Tethered by Sage McMae

Tethered

It starts softly at first— barely louder than the whisper of wind through the crop fields. The sound is so delicate that Kagome believes she’s imagined it. Over time, the calls increase consistently. She starts to hear it weekly than daily. It grows from humble murmurings to a siren that reverberates in Kagome’s chest. She tries to ignore it by telling herself the sound isn’t real.

The day comes when she can no longer deny the truth. Instead of a whine, the sound crescendos into a desperate howl. Kagome freezes, glancing around. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?’ Sango asks, brow furrowed.

“That,” Kagome says when the cry echoes through the valley once more.

Sango stares at her. Concerned, she sets down her laundry basket and presses the underside of her wrist to Kagome’s forehead. “Are you feeling alright?“

Kagome brushes her hand away. “I’m fine.”

Her friend frowns. “I think you’re exhausted. When was the last time you took a day to rest?"

"I don't need a break," Kagome insists.

Sango doesn't appear to agree. "When you got back, you helped me with the twins so I could tend to Hisui, then you went off to play mediator for Kouga and Ayame. After that, it was expanding the herb gardens with Jinenji. I thought after you finished working with Sesshomaru on the new trade agreements for the West, you’d take a break, but now you’re developing a school for healers. It’s too much. You’re always on to the next thing. You haven’t stopped since—.”

“I’m fine,” she echoes her earlier statement. The tone is a bit harsher the second time around but Kagome can’t contain her frustration. When are her friends going to stop bringing that up?

“Kagome.”

“Besides, Sesshomaru is a friend. He asked for my help. How can I say no?”

“You sure it has nothing to do with the fact you two have been spending so much time together lately?”

“No,” Kagome says quickly. Maybe too quickly.

“No?” Sango quips knowingly. “So you wouldn’t care if these new trade routes lead to him finding a mate?” 

Kagome chews the inside of her mouth. “Of course not.” Instantly, she regrets saying it. She hates lying, especially to Sango. Feeling guilty, she steps forward and envelops her friend in a hug. Kagome is careful not to jostle the basket on her back where little Hisui is sleeping. “Are you okay finishing up on your own?”

“Sure,” Sango replies with a nod. “See you at dinner?”

“Actually, I think I’ll go visit Jinenji and see how the harvest is coming in. If I leave now, I should be able to make it there before nightfall.”

“Kagome, I was only teasing you. If you think Sesshomaru has eyes for anyone other than—.”

She stiffens. She doesn’t want to hear the rest of that sentence. Kagome can’t explain why her eyes start to water or why she can’t catch her breath. She turns away. “I…um, I have to get going. See you next week?” 

“Alright. Be safe.”

“You too,” Kagome says with a forced smile.

She kneels to pick up her bow and quiver. Over the past year, Kagome has grown to rely on her reiki more than the weapon but she still keeps it close. It’s like a security blanket— comforting in its familiarity. She gives Sango a half-hearted wave and follows the path out of town.

The village has changed since her return. While she spent three years finishing high school, her friends worked to restore everything Naraku destroyed. The rows of homes— once in a constant state of repair from demon attacks —have doubled due to the growing population. The fields are multiplying. Families are growing. Kaede’s quaint little village has become a hub for those seeking support from the renowned healer and Inuyasha.

Kagome’s best friend is sought out for his skills as a protector. Though his language is still a problem, public opinion has shifted in Inuyasha’s favor. He makes a living off of requests made by the surrounding villages and, on rare occasions, his older brother.

Sesshomaru hasn’t been immune to the changes the past three years have brought. The children he took under his wing have grown. Rin is flourishing under Kaede’s hand and Kohaku has become a full-fledged demon slayer. Without them to care for, Sesshomaru resumed his travels. He visits once a month to check on Rin. Kagome knows he looks in on Inuyasha as well, though neither will ever admit it. She has caught them sharing tea before. Even if the mood was rather tense, she was glad to see them getting along.

Inuyasha isn’t the only one on Sesshomaru’s rotation. After Kagome's return, he sought her out for advice on how to communicate properly with humans. His interactions are limited to the children he fostered and the opponents he has killed. Kagome has found that she enjoys his company. Though Sesshomaru can be just as stubborn as her, he never raises his voice. He treats her with respect and demands everyone they encounter does the same. 

His behavior doesn’t surprise Kagome. They’ve been on good terms since Sesshomaru joined their group to defeat Naraku. Of course, she’s still embarrassed about that time she called him onii-san. Her cheeks burn at the memory. It was humiliating. Thankfully, Sesshomaru is not the type to mock. He probably doesn’t even remember that day.

Kagome does. She remembers every detail— how surprised she was that the well granted her wish, how happy she was to be reunited with her friends, and how devastated she was when she realized how foolish she’d been. Inuyasha has never been patient. Kagome never should have expected him to wait for her.

She shakes the thought from her mind. It’s been months since their short-lived romance ended. The hurt has healed yet she still finds herself walking on eggshells around her friends. Kagome knows they mean well. She understands that Sango’s matchmaking and Miroku’s fashion advice are their misguided attempts at making her happy. As for Inuyasha, her best friend has kept his distance on all relationship-related matters.

Kagome appreciates their efforts. She knows it comes out of a place of love. Kagome wants to tell them that what she really needs is someone to talk to— someone who understands how she feels, especially in times when she doesn’t understand herself. Kagome thought Inuyasha could be that for her but when she came back, things were different.

She started to tell him what she wanted, about how she missed the thrill of adventure, of being able to help people, but something stopped her. Later, guilt set in. How could she miss that time when it was brought on by so much loss and chaos? Naraku had been dubbed the villain, but Kagome was the one who felt evil.

Maybe Sango is right. Maybe it is all in my head, she thinks.

Has she been trying so hard to make sense of her life that she imagined the sound? Kagome pauses on the road. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, then slowly exhales. She waits.

And waits.

And waits some more.

The howl does not come again.

Kagome opens her eyes. She scans the trees, the river, and the mountains in the distance. Sounds of life come from all around. Robins trill as they search for food. Water rushes over rocks, smoothing them down into worn stones that she may one day use to weigh down her door flap. Farther out, she sees a cluster of clouds that will bring some much-needed rain to the harvest. There is no evidence of anyone else around her.

It’s just my imagination, Kagome tells herself.

She continues toward the farm. If she hopes to beat the storm, she’ll need to pick up her pace. The last thing Kagome wants is to be a burden to Jinenji. He has enough responsibilities with maintaining the land, especially since his mother passed.

Kagome helps as much as she can in between her trips to the West. Kaede isn’t the only one who relies on Jinenji’s steady supply of herbs. Other villages also trade with him. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement that keeps the surrounding villages healthy and gives Jinenji the resources to survive the winter.

She runs through a mental checklist of all the herbs currently growing in his fields — Ginseng, ginkgo, licorice, ashitaba, and shiso. They are the most widely used ingredients in healing remedies. Kagome retrieves a new supply every time she visits. She wonders if Jinenji would be interested in helping her with the healer program at the Western Palace. 

A haunting cry sounds from the mountains.

Kagome freezes. She did not imagine that. 

Before it echoes, she breaks into a run, diverting from her path toward the source of the cry. The woods are thick and there is no defined path through. She chooses the direction that she thinks is a direct route to the mountains. Kagome swats at the branches that block her way, ignoring how some of the twigs snag in her hair or tear at her clothes. Kagome ignores the nuisance and continues to charge forward.

In her haste, she stumbles over an overgrown tree root, nearly smacking her head on a boulder. Kagome stares at the rock for a moment. She pauses to catch her breath and slide her sandals off. She never thought she’d miss her gym sneakers but they sure would come in handy right about now. 

Kagome glances behind her, briefly wondering if she should have marked her path so she can find her way back to the road.

The cry sounds again. She forgets about reaching the farm. Kagome won’t turn her back on someone in need. She can’t help thinking that their call is meant for her. Did Sango not hear it because she wasn’t supposed to? Maybe this is the purpose Kagome needs.

She straightens up, adjusts her bow and quiver, and marches forward. The cry is more urgent now, louder and insistent. It makes her anxious. Her pulse quickens. She restrains herself from running. Whoever is calling out to her needs help. She just hopes that she isn’t too late.

Kagome emerges on the other side of the forest with stains on her socks, a tear in her sleeve, and blood seeping from a cut on her cheek. She wipes the back of her hand across the wound. It isn’t deep. Kagome will treat it once she finds the owner of the cry.

She stands at the foot of a mountain. There is a long shimenawa draped between a wooden torii gate along the base. Even before she locates the archway, Kagome can sense the energy of this sacred place. Hidden within this mountain range is the source of an ancient power— one that calls to her. 

Kagome looks beyond the archway for a road. She sees that a landslide has made the pass inaccessible. She paces around, searching for another way through. There isn’t a single crevice large enough to slip between. There are no alternative paths. There isn’t even a ladder or rope to leverage for a climb. Kagome curses under her breath. She didn’t come this far to just turn around. Rolling up her sleeves, Kagome decides to scale the mountainside by hand.

She kneels to set down her bow and quiver. The latter is a new design. Kagome had it custom-made so she didn’t need to carry her giant yellow backpack around. There’s a compartment on the top to hold herbal remedies, a pouch on the side for snacks, and a hidden spot on the bottom where she keeps tools for crafting new arrows.

Kagome uses her bowstring knife to cut two arrows in half. She rips off her tattered sleeves. The chill of the mountain air causes her flesh to break out in goosebumps. Kagome ignores the temperature and slices the material into thin strips that she weaves around her hands. The makeshift gloves aren’t perfect but they will prevent cuts and blisters. She does the same with her feet, using the remaining strips to supplement her stained socks.

Straightening up, Kagome secures the bow and quiver over her shoulder. She approaches the gateway. Kagome bows at the entrance. As she passes through, a ripple of energy washes over her. The sensation reminds her of entering Midoriko’s tomb. She glances around, half-expecting to see the owner of the mountain’s energy signature. When no one reveals themself to her, Kagome continues.

She scans the mountainside to find the best area for her climb. It’s times like these that she misses Kirara. The nekomata could easily leap over the rocks blocking the pass. Inuyasha could too, but Kagome doesn’t consider him. This is her journey.

Kagome stabs her arrow into the rock face. She tests her weight gingerly before inserting the second arrow. Once she feels that both are firmly planted, Kagome hoists herself up. She holds her breath, expecting the arrows to snap. They hold. Smiling, she repeats the process one arrow at a time, using the indentations as footholds as she works her way up.

When she reaches the crest of the rockslide, Kagome takes a moment to appreciate her determination. From where she’s tucked against the mountain’s side, she can see the top of the forest as it stretches east toward Edo. Kagome turns to discover the path into the mountain. It curves around and leads to a set of carved steps.

She wonders if there is a temple at the top. Kaede has never mentioned anyone of importance existing around here but that doesn’t mean that person doesn’t exist. After all, Midoriko’s final resting place was kept secret for centuries. Whoever chose to hide in these mountains didn’t want to be found.

Until now.

A howl comes from up ahead. Kagome jerks. The sudden motion dislodges one of her arrows.

“Ah!”

Her body swings and smacks into the mountain as she grapples for a hold. Adrenaline sharpens her focus. Kagome jams her arrow into the stone and fights herself. For a second, the only sound she hears is the thundering of her heart. Kagome releases the breath she is holding.

That’s when the arrow snaps. She screams, body plummeting to the rocks below. 

Something collides with her before she makes impact. Kagome lifts her face.

“Sesshomaru?”

“Miko.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“I did not,” he answers. “Though I am glad I arrived in time to prevent you from continuing this foolish pursuit.”

Kagome follows his gaze to the pair of arrows lodged in the cliffside. One has its feathered tail and the other is splintered. She swallows thickly. If it weren’t for him, she’d probably look that way too.

“Thank you.”

“You do not need to thank me,” Sesshomaru responds as he lands and sets her down. “I would, however, appreciate an explanation.”

Kagome wonders whether or not to tell him. If one of her closest friends doesn’t believe her, what chance is there that Sesshomaru will?

He stares at her expectantly.

“I heard someone crying.”

Sesshomaru’s eyes go wide. Then his brow creases. “Describe what you heard.”

Kagome shares with him about when she first heard the sound. She describes how it grew over time into the desperate howling that led her here. As she speaks, she unwinds the shreds of fabric from her hands and feet. The makeshift accessories are no longer needed.

“What do you know of this place?” he asks.

“Nothing. Kaede never mentioned it but I assume from the torii gates that it’s important.”

“It is. Come.” He turns on his heel and leads her along the mountain pass.

Kagome starts to follow and notices his appearance is different. “Sesshomaru, what happened to your armor?”

“I removed it. There are no threats here. Only select individuals are capable of entering.”

“Why?”

“You will see.”

Sesshomaru leads her up the mountain. The path wraps around, blocking her view of the forest she passed through. As they climb, Kagome can see across the West. She spots the exterior gates of the palace. “I can see your house from here.”

“Indeed.”

“Is this part of your domain?” she asks.

Sesshomaru nods. “This mountain range separates the Western Lands from the rest of the country. It is the border between the lands of my family and the neighboring clans.”

Though Kagome has learned more about the Western Lands recently, she didn’t know about the mountain range or its purpose. Sesshomaru never discussed it with her. She wonders why he feels the need to share now.

Before she can ask, he stops. Kagome peers around him to see the mouth of a cavern. “We are here.”

That is all the introduction he provides. Sesshomaru steps inside and Kagome, interest piqued, quickly shuffles after him. The cavern opens to a network of tunnels. Sesshomaru veers to the right. Kagome trails behind, trying not to look around for fear of losing him.

As they walk deeper into the belly of the mountain, the light dissipates.

“Sesshomaru?”

“I am here.” A clawed hand wraps around her wrist. 

Kagome slides her knuckles up until she can entwine their fingers. “You can see in the dark?”

“Yes.”

She is impressed. Kagome knows his senses are heightened but she didn’t realize to what extent. “What is this place?” she asks.

“My kind does not have a word for it. I believe humans would refer to it as sacred ground.”

His answer gives her almost no insight. Kagome isn’t sure if she’s walking into another family tomb or if she’s about to become a human sacrifice. Sesshomaru can be unpredictable. Kagome used to think he was a cold, calculating warrior hell-bent on possessing power. He may have started out that way but the daiyokai has changed.

Sesshomaru is far more compassionate than he receives credit for. His efforts to broker a mutually beneficial trade agreement with the surrounding cities has helped foster peace between the citizens of the West. The wealth he has earned from the increase in business has been leveraged for reconstruction efforts as well as to establish schools and clinics. Kagome is surprised that he followed through on her suggestion and even more surprised that he asked.

He has approached Kagome about her opinion on several matters since the trade agreement was signed. She visits so often that last week she referred to her chambers in the guest wing as ‘home’. No sooner did the word leave her mouth than she was apologizing to him. That moment was almost as humiliating as calling him ‘big brother’.

“Through here.” Sesshomaru shifts to place his hand on her lower back.

Kagome can tell he’s next to her, though she can’t make out anything other than a vague outline of his form. He helps her maneuver around until she sees a dull glow up ahead. She walks toward it. Slowly, the room comes into view.

It’s a large circular chamber with a pool in the center. Water pours down from an opening in the ceiling, dividing the pool in half. The glow comes from the basin. It is bright enough to illuminate the entire room.

“Where are we?”

“The mountain has many chambers, each with a different purpose. This one is called the Soul Mirror,” Sesshomaru says.

“What’s it for?”

“To identify one’s other half.”

Kagome’s eyes go wide. “You mean your soulmate? Those are real?”

“They are rare but, for some, there exists a single match— one who compliments their mate. Together, they achieve perfect balance. If they are united within this chamber, the waters will change color. Such a union is considered blessed. My family has witnessed several occurrences of this phenomenon. I am here to see if I will follow in their footsteps,” Sesshomaru explains.

“What do you have to do?” Kagome asks, curious to see the ritual.

“Sit there,” Sesshomaru indicates a spot facing the waterfall.

Kagome places her bow and quiver off to the side. Then, she settles back on her heels with her hands folded in her lap. “Like this?”

He nods and walks around to the opposite side of the pool. Kagome watches his form through the falling water. It shimmers, moving unnaturally in the blue light as he sits down across from her.

It doesn’t take long for the Soul Mirror to react. Kagome can feel a surge of energy sprout forth from the basin. It reminds her of the day she fell through the well and first became aware of her abilities. The energy signature here is different from hers. It doesn’t feel like reiki or yoki. This energy is older, as though it is made up of the mountain’s essence.

The ground quakes. Kagome teeters forward, hands flying out to steady herself. When she glances up, large ripples cascade across the pool’s surface from where the water descends from the ceiling. It expands outward toward where she is seated. As it travels the blue color fades to a shade of pink so light that it almost appears white.

Kagome gasps. It’s the color of her reiki.

The wave crashes against the edge of the pool and starts making its way back to the center. The color changes again. This time, it darkens to a deep purple— the same color as the markings on Sesshomaru’s cheeks.

Kagome stares at the water, unable to believe what she’s seeing. She leans forward, sure it’s just a trick of the light. What Kagome sees in the water’s depths is harder to ignore.

She witnesses their first meeting in Touga’s tomb— except instead of watching it through her eyes the way she remembers it, Kagome sees the encounter from Sesshomaru’s point of view. Initially, he is indifferent to her. His sole purpose is to secure the blade. His opinion shifts when Kagome puts herself in his path. She feels his anger at her. The core of the emotion isn’t hatred but jealousy.

Sesshomaru loathes the fact that Inuyasha has found a loyal companion while he is cursed with inefficient pawns like Jaken. He envies the relationship she has with Inuyasha, especially because neither his half-brother nor Kagome are aware of her abilities. It is why Sesshomaru tests the use of his poison against her. He wants to be the one to show her what she’s capable of. His plan backfires. It doesn’t make Kagome embrace him with gratitude. It drives her closer to Inuyasha.

The next time they meet, he attempts to take Tetsusaiga from his brother. If Sesshomaru can’t make the miko his ally, he’ll take the next best thing: his brother’s sword. The battle ends when Tenseiga removes him from it.

There are tears in her eyes as Kagome watches the moment in Mukotsu’s hut. She’s faced a lot of demons in her travels (both yokai and human alike) but Mukotsu was one of the worst. What he attempted terrified her. Had it not been for Sesshomaru, Kagome doesn’t know how she would have carried on.

She feels his rage. It consumes him like an inferno demolishing an entire forest. His vision turns crimson as he drives his fist through the poison master’s abdomen. He is so appalled by Mukotsu’s actions that he almost misses Kagome’s words of thanks. Sesshomaru struggles to keep his anger contained, afraid bursting into his true form will result in a complete loss of control. Once Inuyasha arrives and he knows Kagome is safe, he leaves.

When he finds her unconscious during the final battle, his first impulse is to tear Naraku apart. Sesshomaru does not want the hanyo’s death to be swift and painless. He wants him to hurt. He wants Naraku to suffer. That desire tampers the moment Kagome stirs. Sesshomaru transforms from a furious beast to an impassive warrior. For some reason, her opinion of him is crucial. He will not take any risks when it comes to making a good impression.

Three years pass without a single sighting of the miko. Sesshomaru laments the chances not taken. He attempts to distract himself by training Kohaku and making sure Rin adjusts to her new life in the village. Each time he visits, he stops by the Bone Eater’s Well. His palm hovers over the wooden frame before he turns away, cursing the gods for their role in her absence.

Tears pour down Kagome’s face. She isn’t limited in her observation to his sense of sight and touch. She feels each emotion as intricately as if it was her own. The agony he suffers at her loss is significant— far more than she ever imagined anyone feeling for her, Inuyasha included. Sesshomaru mourns the loss of her optimism. He misses her ability to deescalate situations. Most importantly, he regrets his lost opportunity to voice his interest. There is a gaping wound in his chest, deeper than the cut that severed his arm from his body. It’s an excruciating, undeniable pain that doesn’t relent until the day he hears of her return.

The first time he goes to see her, he sticks to the shadows, cautious of getting his hopes up.  But that concern disappears the instant he catches sight of her. Sesshomaru takes flint over the village, needing to make himself known. That is when she refers to him as ‘big brother’ and his hope for a future with her shatters. He returns to the West, resolved to leave the miko be.

He busies himself with restoring the Western Lands. In his stead, Sesshomaru sends Jaken to the village to check on Rin. His vassal provides regular reports on his ward’s progress without mentioning the miko. Sesshomaru devotes himself to his duties. His days become an endless stream of scrollwork and clan meetings.

During one such meeting, Sesshomaru hears a cry. It’s a familiar voice— one he’d know anywhere. Before the Southern tribe leader can say another word, he’s flying to Edo. Sesshomaru lands on the outskirts of the village. He locates the source of the sound at the Bone Eater’s Well.

Kagome watches herself mourn. She doesn’t cry because of her breakup. Kagome cries because she is lost. Even with the entire village surrounding her, she feels alone. Her friends have all moved on. There is no place for her here. She is an extra piece in a puzzle box.

Sesshomaru does not reveal himself. He does not comfort her. He merely observes. Sesshomaru waits until she picks herself up off the grass to make her way back to her hut. Then he departs.

The following week, Sesshomaru visits Rin in person. He pays close attention to the miko’s mannerisms, noting the way her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. Her energy doesn’t shine as bright and there are darkening circles beneath her eyes. Sesshomaru approaches her with a proposition.

Kagome watches her arrival at the Western Palace. She suspected there were murmurings about the Shikon Miko but seeing this through Sesshomaru’s perspective confirms it. She hears the rumors that the courtesans whisper and the cruel comments from the court advisors. Later, he threatens to cut out their tongues.

In the beginning, their meetings are awkward. Though they are friends, they don’t know much about each other. Kagome asks about yokai hierarchy and the customs that dictate their lifestyle. Sesshomaru offers to teach her. Their sessions start after breakfast and go well into the evenings. Neither of them is used to sitting still for an extended period of time. Kagome suggests a walk. Sesshomaru counters with sparring. 

He teaches her hand-to-hand combat, starting with how to throw a proper punch. On her initial attempt, Kagome oversteps and ends up in his koi pond. It is the first time she sees Sesshomaru smile.

When he offers her a chamber in the guest wing, she doesn’t think anything of it. Sesshomaru has always been practical. Kagome assumes he wants her well-rested for their sessions. She never realized that he wanted her to stay but didn’t want to ask.

In the final stages of the trade agreement, Sesshomaru’s tone turns sharp, and his strikes faster. If it weren’t for Kagome’s barrier, she’s certain she would have ended up with a black eye….or worse. She always thought his attitude was a result of the court members who still opposed the arrangement. The truth is that Sesshomaru doesn’t want to lose her.

The idea for a healer program comes during dinner one evening. Kagome is telling him about college in the modern era. He latches onto the concept. Sesshomaru suggests she start her own university, to which Kagome laughs. She talks him down from an entire college to a single curriculum. After they’ve discussed the requirements in detail, he escorts Kagome to her chambers.

Their nighttime conversations range from regaling the past to venting frustrations about their opposition in court. That evening, the topic is Lord Nozomi. Kagome and Sesshomaru debate the best way to dispose of him. She’s joking. He isn’t. By the time they reach her room, Kagome is afraid to let him leave. If Sesshomaru doesn’t calm down, she’s certain he’ll end Lord Nozomi’s life. Kagome invites him in for tea.

Though the entire palace is under his command, he has not entered these chambers since they became hers. Sesshomaru waits as she boils the water in her hearth. They sit in silence, able to enjoy each other’s company without words. Kagome falls asleep on his shoulder. He sips his tea slowly, savoring both the flavor and the rare opportunity he has been given.

The images fade. Kagome blinks, causing the water to ripple as fresh tears fall into the pool. She’s overcome with emotions. The significance of her realizations weighs on her, pressing her further and further down. For a moment, Kagome wonders if she fell in. She feels like she’s drowning.

“Miko.”

His voice draws her out of the depths. She blinks again and suddenly, he is there. 

“Did you know that it was me? That I was your other half?”

“I had my suspicions.”

“Since when?”

“After I heard your soul cry.” 

Kagome’s eyes go wide. “That was months ago. Why didn’t you say anything before?”  

“I did not wish to force you into a situation you did not desire. You have lived a life of duty. I did not want you to choose me out of obligation. This was a decision you needed to make for yourself.” 

“Can destiny be a choice?” she asks.  

“Mirrored souls are tethered to each other. The fiber of their essence is shared which enables them to connect in unique ways. However, that connection does not work if one or both the souls are not being true to themselves. I heard you that day because I accepted who you are and what you mean to me. It took you doing the same to be able to hear my call,” Sesshomaru informs her. 

“What about the archway?”

“The wards will only allow those connected with the Taisho family to pass through, regardless of blood status. I am not surprised you were granted access. As a member of my pack, you are just as much a part of the clan as Rin or Kohaku.”

“Did you know I’d come here?”

“No, but I was selfish enough to hope you would,” he confesses.

There is a waver in his voice and a tremor in his chin. Kagome can’t remember a time when she’s ever seen Sesshomaru vulnerable. The Killing Perfection fears nothing— not even the Underworld, which he entered to save Rin. Yet, here he stands, shaken by the possibility of being rejected. It’s cruel that he doesn’t know. 

Kagome stands. She reaches up, brushing her fingers through his bangs. He closes his eyes and leans into her touch. “I’m sorry it took me so long.” 

His eyes open. “I would wait centuries for you.” 

She grins at his unintended joke. “You almost did.” 

He swipes the pad of his thumb over her lower lip. The motion causes the tip of his claw to graze her skin. It sends a shock of anticipation through her. “Is this what you want?” 

Kagome angles his face down to meet hers. The instant their lips touch, he responds. An arm loops around her waist. The opposite hand becomes tangled in her hair. His chest presses against hers. They are close enough that she can feel the pounding of his heart. It’s strong and fast amid the gentle, more languid rhythm of his breathing.

This natural symphony has layers, much like the daiyokai himself. Kagome is excited about discovering what else lies beneath the stoic warrior’s mask.

Sesshomaru leans over her, sliding his palms down and over the curve at the end of her spine. He places his hands under her thighs and lifts Kagome off the ground. Her legs wrap around his hips. Without his armor, she is free to run her hands over the eri of his kimono.

He buries his face in the crook of her neck. When Kagome feels his teeth teasing the flesh at her pulse point, she shivers. She doesn’t know much about inuyokai mating customs but she has heard about claiming bites. Kagome wonders how Sesshomaru would react if she bit him back.

As if reading her mind, he bears down. He doesn’t apply enough pressure to break the skin yet the sensation renders Kagome’s mind blank. Her mouth opens in a silent scream as she clings to Sesshomaru’s shoulders.

He drops his chin to the crown of her head with a shuddering breath.

“Sesshomaru?”

“You are a pleasurable challenge in restraint, miko.”

Kagome makes sure he is looking at her when she tells him, “I don’t want you to hold back.”

Her consent crumbles his remaining composure. Sesshomaru positions Kagome along the cavern wall. He stares at her with a borderline ravenous gaze. His focus falls on her torn shirt. Sesshomaru shifts her until he can support her while keeping his hands free. With a single swipe, he divests her of her top. Kagome’s cheeks burn. Whether it’s from shame or the unbearable heat, she can’t be sure. 

Sesshomaru’s eyes darken until they appear nearly black in the dim light. He takes her nipple into his mouth. She gasps, back arching. The motion drives her hips forward. Sesshomaru groans approvingly before flicking his tongue across the risen flesh. Kagome keens. He provides the same treatment on the other side.

His intensity should strike her as suffocating, perhaps even a bit possessive, but she isn’t alarmed. Sesshomaru knows her in a way no one else does, in a way no one else ever will.

An inferno roars to life within her, stoked by his attentions. Her body moves without hesitation. Kagome rolls her hips again. Sesshomaru responds by bucking against her, sending a delicious rush sweeping through her core. She chases that addictive friction. Each time Kagome grinds down on him, she hears the change in him. The impassive Lord of the Western Lands is gone. All that remains is a carnal beast. 

Sesshomaru slips a hand between them. His claws slice through her hakama until Kagome is left in nothing but a thin piece of cotton. Slowly, he traces the area where the fabric meets her flesh. She almost cries in frustration. Her body is aching. The heat emanating from her core is making it hard to think. Kagome feels dizzy and a bit reckless, like the time she had too much wine at Yuka’s birthday party.  

She can feel him straining against her core. Feeling bold, Kagome reaches down to stroke him through his pants. Sesshomaru lets out a hiss of pleasure. “Miko.” 

“Kagome,” she says, ignoring how strained her voice is. “I want you to call me by my name.” Several words in her request are emphasized as he strokes her center. 

Sesshomaru captures both her wrists in his hand and pins them to the cavern wall overhead. Kagome yelps in surprise. She narrows her eyes at him. He is unperturbed. “I will call you mate, for that is what you are to me.” 

He sheds his clothes, leaving them in a pile at his feet. 

Guided purely by instinct and an increasing need to be made whole by each other, they come together. Kagome locks her ankles behind Sesshomaru’s lower back to stabilize herself. Their eyes are locked on one another as he enters her with a single thrust. 

Kagome cries out. The stretch is apparent though not as painful as she assumed it would be considering his size.  Sesshomaru hovers over her, breathing erratic, unmoving. His mouth is set in a firm line as he waits for her to adjust. 

When Kagome nods, he pulls out nearly all the way and pushes back in. She thrashes against him, attempting to break free of his hold. She wants to feel every inch of his body as he drives into her. She wants to drape herself around him until nothing exists between them.

Her hips rolled in time with Sesshomaru’s thrusts. They crash together, like the waves of the pool. Kagome plunges headfirst into the pleasure. She allows it to wash over her, granting her a level of euphoria that makes her feel as though she is floating. Kagome drifts higher and higher until something snaps. Like a bubble bursting, there is an explosion, followed by a gradual descent. 

Sesshomaru follows behind her, driving in a few more times before he sinks his teeth into her neck. Kagome’s vision whites out and she collapses against him. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

She wakes in a different place. Kagome squints against the sunlight and holds up a hand so she can take in her surroundings. The Soul Mirror cavern is gone. Instead, she finds herself tucked between silk sheets and a down mattress. The dark wood furnishings and ornate tapestries on the wall give away her location. 

“Sesshomaru?”

An arm snakes around her waist. Kagome looks over her shoulder to find the daiyokai staring at her.

He leans forward and presses a kiss to her bare skin. “How do you feel, mate?”

“Tired,” she admits, stifling a yawn. “You are insatiable. When did we get back to the palace?"

"Early," he answers. "I believed you would be more comfortable in bed.”

She hums contently, rolling over to rest against his bare chest. “I would be even more comfortable if we could stay like this the rest of the day.”

"That can be arranged."

"Won't people wonder where you are?"

"Let them wonder," Sesshomaru responds, pulling the covers over them.

"Okay," she half-says, half-yawns, drifting off.

His lips brush her forehead. “Welcome home, Kagome.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Note 

Thank you for reading! This was written as a gift for my friend, thetroll/moon-ion for checking in on me and for her support over the past few weeks.

I'll be posting my new SessKag fic, Diamonds, Taking Shape exclusively on The Pink Moon Observatory (PMO) site on April 29th. You can read a sneak peek on my tumblr before then.