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Chapter Eight: Figuring Out Sesshomaru
Kagome's never ending curiosity demanded that she figure out why Sesshomaru and Rin had such a connection. He hated all humans down to their very core, so why did he love Rin more than he valued his own life? It made no sense…or did it? Shaking her head with confusion, she walked out of her room, heading down the staircase for dinner.
The walk seemed to last longer than any she had ever made before. She barely realized what she was doing until she noticed that she had passed the dinning hall. Mentally berating herself, she turned around and ran straight into a wall. Except instead of cold, white marble, this wall was made of strong, soft, white warmth. She stepped back quickly. "Sesshomaru-sama?!"
"Did you intend to eat your dinner elsewhere?" he inquired, his face unreadable. She blushed and shook her head quickly. He cocked an eyebrow at her, but then just led her back to where Rin was patiently waiting for her dinner.
"Kagome-chan!" she cried happily, upon seeing the miko. "Where did you go?" Kagome recalled a time when Inuyasha had asked her the same question. When she had always run off to go visit her family, he had been at a loss at what to do with his extra time and usually wound up following her through the Bone Eater's Well. Her heart broke all over again with new pain as she realized that he would never care where she went anymore.
"I was lost," she whispered, her spirit dropping slightly.
Sesshomaru was not an expert on human kind. He had despised them for so long he had only known where their weakest points were and cared about nothing else. However, seeing the priestess like this, so lifeless, as if the fire of her being had suddenly been ripped from her, he was confused about how to act.
Dinner was ate in silence between the adults. An occasional comment was thrown in for Rin's sake, as she was the only one talking. She told them both about her day, about how she had picked wild flowers with Kagome, before going back to her lessons, then had started singing through the fields after beating on Jaken with his own staff, with help from Kagome. The miko didn't even blush when the child told the demon lord about this.
Rin looked at Sesshomaru, the only thing she had for a father, and then at Kagome, the woman who was so beautiful, smart, and kind that Rin wished she was her mother. At the present moment, Kagome-chan looked depressed. Sesshomaru was trying not too stare at her, but Rin knew better, even for a child. So she did the best thing she could think of doing.
"Sesshomaru-sama? Rin has you for a father, but needs a mother. Can Kagome-chan be Rin's mother?"
That got them.
Sesshomaru stopped eating to stare at her, his golden eyes getting a funny tint in them. Kagome on the other hand had a more dramatic reaction. She had been thrown from her stupor by the question. She had dropped her chopsticks with a loud clatter as she nearly choked on her food. She stared at Rin, then at Sesshomaru, then back at the child.
"Um," They both looked at her, expecting some sort of response to Rin's request. Instead, all they got was a rushed excuse for leaving at such a time. "I'm really tired, I'm going to bed," she stated quickly, before hurrying out of the room.
The Lord of the Western Lands followed her form with his amber orbs, until she disappeared from sight. Then, sighing, he too got up. He knew he had some more paperwork to complete in reference to some attacks that had recently been made on the boundaries of his territories. He wasn't sure if it was the audacity of Rin's question, the expression on the miko's face in reaction, or his own inner feeling about the matter, but he needed to leave the room immediately. Excusing himself, he made for his office.
Rin was left to sit at the table by herself. Neither of the adults had seemed to notice this in their haste to leave. Smiling, the child went up to her room to read before bed. Sometimes the perfect way to throw a plan into motion was to set off a couple of fireworks as the first step.
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The demon lord entered her room softer than her light breathing. She was sleeping peacefully on her futon, moonlight gliding across her beautiful face. He inwardly growled at his thoughts. She was not beautiful. She was a human, nothing worth brooding over. However, he could not pull himself away from staring at her unconscious form, just as he had stared at her through the meal that evening.
Her chest rose and fell with each silent breath that filled her lungs. He crept closer until he was standing over her bed, peering down at her. Part of her shirt was pushed up, exposing the pale milk skin of her stomach, which was as flat as the floor. He reached a claw out to run over the smooth surface. When he touched her, a blue spark sprung in between her skin and his. He jerked back, golden eyes wide in fear that she would awaken. Instead, she only mumbled and remained to sleeping.
One of her arms was resting across her upper stomach and when she moved it, it scooted her shirt upwards, making Sesshomaru's gaze linger longer than necessary. Her other arm was tucked behind her head. After her stomach, the sheets were covering her other half. Sighing, Sesshomaru covered her completely knowing she would catch cold in this place made of stone.
Her entire being confused him. Why did she remain on this side of the Well if not for Rin? The young fox demon he had seen her with loved her dearly and he was sure she missed him. He had often thought the miko was his surrogate mother. She had always protected him and watched over his as Sesshomaru did for Rin. In that respect, the priestess and the demon lord had a great deal in common.
They had both taken in orphaned children and had tried to provide for them. It was ironic in a way. He hated humans, but was one's stand-in father. Ever since she had crossed though the Bone Eater's Well, the miko had been battling demons, but she was mother to a tiny kitsune. Fate had some sense of humor.
Giving her one last look, Sesshomaru left her bedchambers, closing the door behind his tail. The halls were cold and lifeless without and frantic Jaken, or a chaotic Rin racing through them. During the night, marble had a tendency to be like that. It had suited him well, he being the Ice Prince, a stonehearted bastard with no real feelings. Then Rin had come along and now his brother's wench. What was he to do? He was going soft unintentionally.
What would his father say if he could see him now? Then again, Father fell for a human. Perhaps it was his curse. Maybe it was the inevitable. No! he thought. He didn't love the human girl. She was only here to help with Rin and nothing else. She was of no further value.
Grumbling, he took off his clothes. Sleep was becoming more and more inviting. He got into his bed, relishing the warmth of the sheets. He laid there for sometime, wanting to sleep, needing to escape reality for the night. Only nothing happened. Something was missing.
What is it?
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"WAKE UP, KAGOME!" a shrill young voice screamed, shattering the girl's dreams.
Kagome sat up just as the child flung herself up onto her bed. Jaken came darting in, staff in hand, all in a tizzy. He was complaining about what a devil Rin was. Yawing, Kagome reached out tiredly and smacked him to the floor, causing a delighted squealing cheer to come from Rin.
"Did Kagome-chan sleep well?"
"Yes, fine. Did you sleep well, Rin?" the miko smiled, another yawn escaping her lips as the child nodded her answer.
She wasn't used to all this ruckus in the morning. When traveling with Inuyasha and the others, she had never had to worry about a seven-year-old girl pouncing into her lap. And never had a green toad barged into her room. She didn't mind Rin, but Jaken was another matter. She kicked him out…literally.
The sun was rising from the mountain peaks of the Western Lands and it's light streamed into Kagome's bedroom through the balcony windows. Birds were singing all around her from outside in the gardens. The young miko smiled, content with her lovely surroundings.
Rin tugged at her hand, pointing to the door that led out to the hall. Suspecting that the child was hungry, Kagome followed her down for breakfast. As they went down the staircase, a calm voice called out to them.
"I see you woke more than one this morning Rin," the Lord of the Western Lands stated, coming down the steps behind them.
Rin's face broke into a wide toothy grin. "Fluffy!" she cried joyfully, hugging his leg. He gently patted her on the head, before sending her running off to get some food. He watched her go, then turned his attention to Kagome.
"I apologize that she wakes you so early. Jaken is used to it. I'm sure-,"
"No, it's alright," she interrupted, smiling. "I'll get used to it. I got used to Inuyasha screaming at me all the time for being a slow human wench. I can get used to Rin wake me at the crack of dawn."
"As you wish," he said, walking away. Kagome let her eyes linger on his graceful form until he was gone, then she sighed.
She had used those specific words on purpose. She was trying to see if Sesshomaru would treat her differently if she and Rin were put in similar situations. Rin had been orphaned, then beaten by the villagers for stealing so she could provide for herself. Kagome wasn't going to let anyone beat her, but she was going to let Sesshomaru know of how hurtful his prejudice toward humans was to her. Maybe it would slowly begin to change him. If not permanently, at least so he'd be kinder to her.
Later that day, Kagome went out into the gardens to teach Rin. The child seemed to learn better in such an open environment. Each carrying several books, they ventured from Kagome's room to the outside. On the way, they passed Sesshomaru and Kagome put her plan into action.
She dropped all of her books to the ground, pretending to have lost her grip on them. The great demon glanced down at her kneeling on the floor, recollecting them, then continued on his way, never once lending a helpful claw. Kagome sighed, gathering everything up, and went in the opposite direction, disappointed in him.
The little girl was already playing a game of tag with a group of butterflies. Dressed in her brightly colored kimono, Rin looked as if she belonged with them.
Glaring at the textbooks, Kagome decided they could take a break for a day. Besides, Rin was a fast learner and they were flying through the lessons at a rapid pace. She took a seat on the edge of the water fountain and watched Sesshomaru's charge chasing the flying bugs.
It wasn't long, however, before an annoying Jaken found them and demanded to know why they were "lollygaging in the sun." Kagome wasted no time in stealing his magic staff and giving him several thoughtful beatings. The green toad wobbled off with a good amount of bumps on his head. Moments later, the Lord of the Western Lands came out.
Rin didn't see him right away, and remained chasing after her butterflies. Kagome, on the other hand, sensed his presence the moment he entered the gardens. When she tensed, she knew he also became somewhat uncomfortable. He sat down aside of her, not speaking a word. In turn, she said nothing either. It wasn't until Rin turned around and noticed them both, that any words were exchanged in the garden.
"Fluffy!" Rin cheered. "Have you come to play with Kagome and I?"
"Rin," he scolded lightly.
"Kagome-chan and I," she corrected herself, coming to sit on his lap.
"I have business to complete Rin," he told her. The child pouted, getting off his knee, and going into Kagome's arms.
"Fine, then I'll play with Kagome-chan and we won't let you play with us," she grumbled.
"Now Rin," Kagome giggled. "That isn't a very nice thing to say to Fluffy." She held her breath. She had been waiting to call him that. It was the final step in her plan. She waited for him to yell at her, toss her to the ground, or even kill her. If he would reprimand Rin for not using the "chan" what would he do to her now that she had called him by the child's pet name? She slowly looked over at him.
Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, was grinning! But as soon as she saw it, the grin was gone.
Was I daydreaming, or did I just make the Ice Prince smile?
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A/N: I am so SORRY that it took this long to update. I know it was a much longer wait than the previous chapters. School has been hectic, and my dance schedule chaotic. To top it all off I have this history project that you are required to get at least a 70% on to pass 10th grade and it is due in another two weeks. So I have to start cracking. I am hoping to get the next chapter out soon, since chapter 10 is already written and typed up. It's really long…seven pages unspaced I think. So once again, I apologize for the delay. READ & REVIEW so that I know you haven't forgotten me! ~ Neveada Sierriana
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Preview of Chapter 10….What lead up to this moment?
Sesshomaru watched mixed emotions run across Kagome's face. It was her own inner battle to have feelings for his half-demon brother or not. For some reason he was hoping her love for Inuyasha had withered away. He didn't have feelings for Kagome, but he felt protective of her. He didn't want her to be hurt by Inuyasha again.
"Kagome?"
She glanced up at him. "I don't know," she whispered, ashamed with herself for maybe still loving a man who would never return her love.
An anger that rivaled his longing to protect her coursed through his veins. He stepped forward, pulling her up out of her chair, so she was standing in front of him. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he shook the human girl. "Dammit Kagome! Don't you see it? He's not worth it. He can't see what he has lost. Everyday I watch you missing him as if he'd going to come back for you. He doesn't see you for what you are and can be!" Sesshomaru shouted, his voice carrying through the house.
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