At the stream Aoihi and Kagome walked to the edge and began dipping the water buckets and bottles in to the water to fill them. Kagome seemed to be lost in thought or just spaced out going through the motions of filling the objects with water. Aoihi watched her carefully observing small things about her. He didn't really look at her much yesterday to busy observing her personality to really look at her outwards appearance.
She was beautiful for a human, high cheek bones and wide eyes, a dainty little nose over full soft looking lips. The light sky blue of her eyes was very eye catching it seemed strange to him that he didn't notice them yesterday, but it was a long day and many things happened so fast. Her hair lay flowing down her back in gentle waves the bold blue standing out against the dark raven color, the color fit well with her eyes as well as her lightly tanned complexion.
His eyes traveled down her body, she was shapely but not overly so she had a generous breast size resting above her flat stomach were he could make out the slight definition of her abs. Below her tiny waist sat wide hips leading to her butt that was well proportioned to her. His eyes made it down to what he thought was her most striking feature her long toned legs. While she was not very tall her legs were shapely and toned and look like they went on forever. The clinking of metal brought him out of his persuasion of Kagome's being to look behind them.
Toga like Aoihi took Kagome's distraction as an opportunity to look her over. Though he had had his fair share of females of many races he found Kagome to be attractive for what she was. And though he found her attractive physically it was her personality that was drawing him to her.
She was such a tender being open and loving to all around her. Humans in general were not the kind of creatures to give so much of themselves without some kind of payment. Though it seemed all this priestess wanted was her friends and family to be happy. She was a puzzle to him and he just hoped he would get the chance to solve her sometime in the future.
Coming out of his musings he decided he best start catching the fish if the camp was to eat this morning. Toga began to remove his armor; while he knew it was durable he did not wish to get his haori wet. There was a well-placed rock in the middle of the stream that would allow him to kneel down on it and not get his hakama wet but his haori while sticking his hands in the stream would get wet and he did not wish for his silk to get wet.
He set his armor off to the side and began on the ties of his haori moving with a practiced ease. After untying it he let if fall open his under haori wasn't tied so it to fell open to revile the wide expanse of his bare chest. The slight scent of arousal and embarrassment met his nose and he looked over to see Kagome turn her head quickly from him with a bright red blush staining her cheeks. A cocky grin slid on his face at her blush inflating his male ego slightly. It would seem that though the young miko dressed very revealing herself she was indeed still very innocent.
Letting his haori drop to the ground on his armor he leapt on to the stone in the middle of the stream and kneeled down to begin gathering fish. Glancing at Kagome from the corner of his eye seeing her cheeks still dusted in color he sought to engage her in conversation.
"How is it that you came to be in the company of my youngest son Kagome?"
Kagome looked up startled by his voice and quickly looked back down blushing bright read at the sight of his upper body completely exposed. Clearing her throat to make sure her voice would be even she stated " It's kind of a long story really, I freed him from a seal to a tree 3 years ago. The jewel was broke shortly after and we have been seeking the shards till just yesterday."
She stopped looking off across the steam, it was clear to the two dais with her she was lost in her memories of the time spent with Inuyasha. Looking back at Toga she began again " I can't tell you how he got sealed to the tree that is his story to tell, but we have been friends these last few years working together to defeat Naruku. There have been ups and downs for all of us but they are all family none the less I wouldn't trade my time with them for anything." she stated with a sad smile on her face.
Toga not wanting to drag up hurtful memories for the priestess nodded at her. "I am glad my son had someone like you by his side these years than, thank you Kagome."
Kagome smiled sadly "It was my pleasure Touga."
Both Toga and Aoihi noticed that she seemed to be talking in past tense as if she was no longer going to be keeping company with Inuyasha. Aoihi not being able to stop had to ask "Will you not still be keeping company with Inuyasha now that your mission is complete? Surely as close as your friends are you all would wish to stay close."
A sigh passed Kagome's lips "No, while I'm sure we will stay friends and keep in contact there is no place for me with him now."
Neither Dai missed the sadness in her voice they didn't know the story but they were going to be sure to get it. Kagome did not deserve this sadness after all the happiness she brought to others.
"I see." said Aoihi looking at her than to the inu in the middle of the stream seeing a look that mirrored his on the inu's face.
"I'm sorry if I brought up a subject that you do not wish to discuss Kagome."
She looked up to him "It's fine really I knew there wouldn't be any place left for me and though I'm hurt to realize that I will always be second I'm very glad he's happy now."
Aoihi looked at her with a soft look in his eyes, "You will be second to no one in my pack Kagome I hope you realize that."
Kagome looked down and blushed at his words. While it nice to know that she would be important to him the whole thing was just too confusing to think about right this moment. "Thank you Aoihi" she said softly, looking down she noticed that all the water buckets and bottles were now full.
Over to her left on the bank about 15 fish sat flopping around there was plenty to feed the camp now and she supposed no matter how much she dreaded it they needed to return.
The trio walked back in to camp talking softly amongst themselves. The camp was quiet a little too quiet if anyone was to ask. Kagome being the bright cheery person she was thought to break up the silence. "Good morning all" she stated happily.
Her call was answered by several of the occupants of the camp. Shippo and Rin at hearing their mother's voice ran to tackle her to the ground. At seeing her hands full they stopped and stood bouncing from foot to foot waiting for her hands to be empty so they could embrace her.
Kohaku at seeing his new mother figure return to camp choose to relive her of some of her burden. He walked up grabbing the two buckets out of her hands "Morning mom." he stated softly still slightly embarrassed to call her such. Kagome smiled at the young teenager and kissed him fondly on the cheek. "Morning Kohaku" she chirped happily.
At seeing her arms empty Rin and Shippo made to tackle her down to their level. Aoihi had already set down the water he was carrying, and at seeing the look in the young pups' eyes quickly put his hand on Kagome's lower back to brace her for the kids.
Kagome hugged both of the younger children tightly to her "Good morning Mio Cho, Mio Yorokobi."
She smiled and had a light blush on her cheeks looking over to Aoihi gratefully. The silent conversation between the fox Dai and Kagome did not escape the notice of all the youki in the camp. Toga had seen Aoihi put his hand on her back to keep her steady though he was sure there was more reason to it than just that. The conversations that had taken place at the stream and the walk to it was very telling of the fox's intentions to the miko.
Toga took the fish over to the slayers putting them down so the humans could clean them and start them on the fires. He noticed that they started what looked like a stew in a pot over one of the fires that with the fish were sure to be enough to feed the large group this morning.
Looking around camp to make sure things were in their place an old habit he had had for many years. Seeing nothing out of place he again took to his tree sitting at the base and reclining against it. He glanced up as his eldest approached "Good morning Sesshomaru" he stated as if it was a daily event.
Sesshomaru had watched the trio walk back in to camp, seeing a slight change in the way the fox was looking at and watching the miko. The bright hellos and good mornings were not something he was accustomed to. He saw the pups greet the miko but it was the shift in the fox that really got his attention.
He didn't want to think about why it bothered him to see the miko blush at the fox in such a grateful manner. Watching as his father gave the fish over to the slayers he was set to approach him and discuss the matter of his lands with him.
Sesshomaru claimed the spot beside his father keeping his tone neutral and his eyes on the going-ons in camp he stated "There are things this one wishes to discuss with you father."
Toga like his son watched the camp as the miko greeted the rest of her pack and the fox followed close to her. "I'm sure there is, speak your mind son." was Toga's short answer.
Glancing at his sire out of the corner of his eye he began "Though we do not know the reason as to why you are back it does not change the fact that your presences may upset the balance of the western land."
Toga chuckled softly at his sons words, so he was worried that he would reclaim his title and lands was he. "I am aware of such and I am sure we can reach an agreement that will suit us both on the matter." Toga stated to his son.
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly at his sire's answer. " This Sesshomaru will not give up my title and lands without a fight father." Sesshomaru stated in a hard voice.
That answer was not unexpected by Toga in the least, he had hoped his son had changed but it seemed he had set the bar to high. Nodding Toga spoke again "I do not wish for the title of lord again Sesshomaru I will only ask for what is mine. My small get away villa by the coast and the land it sits on I wish to reclaim it."
Sesshomaru thought for a moment, he never used the small villa anyways it had sat empty since his father's passing and he saw no harm in giving it to his sire it if kept him out of his palace and away from his lands.
"Very well father your villa is yours along with the land it sits on. However it is under the condition that you do not interfere with my dealings as the lord of the land." Sesshomaru turned and gave his father a hard look making sure the older dai knew he was not to be toyed with.
Shaking his head at his pup's tone "Very well son you have my word I will not interfere in you dealings as lord."
Toga looked over to his eldest it seemed the boy had not changed that much after all. It was still all about the power, fear, and respect to him. He had not yet learned the value of having the company of others.
Toga seeking to test his boy a bit asked "Should you not be returning to the palace to inform your mate of what has taken place?"
Sesshomaru scoffed at his father "This one has no need or use for a mate." he stated in a bored voice.
Toga sighed it was as he thought, though his eldest claimed the young human as his pup he still did not have a pack of his own or seem to want one. A thought hit him than if he was right about what he was thinking in Sesshomaru's beast claiming the miko as pack perhaps he could provoke him a little. Being satisfied that his title and lands were in no danger from his sire Sesshomaru made to stand up and leave back to his tree.
Upon reaching his feet his father's voice stopped him cold. "The fox Aoihi has offered Kagome pack rights, a place as alpha female." At seeing his son tense slightly at his words an evil glint entered the older dais eyes. Oh yes this was going to be a very interesting day in deed.