#sesskagfest

Kagome looked over at the man driving. His claws tapped on the steering wheel. It was as if he was nervous, something Kagome knew he did not become. She had started dating her best friend's brother a bit over a year ago. She had been hesitant to start dating the full demon. She didn't have anything against demons, if she did she would not have a half demon as her best friend. But she had seen the way Sesshomaru treated InuYasha's mother. The way he looked down on humans in general. Had seen it for years. The first time she had met the man was in InuYasha's senior year of high school. His nose had wrinkled as if he had smelled something bad then he had turned and left without a word. For years after that any time they were in the same room he would turn and walk away without a word. His nose wrinkles more often than not. Then he started to talk to her about her classes her second year of college. It had been at the college graduation party, every one had been drinking far more than they probably should have. And Kagome had found herself kissing the man, pressed against him and shivering as his body radiated heat into hers. Rather than push her away he had pulled her close. She had woken up alone the next day. Kagome had expected to never see him again. Instead, after three days she had received flowers. Then jewelry. Kagome had sent the jewelry back. After the fourth day of that the man himself had shown up, red tinting his eyes. He had shoved all the gifts he had sent her into her arms, his fangs bared and Kagome had swallowed heavily. He had blinked gold back into his eyes slowly. Sesshomaru had demanded she accept his courting. Kagome had told him he would have to date her as a human woman before she would let him court her as a demon. Somehow they had worked it out together. They had blended their lives together. Sesshomaru had told Kagome he needed to show her something a few days after their one year anniversary. Kagome had smiled, been willing to go with him then and there but he said he needed time. Kagome had not realized 'time' meant nearly two months. She still had no idea what he needed to show him, asking InuYasha had made the hanyo shrug and claim that he wasn't the asshole whisperer so how would he know? So Kagome had waited patiently. She hadn't realized this would be the date that whatever it was Sesshomaru needed to show her would be shown until she noticed he started becoming…antsy for lack of a better word. Kagome remained silent, letting her boyfriend decide when to break the silence. He pulled into an elementary school parking lot and parked his car. Kagome could see parents pulling in and busses lining up to get their children and she looked curiously over at Sesshomaru who looked at her with that mask she knew he used to hide any potentially overwhelming emotions. Watching her every move.

Kagome panted as she jogged along the path. Her breath coming in and out in slow even breaths. The path was as deserted as ever. The fall leaves fluttered down around her, crunching beneath her boots. Taking over the shrine was a task Kagome had never imagined she would take up. Not after everything that had happened in the past. But she had. The well had never opened back up and she was now the owner of the shrine. She tried to honor the memories of her friends. She had their stories available. A series of children's stories. Picture books. It brought money in and she then put the money into the shrine. Kagome always hoped that someday one of the demons she had grown fond of would find their way to her. But they never did find her. They never reached out to Kagome. Either they hadn't remembered her. Hadn't survived to present time, as much as it hurt InuYasha had never hinted that he had sensed anyone around. Or, and this was the one Kagome hated the most, they simply didn't want her around anymore. Kagome ran through the forest. It reminded her of the ways things used to be. Only without the threat of death behind her. A sharp whine stopped Kagome in her tracks. Her gaze scanned the area until she saw a flash of white. She slowly made her way off the path and through the brush. Her throat caught in her throat and she blinked slowly. Tied to a tree, far too close to the trunk to do more than lean against the roots was a large dog with piercing golden eyes. He bared his fangs at Kagome and she put her hands up, she could clearly see the chain around the tree, wrapped around his throat, nearly hanging him. "It's alright." Kagome slowly approached the dog, trying to project calm. Safe. She watched the dog's nose flare, the golden eyes looked at her slowly blinking. He huffed a heavy breath but did not bare his fangs again. Kagome swallowed heavily. The dog was large and could seriously hurt her if he decided to sink those fangs into her. But, if she did nothing he could die. "I'm going to get you free." Kagome said calmly and began gently tracing her fingers over the chain, trying to find the clip or some way to open the chain. She could feel his breath against her arm as he turned his head towards her but he did not try to bite her so Kagome took that as a positive. She frowned as her fingers found a paper, she pulled it free from where it was tangled in the chain. The dog gasped as the chain dropped from around the tree, sliding from around his neck to the ground. He shook out his fur and turned his golden gaze on Kagome, blinking slowly.

"Alright…alright okay." Kagome swallowed, she felt like prey pinned beneath his gaze. "Will you come with me?" The dog tipped his head slightly. He leaned forward and nosed her hand. She gently stroked her hand over her face and looked towards the chain but it was gone. She clutched the paper tighter to make sure it was still there and then slowly began walking her way back towards the small woods on the property, the ones that were all that was left of InuYasha's forest. She glanced at the dog who continued walking beside her at a steady pace, his head held high. Kagome frowned as she felt something brushing against her powers. But it wasn't strong enough for her to get any kind of connection to. Opening the door to the shrine the dog sniffed the air, looking at Kagome after a moment. Kagome shrugged. "I live alone. No one is going to be upset that you're here."

The dog snorted and walked further into the house. Kagome knew Souta would come if she called him. But she liked letting him live a happy life with his wife and kids. She enjoyed when they visited but preferred them limited. So she watched the dog for a moment as he moved around the space, jumping onto the bed, settling down and staring at her. He blinked slowly at her, his eyes glancing down to the paper in her hands then back up at her expectantly. Kagome swallowed heavily and slowly opened the note. If you can't love me like a man, then you will die like a dog. Kagome frowned at the note then looked back at the dog. She chewed on her lip, she had seen so many strange things in the feudal era. Just because she hadn't seen them in the modern era didn't really mean they had stopped did it? "Are you…are you not a dog?" The dog blinked at her, sitting firmly on the couch, staring at her. Kagome stared at the note then up at the dog again. "Are you human?" The dog shook his head. "Are you…do you want to hurt me?" Again the dog shook his head. "Are you….a yokai?" The dog nodded. Kagome's breath caught. She licked her lips for a moment and looked back at the note then up at him. "You're cursed?" Another nod. She slowly approached him. "I'm…it's been a long time since I healed anyone. I don't know if I can…but I'd like to try and break your curse." The dog tipped his head back and stared back up at her where she stood. "And you'll tell me why you got cursed?" The dog blinked. "Will you…if it starts hurting you, bark? You can do that right?" The dog barked and Kagome jumped at the volume. She thought she saw amusement in the golden eyes. "Ass." Kagome mumbled, then focused on her powers. She felt that feeling of something brushing her powers, almost familiar even. She reached for it but it was like there was some kind of wall blocking her. She focused more of her powers into her hands. Placing them on the dog's face. She felt his fur rising against her fingers but he made no move to pull away so she continued focusing on lifting the curse. Kagome gasped when the sound of shattering glass echoed through her ears and she found herself suddenly engulfed in a powerful yokai. She stumbled but large hands reached out and pulled her close. She stumbled and found herself in the lap.

"Miko…how are you here?" The voice was one Kagome recognized almost instantly and she tipped her head to meet blinking red eyes that were slowly turning gold again. "Sesshomaru?" Kagome breathed carefully. He blinked his now golden eyes at her but did not answer. "I…this is my time. This is where I'm from." Sesshomaru's eyes widened in understanding. "The well." "Yes. How…what happened?" "A sorceress was not pleased when I refused her courtship." Sesshomaru's eyes got a red tint to them again. He was not pleased to be bested as he was. "Oh, that explains the note." Kagome looked to where she thought she had dropped it but it was gone too. Turning her gaze back to Sesshomaru. "How did I never sense you before?" "Yokai hide their powers. I did." Sesshomaru answered, leaning forward to scent her neck. Kagome shivered at the feeling. "I can sense you now." "Will take time to build up the cover again." Sesshomaru closed his eyes and inhaled her scent deeply. It was pleasing, matured now and not under his brother's scent. "You said no one would mind me here?" Kagome gasped when she felt his tongue suddenly against her throat. She pushed herself out of his arms with a bright blush. "Tea? Would you like some tea? I'll go and-" Sesshomaru's eyes were red again as he reached out and pulled her back into his lap, burying his face in her neck again. "I've been searching for your scent all this time." "What?" "I will not hurt you Miko." Sesshomaru's hands were on her hips, keeping her firmly on his lap while he inhaled her scent. She could feel his yokai around them settling as he continued breathing in her scent. Kagome swallowed and decided to let her instincts guide her. She gently lifted her hands and placed them on his shoulders, tipping her head so he could have more room.