A Kludge of One Shots by tenchi no mai

Goddess In Bloom

This was written in response to Priestess Skye's weekly challenge.

Theme: Blossom
Due: July 19, 2009
Required Word Count: 1200 Minimum
Actual Word Count: 4249
Universe:  Alternate Universe - Modern Day
Rating:  MA
Warnings: Innuendoes and Sexual Situations

Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz Media.   Only the plot to this story and my original character, Shun, are my intellectual property.  I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

'Italics' = thoughts    
 

Goddess In Bloom

She had been trying for weeks to think of something to do or create for Shun's upcoming birthday.  After the spectacular success of their planning for Sesshoumaru's birthday surprise, she wanted something equally special for Shun.  He was a relatively easy going youkai with a fairly calm personality, especially when compared to Sesshoumaru, who could be somewhat strict and demanding as alphas are prone to be.

An idea began to blossom when she walked past his study one day and saw Shun doodling with a pencil on a piece of paper.  Walking over behind him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and after gently kissing his ear, carefully peeked over his shoulder to see what he was drawing.

Kagome was pleasantly surprised.  She knew from several previous, embarassing incidents that when the other guys began doodling it often ended up with naked women in erotic poses.  Displayed on the paper was a delicate depiction of flowers and flower buds on a branch.  However, it was unlike any flower she had ever seen.  It appeared to be a combination of moonflowers and several other unidentifiable blossoms.  'Oh, a fantasy flower!'

"What's up Princess?"  Shun stopped drawing and laid down the pencil to turn and pull her onto his lap.  After giving her a hug and a passionate kiss, he started to crumple up the drawing.

"No! Don't do that! Can I have it?" Kagome reached for the paper and began flattening out the creases. 

"Sure, it you want it you can have it, but I can do a better one for you in ink."  Shun shrugged, 'Why would she want this?', but
then picked up the pencil again and signed the paper in the corner for her.

The unasked question was forgotten as he swept the desktop clean and stood up, sitting Kagome on the edge of his desk.  "I can think of better things to mess around with on top of the desk that doesn't involve pencils and papers."  Kissing her again, he wrapped her legs around his waist, then leaned in and began nibbling on his mating mark.

~*~

Kagome had taken the drawing back to her sewing room and stuck it up on the bulletin board, waiting for an idea to take root in her mind.

She was currently involved in randomly searching the internet looking for some inspiration for Shun's birthday.  Kagome had thought of and discarded the idea of making a negligee, even though she had plenty of chiffon and ribbon left over.  Using the flower design, if she embroidered it, would take forever, even if she used the embroidery function on the sewing machine.  Applique wouldn't come out looking right, and she wasn't that good at painting, especially not on fabric.  'Besides, that idea is so cliche.  Lingere is always good, but not what I'm looking for.'

Then she saw it and the idea instantaneously coalesced.  It was a picture of a woman with a tattoo of a cherry tree on her back.  It extended from just above the small of her back up to her shoulders.  Then there was another shot of her feet.  The tattoos started near her toes and covered the tops of her feet before wrapping around her ankles.  Printing out the pictures, she put them in an large envelope along with Shun's drawing. 

Kagome had always wondered in the back of her mind what it would be like to have markings similar to Sesshoumaru and Shun's.  Both of them had what she considered the most beautiful markings she had ever seen.  Masculine and sexy, they turned her on immensely.  She didn't want the pain of a permanent tattoo, but wondered if she could find someone to create a temporary tattoo for her using Shun's drawing of the flowers.  It would be very feminine done in the right colors. 

Making up her mind she searched the internet for a nearby tattoo artist.  After looking at several websites, she realized that they all seemed to be located in an area of the city she had no desire to go to alone.  Then inspiration hit a second time.  Makoto had tattoos, as well as piercings, she had seen them when he was swimming in their pool. 

Picking up her cell phone, she called Makoto, and after asking about who had done his tattoos, and a longer explanation than she considered necessary about why she wanted to know, he gave her a phone number and address.   'Well this one at least is in a decent part of town.'  Ending the call with Makoto, she dialed the number for the tattoo parlor.

~*~

Two days later Kagome stood outside a non-descript storefront with no signage to indicate what type of business was conducted inside.  Finding the door locked, Kagome looked at her watch.  She was a little early for the appointment, but not much.  After waiting for a few more minutes, she rang the bell.

The door cracked open, and a male voice asked, "Can I help you?"

Kagome was squinting from the bright sunshine.  The room behind the man was dark, and he was dressed in dark clothing, making it difficult to get a good look at him.  "Yes, I have an appointment at 3 o'clock." 

"Come in, you must be Kagome Taisho, I am Masahiro Tomiyama."  After opening the door to let her in, he took a long look at her, surprised at what he saw.  Standing before him, nervously gripping a large envelope, was a very petite human female, with long dark hair and bright blue eyes.  "Follow me, we will go to my office and have tea while you tell me what you desire."

After some small talk about the tattoo business and drinking the tea, which was served with small biscuits, Kagome pulled out the pictures she had printed from the internet along with Shun's sketch of the flowers.  While she explained what she wanted to do, Masahiro took out an artists pad and began sketching.  After a few minutes, he turned it around for her to see.

Kagome gasped.  It was perfect, better than she had expected.  "This is absolutely beautiful.  It's a lot more detailed than I expected."

"This", Masahiro waved his hand dismissively over the rough draft, "is just a preliminary sketch of the idea.  I will take some measurements from you, and we will make an appointment for next week so you can see a full color version of the artwork.  We can then proceed, or not, from there."  Masahiro pulled out a tape measure from the desk drawer and measured across the width of her shoulders, waist and hips, then down the length of her back from the nape of her neck to her hips.  After asking to see her feet, he made notations on the sketch and set the follow up appointment.

~*~

"Kagome, what have you been so nervous about the last few days?"  Sesshoumaru was laying in bed next to Kagome after a very satisfying serving of afternoon delight.  He had noticed that for the last few days she had been on edge, and he hadn't quite figured out the reason yet.

Kagome lifted her head up off his chest and snickered at him.  "I've been working on a surprise for Shun's birthday."  Putting her head back down, she smiled as she continued rubbing small circles across Sesshoumaru's torso. 

"Do you require any assistance with this surprise?"  Sesshoumaru pulled her in closer to his side and shut his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her fingers on his skin.

"No, not yet, but I may need your help when it gets closer to his birthday."  Picking her head up to look at him again, she added, "Please don't say anything to spoil the surprise, okay?"

"Kagome, you know me better than that.  I won't say anything to Shun.  But you better stop talking about it, he just walked into the shiro."  Rolling her over on her back he gave her a deep passionate kiss, ready to get started on round two when Shun got there.

~*~

Masahiro called Kagome a few days later to move up the appointment to see the completed artwork.  After meeting her he had been inspired, and a youkai with artistic talent and enough motivation could perform miracles.

When he had gotten near Kagome he could smell both males on her.  After getting a closer look at her mating marks, he came to the sudden realization of who he was working with, and prudently decided to to keep this commission as hands off as possible.  He didn't want either Sesshoumaru or Shun to be able to make any acusations of impropriety.  Masahiro also did not desire to be missing any of his body parts.  'There went my idea of finding out if she was interested in any body piercings.'

Picking up the phone again, he called and made arrangements to have one of his apprentice artists, female of course, present when Kagome came in for the next two appointments.

~*~

Kagome was excited as she drove to the tattoo parlor to see the completed artwork.  Masahiro had finished it quicker than she had expected, which was good, they were now in a crunch to get this done before Shun's birthday. 

Parking her little sports car, she ran across the sidewalk and rang the bell.  A girl with multple tattoos and piercings answered the door.  She had numerous fluffy feathers braided into her hair, reminding Kagome of a bird youkai. "Hi, my name is Kayla, come on in.  You must be Kagome." 

Leading the way towards the back, she continued.  "Masahiro is finishing up with a customer.  Why don't you come with me and I'll make some tea, or we have cold drinks if you prefer."

Kagome followed her down the hallway and through the back door into a small enclosed garden.  There was a large shade tree in the middle, with flower beds lining the perimeter and a small koi pond in the back. 

She barely had time to accept the iced tea from Kayla and take a quick look at the fish, when Masahiro appeared in the doorway to call them back into the building.

Entering a room near the back door, Kagome realized it was an artists studio with large windows and a wonderful view of the garden.   There were many canvases piled around the room, but her attention was being directed to an easel set up near the desk. 

Standing in front of the easel, Kagome was speechless.  Her eyes widened as she took in the intricate details of the painting.  It was incredible!  The canvas was split into two views, one from the front and one from the back. 

The tree with the fantasy flowers rose up her spine and burst into bloom across her back, then continued up to delicately twine over her shoulders and around her neck.  Her arms were also entwined with vines and more blossoms continuing down onto the backs of her hands.  The flowers curved around her ribs, almost, but not quite, covering her torso.  The tattoos were there on her feet, but they continued to twine upwards covering the front and back of her legs.  

Kagome looked at Masahiro, then back to the painting.  "It is absolutely the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!  It is so far beyond what I had expected, and is incredibly perfect!  Shun is going to love it."  Looking at it again, she noticed more details she had missed the first time.  "Is it possible to actually do this?"

"It is not impossible.  However, we have one problem.  I will not be able to apply the artwork.  You will have to find someone else to do that for you."  Masahiro was enjoying her reaction to the piece. 

She swiveled her head towards him again.  "Why not?  That is what we had initially agreed on."

"That was before the piece grew to its present proportions."  Masahiro sighed, 'And before I realized who you are'.  "I will not have my scent on you.  It will be bad enough that it will be on the transfers.  I have no desire to be slayed or permanently crippled by either one of your mates.  The risk is too much.  I will create the transfers and provide you with all the tools and supplies you will require, as well as explicit directions and computer generated pictures showing the placements.  However I would strongly suggest that you enlist the aid of a female friend to help you apply them." 

Kagome's first reaction was anger.  Then after thinking about it for a few minutes, she realized he was right.  There was no sense in invoking a blood lust in either one of her mates.  "Then that is what I will have to do.  It won't be overly difficult to apply the transfers, will it?"  Kagome was running a list through her head of who she could get to help her.

"I will make it as easy as possible with placement marks."  Masahiro was ready to wrap this up and get started on the transfers.  It was going to take a few days to complete.  "Also, I will finish the painting and you can give it to Shun as part of the surprise." 

~*~

Kagome spent the next several days trying to figure out who she could get to help her pull this together.  Sesshoumaru was the obvious choice, he was patient and was extremely detail oriented.  However, since seeing the finished artwork, she now wanted to surprise him too.

The rest of the pack was out.  She was not comfortable enough to let them in on what was essentially a personal gift between mates.  That left only one person that was somewhat aware of the project and knew the general idea of what she was planning.  Makoto. 

Now she just had to wrangle him into taking a day off from work and helping her.   He was used to working with complex ideas and delicate machines.  She had seen him take apart and rebuild the computers, and knew he worked miracles with the security systems.   Mind made up, she picked up her cell phone to call him.  "Mako-chan...."

~*~

Kagome had picked up the transfers and completed canvas from Masahiro a few days ago.  She spent the following days reading and rereading the directions and mentally going through the steps necessary to apply them.  The colors were a little too bright for her taste, but Masahiro had assured her that once the solution to set them was applied and she showered with a special soap, the ink would fade to a more pastel hue.  Apparently it was a special unscented youkai ink, with some unusual properties, and could last several weeks if she kept reapplying the setting solution.

Deciding to work in the breakfast room because there was plenty of natural light, she hauled in the supplies and started setting up for the application of the tattoos.  Putting down a plastic drop cloth on the table, she then covered it with several layers of towels.  More towels, washcloths, several glass bowls, and the rest of the supplies from Masahiro were laid out along with the transfers. 

Now she was just waiting for Makoto.  She had called him after making sure both Sesshoumaru and Shun had left the shiro.  Kagome was glad that both of them had a full schedule of appointments today.  She figured that even with Makoto helping her, they were still going to need most of the day to get this done. 

Kagome was wearing the bikini that Sesshoumaru had bought her several years ago while they were on vacation.  It was a lot smaller than she liked, and she had never worn it again.  She preferred a one piece suit if she went swimming in the pool.  Following the directions, she had already showered, and applied the first solution to her exposed skin.  It had to be completely dry before they proceeded.  Her hair was twisted up onto the top of her head, out of the way, and she was nervously pacing between the front door and the breakfast room.

When the doorbell rang, she just about jumped out of her skin.  Letting Makoto in, she hurried him into the breakfast room so he could read the directions and see the illustrations.

Looking over the laid out artwork, Makoto whistled out loud.  "Wow, Masahiro really went all out for you.  This is beautiful, I don't think I have ever seen anything this involved!"

"Yes, he did, and yes, it is.  Have you eaten breakfast yet?"  Kagome had snacks and lunch already prepared, but would make something for Makoto if he hadn't eaten.

"Yeah, I had breakfast, but coffee would be great while I read the instructions and figure out where to start."  He sat down at the end of the table and slowly and meticulously went over the directions and illustrations.

~*~

Several hours later, when they decided to take a break for lunch, Kagome was surprised that the majority of the application was done.  'This is going a lot faster than I anticipated.'

The worst part for her was at the beginning, when Makoto had to untie the top of her bikini to apply the transfer to her back.  It got easier after that.  Now they were almost done, and it was like they were old friends.  The only part left was her feet and lower legs.  They should probably complete it in less than an hour.

Hurriedly finishing lunch and getting back to the project, they had moved over to the large window seat so both of them could sit comfortably.  After Makoto sprayed the last few transfers with the adhesive solution he applied them to her lower legs and feet.  Kagome rubbed them briskly to make sure they were adhered properly.  Then they each picked up a burnishing tool and proceeded to go over every inch of the tattoo. 

"Mako-chan, you don't know how much I appreciate you helping me with this."  Kagome was firmly smoothing the tattoo on her right shin and foot.  It had to be rubbed with the tool which looked like a cross between a nail buffer and a sculptors wooden modeling tool.  Once it was completely burnished, they could gently release the backing and apply the setting solution.

"I think you owe me a dinner or two for this Kagome."  Makoto joked with her as he peeled off the thin plastic backing.  There had only been two small mishaps, which he was easily able to fix, and were now invisibly seamed with the rest of the design.  "This is incredible, I hope Shun appreciates all the work it took us to accomplish your masterpiece."

Neither one of them noticed the irate youkai standing in the doorway until he spoke.  "You hope I appreciate what?" 

Shun stood there, shocked, holding his jacket and briefcase, watching a shirtless Makoto sitting between his mates legs, while rubbing them.  And with the tiny bikini she was wearing she may as well have been naked!

Kagome and Makoto's heads both jerked up at the ominous sound of Shun's voice, and the steadiliy growing snarl emanating from him.

"Shun, you're home earlier than I expected."  Kagome took the cloth from Makoto and calmly finished rubbing her feet. 

"So I see."   Dropping his belongings on the closest chair, Shun advanced on his mate and the human male that had dared to touch her, the snarl getting louder.  "Human, you will leave at once!" 

Makoto took one look at Shun, grabbed his t-shirt, and keeping the large table between them, beat a hasty retreat through the door to the garden.  "Shun!  Don't be rude to Makoto.  He was helping me..."  Kagome was unable to get any more words out before Shun grabbed her off the windowseat, eyes flashing scarlet, and threw her over his shoulder.

"And you, my mate, will be getting a shower right NOW to get his scent off you!"  Shun was divesting himself of his clothes as he stalked towards the master bathroom.  By the time they got there he was naked. 

"Shun!"  Kagome screamed, struggling to get down, "Let me explain..."  She was still trying to get through to Shun as he turned on the water in the shower and slashed the bikini off her. 

Kagome had already put the special soap in the shower that she need to help finish setting the tattoos, and grasped it as Shun planted her firmly in front of him, never loosening his grip on her arm.

"Woman, you will be quiet and stop making excuses for the reprehensible behavior of yourself and that human male!"  Shun grabbed the soap from her and began harshly scrubbing her.  Only then did he notice the garish hues with which she was painted.  "And what the hell were you thinking!  The only ones who can mark you in any manner whatsoever are myself or Sesshoumaru!  Could you forget so quickly who your mates are?"  

"Shun! I..."  Kagome started to reply, then stopped as Shun snarled again, flashing his fangs.  She could feel the liquid heat pooling in her lower abdomen, and knew it wouldn't be long now before he lost control. 

Just as Shun finished scrubbing her legs and threw the soap over into the sink it happened. He lifted her up, settling her legs around his hips as he crushed her against the wall of the shower.  Leaning against her to gain some leverage, his beast was suddenly in control as he snarled "My mate!"  Wrapping her arms around his neck, Kagome put her head down on his chest while smiling broadly and holding on for dear life. 

~*~

Makoto sat in his car outside the garages waiting for Sesshoumaru to come home.  He had called him as soon as he heard Kagome scream. 

About an hour later Sesshoumaru drove up and parked his car.  Walking over to Makoto, he took in his unusually pale complexion and terrifed eyes, wondering what the hell was going on. 

"Thank Kami you're here Sessh!"  Makoto started.  "I'm afraid he's going to kill her!  She's been screaming for the last hour!"

Just then, Sesshoumaru heard Kagome scream.  'Indeed, it does sound like she's starting to get hoarse.' 

"No, Makoto, Shun will not kill her, I'll take care of things.  You can go home now."  Sesshoumaru gave an internal chuckle, he really didn't want to have to go into an explanation with the kid.

"Okay, Sessh, I'm outta here!"  Makoto put the car in gear and sped down the road towards the gate.

~*~

Shun was currently on the bed kneeling behind Kagome, holding onto her hip with one hand as he traced the design of the tree trunk up her spine with the other.  Once he had finally calmed down he instantly recognized the artwork of Masahiro Tomiyama, it was unmistakeable.  Now that the artwork had faded to its intended pastel shades, it was beautiful.  In fact it was exquisite.  Being careful of his claws, he ran the pads of his fingers over the flowers on Kagome's back suddenly recognizing them from the sketch he had made several weeks earlier.  'Little minx, so this is why she wanted it!' 

Still not saying anything, he continued tracing the flowers as they proceeded on their path over her shoulders, twining down her arms, and around her wrists culminating in blossoms on the back of her hands.  It was probably going to take him a few days to appreciate, in totality, the intricateness of the design.  

Looking down, he visually followed the trail of flowers as they meandered across her hips and fell in garlands around her lithe legs.  Hearing Sessh open the bedroom door, he turned his head and motioned him to come over.  

Stripping off his clothes as he approached, Sesshoumaru sat on the bed and began tracing the design on Kagome's back with one claw.  Like Shun, he instantly recognized the artist.  He was now wondering how Kagome had managed to pull this one off. 

Shun bent forward, putting an arm around Kagome's waist, and gathered up her hair, which had long ago fallen out of its clips, with his other hand.  Effortlessly sitting back up with her held firmly against his chest, still embedded deeply within her, he sensously displayed the artwork on her obverse side to Sesshoumaru as he, himself, leaned over her shoulder for another look. 

The first thing Sesshoumaru noticed was her devilishly sparkling eyes and the huge grin she sported.   Kneeling in front of her, he traced the flowers across her ribs and up the sides of her breasts.  Like Shun, he quickly came to the realization it would probably take days to appreciate the beauty of the entire design. 

Shun abruptly leaned forward, lifting Kagome and transferring her onto Sesshoumaru's lap.  "Keep my little hothouse blossom warm, I'll be right back."  He then headed towards the bathroom.

Waiting until Shun was out of sight, Sesshoumaru leaned in and whispered into Kagome's ear. "You did it this way on purpose, didn't you?"  He began to kiss and nip his mating mark.

"Yep."  Kagome giggled as she whispered back.  "He needs to learn to let loose and be more dominant every once in a while.  He always feels better afterwards." 

"I saw the painting in the breakfast room."  Sesshoumaru continued to whisper, laying open mouthed kisses down her neck, making her shiver.  "Has he seen it yet?"

"Nope.  Not yet.  It's a surprise for after dinner, whenever that will be."  Kagome whispered back, kissing Sesshoumaru passionately. 

'Hn.  The only place that one will be allowed to hang is in Shun's study.'  Sesshoumaru gave an internal chuckle as he waited for Shun to return; he had checked out the title and signature in the corner of the painting.  'Goddess in Bloom.  Very aptly named.'

~*~

Fin