Rifling through her backpack Kagome pulled out her cd player, placing the headphones on her ears she pressed play then slipped it into her obi. Hearing the first cords of music being strung together she began tapping out the beat with her entire body. Before long she was rocking out playing air guitar and air drums all at the same time as she bounced about her room. Unbeknownst to herself she had an audience.
Silently Hotaru pulled open the screen door only to be met by the sight of Kagome thrashing about wildly. Timidly Hotaru took a step toward her calling out her name softly but she was given no reply. But as Kagome turned around she stopped immediately as she saw her giving her a worried look. Pulling off her headphones she fumbled with her obi until she pressed stop on the player. Giving Hotaru a smile she laughed nervously and began to scratch the back of her head.
"What can I say? I was bored." Kagome offered as an excuse, slightly she shrugged her shoulders as she pulled her CD player free and wound the wires around it and tossed it on top of her bag.
"Indeed." Hotaru agreed as she closed the screen shut behind her. Coming back into the room she sat down at the small table. Following her lead Kagome sat across from her.
"So what did he think?" Kagome asked as she pulled a blank piece of paper in front of her, longingly she looked at her bag wishing her pen was in her hand not buried in the depths of her backpack.
"He thought it was the most exquisite thing he has ever read. It even brought a tear to his eye." Hotaru informed her, the old foxes face completely impassive.
"Is he feeling well?" Kagome wondered as her face scrunched together in confusion. Hotaru began laughing.
"He's feeling fine. He was impassive as ever, there's no need to worry my lady." She confessed.
"You tricked me!" Kagome cried out as a smile spread across her lips.
"You make it too easy Lady Kagome!" Hotaru pointed out.
"Well that may be so, but I can be pretty tricky too!" Kagome admitted as she gave Hotaru a foxy grin.
"O?" the fox prompted.
"O yes, how else do you think I convinced Sesshomaru not to kill me that night all those years ago?" the Miko asked rhetorically.
"I can't even imagine; how did you manage that feat My Lady?" Hotaru inquired.
"O, you don't want to hear it, its such a long story." Kagome explained as she waved her hand dismissively.
"But we have all the time in the world." Hotaru informed her as she gave the human a true fox grin.
"You may have all the time in the world but as for I, I only have a quarter of all the time in millennium. And even less then that." Kagome mused as she tried to avoid it.
"Then its wonderful thing that your story wont be more then an hour at best." Hotaru pointed out as her tail swished softly against the tatami flooring. Cornered, how could she have ever out foxed a fox? It simply wasn't possible. Sighing softly Kagome got herself comfortable in her seat; leaning forward she rested her elbows on the table and gently cradled her chin with her hands. Giving a soft smirk she looked up into the foxes strange gray green eyes and began her tale.
In the midst of the rubble that had once been a great war lords castle, sat a young Miko covered in blood. Numbly she sat on the ground starring at her blood soaked hand. Watching as her blood formed into droplets and slid down her wrist. The evil demonic aura, which had once belonged to the evil half demon Naraku, bled from the skies revealing a startling blue sky. The sun beat down on her, thawing her out; slowly her hand began to shake as the adrenaline leaked from her system. Alone she sat there, her quiver empty and her bow broken the string stained red with her blood.
Off in a secluded corner a mountain of rubble began to shake and collapse in on it self, kicking up a large cloud of dust. As it settled back, there standing as magnificent as ever was the Taiyoukai himself. Surveying the scenery his eyes alighted to the form of the strange Miko who traveled with his half brother. As he studied her, he began to hear a strange sound that was undistinguishable between cries of sorrow and cries of laughter. Though as he approached her they stopped, looking down at her he noticed how her hands shook slightly. He watched as her blood formed together and slid down her wrist.
Having not had a haircut in a very long time her bangs hung down covering her face. High up in the cloudless sky a hawk called out to its mate as it circle around them. Turning his golden eyes to the sky he watched it for a moment then returned his attention back to the Miko. Giving her a cursory glance he turned from her and began walking away into the sanctuary of the forest. But as he did so the soft sound of delicate footsteps on loose gravel filtered into his ears making him stop in his tracks.
Stiffly he turned around, fixing his follower with a steely glare but she wasn't looking at him. She was staring firmly at the ground; slowly she brought her head up, her bangs fell to either side of her face as her eyes affixed to his. The heat of gold and the frigidness of glacial water clashed together in torrents of tepid peace.
"Is this the end?" Kagome asked softly, her voice resonating melancholy.
"That is your choice." Sesshomaru replied, his voice resonating indifference.
Still they stared at each other, seeing as she seemed to have finished he turned around once more, continuing on his path to the woods. Though as he continued, once more the sounds of footsteps followed him, so he let them follow him. It was her choice.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door cutting Kagome off in the middle of her story. Turning around in her seat Hotaru studied the screen, leaning to the side Kagome peered over the foxes shoulder to get a look at the door as well. Standing Hotaru went to the door and kneeled before it reaching for the door she opened it. Standing on the other side of the door was a very angry looking Jaken, his knuckles shown a pale green as they tightened around his staff. His eyes wide as he looked over Hotaru but as they landed on Kagome he glared at her to the best of his abilities, which were pathetic when compared to Sesshomaru's own, but since Kagome had never really seen Jaken glare before she found it rather disconcerting.
"You are to come with me immediately! This is not a request!" Jaken squeaked out then abruptly turned and left. Hotaru and Kagome looked at each other, their eyes wide and questioning, giving a quick shrug Kagome stood and left the room following the wake of the very peeved toad demon. Shortly after her departure Hotaru was there as well, following her as they made their way towards the royal wing. Unsure about the situation, Kagome began to feel extremely hot in all her kimonos; perspiration began to form on her palms and down the middle of her back. Gently she pulled at her obi trying to cool her self off just a bit.
As they came around the corner Kagome's eyes alighted to Sesshomaru's own doors and there they stayed staring intently. Everything else seemed to fall away from her peripheral vision as she focused solely ahead that she didn't notice when the toad demon stopped to stand before another set of doors. Continuing on her way Kagome came into contact with the two foot tall demon, effectively tripping over him and falling to the floor trying her best not to land on him which only enabled her to bruise her tailbone. Letting out a groan she pulled her legs to her side and rolled onto her knees, as she attempted to stand she swayed a bit from the weight of her kimono but managed to catch herself before she fell once more.
"Wretched human! Watch where you're going!" Jaken bit out sternly as he gave her another fierce scowl. Not sure how to respond she glared at him for a moment before turning her attention to the doors that they were standing before. Kagome quickly recognized the doors as Rins own, her scowl quickly left her features to be replaced with concern. Jaken slid the screens open only to reveal a darkened room that smelt stale and there was no sign of the exuberant girl who was loyal to her lord and obsessed with flowers. Unsure what to do Kagome looked to Jaken but he was looking inside the dark room, glancing up at Hotaru she questioned her silently but the fox demon only shrugged softly.
Taking in a deep breath Kagome entered into the room, shuffling her way in carefully so as not to step anything, she heard a loud sniffle and a small muffled cough which made her freeze, her heart began bounding in her chest. Taking a deep breath she chided herself for being so skittish, blinking a few times her eyes quickly adjusted to the lack of light. Curiosity taking over Kagome went to Rins bed she called out to her softly but there was no respond. Taking a seat on the edge of her bed she gently shook her shoulder and called out her name once more, Rin groaned softly and turned away from her. Again there was a load sniffle; reaching forward Kagome placed the back over her hand on her forehead. Soft warmth invaded the coolness of her hand denoting the fact that the young human girl was only sick.
"How is she?" Jaken asked, appearing at Kagomes side. Surprised by his abrupt appearances she gave him a cursory glance before bringing her attention back to the sleeping girl.
"Fine, just sick. Why did you call me? You should have taken her to the healer." Kagome reprimanded him softly as she stood to leave.
"I called you here to heal her, you are a Miko aren't you?" Jaken asked rhetorically.
"Yes of course I am a Miko but I am here as a Lady not as a Miko. Why don't you call the healer that Sesshomaru has on staff just for these occasions and have her tend to Rin." Kagome offered as she stopped at the door, which remained open to let a little bit of light into the room.
"Rin is not to leave the royal wing! And the Healer is to heal demons not human girls!" Jaken squawked sharply, keeping his voice low so as not to wake the girl.
"I'm
sure Aneko has studied something of the human physiology and would…"
"Why would she want to waste her time healing pathetic humans
like yourself?" Jaken cut her off abruptly. Kagome leveled him
with a fierce glare.
"You are as frustrating as ever!" Kagome growled out. Jaken paid her no attention. Looking to the young girl asleep on the bed, letting out a soft sigh she turned to Hotaru who still stood just outside the door. "Hotaru could you please go back to my room and bring me back my yellow bag?"
"Yes, of course Lady Kagome I'll be back in a moment." Hotaru consented as she bowed and disappeared down the hallway once more.
"Jaken, go to the kitchen and fetch me a pitcher of water and a cup."
"Me?" squawked Jaken indignantly.
"No of course not, I was speaking to the other green toad demon standing right behind you." Kagome informed him, pointing behind him. Narrowing his eyes at her he moved his head slightly to the left in attempts to look behind himself. Still he looked at Kagome, she simply raised her eyebrows in response. Feeling more confident he looked behind himself but there was no one there. Turning back to the Miko he gapped at her in confusion. "Just go Jaken!" Kagome stated firmly as she pointed to the door. Feeling foolish he went out the door leaving her alone in the room with his charge.
Letting out a heavy sigh Taree sat staring out through the opened shoji screens into the snow-covered gardens. She watched as the clouds slowly rolled in, covering the skies with a thick gray blanket. The wind began blowing softly bringing with it the scent of rain and before too long the rain began to fall, gently at first but it continued becoming stronger and stronger. Behind her, her maids continued to talk amongst them selves whispering softly, adding to the under currents of sound. A shiver ran up her spine as the frigid breeze swept in through the gardens, instinctively she smelt the air. The subtle scent of rotten vegetation and hint of life filtered through her olfactory system denoting the imperceptible advancement of spring.
The chill settled deep within her bones causing goose bumps to rise on her skin, pulling her kimono tighter around herself she rose from her spot by the door and took a seat amongst her women.
"Sakura, close the door." Taree ordered as she made herself comfortable amongst the blankets and pillows scattered about the room.
"Y-yes My Lady." Sakura uttered softly as she placed her embroidering down, bowing softly she stood and shut the door, after accomplishing the task she demurely seated her self once more and continued her previous task.
"Why must winter be so cold?" Taree asked rhetorically as shivered for emphasis.
"I don't know but I wish it would just hurry up and get over with it." Kaida commented as she glowered at nothing in particular. Taree glared at the fire demon, not having wanted a comment on the matter. Feeling her intense gaze she looked at her lady and immediately brought her eyes to the flooring, quietly she mumbled an apology, which simply fell on deaf ears.
"I wonder if My Lord is as sick of winter as I," she prompted slyly. "Riko fetch me the table and my ink stone and brush."
"Yes My Lady." The raccoon bowed then stood and fetched her what she required, placing it before her she bowed once more then returned to her seat. "Hmm now what to write?" she asked rhetorically as she gazed about herself, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Aw I know." She said softly as she rolled her brush in the fresh ink. "I wonder of you," she began, Nami giggled softly. "On this night so cold with snow," Taree said slowly holding out each syllable as she said it. "Searching for your warmth." She finished with a smile. Setting her brush down she picked up the haiku and blew on the surface softly so as the hurry the drying process. Reading over again she nodded her head in approval. "I think that will do! Miho take this to our Lord." Taree stated as she folded the haiku and handed it to the Leopards awaiting hands.
"As you wish." Miho replied as she tucked the letter into her obi, sitting before the shoji screen she opened it, stepped over the threshold, sat once more and closed the screen. Rising to her feet once more she made her way down the corridor, sooner then she anticipated Miho was standing out side of the revered Taiyoukais' study. Stealing her resolve she seated herself and knocked on the door, there was a shuffle of paper then she heard his voice, as smooth as silk filter through her pointed ears.
"Enter."
Pulling open the door she did as he said and entered into his study, kneeling once more she closed the screen. Bowing she advanced, taking a seat across from his desk. Keeping her eyes down in respect she waited for him to speak first as was custom. After several moments her ears where once more granted to rare treat of hearing his voice.
"Speak."
"I have brought to you a letter from My Lady." Miho replied as she took the letter from her obi and placed it on his table.
"Is that all?"
"Yes My Lord."
"Leave."
"Yes My Lord." And with that she left his study to return back to her Lady.
After
watching the leopard demon leave he eyed the letter critically,
picking it up he turned it over this way and that. Placing it back
onto the table he began unfolding it, her scent assaulted his noise
making him pull back from the letter. Opening the letter the rest of
the way his eyes scanned over the words, reading them as he went. He
furrowed his brow as he studied the letter, letting out an inaudible
sigh he pulled out a fresh piece of paper. Adding more water to his
ink stone he saturated his brush, clearing his mind for a moment he
closed his eyes and listened intently to the rain as it washed over
his home. Opening his eyes languidly they drifted to the pristine
paper, bringing the brush over he stained it, using the darkness to
form his reply. Placing the brush down he moved his reply to the book
shelf behind him, Sesshomaru laid it flat to dry, folding up the
haiku from Lady Taree he added it too to his collection on the
shelf.
"These women and their pathetic Haiku's will be the
death of me." Sesshomaru thought off handedly as he continued
with his prior work.
