I do not own anything Inuyasha (Though I wouldn't mind owning Sesshoumaru for a while! LOL)
Chapter Twenty Five
"Where will you go from here?"
Sango and Kagome stroll through the village at a slow pace, having no trouble at all finding the two boys. Miroku is reading palms, something Sango had learned long ago to tolerate, even though she does keep a close eye on his hands still. Sesshoumaru is keeping a close eye on the monk's hands as well from where he kneels not to far away. Children are all around him, laughing and playing ball around him. Several smaller girls are giggling and playing with his hair.
Gold eyes find her and Kagome smiles slightly. He smiles back but remains where he is.
"Priestess!" Kagome turns when someone calls to her. Despite all the arguing she had managed, the village still saw her as their priestess.
A young woman stops near her, holding an infant in her arms.
"While you were away Tsuki had her baby!" Kagome smiles brightly and takes the infant, cradling the baby close to her. "It has been so long since you have come to the village." Kagome nods, staring down at the child.
"Indeed it has. She is a beautiful baby. Where is Tsuki?"
"Resting. She has not been feeling well since the birth." She says, sounding slightly hushed. Kagome glances at Sango.
"I'm going to go take a look." She tells the demon slayer before following the young woman away.
Sesshoumaru watches Kagome leave then casts a question look at the demon slayer. Sango comes forward to kneel beside him.
"One of the young women in the village is not feeling well." Sesshoumaru rises, the girls sighing in disappointment before heading off, clustered together and giggling once more.
"Watch the monk." Sesshoumaru says quietly. Not missing the slight humor there Sango nods, scowling in the vague direction of the monk.
"Always do." Sesshoumaru chuckles before following his nose after Kagome.
Sesshoumaru pauses outside the hut near the edge of the village, listening to Kagome speaking quietly within. After a few minutes she comes back out, starting when she sees him standing there.
"She'll be all right. She's just sick but she's already on the mend." Kagome says quietly. He nods and extends his arm out to her, Kagome taking it gratefully.
"Do you think we could head back soon?" Kagome asks quietly. Sesshoumaru nods.
"I was thinking of leaving this afternoon. Heavens only knows what kinds of trouble those boys are getting into." Kagome laughs.
"They are probably driving Rin insane!" Kagome laughs, but her laughter dies when she catches sight of red out of the corner of her eye..
Inuyasha is leaning against the wall of a nearby hut, watching them. His face is expressionless as he watches them.
Sesshoumaru sees him at the same time, then turns to Kagome. He leans down, whispering something to her before releasing her arm and walking away.
They stare at each other a long moment, then to her surprise Inuyasha walks out to meet her. He stops a short distance away.
"How are you?" She asks. He gives her a look but soon looses all his annoyance.
"Fine." He studies her. "You?" Kagome shrugs.
"Fine."
Silence descents on them, then suddenly Inuyasha sticks out his hand. Kagome looks at his hand, then at him, confused.
"I came to say goodbye." He says quietly. Kagome stares at him.
"Why?" He glances around, as if checking to see if anyone is around before lowering his voice.
"I can't stay here. Not after what I have done to these people." Kagome nods, looking away.
"What will you do now? Where will you go?" Inuyasha shrugs, dropping his hand.
"I don't know, honestly."
"There is an option." He frowns slightly. "Sesshoumaru wants me to invite you to his home. He told me to tell you that you can stay there as long as you like." Inuyasha shifts, uncomfortable.
"I don't know about that." Kagome smiles and steps forward, surprising Inuyasha as she wraps her arms around him, hugging him close.
"You don't have to come if you don't want to. Sesshoumaru and I will be leaving to go home this afternoon. If you want to come, you are more than welcome to come with us." She slips away, smiling at him as she backs away. "At least think about it?" She asks. He nods, watching as she turns and heads after Sesshoumaru.
Inuyasha is about to turn away when he sees Kagome stop. He watches her, concerned, as she shakes her head slightly. She weaves on her feet and he barely catches her in time before she hits the dirt.
"Kagome?" She closes her eyes a moment as he supports her weight.
"I don't feel so good." She murmurs. Inuyasha slips an arm under her legs and picks her up, heading up the hill toward the hut. On the way there he sees Shippo.
"Shippo, go get Sesshoumaru." He says, not even pausing as he passes the kitsune.
In the hut Inuyasha lowers Kagome to the floor beside the fire, sitting with her. Kagome leans sideways, resting her body against his.
"Are you all right?" He asks quietly.
"I don't know what hit me." She says quietly. "My head is spinning and I feel as if I haven't slept in weeks."
Sesshoumaru suddenly appears in the doorway and Inuyasha goes to rise but Sesshoumaru stops him with a hand on his shoulder before he leans down beside Kagome. Sango and Miroku are in the doorway. Inuyasha remains silent as Sesshoumaru questions Kagome, then he stands.
"We are going to be heading back now. I would like to get her to the healers at home." Sango and Miroku nod.
"Kirara just came back from taking Myoga up to see Totosai. You can take her."
"Thank you." Sesshoumaru turns to Inuyasha, his gold eyes meeting his brothers dark ones. "Will you come with us?" Inuyasha sets his jaw, about to decline when he looks down at Kagome. After a second he nods.
"Yes."
They arrive at the castle well after dark, Kirara and Sesshoumaru landing in the courtyard outside Sesshoumaru's offices. Inuyasha gets down of Kirara's back, sliding Kagome down and carrying her as he follows Sesshoumaru through the dark gardens to a pair of doors at the other end. Kirara takes off, heading back toward the village after a thank you scratch behind the ear from Sesshoumaru.
Inuyasha steps in and stops in shock. The room is lit with lanterns everywhere, and Sesshoumaru pauses, turning back.
"What is this place?" Inuyasha asks quietly. "They seem familiar."
"These rooms belonged to your mother, Izayoi. This is where you were raised until father died." Sesshoumaru says quietly. Sesshoumaru leads Inuyasha back to a large futon and he steps back as Inuyasha lays Kagome out on the bed.
After seeing that Kagome is tucked in Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha leave, heading out the front doors to the apartment.
Few demons are out and about, many stopping in their tracks when they see Inuyasha trailing after Sesshoumaru. Few approach them, a warning glare from Sesshoumaru sending them on their way.
Sesshoumaru pauses outside a set of doors not far down the hall and he looks back at Inuyasha.
"Did Kagome tell you about..." Inuyasha nods and Sesshoumaru sighs quietly. "If you don't want to come in, you don't have too. You could wait out here." Inuyasha simply shrugs, not sure what to say so Sesshoumaru lets him make up his mind.
As the door opens there is shrieking and Sesshoumaru is suddenly bombarded by two fast moving bundles. He laughs, wadding into the room with a child on each leg.
"Father, you are back! Where's mother?"
"She's asleep. You can see her tomorrow. Why are you not asleep yet?" Sesshoumaru scolds. Rin rounds the corner with a baby in her arms.
"They have not hardly slept since you left, Lord Sesshoumaru. I had to threaten to lock them in a room with Jaken to get them to even begin getting ready for bed." Sesshoumaru really laughs then.
"Oh, such a threat." Rin sees Inuyasha in the doorway and her eyes widen.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, who is that?"
"My brother." Rin stares at Inuyasha and he stares back.
"But, my lord..."
"It is a long story Rin, and one better left untold until later." Sesshoumaru takes the baby from Rin. "If you could, see Inuyasha to a room, the one just down the hall. I'll get them to bed." Rin nods, bowing slightly and approaching Inuyasha as Sesshoumaru turns to his sons.
"So, where were you? You have blood on your clothes. Did you slay a demon?" One of them asks in a rush. Sesshoumaru laughs.
"No, you're mother did. A large tiger demon."
The rest of the conversation is cut off as Rin shuts the door behind her, motioning for Inuyasha to follow her down the hall.
He does so, tucking his hands into his sleeves as he pads silently down the hall. Rin glances back at him only once before reaching a set of doors. She peeks in first before opening the doors wide, heading for a group of candles near the door. Inuyasha steps in slowly, glancing around the room as the dim illumination from the candles reveals the room to them.
Inuyasha glances around the room, studying the simple decor before turning as Rin addresses him.
"Is there anything you need?" Inuyasha glances around, suddenly quite unsure of himself.
"I don't know." Rin frowns, tilting her head to the side slightly.
"You don't?" He shakes his head slightly, shuffling his feet. "Well, are you hungry at all?"
"Not really." Rin studies him a moment, then approaches and studies his face.
"You look really tired." She turns, heading for the stand alone closet. Pulling open the doors she shows him the wide array of clothes inside. "All the clothes you need are in here." Silence settles for a moment then Rin speaks, her voice hushed. "Is tonight the night?" He looks up at her sharply and she nearly flinches back.
"I was just asking because Lord Sesshoumaru told me of those...nights a long time ago." She pauses. " Is tonight like that?" He studies her then shakes his head.
"No."
"But you are human?" He nods.
"I lost control. When I do I just..." Rin nods, encouraging him to go on. "It is almost like when Sesshoumaru transforms but I don't change shape. That and I have no control" He pauses. "Kagome saved me. She used the Shikon Jewel to purify the demon blood in me. I'm completely human now."
Without hesitation Rin approaches him and gives him a hug. Inuyasha stiffens, shocked at the touch and he does not move as Rin backs away.
Rin's eyes catch on his hair and she exclaims, running her hand though his hair.
"You have beautiful hair. May I brush it?" He simply stares at her and she blushes slightly, taking her hand away. "I'm sorry, it is just that your hair reminds me of Lord Sesshoumaru's hair." She studies his face a moment then smiles brightly. His heart flip flops as he suddenly remembers that same vibrant smile on another's face. "You should let me brush your hair. It will relax you and help you sleep."
He seems hesitant, as if he is about to turn her away but he stops himself, instead he nods. Rin yelps in surprise and joy and runs over to the nearest table, pulling out a chair for him to sit.
Sesshoumaru, with Keiko in his arms, meets Rin outside the doors. He waits until she has shut them before addressing her.
"How is he?" Rin sighs.
"Very confused. I'm getting the impression that he is uneasy, incredibly so, with being here. He fears you, in a way." Sesshoumaru sighs.
"Only time will heal that. I'm heading to bed now. I suggest you do the same." Rin nods, bowing once to her master before hurrying down the hall.
Sesshoumaru slips into Kagome's rooms quietly, making sure the door is shut behind him before heading back toward her futon.
As he rounds the corner around the barrier he stops, slightly concerned. Kagome had not moved since Inuyasha has set her down.
Sesshoumaru sits on the edge of the bed and leans forward, nudging Kagome's arm with his elbow while trying to not wake in infant in his arm.
"Kagome?" She does not stir at first but she wakes with a start when she sees him leaning over her.
"What is it? Where are we?" She asks in a rush. He sits back.
"We're home now." She looks around, slightly confused, until she sees Keiko in his arm. She smiles, the look of confusion gone. She takes the baby, talking quietly to the sleeping infant. As if it just occurs to her, she glances around the room.
"Where is Inuyasha? Did he stay behind?"
"He's in a room just down the hall." Kagome stares at him.
"He came?" Sesshoumaru nods. Kagome stares off into the distance, her eyebrows furrowed. "I don't even remember leaving the village."
"You fainted." Kagome's frown deepens.
"I did?" Sesshoumaru nods. Kagome sighs, laying back onto the futon and turning on her side, laying Keiko against her chest on the bed.
"I'm still so tired." Sesshoumaru goes to rise but she stops him.
"Stay with us tonight." He smiles slightly and moves around the futon, stretching out on the other side of the futon. He remains awake, having recovered from the fight after the night of sleep the day before. Kagome is asleep almost instantly and he rolls onto his side, watching her throughout the night.
Okay...let me know what you think please!!!!