Kagome awoke in the late afternoon, a storm last night keeping her awake until the early hours of the morning. Stretching underneath the weight of her blanket and yawning loudly, she stared up at the ceiling, one arm draped over her middle and the other rubbing at her sore throat as she tried to organize her thoughts. Today she would have to meet with Shippo and the others. Last night she hadn't been up to the encounter, but even ill health wouldn't be able to keep her friends at bay now.
Sniffling, she grimaced at how bad her body still felt. Although, Kagome couldn't be too surprised considering it was only last evening that any antibiotics had been available for her use. Speaking of which....
Glancing to the table by her bed, she saw the small bottle resting innocently upon the lacquered surface, its white label catching the sunlight pouring in from the window so the black letters looked even more pronounced. Rolling onto her side, she reached over and picked it up, peering closely at the directions on its side.
'Take one every eight hours,' she read silently, shaking the bottle while calculating if it was the correct time to swallow another white pill or not. Levering herself into a sitting position, she grabbed another tissue as she sneezed, discarding it carelessly onto the floor beside its comrades before looking for the dainty gold watch she carried every with her.
She had placed it on the table next to the cup of water last night, making sure to keep some form of timepiece close by so that she wouldn't accidentally overdose herself with medication.
Catching the glint of sun reflecting off shiny metal, she saw that about nine and a half hours had past since she fell asleep. Plenty of time so that taking her medication would be fine.
Pushing her messy hair away from her face and over her shoulders, she frowned a little when she noticed that the light sweatshirt she was wearing felt too warm. A flush rose up in her cheeks, Kagome kicking the blanket off her legs, the cool air nice on her bare feet.
Leaning back against the cold wall at the head of the bed, she gave a sigh frustration when she found out that there was no water in the cup nor inside the small carafe beside it.
Feeling particularly lazy this morning, she put the glass back while calling out hoarsely, "Akito-kun! Kito-chan, can you come in here for a minute?!" She ran the bottle through her fingers, hoping the kitsune had heard her even though her voice wasn't able to yell all that well.
She smiled cheerfully when a second later her door opened, the fox youkai's head poking around the heavy piece of wood, one navy eyebrow arched as he looked at the girl lounging on her bed.
"You needed something, Lady?"
Gesturing with her hand, she wiggled her toes a bit, giving him an engaging smile as he came into the room, closing the door behind him.
"Kito-chan, could you do me a favor?" Clasping her hands in front of herself, she made her eyes big and hopeful as he came to a stop beside her bed, the fox making sure to step around the wadded up delicate paper on the floor. "Pretty pretty please?"
Akito watched the female's antics, amused at the picture she made with her wild hair, too white skin with the color high on her cheeks and over her nose.
Lips tilting on one side in a small smirk, he leaned, relaxed, against his spear, blue eyes a little less frigid than usual.
"You know you have but to ask and I shall do anything you like, Lady." Waving his clawed hand towards her still prayer-like stance, he added with a low chuckle, "There is no need for such theatrics to get your way."
She laughed, coughing behind one hand, still clasping the pills in the other. Slouching where she sat, the girl gave him a grin when the youkai's gaze turned concerned.
Her voice was husky when she said, "Ugh. The reason I called you was to ask if you could, maybe, get me some more water so I could take my medicine?" She shook the bottle for emphasis.
"Of course, Lady. It would be no trouble at all." The fox demon reassured the human, quickly sweeping his sharp eyes over the side table, noticing that, indeed, there was none of the refreshing liquid there.
She must have been really thirsty last night to have drank it all....
"I'll get it for you right away, Lady." He made to move away from the bed, but was pulled up short when she grabbed onto his hand, causing him to stiffen at the sensations that simple touch sent through his body.
Turning back towards her, he held himself rigidly, trying to hold back the blush that wanted to take residence in his cheeks.
Kagome, innocent of what the contact was doing to the demon, pulled his hand up till the back of it was resting against her cheek, closing her eyes and leaning into it with a sigh.
"That feels nice," she moved his hand till it was now on her forehead, her eyes becoming covered by the appendage. "I think I have a fever. Does it feel like I have one?"
Akito moved closer till his side was almost touching her shoulder, trying to determine if the miko did, indeed, have a fever. It was hard to tell, what with all the random emotions flowing chaotically through his system, but he still managed to keep his stoic facade in place.
"It does feel like your skin is a little warm, Lady." He flipped his hand over until the calloused flesh of his palm lay on her brow, not being able to resist the urge to gently sift his fingertips through the fringe of her bangs. Akito willed some of his power into his hand so that it made his skin even cooler than before without producing any ice. "You should stay in bed and rest some more today. The only way you are going to get better is if you let your body heal."
Kagome sniffled, enjoying the cool feeling of the ice youkai's touch, the light scraping of nails through her hair soothing. Both her hands now lay, folded, in her lap, the bottle held between them.
Her words were soft, a little wistful as she answered him. "I wish I could, Kito-chan. Really, I feel awful." Sensing that he was close, she listed to the side until her side rested upon him, taking comfort from the contact. Whenever she was sick at home Souta always came in and spent time with her, either talking or listening to music or whatever. Being with Akito made her feel a little better, like she did when with her brother. The girl had no idea that everything she was feeling was being past on to the fox youkai, too intent on just enjoying having someone to lean on.
Akito stiffened at first when she had moved to use him as a support, the hand on her forehead freezing in mid-caress. But he soon relaxed when he realized she was only seeking something to take her mind off of how bad she felt.
A foreign jab of compassion shot through his heart, his eyes going from their iceberg hue to the warm blue of spring skies while he repositioned his hand to resume pushing the silky strands of her raven locks away from her face.
"Then why not simply remain in bed. I'm sure your friends would understand," he kept his voice low, not wishing to disturb her since she looked so peaceful, her head resting lightly along his ribs, blue-grey eyes closed.
"I can't. I already put off meeting with them yesterday and I know that even though they might say it was okay, I would feel too guilty, just leaving them in the dark," she frowned a little. "They came all this way to see if I was alright, after all. The least I can do is reassure them Sesshoumaru hasn't conveniently deposited me in a dungeon or whatever."
She didn't see the smirk that flashed over his features, the knowing look in his eyes. The arctic kitsune seriously doubted his master would dispose of this human any time soon. The more he saw the Taiyoukai with the girl the more he noticed the subtle ways he treated the miko differently from anyone else in the castle.
He really did wish he knew the exact relationship between the two....
"Lord Sesshoumaru has already met with them, letting them all know you are safe, Lady. Plus, I am sure Lord Inu Yasha would have told your friends not to worry about you while you're here." At the mention of the hanyou's name her eyes opened, staring with a dark sadness at the window.
"I'm sure he has," her tone was distracted, the light glaze in her eyes letting the arctic youkai know her mind was on other things.
From the looks of it, not altogether pleasant thoughts either.
Removing his hand, he tapped a claw a couple of times on her forehead, causing her to start before looking up at him with raised black brows.
"I need to get your water for you so you can take your pills, Lady," he grinned at how the comment made her flush in embarrassment as she returned to her spot on the wall.
Once she was no longer in contact with him, he moved to stand in his usual straight-backed pose, face now back to its regular impassive lines.
Kagome gave him a sheepish look, thinking she probably made the guard think she was some clingy female at using him as a place to rest her body like that.
"Sorry about that, Akito-kun. I didn't mean to glob onto your side and force my problems on you like that."
Surprise etched his handsome features at the genuine remorse lacing every word she spoke.
Did she honestly think what she had done was offensive to him in some way?
He felt his expression softening, unable to prevent it even if he tried. Which he didn't.
"There is no need to apologize, Lady. Believe me, I wasn't offended or appalled at your behavior."
She chewed on her lower lip, looking unsure but hopeful. "Are you sure? It's just whenever I get sick at home my brother usually keeps me company and since you remind me of him a little I guess I got carried away."
The fox youkai was a bit amazed that the girl would already view him with such open trust and affection after only knowing him briefly. But then again, he was quickly learning that he found it relatively easy to adjust to the emotions she evoked in him, so perhaps, considering her personality, it wasn't so unusual at all.
"I'm honored, Lady, that you would compare me to your brother." He gave a small bow, a smile in his eyes when he rose to stare down at her. "If my presence can offer you even the tiniest bit of comfort do not hesitate to use it. I assure you, I do not mind at all."
A relieved sigh left her body, glad to know that he actually seemed alright with her odd behavior. The sunny smile she aimed at him lit her eyes to a shiny greyish blue color he had never seen before, the strange hues mesmerizing him a bit.
"Thanks, Kito-chan! You really are like Souta in some ways." Winking, she added with a smirk, "Except, I doubt if you would pull my hair to get my attention or throw water on me when I wouldn't wake up fast enough in the morning."
Navy eyebrows arced up nearly disappearing in his white bangs. "No, Lady. You never have to fear such treatment from me." A small smirk of his own briefly lifted his lips before he added, "Although, I can relate when it comes to the antics of younger siblings. My younger brothers pulled some similar stunts on me and the other older kits when we all lived with one another."
Kagome looked at the kitsune with interest. "You have brothers, Akito-kun? That's great! How many?"
"Five, Lady, including myself. I am the second to oldest," his tone was proud when he spoke of his family, affection lingering in his eyes as he thought about them.
"Wow," her eyes widened at the number, clearly impressed. "Your mother must be a very strong woman to raise five male kits."
He nodded, smiling at the mention of his mother. "Yes, she is a remarkable woman. She manages to keep us and our father in line at any rate. Which I assure you, is no easy task."
She laughed, enjoying getting to know more about the kitsune. Kagome always did love hearing about people and their families, the things that made their life special and worth living.
Drawing up her knees, she wrapped her arms about them, the bottle of pills now laying forgotten on the pristine sheets. "Tell me, what are your brothers' names? What do they do for a living? Are some of them still at home?"
Amused at the curiosity this human always possessed about others, he answered her questions patiently. "Starting from youngest to oldest there is Keisuke, Toryn, Najoro, and Kiro. Keisuke and Toryn serve the Lord of the Eastern Provinces, and have done so for the last twenty years or so. Najoro remains at home still to help my father and mother take care of our own small keep while Kiro is also serving under Lord Sesshoumaru right now."
"Really?" She looked excited at the news that one of his family members was close by, sitting up a little to face him more as she asked, "What does Kiro do for Sesshoumaru? Is he a personal guard like you?"
Akito thought over what his older brother did for a living, figuring out how to word the tasks he was asked to complete.
"Kiro was Inutaisho's personal guard before he passed away, but since coming into the employ of Lord Sesshoumaru his post has altered till he is now the top marksman of the palace."
A puzzled frown marred her brow. "Marksman? You mean like a sniper? Someone that can shoot anything at any distance?"
Shaking his head in the negative, his white bangs moving with the action, he corrected her assumption. "No, Lady. What Kiro is, is the top assassin in Lord Sesshoumaru's army." Waving a clawed hand, he added, "But he is rarely ever sent out so he can usually be found training the warriors in the dojo until he is needed."
A chill ran down Kagome's spine at the news, some of her exuberance of before draining away under those sobering words.
Of course. Every Lord during feudal Japan, especially one with as much power as Sesshoumaru, would have at least one assassin in his employ, if for nothing else than as a make-shift bodyguard. It still didn't make her unease settle down though.
Noticing that the miko seemed a bit disturbed by what he had said, he said, looking a little contrite, "Lady, I didn't mean to upset you. Forgive my tactlessness. I forgot for a moment that you aren't very familiar with the way things are done inside a demon's keep." Trying to rectify his blunder, he offered tentatively, "If you would like, I could introduce you to my brother when you are recovered, that way you could see for yourself that he isn't some unfeeling killing machine."
Seeing how her reaction had made the kitsune feel, she waved her hands in a placating way, smiling in an attempt to let him know she was fine. "Oh please, don't feel bad, Akito-kun! I'm sure your family is wonderful and I would love to meet your brother!" Lowering her hands, she plucked nervously at the soft linen beneath them. "I just.... I guess it keeps slipping my mind where I'm at and when."
He arched a brow at her use of words. "When, Lady?"
Realizing her slip up, she moved to get out of bed, causing her guard to step back and allow her enough room so she could walk to the armoire. "Um, could I get that water now, Akito-kun?" Glancing at him over her shoulder, she locked her eyes with his, opening the doors to the furniture that held her clothing. "I'd better get dressed and start my day so I can see my friends."
Inclining his head, he gave a quick "Of course" before leaving, closing the door behind him.
Once he was gone Kagome pulled out the necessary items of clothing, deciding that today she would wear jeans, as usual, and a dark blue thermal top with a lightweight black zip-up jacket over that.
She was too hot from her slight temperature to stand anything heavier.
Putting the clothes onto her chair, she turned, noticing the Kleenex on the floor, making a face at it before going to clean them up. Catching a glimpse of the radio, she turned it on, putting a cd into it without bothering to see what it was before pressing play.
After that was finished, she began getting ready for the day, thoughts of assassins running through her mind.
She hadn't known that Sesshoumaru would have the very weapon at his disposal that had come so close to ending his own life.
It made her wonder.....how many other youkai had the same demons in their own arsenal.....
The song 'Going Under' by Evanescence began playing, making her frown. That particular music group had a strange way of using lyrics that resembled her personal life a little too closely. She left it on, though, figuring she should at least listen to it once since Souta had gone to the trouble of making it for her.
Kagome paused in the middle of fastening her jeans, a sudden thought bringing her up short.
Was there an ulterior reason for Kouga to have come here? Why had the wolf prince suddenly decided to come to Sesshoumaru's castle? Just to make sure she made it here safely? Even to her it sounded weak.
She would have to ask him, either today or sometime soon.
Determined, she went back to completing her morning ritual of dressing and such.
Today was definitely going to be trying.
She seriously doubted if learning about Akito's brother's profession was going to be the only surprise that was revealed.
Kami, she could hardly wait.......
*************
Inu Yasha and the rest of the group were currently seated around a low table in the formal dining room of the Taisho castle. Long dark wooden tables were positioned in a straight line down the center of the room, silk plush magenta and black pillows set at each spot where a table setting would normally be. Carpets in red with white sakura blossoms on their surfaces offered added cushioning once you sat down, tatami mats and hard wood floors visible along the perimeter of the room. A few beige vases with white irises artfully arranged in their containers were placed sporadically on the tables' polished tops, two banners displaying the Taisho crest lining the walls on either side of where the master would usually be seated.
The chamber could easily hold over fifty guests with room to spare for servants to move about, unhindered as they attended to their duties. But this morning, sunlight coming through the open shoji doors that took up one wall pouring in to reflect off the waxed floorboards, there were only five individuals present. Kikyo had retired already to her rooms, saying something about her soul stealers not collecting enough of their precious cargo last night, making her tired today.
A variety of foods was laid out at their corner of the long line of tables, the remains of which were on the earthen china before them.
They had just finished eating a late lunch, having held off as long as possible in case Kagome awoke and decided to join them. However, as the sun arced higher into the sky and there was still no sign of the miko, the group had decided to go ahead and start without her.
Now they were finished, it was late afternoon, and she still hadn't made an appearance.
Miroku clasped his hands around his cup of tea, holding it at chest level while looking out to the serene scenery of the palace gardens. The beautiful display of sunlight dappling green leaves, birds singing cheerily as they flitted about the bushes and trees, bright spots of color where flowers bloomed in abundance didn't register to him at all.
He was too busy thinking about the meeting with the Taiyoukai last night to take advantage of appreciating the spectacular view Nature had set before him.
They had all been summoned to the main hall, a freak storm giving the entire scenario an eerie atmosphere. Lightning was streaking and thunder was rumbling outside as though the heavens themselves were intent on leveling the palace.
After about five minutes of sitting in the dimly lit room, Inu Yasha pacing the entire time, Sesshoumaru had come into the chamber, a strained look about his mouth and eyes. As though the demon was stressed over something.
The meeting had been brief, the Taiyoukai's words succinct and to the point as his emotionless voice delivered them.
He had told them that Kagome was safe, if a bit ill from a cold she had caught while traveling to the castle. The youkai assured them that the proper precautions were being taken and that the girl should improve within the next few days, that the antibiotics the healer had asked for were just extra insurance that Kagome would recover.
The monk had glanced to Inu Yasha every once and a while during his brother's speech, seeing the guarded set to his features, the half-lidded eyes that veiled what he was really thinking. Nothing in the half demon's folded armed, squared shoulders pose gave away how he felt at the news.
But then, he must have already been aware of all this, considering he was the one to deliver Kagome's medicine to her.
Still.....the lack of usual insult throwing or arrogant loud-mouthed ranting from the hanyou towards his brother was a bit unnerving.
It was just so out of character for him.
Once Sesshoumaru was finished with his explanation, Sango had asked when they would be able to see their friend, the nervousness she always felt in the youkai's presence apparent in the slight tremor in her voice when she addressed him.
His face had remained indifferent as he'd told her whenever Kagome deemed it appropriate, that she was resting right now so tonight wouldn't be possible.
Shippo's face had become crestfallen, his little mouth turning down in a frown as he slouched in the taijiya's lap. Miroku had been surprised when Sesshoumaru, seeing the kit's reaction, had gone so far as to let the child know he could spend time with Rin tomorrow after her studies were done for the day.
Even Inu Yasha had arched one white brow at that one, clearly not expecting his brother to make such a gesture towards them.
Ignoring their skeptical stares, the demon lord had then asked if there were any more questions before he left, clearly wanting to quit the room and its occupants as soon as possible.
No one else had bothered to ask anything else, figuring that tomorrow Kagome could answer everything they wanted to know.
Plus, being in the dog demon's presence this long and on such terms was a little surreal. Who would have thought that one day they would all be in the same room together, guests to someone who had tried to kill their friend more than once, being treated hospitably by everyone within the castle.
It was just bizarre.
Miroku still wanted to talk to Inu Yasha first before bringing up the issue of Kouga having smelled Sesshoumaru's blood on one of the youkai who were looking for him. The hanyou could probably shed more light on the mystery so that he wouldn't mistakenly say the wrong thing to the Taiyoukai.
A flash of movement to his left caught the monk's attention, bringing him out of his revery so he could see what it was that had just went by.
Purple eyes came to rest on Sango, dressed in her pastel kimono, her long dark hair trailing down her back in a black river. His hand twitched around the glass he still held, Miroku resisting the urge to reach out and touch the girl sitting beside him.
You would think that with all the abuse she gave him, all that yelling she did whenever he placed his hands in less than kosher places, the demon exterminator would be as far away from him as possible.
Yet, she always sat next to him, continued to walk by his side, offering him a lift on Kirara whenever they traveled long distances. Somehow, he didn't think she was as against his being close to her as she said.
The flash of movement had been her picking up her pet to nuzzle her face against the fire-cat's soft fur, a chuckle leaving her throat when the feline licked her nose affectionately.
Miroku wasn't ashamed to admit he was jealous of that damn cat. Perhaps one day he could get Sango to shower that much attention on him.....
Inu Yasha drumming his clawed fingers against the tabletop in a rapid tattoo drew him away from watching the girl with her pet, frowning when he saw the way the hanyou was glaring at the door as though by sheer force of will he could make Kagome appear.
His white ears were rotating about on his head, listening avidly for the sound of her footsteps, his nose continuously searching for her familiar scent.
"Inu Yasha, if you keep that up you're going to leave marks in the table, and I doubt Sesshoumaru would appreciate the new look to his furniture," Miroku said calmly, taking a sip from his tepid tea, grimacing at the bitter taste of the liquid.
The half demon's gold eyes turned to glare at him, frustration obvious on his face and in his voice.
"Screw the furniture and my damn brother! What the hell is taking her so long? It isn't like she has to get ready for a ball or something!" Once again he was giving the hapless door a look of death, his fingers not ceasing in their movements at all.
Sango sighed, lowering Kirara to her lap and stroking the cat's fur, making her pur in contentment under her owner's caress. "Relax, Inu Yasha. She probably either hasn't woken up yet or is still getting ready. After last night's storm Kagome no doubt couldn't get to bed until late like the rest of us." She pulled lightly at the little youkai's ears, grinning as the demon batted at her fingers in retaliation. "She'll be here soon so quit worrying."
"Keh. Who's worried? I just hate waiting for her to get her lazy ass out of bed so she can come meet us." He growled a little in irritation when the remark earned him a smack on the back of the head from Shippo.
The diminutive youkai stood in front of the hanyou, scowling up at him, his tail puffed out behind him, clawed fingers clenched into fists.
"Shut up, Inu Yasha! Kagome isn't feeling good so when she does get here don't treat her like crap and maybe she'll stick around for once." He crossed his arms over his chest, green eyes narrowing at the annoyed half demon in front of him. "Maybe if you didn't insult her and yell at her all the time she wouldn't have gone off with Sesshoumaru in the first place!"
Sango stopped playing with Kirara, her eyes wide at the way Shippo was all but verbally attacking their friend. Usually the little kitsune was throwing threats from a safe distance, not standing up to the hanyou as though he fully meant to smack Inu Yasha again at the slightest provocation.
Ever since Kagome had left all those weeks ago the fox youkai had silently blamed the hanyou for her leaving, his barbed remarks and icy glares coming more frequently towards the half demon as the time lengthened before the miko's return.
When Kagome had finally come back, Sango had thought all of the animosity the kit held for Inu Yasha would disappear because she would be staying with them.
But that hadn't been the case.
After the girl from the future had floored them all with the news that she would be returning with Sesshoumaru to his castle Shippo's resentment had seemed to grow a hundred-fold. However, this was the first time he had actually gotten angry enough to face Inu Yasha and yell those accusations at him.
Gold eyes locked on green, a growl rumbling deep in his throat as the kitsune refused to back down, his tiny body shaking a bit with the force of his emotions.
Inu Yasha wasn't stupid. He had known from the start that Shippo had started to harbor ill feelings towards him since he had brought Kikyo into the group, but he had thought even the kit wouldn't go so far as to bring light to his discontent so bluntly.
"Shut up, brat. Kagome left because she wanted to, not because anyone made her," his fingers stopped their tapping to rest in a clenched fist on the tabletop, his nails digging deeply into his palms. "So quit blaming me for this shit already."
The fox demon scoffed. "You have to be kidding! It's because of you that she ran away to begin with and I bet it was also because you went over there before she decided to come back that she went off with Sesshoumaru!" Pointing at him, he yelled with overbright eyes, "It's your fault she left, your fault she's sick, and it's your damn fault that she probably doesn't even want to see us now!"
Miroku sat, stunned at the confrontation going on between the two demons, his cold tea long forgotten in his hands. Likewise, Sango was staring in disbelief as their two friends eyed one another as though getting ready to enter into a full out battle.
What the hell was going on? Since when did Shippo challenge Inu Yasha like that and not look terrified a minute later, searching for a place to hide from the hanyou's wrath?
His golden eyes narrowing with menace, ears flattening to his skull, Inu Yasha asked lowly, "Just what the hell are you implying, brat? That I'm the cause for Kagome going with my bastard half-brother and then getting sick because he doesn't know how to look after a human?"
Shippo sniffled, a tear running down his cheek as the mixed up emotions inside himself made him confused and angry. He hadn't meant to say those things to Inu Yasha, they had come out as though someone else was speaking them, all his hurt and anger at Kagome leaving him making him lash out blindly.
Miroku's purple eyes were compassionate as he watched the fox child, feeling sorry for the kit who was so worried about Kagome. He heard Sango say softly, "Shippo...."sympathy lacing her voice and features.
Feeling defeated, his shoulders slouching, Shippo's gaze fell to stare at the floor as more tears leaked from his vibrant eyes. "I don't know what I'm implying. I just miss Kagome." He sniffled loudly, hands now twisting in the fabric of his vest, the claws digging into the material almost hard enough to put holes in it.
Sighing, the hanyou relaxed his tensed muscles, the hardness leaving his irises as he watched the kitsune cry. He kept forgetting that Shippo was only a child. A child who had already been orphaned once and was more than likely panicking at the thought of it happening again, even if it wouldn't be in the same way.
The familiar scent of vanilla and apples invaded his nostrils, the odor pleasant and welcome. Smirking, he told the kitsune, "Well quit sniveling, brat, because she's coming here right now."
The fox youkai looked up, green tear-drenched eyes wide as he began wiping the saltwater from his face, expression hopeful.
"Really? Right now?!"
"Keh. Just turn around and look already," the hanyou gestured with his head towards the door.
He needed no further urging, spinning on his heel and crying out in happiness as Kagome opened the door and came in, Akito right behind her.
Holding out her arms, she caught the small youkai, hugging him tightly and smiling. "Shippo-chan! I missed you!" She rocked him from side to side, coddling his body close to her own.
"Kagome! I was so worried about you!" He looked up at her, his hands coming up to touch her face, frowning a bit when he felt how hot her skin was, could see her unhealthy pallor. "I heard you were sick. Are you okay?"
Hugging him to her again, she began walking towards the rest of the group, who were now standing to watch her approach. Keeping her gaze trained on Shippo she replied, "I'm fine, Shippo. Just caught a little cold, but I'll be better soon with the medicine Sango gave me."
Akito stayed by the door, standing at attention while watching his charge interact with the people who had come to see her.
He was curious to see how she would deal with all of them. Dividing her attention equally so no one felt left out probably.
Shippo moved to sit on her shoulder, hugging her neck before settling comfortably, his little claws digging into the jacket she wore so he wouldn't fall off.
Patting him on the head, Kagome then smiled at everyone, even giving Inu Yasha a joyful look as she said, "Hey everyone! Sorry I kept you waiting so long." She took a seat on the other side of Miroku, not bothering to fill the empty spot next to the hanyou.
They all noticed the action, but none of them commented on it, instead watching silently as she scooped some rice into a bowl and began picking at it.
She wasn't hungry at all, but since it looked like lunch had been set out it was only right that Kagome at least pretend to be enjoying it. Once all the others were seated, she put some food into her mouth, asking around the chopsticks, "So, how are you guys? Was your trip here okay?"
Sango leaned over to look at the miko from down the table, her brown eyes warm and soft. "Actually, we didn't run into any problems getting here. Not even when we came onto Sesshoumaru's lands."
Kagome's eyebrows rose in surprise, her chopsticks falling back into her bowl. "Wow. That was fortunate then. I'm glad you guys made it here okay." Silently, she wondered if the reason there hadn't been any interference was because a certain Taiyoukai had known they were coming all along. If that was the case then she had a few questions to ask him.
Turning her attention to Inu Yasha, she quelled the little sting of pain in her heart as his gold eyes stared at her intently. "How long are you guys planning on staying?" She took another bite, sniffling a little while waiting for an answer.
"I'm not sure yet," he said gruffly, arms in their usual spot in front of his chest, his haori covering his hands. "It all depends."
Kagome frowned, confused. "Depends on what?"
"It just depends, alright? Now quit asking stupid questions and eat already." He eyed her up and down before adding with a scowl, "You look like you're about ready to pass out from malnutrition over there."
Frowning back at him, she snapped, "Well, gee, Inu Yasha. It could be because I'm sick. What do you think?" Angrily, she shoved another mouthful of rice between her lips, chewing on the little grains with violent force.
Ugh! Didn't he ever quit! How unflattering could a guy be? He was basically telling her she looked as bad as she felt. Talk about a jerk!
The hanyou inwardly smirked, having got the desired response out of the miko he had been aiming for. She was now eating while sitting there, fuming, not even realizing what she was doing.
Maybe while they were here he could at least make her eat more so she didn't look so thin and worn out. He knew some of her haggard appearance was due to her illness, but he'd noticed even before that, by the well, how skinny she had become.
She looked a lot better when she was filled out, even when her body had a few extra pounds on it. Living in an era where you saw too many starving, emaciated people because of lack of sustenance made the half demon find the ridiculously thin style in Kagome's time a little off-putting. It looked unhealthy to him.
"Kagome-chan," Sango called, drawing her friend's attention away from her thoughts, blue-grey eyes gazing at her inquisitively.
"Yes, Sango-chan?"
Inclining her head towards Akito, she whispered, leaning even further down the table, one hand going out to push Miroku's wandering one away, "Who's the youkai over at the door? I saw him yesterday too, but didn't catch his name."
Miroku, his plans of using the taijiya's current position foiled, turned towards the miko, interested to hear what she had to say.
He had been wondering about the demon too. Why would he be following Kagome around?
Kagome's radiant smile made Inu Yasha glower and Miroku give her a speculative look.
"Oh, you mean Akito-kun?" She waved over at the fox youkai as she said his name, laughing when all he did in return was nod his head to acknowledge he had seen her. Glancing back at Sango, she explained, "He's my personal guard while I'm here. Although, if you ask me, I really think Sesshoumaru made the poor guy my babysitter." Winking at the arctic demon, she called, "Isn't that right, Akito-kun? Sesshoumaru has you stay around me so I don't end up setting the castle on fire or cause his servants to run away in terror?"
The others looked to the fox youkai, the attention seeming not to bother him at all as he replied coldly, "Lord Sesshoumaru assigned me to you for your safety, Lady. I'm sure he didn't have ulterior motives of keeping his palace in one piece."
Rolling her eyes, she grinned at her friends, saying in a stage-whisper, "He's just too nice to admit the truth."
Sango chuckled, happy to see her friend was acting her usual playful self. It was a big difference from when the girl had come back through the well with the Taiyoukai, the shadows all but gone from her eyes.
Inu Yasha tried not to feel too jealous at the way she joked with his brother's personal guard, bristling when she called him that damn nickname just like she always did Kouga.
What was it with her calling every male youkai she ran into by some affectionate pet name?
"Kagome-sama, where are your rooms at? They obviously aren't near ours because we would have seen you," Miroku's question made her blush a little.
Taking a sip of tea, she kept her eyes trained on her glass while she answered.
"I'm staying in the royal wing at the moment. Sesshoumaru is only keeping me there so he can keep a closer eye on me, I think."
"The royal wing?" Miroku glanced over at Inu Yasha sharply. "Isn't that where Kouga and Inu Yasha are staying as well?"
Grinning, she coughed a little behind one hand. "Yeah." She looked over at the hanyou as well, the half demon ignoring them to stare off to the side. "But don't worry, they promised not to fight as long as they are in the castle." She sounded very pleased with that fact.
"Interesting," the monk said softly, almost as though speaking to himself.
It was still loud enough for a demon to hear it, though, even a half youkai.
Gold clashed with purple as Inu Yasha asked testily, "Nock it off, Miroku. Quit worrying about the living arrangements, will ya? Just be happy Sesshoumaru didn't put you in the stables where you belong."
"Hey!" came the indignant cry, Sango rolling her eyes at the two males.
Casting a glance outside she noticed that it was starting to get darker, the burnt orange of the sky making shadows increase and lengthen.
Had they been in here that long?
Getting up, she stretched, moving around Miroku to stand beside Kagome and Shippo, the little kit still clinging to the other girl as though afraid she would disappear.
"Want to go take a bath, Shippo-chan? How about you Kagome-chan?" She asked, smiling when the miko stood up as well, the kit giving a whoop of joy at the idea.
It had been forever, it felt like, since either of them had gotten the chance to indulge in a good bath at a hot spring. The pace Inu Yasha set for them didn't allow time to find any of the warm water every night, so they had to make do with the icy runoff in the streams and rivers they came across.
"Sure, Sango-chan!" The girls and little fox began walking towards the door where Akito waited, heads close together as they joked and talked.
"Oi! Where the hell are you two going?!" Inu Yasha demanded, standing up as the women got to the entrance, Shippo now cradled in Kagome's arms.
Waving at the two men over her shoulder, Kagome smiled, calling out as she disappeared out of the room, "We're going to go take a bath of course! See you guys later!"
The hanyou scowled at the empty spot that used to have a certain miko in it, a frustrated growl bubbling in his chest.
Miroku watched everything with his usual calm reserve, filling up his teacup with warm liquid and sipping at the fragrant beverage while eyeing his friend over the rim. "They'll be fine, Inu Yasha."
Gold eyes glowered at him for a moment before the half demon sat down huffily, clearly put out at being left so abruptly by Kagome.
Filling up another cup, he passed it over to the hanyou, before taking another sip of his own. "Besides, there are a few things I wanted to talk to you about and I couldn't bring any of it up with the others here."
That got Inu Yasha's full attention, his ears flicking forward and his shoulders bunching up with tension at the hint of caution in the monk's voice.
"What is it?"
Miroku frowned. "It's just what Kouga said and everything else that is going on around here." He waved his bead-covered hand to encompass the castle. "I want to know about why we are really here and what the wolf youkai meant when he mentioned that other youkai smelling like your brother's blood."
The dog demon scowled, obviously not liking the questions, but also acknowledging that the monk deserved an explanation.
And so, he gave him one....
*************
