A Sister's Gift

Chapter 9 – Innocent Emotions

Kagome set up the little picnic near the huge old log behind the cell enclosures. It was a nice little spot of soft green grass and next to the log were a few mushrooms and wildflowers. She went to fetch Sesshomaru from his room. She knocked on the wooden door. No answer. She knocked again. A door two doors down from the one she stood in front of opened.

“Mistress Kagome, I believe Sesshomaru has gone to the springs for a bath.” The pretty young female youkai said softly.

Kagome smiled at Sheora, “Arigato Sheora, I will come back then.” Kagome turned to leave. After making her way down the long corridor to the rear of the training building she turned the corner almost running over the taiyoukai in question. He must have known she was there because he grabbed her arms gently bringing her to a halt before the painful impact could occur.

“Oh! You frightened me near to death!” Kagome quickly looked up to Sesshomaru. His gaze of molten gold met her, zapping her breath temporarily from her body. His eyes held her captive briefly before her gaze roamed to his long shimmering hair, which was wet from his recent bath, and to his flawless skin shimmering in the afternoon sun. Kagome became increasingly aware of his strong hands still holding her. His touch was like the heat of a flame through the thin fabric of her miko garment and it seemed an eternity of seconds before he released her.

“Gomen, Mistress Kagome.” Sesshomaru said smoothly to the little miko. The taiyoukai would not allow her to see the confusion and surprise he felt at that moment. He did not want her to know that he smelled it. As much as he never expected such a thing, there was no mistaking that scent, and there was no mistaking from whom it came. The scent of her arousal was mind numbing. A delightfully heady aroma of innocence and want. Sesshomaru could lose himself in it.

Kagome cleared her throat nervously and walked past him “Come Sesshomaru, I have prepared us a meal. It awaits us in the clearing.”

The two arrived, and Kagome busied her self preparing them both a plate of pickled vegetables, rice and chicken. She handed him the plate, and looked up to him when he paused. “You do not eat human food?”

Sesshomaru took the plate from Kagome. He mostly ate raw or undercooked meats, but she went through so much trouble that he feared she would be upset if he refused. He thanked her and began to pick over the meal. Surprisingly he found the chicken to be rather tasty, and the vegetables had a nice crunch. He watched as Kagome delicately worked her chopsticks, claiming tiny bites of rice between her full lips. Suddenly he had the strangest urge to touch those lips. He caught himself as his hand moved to do just that. Fortunately she paid his movement no mind. What in the world had he been thinking? This is a human wench. One that hold his life in her palm. Still, her lips seemed to call to him.

“So Sesshomaru, would you like to accompany me to the village tomorrow?” Kagome asked sweetly.

“If you wish it, my Lady.” Sesshomaru replied with indifference. He had no urge to visit this village, but if it meant that he would be with her, then he could bare it.

“Well don’t sound so enthusiastic about it.” Kagome replied with a hint of sarcasm. “If you would rather not go, then just say so.”

Sesshomaru was a little unsure what she was miffed about, but he certainly didn’t want to miss his opportunity to spend the day with his mistress. “Yes, Mistress Kagome, I will go.” She seemed satisfied by his re-wording of his response. Mentally he huffed at the way humans took words to heart.

Kagome sat the empty bowls back into her basket. The sun was beginning to set in the sky. Colors of magenta and cyan layered the sky in wispy folds. She marveled at the beauty of it.

Sesshomaru watched the miko as she gazed at the horizon. The rose and blues of the setting sun painted her cheeks and reflected in her large brown eyes. She was an enchantingly lovely young woman, and at that moment it mattered not that she was ningen. He couldn’t imagine a demoness alive who could surpass the little miko in beauty. He certainly knew none could compare to her kindness of heart, as it was a rare jewel indeed.

Kagome’s eyelids became a little heavy as the romance of the myriad of color danced in the sky above. Slowly she turned her eyes to Sesshomaru, who instead of staring at the sunset, was staring at her. She blushed under his intense scrutiny, and smiled a little. Knowing he was watching her so closely made her stomach do the strangest things.

Sesshomaru almost purred when her sweet arousal swam up once more to meet his senses. How in the seven hells was he to spend endless days with this female and her bewitching scent?! Her smell was like heaven and he was unsure if he would be able to control his own passion day in and day out. It could certainly prove to be most taxing.

Almost as if she knew what he was thinking Kagome flushed once more. It was a most endearing sight. Sesshomaru did not even notice he moved until his wayward finger delicately brushed her soft cheek. He jerked it back as he knew he had stepped over the line. The girl looked almost... hurt. She began quickly gathering her things.

“I... uh... I suppose I will see you in the morning, Sesshomaru.” Kagome said with a jittery voice. “I will stop for you on my way to the Shrine for morning prayer.” She dared not look into his eyes. She was unsure what he would see reflected in her own. She headed to the entrance to the archway. “Konbonwa Sesshomaru.”

Sesshomaru watched her tiny form rushing off. He could feel her embarrassment burning through her, and wished that he could take back the moment that went astray. “Till the ‘morrow, Mistress.”

‘What am I thinking? What is wrong with me? I am a priestess! I have trained my whole life to be the pillar of control, and I find myself reduced to blushing silliness whenever I am near that man! Oooo!!’ Kagome chastised herself all the way home. Her unbidden attraction to this handsome taiyoukai was going to be her downfall.

Kaede was sitting in the corner of the large hut stringing the last of her herbs up to dry. She looked to Kagome, and immediately noticed her tense behavior. “Does something bother ye today child?”

Kagome sighed. How could she explain this to Kaede? She would think awful of her for finding a demon attractive. A demon slave, at that. The old miko was like a grandmother to her and she could not imagine bringing shame upon her in such a way. “No Kaede-babba. I am just tired, that’s all.” Kagome walked on to the back of the hut and set about gathering her things for a nice relaxing bath.