Inukimi sank further into the warm pool, appearing completely relaxed, but Kagura knew better.
She had an agenda.
She'd only known the demoness for a few hours but had soon realized she did nothing without purpose, public or otherwise. Kagura snorted, water rippling around her shoulders; Sesshoumaru had inherited more from his mother than his good looks.
Glancing over at Kagome, she had a feeling the miko was coming to the same realization, her blue eyes never straying far from the demoness, even as she washed her hair.
Kagura wasn't entirely on board with interfering with Kagome's love life, though she supposed that was redundant at this point, considering their altercations with Houjou. But there was a distinct difference between warding off unwanted suitors and trying to set her up with one.
One that, as far as Kagura was concerned, hadn't shown any interest in the first place. Inukimi assumed that him listening to Kagome during their walk was a significant event, but Kagome had a way about her that made people listen in general.
Even when she'd been tied to Naraku, Kagome had been a pillar among those who'd opposed him. She may have been the one to break the jewel, which started the evolution of Naraku in the first place, but aside from the malevolent spider, most of the creatures she'd come across had been taken in by her compassion and welcoming heart.
Which ended up being the biggest threat in the end.
Kagome had never seen herself as perfect, had even vocally argued the point, but the fact that most of her inner circle had tried to kill or at least harm her in some way before pledging themselves to her cause showed her ability to sway a heart.
Maybe there was more to Inukimi's agenda than just matchmaking.
But Sesshoumaru hadn't needed any convincing before offering to come with them, so he must've realized he'd have to converse with them at some point, didn't he?
"Are you unattached, little miko?"
Kagura stifled a groan—she certainly wasn't one for pretense.
Kagome raised an eyebrow, fingers pausing as she tried to comb out the tangles in her hair. "If you mean in a romantic sense, then yes. I don't want to be tied down."
"Have others attempted this feat before?" she asked, genuinely curious. Kagome looked at Kagura, who gave a slight shrug.
"There's a man near my village that seems set on turning me into a housewife." Kagome's features scrunched into a sneer, Kagura catching Inukimi's gaze when hers did the same.
"You have met this foul creature?"
Kagura pulled the clips from her hair, letting the chestnut locks cascade over her shoulders and into the water. "Unfortunately. It was my personal mission to push him into every mud puddle within a mile radius."
Golden eyes blinked before Inukimi hid her laughter behind her hands. "How wonderfully mischievous."
"Except that he's as dense as a rock and chalked it up to rogue storms and coincidences," Kagura said, running her claws through her hair.
Inukimi raised an eyebrow, turning back to Kagome. "You require someone of higher intelligence."
"I don't require anyone," she said, emphasizing the last word. "I'm fine by myself. I choose to be by myself."
The demoness waved her off. "Even those who enjoy solitude seek out others now and then. You just need to find someone who is not overbearing and understands your need for independence."
"Like?"
Kagura didn't bother hiding her grin—Kagome was never one to mince words.
Inukimi raised an eyebrow at her candidness, though it was obvious she enjoyed the miko's forwardness as well, golden eyes gleaming in the fading sunlight. "You and my son seemed to have much to talk about during the first leg of our journey."
Kagome's mouth dropped open. "You're trying to set me up with Sesshoumaru?"
"Who else?" Inukimi sniffed. "He is far superior to any other creature you will come across."
"He hates humans!" she sputtered. "He'd never agree to befriend one, let alone marry one!"
"He has befriended Rin, has he not? And the slayer boy?"
"Well, yes, but that's—"
"Do you find him unattractive?"
"Of course not—"
"Then I do not see the issue." Inukimi inspected her nails, her smirk belying her disinterest in the conversation.
Kagome dragged her hands down her face before giving Kagura a helpless look, who simply held up her hands. "Traitor," Kagome muttered under her breath.
"At least think about it, little miko. I have never seen him so protective of someone he has spent so little time with." Inukimi settled back into the water, ignoring Kagome's continued sputtering.
"You're both nuts," she said after a moment, crossing her arms as she relaxed against the rocky bank. "He doesn't see me that way at all."