A/N: Sorry for the long wait! My muse was kidnapped by other fandoms. This story is 100% complete, and will receive a new chapter every month :).

Chapter Nine – Descendant

The next morning, Kagome appeared in the kitchen in an outfit of 'jeans' and a 'hoodie' she had previously worn. Her mouth was turned down in a frown, eyelids heavy, and feet plodding – she was in a foul mood.

Sesshoumaru had quickly learned the girl often arose in such a state, and that copious amounts of the human medicine 'caffeine' eased its ardency. Without comment, he gestured to the carafe he had already placed on a grate over the fire.

Kagome nodded her thanks and trudged to the counter, retrieving the mug she'd marked as hers, the one he'd first offered her, before shuffling towards the coffee.

Sesshoumaru examined his claws in the candlelight, having discovered attention or entreaties her way were not well-received before she'd consumed the hot, bitter beverage. He listened as she poured, her contented sigh following the smell of brewed grounds wafting into the room. Sesshoumaru found the pungent aroma abhorrent, only trumped by its stringent taste, and flicked an invisible speck of dirt from his impeccably-clean nail beds. He had also learned comments on the drink's revolting nature earned him a wave of purity that overpowered his youki enough to leave his skin singed and near-smoking.

Kagome plunked down at the table across from him, eying him blearily. He kept his gaze on his hands, unwilling to risk the wrath she obviously wanted to dole.

"I'm running out of clean clothes," she mumbled. "I'll need to go back home and get more soon," she took a long swig from her cup. "I lost cell service before getting here, but I should call my family, so they don't start to worry."

Sesshoumaru processed her words, venturing a nod. "We can do that today if you wish."

"Thank you," she proceeded to focus on her coffee, drinking with a dourness that soon gave way to relish.

He risked offering out news, glancing at the cup's half-empty status. "My retainer is due for a visit this morning. When he departs, we can contact your kin."

Kagome looked up from her steaming mug, interest sparking her gaze. "I'm eager to meet him. You said his name was Kenzou?" She graced him with the start of a smile. "How come he hasn't been by before now?"

The medicine was working; Sesshoumaru loathed its smell, but would tolerate a century of it hanging in the air for its magical potency.

"He is old, and unable to make the trek as frequently as he once did."

"Oh, driving is more than he can handle now?" Kagome asked sympathetically, thinking of her grandfather as she lifted the mug to take another sip. "Or is the flight with you too hard on him?"

"I have never carried him here. He walks on foot through the forest."

She jerked the cup down in a near-slam. "Sesshoumaru!"

He looked up from his claws, surprised at the sudden anger in her scent.

"If he's elderly, you shouldn't make him walk so far!"

Sesshoumaru appraised her, trying to discern if the coffee had taken full-effect. "It would be inappropriate for me to bring him," he said slowly. "He is not my equal."

"You brought me!"

"Yes," he drew out the syllable meaningfully. "I did."

"Why? Because I'm some dainty, little girl?"

He arched a brow. "I believe I just said why."

Kagome's jaw fell. Her brain stuttered as she tried making meaning from the unsolicited admission. Sesshoumaru thinks of me as… an equal?!

The daiyoukai continued to stare, and she knew he knew she'd just connected the dots.

"W-Well, how old is he?" She asked, desperate to move on. Her heart was going to start doing odd things, getting all flippy and pounding, and she shouldn't be flattered he considered her a peer.

"Seventy? Eighty?" Sesshoumaru shrugged. "It is hard to judge human ages. Your lifespans are so fleeting."

Kagome thumbed the sides of her mug. "How old do you think I am?"

He didn't pause, as if he'd already spent time trying to determine. "Twenty?"

"Close," she smiled. "Twenty-two."

Sesshoumaru hummed, evidently pleased his guess had been so accurate. "Had Rin not given me experience with the years and appearance of human young, I would've originally placed you at two hundred or so."

"Because inuyoukai are just babies when they're my age."

"Precisely."

"Well your attendant is no spring chicken," she scolded. "You should make his journey easier for him. It's well within your means."

Sesshoumaru ground his teeth and scowled, allowing her to see his flash of ire. What was she trying to say? He escort his own retainer? "Spring chicken?" He managed.

"An expression meaning he's not young anymore," Kagome answered, oblivious to his dim view of her suggestion. "It would be no effort on your part to help him."

He seethed, seeing red. What power do you think you have over me, wench? This Sesshoumaru takes orders from no one, least of all a human priestess who needs daily medicine to start her day! He said as much. "So now you're giving me directives?" He asked coldly, pouring ice into his words. "Telling me the scope of what my prerogative should be?"

Undaunted by the frigid tone, Kagome smiled serenely, staring up from her coffee. "Almost like I'm your equal? Like we're… friends?"

Sesshoumaru stormed across the field, a hunched, white-haired man hobbling after in his wake. The daiyoukai had abdicated, retrieving his swords with a thunderous glower Kagome had only smiled in the face of before flying to fetch his attendant.

Now, she waited for them at the cave's entrance, shedding her hoodie in the already-hot morning .

"Hello!" She waved enthusiastically, wearing a wide grin and a printed t-shirt with a cat's face that read 'you've gotta be kitten me'.

Sesshoumaru realized her greeting carried just as much warmth as the one she'd enthused from her car a week ago.

No longer 'casually-friendly' indeed, he thought dryly. Insufferable, chirpy woman. Cheer for a servant and condemnation for me.

The man behind him spotted her, gasped in astonishment, and rushed to catch up. Sesshoumaru's irate strides outmatched his, and he reached Kagome first, glaring down at her.

His retainer had spent the entire ride professing blubbering gratitude and extravagant praise. It had reminded him of Jaken and been most vexing. "Your shirt is ridiculous," he muttered, the words clipped with bridled anger.

The girl turned her grin on him – happy and irritatingly radiant. "It's funny."

"Hn."

His attendant came to a huffing stop, peering over a pair of slipping glasses to gawk at Kagome in unmitigated awe. "M-My… lady," he panted, trying to catch his breath. "I-It is… an honor… to meet you," his hunch deepened as he stooped into a low bow. "I thought the Demon King was the last of his kind – it is my humble lifetime's ultimate privilege to meet another being such as him."

Kagome's smile slid from her face at once. "O-Oh no," she started. "I'm not—."

"The Demon King has already explained how you knew him in the time of my ancestor, Shonyudo Rin. To see you have survived the centuries, and somehow with the aid of a disguising spell, brings my old heart such joy," the man dabbed at the corners of his eyes. "I admit, I'm close to tears."

Kagome looked to Sesshoumaru for guidance, but he merely folded his arms into his sleeves, staring off at the forest beyond.

"It's Kenzou, isn't it?" She asked, pulling her own arms behind her back and rocking on the balls of her feet. Something about Rin's family name nagged in the back of her mind.

At that, the man did start to cry, beginning a pitiful shake of shoulders and an abundant fogging of glasses.

Kagome paled, and her next peek at Sesshoumaru was urgent and pleading.

Help me! What should I say?!

He ignored her, adjusting Tenseiga and Bakusaiga at his hip in disinterest.

Face ashen, she pried her hands apart and leaned over, patting the man's back. "It's alright," she soothed. "Why are you upset?"

At her touch and concern, Kenzou cried harder. Kagome was only able to make out 'spoke of me' and 'knows my name' amidst the tears. She bit her lip and gave him another pat, wondering if Sesshoumaru was being purposefully obtuse. Surely, he could see she was floundering. Sneaking another look at his bored features, she caught a slight twitch in his mouth.

That bastard. I'm going to kill him.

"Please stop crying," she tried gently. "I would love for you to enjoy your visit."

The elderly retainer squeezed his eyes shut, straightening and furiously wiping his face. "O-Of course, Demon Queen. At once."

"I'm no demon," she ventured a smile. "My name's Kagome."

An age-spotted hand trembled as he made to push his glasses up, glancing at Sesshoumaru before attempting a reply. "F-Forgive me, my lady—."

"It's Kagome. Just Kagome."

His hand froze on the bridge of his nose. "I couldn't p-possibly use—."

Her smile waffled. "I insist."

Kenzou stammered out apologies, and Kagome balked as he made to get down on his knees, begging for clemency. She whipped her head up at Sesshoumaru – who by now was practically preening at his exacted revenge – and narrowed her eyes, mouthing 'you're dead', before returning her attention to the man.

The morning waned, and Kagome's fury gave way to a soft, somber sadness as several facts became glaringly clear. Sesshoumaru's retainer knew nothing of the daiyoukai, except that he was not human. She guessed the man was close to eighty, and aside from an overwhelming level of fear and reverence, interacted very little with his master. He didn't ask Sesshoumaru any questions, offer any personal news, or regale him with events from the outside world. Kenzou's gaze was always decorous and downcast – at most fleeting over his lord's dual mokomoko, oppressively-large once more – before he went to boil tea.

The man didn't even know Sesshoumaru's name. Demon King was not some mocking, inside-joke they shared, as she'd first thought, but the true title he used when addressing his master.

Watching old limbs move stiffly by candlelight to set a kettle over the fire, Kagome saw practice and routine there. This was a scene they had replayed many times over the decades. Her sadness deepened, hurting her heart in a way her memories had never touched. She had thought Sesshoumaru had been alone before, but now, she saw how utterly true her assessment had been.

Was Rin the only person he's ever been close to?

She cleared her throat, crossing the kitchen and stopping beside Sesshoumaru's chair. He glanced up from beneath his bangs, expression shuttered, as impassive as it had been in Sengoku Jidai. Kagome started, realizing she had seen less and less of the guarded mask the longer her stay went on.

She was sure his nose had detected her anguish, and fought the urge to reach out and touch him; she didn't want him mistaking her empathy for pity.

"Kenzou," she began, failing in her struggle and running fingers once through the ocean of silver down his back. "I would like to hear you speak of Rin. The last time I saw her, she was just a little girl."

The retainer whirled around as fast as his aged body would allow, giving her a stunned look before shifting to Sesshoumaru. "Your queen knew Shonyudo Rin, my lord?"

"Hn."

It was the first thing Sesshoumaru had said since he'd insulted her t-shirt. Kagome knew she should glare at the side of his head for not correcting Kenzou on her status, but Rin's surname was too eerily familiar to be ignored.

"Shonyudo, you say?" She asked. "When I knew her, her only relation was Sess—," she peeked down, wondering if revealing his name was okay.

He gave her a bored, 'do as you please' look, turning attention to a low candle on the counter in need of replacing.

This time, Kagome did glare. She recognized the indifference, and felt a little wounded it'd been for her.

"Yes, my lady," Kenzou bobbed his head, oblivious to the exchange. "It was her husband's name."

Kagome instantly forgot her offense, craning forward. "I don't believe I met him. Who was he?"

"Why, wielder of the great and terrible Kusarigama," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "He was a powerful taijiya who—."

Kagome interrupted with a piercing squeal, clapping both hands together, while the disparate males on either side of the room winced.

"No way! NO WAY!" She swiveled down so her face was in front of Sesshoumaru's. "How could you not tell me?! Kohaku?! Rin married Kohaku!?" She gave his shoulder a shove, unable to stir anything but elation. "Of course! Shonyudo was the name of Midoriko's cave! The taijiya's village guarded its entrance. Makes sense history would have added it as their surname."

"S-So you knew her husband then as well, my lady?" Kenzou braved, bewildered by her volume and evident delight.

Kagome straightened with a wide smile. "Oh yes, absolutely. Kohaku was the brother of a dear friend of mine, and—," her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh! Kenzou!" Wetness crowded her eyes. "You're not just a descendant of Rin's… you're a part of Sango too!" Her gaze glistened as she rushed forward, scooping the man up in a hug.

"Sango-chan is still here with me! You've kept her alive, all this time!" She kissed his temple, hugging him more fiercely. "This is so wonderful. Tell me everything about your family!"

Sesshoumaru had long surpassed irritation, his umbrage well on its the way towards complete, senseless rage. Kagome sat practically in his retainer's lap, hugging him every few minutes as he paused in stories of his ancestors only enough to catch his breath. The man had still not worked up the courage to use Kagome's name, but the daiyoukai could see he was only a few more tender brushes of her fingers at his cheek before he would gather the nerve.

The facts he shares are false. Muddied and contorted beyond recognition over eighteen generations. I could give her a much better recounting.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as Kagome leaned her head on the man's shoulder with a blissful smile she had never aimed at him. Why is she sitting so close? And touching so much? And WHY is he letting her?!

He had not purposefully withheld Kohaku from her – indeed, had he known of the news's effect, he would have supplied it readily. Perhaps last night, after her nightmare. He knew the old man was no threat, but it was still infuriating to see how gushing and effusive her affections could be with someone else.

So frenzied was his fury, Sesshoumaru couldn't muster the mental acuity to wonder why he was so upset about the girl doling sentiments in the first place. Hadn't he sworn she had no power over him? His youki spiraled out around him, escaping with abandon, and Kagome glanced his way.

A glance? He fumed. I earn a glance!?

"Kenzou," she murmured, squeezing the attendant's arm. "Would you mind fetching us something to eat from the pantry? I'm suddenly famished."

She'll request food from him, but argues with me over every morsel?! Sesshoumaru released a loud, angry rumble, willing the woman to pay him heed.

Kenzou was enamored, charmed by Kagome's interest, and oblivious to his lord's displeasure. Puffing out his chest and pushing up his glasses, the man palmed his knees and got to his feet. "Of course, Lady K-Kagome. Anything for you," he shuffled for the storeroom, a beaming grin on his wrinkled face.

Kagome rose as well, strolling to the edge of the hall he'd retreated down. She didn't call up her own power, keeping her back to Sesshoumaru and letting his youki buffet her. She leaned her weight on one hip, standing in ease, and he shoved his chair from the table, stalking for her.

The girl didn't turn as he stopped behind her, and he reached for a lock of hair hanging at her waist, winding it in his claws and pulling her head back none too gently.

"Why…," Sesshoumaru spoke to her upturned face, bringing his best glower to bear. "Are you lavishing such attention on my retainer?" He let his youki continue its assault until she flinched.

Blue-gray eyes stared up in muted woe, pained not from the sting of his aura, but an indefinable, unknown heartache. "What?"

He'd thought his question plain-spoken. Did she suddenly no longer understand Japanese? "You are acting very familiar with him," he growled, searching her sadness for clarity. "Why?"

Kagome released a soft sigh. "For the same reason you let an entire family pass down devotion from generation to generation."

Somehow feeling chastised, Sesshoumaru wrenched his youki back, wrestling it away, waiting for elaboration

"He's a special link to those I love," Kagome said wistfully. "A trace of Sango that remains in this world," she turned on her heel to face him, her hair still ensnared in his fingers. "The only way he could be more dear to me," she lowered her voice. "Is if he had lived in those days of darkness," the sadness in her gaze lightened. "If he had helped my friends and I defeat Naraku, even though he vowed he hated us and didn't care about saving the world," fondness filled the words. "If he had survived alone for so long, and needed me as much as I needed him."

Sesshoumaru's hand was at her belly, still tangled in black waves. "He doesn't want to need you," he heard himself say.

That doesn't make sense, he admonished silently. Why must words be so difficult?

Kagome didn't seem to notice, curling her fingers over his claws, sinking them down and twining them with his. "Then he's a great, big Demon-King-Fool," she whispered.