Battle of wills.

Kagome sighed heavily as she awoke in her sleeping bag to be greeted again by the biting cold. They had been stranded in this wasteland for a little over a week now, and it had begun to wear on her nerves. She looked around the camp for Sesshomaru. “Gone again…” she huffed. Ever since the afternoon he had assisted her bathe, he would take these “trips” while she slept, and always came back a little more agitated. She had attempted to ask him about it once only to be snapped at, “Annoying HUMAN!”

Kagome was confused and concerned. Was it something she had done to make him so angry? She couldn’t stand it when he kept things from her. He seemed to think she was too ignorant to grasp even the simplest concept. It was maddening the way he would talk down to her sometimes, and then whisper softly into her ear without any explanation. “Maybe he’s losing it.” She smirked. “Soon he’ll be asking to borrow my dresses.” She giggled at the absurd image. “I’ll teach him to keep secrets from me.” She grinned, a new found confidence swelling within her.

She dressed as quickly as possible. There was still an hour before sunrise and he usually did not return until after the sun was up. He always seemed to return from the west and Kagome decided this would be the best place to search. She could not help but smirk as she hurried across the ice. Something about this was exciting to her, all though she wasn’t sure why. Sesshomaru would more then likely be very cranky, and it wasn’t exactly safe for her to stray away from camp, ‘Maybe that’s what makes it so exciting?’ she pondered.

She continued west until she reached a small but thick set of trees. ‘Could he be in here?’ she wondered. Kagome looked back in the direction of camp and then into the small forest. ‘Well, if he isn’t then I’ll just go back.’ Her confidence had wilted as she walked further and further from camp. She stepped lightly through the forest, freezing suddenly as she heard Sesshomaru’s growl. It seemed to be coming from just beyond the trees, ‘I’ll just take a quick peek and run back’ she thought as she crouched down and inched toward the edge of the tree line.

She could not believe her eyes. Sitting on the ground naked, his back against the trunk of a tree was Sesshomaru. He had his back to her and the tree blocked most of her view, but she could make out the muscles in his right arm straining and twitching. She could hear him growl and purr as he sat against the tree all though she could not see his face. His legs stretched out along the ground in front of him. Every muscle in his body seemed to twitch and flex with every quiet purr and growl.

Kagome covered her mouth with her hand as she realized what she had stumbled upon. She had never thought Sesshomaru, or any other demon, would succumb to such a basic human need. It intrigued her. She imaged the emotions that must be playing over his face and bit her lip. ‘If only I could get a better look.’ She thought. All though she felt guilty and perverted for wanting to witness such a thing, she couldn’t help herself. ‘Just a quick peek.’ She told herself again as she backed away slowly, moving back into the cover of the forest, and circling around the demon lord’s position.

She snuck up very slowly this time. Knowing well that any tiny noise she made would be easily detectable and she would be discovered. Her breath was very shallow as she peeked through the tree line again, afraid that simply breathing in his direction might give her location away.

Her eyes grew wide as she watched Sesshomaru. She had forgotten how beautiful his body was. His skin was milky white and flawless. Red marks were upon his arms, legs and face. His eyes were closed and he bit his lip as his hand slowly moved up and down against his large erection. The expression on his face was filled with strain and happiness. She noticed that his usually flowing hair clung to his face as if he had been perspiring.

Kagome hugged at her knees as she watched him, her body reacting to his. She watched for several minutes before she realized her ‘quick peek’ had turned into much more. She wanted him, wanted him to touch her. Her mind flashed back on the times they had been naked together, and the occasions his hand had lingered against her body. She slowly let one of her hands creep under her skirt as she watched him. She moved her hand underneath her panties and lightly rubbed between her legs. A shiver rushed up and down her spine. She stared at him lustfully underneath the covers of the trees as she allowed a finger to part her lips and run along her clitoris. She bit her lip hard to stop herself from gasping. Kagome kept her eyes on him as she slowly rubbed at the tiny nub, revealing in the feelings he was evoking within her. ‘God, how I wish I could feel his hands against my body again.’ She thought as she increased her rhythm. She began to get dizzy as she was overwhelmed by lust. She readjusted her body attempting to put herself in a better position.

**snap** A twig against her ankle sounded as it broke. Kagome pulled her hand away from her skirt and back up against her mouth. ‘Had he heard me?’

Sesshomaru’s eyes were almost instantly focused on her direction, a look of annoyance and anger simmering in his eyes.

“Crap.” Kagome whispered. She quickly jumped to her feet and began to run. She wasn’t really concerned with a direction as long as she could get away. Her mind raced, ‘What am I doing? I’m going to have to face him at camp. He saw me. There’s really no where I can run.’ But still she ran, her body consumed by fear.

A good distance from the trees she collapsed, panting heavily. She held herself up with her arms as her chest heaved for breath.

“What is wrong with you, woman?” A familiar voice questioned from behind her.

Kagome did not look up and did not answer as she continued to breathe heavily.

“Where are you going?” he questioned again in a softer tone sitting next to her, fully clothed.

Kagome stared at his feet as she searched for an answer. “I was…….” She began and then trailed off again catching her breath.

Sesshomaru reached out with a clawed hand and cupped her chin. “Every time I think I understand you…..you surprise me.” He smirked.

Kagome sat back crossing her arms across her chest. “Shows what you know.”

“Indeed.” He answered, raising an eyebrow.

She blushed, looking away from him again.

“The sun is rising.” He stated in a monotone voice. “We should make our way back to camp.”

Kagome sighed with relief. “Good idea!” she remarked with a bit too much eniasmiasm.

Sesshomaru rose to his feet extending his hand to the sitting girl. Kagome accepted it and stood next to him as they began to walk towards camp hand in hand. She eyed the demon lord suspiciously as he raised her hand to his face sniffing at it. Suddenly, she was aware of Sesshomaru’s tongue running along her fingers.

“What are you doing?” she questioned in a shocked tone.

“Your fingers are cold.” He muttered quietly, smirking again.

“I don’t need another bath, thank you.” She remarked hotly as she pulled her hand away from him in embarrassment.

Sesshomaru simply grabbed her hand again in his and continued to walk towards camp. “Why did you run?” he finally questioned, breaking the silence that lingered between them.

“I was scared.” She answered as she looked ahead.

“Of me?” he questioned.

“I was afraid you would be mad at me.” She admitted softly.

“It is you who should be angry with me.” He answered softly. “I should not have left you alone.”

“No, no, you have a right to privacy.” She continued, “I don’t know why……I don’t know what I was doing.”

Sesshomaru stopped, turning to face the blushing girl. “Tonight this Sesshomaru will not leave you alone. This I promise.”

Kagome smiled and then blushed, “Thank you.” She cleared her throat and changed the subject trying to clear the awkward moment. “I wouldn’t have even bothered you if it wasn’t so cold at night here. I was freezing this morning.” She shivered at the memory.

“Not to fear, Kagome, this Sesshomaru will keep you warm.” He responded, wrapping his arms around her as they walked.

Kagome faltered slightly, “Uh…Thank you Lord Sesshomaru.” Her face, once again, turning a deep shade of red.