Battle of Wills (revised)

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? Maybe she had pushed him too far with her defiant behavior? 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 avoid answering a question for seemingly no other reason then to antagonize her. But then, there were the other times. Times he would whisper into her ear so softly that she could feel her heart melt. 'No,' She decided, ' He's doing this because he knows it bothers me.' She nodded to her own conclusion. 'This is just like making me uncomfortable. He leaves......so that when he gets back he can amuse himself with how worried or bored or...' She sighed softly. '....lonely I am. Well not this time.' She finished as she jumped to her feet.

She dressed as quickly as possible. She hated to admit it, at least out loud, but the sleeping bag even with the fire was not keeping her warm enough at night. She needed him, wanted him, to sleep next to her. She had kept her mouth shut about the cold, because she was worried what might happen if they slept so close again, but now, she didn't care, she just wanted to feel his skin against hers, just once more.

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, stopping suddenly as she heard Sesshomaru’s growl. It seemed to be coming from just beyond the trees, and she seriously considered turning around and walking back. She licked her finger and checked the wind. She was down wind, which meant he wouldn't be able to smell her as long as she kept her distance, and remained quiet. She swallowed harshly and moved on until she caught a glimpse of Sesshoumaru from behind a large shrub.

She could not believe her eyes. Sitting on the ground naked, his back against the trunk of a tree was Sesshomaru. 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 imagined 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. For reasons she didn't bother to rationalize she needed to see his face.‘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 making sure not to make a sound as she slowly stepped through the forest.

She snuck up EXTREMELY slowly, 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 and probably would have, had he not been so distracted.

Her eyes grew wide as she watched Sesshomaru. She had forgotten how beautiful his body was. His skin was milky white and flawless. Redish purple marks were upon his arms, thighs and face. His eyes were closed and he bit his lip fiercly as his hand slowly moved up and down against his large erection. The expression on his face was filled with strain and lust. She noticed that his usually flowing hair clung to his face as if he had been perspiring. Her body began to tingle. Kagome hugged at her knees as she watched him, her body reacting to his. Every moan and gasp from his mouth causing a wave of need to wash over her. She watched for several minutes before she realized her ‘quick peek’ had turned into much more. She wanted him, wanted him to touch her, wanted to touch him. 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. At first just innocently rubbing at her aching womanhood,then moving her hand underneath her panties and leting a light finger rub at the bundle of nerves that begged for her attention. She was wet, and her finger slide easily over her throbbing womanhood, causing a shiver to rush 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. Her indecency only fueling the fire as she savored this new sensation. She bit her lip, hard, and tried to stop herself from gasping. Kagome kept her eyes on him as she slowly rubbed at the tiny nub, reveling 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 loudly as it broke. Kagome pulled her hand away from her skirt and held her breath. ‘Had he heard me?’

Sesshomaru’s eyes were almost instantly focused on her direction, a look of annoyance and anger simmering in his eyes. Kagome's eyes grew wide as her face flushed even more then it had been. The little voice in her head screaming only one word over and over. 'RUN!'

“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. OH GOD What did he see? There’s really no where I can run.’ But still she ran, her mind screaming at her to run faster, her body consumed by fear. 'Please god, don't let him find me. Let me just freeze to death.' She wimpered to herself as she realize just what he could have seen, heard.......smelled.

A good distance from the trees she collapsed, panting heavily. She held herself up with her arms as her chest heaved for breath. Her hair clung to her face as she gasped for breath, her lungs burning painfully.

“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. She could hear his foot falls as he slowly walked up until he was standing beside her. Her mind again commanded her to run, but she ignored it and instead remained staring at the ground, gasping for breath.

“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 froze. This wasn't the responce she was expecting. He wasn't calling her on it. He hadn't even mentioned it. She stared up into his eyes to see if she could find any answer to her questions without actually having to ask them, but there was none. She simply stared at him, speechless, still gasping for breath, her face flushed as it seemed to glow from her perspiration. Her jaw was clenched. The look in her eyes was defensive. She expected him to say something. She was preparing herself for it. To do what, she didn't know. To run again? Maybe. It didn't have to make sense.

“Indeed.” He answered, raising an eyebrow and lowering his face closer to hers. .

She blushed, looking away from him again.

He pulled back, and looked to the sky. “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 quietly, relieved that the stressful moment had passed, and a bit surprized he still had not said anything.

Sesshomaru rose to his feet extending his hand to the sitting girl. Kagome accepted it, still refusing to meet his gaze, 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 slowly as he began to pull one into his mouth. The very same finger she had been pleasuring herself with only moments ago.

“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. His voice emotionless once again.

“I was scared.” She answered honestly 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, scooping her up in his arms as he continued to walk..

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