From an overlook of weathered stone, Sesshoumaru gazed out, backlit by the embers of a dying sun. Red light seared along his pale armored form, burnished the needles of the fir tree beside him in points of glowing flame. Against this sweeping backdrop of blazing evergreen, he turned and fixed his gaze upon her.
The cast of his eyes was more fiery still.
“So,” he said, “you are still here.”
His voice, so cold and cutting, couldn’t have been more at odds with that molten look. Kagome stiffened as if struck.
“Yes, I’m still here,” she replied, rather defensively. “Why shouldn’t I be?”
“Still at it,” Sesshoumaru remarked, as though she’d said nothing at all.
Kagome’s mouth scrunched. Gliding down from the rock, he approached her. She turned her face aside.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“No?” he said as he paused. “I think you do.” Still looking pointedly away from him, she nevertheless felt the scorching weight of his gaze dragging over her. “Kagome-sama.”
Her eyes cut back to him. “Speak plainly to me, if you have something to say.”
Sesshoumaru smiled at her, scathing and dark. “What a sight you are.”
Kagome’s cheeks tinged red. “If you came here just to insult me, you’re wasting your breath. Do you think I care what you think of me? That ship sailed a long time ago. Things are different now.”
“Yes,” Sesshoumaru said, sparing her another critical glance. “Some things are.”
Kagome crossed her arms at the chest. What he said felt like a jab, and she refused to acknowledge it. But doubt nagged in her mind—she hadn’t sensed him. Not so much as a trace.
It was unsettling.
“Are you satisfied, Kagome?” he asked lowly, stepping toward her again. When she only clenched her jaw, he rephrased with glinting eyes, “This lord husband of yours—does he satisfy you?”
The dread she had felt, that first night she was remarried. It had felt almost virginal to her, absurdly enough. When the wine Koshirou’d drunk had proven too much for him to stay hard above her, Kagome had been enormously relieved. As he’d lain back in a daze, she’d gotten him off with her hand instead, and the next day both he and the maids had been none the wiser.
It had been a short, guilty little leap from there, to lace his tea with sedative in the evening. A guilt that was somehow not lessened, now that she didn’t even need to bother to do it.
Kagome glared at Sesshoumaru all the same. “That’s really none of your business.”
“I hear he is frail,” the demon lord said, brisk and matter-of-fact, as if they were discussing the weather. “With your kind it is difficult for me to discern.” Kagome turned to follow him as he circled around her. “Yet with an appetite as large as yours, I doubt even a healthy man could sate you.”
Kagome’s eyes simmered, her voice soft with warning. “He gives me what I need.”
“Good,” Sesshoumaru said, smirking. “I am glad to hear it.”
Kagome frowned, her gaze following after him as he circled between her and the shrine. This close to her, she could smell the musk and spice of him. It was a warm, wild scent. It made her think wild thoughts. Unbidden images rose to her mind—of the heated crush of lips and naked flesh, of panting breaths intermingled, of silken hair fanning over flushed skin, of the scrape of claws and fangs drawing red lines of blood in their need. It made her dead pulse quicken even before she felt his aura unfurl in seeming nonchalance, and skate against her own.
“How is Hirokin?” he asked her, as if changing the subject.
Kagome smiled lightly. “Why not ask him yourself? He’s your servant.”
“So he is,” Sesshoumaru said, with a faint curl of lip. “Yet I half expected to find him hidden under your skirt. He can’t help himself anymore than you can.”
As Kagome stewed over this, he advanced on her directly. With a whimper, Ikiryou retreated behind her. Tensing, she held her ground, scarcely breathing as he drew to a stop a scant few inches from her. The dark heat of him buffeted against her, looming and oppressive.
“Your trifling, mortal affairs are of no concern to me,” he said, leaning into her so closely she struggled not to flinch. “Continue to dwell here, if you choose. Play lady of the castle. Amuse yourself with my underling.” Sesshoumaru’s expression chilled. “Just know that you do so only because I permit it. Cross me in the slightest, and I will crush you without fail.”
Kagome stared up at him, heart pounding. Against the backs of her legs, Ikiryou was still as a stone. The mad impulse to reach for Sesshoumaru with reiki-charged fingers assailed her. What would he do then?
In the flash of her eyes, she let him see it, how badly she wanted to ‘cross him’ right then and there. Go on, she thought savagely. Give me some excuse.
When had he ever been able to resist such a look of provocation from her?
Yet he did. To her chagrin, he drew away from her as if she were truly nothing to him at all, and vanished into the gloaming.
Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
Man i hope she crosses him and fries his ass lmao
🤣🤣🤣 if anybody deserved it…lol
<3
Oh my goodness this bish really doesn’t know what she wants. He’s leaving her along like she wanted, but Kagome can’t help herself, and feel some yearning still. Sesshoumaru too though, else he wouldn’t come to see her in-person. Plus a little spite to show her she means nothing to him and lord his lordliness over her. They’re both idiots I can’t 😂 that imagery in the beginning with the dying sun and blazes description was very vivid; him fading into the gloaming was also lovely.
Thanks, Aneve! So glad you enjoyed the imagery <3
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts & hope you enjoy the next part!! <3
No, Sesshoumaru, don’t leave!! God, please tell me he’ll be back soon!!
I’m thrilled to see Sesshoumaru again, but there encounter was so disheartening🥲. He’s totally indifferent to her “mortal affairs” and is displaying a depressing lack of jealousy or possessiveness (my kink is well established at this point lol). I don’t know if it’s an act or if it connects back to his statement last time he left her—something like “goodbyes are for mortals.” So maybe he just doesn’t feel threatened because it’s a human and they are beneath his notice? But how are we ever going to make progress when these two categorically refuse to communicate 😫.
Interesting to learn that Kagome never consummated her marriage. I feel like that will come back later, as in some cultures that seems to invalidate the union? I also loved the addition of Ikiryou drawing back from Sesshoumaru—he knows who the alpha is around here!
Will we see the conclusion to That Night soon? Or does something else have to happen first?
Thanks for sharing, Char! I live for your updates 🥰
No self control lol. I was just thinking—Kagome mentioned a few chapters ago that she wasn’t feeling well but didn’t want to worry the attendants. At first I thought oh she’s pregnant, but then here she seems to have lost some of her acuity or powers. And she’s constantly dwelling on death…is she ill?? 👀
“At first I thought oh she’s pregnant, but then here she seems to have lost some of her acuity or powers.” – 😉 pregnant was a good guess! I would’ve thought the same XD
I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the updates, Alex!! <3 It was great to have Sess on the scene again 🙂 But yeah their communication issues are still a hurdle for sure XD
And yep, as you suspect the last installment of That Night will drop at a specific point 😉 Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!! Have a great weekend <3
Honestly Sesshoumaru leaving Kagome and not rising to her bait is so fucking satisfying. Boy is fed up and has every reason to be.
Kagome needs to do some soul searching and figure out what the hell she actually wants.
Sesshoumaru asking about Hirokin has me hella intrigued. How much does he know of his schemes? How long has he known? Honestly Hirokin might be my favorite oc you’ve written. He’s so complex and shady. I hate and love him at the same time and I just love the conflict. I just love how complicated and flawed all of these characters are and I can’t wait to see how this all turns out.
“Honestly Sesshoumaru leaving Kagome and not rising to her bait is so fucking satisfying.” – yay glad you thought so! 🙂
Also so happy you’ve enjoyed Hirokin’s role in this story!! He’s my favorite oc too <3
Really appreciate the kind words of support! Hope you enjoy the rest <3
Sesshoumaru appeared and left with a lingering threat. More like BAIT! He knows Kagome is going to take it. She can’t help herself. Sesshoumaru doesn’t have it in him to destroy Kagome. He’s probably kill himself first. That lying ass dog. Hanging around Hirokin too much 😂
Hahaha he’s a bad influence for sure 🤣
Hope you enjoy where it goes from here!! <3
Is it bad I still kinda have no idea what’s going on? I mean I still like it but I’m still very confused
Not bad – there’s still some ground to cover before the end 🙂
Glad you’re liking the story! Thanks for sharing <3
Bingo. I think he’s finally figured out what she wants.
After their last encounter, I was wondering if he’d be willing to treat her like the filthy slut she wants him to, if he meant he could keep her. You could feel the drab boredom last installment, and I wonder how long she could go on like that before she chased up some drama. How bad did she want him to show up, only to have him play it off perfectly to spin her up and leave her cold?
I’m glad she didn’t fuck her husband, and i wonder how much time has passed? Where is Hirokin, and how’s it all gonna blow up this time? lol
i can’t wait to see!!
“drab boredom” is a great way to put it! Glad you enjoyed how things played out with the husband 😉
Love hearing your thoughts and questions, susie! Thanks so much and hope you enjoy the rest <3