Kagome had been alone for nearly a year now.
Not completely alone, of course—She had Kaede, and Miroku, and Sango, and her other friends—but that sense of warmth and security that she'd had with Inuyasha had been ripped away from her. The raw feeling of loneliness was difficult to rid herself of, even being surrounded friends and family, rarely abated. She always expected Inuyasha's gruff voice to berate her for being so mopey, or calling her a fool, or throwing a careless arm around her shoulders while they sat by the fire… Sometimes, she turned around, some small part of her still expecting him to be there.
She was grateful for the distraction of mentoring children of the village. She took special time with Rin, who was bright and eager to learn about nature, which didn't surprise Kagome, considering the child had grown up fending for herself. The comfort of a human village did very little for her. Rin and Kagome were like puzzle pieces that didn't quite fit in the village.
"Ye remind me much of my sister." Kaede had told Kagome one night in her hut. Kagome had looked up at the old woman, startled by those familiar words. She hadn't heard them in a very long time, though.
She tried very hard to be as good of a priestess as Kikyo, but much of her patience had given way to sadness since Inuyasha's death. Kagome did not remember the priestess as a mortal, and only knew her as a mournful, tortured, and vengeful woman that death had rendered her. But she did not say this to Kaede, who was eternally loyal to her sister. Kagome thought that there must have been something truly beautiful about Kikyo, for so many to fall in love with her. From what she'd heard, Kikyo had been the epitome of a regal holy woman.
If Kagome could see herself, she would have noted that though there was a new sorrow in her eyes, what was even more reminiscent of Kikyo was the ethereal way that she carried herself. Both she and Kikyo had gained that from the shared experience of growing up far too soon.
Kagome was not oblivious to the growing restlessness of Rin, and knew it was because of Sesshomaru's absence. The Lord hadn't been to see Rin personally in over a year, sending Jaken instead to assuage the girl's fears. His distance troubled Kagome, because she'd been called away to neighboring villages to defend against demons with much more frequency than she had in past months. The momentary silence after Naraku's death, and the descent of Sesshomaru to the Western Lands, had been short-lived. She supposed that it was inevitable that some evil would begin to stir again, with the threat of Naraku gone.
Then, finally, the wayward dog demon appeared without warning, terrifying the villagers before they recognized him. Kagome, who was gathering herbs with Rin and Satoko, another village girl, spotted Sesshomaru's rippling white pelt, which seemed to expand for miles across the sky behind him. He landed gracefully in the field before them, his expression inscrutable as always.
Though Sesshomaru was not a stranger to Sesshomaru, his icy stare sent her running back to the village with as much respect as she could manage. Kagome let her go, and turned her attention to the intimidating demon before her. Sesshomaru was dressed in an array of some of the most lavish cloths that Kagome had ever seen, rival to that of nobles. He'd always dressed well before, but now he held himself with the proud air of a true demon Lord. Kagome didn't know very much about youkai hierarchy, given that Inuyasha had been mostly ignorant of his own heritage, but she knew that Sesshomaru now held a very high standing in the House of the Moon, the clan of the west that had previously been lead by his father, Inu No Taisho. It surprised her, sometimes, to see Sesshomaru and see the growth in him. Although he was hundreds of years old, he still matured before her eyes.
"Sesshomaru, welcome back." Kagome greeted him, grinning when Rin dropped her basket and ran full force at Sesshomaru's middle. The girl didn't move Sesshoumaru an inch, but the Lord allowed her to snuggle into his haori.
"Welcome home, my Lord! Rin was starting to think that you'd forgotten her!"
"Do not be so foolish." Sesshomaru said.
"Would you like a cup of tea? You look as if you've traveled a long way." And he did, for all his immaculateness, Sesshomaru did appear a bit fatigued.
"Very well," Sesshomaru agreed. Rin remained glued to his side as they walked back to the village. When people saw them coming, they cleared the road—some out of apprehension at Sesshomaru's presence, others out of respect. Kagome suspected that Sesshomaru didn't much care which. The entered Kagome's small hut, and settled on cushions before a table. Kagome went about making tea, while Rin told Sesshomaru of what she'd learned, and the local villagers.
"I got in trouble for playing out in the forest for too long, but I've been very good, my Lord! The old ladies even let me work for them for a while! And Kagome has told me that she'll take me on a journey next time she's called away, because I've shown such an a—and api—"
"An aptitude," Kagome supplied with amusement.
"Right, she told me that I show an aptitude for plant-life and healing."
"Truly, she's a natural." Kagome agreed, pouring tea for the dog demon and the girl.
Kagome saw Sesshomaru sniff his cup. "Rice tea might not ben up to your standards, but this is one of the few teas that Rin will drink." He drank, but clearly out of politeness.
"You are enjoying your time here, then?" Sesshomaru addressed Rin. He asked variations of the same question every visit, and Kagome now realized that Sesshomaru was invested in Rin's happiness. His patience proved that.
"Yes, my lord! I miss Ah-Un, and Jaken, but the villagers are finally starting to accept me."
"Good." Sesshomaru said. He pulled a folded up kimono, held together by ribbon, from his robes and handed it to Rin. Kagome thought that this was one of the finest gifts that Sesshomaru had given the girl yet. It was a rich crimson cloth, what looked like silk, with embroidered purple and black blossoms on the sleeves and hems. Rin did not have her usual gap-toothed smile, however, and held the kimono on her lap.
"What is wrong, child? Is it not to your liking?" Sesshomaru said lowly.
"I don't need a kimono, my lord. I just want you." Rin blurted out, and then bowed her head. The expression on Sesshomaru's face was as close to incredulous as he could get, his eyes widening in shock. Rin bit her lip and looked ashamed by her impulsive words.
Kagome took pity on the girl, and the Lord. "Rin, why don't you go collect that basket that you dropped back in the field? Sesshomaru and I would like to catch up."
Sesshomaru frowned in a way that made it clear that he had no such inclination. At least he didn't look down on her like a bug beneath his foot anymore.
Rin agreed and fled the hut.
Kagome and Sesshomaru were left in a pregnant silence that the taiyoukai was clearly not going to break first, so Kagome gave in.
"She worries about you all the time, you know."
"Your point?"
She shook her head. "No point, just an observation. Rin has stayed within the human village, just as you wished but… she's nearly an adult in the eyes of humans, now, and of marrying age. I just wanted to know what your intentions with her future are. Will she remain a priestess under my care? Will she marry? Will she return to the West with you?"
"And why your sudden interest in Rin's future, Miko? I do not see how it is any of your concern, considering Rin has not brought up the subject with me herself."
She's probably never even thought about it, Kagome thoughta bit unkindly. But she knew that Rin would jump at the chance to travel with her lord again. Sometimes, she wondered if Rin considered herself human, even now. "I only mention it because… well… she's been seeing an awful lot of Kohaku, recently."
Sesshomaru raised one delicate brow, but showed no other reaction. "The Taijiya boy?"
"Yes. They've known each other for a long time, and I think… I think he's… interested in her." Kagome admitted softly.
"And what sort of interest would you be alluding to?"
Kagome almost rolled her eyes, because Sesshomaru clearly knew exactly what she meant. "The kind… that leads to marriage. Would that be such a terrible idea to you?"
"As I said… if Rin should broach the subject herself, I will consider your words. Until then, there is no need for your meddling, Miko."
"It's my job to meddle. Rin is part of our village, so of course I worry about her welfare. Just try not to forget that Rin would die for you, Sesshomaru. But she needs to be reminded to live from time to time."
Sesshomaru stared at her pensively, then his yellow eyes narrowed at her. "I would worry if she left the village, Miko. There is turmoil brewing in the West. For now, Rin belongs here. There are many who would use her against me... including potential suitors. I do not have the luxury to think beyond her safety right now."
Kagome was surprised not only by Sesshomaru's candor on the subject, but also the sharp slap of the reality that Sesshomaru, no matter how imperious he seemed, was mortal just like his brother. That thought made her wince.
"I cannot say that I'm surprised. There have been many more attacks on villages, have there not? And closer to this village, too." Kagome did not directly say that Sesshomaru was losing his hold on the demons of the land, but the observation had implications. Clearly, demons were growing bolder, which meant that Sesshomaru had not asserted his power thoroughly enough. To say those words aloud would be suicide for Kagome, however.
"I assure you that affairs have not grown so dire that you need to worry. Rin is, and always will remain, under my protection."
Kagome only hoped that this would be enough.
"And mine as well."
Sesshomaru hummed his approval of her answer.
Rin soon returned with her basket, but the conversation, if one could call something so one-sided that, between Rin and Sesshomaru was awkward. The Lord soon stood and announced that he must continue the next part of his journey back to the West. Kagome walked with him to the outskirts of the village in a companionable silence. But as Sesshomaru gathered his strength to leap away, she couldn't help but ask,
"Have you gone to your brother's grave?"
Sesshomaru stared at her coldly. "I have not. It is but a scattering of ashes and soil—we demons are not nearly so sentimental as ningen."
Kagome did not believe that was true, but she didn't push the subject.
"We sent for you, you know. When he… was at the end. I thought that Tenseiga could save him. Rin told me that it was too late."
Sesshomaru expected her to sound accusing, but Kagome had come to terms with the pain, and blamed no one but herself. Besides, to hate another only made things worse. She liked to thinkt hat she and Sesshomaru were on somewhat reasonable terms—at least, he wasn't trying to kill her, even if he wasn't particularly pleasant. She often reminded herself that to achieve her primary goal, she would have to come to an understanding with the young Lord of the West, and that meant staying on his good side. That, and, seeing Sesshomaru reminded her of Inuyasha.
"I am sorry for your loss, Miko." Sesshomaru said, not waiting for a response before he launched into the sky in the direction of the forest. No condolences could have surprised Kagome more.
