Intoxicated by Sage McMae
Chapter 1
Kagome bites her lower lip in concentration as she applies mascara to her lashes. She is perched in front of her mirror, wearing a dress that she still feels guilty for buying. It’s a far cry from her normal choice of sweats and slippers. Of course, tonight isn’t a typical Saturday. It’s Eri’s bachelorette party.
Her friend is getting married next month. Kagome, Ayumi, and Yuka are all part of the wedding, which means dealing with Eri’s overbearing parents. They insist on a traditional wedding, including the fact that Eri and her fiancée can’t live together until they are husband and wife. Their rigid beliefs remind Kagome how grateful she is to have an understanding mother. She can’t imagine what Eri’s parents would have done if their daughter had been the one to fall into the well.
She sets her mascara down and takes a step back. Kagome almost doesn’t recognize herself. She rarely wears makeup or heels. Tonight, she’s opted for both. The concealer Ayumi recommended hides the bags under her eyes. A light dusting of blush brings some color to her cheeks and the champagne shadow brings out the color of her eyes. Kagome’s high-neck fuchsia dress is sleeveless and falls just above her knees thanks to her heels. It’s appropriate for a night dancing with her friends…and nothing else, hence her guilt.
Kagome doesn’t go out much. Between her job at the historical museum and assisting Mama with shrine duties, she barely has time to sleep. She almost misses the days when all she had to worry about was restoring the Shikon Jewel and passing exams. Back then, life was complicated, but it had meaning. Now, Kagome feels like she’s just going through the motions, waiting for something to happen.
It’s been seven years since Naraku's defeat. When Kagome first arrived back in present-day Tokyo, she was confused. She tried jumping through time and landed in the dirt at the bottom of the well. Without the power of the jewel, she couldn’t travel between her time and the past.
Gramps congratulated her on her victory. Souta was glad he wouldn’t have to carry her make-up work home anymore. Only Mama seemed to understand why Kagome wasn’t happy that her adventure had come to an end. Being in the Sengoku Era had been dangerous but while she was there, Kagome felt alive.
She knows her family loves her. Her friends care about her. She has a good job that pays well and helps to support the family shrine. Most people would be content with that.
But contentment isn’t the same as happiness.
Kagome smoothes her hands down the front of her dress. Eri may be the first of her friends to get engaged but she knows Ayumi and Yuka won’t be far behind. The world around her is moving on. She should too. Kagome grabs her clutch and leaves her room.
“I’m heading out,” she announces, poking her head into the kitchen.
Mama gasps. “Oh, Kagome, you look beautiful!”
“Wow, sis. You look different without the sweatpants,” Souta comments. She resists the urge to smack him.
“Are you going out like that?” Gramps asks.
“Yes,” Kagome replies.
He scoffs and mutters something about young people and propriety.
Kagome rolls her eyes. “I’m staying over at their apartment tonight,” she reminds her family.
“Of course. Have fun!” Mama tells her.
“Thanks. See you guys tomorrow.”
Descending the shrine stairs is a challenge in her heels, but eventually, Kagome makes it to the metro station.
She is meeting her friends at the Black Pearl. The nightclub has been growing in popularity since it opened a few months ago. Eri heard that it has a great DJ for those who like to dance and decided this was the place she wanted to spend her evening. Kagome doesn’t have a preference. She’s just excited to spend time with her friends.
When Kagome arrives, she finds Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka already waiting in line. Even from outside, she can hear the thumping of the bass music and catches flashes of purple neon light escaping into the night as the entrance opens with each patron that passes through.
Once the bouncer reviews their ID cards, they are permitted entry. The women walk through the double doors down a narrow hallway into an open concept. A wide dance floor is to their right and a section of high-tops is on their left. Directly in front of them is the bar. The kitchen is located off to the side. Across the room are the lounge area and the staircase to the second floor. A pair of men dressed in all black stand guard. Kagome assumes that is where the VIP rooms are located.
The interior is larger than it appears from the outside. Kagome is impressed by the minimalist design. She expected more embellishments but it seems that no one minds. Without the extra flourishes, people have more space to move and mingle. It’s actually quite practical.
“Ah! I love this song!” Eri cries as a new song begins. Before any of them can respond, she rushes onto the dance floor.
The DJ stands on a stage at the front of the room. His booth has more switches and knobs than Kagome can count. She’s amazed he can maneuver them under the rapidly changing lights. She finds them distracting.
“Kagome, come on!” Eri urges, tugging on her hand.
She reminds herself that this is the first time she’s been out in ages. Kagome doesn’t have to worry about setting her alarm to wake up early tomorrow for shrine duties. Mama is covering for her. Tonight, she’s free to act like a typical young woman and have fun with her friends.
Smiling, she joins them on the dance floor and lets the beat of the music carry her worries away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sesshomaru glares at the throng of people below. When his financial advisor suggested purchasing this property, he did not intend to turn it into a nightclub. He considered firing the man until he received the first month’s revenue report.
Identifying the appropriate staff for the business was a challenge. Sesshomaru has what his underlings refer to as ‘impossibly high standards’. Regardless, he managed to hand-select a set of qualified individuals to keep the club running efficiently.
He does not enjoy visiting the club,— the noise alone is enough to deter him —but it is crucial to ensure the business is profitable. If his employees never know when Sesshomaru may drop in, they are more likely to behave. Even in this modern era, he remains an intimidating presence.
Power in this new world equates to wealth and influence. Sesshomaru has secured both yet he gains no pleasure from either. The funds in his bank account cannot replace his pack. The authority Sesshomaru has over others does not amuse him. It only serves to remind him of what he has lost.
Rin and Kohaku’s lives were short. It is the curse of humanity. They are born, they struggle to survive, and then they die. Sesshomaru made sure what time they did have was blessed with a stable home, plentiful food, and protection from the Lord of the Western Lands.
He was there when the pair got married, visited when Rin gave birth to their first child and came again after she delivered their second. Sesshomaru extended his protection to Rin and Kohaku’s offspring. Their children grew up calling him Jiji— an informal term he tolerated for Rin’s sake. His daughter had a talent for pacifying him.
Much like another human Sesshomaru knew.
He sighs, turning away from the dancing fray. Over five centuries have passed since he last looked upon the miko’s face yet her scent lingers— fresh and tart like a ripe apple. It is as intoxicating now as it was back then. Sesshomaru recalls the lengths he went to in order to keep his distance from her. The more they interacted, the harder it was to deny his instincts. He considered approaching her once their enemy was defeated but never received the chance. She was ripped from his grasp by the jewel, never to return.
Sesshomaru loosens his tie. The heat of the overhead lights seems unbearable tonight. Perhaps the rising temperature is affecting his senses. Come morning, he will have his assistant look into better ventilation.
He follows the staircase down from the second-floor VIP area. Sesshomaru ought to have a private entrance built so he can come and go as he pleases. That would eliminate his need to exit through the main floor. Another improvement to add to the list.
As he strolls past the bar, a pair of women collides with him. “Sorry,” the one farthest away apologizes before descending into a fit of laughter. Judging by her flushed face and the stench of vodka on her breath, she’s already had plenty to drink.
“Eri,” the other hisses, before apologizing to him. “I’m sorry. Please excuse us.”
Sesshomaru stiffens. He knows the woman’s voice. It turns out that the club’s ventilation is fine. He did not imagine the miko’s scent. She is standing right in front of him.
Her appearance has changed. Her face has thinned out and the curves of her body are more apparent, especially considering the form-fitting dress she wears. While others in the vicinity are transfixed by her bare legs, Sesshomaru notices how toned her arms have become. She has kept up with her training. The thought of practicing with her stirs something within him. There are many skills he could teach her— on and off the battlefield.
There are other differences too. Her eyes, once so vibrant look dull. The skin underneath is dark. She has not been sleeping. He frowns. Why does she insist on caring for others without tending to her own needs?
“You need water— lots of water,” the miko tells the giggling girl at her side.
She has yet to look up. Irritation flares within him. Initially, Sesshomaru is annoyed that she has not noticed him. That is swiftly replaced by anger at his brother. Inuyasha had to have known she was not killed by the jewel. He traveled through the well countless times with the miko. Why had he kept the miko’s whereabouts a secret? Was he aware of Sesshomaru’s intentions? Did he not approve?
No matter. Inuyasha is not here. There is nothing preventing Sesshomaru from approaching her. He will not allow this opportunity to pass him by.
“Miko.”
Somehow over the roar of the music, she manages to hear him. She pivots around, eyes wide. “Sesshomaru?”
For a moment, neither of them breathes. They are the only two individuals in a sea of constant motion that remain still. Gold and cerulean. Yoki and reiki. Past and present. They are opposing forces confronting each other. If they come together, the result will be explosive. He wonders if they will survive the flames or resurface with burns.
The second the spell breaks, the miko throws her arms around him. “Sesshomaru!”
He is frozen, uncertain how to react. He has prepared for many scenarios in the chance that they would one day meet. This is not one of them.
Apparently, this was not the miko’s initial plan either. Her face turns scarlet and she backs away. “Sorry, that was—.”
“Kagome!”
The miko’s attention snaps to her inebriated friend at the bar. She’s flanked by two men who seem far more interested in the cut of her dress than the ring on her hand.
“These guys bought us a round of drinks!”
The miko’s face falls as she turns away from him. She marches over to her friend, placing herself between the girl and one of the men. With swift reflexes, she removes an unnaturally blue cocktail from her friend’s hand. “Eri, don’t drink that. You don’t even know these guys.”
The girl pouts. “Fine.”
“Come on,” one of the men jeers, reaching for the miko’s friend. “If she wants to have a good time, let her.”
The miko slaps his hand away.
“Oh, the jealous type, huh?” The man exchanges a look with his friend over her shoulder. “Don’t worry. There’s two of us and two of you. Plenty to go around.”
The instant he reaches for the miko, Sesshomaru is there. He shields her from the man’s sight. The human’s smug expression disappears as he looks up into Sesshomaru’s narrowed gaze. Instantly, he recognizes his mistake. That is not enough for Sesshomaru. He checks the bar area to see if anyone is watching them, before flashing his fangs at the man. It is barely more than a hint of incisor,— easily explained away as a trick of the light —but it is enough to disarm the human.
If they were alone, Sesshomaru would do more than merely show the man his teeth. He would take his true form. Such a sight would surely make the man reconsider ever leaving his home again.
The miko leverages the commotion to escape. She collects her friend and guides the woman to the lounge area. “Let’s go, Eri.”
Sesshomaru follows. “You continue to serve others,” he observes.
“Kagome, do you know this guy?” the woman asks, eyeing him suspiciously.
“He’s an old friend,” the miko answers. She helps her friend take a seat on an empty couch.
The woman frowns. “He looks a bit like that two-timing jerk you dated in middle school. What was his name? Oh! Inuyasha!”
The miko ignores the comment and shoves a bottle of water into the woman’s hands. “Drink up.”
Her friend’s gaze flickers between them. Even in her current state, she seems to sense that there is more to their story. She is more perceptive than he initially gave her credit for.
“So who exactly are you?” she inquires.
“The owner of this establishment.”
His answer causes her eyebrows to disappear behind her bangs. “Seriously?”
“Indeed.”
She whistles. “Wow, Kagome. I thought you didn’t want to move in with us because of your family but I see you got a better offer.”
The miko’s face reddens once more. “Eri, it’s not like that. Sesshomaru and I are just friends.”
He does not understand why her response bothers him. There is nothing inaccurate about her statement. They parted as allies. Yet, he finds himself displeased by her definition of their relationship. Does she not desire him? Does she not believe him capable of providing for her needs? Why does she not consider him as a potential mate?
Sesshomaru scowls. He cannot recall a time when he questioned his merits. There is no reason to. He lacks nothing. If the miko cannot perceive his value, then she is a fool.
His agitation causes crimson to bleed into the gold of his irises.
“Are you okay?” He blinks to find her staring at him. When he does not respond, she approaches him. Her brow creases as she studies his face. “You’re eyes are changing color. Do you sense a threat nearby? Should I get my friends out of here?”
“There is no need.”
Her head tilts. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She purses her lips. For a moment, he believes she will argue but then she sighs and offers him the second bottle of water. “That is yours. You should enjoy it,” Sesshomaru points out.
“Thanks. You know, I never expected to see you in a suit. I almost didn’t recognize you, especially with your hair tied back. You don’t look like yourself.”
“And how do I normally appear to you, miko?” he inquires.
“Perfect.”
Her answer surprises him but it is her gaze that leaves him stunned. Sesshomaru is trapped by the sincerity in her eyes— those eyes that he has pictured countless times. His memory must have dulled over the centuries because she is even more breathtaking than he recalls.
Sesshomaru comes to a realization. The miko is not a fool. He is.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“There you are! We’ve been all over the dance floor looking for you two!”
Kagome glances over her shoulder to see Yuka and Ayumi break free from the crowd. As they make their way toward her and Eri, Yuka notices Sesshomaru.
“Is this a friend of yours, Kagome?”
As she starts to turn around to answer, a hand clasps her wrist. Kagome looks up. Sesshomaru is staring at her with the same intensity as before. She felt the pull then and she feels it again now. Kagome can’t tell if it’s the martini she had earlier or something else. She hopes it’s the latter.
“Uh, Kagome? Earth to Kagome.” Yuka waves a hand in front of her face.
She blinks. “Huh?”
“Are you going to introduce us to your friend?”
He extends his free hand to Yuka. “Sesshomaru Taisho. I believe you are acquainted with my half-brother, Inuyasha.”
Kagome watches her friends’ faces as their expressions shift from curiosity to recognition.
“You’re Inuyasha’s brother!” Yuka cries. She leans over to Kagome to add in a whisper, “I think you chose the wrong brother.”
Kagome doesn’t need a reminder. She knows how naive she was at fifteen. Being tossed into the past taught her a lot,— how to be self-sufficient, time management, healing remedies, archery —but the most important lessons were the ones she learned about herself.
It was her arrow that shattered the Shikon Jewel so Kagome took responsibility to restore it. Along the way, she helped as many people as she could. It was the right thing to do. Kagome wanted to make the world a better place and that started with being kind to others.
She just forgot to be kind to herself.
Sesshomaru is right. Kagome continues to serve others. She is the one who stopped dancing when she noticed Eri swaying off balance. She is the one who suggested taking a break to get some water. She is the ‘mom’ friend of the group, just as she was with Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo.
Some things never change.
“Are you out celebrating too?” Ayumi asks Sesshomaru.
“No, he owns the place,” Eri reveals.
“It is an investment,” he states.
“Wait,” Yuka says, holding up a hand. “Is your brother here?”
“No.”
“Good, because if ever see that bastard again, it will be too soon. I owe him a punch or make a kick between the legs.”
“Me too,” Eri agrees.
Sesshomaru smirks. “May I ask what he did to deserve your wrath?”
“You mean besides leading Kagome on for months and then ghosting her?”
He glances down. “Ghosting?
“Disappearing,” Kagome clarifies.
“My brother lacks many things, chief among them common sense. I warned him about taking the miko for granted. It appears he did not heed my warning.”
Kagome blushes. Inuyasha never mentioned that particular conversation.
Ayumi studies her and Sesshomaru’s proximity. Her lips turn upward. “You’ve known Kagome a long time then.”
“Indeed,” he replies.
“I bet you two would like some alone time to catch up. We’ll get out of your hair,” she says, gathering Eri off the couch. “It was nice meeting you, Sesshomaru. Kagome, we’re going to go dance. See you in a bit.”
“Yeah.” Yuka winks suggestively. “Take your time.”
Eri protests that she needs another minute until a new song plays. “Oh, this is my favorite!” she squeals, leaping off the couch. The other two have to run after her so they don’t lose her in the crowd.
Being left alone with Sesshomaru makes Kagome nervous. They rarely spoke without Inuyasha present. He served as a buffer, similar to how her friends operated just now. Without them, Kagome is unsure what to say.
“So, you’re a club owner now. I guess World’s Most Powerful Daiyokai didn’t fit on your CV?”
“I am an investor. This is one of several properties I own in the city,” Sesshomaru explains. “Would you like a tour?”
“I can see it from here,” Kagome points out.
“You have not seen the VIP rooms. They are soundproof.”
If the offer came from anyone else, Kagome would assume he was hitting on her, but this is Sesshomaru. She reminds herself that the stoic Lord of the Western Lands does not mince words. She shouldn’t read into his response. Sesshomaru is stating a fact, maybe even bragging about his success in the modern era. He can’t possibly mean anything by his offer to show her around.
Right?
Sesshomaru arches a questioning brow. “Are you afraid to be alone with me, miko?”
“No,” Kagome returns, indignantly.
“Good.” He leads her across the club.
It isn’t until they reach the staircase that Kagome realizes he hasn’t let go of her hand.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sesshomaru is quite pleased with himself. He has secured the miko’s undivided attention. There will be no more interruptions from her acquaintances or that pair of unruly suitors below. The thought of those males laying their hands on her causes a wave of fury to roll within him. He will need to have a word with the security team before he departs this evening.
“Wow, you were right. I can’t hear the music at all,” the miko remarks as he ushers her inside. His hand is gentle, yet firm on her lower back.
“Privacy is a commodity in short supply. Patrons who select one of these chambers for their personal use are promised our discretion. I ensure that my staff is well compensated for their efforts in meeting our customer’s needs.”
Color blooms on her cheeks. Sesshomaru enjoys instigating her. Each new instance provides an opportunity for her to rise to his challenge. Previously, he would have flustered her with his claws or blade. Given the current situation, he opts for a different approach.
“You commented upon my attire. I have yet to remake on yours.”
The miko gives him an expectant look as she settles onto the corner couch. “What’s the verdict?”
“I much prefer this one to the outfit you wore in your youth,” Sesshomaru confesses, sitting next to her.
She laughs. The familiar sound is a treat to hear and even more rewarding to know he earned it. Previously, Sesshomaru was nothing more than an observer. Now, he is the catalyst.
“I’m not that old,” she retorts. “I just turned twenty-two. Of course, you don’t look any older than the last time I saw you.”
“My kind does not age the way humans do. However, by your metrics, and my latest identification card, I am considered to be twenty-four.”
“How old are you really?”
“In the number of years: 2,210.”
The miko smiles. “You look good for your age.”
“Good? Not perfect?” he quips.
She groans. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
While Sesshomaru does not understand her phrasing, he does appreciate the stain on her cheeks. He has succeeded in his endeavor.
“Were you surprised to see me here?” she asks.
“After your disappearance during the final battle, I believed you had died. The priestess from whose bloodline you are descended, gave her life in sacrifice, thus bringing the jewel into existence. It tends to reason the jewel’s destruction would require a similar sacrifice,” Sesshomaru explains.
“That makes sense. I didn’t have a way of communicating what had happened. Once I was returned to my time, the well stopped working. I couldn’t pass through anymore. I tried for a while but eventually, I had to accept things and move on. If I had known you were Tokyo, I would have contacted you,” the miko says.
“I thought my brother would have mentioned it. I assume Inuyasha has been to visit you.”
“Yeah, he and Kouga seem happy. Their pack comes by now and then to check on me.”
Sesshomaru’s hands curl into fists. When he sees the half-breed and the wolf, there will be no words exchanged. The only sound that will ring out will be the clashing of blades and the gnashing of teeth.
“What about you? Do you ever see anyone from before?” she questions.
“My mother resides in Shibuya.”
“What about Jaken and A-Un?”
“They passed centuries ago,” he shares.
She places her hand on top of his fist. “I’m sorry.”
“Do not trouble yourself, miko. They lived well.”
Though the imp and two-headed dragon were long-standing traveling companions, Sesshomaru does not mourn them the way he does his children. Losing Kohaku and Rin was akin to carving out a part of himself. That kind of pain is reserved for pack members. It does not extend to loyal comrades.
“But they were your friends. You must miss them.”
“I miss my pack,” he confesses.
Her fingers wrap around his hand, easing it open. She rests her palm flat against his. “You knew what Rin and Kohaku needed to heal— a safe place, patience, and acceptance. You gave them the tools to be self-sufficient yet remained close enough that if they ever needed help, you could provide it. They may not have been yours by blood, but in all the ways that matter, they were your family. You were a wonderful father, Sesshomaru. They couldn’t have asked for anyone better.”
Her sincerity should not surprise him the way it does. He has always known the miko to be a genuine soul, full of conviction. Her words offer him solace in a way no other’s comfort ever has. It is balm on a festering wound, carefully applied and bandaged with expert hands. There will be a scar but perhaps, with time, he will not look upon it with such remorse.
“You’re not alone in this, you know,” she continues. “There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t miss Kaede, Miroku, and Sango.”
“The one-eyed miko lived a long life. She was beloved by the villagers until her passing. As for the lecherous monk and the slayer, you will be pleased to know that they chose to remain in the village. They married the spring after your disappearance. They had three pups.”
A smile tugs at her lips. “Children. Humans call them children.”
“I am aware,” Sesshomaru replies.
She’s silent for a moment, then, quietly, almost pleadingly, she asks, “Could you tell me about them?”
Sesshomaru regales her with the tale of the twins’ birth, of how Rin trained to help the slayer with the birth of her son. He shares with the miko what he remembers of the children's lives, including their annual hike to the Bone Eater’s Well. The monk and slayer began the tradition of trekking to the site once a year so their children would know of the woman who saved their lives. Over time, Sesshomaru, Rin, and Kohaku joined them, along with the elderly miko, the kit, Inuyasha, and eventually the wolf.
Each year, those in attendance shared their favorite memories of the miko. Tales ranged from everyone’s first meeting with her to the unique treats she brought with her from across the well. The kit mentioned how he missed the stories she read him as he fell asleep. The slayer wished that the miko would have been allowed to meet her children. The monk wished he could have comforted her one last time— a remark that earned him strikes from his wife, Inuyasha, and the wolf. Inuyasha spoke about her compassion and how she accepted him, despite his harsh words and even harsher rejection.
When Sesshomaru finishes sharing, there are tears in the miko’s eyes. She brushes them away and launches into questions about his family. She wants to know about Rin and Kohaku, when his mother moved from her palace in the cloud to the fashion district, and how long he remained in Edo. Sesshomaru loses track of time as he answers. The miko listens intently to every detail. The longer he speaks, the brighter her eyes become. She begins to look more like herself.
Sesshomaru grows tired of the sound of his voice. He asks the miko about her adopted child. “What of the kit? Have you heard from him?”
“Shippo is in the States. He stopped by the shrine before he left.”
“What business does the kit have in the Americas?” he inquires.
The miko releases his hand to rifle through her bag. She produces a business card with the Thunder Demon tribe’s insignia printed on it. “Not him; his mate. Souten’s latest generator design allowed her to expand internationally. They relocated to manage the North American offices.”
“Impressive.” Sesshomaru has seen several yokai attempt to walk within both worlds. Often, it leads to exposure. He is pleased to hear that the sole surviving member of the Thunder Demon tribe possesses such cleverness. The kit has made a wise decision.
“They’re expecting a son in the fall,” she shares. “I want to fly over to meet the little guy once he’s born.”
“I do hope you reserve a seat in First Class.”
“Yeah, right. I’ll be lucky if I can afford a ticket at all. Do you know how expensive international travel is? Not all of us have the ability to fly.”
“For such distances, I take my private jet.”
She laughs again. He treasures the sound.
Being in an enclosed space with the miko allows him full access to her scent. It is not tainted by sweat or the false fragrances other humans coat themselves in. The miko is pure, undiluted sweetness. It would be overpowering if it were not for the tartness that accompanies the sugar. Alcohol does not affect his kind. Sesshomaru is grateful. He much prefers to be intoxicated by this woman. He cannot believe he has survived centuries without her scent. Sesshomaru will do anything to ensure he never has to again.
“If you do not oppose a having travel companion, we could go together,” Sesshomaru offers. “I believe you will find the experience far superior to Economy.”
Her eyes go wide. “Are you serious?”
“I am always serious.”
The miko’s smile falls. “I can’t pay you— at least not more than what I was planning on spending for a regular ticket.”
“I do not want your money,” Sesshomaru refuses.
“I can’t accept without giving you something in return,” she argues. “Though, to be honest, I’m not sure what I could give you. What do you gift someone who already owns everything?”
“What I covet most cannot be owned.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome’s breath hitches. She almost can’t believe what she’s hearing. She almost can’t believe what she’s seeing. What she can believe is what she is feeling.
Novels describe romantic interactions with flowery adjectives and metaphors about butterflies. People get all dewy-eyed when they talk about how they knew their partner was ‘the one’. There are millions of songs written about the language of love. Yet none of these portrayals captures how Kagome truly feels.
Her heart doesn’t feel as though it is going to burst out of her chest. Her stomach isn’t doing somersaults. Her vision hasn’t become rose-colored. The world doesn’t tilt off its axis. There are no explosions of fireworks or grand gestures. Kagome doesn’t need them. The truth in his eyes is enough.
Everything quiets. There is nothing— no vibrations from the club music below or the deep timber of Sesshomaru’s voice. Kagome feels an immense wave of calm roll over her. It is as if nothing exists except this single point in time— a moment of clarity.
When Kagome moves, it is with clear intentions. Her fingers brush Sesshomaru’s bangs aside as she frames his face with her hands. Then, she leans forward.
His lips are soft, invitingly so and she can’t resist going back for a second taste.
“Miko.”
She opens her eyes and finds him staring. Her hands drop to her sides.
“Kagome.” Her correction is instinctive. She dislikes the term. Though most mean it as a sign of respect, Kagome doesn’t feel comfortable in the role. “I haven’t been a miko in a long time. You can call me by my name.”
“As you wish, Kagome.”
Her eyes widened slightly. She didn’t think he would obey her request. Or that she’d enjoy it so much.
“My original chance was stolen by the jewel and now, it seems, you have chosen to take away my second,” Sesshomaru says.
“What are you talking about?”
“This.” He cups her chin and returns her kiss.
Kagome smiles against his lips. “Maybe I got tired of waiting for you to make the first move.”
“Allow me to apologize.” Sesshomaru slides his hand around the base of her neck to cradle her head.
This kiss is less innocent. There is no urgency to his movements. Sesshomaru does not rush her but he doesn’t hold back either. He draws her in, savoring each breathy moan and every shimmy of her hips.
A squeak of surprise escapes her when he maneuvers her into his lap. Kagome starts to speak but he drops his mouth to her neck and the importance of those words fades away. Talking is overrated anyway.
Surrendering control takes some getting used to. Both of them serve as the oldest sibling, a trait that makes them fiercely independent and extremely competitive. In terms of their career paths, these are admirable qualities. The same cannot be said for romantic relationships. Kagome has never been one to back down from a challenge. While that isn’t the case with Sesshomaru, she knows quite a few people who would describe his personality as challenging.
Kagome prefers to call him devoted— which is exactly how she’d describe his attentions. Sesshomaru hasn’t wavered for a second. One hand glides over her thigh, over her hipbone, and around to rest on the small of her back. The other traces the curve of her earlobe, as he angles her face to meet his.
She feels complete. There is a peacefulness to being with Sesshomaru. Kagome doesn’t worry about how she looks, what she says, or how she behaves. She can be unapologetically herself. He accepts her. Just as she accepts him.
As she runs her hands up his broad shoulders, Kagome hears a chime come from her right. She blinks, startled by her phone. For a moment, she forgets her reason for coming to the Black Pearl but the sound serves as a reminder.
She stands up and grabs her purse.
“Leave it,” Sesshomaru grumbles.
Kagome ignores him. Reading the time, she gasps. “Sesshomaru, it’s almost two o’clock!”
“I fail to see what the late hour has to do with anything,” he mutters, reaching over to pull her back onto his lap.
She swats his hand away. “The club closes in fifteen minutes. I have to find my friends. They’re probably worried about me.”
Kagome shoves her phone back into her purse and smoothed her hands down the front of her dress. She wonders how red her lips are. Tentatively, she runs her fingers over her mouth. Her lips feel a bit swollen. It will be impossible to dodge her friends’ questions on the trek home.
“I will have my driver take you home,” Sesshomaru offers, straightening up.
“No, we’re fine,” she assures him. “We can catch a taxi out front.”
He takes Kagome by the hand, pausing her departure. “This is not a negotiation. Where your safety is concerned, I will take no risks. I cannot stand to lose you a second time.”
Kagome flips their hands over so his is on top. She presses a kiss along his knuckles. “I’m here now. We will have plenty of chances to spend time together— just not tonight. It’s Eri’s bachelorette and I neglected her all night. We were supposed to be celebrating.”
“Very well. I will return you to your friends but I have my conditions,” he says.
“Which are?” Kagome prompts.
“First, you allow me to escort you and your friends to their apartment.”
“Fine,” she agrees.
“You permit me to pick you up tomorrow morning and take you home.”
“Alright. Anything else?”
“Finally, you provide me with your phone number. I intend to take you on a proper date.”
Kagome beams. “Deal.”
They seal their agreement with a kiss.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note: For Sereia13 who is a literal ray of sunshine in my life and so many others in this fandom - Thank you for always being so supportive, both of me as a writer and as a person. Since I can't give you an IRL hug, please accept this reunion fic.