A New Path

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspects of the anime Inuyasha. I do not own characters, locations or the storyline. i only own the original plot of this story.

Chapter Six: Feelings Shared

Sesshomaru sidestepped out of the way, using his leg to push Kagome out of the way as well. Inuyasha realized that he almost hit Kagome and that by doing that she would never agree to look for jewel shards with him again. He had to find a way to remedy this situation. However, Sesshomaru wasn’t going to give him the chance.

“You will not harm Kagome again Inuyasha. I will see to it.” With that, Sesshomaru spun around and drew Kagome to him again, holding her with his one arm he took into the air. Kagome quickly clutched Sesshomaru closer, scared out of her mind as they flew into the Western Lands. After a few moments in the air, she relaxed her hold and rested her cheek against Sesshomaru’s chest. She thought about recent events.

‘Sesshomaru just saved me from Inuyasha. Who would have thought that something like that would ever happen? He even kissed me. Could this mean that he has feelings for me? He looked so angry when Inuyasha attacked.’ She tightened her grip, pushing her head harder against his chest. She was shocked when he responded by squeezing her close, then releasing a little. It was almost like a hug. Her heart surged with need and happiness. She wanted to taste his lips again, and she was so happy that he seemed to want the same.

When they landed, Sesshomaru did not release Kagome. He held her to him, reveling in the feel of her body tight against his. He loosened his hold, and she pushed back so she could look him in the eyes. What she saw there blew her away. Endless need, want, and care reflected in those eyes, and he directed it all at her. No one else, just her. When he didn’t move to close the gap between them, Kagome grew bold. If he pulled away from her, she would know that the feelings weren’t real. She stood on her tiptoes, put a hand on the back of his head, and pulled him down to meet her lips. He didn’t pull away, but tightened his hold on her and pressed back with all the passion and care that he felt inside.

Kagome’s insides exploded with warmth. Her heart felt like it surged and was about to jump right out of her chest. Sesshomaru felt the same, and he reveled in the feeling. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this happy. Her lips amazed him. They were warm and tasted of honey and cinnamon. He wanted to taste more of her. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip, pressing against where her lips met. She opened her mouth and accepted his tongue into it. He slowly explored the soft, warm inside of her mouth. He ran his tongue in a circle on the insides of her cheeks, and across her teeth. Kagome moaned into his mouth, clutching him closer. He pulled away to ask her one question.

“Kagome.”

“Yes?”

“Will you consider…becoming…my mate? What I’m asking is, will you accept my courtship?” He stumbled over the words. Her eyes grew wide. She looked at him for a few moments, rendered speechless by his question.

“I don’t know about being your mate, we can’t be sure of how we feel yet, but I’m willing to get to know you better, so that I can make a better decision, if that’s what you mean by courtship.” Kagome answered hoping that he wouldn’t be offended or anything.

“Yes, that is what I was asking for. There is one thing, when a Taiyoukai invokes a courtship that is accepted, he must mark his partner, so that others will not harm them, or take them for mate. It will also connect us so that if you are in trouble I will know immediately.”

“All right, what is your mark?”

“A bite on your shoulder, I’m afraid it may hurt a little.” He replied.

“That’s alright. Go ahead.” She moved her head, giving him full access to her shoulder and neck. The submissive and trusting gesture undid him. He moved her head back and took her lips with his again, none too gently. The ferociousness of his kiss shocked Kagome, and summoned a need in her, she felt warm wetness in her nether regions. His lips moved from hers to kiss and lick her neck, making a steamy wet path down to the junction of her neck and shoulder. He hesitated where the full mating mark would go, then continued his journey to the center of the muscle of her shoulder. He placed an open-mouthed kiss on the spot, and then sank his fangs into her.

Kagome panted while he was ravishing her neck, but when he sank his fangs into her shoulder, she let out a gasp followed by a loud moan of pleasure. As he began to suck on the wound, she did the first thing her instincts screamed at her to do. Without forcing his mouth to lose contact on her shoulder, she leaned down and bit him in the same spot. Even her flattened human teeth drew blood in that spot, and as the warm essence of Sesshomaru ran into her mouth, she felt herself lose control. She wanted him, every bit of him. She began to suck on his wound as well, not removing her teeth. Her arms tightened around his shoulders, and his tightened around her.

After a moment, the couple separated. Sesshomaru looked into the little miko’s eyes, and then looked at his bleeding shoulder. ‘She inflicted a mating mark on me. But, she wouldn’t know what to do, or how. What happened?’ Her shoulder still bled as well. He couldn’t soothe it with his tongue, because it needed to scar. It pained him that he had to inflict such pain in her, but she didn’t seem that upset by it.

“What happened?” he asked.

“I don’t know, it just felt like I should bite you back. I wanted to taste you, the way you tasted me. It just felt right.” She replied.
Only true mates would mark each other that way. Usually, the male would mark the prospective mate, and that would be it. When mates were truly compatible and truly meant for each other, the female would mark the male as well during the marking. Sesshomaru couldn’t think of how he and Kagome could be that compatible, since she was not a youkai.

“Well, as we are courting, it would not be socially acceptable for you to live with me. Is there somewhere you can go, where you will be safe, and where I can visit you?” Sesshomaru said, breaking the awkward silence that hung in the air.

“I could return to Kaede’s hut. Inuyasha goes there, but Sango and Miroku will be around, and Kaede can help me to subdue him. He is under a subduing spell that I control.” Kagome replied.

Sesshomaru didn’t like the idea of Kagome being that close to Inuyasha, but her reasoning made sense. Kagome thought about going back to her own time, but Inuyasha could reach her there as well, and she would be more vulnerable there. ‘The grown miko may not have the same powers as my Kagome, but she will be able to aid Kagome in the use of her powers, and she can help control Inuyasha.

“All right, you may return to Kaede’s village, and stay with her. The courtship marks also provide a connection between us, so that if you get into trouble all you have to do is press down on my mark and call my name.” Sesshomaru said.

“All right” Kagome said.

“You can also call me if you just desire my presence; just use a different tone of voice when you call, that way I will not panic.”

“All right, it makes me feel better to know that I can stay in contact with you.” Kagome said.

“I’ll take you to the village whenever you are ready to go. For now, would you like to take a walk with me in the gardens?” Sesshomaru asked.

Kagome smiled up at him. “I’d love to.” Sesshomaru took her hand in his, and led her to the entrance of the gardens.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha was taking out his anger on an innocent tree when he had a visitor. Kikyo watched the hanyou attack the tree for a few moments before speaking.

“Inuyasha! What are you doing? Where is my copy? What has made you so angry?” Kikyo yelled over the smack of the sword on wood.

“That bitch ran away from battle, right into the arms of my damned brother! Inuyasha fumed.
“Why do you care? You chose me Inuyasha, not my copy. If she wants to go to Sesshomaru, let her. I can find the Jewel shards just as easily as she can, and I will not run from battle.” Kikyo said.

Inuyasha looked at his former love. He couldn’t understand why it hurt him so badly that kagome ran to Sesshomaru. He saw the warmth that they shared, and realized that he did not share that warmth with Kikyo.

“I know, but now Sesshomaru will also be able to look for the jewel shards.” Inuyasha said.

“Sesshomaru does not care about the Shikon Jewel. He thinks that he is invincible without it. We don’t have to worry about him.” Kikyo said.

“But kagome does. With Sesshomaru to protect her, she will still be able to search for the Jewel Shards. And she will fight against us, especially after I attacked them when they were together.”

“We will deal with them when the time comes. Right now, you need to get back to your friends, and find a way to keep them from turning on you. Farewell Inuyasha, I will return once you have convinced them to stay with you.” Kikyo left.

Well, here's a nice chapter to make up for not updating in a while, enjoy! Thanks for all the reviews, and i'll say it again, all you new readers...Review please! It keeps me going!