Day 34:
Now he understood his half-brother's reluctance to let Kagome travel to the future. It wasn't just about safety in numbers.
He glanced at the taijiya and monk, sitting together, as per usual, talking quietly to one another. They hid themselves in their own little bubble, sheltered by the fire cat who had grown rather protective of her mistress with the undead miko's arrival. The couple rarely looked up, safely tucked away from the village people. The taijiya was too shy at times without the miko to drag her into the hustle and bustle of ordinary activity.
Even the children did not bother them; too restless to commit to one activity. Even a prank on Jaken would take too much devotion in the state they were in. Constantly they circled like lost ducklings. At times they would waddle up to him to silently peer into his face as though assessing this worthiness of being a surrogate mother duck. Apparently he didn't pass.
Jaken mopped on Ah-Un. Excluded from the children's play he had little to do but watch them, the Staff of Two Heads clutched in his folded arms kept him little company. Perhaps the miko would have entertained with him some type of errand but Sesshoumaru was in no mood to humor his retainer.
Even Inuyasha was at a lost, though he had Kikyo's company the priestess worked hard to make herself scarce, leaving Inuyasha to huddle up in a tree, mimicking Jaken's position as well as the under-breath grumbles of discontent.
Of course, Kikyo had to work hard to keep busy without Kagome to make a barrier to hide under. Which kept her away from the daiyoukai. Sesshoumaru was grateful he didn't have to put up with her scent even if he meant listening to his half-brother's drivel. Though patience was not always his best virtue. He could already feel his fingers itch with the need to take his half-brother to a clearing and…train.
It was, frankly, rather awkward without his female alpha around. If this was only the first day with her being gone he certainly couldn't imagine what a whole week would be like.
"Lord Sesshoumaru?"
He looked down into his ward's face, taking in the lifted brow and softly parted mouth. He arched his own brow in reply.
"When will Lady Kagome return?"
Sesshoumaru forced his sight away from her hopeful face. It was only the first day and already Rin wanted her back. Everyone wanted her back. "The miko has business to attend to. She will return when it is done."
The soft sigh floated up to him. It was no wonder his ward was hardly satisfied by his response. Neither one of the pair liked to be without answers, though Rin was usually better about it.
"Rin." Though he understood her disappointment he could not as a good alpha encourage it.
She looked up at his firm tone, blinking in comprehension as her lips were pulled down by her shame of her behavior. Lord Sesshoumaru had taught her better after all, and so had Lady Kagome. "Rin is very sorry Lord Sesshoumaru." Still, she wasn't quite sure how to make herself more happy.
Finding a perverse amusement from his ward's unhappiness, his eyes softened and his hand reached up to land on his her head, mindful of his claws against her fragile skin. Like a flower opening to the sun, Rin glowed in her alpha's attention, the rhythm of her heart adding an extra beat in her adoration.
"Fetch the kitsune and the kite the miko brought you. This Sesshoumaru will repair it for you."
Though mute her scent betrayed her leaping happiness as she bobbed her head beneath the weight of his hand.
"Yes Lord Sesshoumaru! Right away!" bopping into a quick bow she scurried off, almost tripping over her own feet in her haste. Sesshoumaru ignored the taijiya and monk's interested stares, keeping his focus on Rin's departure. Her lilting voice carried to him as she called out to Shippo, excitedly sharing the good news.
He would need to use some of the miko's left over supplies to fix the small tear. Disregarding the dictates of gravity he floated to his feet, demon grace out matching the demanding pull of the earth. Still in no mood to heed his anchor to the ground he drifted over the grass, moving with too much care to leave an indent upon the grass. He took his time though, the hut was not far and there was no need to rush. After all, if every day was like this until his miko returned he would practically have an eternity. Odd how in this moment time seemed to have a stronger hold on him than even gravity, for he, a being whose longevity all but declared him immune to time.
"NO!"
Without a thought his eyes flashed red. He knew that voice anywhere.
Rin was in trouble.
Cutting the tie to the earth completely he propelled himself through the air, a cloud of youkai sparking behind him and pushing him onward. Not pausing to assess the situation he charged the attacker, pinning the helpless mortal body to the wall, the thump of a body against wood not offering him nearly enough satisfaction.
With a languid blink, eyes of pure lightning locked on their prey, the sight of his fingers wrapped around a slender neck urged him to crush his fist, eliminating the threat. The scent of purification behind him was overcome by the acidic tang of his poison, discreetly steaming from his claws.
A twitch of his ears assured him of two strong, though fast, heartbeats behind him and feet scrambling to stand upright. A new sharp scent coated his ward, and it was not fear but purity. He would have to look into that more. But later.
"Rin. Shippo. Leave."
The lack of immediate footsteps added a bite to his voice. This was not the time to disobey him. "Now."
After two pairs of footfalls faded to a safe distant he returned his attention to the problem at hand, docile in his grasp. Having been able to cool his initial hot fury he could now look at the threat to his pack with a lethal and icy stare. Mortals trembled in fear of fire but old instinct brought terror into their hearts at the artic look in his eyes, intensified by the contrast of their gold coloring.
Yet this mortal neither trembled nor stiffened in fear.
But then again, this was no mere mortal.
The word came out as a threat, a rumble of malevolence from lips that when promising pain, always honored that promise.
"Kikyo."