Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasaha.

Chapter 12: The Western Palace

Night had fallen when they finally arrived at the gates. The massive, ominous structure stood between them and the mystery that was the Western citadel. It would be a lie to say that she wasn't curious. The question was always in the back of her mind. Although she always ran into Sesshomaru and his pack in the forest, Kagome wondered where they all really lived. Especially with Rin in the group, they had to have some place safe for her; and by the look of the gates, this was it.

"So..." she began. "This is home?" She kept her tone light, but the awe and wonder still laid thick in her expression.

"No." Sesshomaru's baritone voice rumbled from behind her and Kagome became very aware of his propinquity. Her face exploded with color. The embarrassment, however, was short lived and soon replaced with... "This is a gate." ...irritation. She silently fumed as he offered a sideways glance, smirking.

Through grit teeth she managed, "You know what I meant." If he was any other person, he would have snorted at her anger. Sesshomaru found he enjoyed teasing the miko. So while she huffed at his antics, the mischievous demon lord continued through the gate. The aged wood groaned as it was parted and caused a shiver to go down Kagome's spine. Once opened, a wind ripped through her locks carrying traces of strong youki. She was nervous. Never had she been in a place that screamed demon. Even during the battle with Naraku, she had never felt so much demonic power buzzing against her nerves. Her reiki awoke beneath the surface of her skin giving her an almost angelic glow. Her glow was the only visible light. Everything else was masked in darkness.

"Sesshomaru?" she wearily questioned, uncertainty dripping from her shaky words. He did not acknowledge her though. He remained staring in front of him, motionless, as if concentrating. With her fear gripping onto her firmly, the miko took a step toward the taiyoukai. "Sesshomaru?" she repeated with the same uneasiness, but still no reply. Kagome braved a step, and another one, and another one until she was at his back, hand reached out to tug his sleeve. Her resonating glow illuminated his face just enough to see his eyes fractionally widen before returning to their apathetic place. Then, as if by a magic spell, the darkness scattered.

Little lanterns, once invisible, now breathed light upon the stony path laid beneath their feet. Fireflies danced in the light breeze. What was once a dark, empty field soon became a magical mansion right before her eyes. The rice paper walls and seemingly fragile wood accents composed themselves into a traditional japanese home. Kagome gave awe. The frigid youki that was becoming stifling, warmed itself and put her at ease. Soon her admiration turned into playful curiousness as youkai of all types busied about, preparing for their lord's return. Each one zipping about on his or her way. A large smile crept onto her face as her childishness came to the forefront. Growing excited with every new sight and sound, Kagome ooo'd and aaa'd, pointing at everything that had caught her eye. She twirled and spun following the youkais' movements, until she eventually forgot herself and tugged on Sesshomaru's sleeve trying to get his attention on whatever had grabbed hers. It was his lack of movement that made her look back at her temporary companion.

A pang of loneliness hit her when she looked behind her and the boyish smirk of her old friend was not what returned her gaze. Instead, the icy, emotionless glare from the demon lord of the west bore into her with an elegantly raised eyebrow. His annoyance evident and the tension palpable. Suddenly, Kagome felt like she was a youth caught red-handed with her hand in the cookie jar. She kept her head low and eyes raised to his face as she gave a small nod of apology. With his signature 'hn,' he walked past her and continued to his ward's room.

After many twists and turns that made Kagome surprised at the size of the place and thoroughly lost, the odd pair arrived at an almost normal sliding paper door. Small paper cutouts resembling a dog and colored in crayon, were placed at waist height and returned Kagome's smile upon her face. 'At least she put my gift to use,' she mused as she recalled giving the young girl a set of coloring utensils. Sesshomaru's dark baritone voice broke Kagome from her thoughts.

"Miko, this Sesshomaru shall leave you to it. I expect a full report in the morning." The demon lord turned to leave, but Kagome swiftly halted him with a hold on his arm. He paused and glared daggers at the offensive appendage causing her to take back her hand before she lost it.

"Sorry. Uh...I mean...Aren't you gonna stay?" Kagome mumbled out. While she was still miffed about his recent behavior, she was under the impression that, as a parent, he would wish to know what ailed Rin immediately. To some extent, she was not wrong. Sesshomaru wished to know she was ok. Rin had not spoken to him in three days and he grew restless with each passing moment, but he trusted his ward. He glanced at the door. A thin piece of youki imbued paper was all that was separating him from his young ward, his Rin. Before turning around to walk down the hall, Sesshomaru offered her some explanation.

"Rin is my ward and with that knows that I protect her; but if she feels the need to exclude this Sesshomaru, then I will not force my will upon her. She will come to me when she is ready," and with that, he left, leaving an awestruck miko in his wake. Kagome smiled a slow steady smile as she watched his back recede into the distance. 'Who knew the almighty killing perfection...had a heart?'

Posted: 8/12/13

Words: 1000

Prompt: none