Bath Talk
V
They watched the feline mew off to their right staring at whatever alerted her. She hadn't transformed and wasn't behaving in a hostile manner so they quietly and calmly listened to the rustling of leaves from the presence approaching.
"Whatever is coming," shippo started sniffing at the air. "it smells familiar, a demon for sure, oh its –"
"Ah-Un!," the young girl shouted when she caught sight of the two headed dragon that she had become fast friends with. "You found Rin-chan!" She waded closer to the edge and lifted her open palm up towards their muzzles. "Rin-chan has missed you both."
After her greeting and looking over her to make sure she was alright they moved a few feet away and calmly laid down until the humans and kit were done with their bath. The neko - youkai made her way over to him and mewed as though asking for permission to be near. Ah-Un brought their heads down and each nudged the felines crown gently before bringing her close and curling their heads around her. They listened to her purr in contentment at the action and warmth they provided.
"I wonder where Master Jaken is," Rin wondered aloud pursing her bottom lip out in thought.
Kagome smiled at the young girl. The expression she wore on her face was just too adorable. "He's probably back at camp with Inuyasha and Miroku which is probably appropriate given where we are right now." Rin smiled in response to her answer and continued to play with Shippo in the water. Watching them brought a wistful smile to her face as she became lost in her own thoughts.
'If I made Edo my home, would I be able to make a home with Inuyasha. Would I be able to make a home at all? Would I have the chance to have children? Would they be able to play joyfully like Rin and Shippo do now?'
"Kagome," she snapped her attention and found herself gazing into softened brown eyes holding worry in them. "is everything alright?"
"Thank you, Sango. I am fine just thinking way too much these days. It's been three years and I can feel the end coming. It's like even though we are not there yet, I can't help but worry over what will happen once its over. Will Edo be home? Will there be a reason for Edo to be my home? Or will I be forced back anyway?" breathing deeply and closing her eyes she willed the tears to stay back, but she couldn't stop, the cup was beginning to spill over.
Smiling sadly at the young women who had become a sister to her she wrapped her arms loosely across her shoulders and leaned her head down in a gentle hug.
"Kagome, you are one of the bravest if not strongest person I know. You have persevered through the mental, physical, and emotional. Your spirit is your own, I don't care how many times Inyu compares you to Kikyo, you have surpassed her in so many ways," She listened to her sister's words and could no longer hold back the tears from falling. "I am proud and grateful to have you as my family. Your home is both here and with your family in the future. Trust in your heart that when the time is right you will know exactly where you need to be."
"Is Kagome leaving us?" Rin-chan asked confused after the sound of sniffling broke her attention from the game of water tag with Shippo. From the corner of her eye she could see Shippo hiding under his bangs at the question.
Remembering the young ones' presence both women put on a smile as Kagome splashed her face with water.
"Rin-chan, I do not plan on going anywhere. Right now, this is where I am meant to be," Kagome reassured her with a sincere smile and firm nod. Noticing Shippo's downcast eyes she smiled gently at him. "Shippo, would you like me to groom your hair and tail tonight?"
She watched him perk right back up and presented her with a beautiful smile. His smile eased the heaviness in her heart and she knew that no matter what happened, no matter where time sent her she would find Shippo first. If she couldn't find a way to bring him with her when the time came then he would be the first she would search for if she was sent away.
Sango smiled at the pair and caught the longing look in Rin's eyes at the relationship the miko and kit shared. The young girl was clearly starved of physical connection. I am sure she could be close to the dragon, but it wasn't the same thing. She didn't doubt that Jaken or Lord Sesshomaru took care of the young girl, she just didn't think that they were in the practice of expressing their feelings let alone displays of affection.
Hoping to help the young girl out she decided to plant a seed in the air. "Seems like Rin-chan is feeling a bit left out," she teased softly.
"Ah-" blushing at being caught staring like a lost puppy she looked away. "Gomen."
"Does Rin-chan want Kagome to wash and do her hair too," Shippo piped up excitedly blushing. "She's very gentle and careful, because my tail is sensitive. I lo-love it when she does mine."
She looked up into soft expecting eyes and pursed her bottom lip hesitant to ask and then took a deep breath. "Would Kagome mind doing Rin-chan's hair as well?"
"I would be excited to help Rin-chan with her hair," she responded lightly teasing the young girl who spoke in third person no doubt due to being around the demon lord for so long.