Summary: Kagome is outraged at Sesshomaru's prejudiced perception of the world.

PRIMERO

4

Ode to feminism

Kagome was fuming. Only her mushroom companions, sucking the life out of the fallen tree she was resting on, were aware of it though. She watched with narrow eyes as Rin jumped from patch to patch of flowers, cutting and arranging them in a nice try of a bouquet. She was sure that with practice the small girl was going to go far in life, after all, what else could the child do to entertain herself? She couldn't possibly play dolls with Jaken and she doubted Sesshomaru would comply with a game of hide and seek. Even if he did, Rin would be in too much disadvantage.

"There is no female worthy of this Sesshomaru".

She couldn't help but seethe in anger. How could a male be so egotistical? No female? His requirements must then be impossible, or, well, immature.

The worst was: she had now…14 days left. She laughed! How could someone make Sesshomaru find a mate, and mate her, in fourteen days! Maybe she should try to find a genie or something, or maybe complete the Jewel and ask for a wish. That was a plan. So, she needed to defeat Naraku in fourteen days, wait… that was also impossible, so the real question was: which one was more probable?

"Kagome-chan," Rin's voice drew her attention immediately "these are for you," she said while handing the older girl a monumental flower arrangement.

Kagome laughed whole heartedly as she tried to take them all and catch the ones falling "Rin, these are too much!" she exclaimed with a grin, "I can't possibly take them all!"

"Well, Rin can help you," she said and shrugged, too happy to mind anything at all. After a moment, they both busted laughing until they were breathless. After that, they simply laid over the patches of flowers, looking up at the sky and bathing under the sunlight. "Kagome-sama?"

"Yes, Rin-chan?" asked Kagome, her eyes closed as she greedily drank in this moment of peace.

"Hmm," the younger girl mused as she found the way to speak her concerns, but feeling too ashamed to say anything. After a minute pause she finally moved closer to Kagome. "I am bleeding." she finally said, a soft concern and a big awe on her chocolate eyes.

Kagome sat down startled and look at the girl over with a deep fear "Where? Are you injured Rin-chan?"

Rin furrowed her eyebrows, deep in thought and after a quick glance at Kagome's concerned face hurried to shake her head. "No, I'm not hurt. I think is different. Mother once told me about it, but I don't remember very well…" she tried and she crunched her face anxiously. "Mother said all women do," she finally said, pleading with Kagome to understand what she didn't.

Kagome's eyes widened in understanding, but then narrowed slightly. At least she knew Rin was safe, after all, it was a normal process in every girl's life, but she had to confess she wasn't an expert, at least not in this era. She had never had that kind of talk with Sango and she used her own futuristic things in her case. Of course, she had plenty with her, but she wondered if it was even a good idea to hand them to Rin. Would that affect something on the time line?

Realizing that this was going nowhere, she decided to tell Rin about the present and future changes her body would make, to soothe the worries of the younger girl. She was pleased that Rin had chosen to share this with her, not out of arrogance, but she doubted that Sesshomaru or Jaken could have dealt with it properly. Silent rage once again shook her as the taiyoukai voiced his thoughts yesterday.

"There is no female worthy of this Sesshomaru".

As if he was the best male there was. Never. He couldn't even care well for his charge. He knew nothing of women! How could be so unjust?

"So, that means I am a woman now," Rin chirped eagerly and clasped her hands together and added with a smile, "and I can be a mother".

"Eh, not yet Rin-chan," Kagome quickly intervene at the youth's hastiness. "Having a baby at such a young age is very dangerous, it could cost one's life," she said, but at seeing Rin's stricken face amended as best she could, "besides you need to find a husband first. You know, have a nice wedding, a nice little house, a town to live, and that requires time. Then you can have a child. You don't want him to catch a cold while traveling around, right?"

Rin shook her head with a sad expression, but then smiled softly. "What is a cold Kagome-sama?" she asked, blushing at not knowing something which seemed to be so important.

Kagome smiled tenderly. "Well Rin-chan, that is an illness, but everyone has it at least once. Though is much more dangerous in a small child because is not yet strong enough. I have had it, and I'm sure you have too, it's a mix of fever, sneezing, and a puffy nose." she described.

"Rin had it once!" the girl said with an eagerly nod, but then she pouted, "How do you know so much Kagome-sama?"

Kagome laughed and once again settled over the sweet scented flowers. "Well Rin-chan, I will tell you a story then," she began, but turned to narrow her eyes at Rin, "but if you fall asleep I will be greatly offended." she mocked the girl who quickly shook her head with a grin plastered on her face. Kagome expanded her miko powers but, as before, she couldn't feel anything around her apart from Ah-Uh's presence. She still wondered where Sesshomaru and Jaken had gone…

"Kagome-sama," prompted Rin with concerned brown eyes.

Kagome smiled. "Well Rin-chan, this is a story of another world, where things are the same yet very different. The place is filled with humans, females and males, both using pants both long and short. Manes of hair are of very different colors and eyes equally variant. They work, during the day mostly, only eight hours and the pay helps them raise funds for their children and buy houses as strong as rock to help protect what's theirs. They paint the houses of many different colors and many have gardens to make their houses look prettier. Man and woman have similar rights, and work side by side. Men grow flowers and fight against criminals, but woman do as well. They study very, very much, until they grow even bigger than me, and so…"

xxoOoxx

It was night and Rin had fallen asleep a while ago. They had gone to collect berries to sustain themselves that day. Kagome had made her last two packages of ramen, but she was glad, at least they shared a nice meal.

She had been debating about Rin all day. Should she take Rin with her when she left? She didn't know if that was a good idea, or if Sesshomaru would even approve, but she knew Rin needed so much attention and care, more than merely against danger. She was growing to be a lady and she would need guidance. She wasn't sure about all the customs in this time, but she could get that the relationship between charge and demon was very rare.

But who was she to judge? Wasn't her relationship with Inu-Yasha just as unforeseen? And she had fallen in love with the hanyou. Did Rin love Sesshomaru? And if she did, was it as a father or as a future lover? This was just so confusing. What was she to do?

Nothing? Maybe that was for the best, but she suddenly felt dirty. Was Sesshomaru interested in Rin? If so, she was too young to be mated and if he waited, Inu-Yasha would not be able to mate Kikyo…

This was impossible, Sesshomaru had effectively ruined everything! Why did he have to be born first? Why did he have to be so cold? Why was he so honorable? If not, he could have mated anyone! It would have been easier. So much easier!

She stood and stomped away since her miko powers were flaring uncontrollably in her current state of mind and it was making Ah-Uh uncomfortable. She was gritting her teeth. She was unaware of the exact moment where her hurt, indignation, and fear had become this raw anger. What was happening to her?

She knew she was a modern woman and this attitude was unacceptable.

Women could fight.

Women could work.

Women could do whatever they wished to do.

The taiyoukai's arrogance and prejudice will be his downfall.

She will make sure of it.

She was, from now on, a feminist!

xxoOoxx

To be continued…

xxoOoxx

JeniNeji's Note:

Thanks for beta-reading this chapter Teana and MissKatt!