Chapter two: Mothers always know
"So now you're telling me that she has the Jewel?" Sesshoumaru messaged his temple as Inuyasha stood leaning against the wall
"Yup." He said reassuringly. He liked Kagome. After going to eat and stuff. She didn't judge one youkai, and for the most part, they didn't really have a problem with her either, of course his and Shippo's presence probably had something to do with that.
"And you know this for sure?" he asked leaning back inspecting his brother.
"Yeah, Shippo cleared it all up." Inuyasha said before kicking himself for letting it slip.
"Shippo? You mean lieutenant Maroski? How does he know? Surely any information from him would have been passed through me." Sesshoumaru knew that Inuyasha hadn't meant to say what he just did. This meant that they were trying to hide something from him. Inuyasha should've known that was nearly impossible.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru don't hurt him he was just concerned for Kagome. And actually she's really cool once you get to know her-"
"Why would I need to hurt him, and why are you suddenly so close to her. Little brother you know better than to hide things from me." He said grinning
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Kagome saved Shippo when he was a kit. He knew all about her and visited her all the time. Yeah, he never told you or me until yesterday. And us three went to eat yesterday. There I confessed your turn Fluffy." Inuyasha said knowing that his brother never told anyone more than they needed to know.
"Well then, it seems the matter is cleared and I won't have to deal with finding the Jewel." He said
"So you won't do anything to the kit?" Inuyasha asked hopefully.
"Lying is not a good trait to have in my ranks is it? I'll have to speak to him about the matter." He replied dryly
"Come one Fluffy, he was just trying to protect her." Inuyasha leaned over the desk. 'Is it just me or am I always saving this kit's but?'
"Yes, and to do so he lied to his Lord of higher rank. If anyone sees him get away with it, what will stop others from doing it too?" he said strictly warning Inuyasha to back down.
"Yeah sounds a lot like what you do with Rin!" There was silence and Inuyasha wondered if he had gone too far.
Sesshoumaru was stopped. True in order to protect Rin, he had told his share of lies. "I will see to the matter as I see fit, Inuyasha. And unless you want to challenge my authority, back down and leave."
Inuyasha was very mad all of a sudden. Yes he had stayed with Sesshoumaru as second command all his life, but it was so hard sometimes. There were so many scars between them, and so many scars that Sesshoumaru alone carried that it made everything between them two impossible. He never let anyone in, or told anyone about the things he locked up in his mind.
"Yeah, I got you Sesshoumaru-sama." He growled as he walked out the door.
Sesshoumaru brought a hand to his forehead. He blamed it on the stress that memories he hadn't thought about in centuries were coming to him.
'Sesshoumaru my son, why do want to grow up so soon?' his mother's voice echoed in his head.
'I have to mother. Father expects me to be strong, so I can't waste time acting like a kid.' He had told her. He was still a pup then…and she was still alive.
'One day when you're all grown up, you'll look up and wonder where you are. You won't recognize anything, and you'll be lost.' She said, though she was smiling
'No I won't mama! I'll be perfect, you'll see.' Her smile turned sad
'My love, that is very reason it will happen. Then you'll remember me you mother, and wonder what it is your suppose to do. And koi, then I won't be there. And since you blocked out all those emotion and memories, you won't know what to trust except your mind. And you will fight and live at war with yourself forever. All because they only thing you focused on was perfection, and power.'
He hadn't understood it then. 'Mama stop being silly!' he had said then. He supposed she knew she was going to die, and she knew what would become of him after she left him. It had hurt so bad…
He stopped the thought pushing yet another cold memory away. His mother was wrong. He would never be lost, because he would make sure not stop and look around. He had done his best to forget her, yet yesterday, when he had met the strange miko, he remembered. She had his mother's eyes. The color and the fire.
"You sent for me Sesshoumaru-sama?" Sesshoumaru turned his chair around to see Shippo.
"Yes lieutenant. You withheld information." Sesshoumaru guessed that Inuyasha had tipped him off because Shippo didn't flinch only nodded. "What else have you lied about?"
"Nothing." He said and for the first time he made eye contact.
Sesshoumaru knew he was not lying, but he would not let him off so easy. "Yes, but how am I to believe that?" he watched as the kit fell to his knees.
"Milord, I love her like a mother! For her to come to harm was unbearable to me. I was afraid that if any one came in position with her, they'd cut the jewel from her body and leave her for dead. And given the chances I would risk my life for hers ten times over." He said staying in a low bow.
Sesshoumaru thought back to the time when he was like the kit. So willing to pay any sacrifice for one's safety. Of course, he was much younger when he lost his mother. "Affection is weak Shippo." he said harshly
"All do respect my Lord, I beg to differ." Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. Shippo and Inuyasha; the only two that would ever defy him. He had to admit, the kit had something.
"You are dismissed." Shippo stood and nodded, but right as he reached the door, "and Shippo, you have no rank. You are now a ground solider."
"My respect and loyalty will always remain with you either way, my Lord." He then opened the door and left.
"How bad was it?" Inuyasha asked as the two made their way to Kagome's room.
"I'm a ground solider now." He said sullenly.
"Oh, well at least he didn't kill you." Inuyasha replied with a shrug.
"Would he really do that?" Shippo asked anxiously
Inuyasha thought for a moment before answering, "Yes" and entering Kagome's rental room. She was combing through her hair as they walked in.
"Hey guys what's up?" she asked not really looking at them.
Inuyasha plopped on the bed. "Not much, Kit here lost his job though." Shippo gave him a dirty look. He was hopping that he wouldn't say anything.
"Why?" she asked in a concerned voice.
"Sesshoumaru found out he was helping you." He answered unaware that it wasn't his place to say.
"What! That's completely unfair! This is all my f-" Kagome cried standing
"Your right it is your fault." Sighed Inuyasha "But you'll should just calm down. Sesshoumaru will move you back up the ranks in a week or two, watch."
Sure enough Shippo was back in the job in ten days. He told Kagome it was no big deal but she knew that was a lie. He loved being in the top ranks.
The first thing that Kagome learned about The Gates, they called it, was that it was hidden and constructed by magic. Inuyasha told her that unless you were invited or had residence here, you could not even see it. Which ever youkai that decide to live in there was under protection. She was informed that the magic was 70 percent on Sesshoumaru's shoulders.
Sesshoumaru himself was a completely mystery in itself. She lived in the main building, but she rarely saw him, and if she did it was a glimpse, and he never paid her any attention. On what she picked up about him, he was not only one of the head honchos, he was the head honcho. He was mean, cold, had no heart, and did not care about anyone. He was also self centered, arrogant and the best eye-candy around. Oh, yeah…he hated humans.
"Mama it would do you best just to stay away from him." Shippo had told her with concern when she had questioned him about it. She couldn't get much out him though she went right to the source…well sort of.
"What about him?" Inuyasha asked roughly as he leaned on the railing of his patio.
"I don't know, you are his brother. He couldn't have always been the ice prince." She said trying not to sound to curious.
"Feh! Fluffy has always kept to himself." he barked, but then softly as if telling a secret that so few knew,"before me and mother…maybe he was different. He had loved someone then, and he cling to her for life, even if he didn't admit it. Then she was torn from him…right before his eyes she was taken. And from that day on, he got colder and colder."
'So…he was in love once…'
Seeing that she was there for the soul purpose to be protected, Kagome was treated like royalty. It was such a change but she never took advantage of it, and remained humble. She was allowed to go every where when guarded. Every where except, the top floor, which was where the Lords slept. Inuyasha slept there, and although he told her it was nothing big. She was still curious.
So it shouldn't of been so much of a surprise when she was left alone she would wonder…
On one particular day, Shippo was on duty, and Inuyasha had left The Gates to run errands. She could always go into town, for she had made plenty of friends, but rather she made her way the top floor. She knew the way because she had been there more times then one. She didn't like being snoopy, but there was just one room that she loved.
It had cream colored walls, with gold tracings on it, and the floor also a cream colored marble. On the walls there were the most beautiful paintings she had ever seen. On one wall there was the picture of a scenery. It was a clearing, and you could see where the forest ended, and flat grass began leading to a peaceful lake. The one was shining down and there were all kinds of animals just relaxing.
Another picture was of a beautiful Lady. Her eyes, Kagome noticed, where much like her own. They held depth, sorrow, and knowledge. Her graceful from was sitting, her red tinted hair sweeping to the floor. She had a playful smile on her lips and Kagome thought she had never seen someone look happy, and yet so sad at the same time. It gave her a strange comfort.
There were many other paintings, but that was not all that the extraordinary room held. In the Conner was a black grand piano. Kagome had been overjoyed with seeing it. She spent some time playing it every time she snuck away. There was also a harp and violin.
There was an all white bow, with arrows that had a tip of emerald. She had never touched this afraid the she would break it. Two swords stood in a protective case, another thing that she avoided.
A velvet futon sat pushed against one wall, and Kagome would usually bring a journal to write her thoughts while she laid on it. Today however Kagome had brought her sketch book and was soon off creating her own perfect world.
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Sesshoumaru used a clawed hand to comb through his wet hair. He was not one to go to the hot springs in the middle of the day, but on his quick visit out side The Gates he had encountered some trouble, that had left him covered in blood. Not his blood of course, but his opponents.
As his right foot hit the top floor he smelt something that was most diffidently not suppose to be there. He smelt jasmine vanilla with a pleasing twist of sukra blossom. Yes he had a face for this scent…it was the miko. Agitated he made his way down the hall.
He stood there in the door way looking at her. She had not noticed him, and he was trying to decide the best way to punish her with out hurting her. If it had been any other room, any other room besides this he would not be so mad. But this room…this room was his room. Not for anyone else to touch. Not even Rin or Inuyasha. On the other hand maybe he should just hurt her.
"Miko, I thought that I had made it a point for my half-brother to make it clear to you that you are not to step foot on the top floor." He said coldly and watched as she jumped, and listened as her heartbeat picked up. 'Can't even string together an excuse.'
Kagome sat a little scared as Sesshoumaru's cold eyes where narrowed at her. He must have just got out of a bath or shower, because his hair was wet. He wore black slacks with black shoes. His shirt was long sleeved, colored, and buttoned…although the buttons at the time were undone…reviling a very well built chest. Kagome blushed forgetting that she should be scared.
Sesshoumaru smirked as she blushed. 'Yes I seem to have the affect on people.' "I suppose I will excuse your human stupidity, women. Leave. If you are quite done looking at my person, human." His voice was now indifferent, and Kagome shook her head.
'Ah! I'm sitting here looking at him! Wait did he just call me stupid? He did!'
"I'm not stupid." She replied in a very unintelligent way. 'Smooth Kagome'
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. "So then you decide that the boundaries I set were not exceptional. Inuyasha pushed that I didn't lock you up, maybe I should rethink that." His voice was once again cold, but Kagome was never one to back down.
"I didn't mean to offend you, okay." She snapped back collecting her things.
"You're human, what could not be offending." He replied coldly. Kagome bit her lip.
"Of course Milord." She bit out sarcastically "Please accuse this unworthy one for polluting the air you breathe." She made her way to the door.
"It is inexcusable." He replied his voice once again indifferent. Kagome baled up her fist.
"What a jerk." She mumbled as she walked past him.
"What was that, miko?" Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow turning to see her turn to face him.
"I said 'What a jerk' jerk!" she then hurried down the stairs. Sesshoumaru watched her go, his blood slightly boiling for being talked to in such a manner. He continued to watch as she vanished an Inuyasha was soon coming up the stairs.
"Have I not told you to keep the women away from the top floor brother?" he asked looking at him from the corner of his eye. He too had been outside The Gate recently, and telling by the blood he too had run into trouble.
Inuyasha gave him a confused look. "Wha- You mean Kagome? I did tell her." He said "Why what happened?"
"She was in my room. Very disrespectful for a head miko." He told him unemotionally. He heard Inuyasha laugh next to him.
"Yeah she's something else. But don't you want to hear my report?" Inuyasha replied to him changing the subject.
"Hai, but Inuyasha," Inuyasha meet his eyes, "I do not share your enthusiasm." Then led the way to his study buttoning his shirt as he went.
Kagome did not return to the top floor after promising Inuyasha she wouldn't. The nest couple of weeks passed uneventful. It almost seemed like there was nothing to worry about. Almost. She saw Shippo and Inuyasha leave The Gates and come back bloody. She saw how tense they were and how many meetings they attended. She also saw Sesshoumaru, but she learned quickly that he never displayed emotion, and defiantly not weakness.
"Rin's finally coming home." Inuyasha announced at dinner and Kagome watched as Shippo dropped his tray.
"Who's that?" Kagome asked leaving her seat to help him pick up his spilled food.
"It's hard to explain." Inuyasha said not paying any mind to her or Shippo. "You see a while back,
Sesshoumaru raided this one little village. Anyway they had kidnapped Rin and she was the only one that he didn't kill. Ever since then Rin has become, will just part of the family. She looks up to Fluffy like a dad. But she loves her Uncle Yasha too." He said smugly.
"Oh, really? What kind of youkai is she?" Kagome asked still a little surprised Sesshoumaru would be close to someone.
"Rin's human. She's 18 this year. It's been 11 years since he saved her." It was Kagome's turn to drop the tray, as she distantly realized that Shippo was slightly blushing.
"Human! But I thought he hated humans." Kagome blubbered out confused
"Yup, that's weird part. But no one says anything, unless they want to deal with Sesshoumaru-sama." Shippo chimed in.
"Why do you say 'sama'? Not like he's so important." Inuyasha grumbled as Kagome and Shippo took there seats back.
"Yeah, Inuyasha, He's only my commanding officer." He said back to him.
"I am too. I demand respect!" Inuyasha claimed and Kagome and Shippo sheared a glance before bursting out in laughter
"Yeah! Good one Yasha!"
"I'm hitting the sack."
"Yeah me too."
"Feh!"
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"Hurry mama! I want to be there to greet Rin!" Shippo shouted before Kagome stepped out of her room. The greeting was something formal; obviously this Rin had a lot of friends. Even if they were youkai. She her self was wearing a white skirt that flowed just bellow her knees. Her baby doll shoes were black with a blue trimming. Here shirt matched her eyes, and the collar folded to revel her shoulders.
"Hey kit?" She asked as the made their way to the entrance, and Shippo looked at her. "How long have you liked Rin?" she asked and giggled as he blushed. "Mothers know everything."
"I don't like her." he said stiffly and Kagome just smiled.
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Kagome did not know what she expected of Rin, but it was not this. Rin was a little shorter than her, with short dark brown hair and light brown eyes. She had the biggest most innocent smile plastered on her face, and she seemed very cute. No this was not what she expected the girl that was saved by Sesshoumaru to be, but then again, she was exactly what she expected Shippo to like.
She was now in the middle of the room hugging Inuyasha. "Uncle Yasha! I missed you so much! How have you been? You taking care of yourself?"
"Yes, yes! Gosh calm down kid!" he said as they broke apart. "I missed you too, I'm glad you're back." he added affectionately ruffling her hair.
"Hey Rin." Shippo said to get her attention and Kagome smiled at how shy he sounded.
"Shippo!" she cried as she embraced him. "Who's you're friend?" She asked smiling.
Kagome gave a quick bow. "I'm Kagome."
"Oh! Shippo's told me all about you! It's a pleasure to meet you!" She too bowed but a little deeper then a usual greeting. She turned her head to the stairs and Kagome saw her face soften, as she turned to see what she was looking at. Sesshoumaru.
He stood there looking at Rin and Kagome gasped when she saw kindness in his eyes. Something that she had been told was in impossible. 'And she's human!'
"I...If you'll excuse me." She gave a quick bow a left towards Sesshoumaru.
"She'll come back." Inuyasha said. "Ever since she was a kid, she's always been in awe of him and stuff...not in a weird way though." Kagome watched as Rin bowed and smiled up at Sesshoumaru.
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Sesshoumaru watched as Rin embraced Shippo. 'That kit's really making it hard for himself.' he stood patiently as she was introduced to the miko. Sesshoumaru looked over the older women, what she wearing clearly showing her small frame, and soft curves. He turned his eyes back to Rin, and they made eye contact. Yup, Rin was still his little girl, and she'd always be. He waited tell after she gave him a bow and smiled brightly.
"You've been good, Rin?" he asked in a voice that would seem like he wasn't interested. His eyes said other words.
"Hai, but Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked and he saw her eyes water. "Don't send my away again." she pleaded
"If I have to I will." he answered her. She put her eyes in a down cast.
"You seem so tense. Are you okay?" She asked knowing that Sesshoumaru never confided in anyone.
Sesshoumaru placed a clawed hand on the top of the girl head. She looked up and he dropped his hand. His Rin, he knew would take it as a sign of comfort. Sure enough she gave him a big smile.
"I missed you too Sesshoumaru-sama." he nodded
"Go Rin, I have much to do." Others might say this was rude, but Rin knew it wasn't. She nodded and made her way back to Inuyasha, Shippo, and the miko. Sesshoumaru could still see the seven year old girl that he had saved.
awww Shippo has a crush on Rin :p
Yeah this was pretty uneventful but I just wanted everyone to get situated..
