Loving Sacrifice by Demonlordlover2

Loving Sacrifice

I have the author's permission to post this work on this site, under this pen name. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at the address associated with this profile. ~~Wiccan~~

Disclaimer: All InuYasha characters depicted are the intellectual property of Rumiko Takahashi and are copyrighted by Viz. All original characters and the plot are the intellectual property of Demonlordlover. All names and places, either factual or imaginary, are used for the purposes of entertainment only. Demonlordlover is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of InuYasha. Copyright infringement is NOT intended.

AN- In my quest to somehow repay Wiccan and Vyncent for their tireless efforts to help me keep on the straight and narrow, this is a one-shot request dedicated to Vyncent, a wonderful woman who has given endlessly of her time to help me as a beta.

Here is what she wanted:

"Although not Canon, I am partial to Sesshoumaru and Kagome. As for plot or setting, hmmm! To make it easier, or a bit more of a challenge, how about a story that must include all of the following:

1) A clock (or some kind of piece that measures the passage of time)

2) A lamp (anything that provides light)

3) An aphrodisiac (but the person who it is given to must not be aware of its presence.) (example, the aphrodisiac could be placed in a lamp)

The above items must be clearly described in the story.

It must be or become extremely intimate, however, the initial reason for the giving of the intimacy must be because of a sacrifice, as in a character in the fic must be giving up something for the sake of something else..."

Here is what I came up with (Yes, this is a Sesshoumaru/Kagome):

Loving Sacrifice

Tapping her foot impatiently, Kikyo pushed her hair out of her eyes with a quick sweep of an elegantly manicured finger. Brown eyes swept the richly appointed foyer, absently taking in the polished antiques and heirloom silken draperies with practiced ease. Owning a highly profitable auction house, established only two years ago at the ripe 'old' age of twenty-three with the opening of Shrine Estates, she was accustomed to being surrounded by such finery.

A loud chime, echoing throughout the open area, drew her eyes to the elaborate grandfather clock sitting innocently against the wall as it announced the hour. Standing a solid six feet tall, polished until the wood shone with a glass-like finish, the face was inlaid with solid ivory and gold.

Gifted to her at her debut auction, the donor had been a mysterious old woman.

Claiming the clock had 'chosen' to be passed on, the woman had refused all attempts at payment. Kikyo had been highly skeptical, to put it lightly, but what businesswoman would turn her nose up at such a windfall?

After Kikyo accepted the elegant grandfather clock, the woman had given a small smile and stated it would only chime on the eve of true love's fulfillment. Now certain that the elderly female was certifiably insane, Kikyo had rethought taking the clock.

It was one thing to accept a donation. It was another matter entirely to take advantage of the mentally ill.

Back turned to call security, Kikyo had felt a soft breeze on her arms and spun around. The woman was gone. All efforts to trace her failed. That was just one more piece of strange business as, really, how hard could it be to locate a short, elderly woman with an eye patch?

The woman was right on one count. The clock would not make a sound, regardless of the efforts of all the workmen contracted to fix it. Philosophically shrugging away her doubts, Kikyo had placed the grandfather clock up for auction that week. After a heated bidding war, instigated by the admittedly beautiful workmanship, her fiancé's brother, Mr. Sesshoumaru Tashio of Tashio Holdings, Inc., had walked away with it in his possession.

And now, after two years of silence, the clock was chiming loud enough to wake the dead. Well, Kikyo thought, that's interesting.

Walking closer, Kikyo forgot her anxiety at being kept waiting to peer into the open body of the clock. Protected by fine, yet sturdy, crystal, the inner mechanisms were visible through a foot long window. Nothing seemed amiss.

The sound died as a hand fell heavily on her shoulder, startling the woman into jumping. "Eeyah!"

A deep chuckle met her fright. "Scare you, did I? What were you looking at, Kikyo, that you didn't hear me come down the stairs?"

Irritated, Kikyo glared while willing her heart to calm. "Inuyasha! You know I hate it when you sneak up on me. I was looking at the clock."

Smirking, he leaned down to peck her pouting lips as her glare melted away. "You're never this unaware, so I thought you knew I was here." He tapped the tip of her nose. "Has being a big-time business lady made your miko senses dull?" he teased.

She huffed, forgetting about the clock, and took his arm to lead him to the door. He was too cute sometimes. Handsome, in a winsome baby-faced kind of way, she never could stay angry with him. "You know better than that. Come on, your brother is going to be upset if we are late."

"And I care because...?"

Kikyo rolled her eyes, adjusting the scarlet designer jacket around her to form a more perfect seal against the chill of autumn, as they walked out the door and towards the waiting luxury sedan. "You care because I am tired of you fighting with him. This is important, Inuyasha. We're going to be married in less than a month, and I don't want to worry about our children believing that their uncle hates them."

Flushing at the mention of children, Inuyasha snorted. "Keh. That would be the truth, anyway."

"No, it would not, and you know it!" She got into the car, waiting until he closed her door, walked over to the other side and got in before adding, "Besides, Rin is going to be there and I want to help her. You know she's been in love with him since forever."

The car fell silent after that pronouncement. It was an on-going debate between the two of them. Kikyo thought her cousin Rin was perfect for Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha, however, as Sesshoumaru's brother and more cognizant of his elder sibling's nature, knew better.

Granted, Rin had been away to college in America. He hadn't seen her in almost four years, unlike Kikyo, who had been to visit the girl, but Rin had been a sweet girl--not at all up to the challenge of dealing with Sesshoumaru. She worshipped him, when what he really needed was a woman unafraid to tell it like it was; someone who would not bow to him, someone with enough fire to withstand an occasional fight without getting frostbite.

Yet, after such a lengthy engagement, Inuyasha knew silence was golden when Kikyo got an idea into her head. Especially when it involved her family. She would figure it out on her own, eventually. He just hoped Rin wouldn't get hurt in the process. She really was a nice girl. Just... not for Sesshoumaru.

Hating the extended silence, Inuyasha was the first to break it. "So... who else was invited?"

Playing with the lapels of her jacket, Kikyo studiously pretended she hadn't heard his question.

Suspicious, the hanyou placed a hand on her thigh and squeezed in warning. "Kikyo... I know you heard me." Why didn't she want to tell him who was going to be there?

She sighed, placing a calming hand over his. "Now, don't get upset. It's been a while and I'm sure she's forgotten that little incident with the snakes, Inuyasha--"

He groaned, cutting her off, and wished he could bang his head on something, anything. "Your sister is going to be there, isn't she?"

Rubbing his hand soothingly, she tried to placate the hanyou. "She did say she was sorry. Kagome means well, but you know she never had full control of her powers. That's why mama sent her away to America with Rin. There were too many demons here for her to concentrate on her studies. The letters from the school have all mentioned how she has progressed famously."

"You try having the skin of your hands burned off because you were just having a bit of fun, then let's see how reassured you are by how famously she's done," he spat out.

Perturbed, Kikyo pulled her hand away and shifted so his hand fell off her leg. "It wasn't entirely her fault, you know! You had no business trying to scare her with that snake!"

"Keh."

Restraining herself from responding in as immature fashion as her fiancé, the woman decided to try another tack and, with soft eyes, pleaded, "Please? For me? You won't even have to talk to her aside from the usual pleasantries. Just... be nice."

He groaned, daring to look from the road to meet her liquid gaze. "Fine. How the hell did she get invited anyway? I didn't even think Sesshoumaru knew her," he asked, genuinely curious. They were headed to a remote location in the mountains. It was untouched territory, kept so by his family for generations, and currently owned by his brother. Sesshoumaru only allowed those he invited to enjoy the majestic views and unsullied harmony of his 'territory.' They were supposed to spend the night there, in a lodge built by Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru's father, and maintained by Sesshoumaru's retainer, Jaken. A once-a-year occasion, it marked the day Sesshoumaru reached Taiyoukai status.

Only that cold-blooded bastard would rather celebrate gaining power than his own birthday, Inuyasha thought sourly.

Kikyo shrugged. "I don't know," she answered, drawing Inuyasha from his brooding. "Rin called and said Kagome had been invited as well. She asked me the same thing." Frowning, Kikyo tapped a soft lip with a dainty finger. "She's my sister, but it bothers me that I don't know why he wants her here, or why she would even agree to come."

Clicking clawed fingers against the wheel, the hanyou's ears twitched. He changed the subject. "Who else is going to be there?"

Gratified that there would be no more mention of Kagome, Kikyo answered, "Only Hojo."

"Hojo?"

Kikyo nodded. "Don't ask. I think he did a favor for Sesshoumaru, so he was invited. The man is sweet, though." She giggled at Inuyasha's jealous scowl. "Don't worry, I only love foul-tempered hanyous with cute puppy ears." She reached over to tweak one, but it flattened to his skull while he smirked triumphantly.

The rest of the ride proved uneventful as they spent it with light touches and teasing. When Inuyasha pulled into the long drive of the lodge, he saw two figures walking along the gravel road. Waist length ebony hair and feminine curves were all he could see of them but, as the car coasted past them, he gaped.

What happened to tiny Rin and the mess of hair that was Kagome?

Rin was no longer tiny. Standing taller than Kagome, with a bust line that could rival an Amazon's, the girl had definitely done some blossoming. Kagome, the blue eyes adorning a Japanese face a dead give-away, was the more athletic of the two, but with an ass that even his eyes stayed on for far longer than was appropriate.

Drawn back to reality by a sharp elbow in his side, Inuyasha turned guilty eyes on his fuming fiancé. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but she only sniffed haughtily and got out of the car. When had it stopped? the hanyou asked himself while Kikyo joined the women.

Running a hand through his tangled mane of white hair, he leaned out the window, calling out, "Hey, I'll meet you up at the lodge, alright?"

Glaring at him, Kikyo gave him her back. Taking it as a sign to leave, he did so. Visions of huge breasts and a tight ass haunted him the rest of the way to the lodge and into the building. Damn.

Lost in thought, he missed the presence of the others while the toad demon, Jaken, showed him the way to his room. It took a few coughs, sounding more like a dying cat's last meows, to bring his amber gaze to the retainer.

"Master Inuyasha, this one was wondering if the Lady Rin was coming back anytime soon?" the toad asked, his voice raspy.

Scratching his head after stretching out the kinks in his back, Inuyasha slumped before yawning. "I don't know. I saw her walking with Kagome. Kikyo's with them now, so there's no telling how long they'll be out there gabbing." Curious, he then asked, "Why?"

Looking at the floor, Jaken shuffled his feet and hedged, "It is my job to see to her welfare. I merely wished to know if she would require anything of me."

The hanyou shrugged. "Well, in that case, I'm not the one you should be talking to. I'm sure she'll ring you up if she needs something."

Nodding, Jaken bowed. "If that is all you'll be needing, I'll leave to prepare the evening fare."

Inuyasha dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

Leaving Inuyasha, Jaken ventured down the hall until he was pulled into an empty room. Muttering under his breath, the toad demon straightened his clothing and glared at the offender.

"I apologize for being so rough, Jaken, but I couldn't wait. Will she be coming back soon?" Hojo asked, nervous in his excitement.

"The hanyou didn't know when Lady Rin would return. You will just have to wait," Jaken replied waspishly. It was bad enough he had to wait on the humans, but to get involved in their pathetic love lives was truly belittling. Only the promise made to his glorious master, Lord Sesshoumaru, to see to their needs kept him from dismissing them out of hand.

Wringing his hands together, Hojo began to pace in front of the toad youkai. "What can I do? I've tried everything, but she never even looks my way! I can't compete with Sesshoumaru," he whined pathetically.

Head jerking up at the mention of his most esteemed master, Jaken squawked, "What is this about my master?"

Sighing, Hojo sank onto the soft mattress of a king-sized, canopied bed. "Rin loves him, not me. I've known her since we were kids but, ever since Kikyo and Inuyasha began dating, she's had eyes only for Sesshoumaru. I thought it was just a crush, but she never returned my calls. Whenever I asked her out she always had a reason not to go." He bowed his head, dejected. "I went to school; became a businessman like Sesshoumaru, just to please her. It was in hopes of winning her over that I joined his company and worked my way up to being his assistant. It was all for nothing," he whispered brokenly.

Blood pressure rising at the threat to his master in the form of a fawning female, Jaken's devious little mind whirled. "Silly human, why don't you just take the woman? Are you a male, or a worm?!"

Startled at the vehemence, Hojo blinked at the toad demon. "I can't just take her. There are laws against that now." He sighed wistfully. "I know I am the best man for her though. I would worship at the altar of her beautiful bounty. I would give her everything her heart desired, if only for a smile."

Hiding his gagging behind a twitching hand, Jaken cleared his throat. "There is a way among youkai," he began craftily, "to show a female that you are the best one for her. It's not really 'taking' the female as, unless she wants you, it won't work."

Interest piqued, Hojo sat up fully. "Oh? What is it? What do I do? Will it work for humans?"

Tapping his fingers together in a steep temple, Jaken contemplated the human. Would this be worth it? The sounds of female chatter entered the hall behind the closed door. They must have returned. His poor Master! "I will prepare the special tea. It... opens the heart to the true feelings within. She will feel what you do. If you are sincere in your," his lips puckered slightly, "love for Lady Rin, then she will return your feelings. There is also a certain incense that, when infused in oil and combined with the tea, will increase her openness to you."

Frowning, Hojo objected, "Is it a love potion? I don't want her to love me because of some magic trick."

Jaken refuted his assumption, scoffing. "As if this one would deal in such nonsense. I have told you true." Leaving out the full truth of the matter, Jaken smirked as Hojo jumped up to pace again. Come on, you stupid human... fall for it! My master will not be bothered by some simple female trying to seduce him! After all, what was it to him that, once under the influence of the incense, she would also desire the male? Pleasures untold would be infused in her veins; however, unless she coupled with the male, it would turn into immense pain. The effects could potentially be fatal without the release of orgasm. And not just ANY male would do. No, it must be the one with whom she had drunk the tea.

Not technically legal anymore, even for youkai, the tea was employed by those desperate enough. Once a female was claimed sexually, she was marked forever. Silly little things like feminine independence meant nothing to great demons like himself.

Coming to a decision, Hojo whirled around to face Jaken. He clapped his hands together. "I'll do it. When can you have it ready?"

Mentally calculating how long it would take to make a proper infusion of the herbs, allowing for the incantations, Jaken speculated, "Three hours. After the evening meal, it should be ready."

Head filled with images of finally having his goddess, Hojo smiled goofily. "Okay. Should we meet back here? How will I give it to her?"

Jaken huffed. "Must I do everything?" At Hojo's pleading look, he relented. The things I do for my master. "You must serve her the tea. That is how the ...special properties... are activated. Call her to your room and give her the tea. I don't care how you do it, but once she takes a sip, she will be yours."

Happily skipping down the hall to prepare for dinner, Hojo missed the gleam in Jaken's bugged-out eyes as the toad demon headed toward the kitchen. Once more, my loyalty to Lord Sesshoumaru has been proven. One day, he will notice and thank me properly.

Carefully inspecting the fork suspended in mid-air before her, Kagome missed the surreptitious glances sent her way by Rin. Ignoring another foot to her shin, she poked the tip of her little pink tongue out and tentatively tasted the delicately seasoned salmon. It looked alright, smelled good, and now she knew it tasted delicious. A full mouthful was taken after her little test.

Finally looking over at Rin, Kagome smiled sheepishly after swallowing the tasty morsel. Rin's face was pink with embarrassment, no doubt caused by her. She couldn't help it! Walking by the kitchen, she'd seen Jaken mixing together a truly noxious recipe and there was no way she was going to eat it! Now, to figure out just what it was he had made.

A snort had Kagome looking to the right. Seated at the head of the table, Sesshoumaru was regarding her with a raised brow. Squaring her shoulders, she sniffed and looked away. Let him think what he wanted. She didn't care if he thought her ill-bred. She was here for one thing - to make sure Rin didn't make the biggest mistake of her life and throw herself at him.

After spending the four years at college corresponding with him over the internet, not knowing to whom she spoke as screen names were used, she didn't care if she ever spoke to him again. She had thought he was a woman, for Kami's sake! Responding to a query about a pen pal request she'd made, he had duped her completely.

Recalling some of the embarrassing things she'd disclosed to the demon sitting just a few feet away had the hue of her face rivaling Rin's within seconds. What on earth had possessed him to do such a thing anyway? Revenge for the snake thing? Sure, he wasn't too terribly fond of Inuyasha, but he was family after all. If there was one thing she could count on, it was that Sesshoumaru would never allow anyone to hurt his family.

But pretending to be her friend -- her very female friend? Was there nothing sacred anymore? Besides, Rin had been heartbroken when Kagome told her who the 'woman' she'd been writing to for the past few years really was. Why, Kagome didn't know. After all, it wasn't as if they'd had an illicit affair! The jerk had used her for a few laughs. Nothing else. But, Rin had been hurt. He was in her black book, if only for that.

Now, how to get Rin to set her sights on a more deserving man, namely, Hojo. If only the dunderhead would DO something! Like, talk to the poor girl? Both of them were hopelessly shy in the romance department. Not that she could really point fingers. She'd had all of zero boyfriends. She just hadn't met the ONE. Not like Rin and Hojo. Anyone with brains could see they were made for each other! Both were hopeless romantics, both were gentle, kind souls, and both were completely submissive. Together, they were a match made in heaven.

Kami love her, but Kagome knew that, if she were a man, she'd never be able to put up with the way Rin acted sometimes. Her cousin was as clingy as a static-charged skirt! Hojo would love to be the 'big man,' so to speak, but would never walk all over Rin. Rin, for her part, would be perfectly happy having someone plan her life out for her.

Kagome shuddered. And Kagome's cousin thinks she's weird?

Speaking of weird... Kagome leaned over the table and reached for another roll. Picking off a small piece, she snuck it under the table to form it into a ball between her fingers. Glancing through her lashes, she took note that her target was otherwise occupied.

Carefully zapping the wad of bread with her powers to conceal the scent of her fingers, Kagome flicked it across the table and then carefully looked away as Inuyasha's head snapped around.

Scowling, Inuyasha ran a hand through his hair to dislodge the bread. Stupid woman! He couldn't prove it, but he knew it was her! Too bad he couldn't yell at her, but then he'd have to tell her why he was really looking at her ass. Kikyo had blabbed, upset as even he had to admit she deserved to be, and he had flubbed the truth by saying he hadn't known who it was and was checking to see if she had a tail. Kikyo had bought it, but Kagome had called him a weirdo and huffed off.

Snickering, Kagome gulped back her giggles and hid her smile under the guise of taking a drink. Over the top of her glass, she caught Sesshoumaru glaring at her. Glaring right back, Kagome quickly stuck her tongue out at the demon. He knew she still slept with a stuffed, neon-orange carnival fish. What did she care if he thought her even more childish than he probably already did?

Startled, the miko watched his glare melt away to be replaced by a dark, heavy look while his eyes hooded. Confused, she looked away, watching Rin peek at the Taiyoukai, entranced when she thought he wasn't looking. What was wrong with the inu brothers today? Was there something in the water?

Glancing suspiciously at her water goblet, Kagome cleared her throat. Better safe than sorry! "Um, I think I'll go get something else to drink. Anyone want anything?"

No one took her up on the offer but, just as she was rising, Sesshoumaru pointed to the oil hurricane lamp flickering on the table. Kagome figured it had been added to give ambience, but who knew with the toad. "Inform Jaken he is to remove this. The fumes are most displeasing and this brand of oil is not to be purchased again."

Shrugging her shoulders, Kagome huffed before taking a closer look at the thing. It looked sturdy. Made of high-end crystal, the liquid within the lamp popped occasionally against the sides as it heated. Quizzically glancing at it, Kagome noted there were bits of debris floating in the brown-ish oil. What's that? Then, the smell hit her full force. Holding her breath became necessary as her human nose hadn't picked up the odor until she got this close. It really was rancid! All thoughts of the strange additive in the oil forgotten, Kagome snorted to rid her nose of the foul aroma.

Walking to the door, Kagome turned around to smile at the arrogant Taiyoukai. "You're welcome," she stated, saccharine-sweet in rebuke for telling, not asking, her to do this and not even giving thanks.

He smirked in response while the others gaped at the byplay. None knew of the 'relationship' between them, so seeing Sesshoumaru allow someone to correct him in such a way was both novel and yet strangely appealing. Inuyasha turned a contemplative frown on his brother.

Sesshoumaru was still watching the doorway through which Kagome had departed, but could sense Inuyasha's gaze. "Leave it be, hanyou."

The unspoken threat hung in the air. Inuyasha huffed before turning back to his dinner. What did he care that the bastard was acting strange?

Free from the speculative inspection of his brother, Sesshoumaru brooded. This would not do. He had been intrigued by the female, Kagome, after hearing of her power in use. That Inuyasha had been the victim of her lack of control had only fanned the flames of his interest.

In his world of business intrigue and espionage, not to mention the matter of gold diggers, the Taiyoukai had lit upon a plan to discover the truth of her nature. He had employed a private investigator. Receiving photographs of a stunning smile had whetted his appetite for more. Happily free of even a blip of guilt, he placed a tap on her computer and had pounced on the ad for a pen pal.

Evidently, she had been homesick for Japan while in America and had wanted a friend. How convenient. While not conventional, using a female guise had opened the door to discovery. He knew more about her than anyone else. His demonic nature reveled in such close intimacy of minds.

Yet, despite knowing her thoughts and feelings, she was unpredictable. She hadn't even figured out why he had gone to such lengths with her. Instead of being flattered that he had gone to the lengths he had for her, she had yelled his ear off over the phone when he called to tell her of his true identity. She assumed that he was paying her back for attacking Inuyasha after the whelp placed a snake in her bed. If only she knew. He had a snake he'd love to see in her bed!

And he would, as soon as he coaxed the woman who had shyly written of innocent dreams of caresses in the dark into his arms.

He should have wanted a demoness who would supply him with squalling full-blooded pups and more wealth. Instead, loyal to a fault, intelligent, powerful, witty, and yet also innocently trusting, Kagome was everything he had never known he wanted in a female. Even her humanity served to aggravate his lust rather than dampen it. Youkai females were either lean, with ropy muscle, or lushly curved with an overabundance of soft flesh. She was athletic, with a trim figure. Her breasts were adequately large, but small enough to remain proportionate to her small frame. A gorgeous face and startling blue eyes had been what drew his eyes years ago, even when she was unaware of his perusal. Right now, though, her delectable ass drew other, more southerly parts of his body. Kami, he wanted to feel that pressed up against him as he mounted her. And he would.

Now, how to court a skittish miko who hadn't quite forgiven him his deception? He'd begun the dance with the invitation to come to his territory. By ancient law, she technically belonged to him, as he could lay claim to anything within it's boundaries. Hmm...perhaps I should mention this to her. Will her eyes flash with anger while her skin is suffused with that rosy glow?

Shifting minutely in his seat at the image, Sesshoumaru cursed. What was wrong with him? Granted, he had always had these thoughts, but to bring them to mind while at dinner? Where was his control? He was acting no better than the mooning female sitting a few feet away!

Rin was family, nothing more. A young girl when first he met her, having been introduced when Kikyo had been watching the girl while dating Inuyasha, he had been amused by her childish adoration. Now, however, it was beginning to irritate. This would probably be the last year she would be invited to his territory. The girl needed to find another to obsess over. He had plans that did not involve her. He would not take kindly to having them upset.

Humming, Kagome made her way to the kitchen. Once there, she noticed Jaken was missing. On the countertop, there was a pot of tea made. How convenient! She grabbed the pot, placing six cups and saucers on a tray, just in case the others changed their minds. It smelled good, she realized, after lifting the lid and taking a whiff.

Glancing around, trying to find Jaken to make sure it was okay to take this tea, she shrugged. There was enough for everyone and, as the toad demon didn't drink tea, it must have been for them. Balancing the tray, Kagome returned to the dining area.

Once at her chair she placed the tray down and, studiously ignoring the inuyoukai to her left, she smiled at the others. "Any takers? This smells really good."

Determined to turn her attention to him, Sesshoumaru tapped a claw on the table in front of him. "A cup here."

Stiffening, but unable to refuse as he was, technically, her host, Kagome poured Sesshoumaru a cup. She handed it to him. Instead of taking it immediately, his thumb caressed hers on the cup before sliding the fine bone china cup and saucer out of her hand. Still holding the pot of tea, Kagome felt her fingers grow numb with shock and the pot dropped from them.

The loud crash, as fragile china met with the hardwood floor, resounded through the room, calling everyone's attention to her accident. Glancing down, Kagome blinked before rushing to pick up her mess.

Smirking, Sesshoumaru took a sip of tea before putting his cup down. If all it took was a touch to undo her, what would she do when his mouth was upon her, licking and sucking her warm flesh? Distracted by the heat his thoughts created, the Taiyoukai took another sip of the lukewarm tea, not noticing how the cloyingly sweet scent of the tea mixed with the more obnoxious odor of the lamp oil.

::Jaken would have to do better. His retainer knew he only liked his tea piping hot. Hot... Kami, will her sheath be as hot as I believe? Her scent, it will intensify as her blood boils from my attentions...::

Kagome flushed hotly. Where had that thought come from? Was she now hearing voices? What next, would she see dead people?

"Yo! Sesshoumaru! You listening?" Inuyasha called out to his brother. Finally, he resorted to snapping his fingers in front of the blank eyes of his elder brother. The Taiyoukai's head snapped up and Inuyasha swore, "What the fuck!"

At that moment, Jaken came tearing into the room, full-tilt. "My master, where's my master!" Skidding to a halt, Jaken's eyes went to the crimson-eyed, feral Taiyoukai that was now clutching a hanyou by the throat, then to the miko still picking pieces of pottery off the floor. "What did you do to my master?!" he squawked in outrage. This was terrible! A calamity, even! That wench had stolen his tea, and now his master was doomed!

Seeing that the retainer was pointing a finger at her, Kagome answered, "I don't know what you're talking about! He asked for tea, so I gave him tea! If he's mad about the flavor, then that's your fault!"

"Get naked right now!" the toad demanded.

::Naked... such delectable peach-hued skin. I will nibble on every inch... ::

Shocked, Kagome felt her mouth drop open. Between the voice in her head and the toad's words, she didn't know which was worse. "Excuse me?"

"He will not gain peace until he humps you!"

:: ...Her rump will cushion my thrusts nicely. I want to squeeze her buttocks, knead the tight flesh... ::

Paling, Kagome was unsure if she was more disturbed by the usage of the word 'hump,' or by the dawning realization that it wasn't HER thoughts she was hearing. Kagome shook her head, hoping to rid herself of the invading hentai. "What?! What are you talking about?"

::Angry, her scent spikes delightfully. I want to bury my face in her neck, scent out her womanly secrets... yes... so gooood... ::

At that moment, Sesshoumaru dropped Inuyasha and slithered around the table to stand chest to chest with her. Well, more like chest to eye. He stared down at her briefly, with golden eyes turned scarlet, before falling to his knees. His nose went straight into her groin and Kagome leaped back, shocked out of her skull. Tripping over her chair, she fell backwards and landed hard on the floor. It was him! She was she picking up on HIS thoughts! Thinking further, she mentally huffed. Hentai!

Taking advantage of her ensuing position, Sesshoumaru knocked the chair aside and crawled between her legs. ::Mmmm...So good:: He licked her, the sensation sending chills down the entire length of her spine.

"Ki-Kikyo?" Kagome whispered ridiculously to her sister, who had joined the group now standing around the misbehaving Taiyoukai. As if speaking loudly could possibly make things worse than they already were! "What's going on?"

Staring at Jaken, Kikyo narrowed her eyes. "What spell did you use?"

Tight-lipped, he refused to answer, but Hojo cleared his throat. "He said it would make a woman know what was in the heart of the one who drank it, and that the incense would make them more open."

::Yes, open. Open your little body to me, my sweet-smelling Kagome. I will heap pleasures upon your delicious human body::

Thinking over her lessons, Kikyo ignored Kagome's strangled groan to gasp. Turning the full force of her glare upon the toad, she asked, "You used 'Rapture's Honesty,' didn't you?"

He wrung his hands together before breaking down, tears streaming down his little gami face. "You must help my master! That wench must have known what it was! I only wanted to protect him from the other wench! He asked for it!" Jaken pointed to Hojo.

Paling, Hojo refuted, "But, I didn't want this! I just wanted Rin to know how much I love her!"

Blushing, Rin refused to look at him.

Flushing down to his neck, Hojo swallowed heavily. He had been such a fool! Now, not only had he lost all chances with the love of his life, but his boss would probably fire him! Shoulders slumped, he quit the room.

Sudden laughter broke the somber mood of the room. Holding his stomach, Inuyasha managed to gasp out, "Serves him right, the cold ass!" He snickered, absolutely tickled by the way his brother was now rubbing his cheek all over a horrified Kagome's chest. "Well, now, this is interesting indeed. Just how do you know my brother again?" He knew about RH, some even considered it the youkai equivalent to the human drug ecstasy. The difference, though, was that it only amplified certain... desires you held for a particular person. Made them known, despite however much one would like them to remain hidden. Hence the name.

Kagome was probably receiving some interesting thoughts right about now.

Staring down at the Taiyoukai, too shocked to do anything but freeze as she heard more thoughts, these in graphic detail about what he would do with her breasts, - And really, was that even possible? - Kagome didn't hear Inuyasha's insinuation.

Rin, however, did. "Kagome!" she wailed, "How could you do this to me? You promised you hadn't touched him!"

::Touch, touch, touch... touch me, little one. I hunger for your fingers on me, scratching my back in abandon while you scream my name... ::

Sputtering, hands now occupied trying to prevent Sesshoumaru from traveling any further south, Kagome gaped up at the teary Rin. "What? I didn't DO anything! I certainly haven't touched him!" The miko turned desperate, pleading eyes on Inuyasha. "Please get him off me!" Kami help her, she was actually getting a little turned on!

Indignant, Jaken broke in, "You should feel privileged, human, that my master wishes to hump you!"

Eyes nearly crossing, Kagome scowled. "Could you please not use the word 'hump' anymore?! Because it's really distracting, you know!"

::Rut, hump, fuck, screw, anything you want to call it, we will do them all... ::

His hands crept up her sides to settle at her waist while a very warm, very wet mouth latched onto her skin just above her right breast and sucked. Kagome's breath hitched. Of all the days to wear a scoop necked t-shirt!

Still chuckling, Inuyasha held his hands up in the air while Sesshoumaru began to bathe Kagome's neck and shoulder with his tongue. "It's out of my hands now." He turned serious. "It won't be too bad. He could die, you know, if you don't give in."

"DIE?!!"

::Ahhh... the petite morte... We will die many times over before I am done for the night, my temptress::

He nodded. "That's why this is really illegal now. You don't have to fuck him, but if you don't, he could die or become permanently impotent."

Choking on her spit, Kagome felt herself grow cold. Die? She didn't want to lose her virginity to a demon under some spell, but she didn't want him to die either!

Rin burst into tears. "How could you? Kagome, I thought we were family!"

Then there was that angle to the whole thing, as well, Kagome mused, exasperated. How could Rin think she'd wanted this! "Rin, I didn't plan this!" Trying to plead her innocence was rather difficult with the Taiyoukai between her legs, his hands now edging downwards to cup her buttocks. She squirmed, trying to evade him.

Her cousin pouted, lip trembling. "But you're sure going to take advantage of him, aren't you? I don't see you fighting too hard to get away! I knew, I always knew you wanted him!"

::Give in, little tease. You know you want to feel my heavy length inside you, stretching your passage and lighting the fires of passion I can sense within you::

Frustrated, Kagome slapped a hand to her forehead and groaned. Uh, oh! Taking her groan for another meaning entirely, Sesshoumaru was now grinding into her inner thigh while his hands traveled to forbidden territory. She slapped his hand, but to no avail. "Could you quit with the drama? I've never done anything to deserve your accusations! It wasn't my fault he pretended to be my internet gal pal!"

Inuyasha hooted while Kikyo and Jaken gaped. "I knew it!" the hanyou shouted. "The bastard WAS on the make! I knew something was up when he retired his mistresses!"

Shocked, Kagome's eyes grew wide. On the make? For her? What the hell? Her eyes narrowed. Mistresses?

Now almost hysterical, Rin fled from the room with Kikyo hot on her trail. Glaring at Inuyasha, Kagome gestured to the Taiyoukai. "Get him off of me now, or I'll make the burns I gave you a fond memory," she threatened. Her traitorous body was responding to the demon, his words and actions both sending warmth shooting to her private regions and suffusing her entire body in a hot flush. She couldn't do this! Not to Rin!

Smiling widely, he shook his head. "Sorry, no can do. If I try it, Sesshoumaru will think I'm trying to get you myself. I'd rather not spend the night in a million pieces."

Jaken was going to speak, but Inuyasha picked the toad demon up by the scruff of his green neck and threw him out of the room. "Now," he promised, "I'll make sure you two lovebirds have all the privacy you need. Enjoy!" With that, the traitor left Kagome alone with the overly amorous Sesshoumaru.

Sliding up her body, Sesshoumaru's hands slipped under her shirt. Pulling it up, he was stopped by her fingers twisted in the fabric. "Sesshoumaru," she tried to reason, "We can't do this! It's not right!"

Sweat began to bead his brow and he frowned, shaking his head. Hoping she was getting through to him, Kagome pleaded, "Please stop! I don't want this!"

Red flickered to gold as he stared down on her strained visage. "Leave," he hissed out as control over his baser instincts flared briefly. Rolling over, he struggled to keep himself immobile while his inflamed libido sent his brain into overdrive, firing nerves and causing his aroused flesh to crawl with need.

She needed no encouragement. Like a shot she was off and running. Kagome didn't stop until she was in her room, the lock engaged. Mentally snorting at the inanity of how a lock made her feel safe when he could rip the entire lodge down around their ears, she sat on the edge of her bed.

Seconds ticked by while Kagome cast about for a solution. Instead, her mind kept playing over the past years when she thought he was a friend. He really wanted her, after knowing things that most husbands didn't about their wives? The thought was almost as seductive as the words that had been whispered to her mind. Seconds became minutes, and minutes became hours until a howl, mournful and terribly lonely, drowned out all else.

Swearing, Kagome shoved her head under a pillow. Think of Rin. Think about Rin. She'll never forgive you if you go to him!

Another howl rent the air, this one with a whine to it, as if the issuer was in pain, but trying to hide it. Tears wet the fabric of the pillow case. Is he going to really die? A sharp rapping on her door brought the miko out of hiding to cross the floor. Kikyo stood there, arms crossed.

"Look, Kagome, I know you and I haven't always gotten on well, but I think you should do it. Rin will get over it." The words Inuyasha had spoken, coupled with Rin's tearful condemnation of Kagome's 'secret' correspondence with Sesshoumaru, had Kikyo convinced that Sesshoumaru, despite what she would have wished, wanted Kagome. Not Rin. Thoughts of the grandfather clock, sitting innocently in Sesshoumaru's foyer, filled her mind. Surely, this is just a coincidence. But... if not, then they should not miss a chance at true love.

Kagome looked at the floor. "I... I, don't know what to do!"

"Is there anything there, feelings, I mean, for Sesshoumaru? And don't use Rin as an excuse. It was honorable of you to deny them in the face of her infatuation, but now, just think about you and him."

Blushing hotly, Kagome gave a small nod. "I think that's part of the reason I was so mad at him. It was easier to be angry than face the way he made me feel." She gave a weak chuckle, "For a while there at the end, before I knew who it was, I thought I was in love with a woman!" Sobered by the revelation, Kagome sniffed. "But... I love Rin. She's our cousin, but also my friend. I don't want to hurt her!"

Posture softening in acceptance, Kikyo pulled Kagome into a hug. "Go to him, Kagome," she whispered into her sister's hair. "If Rin cannot accept your love, when he returns it, then we will both face losing her together."

Returning the hug, Kagome fought back her tears to smile at Kikyo. "Thanks, Kikyo."

A whine, pleading for Kagome to go to Sesshoumaru, to ease his pain, broke them apart. Kikyo wiped away a trail of moisture before giving Kagome a nudge towards the dining room. "If it was Inuyasha howling like that for me, I'd be running to him by now."

One last smile, and Kagome did just that.

Prowling restlessly through the large room, Sesshoumaru fought the urge to transform as fire raced through his veins. Confined to the room, as he didn't think he could resist going to Kagome were he to leave, the Taiyoukai had virtually demolished every piece of furniture in the vicinity. His once immaculate dining room was in shambles, the floor littered with the evidence of his impotent fury.

What was wrong with him? Had he waited too long, as his father had warned against?

It was a well known fact that the greater the power a youkai possessed, the harder it was to control it. Given the frustration of the past few weeks when Kagome had refused to speak to him, he had not slept. As tired as he was, were his instincts running rampant?

Cursing fluently in three different languages, Sesshoumaru punched a hole in the stone wall as another spasm of pleasure/pain wracked his body. Shuddering, he clenched his jaw so tight that the tips of his fangs punctured his bottom lip. Every inch of his skin was sensitized to the point of razor-sharp intensity. He had long ago shed his clothing, the abrasion of the fine threads in his designer clothing too much to bear.

Crouching on all fours, the Taiyoukai threw his head back, knee-length hair flowing about his body in a living waterfall of silver silk, and let out another howl of need and pain. The sound echoed throughout the room as he dropped his forehead to touch the floor, panting. Kagome...will you come to me?

All he could think of, his entire being, was trained upon her. The woman who had him tied in so many knots it could take decades to unravel them. All the more telling was that, even knowing of his ensnarement by the raven-haired temptress, he had no desire to be free. He wanted it, he wanted her.

Yet, as his spine shivered with nerves calling out in agony, he had to face the reality that she did not feel the same. How could she hide in her room while he suffered so?

Rolling onto his back, finally almost at his limit, Sesshoumaru groaned as he curled his fingers around his exposed, throbbing length. Attempting to alleviate the ache, he stroked himself, hard and fast. Sweat-slicked fingers slid easily, but the friction only served to make his stomach muscles clench in denied relief.

Snarling, he pulled his hand away. He needed wet warmth, the heady pull of clenching muscles, as he pounded into his sweet female - pushing her into oblivion and beyond as he soared with her. He wanted to taste her, he wanted to know her body as he knew her mind.

Sesshoumaru abruptly froze as a soft gasp broke his concentration. So far gone, he turned, hopeful Kagome had come to release him from his prison of lust. Instead of the one he wanted, Rin stood framed in the doorway.

Cursing again, this time at the incense clogging his sensitive nose, Sesshoumaru flashed his fangs at the interloper. "Leave me!" he snarled.

Her pale features tightened in worry while her eyes drank in the sight of his exposed body. "I, I want to help you. Please, don't turn me away," she stuttered.

Resisting the urge to lash out physically at the interfering girl, the Taiyoukai sneered. "You are the reason Kagome refuses me. I would rather fuck a knot in the floor, little girl. Get out, now!" Carefully enunciating each word, Sesshoumaru watched in savage triumph as her pale skin grew even more pasty as realization finally sunk in.

Tears fell from her eyes, but he felt nothing other than anger and resentment toward the female. He had spoken the truth; no more, no less. If she hadn't been so wrapped up in her little fantasy, one which he had never encouraged, then he would have Kagome under him this moment.

Fleeing, sight blurred with tears, Rin almost collided with Kagome in the hallway. Turning her head, unable to look at her cousin, she sobbed out, "He doesn't want me! I have waited so long, and he was so cruel to me!" Falling to her knees, Rin wrapped her arms around her middle.

Unsure what to do, Kagome reached a hand out to lay it on Rin's shoulder, but the girl wrenched away with a fierce scowl. "Don't you touch me," she hissed. "If it wasn't for you... if you... I'll never forgive you, do you hear me? NEVER!"

Biting her knuckles, Kagome blinked back her own tears. Detecting the harsh breathing from the dining room, knowing Sesshoumaru was in pain, she was torn. She knew there would be no going back. If she left Rin to go to Sesshoumaru, Rin would hold it against her the rest of her life.

Hand to her heart, Kagome stared down at the top of Rin's bowed head. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Turning on her heel, she entered the dining room. She would not leave Sesshoumaru to suffer, not when she could bring both of them happiness.

Her step faltered as glowing crimson eyes stared at her in hatred. Slowly, the dark look transformed into something equally feral, but infinitely more welcome. Her eyes never left his as she slowly shut the door behind her with a soft 'click.'

Licking her suddenly dry lips, Kagome took in the sight of him rising to his knees before dropping on all fours to stare at her hungrily. Uncertain, she held still. "Sesshoumaru? Are you, um... I'm ready now, if it's what you still want."

He lunged for her, tackling the stunned miko and pinning her to the wall. Covering her with his body, Sesshoumaru's eyes almost rolled to the back of his head at the reality of her womanly figure, giving and soft, against him. Snuffling into her hair, the Taiyoukai growled, "Mine."

Hesitantly wrapping her hands around his waist, Kagome shyly nodded into his hard chest. "Yours."

That was all he needed to know.

Startling a gasp from her, he spread her thighs and pulled her up to straddle him. Too far gone to use any sort of finesse, Sesshoumaru felt his hard won control lose ground to the fire of denied need. Ripping her shirt and bra away, he claimed a tawny nipple with a satisfied groan. Suckling on the succulent morsel, his chest continued to thrum with content while his hands slipped to her delectably shaped rear. Kneading the flesh, he was rewarded with a stifled moan.

Kagome didn't know what to do. Throwing all caution to the wind, she gave up even trying to talk to him and just felt. When he had ripped her shirt she had been frightened, afraid he would be rough and hurt her. Instead, his thin, mobile lips had latched onto her nipple while his fingers, those wonderfully elegant digits, caressed her behind.

Virginal in every way, Kagome was washed away by the sensual discovery. Every pull of his mouth, each flick of his tongue on her pebbled flesh, sent an answering surge through her groin. She shifted, unaccustomed to the ache in her center.

A hand slid even lower, until a long finger lightly pressed against her heat. She took in a shuddering breath, tangling her hands in his hair while her back arched against the wall. "Sesshoumaru..." she moaned.

Surging upward, Sesshoumaru captured her lips with his own. Nibbling, he coaxed her to open to him. With her swift compliance, he slanted his mouth over hers and devoured her. Their tongues tangled, battling for dominance, as her need was fed by his own.

Hands beneath her bottom supporting her, he carried Kagome to the center of the room. Kneeling, still holding her about the waist, he swiped an arm across the floor to clear it of shredded wood before laying her down.

Her protest, murmured in a sigh of disappointment, at losing his warmth brought a smirk to his lips before he cut the tie holding her slacks on and pulled them off her in one movement. He was left staring at a pair of white panties, all the more arousing for what they represented to the Taiyoukai.

Kagome panted, unafraid now as she knew he wouldn't hurt her. He was the one in pain, yet he'd done nothing more than arouse her. Eyes hungrily drinking in the sight of his magnificent physique; his lean muscled torso and tautly corded shoulders and arms, Kagome nearly swallowed her tongue at the first sight of him.

Swollen, the head already a purplish color, with a criss-crossing of veins traversing the length, he was big. Very big. Instead of being worried, as another, more experienced woman, might have been, Kagome reached out a hand and gently touched him, curious.

He sucked in a breath at the first feeling of her fingers skating along his engorged flesh. Cool, her touch inflamed him even further. He wanted more. Wrapping his hand about hers, he showed her how to move along him, teaching her to please him. An apt pupil, she was soon as caught up in the moment as he was while his hips thrust in time to her squeezing caresses. The slick slide of flesh and his panting grunts soon filled the room. Pulling her hand away before he spilled his seed, Sesshoumaru bit back a groan at her moan of protest. She would be the death of him, he could see it already.

Entranced by the vision Sesshoumaru made while lost in her touch, Kagome felt her body flush while an answering surge of moist heat had her squirming beneath him. She had been disappointed when he pulled her hand away but, when he dropped a searing kiss on the apex of her thighs, she felt it clear through her panties. Oh, Kami!

Curling her legs over his shoulders, allowing her no time to protest, Sesshoumaru tore away the last barrier between them and buried his face in her soft curls. Nosing her, he was rewarded with a throaty moan that had him searching out her hidden nub. He licked it, gently at first, then more insistently as her hips threatened to unseat him while she bucked beneath him.

The flavor of her passion, slightly musky and entirely addicting, exploded on his tongue as she climaxed for the first time. Lapping at her dripping womanhood, he growled softly, content for the time being to dine on her feminine honey. Soon, he had her to the point of release again. Fingers pulled at his hair while she chanted his name in a breathy mantra.

A finger ventured into her passage, slowly advancing in deference to sharp claws, and her eyes shot wide open as she climaxed again. Sesshoumaru snarled, the sensation of his finger being squeezed so tightly, encased in slick heat, instantly transmitted to his already tortured, swollen length.

Adding another finger, he attempted to stretch her, preparing her for his ready member, and silently thanked her physical nature for the lack of a maidenhead which would have proven painful. He wanted nothing to mar the memory of this, their first time. He pumped his privileged fingers, watching in satisfaction and no small amount of lust as she picked up the tempo he set.

::She is so responsive to my touch. Open to whatever I want. Does she have any idea how arousing that is?::

Moaning, Kagome grabbed his wrist and tried to force him to move harder, faster. The ache in her belly was driving her crazy while he simply held the pace. He can praise me later! she thought acerbically. Right now, she needed him.

Covering her body with his own, crushing her breasts beneath his chest, Sesshoumaru pulled his fingers away. He kissed her roughly, sucking her tongue into his mouth and stealing her breath before levering himself up on his arm.

Her thighs, slick with her own fluids and his saliva, rubbed against one another as he moved away, staring down at her while his hand dropped to his erection, stroking the head. He smirked wickedly, watching as her eyes followed his every movement while her heart rate accelerated at the sight of her fluids coating him now.

Eyes hooded, he leaned down to claim her lips again while nudging her entrance with the tip of his arousal. Kagome tilted her hips, inviting him inside, and he slowly pushed in. Tearing her mouth away, Kagome moaned while her fingers tightened on his biceps into a white-knuckled grip.

Gnashing his teeth, forcing himself to stay slow for now, he didn't count on Kagome's hands sliding down his back to grab onto his buttocks, arching her back and hips at the same time. He slid through the dripping wet, sleekly muscled walls of her passage, ramming home and snarling as he did so.

Gasping, Kagome stilled immediately. The sensation was... unlike anything she had imagined. There was a slight pain, as skin pulled too taut protested, but that was receding in the wake of the feeling of completion... of ripe fulfillment. Squirming beneath his weight, Kagome licked his chest, lapping at the salty sweat that coated his flawless skin. He tastes so good...

A full body shudder shook Sesshoumaru's frame at the feeling of her tongue bathing him in the tradition of his people. Unable to hold back any longer, he pulled out, only to surge forward once more. Scarlet clashed with blue as their eyes met, until she could not longer keep his gaze.

Jostled with each hard stroke, Kagome's breasts bounced while her legs locked around his waist, anchoring him to her. All too soon, she felt her release coming. Before it could wash over her, he pulled out all the way. She stared up at him in wanton need, trusting him to deliver on the promise of release.

Grabbing Kagome's thigh, Sesshoumaru flipped her over. Her startled breath was cut off as his hands grabbed her thighs and hoisted her rump into the air to meet his erection. She dropped her head down into her arms, moaning as she ground her backside against him.

::A virgin, but naturally sensual. He was a lucky son of a bitch, no doubt about that::

Kagome groaned. "Please... talking later. Humping now." Wait, did I say 'hump?'

All thoughts were thrown out the window as he chuckled darkly and slid home. The new position made her even more open to his invasion and her womb quivered within only a few strokes. A clawed finger teased her cleft naughtily while he dropped to 'mount' her completely. His breathing skittered across her neck as he panted into her skin and she answered with a shivery moan with each thrust.

Stars burst in front of her eyes as his fangs, those things she had feared on others, but not him, never him, gently latched onto her shoulder, holding her in place for his masterful assault on her senses.

Shuddering in her release, fluids dripped from where they were joined, further lubricating his ride. Tense as a steel cable, Sesshoumaru snapped. Snarling around her shoulder, his sight turned black while his entire body was suffused in uncontrollable tremors.

Falling, barely able to ensure he fell to the side of her rather than crushing Kagome beneath his weight, Sesshoumaru pulled her to lay beside him, still pulsing within her warmth in tiny aftershocks. He nuzzled her throat, relaxed completely for the first time in weeks, and fell asleep.

Left on her own, Kagome chuckled quietly at his quick descent to unconsciousness. Yawning, she snuggled back into his warmth, shrouded in his gloriously soft hair, and joined him in peaceful slumber.

Staring down at the female laying so peacefully within his grasp, Sesshoumaru carefully laid her under the coverlet on his bed. After another session of play, they had spoken of the future. She loved him, not that he'd had any doubt and, given that they were mated by virtue of his 'love bite,' she had squealed when he proposed a human marriage for her. He hadn't said it out loud but, given the very visible diamond ring on her finger, the Taiyoukai saw some merit in the opportunity. A blatant claim is always a welcome thing.

He wanted it known in both their worlds that she was his.

Smoothing the blanket around her slumbering form, the Taiyoukai's eyes softened as he watched her nose the cool silk pillow. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand and she stilled with a soft sigh.

Assured she would sleep for hours yet, he left the bedroom and tracked the scent of his retainer to the kitchen. The events of yesterday were a blur. The only memory to stand out was the claiming of Kagome.

Waking nude, curled about her equally naked body, had been a shock. Though, he had to admit, it wasn't an unwelcome one. She was his, now. Just like he'd wanted. However, no matter his appreciation for the results, someone was responsible for his state of ignorance.

Only now, with a clear mind, could he reason out that he had been drugged. It was the only logical answer. Kagome had affirmed his suspicions with what little she knew.

How... coincidental... that Kagome just so happened to be on hand for RH to be used against him. She was innocent of any wrong doing, of this he had no doubt. His idiot brother or bumbling retainer were not as trustworthy.

If only he could remember what else he had said and done yesterday!

Coming across Hojo in the hall, he was treated to a glare. Raising a regal brow at the human, the Taiyoukai stopped. "Where is Jaken?"

Hefting the bags under his arms, Rin's bags, Hojo swallowed his nervousness to square his shoulders. "I don't know. But I, for one, would like to tell you what a black-hearted villain you are. I am taking Rin with me to America, and neither you nor Kagome will ever hurt her again!" Proud that his voice only shook a little, Hojo bravely stood his ground.

Resisting the urge to knock out the fool for speaking to him in that manner, since he had been a loyal assistant, Sesshoumaru queried, "Oh? The events of this past night have gone missing. Of what do you accuse us?"

Hojo's knees knocked together. "She offered to help you, and you degraded her with foul words. Kagome knew Rin loved you, but she snuck around with you behind Rin's back." He added a fierce glare, or a close facsimile to one.

A brief snatch of recollection had Sesshoumaru sneering. "I seem to recall telling her to leave, and her insistence on staying. Anything else was a result of her disobedience. However, feel free to take her away. As for Kagome 'sneaking,' she hasn't a dishonest bone in her body. Leave. I will not have Rin around to upset Kagome with false accusations."

Nodding his head, Hojo stalked past the Taiyoukai. Before he got to the end of the hall, he turned around to address Sesshoumaru, "She really did love you. Now she'll love me. I cannot be sorry for what happened, as it means we can be together. The potion didn't work but, this way, at least I know she's with me because she wants to be and not out of fear I'll die."

Amused by the weak attempt to cause him to doubt Kagome's commitment to him, Sesshoumaru gave the boy his back and continued scenting out Jaken. He already knew, before Kagome did, that she loved him. Last night had only expedited things a little.

She had said she would have rather waited, given her attachment to Rin, hoping time would have softened the blow to a reasonable level, but she had sacrificed her relationship with her cousin, her family, for him. It was a humbling realization.

Pausing, Sesshoumaru halted while the sounds of two sets of footsteps left the lodge. Rin and Hojo, no doubt. Jaken approached him from the rear, but turned around and immediately fled back to the kitchen upon noticing the Taiyoukai standing there. Sesshoumaru let him go.

He knew it was the toad's fault. But... Mayhap, in thanks for hurrying along his mating, he would forget this happened. He was well and truly mated, soon to be a husband as well. Why waste his time on punishing the miscreant?

In future, he would instruct Jaken to never dabble in such things again, but for now... The Taiyoukai turned on his heel and marched back to the bedroom and Kagome. There were more enjoyable things to be doing than talking to a toad.