Aroma by mythicamagic

Chapter 1

AN: I can only apologise as I went full cringe here for peeps who don't like ABO. I haven’t written any Alpha/Omega/Beta dynamics before sooo go easy on me. I won't be strict on the lore, just wanted to try something new.

Enemies to Lovers prompt: “Don’t touch me!” “How am I supposed to bandage you if I can’t touch you?”

Warning: problematic elements typical for ABO fics. Rated M.

---

She could smell it like the fresh, lingering scent of perfume after someone had left the room. It clung to the back of her throat with the rich sweetness of a dessert and left her feeling slightly giddy. Hungry.

Kagome exhaled slowly, trudging on through a dense forest and hitching her backpack on her shoulders. It felt a little lonesome, being out on the road with no one to talk to, footsteps sounding too loud without idle chatter. Not like she had much choice though. If Sango or anyone else had known where she’d run off to, they’d have dragged her kicking and screaming right back to the safety of the village.

Because what she was doing- and where she was headed would be dangerous. Possibly more dangerous than fighting Naraku when it came to her physical vulnerabilities.

Her destination lay ahead, looming beyond sunlit trees. A huge sloping mountain. Once a year on the summer solstice, powerful demons headed to it in order to mate.

Omegas went there for one reason; to find an Alpha or Beta who could mate them- bind them together, and thus escape a life of terror, of being preyed upon in the wild.

Kagome wiped beads of sweat from her forehead, panting slightly. She shuddered and itched at the material covering the scent gland on her wrist, wincing. It felt sore. She wished they’d just go away.

But they won’t. I’m stuck like this now, she thought sourly.

When a little trait known as an 'Omega' gene had become apparent while she'd been happily living her life, engaged to Inuyasha and immersed in domestic bliss… everything had turned to shit.

Omegas were part of this toxic sounding system of demon hierarchy. It decided almost everything- from placements in packs, to the best mate candidates and even those who could provide the strongest offspring. Alphas were at the top of the food chain, Betas in the middle, and lucky her- Omegas at the bottom. Yet unusually they were most sought after due to being nice and fertile, often sending the other two species into a mating frenzy.

Kagome felt vaguely sick.

Apparently in incredibly rare cases, humans could also possess traits of these three built-in instincts, along with everything that came with it.

She had learned that the hard way during her first 'heat.'

Kagome shuddered, itching at the scent gland on her wrist harder. It was best not to think about that.

"So let me get this straight," she'd said with building hysteria the day she'd found out. "Not only am I the reincarnation of a priestess who happens to be my fiancé's ex-lover, not only am I the 'Shikon miko' and time traveller, but now I'm also an Omega? A species who- and I need to stress this last part- are only good for 'breeding' and producing strong demon spawn?"

Miroku winced, having been the one who had read the signs first. "Unfortunately, Lady Kagome… yes. But there is an upside. Once you mate Inuyasha, you won't have to fear being kidnapped by rival Alphas."

"Fantastic," she'd drawled.

Kagome sighed, soon leaving the shade of the forest and noticing the ground start to slope upwards. She began trekking up a winding old mountain road, taking out a water container and splashing some over the heated skin of her neck.

She'd quickly wanted nothing to do with the whole thing, but a built-in characteristic passed down through genes of distant ancestors who ‘may have’ coupled with demons wasn't something she could get away from. And what the hell was that about? Demon ancestry? How the heck had it endured against her miko powers?

What a completely awful genetic throwback to get stuck with, she frowned, confused by the whole thing.

The only upside she'd found to being an Omega was a heightened sense of smell, hearing and taste. Kagome could open her senses much wider than before. Couple this with her spiritual awareness of auras and she was practically a walking radar, able to pinpoint danger from long distances.

Instead of making her feel powerful though it just reminded her of being prey. Constantly on guard.

She took another step, before her body flared alive. There it was again.

The sweet scent.

It was a kind of aroma that filled her mouth with saliva, thoughts turning to mush. Warm thighs pressed together, heat hooking low in her stomach. The more she inhaled it, the wilder her body responded. She physically ached for more, skin thrumming. Fuck she just wanted to bury her face in whatever it was, own it. Brand it like her own personal cat-nip. Sink blunt teeth into it and lap up their blood like melted honey. With her heat so close at hand, Kagome was naturally more sensitive to smells and sensations. She shuddered, vaguely horrified by her own thoughts.

Lulled stupid, Kagome didn’t realise the threat was coming until it was blazing across the mountain, heading straight for her. Stiffening, she quickly lifted her bow and nocked an arrow, aiming at the source of the energy when it blasted two trees aside, stopping before her as a glowing white orb. She paused when the light faded, dancing silver hair settling upon broad shoulders.

Sesshoumaru gazed at her with an unblinking kind of attention. The whites of his eyes remained normal, gold irises unwavering. This put her at ease somewhat.

His scent hit her like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind from her lungs. Kagome clamped a hand over her mouth and nose, reeling. Holy shit. 

That smell. It had been rolling off Sesshoumaru?

She supposed that made sense. If Inuyasha was an Alpha, Sesshoumaru naturally took up the title as well. However, the difference between them felt like night and day. The Daiyoukai excelled in every meaning of the word, fitting him like a glove. It was by his own benevolence that he did not drown her in the dominating, dark youki held within himself. Kagome briefly thought it a shame, soon mentally shaking herself.

“Do you know where you are?” he asked in an oddly sonorous, deep voice, the underlying tone velvety.

Her smile was tight-lipped. “Yep,” she managed, voice a little strained. Kagome dug deep and locked onto her willpower to refrain from jumping the poor guy, lowering her bow and arrow. “Wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

But why are you here?

Sesshoumaru tipped his head to one side, his eyes feeling like a physical caress when they slowly gave her a once over from head to toe- then back up again. “When I sensed the change in you, I assumed you would mate my foolish half-brother.”

“I think most people did. Myself included. Things just didn’t work out that way.”

“Hn…” his lips twitched. “That is no reason to seek out this mountain. You understand, miko- come nightfall you will be marked for breeding and set upon by countless males that will rip each other apart in order to possess you for themselves.”

“Is that concern I hear?” she teased, watching his expression flatten. She shrugged with a kind of weary mirth. “I’m flattered, but don’t worry. I know what I’m getting into. I just...I tried the whole ‘living with it’ thing. Tried hiding in the wilderness. Neither worked out- I just became a burden to everyone in the village, and well- I’m not cut out for being stealthy and slinking around in the shadows. I wanna live my life,” she shrugged. “If that means mating someone sooner rather than later, so be it.”

She watered down events for him. The truth was that she’d noticed the strain it had put on Sango, Miroku and Kaede to constantly protect her. The couple had three children to raise, and Kaede had duties to attend to. Not to mention...Kagome’s continued presence made it difficult for Inuyasha to co-exist with everyone.

I can’t go home to escape this, she thought sadly, the well having closed after she’d made the choice to return to the Feudal Era when she’d turned 18.

He frowned, "if anyone will do, why refuse Inuyasha?"

"Because… I don't want to be frightened of him. And I was when we tried to..."

Kagome winced, rubbing her arm. He lost control.

Sesshoumaru arched a silver brow, fingers twitching at his side, curling into a loose fist. “You are playing with fire, woman. If you think a Hanyou is frightening, dealing with countless full-blooded Alphas when their rut is triggered by your heat will prove terrifying,” he uttered, trying to understand her logic.

Kagome raised her head, gazing at him quietly. “I’d rather be afraid of strangers than fear one of my precious friends- my ex-fiancé,” she smiled wryly. “It doesn’t have to make sense to you.”

She just needed to feel some sense of control in an impossible situation. By making the trek to ‘Bijin’ mountain, Kagome had felt a degree of choice in throwing herself into the deep end rather than allow herself to be hunted and caught unawares down the line.

“I don’t plan on getting mated by the first guy who happens upon me. I’m actually pretty good at keeping my head despite what I’ve heard about Omegas heeding Alpha commands,” Kagome lifted her bow and arrow again, smiling with forced bravado. “They’re gonna have to fight me first. I’ll only accept the strongest for a husband. Far as I'm concerned, everyone coming at me is an enemy until they can beat me.”

Golden eyes flashed, the white sclera dying a faint crimson.

She experienced a thrill of fear and something else running down her spine. Was he getting affected by her? She shifted her feet. “Why are you here, anyway?”

“Why do you think I am here?”

“I dunno? I wasn’t aware you were looking for a demoness to mate.”

“I am not.”

“Oh,” Kagome blinked, lost. “Okay?”

Silence hung between them, heavy and thick. He'd used to visit the village often, but ever since she'd presented signs of being an Omega, he'd pulled away. It had been several months since they’d last spoken. She shouldered her bow awkwardly, “I guess I’ll see you around...”

“Tonight.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Huh?”

Golden eyes burned into orange hues. “I will likely see you tonight, miko, when you are fleeing for your life from delirious demons,” he turned on his heel.

“R-right,” she nodded, wincing. For a moment, she’d almost thought…

Kagome shook herself, inwardly shrinking when he began walking away. Her instincts cried out, urging her to press herself against his back. Her legs trembled a little with the effort of standing still- the smallest of whimpers escaping her lips. Damn it. He smelled so good.

“I suppose from your words earlier, miko- my joining the fray makes me your enemy.”

Words caught in her throat.

Sesshoumaru...is going to fight for me?

Blue eyes flew wide, and Kagome stilled. A fresh wave of his scent hit her, powerful and rich in sweetness and flavour as it practically wrapped around her tongue. It left her reeling, staring after the demon lord as he took his leave.

---

Kagome caught the scent of different demons the higher she climbed. Without really understanding how, she understood that the pungent tang of rose oil was another female Omega on the mountain coming into heat. More and more scents kept mixing in. All demon. Most male. Most Alpha. The fact that they outnumbered what few Omegas she could sense in the area wasn’t too surprising but it did sober her to the danger she was in.

But after many months of misery and hardship, Kagome just wanted everything over with. If getting a mate was her ticket out of a lifetime of harassment from countless Alphas and Betas, she’d do it. Granted, if her level of consciousness when refusing an Alpha’s command was weaker, she would probably feel more hesitant.

As it was, when faced with an elder demon who marked her with some sort of animal blood- smearing an inverted crescent moon on her forehead, Kagome didn’t back down.

“How many Omegas are here this year?” she asked softly.

“Five including yourself, little miko,” the lanky creature purred. “Good luck.”

Settling within a small alcove embedded into the base of a cliff, Kagome decided not to bother with precautions, making a fire and small meal for herself. If an Alphas sense of smell was stronger than hers, there was no point in hiding. The flames flickered as the sun slowly sank below the horizon, acting as a ticking clock. Soon she’d be bound to someone. A stranger.

Unless Sesshoumaru…

Had he been serious?

She had so many questions suddenly. Why was he interested? It just didn’t fit with the image of a proud Daiyoukai set on blood purity. It was wrong to think of him in that light considering her past relationship with Inuyasha, and yet...Kagome couldn’t deny a part of her felt pleased to see him there. The not so innocent part of her purred with anticipation, eager to scent him again.

As a precaution, Kagome covered her scent glands with the use of black wrist wraps, using a tight scarf to shield her neck. She wasn’t about to let an Alpha take an easy win by stimulating the sensitive areas and manipulating her into bed.

Once the sun had fully set and dusk had properly set in, the change in the air was instantaneous. The code of Bijin mountain- so named for where an Alpha had first met her beautiful True Mate- was that the ‘hunting’ for a partner did not begin until nightfall. Some more reserved Alphas interpreted that to mean the sky should be dark before pursuing Omegas. Other, more youthful and eager Alphas took the opportunity to start as soon as the sun disappeared from sight.

Kagome felt them. She felt the approach of countless demons crawling out from their dens like woodlouse. They covered the mountain with their pheromones, muddying fresh air with cloying scents.

Instincts to mate stirred in response, but Kagome hushed the Omega impulse as best she could, aiming at the entrance to her alcove and keeping her back to the rock.

The first wave was mindless, high on the scent she emitted. They were young Alphas and Betas. In different circumstances, Kagome would've felt bad about killing them, but she wasn't about to be torn apart in their frenzy to fuck.

Bolts of pure reiki blasted them to ashes. She took out at least 10 before the others hung back, reeling in pure impulse. They likely hadn't been anticipating a miko. The unexpected situation threw them off enough to forgo fighting each other. A few broke off to go seek other Omegas who had offered themselves to the mountain. The rest lingered. Strong, inhuman figures paced like caged tigers, watching her with luminous eyes.

"Come out, Omega," one commanded.

Her knees shuddered a little. A large part of her swayed, before Kagome forced her heels to dig in, taking a steadying breath.

"No."

Another snarled, "why are you here if you do not want a mate?"

"I do, but I'm not handing myself over easy. You can have me if you beat me in a fight," Kagome answered.

"Mouthy wench."

"She's a miko. Let's just kill her."

"Strong though. Would provide good cubs."

A demon with red hair looped just on the edges of her vision, and Kagome aimed for him, only to notice the strategy- another male closing in on her other side.

When they lunged for her at the exact same time, Kagome threw down her bow and lifted a barrier over the alcove- their bodies colliding with it, badly burning them. The failed attack and collision with each other sent them into a frenzy, snarling and biting at one another. Kagome paled as stomachs were ripped open, blood flying.

And just like that, the fight began. Alpha’s buckled under the bloodlust and her continuous scent of burgeoning heat, ripping into one another. Sweat beaded on Kagome’s flushed temple. Her temperature spiked.

No- this was too soon. She’d only wanted to do this because her heat would be at just the right date for her to manage the effects without falling into it. Why was it coming on early?

Alpha. Behind.

Kagome jolted as the stone behind her cracked, instincts screaming. This was her only warning to start running- taking a few steps before her alcove was blasted to pieces. The attack threw her forward, hitting the ground on her side.

“Ah!” Kagome gasped, shielding her face from falling shards of rocks. After a few scraped her arms, she lowered them, glimpsing the towering demon standing in place of her temporary camp. He had a sickly green pallor to his skin, scales gleaming. He looked like some sort of cobra demon that had sprouted arms and legs. When slit pupils fell upon her, Kagome paled and scrambled to her feet, grabbing her bow and sprinting away.

She felt all Alphas in the area start swarming in her direction, and her heart squeezed with panic.

Calm down. Time it right. You can do this.

She skidded to a stop when a wolf demon appeared on the path ahead and swiped for her- “Omega!”

Kagome dodged and closed her eyes, raising a shield that domed over her form, catching his arm within the attack and severing it at the limb like a guillotine.

Wild, agonised screaming rang out, the male staggering backwards, red eyes glaring at her. “You fucking bitch!”

There was no time to feel victorious. Something slammed against her shield, breaking it. Kagome gasped as shards of reiki fell around her- seconds before the tip of a sharp tail slashed at her arm, shedding blood. The length then snapped around her waist.

She wheezed as it tightened, crushing her lungs and lifting her off the ground. Blood soaked her sleeve. Countless males strained to reach her, their hands seeking just one touch of the aphrodisiac that maddened them. When a few drops of her blood leaked down, they opened their mouths to catch them upon their tongues like sweet nectar, only exciting them more. Claws scraped the heel of her shoe.

The snake demon lifted her high above their heads, chuckling. “You are desssirred by many, miko. I will enjoy bedding you- and killing you the ssssecond you birth my offsssspring.”

Kagome paled. The reason she’d sought the mating mountain was because she’d wanted one of the strongest demons to be her mate. Stronger meant humanoid in appearance and intelligence. She’d figured, there must be more demons like the recently mated Kouga who could accept her despite being human.

But no. She realised with dawning clarity that some would just impregnate and dispose of her like a used toy the second they could.

This was a mistake. I should never have come here!

Grabbing an arrow from her quiver, Kagome slammed it into the snake’s coils with a burst of reiki for good measure. With a cry of pain, the tail slipped loose, immediately dropping her toward the waiting, greedy hands below.

Blue eyes squeezed shut, horror welling up inside her.

Dark youki burst to life, swallowing her whole. Kagome gasped, slamming into something hard and unforgiving. Arms caught her about the waist. She bumped her chin against a firm shoulder, soon groaning as that lovely, intoxicatingly sweet scent like melted honey reached her nose.

Alpha...she dazedly thought. This one. I want this one.

The Alpha’s chest rumbled. Her scarf fluttered in the breeze as Kagome pulled back enough to look at the male who held her, eyes widening when slit pupils gazed back at her. They dilated as Sesshoumaru inhaled.

“You…” Kagome breathed, stiffening as she focused on the here and now. Along with the hoard of feral demons chasing them.

Sesshoumaru twisted his body mid-air, mokomoko unexpectedly shifting to wrap around her waist, taking her weight enough for Sesshoumaru to free an arm, unsheathing Bakusaiga and swinging it.

The ensuing green blast swallowed at least half of the Alphas pursing them, the rest scattering and eyeing the pair with heated gazes. Sesshoumaru gazed back at them evenly.

"On your left!" Kagome shouted.

He burst aside just in time to dodge the cobra demons tail, who hissed, straining to reach them.

"Is this the one who shed your blood?" Sesshoumaru asked evenly.

"Y-yes…"

"I see."

Sesshoumaru sheathed his sword, landing on a high outcropping of rock upon the mountain cliff-face. He set Kagome down before lengthening sharp claws into ghastly talons, dropping down from the ledge.

Kagome gaped, watching him freefall. Silver hair fanned upwards as he met the cobra’s attack head-on, parrying the tail with finesse before unleashing a spray of acid from his nails, simultaneously striking downwards. He cleaved through sinew, flesh and bone with ease, splitting the snake’s head and torso in two steaming halves.

Upon landing on the ground before the fallen corpse, its remains melting into a pulpy mass, Sesshoumaru straightened, making eye contact with the lingering Alphas.

“L-lord Sesshoumaru,” one uttered in disbelief. “That woman...she is human. Surely you do not-”

“I require an audience with her alone. You are in the way,” Sesshoumaru cut in, markings slightly jagged. “Leave,” the words hissed out like a soft caress full of underlying venom.

Every male in the vicinity stilled. A terrible silence ensued- the likes of which every predator was familiar with. A threat. Power they couldn’t hope to challenge and escape from with their lives intact. Sesshoumaru radiated a potent sense of unmatched, fatal danger. To linger would be folly. To gaze at his direct, hawk like stare for any longer than necessary promised death.

The remaining demons drew away, some leaving with their tails between their legs, others trying to maintain some dignity.

Kagome swallowed thickly, heart thundering. She kept pressure on her bleeding arm, sweat beading on her forehead when the Daiyoukai floated upwards to meet her on the rocky ledge.

She stumbled backwards when he reached out. “Don’t touch me!” she burst in a fit of panic, suddenly recalling the cobra’s words. It was possible Sesshoumaru was no different. He could be planning to just breed her and be done with it. Kill her once she’d fulfilled her use.

He stared, gaze unblinking, red flitting in and out of his vision as though he were fighting a battle within himself. White lashes then slid shut, and when they opened- vibrant gold stared back.

“How am I to bandage you if I cannot touch you, miko?” he asked flatly, arching a brow.

Kagome stiffened. Oh.

And just like that, tension leaked from her frame. Like a deflated balloon, she sank to her knees, shaking slightly. She then began to tremble violently, eyes widening. “S-sesshoumaru…” she rasped weakly. “I think I’m…

“Going into heat. Rapidly it seems.”

Blue eyes hazed, heat churning in her veins. She felt her nipples harden, slick forming between her legs, rendering her thighs sticky. All just from the mere cadence of his voice. She tried to hold back her instincts, clutching her frame and panting wildly.

“Se-Sesshoumaru,” she managed, squeezing stinging eyes shut. Her cheeks grew red, limbs weakening. Kagome collapsed onto her side, quivering. Different, overwhelming sensations that enflamed her body caused her breath to stutter. “Are you going to kill me once you’re done?” the whisper slipped free.

“No.”

“W-what do you want then?”

“I would think that obvious.”

“It’s not!” she snapped, soon groaning with discomfort. Her stomach churned. “Do you just want sex? Or to use me for birthing kids? Or w-will you…?” the idea seemed impossible. There was no way a Daiyoukai so prideful would mate a human, even if they were an Omega.

Sesshoumaru regarded her placidly, soon stepping closer and kneeling before her sprawled form.

A clawed hand reaching out toward her was the last thing Kagome saw before falling unconscious.

---

Flying through the air, Sesshoumaru carried the foolish miko in his arms, trying to breathe through his mouth so as not to inhale her rich, citrusy scent and become a slave to his instincts.

He took Kagome to a narrow opening within a rockface, having to move sideways and duck down into a large cave that opened up further in. A den of fresh furs awaited them, along with a pail of water.

Needless to say, he’d been prepared.

Sesshoumaru lay the miko down upon the bed of furs, resting a clawed hand to her forehead, noticing that her breathing escalated. Her scent was growing more potent by the second. Golden eyes flashed red. He needed to leave. Wait any longer, and he’d likely not be able to control himself.

The second he drew back- a hand snapped out, latching tight into the fabric of his hankimono. Sesshoumaru met the glazed eyes of an Omega held under by instincts, her lips parted, hair dishevelled, thighs slick. The picture of decadence. His cock twitched.

“Alpha,” Kagome breathed, panting. She pulled him closer, arching up from the furs to press their bodies together, rocking sensually against him. “Alpha, please,” her voice was drenched in sin, a needy whisper. “I need you. I want you.”

Sesshoumaru stiffened, turning slightly pale.

Fuck.