Kagome crawled out of bed. The sun was high in the sky. Her clock on the nightstand confirmed that it was noon. She went to the bathroom and got dressed. As she got to her door, she noticed the sound of voices on the other side. A nervous shudder crept over her. She was suddenly aware that whoever was there was talking to Sesshomaru. 'Good grief, what was she going to say?' With a deep breath she opened the door. Sitting on the couch was Ayumi and Souta, who were apparently having a conversation with Sesshomaru who sat in the floor.
After her initial shock passed, Kagome smiled at her guests. She met Sesshomaru's gaze and relaxed a little. He was making an extra effort to assure her that everything was all right. Just the thought of the fierce demon lord sitting with her brother and best friend sent chills up her spine. He was not one to mingle with humans, and Kagome was surprised that he was being polite. She thanked the Gods silently, and went over to sit on the cushion next to him.
Souta spoke first. "Kagome, we heard about last night and we both came over to find out the scoop." Then Ayumi chimed in, "Yeah, and when we got here we were greeted by your 'roommate'." Kagome could see that her friend was dying to ask her all about her mysterious 'roommate'. She had a great deal of explaining to do, but she hadn't figured it out herself yet.
She repeated the story of the museum theft, carefully omitting any details about earlier events. They listened eagerly and both speculated on how and why the theft took place. They finally made ready to leave and Kagome stood to escort them to the door. As Souta hugged her good-bye he whispered in her ear, "My clothes look better on him." He smiled a mischievous grin and turned to escort Ayumi down the stairs.
Kagome breathed a sigh of relief and slammed the still broken door behind her. "Whew, that was close!" Sesshomaru simply stood there with his normal emotionless mask, gazing back at her. "Arigato, Lord Sesshomaru, for covering for me." He made no reply and seated himself once again in the floor. Kagome sat opposite him. He really was an amazing man. She reflected on the many times she witnessed his deadly accurate attacks. Once she met a little girl he brought back from the dead. The same little girl that he protected and provided for everyday after. 'He tried to kill me once....and he's saved me once. There are definitely two sides to this taiyoukai lord.'
"Sesshomaru, please tell me how you came to be incased in stone." Kagome figured that would be the best place to start. He stared down at the floor for what seemed an eternity. "In the year 1726 a youkai wizard, by the name Takashi, rendered me into the pillar of rock. It is unknown how. This Sesshomaru was in a great battle, where I slaughtered thousands of the enemy youkai. The battle was won and I turned to take my leave. The wizard appeared before Sesshomaru. A powder substance was released from his hand. This Sesshomaru was turned to stone." He shook his head a little. "The world went by each day for me, and I had no sense of time, but I could see and hear everything around me. This has been Sesshomaru's fate until our paths crossed again these many years later." He paused briefly, and Kagome told him that it had been around 500 years.
Sesshomaru actually had a genuine look of sorrow on his face. Kagome could not believe her eyes. She never thought it possible that the Great Taiyoukai of the Western Lands actually had emotions. She certainly never thought that she'd witness them in person. He shook off the pesky emotion and began again. "This Sesshomaru had many years of imprisonment. At times, I slept a very deep sleep, lasting years. At other times, when there was closeness of others, I never slept at all. There were many years to reflect on my life, my father...my brother. Rin and Jaken were gone. I lived on, trapped inside a granite hell. Until one day you found this Sesshomaru. You Miko.... you released me." He paused briefly and ever so gracefully rose to stand before her. "The first time you touched me, I felt a warmth in my neck. I was able to move my head just a little, but still the occurred stone held me in it grasp."
A flash of light moved in front of her eyes. Kagome blinked and he was kneeling just inches in front of her. His mouth was so close to her face that she could feel his breath caressing her cheek. It was like fresh mountain water. The thud of her heart pounded in her ears. Then he began speaking again. "Not until you touched your lips to this Sesshomaru, did the spell break completely."
Kagome couldn't speak at that moment. She was sure if she did, her voice would squeak like a mouse. 'Kami, he is just as magnificent as I remembered him.' "How horrible for you, being so alone those many years." She brought her hand up to once again caress his face. This time, instead of cold, hard stone, her hand met his warm skin. He didn't flinch, instead he nudged his cheek further into her hand. She could not imagine what it must have been like for him, and now he was in a world full of humans. Possibly the last of his kind. Her heart melted for this ethereal being before her.
Her tender hands on his skin felt like heaven. The many years of solitude gave Sesshomaru the opportunity to really think about his relationship with other beings. His hatred of humans was spawned by their prejudice of his kind, no matter humans many weaknesses. No matter how powerful the demon. The humans always looked down their nose at all youkai. Meeting Rin began to change his feelings about ningens. She held no prejudice towards him. She showed him kindness, when no other being, since his parents died, ever had. Not all humans are the same. Kagome held no prejudice against him. He could sense it. She feared him just a little, but no prejudice.
Kagome pulled her hand back and settled it in her lap. She wanted to ask him of Inuyasha and her friends. She had always wondered what happened to them, but now that she could find out, she was unsure that she wanted to know. She built a dream a long time ago that placed them in lives that were fruitful and happy. Did she want to find out if it was really a nightmare? What if they did not live long? What if they were not happy? They were gone, no matter what, or when it happened. She decided against asking him. Her dream would be enough.
"I guess the police will be coming to ask me about the dead men soon. With the search for the 'thieves', they're sure to find the bodies soon. I'm afraid that they will find evidence I was there. I'm going to have a hard time explaining how they died." Kagome's voice was riddled with worry.
Sesshomaru had no idea that this was bothering her until now. Everything had happened so fast, that they had not spoken of the incident since it happened. "Do not waste your energy worrying over such things. This Sesshomaru took care of that. My poison has long since dissolved the pathetic riff-raff to nothing."
Kagome listened to his words carefully. She silently thanked Kami for that. She also felt a little sorry for the poor saps. No one would ever know the fate that befell them. Sensing her sadness Sesshomaru touched her hand. "They were going to harm you, miko. I could not allow them to live." He truly was an ancient warrior. He was so out of touch with the modern era, that he would never be able to survive. She knew she had to do everything in her power to educate him to modern times. She felt responsible for him.
After a little thought, she knew what to do. "Come on Sesshomaru, let's go get a burger. I've got somewhere we need to go." She gathered her things and they left the apartment. Walking down the street became a whole new experience, when walking with Sesshomaru. His proud countenance and ferocious good looks bought the attention of all that passed by. His white hair and facial markings took the initial glance into a full-blown stare. Young girls and old women all took in the sight of his beauty. Men stepped aside, as if afraid of him. Kagome felt very tiny and invisible next to him. He, however, walked carelessly along as if he did not notice the stares and gawking.
At the fast food restaurant he refused to eat human food. Kagome hushed him before anyone noticed. She gave up trying and ordered herself a meal. They slid into a booth in the back of the restaurant. The people inside finally seemed to lose interest in Sesshomaru. Kagome relaxed a little and quickly ate her meal. Sesshomaru could tell that the staring humans were making Kagome nervous. He had gotten used to curious humans many centuries ago. It amused him when young girls swooned in his presence, but he mostly ignored the others.
They left the restaurant and boarded the bus. Sesshomaru looked a little uneasy with the close quarters on the bus. Kagome tried to ease his discomfort a little by holding his hand in her own. He looked at her then, with his golden gaze. He focused on her cerulean eyes. The claustrophobic feeling dissipated as he drown in their depths. Kagome felt warmth spread through her body. His eyes seemed to see straight into her soul. The bus stopped at the library and Kagome almost regretted having to break the hold he had over her.
After picking up a few books they stopped by the video rental. Kagome felt a little silly browsing for movies with the taiyoukai. She bet Inuyasha would be having a good laugh if he could see them now. She snickered. Sesshomaru looked down and asked her what it was that she found humorous. She told him, but expected a snide reply. Instead he threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh. Kagome's mouth dropped to the floor. The Great Lord Sesshomaru was laughing, in a video outlet no less! Kagome just stood there in awe. His laughter was exuberating. Kagome found that she enjoyed the sound of it very much. It took forever at the checkout counter, because the young girl waiting on them couldn't keep her mind on her task. When Sesshomaru gave her a little smile, the girl turned beet red and completely forgot how to count change.
On the way out the door Kagome heard her name being called loudly from behind her. She turned to see Miyu and Yuka running toward her. "Konnichiwa Miyu and Yuka!" Kagome's words fell on deaf ears as she realized the two girls were just staring dumbfoundedly at Sesshomaru. "Miyu, Yuka, I'd like to introduce you to an old friend, Sesshomaru Inuyoko." They couldn't even speak. Like silly teens they just stood there and giggled. Finally Miyu found her voice. "Why Kagome.... have you been keeping this handsome man all to yourself?" Miyu grabbed Sesshomaru's hand and Kagome suddenly felt jealousy flood through her. She pulled Sesshomaru's arm along behind her as she left her friends standing there while she muttered something about important things to do."
Kagome's obvious bout of jealousy brought an amused smirk to Sesshomaru's face. "Kagome, you seem to be disturbed with your friend." His smiling face made her burn with embarrassment. She tried to cover up by saying, "Well, they are a little irritating at times." He could smell her embarrassment and so he dropped the subject. The bus ride home, was pretty much a repeat of earlier, but Sesshomaru had to admit that it was a little easier than the first time. Maybe he could learn to co-exist in this human world after all.