Disclaimer: I do not own Rumiko Takahashi's work. All respectable credit goes to her and her ideas.
Chapter 4: Boundaries
Kagome couldn't get over Sesshoumaru's humanoid features. With his face so close to hers, she could see the changes more clearly. His once yellow, liquid orbs were blended with a tint of brown; his royal markings were nowhere to be found; and his pointed ears were perfect imitations of human ear shells. Whatever he was using, it hid his true identity well.
Sesshoumaru unraveled the mysterious object in his hand and elevated Kagome's sprained ankle onto his knee.
"Aahh," she gasped. Her foot was throbbing in pain.
"You may need to ice this when you return home. The doctor is unavailable today; you will have to tolerate my amateur skill for now," he began to bind her foot with an elastic bandage, "The swelling has decreased somewhat, but do not walk for a few days."
Kagome was uncomfortable on various levels. Her breath skipped every time his hands brushed against the skin of her foot, and her miko senses were hypersensitive from his presence.
Just as Sesshoumaru grabbed her knee to still her unintentional fidgeting, Kagome wrenched her leg from his hand.
"Sorry," she said quietly, "I think I can take it from here."
Sesshoumaru was confused, "Did I harm you?"
"No," Kagome smiled at him and continued to finish what he started. It was her survival instincts that caused her to reject his assistance. The little miko on her shoulder told her that he was a predator; a lethal creature. And of course, it was because of this 'little voice' for her current well-being. In exchange for her life, Kagome did everything it told her to do.
Sesshoumaru stood from where he was kneeling. He knew that he had done enough to help Kagome physically, but he couldn't shake off the weight pressing against his chest. He wanted to tell her the truth, but his pride kept him from saying anything that would upset her. He was not sure if she even knew already. 'Yet why do I care about her feelings over this matter?'
"Hinako," Sesshoumaru called from the doorway.
"Hai?" A small girl appeared around the corner on command.
"Tell the driver to start the car. We will be sending Miss Higurashi home."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama," she scurried away as fast as she could.
The room's scent began to change. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and turned his back to his brother's mate; he didn't want to face the trouble before him. Kagome's audible sobbing almost lessened his composure. Almost. 'She knows ...'
"Sesshoumaru ... I-I'm so glad to see you."
He was shocked. She still did not know. If she did, then she would not be glad at all. Sesshoumaru was a bit relieved, but he would have to tell her ... soon.
"Save your tears, human. I am not the one you should be weeping over."
Kagome laughed; curiosity struck a chord in Sesshoumaru, and he finally faced her to see what caused her to be so happy. He could see that she had finished binding her foot.
"You don't understand," she shook her head and smiled, "I have missed all of you from the Feudal Era so much! One year without seeing familiar, friendly faces almost made me go crazy!"
He snorted. What a foolish woman. "You have always been crazy."
Kagome's brows furrowed, making a comical face. "Hey! Don't make fun of the crazy woman! You'll be taking back your words as soon as you say them. You don't know what the word 'craziness' entails."
Sesshoumaru shrugged off her playful threat and poured himself a glass of red wine from his personal bar.
"Sesshoumaru ..."
He took a long whiff of the fragrant wine and put the rim of the glass to his lips.
"Inuyasha's still alive, right?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes shot wide open. 'Out of all the questions ... it had to be this one?' It took him a moment to assess the accident in front of him. When he came to his senses and looked down, he realized that he had dropped his glass onto the snow-white carpet.
"I'm so sorry!" she gasped as she rushed forward and began dabbing at the stain with her dress.
"Stop."
"I'm sure I can get it out. Maybe a little bleach ..."
"Do not bother."
"Ohh ... I think my mother has a recipe back home that will bring any stain out. If only I could remem-"
"KAGOME. Cease this nonsense."
Kagome froze and looked up at an angry Sesshoumaru. His eyes were narrowed.
"Leave it. The servants will take care of this. And I would rather you save your questions about Inuyasha to another time. Now, please. Leave."
Kagome stormed into the Higurashi house, grumbling angrily, and then slamming her bedroom door. 'He's still an ASS!!' Kagome threw her body onto her bed, burying her face into the covers. 'Did I offend him for asking about Inuyasha? What does he really know? Ugh! His secrecy is KILLING ME!'
"Kagome?" A small voice came behind the door.
"What?"
She could feel the air from the door caress her skin; she sat up and tried her best to erase the angry creases on her face.
"Are you all right, Dear?"
"I'm fine," Kagome managed to force a light smile for her mother.
"Okay, Sweetheart. And how was clubbing last night?"
Kagome's eyes widened, "How did you know I went clubbing?"
Her mother laughed, "Honey, I'm your mother! And ... I've done my fair share in partying when I was your age."
This was getting awkward, "Uhh ... really?"
"Mhmm. So ... did you meet any cute guys? Anyone I can meet?"
Her daughter's face reddened, "No, Mom. Not really."
"Not really?" Kun-Loon Higurashi teased, "Well, anyway, come downstairs so we can celebrate!"
"Cele ... brate?"
"Your birthday, Silly! You are twenty today!" She kissed Kagome's forehead before disappearing behind the door.
Sesshoumaru lightly pinched the bridge of his nose before tilting back in his office chair and closing his eyes. He listened to the sound of the air conditioner, the dripping water faucet from the kitchen downstairs, and the heavy breathing of the servants in adjacent rooms. He could also hear another breath ...
"Sesshoumaru."
"Yes, Kagura?"
"Why was she here?"
"There was no reason."
"Was she some kind of entertainment for you? Your personal clown? I saw the traces of her makeup. You were up to something."
"Do you not have some place to be right now?"
"No. Don't change the subject."
He opened his eyes; he could see that Kagura was serious. Her brows were furrowed into a hectic line and her lips slacked with displeasure.
"Kagura, do not meddle in my private affairs."
"Oh, so she's your little whore now? I wish you could have told me earlier, so I wouldn't have waited on you hand and foot for years."
"You understand nothing."
"Just look at that pride. It's practically exuding out of your ears. Say you love her."
"I love no one."
"Then I hope you love yourself enough to spend the rest of your life alone."
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes once again. He ignored the loud slam as Kagura exited his office.
"Nee-san! Happy birthday!"
Kagome was happy beyond words. Her day may have started out a little rough, but it was definitely ending well.
"THANK YOU, Souta!" Kagome accepted the wrapped present from her brother. Slyly, she kept a firm grip on his wrist and pulled him into a tight bear hug.
"Aghh ... Ka ... go ... me! Can't ... breathe!"
"Opps!" Kagome chuckled and released him.
He scowled at her, took a bite from the cake she had cut for him, and then stomped off to continue playing his video games.
"Kagome! Don't tease your brother like that!" her mother scolded.
"Bah! Who cares! It's her birthday!"
Kun-Loon almost rolled her eyes; she knew what was coming next. She received the same speech when she turned twenty.
"Now, Kagome," Jii-chan folded his hands into his sleeves, "Right now you are at the prime of your life."
Kagome took a deep sigh. Another one of grandpa's lectures.
"I know you probably won't return to the Feudal Era, where there were more values in the day, but I still want you to adhere to our family morals. If you can. And since your mother," Jii-chan scowled, "forbade me to give you any good luck charms this year, I have something that might do better."
Kagome was bouncing in her seat in anticipation. As long as he didn't give her another charm or dried lizard, she was fine.
"Behold!" Jii-chan pulled a small, silver packet from his robes, "Use it well, Kagome!"
Kagome looked at her mother, who only looked shocked. Kagome's cheeks flushed. No way, this was not happening to her. 'Sooo embarrassing!'
"Ehh ... err ... thanks, Jii-chan," she took the condom from his fingers, and put the thing far away from her. She could see that her mother's expression had changed; Kun-Loon was livid.
"Well, thanks so much for the presents and cake, guys! I think I'm just gonna go to my room now." She ran out of the kitchen as fast as her legs could carry her.
Sesshoumaru glanced at his wrist watch. '4:32.' He knew it was nearly impossible to procure a date in a matter of two hours. Kagura probably wasn't in the mood to play 'backup' at the moment, and his former 'lady friend' was out of the question.
"Hinako," he called once again.
"Hai, my lord?"
"Tell the driver to get ready."
"Hai."
But he had an idea.