The Water Returns by Sakura-Chan

Loss

          The next morning Kagome mourned the loss of warmth that came with climbing out of her sleeping bag. Before being thrown back in time, she had hated getting up with the sun. It was too early. Now, after having been here for so long, she couldn’t sleep past the sun rising.

          The cool air hitting her skin caused it to rise with Goosebumps. Rubbing her arms to warm them up some, she set about her morning routine of preparing breakfast for the group.

          Inuyasha woke up shortly after the food started cooking, coming to slowly, as the smell of the food reached his sensitive nose. Arching his back, he sighed in satisfaction as it cracked. He jumped silently from the tree, landing on the balls of his feet, before approaching Kagome from behind and setting a hand on her shoulder, startling her from her thoughts.

          Kagome jumped three feet out of her skin and squealed when Inuyasha set his hand on her shoulder. Putting her hand over her racing heart, she breathed a large sigh of relief when she realized that it was just him.

“Kami, Inuyasha. You scared the bejesus outta me. You shouldn’t sneak up on someone like that!” She admonished him, trying to calm herself down.

“Maybe if you paid more attention to your surroundings, wench, then I wouldn’t have surprised you.” Inuyasha huffed, crossing his arms across his chest.

“Whatever, Inuyasha. Breakfast is ready, so I’m going to wake the others.”

          Inuyasha watched her go, not believing what had just happened. He had expected her to sit him, but she didn’t… Something’s gotta be up. Shrugging, he didn’t worry about it too much. If it was something serious, she would tell him about it.

~*~*~*~

          Sesshoumaru reigned in his aura and hid his scent, watching Kagome from a little way’s away. He had been shadowing their little group for the past few weeks, even before their encounter at the springs. He didn’t regret what had happened, of course. He never regretted anything. Everything he did, every action he took, was for a reason. It was well thought out, consequences thought about, and deemed important or not. It was obvious, though, that he was having an effect on her. She had been exceptionally absent-minded the past couple of days, forgetting to do things more than normal.

          He smirked; pleased with the reaction he had gotten from her. She was attracted to him, that much he was certain of. But was it enough? Would she continue to act on attraction alone, or would he need to woo her as he would any other female he wanted?

          He didn’t want just any female, and he would not settle for just her body. No, he would take his time, and court her, just as his traditions demanded of him. He would seduce her; mind, body, and soul. She would be his, completely. Of that, he was certain.

~*~*~*~

          Kagome shivered, a cold chill running down her spine. Something was happening.

A/N: Sorry about the wait on this. I was going to update yesterday, but the kids decided to run me ragged. I was too tired to even clean the kitchen last night... So now theres a pile of dishes that I'm gonna have to do later D: But yeah, I'm going to TRY to update once every day, or every other day, at least. I wish I could be more specific, but I've got the kiddos and they drive me crazy. Especially my niece.  I'm watching her for my sister, because I live with her, and I don't have a job yet. Plus she's in the Navy and needs someone who can be there for her. Anyways, I'll try to make it every other day at least. Please review and let me know what you think!!

Prompt: Loss, for The Lovely Mikos weekly quotes/prompts challenge

Words: 500