[Hey guys! Back in school again, so updates will be slower. Please review and enjoy!]
"So where are we going tomorrow Kagome?" Shiemi asked.
They had returned to the den, and Kagome had allowed her friends to sleep on her furs with her. Shiemi, Ame, and herself sat on the nest of furs, while Sesshomaru sat off to the side, leaning against the wall in a position very similar to how a certain hanyou used to sit.
"Sesshomaru?"
"We will meet Rin and Jaken on the edge of the wolf territory, and then we will go to find Naraku."
"What he said."
She laughed.
"See you in the morning Kagome."
"See you then Shiemi," she responded laying down between her friends.
...
Sesshomaru watched her out of the corner of his eye. She layed comfortably on the furs, seeming to be waiting for something.
When both wolves were asleep, she slipped out from between them and moved to Shiemi's other side.
"What are you doing miko?"
"Shh. Just some match making," she whispered back.
He glanced at the two wolves, then back to her.
"Is it your business to do so?"
"I suppose not..." she considered, "But neither of them will do anything on their own."
He sighed, and if he were anyone else he would have rolled his eyes. He noted that she had gone silent.
...
"Why did you forgive me like that?" she asked after a while, "I know that you were... upset over everything, so why did you forgive me so quickly?"
He paused, and she thought he wouldn't answer.
To her surprise he said, "Perhaps I forgave you because you were hurting. Or perhaps, miko, I forgave you because I wanted to move past this, so to speak."
She sighed, partly in relief and partly in acceptance that she probably would never get a straight answer about anything really. She layed back down with a huge yawn.
"Goodnight Sesshomaru."
"Goodnight miko."
...
She woke up when she heard Shiemi squeal.
"Kagome! Help!" she whisper yelled.
She was exactly how she had been the night before, but Ame had moved and had his arms around her, holding her to his chest. He was sound asleep, but Kagome was positive he hadn't ended up there by accident. He had never been shy.
Shiemi squeaked again, her face beet red, as Ame's hand began to wander.
Kagome had to bite her lip to keep from giggling, "Do you want me to wake him up?"
"Yes!" she whisperd, her eyes squeezed shut.
Kagome crawled over on her knees. She shook Ame.
"Ame? Wake up. You're making Shiemi uncomfortable."
Ame opened his eyes groggily, noting who was beside him, as well as the position of his hands, and (seemingly reluctantly) released Shiemi and sat up. Shiemi sighed with relief, getting up as well.
"Good morning Shiemi," Ame said, a laugh in his voice.
"G-good morning," she stuttered, muttering something about going to take a bath.
Kagome rose to follow her, barely able to keep herself from laughing. Ame watched them leave, a stupid grin on his face and a laugh threatening to escape through his lips.
...
Sesshomaru noted the boy's expression and scent. There was no doubt, this boy was smitten with the younger wolf. [AN: Ame's four hundred years old, and Shiemi is close to two hundred. It's not weird, they're both adults.] He wondered if he should feel disgusted by the boy's weakness, of if he should withhold judgement. After all, he was in much the same boat, even if he would not admit it to himself.
"Lord Sesshomaru?"
He looked at the wolf. That was the first time one of the wolves had shown him respect.
"Wolf?"
"Have you ever... been in love?"
Had he been anyone else, he would have groaned at the wolf's conspicuousness. The two women were hardly even out of earshot.
"That is not something one asks the Lord of the West," he said, trying to avoid the conversation.
"I take that as a yes my lord?"
"My relationships with others are none of your concern wolf."
"Because," he pressed on, "I really love Shiemi, and I need some advise."
Obviously this boy had never come in contact with the nobility. He was blatant and rude, but Sesshomaru also felt pity. This boy was love sick, and he was desperate enough to ask Sesshomaru for help.
"I am not the correct person to consult in matters of love. Why not ask your chief?"
"He's been in love plenty of times," the wolf said, grinning, "but it's never worked out for him."
Sesshomaru couldn't help it. He snorted.
...
"Shiemi?"
"Yes?"
"Are you more embarrassed or upset about what happened earlier?"
"Embarrassed I suppose. He did it all in his sleep, so I can not really blame him."
Kagome laughed, "You should have seen your face!"
Shiemi laughed too.
"While we're on the subject, Kagome, how do you feel about Sesshomaru?"
"Erm... He's... my friend. I owe him my life. I can't really go any further than that. My old boyfriend was his half-brother!"
"I thought you and InuYasha weren't together?"
She paused, "We... weren't. But we would have been if Naraku hadn't interfered."
Shiemi considered this.
"InuYasha was always running off with that dead priestess right? You were literally the same person! I think he would want you to be happy."
Kagome sighed, "I just don't know Shiemi. I feel something towards Sesshomaru, but I don't know what it is. I'm confused."
...
The two men in the cave had lapsed back into silence. The rest of the wolves had gone to go about their daily tasks, and the cave was empty. Sesshomaru gazed of into the distance, looking at the mountain peaks he could see vaguely through the waterfall. The wolf was polishing a bone dagger silently. All was still.
"We're back!"
Shiemi avoided Ame's eyes, but sat next to him, and Kagome sat beside Sesshomaru as well.
"Are we leaving now, Sesshomaru?"
"Yes. It would be best if you were all prepared for a long journey. Naraku moves frequently, so it will be quite difficult to find him."
Kagome nodded, and she and her friends went to gather the few belongings they had in the den.
...
1 Hour Later
"Sesshomaru?"
"Miko?"
"When do you think Naraku will attack us? It's been much too peaceful."
"I can answer that question."
Kagome felt her entire body stiffen as Naraku's voice filled he clearing.
[Is it just me or did that last sentence make an awkward ending? Either way please, PLEASE review!]