Chapter Six
Soon, ten days had passed, and Kagome stood near the door, facing her family, Sesshoumaru at her side. She looked into her mother's eyes cautiously, searching for the emotion that would determine Sesshoumaru's fate. Kagome had already told the family about Sesshoumaru, how he came and why he was here, leaving out the part about kidnapping her for the Tetsusaiga. She had also explained that she had tutored him, and he was well prepared for high school. Ms. Higurashi looked, unsure, towards her daughter and the demon lord standing beside her.
"Kagome, can I talk to you alone?" she asked tentatively, scooting around Sesshoumaru.
"Of course," she said, following her mother into the living room.
Kagome was aware that they were still in Sesshoumaru's hearing range.
"Well, your friend," Ms. Higurashi started, "Is he…safe?"
"Of course," she said, "He saved me once."
"Mmm, how is that?" her mother prodded.
"Well, we were practicing kendo, and there was a guy watching us," she started, checking her mother for emotions. The woman sat raptly, quietly.
"He went after me in the girls' locker room and tried to rape me," she explained, totally void of any fear.
Her mother looked despaired, gasping.
"But Sesshoumaru came in to check on me, and he got him off of me." She said to her mother. "And now, we're best friends!" she finished happily.
Kagome stole a glance at Sesshoumaru, leaning casually against the wall while Souta asked him a bunch of questions. Kagome looked back to her mom, seeing her nod understandingly.
"So can he stay with us?" she asked hopefully.
"I'm not so sure, dear. He's a demon, right?" she reasoned, shaking her head.
"Please, he has no where else to go! He could destroy Tokyo!" she pleaded. "He'll stay calm around me, I promise."
Ms. Higurashi looked into her daughter's eyes. "You know," she said smiling, "he reminds me of your father. He looks a little like him, too."
Knowing that meant, 'yes, he can stay,' Kagome threw her arms around her mother, smiling brightly.
"Thank you!" she cried.
"Mmm," her mother answered, "where is he going to sleep, dear?"
"In my room," she answered casually.
Ms. Higurashi face faulted.
"I can sleep down in the living room. That's what we've been doing for one and a half months, Mom."
"Well, alright," she answered.
Sesshoumaru's ears perked slightly, a smile twitching at his lips. He had overheard the news involuntarily, but he pretended as if he hadn't as Kagome walked towards him. Kagome, knowing that he heard, smiled happily at him. When she had introduced him to the family, surprisingly, they had taken to him quite well. Amused, Kagome watched Souta jump up and down in front of Sesshoumaru.
"Where are your ears?" he asked.
Kagome face faulted and pulled Souta away from the youkai lord.
"Ah, you know, hehehe," she laughed nervously, "kids."
Kagome's grandfather walked up to Sesshoumaru.
"So, when's the wedding?" Gramps asked.
Sesshoumaru blanched. "Wedding?" he asked meekly.
"I know you're trying to steal my granddaughter away," he said, a devilish glint in his eyes.
"GRAMPS!" Kagome yelled, dragging her grandfather off to the kitchen. "Sesshoumaru!" she called sweetly, "Cover your ears!"
Sesshoumaru, knowing better, quickly placed his hands over his ears. Once done, he yelled back, "Hai!"
Even with his hands over his ears, he could hear muffled screaming coming from the kitchen.
"GRAMPS! YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER! I'M ONLY FIFTEEN! I AM NOT GETTING MARRIED, YET! I JUST MET THE GUY! I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO GET MARRIED! DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT!"
As the screaming subsided, Sesshoumaru uncovered his ears and walked casually into the kitchen. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he calmed the enraged Kagome.
"Come on, Kagome," he said, turning her towards the shrine, "why don't you go shoot some arrows, ne?"
Kagome quietly complied with his suggestion, relaxing under his touch. Sesshoumaru looked down at the girl he was pushing towards the back of the shrine, surprised that he could have such an effect on her. I guess I'll be useful in this house.
Not bothering with the miko outfit, she grabbed a bow and a number of arrows. She walked over to the target area, standing some distance away from the numerous targets. Sesshoumaru watched as she strung arrow after arrow, shooting the targets exactly in the middle. He silently remembered when she had shown her archery skills in a battle with his brother. She wasn't as good then as she is now. Kagome walked over to her best friend, smiling.
"I needed that," she sighed.
"I know," he replied.
Kagome flashed him one of her heart-melting smiles, making his breath catch. He silently reprimanded himself. I'll have to get rid of that reaction since I'll be around her all the time, now. His breathing became even again. As they approached the targets to remove the arrows, he decided to try striking up a conversation for once.
"School starts soon, doesn't it?" he asked, pulling out an arrow from the bull's eye.
(A/N: Is that how you spell it?)
"Mmm!" she answered, "Five days!"
"I am going to hate it," he sighed.
"Why?"
"The smell."
"Mmm, I see. You must hate being around me, too."
"No, no, no," he said quickly, "Your scent is different."
"Oh. So it smells worse, and you loathe being with me," she said sadly.
"No!" he said quickly, blushing slightly, "You smell good."
Kagome blushed gently. "Oh. Okay."
They stood in silence for a while before Sesshoumaru spoke again. "I'm probably going to act like my youkai self in school," he said quietly.
"Mmm," Kagome mused, "You mean the cold, emotionless, psychotic person?"
He glared at her. "To put it bluntly, yes."
"Just the cold and emotionless, or the ever constant amusement or boredom?" she asked teasingly.
"Both," he answered.
"Why don't you just be yourself?" she asked kindly.
He looked up.
"It only shows that I'm weak."
"Oh! Is that it?!" she huffed, "So I'm weak, am I?!"
"Oh no," he said, turning on his heel and running for his life.
Arrows began to shoot at him from every direction.
"Weak, EH?!" Kagome laughed psychotically.
Damn. She's scary when she's like this. He took a sharp turn, running back towards her. It surprised her slightly, but she shot at him anyways. Sesshoumaru leaped over the arrow and onto her, forcing her to the ground. He had pinned her legs down with his own and her arms with his.
"You know, you're scary like that," he said, glaring down at her.
"Mmm, I know!" she said happily.
He got up, dusting himself off. "Don't you think that people will shun me?" he asked.
"No, not at all," she answered reassuringly.
"What makes you so sure?"
"Your looks."
"What about my looks?"
"The girls will adore you! You'll find a girlfriend in no time!"
"Eh?"
"There'll be a waiting line for you! Every single girl will want to go out with you!"
"Eh?"
"Oh, don't worry," Kagome sighed, "You'll see when we get to school."
"Okay," he said.
"If you don't like the attention, I can help you!" she said, smiling mischievously.
"By doing what?"
"Pretending to be your girlfriend," she giggled.
"Mmm," he said, thinking, "That wouldn't be too bad."
"Don't worry," she reassured, giggling, "I'll protect you."
"I'm sure."
"I'll make sure we get the same class."
"That's fine. How bad are the humans? Bad enough to make me transform?" he asked.
"Maybe. Don't worry! I'll stick by your side!" she said happily.
The thought comforted him greatly. Now, for some unknown reason, he liked to be near her. She calmed him whenever he was angry, reassured him when he was uncertain. It seemed that he had the same effect on her. He felt some sort of possessiveness over her, a strong wish to be near her and to protect her. Is this how Inuyasha felt? Sesshoumaru looked down at the smiling girl next to him. It would be logical. He always got stronger in fighting when she was in danger. He smiled back, making her breath catch. Noting the effect, he gave a small chuckle. Kagome stared at him in amazement.
"What?" he asked.
"I've…never heard you laugh before," she stammered.
"Mmm," he acknowledged.
She smiled at him. "You should laugh more often," she said happily, "It makes you more charming!"
"I'm not charming enough already?" he teased, smiling smugly.
"Mmm," she scolded, "getting cocky again."
"It's my strong point," he said.
"I know some who could outdo you in charm," she lied.
"Oh, really?" he asked.
"Yup," she answered, crossing her arms across her chest.
"You're lying."
"Yes, I am," she said, hooking her arm through his and leaning against him.
"Mmm, so I see," he mused. "You aren't a very good liar."
"I know, I'm just too pure," she joked.
"I'm sure."
They walked and talked for a little bit more, then sat down on a bench near the pond that neighbored the shrine.
"Hey, Kagome." Sesshoumaru called softly.
"Mmm," she replied.
"What are we going to do about my claws?" he asked, looking down at the extra sharp nails.
"Just control your power," she said, rubbing her face against his shirt.
"Easier said than done."
Sesshoumaru could sense that she was falling asleep very quickly. The cool dusk breezes and rhythmic melody of the crickets chirping was, indeed, a very nice lullaby. Her weight became more and more evident on his shoulder. He nudged her gently, waking her.
"Unn?" she moaned.
"I don't want to carry you back to the house. You know what your grandfather would think," he told her. "Plus, you haven't had dinner."
"Mmm," she mused, still snuggling into him, "Are you showing concern for a weak mortal?"
The thought revolted him, but he didn't know how to answer. "I…I…" he stuttered, not knowing what to say.
"I thought so," she said, pulling away from him and stretching. "Mmm! Then, let's go back to the house for dinner!"
"H-hai!" he said, rising with her.
Then, they walked back together the house, ready to enjoy a nice, hot dinner.