AN: This fic will end at chapter 10 ^^

Warning: Smut

Notice: Due to this site becoming more strict with flagging M rated content, I will not be posting stories here anymore. You can find me on Ao3, Dokuga or on tumblr. This fic will be finished on those sites in the future.

Chapter Eight

Kagome clutched the boy tight, stroking red hair and murmuring comfort into his pointed ear.

After sobbing his heart out, he pulled away enough to meet her gaze, her hair clinging to his wet cheeks and lashes. Kagome smiled, minding the strands aside to reveal big green eyes filled with tears.

"Calm yourself, Shippo," Sesshoumaru drawled. "Our Queen saved you. Be grateful for her generosity and kindness."

Kagome frowned at him. "Can we not? His gratitude isn't necessary," she sighed, looking at the kit. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah, I'm okay now," he said, rubbing at wet cheeks. "Thanks for rescuing me, weird lady. I thought I was a goner."

"No problem- do you have a house I can take you to? Parents?" she wasn't entirely sure if he'd been born fae or transformed.

His tail dropped, "ah, nah...I'm alone," he shrugged. "I usually just sleep in one of the little village houses if someone will take me in."

Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru, looking at him expectantly.

He arched a brow, removing a leaf from his immaculate strands of hair. He did not ask her what was wrong, setting her teeth on edge. She pointed towards the ivory tower and more refined buildings. "You're letting him stay with you. I know someone as prestigious as you would only want the best. That's where you sleep, right? Shippo is staying in a nice warm bed tonight. He's had a frightening experience."

Shippo gaped, looking between the two.

Instead of taking offence, Sesshoumaru hummed. "You must stay as well, then. No sense in scaring the boy by leaving him alone. He will surely be lonesome tonight."

Kagome hesitated, blue eyes assessing him. The manipulation was painfully obvious this time. Almost comical. Her lips twitched, snuffing out her weirdly amused reaction.

The Fae King was not to be trusted, she knew this- despite the pleasure he'd invoked with his mouth.

"I hope saving him was worth it."

She wondered what he'd meant by that. Had she unconsciously paid a price by choosing to save Shippo, one of the fey? Either way, she had no way of knowing how to reach the Blackthorn Tree from within the fae village. Unless…

Shippo. Would he know? She decided to ask later when privacy was ensured.

"Alright, I'll stay the night."

"Good…" Sesshoumaru purred, eyes half-lidded, glowing like a yellow moon. "Very good."

The interior of Kagome's bedroom was resplendent- with pearl white walls and gold trimmings along every piece of furniture. Her huge bed was covered in a throw of white feathers, which Shippo immediately jumped onto, sinking within the bedding. "This place is massive! I've never seen inside it before!"

"That doesn't surprise me," she sighed, perching on the edge. "Sesshoumaru seems like the type to hoard luxury for himself. I guess that's what Kings do."

The fox kit sat up, tilting his head. "You're not afraid to speak your mind, huh? Careful, that could land you in hot water here."

"It's fine- I've no intention of giving him my name," she smirked. "So is Shippo your true name?"

"No, we all refer to each other by middle names because they have no power. Only the King knows my true name," he mumbled.

Kagome pursed her lips, noticing he didn't seem too happy about it. "You don't belong to anyone, Shippo," she said firmly. "No one but yourself."

"...You're a weird lady."

"I try," she stood, swiping him from the bed. "Now then, let's get you into a bath. I dunno if you've noticed but those are some muddy paws."

Shippo blinked, lifting his foot. "Aha- I guess you're right. Y-you're not mad I got the bed dirty?"

Kagome snorted, walking from the room. "Who has time to stress about that when we're being held here against our will?"

He tilted his head, confused. "But...you agreed to stay here earlier for the night? You accepted the Fae by saving me."

Kagome stiffened, setting her jaw. "Technicalities. I'm leaving the first chance I get," she grunted.

While Shippo bathed in a white, gleaming bathtub that had been filled by servants carrying heavy, steaming buckets, Kagome sat off to one side in the room, reading a book. She lowered her voice once they were left alone.

"Shippo...do you know the way to the Blackthorn tree at the edge of the fae woods?"

He stiffened from within foamy bubbles, green eyes flicking around. He nodded silently.

Kagome noticed his hesitation and opened her mouth- when he beat her to it.

"I owe you, so- it wouldn't be...bad if you asked something of me."

"I wouldn't get you in trouble?"

He shook his head, brows furrowed. "But it's risky. Wait a few days."

Nodding, gratitude welled up in her chest. Finally, someone might help her. Progress! It would be highly risky- but she trusted Shippo slightly more for how he'd phrased things.

A fae repaying their debt was something concrete to rely on. He'd fulfill his end.

That night, Kagome settled into the much too big bed. She'd offered to take the floor, not wanting to steal the kit's probably first experience with a heavenly bed. However, Shippo seemed elated to share his 'nest' as he called it, deeming her a decent protector despite being a human.

Blue eyes slid shut, giving no complaint when he curled up beside her on a pillow.

For a long while, Kagome drifted, held hostage between waking and sleeping in a light doze. She wished she could wade into deeper waters. Sink beneath the surface and lose all sensation. Sleep.

Something that made her skin prick had her sitting up.

Heavy, strange footsteps padded down the hallway outside their room.

A panting, pacing thing.

It didn't have the light, pleasant gait of an inhuman fae nor the little totterings of a child. It reminded her of the nightmarish forms she'd seen around the campfire. However- she knew the air and atmosphere only stirred for one being alone in this realm.

Mortal curiosity overwhelmed her, and Kagome slipped out of bed.

Creeping as quietly as possible to the door, she wrapped her hand around an ivy-coated handle, tugging it toward her to peer out. The outline of something four-legged, tall and pale continued down the hallway.

Squinting, Kagome opened her door wider, noticing antlers. She stepped out as the creature turned a corner- the glint of red eyes visible for a moment- jaws opened to reveal spittle infested sharp teeth. Its legs were uncomfortably long and thin, a growl simmering in the air.

Kagome's heart raced. She fought to keep her breathing even.

Was that...Sesshoumaru?

She took a few more steps forward, listening for that breathy panting and heavy steps, but the hall of the Fae King remained silent. Cold returning to the hallway had her realizing with sudden clarity what the hell she was doing- standing there awaiting the jaws of danger in naught but a nightgown.

Whatever it was, she probably shouldn't interfere with it. Grabbing a door handle, Kagome opened it and hurried back inside.

Quickly diving to the bed and throwing the covers over herself, her head hit the pillow.

It smelled different. Nice. Masculine. Her thighs twitched, blue eyes lifting.

Searing gold smiled at her, causing her heart to do a somersault.

"AH! How did you- where's Shippo?!" Kagome demanded, bolting upright.

Sesshoumaru snorted in a refined manner, giving a sweep of his arm to gesture about the place. "Take another look, dear one. It is you who is the intruder here. This is my room."

She did as instructed, noticing the change in decor drenched in pale moonlight. Everything looked predictably more opulent, filled with more treasures than other rooms.

"That...is totally correct. I apologize," swallowing, Kagome turned, swinging her legs over the side of his bed. "If you'll excuse me-"

An iron grip enclosed around her wrist, tugging her down. Sesshoumaru leaned over her, hand planting next to her head on the pillows. He did not pin her down tightly, but the outline of his lower half could be intimately felt- her nightgown providing little margin for error in identifying exactly what rested against her thigh.

The Fae King apparently slept naked.

And there it was again. That heat. The traitorous- deliriously repressed sexual craving. Kagome's body just needed one look, a graze, a simple implication from Sesshoumaru and every nerve ending lit up. Blood pumped, core twinging, goosebumps raising, mouth dry.

"Why leave your bed in the first place?" he purred, silver hair pooling around them.

"I-I thought I heard something. There was this creature that felt like you in the hallway."

Golden eyes flickered, head tilting, drawing attention to his antlers. "Mn...did you find me frightening?" he grinned coldly, showing too much teeth.

Kagome shivered, skin heating. "I think I was more curious than anything. I didn't expect you to have that kind of form."

"That is my true form," he said tonelessly. "Befitting for my true name. You will never know either of them."

"That's okay- you're not going to know my name. Fair's fair," she grunted, shifting, attempting to slide out from beneath him.

Sesshoumaru's hips slanted, pinning her down. "Are you going to pretend to resist again? Despite wanting it so badly..."

"Don't go assuming things. You might've eaten me out but that changes nothing," Kagome muttered, breathing getting a little unsteady. He hadn't even touched her yet properly.

Get a grip! she squeezed her eyes shut, thrusting her arms out with the intention to push away.

Palms met firm muscle. He didn't budge. Dark lashes pried open, fingers twitching slightly against warm skin, as though he'd bathed in the sun. Her pupils dilated. Unconsciously her legs shifted, hips rising slightly.

A pale hand dropped to her thigh, smoothing down thin material that offering flimsy protection.

She could tell the air in the room had changed to something slightly heavier. "Be thankful my patience is so enduring," he said, soft malice in his voice.

"Fuck you," she hissed.

Sesshoumaru gripped her hair at the back of her head, making a fist in the strands and tugging. Kagome grit her teeth as her head was forced back- chin tilting up- hot breath fanning over her lips. His cock twitched at her thigh, steadily growing harder.

"The woods have been waiting centuries for their next Queen after my Mother. Do you enjoy what you do to me, cruel woman? Did you hear me pacing, my red tongue lolling out- stalking the hallways for just a taste of your scent?"

Kagome's cheeks flushed crimson, lips parted, secretly aching now. Her core fluttered, crying out to be filled. A deft tongue wouldn't be enough this time. She wanted to be stretched, to grip onto something. Her pride and wounded experiences wouldn't allow her to ask for it, but the Fae King offered such pleasures freely.

Sesshoumaru's lips brushed her ear. "I wonder if you'll still be able to speak coherently once I'm through with you. Take care though, dear one," he sneered, the name sounding more honest than it ever had; a sneer, an empty platitude. "You'll do harm to yourself if you resist for much longer- and then I really will have to end this charade of a chase," his voice had a gravelly, warm quality to it that gave her the shivers. Teeth dragged down her neck, hand hitching her leg to drape onto his hip, but she slid it further to swing down his back.

I have such abysmal self-control when it comes to you.

She threw her arms around his neck. Mouth crashed against mouth. Caramel. Spice. The rich scent of smoke from his pipe. An underlying smell of pine that made her feel like she was running through the forest. All of these things assaulted her senses, and Kagome inhaled that shit like it were something illegal.

Sesshoumaru plastered their bodies together, rocking his hips, cock running over her clothed clit.

Kagome gasped, grabbing his wrists and shoving large hands to her nightgown, pressing his nails down and attempting to drag them in- wanting the damn thing off her- skin feverish.

He chuckled against her mouth, slashing the material away and discarding it happily. Their flesh met and glided, hips rocking, small satisfied sighs escaping them. He massaged her breasts, squeezing, eliciting a squeak, before Sesshoumaru's mouth broke away from hers- their tongues reluctantly leaving one another- only to circle his around her pert nipple.

Kagome hissed and writhed, appetite unsated.

As she lay there, letting the King pet and taste her body, fingers pressing to her clit and rubbing, Kagome's glazed gaze wandered.

In the harsh shadows of the room, her occasional, breathy moan puncturing the silence- or Sesshoumaru's mouth sucking loudly- the glint of a camera could be seen.

Kagome shoved Sesshoumaru back, bolting upright, panting.

There was nothing there. No red circular light. No concealed, black box hidden within a moped helmet.

She caught her breath, staring blankly ahead.

Possessive lips pressed to her neck, peppering slowly. "You are afraid to surrender power."

She swallowed, trying to block out the memories. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and with some prompting, forced him to lean upright, allowing her to straddle his waist.

"Guess so," Kagome muttered, gripping tall antlers. "Looks like I'll have to ride you if we're going to do this. It's how sex usually happens with any relationships I've had."

"Hn," large hands roved down her back, settling at her waist and stroking. "Funny, you enjoyed yourself the last time I pinned you down."

"That was just your mouth- it didn't...make me remember anything," she murmured, avoiding his gaze. She shouldn't tell him these things. It just allowed him to have more power. Arm him with more weapons to use to hurt or possess her. Kagome reached down to try and gain back some confidence, stroking his cock.

He made a noise, lashes becoming half-mast.

"Guys always call me 'difficult' or hard to be in a relationship with because of my attitude," she kept talking. Why was she still talking? She couldn't possibly trust this man. Did she unconsciously...want to?

"I do not mind it," he uttered as Kagome ran her thumb down his shaft, rubbing over precum. Sesshoumaru let out a low moan, causing Kagome's brain to short circuit. "I thought someone like myself should wed a prim, elegant woman," he panted, gaze dark. "But what I need is a Queen with bite. Mother Earth is as cruel as she is kind. It is the same for the Fae Queen. You may resist, flee and struggle as you please. It is just your human mind fighting me at this point- but every road leads back to me. The woods will claim what is theirs, one way or another."

It was like he'd overheard her earlier. Like he knew her plan to use Shippo to escape- and he gave his blessing for it. Kagome's eyes flashed, pumping his base hard and tightening her grip slightly.

The Fae King hissed, hands moving- but Kagome used her grip on an antler to jerk his neck back with a sharp tug. He gasped as she hooked a leg around his waist and pulled him in close, grinding on his lap while jerking him off. For good measure- she latched her mouth onto his neck and sucked.

Sesshoumaru's mouth opened, no noise coming out. Soon a long, breathy groan escaped, vibrating against her lips. Kagome aligned herself with him and nestled the head inside.

Fuck. He was bigger than expected.

Shifting, Kagome tried to lower herself onto his cock nicely, but the sheer size forced her to adjust slowly, inch by inch.

A single, playful chuckle was her only warning.

Sesshoumaru grabbed her hips and slammed his own up, filling her to the brim in a single thrust that locked them together and had her screaming. He shamelessly moaned, eyes rolling to the back of his head.

"So tight, my Queen- and yet deliciously wet. I entered you easier than anticipated," his lips brushed her ear. "Does the prospect of riding your King excite you?"

Kagome shuddered, panting. He'd pushed inside so deep. She felt her walls clenching and unclenching as she forced herself to relax.

"You're not-" she managed, drawing herself up, "-my King!" Kagome sheathed herself down on his erect cock, crying out. Sesshoumaru grunted, tightening his grip on her. Claws pricked flushed skin as she refused to let up, bouncing up and down on him, gasping as he moved striped hips to meet hers.

Kagome kept one hand gripped onto his antler, liking the illusion of power it gave her. It surprised her that Sesshoumaru allowed her to tilt his head back, accepting her nips and hard kisses against his neck. A rumbling purr vibrated through his chest.

"If I am not yours," he rasped, voice tinged with arousal, "why do you claim my neck?"

She paused, coming back to herself. The high dimmed slightly, looking at the possessive marks she'd left over his skin.

Golden eyes glittered.

So that was why he hadn't stopped her.

Yours? Kagome started moving again, slower. She thought he'd meant 'your King' as in, her ruler. The one who would decide her fate.

The way he'd put it just then- it almost sounded as though he would...belong to her. "Mine?" the words slipped out, questioning, seeking. Almost hopeful. "Y-you'd want to be mine, in the marriage?"

His expression gentled, just for a moment, so quick Kagome couldn't be certain it had even happened. And then he was yanking her thighs up, slanting their bodies and dipping hers to land back on the bedding with a 'thud.'

Kagome squeaked, growling as he took her nice and traditionally on her back- which she yowled at him for like a riled cat, struggling. "Jerk!"

Sesshoumaru grinned, snapping his hips forward and burying himself inside her cunt smoothly. She jolted and mewled, toes curling. Taking the opportunity, he swooped down, kissing her roughly. Kagome repaid him in kind, arms locked around his neck, panting against him.

He pulled away just enough to let their breaths mix, mouths open from exertion as he slammed inside her continuously.

"Reach euphoria with me, my Queen."

Kagome moaned, cracking her eyes open weakly. They slid to the side again- searching- looking for the threat. The trick. Her chin was ensnared, forced to turn to her fiance.

Golden eyes blazed with the heat of a midday sun. "The boy who hurt you is dead. Let the memory of him die too."

Kagome wasn't sure what it was. She'd later claim it was a particularly hard thrust that had her squeezing him like a vice, cumming soon after with a gasping scream and arched back. She didn't want to face the prospect of her being so relieved and simultaneously turned on by his savage commitment that she'd orgasmed from it.

Sesshoumaru stiffened and shuddered, grabbing her beneath her thighs and shoving them back, knees near her head as he bucked wildly. His expression shuttered, letting out a low, gasping groan before his hips rammed forward- more magenta marks appearing over her collarbone as he released.

Kagome lay in a twitching, sensitive haze. She caught her breath, cheeks flushed red, sweat dotting her brow.

"At a loss for words?" he pulled out and sprawled beside her, arm bent to pillow his cheek on one hand, gazing at her with sated laziness.

Lulled by afterglow, she smiled at him, giving a soft, exasperated giggle. Sesshoumaru's eyes cracked a fraction wider, roving over her face.

Blue eyes smiled tiredly. "You're impossible."

"Hn," he returned her smile, almost seeming to mimic it.

"I need to..." Kagome lifted herself up slightly.

"Yes?"

Confusion marred her features. What was she going to do again? It was something important. For some reason, she felt like the branches swaying outside were much louder than before. Her body hummed. She felt...uncomfortably aware of something- life? Yes...life, growing inside her.

Kagome touched her stomach, looking at it dazedly.

Lithe fingers dragged down to marked thighs, and she frowned. By the time they'd strayed up to the ones on her collarbone, Kagome's eyes widened- the spell broken.

"W-what?" she gasped, horrified. "Why are there so many marks?! It wasn't like that before. I-I haven't made any more deals with you!"

Sesshoumaru gave a dark, sadistic chuckle, enjoying her alarm immensely. "Is that how you thought it worked?" he sighed, shifting to sit upright. "Sweet, naive woman. Ah...you have tried so hard to outwit me, have you not?"

When she didn't answer, mute with shock- he seemed to take pity on her.

"It is not the deals. Every time you accept me or the fae, let me into your body- your heart, your mind, more of my essence, my energy flows into you."

Sesshoumaru reached out to play with her dark hair, twisting it. "The more of me inside you, the faster your body adapts and the easier the change," he gave a wicked smile. "And then there is no need for true names, dear one. You are mine in almost every sense. Almost Fae."

Kagome stumbled off the bed, clutching a cover to her naked body.

"I can't believe I let you-" she cut herself off, mouth clamping shut. Tears pricking her eyes. "You're just as bad as-"

His hand suddenly latched onto her jaw, Sesshoumaru appearing before her in all his great and terrible glory, eyes glowing red.

"You compare me with a pig? Hold your tongue," he hissed. "If you did not resist me so- if you did not close your heart to me and deny what you truly seek, causing your body to yearn pitifully inside without the warmth of a being that promises forever- I would not have to take such measures."

"That's rich. Sure, blame me for resisting you," she gave a jaded laugh. "I never should have trusted you with one single smidge of me. I hate you-"

Sesshoumaru yanked her jaw, forcing his mouth over hers in a bruising kiss. He bit at her lips, pulling away to breathe; "you must not tell filthy lies to the Fae, dear one."

Kagome snarled, struggling, digging her nails in and dragging. The creature before her just laughed and kissed her again like they were sweet caresses instead of harsh scratches.

Kicking at his shin and smacking his hands off, Kagome tore herself away, fleeing for the door. Ripping it open, she glanced back once, panting.

Sesshoumaru stood as she'd left him, disheveled, bitten, scratched- evidence of her marks decorating him too. The darkness in the room hummed, rippling.

He smiled, rumpled and satisfied. "What are you waiting for, dear one?" he said softly, calm expression cracking open as his eyes bled red. "Run."

Kagome's grip tightened around the handle, mourning something for half a second, perhaps the glimpse of softness in his gaze while they'd fucked. Or something less sentimental. She shook herself, tearing out of the room madly, rapid footsteps echoing through his shadowed halls.

Sesshoumaru stood on the balcony overlooking the village square, breathing in deeply. He felt every sway of the trees, every breath of the greenery and their far-reaching roots ingrained in the earth, how they gasped in relief when rain fell and they drank deep.

All creatures were tied to him. He had to shake himself free of the sensation of a herd of deer running- his own legs wishing to move.

A wild heartbeat caught his attention. A striped human, his bride to be- ran down some steps, clutching Shippo close. She'd cloaked herself, as though foolishly fantasizing it would save her from detection.

Thin, cruel lips tilted up, exposing saliva-coated canines, teeth gleaming.

Various creatures slinked out of the undergrowth, snarling and sealing off her escape.

"Leave her," Sesshoumaru said softly.

They heard him as though he'd shouted, parting like the red sea to allow the woman passage. She glanced up, locating him with pinpoint accuracy, briefly stalling his breath.

Blue eyes gleamed in the pale light, beautiful, equally cruel as his black heart as she turned and ran. Her cruelty lay in her ignorance, which Sesshoumaru declined to educate her on. She didn't need to know how the forest wailed, crying out for a Queen. Her archaic role would give the wilds more sustenance- gaining nourishment from her power.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. They had enough time to get to know each other. Love each other. Let her hate him for now. He did not wish to weary of her love by experiencing it too quickly.

A Fae's love could burn out if it wasn't kept engaged, such was their fickle natures. Forever was such a long time. He strangely had the desire to give his woman something fruitful, lasting, in reward for not boring him.

He hadn't felt this awake in years.

"My King, shouldn't we give chase?" Jaken asked, waddling out onto the balcony.

"No, not yet. Hold back enough to give her a good head start and allow her to reach the Blackthorn tree. I think I shall go meet her in the future."

"O-oh, you're going to travel to her era?"

"Indeed," Sesshoumaru uttered, looking towards the trees where she'd disappeared, confidence radiating off him in waves. "I feel this game is drawing to an end, but a new one will begin once we are wed."