Battle of wills.

'Out of all the things he could have said.' Kagome thought. 'that was worst.' The same words that he had spoken to her in a dream right before he had kissed her. “You need not fear me.” Kagome remembered, ' I always thought he liked being feared.' she sighed as she stared into the fire.

Their journey south had indeed been fruitful. Sesshomaru had found them enough food and fire wood to last them a very long time. Kagome stared at the large pile of wood and smiled. “Gods, I hope he doesn't expect me to carry it all with us when we leave.” The large supply of fire wood meant they were no longer sharing the sleeping bag. Kagome was relieved, and strangely, saddened. It bothered her that they were not as close as before. 'But why?' she thought. 'Why should I be disappointed? I'm so confused.'

Many things about their relationship troubled her. It had been 3 days since he had promised not to harm her, and now she found herself fantasizing that he would break that promise. She could still recall her dream as if it was burned into her memory. The most disturbing part was the way she would find herself staring at him when she knew he wasn't looking, and the way she moved her body when she hoped he was.

“I need a bath.” Kagome whined struggling against the confusion in her mind.

“You do.” Sesshomaru spat as he stepped beside her lowering himself to the ground.

Kagome growled, “It's not like I can just go jump in the stream.”

“I could throw you in.” Sesshomaru quipped, a smirk upon his face.

She could not look at him when he smiled at her like that. Something about his eyes made her uncomfortable causing her to stare at her feet. “I'd take you with me.” she glared.

Sesshomaru stared at her for a moment. 'She never looks me in the eye anymore. Very strange.' He lowered his face to attempt to catch her gaze, only to have her turn her head in the other direction and blush. “What is wrong with you, woman?” he questioned as he sat up crossing his arms over his chest. I neI need a bath, thats what's wrong with me.” Kagome grumbled lowly. “I'm disgusting.”

“You are not disgusting.” he stated in a monotone voice.

Kagome turned to face him. 'It was almost a compliment.' She thought.

“However, since we do not know how long it will take us to find the path home, perhaps something can be done to at least make you more comfortable.” He eyed her coldly. “Human bodies are more susceptible to disease when uncared for. Especially in such conditions.” He motioned over the frozen ground. “Warm some water and I will assist you.” he stated as he rose to his feet again.

“Assist me?” Kagome questioned.

Sesshomaru nodded.

Kagome bit her lip. 'Gods, I swear he does that on purpose!' “Assist me how?” she questioned.

“Assist you bathe.” he stated, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

“I can bathe by myself.” She huffed glaring up at him, as she rose to her feet to challenge him.

“I have seen your body tremble after only a few moments in these conditions. Such an attempt would be reckless.”

Kagome turned away from him remembering the night she had attempted to start a fire to dry her clothes. He was right, her body began to tremble almost immediately. She shook her head, 'There is no way I'm letting him bathe me.' She turned back to him, giving him her best fake smile. “Well then I'll just have to wait until we get back to take a bath.”

“Nonsense,” Sesshomaru scoffed. “If you will not fetch the water I will.” He snatched her kettle and the pan she used to cook dinner and began to walk away from her.

“I won't let you.” she yelled at hick. ck.

“You can't stop me.” he answered.

“I really don't smell that bad.” she quipped.

“You offend my nose.” he smirked.

“Is there any way I can talk you out of this?” she yelled as he moved further away from her.

“No.” he answered as he walked to the icy stream.

A short time later he had returned with the small containers filled with icy water. He walked over to the fire, setting them on top. “Stand here and undress.” He commanded.

“What if I don't want to?” she retorted hotly, crossing her arms against her chest.

He smirked at her insolence. “Then I will throw you in the stream.”

“You wouldn't dare.” she glared.

“I have no idea just how badly the human body can smell for lack of hygiene, I can make no promises.”

Kagome glared at him harshly. 'He's enjoying this.' she thought. 'How I'd love to whip that smug grin off his face.' “Fine.” Kagome bit out ruffly, walking over to him so that she was staring daggers into his eyes. She slowly began to untie the fabric around her legs and pull the excess layers from her body, draping them over his shoulder, as she continued to stare at him with the same annoyed expression.

Sesshomaru for the first time in his life was flustered. He was speechless as Kagome began to remove her clothes in front of him. Her challenging looks and posturing only made her that much more alluring. He had never seen her like this before. He sensed no fear from her as she continued to remove clothing, which intrigued him. She seemed so powerful and sexual. He found himself having to fight back a primal urge to pin her to the ground and ravage her on ice. He growled softly as he fought against his urges.

Kagome smirked at his growl. 'Good! He's pissed. Serves him right.' She pulled off her last articles of clothing and threw them next to fire to keep them warm. She watched as he stared at her. “Are you going to bathe me or not?” she demanded as she crossed her hands in front of her chest.

Sesshomaru bit his lip, punishing himself for allowing his eyes to wander so freely. Her body was all ready trembling slightly due to the cold. He slowly lowered a hand to her hip as his other hand reached for the now warm water on top of the fire. He tested it with a finger before replacing it with another container. He watched as Kagome wrapped her arms around her body as the cold beto bto bit more bitterly. “Hurry up.” She whimpered, “I-i-i-it's cold.” Sesshomaru poured the warm water over her body soaking her from head to toe. Kagome spat as she rubbed her doused face, holding her eyes shut. She ran her hands over her hair as she pushed it back so that she could see. She bent over, rummaging through her bag, looking for shampoo. Sesshomaru allowed his eyes to wander across her body, and bit his lip again. He watched her as she rubbed the strange substance into her hair, a little hurt that she had not asked him to do it, but content for the most part. He lifted an eyebrow as she pulled another strange item from the bag and began to rub it against her body. They all had very peculiar scents, he decided, but he had smelt them in some form or another on the girl before. He reached out, grabbing her hand with his,and continued to rub the item against her body, just as he had seen earlier. He stepped closer to her, taking in her scent. He had forgotten just how good she could smell. If not for the promise he had made her, he would have taken her right then. He was completely surrounded by the feeling of her wet slippery skin underneath his clawed fingers.

“I think I'm clean now.” Kagome whispered bringing him back to his senses.

He reached for the water and poured it over her again as he rinsed the lather out of her hair and off her body.

Kagome quickly dressed herself, refusing to look him in the eye.

“Satisfied?” she questioned.

He stared at her, at a lose for words “Pardon?”

“Do I still offend your nose?” she smirked.

“You do not.” he uttered softly as he sat next to her by the fire.