A/N: Hello dear readers. Thanks for the follows and favs. Nice to see this story is off to a good start.
I like this story because it's different. I have read stories where the women are the slaves or the humans are so I wanted to twist things up a bit.
I love me some vulnerable Sesshomaru, lol. Anyone else watch Yashahime? I am so proud of our boy. I have the upmost faith he will pull through.
Enjoy!
"Lady Kagome. This is the last time I am going to say this, it is time for your lessons." The monk Miroku huffed out. Out of all of his students to date Kagome Higurashi certainly was his most trying.
The young woman preferred to play all day with the young demon kit that had recently come into her possession with little to deter her focus from him.
Similarly he had seemed to latch onto her only bolstering her idea that the small demon must care for her as well.
"Lady Kagome, you will force my hand to report to your father." Miroku warned.
"Alright." He heard her sigh out as she stepped away from an alcove. "I'm right here."
"Very good. Now, as you have made me incredibly late to start your lesson please follow me." He chastised. Glancing at Shippo on her shoulder as her tutor turned Kagome rolled her eyes.
The little fox gave a small smirk remaining silent as he always did. Walking into the study room Kagome kneeled at her desk as they began the arduous lessons.
She much would have preferred to be outside in the gardens. She loved to sit among the flowers with Shippo and talk with the little cat girl, Rin, that tended the grounds.
On occasion she would bring her out some food or a sweet desert as thanks for doing such a wonderful job in maintaining the garden that was her personal favorite.
Jumping off from her shoulder Shippo sat close enough to her where others wouldn't see him if they came in. While
Miroku did not mind if the young kit stayed during her lessons there were others who would.
While humans didn't believe demons to be intelligent enough to actually learn their belief was demons could memorize certain things to gain knowledge and potentially cause an uprising.
"Is that not the same thing as regular learning?" Kagome had questioned Miroku when he had told her.
"I don't make the rules Lady Kagome, I am simply explaining to you what many humans believe." He replied. "And yes, it is."
Kagome liked Miroku better than any of her other tutors. He had come from a monastery to help her complete her last year of education.
He was young, polite, intelligent, and was easy on the eyes unlike some of the others instructors she had had who were older than dirt it seemed.
"In all people there is good and evil. The balance exists within us and we must learn to live harmoniously between the two." Miroku lectured.
"Even demons." Kagome said looking down to Shippo who looked back up at her.
"All creatures that live on this plane of existence, yes. Keeping both sides in check can be a challenge with the wicked side often much easier to give into as opposed to doing what is right."
"I don't think it is so hard to just be a good person." She shrugged. "Honestly, I much would rather be known for being kind and soft hearted than overbearing or mean."
"The world is better then for having you in it, my lady." Miroku mused. "Now, that is all for today. Please do try to be on time tomorrow."
"Yes master Miroku. I will make an attempt but not a promise." Laughing as Shippo jumped onto her shoulder she stood.
"That is more than what I could ask for Lady Kagome." Smiling at her as she happily skipped out of the room towards the kitchen to see what goodies she could scrounge together.
Tying some peaches into a cloth she made her way outside by the back kitchen door that led to the garden. Shielding her eyes she glanced around finding Rin easily.
"Hello Rin." She called out swinging her bag.
"Lady Kagome." Rin bowed to her respectfully. "Hello Shippo."
"Hello Rin." Shippo greeted jumping onto the half-breeds shoulder. "Are you okay today? You seem sad."
"Lady Sango took Lo…I mean Sesshomaru after the executions this morning. One of them named him as a conspirator. I'm so worried." With her small ears lying flat against her head she sniffled placing the back of her hand to her face.
Thinning her lips Kagome sighed out. It couldn't be helped, there was certainly nothing she could do to assist in any way.
While Kagome and Sango had grown up together their paths had always been very different. Now as she heard about what Sango did and her role within the household she was bereft that her former friend had turned into a hateful monster.
'It really is true what Miroku said. It is so much easier to give in to the evil lurking within us.' Kagome thought.
"Rin, I will wait with you here until Sesshomaru comes back. I brought peaches, you can have them all. We can just sit here and you can tell me what flowers are your favorites."
"Thank you Lady Kagome." Wiping at her face she looked up at her gratefully. "You're so nice. Just like Sesshomaru."
"You know, I have never officially met Sesshomaru but you certainly talk very highly of him so he must be quite the gentleman."
"He is." Rin smiled softly still sniffling. Taking the offered peach she munched on the fruit savoring it.
The trio came lost in their conversation that flowed naturally as they companionably weaved flower stalks together to make wreaths and necklaces.
Rins nose began to twitch suddenly as her attention jerked towards the main entryway to the garden. Following her gaze she saw the tall demon with long white hair pulled back come in.
Standing with Rin she watched as the little cat ran towards her friend and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"Lord Sesshomaru, are you alright?" She questioned as she felt his hand on her head stroking her ears.
"Yes. Are you well Rin?" He soothed.
"Oh yes. Lady Kagome brought peaches today. You have never met her before. Come, come." Happily tugging on his hand he followed Rin to where the young lady of the house, Kagome Higurashi, stood.
On her shoulder perched a small demon kit which was odd in its way. Kagome had been not unlike any other child born into the household over the years.
When she was younger she would run about with her demon maids finding her through out the compound. Unless it had been his concern he would have paid attention but it never was so Sesshomaru ignored her throughout the years.
Now she was no longer a small child but a young woman who, more than likely, would soon be given to another household of equal standing as its bride.
Human women were seen as only slightly above demons in most circumstances Sesshomaru had found. They were used as bargaining chips and forced alliances making them leave their families to become another's property.
"Lady Kagome." Sesshomaru said bowing to her.
"Sesshomaru, yes?"
"Yes my lady." Straightening out but still keeping his eyes to the ground he spoke. "Thank you for watching over Rin."
"You are most welcome. We have fun here in the garden. Rin has been teaching me horticulture and I have to say she is much more knowledgeable than half of my tutors ever were." Kagome replied cheerfully. "Are you alright?"
Taken somewhat aback by her genuine tone and sincere question he gave a nod. "You can look at me Sesshomaru. I promise, I won't bite."
Bringing his gaze up to hers he took in her blue orbs that were known to manifest occasionally within her lineage due to the immense spiritual power the family possessed. "Much better."
Crouching down she grasped the cloth she had brought out. "I was able to snag these from the kitchen. They are Rins but I am sure she will share them with you."
Taking the offered bundle of fruit he took out one of the peaches.
"My lady, we cannot accept this." Sesshomaru said.
"Of course you can and that is an order Sesshomaru." She smiled despite her command. He was in complete shock, he felt something stir within him as he basked in her happy aura.
"Thank you." Coming back to himself he shook his head. "My lady, thank you."
"You're welcome. It's the least I can do. I hate how all of the demons are treated. I wish there was something that I could do but I am helpless to make any real difference." Glancing aside she sighed.
"This is…more than enough." Sesshomaru said softly. "Rin and I must take our leave."
"Alright. Maybe tomorrow you can come back and pick her up again." Kagome said hopefully.
"Perhaps. Until then my lady." Bowing again he handed Rin the cloth as they left the garden.
"Kagome, Sesshomaru could get in trouble for coming to visit with you." Shippo expressed as they watched them leave.
"He won't be coming to see me. He will be fetching Rin, there is a difference." Kagome stated.
"Sounds like a lazy alibi to me." Shippo retorted.
"That is what I love about you Shippo, you know exactly what is on my mind." She laughed out.