Ever Us -- Reflections

Chapter 6 

What is a kiss?

Rin had been married a month when Sesshomaru had to return to the castle for “demon business”.

Rin wasn’t sure what that meant but he kissed her gently and led her to Inuyasha’s home where Kagome was outside working on preserving some vegetables.

“Rin, Jaken says the advisors need my “guidance”.    I will return within the week.”   Sesshomaru nuzzled her gently and then stepping back added.  “Stay with Kagome and Inuyasha please.   I want you know that you are safe.”

The great dog demon leaped in the air and headed to the West with Jaken flying A-Un close behind.

Rin and Kagome stood watching them until they disappeared.  Turning to Rin, Kagome motioned to her vegetable pile.

“Lucky me.  Your timing is perfect.  I could use the help preparing the vegetables for the pickling solution.   Have a seat and a knife.”

The women sat down and started cleaning and cutting vegetables, but within seconds Rin spoke.

“What’s a kiss supposed to be like?”

Kagome started.

“You haven’t kissed yet?!” She choked.

“Well yes, we have but we’re both new at it and... and… and…” Rin shook a bit before she blurted, “And it’s kind of slobbery.  Is it supposed to be like that?”  Rin blushed.

Kagome would have laughed but she saw the genuine look of inquiry on Rin’s face.

“It’s not wrong.  A kiss can be some many things.”  Kagome smiled and reached a hand to Rin’s hand.   “Come let’s make some tea and talk a little before we go back to these chores.”   The older led the younger into the hut and straight to the tea kettle.  

“A kiss is simply a connection of the lips.  Sometimes it’s soft and calm.  Sometimes it’s hard and frantic.  Some people kiss their relatives in a greeting.  Lovers kiss to convey their love.   It’s the meaning behind the kiss that’s most important.”

“When the Shikon jewel allowed me to see Inuyasha again we shared a very special kiss.   As he kissed me I felt his love, his strength…  I felt I had the strength to face 10,000 Narakus.   It was though his power ran through me.  Later when I returned to this time period, Inuyasha greeted me at the well and his kiss then made me feel like I was home after a long journey.”

Kagome’s eyes glazed over as she reflected.   Rin sipped her tea and hung on every word.

“As for the mechanics of the kiss, typically he pulls me to him, draws nearer and then as he’s drawing nearer we close our eyes and our lips meet.   He gentle pushes his lips into mine and I part them just a small amount.   Kind of like someone gently tapping on the door.  My response is to peek out to see who it is first before I open the door wide.    Although now that I think of it, the door opens wide when I haven’t seen him all day and I’m happy he’s home.”   

Kagome tapped a finger to her lips as she thought about her latest kiss with Inuyasha when he had returned after a several day journey.   She smiled to herself and lapsed into silence as she sipped her tea.

Rin waited but tired of waiting and cleared her throat.

“Oh yes,” Kagome giggled.  “You were asking about kisses.   I didn’t have much experience kissing.  Inuyasha was my only boyfriend.   Part of the fun is practicing.   Sometimes they are slobbery kisses.   Other times they are gentle, tender.   Don’t worry Rin; I’m sure you’re doing it right.”

Rin returned the smile.

“My lord husband was my first and only boyfriend.   I would never kiss anyone else.”  Rin stated matter-of-factly.

“Things were a bit different in my time, but I like this time best because that’s where Inuyasha is.”

Kagome sighed contently and drained her tea cup.

“Shall we go back to the vegetables?”

“Let’s!”  Rin jumped up and grabbed both cups.   Washing them in the nearby wash basin she handed them to Kagome to dry and put up on the mantle.  Then grabbing her apron she pushed aside the bamboo door and walked back to the vegetables.   Kagome was several steps behind her when she was stopped by Inuyasha who had been in the back room.

“You failed to mention that kisses are like rainstorms.   They start gently and then progress to thunder and lightning and then fade away to a rainbow.”   His eyebrows moved suggestively as he grabbed her hips and drew her tightly into his groin.

“You’ll have to remind me of that later, Lover,” Kagome whispered as she neared his face, missing his lips and leaving a sweet kiss on his cheek.  Breaking away gracefully she waltzed to the door.  “More later,” she smiled as she left the house.

“Tease,” he groused and returned to his interior woodworking project.

*******

Years later Sesshomaru leaned back breathless after a particularly amazing kiss.  

“Who taught you how to kiss?”

Inuyasha reflected on the time he overheard Kagome teaching Rin.  Then he smiled.

“You did, of course,” his eyes flirted with his husband.  

‘I taught Kagome, who taught Rin, who taught you,’ he thought as he smiled mischievously at his mate.  ‘But let’s keep that to ourselves.’