A/N: Hey, guys! Posting a smidgen earlier than I normally do. Getting my last minute trip stuff later on today (it's 12 something a.m. just now), and I didn't want to neglect the story! And when no update comes Saturday, just remember:
Two chapter in one day. And one is a pivotal chapter, too!
Special note: HotaruNoMai's birthday was yesterday, so (for the fourth [?] time), HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MONICA! :D
Chapter warning: Inuyasha potty-mouth (and author potty-mouth kinda)
A Thousand Hearts
After a long morning of marching, the group rested around noon in a somewhat-shaded glen. While Sango and Miroku made lunch, Kagome sat on a nearby rock, gathering her hair behind her head, hairband in her mouth as she tried to make her hair more manageable.
A sudden burst of youki had all of them standing. Kagome's hands moved towards the bow at her feet, her hairband still dangling from her teeth.
"The fuck are you doing here!" an irate hanyou demanded.
Seeing that it was just Sesshomaru, Kagome let her weapon gently drop and went back to styling her hair. All except Inuyasha looked at her strangely as she finished twisting the band.
Sesshomaru managed to exude boredom without actually showing any. Looking at Kagome, he told her, "This Sesshomaru comes to ally himself against the evil half-breed Naraku."
As Inuyasha sputtered, Kagome fought not to grin. Sesshomaru had come at a good time. They'd run into a new incarnation that morning, and they were all still sporting bruises.
"No way in fu–"
"We would be glad to ally ourselves with one such as you." Kagome stood tall, looking Sesshomaru in the eye. She bowed precisely, as decorum dictated. Both ignored Inuyasha's shouting and sword-brandishing.
"Kagome," Shippo whispered from Miroku's shoulder, mindful that Sesshomaru would still here, "are you sure?"
"I trust him," she said in a voice meant for everyone to hear.
Sesshomaru nodded.
"I will find you again once the sun has set."
Moving more quickly than they could see, the taiyoukai disappeared.
Inuyasha still hadn't completely calmed by the time Sesshomaru returned that night. A few sits from Kagome had quieted him for a time, but once his brother – half-brother, Kagome mentally amended – stepped foot into camp, Inuyasha sprang up, intent on another one-sided pissing match.
Kagome turned to Sango. "I'm gonna go listen to music." The look Sango gave her made Kagome think she might come along. Then Sango looked away, cringing.
I really should have picked a different song, Kagome lamented.
Sighing, she stood, not bothering to tell Inuyasha where she was going. She wondered if Sesshomaru would follow, and if he did, how the others would take it.
"Don't care, don't care," she muttered.
She hadn't gone far to find a peaceful spot; though she had little fear of attack with both brothers around, she wouldn't push her luck.
Settled, she scrolled through the list of songs, hoping to find something that would strike her fancy. She sensed him this time, but didn't look up from her perusal. He continued to stand in front of her until she'd picked out something fitting. He sat, and her hand was already in front of him, offering the headphone.
First one, then both eyebrows rose as a strong guitar came in, paused, and came in again.
Kagome couldn't sit still as the song progressed, bobbing her head and rolling her shoulders with the song.
Once it was over:
"He does what he wants, gets what he wants, and he's absolutely unashamed. He's a total badass, and everyone loves it." She paused, then ventured to ask, "What did you think?"
"It was not unpleasant," he told her, handing back the headphone.
"A standing ovation!" Kagome grinned. "You know," she continued, "this song is so you it almost hurts."
Kagome blinked. For a split second, she had seen Sesshomaru's lips quirk upward.
She had to have imagined it.
"Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood & the Destroyers
