Your Wicked Proposal by Chiaztolite

Chapter 02

Firstly, she would need someone discreet, for the village people loved to gossip.

As a healer, she had worked tirelessly for years to attain her position and status. She now enjoyed a level of respect in her community that was enviable. It was one of the few privileges she cherished after nearly a decade of living in the feudal era — the modicum of freedom and independence it gave her as the most educated woman in the village.

For weeks, Kagome furtively observed every male nearby: the humans with their broad shoulders and kind eyes, the hanyō who seemed to always have a light in their hearts, and the full demons that were more intimidating but equally captivating. Only a few years ago, the emperor decreed humans and yōkai were to live side by side in peace, and thus the local daimyō had followed suit, opening up borders between villages and allowing yōkai residents to move in with their families and build homes.

Thus, Kagome was now presented with limitless possibilities she hadn't had before. There were certainly options for all kinds of males, no matter the bloodline.

But, one male in particular towered over the others.

His name entered Kagome’s mind out of the blue, spoken by one of the village farmers as he casually mentioned that Lord Sesshōmaru had recently returned from a trip from the south, bringing carts of precious salt crystals from the ocean region.

It struck her like thunder in the middle of a bright day: ‘Why not Sesshōmaru?’

He was a perfect specimen; there was no question on that front. A vision to behold — tall and imposing with his long, silver hair that flowed behind him like a river of silk.

An errant thought popped inside her: perhaps he’s been looking for a bed partner too.

Kagome nearly laughed at the thought. He was a daiyōkai with power, wealth, and influence that stretched beyond the village; she was an old maid firmly ensconced on the shelf by this era’s standards.

The more Kagome thought about asking, the more nervous she was. Yet, the more intriguing the prospect became. What if he said yes?

As she lay in bed at night and imagined herself asking Sesshōmaru to become her lover, she felt a rush of warmth to her cheeks. Nervously, she ran her tongue over her dry lips, palms growing damp with her runaway thoughts. 

Perhaps he would claw her face off for daring to assume he would be interested in being used for a dalliance. After all, his relentless pursuit of Naraku had proven he was not someone who’d let himself be exploited.

Nevertheless, the thought of his limpid, honeyed golden eyes and their arresting stares made her pulse quicken, and the memory of his rich, silken voice never failed to weaken her knees. 

She knew seducing the stoic yōkai lord was not a task for the faint of heart. Sesshōmaru was known for his cold and calculating demeanour, and he certainly would not tolerate any impropriety.

She certainly had nothing to lose by asking. If he declined her proposition, she would move on, continue with her life, and consider someone else.

There was only one way to find out.

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The next time Sesshōmaru descended into the village, bearing a bundle of gifts for Rin’s and Kohaku’s newborn, Kagome stepped out from behind a thatch hut.

“Sesshōmaru,” she said, her voice reverberating through the cleared path leading to the village's main road. His name felt foreign on her lips despite years of living in the village. All their past exchanges had been limited to a simple nod of acknowledgement if they happened to pass by, yet today she had summoned up the courage to call him out. “May I take you away from your visit for just one moment?”

Lately, he had been favouring his white and lavender hankimono over the red version of the same design. The colour would have looked feminine on someone else, but on him, it provided a contradiction that was as captivating as it was curious. 

The daiyōkai studied her with obvious curiosity, his golden eyes flickering over her from head to toe. His expression was unreadable, carefully composed, revealing neither interest nor disinterest. He finally inclined his head in a slow nod and replied with a smooth, deep voice that plucked a string inside her and made it quiver.

”As you wish, miko.”

Kagome stilled, but she did not correct him. She would, later, but right now, her mind was filled with thoughts of her proposal.

He trailed behind her as she strode away from the village towards a dense bamboo grove. She stopped at a clearing with a few scattered patches of sunbeams filtering through the tall stalks.

She had imagined this scene countless times during the past few days, contemplating the wording of her question. In the end, she decided he'd appreciate a simple and straightforward approach. 

Perhaps she had lost all her marbles, but she hoped he would consider her proposal with an open mind.

Kagome spun to face him, her unwavering gaze met his as she asked, “Sesshōmaru. Will you sleep with me?”