“…Kagome-san?” The miko swallowed cautiously, her hand returning discreetly to her side as Kohaku lowered his katana. Her eyes fell to the gray gleaming edge of the blade, to the pale muscular arms that held it suspended. The thin blanket he’d been sleeping under now draped low on his waist, revealing the breadth of his

Setting the low-burning lantern down on a rock near the shore, Kagome waded fully-clothed into the moonlit stream. Clear, cool water flowed gently past her, tugging at her thin gown and adhering it to her flesh. Lying back, she let herself drift along in the current, her long hair billowing out around her in a

Sesshoumaru’s glance was measured as he stepped briskly away from his youkai entourage and led her back down into the wooded valley below. Setting her jaw, the miko followed him at a distance, adrenaline crashing through her veins. His sheet of spun silver hair gleamed in the afternoon light, his long luxurious pelt shimmering from

Inuyasha… Inuyasha, forgive me. Golden and still, his eyes stared back at her, his silver hair dark and wet with his blood. With shaking fingers Kagome brushed the soft fringe of his raven lashes, eased his fixed lids down over his empty eyes like window shades. Curling into his lingering warmth, she lay down with

Kagome scrambled back, her shoulder smacking the wall as he took another step toward her. “W-why,” she stammered out, her voice faint with apprehension. “Why didn’t you kill me?” Her fear mounted as he continued to advance, her eyes darting frantically around for her weapons—to no avail. Not that they would do her much good

“You understand that youkai mating urges are far stronger than humans’,” Sesshoumaru stated, holding her gaze with disturbing intensity. “That among my kind, a point is reached at which the act must continue.” Furiously, Kagome flushed, her unease magnified. Only after she and Inuyasha had married had he confided to her how difficult it’d been

Kagome was grateful for her anger. Compared to her sadness, it was a welcome refuge, and she took solace in the white-hot fury that gripped her heart. It energized her, galvanized her, as she went about her duties with fervent, compulsive diligence. Discipline and industry were important, essential—these were lessons she had learned from him,

In the days that followed, Kagome considered what additional measures still needed to be taken to ensure the safety of the people in her charge. Rin’s near-flight from Edo had given her cause for alarm. No matter how fortified the village was, all these defenses amounted to nothing the moment a person stepped one foot

As Kagome climbed the shrine steps toward the graveyard, she felt her soul ascend. Kneeling before Inuyasha’s tomb, she closed her eyes and savored the transcendent love that lifted her heart. Perhaps the saving grace in uncovering Sesshoumaru’s betrayal was that it had redoubled her devotion to her husband. She could see now that she

Still simmering with fury, Kagome made her way to Sango and Miroku’s home. Her friends had invited her over for dinner that evening, and as much as Kagome didn’t want to attend after the fight she’d with Kohaku, she figured she should honor her agreement. It wouldn’t do to hide away from him, at any