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It had begun as a way to get under his brother's skin but had now progressed into a full-out game that had Inuyasha snickering to himself every chance he got.
He'd thought it was just the bastard's way of being antisocial and, well, anti-everything, but it turned out that Mister High and Mighty didn't actually like to be touched. Jaken and Rin trailed after him, but Sesshoumaru would conveniently sidestep out of their path anytime they got too close. Rin understood and kept her distance, her unquestionable adoration intact.
Jaken wasn't that smart. And constantly sported extra lumps on his head to prove it.
Inuyasha hadn't been able to create as many opportunities for it before the fall of Naraku, but ever since his brother had placed Rin under Kaede's care, he'd come around much more often. It was even funnier now that Kagome had returned because although she suspected something far more nefarious was going on, she hadn't stopped him because at least the brothers were getting along.
He'd even convinced her it was some sort of rehabilitation tactic to try and get him to warm up to humans.
Kagome had bought it hook, line, and sinker. Whatever that meant. Souta had used the phrase a few times when they played video games, but Inuyasha had never figured out what it meant. It hadn't even been a fishing game.
"Are you sure about this, Inuyasha?" she asked, tugging at a stray thread on her sleeve. She still planned on taking up Kaede's mantel but hated red, so she'd somehow procured dark blue hakama instead. Inuyasha was grateful; neither of them needed to be reminded of Kikyou's sacrifice.
Kagome coming back had been a surprise none of them were prepared for. They'd always hoped she would, but life moved on, and they'd been forced to do the same. No one knew how the well worked, or if it would ever work again, so all they could do was wait.
So they did. For three years.
It wasn't long for him, or anyone with demon blood, but Sango and Miroku were on their third kid by the time she showed up. At that point, he'd stopped going to the well, mainly at Sango's behest, but he'd known it was a bad idea to go every day. Or even every other day. It hurt too much.
But he'd known the moment she'd shown up, reaching his hand into the well like he'd done so many times before. Her hand had grabbed onto his, and he'd yanked harder than he should, both of them tumbling backward onto the ground. He'd quickly apologized, but Kagome had laughed it off. The well worked; what did she care about a little dirt?
His best friend was home.
He wasn't sure what to expect if he ever saw her again. They'd been through so much during their hunt for the shards, but their three years apart had done wonders for them both. They weren't as reliant on each other for emotional stability, and the conversation about not being more than friends hadn't even been needed. They both knew what was could never be and were happier for it.
Which was why he didn't mind using her to get under his brother's skin. Or, rather, fur.
With all the extra time spent in the village, Sesshoumaru needed to expel the reiki he came in contact with by resorting to his true form when he left. He never complained about it, especially since it was part of Rin's training, but though the fangs were bigger and the snarls louder, he never did anything with it.
Even when Inuyasha convinced one of his pack members to take liberties with his person.
"Keh, 'course I'm sure! He'll never ask for it outright, but he doesn't trust anyone outside the village. Besides Jaken."
Kagome bit her lip. "I thought being in your true form made you more vulnerable. Why would he trust anyone to touch him?"
Inuyasha stuffed his hands into his sleeves to keep from grinning. "Nah, it's actually when we're the strongest. But hardly anyone gets near us when we're transformed, hence why it's the best time to do it," he said, leading her toward the glade. "You wanna help him, dontcha?"
"Of course I do, but shouldn't I ease him into it with his humanoid form first?" Her steps slowed, and Inuyasha grabbed her arm, worried she would black out of the plan. Where would the fun be in that?
"Rin and the runt have already done that," he replied. "They're actually waitin' for ya to see if the bas—Sesshoumaru can go through with it." He wasn't really a bastard, not anymore, but old habits were hard to break.
"And you're sure he said it's alright?"
'No, which is the whole point.' Inuyasha smothered his snicker as he dragged her into the clearing. Sesshoumaru was curled up in his true form, one eye opening slightly at their arrival before he settled back onto his paws.
Rin had found a patch of dirt and was attempting to build a makeshift castle. The pile of sticks she'd collected were better used to support the walls, and Shippou was using foxfire to turn them into turrets along what looked like a moat. Jaken was spouting orders, which were being blatantly ignored, but all of them were a good ways away from the Western Lord.
Inuyasha knew he'd suspect something if he got too close, so he shoved his friend toward his brother before inspecting Rin's structure. "Whatcha up to, squirt?"
Rin didn't look up from her digging. "Lord Sesshoumaru's shiro." She smacked his hand when he tried to straighten one of her towers. "It's supposed to be like that."
Inuyasha chuckled. "Yes, ma'am. Need any help?"
She shook her head, adding some petals to the moat. "No thanks. Unless you have some sharks?" He blinked in confusion. "Kagome-sama said they live in the ocean and have lots of teeth. I want them to guard the castle."
"Moats aren't connected to the ocean, Rin-chan!" Kagome called over, her eyes fixated on the beast in front of her. She still wasn't sure this was a good idea, but if it helped Sesshoumaru, she was more than willing to do it. She took another step toward him, sending out a tendril of reiki as a greeting. Sesshoumaru's eyes shot open, teal pupils staring intently. He seemed apprehensive, and she offered him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
"It's not that uncommon," she said, taking another step. "And it's probably different for you, considering all the different auras you can sense." She reached for him, and he finally moved, head rising off his paws as he avoided her touch. Kagome frowned, wiping her hands on her robes. "I just bathed if that's what you're worried about."
There was a low growl, youki snapping at her heels as she closed the distance between them. She stood between his front paws and sent up another tendril of reiki, beckoning him down. She could feel the group's eyes on her, and there was a flurry of harsh whispers, followed by Jaken's indignant squawk, but it was quickly smothered.
Steeling her nerves, she held up both hands in a silent plea. Sesshoumaru's tail whipped around, agitation growing, but Kagome stood firm. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, and if Rin and Shippou had already crossed the line in his humanoid form, then this was the next logical step.
He continued to watch her, claws protruding and retracting in time with his breathing. His markings seemed more predominant, standing out against snow-white fur, and she raised her chin expectantly. A snort ruffled her hair, but she was undeterred. "Come on, Sesshoumaru. It's only me."
He cocked his head to the side, then finally lowered his muzzle. Kagome shivered as his fur slid through her fingers, nose pressed against her neck. She thought she heard Inuyasha say something, but she was too busy smiling. She pulled him closer, rubbing her cheek against the bridge of his nose as she stroked him softly. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"
His eyes slid closed as his youki settled around her, protecting her from anything that may interrupt such an important moment in his treatment. She wasn't sure how long he'd allow her this liberty, but she would take what she could get.
"We can make this a regular thing if you like," she whispered, her own eyes slowly closing as she enjoyed the feel of his fur against her skin. "As long as I'm not bothering you." A slow rumble vibrated through her, and she took that as his acceptance, a smile touching her lips as she dug her hands deeper into his fur.
Inuyasha couldn't believe his eyes.
Sesshoumaru was letting someone touch him. In his true form. And he'd initiated it.
Even Rin and Shippou were surprised. "I thought Lord Sesshoumaru didn't like to be touched," the kit said.
"Of course he doesn't!" Jaken screeched, face still buried in the dirt, Inuyasha's knee in his back. "No one is to approach him!"
"Kagome-sama did," Rin giggled, enjoying the view. "He likes her best."
"Since when?" Inuyasha hissed, finally finding his voice. His brother had never shown an interest in anyone, let alone a human. He tolerated Rin, maybe because he felt responsible for her suffering, but never interested.
The girl shrugged and went back to her castle. "Since always." That was enough to convince Shippou, and he offered to build a second tower for Kagome to live in. Inuyasha kept the toad from interfering, unable to look away. He'd fully expected there to be an all-out brawl. They were both equally stubborn, and he'd planned to stick around just in case power started flying and the kids needed to make a quick exit.
He certainly hadn't expected this.
Sesshoumaru looked happy.