waiting for me.”
“Of course. You should go; she’ll be worried about you.”
“And Shippo is worried about you. Not to mention the slayer and monk. They sensed Inuyasha’s aura, they are on their way here.”
“Is that why you stopped? My friends are coming this way and you don’t want them to see you a mighty Taiyoukai with a simple ningen female.”
Sesshoumaru looked at her strangely. How could she believe that after what had just happened?
“No that is not why I stopped. I was more than willing to let your friend the slayer see us earlier. But you stepped away on that one. Miko I will see you again to discuss the terms of our bet. I will make you melt for me.” Sesshoumaru told her quietly. He was actually annoyed that she would assume that.
“Is that the bet? That you will be the one to prove that not all men fake their feelings? I have the terms for you; I will make you regret ever thinking like that of me. You sir Ice shall melt for me. Those are the terms. What will the prize be?” Kagome replied, not showing how angry his words had made her.
‘But you must admit it will be interesting, this little game that you two are playing. However if you play with fire you will get burned.’
*Oh, what do you know about this? I am not playing with fire.*
‘Well what ever you two have going on there is definitely fire.’
*Who are you exactly to tell me that nonsense?*
‘Ha-ha! That you will find out later.’
Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru turned away from her and began to walk away. The steam from the spring shimmered in the air between them. Sesshoumaru stopped just before he reached the boundary of the forest.
“The prize? Why Kagome I thought you would have figured that out. If I win I get something even Inuyasha had no hope of getting. I get your body for my personal use.” Sesshoumaru smirked; he thought he had her beat.
“Fine, and if I win I get yours my lord Ice. Let’s see who melts first shall we?” Kagome replied quietly. She turned and started to dress herself. She stopped when she heard Sesshoumaru chuckle behind her. It was something that she had never heard before. And for some reason that chuckle sent shivers up her spine; she turned around and faced him.
Sesshoumaru watched carefully as the young miko turned to face him. Her face blank of any emotion, but her eyes filled with suspicion. He liked the analyzing look she was aiming at him. It filled his body with the thrill of the hunt.
“I have a question for you my lord Ice. How are you going to win or I for that matter if we rarely meet? Wouldn’t it be easier to carry out the terms of our deal if you were to travel with us?”
Sesshoumaru looked at her, he was thinking fast. It had taken a whole week to meet up with her again after the first bet was made. She had an excellent point about that. But how would they go about getting him into the group?
“Miko I see the wisdom behind your request, I just don’t see how I could join your group if the others mistrust me.” Narrowing his eyes at the little miko Sesshoumaru dared her to find a way to accomplish this newest obstacle.
“Kagome? Kagome!? Are you alright? We sensed Inuyasha near here. What is Sesshoumaru doing here I thought that he had left?” Sango asked her best friend becoming a bit scared.
“Well Sango, Sesshoumaru helped get rid of Inuyasha, without using violence. I would like him to travel with us from now on.” Kagome said calmly.