A/N: Honestly, this thing is what happens when you're forced to twiddle your thumbs while your mom is rushed to the hospital due to an allergic reaction and then you have to sit there with your phone in hand while all of your friends are snoozing away during the weekend. Also I had problems when I uploaded this so, I just wanted to let you know that this is the actual one.
...Raven...Carmichael...~whisper~
Disclaimer: I wish I was Takahashi-san~
Kagome sat on the ground, her miko garb providing comfort against the harsh blades of grass beneath her. She swivelled her head to the side as she felt the familiar approach of one of her most favoured auras. She turned her gaze back up to the clouds knowing he would take his time in reaching her. She giggled to herself; he sure hadn't changed much in the last two years since she had returned to Edo. She lay down on the ground and eagerly waited for him to reach her. Approximately three minutes later he broke through the underbrush at a lazy speed greeting her with a customary blank stare. "Well someone doesn't seem very excited that this onna waited for him today despite her very busy, busy schedule."
His infamous apathetic grunt was her only response. She looked to the side and smiled at him teasingly, wiggling her eyebrows at him in hopes of receiving a better reply.
"So... How's it goin'?" Sesshomaru impassively stared back at her and Kagome dully noticed he was still wearing a different outfit from the usual Land of the Moon patrol uniform she had been so accustomed to seeing. He wore commoners clothing to be precise, his own silent demand at letting the other pesky royal head figures know what and who he had chosen. She gave him a questioning look at his style, or lack thereof. "Still going on with that? Sesshomaru, whatever girl you're planning to court must really be worth the trouble."
He looked down at her smiling form and smirked, "Indeed."
He sat down beside her and she took the chance to give him another once over. The outfit did not work for him. The faded out black hakamas and crudely tailored red haori didn't match his flowing mane of shocking silver hair, striking magenta markings or his rather cute elfin ears. His long boa-like patch of fur, that looked soft to the touch, destroyed the entire idea of the terrible ensemble ever working with him. All in all he looked like the living replica of Mount Trashmore with cute pairs of sandals strewn about here and there. Sesshomaru catching her stare smirked haughtily.
Instantly realizing what he was thinking she snorted in a rather un-ladylike manner. She was sure that if it had been any other woman of this era she would have been shunned long ago and disowned by all for her boisterous, rebellious personality but Kagome being Kagome could easily get away with it as long as she had a few conversations with them; they would easily come to terms with accepting her.
"You look absolutely hideous, Sesshomaru, and here I thought you could make anything look good. Guess I was wrong." Sesshomaru frowned slightly before regaining his smirk. "Have you been fantasizing about me, Ka-Go-Me." She blushed a dark shade of crimson; she hated it whenever he brought up the subject of how she used to yell at him for the correct pronunciation of her name. It always made her want to smack herself on the head for her impudence. It had nothing to do with the fact that she might have just been ratted out, no siree. She smiled uneasily, "M-Maybe. I mean I am a girl, you know?"
She pointed an accusing finger at him from her spot on the ground. "Do not twist what I just said, okay! I mean it."
She gave an annoyed humph and crossed her arms across her chest like a petulant child. She sat up abruptly and looked over to a certain point directly east from the clearing. She grabbed her customary weapons before standing upright and subconsciously wiping the back of her altered red hakamas clean. Luckily she had styled a few of her Sengoku Jidai outfits over the years since her reappearance.
Ever since her sudden return, there were times when she wouldn't even be able to recognize herself in front of a measly mirror. She'd spend minutes tracing the newly acquired sharpness to her once round facial features, the muscle she was certain wasn't there before when she touched her flat belly and the new voluptuous curves she had gained; almost as if she had been hypnotized and was in a monotonous trance.
Her once short hair was longer and fell down in waves over her back and shoulders. The white haori had been modified to hug her curves except for the sleeves which still billowed out at the ends. Instead of being a short open kimono that was held closed by the hakamas, it was stitched after the bust but the collar was folded as if it was a modern suit jacket, though softer and a lot more durable than the ones that were mass produced.
The red hakamas were made of silk and didn't extravagantly poof up from the upper thighs down as much as before, instead having a slight flare starting at the shins. She even brought black flats to match the ensemble. She strapped the quiver onto her back and then slung the bow over her opposite shoulder.
Kagome couldn't help but sigh, "Sorry, Sesshomaru, guess your visit's being cut short. Gotta go to work since Inuyasha's over at another village for the weekend." She moved forward and stopped in her tracks when she noticed Sesshomaru was tracing her steps.
She looked up at him questioningly, "Sesshomaru..." He didn't give her an answer and merely looked back at her from over his shoulder. She shrugged and ran towards him in an attempt to cover the distance his long strides had already covered.
They spoke along the way; well, more like, she talked to herself, along the way. Once they reached their destination, Kagome drew a blessed arrow from her quiver but left her bow slung over her shoulder, one hand placed in the right place in case the demon wasn't friendly.
They stood there for a few more moments before Kagome heaved an annoyed sigh and closed her eyes in annoyance-her foot tapping on the ground impatiently. "Hello! I don't have all day, are you going to talk or are you going to hide up there in the trees all day?" She glared at the large Pagoda tree directly in front of them; glaring at the exact location the demon was hidden.
He dropped from the branches right in front of her, a Cheshire grin set on his features. He was tall, a few inches shorter than Sesshomaru, and held himself with an air of superiority not unlike the demon lord beside her. Kagome briefly rolled her eyes.
The demon in front of her had creamy blue hair that was pulled back into a small ponytail and had striking blue eyes. He wore a crisp dark blue haori and dark blue hakamas. On the upper right hand side of the haori there was a crest of a black raven; its claws and wings outstretched, and engulfed in a whirlwind of colors. The raven seemed to be losing a battle against the torrent of colors and it was depicted mid wail, briefly she wondered if it had anything to do with why he had on so much blue.
He wore the usual wooden sandals of the common village folk but the way he carried himself suggested royalty. The demon took a step closer towards Kagome but stopped when he heard the low pitch growl that came from the lord standing little ways away from the young miko.
Kagome craned her neck left to right in curiosity. "Did you guys hear that? Sounded like Inuyasha on a bad day..."
She shrugged and turned back to the demon in front of her. He was staring at her intently almost probing her into answering his unspoken questions. She shifted from foot to foot under his scrutinizing stare but she quickly hid her unease with a wide smile directed at the tall male in front of her.
"Did you need something? If you came here to hunt you can. As long as you don't mean any harm you can also come into the village, though you'll have to come to me first or else you'll be attacked." She continued to smile up at him expectantly as if truly welcoming him into her home.
The demon blinked owlishly; no doubt surprised at the lack of threats. "If you're expecting me to glare and yell I could if you decide to take the offensive."
There was no threat in her voice though there was a hint of friendly expectation in her scent. He nodded slowly before smiling his saucy grin. "May I travel into your village?"
She nodded before turning around and walking away. From over her shoulder she spoke to the two demons who eyed each other silently behind her. "You coming or not? You too, onii-san!"
She heard the Daiyoukais' warning growl and laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, I know you're not my onii-chan but it's always annoyed you. So might as well, ne?"
She spared a glance at him as they walked side by side, letting her take the lead but not quite. They trekked their way back to the village; Kagome again filling the silence with friendly chatter, the newcomer watching intently from the sidelines with interest. About halfway to their destination she had begun walking backwards-facing the unnamed demon behind her.
"So what's your name?"
He hesitated before responding with a quiet voice, "Han."
She smiled, "Nice alias, Han-san."
He paused and allowed his pupils to turn to slits, ready to take the offensive. Sesshomaru took a step closer towards the miko in obvious warning, his hand already on Bakusaiga's hilt. The tension grew thick and resounding growls broke loose from both of the demons present. Their bodies tensed in anticipation before an airy laugh came from the smiling miko.
She waved a hand dismissively, "It's alright, Han. You don't really need to tell me your name. If you want it to remain a secret then it will. I feel like I can trust you for the most part. Your secrets are your own unless they threaten the lives of those in the village."
With a small fit of giggles she turned around on her heel and skipped away. "What is wrong with all of you hot-heads. Everything has to result in a fight for strength and honor. Especially with you demons, everything has to start with a growl and end in bloodshed."
Though Sesshomaru always went against teasing the young miko in the company of others he knew he couldn't pass the opportunity she had so graciously bestowed upon him, even in front of those who opposed him. "We demons might always start with a growl, little miko, but during the peak of battle we finish with a howl of triumph."
Though the demon beside him only acknowledged it as a scolding for belittling demons and classifying them as mindless fools Kagome understood it for what it was. If only because she, unlike Han, knew that the stoic demon lord was capable of teasing and understood when he developed that haughty lilt in that silky voice of his. She blushed a fierce scarlet and cleared her throat making sure to not falter even with such an embarrassing innuendo out in the open such as the one he had just uttered.
"We humans can fight just as well, even if it is in lighter undertones, obviously not as guttural and barbaric as demons and hanyou but just as fierce. For your information, we also enjoy the peak of triumph but we tend to give a cry of pleasure instead of a... howl, was it? Pleasure in our victory, of course." She added the last sentence in quickly and tried to force the tomato red flush to her cheeks down. She didn't dare turn back and face Sesshomaru, instead she turned towards Han-whom contemplated the conversation with a teasing smirk.
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were both speaking in very dirty ways. Perhaps you have been with a demon yourself, Lady...?" She ignored his previous comment and chose to provide him with an answer to his last question.
"Higurashi Kagome. Skip the Lady, I'm just Kagome. No honorifics." Han was about to protest when his nose twitched and he turned his gaze on the prospering village below the hill slope. In the village, there were a variety of people. Japanese and Chinese merchants lined the busy small streets of Edo. On one section of the village, both boys and a handful of girls, chopped the wood, the elderly placing the wood before them and giving a few tips or words of encouragement.
On another section, new houses were being built and others were being demolished to rebuild. Young men and hard working adults carefully rebuilding the worn down huts into splendid reasonably sized cabins built from things such as mortar, large varieties of fur and some even went as far as making them out of fortified hay. Off to the side of the village, nearest to the forest and the hill slope, there was a lonely hut surrounded by a small section of fencing. Flowers and herbs tastefully mixed along the path. Young children crowded around an elderly miko as they helped pick the correct herbs. There were a lot more sections in the village but those were the ones that stood out the most, for the fact that demons and hanyous of all kinds were in the fray of the large throng of humans.
Kagome spread her arms before her in glee. "Welcome to Edo!" She giggled before lowering her arms. "I know you're a bit surprised, many people are. Normally there isn't such an abundance of demons and merchants around but there's going to be a festival in a few days. Many are friends of mine from past adventures and some are new acquaintances. We've had another major fight last weekend with a few mean youkai and they destroyed our homes again." She sighed and shook her head remorsefully. "It's the third time we have had to rebuild the village. If there is another battle we're going to have to evacuate the children and the elderly and have a full out fight, maybe even a war."
It grew quiet before Kagome clapped her hands together loudly and smiled at the annoyed demons brightly. "I forgot to ask, where you looking for Inu?"
Han's eyebrows furrowed and he opened his mouth to speak before he was cut off by Kagome slapping her forehead and rolling her eyes. "Stupid me. Inuyasha. Are you looking for Inuyasha?" Han shook his head wondering whether this miko was mentally stable.
"Oh, just as well. He's not here right now anyway." She shrugged before she turned back to the village below.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you, don't mind the whole 'girls doing a man's job' thing. First of all, that's a stupid mantra. Second of all, their families are allowing it for today so we could have enough time to prepare for the festival, hence, the demolishing and rebuilding of the huts. Due to the attacks, some of the villagers have left but in their stead more demons and hanyous are arriving. Many are being fortified with a little bit of magic and the like. You know, mostly the ones made of things like hay and genuine demonic spider webs. Actually, the festival is the anniversary of Naraku's defeat and of Edo accepting demons and hanyous. Though, that too, is dumb."
Han nodded, "I too, see no reason why youkai should live in such close proximity to humans, much less hanyous." Kagome's irritated huff made him turn towards her. "No you dolt, I meant that we should have united long ago!" The ferociousness of her yell caused even the young hanyous down in the village to wince. Had it not been for Sesshomaru's presence he would've slit the young miko's throat long ago and if he wasn't so interested in the girl, who the renowned human hater had claimed as his own. He gave her a fanged smirk which seemed to calm her down enough so that her glares were no longer menacing and her weak miko abilities of purity didn't upset his youki.
She pouted and glared slightly before smiling at him wildly. "I still haven't showed you around. Come on." She raced down the slope like a giddy toddler-a tentative youkai noble in her wake along with a relatively bored demon lord.
Rin lay on her futon swinging her legs in wide arc behind her. She hummed a lullaby Kagome sang to the children when their parents were away and drew on a notebook Kagome had managed to salvage over the years somehow knowing that she would return. The young girl turned her attention to Kagome as she took a seat on the edge of Rin's futon. Kagome had a small smile on her face and Rin understood that something important was about to be said. When Rin was kneeling in seiza on the comfy futon Kagome cleared her throat softly and began to speak.
"Rin-chan if there is another attack there will be war. Though Sesshomaru personally disagrees we believe we should train you in the art of the bow and allow you to fight. If you surpass that; you will continue into blades and war tactics. Though it is well known that in this era woman have no say in political or military work you are part of the Inu-Tachi along with being Sesshomaru's own ward. Many will be filled with greed and will stop at nothing to get what they desire. You must know this Rin."
When the pause in Kagome's monologue came Kagome was looking deep into Rin's brown eyes with a stern look on her face. Usually she'd opt to speak with the slang she had been using since she was little but since Sesshomaru had entrusted Rin to Kaede and her, she inadvertently became her tutor of sorts. She knew that the fact that Sesshomaru had disagreed with the idea and would completely stop her from accepting but Sesshomaru had told her earlier that Rin had to know he didn't approve; little bastard knew she'd hesitate.
"Are you aware? Do you choose to fight or do you want to remain as is? It is your decision Rin-chan and we will decide on the next course of action but there is little time. I am sorry if I have to rush your decision like this but it has to be done." Rin opened her mouth but closed it again before averting her attention to her fiddling thumbs. "It's alright you have a few days to think about your decision. Now put on your coat and come with me outside, Kaede-baa hasn't returned from her expedition." Kagome stood before looking back down at Rin. "I forgot is your finger okay it was a pretty deep and long gash on your thumb." Rin nodded meekly still mulling over her recent proposition.
Kagome opened the armoire that Ayame had given them as a welcome back present and pulled out a cute cashmere sweater that used to belong to her when she was younger, at least two or three years older than Rin. She had stocked up here with all of her modern appliances and cooked foods along with clothing she had thought about keeping to rip open and use it to sew together any tears in clothing which happened a lot during their travels but with the way things occurred she opted to give her spare clothing to Rin.
Kagome laid it on the futon Rin was currently kneeling on before going back into the armoire and pulling out a simple white cardigan. Though her silk yukata was meant for bed and was practically the equivalence of undergarments Kagome didn't really care, lots of demons wore scarcely any clothing and no one paid any tapped Rin's shoulders and pointed at the sweater, waiting as she pulled it over her head and stood. She grabbed Rin's hand and walked towards the front door and slipped on their rubber sandals before walking out the door.
They bypassed the oak fence and walked along the dirt path leading up to the now less active village. As they walked many people waved and greeted them in kind. Rin waved glumly to a few of her friends and though they were worried no one questioned them as they walked around the village. Surveying the shops and stopping every so often to speak to the villagers and offer advice; Kagome took on her role as the village miko. She also remembered to inform the headmaster of the next strategic meeting along with filling him in on how much longer the preparations would last.
She was stopped by a few children who offered her flowers and trinkets as thanks for one thing or another. After making sure that all of her night time duties were performed in one section of the village she ventured to another, where the richest of the lot came and spent their earnings. These sections were also interconnected and despite the way society actually worked in this era everyone got along rather well.
Money wasn't considered so important in their little village since it was founded by warriors and the like. Warriors in a sense; that they had all been stripped away of something in their life and had learned to lead a better life because of it, no longer depending so heavily on money or status. Though there were still the occasional evil doers, that was far and between, and they all knew that such an act of greed was paid with treason among their little cul-de-sac. Kagome smiled at everyone but chose to stop less frequently than she had before. She waved at the multitude of horse demons that came their way before entering the small hut she knew Kaede would be in. She let Rin sit in the corner of the hut after she said her hellos and her small nod of acknowledgement while Kagome bowed at the waist at the small occupants in the room.
"Kaede-baa, do you need any help?" Kagome asked as she helped the elderly woman to her feet.
"Aye, I am fine, child. Thank ye for ye concern. Now grab the materials and let us hurry on home." Kagome nodded and gave her a wide smile already returning to her upbeat mood despite the troublesome days ahead; along with the weight of Rin's decision that had yet to be made. Kaede used her makeshift cane and hobbled over to Rin asking her to stand and help as well. Kagome smiled at the pair that sat in the nice abode of their makeshift home, trying to keep the fire illuminated. Kagome gave a light laugh at the two children who fought over whom was better at tending the fire though neither had made much progress.
Shaking her head, Kagome grabbed the flint from its safe perch on a high corner in the room near some large oil lamps in case of emergencies. Kagome lighted the fire for them and played with them for a little while before grabbing the beautiful kimonos near the small tatami mats that had been placed side by side to make one large mat and ordered the children to walk in front of her.
They were accustomed to the routine while their parents were making their runs and required help from Kagome, Kaede and Rin. The children ran around Rin and successfully brought her out of her daydream state and helped her smile return to her delightful visage. Kagome knew it wouldn't be long for it to blossom again, after all Rin wasn't Rin if she didn't smile. Kaede and Kagome spoke of the upcoming festivities as they made their way to the correct houses and delivered the pricey kimonos to the recipients.
After an hour of work they had finally delivered their last pair of hakamas and haoris and were going back to the children's hut. Kagome and Rin played the children's games with contempt, even if they were considered grown women, that wouldn't stop them from having their childish fun. Kaede watched with a careful eye making sure that none of them got hurt. They were after all the clumsiest people she had ever met in her lifetime and that was saying a lot considering her age.
Just as she suspected Kagome tripped over her own two feet as well as Rin causing the two children to topple over them. Kaede rolled her single eye knowing full well that she had warned them of the protruding rock, well before it was in sight. They all laughed and gave Kaede sheepish grins to which she only shook her head and continued on her way knowing that they would scramble to their feet in order to follow her on their route back to the training quarters.
The children's parents were there-two nobles from Kouga's court-that had offered to let the villagers borrow their wondrous handmade clothing for the festivities. Though their hut wasn't too grand given that it was approximately smaller than Kaede's and it was meant to be a miko in training's temporary dwelling, the family didn't seem to mind staying in there for a few days. Kaede bowed her head since she couldn't bend her body very well while Kagome bent to her waist; her ebony tresses creating a dark curtain around her face, whilst Rin grinned and gave a small nod of acknowledgement since she was the adopted daughter of the great Lord of the West.
In return, Miyumi and Katso nodded to both Kagome and Kaede and bowed a little bit to Rin as an acknowledgement of her higher status. Though, it wasn't needed they said it was obligatory since the girls always deemed it appropriate to acknowledge them as nobles in Kouga's royal court. Katso grabbed his children and thanked them both for their generosity and briefed them on the knowledge that their alphas had ordered them to let them know of their upcoming arrival in a few days' time.
After they went their separate ways, Kagome couldn't help but sigh heavily. Kaede and Rin looked at her questioningly and Kagome sighed once more. "How are we going to repay that family and before you say anything, YES I know that they have enough money but that project took them four days and their youkai, youkai for kami-sama's sake."
The route back to the hut was much the same as the walk over there.
When they passed the bustling inn owned by the Masuharu's, Kagome chose to stop and check up on the head Masaharu's mistress who was to give birth at any moment now. She waved to Kaede and Rin and asked them to wait for her at supper which should be ready in at least an hour. After they left, Kagome quickly headed inside, going in search of the expecting concubine.
She herself did not condone concubines and found it repulsive but she would not force her opinions on them, besides, the Masaharu's were generous people and Masaharu-san truly loved the two women greatly. Kagome went around the small makeshift receptionist area and opened the hidden shoji screen that lead up to the family's personal rooms. Once upstairs she walked down the small hall and opened the shoji screen reserved for Hanabe.
Kagome smiled upon seeing the legitimate wife's daughter rubbing Hanabe's swollen belly. When Hanabe turned her attention towards her, Kagome shooed the little girl away and sat next to her. "How are you, Hanabe-san?"
"I am well, Kagome-sama."
"How many times have I told you to call me Kagome." She frowned lightly.
Before Hanabe's pregnancy, Kagome would have been jumping around Hanabe's room gossiping about the old coots in the village but after her pregnancy had been announced Kagome had begun to calm down and do her job as Midwife for the village. Everyone was impressed by Kagome's skills-unless the child was born stillborn or there was a natural abortion-almost all of the children delivered by Kagome miraculously survived along with many of the mothers. No longer was the fifth or sixth pregnancy most likely your best option of becoming a mother or your first your last months of life.
"Anyways, I came to check up on you. Have you been eating from the list of required foods I gave you? Have you felt any pain today: headaches, stomach-aches, no menstrual-like blood, any unordinary cramps, any difficulty when going to the bathroom or any contractions even if they're not painful?" Hanabe shook her head.
"The usual but nothing more. My ankles are swollen and I have a bit of back pains but other than that I have felt nothing out of the ordinary. As for the foods, yes I have eaten a few and have made sure to eat what you have recommended."
Kagome nodded and gave an awkward smile as her cheeks tinted pink; she cleared her throat before speaking. "I just need to perform another check-up since your husband asked for one weekly. Ah, I forgot to mention that you are due any day now so I advise for you to take things lighter than usual."
Hanabe nodded, her face set into a serious expression knowing that giving birth to her child could risk her own life in the process. Hanabe stood with Kagome's help and allowed Kagome to lay her back down gently. Hanabe herself wasn't very embarrassed by the ministrations but Kagome seemed to find a little difficulty in performing the procedure. After undoing Hanabe's yukata, Kagome began to check several areas near her abdomen. Hesitating before checking closer to her uterus, she finally stopped after she felt what she needed.
"Well everything seems fine, Hanabe-san. Now we just need to hope everything will turn out that way." Kagome fixed her yukata and helped her sit up with her back resting on the headboard. They spoke for a few more minutes before Kagome decided she had to depart. Kagome paused at the doorway looking at her now slightly pudgy face.
"Hanabe, you should speak to Masaharu-san about your insecurities. If you maintain the right angle and pace while having intimacy with your husband it will not hurt your child. You can try it if you want just know to come to me before doing anything so that I can help you." Kagome said in a rush and then hurried out the door, her face a permanent cherry red color, leaving behind a shocked Hanabe.
When she was walking out the door she felt the aura she had met today in the forest and chose to greet him. Once in front of his chambers she knocked on the door lightly waiting for a response. When the door was opened they stood in silence. The demon's eyes almost bulging out of their sockets while Kagome gave him a small smile a residue of a pink tint on her cheeks.
"May I come in Han?" He was going to nod and take her inside and do what he desired when he remembered this was the miko from this morning. That act was not very pure and from what he knew it would easily take her powers away.
"We have only had a brief meeting what do you need from me?" His eyes were glazed over and his voice was husky letting her know of what he hoped her visit meant. Kagome glared angrily at him and held her hands over her chest-her cheeks changing from the pink hue to a more prominent color.
"I came to see how you were, not to be ogled!" Han then looked her over from top to bottom.
"Your choice of clothing differs from your story."
"You idiot! It's just a yukata-it covers everything so I don't see why I have to wear some super expensive kimono just to walk around the village! Anyways, I see you're doing fine; but if you ever need my help you can come over to the hut you lecherous pig!" Kagome huffed and stormed away; indignation clearly set across her features and she walked away at a brisk pace.
Han was left standing at his door with a shocked and confused expression on his face and his thoughts in turmoil. What an emotional, loudmouthed, intolerable creature. How does the esteemed Lord of the West even bear with her annoying presence? Does she have a speech impediment? Worst of all, how does she go from scolding him to offering help to insulting him? Does her insolence know no bounds?
Han shook his head and laughed softly, 'Oh, how the mighty have fallen.'
A/N: This is the re-edited version done by my surprisingly willingly part-time beta! She is the awesomenest freaking ninja I know and I REALLY REALLY can't help but thank her a whole bunch for everything!
Her name is Raven Carmichael! PWEASE visit her profile I fell in love with her stories! It's kinda how we even chatted...
Anyways since I don't want to just keep updating and editing I'll also put in the first drabble along with this one! I changed a few things so that it wasn't so confusing as well so if you have ANY questions feel free to ask!
