Chapter Eleven - Motherly
They sat within the hut, each one of them gazing down at the message, before suddenly Kin said, "It could be a trick." This caused the others to snap their gazed up at him, each one of them knowing it could be true, but knowing that no one would have known they were in Kagome's bag, except Kagome. It was almost disturbing to know that someone might have found out they were in their, learned how to use Kagome's strange pens, and wrote such a message, however Shippo's eyes narrowed upon hearing this.
"No," Shippo said. "Its Kagome-mama's writing. You could open one of those diary things she keeps and find the same writing." His hands turned into fists, before he glared at the young hanyou, who lowered his gaze, a blush rising onto his cheeks.
"We could always open one of them and find out," Inuyasha commented, before being hit in the head. "Ow, you stupid old hag!"
Kaede shook her head, "It is not wise to go through a woman's personal things, Inuyasha. How would ye feel if ye kept something valuable to ye and someone took it in order to make sure ye were actually ye?"
Turning his nose into the air, Inuyasha ignored her. Kaede didn't need to remind him of things he already knew, especially since he was only making a suggestion. Hell, Sango could have gone through that stupid thing Kagome wrote in each day. He was sure that that would have made Kagome easier to handle, since she wouldn't have been so angry that Sango had gone through what she wrote, instead of one of them. Besides, he only meant to glance at it, not read the stupid thing—how hard was it to tell the writing was the same anyway?
Sango sighed, "Kaede is right. Kagome-chan wouldn't want us going through whatever she writes each day. I mean, she could be writing about things that she doesn't want others to know, like how much she enjoys Kouga's company, or how handsome she thinks Sesshoumaru is. I mean, would you really want to find out that Kagome-chan wants to strip your half-brother until he's in nothing and then play a few of those games she's told me about." She blushed after she realized what she'd just said, before ducking her head, hearing Inuyasha begin to growl.
"What do you mean? Kagome wouldn't look at Sesshoumaru that way!" Inuyasha snarled. He gripped Tetsusaiga tighter, his claws etching into the sheath, before hearing Miroku's sigh.
Sango snapped her red face up, before glaring at Inuyasha. "It shows what you know, Inuyasha. Kagome-chan has told me a few times how handsome your brother is. Besides, you're always thinking about humping Kikyo, so what does it matter to you?"
"Games?" Kin blinked. "You can play games once you're no longer wearing clothing?"
Sango turned toward him, "Kagome-chan said that she'd like to play spin the bottle—whatever that is—or some other game that you play with cards, strip something." Her blush darkened, before she heard Inuyasha's snarling. She glared at him, snapping, "Oh, shut up!"
"I must agree," Miroku added. "This is not going to get us anywhere. I say that we allow Shippo to read the first page of Kagome-sama's diary. He's usually sitting with her whenever she writes it, and I doubt he'd be able to understand most of the things adults would write about."
"Hey!" Shippo said. "I might be a kid, but I bet I know more than you think!"
Inuyasha smirked, "Yeah, that'd work. After all, Kagome's writing is different than mostly everything I've ever seen. I'm sure that it'd be pretty easier to tell that it was from her, instead of anyone else." He turned to Shippo, the kit directly in his gaze, "Well, what are you waiting for?"
"I already told you, Inuyasha!" Shippo growled, "It's Kagome-mama's writing!"
"Feh," Inuyasha mumbled. He shook his head, "Until you give me some real proof, Shippo, I'm not going to believe you. Read something that Kagome's written and we'll get on with our lives. I want to know that it's Kagome's writing, and until I do I'm going to sit here and make sure you don't do anything."
"Anything?"
"Yeah," Inuyasha smirked. "Eat, sleep, shit; anything. Trust me, I'll make sure that you don't do anything until you do this. Besides, the first page should be about what happened, shouldn't it? She's not going to write anything with detail until she explains what's happened to her."
"How do you know?" Kin asked.
"Um," Inuyasha blushed. "That just seems like the type of person Kagome is."
Sango snorted, petting Kirara's fur. "You've read something of Kagome-chan's, haven't you, Inuyasha?" She glared at him, before seeing him glance around, the blush on his cheeks darkening. Hissing, she stood quite suddenly, reaching for her Hiraikotsu, "You bastard! You've already been through Kagome-chan's private writing, and you're telling Shippo-kun to read it! I can't believe you!"
Kaede listened to the sound of the giant boomerang hitting Inuyasha's thick skull, before giving a deep sigh. She turned to find the hanyou unconscious, the others backing away from Sango in her time of rage, before frowning. "Ye will never learn, will ye, Inuyasha?" she asked the unconscious hanyou, knowing he would not answer. Shaking her head, she muttered, "It isn't wise to read what a woman has written. Not wise at all."
Shippo wrinkled his nose, "Inuyasha'll never be wise, Kaede-sama. You shouldn't allow yourself to think that he might change into some saint over night."
The old miko nodded, "Aye, that's true."
oOo
She turned the black fan over in her hand, smiling at the young girl as she beamed up at her. Easily flipping the fan open, Kagome gazed at the red phoenix design on the spread material, before flipping it closed once more. "These are very beautiful, Rin," she said. She tapped the wood with her claw, hoping that she hadn't gotten so used to being ningen during the day that she would break it. She heard Rin's giggled when she tapped it again, before turning to watch the girl pull out a pair of white fans as well, pulling one open to show off the black dragon on the inside. Strange, it was almost like the child had known what to wear, since she was wearing a white kimono, while she, Kagome, was wearing a black one—this caused her to laugh.
Rin tilted her head in confusion, "What's so funny, Kagome-chan?"
"It's almost like you knew what to wear," Kagome giggled. "Like you knew that I'd be here, so you wore a white kimono, knowing that I'd wear a black one, and they matched the fans you had."
Rin blinked, glancing down. "Rin doesn't see how that's so funny, Kagome-chan."
Placing her hand on Rin's head, she patted her hair. "That's alright, Rin. We are different. Where I might find something funny, you will find something else funny. Where I might find some type of food bad in taste, you might enjoy it beyond anything you've ever tasted. We are all different, so it does not matter if you think its funny or not. Just it almost seemed like you knew what was going to happen, and that's what I find funny."
She then ruffled the girl's hair up, before adding, "Now, why don't we go outside, Rin?" She smiled when the girl began jumping up and down, before reaching out to take her hand. Once the child's hand was within her larger clawed one, she smiled, and told her to lead the way. Her smile brightened when she felt the child begin dragging her about; this was about the time she felt something deep inside of her that she hadn't felt in years. Around the time that the curse had been created, and she pushed the feeling down, knowing that it could cause many problems.
Her instincts had returned. Her beast was once more prowling in her mind. That meant she'd need to be on guard, and she closed her eyes while they were walking, listening to Rin talk about the place she was going to take them to. However, she nodded at the right moments, mostly paying attention as the beast inside her mind howled, rearing its head down and telling her that it was once more apart of her. It was good to know, and she felt like a piece of her had been awakened, but it was also depressing, because it meant she once more had to fight with it in order to stay in control. She wasn't sure how long she'd be able to hold it down, since she hadn't needed to in years.
"Kagome-chan?" Rin asked. "Kagome-chan? Kagome-chan?" She frowned, before shouting, "Kagome-chan!" She gasped when she saw Kagome flinch, before asking, "Kagome-chan, are you alright? Rin forgot that Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't like it when she yells because it hurts his ears. Rin is sorry, Kagome-chan," tears began forming in her eyes, "please don't be mad."
Kagome sighed, "No. I'm fine, Rin, don't worry about it. I'm just not used to having such good hearing, that's all. But promise me that you won't yell so loudly next time. I'm sure that most of the youkai here heard it."
"Rin is sorry." Rin sniffled, holding back the tears that wanted to wash over her lids and fall down her cheeks. Before she could stop them they began streaking down her cheeks, and she felt a sob push through her chest. However, she closed her eyes once she felt Kagome's arms wrap around her, before she buried her face into Kagome's now golden hair. Her fan had been tucked into the front of her kimono, so she wrapped her hands into her black kimono, trying to pull herself as close as she could.
"Sh," Kagome began. "Its alright. Don't worry, Rin. Sh, now. Quiet." She'd done this with her younger brother the first time he'd been in a fight with another youkai, since they'd placed a barrier around the shrine long ago that made it possible for youkai to unmask themselves while there, but still looking ningen to anyone but other youkai. Souta had lost, and cried because of a gash that had been sliced into his arm. This situation was different, but Rin was as kind-hearted as Souta was, and it seemed to have the same result on both of them.
Rin nodded, pulling herself away from Kagome. She looked down at the soaked fabric, and sniffled again, mumbling, "Rin is sorry. Rin did not mean to ruin your pretty kimono, Kagome-chan."
Kagome shook her head, once more sweeping her thumb over Rin's cheeks. "Don't worry about it, Rin. It's only a kimono. I'm sure that even Sesshoumaru would wish more for your happiness than something that could have another made exactly the same way, with the same design and size. Besides, it will dry in the sun and be as good as new." She lifted the small girl into her arms, before saying, "Now, why don't you point the way, and we'll be outside faster than we normally would? Hm. I'm sure that the sun would do us some good."
Rin nodded, pointing down the hallway, beginning to talk once more. She wrapped her arms around Kagome's neck, knowing that the female would not drop her, especially with her new strength. However, she still wished to know that she wasn't going to fall, and hugged Kagome tighter than before.
Two female servants smiled, having watched from the rooms that Lord Sesshoumaru gave them and their mates. They smiled at each other, knowing that Lord Sesshoumaru had chosen wisely. After all, it was clear that this female was Lord Sesshoumaru's mate, since she spoke his name without any type of honor attached to it, such as 'sama'. The motherly way the female had spoken with Rin proved that Lord Sesshoumaru had finally found the female he wanted so badly for years. The aura she'd given off spoke of strength and dignity, but also innocence and kindness; things that most in their time did not have. They'd need to spread this around, making sure that everyone knew the Lady of the Western Lands was a kind and gentle demoness, but also strong and fair. Or so they thought.
Deep down they knew they were right, though.
oOo
Sesshoumaru shifted a bit, before asking, "How is my mate, Ryouta?" He'd been wondering about this for quite some time. The last thing he'd been told about her was that she was still asleep, obviously trying to overcome the change of her body. He wished to know if this had changed, though, and asked Ryouta thus. He knew she was awake, but he wished to know of her condition, possibly if she was still inside his chambers, since it was his duty as her mate to know her health and treat her the best he could should she need to be treated.
"She is well," Ryouta dipped his head. "She has awakened, and said that she wished to go outside. I, of course, objected to this, Lord Sesshoumaru, but young Rin had been there and I do not believe she wished to disappoint the girl. Lady Kagome herself even told me that she felt fine and did not need to be treated like a child before they left to visit Rin's chambers."
"I see," Sesshoumaru sighed. Who knew what Rin would trick Kagome into doing by merely giving her a pout. Of course, he knew that Rin would not harm Kagome, she was like her idol, after all, but there were many things that the girl could get Kagome to do with her. Especially all the things he remembered listening to her talk about doing with Kagome while they were traveling in search of Naraku, and even afterward whenever she used her pout in order to go patrolling with him—he usually allowed it whenever he was going to be gone for more than a few days. Perhaps he should go see exactly what the two were up to, though?
He heard the sound of soft footsteps, before the soft words of two of his servants filled his ears. He was sure that Ryouta had heard it as well, but it was not the fact that his healer was hearing it as well that made his heart swell with pride, his chest puffing out a bit when he heard what they were saying. Not that he needed to hear it, he knew that his mate was a kind female, but the fact that by merely sensing her aura they knew that she also had great powers, which might have been untrue, but he wasn't going to complain about it. Perhaps he should begin training her soon so that he knew she could protect herself.
"Did you hear what Etsu said?"
"No, Machi," said another voice. "What is it that she said?" The voice sounded like she'd gone through this many times, but didn't mind doing it that much.
"Etsu said that she saw the new lady with Rin. She had acted more like a ningen than a youkai, and had cheered the girl up with her motherly nature. Etsu said it was one of the sweetest things she'd ever seen, since the lady had only tried to stop the girl from crying."
"So, our new lady is kind?"
"Yes," the first voice replied. "Etsu also said that she sensed a strong will from the demoness, and that she would be a deadly opponent should you go against her."
"It seems that Sesshoumaru-sama has finally found what he was looking for, then," the second voice laughed.
"Yes, I have often heard that Sesshoumaru-sama did not take a mate because they were always so rude. Most of the kind youkai are said to be mated already, and that would make it hard for Sesshoumaru-sama to find one, wouldn't it?"
"I don't think that's what the rumor was," the second voice giggled. "I think they said that he wanted a demoness both kind and stubborn. Perhaps that is what our new lady is? I'd love to meet her, I'm sure that she kind if Etsu said so."
"It would seem that Lady Kagome is already making herself known," Ryouta smiled. He bowed his head when his lord stood, watching as the male moved to stand at a window, before standing to follow him. When he reached the window he gazed out to find that Kagome and Rin were below them, Kagome spinning around, a fan in each hand, while Rin tried to follow her moves. It warmed his heart to see them, but he knew that it was merely from seeing them acting so carefree together; it was something you didn't see often during this time.
Sighing, Sesshoumaru said, "She is so…"
"Motherly," Ryouta finished. "Yes, it comes with being ningen. Most of them are simply motherly from the first day, but there are those who do not have a motherly bone in their body. You are lucky to have found one that simply knew how to handle a child. Perhaps that is why she did not attack her when Rin burst into your chambers."
"Perhaps," Sesshoumaru replied. He watched as Kagome spun once more, one fan above her head, while she twirled the other in front of her. After she was done she watched Rin, before positioning the child so that she could do it better, and showed her closely how to twist her wrist. Rin seemed to be delighted, and it was after that that he began hearing faint singing, and noticed that Kagome had closed her eyes and began moving around once more. With the sun beaming down toward her she looking almost like she'd fallen from Heaven, thus wearing the dark colors that she wore.
She was truly a gift, and he was glad to have her.
Ryouta glanced at him from the corner of his eyes. He watched the lord's actions, before smiling to himself. Perhaps the complete mating of the two would soon be accomplished, bonding them together for the rest of their lives. Many things could happen, though, and he just hoped that the right ones happened in order for the two to finally come together and rule as one. The Western Lands would be near perfection then, and everyone would wish to live there. Sesshoumaru would protect the lands, and his mate would be the one to stop him from being unfair to those who deserved to live. That day would truly be wonderful… but the day they managed to create a pup would be even more magnificent.
