Vanilla, Cherry Blossoms and Moonlight

Chapter Six

As Time Goes On

(Thoughts are in Italics)

Time is a funny thing. When you want it to go faster, it seems to claw by, but when you want a moment to last forever, it flies by. This is the same for any creature, immortal or not. Demons not being affected by the flow of time have the luxury to sit and watch it work its magic. Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome grew from a women child, to a creature of unsurpassed beauty. She learned her lessons well. Sesshoumaru would walk with her in the mornings before the castle rose for the day. Their were times when she wished to return to "her time" as she liked to call it, he would take her to the old well and watch her disappear into it's depths only to return a few days later with a rather large bag of supplies she said she just couldn't live without.

Sesshoumaru enjoyed training the Miko. She was a fearsome opponent. Her miko powers grew exponentially under the careful eye of Sukinama. She could now pick up a simple stick and make it deadly to lesser yokia. Sesshoumaru was impressed with her combat skills as well. She learned quickly and was a wonderful sparring partner.

Sesshoumaru also reflected on how she had bloomed under the teaching of Kunai. She was capable of putting most geishas to shame. Rin was also much improved her manners now impeccable as well as Shippo's. Shippo was fast becoming his adoptive son. He held hopes that in the future romance would bloom between his daughter and Shippo. A knock came on the door to his study.

"Come in, Kunai-san and Rukai-san."

They entered and bowed. Sesshoumaru nodded and motioned for them to sit.

"What brings you both to my study? I trust it is nothing serious."

Rukai and Kunai looked at each other. Then Rukai looked back to Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru-dono, we have a personal matter to discuss with you, if you will allow your humble servants to speak of such in your presences."

Sesshoumaru was a little taken back by the formalities of this meeting.

"Rukai-san and Kunai-san, you may speak with me about anything you wish."

That visibly relaxed them. Kunai then spoke.

"We wish to discuss, Kagome-hime."

Sesshoumaru nodded, he knew this was coming. He had watched as the two warriors fall under her spell and her oblivious to it all. Rukai was next.

"She is 21 now, strong and beautiful. We wish to court the miko if we may."

Rukai was always forward with what he felt needed to be said. Both demons would be wonderful matches for the miko, but Sesshoumaru felt something deep down growl at the demons in front of him. She was his; no one else was to touch what was his. But he could not justify this in his mind. He had come to see her as a close friend, and as an advisor.

"You may, but I will not have you both ripping each other's throats out. The miko will decide who it is she wishes to be with and neither is to spread rumors to make the other look less appealing, am I understood?"

Both demons nodded.

"There is another matter we must discuss with you. The Shikon-no-tama is still incomplete. The miko feels it is her duty to complete the jewel. She wishes to find Inuyasha and Naraku to take the jewel shards away from them. Also the two friends that showed up out outside the gates not long after she got here say they will go with her."

Sesshoumaru nodded yet again.

"If this is the way she feels we should not stand in her way. I would hope that you both will wait to make your intention know till after her mission is complete."

Both generals nodded. They left Sesshoumaru to his thoughts.

'Why do I want to rip their throats out when they mentioned courting her? She is not mated and at the right age. Plus she is very powerful. They are both loyal and would not mistreat her. But does this Sesshoumaru view her as more then a friend?'

Sesshoumaru shook these thoughts out his mind. He decided to accompany the miko n her quest. He justified this by the reason that if he were to go finding all the shards will be a much simpler task. With that thought in mind he went to find his miko.

Kagome was in Sesshoumaru's mother's garden clipping the roses back a little. Her kimono was elegant, the under rode being blood red and the outer rode ebony with a silver demon dog stretching from her right shoulder all the way to the hime of her kimono. Her obi was blood red as well, with tiny silver shooting stars scattered about the fabric. She would not ware the makeup of a geisha, instead she wore her makeup lightly, metallic blue and with pick highlighting above her eyes, and her mascara only severed to make her already long lashes look bolder. She was the jewel of Sesshoumaru's court, after she had proven herself just a strong as many of the male and female court members. She was prude now, she was accepted and she had many friends now, and Sango and Miroku had tied the knot two years ago, Sesshoumaru had even been kind enough to pay for the whole thing. Kagome had come to be quite good friends with the demon lord. Sometimes she wishes e would look at her as a little more, but she understood that he needed a full demon mate, so she said nothing of her feelings. Kunai was lovely as well; his almost arrogant nature was mostly just show, he was quit content to let Kagome tell him about her friends and family if she wished. Then there was Rukai. Kagome was very found of him. He was someone she knew she could spend her life with if not Sesshoumaru; though she hated the fact that she could not profess her feelings to Sesshoumaru.

'He needs a strong full demon by his side, not a human miko. Rukai would be the best choice but a girl can dream…'

Kagome sighed as she held a rose in her hand. So much had changed sense she was saved by Sesshoumaru. She was now a women, not just a clumsy girl anymore. Her miko powers now surpass that of Kikyou maybe even mirdoku. Her fighting skills could only be matched by Sesshoumaru, Rukai, and Kunai, not even Sukinama could defeat her now. She had come a long way was ready to finish the adventure she had started so long ago. She felt his jaki before he came within view. She kept on terming the roses and spoke when he was right behind her.

"Good evening Sesshoumaru."

They had dispensed with titles in private long ago.

"Good evening, Miko. I was informed by my generals that you feel it is time to go collect the rest of the Shikon-no-tama."

Kagome nodded and stood up, dusted herself off and looked up into Sesshoumaru's eyes.

"I have. It's my duty, if anything you can understand that."

Sesshoumaru nodded, he understood duty all to well.

"This Sesshoumaru will accompany you, Kunai and Rukai will not be swayed either."

Kagome nodded.

"That will make gathering them a lot faster. I don't know what will happen when it is whole again…"

Sesshoumaru looked over the flowers that his mother had grown the day she died. Sesshoumaru had the urge to pick one and give it to her and as always he never ignored his instincts. He walked over and knelt and picked one. Kagome came up behind him and stood quietly as he looked at the flower a moment then up at her. His eyes were uncertain for a moment then he grabbed her hand gently and put the flower in her palm. It seemed to grow brighter in her palm. Sesshoumaru was shocked, but he strived not to show that on his face.

'Okaa-san said if I gave them to a woman I did not love they would all die, bit it seems that flower is even healthier now. Do I love her?'

Sesshoumaru looked at her face, she was a little confused at his actions but the bright smile on her face didn't fade. Sesshoumaru stood up and took the flower to place it in her hair. She looked lovely in the fading light. Sesshoumaru could not help but run the tips of his fingers over her cheek.

"Promise to be careful, Kagome."

Kagome was stunned.

'That is the first time he has used my name sense I got here….that was what…5 years ago…'

Kagome looked deep into Sesshoumaru's eyes and whispered,

"You used my name…"

This caused Sesshoumaru to draw his hand away from her cheek.

"We leave at dawn tomorrow."

With that he turned and walked down the same path he had come up. Kagome held her hand to cheek and closed her eyes,

"Sesshoumaru…"

Kagome sighed then made her way to her to her room to pack and prepare for the long journey ahead of them.

"But first a dip in the hot springs."

Sesshoumaru felt his heart pounding in his chest. He closed his eyes in an effort to slow it down.

'It is not possible. She is mortal…she will only live a short while…our pups hanyou not capable of being in line for the lordship. And what of Kunai and Rukai? I must not let these feelings be known.'

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes to see the night sky. It seemed to him that the stars were not as bright as they should be. He lay down on the grass to try and relieve some of the anguish he is feeling. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes again and he could feel her cheek under his fingers. Her scent still lingered there. Sesshoumaru let out a controlled sigh.

"This Sesshoumaru is a fool."

Sesshoumaru got up and made his way to the hot springs.

Author's Note: -Evil laughter- I am so evil for leaving this cliffy! Oh about the time jump. Yea, I didn't want to make you guys live through some boring chapters about everyday life was for them SOOO….I skipped a few years and you will get the best moments in those years as flashbacks. No need to write day by day and year by year when I needed to grow kags up and give Sesshou and her time to become BEST friends. I am so evil. Oh yea, kags knows she loves Sesshou, but…Sesshou is in denial because of the fact that she is mortal and Sesshou just seems like the kind of guy to only love one women his WHOLE life so….that hanyous can't be an heir! I am so twisted.! Anyways review, and if you have any questions feel free to ask.