Disclaimer: Inuyasha and any of its characters do not belong to me.
Shift
Chapter Two
"Sesshoumaru-sama."
She stared, admittedly more than a little shocked, as a full blooded inuyoukai materialized from a blue white orb that had come streaking out of nowhere. His almost overwhelming aura sent her unprepared senses into a frenzy, making her wonder if now would be a great time to get the hell out of here.
Kagome took a step back and instantly knew she shouldn't have moved at all. His sharp, goldenrod eyes immediately riveted on her and she found herself subjected to the most intense scrutiny of her life. It was as if he was picking her apart, trying to glean her weaknesses and strengths and penetrate her well placed defenses.
A low growl escaped unbidden and she realized it had come from her. But it really didn't matter now. Her nerves were shot, her body on sensory overload. Her irritation was growing by leaps and bounds, the restlessness inside her near capacity, causing her to be all out of sorts. And on top of all that, she was hungry and damn it, she just wanted to go home.
Good god, she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown!
As if sensing her mounting distress, Jak turned around and was about to calm her down when she bolted, took off like an obsidian bullet through the air.
Kagome got further than any of them anticipated before she went crashing to the ground, the breath knocked out of her. Paws swiping in every direction, bright blue eyes frustrated and wild and just a little tired, she snarled and gnashed her powerful jaws, intent on ripping off the limb of whoever was digging their knee into her spine.
It occurred to her that she was acting like an unruly, disobedient little kit that was going through her first transition, but hell if Kagome cared. She'd been chased down, shot at, thrown into a dank prison cell, and now subdued.
With a surge of renewed energy, she reared back with a bone deep growl only to have the back of her neck tightly gripped, sharp claws digging into her smooth black fur. He forced her face down into the sweet smelling grass, right knee shoved into the base of her spine and the other into the ground for balance. Her tail swished wildly as she tried to fight his unrelenting hold. But he only tightened his grip, almost painfully so until all she could do was attempt to breathe easy because her vision was now swimming with pretty white dots.
"Are you quite done yet, hime?"
She froze, her feline body going completely still upon hearing his deep, velvety whisper.
"Good. Now shift."
Kagome blinked the shock away, wondering how in the hell he knew about her lineage.
"Now, hime."
She felt the added pressure and left with no choice, Kagome did as told and shifted. She felt his weight lift off her before something smooth and silky fluttered across her bare skin. Indignation flared across her blue eyes as she stood up, long midnight tresses falling around her shoulders and right hand gripping closed what appeared to be Jak's outermost layer of his soldier's garb.
The knuckles of her left hand grew steadily white as she stubbornly stood her ground against the youkai who could only be the fearsome Lord of the Western Lands.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama, may I introduce—" Jak was cut short.
"Kagome, only daughter of Ryo Higurashi, leader of the southern tribes."
Her jaw dropped and took off running. Blue eyes wide, she could only stare at him and wonder how the hell he knew so much. Never in all her one hundred years had she ever met this demon and she was most certain that he had never visited the more tropical southern lands. His presence would've been much too demanding to ignore, his looks too unforgettable.
"A hime?" Jak and Ban turned ghostly white. Wonderful. They had locked up a shape shifting princess after shooting her with a mildly poisoned arrow. Good God, they were both going to get decapitated after this.
Gathering her composure, Kagome finally found her voice, fixing her now steely eyes on the demon lord in front of her. "How did you know?"
"Apparently, you are prone to disappear. I happened to run across the trackers your father sent."
"And?" She unconsciously took a step forward.
Sesshoumaru turned around, heading in the direction of his home. "You will be remaining here, as a guest, until further notice."
Kagome soaked up the sunshine, yukata askew and languidly sprawled across the soft grass outside the guestroom she'd been given yesterday night. Her thoughts were clearer now, not as clouded with indignation and anger as had been the case these past few days. She had given her situation much contemplation through the very early hours of morning, and like it or not, most of it was her fault.
As the only daughter to the leader of the southern shape shifting tribes, it wasn't a surprise that freedom was a distant wish. Images had to be upheld after all, the laws of her kind obeyed, and remaining by her father's side a must. It was to be expected of someone in her position.
Well, she'd pretty much damned her position and title for an existence livened by emerald green forests, starry nights in tree tops, and roaming through foreign lands. There was just something so much more thrilling and satisfying outside the boundaries of her tribe. To be able to observe demons and humans in their daily lives was something she took great pleasure in, the wonder and curiosity always there no matter where she traveled during her weekly escapes.
The earful she got upon returning home was something she'd gotten used to over the span of her travels. Her father would attempt to lock her up but she'd always find a way to escape. And disappear she would again. Such was her habit after all. Besides, Kagome found it a hell of a lot more exciting than sitting through tribal meetings and fending off males who wanted her hand in marriage. She wasn't willing to settle for a life inside the tribe where her only duties as a mate consisted of being submissive and raising children.
She'd rather be disowned and exiled—which was fast becoming reality at this rate—than be subjected to such a dull existence before she was ready and willing. Inhaling a long breath, Kagome looked to the blue skies above and the scattered clouds of white.
'You'll be remaining here, as a guest, until further notice.' She scoffed at his words from the night before. Granted, he was beyond handsome and all, but everything else remained to be seen. What if she didn't want to be his guest? What if she just got up and left right now? What if…what if…
What if she really did want to accept his offer, which actually seemed more of a demand now that she thought about it, and stay for an undetermined amount of time? Most likely until her father came to get her himself, Kagome figured silently.
It'd be a great opportunity to observe youkai customs and experience firsthand how they lived in a setting as elaborate as the Western shinden-zukuri. And who was she, as curiously feline as they came, to pass this all up for the sake of her stubborn nature?
Don't you regret it, Kagome.
"You…shot her with an arrow and then tossed her in a prison cell?"
Jak nodded his head, the guilt and horror written all over his face. "You must understand, Sesshoumaru-sama. We had no idea who she was at the time!"
The inuyoukai raised a brow before going back to scan the parchment in front of him. "Then I'll place her under your watch."
Ban stiffened. Of all things, he was to play chaperone to some spoiled little princess? Well, she wasn't little, but that was beside the point.
"Sesshoumaru-sama—"
"You two are the only ones aware of what she's capable of. I expect you to keep her under control during the length of her stay."
"And how long will that be?"
"Until Higurashi comes to collect her."
Jak frowned, still a little confused but unwilling to question further. They had their orders and while watching over a shifter wasn't his ideal mission, it was better than gate duty.
After they closed the shoji screen behind them, Jak threw his brother a questioning glance. "I take it you don't like our latest assignment?"
"Who am I to question his orders, little brother?"
Jak rolled his eyes. "Well, I for one think it's going to be interesting."
"If she even dares to cause trouble…" Ban muttered underneath his breath.
"You'll what?" Jakotsu laughed. "Spank her? She isn't some unruly little kit, you know."
His older brother looked away, hiding a reluctant blush as a scowl crossed his lips. "Shut up, Jak."
It hadn't been difficult to grant Ryo Higurashi's request. As an old friend of his father's and having met the powerful shape shifter twice in his five hundred years of living, refusing to let his duty shirking, wandering daughter stay at his home would have simply been insulting to their alliance.
While Sesshoumaru had been aware that Ryo had a daughter, he had never actually met the girl until yesterday night. His title as Taiyoukai of the West afforded him little opportunity to travel to other lands and communication with his father's old friend only occurred in times of dire need.
So imagine his slight surprise to learn that Higurashi's daughter had been wandering through his lands without proper notice. The two trackers he'd intercepted had quickly given him a scroll written by Ryo himself explaining the situation since Kagome hadn't returned home as per usual.
'If you happen to run across Kagome, I ask that you accept her into your home until I come to retrieve her…'
He looked out into the open courtyard before him, a gentle early summer breeze sweeping into his study and rustling a few pieces of parchment. He hadn't expected the chit to be at his shinden-zukuri nor to take off the moment he'd touched the ground. As soon as Sesshoumaru had seen the large black feline, he'd immediately known it was her. She carried the same fresh and unique rainwater scent as her father, but with a touch of wild flora.
He'd committed it to memory, along with—willingly or not—the sight of her bare skin and the feel of it underneath his hands. Even he couldn't deny her beauty or the fact that he'd been momentarily stunned when she dared to fight against him, her bright blue eyes raging with a deep inner fire as she growled and tried to push him off her.
No female had ever dared to oppose him. So, admittedly, it was…refreshing when she had, and quite aggressively too. She held power in that sleek and svelte frame, much more than he'd initially thought at first glance. A barely there smirk crossed his lips as he silently wondered if she would prove interesting enough to hold his attention. He certainly hoped so.
Kagome had moved to the old tree that towered outside her room and now lazily reclined on one of its sturdy tree branches high off the ground. She had shed most of her clothes, the strictness of the layers and ties making her irritated and was now more comfortably garbed in a silky robe which she'd hiked up past her knees and torn the sleeves off of.
She didn't understand how youkai and humans could wear such restrictive clothing. It made movement and breathing normally awfully difficult. But based on her observations, they didn't seem very comfortable without any garments on, which was quite different from her kind. Being naked was nothing to be ashamed of. It was natural and a hell of a lot more comfortable, that was for sure.
A soft laugh escaped her lips. She could just imagine the looks of horror if all these refined and uptight demons ever stepped foot into her tribes. Walking around nude was as natural as breathing, where the humanoid form was cherished just as much as their feline shape was.
However, she understood that different upbringings made for different views of body and life. So as a respectful gesture to the Western Lord and his subjects, she'd comply—loosely—with what she personally thought was an unnecessary need for propriety.
A bare, shapely leg dangled over the wide branch. A soft breeze whispered through the air. And her blue eyes slowly drooped, ready for a little afternoon nap…
"Oi! Get down!"
Kagome almost fell off but was able to gain some purchase at the last second. She snapped up to a sitting position, straddling the branch and glaring down at the bastard below.
Jakotsu shook his head at his brother. "You know, you should try being nice to her. I'm sure she'd make your life easier if you were."
"Does it look like I care?" Bankotsu snapped before gazing up the shape shifter. "Hey! If you wanna look around you better get your ass down!"
A few skinny branches flew down, a pointed edge poking him in the head. It seemed to be the breaking point for him and growling, he glared at her. "Why you! Ugh!" He clenched his fists, shaking them up at her.
Kagome smirked satisfactorily and easily dropped down to the grass, landing right in front of him. "If you want to settle our mutual dislike for each other one on one, then all you have to do is ask."
"Are you challenging me?" Ban asked in disbelief.
"It's obvious you need your ass kicked." Kagome stepped closer, sapphire eyes glittering in the shade of the tree as she stood nearly nose to nose with him. She was taller than most females, and while her body was curved, it was also toned and sleek with tight muscle.
Ever since she was little girl, her father had drilled her in arts of self defense and basic weaponry. Every morning they would wake up and perform their katas together, followed by meditation to cleanse the spirit. He had taken great care to make sure she wouldn't be helpless should she run into trouble. Being a feline shifter only added to her strong and svelte physique.
Jak quickly squished between them, trying to defuse the very volatile atmosphere between their dark and simmering auras. "How about a nice and peaceful tour of the shinden-zukuri, Hime?"
She shot the interloper an annoyed look. Hime? "My name's Kagome. Please use it."
His laughter was short and nervous. "Right. Okay! Now…" His right arm pushed Ban ahead and with a grumble, his older brother grudgingly complied. "We'll show you around!"
"Fine. Let's get this over with." Ban bit out, charging on ahead as he tried to take deep calming breaths.
Jakotsu finally noticed the missing sleeves to the robe Kagome wore and wondered if it would be appropriate to walk around the shinden-zukuri in such attire.
"What?" Kagome asked.
"Ah…your clothes…"
Exhaling loudly, she threw her hands in the air, her frustration evident and afternoon nap ruined. "Ugh! Damn youkai!"
...
She heard the distant laughter of children as she silently followed Ban and Jak throughout the east side of the estate, committing to memory the general layout and areas worth visiting. Intrigued that children were residing here, Kagome gradually slowed down without her 'chaperones ' noticing and as they continued to spew details about their home, she quietly and quickly slipped away in the direction of giggles and shouts.
She came across them in a small courtyard dotted with trees, all three playing a game of kemari. If she was surprised to find children here than she was most definitely shocked to discover that two of them were human—well, mostly human anyway. Isn't this place just full of surprises…
Treading closer to the unsuspecting group, a smile curved her lips when the deerskin ball smacked the older boy in the forehead, the other two kids bursting into laughter moments after.
"Is Kohaku-kun okay?"
Grinning, he patted the little girl on the head. "I'm fine, Rin-chan."
"Heads up!"
"Shipp—!" Kohaku's eyes widened as the spinning ball was intercepted by a woman who suddenly appeared from nowhere.
The little fox with his red orange mop of hair sprinted over, fear evident in his bright green eyes as he regarded the newcomer.
Kagome smiled and held out the ball. "I believe this is yours."
"W-Who are you?" He asked nervously, praying they wouldn't get into trouble as he took the ball back and placed it under his arm.
She moved so that all three could see her and gladly addressed them. "I'm Kagome, a guest of Sesshoumaru-sama. And who might you three be?"
Rin was the first to jump at the opportunity to introduce them all. "I'm Rin-chan and this is Kohaku-kun." She said, pointing to the dark haired teen next to her. "And that's Shippou-kun! He's a kitsune!"
"Sorry…about the ball." Shippou murmured, glancing at his two companions as if to silently ask them what to do or say next. Hell if they knew!
Kagome regarded them with a sense of curious wonder. This was her first time interacting with young children outside her tribe and she found that there really wasn't a difference in behavior. She wondered if they'd allow her to join in on their fun.
"There's no need to apologize, Shippou-kun." And then she promptly sat on the ground and started to remove her sandals and socks. "Would it be okay if I joined your game?"
A wide grin broke across Rin's face as she clapped her hands excitedly. "Of course, Kagome-san!"
Getting over their initial shock because both Kohaku and Shippou were understandably not used to refined, beautiful women asking to play with them, the boys simply nodded dumbly.
Standing up and wiggling her toes in the soft grass, Kagome hiked up her pale blue yukata and grinned. "Ready?"
With a tentative smile on his face, Shippou kicked the ball and they all tried to keep it in the air.
…
"I can't believe you lost her!"
Jak spun around and pinned his brother with an incredulous glare. "Me? What about you? You're just as much to blame as I am!"
Ban glared back and they resumed their search down the long east corridor, occasionally looking into the rooms encased by shoji screens, trying to pick up on her subtle scent.
"I'm gonna kill her when I find her!" Ban growled as they approached one of the smaller gardens.
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
Jakotsu sighed before the sounds of shouting and laughter snagged his attention. Looking towards his irritated older brother, they quickly made their way to the small east courtyard where the children usually played.
…
"Ariyaa, ariyaa, ari!"
The ball went sailing towards Kagome and she easily kept it up with the smooth motion of her legs. Right, left, she gently kicked it over to the five year old Rin.
"Ari!" The little girl squealed and Shippou jumped into the air, an excited grin on his face as he kicked the wayward ball towards Kohaku who got it under control with a few taps before sending it Kagome's way once again.
This was how they found her. Yukata bunched around her thighs, laughing and flush faced, encouraging Rin with supportive words, jumping into the air and kicking the ball towards the kit, tapping it back and forth, helping Kohaku control the oftentimes errant ball. Their irritation slowly drained away at her sneaky disappearance as they watched her have fun with the little shinden-zukuri troublemakers.
"Still gonna kill her?" Jakotsu asked, stifling a laugh when the ball hit Shippou on the head.
Ban turned around and leaned against the waist high railing, crossing his arms over his chest begrudgingly as relief washed through his body. "I wasn't serious."
"Mmhmm."
The sound of Kagome's laughter was carried on the breeze. "She's not going to make this easy."
Jakotsu smiled before jumping the railing. "You're much too serious, Nii-san."
Slightly offended, Ban spun around to berate his younger brother only to watch him shed his weapons and join the game of kemari. Huffing, he leaned against the red balustrade, resigned to his fate and left with nothing to do but keep vigilance over the small band of loud miscreants.
…
The sun was beginning to set by the time they headed back to Kagome's room. With a promise to play with them again soon, Kagome had given each a quick peck on the cheek—a common departing gesture in the tribes—and followed the brothers with a happy smile.
"Whose children are they?" Kagome asked after a short stretch of silence.
Jakotsu fell back a few steps, keeping pace with her and all too happy to answer her questions. "Kohaku is Sango's younger brother. She's the head cook here and married to the groundskeeper, Miroku. They're expecting their first child next month."
"They're human…" Kagome remarked.
Ban snorted. "And? You've got a problem with that?"
She threw him a nasty glare and childishly stuck out her tongue just to annoy him. She would've laughed at his disbelieving expression if Jakotsu hadn't started talking.
"I understand your surprise, Kagome. Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't come off as very welcoming to others outside the youkai population, but as I'm sure you know, never judge a book by its cover. His father was a great Taiyoukai and believed in the cooperation and peace of all races so the shinden-zukuri became a home to humans and demons alike. Sesshoumaru-sama never sought to change it, but of course he is not without his rules. The humans who reside here are few and most are the descendents from past inhabitants."
Kagome nodded, grateful for the explanation. "And Shippou and Rin? I noticed she wasn't completely human, maybe three quarters."
"Shippou's father is one of the Western generals. The kit's made this place his second home and more often than not, you can find him making trouble in the courtyards and corridors. As for Rin, she's Sesshoumaru-sama's niece."
"Niece?"
Jak nodded as Ban glanced over his shoulder. He gruffly affirmed his younger brother's words. "Her father is Sesshoumaru-sama's hanyou half brother, Inuyasha. He married a priestess and lives about half a day from here in a human settlement."
Kagome soaked up all they had to say, becoming more and more intrigued with the Lord of the West, his beautiful shinden-zukuri, and those he oversaw. When they reached her room, she turned around and gave them an appreciative smile.
"Thank you…for today."
Ban looked to the side, nonchalantly waving her thanks away. "Yeah, whatever and try not to disappear again. It's troublesome."
Jakotsu almost winced at the lack of finesse his brother had, but didn't have very long to contemplate it. Kagome leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on his right cheek, leaving him momentarily frozen and Ban gaping like a fish out of water.
"It's a common parting gesture in my tribe." She explained with a hint of a smile, her bright blue eyes twinkling and playful in the lantern light. "I hope you do not mind."
Jak smiled, his hand still resting on his cheek. "Not at all."
Nodding, Kagome said her good nights to both brothers—fully aware that she hadn't given the same platonic gesture to Ban, an intentional, if not childish slight on her part for his rudeness earlier—and slid the shoji screen shut.
As they quietly walked down the hall, heading towards the soldiers' quarters in the west wing, Jakotsu couldn't resist rubbing it in his brother's face.
"You should've been nice to her."
"Who needs a stupid peck anyway?" Ban retorted.
"It was a light kiss, Nii-san."
"She also 'lightly kissed' the little troublemakers so don't feel so special."
"Are you feeling a little left out? Would you like me to give you a kiss, Nii-san?" Jak teased, puckering his lips and leaning over.
Ban smacked him upside the head. "As if it'd be the same." He mumbled irritably as he turned the corner and distanced himself.
Jakotsu laughed. "Nii-san likes her, huh?"
"Shut up!"
He had caught a glimpse of her when she'd rounded the bend that led to the northern guest rooms. But as quick as it had been, it was more than enough to tell him that she was most certainly a rare beauty.
"Since when did you start keeping beautiful women here?"
The inuyoukai glanced at his long time friend and sometimes rival as they approached his study in the very center of the shinden-zukuri. He knew exactly who Naraku was alluding to. The subtle scent of rainwater and wild flora was impossible to miss with sensitive noses like theirs. He had hoped the subject of his unexpected female guest would be broached at a later time, but it seemed he would have to deal with it now.
Upon entering his study, the dark haired wind elemental reclined on a few cushions and poured himself a cup of sake. "So?"
Sesshoumaru sat behind his desk, already taking a quill in hand to write out a brief letter addressed to one of the few human daimyos residing on his territory.
"She's the daughter of Ryo Higurashi."
Naraku almost choked on the strong rice wine. "Ryo Higurashi? As in the leader of the Southern shape shifting tribes?"
The inuyoukai nodded.
"So she's a shifter." The elemental smirked. "What is she doing here then? Don't tell me she's a gift or something. Or perhaps your soon to be mistress?"
Sesshoumaru shot him a not so amused glare. "She was traveling through unannounced. Ban and Jak captured her before I intercepted the trackers sent by her father. He asked that I take her in until he comes to retrieve her."
"Then you won't mind if I get to know her?" Naraku casually asked. "From what little I've seen so far, she appears to be quite beautiful."
Sesshoumaru paused and placed the quill down. "She is not to be touched."
Naraku laughed softly, the sound deep and rich. "I knew it! You want her for yourself."
"Higurashi is an old friend of my father's and a powerful southern ally. Do refrain yourself Naraku, since I have no desire to clean up after he's torn you limb from limb."
He smirked, amusement swimming in his dark eyes. "What harm is there in friendship, Sesshoumaru?"
"Friendship with women is a foreign concept as far as you are concerned."
"Have a little faith in me will you? We've only known each other for centuries."
"Not a finger on her." Sesshoumaru warned.
Naraku rolled his eyes. "Unless she desires otherwise—"
"Which she will not."
A devious smirk danced across his lips. "You want her don't you? Has the great Sesshoumaru-sama finally succumbed to silly little emotions like infatuation? Desire?"
"You are quickly wearing out your welcome, Morikawa."
Naraku tsked before a disappointing sigh escaped. "You are no fun, Sesshoumaru. But make no mistake. Since I'm curious and you seem bent on hiding her from me," A challenging smile curved his lips. "I have every intention of befriending her."
…to be continued…
A/N: Shift will be more on the light hearted, non-angsty, and not so serious side of things in case any of you were wondering. For the most part, it's a feel good story. Much appreciation for reading and reviewing!
-hasu