A/N: Hi Everyone! Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews and words of encouragement! I'm so excited to see some familiar people reviewing lol. Kagome's reunion with Sesshoumaru is swiftly approaching and OMG I'm so excited lol. Sorry that it isn't in this chapter.
This chapter was inspired by the song 'Into the Fire' by Thirteen Senses. SO DAMN GOOD!
ALSO! Big shout out to my Beta for lending her skills and expertise for all the previous chapters and all the future chapters too!
P.S.: I found a better title to use for the Emperor of Japan. From here on out Sesshoumaru's title is 'Tennou-Sama'.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Chapter twenty-eight: Into the Fire
Kagome returned to the kitchen looking somber and pensive, still reeling from the strange emptiness she felt after Inuyasha's impromptu kiss to her cheek. While it wasn't inherently unpleasant, the lingering effect was less intense than Kagome thought it should be. In the kitchen it was just Totosai sitting at the table, clacking away at his laptop with a wry expression on his wrinkled visage.
"Where did Shippou went?" She casually asked as she took an empty seat beside the elderly Tai-Youkai. The humble kitchen space was quiet and peaceful, which hid the undercurrent of anxiety that everyone was trying to hide.
"Where did Shippou go…" Totosai's bulbous eyes did not look away from the laptop screen as he corrected her grammar in a blasé tone. He detected Inuyasha's scent on her but made no mention of it. Kagome absentmindedly played with the ends of her hair when he responded, not really paying much attention since she was lost in her own thoughts.
"Hm?" She questioned with an upward inflection of her voice.
"Oh, never mind." Totosai didn't have the patience to properly explain the dos and don'ts of grammar to Kagome. "Shippou has chores that need to be taken care of. Don't distract him." The Kitsune had been sent outside to tend to Mo-Mo, as well as his other responsibilities and errands demanded by Totosai. The two people seated at the kitchen table remained quiet for a minute or so, but Kagome's restless nature and boredom compelled her to speak up again.
"What are you reading?" She asked curiously, leaning in her seat to get a better view of the laptop screen. An email window was open, but she couldn't read the small text even if she wanted to. Totosai hesitated to share the sensitive information with Kagome, but ultimately decided it was best that she knew. He cleared his throat, though it didn't stop his voice from coming out trembling like usual.
"It's a summons from the capital." He started simply, still deciding how to best explain it. "I'm a member of the Tennou-sama's Privy Council and I have to be present for this next meeting." Kagome nodded, following along as she listened.
"When you will take me to Sesshoumaru?" She asked expectantly, trapping Totosai with her direct and unavoidable question. He let out a weary moan, wishing for a distraction or interruption of the uncomfortable conversation.
"Kagome, Sesshoumaru is very different from the person you once knew. What you perceive as a short amount of time since you last saw him, has actually been five hundred years of history that he's had to live through. Your expectations for how he'll behave around you aren't accurate… Sesshoumaru may not even acknowledge you at all. Prepare yourself for that kind of disappointment." Totosai's daunting preface had its intended effect on Kagome, whose face reflected serious doubt and distress. Blinking a few times, she paused before finding words.
"I understand." Kagome shut her eyes as she forced herself to accept the dismantlement of anticipation she once had. "I still needing to speak with him." With a resolved determination, the seventeen-year-old convinced Totosai to shed more light onto Sesshoumaru's new life in the modern age. He pulled up an internet search engine then typed Sesshoumaru's name in the box, and with the click of a button thousands of images of him populated in an array of small boxes across the screen. Totosai selected one at random and the picture magnified to take up most of the screen. Angling the device towards her, Totosai went on with a simplified explanation of Sesshoumaru's life while Kagome stared in rapt disbelief.
Sesshoumaru looked so different from the fresh-faced teenager that was still vivid in her mind. While his features were still angular and narrow, there was a definition in his chiseled jawline and cheekbones that revealed the amount of maturation his body had undergone during the five centuries of his life. His brow was much more pronounced, making his piercing yellow eyes look more deeply set and intense as it also accentuated the refined bridge of his nose. The front-facing portrait that Totosai selected did little to highlight Sesshoumaru's proud jaw or the graceful arc of his powerful neck, which Kagome remembered being some of her favorite aspects about him. She blinked and leaned closer to the laptop, her lapis eyes tracing every inch of his visage. The twin magenta markings that ran from his temples to cheekbones were darker in color than she recalled, but the purple crescent moon at the center of his forehead was still the same as before. There were fine lines in the corners of Sesshoumaru's eyes and faint ridges between his pale brows now, evidence of a stressful life. Long gone was the abundance of silver hair that used to reach his knees. Instead Sesshoumaru kept his hair cut in a short professional style, but there was enough length left at the top that Kagome could still make out the natural wave and body of his pale locks. Though the picture did not show his entire body as it cut off just below his chest, Kagome saw the hulking form of a fully-grown Mokomoko-sama perched on his right shoulder. It was massive, from what she could see, and hid much of his right side from view. This older Sesshoumaru was the distinguished and completely masculine version of himself that Kagome had never envisioned. It sparked her imagination in unfamiliar and exciting ways.
Totosai began his spiel with Sesshoumaru's ascension to the role of Tennou-sama in the 1950, and that it meant he was the ruler of the entire country instead of just the Western Kingdom. Explaining the events that led up to Sesshoumaru's promotion was not an option though, as Totosai didn't want the responsibility of delving into the uncomfortable topic of World War II. Kagome tried to wrap her mind around the notion of how one person could oversee an entire country, but her frame for understanding the 21st century population and influence of their small nation still needed adjusting. Totosai went on to recount Sesshoumaru's other personal milestones of marrying a young Kaze-Youkai named Kagura, who also happened to be the eldest offspring of the Prime Minister Naraku Itou. Though they had married a century prior to his taking on the role of emperor, Sesshoumaru and Kagura had yet to officially claim each other as mates.
Trying to hide her disappointment from Totosai, Kagome blinked her eyes slowly and sat back in her chair with a slow release of breath. The aged Tai-Youkai continued talking, but his voice turned to a dull ramble of nonsense that went in one ear and out the other. Though Sesshoumaru wasn't mated to Kagura, they were joined by a marriage that had lasted longer than Kagome's entire relationship with him. There was a very real sense of betrayal that struck her, causing a tightness to painfully grip inside Kagome's chest. Her mind reasoned that Sesshoumaru assumed her to be dead these five hundred years, that their arranged mating had been dissolved long before the end of the Great War and she had no claim to him whatsoever. Kagome understood all of that very well. But her heart – her young and naïve heart – would not let go of the bittersweet moments that they shared. Memories of them kissing on her patio at the Kanpeki Temple flooded Kagome's mind, bringing with them intense emotions associated with that moment. Totosai's voice continued to drone on, but Kagome couldn't take it any longer.
"Enough!" She shouted, abruptly interrupting Totosai's rambling lecture. "I don't want to hear any of it!" Lapsing back into the old language, Kagome's hands shot forward to hastily close the laptop and push it away, as if to erase the painful reality that she was expected to accept. The stubborn outburst of anger surprised Totosai, but he could tell that the young woman was distressed by the news. She doubled over to hide her face in her hands, looking as if she might cry at any moment. When he brought his hand up to pat her shoulder, Kagome jerked away before contact could be made, then moved a few paces from the table with her back to Totosai. Her entire posture screamed anxiety and frustration as she stood with her shoulders hunched and one hand on her hip. The other fidgeted with the jewel through the fire-rat haori, rolling it back and forth while she internally worked through the issue.
"Kagome," There was nothing that could be said to make her feel better, but they both knew that there were bigger issues at hand than her feelings and disappointment. He rose from the table slowly, using the chair's back to help ease himself into a standing position, and watched Kagome carefully.
"I'm here to deliver the Kami's will and… and serve those who need liberation. My life is not my own anymore… and I must rid myself of these selfish desires." Speaking aloud in a hushed whisper, Kagome didn't necessarily intend for Totosai to hear. She reiterated her purpose and reminded herself of what needed to be sacrificed to meet the demands made by the Kami. As a teenager and someone who suffered greatly in her life, it was in Kagome's rightful nature to want the amazing things that were just beyond her reach. She had every reason to strive for Sesshoumaru's affections, to enjoy her youth, and experience the unimaginable freedom that wasn't allowed to her before. But those were the whims of a simple girl with simple aspirations; Kagome was not a simple girl anymore. With a quiet sigh that helped to relax her stiff posture, Kagome turned to face the Tai-Youkai before her. Totosai saw in her eyes acceptance of the situation, albeit reluctant, that hadn't been there before.
"You've decided?" He questioned, already knowing what conclusion she had come to. Kagome nodded, and her face turned into a determined, resolute expression.
"I need to speak with Sesshoumaru. He's the one I'll need to convince the most about my reasons for being here… I must get him on my side. If he believes me, so will everyone else." There was a pause when a fleeting expression of doubt crossed Kagome's face. "Right?" Totosai was glad to see Kagome commit to the very difficult task at hand and he inwardly vowed to assist her in every capacity that he could. It was the least he could do, considering all the ways she had suffered and would come to sacrifice.
"I'll get you in front of the Tennou-sama. Even if it means bringing you to the summit with me." It was a bold move, but if anyone could get away with bringing a Ningen to a Summit meeting it was Totosai. There were too many Youkai indebted to him, too much of their country's success accredited to him, for the old hermit to be worried about consequences for his actions. He was untouchable; or so he believed.
"Thank you, Totosai-sama." Kagome smiled appreciatively and gave him a respectful bow of gratitude and reverence. Totosai dared a slight grin and waved his hand dismissively, urging her to stand up straight. "What's going to happen?" She asked curiously, not knowing what was in store. The aged Youkai beckoned Kagome to walk into the hallway with him, which she obligingly did. He let out a quiet groan with each step, but still belligerently refused to take Kagome's arm as an offer of support.
"Look at this picture." They stopped in the short corridor where the walls were lined with perfectly framed and mounted photographs, focusing on one in particular. It was a large black and white print, at least twenty-four by eighteen inches big, that showed a gathering of people taken against the backdrop of a beautifully manicured garden. There were at least twenty individuals in the picture, each more beautiful and stern than the next. Kagome stepped closer to it and quickly recognized Sesshoumaru standing amongst the front row towards the left, and Totosai was near the center. Her dazzling eyes traced every detail, pondering the significance. "This photograph was taken one hundred and fifty-seven years ago, in 1860." He informed calmly, his large eyes taking on a strange look as nostalgia overcame him. Kagome studied the style of outdated clothes that everyone in the picture was wearing, though it still looked much more modern than what was considered contemporary for her time. "The Privy Council is made up of the highest-ranking Youkai in our country, including all the Taisho, their generals, and those of great influence. In 1860, Yasu Shoichi was the Tennou-sama…"
Totosai went on to enlighten Kagome on a condensed history of the Summit meetings, who was expected to attend, and what happened during them. Kagome did her best to keep up with all the names and changes that the old Youkai listed as things of import, but quickly lost track of his surprisingly swift train of thought. She had a sense that Totosai was intentionally leaving out certain aspects and events, but couldn't bring herself to interrupt his long tirade. It wasn't until he got to the current state of things that Kagome's interest and attention returned.
"The summit's hosted at the Kokyo, the imperial residence for the Tennou-sama and his family. All deliberations are done beneath the administration building." Totosai paused to take a breath, allowing Kagome an opportunity to jump in.
"Beneath?" She asked curiously.
"Yes. A massive hall was constructed a hundred feet into the ground, connected to the administration building by a single shaft. It's where the Privy Council meets because it allows for complete security from anyone trying to listen in on our conversations." He chuckled at Kagome's mildly surprised reaction and continued. "The Summit lasts up to a week, though we try to come to a final decision in the first two or three days. I hate putting up with all their bickering and scheming." Totosai's clear derision for his fellow council members caused Kagome to let out a short laugh. It was easy to imagine all the prestigious and haughty figures arguing like petulant teenagers.
"I'm sure your voice is the loudest. You always have to get the last word." She teased good-naturedly, earning a sharp look from the corner of Totosai's round eye.
"Once everyone arrives at the Kokyo, a barrier will be erected to prevent anyone from entering or leaving. We basically go into seclusion. The days are spent in deliberation, but everyone is permitted to their own privacy in the evenings. The visiting dignitaries reside in the main palace building, the Kyuden, during their stay. You'll room with me, which is more than accommodating. On the last night, a banquet is held to celebrate whatever resolution was made during the deliberations. There will be food, dancing, and – Oh, you remember what a Youkai-hosted banquet is like. I'm sure you attended a few before departing the Western Palace."
"I always had Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha there to keep me safe and entertained." Kagome's voice bordered on sounding self-pitying, which Totosai would have none of.
"Well, I cannot speak for the quality of their company. You will just have to make do with Shippou and myself." His no-nonsense words snapped Kagome back to reality and she nodded dutifully. "This will be the second time in our entire history that a Ningen will be present for such an event." The thoughts in Totosai's head slipped past his wrinkled lips.
"When was the first time?" Kagome pondered as she gazed at Sesshoumaru's handsome face in the old photograph before them. Totosai craned his neck to look up at Kagome with an incredulous eye. She didn't seem to notice.
"I'm surprised that you even have to ask." He said harshly, causing her to finally meet his gaze with her own confused one. "It was Tora Higurashi who first broke tradition and sat as an equal during the gathering of Youkai leaders."
Realization dawned on Kagome that Totosai knew more about her father than she previously surmised. The notion that he and Tora had mingled once before seemed like an unlikely possibility, but stranger things did happen.
"I never understood how brave he was until now." She said with a somber smile. Kagome looked back at the photograph, imagining what her father must have felt like when entering a room as the only Ningen in a sea of Youkai. "I'm terrified." Totosai nodded and cleared his throat. It was reasonable for Kagome to have some trepidation about attending the Summit.
"Best to follow his example when conducting yourself." He offered simply. "You're going as my guest, not as a servant. Be polite, but never submissive. They will only treat you in the manner that you allow." With a groan, Totosai stiffly turned to make his way into the sitting room. The deep-seated couch was calling his name.
"Is that how Otou-san behaved?" Kagome moved across the foyer with the Tai-Youkai host, following him so they might continue their discussion in comfort. "Were you there for any of the meetings that he attended?" The darkened living room was illuminated as Totosai flipped the light switch as he passed by. The still room was cold, but Kagome didn't mind.
"A few." Totosai moaned as his hunched body fell back into the couch, sinking into it's fabric cushions as he released a sigh of relief. Kagome took her seat next to him, leaving appropriate space between them. "I remember that Tora Higurashi was an exemplary guest. He showed great bravery in the face of overwhelming opposition from Youkai who would have preferred him dead." Kagome shut her eyes to the images that were conjured by Totosai's bleak words. "Your Otou-san had a calling that very few understood or accepted, but that didn't stop him."
"Do you think he was scared at all?" She asked softly, not sure what answer would make her feel better.
"Oh, he was absolutely petrified. No doubt. But the fear of death was less than his fear of failure. Tora Higurashi embraced his fears and believed in his calling. Some would say to a fault." Totosai shook his head as he brought a trembling hand up to smooth the wiry hairs on his chin. His cryptic words were distasteful, and Kagome's head gave a slight jerk back as an upset expression flitted across her face.
"Why do you say that?" She asked in a clipped tone.
"Because it's what got him killed in the end." Totosai didn't sugarcoat it for her. "His blind dedication to that foolhardy and noble calling is one of the contributing factors to the massacre of your family. There are many who think his meddling in Youkai affairs is what escalated the war." Hearing that her father was responsible for such chaos and death was not easy for Kagome, and she turned her head away from Totosai with a stubbornly set jaw. "You've inherited his mind and spirit, Kagome. For that you should be proud. But the difference between you and your Otou-san is that that you get to learn from his mistakes. Use the ground he gained as a platform for your own. Finish the story that he started."
As tactless as he was, there was a poignancy in his words that eased Kagome's rigid attitude. She shut her eyes and swallowed the angry words that wanted to lash back at him, then finally inclined her face towards him. There was a beat of silence before Kagome brought herself to speak again.
"Teach me what to do." She requested calmly, opening her eyes to gaze back at him. "Teach me how to be better than him."
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Later that morning, after discussing with Totosai the notion of Kagome attending the Summit, Shippou found himself at the nearest town in the hopes of finding a decent clothing store. One of his titles was that of 'errand boy', and after so many years of it Shippou considered himself more than capable for the task at hand. Kagome had nothing to her name, not even a toothbrush. So, it was up to the Kitsune-Youkai to get absolutely everything she needed to successfully begin her life in the modern world. He'd already stopped at one of the larger stores to get all the necessary toiletries for a young woman, having left with practically one of everything from the beauty and health aisles. All that remained was to purchase Kagome a new wardrobe in order to get through the week-long Summit. She couldn't show up in Sango's borrowed shorts and t-shirt, nor in Inuyasha's fire-rat haori.
The sleepy Ningen town didn't have much to offer in terms of a variety of suitable clothing stores, but there was at least one shop that popped up on his phone that seemed to fit the bill. It was a privately-owned family clothing store that offered both commercially made pieces as well as a few dresses of the proprietor's own making. When he entered the humble storefront, there were a few women already perusing the shelves and racks for something that might catch their eye. Being dressed in a casual, though still top-dollar, outfit didn't alert them to Shippou's Youkai status. But the dashing Honouiro-sama that draped across his chest certainly did. Though his posture displayed only a relaxed and friendly attitude, Shippou wasn't surprised when the Ningen patrons nervously left the store in a hurry, leaving the anxious store owner alone with him. She was a middle-aged woman, pretty in the face but wide around the hips, who kept a thin measuring tape around her neck. Her frantic heartbeat reached Shippou's ears, but he appreciated her attempts at remaining professional.
"Ohayou gozaimasu! Is there anything I can help you find?" She bowed respectfully. Her voice seemed caught in the back of her throat and the smile that pulled at her tight lips belied the terror that she felt. Shippou offered a friendly smile as he moved past mannequins, displays of neatly folded pants, and racks of perfectly hung shirts. There was gentle music playing from a small radio behind the register counter and the natural light from outside filtered into the quaint space.
"Yeah, hi there. I'm buying a whole new wardrobe for my friend. We're going away for about a week and she needs absolutely everything." He informed bluntly, not sure how else to best explain the situation. As Shippou came up to the register where the woman stood, he noticed her politely folded hands clench and heard as she swallowed nervously. Part of him was offended by her undue fear, but the other side argued that most Ningen had a reason to react in such a way.
"I-I see. We have a wide selection to choose from." She offered graciously and gestured to the nearest display of casual outfits. "What kind of event is it for? A vacation? Or, perhaps a business affair? This would look wonderful paired with a blazer." She held up a white blouse to her chest, trying to start somewhere with the intimidating Tai-Youkai. Shippou suddenly realized how daunting this errand was going to be. He looked around the store and finally noticed just how many options there were to choose from, then felt a burning desire to call up one of his female friends to help.
"Well, yes and no." He started slowly, looking back at the confused woman with a sheepish grin. "She's got nothing right now. I'm gonna need sleep clothes, casual stuff, and formal outfits too." The store owner's priceless surprised reaction made the Kitsune chuckle, as he knew this would end up being a very lucrative day for her. "This is a very important event that we're attending, so I'm looking for simple and elegant. No cleavage, no short skirts, and nothing flashy. I'm also gonna need all the stuff that goes underneath the clothes too. Bra, panties, etcetera…" An embarrassed heat overtook Shippou's face and he couldn't bring himself to look the woman in the eye, but she handled it in stride.
"That shouldn't be an issue." The warmth in her voice caught Shippou's attention. He looked back up at her and saw a genuine smile barely pulling at the ends of her thin lips. "It would help if I knew the woman's tastes and measurements."
"Oh… well I don't know what her measurements are. She's a little skinnier than you. Shorter too. Does that help?" As tactless as ever, Shippou didn't even recognize the faux pas until the woman looked at him with a flustered, irritated expression.
"Not-Not exactly." She said in a clipped tone. "What dress size does she wear?"
"I just said I don't know any of that." He rebuffed, this time straining his words to emphasize his utter lack of helpful knowledge. The edge in Shippou's tone only made the poor woman take a step back as she bowed deeply before him, obviously cautious about the infamous temper of Youkai.
"I'm sorry!" She begged meekly, instantly causing Shippou to feel like a horrible monster. He swallowed his pride and frustration, then gently touched her shoulder to get her attention. When she looked up, there was an apologetic grin pulling at one corner of Shippou's mouth that set her at ease again.
"Look, just bring your best suggestions to the dressing room in the back. Start with the casual stuff and we'll work our way up to formal." He spoke with a soft, helpful tone that proved quite effective. The shop owner's nerves seemed to fall away as she nodded with a smile of her own.
"Yessir! Right away!" And with that, she shuffled around the store to collect clothes of different styles and sizes, starting with pajamas and undergarments. Shippou quickly dipped into the simple changing area at the back of the store, where a white curtain served as the only shield to protect a customer's modesty. It was a big enough space that a short bench could fit in the corner, and one wall had a series of six hooks ready to lend assistance. There was a tall mirror pushed against the back wall as well, though Shippou willingly turned away from it for the next part.
He stripped out of his clothes, setting them neatly on the bench, until he was practically naked behind the flimsy curtain. He could hear the shop owner still rummaging around and gauged that there was enough time before she came over with her first wave of choices. The Youkai pictured Kagome in his mind, focusing hard on the actual dimensions and proportions of her body that he'd seen so far. In a 'poof' of pale green smoke and with the familiar 'pop', the Kitsune transformed into the body of his friend. He waved his hands to dissipate the scentless smoke before the woman came over, willfully ignoring every opportunity to sneak a perverse look at the naked form he now inhabited. It was the closest Shippou could surmise to what Kagome looked like, though minus the scars that he knew nothing about. When the shop owner announced her presence outside the curtain, Shippou reached his feminine hand out to take the offered clothes. But the unexpected sight of a distinctly woman's appendage did not go unnoticed.
"Sir, is someone back there with you? We don't allow that in this store!" She announced shrilly, worried that the decent reputation of her store was about to be tarnished. From inside the dressing room, as he struggled into a black cotton bra, Shippou huffed and rolled his eyes. Kagome's long hair was getting in the way of everything, making the arduous task even more frustrating.
"Don't worry, it's still me." He stated loudly with his still very masculine voice. The woman outside listened in confused shock. "I'm a Kitsune-Youkai and can transform into different shapes. This just makes it easier to figure out what'll look good on my friend." There were more sounds of struggle coming from inside the dressing room, making the store own hesitate to offer any hands-on assistance.
"O-oh! I suppose that makes sense…" She muttered behind her fingertips, standing by the white curtain.
It didn't take Shippou long to decide that her practical knowledge and expertise was required. He called the woman into the dressing room to help get the appropriate measurements of Kagome's body, and things soon got much easier for the two now that she knew what sizes to pull. A consistent rhythm soon developed as she brought more selections for Shippou to try on, and he passed back those that did and didn't make the cut. All sense of organization and pretense was forgotten as they worked as a team to develop a decent wardrobe that would meet all of Kagome's needs. They even found a reason to laugh and joke with one another.
By the end of two hours, there was a pile of clothes on the counter that ranged from underwear to formal dresses. There was more than a week's worth of outfits, but Shippou didn't care. In his mind it was the least he could do for Kagome. Wiped out from the physical exertion of changing in and out of so many clothes, Shippou looked a ragged mess when he stepped out of the small room. He was back in his true form and dressed in the clothes he'd arrived in. The shop owner was behind the register, busy with sorting and folding the mountain of clothes as she rang up each item. The store was quiet again, except for the radio in the background and the continuous 'beep' as she ran each barcode. People outside walked past as they went about their lives, ignorant of the small miracle unfolding inside. Shippou walked up to the counter as he adjusted Honouiro-sama across his chest, exchanging a knowing smile with the relaxed Ningen.
"You were incredibly helpful today, ma'am. I'll be sure to tell my friend to come by your store sometime." He watched as the total cost climbed higher and higher, unfazed by the staggering price.
"Thank you! This has certainly been one of my most interesting days since we opened five years ago." The sweet store owner laughed under her breath as she contended with five shoe boxes. "None of my Youkai customers have ever been so friendly. It's nice to see that some of you are capable of humility." The flippant comment caught Shippou off guard, but his startled reaction went unnoticed by the busy store owner. He had never heard a Ningen be so candid and openly critical about their interaction with Youkai, and yet she said it so easily that it almost seemed natural. He remained lost in thought while she finished ringing everything up and sorting it all into various sized bags. She announced the final cost and he paid the steep amount without hesitation, watching with a still puzzled expression as she swiped his card through the handy machine between them.
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Shippou returned to Totosai's estate a little after noon. His top of the line Mazda SUV was stocked full of shopping bags, and it took more than a few trips between it and the guest bedroom to completely unload it. Kagome and Totosai were still seated in the living room discussing proper etiquette when the Kitsune came marching from the back door on his way through the house, his arms laden with boxes and bags. She quickly jumped into action and helped her generous friend finish the task, curious about the purchased items. Totosai was glad to let them have at it, as he needed a break from instructing Kagome in the ways of modern decorum. The rest of the afternoon was spent helping Shippou prepare a midday meal for Totosai and themselves, which Kagome greatly enjoyed as she experienced the unfamiliar sensation of fullness for the second time that day.
While it was clear that she was severely malnourished, the color in Kagome's skin looked much healthier and lively than before. Her energy and stamina were improving as well. It could be partly attributed to the Shikon No Tama's healing effect, but there was something to be said for a good night's rest and proper eating habits. After insisting on cleaning up the mess made by their lunch preparations, Kagome joined Shippou outside to spend time alone with him. Along with Inuyasha's borrowed fire-rat haori, she was lent a pair of warm sweatpants and heavy fur-lined boots to protect her from the cold November weather. Shippou commented that she was still adorable even with the awkward and mismatching ensemble.
Totosai watched them from the open back door of the main house, standing quietly as he mulled over the current situation. It was precarious, to say the least. There was no way of knowing how the other Youkai lords, or Sesshoumaru for that matter, would react to Kagome's presence and the message that she had to share with them. Totosai was already under fire for his controversial ideas, and this would be like adding gasoline to that dangerous flame. But as he watched Kagome standing in the fields with Shippou, petting and admiring Mo-Mo, he couldn't help but reaffirm the decision to be her advocate and protector. Her very nature compelled him to believe in the future of which she spoke, and there was too much regret in his life to allow him to remain an uninvolved observer.
Looking down at his phone, Totosai sucked his teeth at the aggravating sight of zero new notifications. He was one of the few individuals who had a direct connection to the Tennou-sama's private cellphone. But what good did that do when Sesshoumaru refused to reply to his many missed calls and texts? Totosai was reluctant to leave any messages that explicitly mentioned Kagome, but they were still urgent enough to warrant a response from the elusive Tai-Youkai. The fire-breathing hermit wanted to avoid bringing Kagome to the Summit if possible, but all signs indicated that there was no way around it. Heaving a sigh of resignation, Totosai shook his head woefully before clearing his throat.
"Shippou!" He shouted feebly, sounding pitiful with his wavering voice. The sound echoed across the open field, garnering the attention of both Shippou and Kagome. He was currently showing her the luxury vehicle that Totosai used for trips into the city, letting Kagome sit in the front seat to learn the confusing set up of modern transportation, when they heard the old Youkai holler. "We leave tomorrow morning. Find some spare luggage and help her pack." Totosai promptly closed the shoji door and turned to retreat into his private room, rueful of the impending circus known as the Summit.
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Kagome wasn't sure of the exact time, but she knew it was well past midnight when she rolled onto her back with a frustrated grunt. She had retired to bed hours ago, after another amazing meal and watching something called 'television' with Shippou and Totosai. Her body felt exhausted, but her mind was active with thoughts and concerns for tomorrow. Looking up at the ceiling with an accusatory gaze, Kagome shifted her body once more on the bouncy mattress and adjusted the sheets. No position was comfortable enough to lull the frustrated and fatigued girl into a much-needed sleep.
The room's low temperature felt even colder due to her freshly washed body. Kagome wasn't accustomed to bathing so often, but knew she preferred it over going weeks without one. She was dressed in one of the new pajamas that Shippou bought earlier that day. The cotton fabric was dyed a pretty blue color and that pajama pants were rather enjoyable once she got used to them. After moving her leg, Kagome noticed an unfamiliar sensation when the pajama pant moved against her smooth shaved calf. It was nice, but Kagome was still lost as for why people insisted on removing so much hair from their bodies. There were small nicks and cuts on her shins and knees, and one on her left armpit, that disinclined Kagome from keeping up the superfluous routine. She would talk to Sango as soon as possible for a better explanation of modern beauty and health practices because Shippou had been terrible at it.
The cranky teenager huffed and rolled over to her side, keeping her eyes shut tight. She couldn't get past being so high off the ground or laying on such a soft mattress. It didn't feel right. Less than a minute passed when Kagome opened her eyes again, staring hard at the neatly arranged luggage pushed against the furthest wall. It was strange to think that she owned things again, after years of adapting to life without a choice of clothes or luxuries. When Shippou went over everything that had been purchased for her, from toothbrush to evening gowns, Kagome felt more and more overwhelmed by the sudden availability of options. How was she expected to keep track of it all? And after the Summit, where would she and her new belongings reside?
Groaning pitifully, Kagome sat up and threw the covers away from her legs in a flurry of sheets. There was no way she'd fall asleep on such a tall bed. After a few grunts and some hard tugs, the heavy top mattress eventually slipped onto the floor with a soft thud. With intense determination, Kagome settled into a comfortable position on the mattress. Reassured by its new firmness, she pulled the sheets over her head and forced her eyes to remain shut until sleep finally claimed her. Just as her mind receded into the deepest state of unconsciousness, a familiar sinking sensation began to pull at her very core. The world around her was black, her body was unseen, but Kagome was not afraid. She was annoyed.
"Hello? Kami-sama?" She spoke out into the darkness. Their answer came swiftly.
"…You've done well…" The disembodied voices praised warmly, though it did little to make Kagome feel better.
"Thank you." She replied curtly, waiting less than a second to follow up with a rather snarky question. "Am I ever going to fall asleep without being visited by you?" Even though she was communing with the almighty Kami, Kagome couldn't refrain from voicing her exasperation with their constant intrusions of her dreams.
"…Tomorrow will be quite perilous… Are you prepared?" The amalgamation of voices that were neither male nor female disregarded Kagome's last query in lieu of asking their own.
"Yes!" She answered hastily, but that defensive attitude quickly melted away. "No." Now appearing contrite and uncertain, Kagome's true worries came into light. "I don't know how I can face Sesshoumaru again. What if I make a fool of myself in front of him and the other Youkai lords?"
"…Lean on those whom you trust… Draw inspiration from Tora Higurashi's example… You will know what to do and what to say…" Their vague answers did not ease her concerns though.
"I don't remember much about how my Otou-san acted around them. What if I do something, say something, which makes things worse?" Kagome pushed for precise instructions that she knew the Kami would not provide. "Can't you be more specific about what I'm supposed to do? Who I can trust?"
"…We do not see all… There are those who elude even our watchful eyes… When it comes time for you to act… you will know what is right…" The definitive tone told Kagome that there was no use in pressing for more, and she reluctantly accepted the ambiguous advice.
"Yes, Kami-sama." Expecting to feel the familiar tug of her brain regaining consciousness, Kagome was surprised to hear the Kami speak again.
"…Seek out Bokuseno…" They urged simply, offering no context of who the unknown person was.
"Bokuseno?" She repeated to herself, unfamiliar with the name. It was then that Kagome recognized the stomach-churning sensation of her body waking up from slumber, but not before the Kami's voices quietly echoed one last time in her mind.
"…He has been waiting a long time to meet you…"
