I Fell for Myself by Stella Mira

Let's Hope I Won't Have to

A week passed since their return to the village after a fruitless search for Naraku. Sleepless nights and ceaseless days, full of what ifs and restiveness and tumult. Kagome had assigned the task of gathering the ingredients for the ritual to Miroku and Kaede – and had wrapped herself in a cocoon of isolation and turbulent thoughts. As if sensing her unease, everyone granted her pardon, gave her space – even Sesshōmaru – but it was not to last.

"The necessary ingredients for the reversal of the curse have been gathered, miko. What is the reason for your hesitation?"

Perhaps the location was to blame, the Bone Eater's well, once the means of connection, now of separation, or perhaps the blatant reproach in his voice, sharp, cutting – but Kagome felt the sting of acerbity on her tongue, dipped her words in it.

"The fact that I might end up mated to an asshole."

"Your worries are merely that, miko. If it comes to pass then we shall unmake it." Calm and cool and quiet – he didn't take her bait, but it didn't matter either way. His words were more important than his poise, both lessened and amplified her misdoubt.

"A mating bond can be…unmade?" It was but a whisper, expectation donned in fear – fear of it being untrue, a chimera to soften her worries.

Sesshōmaru nodded with such assurance, such certainty that she almost laughed. "It can be done. I am not aware of the details, yet my late sire found a way to break his bond with my mother in order to mate Inuyasha's mother."

Kagome did laugh then – but it was cusp-edged, layered with thin ice. "Now you tell me?"

His gaze fed on the frost of her voice, took it within, pale-blue tundra. "I did not mention it because I thought we could avoid that complication. I will not overestimate your power of will in the future."

"See to it that you don't." Ice for ice. Taunt for taunt. "Who knows the specifics?"

"Mother should know – or Bokusenō. If you are unable to halt the mating instincts, we shall visit them." Ill-favor coated his voice, his features, everything.

Kagome arched a brow, relief in her posture, smirk playing on her lips. "Not fond of mother dearest, are you?"

"Speak those words after you meet her."

If she strained her ears, ears that missed nothing, Kagome could hear satisfaction, intrigue. It appeared Sesshōmaru would have her acquainted with his mother if only to suffer the woman's wiles. She shook her head, decided not to return this particular challenge.

"Let's hope I won't have to."