Now, not only was she skirting the Inuyasha issue; she was ducking Sesshoumaru too, and that was not a bag the monk wanted passed to him. Honoring a friend's wishes was one thing, but now she was putting his life in peril. He very much liked his life - but even if he did not, the demon lord had been very gracious about this whole thing. He deserved better than coming home from war to an AWOL lover.
"Has a lot of apology sex coming his way," she assured him in a language the houshi understood.
For once, that sounded insufficient.
He must really like his life a lot, for even a smirk couldn't crack his stern countenance. Either that, or he liked Sesshoumaru more than he thought. Far from disapproving, he appeared more concerned.
"But in the meantime, you will leave your murderous lover high and dry, and for us to deal with." Yes, that arrangement very much displeased him.
With a lopsided smirk, Kagome playfully grabbed at his robe. "Aw, you should know by now that Sesshoumaru's really just a pussycat."
"When you are here," he quickly retorted. "Which is why I am very interested in preserving your relationship."
Not that her happiness itself didn't concern him.
Miroku was very certain Sesshoumaru was every bit the vicious dog he presented, and hurried her statement out of his head. There was likely a harsh penalty exacted upon any to harbor such thoughts, and he wasn't entirely sure Sesshoumaru couldn't read minds.
Well, any except her. That immunity, plus her love blinders, made her dangerously oblivious to his personal peril.
For, while there were benefits to being practically family to the Western Lord's intended, there were pitfalls to holding the same affiliation should the relationship ever sour – particularly at her behest.
Kagome was constantly working on a learning curve, be it for differences in era, species, or vocation. But usually, it was not all at once. Her unique relationship forced her to reconcile all three, while throwing the troublesome chasm between the sexes right on top.
"When he arrives to find you gone and Inuyasha still clueless, it's going to send a very strong message," he warned her bluntly. "Are you sure that's what you want to do?"
He hoped it was only obliviousness in that regard which led her to make such a glaring slight; for that was easily remedied.
Most men would interpret her desertion and failure to comply as a rejection; or at the very least, an insult. Without context, such a refusal would inflict some degree of pain and anger on even the strongest of males. He had no idea how Sesshoumaru would react, and in no way did he wish to learn.
When she grimaced at the notion, hope bloomed in his chest. It was knocked out a second later when hit with one of her more charming smiles.
"Just cover for me for a few days," she asked without asking – a skill she'd recently acquired.
A scowl cast a shadow over his amiable features, but as she swung her leg back over the edge, he realized he didn't have much choice.
"What should I tell him?"
Straddling the wall between past and future; she looked square in the monk's eyes, and tried to ignore all the concern they held - and the fear, and all the trouble she'd put there single-handedly. She would make it up to him later; but for now, he just had to wait his turn.
"The truth," she replied.
It sounded so strange to hear her say, but he retained his composure.
His thoughts managed to straighten just as she threw her other leg inside the well.
"That you are running from your responsibilities?" He wasn't necessarily trying to be snarky. It was simply the best truth he could find at the moment. Sesshoumaru would see through any sugar-coating.
She twisted to face him once more. It was nearly dark now, but her blue eyes simmered with a ferocity that even a human would lock in on.
"That I love him," she said simply, tone serious, "with all of my heart. And that I'm his for as long as he wants me."
You didn't have to be as clever as the crafty scholar to read between the lines of her message. She was aware what he would think her absence meant, especially without her initiative achieved.
He said he would leave her, and if he came back before she did, there was a chance that he would. But that would be his decision, not hers.
She would be gone, but she won't have left. She wanted to make sure he knew.
Shifting, she grabbed her shoulder straps tightly, and scooted closer to the edge. She peered into the future, and inhaled deeply.
He might not agree with how she was handling it, but at the very least, Miroku understood.
He was confident she would return. He'd seen her flee like this a million times; it was nothing a few days in her own era couldn't fix.
Though emotions had never been this charged, nor the stakes so high.
Anyway, what could he do?
He hated to be the bearer of bad news, especially to the likes of Sesshoumaru; but the daiyoukai would demand – and deserve – an explanation.
All he could think was that this was another message she should be relaying herself.
The familiar swell of magic began to pulsate down below; and the crackling, purple energy swirled enticingly, calling her home.
Before she shoved off, a hand encircled her bicep - the power contained within also summoned.
She looked back into a gaze as purple and powerful as the well.
"Just a few days?" he demanded.
She smiled. "Just a few days."
Nodding once, his grip remained firm.
"Please hurry. I don't know how long I can keep doing this."
As promising as her guilt was, it still encouraged his own. It was all the threat he'd make, his only warning.
"I'm sorry," she offered, touching his cursed hand. "I owe you big time as well."
Lifting a brow, he ventured; "Apology sex?"
Her responding grin was genuine, forcing a smirk to tease at his serious expression.
"Sure," she patted his hand, "Just clear it with Sesshoumaru."
She giggled when he promptly released her arm to take a step back.
"Well, at least if things don't work out, you have that to look forward to," he smirked.
"Your glass is always half-full, houshi," she said, turning back around. "But I don't wanna know with what."
She jumped before he could retort.
A/N: There ya go! Weekend burst! I hope that tides ya for at least a few days, as I have a chapter of Vice I wanna write (its mostly writ).
… Even though we didn't see Sesshoumaru, and she didn't tell Inuyasha, and nothing really got resolved lol. I know we're all frustrated with her, but I hope this at least articulates her reasoning a little better, even though it's not totally admirable.
But I refuse to write a mary sue Kagome! I don't even think I can. My Kagome will always be flawed!
Sesshoumaru is my mary sue LOL! cuz that's how I like it XD c'mon tho, we all kinda agree on that. I mean, you don't HAVE to write him as a smooth mastermind Adonis with a monster cock, but... why?
Anyway, that was kinda why I was reluctant to write this, bc I had to figure out a lot of logistics and it wasn't super exciting, but now that that's out of the way, I should be able to get to the fun stuff more quickly!
If you were antsy for the reveal, I'm afraid I gotta wring a little more drama outta this secret first, but I have a neat little plan and I promise it won't hurt too much lol. I think it'll be worth it, so sit back and enjoy!
And the next 'burst' of updates should satisfy a at least a few of those pants ants, I hope.
See, I'm not a COMPLETE sadist... but if you want that sweet boo-boo kiss, you gotta let me hurt you ; )
BTW: I created a dirty math problem and put it in the title. It correlates with the chapter, so if you can figure out my secret message, I will be equal parts shocked and impressed lol.
(#/a = .5g) there it is, ff won't post characters in the title i guess.