Cassowary by DeadlyGlacier

Cassowary

Cassowary

Sesshomaru huffed as he stormed away from the research site. He couldn't be around his team for another second, or he'd go feral. It was a miracle his hair hadn't fallen out from the stress of having to constantly deal with their stupidity. It was one thing to work with them in a lab, but it was another level entirely when they were out in the wilds.

This project was incredibly important for them, for the environment, and if they made a breakthrough this weekend, it would very well mean some serious grant money to fund one of his dream projects.

But if had had to deal with Miroku and Inuyasha for a minute longer, he could very likely end up a murderer. Between Miroku's constant dating woes and Inuyasha's tantrums over glitching equipment, it was a wonder Sesshomaru had held out for as long as he did.

Their makeshift lab was set up a fair distance away from the outskirts of the city, by the enormous river that stank of filth and decay. They were studying the pollution of the water, getting samples, and trying to gauge what exactly was affecting the water before testing some of the "purifying powder" they'd been developing over the past year and a half. They affectionately called their substance reiki. It could break down toxins and convert them back into water; anything that remained could be filtered out with a device Sesshomaru had built himself.

If they could get it to work with the samples they'd take this weekend, it had the potential of becoming something worldwide.

But Sesshomaru had to manage his expectations, and he couldn't do that if he had to spend one more second with the two idiots on his team that evening.

Which led him to now, standing on the riverbank, far away from their little camp. Sesshomaru ran his fingers through his cropped hair.

That was another thing: his new haircut. Before, he'd had long, silky locks of snow-white hair—he had grayed prematurely, and owned it—but out of stress for this current project, he'd had it cut short all the way to his nape. It was left longer on top, parted to the side, with his bangs still in his face.

He didn't think about it in the moment, but the next day, he saw himself in the mirror and his golden eyes had gone wide with horror at what he'd done. Sesshomaru hesitantly walked into the lab that day, only to be fawned over by the front desk's secretary, Kagura. But then Miroku had laughed when he saw him, and Inuyasha hardly noticed anything was different. With that available data, Sesshomaru couldn't draw any real conclusion, so he was left with the feeling of self-consciousness that he detested.

He was never one to get self-conscious. He didn't allow distractions like that to enter his mind. But his hair—he had taken such care to grow it so long and maintain it to keep it silky. He missed being able to flick it over his shoulder, or tie it back in a ponytail and feel it swish behind him throughout the day.

Sesshomaru bristled. He couldn't dwell on the past. He couldn't get frustrated like this at such an important moment in his life, a crucial one.

So, he would allow himself a mere five minutes to brood before he returned to camp, and whip his team into shape.

Sesshomaru sat on a rock close to the river, taking in the evening sights around him. The sky was pink and orange as the sun started to sink below the horizon. The sound of river water rolled pleasantly over rocks. It would have been pretty… if the water didn't stink something foul, look murky with filth, and if there weren't literal dozens of cats prowling over the gravelly riverbank.

He grumbled to himself and rubbed his sensitive nose, willing himself to focus on something else.

...like the mysterious woman bathing waist-deep in the river.

Sesshomaru blinked in disbelief, his jaw going slack. She had to know the river's condition—there's no way she wouldn't! Soap or no soap, she was likely to leave the water more filthy than when she got in—it didn't look like this woman had brought any bathing products with her, however; just using the river water to rinse herself, Sesshomaru noted with a slight wince.

Though, he couldn't help but notice she was gorgeous. The evening light made her pale skin glow, offsetting her long black hair that cascaded down her back, glistening in the yellow-pink light. He couldn't stop watching her, his golden eyes focused on the water droplets falling in winding paths down her body.

He wasn't ready when she turned to face him—and even though panic was rushing through his very being, the bathing woman took his breath away. The curve of her waist, the swell of her breasts… and the blue of her eyes, so unlike any shade of blue he'd ever seen.

Sesshomaru swallowed, wondering if she would scream (he hadn't even noticed her until he sat on the rock, in truth—it wasn't like he'd meant to see someone bathing). His breath caught, and a silence that felt like an eternity passed between them. All that was heard was the sound of the water rushing over the rocks.

But then…

…she smiled.

It was small, but he saw it. The curve of her perfect pink lips. Hesitantly, he found himself returning it. He couldn't help but feel odd, however, at the circumstances. It seemed like something out of a dream. His mind suddenly felt foggy, fuzzy with confusion. All Sesshomaru could do was stare at her, he was rooted to the rock he was sitting on, entranced.

The woman faced him, and again, Sesshomaru's breath caught. She was perfect and wet—she looked something like a goddess, and the river was her ethereal domain. He seemed to forget all about the river's scent in that moment, and in fact, everything smelled of lemongrass and sage. It was fresh, invigorating, and stung his nose.

The river's current didn't bother her at all, crossing the deepest part until the water was up to her jaw, not dragged sideways in the slightest. She kept her steady walk until the water became shallow again, close to Sesshomaru.

He watched as she rose out of the water, her perfect body dripping with it as her dainty feet stepped onto the rocky bank. His eyes were drawn to the curve of her hip and the length of her legs (he'd always been a sucker for legs), and when they came back up to her face, she still smiled in that curious way.

"Hello," Sesshomaru said quietly, once she stood before him. "I… apologize for… I didn't mean to see you." It took all his effort not to let his gaze drift again, but now that she was closer, her eyes looked even bigger, even bluer.

The woman said nothing, only looked down at him in that strange way. She reached a hand out and cupped his cheek.

Sesshomaru froze, letting her touch him. Her fingers were cool and soft, oddly comforting. His lips parted, and he found himself staring up at her in awe. The scent of lemongrass and sage was all around him, overwhelming in its sharp, potent nature. He felt like the world was spinning around him, and it made him dizzy.

Her fingers began tracing his features ever so gently—his jawline, his cheekbones, the slope of his straight, pointed nose. When they came to his neck, Sesshomaru watched as her head tilted, and he felt her touch the little necklace he wore every day: a tiny silver chain with a small crescent moon charm. Usually, it was tucked underneath his shirt, but in his casual wear for the river experiment, it rested perfectly between his exposed collar bones.

The mysterious woman was transfixed by the little moon, carefully holding it in her fingertips. Sesshomaru found his voice, clearing his throat. "A gift from my mother," he explained. "It's the moon phase from the night I was born."

She tilted her head, and he could see her thoughts processing behind her large eyes. Suddenly, he had a lap-ful of woman, her long legs almost wrapped around both him and the rock below. His hands held her waist, and Sesshomaru could do nothing but look up at the woman in awe.

"Miss?" he managed, amber eyes wide.

The cold of the air touched his skin, and that was when he realized his jacket and shirt were off. The woman's hands explored the muscles of his back. Sesshomaru shivered, closing his eyes. Things like this simply didn't happen to him, and as strange as it was, he wasn't going to let that stop him from enjoying it.

Her hands were cool, and he occasionally felt the scrape of her nails—and their sharpness only enhanced his enjoyment. Sesshomaru held fast to her waist, moving her over his lap. His breaths were becoming huskier, his skin felt flushed, and his mind grew ever foggier with lust.

And then she kissed him.

It was like time stopped. He felt like he'd been wandering the desert for days, and she was the oasis he found among the dunes—Sesshomaru drank deep.

Their tongues met, dancing in the middle, delicate but eager and wild. His spine tingled.

Sesshomaru let out an oof! as he found himself on his back, arms above his head. He stared up at her lustfully, his breaths coming in shallow puffs. He felt the cold grainy sand on his rear, realizing his pants were off.

He was completely naked, bare to the nature around him.

It was perfect.

It was right.

He pulled her lips back down to his, and he gasped into her mouth when he felt her sit on his length. He hadn't been prepared for the vice-like grip over his cock, or the sheer wet heat of her core. His eyes opened in a panic, continuing to gasp—he did not want to finish yet. In a fit of defiance to his body, he snatched her hips down over him, plunging as deep as he could go inside her.

Sesshomaru cried out, the noise fading into a hiss as he dug his toes into the sand, fighting for his control.

The woman began to ride him, surprisingly strong to overpower his hold on her. He kept the rhythm, working himself inside her from below. He'd kept his eyes closed to focus on lasting, but he felt his pleasure rising to spite his protesting.

The water rose, moving over his feet.

Sesshomaru opened his eyes in confusion right as it reached his hip—when had they gotten so close to the river? When he looked up at the woman above him, he froze.

Before his very eyes, she began to change.

First, he noticed her ears—they grew to a point that poked out from her inky black locks. Next, her eyes grew impossibly wide, and the entirety of both eyes were black as obsidian. Her perfect lips stretched into a wide, toothy, terrifying grin—each tooth in her mouth was a razor of its own accord.

But then… her skin.

Her hair, her gorgeous pale skin, began to slough off her like clumps of mud, as if she herself were made of the earth. The scent of lemongrass and sage was gone—and the stench of the river filled his nose, pungently foul. Sesshomaru grimaced, a wave of nausea crashing over him.

He felt the water rise around him, engulfing the two of them until the space around them was brown and murky. He made to scream, opening his mouth—but the woman's tongue filled it, unfurling down his throat.

The last thing he felt was the bite of her sharp teeth, the hellish shadow in her maw as it consumed his face.

o0o

"The body was found a great distance from the city, the river's current carrying it further into the forest."

The newswoman reported the story from the scene of the discovery, with countless investigators combing over the immediate area, some in white hazmat suits.

"At this time, the identity of the body isn't known, only that it is an adult male," she said to the camera, her eyes serious. She took a deep breath, keeping her tone professional but solemn, "It isn't clear if he drowned, but we've received reports of the body's condition: the head was missing, along with several other extremities. Experts say this could be the work of wildlife."

The camera on the reporter zoomed out a little, accommodating another figure on the screen. "We'll now hear from the woman who discovered the body," the newswoman said. She walked up to the other woman, giving her a pointed nod, "You said you were out hiking?"

"Yes, that's correct," said the other woman.

She was young, pretty—her big blue eyes filled with fear. She spoke breathlessly, smoothing her jacket as she looked back at the newswoman, who asked her next question:

"Could you tell us a little more about what you saw this morning, miss?"

She nodded, "Yes." She took a breath and began recounting her version of the events. "I was on my way back up the trail, when I saw it, just washed up on shore. I thought it was garbage, you know? So I went over, and… it wasn't." She put a hand to her chest, taking a few shallow breaths, "It was awful."

"I'm sure," the reporter said sympathetically. "May I ask your name, miss?"

"I'm Kagome," the woman said with a feeble smile, playing with the charm of the necklace at her neck—a silver crescent moon.

o0o