Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this idyllic scene... especially for the one who's unhappy. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
The Owl and the Pussycat
Kagome's first experience riding a dragon was at once thrilling... and disappointing. Katashi personally supervised Sesshoumaru's saddling of the docile mare set aside for her use, and Hisoka lifted her onto her perch; however, all her hopes of taking to the air dwindled to nothing when they set out across the countryside at a plodding pace.
"Why do you walk if you can fly?" she asked the young lord.
"Why would we fly when we can walk?" he replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Giving her escorts an admonishing look, Sesshoumaru hurried forward to walk beside Ah-Un.
With a small sigh of resignation, Kagome tried to look on the bright side. Most people in my era can only daydream about dragons, but I have firsthand experience. Not the most thrilling of experiences, but that's okay. She knew all too well that 'thrilling' adventures usually turned out to be frightening, messy, and a whole lot of hard work. Be grateful for boredom, Higurashi. Indulging in a quiet laugh at her own expense, Kagome caressed the supple hide of her black steed, admiring the way the gleaming scales shifted towards purple in the sunlight.
"You're in a good mood," Katashi observed.
She smiled at him and quietly hummed her agreement. For the most part, the inu-youkai of the Western Fortress either looked on her with suspicion... or pretended she didn't exist, so Kagome appreciated the head stableman's easy acceptance of her presence amidst his precious dragons. "Is it much farther?" she inquired.
"Nope," he replied amiably. "We'll reach that spot I was telling you about by mid-morning. This here's just a lazy stroll... and one we should take more often since these great lizards love it so much. The only thing they like better'n basking is bathing."
Neither Sesshoumaru nor Hisoka were particularly talkative, so Katashi's garrulous nature was a breath of fresh air. "You don't usually take them?" she prompted.
"Sure I do... just not all at once," Katashi replied easily. "Today's an exception, since we were feeling festive!"
Kagome giggled softly and looked around for Sesshoumaru, who'd taken a position at the front of the herd. With a dozen or so other inu-youkai looking on, he was at his most dignified. Head held high, he led the way towards a lake that was much talked about, but which she'd not visited yet. "I heard someone talking about a festival."
"Oh, yes... it'll be a proper doings with all the trimmings," chuckled the big inu-youkai.
"The Moon Festival is only celebrated by canine species," interjected Hisoka, who ambled along on the other side of Kagome's mount. "But with the hatching imminent, the Inu no Taishou has invited demons from far and wide to come and witness the event. He's responsible for an unprecedented gathering."
Kagome knew all about the hatching because Sesshoumaru was eagerly anticipating the day when Ah and Un became big brothers. Ever since three of the mares had dropped their eggs within a day of each other, preparations had been gaining momentum. The entire fortress was locked in a cleaning frenzy, and Kagome suspected that everyone here was glad to escaped the chaos. "Scrubbing dragons must be more fun than scrubbing floors," she mused aloud.
"Hnn," agreed Hisoka. "Volunteers were easy to come by."
"Had to beat 'em off with a stick," rejoined Katashi.
"I've washed Ah and Un before," Kagome remarked. "I could lend a hand."
"Oh, these lot aren't here to do the washing," the stableman chuckled. "I'll be needing their help to coax the lizards out of the water once it's time to go. Now that's the real trick!"
"I see!" she laughed.
Ah's shrill whistle sounded from the front, and Katashi chuckled as Sesshoumaru tried to curb their enthusiasm. "Our great lizards aren't meant to be pets for boys, but his little lordship had his way with that'un... which may be for the best." In lower tones, the stableman remarked, "When we shared the news with the one who made a present of them, he recommended putting the hatchling down."
"Nooo!" she protested.
"It's true enough," Katashi said with a grimace. "I hope he doesn't say as much when he notices we didn't see fit to cull the wee misfit."
"Who?" Kagome asked curiously.
"That would be Lord Ryuukotsusei, Lord of the High North," supplied Hisoka.
"Ryuukotsusei?" she gasped.
Katashi's brows lifted. "You know of him?"
"Sort of," she admitted, unnerved by the prospect of seeing such a dreaded enemy again. Knowing what she did about the future, she felt a little ill.
"Higurashi has benefited from milord's lessons, which covered the dragon wars," Hisoka smoothly interjected.
"Makes sense," the stableman allowed. "These beauties were a gift—a show of good will between allies."
"Erm... what did the Inu no Taishou give in return?" she asked.
"Dunno," the inu-youkai replied after a moment and cast a questioning glance in Hisoka's direction. The neko-youkai only shrugged, and Katashi fixed Kagome with an admiring look. "You're a sharp little thing."
"Oh... no..." she demurred.
Just then, her steed shambled into a quicker pace, and Katashi had to dart forward and catch hold of her harnesses. "We'll unsaddle her here, little lady. Otherwise, I'm afraid she'll carry you right into yon puddle!"
"I wouldn't mind," Kagome joked, for the day was already growing hot.
Keeping the mare under control, Katashi called Sesshoumaru over and challenged, "Show me you can undo what you did up so tidily."
While the boy set to work on the many buckles, Hisoka lifted Kagome from the saddle, and she quickly made her way to the front and politely addressed the mare. "Thank you for the ride," she offered with a smile. The adult female lowered her head and blinked large silver eyes before replying with a snort that sent Kagome's bangs flying. Then, Katashi slipped the harness over her ears, and she hurried after the rest of the herd, bound for the glittering blue lake.
Sesshoumaru remained riveted to the shore, clearly unhappy. "It leaks."
"Only a little!"
Wide, golden eyes fixed on Kagome with a look that clearly questioned her sanity. "It could sink."
Of the two moss-covered boats they'd found half-hidden by a stand of willows, this one was in better shape. "It'll be fine!" Kagome insisted, scrambling over the side and settling onto the wide plank seat. "And there's room for all of us!"
Hisoka quietly remarked, "I would not wish to take such a craft out to sea, but it will endure a few turns around a quiet lake."
"You are certain?"
"Yes, milord."
With a curt nod, Sesshoumaru boarded and eased onto the seat beside Kagome. Launching them, Hisoka took his seat in the stern and used the lone oar they'd uncovered to paddle them steadily away from the shallows where the dragons were sporting.
As the noise ebbed, Kagome relaxed and enjoyed the way the water reflected the colors of the sky and the surrounding woods. If she squinted, she could just make out the bronzed gleam of Ah-Un's scales from where they were sunning on the grassy bank; she turned to say as much to Sesshoumaru, but the comment died on her lips. Oh, my. He's so tense. She glanced around, but didn't see any signs of danger. Even ever-alert Hisoka seemed at ease. "Sesshoumaru-sama, don't you like the water?" she asked softly.
After a brief pause, he gravely replied, "It is both useful and necessary."
Puzzled by his unsatisfactory reply, Kagome turned her attention back to the scenery, which included a clear view of the Western Fortress. It topped the ridge they'd skirted earlier, flowing down its back slope in tiers. The tile roof of the Western Lord and Lady's residence was clearly visible, but the little pavilion in the corner of the garden was obscured by larger structures. Sighing softly, Kagome leaned over to trail her fingertips in the cool water, and immediately, Sesshoumaru seized her wrist. Startled by the fierceness of his grip, she looked questioningly at him.
"The water is deep," he stated solemnly.
She glanced between the boy and the rippling surface of the lake. "Is there something dangerous lurking down there?"
"No," Hisoka assured, steering them towards a stand of cattails at the far end of the lake. "It is well-stocked with fish for his lordship's table, though." As they reached a quiet inlet where the croaking of frogs filled the air, he leapt lightly to his feet, bracing his boots against the boat's sides. "This is where the stream feeds into the lake," he announced, pointing.
"Do not rock the boat!" Sesshoumaru demanded sharply.
Orange eyes widened slightly at the reprimand. Hisoka's move had sent them into a brief side-to-side roll, but he'd quickly steadied them. Taking in the pup's protective grasp on Kagome's arm, he inclined his head and murmured, "Of course, milord."
Kagome suddenly realized what was going on. He's not afraid of the water! Remembering the half-drowned state she'd been in on the day he'd found her, it only made sense. He's trying to protect me! Daring to lay her hand over the smaller one still circling her wrist, she gently said, "Sesshoumaru-sama, I can swim."
He blinked owlishly at her. "Humans can swim?"
"Well, not all of them... but I can." With a half-smile, she inquired, "Can you, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
Shaking his head, he admitted, "I cannot."
The lordling looked pointedly at his tutor, and Hisoka calmly volunteered, "I do not care for the water, so I never learned." His lips quirked at his student's expression of vindication.
Kagome gave Sesshoumaru's hand a light squeeze. "I can swim, and you can fly; so the only one who's in any danger if Hisoka-sensei rocks the boat is Hisoka-sensei."
"That is true," the boy replied, eyes taking on a superior shine.
"I could teach you to swim," she graciously offered. "It's fun!"
When he hesitated, his teacher casually opined, "All learning has value, milord. We'll come back after midsummer, when the water is warmer."
Sesshoumaru nodded once, settling the matter.
End Note: This chapter was written as a part of the Child's Play Challenge at the Live Journal community dokuga(underscore)contest. The prompt was 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'. Posted on March 30, 2010. 1,678 words.