Forever Home - The Girl

~Kitty

"Dark spruce forest frowned on either side the frozen waterway. The trees had been stripped by a recent wind of their white covering of frost, and they seemed to lean towards each other, black and ominous, in the fading light."
Jack London, White Fang


Chapter 9: A place that is neither here nor there

Something very wrong was happening. Sango's expression was serious as she sat at the heavy wooden table, listening to her employees as they discussed the strange string of stillborn calves they experienced recently. They'd changed nothing in the feed and care of the animals and yet suddenly, her livestock were miscarrying their pregnancies faster than she could process. Surrounding ranches have been reporting similar abnormalities but nothing like what's been happening here. She'd made several tours around the vast property, checking for toxic plants, parasites, and contamination at water sources. There was simply no explanation for this disaster. If she lost any more calves, she was likely to go in the red next year.

Sango groaned, letting her forehead fall to the table. Several of her ranch hands glanced over with sympathetic expressions, thankful they only worked the land and the animals, and didn't have to worry about cost and profit.

Burbur and Ranger pressed close, sensing the sobriety in the room and feeling on edge because of it. Raking a frustrated hand through her hair, Sango stood, tied her thick long locks into a tight, no-nonsense ponytail, and stomped out to the stables. Whenever life frustrated her, there was always one way to vent her nervous energies. Out at the paddock, a slender dark bay mare paced eagerly, seeing her master heading towards her with purpose. When Sango came within arms reach, the great long head stretched out, nuzzling Sango's shirt with dexterous lips. And then the nuisance. Ranger happily ducked under the wooden fence and feinted little snaps and nips around her hooves and she stamped angrily, ready to kick out her feet if necessary to teach the rascal a lesson. Sango laughed at the grey dog's antics and scolded him without any true anger.

"Let's go for a walk, Kaze," Sango said.

They entered the stable together, the large brown animal sighing contentedly to feel the brush of her grooming supplies loosen and remove the annoying dirt and dead hair on her broad, strong body. Dust lifted off and caused Sango to sneeze repeatedly. She wiped her nose against the soft plaid of her shirt and sniffed sharply. The scent of leatherwork and the musty, damp bouquet of warm, furred bodies, dirt, and hay enveloped her and settled into her hair and clothes. It was an earthy, comforting smell, and it helped to lift Sango's mood.

It didn't take long to saddle up and very soon, Sango was mounted and marching out. Burbur and Ranger scouted ahead, sniffing here and there and seeking out the wild hares and squirrels that should be busy this time of year. That was the other odd thing. Sango couldn't remember the last time she saw wildlife in the area. Aside from the dark, ominous shapes of circling ravens, it was as if the hills and surrounding forest had gone barren. The air around her was still and silent and a nervous fear pricked at the hairs on the back of her neck. There was something wrong with her lands, she could feel it. It sat, heavy and sinister, in the air and seeped out of the rocks. She felt the weight of hundreds of cold, calculating eyes on her back and lay restless at night, certain of the monster under the bed. An invisible monster that has taken up residence on her ranch and stole life from her breeding cattle.

There was a noise ahead, startling Sango from her thoughts, and a minor cacophony of squawks and flapping. Ranger was off like a shot, rushing in and dispersing a small flock of black birds. He took one sniff and backed up startled as Burbur cautiously joined him. His hesitance at making a toy of some poor dead animal carcass sparked Sango's curiosity and she dismounted to have a closer look.

It was a fresh kill, for sure. Rigor mortis had only begun to set in on the animal's face and blood was still pooling in the dirt around it. The striking markings of the cat, despite the torn flesh, was like no wild feline Sango had ever heard of. Domestic cat then, perhaps. A little pulse of movement startled her and she leaned in closer. From underneath the ravaged, bloodied fur, a tiny paw extended upward, tiny perfect claws unsheathed. Unwilling to directly touch the dead creature, Sango used a stick to shift the cat's carcass to the side and gasped in surprise to see the little shape, squirming toward the cold body of its dead mother. Cautiously, Sango reached over to bring her finger to the small kitten's nose. Its eyes were still closed and it seemed startled to suddenly meet with a foreign scent. Instinctively, the little paws lashed out, weakly attempting to protect itself. Sango sighed sympathetically at the pathetic creature, and then impulsively slipped off her shirt to wrap around the tiny bundle and cradling the struggling kitten to her chest.

"It's a cruel world out there," she said to the small, shivering feline.

She gently pinched the skin between its skinny shoulder blades and frowned in concern to see just how dehydrated the poor thing was. She knew it was unlikely to survive. A kitten so young that its eyes were not yet open, and lying underneath its dead mother for at least the last several hours. But right now, it was mewling and throbbing with life, and after so many dead calves, Sango simply couldn't let the wild take this kitten. She gently held the little spark of life against her body while she straightened, looking down at the mother's lifeless form. Sighing, she spoke to the departed creature.

"I'll try my best," she promised the mother. Then she turned and went back to her horse.

Just as she was about to mount Kaze, a slight rustle caught her attention and she turned to see a dark familiar shape moving amongst the trees. Burbur and Ranger immediately started up a racket, barking loudly to warn the shape away. But Sango recognized the silhouette and it made her heart freeze. It was gone in a flash and she stood there for several minutes, one foot in the stirrup, the other going limp as it supported her weight. White faced and frightened, Sango hurriedly climbed onto her horse's back, being as gentle as possible to the weakly struggling bundle in her arms. Then she called to Ranger and Burbur, eager to get back to the ranch house where she felt secure and protected.

The phone rang in the messy office and a young man sifted frantically through the papers in search of the cordless handset. It rang several more times before he found the elusive thing and answered.

"Professor Higurashi's office, Miroku speaking," he said, slightly out of breath. There was silence on the line and he frowned. "Hello? Hellooooooo?"

"Uh, hi," a young male voice on the other end said, "Can you tell me where Professor Higurashi is right now?"

"She had to leave for a personal matter," Miroku answered, "May I ask who's calling?"

"Uh, this is Souta, her son," the boy said, "Do you know when she's coming back?"

"I don't. You can try her cellphone." Absently, Miroku wondered why the kid hadn't tried that in the first place.

"I think my mom forgot to bring it with her…," Souta said, "I'm at home right now and her cellphone's still here."

"Ah…," Miroku trailed off, mentally heaving an exasperated sigh at the forgetful professor, "Well, if she contacts me, I can let her know you called. She said she was going to see your sister, if that helps."

"Sure, thanks," Souta said, his voice perking up, "I guess I try calling Kagome next…"

With a sigh, he hit the hang up button and tossed the device back amongst the papers. Professor Higurashi had unexpectedly rushed to visit her daughter, leaving the young graduate student to handle her classes, apparently forgetting to notify her son and leaving her cellphone at home. He rubbed the back of his neck where a particularly stubborn knot was forming. Three classes, two of which centered on subjects he couldn't care less about. And the homework, there was so much homework. Exactly how was he supposed to grade all those essays? Most of the students couldn't write to save their lives and those that could apparently didn't read the assigned material. Groaning, he sat back in the creaky chair, seriously debating converting the next several days of classes into independent study.

A tentative knock on the office door got his attention and he straightened.

"Yes, come in," he said.

The attractive brunette that entered brightened his mood significantly and he flashed his most charming smile.

"Hello Olivia, what brings you here?" The girl flushed in the presence of the handsome teaching assistant. She stumbled over her words but pushed forward resolutely.

"Sumimasen, Miroku-san," Olivia said, congratulating herself on her excellent grasp of Japanese after two semesters, "I wanted ask about yesterday's lecture on Kukai and Huiguo?"

Miroku's smile widened and he motioned for her to come in. "Of course," he said, turning on his performance voice, "please, have a seat, fair maiden."

The girl giggle shyly. She slithered over and sat, crossing her legs temptingly, allowing the short skirt she wore to ride up her legs. She blushed noticing the male TA giving them a long appreciative stare. She glanced curiously at the his right hand, noting the shine of the beads wrapped around it.

"Is there a special significance to wearing the nenju on your hand?" She asked, reaching out to place her hand on his. Her face fell slightly when he shifted, abruptly moving the appendage away from her grasp.

"Nothing really, sort of a family tradition," he said as casually as he could, draping his arm across his lap, hiding the gloved wrist from view.

"Now, Olivia," he continued, leaning close and drawing out a bright giddy blush from the young undergraduate, "what would you like to know about Kukai's quest to understand the Mahavairocana Tantra with Huiguo?"

A few other female students and one very awkward male joined the office hours and they finally left just a few minutes before five. Miroku's head swam, too many temptations, but such harsh penalties… He knew better than to take liberties with female students, that lesson he'd learned the hard way.

Absently, he rubbed the purple wrist guard on his right hand, the rosary beads clinking as they shifted against the fabric. The coverings attracted too much attention but there was no other way to seal the curse. He took a moment to contemplate the reason he'd transferred all the way to this university. He knew he was close, but all the leads he had were running cold and he was no closer to finding the demon that marred his family. The evil scar was pressing hard against the beads and Miroku could feel its gleeful energy as it thrashed. At least this university had one of the best collections of records and texts from Eastern Asia. There was bound to be a clue hidden somewhere in the library that could give him the clues he sought.

His thoughts drifted to that energy spike several days prior. It had startled him right out of his skin and shortly after, he'd received word from the professor that he was needed to babysit her undergraduates while she ran off with her daughter. The ponytailed man sighed. He would have liked to request a few days off to investigate the phenomenon, but that may have to wait. He hoped the trail didn't run too cold by the time Professor Higurashi returned. His curiosity was killing him, and making Miroku jittery with restless energy.

The young man leaned back in the chair, stretching his arms out above his head, and glanced at the clock. The night was young and a small trip outside of campus could reap great rewards with smaller risk. A crooked smile slowly grew outward towards his ears as he thought of how he might release some steam. With a mischievous spark in his dark eyes, he ran his hands through his hair, heaved himself up from the creaky office chair, and headed out for the night.

"Sold! To the lovely lady in the blue dress!" A polite applause crescendoed and fell in the reception room and then all eyes turned to the little girl standing to receive the purchase. The small child seemed frightened when she was handed the large traditional fan and coaxed toward the buyer. She gulped, intimidated by the room full of richly dressed men and ladies, with proud noses and cold eyes. With small nervous steps, she approached the tall woman, observing her cool red eyes and jade earrings. Two feathers peered out from atop her head as she looked down her nose at the trembling human child.

"Hmph," the frigid woman said, gesturing to the young boy behind her. With an oddly somber expression for a boy his age, he stepped forward, hands raised to accept the purchase. The girl recoiled, as though stung when their hands touched but the boy made no reaction. Attention had already shifted to the next item for auction and the small, light haired girl skittered back to the stage where the other young children sat.

Sesshoumaru fought the urge to sigh. It was to be a long evening and charitable events were not a highlight on his schedule. They were a waste of time and as far as he could see, more of an excuse for the wealthy to flaunt their riches than anything else. He eyed the next item with indifference. Another antique with no real value. The idea of having the children hand out the auctioned entries was backfiring as the small frightened humans were practically wetting themselves from being in the spotlight. He blinked, all the children but one.

She sat, smaller than the rest, out of tune with what was happening around her. She was skittish, for sure, with a stature that tried to make her even smaller than she already was. But she seemed to witness the goings on from an entirely separate perspective, not completely present with the crowd around her. Her eyes wandered boldly around the elegantly decorated room. They glanced over him with disinterest, flickering away to the next glittery, bejeweled lady at the charity gala. They passed over his way again, floating past somewhere above his head. A third time, finally landing on his eyes and freezing there for one electric moment. It was difficult to describe what he sensed from her straight forward gaze. There was a depth in it that he found surprising for so young a child. And then it was over. She looked away, almost reproachfully, as if he'd struck her, and continued her perusal of the room. He blinked, mildly amused by the human girl's reaction to his stare, then returned his eyes to the podium, trying not to tap his long clawed fingers as he waited for this tortuous event to finish.

It was many hours later, after several more useless antiques and curiosities were purchased and the usual flutter of scheming socializers flocked to the richest or most powerful person in the room. Sesshoumaru had the unfortunate pleasure of being at the top of this hierarchy and only the thousands of years of practice he'd had in maintaining his facade of calm disinterest prevented him to slicing through every annoying brown-noser with his claws. Crude, of course, but it was not as though he'd gain that satisfaction from using his inherited sword. Tensaiga pulsed in his breast pocket, close to his heart. The tall, imposing man tried his best to quell the discontent in his heart, annoyed that his father's gift should attempt to interfere with his activity. The apparently innocent, though intricately decorated, fountain pen pulsed again, as if trying to calm him. The bored daiyoukai bit back a sigh as his aggravation mounted and he returned to pretending to pay attention to the titters and tatters around him.

"Mr. Nagakiyoichi." Sesshoumaru turned to find an elegantly dressed Asian woman approaching him. His eyes narrowed as he internally recoiled from the stench of death and hanyou. There was something lethal in the way she carried herself, confident and dangerous. Fear rolled off of the humans nearby and they parted quickly to allow her access to her target.

"I'm very glad to see you could make it. " The brazen woman's eyes scoured his body, causing the hair on his hackles to raise. She slipped a hand into the purse she carried and pulled out a black card and held it out to him. "My employer, Mr. Hitomi, regrets not being present to greet you properly."

"Send my regards," he said, reluctantly accepting the card, "Miss…"

"Please, call me Kagura." Her eyes were bright, as though she expected something from him. Sesshoumaru was ready to move on, but the tall woman latched onto him, moving to his side and the other women scattered like a flock of uncoordinated birds. The boy that followed behind her was entirely human, yet something was amiss in the child's scent. He didn't have any time to contemplate the defect for the lady spoke again.

"Did nothing peak your interest today?" she continued, "You did not place any bids this evening."

Sesshoumaru refrained from answering what he felt was an obvious question. Since the woman didn't appear to plan on letting him go, he approached the bar to request another glass of wine, resigning himself to suffering a few more minutes at the pompous gathering. The woman's smile was cold and sinister.

"At the very least, you could have shown interest in something to help push the bids up higher," she said loftily, flashing the white and red fan she'd purchased. "Think of the children!"

"The Daitoken Corporation will be making a separate donation," Sesshoumaru said as evenly as he could. He'd stayed the duration expected to be courteous and was now seeking to make his exit. "Have a good evening, Miss Kagura."

Jaken met him in the car with the chauffeur. It was a relief to finally cast off the pretense of rich human businessman, and Sesshoumaru finally let out the sigh that had wanted release since the very beginning of the event. Purple markings returned to his cheeks and his ears regained their usual pointed shape.

"Nothing peaked your interest this evening, My Lord Sesshoumaru?"

The demon lord's brow twitched, unhappy to be reminded of the unpleasant lady who'd forced her way to him just moments ago. He allowed himself to vent his distaste for the woman by smacking the imp demon on the back of the head. The creature squawked in surprise, rubbing his sore cranium.

"Forgive me, my lord," Jaken said plaintively, wondering what in the world could have made his master so cranky.

The anger fell away quickly, and as they drove back to Sesshoumaru's penthouse accommodations, the silver haired demon found himself thinking back to the young girl child he'd noticed on the stage. She was an ordinary child. Less than ordinary really, with a small body and even smaller presence. Yet, there was something in the strength of her expression and depth of her gaze that stayed with him. The curiosity that awoke within the demon lord surprised him, though he did not show it. The Daitoken Corporation did not make donations often, and perhaps it could be a bit over generous with this one time. The children present today were all currently looking for foster homes or adopters and were made to wear name tags. Despite the distance between his table and the stage, he'd been able to read her name clearly.

He tried the word in his mind, probing it as if it were a physical object he could turn over and inspect. 'Rin…'

Sango cursed her remote location and slow internet connection. Looking after a newborn kitten was no cake walk and she was at her wits end, trying to figure out why the tiny thing wouldn't poop. After she'd brought the fragile furry bundle home, she'd been startled to find the kitten staring at her with blood red eyes, waving two fluffy tails. Thinking it was a medical condition, Sango spent the better part of the last couple days researching what she could of orphaned kitten care and nutrition. Between momentary power outages and two more stillborn calves, Sango was a slave to the little creature's frequent needs, and her nerves were frayed to the point of collapse. And now, she was finally loading a page on bowel movements in newborn kittens. Slowly. Scrolling down, she discovered, to her boiling frustration, that half the page failed to load and when she hit the reload icon, a grey page opened up claiming the operation timed out due to server failure.

Sango screamed at the evil box and slammed the mouse down hard on the table. Ranger and Burbur looked up startled and Sango glanced down at the warm, fuzzy body in her lap. Those red eyes, they took some getting used to. Her large animal veterinarian couldn't find anything wrong with the kitten's eyes and guessed that the pigmentation might settle to a normal color later on. The kitten rolled over on her back and waved at her with a perfect miniature paw and Sango couldn't help herself but smile and tickle the spunky little thing on its round belly. A belly that needed to be emptied soon or it would be an emergency. Sango sighed, gently stroking the kitten from chest to stomach, idly debating when she ought to make the trip to a vet to have it looked at. Just as she was about to pass over the soft fur with another body length stroke, the kitten flipped over, her little tails quivering intensely. Sango looked at the little creature on her lap quizzically, her expression immediately twisting into one of disgust as a foul stench filled the air.

"Ugh!" Sango said, gently scooping up the defecating kitten and depositing her in the makeshift litter box she'd set up earlier. Both Burbur and Ranger came over to sniff curiously, sneezing alternatingly in reaction to the odor.

"Good job, kitty," Sango muttered before moving to remove the soiled clothing. The kitten mewed proudly, scratching at the sand instinctively to cover her mess. When Sango came over to collect the kitten, she gathered her tiny legs together to leap into the waiting girl's arms.

"Wow, you sure have grown, even after just a few days," Sango said, unable to help herself and snuggling into the soft tan colored baby fur. The kitten mewed and nuzzled the woman under her chin and Sango felt herself falling in love. Sighing, the young woman held the little pesky thing out in front of her.

"I was going to give you to Kagome so you could go to her animal shelter," she told the large red eyes, "But I think I could use another barn cat."

The kitten waved her paws at the young woman, brandishing claws that might one day be quite fearsome. As it was, Sango only chuckled at the bold kitten with odd red eyes. She would have to think of a name for the cute little feline. Digging far back into her memory, she recalled an old barn cat her father used to care for. He'd affectionately named her… what was it?

"Hey little one," she said tenderly, petting the furry creature between her ears, "How would you like to be called Kirara?"

The newly named Kirara let out a plaintive cry, trying to express to the human woman just how hungry she was. Sango cuddled briefly with the kitten before moving to the fridge to pull out the formula milk she'd been mixing for her new charge.

"You've got some big shoes to fill," she told Kirara, "The old Kirara used to catch five to ten mice in one night."

Kirara mewed eagerly, as if promising to harvest even more than that when she got old enough. Sango laughed and settled down with bottle in hand. Kirara eagerly latched on and suckled greedily, making plenty of noise and arousing a great deal of curiosity from Ranger, who came over to sniff at the human and her kitten, his expression clearly stating that he would like some too. Sango laughed and patted the always hungry dog.

"You're already weaned, dummy," she said affectionately. Kirara was fed and tucked into bed with her warm water bottle when the landline rang.

"Hello, Shako's Free Range Cattle, Sango speaking," Sango answered the phone, wondering who on earth was calling so late in the evening.

"Why hello miss Sango," the voice on the other end cooed, "I was hoping to catch you."

A chill ran up Sango's spine and her voice grew guarded as she responded. "Hello Mr. Hitomi, what can I do for you?"

There was laughter at the other end. "Ah, miss Sango, no need to be so formal," Mr. Hitomi said smoothly, "I merely wanted to inquire about the offer I made last month."

Sango stiffened, her lips tightening to a thin, pale line. "Mr. Kagewaki Hitomi, I have no plans of selling the ranch in my lifetime. You would have better luck landing on the sun."

She slammed the phone back down to its receiver, certain she was going to be in need of a new handset considering the amount of force she used. Burbur, the most emotionally intelligent of her animals at present, lumbered over with heavy paws and leaned a large, square head against the young woman's thigh. Sango gripped the edges of the counter, trying to get her emotions in line.

'Never,' she thought to herself, 'I will never let this ranch go.'

She'd promised her father she would keep it going. The lands, the cattle, the lifestyle. It would all end with her if she sold it. Sango took a deep breath and let it out, absently petting Burbur's head. Then she turned to the little kitten staring at her with serious eyes, as though the young creature had understood the conversation she'd just had and tried to offer sympathy. The human woman tried to smile at the her newest pet.

"It's ok, Kirara," she said, "No matter what, you'll always have a home with me."

Sango came over to crouch in front of the kitten, pulling out her cell phone. She flipped it to camera mode and held it out towards the black and tan creature.

"Smile pretty," Sango said, clicking her tongue to get the kitten's attention, "Let's send a picture to show Kagome."

"Che," he said as he lowered his cellphone. That a meager human woman would dare… Narrowed red eyes scanned the arena from his seat in the plush private room. He had had the glass closed for the phone call and now he waved for them to be slid open again, allowing sounds of the battle to spill in and surround him. He relished this sound, the sound of pain and agony. The crowd jeered and shouted at the four combatants below, ignoring the torn flesh and sprays of blood and bile that scattered into the stands.

Leisurely, he glanced at the monitor hanging off to the side in the dark room. Ah, the Thunder Brothers again, a cute name for such uncouth siblings. Naraku sniffed with disdain, watching as the older of the two brothers wielded his spear with practiced ease. The oddly shaped younger brother opened his mouth to throw flames and Naraku rolled his eyes. At least the crowd seemed to enjoy the spectacle. The brothers' opponents didn't really stand a chance. It would be a slaughter. Naraku tapped a few buttons on his arm rest to pull up the brothers' profile. He snorted when he read the younger one's request: 'fifty beautiful human girls for the purposes of developing a hair regeneration cream.'

'It'll take a lot more than hair cream to fix that unfortunate face,' the red eyed man thought to himself. He thought back to his recent phone call and mentally noted that he should make that dirty cattle rancher first of the fifty girls. That strangely familiar girl from the park would be second.

Naraku frowned, recalling the flashing grey eyes set in a hauntingly familiar face. Where had he seen that face before? And then the dog. A slow, twisted smile spread across his face. So Inuyasha was still alive and kicking. The mangy mutt may be a rather entertaining addition to his combatant roster.

His expression sobered as his thoughts led him elsewhere. The Shikon no Tama had returned. When he sensed the jewel reveal itself several nights ago, every fiber in his being sang out in desire for it. This need, this hunger, he craved it like an addiction. Somewhere in the darkest depths of his core, he loved the Shikon no Tama, and now his thoughts turned to how he might acquire that beautiful, precious jewel for his own.

A deep rumble of thunder echoed through his nightmare and the little fox kit whimpered, curling even more tightly into a ball. In his mind, he heard the sounds of blades wrenching through flesh and saw blood steaming where it landed on the ground beside him. A soft hand touched his shoulder, a gentle voice called out to him.

"Shippou. Shippou, wake up, you're having a nightmare."

Bright, watery eyes snapped open with yelp. The room was dark and it was a moment before the small fox kit recognized where he was. Concerned grey eyes watched him carefully and a comforting hand stroked his bangs. Shippou sniffled, rubbing his eyes with a small fist.

"My papa…," he muttered, the whine evident in his voice. Kagome shifted so she sat upright against the wall, pulling the little trembling bundle into her lap. A bright, white flash illuminated the room for an instant, transporting the kit back to that horrible, traumatic night, and he flinched, and whimpered, and tried to hold in a sob. The young woman rocked him gently in her arms, rubbing his little back with her hand.

"I'm here," she told him, "You're safe."

"I couldn't help my papa," he admitted to her, trying valiantly to keep his meek voice from shaking. Another peel of thunder shook the walls in the room and he jumped, pressing little fists into his pointed ears, eyes squeezed tightly shut. Kagome shushed and hummed to him, leaning back against her pillows and pressing his ear to her chest so that he could hear her even breathing and her heartbeat. Shippou whimpered, tears rolling down his round cheeks.

"Little child," Kagome sang softly under her breath, "be not afraid, though the rain pounds harsh against the glass, like an unwanted stranger, there is no danger, I am here tonight."

Shippou sighed and stilled, feeling the lullaby being transmitted through her chest and into his ears. Her voice was soft and low, forcing Shippou to concentrate in order to listen. Another shock of lightning and roll of thunder startled him and sent his heart racing again.

"Little child, be not afraid," Kagome continued, "though thunder explodes and lightning flash, illuminates, your tear stained face, I am here tonight."

Was the storm abating? Shippou couldn't tell, couldn't get his senses to reach out beyond the safe circle of Kagome's arms. His heartbeat slowed and his breathing deepened, and soon it was all he could do to follow the rise and fall of her voice as it lulled him back to sleep.

"For you know," the young woman sang, her eyes soft and content, thinking back to her own memories of warm arms and gentle hands, "Once even I was a little child, and I was afraid. But a gentle someone always came, to dry all my tears, trade sweet sleep for fears, and give a kiss goodnight."

Kagome was getting better at sensing him now. The deep, warm presence that followed her like a shadow. And now he stopped just outside her door and laid there, guarding the entrance, and listening to her lullaby. She turned to face the doorway, wishing he would come inside and join them. He did not, and so she sent her voice his way, hoping it soothed him as he too, seemed on edge on this stormy night.

"And I hope that you'll know that nature is so. The same rain that draws you near me, falls on rivers and land, on forests and sand, makes the beautiful world that you'll see in the morning."

From against the wooden door, the great white dog sighed, absorbing her voice until it saturated even his pores. It wasn't a strong voice, it wasn't always in tune. It was quiet, fragile even, but there was a warmth and a smile in it that felt so, so soothing and his ears continued to seek it out, even after she'd finished and he'd fallen into a deep, dark sleep.

"Everything's fine in the morning, the rain will be gone in the morning. But I'll still be here, in the morning."


A/N: Song credit goes to Vienna Tang, song name is Lullaby For a Stormy Night. I love listening to it.

Shout out to the reviewer (don't have a username) who mentioned that Naraku should run an underground dog fighting ring. Loved that visual. Tweaked it just a bit since the thought reminded me of how Naraku once had a bunch of demons fight each other in order to gain a new body...

Sango's ranch is named after her grandfather, Shako. In the original, he's the exterminator that originally delivered the Shikon no Tama to Kikyou, I believe. I tried really hard but couldn't come up with anything else for the ranch so I just went with that...

Key for Sesshoumaru's last name (kunyomi pronunciation):

Naga - eternal

Kiyoi - clean, pure, noble

Chi - blood (also the same sound for the word milk?)

Key for Sesshoumaru's corporation (onyomi pronunciation):

Dai - big, great

Tou - east

Ken - dog

Again, I don't know any Japanese aside from stuff I've picked up from reading manga/watching anime so I probably broke a bunch of rules in terms of coming up with names with meaning… Sorry!

Also, haha, sesshoumaru totally comes off a little creepy given how young Rin is in this… sorry sesshoumaru!

*** Are you considering a KITTEN in your life? Please check out the adoptable KITTENS in your area before going to a petstore! And please, please make sure to do your homework before bringing home a furbaby. Springtime is KITTEN season and shelters are absolutely DROWNING in pesky little adorable killers KITTENS. Something else to consider is that people ALWAYS want kittens and adoptable older cats (older dogs too) often get left behind. The shelter I used to volunteer far was a no-kill shelter and we would have old cats for YEARS before some kind soul was willing to give the poor things a forever home. Other shelters euthanize the old ones because they don't have the capacity. One last thing to remember is that a KITTEN will absolutely DESTROY your curtains, your couch, your toilet paper, your fingers. My late kitty decided he didn't like my TV and I came home one day to find it on the ground and completely broken… :'D ***