Chapter 43 | Affection

- KYOKO POV -

In front of me, the demon I had once despised stood now on a grassy hill, his back turned. But even still, his shining silver hair swayed down his back in long strands and his signature Hakama and fur piece made him stand out.

Stepping forward, he continued looking forward at the distance, perhaps not noticing me. But that was highly not likely.

Now closer, in that moment he turned back, meeting me with his golden eyes; fierce and piercing as I remembered them to be.

Freezing I stood still, taking in all his features as I stared at him.

Coming up to him in semi slow steps, I was then in front of him, close.

Looking down at the ground then I felt my heart inside beat uncontrollably in my chest. " Can you ... turn around?" I asked.

After a moment I could see his feet move, now to where he had his back facing me again.

Hesitating, I brought my head up extending my hands and hugging him from the back. Trying not to hold him too hard, I could feel him tense up some by my action - which amused me.

Bringing my forehead close and putting it against his back, for the first time in my life I felt bold, and extremely embarrassed and uncomfortable. What am I doing?

"Don't - Don't look back." I said pleading in a whisper.

Taking a sigh I then spoke, my feelings practically pouring out of me.

"I ... I know I'm just a human in your eyes ... but ... please allow me to follow you till my lifetime ends. I don't fully understand my feelings ... but being away from you ... has been the hardest thing I have ever had to bare. "

Letting him go, I sunk my head down again, awaiting an answer.

This is fine.

This is all I need.

As long as I can stay by his side ... he doesn't need to hold the same feelings as me.

Feeling a hand touch the side of my face, to my surprise - it was Sesshomaru. Lifting my head up to looked at him, he stared at me with a look I had never seen on him before, stoic yet relaxed - no longer blank.

"You ... truly are a foolish priestess."

- THIRD PERSON POV -

He had been a fool.

In truth - Sesshomaru had nothing else better to do than wander aimlessly through lands and the world itself. For once he had quested on finding his fathers sword; and then to the pursue of Narakus defeat. Now - he found himself at odds.

Without realizing it, he found himself back here, where she was.

He had followed her scent, the smell practically covering the whole hill he was now on, leading him to her. As he stood wondering whether or not to go see her, he contemplated in his mind what he would say. What would be his reasoning. For so long since the very beginning he had fought back against the feelings that had been pushed down.

It had only been a few days.

Yet he missed her.

Hearing a rustle come behind him, Sesshomaru knew it from the sound of her breath and her scent.

It was Kyoko.

She was here.

And right behind him.

Hearing her come closer, he tuned back to look at her. She was the same. Beautiful and shining in his eyes, more than any other being he knew of. With her long black hair down her back, it flowed with the wind as she stepped closer, staring with a longing with her hazel eyes.

Now in front of him, Kyoko looked down avoiding the gaze the two once shared. " Can you .. turn around?"

Surprised that it was the first thing she said to him after being apart for so long, Sesshomaru did so, turning his back to her.

Feeling her arms wrap around him, Sesshomaru tensed up as Kyoko hugged him from the back, placing her forehead against his back.

" Don't- Don't look back." She said pleading in a whisper.

Taking a sigh she then spoke, hesitant and afraid - yet confident.

"I ... I know I'm just a human in your eyes ... but ... please allow me to follow you till my lifetime ends. I don't fully understand my feelings ... but being away from you ... has been the hardest thing I have ever had to bare. "

Letting him go, she sunk her head down again, awaiting an answer.

Stunned by her boldness, Sesshomaru inside felt amused by her. He too - had been feeling the same.

Through he had not fully understood his feelings towards her as well, he knew one thing. He too wanted to be beside her.

He wanted her.

Without thinking, Sesshomaru extended his hand out cupping the side of her face, bringing it up so they could meet each other again.

" You ... truly are a foolish priestess."

Leaning forward, he pulled her face closer till his lips met hers. Bringing her arms up, Kyoko put them around him, deepening their kiss. As his lips moved against hers now slowly, he parted his lips from her for only a moment before moving them back on hers again. Wrapping his arms around her hips, he pulled her closer as she did as well, the two of them filling with desperation.

Breaking apart, the two of them breathed out, taking a moment.

Smiling now, Kyoko grinned as Sesshomaru stared at her with longing, practically telling her all she needed to know - but she wanted to hear it too.

"So ... I take it you feel the same way then?"

" ... Did I not make myself clear?"

"You did not; I think I need ... to hear you say it."

Straightening up, Sesshomaru then spoke trying to assure her - his blank expression now plastered on his face unchanging.

" I too .. wish to be with you. Your the only one I want. I - have never longed for something like this - and like you this is new to me. But if this is truly what you humans call love ... then let me love you with everything I have."

Turing red, Kyoko stopped grinning and blushed profusely bringing her head down so Sesshomaru couldn't see her surprise. " hah ... if I knew you were going to say that I'd have never asked ..." she said still blushing.

Looking at him now, she smiled, trying to calm herself. " So, does this mean you'll let me stay by your side?"

Staring at her, he spoke sounding a bit mad. " I already gave you your answer."

Laughing a little Kyoko smiled harder. " I know."

Hesitating again, Kyoko reached down and grabbed Sesshomaru's hand holding it. Returning her gesture, he held hers within his, unfazed yet happy by her action.

" I love you as well, Sesshomaru."

~

With the sunset on them, the two held their hands together, never breaking apart. For they would not let each other go. Not again.

For that day, Sesshomaru realized he had fallen in love with a mortal woman, though in the beginning he vowed he would not let his emotions plague him.

From the beginning he found her stunning and beautiful; admiring all her features and the way she held herself, confident yet lonely and happy yet afraid.

He liked her.

He loved her.

From the moment she had put that Cherry blossom behind his ear, he had found her different and amusing.

He found himself curious.

He wanted her to smile more.

And if she wanted to be with him - if that would make her happy - he was more than glad to let her have him.

Kyoko too found herself at odds with herself at first.

Her implanted morals of her forbidden feelings soon pushed down in the very beginning unlike Sesshomaru.

For he was different as well from most of his kind she had met. He did not pity her like others she had met had done before.

He respected her.

And she loved him for that.

From the moment he had accompanied her under the moonlight, she wanted to know more about him.

She felt drawn. And she had been. And she was more than willing to forever be so.

END

__________Authors Note - Yes, This is the end everyone. Thank you all for staying around though and thanks for the encouragement!! It's been a fun ride!! ;)