Fifty-Nine
Sesshoumaru banished the demoness from setting foot inside his mansion; this included her omission from meetings and gatherings. Perhaps it didn't sound like much on paper, but this would have terrible repercussions for her social standing and ability to find a prestigious husband. She could remain within the stronghold itself but had little choices now beyond trying to capture the attention of soldiers. Her father extremely displeased by the outcome but grateful for his Lord's mercy- though if the punishment went ignored and she trespassed, the demoness would be killed.
Kagome felt some sense of relief towards it, though other feelings were at play. Since other demons knew little context towards it, they assumed the demoness had simply taken issue with Sesshoumaru's human miko.
It gave off a bad image. Like she'd been favoured and wrapped in cotton wool.
Still, a few good changes had happened; she, Rin and the rest of their little gang could now join Sesshoumaru at meals. They were also gifted with new clothes to wear during such times, since they were to represent being in his close company.
The other demons glanced at Kagome constantly during dinner; a mixture of fear, curiosity and hatred mingling in their gazes. Rumour had spread and been exaggerated; claiming she'd badly burned the demoness with holy powers.
Kagome did nothing to confirm nor deny these rumours. She was a little preoccupied.
Grinning and shielding her eyes from the sun, the miko watched as Kisho looped through the skies on his golden dragon, Kohaku clutching onto gleaming scales for dear life.
For the boy's birthday, they had arranged an intimate little picnic. The best part came after; Kisho agreeing to let him ride the beast.
"I don't remember," he'd said soberly, brown eyes morose. "There's some hazy things, like my father, but I don't...I don't know this 'Sango' person or Kirara. Their names are familiar though."
Kagome decided to start there. She'd gently broken the news of their deaths, though of course Kohaku showed little reaction beyond knowing he'd had a sister and companion who had died.
Watching him straighten and adjust to the dragon, wind whipping through his hair- Kagome's heart warmed as she glimpsed a smile.
He even gave a laugh.
"I think he's enjoying it!" Rin grinned, holding her hand as they watched from the garden.
"Me too."
I wonder if he can remember riding Kirara like this...even just a little.
Sesshoumaru had deigned to join them for a little while, but then been called away for some reason or another. He seemed to be quietly making an effort to spend time with them. Glancing towards the high structure of the mansion, Kagome wondered if he was watching.
"Let's get higher!" Rin tugged on her hand, mistaking her wistful glance as something else. "We can watch Kohaku from the tower!"
Giggling, Kagome gave in and followed, leaving Jaken behind with the food, who called after them with annoyance.
Running around the mansion's porches to avoid the interior, they chose a random staircase and lopped around the side of a tower. Pounding feet climbed the wooden steps, circling up.
Rin laughed breathlessly as she chose a random room to burst into- hurrying to a balcony. "They're still so high!"
Smiling, Kagome followed, catching her breath. Blue eyes strayed from the spiralling golden dragon to a shrine in the room. It resembled a Butsudan, though demons apparently arranged their altars differently.
Noticing the inuyoukai designs patterning the cabinet and offerings of food and carved toys, her attention landed on a small urn. Ashes of the deceased.
"Rin..." she said slowly. "I don't think we should be here."
"Aw, why not?"
Kagome's heart constricted, noticing a plaque. 'Hime' and other characters rattled her enough to move forward, grasping Rin's hand and bowing respectfully to the shrine. She then gently urged the child from the room, descending the stairs with a heaviness in her chest.
A pup. A baby's memorial.
She wasn't sure what connection they had to Sesshoumaru- if he'd sired a child and then lost it, or if the girl was a demon from his family tree. It didn't matter. Kagome decided not to intrude upon rooms within his mansion again without permission, keeping the experience to herself.
After a few days in which his workload depleted and Kagome calmed- Sesshoumaru finally set out for a brief visit to the well.
Kagome remained perplexed but pleased he wanted to go, all under the guise of delivering Rin's letter.
He had something else primarily weighing upon his mind.
The second Sesshoumaru landed upon the lip of the Bone Eater's well within the future and adjusted his senses to the consuming sights, sounds and smells, he headed straight for the house.
Casually entering without greeting or announcement, he walked past Grandpa reading a newspaper in his armchair.
A squeak sounded out behind the demon as he wandered up the stairs.
"A-ah! Demon be gone!"
Pausing in the threshold of Souta's room, he cleared his throat, gaining the boy's attention. Souta looked up, brown eyes brightening.
"Oh, hey! You're back!"
Humming, Sesshoumaru removed Rin's letter from within his sleeve, passing it over.
"Inuyasha lives," he uttered.
Relief swamped through the boy, clutching the letter close. "Wow that's- that's great…" he breathed, having to sit down on his bed. Tears pricked his eyes, which he quickly scrubbed away. "Thanks, for telling me."
Deciding to spare him the details for now, Sesshoumaru awkwardly glanced away- only to stop.
Golden eyes zeroed in on a particularly disturbing presence.
You.
A slightly battered-looking furby sat back on Souta's shelf. One of its eyes appeared to have been damaged beyond repair from its 'fall' out of the window. Souta must have innocently rescued it from outside.
Clearly, he had underestimated the foul chimera's durability.
A mistake I will not be making again. His claws twitched.
"I'm hungryyy," the toy whined. "Give me something to eaaat, yum, yum!"
Sesshoumaru stiffened. The foul thing wished to feast on the boy?
"There you are!" Grandpa butted in, gripping his rolled-up newspaper with white knuckles as he caught his wheezing breath after climbing their stairs. "Y-you can't just let yourself in whenever you please!"
"You clearly cannot stop me, old man," Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Is that Sesshoumaru?" Mrs Higurashi called from downstairs, "tell him to come down! I'll make some tea!"
Pointed ears twitched, and Sesshoumaru sighed. It seemed he would have to endure company with Kagome's keen-eyed mother again.
After being escorted downstairs by the foolish old man brandishing his paper like a weapon, the Daiyoukai leaned against the kitchen counter, petting mokomoko's fur absentmindedly to calm his irritation. He'd hoped to speak with Souta about his confusion concerning a 'boyfriend' but would have to settle with asking Mrs Higurashi.
After giving a few scant details about Kagome's health and Inuyasha's fate, he listened to Mama ramble about her own relief.
"I am not simply here to deliver good news," he calmly cut in, picking up his teacup.
"Oh? What else do you want to talk about?" Mrs Higurashi blinked, stiffening. "If you're here to ask for Kagome's hand in marriage, I'm very pleased you're talking to me about it, but I'd like you to hold off-"
Sesshoumaru scalded his tongue on the tea, retracting it quickly. "No," he rasped, golden eyes narrowing.
Mild relief touched her features, "that's good then. She's much too young for that. What is it then?"
Now he had absolutely no desire to ask.
Taking a more measured sip of his tea, Sesshoumaru lifted his head, smoothing his features to a passive mask.
"What is a 'boyfriend?' I should like to know what the term means."
Mama gasped, clapping a hand to her mouth.
Sesshoumaru took this to be a scandalised reaction, his eyes widening. Had the miko been talking about something inappropriate? He hadn't thought her the type. That minx.
Strangely enough, Mrs Higurashi's mouth was smiling when she lifted her hand away. She cleared her throat. "Let's see here. I'll try to describe it as best I can."
The demon lord inclined his head gravely, waiting as she replied in an unhurried manner that vexed him. "It's someone...that you are in an official committed relationship with. It usually means you intend to have a long-term relationship if you become someone's boyfriend. If you wanted Kagome to be your girlfriend, it means the same thing."
"I see. Then it is like a lover."
"Not quite. Lovers are sometimes deemed more casual or just a physical relationship."
Both were complicated.
Sesshoumaru pushed down his disappointment. It was just a different way of courting, as he'd suspected.
Mama Higurashi eyed him, smiling a little. "Of course...we haven't spoken about dating."
"Dating?"
"Dating is what happens in order to get to know someone you like. You go to new places alone and do something special, like have an enjoyable meal, do an activity together or take a walk through nice scenery. You use these dates to decide whether or not you want to be in a relationship."
He listened intently, wondering how this differed from courting until she clarified with her next words;
"Dating doesn't mean a serious attachment. But, be wary," she held up a finger. "The level of the relationship you have with another person defines the difference between casual dating and being in an actual, committed relationship. Don't get Kagome's hopes up. Please tell her if you want to casually date so she knows your intentions."
Sesshoumaru frowned, searching her gaze for any deception.
It sounded somewhat...interesting.
He felt too prideful, not quite ready to let go of old habits, prejudices and defence mechanisms. Not ready to examine every little thing the miko made him feel. If they could achieve some sort of lower level of intimacy, it would ease them into unknown waters easier, if they wished to.
He still retained that 'love' was reserved for humans alone. An emotion belonging to them.
Courting was too large.
'Boyfriend' was clearly too much as well.
Dating- casual dating. That would allow some careful navigation. He could indulge in some...curiosity he'd been experiencing lately. It meant nothing- it didn't have to mean anything, he assured himself. That sounded perfect for one standing on the precipice of something large, inclined to dip his toes in and...try something previously thought inconceivable.
"I see," he hummed blandly.
Mama gave a knowing smile.
Sesshoumaru stiffly thanked her for the tea and surprisingly received Souta's reply letter very quickly. It appeared he'd rushed it out in order to give it to the demon before his departure.
"Tell her I liked her drawings!" Souta grinned, tucking a soccer ball under Sesshoumaru's arm. "Can you give this to her?"
Sighing as though the request was burdensome, he nodded, lips twitching at the corners.
After exiting their home as casually as he'd entered, Sesshoumaru set the ball down after rounding one side of their house. Gliding upwards in the air, he hovered outside Souta's open window- lashing out a green whip.
Securing it around the bird mutant, he tugged, catching it in one hand.
He then landed, melting the furby with a satisfied smile.
They didn't call him the Killing Perfection for nothing.
There had been no change in Inuyasha, and Kagome had progressed past the point of 'concerned.' She now visited him daily with a heavy stone of fear weighing down her chest. He didn't seem to be deteriorating despite the lack of food or water. Instead, he remained in a stasis, sleeping on.
Even his security had grown lax- the guards now lingering outside the stables, taking breaks often.
Sighing, the miko leaned her head back against his silky shoulder, resting against his side.
"Come on, please wake up. This is getting ridiculous- this is the longest nap ever!"
He continued softly dozing, deaf to her words.
Biting her lip, Kagome hugged her knees to her chest. She'd tried to be patient- but it was getting them nowhere. If she let him sleep on, it seemed Inuyasha would never wake.
"Kikyo cursed you," she murmured slowly. That gave her an idea.
While she rebelled against the idea of resembling Kikyo in any way, the fact remained that they'd shared a soul.
Turning to Inuyasha, Kagome lifted a hand, hesitating. "I'm gonna try something," she muttered. Raising her aura to let it slink outwards, expanding, she tried prying against his form, searching for any response in his youki.
It remained contained inside him.
Even as she enveloped him in her aura, he remained asleep. Gritting her teeth, Kagome closed her eyes, reiki sparking to life at her fingertips. She tried digging deep, rooting around for the part of her soul that had animated Kikyo- attempting to channel her.
"Wake up!" she snarled, sending a pulse of holy energy flowing through the air. It passed over his head- but pink sparks rained down over Inuyasha, pelting his fur and hissing on impact.
Kagome gaped, having not meant to hurt him- only to lurch backwards.
A bellowing snarl erupted into the stables. Dragons and other steeds hissed, rattling against their stall doors with fright.
Blue eyes remained wide as the inuyoukai's red, glaring ones bore into hers. Inuyasha bent in close, growling lowly with deep rumbles. His mouth drew back, exposing thick, salivating teeth.
Kagome's chest began to heave. She couldn't breathe. Air was escaping her lungs too quickly, and she spiralled just like she had at the fast-food restaurant.
D-don't! Not now!
But it felt so similar. The bloodlust in his eyes- right down his jagged mouth curving into a smile. White silky fur bristled, hackles rising. His attention slid to her neck.
"Stop!"
Guards appeared, slamming their weapons down towards his hide- but jaws snapped out, body twisting. Inuyasha snapped their spears easily, barrelling into a guard and using his weight to crush him against a wall. The second was dealt with in a similar manner, both knocked out.
"I-Inuyasha," Kagome choked out. She felt trapped inside her own body, shaking hands lifting tentatively.
He snapped his jaws in their direction, and she yelped, finding herself cornered against the wall. Tears pricked her eyes.
"Calm down, please!" she gasped, panting. "Y-you're still in there, aren't you, Inuyasha?"
You can't be feral. Not after everything.
His mouth opened wide- hot, putrid breath fanning sticky and humid over Kagome's face. She tried- even in her panicked state- to call her powers forth, but they sputtered over her skin like pathetic fireworks.
Inuyasha snarled, the noise ringing loudly in her ears. She wanted to scream, cry out- instead she remained mute as he lunged.
The air changed- his form abruptly slamming to one side from a bolt of power, crashing against the wall with a snarl. Sesshoumaru appeared before Kagome's startled eyes, sheathing Tokijin and filling her vision with nothing but him.
"Get up," he commanded sharply. "Move, miko."
Shaken, Kagome nodded and managed to stifle her powers. She reached out to grasp his offered hand.
With a single lurch- thick teeth embedded into Sesshoumaru's arm.
Inuyasha snarled, dazed crimson eyes glowing. A hiss of pain slipped out, Sesshoumaru swinging his arm back to try and shake free. His hand was unable to spray him with acid due to the angle. Inuyasha's jaw only closed tighter.
"Sesshoumaru!"
Alarm burst inside Kagome's chest. Pure adrenaline threw her forward, pushing past the hazy fear and thrusting her hand out- uncontrolled reiki exploding into Inuyasha's chest with a pink burst.
His mouth opened wide with a whine of pain, sparks flying out between their bodies. Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome around her middle with his bleeding arm, flying them to the other side of the stables.
"The hell is going on?!" Kisho arrived, looking between them and the inuyoukai.
Kagome trembled violently, feeling something wet plaster her shirt to her hips. She gripped Sesshoumaru tight as he panted, sweat beading upon his brow, turning to Kisho.
"P-please! Get something to stop the bleeding!"
"I will be fine," Sesshoumaru gritted out. "We subdue Inuyasha first."
Kagome grit her teeth, turning to her feral best friend.
However, the inuyoukai curiously seemed to have stopped. He panted, head lowered as aftershocks of reiki sparked over his fur. He blinked, then blinked a few more times, nose twitching.
When Inuyasha raised his head, she stiffened as his eyes cleared, revealing thin blue irises within the vibrant red depths. He let out a low whimper, tail tucked between his legs as he backed off.
"Inuyasha?" she chanced carefully. "I-is he lucid?" Kagome glanced at the demons.
Kisho's eyes were slightly wide. "Seems so. Take it you can hear him too, my lord?"
"Indeed," Sesshoumaru sneered, pain pinching his features.
"What? I-Is he talking?"
"Hn. I suppose a human wouldn't be able to understand him. It appears Inuyasha remembers you. He speaks clearly in my mind."
Kagome watched Inuyasha whimper, cowering into the corner and lowering himself to bury his head under his paws while shaking. She looked away, choosing to focus on the bigger priority at the moment. Slipping free from Sesshoumaru's grip, she gawked at the damage. His sleeve had been torn- revealing bloody teeth marks embedded into his flesh. Blood continually oozed, dripping over the straw-covered floor.
She quickly grabbed a thick cloth, pressing it to the wound and putting pressure on it to try to stop the bleeding. "We need to call for a doctor or- or a medic! Or whatever it is you demons use!"
"Cauterise the wound, Kisho."
She gaped. "That's overkill! We can stitch the wound, or something!"
Something that didn't involve putting him through more agony.
Kisho eyed the amount of blood pouring out from stripped flesh, soaking the cloth. He lifted a hand, orange youki glowing around it that gave off heat. "Hold him still, or get out of the way," he grunted.
Kagome's eyes widened. Glancing at Sesshoumaru's calm, if slightly pained expression, she realised they wouldn't listen. They healed so quickly that excess pain or wounds meant little to them. The ends justify the means- it would stop the bleeding enough for him to start healing.
Wrapping both arms around him, Kagome gripped Sesshoumaru's arm, tears blurring her vision.
With a single nod from Sesshoumaru- Kisho clasped a blisteringly warm hand over the damaged flesh.
She felt the demon stiffen, burying his face in her hair and grunting with hard, shaky breaths. Kagome gripped his arm tighter as it trembled and tried to fight them- Kisho grasping his hand to keep it in place. Sesshoumaru's body spasmed slightly from the pain even as he barely vocalised it.
Kagome realised she'd begun crying outright. If she hadn't frozen up, this wouldn't have happened. When it came to others she cared about, she could react fiercely, protectively. But her own safety? That instinct failed her.
She clutched Sesshoumaru tighter, apologising with messy, shaking words and pressing a kiss to the side of his head, heart constricting tight.
"Goodness~"
From over the roar of blood and fear pumping through her veins, an amused purr reached Kagome's ears.
Within the stable's entrance, a beautiful demoness smiled at them.
"I thought this visit would prove amusing. I am pleased to have been proven correct in my assumptions," she giggled. "Look at you. You're such a mess, my son~"