Anything

Chapter Twelve: Year of the Tiger

The darkness was oppressive and pushed on her from all sides. Kagome felt like she was drowning, like someone had shoved a cloth down her throat and it was suffocating her. "I'm not done yet, not yet," she tried to yell. There were things to get done, she had not told Sesshomaru yet, never said thank you.

"I'm not done!" she yelled and with all her might she pushed the darkness away, forced the cloth from her insides and welcomed the light. It was blinding and beautiful. A welcome sight from the nothingness she had been left in. Slowly, careful for the pain in her head and chest, Kagome sat up. There was warm grass under her hands and it tickled her palms. Birds chirped their welcome to the morning air and the air smelled fresh and clean. 'Home,' her mind told her. She was home.

"Are you alright?" a voice asked to her right and blinking away the light, Kagome turned to her savior.

"I'm fine, never better," Kagome smiled brilliantly at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru surprised her as he pulled her into a tight embrace; his arms were almost too hot with the spring sun bearing down on them. "Then I am glad…Kagome."

Kagome gasped as she quickly looked up, how had he discovered… She was covered in both his kimonos now and her own kimono felt scratchy and uncomfortable, like it had gotten soaked in something and then dried. She could, however, still feel her cloth tied tight around her chest and the scent spell was settled under the bindings.

"Licens helped me figure it out," Sesshomaru answered, well aware of her confusion. It was an interesting scent that teased his nose by floating by then wavering away.

"LICENS," Kagome's eyes widened as she searched wildly for her animus. The little fox was lying in the curl of Conway's larger form. She looked haggard and her fur stuck up in all directions but her brilliant green eyes were opened and starring at her in that unnatural intelligence.

"I'm fine, so you can stop yelling," Licens answered, her voice nuzzling against her mind. She sounded tired, but okay.

Kagome sighed as she leaned back against Sesshomaru's broad chest. All the tension in her body melted away with the voice of her soul echoing warmly through her. For something she had gained only a few days ago it would be impossible to let it go now.

Sesshomaru reveled in Kagome's trust but as the sun worked its way to its highest point in the sky he nudged her shoulder. "We really need to get going, there is no way to tell how long we have been gone and the Eastern Taiyoukai will be wondering what happened," Sesshomaru told her.

Kagome nodded, blushing as she realized her position, and quickly jumped to her feet. Sesshomaru had to actually resist the urge to tease her as he motioned for Conway. The now smaller pup glided up to his shoulder and settled comfortably around his shoulders.

Kagome thought it was adorable and didn't bother to say anything as she followed after him. Everything had settled back to normal. It didn't seem Sesshomaru was mad at her at all. There really wasn't anything to say. The friends were reunited.

The forest was a comfortable quiet. The sun filtered through the trees and left patterns of green dancing across the leaf littered floor. It was like heaven compared to the land of metal and smog they had been stuck in before.

As they walked Kagome quickly noticed that not only was she wearing Sesshomaru's shirts but that he was walking shirtless in front of her. His pale skin seemed to dace with every movement as his muscles stretched and relaxed underneath. Her mouth dropped opened slowly and she almost tripped as she watched him. "Uh Sesshomaru," she started nervously, "Do you want your haori back?"

Sesshomaru barely glanced back before holding his arm out. Normally he would have stopped and turned to accept it, but, and god forbid if he ever admitted it, Sesshomaru knew that if he turned around to face her pink flushed face he knew he would break out into laughter.

Instead of being put off at his reaction, Kagome gratefully handed his layered haori back. She could only thank the gods that he didn't turn around and show her his chiseled abdomen, and no that heat in her belly was not disappointed in the bit. Not even a little.

He slipped on both shirts with a shrug and his shoulders. The spider silk dried nicely and slid easily over its owner's smooth skin, unlike Kagome's cotton shirt that dried tough. It would take a few more hours for it to soften up again.

The sun was sinking lower in the sky as they continued on. Sesshomaru discreetly sniffed the air and telling by the scents and the position of the setting sun, they were very close to the eastern castle. At full speed Sesshomaru could be there in fifteen minutes, if they waited then Kagome would have to sleep outside again. Obviously she could handle it, but they both needed a clean change of clothes and a bath. It wouldn't take a demon nose to smell the oil and grim coming off them both.

Well that was a hard decision.

"Kagome come here," Sesshomaru called as he turned to face her. She gave him a curious look but walked over anyways. He didn't give her any warning before scooping her into his arms and taking to the air.

Kagome was surprised when Sesshomaru called her name. Even when they were little he normally called her by whatever nickname he felt like. She was even more surprised when he pulled her close and suddenly she was up in the air flying so fast she couldn't even scream. The air in her lungs was trapped, like there was thick plug in her windpipe. It was an unnerving experience. The trip seemed to take forever and no time at all.

Heiji yawn widely, stretching his tall frame as he patted one hand over his mouth. "Where in Japan is that boy. Sesshomaru should have been her days ago," he grumbled as looked around the Eastern Castle grounds.

Heiji was the lord of the eastern lands, a white tiger youkai. He had skin so pale it looked like snow and his ivory hair made his complexion look lighter. It wasn't that he looked bad just unreal. His cheeks were marked with three, thin, black stripes. Two stripes coming down from his forehead encircled a golden sunburst. His clothing was similar to Sesshomaru's, light blue silk with white snowflakes on his shoulders and the bottom of his sleeves. His obi was a darker blue with light violet swirls.

Heiji scratched his bushy hair, fluffing it up more as he tried to hit that sweet spot right behind his pointed ears. "I'm so bored," he sighed as he looked at the sky again/ If Sesshomaru was here he would at least have someone to amuse him but at the moment the only person who ever amused him was taking care of a two year old. Why did he want a kid again? Oh yeah heir and bloodlines and all that.

He made a disgruntled growl that sounded a bit more like a huff as he turned on the balls of his bare feet and began the walk back to his room. Halfway to the side door he paused mid step. "He's here," he almost cheered, springing around and bounding to the entrance gates.

He grinned, revealing his long fangs, as looked up into the sky where Sesshomaru's energy ball had just materialized out of the clouds. Heiji had to leap back as the pure youki landed right were he had been standing. The green energy swirled around before dissipating in a mist.

He was surprised to see what exited the energy. He had, of course, expected Sesshomaru. He had not expected the small human male encircled in his arms. Sesshomaru seemed to actually put the boy down carefully. The human was short by any standards only reaching the middle of Sesshomaru's chest. He had wild black hair that stuck up in all directions and he… Heiji smirked; he had a collar around his neck. A collar with a moon symbol.

"Hello Sesshomaru. Where have you been?" Heiji asked with a grumbled, though grin belied his tone.

Sesshomaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he looked at the Eastern Lord. The tiger demon was one of the west's greatest allies and the man was practically his god father, but did he have to be so childish? "There were some complications," Sesshomaru answered with a look that clearly said "do NOT ask.'

Heiji didn't even bother. He had more prevailing questions. "Who is this little one?" he asked grinning as he leaned down to look at Kagome. The tiger was slightly taller than Sesshomaru and at his full height towered over the human.

Kagome opened her mouth to answer but Sesshomaru beat her to it. "This is Kai, father decided sense some taiyoukai have been keeping human pets I should join the trend." The tone of his voice was so sarcastic it was almost chilling.

Nodding slowly, Heiji raised a brow in curiosity. He knew for a fact that the only demons keeping human pets were the obscure lord on faraway islands. Most of the lords on the mainland, especially Inutashio, would frown at such an idea. He wondered why Sesshomaru would go along with one of his father's obvious ploys. This Kai character could lead to be quiet an interesting specimen. The fact that Sesshomaru had carried him was proof enough that there was something going on.

Sesshomaru, much to tired to deal with that sneaky look crossing the cat's lips, interrupted him, "Heiji it has been a long journey, perhaps we could discuss the treaty renewal after my companion and I have had a chance to bathe and rest."

Knowing that if Sesshomaru had to ask it was serious; Heiji straightened up and gestured behind him. "Yes, yes, of course come this way."

Kagome followed behind the two lords, still in awe over the taiyoukai and his grand castle. The design was similar to the west but wherever a moon had been a sun replaced it and all silver was exchanged with gold.

Heiji led hem to the eastern wing and quickly showed them to their rooms. Kagome was surprised to find her room to be in the royal guest wing. Her surprise must have shown on her face as well because even though Heiji didn't say anything to her, he smiled reassuringly and gave her a gentle push towards the door.

She didn't need a second command. Kagome gladly went into the room and gathered a change of clothes before moving to the second door in her room. There was steam wafting from under the screen and she pushed it open excited. The room was small, but perfect. In the center was a pseudo hot spring, the water heated by the kitchens below.

She stripped at top speed before slipping into the warm water. She groaned in pleasure as the water soothed her sore muscles and loosened the tension in her shoulders and back. The odd layer of dried slime hat had collected n her skin was carefully scrubbed away and her hair was cleaned of the collecting oil. She scrubbed her fingers and toes as well to remove the gathering dirt before dunking under water. It didn't take her too long to clean up and she really wanted to laze around in the warm waters but she knew Sesshomaru wanted to take a bath as well.

With a sigh she lifted herself out of the water and dried ff with a fluffy piece of cloth that had been left in there. Her change of clothes was an extremely comfortable black silk haori with fight tigers on the back and a pair of tapered hakamas that fit her small waist perfectly.

Dressed and refreshed, she moved over to the adjacent door and knocked softly. "The bath is free now," she called before heading back to her room. When she reached the connecting door she heard the light hiss of a shoji screen. Turning back, Kagome smiled when she saw Sesshomaru walked out. He still looked impassive but his facial muscles were relaxed and there was gentleness hidden in his eyes. "Good night," she called softly to him.

Gold met blue and for a moment it almost appeared as if Sesshomaru's lips had quirked upwards before steam had blurred the vision. "Good night," he answered back.

With a pleased grin Kagome returned to her room and promptly collapsed on the tatami mat. It was most defiantly time for sleep.

The sun was high in the sky the next morning when she woke. Kagome was at first surprised that Sesshomaru had not gotten her up, but figured he was probably already busy with the renewal of the treaty. With that in mind, she headed outside in search of the way outside, determined to take in the beautiful scenery she had only glanced the night before.

The hallway was lightly bright with the many windows in the castle and the air was filled with the scent of freshly blooming flowers and soap. She sighed happily as she continued down the hall in no real hurry. It was nice to not be worried about death or any of that business.

"It certainly has been a long couple of weeks," a gentle voice commented.

Kagome smiled cheerfully. "Hello Licens, how did you feel?" she responded as she quirked her head back to look at her animus. The little fox/wolf had been following silently behind her since she had gotten out of bed.

"Much better now, the lethargy has worn off now," Wisdom answered with what felt like a mental pat.

"Man that phoenix guy was a jerk, I hope Seisho cut something important off," Child perked up. It had been awhile since Kagome had heard that voice and laughed at the comment.

Kagome shook her head in agreement and amusement as she continued down the hall. Licens easily fluttered up and settled around her shoulder to nuzzle against her neck. The contact left a streak of comforting warmth in her mind. Kagome didn't pay too much attention to where she was going until something bumped against her legs.

Turning around, Kagome was surprised to see a small child. He looked around four or five with large ice blue eyes and midnight black hair. He had two black stripes on his cheeks and neck and a golden star on his forehead. A mischievous grin covered his face and a white and black striped tail flicked playfully behind him. "Hello," he greeted, revealing tiny fangs.

Resisting the urge to squeal at the cuteness, Kagome smiled very slightly back. She still had to keep up her Kai attitude after all. "Hello there, what are you doing?" she asked, bending her knees a bit to get closer to his level.

"I'm playing," he answered with a wider grin, revealing that one of his fangs had been lost recently. "Play with me," he added, his cherubic face looking mockingly serious.

Kagome resisted the urge to laugh as she nodded. "Sure what do you want to play?"

He scrunched his little brow in thought wrung his little hands together before raising them up, "Piggy ride."

Kagome raised a brow at his choice before shrugging and kneeling down, her back to him. She winced a bit as he clumsily clamored on. "All set?" she asked as she looped her arms around his legs and felt his arms clutch the loose material on her shoulders.

"Giddy up," he responded, tightening his legs.

"Alrighty then," she laughed as she carefully stood before heading down the hall with long strides to make the little passenger on her back bounce about. He cheered and laughed like any child but his little claws slipped into her shirt and stung just a bit in his excitement.

They continued down the hall in much the same way for awhile until Kagome heard a distinctive clearing of a throat from behind her. It almost sound like a growl, but whatever it was it halted her in mid step.

"What, prey tell are you doing," a challenging, clearly female, voice asked.

Kagome turned around slowly to face another white tiger youkai. She opened her mouth to answer when the little one on her back interrupted her. "We were playing," he answered with another gleeful laugh.

"Were you now," the lady questioned with a raised brow, that the same curious aristocratic look Sesshomaru always used.

"Yep," he answered, leaping off Kagome's back and running towards the lady.

Finally, as if the dam had been broken, the cold woman melted and let out a warm laugh. "I hope my son wasn't bothering you to much young sir, but I have to wonder what you're doing here," she remarked.

"Oh, oh," Kagome resisted the urge to giggle hysterically as the bent up pressure was cooled down. "No, he wasn't any problem at all," she answered after a moment to compose herself. Lightly fingering the moon charm on her collar Kagome answered the second question with a bow," My name is Kai milady and I'm here visiting with Lord Sesshomaru on official business."

"Are you now," she questioned with gaze that clearly said, yeah and I'm a monkey's uncle.

Trying not to stutter, Kagome added," Yes, um, it was Lord Inutashio's idea."

The lady laughed at her answer and nodded in understanding. "Yes that explains quite a bit. I had been wondering why my mate was grinning so wildly last night."

"Your mate…" Kagome trailed off before her eyes widened. "Oh, oh milady, I'm sorry," she apologized bowing again and holding it this time.

"Very smooth my dear. Insult the mate of Seisho's ally," Licens teased in her mind.

"Shut it," Kagome snapped back, still holding her bow.

"Oh please none of that good sir, I'm not nearly as stuffy as your lord, and please call me Lady Mouko," she offered with a sweet smile.

Kagome straightened her back with a sigh. "Thank you Lady Mouko," she responded.

"Come you can join us for lunch, the mighty lords should be there as well," she teased. Normally she did not talk with foreign people because her nature could get her in trouble and in turn get her mate in trouble if she teased the wrong person, but she liked this Kai. He was a bit strange but any man willing to run around with a child on there back was good in her book.

"Okay," Kagome responded with an embarrassed chuckle as she heard her stomach grumbled. As she followed after Lady Mouko it finally struck her why the little boy and seemed somewhat familiar. "Your son," she started, "Is his name Severus?"

With a curious look she answered, "Yes my dearest mate thought it sounded manly." She chuckled a little at her inner thoughts before asking, "How did you know?"

"Oh, I've heard the name before," Kagome answered, inwardly kicking herself at the stupid answer.

She was saved from her stupidity, however, by their arrival at the dinning room. Kagome sat were she was told as young Severus bounced happily at his mother's side.

"Here they come," Licens commented just as Kagome felt an uncomfortable tingling on the back of her neck. Yep two of the most powerful taiyoukai were coming to lunch. Great…

Sorry no real good cliff hangers today but at least the story is moving.