Disclaimer: I own nothing.
I Spy
It was a beautiful day, especially for the time of year. The sun was bright, the breeze slight, and the temperature just warm enough for a sleeveless shirt. Kagome relished the feeling of the sun on her arms, these past few days having been too cool to go without a cardigan.
"I love the countryside in the fall," she told Sango dreamily, gaze roaming the gorgeous array of fiery leaves dappling the forest canopy. Brilliant reds and yellows intermingled with the ever-present green of the pines, lovely bursts of color that gave the wood an enchanting quality.
"It's very pretty," the slayer agreed, glancing around. As her eyes wandered, they briefly befell the silent daiyoukai that trailed them, noting instantly that his eyes did not stray from the young miko's form.
Grinning, she informed her friend, "He watching you."
"Mhm," Kagome acknowledged. "He does it quite a bit; I'm used to it."
"Rather protective," Sango mused.
"Overprotective, at times."
"That's not really a bad thing, is it?"
The priestess hummed lightly. "It can be, if you value personal space."
They laughed, and Kagome peered back over her shoulder at Sesshomaru, who caught her eye with tilt of one silvery brow. She smiled, tongue poking out to tease him before she drew her gaze back to the path ahead.
"Seriously, though, how are things going between the two of you?" the slayer asked gently. "You seem in better spirits than the day you left."
"Most definitely in better spirits. Things have… changed, and it's nice."
"Do go on," she probed playfully.
The miko lowered her voice. "I… like him, and I think he likes me back."
Sesshomaru's keen ears perked, tiny smile forming on his pale mouth.
"Can't say I'm surprised," Sango replied.
Black brows furrowing, the priestess inquired with a little half-grin, "What do you mean?"
She shrugged. "You have this… way about you that makes everyone want to be close to you, and from what I've seen Lord Sesshomaru is no exception."
Kagome scrunched her nose, blushing modestly.
Sango shook her head. "It's funny… had anyone told me a few months ago that he would develop romantic feelings for a human, I'd have outright laughed at them. Yet now, the evidence is undeniable, and it's kinda…"
"Unbelievable?" Kagome supplied.
"More like incredible," she responded. "However, if I'd had to guess at the one human in the world who could accomplish such a miraculous feat, I'd have picked you."
The daiyoukai silently agreed.
Sango turned to smile encouragingly at her young friend, but gave pause when she saw the priestess' troubled expression. "What's wrong?"
Kagome sighed, hand combing through her hair. "It's… it's just… I haven't said anything aloud, really, and neither has he, and part of me can't help but wonder if there's really anything there at all? Maybe I'm reading him wrong? Misunderstanding his actions? I know he isn't the type of guy to behave carelessly and send mixed signals, but the skeptic in me can't help but wonder if it just seems that way because I want him to like me back?"
The eavesdropping demon nearly rolled his eyes. Not this again.
The slayer quirked a slender brow in disbelief. "I don't know when or why you developed this ridiculous sense of insecurity, but you seriously need to get past it. You have no reason to be so unsure of yourself! If this is because of what you went through with Inuyasha and Kik-"
"No!" Kagome protested. "It isn't that, really! I've always been a little skeptical, and… he's just… so fricken gorgeous! And he wants me?! It's just hard for me to swallow sometimes!"
Sango gave her a serious look. "There is nothing wrong with you. In fact, most men would give their right leg to have a chance at you!"
"Most men are not godly daiyoukai," the miko reminded her.
His pride swelled.
"Inconsequential. Human or not, you're an amazing woman, Kagome, and the scores of demon males that have chased after you in the past should be proof enough of that. You're just overthinking things again, trust me."
His hackles rose. Scores of demon males… after his miko?
The blue-eyed girl perked a little, offering a sheepish smile. "You think so?"
The slayer tipped her head in confirmation. "Yes. It's harder to see things how they really are from up close, so what you need is an outsider's opinion. As an outsider looking in, it is my opinion that he does have feelings for you, and you're just being nonsensically modest about the entire ordeal. Now, quit your worrying."
Kagome gave a small laugh, throwing her hands up in a placating gesture. "Alright, alright, whatever you say!"
The pretty brunette lifted an arm around the younger woman's shoulders, and they walked on in peaceful silence.
Sesshomaru watched the exchange with pleased eyes, glad that the priestess' misgivings had been somewhat alleviated. In the near future, he would need to make a point of completely erasing any doubt that might be lingering within her.
And, while he wouldn't say it aloud, he was relieved to hear that she reciprocated his feelings. While he'd been quite certain, it was encouraging to have the verbal affirmation - made it easier to accept these unfamiliar emotions. This territory was foreign to him, and knowing he did not tread this path alone brought him a comfort he would never admit to appreciating.
Ice slithered up his spine, breaking him from his pleasant thoughts of the miko. He stopped, golden gaze scanning the sky briefly before he flared his youki and erected a barrier around their party.
The others stopped. Kagome felt the familiar weight of his power, turned to look at him in askance.
Sensing her stare, he informed her grimly, "Naraku is watching."
"Again?!" she hissed, skin prickling unpleasantly.
A slight nod confirmed her inquiry.
She approached the daiyoukai, searching for the signature of their unseen enemy. She could feel nothing. "What do you think this could mean?"
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "There is no way to be certain. He could be planning to launch an attack… or perhaps he is trying to be a nuisance. Either possibility is quite probable."
Inuyasha huffed, fists balling. "If that's the case, why don't you just keep your barrier up?"
The demon lord snorted. "While I am flattered by your faith in my ability, brother, erecting a barrier for a substantial amount of time can be quite draining."
"I can vouch for that," Miroku put in, having held his fair share of barriers in the past.
"Short periods of time are not overly strenuous, though I do not wish to waste my energy on maintaining one continuously," Sesshomaru explicated. "If the vermin is indeed planning an assault, I wish to be at full strength when he shows himself."
Kagome rubbed her arms, feeling unsettled. "I wonder how long he's actually been watching us."
"I would imagine Lord Sesshomaru caught it quite early," Sango guessed.
"That's not what I mean," the miko said solemnly. "None of us aside from Sesshomaru can sense Kanna's eyes, and he's only been travelling with us for a short while. Has Naraku been spying on us this entire time?"
"Most likely," the daiyoukai answered. "Naraku is hardly the tactician he claims to be. The void child's eyes allow him to remain ahead of his enemies; without her, he would be lost."
"Coward!" the priestess growled. "Spying from the shadows."
"Indeed," her demon lover responded, eyes darkening as a dangerous smile curved his beautiful lips. "Though his days will soon be numbered."
Expression hardening with resolve, Kagome reached out and touched Sesshomaru's arm. When he turned to peer down at her, she asked, "Can we train some more after we set up camp?"
The daiyoukai's golden eyes widened minutely, a shot of desire curling through him at the determined look on her pretty face. Her fire was admirable, and rather attractive in his opinion. Already she was a force to be reckoned with, but if she continued to pursue training, push herself to her limits and beyond, she would one day know no equal. Kikyou, Midoriko - all who came before her would fall into the shadow of her greatness.
Hunger stirred his beast. If there was one thing his instincts were drawn to above all else, it was power, and this little miko would someday be the most powerful of all her kind.
I know it isn't the longest chapter in the world, but it came quickly – at least by my standards. Hopefully the next will be as forthcoming.