A/N: HI EVERYONE! I know it's been a hot minute, but I've been in the process of MOVING! That's right folks, my Chi-berian ass is going south! It's been very stressful trying to move across the country in the middle of a pandemic, especially knowing I'm leaving the relatively safe semi-opened NW suburbs of Chicago for good 'ol back on their bullshit (read "lock down") Texas. Ya'll pray for my stupid ass, and please be patient with updates. Once I'm moved (8 more weeks to go!) I'll be back on my bullshit, with writing that is. I might squeeze out more in my procrastination of moving tasks, so don't think of my move as any sort of hiatus!
One more thing, if anyone feels like exposing themselves on tik tok, DM me your username! Houstonians out there reading this, I HAVE NO FRIENDS OUT THERE YET! sooo ya know, hi :)
Okay, sorry for the long ass note!
Love and Clorox
~Sploosh
"Good morning, Lord Sesshomaru," Mrs. Higurashi welcomed her daughter's betrothed, lifting the broom from the pathway she'd been sweeping to greet his company. She had only seen the young man a few hours prior when he asked for her daughter's hand in marriage, but it seemed he was determined to become more involved since receiving permission to propose. "I see you've brought company." She bowed to the trio before her, "Welcome."
While the two unfamiliar women behind Sesshou kept to their human disguises, all appearing with typical Japanese characteristics of dark hair and eyes, in truth they were all silver headed and oddly beautiful under their concealed appearances. Knowing their true nature was a mystery left Mrs. Higurashi curious, but not enough to ask for a reveal.
"I've brought help for the shrine, as promised." Sesshou motioned to the women beside him, "This here is Kairi," He introduced them, "And Nami. They're here to become permanent residents of the Sunset shrine as familiars." Both women were short, with long dark braids running down their backs, and dark eyes to match. Already dressed in traditional winter yukatas, the two matched their attire in coloring, donning sea toned layers, which made it harder to tell them apart.
"Familiars?" Mrs. Higurashi blinked rapidly in confusion, "As in spirits to service the shrine?"
"Yes, Lady Higurashi." Nami bowed, her gentle voice a balm in the harsh winter air. "My sister and I have serviced many shrines in our lifetime. We wish to aid yours, as the Sunset shrine is home to Lord Inuyasha's origin, and that of the Shikon jewel."
"As dog demons, I felt they were fitting for the tale." Sesshou smirked, "They are employed through YANA, so all that I ask is that they remain here on the grounds at all times in order to protect the household."
"Well, I don't see why not." Kagome's mother accepted her new residents easily, glad for the help since she had come to terms with the fact that holidays without her daughter working the grounds would be exponentially harder. "Allow me to show you the old main house." She led them behind the modern home that had been erected by the previous owners about a hundred years ago, where a much smaller and more traditional style home resided. Setting her broom down along the raised porch that wrapped around the small establishment, she motioned to the original main house. "Had I known, I would have prepared the house for the two of you."
"Nonsense," Kairi spoke this time, her voice contrasting her twin sister's with her own silvery voice, "We are more than capable of preparing the household for ourselves, Lady Higurashi."
"And we thank you for the shelter." Nami and Kairi bowed together, "We will begin with the grounds and return later."
"Kairi and Nami will do well to manage the shrine in your absence." Sesshou retrieved an envelope from the breast pocket of his peacoat once the twins were out of sight.
"Absence?" Kagome's mother turned back to him.
"I fear your safety has been compromised as well. In desperation to provoke Kagome to come out of hiding, your family might be used as bait." It was a half lie, as it was an option that was left on the table, but more than that, Sesshou wanted to ensure the shrine was vacant of human residents. He wasn't quite sure what brought about the well opening. Surely, counting back the weeks that had passed, the conception of his infant would have latched, sperm to egg, within five days of their coupling. Meaning that the child's existence alone couldn't have granted passage, but perhaps Kagome's recognition of it's existence could. "Which is why I'd like your family to relocate until we've eliminated the threat." He held out the envelope in offering.
"Kyoto?" She mouthed when she opened the letter to find a reservation at an inn. "Lord Sesshomaru, you're offering too much. And what about Sota's school?"
"I can send word that your family is briefly taking a trip for Kagome's medical necessities. His school work can be sent via email and he can continue his studies from the inn." Sesshou explained, "I have a car waiting at the bottom of the steps, if you choose to agree. You can trust Kairi and Nami, as they shall continue their service when you return. Grandfather Higurashi is getting too old to be handling the shrine without adequate assistance."
"I don't know how to thank you." Mrs. Higurashi teared up, not realizing until this very moment just how tired she had been all these years without support. She had always worked so hard with the help of her father to run the shrine and provide for their family, but there were times when they came up short. Now, with her daughter's pending marriage, she would never have to worry again.
"You raised Kagome. I only ask that you take my offer, and enjoy the vacation. You will be safe. The inn keepers have direct orders to protect your family." Sesshou bowed, "Now I must be going. You are welcome to contact my personal line at any time," He smiled warmly, "Mother."
"Safe travels, Sesshomaru." Mrs. Higurashi colored prettily at the endearment, choosing to drop his honorific as well. They would be family, this she was sure of.
"To you as well."
Once returned from the Sunset Shrine, Sesshou had taken to his office at the old Western Castle. The remaining guests within the castle's borders were either blood relatives of the year round council members or strays from the annual gathering. With Shippou overseeing the last departures that evening, he resigned himself to petty paperwork while he waited for an evening report from his pack.
"We hope to see you girls again, soon." Lady Inukimi bowed slightly to the pair of doe sisters. The two were notorious for the rumors of them killing their mates...more than once. Their shady history allotted them a spot on the West's watchlist, what with Sesshou having been a long standing bachelor for so many centuries. Perhaps Kagome's involvement piqued their ire.
"Thank you, Lady Inukimi," The first sister bowed at the waist. Her animalistic doe eyes squinted with her smile. A trail of white freckles spotted the bridge of her tanned nose and cheeks. "Excuse our long visit. We wish to come again."
"You've been wonderful company," Shippou stood beside the Lady Mother, prepared to guide their guests out, "Will you allow my escort? I could take you both to the borders."
"Would you?" The second doe sister giggled prettily behind her hand, "You remind me of my late mate. It's so rare we see kitsune anymore."
"I would be delighted." Shippou grinned, but he shivered at the implication. This doe sister's last mate had been a kitsune, and the one before that a white kitsune. He wondered how many mates she had killed, but refrained from asking which kitsune mate she was referring to. "Please, follow me, ladies."
"Goodbye, and thank you. The presence of the Shika clan was much appreciated, especially for Kagome's first gala." Lady Inukimi said, "Please accept a token of our gratitude."
"They are kitsune good luck charms." Shippou and Lady Inukimi had made this exchange enough times. He handed each demoness a golden canine trinket, no larger than an inch by inch. If anything, they were pretty desk decorations.
"I'm familiar," The first doe sister eyed the golden dog in her palm, "We will cherish this gesture."
"Thank you, Lord Shippou." The second doe sister accepted her identical trinket, bowing together.
The three parted from the rear end of the castle, leaving just the Lady Mother standing at the exit, her back to the open tunnel that led to their private underground garage.
With just one guest left, that left only one suspect. Inukimi's golden eyes turned to slits in the sunlight, taking on a vicious reptilian frame. She did not take kindly to betrayal.
"Lord Kaito," the tortoise demon turned when called upon, knowing from the voice alone that it was the house Lord's mother calling him to attention, "So nice to see you in our corridors after so many years apart."
"My Lady, you say that every year." Kaito folded his arms into the sleeves of his navy yukata, waiting for the demoness to reach him.
"And every year I am grateful for the peace that has formed between our families." Inukimi sidled up next to him, "It's been so long since our old disputes, you'd have to remind me what we even went to war over. You know this old bag is getting on in age…" She whined girlishly.
"You have remained as beautiful as ever, My Lady." Kaito's lips spread thin over sharp teeth, "And like fine wine, you age more tastefully than others."
"Do remind me, though," She was coy, poised behind her weaponed fan, "What did we fight over?"
"Land, I believe," He paused, but she waited for him to address her properly, "My Lady."
"And your father, may he rest in peace, why ever did he want for land when he already had the sea?"
"Recognition, of course. Just as your mate once weilded the swords of heaven, hell, and earth, my people aimed to roam every plane within our tangible reach." Kaito's pride was showing through, but in a demure way. Lady Inukimi wished Kagome were here. Demons can hide some much of their feelings in scent, but an aura can be read like an open book.
"My, Lord Kaito," Inukimi chortled behind her fan, "Don't you know that turtles can't fly?"
"Of course, My Lady." His tight smile remained, and Inukimi could now feel the edge of his displeasure at her teasing.
She dismissed his company and retreated without comment, but Kaito had a distinct feeling that her pestering was purposeful. She was known for her tongue in terms of war. She could make a Male break under her thumb.
However, she was only teasing. Boasting her young's skills in conquering, like she was proud of his macaroni necklace. He would not take her remarks seriously.
All quips aside, he was preparing for departure, and none of the domineering dogs could breathe down his neck much longer. For whatever reason, they had taken to being overly involved in their guests' day to day activities since the night of the gala. The Lord's adopted kit and the young priestess's lady maid had both been very sociable, always choosing to host and involve themselves, no matter how trivial the Sunday brunch or movie night for the more modern offspring of centuries old demons. Not that he minded, really. Kaito rather liked Ami's attention to his person. Her company over the last few weeks had been stimulating, reminding him heavily of his very singular status.
Shippou made his way back through the parking garage and up into the main corridors, breezing past the usual crowds that normally housed the castle. Those doe sisters had tried to keep him at the border for longer than he'd planned, and now he was late to meet with their last guest for departure.
"Lord Kaito," Shippou turned into the open doorway of the tortoise demon's guest suite, "My apol-" Shippou sniffed at the maids cleaning the room. "Where's Lord Kaito?"
"Lord Shippou," Normally the maids didn't address him so formally. His olfactory senses picked up on her nerves when she bowed, "Our visitor seemed to have left early."
"Did he say why?" Panic flooded the fox's blood, but he forced himself to stay long enough for an answer.
"Family emergency?" The maid fiddled with bed sheets, unable to remain calm under his intense gaze. "He didn't really say, he just kind of took off."
Shippou didn't need to hear anymore. Seems like they'd found their guy. No one runs unless they're guilty of something. He rounded the corner faster now, heading back out to the ground level. He might need a car to catch up in time.
When he hopped into Sesshou's own black Sedan, he activated the voice command and called the office line. Sesshou picked up on the second ring.
"Speak." So he was already aware something was amiss, just by noticing the incoming location of the call.
"It's Kaito, he's gone off without an escort. I'm following him out now, to the Eastern border." Shippou reported, "A maid didn't stop him. Said he acted like he had a family emergency." Peeling out of the garage faster than was deemed safe, Shippou stepped on the gas.
"I'm coming." Sesshou ended the call. Shippou wasn't surprised that he would want to gut Kaito himself. Kagome had almost been raped and killed. Kaito would surely not see another sunrise. Sesshou knew no mercy when it came to his pack, and what Shippou presumed, his intended mate.
Rolling the windows down, Shippou breathed deeply to catch the scents flying by. While he wasn't dog or bear, he could still catch a recently departed person's scent in the wind if he focused hard enough. Using his fox tricks, he left a trail of mushrooms in his wake, if only to give his surrogate father a point in the right direction.