Sesshoumaru sat beneath the weak morning light streaming through his bedroom window, the warmth from the sun bathing his exposed upper body. His long silver hair was placed over the shoulder where the arm was missing, the long length of his tail curled about his bare feet, keeping them from getting too cold. The dog demon was sitting on the tatami matted floor, his knees drawn up with his arm wrapped around them, making the skin taut so his stitches could be removed easily.
The light tug and release he felt over the now healed laceration wasn't exactly painful, but it did make the muscle beneath it ache a little from the abuse it was suffering.
His amber eyes were staring blankly at the pristine fir in front of him, the Taiyoukai's mind occupied with thoughts of his guest while Cheiro worked on him.
He had originally been going to ask Kagome if she would inspect the wound and then remove the sutures, but after seeing how he reacted to the miko, he had decided against it. In the end, he had called in the palace healer to take care of the task, knowing that he needed to ask the feline youkai a few questions.
Clawed fingers digging into the soft fabric of his white pants, Sesshoumaru asked the quiet doctor, "Tell me, Cheiro, did you find anything harmful in the potion I gave to you to analyze?"
Silence filled the room for a moment as she deftly cut another piece of black thread, pulling it gently out of his skin. Her pink eyes studied the back of his silvery head, trying to think of the best answer she could give him.
"I have not found anything recognizable that looks to be harmful to Lady Higurashi. At least, not if it is taken in the doses prescribed upon the bottle." Running her claws beneath another stitch, she continued, her head leaning closer to make sure she didn't accidentally scratch him. "There are, of course, a few chemicals and ingredients that I have never run across before, and thus cannot tell you precisely what they are. However, the ones I have been able to identify are a type of alcohol, a mild sedative, and even some traces of what looks to be cherry flavoring."
He remained quiet as Cheiro continued her ministrations on his back, filing away everything she was telling him about the girl's medicine. Having come into contact with some of it personally, he knew when he had given the order to have the substance examined that the healer wouldn't be able to decipher all of its contents.
At least he did now know that it wouldn't harm the human, and that was all he cared about at the moment.
Having her die from self poisoning would look just great once his brother and his group arrived. Sesshoumaru could picture himself trying to calmly tell them how she had overdosed herself on cold medicine and that she was no longer with them.
Oh yes, that would be just wonderful.
Cheiro finally cut the last piece of black thread, pulling out the fibers to place them with the rest of the debris in a pile at her knee. Before telling him she was done, the cat youkai once again leaned forward to take a closer look at the thin long white scar that lined her master's shoulder. It would probably be completely gone within a month, maybe less.
Sitting up away from her patient, she turned her attention to putting away the supplies she had brought to tend the Taiyoukai. She heard the rustle of silk as Sesshoumaru pulled on his under shirt and haori, the creak of floorboards as he stood up and moved to gaze out the window at the awakening castle.
As she was securing the tie on her small leather pouch, Cheiro was surprised when the dog demon addressed another question to her. She had thought that the liquid he had given her to analyze would be the only thing to ask her about.
Raising startled pink orbs to look up at his profile, her long pink hair trailing in a braid down her back like a cotton candy rope, she placed her hands over the maroon clad thighs of her kimono.
"Cheiro, tell me what you meant the other day when you said the girl was not completely human, but neither was she fully miko?" He tilted his head a little as if to get a better view of something outside, his hand pushing a stray lock of hair away from his face.
Frowning in thought, the cat demon spoke softly, trying to word her answer to make sense.
"I said that simply because it was the truth, My Lord."
"Explain," he ordered, still staring intently outside, his hand now laying at his side.
"Part of being a youkai healer is having the ability to sense not only jaki, but other life forces and auras as well. I could not possibly treat half the creatures of your castle if I did not have these capabilities at my disposal." Gesturing towards him with one clawed hand she continued, "For example, I can tell right now that your jaki level is normal for you at the moment. There is neither an increase in it denoting that you are ready for battle, nor is it lowered to say that you have been emotionally injured. As you are aware, a demon's jaki is like a piece of their life force that, if you are skilled enough, you can feel how high or low it is."
"Yes, I understand completely the principles of jaki and how it pertains to the healing arts," he cut in, slashing an icy look in her direction. "What I am asking is how you were able to deduce just by sitting with the girl for such a short time that she wasn't human or miko."
Pink eyes broke from his stare to train on her lap, her lips pinching in thought before she offered him a reply.
"Mikos have a certain feel to them that demons and humans do not. Which is why some beings are able to sense their presence if they ever come into contact with one. You can easily pick out a full human just by watching how they behave or from the smells they give off. However, in the case of Lady Higurashi she not only exudes traits of being a regular human female, but also hints of a powerful miko as well." Raising her eyes to lock with his again she said with a little smile about her lips, "Look at her as if she were a newborn demon pup. There is raw potential there for great power, and if that is not harnessed then it becomes uncontrollable and can prove harmful to not only others, but themselves as well. Which is why, if you remember correctly, your father trained his sons so hard when they were young. Lady Higurashi has had no such training. She may have held the potential to be a great miko her entire life, but because it was never tapped into and developed it only becomes apparent when something either life threatening to herself or the ones close to her are present."
He thought over what Cheiro was saying, a few pieces to the puzzle that made Kagome filing into place.
"That would explain the spirit arrows," he said softly, as though he was talking aloud to himself.
Arching one pink eyebrow, the feline youkai watched her master with growing interest. "If what you say is true, and she does use spirit arrows, then it is likely that whenever she has it is an actual piece of her very essence that goes into the weapon upon firing."
Sesshoumaru regarded her with some surprise on his face, eyes narrowed with sharp focus upon the kneeling healer.
"You mean to say that the potency of her arrows depends on what she is feeling at the time that she uses them?"
Nodding, a few tendrils of hair shimmering in the morning light from the movement, Cheiro replied, "That is exactly what I am saying, My Lord. Because she is not a fully trained miko she has not learned to control all of her emotions like most are. From what I have witnessed so far, Lady Higurashi is not one to sit quietly in meditation while organizing her feelings into tidy little packages. Yet, it is because of this that she may be able to prove so lethal with her arrows."
"Why would you say that?" Sesshoumaru asked, fully turning to give the cat demon his entire attention.
"Simply because of her lack of control, especially where her feelings are concerned, it should give her arrows an extra boost that otherwise would not be there." Sighing deeply, she considered for a moment how best to proceed with what she wanted to explain. Smiling a little at finally settling on something, she began as though she were explaining a difficult science equation to a child. "Let me draw up an example for you My Lord. Say Lady Higurashi was traveling with someone that she cared deeply for. It doesn't matter if it was just friendship or something beyond that, she seems the type to care about almost everyone." The healer didn't miss the spark of wry humor that flared in Sesshoumaru's eyes when she made the last comment. " So, if she is with them and danger suddenly presented itself she would go to use her weapon, fully intent on protecting whoever she was with. Now, depending on how much she thought the threat to whatever she cared for was, the arrow she would shoot at this opponent would be charged with the same amount of energy that she perceived to feel at the time. In other words, if Lady Higurashi felt that whoever meant to do harm to someone close to her was focused on its job, she would channel her feelings of righteousness and love to the tip of her arrow. Thus, once the purifying agent connected with the evil force it would vaporize it completely."
The Taiyoukai mulled over this information, a sudden thought making him frown, his silvery eyebrows arcing downward on his marked brow.
"If her spirit was, to say, be damaged, would this effect the power of her arrows?"
Raising her own eyebrows at the question, Cheiro pondered what her master was asking.
"It is possible. Just as a demon's jaki can be depleted if they lose their inner stability within themselves, I suppose a miko's purifying powers will decline if they were handicapped emotionally. To be a miko it is said you must have a lack of negative energies, thus allowing them to use their powers to their full potential. If Lady Higurashi, in fact, has suffered a big enough loss to scar her soul then it is probable that the miko abilities she does possess will be depleted."
"I see," he said emotionlessly, turning to look back out the window as he dismissed his servant. "That will be all, Cheiro. Thank you for the information and the work on my shoulder. You can give Akito the bottle back that I had you analyze."
Bowing, she gathered up her possessions before quietly departing from the room, closing his door softly before heading back to her own quarters.
Sesshoumaru continued to look outside, his sharp gaze taking in the bustle of soldiers changing posts, the faint sounds of mock battles as some demons trained in the dojos on the other side of the courtyard.
What his healer had told him was unsettling to the dog youkai.
Did this now mean that Kagome wouldn't be able to protect herself properly because the stupid female was pining for his idiot half brother?
It would be just like a human to let something like a little lover's quarrel break their spirit.
But he didn't think that Kagome's was injured beyond repair. Nothing that her convalescence here probably wouldn't cure.
He scowled as he remembered that she would soon have to come face to face with the root of her heartache very soon.
Damn, but ever since she had come into his life nothing went according to plan. It was beginning to be a situation he was more than tired to be party to. He was a Taiyoukai, for Kami's sake! He didn't have the resources to spend on making sure the miko was comfortable or not off sulking in his gardens because she caught a glimpse of Inu Yasha with his un-dead lover.
Sesshoumaru growled a little as he thought about the confrontation that was sure to come between the trio once the other two arrived. His half brother had made his decision, so he had better be a mature youkai about it and accept the path he had chosen.
The dog demon didn't think he could calmly allow Inu Yasha to stir up even more trouble by trying to lead Kagome on. Although, he was fairly certain that wasn't the hanyou's intent, the damn half demon had a way of creating turmoil no matter where he went.
If the hanyou succeeded in damaging the human's soul even more she may not be ready to depart from his palace for a longer period of time, a scenario he could not afford.
Tales of how she would talk to anyone she passed had already reached his ears, the indignant squawkings of Jaken ringing in his ears as the tiny toad youkai railed about how humans were taking over the castle. That was one of the reasons he had instated the rules about her lack of contact with his subjects. Even with Akito at her side she could accidentally get herself into some trouble that even the fox demon wouldn't be able to extricate her from unscathed.
She was just too damn troublesome for his peace of mind.
A knock on his door brought the dog youkai from his thoughts as he turned to face the newcomer, although he already pretty much knew who it was by their scent.
"Enter, Akito."
The arctic kitsune entered the room, bowing deeply to Sesshoumaru before closing the door behind him, affording them privacy as he gave his morning report. The Taiyoukai had informed him that it was to be one of his new duties, to report first thing in the morning to his master and let him know how the human was progressing.
Waving the fox demon further into the room, Sesshoumaru then went to sit behind a low table in the center of the room, picking up the earthen cup filled with steaming tea that a servant had left earlier.
"Sit and tell me how Lady Kagome is doing," he commanded, taking a small sip of the fragrant drink as the ice youkai settled himself facing the Taiyoukai, his spear laying on the ground beside him, docile and harmless.
Meeting his master's impassive amber eyes, Akito began relating the previous day's events regarding the girl he watched over.
"After meeting with you that first time, she took the medication she said would heal her and then slept for a few hours. When she awoke she was taken to you for the meeting you had requested." The dog demon nodded, silently telling the guard to continue while sipping more of his tea. Smoothing his face into emotionless lines, the fox youkai went on with his report. "Shortly after we departed your quarters Lady Kagome met Lord Daija."
The hand holding the glass tightened, his nails cutting a bit into the beige surface, leaving half-moon shapes in their wake.
"How did she happen upon that particular youkai?"
Akito could tell this news was unwelcome to his master, and wasn't really looking forward to relating the rest of last night's events to the Taiyoukai. If he was taking the presence of Lord Daija this bad then he couldn't imagine what was going to happen with Hirei.
"Lady Kagome was a bit....upset when she left you last evening, My Lord," he put as delicately as possible, ignoring the smirk that tilted Sesshoumaru's lips. "As she went to go out the back door to the hot spring she didn't notice that there was someone in her path. She would have ran into him if I hadn't pulled her up short at the last second."
He could have sworn there was amusement in his master's eyes as the dog demon inclined his head for him to go on.
"At that point there was no choice but to introduce the two to one another." Shrugging his shoulders expressively, he leveled a stoic gaze on his superior. "Other than that, they didn't say too much to one another before I escorted the Lady to her bath."
The Taiyoukai set his cup down with slow precise movements, the amber of his eyes turning a bit hard as he asked softly, "Tell me, what do you think Lady Kagome's impression of the phoenix youkai was?"
Glancing away to stare at a point just beyond Sesshoumaru's shoulder, Akito answered, "I am sure I do not know, My Lord. All the Lady said was that he seemed like a nice enough person. Nothing else was said on the matter." Not entirely true, but he hoped his master didn't notice that he wasn't telling everything.
He couldn't believe he was withholding information from Lord Sesshoumaru. For a human female no less.
The dog demon wasn't sure if his personal guard was telling him the whole truth. But then, the fox youkai had never lied to him before....
He pushed it aside, figuring it was just his 'paranoia', as Kagome called it, getting the better of him again.
Laying his hand flat against the cool surface of the tabletop, Sesshoumaru instructed, "After the meeting with Lord Daija what happened then?"
Akito suppressed the urge to shift about where he sat, not having felt this uncomfortable about something since he was in his first years of training and being berated in front of his fellow warriors.
Kami, but he was beginning to wish he had never been ordered to guard the human...
The Taiyoukai quirked a brow at the obvious reluctance the other youkai was expressing after being asked such a simple question.
Sensing that his master was growing impatient, the arctic kitsune decided to just get it over with. It wasn't like Lord Sesshoumaru would kill the messenger.....right?
"We ran into a bit of a problem at the hot spring last night, My Lord."
Sesshoumaru's eyes sharpened, body tensing at the news, his voice frigid as he asked, "What kind of problem?"
Resolutely gazing into his master's suspicious eyes, he explained. "The new guard that is posted there, Hirei, apparently has no great liking for your guest, My Lord. Lady Kagome had gone up to talk with Musashi for a while before noticing that Sora wasn't there and that it was someone new. I suppose she didn't sense the hostility coming from the other demon because she walked right over to him and tried to engage him in polite conversation. Hirei was not cooperative. In fact, by the time I moved to place myself between the two the bear youkai was acting as though he were ready to harm the Lady."
"She did not sense his jaki?"
Shaking his head, the white bangs swaying with the motion, Akito answered, "No, My Lord. Neither did she seem to feel mine either, which I thought odd at the time considering she is a miko." His iceberg eyes took in the way the Taiyoukai's hand was now fisted where it lay, the only sign that he was affected by any of what the fox demon had just said.
Perhaps he wouldn't take this as badly as Akito had first thought. His master seemed to be dealing with it well....
Speaking with ice dripping from each word, Sesshoumaru inquired, "I take it you handled the situation and the Lady took her bath without incident?"
"Yes, My Lord. I warned Hirei to treat the Lady with respect and that to show such an aggressive attitude again would result in a fatal mistake for him."
"I see," was all the dog demon said, his palm now flat against the tabletop once more.
The fox youkai breathed an inward sigh of relief.
That had went over better than he had thought.
"Akito, you will inform Saipryss that he is to find a suitable replacement for Hirei at the hot spring." His amber eyes turned the hard metallic of gold as he continued. "Also let him know that Hirei is to be given the task of armorment cleaning for a month." A cruel smirk played about his chiseled lips, a particularly evil spark in his luminous eyes that made a shiver snake up the fox demon's spine. "It would seem the bear youkai is in need of discipline, and what better way to learn control than the meticulous task of removing filth from breastplates and swords?"
Akito didn't offer a reply, knowing that his master was simply posing the question rhetorically. Bowing, he asked softly, "Will that be all, My Lord?"
Waving a hand in dismissal, Sesshoumaru rose while saying, "I told Cheiro to give you Lady Kagome's medicine back to her, so be sure and get that sometime before the girl wakes up. I don't want to be bothered with the human storming around my palace to find me to try and yell about the injustice of taking her things."
"As you say, My Lord. Anything else?" Akito rose, picking up his spear to hold in a firm grasp, his bangs reflecting the growing sunlight outside brightly.
"Yes. I am expecting the first of our 'visitors' to arrive this morning." Fixing his personal guard with an intent stare, he spoke succinctly. "I want you to make sure the girl stays away from the main palace while I am in a meeting with this person. She is not to come into contact with them until I deem it necessary, understood?"
Bowing again, the fox demon acquiesced. "Perfectly, My Lord. I shall insure the Lady is busy within the next few hours. Perhaps visiting Ah Un would appeal to her."
Sesshoumaru nodded, accepting the idea. "Fine. Just make sure she is out of the castle within the next hour. You may leave now, I will call for you when I think it wise to let her meet with our new guest."
"Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru." And with that, Akito departed to make his way first to pick up the medication and then back to Kagome's room. His master had told him last evening, before he had retired for the night, that they were to be expecting guests today. Guests that would be staying for a while and had close relationships with the miko under their care.
He would have to make sure the Lady wore warmer clothing than last night since he planned on keeping her entertained with the dragon youkai.
If she got any sicker he feared she would then be bedridden, and he seriously doubted that would be to his Lord's liking.
*************
Kagome was brought out of sleep by a steady knocking at her door, the rhythmic pounding making her blue-grey eyes snap open, reflexively raise her body up a little with her arms to look to where the sound was coming from.
Propping herself up with one bent arm, she used the other to rub at an eye, calling out hoarsely, "Come in."
A moment later she saw the outline of Akito's blue head, his icy eyes immediately fixing on the girl sitting up in her bed, the raven tresses of her hair a mass of waves about her shoulders and face. Her eyes were half opened, as though she was trying to focus on him as he walked with measured steps into the room, making sure to leave the door open about an inch, for proprieties sake.
When he got closer to her bedside, she grinned sleepily at him, the side of her face a little red from having slept on it, the heavy blanket resting about her waist and legs. Her medicine, he had a hold of behind his back, using his tail to hold the bottle so she wouldn't see it. He planned on putting it down where she could find it as soon as she went to the bathroom. That way she would never notice that it had been taken.
Bowing to her, he stood by where her knees were under the cover, the weapon at his side standing at attention.
"My Lady. Lord Sesshoumaru has expressed the desire for you to check up on Ah Un this morning."
She frowned, yawning loudly behind the back of one hand, blinking up at her guard as she tried to make her foggy mind work.
"Ah Un? Why?"
"Something to do with Lady Rin being stuck indoors all day doing her studies and the dragon youkai growing lonesome, My Lady." He hoped she would believe what he said. But considering her soft spot for animals, he was sure she would.
Sitting up completely, she pushed her hair out of her face, while saying sympathetically, "Aw, poor guy! Sure I'll go spend some time with him. Just let me get dressed and then we can go."
Smiling inwardly, he moved aside so she could get up, bowing his head in thanks as she passed him.
"Thank you, Lady. Lord Sesshoumaru will be pleased."
Waving a hand over her shoulder at him, she scoffed. "Oh, I am not doing this because Sesshoumaru wants me to."
Arching a navy eyebrow, he watched her begin taking out some of her strange clothing from the armoire, humming off-key a tune he had never heard before.
But then, with the way she was massacring the song, he doubted he would recognize it anyway....
After retrieving a pair of jeans, a white flannel undershirt and her hooded grey sweatshirt, she then rummaged around for some underwear. Once she had gotten what she needed, she turned back, laden down with her burden, winking at the fox youkai.
"Sesshoumaru is just lucky I happen to like his pet dragon. Otherwise, Akito-kun, he could go out there and frolic with the beast himself." Sauntering passed the incredulous demon she called over her shoulder, a chuckle in her voice, "Who knows, it might do him some good if he did."
Kagome disappeared inside the bathroom, changing into her day clothes, leaving the fox youkai to stare blankly at the surface of the wooden door.
Had she just suggested that his master go out and 'play' with the dragon?
Shaking his head, he quickly took hold of the medicine and set it down on the ground, just beneath the blanket that was now lying half off the mattress. Knowing her messy habits, he was sure she wouldn't think it odd that the bottle had managed to get underneath the bed.
From what he could tell of the chaos currently residing in the room, the human flourished in disarray.
He was brought from his puzzled perusal of what looked like a black skimpy outfit made of a foreign shiny material strewn across the chair in her room, by the bathroom door opening.
'This human just wore the strangest things,' he thought while taking in the sight of her in the clothes she was now adorned in.
Even the shoes she went and put on her feet were derelict to him. He wondered where she came across such treasures. Never had he seen such things in the surrounding areas before, so she must have traveled extensively to purchase them.
Finished with that, she then grabbed up her wooden chopsticks, holding them in her mouth while taking both hands and bunching up her heavy hair, twisting it around and around. The fox demon watched in fascination, never before having watched a female do her hair. It looked to him like she was tying her own mane in nots. What good would that do?
Seconds later he watched her take eating implements and stick them through the mass, the fragile sticks, surprisingly enough, keeping it all in place.
Akito was a little impressed. Who would have thought the girl could make eating utensils double as something to tame your hair? She was just full of surprises.
Smoothing her bangs to lie correctly around her face, Kagome put on some deodorant, rubbed some lotion into her hands, and then went to her bag that was lying on the floor by the chair with her bathing suit on it.
Busy looking for something, her voice was a bit muffled when she asked, "Akito-kun, do you think I'll be getting my laundry back today?" She made a triumphant sound before standing up fully, a thin rectangular object wrapped in white paper in her hands. It looked like it was some type of food.
"Yes, Lady. They should be ready and waiting for you upon your return from visiting the dragon."
She smiled happily, walking over to stand beside him, her eyes warm with gratitude. "Thanks, Akito-kun. Now, let's go visit that lonely youkai, shall we?"
The two left the room, making sure to close the door before walking down the busy hallways of the castle. It seemed that the closer they got to the center of the keep the more traffic they experienced. Once again, Kagome was amazed at how many demons seemed to reside in the palace.
There were just too many to count.
Who would have guessed Sesshoumaru was so popular?
They made their way outside without incident this time, leaving out the front door so that they could head towards the stables where the dragon youkai was kept to be fed in the mornings.
Akito watched as the girl beside him called out a greeting to a demon she had talked to before, saying their name with a smile, inquiring to their health.
The fox demon was just glad that all she was doing was speaking and not stopping to harass any of them. Especially considering it was a strong military unit they resided in, and her randomly keeping warriors from their duties to chat wasn't the best idea.
Coming to the great doors of the stables, Akito opened one so the girl could slip through, following in after her as she disappeared into the musty interior.
Like last time, it was busy with stable lads and grooms taking care of their designated mounts, either by rubbing them down, cleaning out their stalls, or feeding them. He saw that the same stable boy as last time, the one with grey eyes and green hair, was currently having a battle of wills with Ah Un.
The boy looked like he was ready to engage in all out war with the dragon, his pitchfork held in front of him defensively, his young voice defiant as he said, "Now you listen here, you big beast. I have to clean your stall! Lord Sesshoumaru won't be happy with me if he finds you standing about in your own waste."
Ah looked unimpressed, his purple forked tongue flicking out at the boy as though taunting him. Un was turned towards where Kagome was slowly making her way down the middle aisle towards them, his nostrils flaring as he picked up her scent. Akito followed along sedately, content to simply watch his charge take pleasure in visiting the dragon.
The stable lad didn't seem to notice her approach, too intent on waving his make-shift weapon at the arrogant youkai, his grey eyes steely in his youthful face, giving his marked countenance an older look.
"Blast you! Argh! I don't know why I even volunteered to take care of you two!" Glaring at the dragon he propped the pitchfork up on its end, leaning on it while shaking a finger in Ah's direction. "Damn your obstinate, scaly hide! Will you quit making my life miserable and just let me clean your stall?"
Ah looked him over as though in deep consideration, his yellow eyes sweeping the smaller youkai with disdain, clearly not threatened by the youth's show of temper. Un, his eyes now confirming what his nose had transmitted to his brain, grumbled lowly, nudging his counterpart in the neck to gain his attention.
Growling a little in annoyance at being pulled from the fun of tormenting their groom, Ah gave Un an irritated look before following the direction the other youkai was staring off in.
His ears flicked forward and he let out a half roar that seemed to thrum right through the young youkai standing right by them, his chest feeling as though the dragon had all but released the noise directly against his body.
Gritting his teeth in annoyance, thinking that this was some new torture thought up by the dragon, he brandished his pitchfork again. Ignoring the way both the dragon's heads were turned to look at something down the middle aisle, he said with false bravado, "This is your last chance, you two. Either you let me in there to clean up after you, or accept the consequences!" At this point he waved his weapon threateningly, the effect not as impressive as it should have been since the instrument was about a foot taller than he was.
Delighted laughter floated through the air, the sound startling the lad from carrying out his threat. Turning his head, his confused gaze fell on the girl who was standing a couple of feet away from him, her blue-grey eyes dancing with mirth as she watched him.
Realizing he was still standing in attack pose, he blushed, the leaf symbol under his right eye standing out boldly from the added color. Standing straight, he put his pitchfork back at his side as though he was holding a spear, bowing his head as he greeted her.
"My Lady. I didn't know you were there. Forgive my language of before."
She chuckled, her voice huskier than normal as she came to stand beside him, looking to the dragon who was now reaching out to her with both heads.
"There is nothing to apologize for." Turning her head, she winked at him conspiritually, saying with a secretive smile as she leaned a little towards the youth, "Believe me, I have heard much worse, and usually directed at me no less."
His grey eyes widened in surprise, the expression on his face incredulous as he objected fevorently, "Oh, but My Lady! No one would talk that way to you! You are too kind."
Akito resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the youngster's obvious worship of the miko. It was sickeningly plain to see that the lad was enamored of the girl already, not to mention after he had seen how she had handled Ah Un so well.
Coming to a halt behind the two, he leaned back a little against the rough frame of an empty stall, blue eyes intent as he observed Kagome in all her energetic glory.
Laughter came easily to her throat, a warm sparkle never fading from her eyes as she reassured the young youkai that what she said was indeed true. Here, within the atmosphere of the more common folk, she thrived.
No false pretenses, no stiff formalities to be adhered to amongst these youkai that tended to the castle mounts. The fox youkai didn't blame her for being more at ease amongst the demons that worked in the stables. Like her, they loved animals and took a great deal of pride in their work. Besides, almost every youkai that wished to become a warrior had to start with mucking out stalls before moving on to any training. Tending for a living being made them accept responsibility and duty at a young age, preparing them for the lessons later in life.
Reaching out she cradled Un's large head between her small palms, cooing to the beast as though it were the prettiest baby she had ever seen. Rubbing her fingers along his scaly cheeks, she stepped up to put her forehead against his, talking nonsense to the dragon the entire time.
"Who's the prettiest dragon ever? That's right, you are! What a good boy!" Ah nudged at her shoulder, demanding some attention for himself, a pleading growl leaving his throat while he nibbled at her sweatshirt hood. Giggling, she released Un to take up Ah's head, rubbing one hand between his ears as she spoke. "Awwww, you're just a big baby, aren't you! Don't worry, I'll give you some attention too."
Akito saw how the stable lad's mouth hung open in shock, his pitchfork now lowered to wear the tip dragged the ground, his grey eyes disbelieving.
The fox youkai couldn't keep a low chuckle from issuing out of his throat, amusement gracing his pearly-blue eyes at seeing how Kagome handled the dragon with such ease.
Stepping forward till he was standing right behind her, his implement dragging dejectedly behind him, the youth asked in an awed voice, "How do you do that, My Lady?"
Kagome started, surprised that the boy had come to stand behind her. Turning her head while still stroking Ah Un's scaly hide, she smiled at his stunned face.
"What, you mean these two?" Facing forward again, she gave each one a kiss on their large snouts, hugging their faces to her own cheeks while saying, "They aren't really that bad. They may talk big, but really, they are nothing but big babies." Pulling back a bit, she tapped Ah on his chin, grinning up at him. "Isn't that right, pretty boy? Just like an over-grown puppy!"
Grey eyes stared at the miko in bewilderment, not understanding how she could describe his master's mount in such a way.
An over-grown puppy? Was the girl daft? The damn lizard had taken a chunk out of his hide more than once, an evil gleam in its eyes every time.
Absently rubbing the spot on his upper arm where the beast had managed to bite him earlier, he shook his head, his green hair moving with the action.
Girls just made no sense. This one more than the others living here. How she could coddle the big ugly beast he had to tend was beyond him.
Besides, he doubted Lord Sesshoumaru would think kindly of his own mount being referred to as a cute loveable lapdog.
Although, the dragon youkai did allow Lady Rin to dress him up in flowers and anything else she could find. So maybe the lizard just liked human females and his master and that was it.
Coughing a little behind one hand, Kagome felt Un pushing gently against her stomach, looking for the treat she had brought for them. Smiling, she withdrew the candy bar, waving it in front of the two-headed dragon, their eyes following the white package intently.
"Is this what you two want?" Stepping out of their reach, she pouted, crossing her arms over her chest while giving them a mock-hurt look. With a fake sniffle, she said sadly, "You guys only like me because of the treats I give you."
Ah reared back to regard her a moment before rolling his eyes, Un whining at her plaintively as though trying to tell her he didn't think of her like that at all. When Un finally started pushing at his gate, the poor wood protesting with a loud groan, Kagome decided it was time to relinquish the candy. She didn't want to explain to Sesshoumaru that his stable was now messed up because she had been teasing his dragon with a Cookies N Cream bar.
Waving her hands in a soothing gesture, she began tearing away the white foil. "Okay, okay. Calm down and let me unwrap it first. Sheesh, you would think you two were starving with the way you act."
Ah gave her a grunt at that, his head held arrogantly as though behaving in such a way was beneath him. Quirking a raven eyebrow at his display, she withdrew the white chocolate bar, balling up the wrapper and placing it in the pouch on her sweater front.
Waving a finger at him, deftly moving the candy out of Un's muzzle that was trying to get close to it, she said with a grin, "You know, the more I am around you the more you remind me of your master."
Ignoring the surprised glances that got her from the other occupants of the stables, Kagome went on, breaking the bar into small pieces so she could feed it slowly to the dragon. "He has this thing about thinking he is too good to act anything but perfect too."
Sticking a small square into her mouth, she chewed on it thoughtfully, handing out a piece each to the awaiting dragon, completely unaware that she had an audience now listening to her every word. Even Akito was waiting to see where the girl was leading with her little one-sided conversation.
"But you know what I think? I think that just like you, Ah, he is a lot nicer than he lets on." Ah made a grumble that suspiciously resembled his version of a scoff before extended his neck out towards the hand that held the chocolate. Handing him another piece, she went on. "No, I'm serious. Sure, you guys may act all big and tough, but really, you can be nice when the situation warrants it."
Akito's eyebrows raised towards his hairline, noticing that almost every other demon in the building had the same expression. Even the stable lad was starting to look at the miko like she was a little crazy, his grey eyes doubtful.
They all knew their leader to be fierce, stoic, and a good commander.
Nice? That was never a word they would think to describe the Taiyoukai they served. Deadly, yes. Evil, at times. But nice? No way.
After giving the dragon youkai a final piece, she moved back from them, shaking her head while grinning at them. "Uh-uh. These last few pieces aren't for you, ya little piggy."
Blocking out Un's whimpers of protest, the girl turned with a sunny smile to the stable lad next to her, holding out a tiny piece of the white food with small black dots in it.
"Here you go! It's something called white chocolate."
The lad delicately took the candy from her fingers, holding it as though it was some fragile heirloom he had been asked to take. Bringing it to his face, he looked it over carefully, taking in the sweet odor of it before popping it into his mouth.
Kagome watched with humor as the boy's expression went from a concentrated frown, to a surprised grin. Steely eyes shining, he said energetically, "Hey, this stuff is really good! Thanks, Lady Kagome!"
"No problem!" she chirped. Glancing over to Akito, her eyes lit up as she made her way over to him, holding out the last little rectangle.
"Here you go, Akito-kun. I saved you a piece."
Taking it from her, he bowed his head in thanks before putting it in his mouth, savoring the rich flavor of the foreign food.
"Thank you, Lady. It tastes very good."
Pleased that her little present was so well accepted, she patted the hand holding his spear, not thinking twice about touching her guard in such a familiar way in front of the servants.
Akito was aware though, and had to forcibly push down the blush that wanted to rise to his cheeks.
"I'm glad you liked it, Akito-kun."
He breathed an inward sigh of relief when she turned her attention back to the stable lad, inquiring about his name and how long he had worked for Sesshoumaru.
The girl's lack of restraint when it came to touching others was disconcerting to say the least. In a society where things like placing your hands on another being was usually restricted to inflicting pain it was difficult to not cringe when this one human did.
The even scarier part...was that he was growing used to it.
"My name is Joren, My Lady." His small chest puffed out proudly as he said with importance, " and I have been serving under Lord Sesshoumaru for about twenty years now."
Kagome's eyes widened as she took in the sight of him. "Twenty? But you don't look a day over fifteen years old!"
Smiling gently, he replied, "But Lady, demons age a lot differently than humans."
Blushing, she grinned, embarrassed at having forgotten that yet again. "Yes, I seem to keep forgetting that. Sorry about that, Joren."
The youth shook his head. "No harm done, Lady."
Looking back over to the dragon that was currently shifting about in its stall with impatience, she smiled indulgently while going over to pick up their leather halters that were hanging from a peg next to their door. Hefting the large harnesses in one hand, she unlatched the gate before stepping inside, the top of her head the only thing visible over the tall wooden frame.
Akito moved in closer to keep an eye on her, in case she got into danger while being in the small confines of the stall with the demon. Joren came to stand beside him, peering over the top rail to watch with interest as the dragon moved out of her way, giving the miko enough room so she wouldn't feel crowded by his bulky frame.
The youth frowned in annoyance. They never did that for him. In fact, that dragon took particular enjoyment of using its tail to smash him against the wall when he least expected it.
Soon, Kagome had the two halters on the youkai, taking their lead-ropes up in one hand, Ah Un following docilely behind her.
Opening the door for her to pass through, the fox demon made sure they were completely out of the stall before following along behind his charge. Joren gazed off after them, trying to figure out just how the girl got the dragon to obey her so well.
Maybe she had put a spell on the demon....
Shrugging it aside, he went to work on the stall, glad that at least today there would be no more visits to the infirmary to get a bite taken care of.
Really, that scaly beast must like the taste of his skin....
*************
Almost two hours had gone by since Sesshoumaru had talked with Akito, and in that time he had taken care of the morning missives calling for his attention and managed to go by and see how Rin was doing.
The little girl had run up to hug his leg, chattering with excitement about a new word she had learned today, the owl youkai who instructed her standing next to a map hanging on the wall, her hands folded in front of her as she watched her master and his ward interact.
Since there was much left for him to still accomplish, he had left the two, promising Rin that he would stop by and see her again later tonight before the little girl would let go of his leg.
What was it with human females and their need to latch onto him?
He was just walking towards the main hall when the sound of little webbed feet running from behind him caught his attention. Stopping, he turned to watch Jaken hurry to intercept the Taiyoukai, his beaky mouth panting when he finally reached his master.
Bowing, he said breathlessly, "Sesshoumaru-sama! The wolf prince, Kouga, is at the front gate asking entrance." His yellow eyes bugging out a little, he asked, "What would you like done with him, My Lord?"
Sesshoumaru turned away from the youkai, saying over his shoulder as he approached the doors to the main hall, "Escort Lord Kouga to the main hall, Jaken. Inform him I shall await him there."
Bowing again, the little toad youkai jumped to his feet, calling out, "Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!" before running back the way he had come.
Two guards opened the large engraved doors to the main hall, bowing respectively to the dog demon as he walked through before closing him inside.
The Taiyoukai walked slowly down the long rectangular room, making sure the servants had remembered to clean the floors and open a few windows that would allow sunlight and fresh air in.
He rarely conducted business here, reserving using the place unless it had to do with entertaining audiences with foreign lords.
The perfect setting to confront Kouga in.
One entire wall was taken up with various banners that sported the Taisho crest of sakura blossoms in the colors of his house. There was even a few where a large white dog demon was sewn into silk surfaces, the silver threads shining in the light that streaked through the windows on the opposing side of the room.
Towards the front was a small raised dais where the Lord of the house was to sit, a little table set to the side in case any documents needed to be looked over and signed, a bamboo brush with a small bowl of black ink sitting atop it.
Other than that, the decoration of the room was bare. The whole purpose of the lack of decor was to give anyone that came in here the idea that the Taisho family was one that did not hold material possessions in high esteem. Instead, it was their heritage and the lands they governed that held their notice, not something like a pretty vase or expensive piece of tapestry.
Frivolous trappings were for lords that spent all their times giving banquets instead of keeping a close watch on their provinces.
Seating himself gracefully on the dais, he waited patiently for the wolf prince to be brought to the room, confident that Akito would be able to keep Kagome occupied enough where she wouldn't notice the youkai's arrival.
A knock sounded at the door making the Taiyoukai stiffen where he sat, his face set in impassive lines, his voice emotionless when he called out regally, "Enter."
The double doors opened, Jaken rushing in ahead to announce, "Lord Kouga Sarumara, Prince of the Northern Region wolf tribes."
Sesshoumaru watched as Kouga walked into the room, still wearing the clothes he always traveled in, his feet and lower legs covered in dust and mud, leaving a trail behind him as he sauntered down the aisle towards the dog demon.
His vibrant eyes made quick work of looking over the room before settling on the Taiyoukai seated with royal arrogance at the end of the passage, causing a smirk to lift one corner of his lips, exposing one of his fangs.
Stopping right in front of the dog youkai, he sat down Indian-style across from him, one clawed hand resting on his knee, the other holding his chin up as he said, "Nice place you got here, Lord Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru ignored the comment, instead ordering Jaken, "Leave us. We are not to be disturbed for any reason."
"Yes My Lord!" he squawked before yelling at the guards who manned the doors to close them and allow no one to enter.
Kouga glanced over his shoulder at the ruckus, rolling his eyes as he turned back to regard the dog demon. "How can you stand that little toad?" He wrinkled his nose. "Isn't his smell alone enough to make you want to get rid of him?"
Amber eyes clashed with green as Sesshoumaru said icily, "I do not think you came all this way simply to inquire as to my servant's personal hygiene."
The smirk left the wolf's lips, his demeanor becoming more formal as he straightened his back and looked the Taiyoukai directly in the face.
"No, I did not come here to talk about that." His eyes became intent as he spoke the next words, trying to convey the meaning behind what he was saying. "I have come, Lord Sesshoumaru, to collect someone that you currently have in your castle."
"Indeed," the dog demon replied, no emotion showing on his face. "I assume you mean Kagome Higurashi."
Kouga smirked. "I always knew you were a lot smarter than your dumbass half brother."
One silvery eyebrow arched, his amber eyes cold. "While I am, of course, flattered at such an educated deduction, I would be even more pleased if you would get to the point of your visit, Lord Kouga."
Respect entered Kouga's orbs, a genuine smile curling his lips as he folded his arms over his chest, his tail tapping lightly behind him on the floor. "You know what, I like you Lord Sesshoumaru. You're not a loud-mouthed brat like your brother, that is for sure."
He inclined his head, his long hair lifting a little as a breeze floated through the windows, the lengthy tresses dancing about before settling back into place. "Once can but hope so, Lord Kouga. One does not rule a province by hurling insults at his warriors."
The wolf demon chuckled. "Not usually." Turning serious once more, he added, "I am here to collect my future mate and then leave your lands."
"Future mate?" Sesshoumaru questioned. He already knew of this demon's infatuation with the girl, the question is, would she come to return it one day.
Waving a hand through the air, Kouga boasted, "Oh it's nothing official yet." A cocky grin replaced his once serious air. "But rest assured, one day soon Kagome will be my mate, and then the wolf tribes will reign with greater prosperity because of it."
A foreign emotion curled around Sesshoumaru's chest and settled like a venomous snake in the region of his heart.
Could it be, jealousy?
Surely not! He had no prior claim to the girl. No more than this arrogant wolf had at any rate.
So why would the prince's words make him want to reach over and crush the demon's windpipe in his clawed hand, let his blood trickle in rivers down his striped wrist.
"I am afraid you shall have to postpone your future plans for Kagome," he replied, none of his inner feelings showing through.
Kouga narrowed his eyes, one raven eyebrow arching in speculation. "Oh really? And why is that?"
"Because, the girl is ill and not near well enough to be moved from this castle at present." He watched as concern quickly spread across the youkai's features.
"Is she alright? What do you mean ill? Where is she now?" he fired off the questions in rapid succession, his emerald eyes burning with worry into the Taiyoukai's own.
"The girl is—" he started, but he never got the chance to finish.
A loud commotion could be heard outside, the sound of his guards yelling "Halt!" along with the more feminine tones of Kagome obviously not listening to the command.
Kouga half turned as well, easily recognizing the sound of the miko's voice and her scent that was now floating softly into the room since she was so close.
Sesshoumaru scowled. Damn, hadn't he told Akito to keep the girl away from here?!
An angry yell of, "I said move out of my way, damn it!" was heard seconds before one of the doors was pushed open, the heavy wood seeming to be resisting the girl's efforts to move it.
Kagome's panting red-faced form filled the doorway, her blue-grey eyes immediately following the familiar tug of shikon shards that she had detected a few minutes before.
Walking slowly into the room, one hand now rubbing the center of her chest as though to massage an ache away, the miko stared with disbelief at who Sesshoumaru was with.
Stumbling further into the room, her legs feeling leaden and a light buzzing resounding in her head, she tried to catch her breathe enough to talk.
Kouga's sharp eyes watched the girl he cared so much about struggle to walk properly. Hell, she couldn't even stand up completely straight.
He noticed that a tall blue-haired demon had come in behind her and closed the door before moving to follow the miko closely. The wolf prince noticed the way the kitsune was hovering near her shoulder, a worried light shining in his odd blue eyes, the hand around his spear tight.
Sesshoumaru moved to rise. He could easily hear how the girl couldn't seem to catch her breathe, her blue-grey eyes were becoming a little hazy as she moved towards them.
Something was wrong with her.
Meanwhile, Kagome stared at Kouga, her chest feeling impossibly tight and the ringing in her ears growing steadily worse.
Maybe she shouldn't have ran the entire way here and then tried her best to push aside two full grown demon guards to get in here.
Coughing unevenly in hard shudders, the room beginning to swim in a nauseating way, she dragged her feet forward a couple more steps, now but a few inches away from the two demon lords who were both standing, regarding her with worry.
Vaguely, as though from a far distance, she heard the muffled sound of Akito saying, "My Lady? My Lady, can you hear me? Kagome?!"
She could detect how concerned he was, and really, she wanted to reassure all of them that she was fine. But as a darkness at the edges of her vision began to completely cover her eyesight and a weightlessness invaded her body, Kagome was more worried that she would never be able to inhale again.
Her body began falling forward at the same time that black shrouded her sight completely, no longer being able to hear anything but her own thoughts.
The only one that stuck with her was, 'Funny, I was never afraid of the dark...until now.'
Then Kagome Higurashi did something she never could readily remember doing before.
She fainted.
*************