Disclaimer: You know the drill. I'm sure you've read enough of these to be able to substitute something witty here.
Authors note: [700 words]
On the Seventh day:
Swans glided across the mirror grey surface of the lake. Kagome found herself counting them. Seven. Serene and perfectly where they belonged. The bewildered girl envied them. She felt out of her depth.
They had arrived at a huge complex built in the mountains early that morning. Initially Kagome had thought it Sesshoumaru's own castle but gradually she realised there was something more complex at work. As far as Kagome could tell, from the stuttered apology for their master's absence, this huge estate did not belong to Sesshoumaru but to a lesser lord, far less powerful than the taiyoukai. Through sort of some youkai hierarchy, this lord was obligated to offer hospitality to the dog demon for as long as he chose to demand it.
And he did.
When one of the taller demons had reached to lift Rin from Kagome's weary arms Sesshoumaru had just as swiftly turned barked,
"No. She will remain with the girl. See that chambers are prepared. And human food also. I will speak with Jappari. Now." With that he had strode away, not even taking off his shoes before stepping onto the polished wooden floors of the main building.
Kagome had found herself alone among strangers. She shifted Rin's weight in her arms again.
"Lady." There was an edge of a sneer in the word. Kagome turned.
"If you will follow me." A small green demon, very similar to Sesshoumaru's own retainer but somehow female, gestured witha clawed hand and Kagome, glancing back over her shoulder in the direction Sesshoumaru had gone, obeyed.
~o0o~
Kagome was lead to a series of furnished apartments and abandoned by the servant who merely told her there was washing facilities in the next room and she wasn't to wander. Kagome sensed it was far from the best that the castle had to offer but it was still sumptuous.
Rin slept soundly so Kagome tucked her into the box bed, ignorning how grubby the child looked against the white sheets. There would be time to clean her up when she woke. A quick check assured her that Rin's temperature was fine.
A glance into the washroom elated Kagome. The bath was constantly fed by a hot spring, water slopping over a corner the tub, and flowing out of a grate in the floor.
She gratefully shrugged out of her many Kimonos, laying them out flat as best she could before rinsing herself off thoroughly and clambering into the warm tub to soak with many muttered blessings.
~o0o~
A soft cry of "Sesshoumaru-sama? Kagome-nee-sama?" had Kagome woken from her half doze, out of the tub and across the room half wrapped in a towel before her brain caught up with her. Rin slumped back on the pillow with relief when she recognised Kagome, her colour far better than it had been.
"Hey Rin-chan." Kagome flicked back her damp fringe. "How are you feeling? Would you like a bath? It's nice and warm."
~o0o~
Kagome didn't like the way the servants eyed Rin and herself. They always kept their gaze averted as she and the young girl passed but she could feel the acid in their glare on her back.
Sesshoumaru had to be aware of it, but said nothing.
The malevolence that rose off the majority of the populace made her head hurt and reiki almost constantly hummed beneath her skin now, ready to defend against the nebulous threats that surrounded them.
Kagome hated it but was grateful at least that the child's health was rapidly improving. Hopefully she would be able to get back to her friends soon.
~o0o~
Kagome turned her attention back her surroundings and she realised Sesshoumaru had approached. He stood beside her for a moment, looking at the swans with a calculating eye. Kagome found she had caught the edge of his sleeve before she was aware of it.
"Please. Just leave them. We don't need more food... There's no reason to disturb them. Just leave them."
He blinked and bowed imperceptibly, leaving the swans unharrassed. Kagome blew a warm sigh of relief into her hands and watched them for the rest of the afternoon. She did not notice how long it was before he left.
