I wanted to get the second chapter out as soon as possible for you all since I changed so fast! I hope you all enjoy! Reviews are always appreciated!
In addition: I am aware that the behavior may be a little off and unexpected so soon into the story, but not to worry! Those who have patience will have everything explained to them in chapter three! I will also be more than happy to answer any questions thrown my way! Happy reading!
Chapter 2: Flying
Word count: 6562
Warning: Rated M, Language
They both stood in the cave longer than probably necessary, first staring at the place where the deceased priestess disappeared, then at each other as if both confirming what they had seen.
"That… really happened, didn't it?" Kagome eventually said softly, her brows furrowing with the question.
"Hn." Sesshomaru murmured, and for a moment Kagome thought that was all he would say. "I don't believe Naraku's miasma would give us both hallucinations." He stated, and with a flourish turned on his heel, heading back towards the exit of the cave.
Kagome blinked for a moment then scampered off after him, pausing only to turn back and grab her stuff. "Was that a joke?" She asked, being met with more silence for another moment. Suddenly he stopped, looking at her with his eyes wide. She could see his nose twitch and she tilted her head.
"Your injury." He breathed, slightly jerking his chin towards her shoulder.
"My…" She glanced between him and her shoulder, then hesitantly pulled her Kimono down just enough to expose the bandages there. Surprisingly, she felt no agonizing pull or pain from that small movement. The bandages were still stained dark from the blood she shed while shifting in her sleep. But there was no pain from immediate touch. Pulling the bandages off, she revealed a hard puckered gash across her shoulder, stretching almost from her collarbone and around to the back. Testing the mark by rolling her shoulder, she found that it was still taught with tension, and the skin ached at the movement, but it looked weeks old now, definitely an upgrade from an hour ago.
"The miasma that lingered in the wound is gone." Sesshomaru stated, his eyes wide on her for a moment longer. With his curiosity settled, he continued on his way to the exit.
Kagome gaped at it for a moment before pulling her Kimono back up. Tailing after him, she watched his hair sway back and forth, catching in the breeze that shifted through the cave. Having always seen him with perfect composure and appearance, she realized that it bothered her immensely.
"Do you not have something to clean up with?" Kagome asked curiously, thinking back to not seeing any saddlebags upon Ah-Un. Sesshomaru turned over his shoulder, casting her a glare that had a spot between her shoulder blades raising in goosebumps. She smiled uneasily "I mean… I… well…" She blushed, pulling her backpack from her shoulder to in front of her, digging through until she found her hairbrush.
"May I help with that? It must be hard with only one arm, and so much hair." Kagome held up her thick blue brush, showing it was not a weapon or anything dangerous.
"Hmph. I need no pity Priestess." He responded cooley, looking over the brush with mild curiosity, it was not like the delicate combs he was used to, more like a quarter of a porcupine glued to a colored stick, small balls of more blue color melted to the tips to avoid injury perhaps.
"Not pity." Kagome said sternly, the corners of her lips turning downward. She disliked to be misunderstood. "You lost your arm fair and square in that fight. I only want to thank you. For saving and protecting Rin and I." Her eyes softened as he shifted his eyes back to hers, his face mostly impassive, though his eyes were not hard anymore.
"You were injured still." He retorted quietly, not looking away.
"Yes, but I may have been dead had you not struck that blow." Kagome retorted with a snort. Despite having nearly losing her own arm, she had not forgotten the glimmer of tokijin saving her from a worse possible fate. It stung that it had not been Inuyasha, but she was grateful all the same.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and turned away. Kagome frowned further thinking he had rejected her offer, until he sank down to the ground with a soft sigh of the silk he wore. Kagome grinned, allowing her excitement to show when he wasn't looking, and sank to her knees behind him.
Starting from the tips of his hair, she began working the knots out in quick even strokes. Once or twice she caught a hard tangle and yanked his head a smidge, but the Daiyoukai remained un-phased in her ministrations.
After a minute or so of brushing, Kagome felt unable to hold her tongue.
"Do you ever have it cut?" She asked quietly, gently pulling another knot free.
"I have it maintained." Sesshomaru responded blandly, making her smile once more. 'So you get trims.' The thought corrected for her.
"But you've never had it cut short? Doesn't it get in the way?"
"Hn." He murmured out, and Kagome bit back another smile, Stalin waiting for a proper response. Sesshomaru caught her silence for what it was, and eventually continued.
"As a pup. I would cut it away. It bothered me in training, father did not mind. Mother… found it unbecoming of a lord to have his hair short. So I was made to grow used to it." Kagome let out a small "ah" sound as she worked, happy he was conversing with her so well.
"Why not tie it back?" She worked her way up just above the middle, almost done with working out the knots.
"Hn." Was his simple response once more. This time, he did not continue to explain when she waited.
Another minute longer, and she was finished. A few long silver strands less on his head, but his hair gleamed in its former straight glory.
When she paused, Sesshomaru was about to rise, thinking she was finished. But then he felt her sit up once more, her chest brushing his shoulders as her fingers ran through his hair at the top of his scalp. Nails deftly splitting and curling through the hair, Sesshomaru found his eyes closing as he allowed her to continue her work. She began a soft hum as she did so, working her way around his ears and down to the nape of his neck, down his back until he could only feel the movement of his hair rather than her touch.
"Oh" she murmured softly, noticing she was without a hair tie. She shrugged as she pulled the leather strap from the leg of her pants from Sango, unfurling the little end of the pants and using it to tie his hair at the end.
"There!" She murmured, digging in her bag for her compact mirror, glad that she had brought it this one time. Grabbing the thick braid she had made, she pushed it over his shoulder next to his mokomoko, then handed him the compact.
His eyes widened a bit at his own reflection, his bangs had been left alone, which was fine with him, and the top of his hair had been neatly pulled back, revealing his ears and obviously at some point braiding down the rest of his hair that rested on his shoulder. A few short strands that he never noticed before lingered and framed his face, falling as low as his neck.
"It is adequate priestess." He said simply, offering her mirror back to her.
"Kagome."
Sesshomaru offered her a glance, as per usual the expression and emotion in his eyes unreadable to her. She was honestly expecting him to ignore her or not acknowledge what she said, but instead minimally inclined his head before rising to his feet.
Kagome was about to as well, until she felt the uneven fabric at her legs. Pursing her lips, she untied the other leg quickly and begone working on her own hair. "One second." She requested of the Daiyoukai that watched her, pulling her hair back in quick strokes.
She did not need a brush unlike Sesshomaru, she simply yanked out what few tangled she had, working from behind one ear then the other before piling it all into a high ponytail. The tips of her hair tickled her shoulder blades, but she found that she missed having her hair up.
Checking her compact quickly, she appraised the two braids that started behind her ears and ended at the base of the ponytail, nodding with satisfaction that is was much better than the style Kaede had given her before. The one that made her look so much like Kikyō.
"All done!" Grabbing up her stuff once more, she followed Sesshomaru to the exit.
With the barrier in sight, Kagome's brow furrowed as she noticed the change in the light from outside.
Stepping through, her lips pursed as well as she looked to the sky. The clouds had parted mostly, leaving a good view of the pink and orange rose colored sky above them. Looking to the west, she could see the sun starting to set, peeking just between the clouds and the horizon.
"We weren't in there that long were we?" She asked quietly, turning to the Daiyoukai once more. She was unsettled to see his face seemingly confused as well.
"It appears we were." He responded simply just before a loud angry shout broke their peaceful observations
"KAGOMEEEE!" Inuyasha came barreling through the trees, skidding to a stop in front of them, hand gripping his sword as he glared at the two of them.
"Are you alright?! What did this bastard do to you? Where did he take you huh?!" Inuyasha snarled before ripping Tessaiga from its sheath, aiming it at Sesshomaru, who had the gall to look bored with his brothers antics.
"We were praying to Midoriko, Inuyasha." Kagome said, rolling her eyes and pointing to the cave behind her. "We literally just came from there."
"Bullshit!" Inuyasha snapped, his body curling with tension, perfectly ready to strike. "I tracked you and the assholes scent to the cave but I couldn't get in! And if I couldn't get in then there's no way that bastard could get in! Now where did you take her!?" Inuyasha bared his fangs.
Sesshomaru opened his mouth, more than likely to insult or deny his brother any answers, when Kagome's voice cut through the air like a crack of a whip.
"Sit!"
Inuyasha slammed into the ground, his sword falling from his grasp as he was shoved a good inch or two into the hard dirt. Sesshomaru blinked then glanced at Kagome, his expression blank.
Kagome took a deep breath and returned his gaze, feeling her cheeks warm and her shoulders shrug quickly. "You know he won't shut up on his own." She muttered.
"Hn." Sesshomaru allowed the smallest of curves to the corner of his mouth, a very very small show of amusement that had Kagome's mouth hanging open.
Without Inuyasha barring them, Sesshomaru led the two of them onward back to the slayer's village.
"Kagome! Damnit where are you going?!" Inuyasha's voice carried behind them. After a minute the sit spell wore off and he was behind them again, unsure how to go after Sesshomaru with Kagome walking so close to him.
Peeking at Sesshomaru every few minutes, she noticed the difference in his face when Inuyasha spoke, though it was so subtle, she could see the muscles in his face hardening and clenching. When Inuyasha was sat once again, Kagome noticed his face relaxed. This continued over and over as they walked, and Kagome found an odd amusement in the small shifts in his face.
"Damnit wench! How stupid can you be?" Inuyasha's voice hit her once more and she stopped immediately, whipping around to glare at the half demon. The look on her face had Inuyasha faltering, stumbling in his march after them.
"What did you call me?" She bit out, her eyes daring him to say it again. Inuyasha's ears flickered down for a second, obviously debating what a brilliant idea it would be, but his anger won out and he fisted his hands as he glared at them.
"You're being a stupid wench! What kind of a dumbass would willingly walk around-"
"Sit!" Kagome belted out, before repeating the command several times over. Taking several deep breaths, she paused before belting it out several times over again, continuing until Inuyasha was firmly planted six feet under the grass.
Clenching and un-clenching her fists, She whipped around once more and stomped past Sesshomaru, who had paused to watch the interaction.
Continuing her march back to the slayer's village, she was barely through the gate when a red ball of fluff tackled her knee, wrapping around her with a wail of her name.
"Kagome you have returned!" Sango called, turning over a rabbit over the fire that Rin had been curled up by in the morning.
"Hey guys!" Kagome offered them a soft smile, picking up Shippo when she saw his teary eyed expression. He seemed hesitant to be in her arms, glancing at her shoulder before relaxing as she seemed un-bothered.
"Welcome back Lady Kagome." Miroku and Rin both called, the later more cheery than the former. Miroku looked like he was still in a lot of pain, leaning against Ah-un with Kirara curled up in his lap. The miasma stain had receded from view now, which was reassuring, but he was still covered in sweat and had dark bags under his eyes.
"How are you feeling Miroku?" Kagome questioned, her brows furrowing as she walked closer to the fire, taking a seat next to Rin, Shippo shifted into her lap.
"Nothing Jinenji's herbs and the tender care of my sweet Sango can't take care of." Miroku smiled, though it echoed with pain. Sango muttered something under her breath that no one really seemed to catch, but everyone could see the gentle smile in her eyes.
"That's good." The priestess murmured, brushing Shippo's hair back as he closed his eyes, obviously tense and uneasy after the previous days events.
"Jaken." Sesshomaru's voice drew the attention of everyone around the fire. With a swift kick, the Imp was knocked off the rear of Ah-un. His slumber interrupted, he immediately started snapping at Rin, his eyes wide, angry and accusatory.
"Foolish girl! You dare awaken me from my slumber after all my hard work and sacrafice-"
"Jaken." Sesshomaru's dark voice loomed over the Imp, his every aura shifting in rage and causing the monk, priestess, and other demons in the camp to wince.
"M-m-m-m-my Lo-r-"
"Return to the Shiro and prepare for my visit. Have it cleaned and prepped in time for my arrival." The daiyoukai slowly blinked at him, a small line in his nose showing the barely contained disdain and anger.
"Th-th-the Shiro my lord? But you have not gone-"
"Now, or your life will be forfeit. I have tasks to attend to. Bring Rin. Have her accommodated."
Jaken's face fell, terror and depression obvious in his wide eyes.
Rin, obviously having pity on the poor retainer, turned to Sesshomaru and flashed him a large smile.
"Lady Sango has offered us food and supplies my lord! It would be rude to leave this moment without showing proper gratitude!" Rin stood and bowed before Sesshomaru, waiting until he responded with a simple 'hn' before returning to her sitting position.
"Hey what the hell you guys?!" Inuyasha's voice rang clear through the night in the slayer's village, just moments before he came charging through the door, his dark brows furrowed and a scowl on his face.
Kagome rolled her eyes, refusing to turn and face the half demon. He recovered a lot sooner than he thought he would, and she was not pleased. "What's the big idea Kagome?! Leaving me behind in the woods, and all of you sitting around with the enemy!" Inuyasha was gritting his teeth, baring his fangs for the whole pack to see. Kagome did not have to turn to see what kind of expression he was making. He always made that intimidating look when he wanted his way.
Rolling her eyes Kagome huffed, standing quickly, letting Shippo hop down to the ground.
"I'm going home." She said quickly, offering Sango a pleading look "Sango may I please borrow Kirara?"
Sango nodded shortly, though confusion shined in her eyes as they flickered between Inuyasha, Kagome and Sesshomaru. Blinking, the Slayer stood suddenly. "Oh wait a moment Kagome! I have something for you!" She turned and ran towards the main building they had slept in the evening before. Rin leaned forward and picked up tending to the rabbits as she left off.
"Feh! You're running away already!? What did that fight with Naraku scare ya?" Inuyasha huffed out. Kagome bristled, knowing that he was only acting excessively tough with his older brother standing nearby, but it bothered her to no end that he had not even thought to ask how she was feeling, considering he sacrificed her safety to save Kikyo.
The reminder hit her hard, and suddenly the exhaustion from injury, waking up early, the meeting with Midoriko, and the walking after so much blood loss finally made her snap.
Turning to face Inuyasha, she prayed the tears stayed only in her eyes. Her nose burned and her face felt hot from flushing, she knew she was on the border of crying and it made her even more angry.
"I'm tired. I'm going home to see my family and continue my studies." her voice was thick and dark, forcing her to swallow as she stared down her best friend and love.
Inuyasha blinked, and his face shifted from anger and frustration to one of confusion and worry. His brows still furrowed as he fought to maintain a hard expression.
"Well you're commin back right wench?!" He snapped, folding his arms into his sleeves and narrowing his eyes.
'Like I have a choice. Like I can give up my duty. Do you really think so low of me that I would abandon my job? My duty? That I would abandon you? Especially after I promised….' her thoughts forced a tear down her cheek, realizing how tired she was to be doubting his faith in her, to be thinking he was so dishonorable when he was only speaking out of anger.
She was looking far more into his words. That was it.
"Give me a couple of weeks. Don't come for me."
The words seemed to stab her chest, leaving her winded and closing her eyes in pain just as Sango returned, two packages wrapped in string and brown leather being shoved into her arms.
Sniffing loudly once, she opened her eyes and gave Sango a smile of thanks, nodding to her as she cradled the packages in her arms.
"I will take you to your village."
Sesshomaru's voice startled them all once more, a pregnant silence filing the air afterwards. The humans and demons all stared at him in shock until Kagome, face blank and void, stepped towards the daiyoukai without a word, looking up at him expectantly.
"You're not going with Sesshomaru wench! You-"
"Sit boy!" Kagome snapped, stomping her foot with the boom of Inuyasha getting planted in the ground again. Once again Inuyasha had begun to draw his sword, and the force of the impact sent the sword flying from his grasp.
"I'm coming with you!" Shippo called, running after her and scrambling up her back and onto her shoulder. The western lord simply nodded at his company and wrapped an arm around her shoulders before a cloud formed beneath their feet, prompting a squeak out of the young priestess as they took to the sky.
"Kagomeeeeeeee!"
"Travel safe my lord!"
"Lord Sesshomaru!"
Kagome sighed as their voices faded beneath them. Shippo leaned forward and peered into her face. "You alright Kagome? You held it in pretty well back there."
Kagome nodded, sniffing once more. The cold breeze of the darkening evening nipped around her shoulders and she shivered, causing Shippo to wrap his tail around her neck. It was a small notion, but she appreciated it all the same.
Silently, the white fluffy mokomoko curled around her shoulders as well, covering her arms and back in warmth and fluff that to her reminded her of chinchilla fur. She sighed and looked up to the stoic lord, not surprised that his eyes were on the horizon.
"Thank you… Why did you offer to take me?" Kagome's voice was carried away on the wind, but she had no doubt he heard her anyways.
"I have business in that direction. Had you taken the nekomata, your comrades would have had less protection." Once more, for what felt like the hundredth time that day, she was shocked he bothered to respond to her.
"Thank you… That's very considerate of you Lord Sesshomaru." She gripped her gifts tighter, the tips of her fingers digging into the fur that wrapped around her.
"It is practical." He stated, practically ending their conversation.
Kagome though, was not deterred at this point. Feeling a glimmer of confidence fill her, she bit her lip, shifting before preparing to ask another question.
"A lamb in wolf's pelts." Sesshomaru said quietly, his face impassive as she stared at him.
"What?" Kagome blinked, her cheeks flushing pink. She understood his words perfectly, but coming from him, the Lord of the west, the ice king, the murderer, death by moonlight… (Maybe she thought that last one up herself) Was calling her a lamb… Attempting to appear a wolf.
"It is meant-"
"I get it…. Why-?"
Shippo giggled grinning at Kagome madly "You're wearing a dog demons pelt, and you're so nice Kagome."
Kagome rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Shippo. "Thanks Shippo, super helpful."
She looked back at Sesshomaru. "I know what you mean…. But I can have fangs as well." Kagome said indignantly, huffing up in front of the western lord despite her rose tinted cheeks. Sesshomaru arched a delicate eyebrow and glanced at her. Was that…. Mirth she saw in his eyes?
"I'm sure. Though not always when it is necessary." He responded simply, causing her to purse her lips in confusion.
"You lack a killer's instinct. Yet you retain a protective instinct." He stated as if it was a simple discussion of the weather, his eyes still holding a glimmer of amusement as he stared down the puffed up miko.
"I have killed before!" Kagome stated matter-of-factly, mimicking his superior demeanor and arched eyebrow, causing what she believed to be a very subtle tilt in the corner of the daiyoukai's mouth.
"You have defended your comrades and those unable to defend themselves yes. But your ability falters when it is your own life that hangs in the balance." Sesshomaru tilted his head a margin, obviously knowing he was correct in his assessment. Kagome let out a huff, returning her gaze stubbornly to the horizon ahead of them.
Shippo nodded, though a little more serious this time. "He is right Kagome, you're super protective and helping towards everyone."
She did not argue. If anything she deflated some from their words.
He was right. She would not hesitate to throw herself into danger to protect friends or innocents. But when only she was in danger it was like her body would not move quite the same. Maybe it was fear? Or the knowledge that, even though he was a selfish idiot, Inuyasha would be there to protect her most of the time. Shows how that goes.
"That is not to say you cannot defend yourself. But you leave a very large opening of weakness to your enemies, and a large opening of danger to your pack."
Kagome looked back to Sesshomaru curiously, biting her lip as she tried to assess where he was going with this. "My pack?"
Sesshomaru nodded his head. "I do not miss much girl. Though your kind is not familiar with it, I do see you and your comrades show pack like tendencies."
Sesshomaru let out a long sigh, his eyes shifting back into their cold demeanor. "You have alpha potential. Even before you found out you hold a strength in you that could be of actual use in destroying Naraku."
'I can be stronger, I can really help my friends, I can fix the jewel…. I can make the correct wish.'
Dots formed and began connecting, and before she realized what she was doing, Kagome was leaning into Sesshomaru with a new fire in her eyes.
"Can you teach me this killer instinct? Can you help me become stronger?" Kagome pleaded, Shippo startled next to her "Really Kagome?" he yelped, glancing at the daioukai in fear. Though he would not say it, he was petrified of the demon, but did not want Kagome to go with him alone.
"I require someone to teach and guide Rin as she comes of age for humans. That would be adequate exchange of service." Sesshomaru said cooly, removing his gaze from hers. Though for a moment, his gaze flickered to the Kit, narrowing minimally.
"The Kit may receive training as well."
"Lord Sesshomaru… You mean that? Thank you!" Kagome smiled, her worry melting away. The stoic lord merely blinked.
"He has potential. Accumulated in his travels with you I would assume." Sesshomaru let his gaze lower to the kit again and remaining there, causing him to cower into the fur around Kagome's shoulder with unease.
"How do you mean?" Kagome asked boldly, glancing at Shippo as well.
"Hn. His demonic aura is strong, and he presents a human form. My half brother letting such potential in a pack go to waste is a disgrace. I will rectify it." Sesshomaru simply stated Kagome blinked in surprise, preparing to ask another question when Sesshomaru interrupted again.
"He is also older than he lets you perceive. It is time for him to get proper training in more than tricks." As he finished, the cloud started lowering to the ground quickly, skimming the tops of the trees of the forest of Inuyasha.
"Shippo." Kagome gave him a look, obviously not amused by her new information.
Shippo blushed and rubbed his fingers together, looking completely embarrassed at being called out. "I'm still just a kid-"
"Do not lie kit. You're as old as the half-breed. Your full blooded line slowed your aging but not that much. You have slacked in training and therefore growth."
"I can really learn from you? I can grow my power?" Shippo asked quietly from her shoulder, causing Kagome's expression to soften at the true worry in his voice. She had never considered how often they coddled him like a true child. But thinking back on it, there was obvious evidence that he was smarter than he let on. Given the chance he could restrain Inuyasha easily, and that alone should have spoken in volumes to Kagome that he had potential that was being ignored.
For a kid who was seeking vengeance when she met him, he had not opted to train with everyone as he probably should have. Not that he had the chance with Inuyasha learning as he goes, learning mostly on the battlefield as she did. Sango and Kirara were already trained hardened warriors, as was Miroku. Besides travelling until exhaustion, seeking shards and fighting demons, there was really no time actually dedicated to training.
"I don't think Lord Sesshomaru is in the habit of lying to kits. It certainly wouldn't seem to help him anyway." Kagome looked to reassure him, frowning as Shippo seemed to only contemplate what they had told him.
Not a minute after she made the reassurance, the treeline broke into the small clearing of the bone eater's well. Kagome shifted and sighed in contentment at the sight, and Sesshomaru silently took that as this was the place to leave her. Lowering to the ground, Kagome stumbled as she suddenly had solid earth beneath her feet once more.
"Thank you again Sesshomaru." She said softly, his mokomoko slipping from her shoulders to wrap around himself once more. Shippo scampered to the ground at her feet.
"I'm gonna go see Kaede, I'll see you later Kagome! Bye Lord Sesshomaru!"
Kagome watched him scamper off into the darkness before looking back at Sesshomaru, he had taken several steps away from her but stood, seeming to wait for her leave. Staring at the moon, he looked radiant to her.
Kagome had to hold her breath to keep from sighing at the beautiful sight. She had seen Inuyasha in similar light, gazing at the moon. But the half demon had a more tormented aura of him, as if he sought something he could never have. Like he wanted to touch the moon but had failed in his attempts.
"Why do you follow my brother?" His voice, silken as water, made her blink, his golden orbs remained still focused on the moon.
"I… I must fix the jewel of four souls. It is my duty and destiny." Kagome stated, her repetitive answer every time someone asked her 'Why do you come back? Why Inuyasha?' Or even worse, her own arguments for herself. 'Why not just let Kikyo do it? Why don't I just go back to my time?' It was the same response every time. The pain she felt earlier in the slayer's village nipped in her chest once more, and she took a shaky breath, trying to reel in her thoughts.
"Hn. That does not answer why the half breed."
Kagome's eyes widened, and she looked down, considering his response. And the real question he had asked. At one point, it had only been because she was in love with Inuyasha, and he swore to protect her. But there was no garuntee he would choose her, he could always go to hell with Kikyo and leave her behind. So... Why did she stay? For Miroku and Sango? For Shippo? They all would follow her if given the choice. They had faith in her and her decisions. They had faith in her strength and growth. Even when she made a mistake they told her as such. But why stay with Inuyasha? For his strength? No… the answer was far more simple than that when she really put thought into it.
"I don't want him to be alone." She said softly, feeling the burning gaze of the lord turn on her. She couldn't bring herself to look at him. "Inuyasha had been alone for so long, the one person he cared about and trusted turned against him by Naraku. When I came along, I dragged our friends into our group. I pulled them together even if they didn't want to at first. I helped him get more friends. He's not alone anymore. He's changed in some ways, others he's just the same as always. But he does try to protect us all, even if it's just for his own pride. Inuyasha…" Kagome swallowed and looked at Sesshomaru's blank face "Inuyasha is pack. He is part of our dysfunctional family."
Sesshomaru blinked slowly at her before returning his gaze to the sky. Allowing her to let out the breath she had withheld while expecting a response. "You are more loyal than most humans." He whispered, his voice barely reaching her. Though she understood what he said, she was still prepared to ask him to repeat himself when he spoke again.
"You come from this well." Sesshomaru stated, but Kagome took it as a question anyways.
"I travel through time by the use of the well." Sesshomaru cut his gaze to her, making her frown at him. "I know, I know it sounds silly. It's thanks to the jewel that I can do it. But honestly can you really say I act like a normal girl from this era? You're smarter than that Sesshomaru." His response was a quiet growl, causing her to narrow her eyes at him. Half expecting claws around her throat. When they did not come, she arched a brow at him, watching the gears turn behind his liquid gold eyes.
"You are educated… And dominant. A trait not common among human females." Kagome just assumed this was going to be a session of twenty questions, without the phrasing of actual questions. Perhaps curiosity was getting to the Daiyoukai. Or he was getting a grasp of who he would be training.
"Correct. In my time women are treated equal to men, some holding more power than men even. We are all educated equally and expected to… Survive on our own. Make our own money, have our own skills and jobs. Provide equally. My own mother has a job of her own, though she mostly works from home over the phone." Kagome rested her chin on her hand, choosing to gaze at the moon as she spoke of home, already slightly missing her mom's smiling face.
"Much like most female demons after they are mated." Sesshomaru responded, making Kagome seriously consider curiosity being the cause for this conversation.
"I'm not sure, I'm not knowledgeable on demon culture like Sango or Miroku. For me however, passing my studies and tests has been one of the most important things in my life that has seriously been set back by the hunt for the jewel shards."
Sesshomaru stared at her a moment longer, jaw clenched it seemed, as she assumed he was organizing and making sense of his newly acquired information.
"When shall you return from your world?" Sesshomaru, turned away, standing still only to await her response.
"I have finals… Probably two weeks." Kagome said softly, wondering why he would ask something like that. Sesshomaru said nothing, walking away into the darkness of the forest. Kagome watched until there was absolutely no sign of him before turning to the well.
"Funny guy that one… At least we have a powerful ally?" She muttered to herself, sitting on the lip of the well before shifting her legs in. Looking down into the abyss of the well, she casted one more glance into the forest where Sesshomaru disappeared, confusion etched into her face. "Why is he being so friendly to me?" She asked herself softly, knowing there was no way she could be brave enough to ask him herself. Hopefully with time, if things continued this way, she would know what was going through the terrifying daiyoukai's brain. She could love to be able to pick his brain about his years on this earth so far, about young Inuyasha and their bloodline. A conversation for another time down the line maybe.
Letting out one more sigh, Kagome jerked herself forward to fall into the well, letting the blue magical light wrap around her and pull her through time.
Making a slightly awkward land into the well with her arms full and her stuff over her shoulder, Kagome sighed as she gladly gazed at the roof of the well house. "Here we go." She muttered, shifting the slightly large packages into one arm so she could start pulling herself up the ladder her mother had put there for her. Once more she sent a silent thanks to Midoriko for healing her shoulder, finding it probably would have been impossible to make this climb had she not healed her.
Awkwardly pulling herself up and out of the well, Kagome sighed and leaned against the well, taking a moment for herself to catch her breath.
Eager to get a bath, dinner and into bed, Kagome pushed herself up and scampered up the steps and out of the well house. The shrine grounds were dark, the glow of the city below blocking out the view of the stars. Familiar sounds of horns and planes filling her ears as she made her way to the house.
Opening the door and closing it tightly behind her, she frowned at the silence in the house. At this hour, usually her family would be eating dinner and conversing about their day. With the exception of the hall light, the house was dark and quiet.
Breathing heavily, disappointment pressing on her chest, Kagome made her way to her room, kicking her door open to find it freshly cleaned and a envelope on her bed. Setting everything in her arms down on the ground at the edge of her bed, Kagome grabbed the envelope and plopped onto her side as she ripped it open.
Inside was a decent amount of cash and a credit card that her mother offered to her to usually buy supplies or replace her uniform. Good thing, her shirt was ruined. A note was left as well, explaining their absence. Apparently Souta had finished his own finals in middle school and they went to visit her cousin for her graduation from university.
Kagome sighed and let her arms drop, her envelope falling from her fingers to the ground. She stared blankly at her desk, the stack of textbooks and notes left there that had probably been brought by Hojo in her absence. He had taken it upon himself to bring her notes to keep her up to speed while she was gone. Something that she appreciated and took advantage of. If it meant she went on a date or two with him and suffered his boring behavior, so be it.
She had to get up and get changed. Her stomach wasn't rumbling, and though she felt no hunger she was aware she needed to eat. A bath would do her good. Her hair was still up and pinned back by the leather strap, and she wanted to spend an hour brushing it out.
But for some reason she could not find the strength to move. There was no will in her limbs to get her moving.
"It's her fault."
Kagome flinched and squeezed her eyes shut, grasping at her sheets and pulling them up to her nose. Inhaling the clean scent as she fought the storm of emotions that started swirling in her.
'Inuyasha… He has a right to be angry with me. If I just had Sesshomaru's 'killing instinct'...'
Kagome gasped, feeling tears slip from her eyes and fall into her pink comforter. There was just no way… There was no way even Sesshomaru could teach her how to be a killer. Doubt and self loathing filled her, Inuyasha's words echoing in her head, reminding her of all she was and all she couldn't be. Maybe that was why he saved Kikyo, why he loved her more, maybe-
Kagome stifled a sob and shook her head, smothering her face into her comforter as Buyo let out a mrow before jumping onto her bed. She felt his little paws dig into her side as he walked across her like she was a balance beam, stopping at her shoulder where he began kneading her arm to make himself comfortable.
"I need to live up to Midoriko's expectations Buyo. I don't know how, but I have to." She choked out, rolling over and sending the fat cat toppling over onto the mattress next to her. He let out a discontented meow and readjusted himself into her side, letting out a yawn as Kagome continued to cry.
"I have to… I just don't know how." She whispered, suddenly slapping both cheeks at the same time, feeling irritation mix with her other emotions. "No sense worrying about it now. I have to finish my exams. I can train and meditate later. Mm yeah.. Later..." Closing her eyes once more as she drifted off to sleep, pain and hurt slipping away as darkness consumed her.
