Summary:
Isn't it strange to fall in love with someone unexpected? To have that kind of relationship with someone, is all that Kagome has ever wanted. Unfortunately, she has other priorities that come first: her son, her friends, her family, her job. But, what happens when one of her closest friends betrays her and attempts to murder her. Will that unexpected someone she has been waiting for, save her? Will love blooms from a simple act of kindness? Or will that act of kindness be rejected and leave Kagome more broken than before? SessxKag pairing. Please Review. :]
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or anyone in this story.
"Speaking"
'Thoughts'
Chapter 3
Kagome sighed for the millionth time as she stomped after Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru, Shippo, and she had been walking for hours; Kagome was tired, and Shippo lazily hung from his mother as she gave him a piggyback. Sesshomaru wasn't helping either; he ignored them as usual and kept a brisk pace that I always left Kagome jogging to keep up or struggling as she fell behind. Shippo was getting worried that his mother wouldn't be able to continue, and just when he was about to demand that Sesshomaru stop, a blur of orange fabric raced towards them and latched itself onto Sesshomaru's waist.
"I have missed you so much, Sesshomaru-sama! Jaken-sama is so boring; and I would much rather spend my time travelling with you," Rin pouted.
Kagome chuckled at Rin's innocent antics as Shippo slid off her back and quietly came to stand beside her. Kagome watched the exchange between Rin and Sesshomaru, and she was interested to see the way Sesshomaru reacted to her. Rin beamed up at her father, and Sesshomaru patted her head and his eyes softened when he looked down at her. Kagome's heart warmed at the sight of the two of them. Sesshomaru wasn't outright showing his love for his daughter, but Kagome could see that Sesshomaru truly cared for Rin because of way that he was careful around her and the almost unnoticeable look of protectiveness in his eyes.
Kagome smiled as she looked down at her own son and whispered, "Don't be shy, sweetie. I'm sure Rin-chan would love to play with you."
Rin questioningly looked up from Sesshomaru's chest and squealed. She immediately latched onto Kagome's waist and buried her face into Kagome's chest. Kagome smiled as she picked Rin up as if she were still the young girl she knew. Like Shippo, Rin had grown substantially in the span of four years. When Kagome had first met her, Rin had only been seven or eight, but now, Rin was turning into a beautiful young woman of eleven or twelve. She no longer wore her hair down, but now kept her wavy brown locks in a messy ponytail to remain out of her face.
"Kagome-sama! I have missed you so much! I have grown so much since the last time you saw me, and I have so many stories to tell you! Are you joining Sesshomaru-sama and me? Are you going to become my new hahaoya?"
Kagome tensed as she looked over Rin's head to Sesshomaru. He was as impassive as ever. Kagome glared at him as she put Rin down. Shippo growled possessively and quickly claimed Kagome's hand.
"I've missed you too, Rin-chan. Unfortunately, I'm only staying for the night, but in the meantime, I'd be glad to hear about all of your adventures, and I'm sure you and Shippo will have fun catching up as well," Kagome said as she smiled down at Rin.
Rin looked over at Shippo who stood rigid beside his mother. Rin grinned at Shippo and launched herself at him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. It was so cute. Shippo was just over five feet and Rin was several inches shorter, but Kagome could clearly see over Rin's head to see Shippo's annoyed expression. Even though Shippo was his usual caring self, he had become very much a teenage boy with the attitude – not that that attitude was directed at Kagome but it was directed at everyone else. Kagome smiled encouragingly at Shippo and he sighed as he hesitantly hugged Rin back.
"Shippo-kun!" Rin said as her head fit perfectly in the crook of Shippo's neck. "It is so good to see you again."
"Hello, Rin-chan," Shippo said uncertainly. "It's good to see you too."
"I have to show you this amazing field of flowers!" she exclaimed excitedly as she grabbed Shippo's hand and started pulling him away.
Shippo looked back at his mother with a slightly annoyed expression, and his eyes asked for permission. Kagome nodded and smiled at the two as they disappeared into the forest.
Kagome half-heartedly glared at Sesshomaru and stated, "You let her run in the forest at night."
Sesshomaru didn't answer as usual, and he gracefully sat down as far away from Kagome without being out of visual range. Kagome continued to glare at Sesshomaru as she sat as far away from him as well.
What have I ever done to you? Kagome thought. Sesshomaru grunted and Kagome's head shot up to see him looking at her. Kagome blushed as she realized she had spoken aloud and turned her attention to Jaken as he came stumbling out of the bushes, muttering curses about Rin being the death of him.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru glared coldly. Jaken looked up startled and quickly bowed to his lord and then to Kagome.
"It is good to see you again, miko-sama," Jaken said as he bowed once again to Kagome.
"It's good to see you as well, Jaken-san. And just Kagome," Kagome smiled.
"I hope you have been fairing well since our last meeting," he said as he straightened up and nodded.
Kagome forced a smile and nodded. "And I hope the same is for you."
Jaken paused and looked at Kagome. She looked a lot worse for wear. She was very beautiful for a ningen; her appearance and air about her almost gave her the quality of a youkai. However, the blood and dirt that crusted her torn kimono was not an appealing look on her, and her appearance would get her in trouble if she came across the wrong people. Although Jaken wasn't particularly fond of ningens, he had come to respect Kagome and he ranked Kagome up there with Sesshomaru himself.
Jaken cleared his throat and asked, "Kagome-sama, would you like me to get you another kimono?"
Sesshomaru glared at Jaken, and Jaken instantly became quiet as he bowed to his lord. Kagome frowned and glared at Sesshomaru, returning her attention back to Jaken with a smile.
"That is very kind, Jaken-san. But, I cannot accept, I plan on buying a new one along with some others at the next village. But, I appreciate the offer."
Jaken didn't answer Kagome out of respect for his master's wishes, and he, personally, didn't want to be throttled for showing kindness. Instead, he decided to waddle off to find firewood before it became dark.
Kagome sighed as she looked up at the sky and watched the clouds float by. After awhile, she frowned when she realized that the sun was no longer hitting her due to the rotation of the shadows of the day; the sun was showing the signs of mid-afternoon. More importantly, she was concerned that it was reaching that point in the afternoon and she hadn't even realized it. Kagome strained to hear the shrill voices of the children as they played, but she could no longer hear them. She quickly got to her feet and concentrated on finding the children's energies, closing her eyes to remain focused. Once she had found them, she began to relax but a chill ran down her spine as she sensed the threatening youki of a youkai.
Sesshomaru watched as Kagome began to tremble. Her eyes shot open and there was fear placed in her brown orbs. Kagome stood there in shock for what seemed like eternity but in reality was a split second. She quickly bolted from the clearing as Sesshomaru watched with disinterest. After a few moments, he silently stood and leapt up into a tree as he followed Kagome's scent.
Kagome pushed branches away from her face and stumbled over rocks and roots, but she was determined to find Rin and Shippo as she ran at her full speed. She pushed one last branch away and was met with a horrific sight.
A vast clearing of wild flowers met her gaze, and the afternoon rays of sunlight hit the petals of the flowers perfectly as they sparkled at the warmth. However, Kagome's eyes were only focused on Rin and Shippo. Kagome's heart pounded as a female kuma youkai stood over the trembling children. The kuma reached for Shippo and grasped his small throat in her much larger hand.
"Hahaoya!" Shippo shrieked as the youkai began to apply pressure to his throat.
Kagome reacted without thinking, pulling out the Tetsusaiga from its sheath and wielding it like a true warrior. The blade came to life instantly, and Kagome had no time to reflect on how it was possible. She was solely focused on the reason her son was in pain. Kagome had been trained by Sango in close combat and jujutsu, and Inuyasha had trained her in iaido and kendo. Although she was nowhere near the ability to take on a youkai of Sesshomaru's calibre, she could hold her own against Sango, Inuyasha, youkai, or multiple adversaries.
Kagome ran at the youkai and watched as the female flung Shippo away from her, hoping that Kagome would go after the kitsune. Kagome didn't bat an eyelash in Shippo's direction, knowing that he was fine as she thrust and parried with the Tetsusaiga to the youkai's claws.
Sesshomaru watched from a hidden place in the trees as Kagome danced around the kuma youkai, spinning and bouncing out of harm's way at every advance the youkai made.
The youkai dodged one of Kagome's attacks and made a swipe at her throat, but Kagome ducked the attack by bending backwards and swinging the Tetsusaiga in a propeller-like motion that was horizontal with the ground. The kuma youkai shrieked in pain as its midsection was slashed open by the sword and she collapsed to the ground, gasping in pain.
Kagome righted herself with the help of Tetsusaiga and whispered her deepest apologies to the youkai. The kuma glared up at Kagome and exhaled its final breath as she choked out a snarl. Kagome sighed as she sheathed the Tetsusaiga and knelt beside the youkai, closing its eyes. Kagome stood and turned to Rin and Shippo who stood there in shock. Shippo was the first to run over to Kagome.
Shippo launched himself into Kagome's arms and she caught him with ease as she began to sob. Rin hurriedly joined them, and Kagome knelt so that she could hug them both.
"I was so scared," Kagome whispered as tears streamed down her face.
Rin began to tremble as the shock of what happened was finally catching up to her, and Shippo pressed his face into his mother's neck. Kagome picked Rin up, sitting Rin on her hip as she took Shippo's hand in hers. Kagome wasn't struggling to carry Rin as she had been with Shippo; although Rin looked healthy, Kagome suspected she only weighed seventy to seventy-five pounds.
Sesshomaru watched the exchange between the ningen, her son, and Rin with interest. He approved of her sword skills and found her adequate to protect Rin. He paused in his thinking and disagreed with himself; the ningen was nothing but a hazard and she was proving to be trying on his patience, but he was curious as to how Kagome had wielded the Tetsusaiga. He silently entered the clearing and Kagome jumped when he said, "Your son should not have allowed Rin to go this far into the forest."
Kagome tightened her hold on Shippo's hand and glared at Sesshomaru, but she said nothing. She began walking in the direction of camp and muttered, "Hiretsukan."
"Oh, the irony," he stated sarcastically.
Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru with an astonished expression, but he had already left. She completely forgot about how she had used Tetsusaiga and followed after him.
XXX
Once Kagome had caught, cooked, and fed the children their dinner, she looked over at the silent Taiyoukai. He hadn't eaten anything, not that Kagome had expected him to. He had sat silently the entire time, watching Kagome and Jaken entertain the children while he brooded. Of course, Sesshomaru had nothing to worry about, but from Kagome's perspective, it looked like he was moping or thinking deeply about something. His eyes were closed, and Kagome wondered if maybe he was asleep or if he was just listening to their surroundings.
When Kagome had gone to catch the food, Sesshomaru had slipped away to wash the blood from his hair and clothes in a nearby stream. Upon his return, he looked like he hadn't been in a life-threatening battle the previous day but looked like one of the Kamis. A flash of her taking off Sesshomaru's haori flitted through Kagome's mind, and she blushed furiously. She couldn't stop thinking about how perfect his hair was and how his clothes fit perfectly over his toned body. She absentmindedly played with a loose string on her kimono while she pondered Sesshomaru.
"Stop staring, ningen," Sesshomaru's voice broke through her thoughts.
Kagome jolted out of her reverie and blinked. "Gomen nasai, Sesshomaru-sama."
Sesshomaru nodded while he watched Kagome continue to fidget with her kimono.
"What else would you like?" Sesshomaru sighed.
"Could I take Rin-chan and Shippo to a hot spring? We could all use a bath," Kagome asked, not making eye contact with the Taiyoukai.
Sesshomaru hesitated.
"You are welcome to join us," Kagome said quickly, interpreting Sesshomaru's hesitation as reluctance to allow Rin to be unprotected, "that way you can protect Rin-chan."
Sesshomaru said nothing as he glared off into the distance.
So much like Inuyasha… Kagome thought sadly. Her smile faltered as she quickly looked down at her hands while tears came to her eyes.
Sesshomaru looked back at the miko as the smell of salt permeated the air. He arched an eyebrow as if to inquire what she was crying about now. Kagome abruptly wiped the tears from her eyes and looked back up at Sesshomaru, plastering a fake smile on her face.
"I promise I'll bring Rin-chan safely back," she smiled then turned her attention to Shipp and Rin. "Come on; let's go before it gets too dark for us to see."
Rin excitedly dropped the flower crown she had been making for Shippo and raced over to Kagome. On the other hand, Shippo slowly walked towards his mother and came to stand beside her. Kagome took both of their hands in her own and allowed them to lead the way to the hot springs.
Kagome sighed as she and the children walked through the forest; there was a clear path before them, and following Shippo's sense of smell, they would soon find the hot springs.
What was I thinking back there..., Kagome thought. Why did I ask Sesshomaru to join us? Of course, he would never sink so low as to admit that he wants to protect Rin, but besides that reason, why did I ask him?
Kagome's brow furrowed in confusion but shot up as she heard Rin squeal in excitement. "Kagome-sama, look! I can see the springs through the mist! It looks so pretty."
Kagome smiled as they came upon a rock-encircled spring with a canopy of trees to cover it. "It is very beautiful, Rin-chan. Do you need any help untying your obi?"
"Hai, Kagome-sama," Rin smiled.
Shippo scoffed and glared off into the distance. He couldn't believe his mother was helping Rin so much; she was perfectly capable of doing things by herself. Of course, he wouldn't admit that he was actually jealous that Kagome was paying attention to Rin instead of him. He was her son after all.
Kagome helped Rin out of her kimono and looked over at Shippo. He was already out of his kimono and stood in his breechcloth, which was an underwear-like garment that clung to the hips and effectively covered everything. He crossed his arms over his chest in agitation. He looked back at Kagome and then to Rin, but he quickly looked away as a blush began to spread across his cheeks.
Rin was in her hadajuban and susoyoke. Instead of the traditional white undergarment, Sesshomaru had given her green undergarments to match the floral pattern on her kimono; ones that wouldn't be see-through if she used them as her swimwear. Rin was very muscular for an eleven year old girl; all those years of walking with Sesshomaru had done her justice. When Rin was ready, she grabbed Shippo's hand and pulled him into the hot springs with her.
Kagome watched the two of them with a smile on her face as they splashed each other mercilessly. She removed the Tetsusaiga from her hip and placed it on the ground; she had only brought Tetsusaiga because it was better for close combat rather than her bow and arrows which were used for long distances. She took off what was left of her kimono, and underneath, she wore something very similar to Rin's undergarments. However, instead of being green, they were black with silver designs – like her kimono. Regularly, she would have her backpack which had several swimming garments that she would use instead, but due to the circumstances, she was left with her underwear.
Kagome picked up Shippo and Rin's kimonos and placed them with hers before walking to the springs. She eased herself into the warm water and sat on a small ledge that allowed her shoulders to be submerged as well. Kagome sighed in content and laid her head against the rock behind her. She watched as Shippo and Rin splashed and spat water at each other. When they had finally worn themselves out, they swam over to her and rested beside her.
"I am very happy that I got to see you again, Kagome-sama."
Kagome smiled and kissed the top of Rin's head. "I'm glad I got to see you as well, Rin-chan. Let's not wait this long to see each other again."
Rin nodded and gave Shippo a radiant smile.
Shippo blushed as he mumbled, "Thank you for bringing us here, hahaoya."
There was a pause and then Rin and Shippo tried to speak at once.
"Kagome-sama–"
"Hahaoya–"
Rin burst into laughter and Shippo smiled. Kagome frowned, not understanding what was going on.
Rin wiped tears of laughter from her eyes and innocently asked, "Kagome-sama, do you like Sesshomaru-sama?"
Kagome looked down at Shippo who smiled sheepishly back up at her. Kagome's frown deepened and wondered what the two had talked about when looking for flowers. She pondered her feelings for Sesshomaru; she always felt that she didn't have any form him. Maybe contempt or indifference, but beyond that, she really didn't know how she felt about him. "I don't not like him. He's tolerable…"
"No, Kagome-sama, do you like Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Umm–" Kagome was cut off – to her relief – as an ear splitting crack sounded near the springs. A huge tree had fallen a little ways away, and after the dust and leaves had settled, a big, male, kuma youkai marched forward, stopping a few feet before the springs. Kagome hurriedly got out of the water and stood protectively in front of the children who cowered behind her as they remembered earlier events.
"You murdered my koishii," the youkai growled. "I will slaughter you and your children in revenge!"
Kagome didn't hesitate; she leapt out of the springs, and in midair, transformed. Her hair turned from its black to a flowing silver colour that rivalled Sesshomaru's. Claws and fangs were released from their dormancy within her skin, and her once chocolate brown eyes were now a vibrant red. She let out a feral snarl at the youkai as she landed softly in front of the youkai, while keeping a safe distance between the two of them.
"Interesting...," the youkai said in amusement. "An Inu-youkai."
Kagome watched the kuma youkai's every move as he slowly swayed back and forth, testing her reflexes.
"Such a nice body," he said seductively as he appraised her wet form, her undergarments clinging to her body and leaving almost nothing to the imagination. "It would be a shame to let a perfectly decent body go to waste. The little ningen and kitsune would be a great addition to my clan as well. We're always in need of whores and slaves."
"Leave and I will spare your life," Kagome growled with malice. If someone saw her, they would think she was a viscious animal.
The youkai laughed and grinned. "This will be fun."
Kagome lunged at the youkai. She channelled her miko powers into her hands and launched a pure ball of energy at him; she didn't expect him – having so much body mass – to have the agility to dodge the attack. She also didn't expect him to grab her by the throat and swipe his claws across her midsection. Luckily, she had manoeuvred herself so that her hip got most of the attack. As the kuma's claws pierced her skin, she shrieked in pain and collapsed against the kuma youkai.
XXX
Sesshomaru sat at camp, watching the small fire and listening to Jaken talk to Ah-Un. The ningen and the children had been gone for a period of time now; the rays of twilight were that last bit of light that shone. How could that insufferable wench invite this Sesshomaru to bathe with her? Of all the undignified–
His inner demon growled. Ningen may be strange but she is kind to us.
Sesshomaru scoffed and glared into the fire.
"Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Hai, Jaken."
"Is something the matter?"
Sesshomaru ignored him, and Jaken gulped. Sesshomaru began to zone out again until he heard the scream. His ears twitched, and in a split second, he was gone from the clearing.
Sesshomaru flew past the trees and entered the sheltered vicinity where the hot springs resided. He saw Rin and Shippo in the springs; Shippo was holding Rin in a comforting embrace as she cried in fear. Shippo was well composed as he gently cooed to the girl, keeping a straight face the whole time, but Sesshomaru could see the quivering of his bottom lip. Sesshomaru frowned at the Kagome-less clearing.
He continued to scan the clearing for any traces of Kagome, but he only saw two youkai standing off to the side. One was a male kuma youkai; the other was a female Inu-youkai that was leaning against the kuma. The Inu-youkai wore strange garments that were foreign to him, and she was completely drenched in water, the garments clinging to her form in an immodest way. Her head was lowered as it rested against the Kuma's chest, and Sesshomaru could see the blood that now pooled around the female.
"You're too late!" the kuma youkai growled in triumph. "Your koishii is dead, and your pups are next."
Immediately, the female's head shot up, and she yelled, "You will not harm my pups!"
In one swift motion, the female grabbed the wrist of the hand that held her throat and twisted it. Instead of going against the motion, she went with the movement and bounded free of the kuma's grip, effectively breaking his wrist. The youkai growled, and the female grunted as more blood spilled from her extensive wound.
The kuma youkai lunged at her, but she leapt over him as he made a move to wrap his arms around her in a vice-like grip. As she softly landed behind him, he swung around to attack, but she quickly stabbed her claws into the kuma's eyes, rendering him blind. He swung at the female blindly, but she ducked and kicked out his legs from underneath him. Before the kuma had hit the ground, the female Inu-youkai had decapitated him.
The female glanced over at Rin and Shippo, and the love in her eyes for them confused Sesshomaru. Why was this female showing affection to children that aren't hers? The female rested a hand on her profusely bleeding hip and turned to Sesshomaru. Her eyes narrowed and she growled as she changed her stance to attack.
Sesshomaru growled in response and watched as her eyes flashed in recognition: he was the alpha male. The female bowed to Sesshomaru, brushing her hair away and exposing her neck to him. As she stood up, her eyes widened in pain, and she collapsed to her hands and knees. Her breathing was ragged and she held her side in pain. A shudder went down her spine as she fell unconscious.
"Hahaoya!" Shippo choked as he scrambled out of the springs. He ran to his mother and collapsed beside her. "You can't die! I've already lost two parents! I can't lose you too!"
Rin came up behind Shippo with tears in her eyes. She knelt behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist as they both cried.
Sesshomaru stared blankly at the two forms surrounding the female. Sesshomaru couldn't hide the shock on his face when the silver-haired Inu-youkai began to transform into the black haired ningen.
The ningen… is a youkai?
A/N: So, I don't know if you noticed, but I kinda changed Kagome's appearance. I tried to picture her with red hair, and it just didn't work on her. Sorry it took me longer than I had said to update. Work was tiring and every night I'd work on this chapter then fall asleep on my laptop. I'm going to start working on Chapter Four right away. No promises that it'll be up tomorrow. I have some things I have to take care of tomorrow – one of my closest friends moved away and it's kind of taking a toll on me. I'm planning on making him a care package :P So, like I've said, I'm not changing the story line, but I am changing and adding details.
I'm trying to make Shippo seem older (hopefully that's coming across); however, when I was writing this chapter, I remembered, that in the anime, Shippo looks like he's six or seven... Epic fail on my part :P Oh well, too late now. We'll just go with it. I'm sure there are a lot of things I forgot to add or remove from this chapter, but I hope it worked out alright.
I'd like to thank all you peoples who reviewed and faved and alerted. My heart goes out to you, and I hope you really liked this chapter because I know I had a lot of fun writing it! Peace out ma homies XD LMAO
-FDS
PLEASE REVIEW!
I am going to put the definitions of some things because I had no idea what half of them were, and I figured that if I didn't know what they were, there was a pretty good chance that you guys won't either :P Wikipedia definitions are directly taken from Wikipedia, and therefore, I don't own it unless it's in brackets (_). The Japanese translations are from an online translator – please don't hate me if the translations are wrong x.x I'm a fail; I know :P I will be adding to the definition/translations as the story progresses, so please check it out if you are confused.
Wikipedia Definitions:
Iaido – a Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard.
Kendo – a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu[2]. Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements. Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.
Jujutsu – the art of using indirect force, such as joint locks or throwing techniques, to defeat an opponent, as opposed to direct force such as a punch or a kick. This is not to imply that jujutsu does not teach or employ strikes, but rather that the art's aim is the ability to use an attacker's force against him or her, and counter-attack where they are weakest or least defended.
Hadajuban - is a thin garment similar to an undershirt. (It is worn under the kimono/nagajuban).
Susoyoke - is a thin half-slip-like piece of underwear worn by women under the kimono/nagajuban.
Japanese Translations:
Kuma – bear
Hahaoya – mother
Hiretsukan – mean bastard, despicable person, sneak
Koishii – beloved / lover
