Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
Genre
: Romance/Angst/Hurt
Pairing
: Sesshoumaru/Kagome
Summary
: Little Rin has died and Sesshoumaru doesn't know what to do. He looses himself to his beast, lost in emotions he hasn't felt in hundreds of years. Kagome is called to subdue the raging beast and in the process binds herself to the taiyoukai stronger then her bond with Inuyasha. With Sesshoumaru's subduing comes the price of being Lady of the West and with the title comes all the downsides and perks of being ningen royalty among a youkai court.
A Demon Lord's Cry
Chapter Thirteen: Homecoming
x . . . . x
The guards only nodded.
Kagome sighed and they began the trek to Sesshoumaru's office, the miko filled with dread.
Adjusting was difficult for the shard hunting group and difficult was an understatement.
The air was filled with a constant thick tension. Sango was no longer as chatty, Miroku was less grabby, and Inuyasha was even quicker to anger than normal. His bad mood had no targets and knew no bounds. Not even the normally cool tempered Kikyo had been spared. Inuyasha was sorely missing Kagome and though the feelings of love were not between them, Inuyasha cared greatly for the young girl. This had been the longest the duo had ever been separated from one another and the hanyou, though he would never admit it, had come to appreciate and even rely on Kagome's soothing presence.
Kikyo had taken up place beside Inuyasha in their travels, the houshi and tajiya walking right behind them. The miko would constantly send the hanyou glances beneath her lashes, laced with confusion, hope, wonder, disdain. Confusion for her place within the shard group. Hope, that maybe Inuyasha did care for her more than he had cared for her reincarnation. Wonder for the fact he was there right there, within touching distance. Disdain due to he had interrupted her peace and demanded she go with him in their hunt with no explanation other then, 'Kagome's gone and we need help'. Of course, she had practically tripped over herself to help though he would never know that.
Without Kagome in the way, she had thought much could be accomplished.
She had been greatly mistaken.
Nothing could soothe Inuyasha's savage temper.
The ears atop the hanyou's head twitched and then with a low growl, golden eyes narrowed angrily, hand placed a Tetsusaiga's hilt, he spoke with lowly, "I smell something."
"Like what, Inuyasha?" Miroku called as he grabbed several sutra and placed them in between his fingers. Sango had gripped her hiraikotsu and Kikyo had notched an arrow.
"That guard." Though Inuyasha had not really said much to the guard, he still didn't like him. As he saw it, the guard and taken Kagome away just as easily as he brought her back.
Through the shade of the trees, Takeshi stepped out in his full dark, inu glory. His long hair had been pulled back at the nape, his bangs framing his emerald eyes, dressed in standard clothing for the era. The hakama were emerald and dark blue with intricate black designs and the haori was a plain, clean white. "Hello, Inuyasha." Takeshi called as he strode toward the group. Sango had immediately strapped her hiraikotsu onto her back and moved her forward, fretting about quickly.
"Takeshi-san! Is Kagome-chan alright? Has Shippo-chan relapsed?" she asked rapidly, her lips set in a frown, worry filling her eyes. Kikyo looked on curiously, seeing as how this was the first she had heard of the young miko since her joining. She still didn't know of what had happened to the girl. She only knew that she wasn't dead because their soul had yet to return to her.
"Kagome-sama and Shippo-chan are fine, Sango-san. No worries there." Takeshi murmured soothingly, offering her a quick smile. Kikyo arched a brow at the male, wondering who the charming youkai was and how he was associated with Kagome.
"Whatta ya want?" Inuyasha asked gruffly. "Kagome send you?"
"No, I have come here at the request of another." Takeshi responded, smile still in place.
If possible, Inuyasha's eyes narrowed further. "What for? For who?"
"Mine, Inuyasha!" Miroku called from the back, a genial smile curling his lips. "I asked Takeshi before he left to provide an update on our companions."
"Well, what the fuck for? Do you think they're in danger?" Inuyasha asked crassly, and then he turned to the other youkai, frown curling his lips. "Are they in danger?"
"I assure you, at this point there is no danger." Takeshi stated calmly but Inuyasha refused to be soothed. A low growl filtered passed his lips.
"What do you mean at this point?"
"Kagome-sama is now part of the Western household and there is always a threat on the Lord and Lady of the lands, Inuyasha-san." he stated patiently.
"Nobody said nothin' about threats on Kagome!" he grumbled angrily. "Fucking Sesshoumaru never tells anybody shit!" A bark of laughter spilled from Takeshi's lips and his emerald eyes twinkled almost merrily with a darker amusement.
"Sesshoumaru-sama has his reasons, I'm sure." The word 'reasons' left his lips leaving an almost acidic taste in his mouth - on his lips. Takeshi's eyes trailed over the group, his gaze falling on Kikyo with a curious glance. "You look remarkably like my mistress. Are you a shikigami or artificial copy? Maybe you are a relation of sorts?" he sniffed delicately and arched an ebony brow, knowing exactly who the miko was and being very aware the hell she had put Kagome through. Naturally, he instantly disliked the woman. "Perhaps a dead one at that?"
Kikyo immediately blanched. Never had she been compared to the younger miko! Gray eyes narrowed at the obsidian inu before her. Her lips were pursed into a thin line and her power flared around her impressively, as though to differinate herself and her reincarnation. "Obviously, I am not Kagome's shikigami or a copy, nor am I relation of hers." she informed him coolly, tone practically biting as her power flared once more.
A chuckled spewed forth from his lips and the charming smile darkened minutely, "That much is obvious... my mistress is stronger and would not make a shikigami so weak." That said, the inu turned his head from the miko and back toward Miroku, Inuyasha, and Sango, leaving Kikyo gaping. "Kagome-sama is doing well as of now and so is Shippo-chan." he informed them lightly. "At this time there is no need to worry. Kagome-sama's first month with us will be coming to an end and soon she will take her first week home. When the time comes, I am sure she will want to see you and so I will bring her. For the next few weeks, please stay near this area, it was a task trying to track you down and nearly took me most of the evening and morning."
"We appreciate the update on Kagome-chan." Sango said with a small smile, the tightness around her eyes fading at the news of her friend.
"We will be sure to stay in the area." Miroku agreed.
Inuyasha stood there, hands in the sleeves his haori and nodded his head at the guard, "Take care of Kagome, she's a clumsy wench and gets into more trouble than she's worth."
A genuine smile crossed the guard's lips and it made his whole countenance seem somewhat softer, "After shadowing her for a month, I know exactly how clumsy she is. She trips over her own two feet quite often when there is nothing for her to trip over." He chuckled and with that, Takeshi stepped back within the shadows and with a backwards wave, took off back to his home and mistress in the West.
Once he was out of hearing range, Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and grumbled, "I don't like that guy."
Miroku released an amused chuckle, "I wonder why."
Kikyo on the hand was not amused and traced the youki until he was out of her sensing range, her gray eyes narrowed, and her hands clenched into fists. "So Kagome has youkai following her where ever she goes?" she inquired softly to no one in particular.
Inuyasha's ear twitched in her direction and her shrugged his shoulders, "She should. She's the damn Lady of the Western Lands."
Had she been alive, Kikyo might have fainted.
.
"Once more explain what happened and this time, try not to stutter or babble incoherently, it makes it difficult to understand what in the blazes you are trying to say." Sesshoumaru growled to the guards before him. Kagome was currently standing at his side, still in her sleeping yukata and covered in blood which was now beginning to dry and flake. They had been in the room for the past hour or so, trying to get the whole story from the guards but each time it came out differently or the guards would trail and began speaking nonsense.
The first guard took a deep breath and began speaking slowly after several moments of pause, "Sesshoumaru-sama, we were doing our patrol along the Northern part of your lands, roughly three miles away from the outer wall. As you know, the woods are thick and the trees are large enough that they block out even the sun in some places. We were just getting up from a small break when we heard a high pitched whistling through the forest. One moment Dai was standing upright and the next he was bleeding from several wounds with metal pieces sticking from his body. A whole barrage came at us and Nemoru was killed instantly while the rest of us were able to grab Dai and escape."
Kagome frowned at the explanation and inspected the pan that had been brought from the healing quarters to Sesshoumaru so that he could inspect the sharp metal pieces. "By chance - " she began softly, eyes darting to Sesshoumaru whom gestured for her to speak. " - was this accompanied by an explosion? Were you able to scent fire or smoke in the vicinity?"
The guard tossed her a confused glance, "No fire and no explosion."
The response quickly ruled out cannons which were in fact native to this era. Though she didn't think so, it could have been a bomb of sorts, but the lack of explosion also ruled that out. Not to mention shrapnel bombs were not native to the era at all. The only reason she even thought it was because of Ginkotsu of the Shichinintai. The man had been made entirely of metal, much like a tank at one point and had obviously been ahead of his era in the way of weapons. Her eyes drifted back to the pan and her brows furrowed.
"You didn't sense anyone nearby?" she inquired and the guard shook his head.
"The trees are large, Kagome-sama and even if someone had thrown them at us and we were unable to sense them, the objects thrown would have to have a direct path in order to have reached us. There are no direct paths long enough without hitting a tree or other plant life."
Kagome nodded her head and Sesshoumaru spoke to the guards, "You may take the rest of the day for yourselves but be ready for your next patrol." The guards bowed and nodded their heads and backed from the room. Sesshoumaru flicked his gaze toward Kagome, "You have thought of something."
"I have but the weapons associated with this sort of attack have not been created in Japan yet." Kagome muttered, still thinking. "In my time there are bombs filled with small metal barbs such as these and when they explode, they shoot the metal outward and embed themselves where ever they may go. Cannons can also be filled with small metal objects such as these and also shot outward." Kagome sighed and grumbled, "I should have watched Souta play more Modern Warfare." Turning back to Sesshoumaru whom had a fine brow tilted in her direction, "Another youkai couldn't make objects like these?"
"Not that I know of but youkai develop new things every day." Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Sesshoumaru turned to the miko and furrowed his brows. "I was not aware you were healer."
"I'm not really." Kagome shrugged.
"You helped my men." he informed her pointedly.
"I've self-taught myself. Dealing with Inuyasha on a daily basis means I have to know something about helping people and taking care of others. He almost always has a hole through his stomach or some other life threatening injury." The miko stated slowly with a small smile, "There are books in my time that teach how to take care of wounds and I bought a few."
Sesshoumaru nodded his head once and then returned the main subject, "Patrol must be increased."
"Do you think this has to do with Sakumo's associates?" Kagome inquired.
"It is possible but the Western Lands as a whole is quite prosperous and many covet what we have. It is natural for others to attack from time to time." Kagome nodded her head and went to move a stray hair from her face but paused at the blood flaking on her hands.
"May I be excused now?" Sesshoumaru nodded his head and Kagome began her retreat but paused at the door. "Sesshoumaru-sama, it is nearing the end of the month and I was curious as to when I would be able to visit my family."
"Tomorrow if you so wish. It is best to leave while it is quiet."
"This is quiet?" Kagome asked, gesturing to the blood covering her yukata. Sesshoumaru's eyes inched along her form, nodded his head once, and arched a brow once more.
"Quite so."
Kagome snorted and the retreated from the room.
The moment the miko left from the office, the semi-friendly expression that he had worn on his face faded into his normal mask of cool indifference. The taiyoukai expelled his youki in a small flare and moments later a knock came at the door. "Enter." Sesshoumaru called lowly and Masato [reference chapter three for who Masato is] strode in, his pale eyes just as detached as Sesshoumaru's if not more so.
"You called, Sesshoumaru-sama?" the youkai intoned.
"You have been quite scarce this month, Masato." Sesshoumaru solemnly stated to the snake before him.
The snake shrugged his shoulders once, "Not much to do. I smell that the whore of a woman was here."
Sesshoumaru's frame was still lax though and his were partly closed. When he spoke, the words and the lax posture did not suit the chilled, dangerous tone, "Are those words spoken against the Lady of the House of Moon?"
"Of course not!" the snake answered jovially. "Would I do such a thing?" he chuckled.
"Yes, you would. Watch your mouth or learn to function without a tongue." The inu youkai responded, tone sharp. The chuckling stopped and Sesshoumaru began again, "Your skills are needed. I would like you to accompany sect three and investigate the area where they had been attacked earlier. I would like this done tomorrow and require you back no later than two days from now."
"Anything in particular I am looking for?" Masato inquired, dark brows furrowed.
"Whatever does not belong." Sesshoumaru informed the male, turning his eyes to the papers on his desk, reading over them slowly.
Masato tilted his head to the side and began again, "And if I do find something?"
Sesshoumaru paused and flicked his eyes back to his subordinate, "Eliminate it."
Masato's cheery countenance darkened, as he turned on his heel and left the study, silver eyes flashing golden.
.
When Kagome returned from her very long, relaxing bath, Takeshi was sitting in her room, against one of the walls. Immediately, she smiled at the youkai, her expression bright. "Takeshi!" she happily began as she made her way toward him. He stood from his seated position, his emerald eyes lazily taking in her form and the lovely patterned, silk kimono. Her hair was still wet and soaking through the back of the kimono.
Takeshi tisked lowly and stepped behind her and grabbed her hair, "Kagome-sama." he murmured in exasperation. "Not only is it chilly today but you will ruin the kimono." Slowly they walked toward her futon and he gestured for her to sit. Kagome did as she was told and he released her hair and retreated to the wardrobe where a few towels lay on one of the shelves. Grabbing one, he returned to the futon and sat behind Kagome. Beginning to become accustomed with being fussed over, Kagome didn't complain when he began drying her hair and running his claws through the damp locks.
It was silent except for the sounds of him moving the towel and drying her hair. "Where did you go? You've been missing since last night."
"Here and there." he murmured, humor lacing his voice.
"That's a terrible answer." she grumbled and Takeshi offered a small chuckle.
He paused in his drying and gripped her chin in his hand and turned her head so that she was facing him, "Miss me, Kagome-sama?" he asked softly, teasingly, emerald eyes dancing with amusement. It was hard to believe only a month prior the man had been dead set on hating her and her kind. In fact, she found it difficult that they were able to be friendly at all considering that most people he seemed to brush off completely.
"What changed?" Kagome finally asked.
Takeshi's eyes creased in confusion, "Pardon?"
"At one point you said you hated all ningen but what changed?" the miko elaborated, turning to face him fully.
Emerald eyes softened and a few tendrils of black hair fell to frame his face. "Ah, Kagome-sama. Most ningen do still annoy me but not you."
"But why?"
"You're different from any youkai or ningen I have ever met. Those in this house are selfish. It is kill or be killed." he began softly, brushing her hair from her face with a clawed hand. "I was bent on disliking you but that wasted energy so I turned that dislike into making you stronger. If you were going to be my charge and if I was going to do my duty then I would have to put aside your ningen frailty. Eventually, it just didn't matter as much."
In short, she was something he had never before encountered in his time walking this earth and that was why he could not hate her.
Sometimes, when they sat like this, Kagome remembered Inuyasha and his comforting warmth which is most likely why she was never bothered when he helped groom her or bothered when he pet her head. She was always reminded of camp fires and the outdoors and her mind almost always drifted to a memory of Inuyasha. He was her best friend, after all.
She had been in this era traveling through time almost a year and half and so it was natural that in time she and Inuyasha become close, much like siblings. Inuyasha grew up alone and for the most part was actually quite fascinated with all that Kagome did. He was normally curious with her odd habits and the many traditions. One habit he was particularly fond of was her evening rituals. She would gather her bathing supplies, leave camp, and cleanse her body of any and all filth. He always kept an ear open and listening in her direction to make sure she was fine. Eventually, she would return, hair soaking into her sleep wear, and settle by the fire. There, she would sit and brush out her hair, which was actually getting quite long.
One fall evening, Sango and Miroku were attending to rounds and making sure Kaede's village was safe and Shippo was helping Kaede with an ill villager, Kagome did her usual ritual.
And according to ritual, Inuyasha watched every brush stroke with observant eyes.
Inuyasha spoke softly into the silent of the night, "My mom use to brush my hair when I was a pup and I used to brush hers even though I wasn't very good." Kagome, by now was quite used to the small snippets of the hanyou's past that he would reveal to her at random moments, and so she knew it was difficult for him to open up.
"Have you never brushed another's hair since?" Kagome inquired gently, brows furrowed and Inuyasha shook his head. "Not even Kikyo's?"
Almost bitterly, he spoke, "No. She didn't really see a reason for it 'cause she could do it herself." He turned away from her, an old pain flaring in his eyes and Kagome's own cerulean gaze softened on her friend. Scooting close to him, she turned her back to his front, and handed him the brush.
"Start from the bottom and work your way up. Most of the tangles are gone but there are still a few left." Reluctantly, Inuyasha grabbed the brush from her small hand. It took several minutes before Inuyasha put the bristles to Kagome's hair and began to run it along the glorious, raven locks.
Sometimes, he was awed by the softness of her hair and this was one of those times. It was silent in the hut, minus the few sounds from the fire and soft murmurs of appreciation from Kagome. Inuyasha continued to brush her hair even after all the tangles were gone and Kagome let him. When he handed Kagome the brush back, she smiled brightly, "Your turn Inuyasha!" He was stunned and Kagome maneuvered and pushed her way behind his back where she then proceeded to provide him the same attention and care that he had shown her.
After that night, when everyone else was asleep, Inuyasha would sneak Kagome into whatever tree he was perched in that night and continue with their hair brushing ritual.
It was memories like that, that caused Kagome to think nothing of Takeshi's displays of affection or caring. Kagome was the eldest in her home and had no experience with the opposite sex and she had always assumed because how Inuyasha treated her and Takeshi treated her were almost identical, that there was the same relationship boundaries and standards. Hence, when he stroked her hair, she thought nothing of it. When he sat beside her and Shippo during their reading time, she assumed it was because he was over protective. When Takeshi growled at any youkai within the castle that looked at her wrong, she assumed he was doing his job as guard.
Yet oh how wrong she was.
Takeshi's reasons were entirely selfish.
Later, when she became aware of this, she would find out whether it was a good or bad thing.
Thankfully, for now, she was entirely in the dark.
Just how Takeshi liked it.
.
Considering this was the first time the Western Lady was leaving the palace since her stay began, she had leave with a royal envoy. Miwa had been excused from her duties in the kitchen to become a personal hand-maiden and several guards had been added to her guard duty under the watchful eyes of Takeshi. She was supposed to ride in an elaborate carriage through the youkai village, led by several demonic horses similar to another enemy horse called Entei except much smaller. It had been whispered among the villagers of their new Western Lady though none had actually laid eyes on her, so naturally, the youkai lined the streets curiously, wanting to glimpse the miko that was to help lead them, defend them, and watch over them.
Sesshoumaru had chosen not to walk her to the front steps of palace and stated he would watch from the window, informing her that she would have to get used to doing things on her own because he would not babysit her. Kagome could only nod her acceptance. At this point, she stood just in the entrance to the Western House, shrouded in shadows, a sliver of fear entering her as she realized that this would be her first time before her 'people'. A number of things could go wrong, she knew. They could not accept her, they could attack her, and they could riot and be against her, so many awful things and her mind swirled with each possibility. A cool hand on the back of neck interrupted her thoughts and had her turn into the emerald eyes of her guard, a small smile curling his lips as gave her a reassuring nod.
"You look lovely and you are the Western Lady, there is no need to be nervous." His eyes moved along her form with an appreciative sound coming from the back of his throat. The miko was made up delicately, looking more like a porcelain doll come to life rather than a ningen woman. Her kimono was a white that put the newly fallen snow to shame, small ice blue petals embroidered along the hem and sleeves. The obi was a deeper blue lined in black with silver flowers in full bloom decorating it sporadically. To keep her warm, there was black, furred cloak with white fur lining the edges. Her hair was done in bun, held by light blue chopsticks, several ringlets of ebony tendrils curling along her cheeks.
The miko's make-up was done lightly, dark eye-liner allowing her cerulean gaze to seem that much more intense and silver eye shadow decorated her eye-lids delicately. She smiled up at him cautiously and he patted her cheek affectionately. In that moment, he had never seen someone so lovely. Pressing a hand to the small of her back, he nudged her forward and with a deep breath, she began her walk to the partly enclosed carriage, littered with furs and blankets to keep her warm. Miwa was standing beside the foot of the carriage, beside several armed guards that looked at the miko with a critical eye. She paid them no mind as she put one foot in front of the other.
Miwa cast her a smile and in turn, the miko graced her with one as well.
Sesshoumaru watched it all from his study as the miko was helped into the carriage by her guard, his hands lingering on her waist a moment longer then they should have. His cool, golden gaze narrowed. It was not his business what happened between the miko and her guard and she was free to take whomever to her bed that she wanted just as he was free to do the same. Though normal circumstances dictated that the Western Lord and Lady were mates, these were not normal circumstances and therefore she was free to do as she pleased.
Yet something curled unpleasantly at the sight of her guards hands on her waist because they had no reason in being there.
It was not a fickle emotion such as jealousy, nothing so silly, but something that did not agree with the scene nonetheless.
After all, she was Lady of the Western Lands, and she was his to take care of in a way. Instinctively, inu-youkai were possessive creatures of anything that they deemed even remotely theirs and so Sesshoumaru chalked the feeling up to the fact that Kagome - the miko - was his Lady of the West and therefore his in a manner of speaking. Scoffing at his instincts, he shoved them down, buried them in a box, and tossed them away. Ever since the initial explosion of Rin's death, instinct had warred with him and he had suppressed them rather than let them free as he was prone to do from time to time.
It was beginning to make him anxious.
A good rut is what would get rid of them and sate them for a time.
Thankfully, he had a harem of women to choose from.
Turning away from the window, he headed toward his desk, the miko not being cast a second glance or thought.
He had other, more important matters to attend to and what the miko did in her free time was not one of them.
.
Miwa sat beside her as the carriage left the first gate and out into the village, their hands intertwined under the blankets as Kagome's fingers tightened on the neko's. At this moment, she just wanted to feel comfort and Miwa provided her with just that. Though Takeshi walked beside her, she was still somewhat agitated and anxious. Head held high, the cold no longer as biting and not a concern at the time, Kagome acted as one of her station. Shippo was curled under the blankets, by her feet, not as fond of the cold as he had once been, and did not want to risk the elements until he was sure he would be fine.
Immediately, Kagome was assaulted with the sights and sounds one came to know within the village and there was a long road that led to the second gate lined with various different types of youkai. Kagome met not a single one in the eye and she didn't have to because she was a Lady and they were in a sense beneath her, no matter how much it pained her to feel like that. She didn't have to make eye contact with her to feel the sneers that were directed her, the animosity filling the air. She didn't have to look at them to hear the words spoken.
"A ningen woman? A fucking miko at that? She'll be the death of the us!"
"Sesshoumaru-sama has lost his head!"
"I would have been a better choice for Western Lady, not a ningen whore!"
Beside her, she saw Takeshi tensing with each word spat.
"The miko is not worthy to lead us!" the loud cry sounded above the others and Kagome could feel a pulse of anger. She was worthy. With that anger, her power wanted to rise, but a deep breath kept it at bay.
Takeshi growled along with a few of the other guards around her and though her form was tense, it was also proud because if she had been taught anything in the past month it was that she was Lady of the Western Lands and no opinion mattered other than her own.
Soon the whispering stopped and Kagome was able to breathe easier as the second gate was opened. Kagome couldn't help look behind her as she left her home for the past month and she could not prevent the slight sense of depression that settled into her bones. Followed by the depression a sense of giddiness filled her. After all, she was going to see her family and her friends once again. Settling beside Miwa, who was much like a small heater due to her youkai nature, caused a sense of drowsiness to fill her.
Faintly she heard the neko whisper, "Sleep, Kagome-sama, I'll wake you when it's time."
She honestly didn't remember closing her eyes and falling asleep. When she woke though, it was to the gruff sound of her hanyou companion, "Oi! Wench! I leave you alone for a month and you're being pampered and sleeping like a baby!"
Half asleep, Kagome was hefted from the carriage, smiling, and brought into Inuyasha's arms. Groggy with sleep but coherent enough to realize who she was with, she happily wrapped her arms around the hanyou and sighed softly, "Inuyasha."
"Stupid girl." he murmured affectionately, setting her on her feet and hugging her tightly.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango called lightly and then she was running toward the girl and embracing her with happy tears filling her eyes. Inuyasha and Miroku collectively sighed while Takeshi and her guards cast the females odd looks while they gushed and spoke quickly together, laughing and crying all at once.
"It's a ningen woman thing. It is called 'happy crying'!" Miroku filled in helpfully. Shippo jumped from the carriage of sorts and leaped onto Inuyasha's head with a mighty cry.
"Gah! Runt! Get off!" he growled almost playfully as Shippo nibbled on his head. "Watch the ears!"
Naturally, once the women were done, Miroku received his greeting as Kagome cautiously approached him. "Now Miroku-sama, before I hug you, I want you to take a good long look at those seven guards there. If I tell them to, they'll cut your arm off and feed it to you." she called good naturedly, her cerulean eyes twinkling happily at the monk in question.
He merely smiled genially and pressed a hand to his heart. "Oh Kagome-sama, would I do such a lecherous thing to you?" he inquired, lips curling charmingly. She shook her head and threw her arms around the man, hugging him tightly, faintly hearing Shippo and Sango greeting one another in the background. "Living with youkai has certainly made you ruthless."
Kagome pulled away, eyes closed, "You have no idea." she muttered softly, her lids fluttering open with a barely concealed pain. Kirara was purring by her feet and she lifted the two tailed into her arms and held her tightly, offering her nuzzles and kisses. The feline soaked and basked in the attention happily. Kagome looked around the group and her eyes met hard gray. The Kagome a month prior would have stiffened in either fear or discomfort. The Kagome before the group now did neither accept stand straight and stare right back into that cool gaze.
"Kikyo-san." Kagome greeted as Kirara leaped out of her arms. Kikyo's eyes moved along the expensive kimono and even more expensive traveling cloak, a brow arched in question.
"Kagome." she greeted in turn, her lips set into a straight line.
"Actually, it's 'Kagome-sama'." the younger miko corrected, disliking the fact that she had been addressed without a proper honorific. It didn't have to be '-sama' per say and '-san' would have worked as well but the fact she addressed Kagome so familiarly did not set well with her at all.
"Oh, that's right. I had forgotten that you had become a youkai whore."
Inuyasha had always known that Kikyo and Kagome didn't quite along in the beginning and after three years the animosity between the two had become worse but he had never witnessed it before this moment. Kikyo, calm, serene Kikyo had called Kagome a whore of all things. The guards immediately tensed around the younger miko, Takeshi coming to her side in an instant. To Kikyo's surprise, Kagome only laughed lightly, sharply before turning to Takeshi. "Why is everyone calling me a whore lately?" she inquired.
"They lack originality in insulting others." he responded, eyes never moving from the other miko. Kagome laughed lightly once more and turned from Kikyo, facing her friends instead.
Kikyo narrowed her eyes at Kagome's turned back, lips turned into an angry frown. Inuyasha in the meantime stood gaping unsure of what he should say but knowing he was indignant on Kagome's behalf. Kagome seeing his dilemma offered him a small smile and a small shake of her head.
"We have introductions to make!" she smiled softly. "Miwa-chan!" Kagome called. The neko leaped gracefully from the carriage and landed beside Kagome and Takeshi. "Everyone, this is Miwa-chan, she works in kitchens but is my hand maiden on this trip. Miwa-chan this is Sango-chan, Miroku-sama, Kirara-chan, Inuyasha, and Kikyo-san." Miwa bowed at the waist and smiled brightly if not shyly at the group.
"Kagome-chan, how long are you staying with us?" Sango asked.
"Most likely four days, the other days I am headed home to be with my Mama and explain what has happened."
"So little time?" Miroku inquired.
Kagome nodded her head solemnly, "I need to head back to the palace. Many things have happened and I am still learning to lead. Sesshoumaru can only spare me so much time and for this time I am grateful."
"Really?" Inuyasha looked at her curiously. "Before, you were spittin' mad at the bastard and now you're grateful?"
She nodded her head several times, "We've come to an understanding of sorts. Your brother is still a jerk, no doubt about it, but he cares for his people and his lands. They are my people now and my lands as well, so we work together. We are not friends but nor are we enemies. We work together. He will make sure I am properly trained to help in the future and I will do my best to in order to perform my duties. I provide him support in his endeavors while he in mine and I give him my opinion when it's needed. He also gives me combat training from time to time."
There was silence and then Inuyasha swore.
"Fuck that mother fucker!" he growled. "Combat training?"
Kagome only smiled at him, her smile full, happy, and she positively glowed.
.
Life with Kagome back was interesting.
Miwa took over cooking because she had a minor heart attack when Kagome began to try and cook for everyone else. The guards took up nightly watch duties and were constantly sending others to scout ahead and eliminate any rogue or threatening looking youkai while they traveled. They set up a perimeter at night and talked to no one directly unless it was Kagome or one another. Each morning Kagome was dressed in elaborate kimonos befitting her station or else Miwa again had a minor heart attack. Kagome was not allowed to walk long distances due to the weather and the fact she was a Lady now.
When she did walk, it was beside Inuyasha, and she chattered about her life in the Western Lands, telling him stories and explaining how the society worked.
When dark fell, she whispered her insecurities in whatever tree he would perch within as her friends slept peacefully, without the threat of youkai interrupting their dreams, inside the warm, large tent that had been constructed by her entourage. He would listen, rant softly, rave to no one but her, and the whisper his praise at her of how proud he was and what she was doing. She would tell him that she missed him and their travels and that court life was far more dangerous than she had anticipated. Her insecurities would come with the night and she had held them in for several weeks because... who could she tell that would understand?
Inuyasha would touch her hair and would lend her his strength and let her spill everything she felt even though he was still a little uncomfortable with the mushy stuff.
Tears would slide along her cheeks because she had realized crying in the court was weak but here with Inuyasha crying was acceptable and she was tired of holding in her feelings.
She expressed her sadness over the wood nymph and she told him stories of the harem and how they were.
Kagome would tell him that her only relief was that Sesshoumaru was not as cruel to her as he was everyone else and if anything he was nicer because she was almost equal to he in status now.
The miko would tell her best friend the things that stayed between best friends and like a best friend he asked, "Do I need to kick someone's ass?" It was said playfully but she knew he was serious. Kagome would laugh and she would sigh and then she would soak in his warmth.
Two pair of eyes would unknowingly watch the exchange.
Emerald green and misty gray narrowed, one in a jealousy they would never admit aloud and the other in fierce rage.
.
The guards, minus Takeshi, were told to wait in Kaede's village as Kagome was escorted to her home. Takeshi had been informed, prior to leaving the Western House, of Kagome's strange origins and how they were meant to be kept secret. For Takeshi, it explained a lot about his mistress. The three made their way toward the well, the silence of the day enveloping them and Kagome's latest kimono was a color befitting the season, a soft, dove gray. It was one of the plainer kimonos and it had black swirls along the hem and sleeves. The obi was white and again, a thick traveling cloak was set about her shoulders.
They walked the well-worn path to the well until they reached the portal that connected the past to the preset.
Takeshi eyed the thing speculatively.
Kagome tossed him a look over her shoulder, knowing exactly what he was thinking.
"This is Bone Eater's Well." Kagome said lightly as she walked ahead, her fingers touching the bark slowly. "It takes me home." she murmured softly.
Did the future count as home anymore though?
It had her family, yes, but was it still the home she had loved her whole life?
Was home in Kaede's village? Or was that a place to stay at night?
Was home in the Western House? Or was that just her job?
Where did she belong?
Her hands tightened on the wood of the well and she sighed lightly, turning with a false, bright smile to her companions.
"I'll be back in three day's time and then we can go back to the West, alright Takeshi?"
"Of course, Kagome-sama." he bowed lightly and Kagome nodded her head.
"You coming, Inuyasha? I'll feed you some ramen." Normally, Kagome would not have asked Inuyasha to come along with her because these days were spent at home relaxing, with her family, doing homework but now? She had little time with already and so she invited him along for the ride.
"Keh! Come on, wench." he grunted, grabbing her around the waist, lifting her into his arms, and jumping up at the edge of the well.
"Bye Takeshi!" she called as Inuyasha leaped into the portal and blue lights filled the small clearing.
Curiosity got the better of the inu and he peaked over the side.
Sure enough, Kagome was gone... with Inuyasha.
Something low in him tightened and growled.
.
It was quiet when Kagome entered the house and it was late. Depositing her shoes at the door, Kagome and Inuyasha made their way to the kitchen. A soft 'mrow' caught her attention as she and Inuyasha entered the home and with a quick smile and gentle cooing, Kagome petted her long time obese companion. He purred softly and Inuyasha made his way to the switch in corner, flooding the kitchen with light. Kagome breathed softly and stood straight as made her way up stairs with Inuyasha and Buyo in tow.
The different sights and scents assaulted her nose and eyes, filling her with a familiarity that was almost ache worthy.
She gestured for Inuyasha to head to her room while she walked down the small hall and headed to her mothers. The door was not closed but rather open as it usually was. She peaked in on her mother's form, curled in the warmth of her blankets and Kagome's heart softened and burst all at once. Tears again rose to her eyes and she walked toward the bed, closing the door behind her with a 'click'. She dropped the travel cloak to the ground and made her way toward the bed where her mother's face was illuminated by the light of the moon.
There was nothing better or more important than a mothers love and as Kagome laid her eyes upon her bringer into the earth... she realized she missed her mother more than anything.
Fingers trembling, Kagome placed a hand on her mother's shoulder and shook lightly. Kun-loon continued to snore lightly and it brought a smile to the young miko's lips.
Never had Kagome stayed away a month in the past, it had always been divided into weeks and days.
By the small lines of worry on her mother's brow, Kagome knew her mother had no doubt fretted over her eldest child.
Sliding into the bed with Kun-loon, Kagome curled into her warmth.
Minutes passed as she basked in the scent that was purely Mom.
Slowly, Kun-loon's arms came around Kagome and a soft sigh was heard.
"My Baby girl." she whispered. "Welcome back."
"It's good to be back, Mama." Kagome murmured.
Wrapped in her mother's warmth, Kagome slept peacefully, fully, and allowed all her worries to melt away.
.
'Gome Yuki:: This ended almost identically to the chapter about Shippo's resurrection for a reason! Mom's are damned important! I don't know what it is about them but when I feel shitty and my Momma isn't home, I curl in her bed and bask in the scent that just purely Mommy and feel better as I sleep. This might be the longest chapter in the story so far due to how long it took to update! A lot is getting explained and still needs explaining. I think it's important to define both Inuyasha and Kagome and Takeshi and Kagome's relationships. As you can see, Kagome is alright with everything involving Takeshi because he treats her as Inuyasha does. She doesn't understand the difference yet. Takeshi does want Kagome and reasons will be revealed. Sesshoumaru feels possession for Kagome due to instinct and not because he likes or wants her and he is denying the instinct. Yeah, it's not romance but we're getting there! Takeshi plays a HUGE role in this story.
Please don't push for romance. We're in for a LONG ride. We'll get there but you guys are spoiled with fiction that starts romance in the first few chapters! It has to build. It won't happen immediately. You have to take into consideration on how I have Sesshoumaru's personality. He won't suddenly love Kagome and she won't suddenly love him! P.S. I broke my laptop so updates are slow!
A DEMON LORD'S CRY WON THIRD PLACE FOR BEST DARKFIC/HORROR! Thanks guys! REVIEW! I like my usual 30-40 reviews please!