Chapter Text
When Sesshoumaru formed his orb of light, he hadn’t considered a destination—his sole purpose had been to remove Kagome from the wolf’s den. His beast still rumbled with residual fury, the territorial instincts clawing at him, but the moment her warmth pressed against him, her face buried in the soft fur of his mokomoko, his focus began to shift. The erratic pounding in his chest slowed, his breathing evened, and the crimson haze clouding his vision faded entirely.
Kagome was safe. She was in his arms with her small frame tucked tightly against him. The fragile, shaking aura she emitted softened his ire replacing it with a gnawing ache of guilt.
His flight faltered slightly as indecision clawed at him. They couldn’t simply hover in limbo. He needed to take her somewhere—a place far from interruptions, far from prying eyes. Somewhere she could yell, cry, or do whatever it was she needed to do. Somewhere they could talk about what had happened.
Sesshoumaru's mind sifted through possibilities until it finally settled on the perfect place. Adjusting his grip on Kagome slightly he changed direction. The winds howled around them as he pushed his speed to its limit, the world below blurring into nothingness.
As the blinding light receded and the roar of the wind diminished into a serene silence, Kagome felt her feet touch solid ground. Her knees wobbled slightly from the turbulence of their flight, but before she could steady herself, Sesshoumaru’s grip loosened, granting her the opportunity to pull away. She took it immediately, stepping back to create distance between them.
Opening her eyes, she froze.
The landscape before her was nothing short of breathtaking. A clearing stretched out in a perfect blend of nature’s artistry and tranquil harmony. Towering cedar and maple trees framed the space, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Shafts of golden sunlight filtered through the canopy, dappling the ground with light and shadow.
She turned slowly, her wide eyes absorbing every detail. A koi pond glimmered nearby, its waters so clear she could see the delicate patterns of the fish gliding beneath the surface. A small arched bridge crossed it, leading to a path bordered by moss-covered stones and clusters of wildflowers that swayed in the soft breeze. The rhythmic clack of a bamboo fountain blended with the gentle rustling of leaves.
In the distance, nestled beneath the trees, was a modest size home. Its dark wooden walls seemed to blend into the surroundings, as though the structure had grown naturally from the land. The sloping tiled roof was weathered but sturdy, and the engawa wrapping around the house looked inviting, its wood polished smooth by time and care.
Kagome took a hesitant step forward, her breath caught somewhere between awe and confusion. “Where… are we?” she asked softly.
Sesshoumaru was silent, standing still as he watched her take in the scene.
She turned back to him, her brow furrowing. “This place… it’s so peaceful.”
Still, he said nothing.
Her gaze shifted back to the house, the warm glow of light from the paper shoji doors inviting yet unfamiliar. She approached cautiously, drawn by the beauty but unsure of its purpose. Reaching out, she let her fingers brush against the rough bark of a nearby tree.
“Whose home is this?” she asked, more to herself than to him.
“It is mine,” Sesshoumaru replied finally.
Kagome’s hand froze midair, and she turned to face him, her eyes wide with surprise. “This is your home?”
Sesshoumaru inclined his head, his gaze steady. “It is.”
She looked back at the house, her mind struggling to reconcile the modest, nature-infused dwelling with the stuffy, untouchable demon lord she knew. “I… I didn’t expect this,” she admitted, her voice soft.
“This place reflects no one’s expectations but my own,” Sesshoumaru replied.
Now that Kagome knew this was his home, she could see the subtle details that whispered of him. The shoji doors were pristine, their off-white paper unmarred by time or wear. The arrangement of the bamboo and stone work around the pond, though seemingly random at first glance, revealed a balanced arrangement. Even the air here carried a faint, familiar scent, a blend of cedar and something uniquely Sesshoumaru.
And yet, among these elements of him, there was an unexpected softness woven in. The wildflowers, the childlike charm of the koi pond, the carefully maintained simplicity—all signs of Rin’s presence. It struck Kagome how little she truly understood him.
Her gaze returned to Sesshoumaru, who stood silently, watching her take it all in. “Why did you bring me here?”
He set their bags down and began to approach her, each step unhurried, as though he feared startling her. “You showed me your world,” he said, his tone softer now. “I wished to show you mine.”
Kagome’s eyes widened, betraying her surprise and a flush rose to her cheeks only to fade when he added, “No one will bother us here. You may speak freely.”
His words cut through her momentary awe, bringing her back to reality. The anger and hurt she’d forgotten surged to the surface, mingling with her confusion. Why would someone who didn’t want her, who claimed his actions were a mistake, bring her to a place so personal? So intimate?
“I…” she began, but the words caught in her throat, tangled in her conflicting emotions. When Sesshoumaru reached out, his clawed hand moving to brush her cheek, she instinctively stepped back. “I need to add the last shards to the jewel,” she said quickly, her voice coming out a little too loud. “You’re sure no one here will try to take it?”
Sesshoumaru’s hand paused midair before he let it fall. “This place is protected. The spirits that wander the forest are harmless and will not trouble you.”
She nodded, her eyes darting around as though searching for a refuge, somewhere she could escape to.
“You are welcome to use my home,” Sesshoumaru offered after a moment. “I will go hunt and return before nightfall.”
Kagome nodded again, relief flickering across her face. She watched as he turned and began walking toward the edge of the forest. Just before he disappeared into the trees, he paused and glanced back over his shoulder.
“If you allow it,” he said, his voice carrying easily across the clearing, “I would like to show you the grounds tomorrow. There are places I think you will enjoy.”
And then, without waiting for a response, he was gone, vanishing into the embrace of the forest.
Kagome stood alone in the clearing, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. This place was beautiful and utterly disarming. But beneath its tranquility lay an unease she couldn’t ignore—a tension she wasn’t sure she could navigate.
Turning toward the home, she took a hesitant step forward. Maybe some distance from Sesshoumaru was exactly what she needed.