Disclaimer: Neither Sesshy nor anyone else from Inuyasha belongs to me.
They all belong exclusively to Takahashi Rumiko.
Author's Note: In this story, Sesshy does not want the Tetsusaiga (I might later change my mind). Just so you all don't go wondering why he isn't after it. ^_^ And another thing. . . I'm sort of making this up as I go; I know what happens and all, I just don't know what goes _in between_ the events I have planned. Gomen if my chapters seem like a big bunch of tangential crap!!! Y_Y
"___" = Dialogue
'___' = Thoughts
*___* = Special 'stuff'
Conflicting Desires
By Forsaken Tenshi
Chapter 3: Early in the Morning
Inuyasha ran and ran west for what seemed like an eternity to him. Yet his destination did not seem to be any closer than five hours ago. And all the while, the half demon cursed his half brother. 'Kisama! Thinking he can go and just take my Kagome away from me!' he fumed. He ran on into the predawn hours of the new day, panting heavily from exertion. He was still a few days' journey from Sesshoumaru's castle. The half demon cursed his half brother's superior speed.
As the sun began to rise, a faint scent tickled his sensitive nose. He stopped and sniffed the air more carefully. The smell was familiar, but was also something he hadn't encountered in a long time. 'Could it be. . .?' he thought as he raced towards the steadily strengthening scent.
*At Sesshoumaru's castle*
The early morning rays hit the massive marble castle, giving the illusion that the great stone mansion gave off a radiant glow of its own. Birds chirped excitedly, and the sound of peeping frogs faded away with the coming of the day. The palace seemed the embodiment of peace, serenity, calm.
A piercing shriek of excitement broke the morning tranquility.
There was a slam of a door, a muffled pattering of feet, and a few mumbled, groggy curses. A small, eight year old girl could be seen sprinting off to the meadows near the castle, followed by a sleepy, squat toad-like organism carrying a staff.
The girl, or more specifically, Rin, plunged head on into the field and plopped down to sit amongst the bobbing flower buds. Her sharp hazel eyes scanned the vicinity, searching for any flowers. Her roving eyes spotted a patch of blooming dandelions and with a squeal she picked herself up and scampered over to them. With her agile hands, Rin plucked the flowers from the stems, not caring if her fingernails were stained a faint green tinge. When she had collected all of the flowers, or a hefty sum, she loped back happily towards the marble fortress, a grumbling Jaken in tow.
Sesshoumaru was in his study doing a last minute inspection of his workplace. All the scrolls on his desk were neatly stacked on a corner, the quills were in their stands, the inkbottle capped. Satisfied, he opened the door, only to be rammed by a seemingly hyperactive Rin. Flowers were thrown up like confetti and showered lazily down on the two beings. The demon lord's eyebrow rose up as Rin blushed and mumbled a sincere apology for running into her beloved "Sesshoumaru-sama." She stared at her feet, her head bowed and her chubby hands were clasped behind her back. Sesshoumaru's eyes softened for a fleeting moment before he looked up, his eyes once again cold and brittle. His acute hearing noted a puffing Jaken scurrying towards them from a ways off.
As the green demon finally appeared in the Lord of the Western Land's sights, he flopped over in a prostrate position, all the while apologizing and mumbling about stinky, immature human brats. Sesshoumaru swiftly sent Jaken sailing through an open window and into the still dark forest beyond his personal private property for the latter portion of his grumbling. Rin giggled and hugged Sesshoumaru's legs. Sesshoumaru looked down at his ward.
Rin gazed up at the demon lord with adoration. A thought came to her and she detached herself from his legs. "Rin is going to check on Kagome- chan!" she crowed happily as she raced down the numerous hallways. Sesshoumaru tilted his head and thought for a little before deciding to follow Rin at a much more calm and sophisticated pace.
Rin joyfully pattered towards Kagome's room. Rin liked the girl immensely, she was so kind and gentle, and so unlike the previous women Sesshoumaru had brought home. There were a few exceptions, but they'd all ended up cold and uncaring. Rin hoped Kagome wouldn't end up like the rest.
The energetic eight-year-old burst into Kagome's room and looked about. She suddenly realized the teen was not there and felt, for a short moment, worry that the older girl had left. Rin shook her head and thought, 'Kagome-chan wouldn't leave me!' Happy with that simple idea, Rin proceeded to the meadows to pick more flowers for her wonderful Sesshoumaru.
The demon lord watched as Rin left the girl's room, heading for the back door. Knowing Jaken wasn't going to be back any time soon, considering how far he threw his retainer, the dog demon was resigned to follow his young ward. As he traced Rin's steps, he wondered where the new girl was. How she had gotten out of the castle undetected was something he did not expect her to be able to do. With this realization Sesshoumaru promised to keep a closer eye on the wench.
He found Rin picking flowers in the meadow. He hopped onto a large boulder near the edge of the field, his usual lookout position. Gold eyes scanned the landscape, ears were pricked to listen for the faintest sounds, nose quivered ever so slightly to monitor every stray scent. That's when he noticed it.
The priestess' scent. The pure, untainted smell of his half brother's wench.
Her fragrance drifted from the forest. His eyes narrowed as he wondered what she could be doing in such a place. He slid off the boulder and Rin watched the dog demon.
"Come, Rin," he commanded. Rin picked herself up off the grass, rubbed her grubby hands all over her kimono, and skipped after the retreating form of Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru tilted his head ever so slightly to sniff the winds. Her scent was stronger. He withdrew his aura as he tracked her enticing aroma to a small glade. There was a small spring in the center, its waters clean and pure. And by the spring sat Kagome, wearing another finely made silk kimono. The one she wore was colored a light jade, the obi a dark emerald. Her hair was twisted into a tight bun, and ornamented with gaudy silver chopsticks. She was kneeling on the pale green grass by the spring, her hands plucking leaves off a bush. A pile of various leaves, fungus, and roots lay near her, in addition to a bow and a quiver of arrows.
"Kagome-chan!" Rin squealed as she darted into the dell. Kagome started, and looked up to find Rin and Sesshoumaru. She cursed herself for being caught unawares before breaking into a dazzling smile as Rin launched herself into Kagome's welcoming arms. "Rin was wondering if Kagome-chan left Rin!" Rin complained as she hugged the teen.
Kagome cuddled the ebony haired girl. "Mou! Did you really think I would do that to you, Rin?" she asked teasingly. Rin gazed into Kagome's eyes and giggled. "Iie," she replied, wrapping chubby arms around the shrine maiden's neck. Kagome savored the embrace so freely given by this child. It helped somewhat ease the pain of longing for her friends and family.
Sesshoumaru watched the scene before him with a tinge of jealousy. He somehow, inexplicably wanted Rin's adoration to be directed to him, and him _alone_. An unsettled mood befell the demon lord, and he gazed at the girls with concealed envy.
"Woman," he called, making the girls break apart. Kagome eyed him warily. He noticed how her left hand was slowly inching towards the weapons. "Don't touch those arrows, miko," he spat, somewhat pleased at startling her.
His remark ruffled her, and she felt her anger slowly building up. Yet she remained calm. She knew that if he wanted to, he could kill her before she could make _any_ move towards the bow and arrows. She lifted her head and stared defiantly back at him, her brown eyes locked on his amber ones. "Do you need something, my lord? Or have you lost your way in the woods?" she asked mockingly.
Sesshoumaru suppressed a growl, lest he upset Rin, who was watching the exchange with interest. "Why are you out here, and how did you get out without my knowledge?" He was peeved at her and at himself, her for getting away unnoticed, and himself for not being observant.
Kagome allowed her eyes to drift to the pile of vegetation by her side. She looked back at Sesshoumaru and retorted, "I used these to make medications. Just because I am here does not mean I should forget all that I've learned from my mentor." She didn't bother answering his other question. She gathered the pile in her arms and picked up the bow and quiver. With confidence she marched off towards his castle, Rin chattering incessantly.
Sesshoumaru glared at her for a moment. Then, using his inhuman speed, he stepped before her. She gave a startled yelp when she almost ran into him. She glared at him stonily and demanded, "What do you want now?"
Rin had stopped talking, sensing the tension that crackled in the air.
Sesshoumaru took deep calming breaths. Never had he been so riled up in his life. Well, maybe a few times. "I, Sesshoumaru, am you lord and master. You will always follow me; never will you lead."
Kagome gazed heatedly at him for a moment, shrugged, and shoved past him. Sesshoumaru growled and shot his hand out to grab her bun. Kagome yelped once again, pain radiating from her scalp. She whipped around, dropping everything in her arms, her usually tightly controlled fury nearly tangible to even Rin. The little girl hid behind the demon. Poor Rin, she didn't know how explosive the confrontations between two beings before her would be in the future.
"What," she hissed quietly, "Was that for?" Sesshoumaru could clearly hear the dangerous undertone of her voice.
He crossed his arms over his chest and said as if bored, "You didn't listen to me." He secretly admired the blazing, wild spirit contained in the frail woman's body. 'The juxtaposition of her kindness and caring and her anger and defiance is no doubt an interesting combination,' he idly thought as he held an intense staring contest with her.
Rin dispelled the tension when she giggled. The two silently bickering people broke eye contact to stare at the little girl. Rin calmed herself for one moment, only to look at the adults and breaking into another fit of hysterical giggling.
Kagome smiled at the child's antics and swept the flushed Rin into her arms. "What's so funny, Rin-chan?" Kagome asked.
Rin wheezed a few words between her giggles. "Rin. . . thinks Kagome-chan. . . and Sesshou. . . maru-sama. . . are funny!"
Kagome faked a pout. "And why is that, Rin-chan?" she asked, rearranging Rin in her arms so that Rin was somewhat supported on her hips.
"Staring contests are for little kids!" Rin burst out, giggling.
Kagome's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, is that so?" she said, amusement twinkling in her eyes.
"Hai!"
The priestess smiled and set the child down. She began gathering up the scattered roots, leaves, and fungus. Rin helped pick them up.
"Arigatou, Rin-chan," thanked Kagome as she picked up the bow and arrows. She straightened and walked off, talking merrily with Rin. Both of them had altogether forgotten Sesshoumaru.
During their conversation, Sesshoumaru had not moved a muscle. He had merely observed them, two crazy human girls. He felt again that wave of jealousy sweep through him, but that feeling was abruptly usurped by surprise when the two of them _abandoned_ him! He, the Lord of the Western Lands, forsaken by his own human chattels! He scowled. He'd show her exactly _who_ was the master, and it _definitely_ was him!
Satisfied with his conclusion, he flew to the castle, leaving the two _stupid_ humans chatting contentedly in the forest.
Upon reaching the castle, he realized the time of day and guess that Rin would probably be hungry. He sauntered into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the girl. He started a fire in the hearth and dug around a cabinet. He found flour and added a few extra ingredients for texture and flavor. He felt his nose tickle and sneezed suddenly and violently, and unfortunately, into a rather large mound of unused flour.
The sneeze, combined with the strength of his lungs, caused the flour to blow _everywhere_. For several minutes the kitchen was clouded so thickly one had to hold their hand inches from their face in order to see a faint outline. The demon lord stood in the midst of this flour fog, a scowl evident on his normally impassive face.
"Someone's talking about me," he grumbled, stepping out into the hallway covered in flour. If anyone looked at him, one would think he was the most peeved ghost they've met, as in scary. His stripes and crescent moon, along with the scarlet accents of his kimono and gold sash with bold sapphire accents were paled. His hair and tail were beyond white, and his dark eyebrows and lashes were a pallid gray. Only his eyes retained their original luster, a deep amber that glowed with his extreme irritation. He exited the building and vigorously shook himself off. A thick cloud of flour surrounded him before being gently blown away by the spring breeze. Snorting, he combed his fingers through his hair and undid the tangles. Then he straightened out his clothing and fluffed the fur on his tail to fix the errant strands of hair.
He suddenly noticed the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the area. Wondering what happened to Rin, Sesshoumaru headed towards the fields, as he could sense Kagome and Rin's auras radiating from the vicinity. He exited the back gardens to find Rin quietly sitting on the boulder he usually sat on, intently watching something. He realized her attention was on the priestess.
Kagome stood in the center of the field, calm, composed, with steady breath and closed eyes. She held her hands together in a gentle outstretched gesture, allowing a blue curling mist to emanate from her fingertips. The swirls condensed into a glowing cerulean sphere that hovered above her cupped hands. Kagome moved her hands away from each other, allowing the misty orb to increase in size. Slowly she raised her hands above her head, the magic retaining its distance from her fingertips. Then, as the orb floated above her head, it broke, the mist swirling down upon her and engulfing her and the neighboring areas in its sparkling azure fog.
Sesshoumaru raised a slender eyebrow. 'She better know what she is doing; I don't want to use the Tenseiga on her.'
The mist evaporated about her form, and her body now glowed a gentle blue. The strength of her aura, now visible to everyone. With her aura pulsating about her, she seemed once more the ethereal being he met in the garden that night. He abruptly noticed the grass about her. They were a bright, healthy green, many of them brandished mature blossoms. Pure. Clean. Beautiful. Kagome opened her eyes and turned to Rin. She gestured for the girl to come and pointed at the flowers.
Rin squealed and jumped off the boulder to pick them.
Kagome smiled at the little girl before she turned to Sesshoumaru. Her smile immediately disappeared. Inwardly, Sesshoumaru suddenly and acutely felt the absence of that smile on her face. Not that he was about to admit it, though. He schooled his facial expressions to nothing but boredom.
She nodded politely, although her eyes were hard and cold. "How may I help you, my lord?"
Sesshoumaru studied her for a moment, then responded, "I simply wanted to see where you two were." He smirked, "I just wanted to make sure the both of you were not eaten by youkai."
Rin giggled at the dog demon's remark and Kagome rolled her eyes. "Onegai! I'm not _that_ helpless, you know!" she snapped, "After all, I had to protect my village from youkai after the previous miko died!" She folded her arms across her chest and huffed.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "Demo, it is your fault the youkai came for you. After all, you carry the Shikon no Tama, is that correct?"
Kagome gaped like a fish out of water.
Sesshoumaru watched the two girls before turning back to fix that breakfast for Rin. He found the kitchen blanketed in a nice, thick layer of flour. Growling to himself, he rapidly cleaned the kitchen up before setting the dough in a pan to bake. As he pulled the pan of crisp bread out of the hearth, Rin came rampaging into the kitchen, stating she was hungry. The demon lord jabbed the bread with a long, pointed claw and neatly sliced it into four slices. With a cavalier look in his face he stabbed the other three slices and brandished them in the air on his fingernails to cool them off before handing two to Rin. Rin thanked him with a full mouth. Sesshoumaru was then left standing in the kitchen, alone, with two slices of homemade bread stuck on his claws.
Kagome entered the kitchen and found Sesshoumaru with the bread slices. She gave him a hard, quizzical look before dismissing it and setting about making herself breakfast. Sesshoumaru stiffened, straightened, plucked a slice from his hand, and began daintily nibbling it as he walked towards his study.
~*~*~*~
Japanese Translations
Kisama- bastard
Mou- something like 'geez'
Iie- no
Miko- priestess
Hai- yes
Arigatou- thank you
Youkai- demon
Onegai- please
Demo- but
~*~*~*~
FT: Konnichiwa, minna-san! Domo arigatou gozimasu for the reviews! They were very touching! Kami-sama, I almost had multiple heart attacks when Celyia, Dark Star, and just peachy reviewed! XD
Sesshoumaru: I do _not_ cook.
FT: Well now you do! *giggles uncontrollably* Did you like the flour coating? My own idea!
Sesshoumaru: Where are the servants?
FT: -_-;;; Sesshy-kun, if you haven't noticed, Jaken is your _only_ servant. . .
Sesshoumaru: Well? Why can't I have more?
FT: Because I say so! XP
Sesshoumaru: . . .
FT: Anyway. . . oh! I was blow-drying my hair when this nice little (if not somewhat mean *smirk*) idea for an ending popped into my head! Not that you wanted to know or anything, but. . . Review!
~*~*~*~
Author's Note: In this story, Sesshy does not want the Tetsusaiga (I might later change my mind). Just so you all don't go wondering why he isn't after it. ^_^ And another thing. . . I'm sort of making this up as I go; I know what happens and all, I just don't know what goes _in between_ the events I have planned. Gomen if my chapters seem like a big bunch of tangential crap!!! Y_Y
"___" = Dialogue
'___' = Thoughts
*___* = Special 'stuff'
Conflicting Desires
By Forsaken Tenshi
Chapter 3: Early in the Morning
Inuyasha ran and ran west for what seemed like an eternity to him. Yet his destination did not seem to be any closer than five hours ago. And all the while, the half demon cursed his half brother. 'Kisama! Thinking he can go and just take my Kagome away from me!' he fumed. He ran on into the predawn hours of the new day, panting heavily from exertion. He was still a few days' journey from Sesshoumaru's castle. The half demon cursed his half brother's superior speed.
As the sun began to rise, a faint scent tickled his sensitive nose. He stopped and sniffed the air more carefully. The smell was familiar, but was also something he hadn't encountered in a long time. 'Could it be. . .?' he thought as he raced towards the steadily strengthening scent.
*At Sesshoumaru's castle*
The early morning rays hit the massive marble castle, giving the illusion that the great stone mansion gave off a radiant glow of its own. Birds chirped excitedly, and the sound of peeping frogs faded away with the coming of the day. The palace seemed the embodiment of peace, serenity, calm.
A piercing shriek of excitement broke the morning tranquility.
There was a slam of a door, a muffled pattering of feet, and a few mumbled, groggy curses. A small, eight year old girl could be seen sprinting off to the meadows near the castle, followed by a sleepy, squat toad-like organism carrying a staff.
The girl, or more specifically, Rin, plunged head on into the field and plopped down to sit amongst the bobbing flower buds. Her sharp hazel eyes scanned the vicinity, searching for any flowers. Her roving eyes spotted a patch of blooming dandelions and with a squeal she picked herself up and scampered over to them. With her agile hands, Rin plucked the flowers from the stems, not caring if her fingernails were stained a faint green tinge. When she had collected all of the flowers, or a hefty sum, she loped back happily towards the marble fortress, a grumbling Jaken in tow.
Sesshoumaru was in his study doing a last minute inspection of his workplace. All the scrolls on his desk were neatly stacked on a corner, the quills were in their stands, the inkbottle capped. Satisfied, he opened the door, only to be rammed by a seemingly hyperactive Rin. Flowers were thrown up like confetti and showered lazily down on the two beings. The demon lord's eyebrow rose up as Rin blushed and mumbled a sincere apology for running into her beloved "Sesshoumaru-sama." She stared at her feet, her head bowed and her chubby hands were clasped behind her back. Sesshoumaru's eyes softened for a fleeting moment before he looked up, his eyes once again cold and brittle. His acute hearing noted a puffing Jaken scurrying towards them from a ways off.
As the green demon finally appeared in the Lord of the Western Land's sights, he flopped over in a prostrate position, all the while apologizing and mumbling about stinky, immature human brats. Sesshoumaru swiftly sent Jaken sailing through an open window and into the still dark forest beyond his personal private property for the latter portion of his grumbling. Rin giggled and hugged Sesshoumaru's legs. Sesshoumaru looked down at his ward.
Rin gazed up at the demon lord with adoration. A thought came to her and she detached herself from his legs. "Rin is going to check on Kagome- chan!" she crowed happily as she raced down the numerous hallways. Sesshoumaru tilted his head and thought for a little before deciding to follow Rin at a much more calm and sophisticated pace.
Rin joyfully pattered towards Kagome's room. Rin liked the girl immensely, she was so kind and gentle, and so unlike the previous women Sesshoumaru had brought home. There were a few exceptions, but they'd all ended up cold and uncaring. Rin hoped Kagome wouldn't end up like the rest.
The energetic eight-year-old burst into Kagome's room and looked about. She suddenly realized the teen was not there and felt, for a short moment, worry that the older girl had left. Rin shook her head and thought, 'Kagome-chan wouldn't leave me!' Happy with that simple idea, Rin proceeded to the meadows to pick more flowers for her wonderful Sesshoumaru.
The demon lord watched as Rin left the girl's room, heading for the back door. Knowing Jaken wasn't going to be back any time soon, considering how far he threw his retainer, the dog demon was resigned to follow his young ward. As he traced Rin's steps, he wondered where the new girl was. How she had gotten out of the castle undetected was something he did not expect her to be able to do. With this realization Sesshoumaru promised to keep a closer eye on the wench.
He found Rin picking flowers in the meadow. He hopped onto a large boulder near the edge of the field, his usual lookout position. Gold eyes scanned the landscape, ears were pricked to listen for the faintest sounds, nose quivered ever so slightly to monitor every stray scent. That's when he noticed it.
The priestess' scent. The pure, untainted smell of his half brother's wench.
Her fragrance drifted from the forest. His eyes narrowed as he wondered what she could be doing in such a place. He slid off the boulder and Rin watched the dog demon.
"Come, Rin," he commanded. Rin picked herself up off the grass, rubbed her grubby hands all over her kimono, and skipped after the retreating form of Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru tilted his head ever so slightly to sniff the winds. Her scent was stronger. He withdrew his aura as he tracked her enticing aroma to a small glade. There was a small spring in the center, its waters clean and pure. And by the spring sat Kagome, wearing another finely made silk kimono. The one she wore was colored a light jade, the obi a dark emerald. Her hair was twisted into a tight bun, and ornamented with gaudy silver chopsticks. She was kneeling on the pale green grass by the spring, her hands plucking leaves off a bush. A pile of various leaves, fungus, and roots lay near her, in addition to a bow and a quiver of arrows.
"Kagome-chan!" Rin squealed as she darted into the dell. Kagome started, and looked up to find Rin and Sesshoumaru. She cursed herself for being caught unawares before breaking into a dazzling smile as Rin launched herself into Kagome's welcoming arms. "Rin was wondering if Kagome-chan left Rin!" Rin complained as she hugged the teen.
Kagome cuddled the ebony haired girl. "Mou! Did you really think I would do that to you, Rin?" she asked teasingly. Rin gazed into Kagome's eyes and giggled. "Iie," she replied, wrapping chubby arms around the shrine maiden's neck. Kagome savored the embrace so freely given by this child. It helped somewhat ease the pain of longing for her friends and family.
Sesshoumaru watched the scene before him with a tinge of jealousy. He somehow, inexplicably wanted Rin's adoration to be directed to him, and him _alone_. An unsettled mood befell the demon lord, and he gazed at the girls with concealed envy.
"Woman," he called, making the girls break apart. Kagome eyed him warily. He noticed how her left hand was slowly inching towards the weapons. "Don't touch those arrows, miko," he spat, somewhat pleased at startling her.
His remark ruffled her, and she felt her anger slowly building up. Yet she remained calm. She knew that if he wanted to, he could kill her before she could make _any_ move towards the bow and arrows. She lifted her head and stared defiantly back at him, her brown eyes locked on his amber ones. "Do you need something, my lord? Or have you lost your way in the woods?" she asked mockingly.
Sesshoumaru suppressed a growl, lest he upset Rin, who was watching the exchange with interest. "Why are you out here, and how did you get out without my knowledge?" He was peeved at her and at himself, her for getting away unnoticed, and himself for not being observant.
Kagome allowed her eyes to drift to the pile of vegetation by her side. She looked back at Sesshoumaru and retorted, "I used these to make medications. Just because I am here does not mean I should forget all that I've learned from my mentor." She didn't bother answering his other question. She gathered the pile in her arms and picked up the bow and quiver. With confidence she marched off towards his castle, Rin chattering incessantly.
Sesshoumaru glared at her for a moment. Then, using his inhuman speed, he stepped before her. She gave a startled yelp when she almost ran into him. She glared at him stonily and demanded, "What do you want now?"
Rin had stopped talking, sensing the tension that crackled in the air.
Sesshoumaru took deep calming breaths. Never had he been so riled up in his life. Well, maybe a few times. "I, Sesshoumaru, am you lord and master. You will always follow me; never will you lead."
Kagome gazed heatedly at him for a moment, shrugged, and shoved past him. Sesshoumaru growled and shot his hand out to grab her bun. Kagome yelped once again, pain radiating from her scalp. She whipped around, dropping everything in her arms, her usually tightly controlled fury nearly tangible to even Rin. The little girl hid behind the demon. Poor Rin, she didn't know how explosive the confrontations between two beings before her would be in the future.
"What," she hissed quietly, "Was that for?" Sesshoumaru could clearly hear the dangerous undertone of her voice.
He crossed his arms over his chest and said as if bored, "You didn't listen to me." He secretly admired the blazing, wild spirit contained in the frail woman's body. 'The juxtaposition of her kindness and caring and her anger and defiance is no doubt an interesting combination,' he idly thought as he held an intense staring contest with her.
Rin dispelled the tension when she giggled. The two silently bickering people broke eye contact to stare at the little girl. Rin calmed herself for one moment, only to look at the adults and breaking into another fit of hysterical giggling.
Kagome smiled at the child's antics and swept the flushed Rin into her arms. "What's so funny, Rin-chan?" Kagome asked.
Rin wheezed a few words between her giggles. "Rin. . . thinks Kagome-chan. . . and Sesshou. . . maru-sama. . . are funny!"
Kagome faked a pout. "And why is that, Rin-chan?" she asked, rearranging Rin in her arms so that Rin was somewhat supported on her hips.
"Staring contests are for little kids!" Rin burst out, giggling.
Kagome's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, is that so?" she said, amusement twinkling in her eyes.
"Hai!"
The priestess smiled and set the child down. She began gathering up the scattered roots, leaves, and fungus. Rin helped pick them up.
"Arigatou, Rin-chan," thanked Kagome as she picked up the bow and arrows. She straightened and walked off, talking merrily with Rin. Both of them had altogether forgotten Sesshoumaru.
During their conversation, Sesshoumaru had not moved a muscle. He had merely observed them, two crazy human girls. He felt again that wave of jealousy sweep through him, but that feeling was abruptly usurped by surprise when the two of them _abandoned_ him! He, the Lord of the Western Lands, forsaken by his own human chattels! He scowled. He'd show her exactly _who_ was the master, and it _definitely_ was him!
Satisfied with his conclusion, he flew to the castle, leaving the two _stupid_ humans chatting contentedly in the forest.
Upon reaching the castle, he realized the time of day and guess that Rin would probably be hungry. He sauntered into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the girl. He started a fire in the hearth and dug around a cabinet. He found flour and added a few extra ingredients for texture and flavor. He felt his nose tickle and sneezed suddenly and violently, and unfortunately, into a rather large mound of unused flour.
The sneeze, combined with the strength of his lungs, caused the flour to blow _everywhere_. For several minutes the kitchen was clouded so thickly one had to hold their hand inches from their face in order to see a faint outline. The demon lord stood in the midst of this flour fog, a scowl evident on his normally impassive face.
"Someone's talking about me," he grumbled, stepping out into the hallway covered in flour. If anyone looked at him, one would think he was the most peeved ghost they've met, as in scary. His stripes and crescent moon, along with the scarlet accents of his kimono and gold sash with bold sapphire accents were paled. His hair and tail were beyond white, and his dark eyebrows and lashes were a pallid gray. Only his eyes retained their original luster, a deep amber that glowed with his extreme irritation. He exited the building and vigorously shook himself off. A thick cloud of flour surrounded him before being gently blown away by the spring breeze. Snorting, he combed his fingers through his hair and undid the tangles. Then he straightened out his clothing and fluffed the fur on his tail to fix the errant strands of hair.
He suddenly noticed the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the area. Wondering what happened to Rin, Sesshoumaru headed towards the fields, as he could sense Kagome and Rin's auras radiating from the vicinity. He exited the back gardens to find Rin quietly sitting on the boulder he usually sat on, intently watching something. He realized her attention was on the priestess.
Kagome stood in the center of the field, calm, composed, with steady breath and closed eyes. She held her hands together in a gentle outstretched gesture, allowing a blue curling mist to emanate from her fingertips. The swirls condensed into a glowing cerulean sphere that hovered above her cupped hands. Kagome moved her hands away from each other, allowing the misty orb to increase in size. Slowly she raised her hands above her head, the magic retaining its distance from her fingertips. Then, as the orb floated above her head, it broke, the mist swirling down upon her and engulfing her and the neighboring areas in its sparkling azure fog.
Sesshoumaru raised a slender eyebrow. 'She better know what she is doing; I don't want to use the Tenseiga on her.'
The mist evaporated about her form, and her body now glowed a gentle blue. The strength of her aura, now visible to everyone. With her aura pulsating about her, she seemed once more the ethereal being he met in the garden that night. He abruptly noticed the grass about her. They were a bright, healthy green, many of them brandished mature blossoms. Pure. Clean. Beautiful. Kagome opened her eyes and turned to Rin. She gestured for the girl to come and pointed at the flowers.
Rin squealed and jumped off the boulder to pick them.
Kagome smiled at the little girl before she turned to Sesshoumaru. Her smile immediately disappeared. Inwardly, Sesshoumaru suddenly and acutely felt the absence of that smile on her face. Not that he was about to admit it, though. He schooled his facial expressions to nothing but boredom.
She nodded politely, although her eyes were hard and cold. "How may I help you, my lord?"
Sesshoumaru studied her for a moment, then responded, "I simply wanted to see where you two were." He smirked, "I just wanted to make sure the both of you were not eaten by youkai."
Rin giggled at the dog demon's remark and Kagome rolled her eyes. "Onegai! I'm not _that_ helpless, you know!" she snapped, "After all, I had to protect my village from youkai after the previous miko died!" She folded her arms across her chest and huffed.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "Demo, it is your fault the youkai came for you. After all, you carry the Shikon no Tama, is that correct?"
Kagome gaped like a fish out of water.
Sesshoumaru watched the two girls before turning back to fix that breakfast for Rin. He found the kitchen blanketed in a nice, thick layer of flour. Growling to himself, he rapidly cleaned the kitchen up before setting the dough in a pan to bake. As he pulled the pan of crisp bread out of the hearth, Rin came rampaging into the kitchen, stating she was hungry. The demon lord jabbed the bread with a long, pointed claw and neatly sliced it into four slices. With a cavalier look in his face he stabbed the other three slices and brandished them in the air on his fingernails to cool them off before handing two to Rin. Rin thanked him with a full mouth. Sesshoumaru was then left standing in the kitchen, alone, with two slices of homemade bread stuck on his claws.
Kagome entered the kitchen and found Sesshoumaru with the bread slices. She gave him a hard, quizzical look before dismissing it and setting about making herself breakfast. Sesshoumaru stiffened, straightened, plucked a slice from his hand, and began daintily nibbling it as he walked towards his study.
~*~*~*~
Japanese Translations
Kisama- bastard
Mou- something like 'geez'
Iie- no
Miko- priestess
Hai- yes
Arigatou- thank you
Youkai- demon
Onegai- please
Demo- but
~*~*~*~
FT: Konnichiwa, minna-san! Domo arigatou gozimasu for the reviews! They were very touching! Kami-sama, I almost had multiple heart attacks when Celyia, Dark Star, and just peachy reviewed! XD
Sesshoumaru: I do _not_ cook.
FT: Well now you do! *giggles uncontrollably* Did you like the flour coating? My own idea!
Sesshoumaru: Where are the servants?
FT: -_-;;; Sesshy-kun, if you haven't noticed, Jaken is your _only_ servant. . .
Sesshoumaru: Well? Why can't I have more?
FT: Because I say so! XP
Sesshoumaru: . . .
FT: Anyway. . . oh! I was blow-drying my hair when this nice little (if not somewhat mean *smirk*) idea for an ending popped into my head! Not that you wanted to know or anything, but. . . Review!
~*~*~*~