Chapter Forty-Nine
The last few days leading up to that fateful night passed by in a blur. Kagome could remember the whirlwind of events without feeling physically present for them. Looking back, she wondered if she'd been cruising on autopilot.
Ryuzaburo had been much more gnarled in appearance than Bokuseno- his big nose and creaking branches covered in wispy moss. She got the feeling he was old. Older than Bokuseno, and maybe even the entire gloomy forest looming around them. His voice had been thin and wheezing, but she could recall his greeting clearly;
"The girl who can overcome time and the demon who can overcome death. It is an honour."
Sesshoumaru had been curt and to the point in conversation, while Kagome gathered the flowering buds growing at the base of Ryuzaburo's trunk. Unexpectedly, the great tree had addressed her, lowering his voice.
"Shikon Miko..."
Upon lifting her chin, she realised his eyes did not follow her movements, staring dimly ahead. She wondered if he was blind.
"Yes, sir?"
"Hm..." breezy youki hummed around them in the atmosphere like a faint swarm of honeybees. She could feel it, even through the herbs she'd wrapped her hands around. "I think..." he said slowly, "it is too early for us to be talking. Visit me again, in the future. I believe I can hold out for a few more years yet."
Faint alarm had pulsed in her heart, but he'd seemed unruffled by the idea of no longer conversing with humans. With more time, she'd have liked to have spoken with him in greater detail and asked him what he'd meant- maybe even find other youkai trees to converse with.
As it was, their little group took to the skies once more. By the end of the day, with just 24 hours between them and facing Inuyasha, Kagome felt wracked with nerves. It hadn't even occurred to her what Rin and Jaken would be doing during that pivotal night.
She received an answer in the early hours of evening.
They'd set up camp as per the norm, with Rin's sleeping bag set out- ready for bed. Ah-Un snoozed, while Jaken painstakingly polished his Lord's armour.
Sesshoumaru stood away from the firelight, head tilted back to pensively eye pitch-black skies. Having noticed his tense silence and watchful gaze, Kagome approached with questions lining her tongue- only to notice something draw closer, emerging from the sky like a falling star.
A glowing yellow dragon descended, scales gleaming luminous and gentle. It was much longer than Ah-Un, resembling a Chinese dragon. Behind its pale, dancing mane- a demon could be seen sitting astride it.
Quickly joining Sesshoumaru's side, Kagome eyed her spear resting further away.
"Relax," the demon lord uttered, watching the duo loop down towards them. "I sent for him."
When the heck did you manage to do that? she thought, having not noticed him send a letter or anything. Maybe he'd asked one of the tree youkai.
Large talons touched down, the dragon shaking their long neck and crooning softly as their rider dismounted. Short messy silver hair had been tugged into a half-up, half-down ponytail, skin slightly tanned and forearms exposed. He had a strangely familiar feeling grin, tiger eyes smiling. He swung a naginata up to lean against one shoulder.
"Kisho."
The demon bowed- dangling red earrings swaying forward with the motion- but soon straightened. "Hey, hope I'm not too late."
"You dare keep our Lord waiting?! Your impudence knows no bounds!" Jaken pipped up, waddling forwards and pointing a finger at the newcomer, who seemed to tune him out. "Don't think you can keep getting away with things just because of Lord Sesshoumaru's goodwill towards your mother!"
Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru questioningly, who met her gaze, "he is Naoko's son."
"Oh! Ohh I totally see it now!" smiling, she stepped closer. "It's nice to meet you! Your mother really helped me out with the weapons she crafted for me."
Kisho blinked, looking between her and Sesshoumaru. He then smiled broadly, "heh, she told me a miko was travelling with our Lord. How's the spear training coming along?"
"Good! I'm no expert or anything, but I feel much more confident with it than before. Reiki flows through it so easily, and Sesshoumaru has been helping me improve," she chatted, only to stop. She hadn't meant to babble, but the demon had such an easy-going aura about him it felt only natural to do so.
A bushy brow arched, as though he'd noticed the informal use of Sesshoumaru's name. Kisho glanced at him questioningly, but Sesshoumaru offered no explanation, turning.
"Rin," he called in a clear tone.
The little girl hurried over, looking up at him. "Yes, my Lord?"
"You and Jaken will leave with this demon. He is a guard from my Stronghold. You are to stay in his care until the miko and I have finished our business during the New Moon."
Rin gaped, alarm in her eyes. "But...can't I stay?" she said thinly. "I won't get in the way, promise!"
Kagome recovered from her own shock soon enough, walking over and resting a hand on her wild head of hair. "Rin, it's alright. I think it's a good idea," she murmured, lowering herself into a crouch. "Of course, it would've been nice if he'd clued us into this little arrangement earlier," she shot a dark look his way, which Sesshoumaru pretended not to notice. "But ultimately it's a smart move. I'd be too preoccupied with protecting you both to concentrate on what needs to be done."
Jaken blinked, green skin turning faintly red as he scratched his cheek. He then straightened, facing Sesshoumaru with dignity. "You will hear no such whining from me, milord! Thank you for thinking of our safety," he simpered. "As your ever so loyal retainer, I am extremely grateful, humbled and-"
"Enough, Jaken," Sesshoumaru grunted.
Kisho seemed to observe their little group with dancing eyes, folding his arms and leaning against the dragon's hide.
Rin sniffed, rubbing at watery eyes. However, she gave no further argument.
Helping her pack some things within camp and rolling up the soft pink sleeping bag, Kagome offered her a smile. "It'll only be for two nights, Rin."
"I know," she mumbled, following her sourly. The miko passed over Rin's things to Kisho, who loaded them onto his waiting steed.
"We should spar sometime, miko," the demon smirked.
"Sure thing. I'd be happy to," she said, considering him for a moment. "Sesshoumaru must place a lot of faith in you. Somehow I don't think pure association with Naoko would be enough to win his trust."
Kisho's snaggle tooth hooked over his bottom lip. "Heh, well I'm a pretty damn good guard. But we do go way back. Not many know it- but I'm two days older than him."
"Oh! That explains Naoko nursing him. She'd just had you," Kagome smiled, the thought of baby Sesshoumaru never failing to make her melt.
She opened her mouth to ask more- only to feel a tug on her pyjama pant leg. Glanced down- she noticed worried brown eyes staring up at her. Rin shifted, awkwardly offering something clenched in her small fist.
Her mother's ivory comb.
"C-can you hold on to this for me? I want you and Lord Sesshoumaru to have my most precious possessions while I'm gone. That way- you've got no choice but to come back! Because it...it would be rude not to return them to me."
Softening, Kagome accepted it with a smile. Leaning down, she scooped the girl up into a big hug, giving a gentle giggle. "As if we could do anything else, silly."
They stayed that way for a little while, Rin's arms tight around her neck. "Be careful," she whispered into her hair.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry," inwardly glowing, Kagome reluctantly set her down.
The little girl then hurried over to Sesshoumaru- pushing Souta's letter into the demon lord's slack hold. "Now your turn. Please look after this for me!"
Sesshoumaru tipped his head to one side, considering this. Severe golden eyes then warmed, just a touch. He tucked the letter away into the folds of his hankimono. "Very well," he uttered, observing her. "There is no need for dramatics, Rin. Naraku poses little threat."
"It's not Naraku I'm worried about," she mumbled, glancing at Kagome fretfully. "It's...the grey shadow."
Stifling a sigh, Sesshoumaru's expression tightened. Claws unfurled, squeezing into his palm once- before stiffly lifting. He rested an awkward hand upon her head, resting it there in a long linger. He offered no words of comfort, deeming this action enough.
Rin froze, brown eyes flying wide. Tears collected in the corners, and the second he released her- she grinned a huge gap-toothed grin, lighting up.
Sesshoumaru pivoted on his heel in an attempt to ignore it, catching Kagome's eye. She watched him keenly, wearing a gentle and affectionate expression, tender happiness flowed inside her chest.
She was so lucky. So very lucky to have such wonderful friends surrounding her again.
It somewhat softened the sting of watching Rin and Jaken depart. They joined Kisho atop his glowing yellow dragon, squeaking when it dashed upwards- circling higher through air currents and rippling like a dancing ribbon.
Kagome raised her arm, waving heartily. When they were nothing more than a small yellow speck in the sky, a heavy, telling sigh escaped her. A ridiculous sense of loss shook her right down to the depths of her stomach- until something soft bumped the back of her knees.
Mokomoko drew away, Sesshoumaru's sharp, golden gaze sliding down to her.
"Sorry, I'm being dumb," she forced a smile. "We'll see them again soon."
"Hn."
Gesturing in Ah-Un's general direction, she arched a brow. "Why'd you keep them with us?"
Sesshoumaru's lips curved, transforming his face into an almost playful look. "I know you prefer clinging to this one while flying, but if we are attacked tomorrow- we will fare better if I have the use of my available arm."
Kagome growled, blushing. "I do not prefer it! Sometimes it's just easier to fly with you since there's not always enough room on Ah-Un and-"
"There is no need to explain," he said silkily, white silks caressing her arm as he brushed by. "It is only natural. After all, I am your most precious person."
Gaping, her red blush burst into a crimson, roaring fire. "Hey- Bokuseno said that, not me!"
"I did not hear you voice a disagreement."
"Maybe your hearing isn't as superior as you think it is," Kagome huffed, crossing both arms over her chest and pivoting to face the opposite direction. "Anyway- likewise. You didn't correct him when he called me your friend."
"I do not rise to childish baits."
"Sureee," she drawled, starting to walk away. "I'm going for a bath. I feel like a need one before tomorrow," she mumbled.
Eyes rested heavily upon her back as she moved around camp, gathering a towel and flashlight. Storming away under the pretence of a foul mood, Kagome's steps began to slow once she'd ventured further into the forest. Steam lingered, wafting through the air and luring her closer to a nearby hot spring.
Her feet dragged- snagging on a rock and stumbling to a stop.
Within the gloom, with everything silent and still, blue eyes squeezed shut. Kagome bowed her head, trying not to crumble under the weight of hopes and fears. "I-I'll be fine," she told the darkness, inhaling carefully and letting out a quivering breath. "I'll be fine."
"I'll be fine."