Chapter 24


The rest of the week flew past and Kagome had settled into something of a routine.

Wake up, go to school, train, come home, have dinner, and try to catch up on her schoolwork before she finally fell asleep, utterly exhausted.

She and Mamoru had fallen into a simple rhythm with each other, and she was beginning to see why her father trusted him. He was strong, and smart too. To her ultimate surprise, she found that she was starting to actually like having him around. Having someone to talk to about all the aspects of her life that she'd previously never spoken of before, it made things… easier. More relaxed. She'd begun to see a change in herself already. She was calmer, less stressed and could think more clearly. But that didn't mean that everything was quite falling into place the way she wanted.

Her friends were a bit miffed at her. They couldn't understand the sudden change- why the dark-haired boy seemed to never be far from her side anymore, why he always gave her rides to and from school. And she struggled to explain it. It wouldn't make any sense to the girls no matter how she tried to write it off, and she knew it. Ayumi was barely speaking to her and it hurt like hell because Kagome knew that no matter what, in her eyes, she'd broken the "girl code". Even though she and "Hinata" were just friends, Kagome couldn't exactly blame her. It was the code, after all.

But damn it, it still hurt. She wanted her friend back.

But that was slow going, and the girl had done her best to distance herself from Kagome, despite the many times she'd tried to win her over again.

The weekend came and went, and Kagome spent most of it getting her ass handed to her in Mamoru's increasingly difficult combat training, while the rest was spent with her nose buried in a textbook, desperately trying to catch up on as many assignments as she could. InuYasha was never far from her mind, but she'd been so busy she hadn't gotten the chance to sneak back through the well just yet.

She missed him, desperately.

Memories of the last time they'd been together kept her warm the long nights she'd spent lying awake even though she was both mentally and physically exhausted. And when she finally did find rest, visions of golden eyes flashing with want, and silver hair billowing in the wind danced through her dreams.

As the days wore on, and the weekend passed into Monday, she began to wonder if Tsukuyomi would visit her again. Her powers had strengthened steadily along with Mamoru's training, and now she could summon it to its full extent at will, and her combat skill had also improved a great deal with just a week of his instruction, though she was still nowhere close to beating him just yet. But Tsukuyomi never came. She tried to glean what little information she could out of the dragon Yokai, but he hardly said anything more than, "He's pleased with your progress," and "Don't worry about him so much. He's a busy man, but if anything, just know his time management is out of this world." He'd say it with a flourish and a hearty laugh, one that made her giggle just because of its boisterousness alone but she didn't quite get the joke.

The more time she spent around Mamoru the more she found herself feeling at ease. Something about his energy was calming and complimented her own aura which had felt a bit out of whack recently. She supposed it was the way she'd suddenly jumped to exercising her power daily, most of the time doing her best to reach its limits, after not having much of a reason to use her reiki for so long.

She found that she had more energy throughout the day now, and she didn't feel tired even though most nights she only got a few hours of sleep at best. She was calmer, more focused and could feel her senses sharpening as the days went by. She was sure it was somehow tied to the opening of the first gate.

Her mother had mentioned it briefly, as had Mamoru… but she had said that it had been Tsukuyomi who had unlocked it in her stead, and she wondered how she would even begin to open the second. How had he managed such a feat without her knowledge? she desperately wanted to know. If only he would come to her again…

She was sitting outside atop the raised bricks that lined the flower bed, her legs dangling over the edge as the mid-afternoon sun shone overhead. The sky was a clear, pure azure, cloudless and the temperature was even and cool. It was lunch hour, and as the weather had been quite good recently Kagome had taken to sitting outside. Normally, she would sit inside with all her friends at one of the tables in the cafeteria, but as things with them were still pretty awkward she'd opted to just be alone. But of course, she should have known that Mamoru wasn't going to let that happen.

And so, he sat beside her now, just as he had every day for the past week, and she had her bento box spread out between them, chopsticks firmly in hand as she idly lifted pieces of cold noodles and squid to her lips. She looked to the dark-haired boy who sat quietly, his gaze wandering out over the commons. He didn't bring a lunch, as per usual, and he wasn't very talkative today either.

"You can have some if you want," she said around bites. "I don't mind sharing, really."

She smiled warmly, watching as the boy looked down at the food skeptically. "Eh… I don't know."

She rolled her eyes teasingly, offering him one of the onigiris that were delicately wrapped in seaweed. "Here, just try it."

He stared at the rice ball dubiously for a long moment, his black eyes flickering up to her and back down again as she all but thrust it into his hands.

"Don't be a baby. I can't believe you've been living in the human world for so long and still haven't tried any of our food." She tsked, "You might find you actually have a taste for it."

"Doubtful."

"What do you eat, anyway?" She asked as she munched on the chewy squid, raising her brows curiously as she waited for his answer.

"That depends." He said sagely. "These days? I mostly feed off energy… though I do feel the need to hunt every now and again." He murmured thoughtfully, looking down at the onigiri that was still in the palm of his hand.

"What kind of energy?" She paused, mouth full of noodles as her eyes flickered up to his shrewdly.

"Well…" His cheeks flushed red and he wouldn't meet her gaze, only serving to spark her interest even more. "I, uh-" He coughed awkwardly, shifting uncomfortably as he continued in a much more matter of fact voice. "It could be demonic energy… sometimes spiritual, depending on the source…" he paused, looking down. "Sometimes its other things. Ley lines, the moon, strong emotions…"

"Like?"

His eyes flickered up to her nervously, the flat black of the glamour covering the beautiful mosaic of color she knew lay beneath. They bored into hers for what felt like a long moment, searching.

"Anger. Fear. Dedication, if it's intense enough." The blush didn't leave his pale skin as his gaze lowered, his full lashes sitting on his cheek. "Even love and… arousal…" his voice had deepened to a rough whisper over the last word, tumbling like silk and she swore for a second she could feel it ghosting over her skin. She went rigid, freezing in place as he locked eyes with her again.

For a long, drawn-out moment she felt like she couldn't breathe.

Is this his power? Or… something else?

His full lips were parted, his attention focused solely on her as his face seemed to draw closer. Her blood ran cold once she realized what was happening, but her body was frozen, disobeying the commands her brain was sending as all she could see was his flushed face looming closer, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

Why… why can't I move? What the hell is happening?!

Golden eyes fiercely lit by an internal fire flashed through her mind; in their brilliance, she could see InuYasha's fury reflected back at her. She didn't know if it was a hallucination, a vision, or perhaps just a warning but either way, she knew that look. That look would be the last thing that Mamoru would see if he dared to cross the line with her.

But all this time she'd been thinking he'd only come closer, his lips only inches away from her own, his warm breath ghosting across her skin.

Kagome could do nothing. She was frozen. Either from pure shock alone or some sort of Yokai trick, she didn't know.

But just when she was sure she'd feel the unwelcome press of his mouth-

He laughed.

She felt the sound bounce off her skin.

"You're too easy." he chuckled, leaning away with a wicked grin splitting his face.

She found she could move again, and she instantly jumped up off the brick wall heatedly, her mood darkening as he stupidly laughed at her expense.

"You bastard!" She spat, sticking her finger in his face angrily, "Don't you ever-"

He cut her off hastily as her voice rose an octave along with her fury. "Kagome just calm down I was just kidding. People are looking-"

"I don't care!" she hissed, though she did lower her voice a bit as she noticed the students milling about the courtyard were indeed gawking at them, a few snickering. "That wasn't funny."

Blood rushed to heat her cheeks and she fought to swallow the embarrassment that rose up inside her, choosing to focus on the idiotic Yokai who for his part, at least had the decency to look a bit embarrassed himself.

"Look, I'm sorry okay? Just come sit back down… please?" His dark eyes were wide and pleading, like a kicked puppy.

She stared at him for a second, eyes narrowing as she debated whether she even wanted to speak to the dumbass for the rest of the day.

Though he did look genuinely regretful, and her lunch…

As if on cue her stomach growled loudly, making the decision for her.

"Fine. But you're still an asshole." She huffed indignantly.

She sat back down on the bricks, this time being sure to leave a few feet between them. She grabbed her bento box, settling it into her lap as she avoided his eyes spitefully. With furious vigor she began stuffing the contents of her lunch into her mouth, brows drawn downward, staring at the mosaic style stonework that made up the ground of the school's courtyard.

A tense silence passed between them, lasting several long, unbearable moments before he finally spoke.

"I really am sorry, Kagome, I-" He broke off, his voice low so that no one passing by could hear. "I didn't mean to overstep… I thought I was being funny. I'm an idiot, obviously…can you forgive me?"

She turned to look at him then, not bothering to hide the emotions that she knew were painted in her eyes plain as the sun. She found him staring right back at her, a frown etched onto his full lips. He still had that onigiri she'd forced on him clutched in his hand.

Her anger waned slightly, her expression softening even though she still felt like he could use a good slap or two to maybe teach him a lesson.

"That was really uncool of you." She stressed, needing to get her point across. "You know I have a… boyfriend, right?" She swallowed thickly over the word, not sure why her mouth had gone dry so suddenly.

"Well, yeah of course. He was at that party, with the white hair." He leaned away; his expression immediately closed off. "InuYasha. How could I forget?"

Hearing her hanyou's name fall from the Yokai's lips so casually was weird on so many levels.

"Yeah. You'd do well not to." She said balefully, grabbing her chopsticks from where she'd haphazardly dropped them atop the furoshiki that was spread across the bricks.

"And what is that supposed to mean, exactly?" He asked wryly, one brow arched up as he stared at her, unimpressed.

"You know what it means." She stirred her noodles, not bothering to turn her head and look at him. "He won't be as understanding as I am… he'll kill you. Literally."

He scoffed but wisely didn't say anything. Though out the corner of her eyes she could see that he was smiling, but not in a happy way, looking almost like he wanted to disagree.

"What… what was that, anyway?" She asked, changing the subjects swiftly as she lowered her voice. "When you were… you know… I-I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my throat."

She didn't feel like fighting with him today, as she knew that regardless she would be spending her evening in his dojo. And also… because she was afraid of the answer.

Why couldn't I move? Does some part of me secretly want to kiss Mamoru?

But she shook the thought away just as fast as it had dared to drift through her mind.

No, that's ridiculous. I know who I love… who I want every second of every day…

The one she was ready to risk everything for; the man who had captivated her waking dreams with his striking presence.

InuYasha.

Never anyone else.

"Ah, that." He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, sighing. "It's sort of a gift, I guess. Like… a natural affinity, if you will. Kind of like a thrall." He clarified, his voice flat and factual. "Not all of my clan have the skill, but it's not completely unheard of. Just rare. I first noticed it when I was young, about a hundred or so… I can influence another being's energy through the use of my own. It's hard to describe in a way you could understand. But I can place a sort of 'spell' over whomever I choose, though if they're particularly strong it usually doesn't hold well. I really only use it when I want to get a rise out of someone, so I can feed off the energy that they expend."

She could only stare at him dumbly for a second as she processed the information he'd just dumped on her.

"So you were… feeding off me?" She asked incredulously, not sure if she should be angry or intrigued.

"Well, yes… but just a little!" He hurried to reassure her, seeing her reaction. "I thought we would laugh about it… and it might help you understand my ability a little better. I didn't mean to upset you… honestly."

"Well, you did." She huffed, turning back to her food. She stuffed some noodles into her mouth, staring down at the ground.

Neither of them spoke for a long moment, but out the corner of her eye, she could see him inspecting the rice ball that was still somehow clutched in his hands.

She watched him cautiously lift it up to his lips before taking the smallest bite she'd ever seen. She tried not to laugh when she saw his face contort in disgust, his nose wrinkling in revulsion.

"Ugh!" He spat, "you really eat this? It tastes like paper."

She could hold back then giggle that bubbled up at his words, her resolve to stay angry with him waning.

"Oh, so you know what paper tastes like, but you've never tried rice before…?"


The rest of the school day flew by and as the late afternoon sun made its way towards the horizon Kagome found herself sitting cross-legged on the floor of Mamoru's dojo. Her hands were folded together in front of her just like how he'd shown her, and her eyes were screwed shut in concentration as she focused completely on the deep ocean of power she could feel inside her. It swelled and undulated beneath her skin as if driven by an unexplainable current, sparking with an intense, almost manic energy that crackled and snapped with a blue-tinged light, consuming her aura.

It was a feeling she was still getting used to, one her body wasn't quite sure how to handle.

"Okay, do you think you've got enough control to try and direct it outwards now?" Mamoru asked, seated across from her, mirroring her body language. He had dropped the guise of his "glamour", as had become routine with them. She found herself more at ease around him when he was this way; she could read him more clearly. It felt more genuine.

His dark, blue-black hair spilled over his shoulder in a river, so long that it pooled around him on the floor. Pointy ears poked out on either side of his head, his skin glinting iridescently in the artificial lighting.

"I… I think so." She didn't open her eyes, picturing the ebb and flow she could feel happening as she tried to connect with that pulsating energy, finally grasping it.

"Alright… now take it and form a sphere."

This part was easy. It was something that they had practiced daily, and she felt fairly confident in her ability to deliver on. It was the part that came next that seemed to always trip her up.

She did as she was instructed, feeling the way her power surged in response to her will. In just a few seconds she was cradling a perfect orb of glowing blueish pink light in her palms. It tingled against her skin, sparkling prettily. She had opened her eyes, beaming with pride at her creation as she eagerly looked up for Mamoru's approval. It was her best one yet! Immaculate in shape and slowly rotating as if of its own accord.

"Good one, 'Gome!" He praised, his face lighting up in a smile that revealed his pearly white fangs. "that's just about perfect." He nodded, inspecting the culmination of pure energy that was held there at her fingertips.

She shined at his words, satisfaction rising in her chest as her cheeks heated cutely. It felt so good to finally do something right for once. Like she was actually improving.

"Now… visualize the path you want it to take, right into the wall there." He directed pointing at the plain white wall behind him.

"But won't I… damage it?" She asked uneasily, feeling the charge of the orb as she mentally prepared herself to do as he said, though she was uncertain.

"Don't worry about that, just go for it." He assured, leaning back on one arm as he watched her expectantly. "Just remember, take a deep breath in, and then on the exhale, use it to help force your energy out. Picture what you're trying to do in your head and listen to your body."

They had gone over this again and again, with no luck so far. The best she had been able to do had been to shoot it just a few inches away. But even then, it hadn't exploded or caused any damage at all, which had been her intention. It had just floated benignly, spinning in midair for a brief moment before fizzling out.

But as Kagome focused, doing as he said and taking a deep breath, she could feel her power respond back to her almost excitedly. She tested it, mentally tugging, picturing her energy like a rubber band that was pulled taught inside her. It snapped back at her touch, sending tingles of electricity racing down her skin. It had never felt like this before. She might actually have a shot at pulling this off.

Visualize it

In her mind's eye she could see the orb of pure energy clear as day, and she firmly reinforced her intentions as she imagined sending it through the wall with intent to destroy.

She took another deep breath, and this time when she exhaled, she could actually feel the energy moving along with her breath.

Listen to your body

She did. And she could hear the thrum of power that coursed through her, could feel her blood pumping and her spirit centering.

For the first time, she felt like she was in control.

That great wave of power rose up within her and she opened her eyes just in time to see the orb she'd made crash through the thin paneling of the wall directly over Mamoru's head, dust, and debris flying in all directions.


Sesshomaru stared down at where his half-brother lay, motionless and covered in bandages on the futon that was strewn over the smooth stone floor.

Idiot

His lip curled in distaste, watching the slow rise and fall of the Hanyou's chest as he slept. His silver hair was fanned out around him, so much like his own. But even the resemblance between them couldn't spark any affection in the Daiyokai's heart for the half breed. He felt nothing but resentment and disgust when he looked at him, a pathetic symptom of his father's disgusting fondness of humans.

But then… why had he bothered to rescue him at all?

The fool was just lucky he had been in the area and smelled the blood. He'd approaching death when he'd shown up, stuck through with thick metal wires that suspended him in the air.

Still, he didn't know why he'd intervened.

He simply could have turned and been on his way… it would have been so easy.

But something in him had urged him into action, and before he'd been able to truly contemplate his decision, he'd found himself swooping in. It was disconcerting. It was unlike him to make a move that he wasn't completely sure of, and even more so unlike him that he would stick his neck out for the Hanyou in any way.

Maybe it had been the way he had looked, hanging from those thick wires that were stuck into the trees on either side of him, thick blood oozing as his head lulled against his chest. So pathetic. Those Ronin had been standing around him, ready to deliver the killing blow and in any sane reality Sesshomaru would have let them, and he would have felt nothing… except maybe relief.

The boy had been nothing but a burden ever since he was born… and had found himself on the other end of Sesshomaru's blade more than once. But for some reason, he had never been able to finish it. He'd had the opportunity… he had the power. But each time, he'd found himself hesitating. And now, as he stood over his sleeping, wounded body he could only stare down at him with a cold, unforgiving gaze.

His wounds had been too severe to just leave him in the woods to recover, as he briefly considered it anyway, despite the hot blood that was soaking through his robe at an alarming rate.

"Master…" Jaken, the green little kappa had squeaked frightfully as he held onto his staff, his eyes wide as they'd both stared at the limp form of the Hanyou. "I don't think…"

"Quiet. "

Sesshomaru could feel the half breed's life force waning just as clearly as he.

There was no other choice.

If InuYasha was to live… he would have to be treated by an experienced Yokai healer… and there was only one person that came to Sesshomaru's mind.

Karitei… she will know what to do.

The demoness had never failed him before, and he knew that she could be trusted with something like this.

And so with a heavy sigh of annoyance, the Daiyokai had shouldered the half breed's weight, completely hoisting him onto his back, feeling the blood soak into his own kimono.

"Come, Jaken, we must go."

The imp looked on as his master rose high into the air, carrying his brother. "But where are we going, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Home… to the west"

And so, almost a full day later here they were. InuYasha hadn't woken, and perhaps that was a blessing. He still wasn't completely sure what he was going to do with him just yet.

"My Lord… "A feminine voice that was husky and thick like smoke curled up into the air behind him as the door to the room opened and then swiftly shut again. He didn't bother turning to greet her as she was already weaving her way gracefully around him to take a deep, respectful bow at his feet. She was dressed in a fine kimono, soft lilac in color and was patterned with a mosaic of a sky in twilight. The shade reflected off her pale skin and white hair that was piled on top of her head in an ornate style. As she rose to her feet her eyes flashed up to catch his- a pure, unflinching indigo that seemed as deep and as bottomless as the sea.

"Lady Karitei," He acknowledged, his voice cold as he watched her staunchly. She was an Inu, albeit of a different class but she was powerful nonetheless and had taken her place as the chief healer over a hundred years ago. Her stature was small, delicate and slim, and she had a smooth, fair complexion. Sesshomaru did not often find himself admiring women, but as she squirmed beneath his powerful gaze, he found himself taking a small measure of satisfaction in that. And the elegant slope of her features wasn't all together unpleasing, he could admit. "He does not seem to be healing well." He observed, breaking the tense air.

"Yes," she nodded grimly, turning to the Hanyou who lay perfectly still, his features smooth and stony. "You are correct. Whatever was used to pierce him must have had a strong magic placed upon it…" She leaned down over InuYasha, stroking a gentle hand across his forehead, testing his temperature. Her brow furrowed slightly, her cobalt blue eyes cloudy and troubled.

"His skin is like fire…" She murmured as she drew herself gracefully back up to her feet. "and yet, he sleeps."

"Have you any idea when he will wake?"

"No, my Lord." She shook her head, her eyes trained worriedly on the half breed. "But if you wish for his presence here to remain a secret for much longer you should consider having him moved." She advised, her tone submissive and respectful though she had brought up a valid point. He had not yet told the court of his… brother's arrival and he knew it was going to be a thorn in his side. Already he could hear his counselors droning on about tradition and what was best for his people…

The endless monotony of it all…

"Thank you, Lady Karitei." He gave her an appreciative nod, though his voice was cold and unfeeling. "I will make the arrangements."

And with that Sesshomaru turned and swept out of the room, leaving the pale Inu to watch over the Hanyou who was completely oblivious to the world that he'd just been blindly thrust into.


A/N: Dang, I just really love writing from Sesshomaru's perspective. Thanks for reading :)

Furoshiki- a traditional type of cloth used in Japan to transport bento, gifts, and other goods.