There's so much happenstance, so many accidents — stumbling into something and finding it interesting and living with it over time and building on it. - Ellen Gallagher
Sunday night finds Kagome sitting by her fireplace reading. It's the first time in the past week that she's had the opportunity to review Midoriko's notebook. It's also the first time she's been alone.
She understands the reasons for Professor Taisho's warning. What Kagome didn't realize was just how persistent he would be.
On Wednesday, when she left the Infirmary to grab a tome from the library, he appeared. He shadowed her down to Madam Margoyles and on her entire return trek. The following day, Kagome was leaving her chambers to meet up with Jinenji about their cross-educational class. She didn't notice anyone in the hallways. As she rounded the corner for the staircase, Kagome came face to face with Professor Taisho. He proceeded to escort her to Greenhouse Three, only leaving after she had met up with the Herbology professor. Friday, Kagome was on her way to the Owlery to mail a letter to Sango. Before she entered the grounds, Sesshomaru appeared. By then, Kagome had grown used to him.
Sort of.
The strange thing is, although Professor Taisho keeps showing up, he never speaks. There are no terse comments or judgmental observations. He remains close-lipped and taciturn. She tries to give him the slip, thinking he'll give up. Yet, even when she takes a different route, he finds her. He never comments on her attempts. He doesn't remark on anything. It's unnerving.
Kagome is beginning to miss his insufferable attitude. At least then she'd have a valid reason to speak up. Each time Kagome tries to talk to him, she second-guesses herself and ends up staying quiet. Their truce is delicate. One wrong word and it could shatter.
She doesn't want that. Kagome has enough to worry about without adding a surly staff member to her list. Plus, there's Rin to think about. If the young witch is as observant as her father claims, she will pick up on any tension between them. Kagome doesn't want to disappoint her.
A light tapping comes from her bedroom window.
Kagome snaps the notebook shut and stashed it between the couch cushions. She ducks into her room to the sight of Kagura floating just outside her window. Kagome lets down her wards, throws open the latch, and helps Kagura climb inside.
"I'm glad you came back," Kagome greets her.
"I fly better with a full range of motion," Kagura replies, stepping around her so she can shut the window.
"Of course. Why don't you make yourself comfortable by the fire? I'll be right there," Kagome says.
Kagura takes her broom with her into the sitting room. Kagome watches her grab the desk chair and drag it across the carpet to the same place it sat last week. She sits facing the flames, her head tilted down.
Kagome studies her posture, wondering what the witch is so conflicted about. She decides not to pry. Pestering Kagura for answers will only drive her away. She needs to have a place where she feels comfortable. Kagome can give her that.
Even though Kagura's back is turned, Kagome uses her false wand to erect her wards. After the tea incident, she has been extremely careful about using any form of wandless or non-verbal magic. She doesn't want to arouse suspicion, especially with Professor Taisho keeping such a close eye on her.
"Are we doing this or what?" Kagura calls.
"Coming!"
Kagome grabs the healing salve and hurries over. Kagura begins to undress.
In front of the fireplace, the lighting is significantly better. Kagome tests the skin around Kagura's scar and asks her to rate the pain on a scale from one to ten. The witch responds with a four but when Kagome brushes her fingers across the raised skin, Kagura hisses. Kagome mentally logs it as a nine. After a single application, the scarring's red color has dulled yet the pain persists.
"Still bad, huh?"
"Appearances aren't everything," Kagura murmurs.
Kagome is aware of the truth in her statement. Everyone has secrets, things they prefer to keep hidden out of a need for protection and ambiguity. No one can be defined solely by their looks. That would be like choosing a book based on its cover instead of its content.
"Is it any better than last week?" Kagome inquires, gathering a generous portion of salve on her fingers.
"A bit," Kagura responds.
"I'll cover it again but, this time, I'll wrap it in bandages. That may help," Kagome tells her.
"Alright," Kagura agrees.
"We may need to do this for a while before the scar is completely removed. I didn't realize the extent of the nerve damage but since you're still feeling a high level of pain, I think the damage goes deep."
"It does," Kagura confirms softly.
It's clear to Kagome that Kagura is referring to more than just her wounds. She pauses, biting her lower lip. "I know you don't want to tell me who did this, but you should talk to someone."
"I don't have anyone."
"What about your sister?" Kagome suggests.
"No," Kagura replies sharply.
Kagome's eyes go wide. She definitely hit a nerve there. "Um, okay, well what about a colleague? Kouga's really kind and Jinenji too. I'm sure they—."
"—the werewolf and the half-giant? Pass."
"What about Professor Taisho? He's a fellow Slytherin. You are about the same age. Did you attend Hogwarts together?" Kagome asks.
Abruptly, Kagura stands. "I'm not speaking to him."
Kagome focuses on the floor. It's not that nudity bothers her,— she's a Healer for Circe's sake —but there's a vulnerability in Kagura's tone. She wants to respect that.
"And he shouldn't want to speak to me," Kagura says, her voice strained. "Not after what I did."
"Because you hexed him in your seventh year?"
Kagura whips around. "How do you know about that?"
"I reviewed everyone's medical records this week," Kagome says.
It's not a lie, though she does feel a tad guilty for being misleading. Kagome knows it would only hurt Kagura more if she knew Kaede had been the one to let the information slip. She catches a tear sliding down her cheek before Kagura hastily wipes it away.
"He never listens. Like a dog with a bone, he just wouldn't give up. I told him to back off but he didn't— first with the Common Room, and then with meals. When he started a row about Quidditch, I lost it." Kagura pauses, sinking back down into the chair. "I thought if I hurt him, he'd finally get the message. And he did."
Kagome tentatively reaches over. She places her hand on Kagura's arm, light enough that the witch can pull away. Kagura doesn't even flinch. She stares directly ahead, seeing her past in the dancing flames of Kagome's hearth. She looks absolutely gutted.
Neither of the women speaks for a time. Kagome is patient as Kagura works through her complicated history. This is the last of being a healer that can't be taught. Some refer to it as bedside manner but Kagome calls it compassion.
Sometimes, what we need most in the world is to know that we are not alone.
Midoriko had told her that. She spent dozens of nights at Kagome's bedside, soothing her after waking from a nightmare. Midoriko never asked about what Kagome saw; she knew by the screams. It was in those moments that Kagome felt her worst— cold, weak, and isolated. But Midoriko was always there to comfort her, offering Kagome her warmth, her strength, and a smile.
"Listen to me blubbering like a first-year," Kagura mutters, wiping her hands across her face.
Kagome squeezes her arm. "Don't be ridiculous. You sound more like a third year."
The jest earns her a smile.
"Let me get the bandages. I had to hang them up to dry after I soaked them in the salve," Kagome explains.
Kagura nods. She gives the witch another reassuring squeeze then ducks into her room to retrieve the strips of fabric.
When she returns, Kagura is sitting up straighter. All traces of her tears are gone.
"That's enough about me for one night. Let's talk about you. Did anything exciting happen this week?"
"No," Kagome lies as she begins weaving the bandages around Kagura's torso.
"No?" Kagura scoffs. "It's your first week teaching at Hogwarts and you're telling me nothing out of the ordinary happened?"
Kagome shrugs. "Nothing exciting."
"Liar."
Her stomach twists unpleasantly. Deceit isn't the way to build trust but as much as she wants to confide in Kagura, Kagome wants to protect her even more. She can't let anyone else get involved in Naraku's plot. It's bad enough that Professor Taisho has become her bodyguard. Kagome doesn't need Kagura getting caught in the crossfire too.
"Well, I did have lunch with the Kouga, Hakkaku, and Ginta the other day," Kagome admits.
Kagura makes a face. "You actually went inside?"
"Yeah," Kagome says, laughing. "It was nice."
"You're a braver woman than me, Higurashi."
"You act like they're dangerous or something," Kagome remarks as she tucks the end of the bandages in.
"Are you mental? They're werewolves," Kagura reminds her.
"They're harmless," she assures the other witch.
"Maybe, but I wouldn't be alone with them too often, especially Matsuno. I think he's sweet on you," Kagura warns.
"Kouga's nice, just not my type," Kagome confesses.
"What's your type?"
"I don't know," Kagome admits. "I've never seriously dated anyone before. There was a guy, Hojo, in my town that I hung out with the summer before my seventh year but he was a Muggle. It never would have worked out."
Kagura snorts. "A Muggle! That's barmy. What did your mum say?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?" repeats Kagura in disbelief. "Blimey, if I had ever gone out with a Muggle, I would have hung me up by my ankles."
Kagome tries to smile and fails. Honestly, had her parents still be alive, she isn't sure what they would have done. She barely remembers them. Over the years, the details of her life in Japan have faded. She can't remember what Papa's aftershave smelled like or the color of Mama's eyes. The only details Kagome remembers with absolute clarity are the moments from her nightmares. It is the one memory she wishes would fade— and the only one that never does.
"Hey, it's not like you married the guy. You're fine," Kagura tells her, misreading her expression as embarrassment.
"True," Kagome returns with a half-hearted grin.
Kagura looks like she wants to say more but stops herself. "I should go," she says, grabbing her broom.
"Alright. See you next week?" Kagome asks.
She follows Kagura into the bedroom, where the witch waits for Kagome to retract her wards so she can unlatch the window. As she climbs through the opening, Kagura turns to grin over her shoulder. "I'll be here."
Kagome returns her smile. "See you then."
Kagura nods and dives out of the window. A second later, Kagome sees her shooting across the night sky, perfectly poised and in control.
Still smiling, she extends her arm out to close the window. A small black spider skirts across the sill, scurrying inside.
"Oh no you don't," Kagome says. "I don't have time to clean up all the cobwebs you're going to make. I'm busy with lesson plans. Shoo!" She sweeps the spider off the ledge, before pulling the window shut.
While Kagome reactivates her wards, the moonlight is blocked out by an eight-legged creature. The spider has returned. "You're not getting in here," she tells him. With that, she draws her curtains shut.
Kagome finds Midoriko's journal tucked away in between the couch cushions. She frees it from its hiding space and sits with her back to the fire so the flames illuminate the text.
During her time as a guardian, Midoriko conducted extensive research into all forms of magic. All of her work was documented through the copious notes that her enchanted quill captured. Along with her impressive garden, she crafted several new spells and discovered an antidote to Malevolent Mixture. The latter was published in the latest edition of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Seven, which was only taught to N.E.W.T.-level Potions students.
The majority of Midoriko's research was completed before Kagome came to live with her. However, there are a few spells scribbled on the final pages of the journal that the witch invented later in her life. The most important one is the charm that cloaked Kagome's abilities.
"I still don't get why we have to do this," she whines.
"I won't always be there to protect you. Until you come into your own, you need to keep this with you at all times," Midoriko instructs.
They are seated cross-legged in the garden. Midoriko places five chunks of Himalayan salt around them, one to represent each of the four cardinal directions and a final piece for the center.
Next comes the elements— fire for the south, water for the west, earth for the north, and air for the east. The center is reserved for the fifth element. Some refer to it as spirit while others call it aether. When Kagome asks which term Midoriko prefers, her surrogate mother answers, "Quintessence."
"What's that?"
"It is the balance of all the others. They are bound as one, act as one, and as one, they find harmony," Midoriko explains.
Kagome doesn't understand but she nods as if she does.
She watches as Midoriko completes the construction of the circle. In the center, there is a small wooden table where a bowl of blended herbs sits. The mixture of sage, cedar, and lemongrass. These plants are known for repelling negative energy and purifying objects. In her case, they are being burned to prepare the grounding stones.
Midoriko waves her hand, non-verbally sending flames from the fire into the bowl. The herbs ignite. She flicks her wrist and the flames are fanned out. The bundle smolders, sending gray smoke billowing upward.
She casts her spell, " Confirma Mundamini, " over the stones. Kagome watches as they rise off the table to hover over the bowl. They rotate in a clockwise direction through the smoke. Midoriko directs them through seven passes,— the most powerful magical number —before she holds out her hand.
"Kagome."
With wide eyes, Kagome hands her the cedar twig she collected earlier that day. It came from the same tree as the cedar needles they used for the herbal mixture.
Midoriko strikes the twig once. The branch cracks in half, each of the sides slowly parting from each other. The stones fly over. They begin to drag along the interior of the branch, carving out a space for themselves.
Kagome is uncertain how long she watches them work. Their back and forth motion is rhythmic in the firelight. There is a gentle ebb and flow to it, like the gentle lull of the tide. It puts her at ease until all thoughts of the evil wizard who killed her family are banished from her mind.
Once the stones can easily fit within the twig, Midoriko taps the sides. They seal themselves together. There is no seam to suggest the twig was ever broken. It appears as untouched as the moment Kagome found it on the ground.
Midoriko spears it through the last of the purifying smoke, twisting it so the fumes touch every inch. When she withdraws it, Kagome notices that the ends are smooth.
"Use it wisely," Midoriko advises, depositing the instrument in her hands.
"I will," Kagome vows.
She still remembers how it felt to hold her wand for the first time. Sango had been jealous. She had to wait until she got her Hogwarts letter to go buy her wand. Of course, Sango hadn't been allowed to practice magic back then. She was still considered too young by the Ministry's standards. Meanwhile, Kagome had been performing spells since she could speak.
Not that the Ministry knew.
Natural magic can't be traced the way practical magic can. It's one of the reasons Kagome has been able to avoid detection. Her energy signal is different from other witches and wizards. That doesn't mean it can't be tracked.
Once someone is aware of her abilities, they can find her.
Which is why Kagome can't give them that chance. She has to make a new wand.
Tonight.
Sesshomaru sits hunched over the desk in his chambers, rereading the letter from Agyo and Ungyo. The twins' penmanship is almost as impressive as their intellect. Crisp inked letters line the parchment, providing a detailed account of their findings.
In regards to his initial request, Agyo pulled files from the Noble Four, Japan's highest-ranking magical families. The Hitomi line was descended from the Fujiwara clan. They rose in power during the 13th century, acquiring positions within the Ministry and becoming benefactors of Mahoutokoro. During the 15th century, the eldest son fell ill with spattergroit. Upon his recovery, he dedicated his life to healing and founded Amaterasu.
The Hitomi family's coverage of society's three pillars sparks Sesshomaru's interest. They each align to one of Naraku's targets. It can't be a coincidence. His suspicion of Professor Hitomi increases.
Sesshomaru continues to the next section where Agyo has included a copy of the Hitomi family tree. It appears that Kagewaki is the last of his line, the only child of Nagasaki Hitomi and his late wife, Kisa. In addition to their immense wealth, their connections are some of the most influential in wizarding society. It would be unwise to cross the man without proof of his traitorous activities.
Sesshomaru finds it strange that an heir of the original four families would choose the post of Potions Master instead of a loftier career. With his connections, Kagewaki could be a Ministry Department Head or running St. Mungo's. Sesshomaru wonders why the wizard decided to become a professor. Kagewaki's choice couldn't have pleased his father. As the last Hitomi, Nagasaki is certain to demand an heir to continue the family line.
Proving Professor Hitomi's involvement with Naraku requires constant surveillance. Sesshomaru can't forgo his duties to follow the wizard, but he knows someone else who can.
"Whittle."
There is a pop and suddenly a house-elf appears.
The creature has pale skin, bat-like ears, and bare feet. He stands no more than a meter high, dressed in a discarded emerald green pillowcase. His large brown eyes are fixated on Sesshomaru.
"Professor Taisho, I is here to assists you."
"I need you to do something for me, Whittle."
"Name it, sir. Whittle will do whatever Professor Taisho asks of him," the house-elf responds eagerly.
"I need you to trail Professor Hitomi. If you see anything suspicious, I want you to report back at once. Can you do that for me?" Sesshomaru inquires.
"Of course, sir," the house-elf agrees enthusiastically. "Whittle will always help Professor Taisho and Miss Rin. They is like Whittle's family, they is."
At the mention of his daughter, he asks, "How is Rin?"
"Miss is doings well," Whittle replies. "Miss attends her classes on time, turns in all her assignments, and never misses a meal."
Sesshomaru smirks. "I'm glad."
"Whittle is thinking Miss Rin will be a great witch. Professor Taisho raised her well."
"Thank you, Whittle."
The house-elf bows. "You is most welcome, sir."
"This conversation is confidential. You are not to speak about it to anyone other than myself unless I direct you otherwise. Understood?"
"Whittle's lips is sealed, sir," the house-elf promises.
"Proceed with caution. If my suspicions are correct, Hitomi is dangerous," he warns.
"Whittle will reports any dodgy behavior, he will, sir."
"Then off you go," Sesshomaru dismisses the house-elf.
Whittle snaps his fingers and disappears.
Sesshomaru resumes reviewing the A-Un twins' letter.
Ungyo attempted to obtain Healer Higurashi's file but was denied. The reason is almost as perplexing as the witch herself. Higurashi's file is sealed within the Department of Mysteries. Only an Unspeakable— a witch or wizard who works within the Department of Mysteries —can access the information.
Those who achieve the status of Unspeakable are forbidden from discussing their work. They can't even disclose the details of their day to their family. When they are indicted into the department, they make an Unbreakable Vow. Any violation of the vow results in the witch or wizard's death. It's Ministry protocol to ensure the secrets within can never leave the department.
Sesshomaru is aware the Department of Mysteries studies the constructs of love, time, and death. He is uncertain whether Higurashi's file falls into any of those categories or if perhaps there is a separate chamber within the department for the study of specific individuals. However, if that is the case, then why Higurashi? What makes her unique?
As if to answer him, a device on the edge of his desk begins spinning. The brightly colored object looks like a child's toy. It's shaped like a top with a glass dome. A blue marble is encased inside and as the top spins, the ball begins to glow. Sesshomaru confiscated the Sneakoscope from a fourth year and reprogrammed it to alert him whenever Higurashi was on the move.
He pockets the contraption. His response to the A-Un twins will have to wait. Grabbing his cloak, Sesshomaru leaves his suite.
When he turns left, the glowing marble inside the Sneakoscope changes color from blue to red. He pivots around and proceeds toward the third floor. The device leads him past his classroom towards a secret staff storeroom that is hidden behind a tapestry of magical creatures.
There is a scraping sound, followed by a mumbled curse and a crash of ceramic on stone. "Bollocks!"
Sesshomaru flips the tapestry aside to find the witch on the ground. There is a shattered pot next to her. He crosses his arms in front of his chest, watching as she hastily brushes off her robes and gets to her feet. She retrieves her wand from under one of the lower shelves. With a quick flick, the healer repairs the container and replaces it in its original position on the shelf.
He clears his throat, staring at her expectantly.
She jolts, glancing over her shoulder. Her nervous expression turns sour. "Of course it's you."
Higurashi resumes perusing the storeroom for ingredients. Sesshomaru watches as she gathers a few types of stones. The healer weighs them in her palm before tucking them into a small leather pouch. She sets it aside and moves onto herbs— first the sage and next cedar.
He is uncertain what branch of magic requires the use of these specific items. Sesshomaru will need to add the inquiry to his response letter. Whatever form Higurashi is practicing, he is sure the A-Un twins can identify it.
"I know you feel obligated to watch over me but I doubt I'm in mortal peril. You can go back to brooding in the dungeons or whatever it is you do in your off-hours," Higurashi says.
Sesshomaru frowns. "I do not brood."
For a second, her blue eyes go wide but then her surprise melts into a smile. "And here I thought you forgot how to speak," she teases.
"I do not make a habit of engaging in pointless banter," he returns.
"Maybe you should find an opportunity for stimulating conversation then, instead of following me around," Higurashi suggests, shifting away as she gathers another bundle of herbs.
"Perhaps if you heeded my warning, I would."
She laughs. "As I've said before, I can take care of myself."
"I disagree."
"If you're referring to the tea incident—."
"What other near-death experience would we have reason to discuss?" he interrupts.
As she reaches for a jar of juniper, Higurashi's hand trembles. She shakes her head then moves past it to grab the lemongrass. There is a point of tension in her back that lies just between her shoulder blades.
He has uncovered something new about Healer Higurashi. Naraku's poison wasn't his first attempt to harm her.
Sesshomaru stares at the witch, willing her to confess the details to him. Yet, she continues her collection, unperturbed. When her arms are full, she exits the storeroom, carefully avoiding his gaze.
Higurashi strolls down the corridor. He falls in step beside her.
"It's past midnight," she remarks. "I didn't realize anyone would still be awake."
"You thought I wouldn't trail you," he surmises.
"Sorry if I woke you up," Higurashi apologizes.
"I was reading," Sesshomaru informs her.
"Anything interesting?" she asks, curiously.
"It has the potential to be," he replies. Sesshomaru inclines his head toward her assortment of ingredients. "And you? What of your endeavors?"
"Personal project," she responds curtly.
He considers pressing her for information. It's possible she is attempting to construct a new spell or a form of magical weapon to use against Naraku. While an intriguing notion, there are numerous risks to consider. Most new magic is unstable and the creation of spells can often lead to unexpected side effects. It's not a pursuit that should be taken alone.
"How's Rin adjusting to life as a student?"
Sesshomaru doesn't miss the way Higurashi directs the conversation away from her late-night venture to his daughter. She's playing into his pride as a father and he finds himself responding. "Well. Coursework has never been an issue for her. She has always excelled with new material."
"That's good," Higurashi says with genuine care. "It's always nice to know your patients are living a fulfilling life. It makes me feel accomplished. I like knowing that I was able to make a difference."
"You did. You saved her life."
Higurashi halts. His acknowledgment appears to have surprised her. She blinks a few times before clearing her throat. When she replies, her voice is laced with emotion. "Thank you."
Though she sounds pleased, there is something off about her tone. Sesshomaru catches the way her expression doesn't quite make it to her eyes. They've darkened to stormy blue as if she's fighting something. He wishes he knew what.
"You mentioned that she struggles with making connections," Higurashi comments.
Sesshomaru nods and they carry on down the hall.
"Have you tried therapy? I can recommend a couple of qualified healers who specialize in post-traumatic events," she suggests.
"I've approached the subject with her but she is content with our life the way it is," he explains.
"Is she making friends?" Higurashi asks.
He purses his lips. That was the one question he didn't ask Whittle. Sesshomaru hadn't bothered because he already knew. He sees Rin eating by herself in the Great Hall. Her only companion is that hideous toad that she insists on propping up on her textbooks.
Higurashi reads his silence as her answer.
"You know, when I attended Hogwarts, my two best friends weren't in my house," she shares. "If I hadn't met them before being sorted, we might have never connected. Maybe Rin should engage with others outside of Hufflepuff. Just because they share a house doesn't mean they will automatically be friends."
"There are not many opportunities for inter-house relations outside of classes," he points out.
"What about a dueling club?" Higurashi proposes. "We had one when I attended Hogwarts. I honestly think I learned more there than in my Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
He snorts. "That's because you had Professor Myoga. He was a useless coward."
"How can you say that?" cries Higurashi indignantly.
"Myoga never served in the Auror's Office. He didn't join the fight against Naraku. He was a professional dueler in name only. Myoga should have never held the Defense Against the Dark Arts post. He was a fraud."
Her anger deflates as he lists the number of ways Myoga failed as a professor. "I never knew that," she admits.
They turn to climb the staircase to the third-floor staff wing. Snores echo in the corridor. The residents of the portraits are unaware of him walking past with Healer Higurashi. With them asleep, there is no one to witness his parley with the witch.
"A dueling club would offer an outlet for the students to practice in a less restricted setting," Sesshomaru remarks.
"It would require approval from the headmaster, which means writing a proposal," Higurashi replies.
"It would be wise to have two staff members lead the group. The students will require proper instruction and supervision to avoid unnecessary trips to the Infirmary," Sesshomaru says.
"Are you asking me to help you run the club?" Higurashi prompts.
"At least then I'd know you weren't sneaking off alone," he returns.
"Because the storeroom is so dangerous," she retorts sarcastically. "Honestly, the worst thing in there was a spider."
Sesshomaru scowls. Higurashi doesn't appreciate the severity of her situation. He watches as she juggles the ingredients in her arms while reaching for her wand. She nearly drops the bag of stones. He manages to catch a bundle of sage before it falls to the floor.
"Thanks," she says gratefully.
It takes several passes of her wand to take down her wards. They are reinforced far more than any personal protection he's ever seen. Even by Ministry standards, Higurashi has impressive defenses in place. Sesshomaru realizes his earlier assessment is wrong. She is taking precautions.
"Who taught you to construct multi-layered wards that way?" he inquires.
"My mother," she answers.
Sesshomaru remembers Bokuseno mentioning that he owed Higurashi's mother. Considering her complex level of magic, Sesshomaru wonders if she was an Auror too. "Did she work at the Ministry?"
Higurashi sputters, "Midoriko?" She laughs. "No way! She preferred living away from the city. She couldn't stand the pollution or the crowds."
He is stunned. "Your mother is Midoriko Naohi?"
"You knew her?"
"I know of her," he clarifies. "She's the youngest witch ever to be appointed as a gateway guardian."
"Yeah," Higurashi smiles fondly. "She was something else."
Suddenly, Sesshomaru realizes she is using the past tense in all of her references. He vaguely remembers reading about the guardian's passing in The Daily Prophet. Now, he understands Higurashi's reasoning for coming to Hogwarts. Staying in a place that constantly reminded her of the loss must have been torture. It's why he never returned to his ancestral home— too many ghosts.
"I was sorry to hear about her passing."
"Thank you. It's been difficult," Higurashi confesses.
"I wasn't aware she had any offspring," he says.
"She didn't, at least not biologically. Midoriko took me in after—." Higurashi stops.
Sesshomaru notices how both of her hands begin shaking. Her face pales and her eyes take on a faraway look. The air becomes charged with electricity as if a summer thunderstorm is about to break over their heads.
He places his hand on her shoulder. "Higurashi?"
She blinks and the strange energy dissipates. "Um, sorry. What was I saying?"
"You were explaining about Midoriko becoming your guardian," he hedges.
"Right," she says, adjusting her hold on her ingredients. "Merlin, I need sleep. I always have trouble this time of year— what with the equinox and all."
Sesshomaru stiffens as he recalls Kanna's warning, Be careful of the Autumn Equinox.
"Uh, I'd invite you in for a cup of tea but, given the other night, that doesn't seem appropriate," Higurashi says, standing in her doorway.
"Perhaps another time," he agrees. Carefully, Sesshomaru returns the remainder of the storeroom ingredients to her.
He bows his head.
She mirrors his gesture.
"Have a good evening, Healer Higurashi," Sesshomaru says.
"Kagome."
He raises an eyebrow, noting the tint of her cheeks.
"If we're going to be partners for the dueling club, you should start calling me by my name," she insists.
"Kagome," he repeats, offering her his hand. She stares at it, laughing when they both remember that she can't shake it since her arms are full. "Sesshomaru," he offers.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Sesshomaru."
The air changes again but unlike before it doesn't feel like a tempest. This time there is a lightness to the sensation, as though a summer breeze is rolling in off the lake— fresh, warm, and inviting.
Author's Note: Thank you to my beta, originalone73.