Wanting

VI

He jumped up into his spot in the tree as he heard the women making their way back into camp with the kit and dragon.

"We are all done. It's free if you guys want to go a head and wash up," the young miko offered sincerely. She was smiling at the giggling young girl who was currently having her hair patted down with a towel by said miko.

"And leave you here with the toad! No way. Someone has to be here to protect you with how much of a clutz you are," the Hanyou huffed.

"Are you insinuating that I cannot protect my sister, Inuyasha," Sango interjected suspiciously sweetly.

Inuyasha was about to open his mouth again when the monk intervened getting a good grip and covering his mouth with his robes. "Inuyasha wouldn't dare even think such a thing my dear Sango. We'll be back in a while ladies."

Jaken watched with a brow raised as the monk dragged the foul mouthed hanyou off without much struggle. He shook his head at what he perceived to be the idiocy of humans and his eyes watered in adoration and in hopes that his lord would find them soon and they could be on their way.

"I will take point with Kirara until the guys get back. With Ah-Un here, we have more than enough protection," she stated getting up to leave the young woman to her thoughts and the children.

"Thanks for stepping in before…he's an idiot sometimes," she sighed tiredly. Sango paused before heading off.

"Only sometimes," the older women teased causing her and the children to laugh. The air became light again and she was grateful.

"You're right Inuyasha can be a real baka most of the time!" Shippo piped up in agreement with his chest puffed out and small fist in the air.

Resting a hand on his small shoulder patting it, she smiled. "There, there love. He has his moments and he means well, but," motioning Rin to come down to Shippo's ear level she whispered," yes he can be a real big baka sometimes."

The children laughed at the light-hearted truth behind the young woman's confession and waited as she proceeded to roll out a large quilt unto the ground, then laid a large sleeping bag out before pulling out her grooming supplies. She motioned for them to sit as Sango sat closer off to the fire running her hands through Kirara's fur. She picked her hair up into a messy bun and grabbed the big tooth comb and motioned Shippo to sit in her lap.

Rin watched as Kagome skillfully parted the young boy's hair and began to undo the knots that had begun to form. Not once did she hear him utter a complaint and enjoyed poking him the few times when she caught him falling asleep at her ministrations. When she finally got to his tail he was a fit of giggles and purrs. She scooted closer to her warmth and leaned her head unto Kagome's side listening to her hum as she worked.

Smiling down at the young girl beside her she couldn't help at how her heart strings were tugged at the sight Rin made leaning against her slowly beginning to nod off. Her bottom lip was pursed in frustration trying to fight the sleep that was threatening to take her. Bringing her eyes back to the work at hand she placed his comb down and grabbed some lavender and rose oils that she had been mixing together. She took a few drops and rubber her hands together before running them gently into his scalp and hair before running them through his tails fur.

Taking a pause from her melody she brought Shippo close and hugged him. She buried her face into the crook of his neck and nuzzled her nose against it.

"Oo-oakasan, your tickling me," he giggled at her nuzzling trying to turn in her grasp. She felt him place her down before he hopped unto her shoulder and nuzzled her neck before taking rest around her shoulders.

"Wake up Rin-chan its your turn," gently nudging the girl she waited until their eyes met and she sat in a perfect seiza in front of her. There was no doubt that Rin-chan was always in her best form from being around the demon lord for so long. There wasn't a time where she could remember the child ever complaining, if anything there was only ever admiration that she could feel radiate off the girl when ever they crossed paths. Of course on the occasions that they did cross paths she didn't miss the way Rin's eyes would light up at the sight of Shippo. She didn't miss her delight at having another person to play with or when the silent tugs of her hair tips while she was brushing her own after a battle where they crossed paths.

"Rin-chan with me, you do not have to be so formal. Come sit comfortably, alright love," nodding her head she scooted her back closer to Kagome's and sat on her rear with her legs crossed. She let her eyes linger on the fire while Kagome went back to humming as she worked. She could feel her finger nails gently run across her scalp as they made their way through her hair. She barely felt the occasional tugs indicating a difficult knot, but there was never a moment of pain. Her brows came together in slight envy. There was nothing that would make her want to trade her lord for anything in the world. He had saved her life and had allowed her to follow him. Still, it didn't take away from the fact that she felt Shippo-kun was lucky in a way she was not by having someone like Kagome.

"Sh-hippo is lucky to have you as an Oakasan," she felt the hands in her hair still for a moment before continuing.

"I think I am the lucky one. I am honored that Shippo-kun has chosen me to be there for him in a motherly way. I am sure Sesshomaru-sama feels the same way."

"But my lord is-"

Wrapping her in an embrace to stop any protest she rested her chin gently above her crown. "Sesshomaru-sama is like an Otosan to you. One day when you are ready you should tell him how you feel Rin-chan. I am sure that he would be proud to accept you as his kin."

She waited until she felt the young girl concede with a nod of her head before releasing her and finishing up with untangling the girl's hair. She kept her hair down and simply left two braids on each side. Looking over her oils she found the one that she was looking for and placed a couple drops in her palms before rubbing them together.

"How come this one smells different from Shippo-kun," Rin asked smiling as Kagome rubbed the oils gently across her scalp and through some strands of hair.

"It's Wisteria. It's my favorite flower. The scent reminds me of my mother. When I was younger my parents would take me to the cherry blossom festivals, everything would be in bloom! She would either dress me in some of her Yukata's from when she was a young girl or surprise me with one she'd made. We would play games, dance, visit the shops, and watch the fireworks! That was before we realized my little brother was already there with us too, in my mother's belly."

"I smell like Kagome and Kagome's Oakasan now," she brightened excitedly. Kagome laughed at the young girls excitement and nodded.

"Of course, if that is alright with you."

"Rin-chan is honored that Kagome would want to share something so meaningful with Rin. When Sesshomaru-sama finds me, Rin will find a way to thank Kagome."

"Until then," she yawned and grabbed Shippo from her shoulder and placed him in the sleeping bag. "why don't we just worry about getting some rest for tonight. You and Shippo can share my sleeping bag. I have another blanket I can use for cover if it gets breezy."

She moved and settled the children into bed leaving them both with a kiss on their foreheads bidding them sweet dreams. She pulled out a few treats from her bag and made her way over to the twin headed dragon. Pausing a few feet away she waited to be acknowledged before moving closer. Raising an open palm, she waited until Ah rested his head in it before Un moved to do the same in acceptance. "I thought that you two would want some treats. I promise to work something out for breakfast in the morning, deal?" Calmly stilling herself she didn't move when the dragons brought their heads to nuzzle her cheek. "You two flatter me. Good night Ah-Un."

Bringing her arms above her head stretching back she heard a few cracks in her back. She brought her arms down in relief. She noticed that the fire was dying out so she placed more wood and could feel the warmth flicker back to life. Sango eventually found rest with her back against the tree with Kirara sitting promptly up in her lap wide awake. Grabbing her an extra blanket, she placed it around the slayer as Kirara hopped out of her lap to curl up by her side. Jaken nodded off a while ago against another tree never losing his hold on the staff of two heads.

Listening to the rustling of leaves she noticed that Miroku made his way back into the camp alone. His gaze softened as they met Kagome's and she simply shrugged in understanding. He opened his mouth to say something, but her raised hand stopped him.

"It's not your responsibility and there is nothing more to say around that," she waved her hand in dismissal knowing that he would not push her.

"Wise beyond your years, but then again you always have been," he conceded and went to settle down by the slayer.

Left to her thoughts in the silence of their incomplete group her mood fell a bit. It was on nights like this that reminded her of just how far away from Inu she really was. She would merely continue to be a shadow of his former love while Kikyo walked Edo. There was no denying it and nothing would change their current fate. With the way things were going even if he did finally choose her could she choose him back?

"mama, I have loved Inu for who he was since the beginning and yet, every time he looks at me, I know that he still sees Kikyo. Is it even worth it anymore?"