LL: I know, I know. I haven't finished 'Promises' yet, but I had this idea about Kagome having a relationship with Sesshy in her time while still gathering shards in the past.  And well, I was kind of in the mood for some smut … so, I started this a little while ago.

B0b: Heaven help us.

LL: *thwacks B0b* Yes, well anyway, this is also sort of my apology for making all my wonderful reviewers of 'Promises' wait so long for the latest chappy. So enjoy! I'm still toying around with the idea though, and I really don't have a plot or at least a conflict yet, so any help would really be appreciated.  Thanks much!

Disclaimer: Inu-Yasha belongs to Takahashi-sama, not me. I just play with them. *quietly draws a curtain across a room where Sesshy is tied up and gagged* =P

The Duality of Love

Prologue

Five hundred years.  He had lived too long in this world of humans.  Existing among them, as one of them, working with them.  Five hundred years ago, he would have never sat down to talk with a human for whatever reason.  Five hundred years ago, he would have never been in bed with one.

He had been the infamous Lord of the Western Lands.  Feared.  Despised.  Every one in the world had known who he was, had trembled at his name.  That was before he discovered that there was a world beyond Nihon and China.  That was before the Portuguese and later on the Americans.  That was before the rise of Christianity and their one God.  That was before the revolution of technology, the rise of knowledge, the Communist experiments, and the information age.  That was before the discovery of space and walking on the moon.

That was before he met her.  Again.

The woman in question stirred beside him, murmuring softly in her sleep.  He slipped his arms around her, enjoying the feel of her soft, bare skin against his hands, one his and one borrowed, but they both relayed the delicious sensations the same.  He nuzzled her dark hair, breathing in the scent of his lover, mixed with that of his and their recent lovemaking.

She mumbled something that he didn't bother to decipher, and wriggled around until she was facing him.  Her blue-gray eyes slit open for a moment as she slid her arms around his neck.  Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his forehead, where his crescent moon used to be.  It, like the rest of his demon stripes, had faded until they disappeared all together.  His tail had also shrunk away gradually over the years, responding to his need to blend in with the rapidly growing human population.  He still missed it at times, but once he had regained his sense of balance, the missing appendage hadn't really bothered him.  After all, it was these changes that had allowed him to survive when many other demons had been slaughtered by the humans who had rapidly grown in power.

With a contented sigh, she snuggled back into his embrace, falling back asleep.  Through with his musings, he rested his chin on her head, and joined her in dreamland.

***

Kagome woke with a start as the alarm went off suddenly, and was just as suddenly silenced with a crash.  She rolled over onto her back with a groan, flinging one arm over her eyes.  "Please tell me that you didn't just break the alarm clock.  I just bought that one two days ago."

A warm body joined her once more, molding to her side, and flinging one arm across her chest possessively.  "With my money," a sleepy deep voice corrected her, "Besides, you should know better than to keep buying them.  I hate those things."

Kagome peeked out from under her arm at the silver head that was buried into her chest.  With an exaggerated sigh, she brought her hand down to run her fingers through his silky hair.  "I know you.  If I don't set the alarm, you won't wake me up to go to school.  And speaking of which, I have to get up so I can get ready."

His arm tightened around her, preventing any movement on her part.  "Call in sick," he mumbled, his lips ticking her breast delightfully.

"I always call in sick," Kagome reminded her rather frustrating lover, pushing at his head, which had attached itself to her chest.  She gasped when he ran his tongue over her sensitive nipple.  "Sesshou!" she whined, desperately trying not to give into the temptation he so readily provided.  "If I don't make it to school on time, then Mom isn't going to let me spend the night here anymore!"  Her lover's head rose just enough for his yellow-gold eyes to glare at her.  She held up her hands in defense, "It's the truth!  She made me swear that I would make it to school on time every day that I'm here, don't you remember?"

He grunted in ascent, burying her head in her chest for one long moment before finally releasing her.  Gracefully, he rose and slipped on a yukata before giving her a hand up.  She caught his arm before he could turn away from her, and forced her lips on his.  With a growl, he flung his arms around her, pulling her close, and deepened the kiss.

When he finally released her, Kagome was gasping for breath.  She pecked him on the lips once more with a whispered "thank you" and bounded off to get dressed.  When she returned, her lover was already going over some paper work at the table in the sitting room, still dressed in his robe.  Their breakfast was waiting.  Kagome hugged her lover around the shoulders, toying with his hair absently as she tried to see what he was reading.  After a moment, he took the hint, and set down his work.

Grabbing her hand, he led her around the chair and pulled her down into his lap.  She yelped at the unexpected motion, but settled into his embrace easily.  "I'll come by after school before I leave ok?" she said softly.

"Mmm, don't bother," her lover said as he nuzzled her hair.  He must have sensed her hurt, for he quickly added, "I might be tempted to kidnap you and never let you go again."  She chuckled, and shoved him playfully.  "Seriously though, I have a meeting this afternoon, and a social function tonight."

"Oh, you poor thing," Kagome said, ruffling her lover's hair, "You have to endure a party all by yourself.  Do you want me to stay and go with you?"

He appeared to consider the offer for a moment, but eventually shook his head.  "No.  You told the hanyou that you would be back today, and the last thing I need is Inu-Yasha interrupting the party."

Kagome groaned, burying her head in her lover's shoulder.  She could just picture Inu-Yasha kidnapping her in the middle of a high-class party.  "You have a point."

"You should go," her lover reminded her.

"Hmm?"

"School?  You don't want to be late do you?" he asked, amused.

Kagome sat up, "Shit."  She rubbed her eyes sleepily.  Her lover picked her up and stood, setting her on her feet.  She slipped her arms around his waist, even as he bent over to grab her backpack from where she'd left it on the chair.

"Arms," he ordered, slipping the straps of her backpack onto her shoulders when she gave them to him.  Turning her around, he led her to the private elevator that led down to the ground.  "I'll call for the car.  Take it, ok?"

"There's no need…" Kagome began, but she was cut off quickly.

"Just take it.  I'll feel better."  The woman sighed and nodded her agreement.

She flung her arms around her lover, squeezing him desperately.  "Love you," she whispered, not expecting a reply.  She wasn't disappointed, he smoothed a gentle hand over her hair before shoving her lightly into the elevator.  Kagome sighed and leaned against the wall as the contraption made its way downward.  It was going to be a long two weeks.

***

I know what you're thinking, Rin-Chan.  What's going on with me and Sesshou, or rather, Sesshoumaru, as we know him?  I know I haven't had much time to write lately, what with school and everything else.

Kami, has it really only been three weeks since I met him here?

He's not the same person you understand.  Then again, I suppose that five hundred years will change anyone.  Would you believe that he actually apologized to me for trying to kill me the first time we met?  I know, I nearly fell of my chair when he did, and I would have laughed at the look on his face if I hadn't been absolutely sure that he was serious.  I could tell that he actually felt bad about it, and that was the weirdest part…

Kagome glanced up at the digital clock on her desk for a moment.  She had about twenty minutes before she had to return through the well.  Or rather, ten minutes before Inu-Yasha burst through her window demanding that she return.  A smile graced her lips as she envisioned the irritated hanyou in all his arrogant glory standing there yelling at her.

Rising, Kagome opened the window.  Inu-Yasha wasn't very well acquainted with the idea of glass windows.

She grinned again, surprising herself.  In the past, Inu-Yasha's attitudes would have infuriated her.  But Sesshou had taught her patience and given her something else to think about when her patience reached its limits.  She had stopped worrying about petty things and learned to focus on the big picture.  With Sesshou's help, she had grown up.

Kagome's eyes flicked to the phone.  She could call him for one last goodbye before she left.  But no, he was working, and no matter how much she wanted to hear his voice she couldn't disturb him.  With a small sigh, she gave up on that hope.  It wasn't like it would be years before she saw him again, only a few short weeks.  And in the meantime she would have Shippou and Inu-Yasha and shard hunting to keep her busy.

So instead, she turned back to her diary entry, trying to finish it before Inu-Yasha arrived.

I guess since I'm so far behind, Rin-Chan, I'll start by describing Sesshou as he is now.  He looks much the same as he did, but in a way, you have to look very close to see the similarities.  After all, going from feudal dress gear to a business suit is a big jump.  His demon marks are gone and so is his tail.  When I asked him about it, he said something about blending in but didn't seem to be to keen on talking about it, so I didn't press him any further.  I don't really mind the change though; it just serves to remind me that he is a wholly different person.  His silver hair and golden eyes are still there though.  He wears colored contacts in public to hide his eyes, but hasn't done anything to his hair.

And guess what he does!  Sesshou is the CEO of Nippon Electronics.  Surprised?  I was, even though I shouldn't have been.  It's just like Sesshoumaru to seek out the position of most power in today's society.  Then again, when I found out, I was still trying to get over the fact that he was here … but I'll get into that another time.

Well, that's all for now, Rin-Chan, I can hear Inu-Yasha yelling at me from the yard and I must go.  See you in two weeks! ~Kagome

In case I didn't make it clear, Rin-Chan is the name of Kagome's diary, seeing as all good diary's have names you know. ^_~  Please review, I'd really like to know what you think!