Deceit, Lies and Malice

(FanFiction/Inuyasha/Angst)

By Danyealle

Chapter 9

Soon Sesshomaru found himself relaxed enough that he was starting to get a bit dozy himself.  Gently, he stood and carried her to the bed.  After stropping down he slid under the covers and pulled her close.  Holding her to his chest, he shut his eyes.  As he drifted towards sleep something like a smile was on his face as he thought about the time he spent ‘courting’ her.

One of the things Inuyasha had been insistent on was he wanted Sesshomaru at least close to his pack so if there was a problem he could be there quickly.  Of course, he hadn’t had a problem with that.  Because Kikyo was apparently also dogging Inuyasha’s steps, it was prudent to be close to his pack.

At first, when he started showing up every few days to take walks so he and Kagome could talk, the rest of the pack had been less than thrilled.  Yes, Inuyasha had acted as everyone expected him to but the others had taken it even worse.  Sango had all but threatened him with a bloody, violent death if he hurt the woman she saw as a sister.  The hentai monk Miroku had made comments about sucking him into his wind tunnel if any harm came to the little miko.  Her adopted kitsune, Shippo, would burst into tears the first few times she left with him, terrified that he would hurt her.  While their reaction expected it was also welcomed by him.  That ferocious, protective attitude was just what was needed to keep her safe.  As time went on, and they realized that he intended no harm to Kagome, they relaxed a bit but were still wary and on their toes around him, something he perceived as a smart move.

Though things for him were rough with her friends she was receptive to giving him a chance to woo her.  That didn’t mean she made things easy because she most certainly didn’t.  Yes, by that point they had a fairly good relationship as covert allies and there was a certain level of trust in that area, but it didn’t extend to a more personal relationship.  In fact, he actually had to work fairly hard to get things moving in that direction.  Quite early on he realized that she was going to make him do it mostly on his own and learn about her without much help from her.  That was fine with him, he knew that the things in life that you would end up valuing the most were usually the hardest to obtain.  Besides, a little hard work never bothered him.  However, that didn’t mean that he wouldn’t use every resource that was available for help.  In the case of Kagome he had an excellent one: Inuyasha.  He wasn’t above picking his half-brothers brain to learn about the little miko.

As it turned out, within two months, she had begun to thaw out and they talked more leading her to share a lot of things with him.

By the six month mark Sesshomaru had decided that she was going to be his mate even if both Kikyo and Naraku died the next day and she didn’t need his protection anymore.  He had finally discovered what so many before him had; how special, sweet and loving the little miko was and he refused to let her slip back out of his life.

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Mentally, Inuyasha sighed in relief when they crossed the boarder of the Western Lands.  Kikyo wouldn’t follow them into lands controlled by his brother.  For good reason, she was afraid of what he would do to her.  Even Naraku seemed to steer clear of lands controlled by Sesshomaru.  While the spider may have spies or informants in the west it was very doubtful he would actually step onto western soil himself.

A break from the walking dead was a relief for him but so was the fact that they were only a couple days away from the fortress.  Not only would he get to see Kagome soon but the closer they got the less stressed and irritable his pack was.  Seeing her, and knowing she was alright and not forced into anything, would make things more pleasant for him when they set out again. 

A grin spread across his face when he thought about the way his pack saw Kagomes’ relationship with Sesshomaru.  From conversations he overheard they assumed it like an arranged marriage, done out of convenience for both of them for whatever reason.  Little did they know!  He almost laughed out loud at the thought of the look on their faces when they finally found out the truth Kagome really did love Sesshomaru very much and his cold-hearted brother was absolutely head-over-heels for the little miko from the time yet to come!

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Before leaving the fortress to take her home for a few days after the bombs had been dropped on her, it was fairly obvious that the poor girl needed a break after that, Sesshomaru had pumped him for information about things she liked.  From his perspective that made sense, he very much doubted that the mighty demon lord knew much about human women and what they would like, let alone one from the future.

Of course, as they had planned, Sesshomaru had escorted them to the well.  Before they hopped through, he had told her to be careful then gave her a light, one-armed hugged and a soft kiss on the cheek.  Blushing brightly, she returned both then waved goodbye and hopped with him into the well to be transported to her time.

After there return the Western Lord began courting the Shikon Miko in earnest.  If he hadn’t been trying to play a part and have to keep up appearances he would have been on the ground, clutching his sides at the bug-eyed, panicked looks on his packs faces the first time Sesshomaru showed up in camp and asked to speak to Kagome alone.  It was even more hilarious when he had brought her back and gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving.  Actually, he had to sneak off, profession bathroom break, to laugh at the looks both Sango and Miroku had that could have easily passed as having a heart attack.  The more Kagome saw of his half-brother the more they relaxed but, even though it became apparent it was a serious relationship and what feelings that there were there were mutual, the monk and exterminator were still wary of the taiyoukai.

Yes, he had kept up his front and snarled about things but behind that façade he was grinning.  Honestly, he had never thought he’d see the day that his cold-as-ice half-brother would fall in love but it was obvious, to him anyway, that Sesshomaru had fallen for Kagome, hard.  It took every ounce of his self-control to not snicker at him and sing several verses of the ‘I-told-you-so!’ song.  Long ago he had tried explaining why men fell for the miko to him, such as she didn’t play mind games, she was genuine, the fact that she really did care about everyone no matter what or who they were, etc and Sesshomaru hadn’t understood.  Well, now he did.  When he was around Kagome with no one else around but him, he looked like a little, love-sick puppy.

Hell, from the point of view of someone similar to his half-brother, he could understand why he had fallen.  Like himself, he was pretty sure Sesshomaru had never had anyone treat him as well as Kagome did and not want anything in return.  For as long as he lived he would remember Sesshomarus’ reaction to what Kagome did for him that first Christmas they were ‘together’.

None of them, either his pack or Sesshomaru, truly understood what the holiday really meant but Kagome explained it the best she could and they did understand that it was a fairly important holiday in ‘her time’.  Each year, about the time of said holiday, she returned leaded down with gifts for everyone she considered a friend.  Rin, Jaken, that two-headed dragon that traveled with them and Sesshomaru were included that year.  Now, he was no fool, he loved the hell out of the holiday because he always got something very special from her.  Of course, that year wasn’t an exception.

The woman he so loved had made him a red fur cape with a hood to keep him warm along with some fingerless gloves and had found him a pair of red winter boots.  No, he didn’t feel the cold like humans did but the extra warmth was nice and the cape looked great.  After she had given his pack their gifts he had taken her to where Sesshomaru was camped so she could give them theirs.  Rin, of course, was delighted with the art supplies and winter clothes she was given.  Even that irritating kappa Jaken seemed to like the boots and coat she bought him.  Like Rin, the dragon adored the treats that were his gift and was happy.

He sat with the little girl and listened to her happy chatter, she was much easier to take than Shippo and wasn’t nearly the brat the kit was, while Kagome gave Sesshomaru his presents.  For the first time in his life he was privy to seeing his half-brother stunned.  The little miko had given Sesshomaru presents similar to the ones she had given him.  A pair of white fur over-boots that just slipped over the ones he always wore, white fingerless gloves and a white fur cape, like his but without a hood.  Instead she had given him ear muffs that were white.  While she babbled on, showing him how to use everything, he just watched her, quiet, something undefinable in his eyes.

When she was done explaining everything she had looked up into his face expectantly and asked, “Do you like them Sesshomaru?”

He had run his calloused fingers over the soft fur of the cape then looked at her, “Did you make this yourself Kagome?”  He asked quietly.

Blushing, she nodded, “Most of it.  I had a bit of a problem with part of the lining and the gloves so mom helped me with those.  If you don’t like it I can take it back and change the parts…”  She rambled on nervously.

Putting a finger to her lips to silence her, he said firmly, “No.  I like it just the way it is and will wear it with pride.”  Looking back down at the flowing white cape he then said quietly, “I’m just stunned that you would put so much effort into a gift for me is all.”

Kagome had been spared from blushing any harder by Rins’ call to her to come and look at the artistic masterpiece she had created with her new crayons.  While the little miko was oohing and ahhing over the blobs of color that was suppose to be a picture of some kind Inuyasha slid over by his brother.  While the big taiyoukai stared down at the cape, eyes once more unreadable he said, voice lowered, “Feels good doesn’t it?”

Sesshomaru had lifted his head and shot him a puzzled look.

Smiling, he had replied, “To have someone care enough about and for you to do something like that.”

Saying nothing, the taiyoukai looked over at Kagome and nodded.

“Why don’t you go spend some time alone with her, I’ll stay here with the kid.”  He had offered.

“I believe I will take you up on that offer.”  Sesshomaru had replied gruffly then walked over to Kagome.