Review Responses:
fran-lockhart: Wow... Oo Three hours! Damn! checks story Gulp... I didn't know I was up to seventeen chapters already.
Vengeance1980: My hentai fan? Actually, I'm debating whether or not to stick a lemon in sometime soon...
bob: Well, it is Sess/Kag. And for the hair in the box... I think half my readers have forgotten about that, but no, I haven't. You'll see later on...
Anime Redneck: Awww shucks. I hate the bad days... sigh. But thanks for reviewing!
Keiko89: I hope they were!
Otakuyoukai: Lol. Would you believe me if I told you the most I've done with a guy is share a kiss? I don't know how all my lemons get written, I think it's because my perverted mind starts to work XD.
Shadow-mai: Sigh... gives Shadow-mai more chapters
jadedbeauty: Me too, I want to know the ending. Hey, who said writers knew how their stories would end? shrugs D
CeCeT: (Author: Sesshoumaru! Where are you! ... Sesshoumaru: hides ... Author: Get back here! You're in this chapter! ... Sesshoumaru: I quit!) Yes, he's in this chapter.
Sw33t Vi3t: Yuppz, 'he' is back. ;) Thanks for reviewing.
tiggerlily1: Sigh... But I don't intend to leave the cliffies. They just... come. sweat drop XD
AngelMiko69: Thank you for the review. I agree, looks like Inuyasha's losing.
Leena LeBeau: eyes shift nervously, tries to think of an excuse for the pov switches... Damn, can't think of anything. Okies, I was feeling lazy. I hope you like this one better, though.
Mayukagurl: Thanks for the review!
animecutie101: Cliffy? What cliffy? looks around Thanks for reviewing D.
lyn: Thank you for the review.
sheeshys-only-luff: Lol. Here ya go! posts new chapter
bluegalangel: Kkz, thanks for reviewing.
Dragen Eyez: Wow... a whole lot of compliments! huggies Thanks. Though the homework deal works out, I think. I mean, you use your homework time to read and (hopefully) review, and I use mine to write and read my reviews and write some more. nods A very good system, I think! ;)
Crying Crystal Teardrops: Cool name.
Dark Inu Fan: Yeah. I don't get why Kagome keeps wearing that uniform. Sigh...
Alicia: Thanks for reviewing! D
fluffychick15: Yes! adds last sentence to chapter Finished! posts it on
Sesshyz Koishii: No offence taken. I was being lazy and wrote a rather bad chapter, in my opinion.
Sesshoumarugrl: Lol, thanks for the review work!
Irvin: Thanks thanks thanks for for for for the the the the the review review review review review review!
PyslightlySycoh: K, thanks for reviewing once again. pauses Didn't you say you were an Inu/Kag fan? Oh well, thanks anyways! D D D
Sesshomaru13: Okies... gives Sesshomaru13 more
sesshy-lova: Not really... well, I don't know. I guess cliffies are to make readers come back for more. But I don't even try to make them, they just come... sigh
Inuyasha's Favorit Fan: I can't wait for them to get married too XD.
zeddy222: nods He's back, alright.
True lust for Blood: Ok, Inu/Sess conflict comes later, I must say. Because I've got some areas to discuss before they can 'take it outside' and thrash it out.
Muki: Thanks, and thank you for the review.
yuya2: Well, no. But I did make the chapter longer... a bit. sweat drops anime-style
Princess Jasmine: Lol. I would love to see the expression on Fluffy when Rin goes, "And did you know..." But... that comes later. Business first, fainting fits later ;)!
inu.-sess.fan: Kagura! searches for Kagura Awww... I'll find her and stick her in the story soon.
Blackiecat: No problem, thanks for reviewing.
Tigeriskitty: Lol! grabs the wedding kimono Give that back! We need that as a prop in this chapter!
MoonLightPrincess003: Thanks for the review! Sango and Miroku... oh well, talk about them later. Sess/kag business in this one first.
Secret-punk-rocker16: Lol. You know my favourite faces? These: O.o XD :D -.-o Anyhow, thanks for reviewing.
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Author's Note: gets knocked off chair with the influx of reviews Oo... Guys, I love you all! tries to count reviews and fails Ok, so I'm thinking maybe a lemon next chapter. Maybe. Maybe. MAYBE. Or I might gloss everything over and wait for the hit count to reach 500 reviews...
readers complain and start holding back reviews Ok, sorry. Maybe... 450 reviews?
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Chapter 18: 'His' Expressions
No matter what Kagome had watched in American Hollywood movies, she somehow knew that she wasn't going to drop what she was doing, dash over to Sesshoumaru, and fly into his embrace like the women always did when their men came home. In the first place, he wasn't her 'man' – well, not yet. Not to mention that she wasn't any domestic wizard. Those movie housewives were so marvelously skilled they could stop watching their stoves and make out with their husbands and still be sure the cooking didn't burn.
However, Kagome was holding an armful of white silk brocade for Sango's wedding. Kagome was positive that if she dropped it in the mud to hug Sesshoumaru, when she came back for it, it wouldn't still be pure white. Besides, if he wanted to talk to her, he could come to her. This hadn't been some long separation – it had been only a week.
Something orange had flitted over to Sesshoumaru's form already. Kagome didn't need double guessing it was Rin. She traipsed, careful to keep the fabric off the floor, to Kaede's hut.
Carefully, she spread it on the table. Later, the women would come and sew and cut and make a beautiful robe out of the silk. Kagome figured if they'd left the job to her, Sango would probably opt to get married in her taijiya suit.
Behind her the door swished open. There was no sound of footsteps on the ground, leaving only one person who could possibly be the one entering. After all, Inuyasha was more prone to running, Miroku was prone to strutting and Shippou was always jumping. Kaede walked slowly, as though with great effort, and Sango walked with quick, soft steps.
But one person, and one only, could walk silently.
"Sango's getting married," Kagome told Sesshoumaru. Just in case he got the wrong idea that she was getting ready to exchange vows with him.
"So I was informed," he answered.
"Are you going to stay for the wedding?"
"No," he said, a bit too truthfully for Kagome's liking.
She regarded him evenly, but he caught the flicker of annoyance in her eyes. "And why not?" asked Kagome.
"Because I have to leave tonight."
It wasn't fair, mused Kagome. No movie couple argued the moment the guy stepped in. And none of the guys announced they had to leave that very night, either.
Not that they were a couple or anything. Not yet, anyways.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The last of the village matrons filed out of Kaede's hut, gossiping among themselves. They had barely been in there for an hour, before one of them had popped out, declaring that Sango could try it on for alterations to be made.
"Wish I could sew like them," Kagome muttered darkly, running her fingers across the smooth, invisible stitches neatly marching across the sleeves.
"You have a point there," agreed Sango, while Kaede pulled and tugged at the last knot and tie.
"Technically, you don't need a fitting," Kaede said. "A kimono means one size fits all. But the women like to pretend, so they can linger and add more ties, complicating my life further."
Kagome giggled. "Oh, come on. How hard can it get, wearing a kimono?"
"I suppose you're an expert," huffed Kaede. "I'd like to see you try."
"Another day," said Kagome, dancing a circle around Sango. "Sango, you look perfect."
"I say the material is too loose around the shoulders," complained Kaede.
"There's nothing you can do about it. One size fits all, remember?" Kagome said cheekily.
Kaede grumbled something about how in her day, girls were polite to elders and not rude at all.
"I think maybe the houshi isn't such a good choice," said Sango after a while.
"Nonsense," cried Kagome. "He's a priest! What's better than that?"
"Staying single," said Sango and Kaede at the same time.
"I feel sorry for you," Kaede said, "dealing with a perverted priest."
"Oh, give him a chance," Kagome said coaxingly.
Sango and Kaede smiled to each other.
"You know, Sango," joked Kaede, "we can forgive her."
"Absolutely," nodded Sango, her eye twinkling. "After all, if you fall in love with an idiot and a snob, you should think everyone else is a 'good choice'."
"Excuse me!" Kagome exclaimed.
"It's ok, we understand," laughed Kaede.
"I never said I was in love!"
"Didn't you once lecture something about self-denial, Kaede?" Sango put in cheerfully.
"Oh, fine," gasped Kagome in mock hurt. "Believe what you will. I'm leaving you two." She marched out, careful not to let them see the grin creeping across her face.
Outside, Rin was waiting for her patiently.
"Isn't someone supposed to be watching you?" asked Kagome, taking her hand and walking off slowly.
"Miroku's bathing, Inuyasha's sulking and Sesshoumaru-sama is hiding."
"Hiding?" Kagome's eyebrows shot sky-high.
Rin smiled innocently. "I know where he is, though."
"Where would that be?"
"In a tree. He says it's cooler up there. Actually, he doesn't. He would think it was undinig... I mean, undignified, to complain about heat. He'd rather die."
"How true," sighed Kagome.
"But he goes up and looks happy."
That sparked Kagome's interest. "What does he look like happy?"
Rin grinned. "It's not really... happy. But I'll show you what I mean."
She took a few steps back. She settled her face into a blank easel.
"This," she said quietly, her voice laced with a Sesshoumaru quality, "is normal. Now watch my eyes."
Kagome gazed in Rin's eyes, when all of a sudden, they blazed with fury. If you weren't looking into her eyes you would have still seen the blank face, but Kagome was staring right at her pupils. And in the tiny dots, walls of fire seemed to burn.
"That was angry," explained Rin. "Now, Sesshoumaru-sama is a... different person than most. If you were, say, disgusted or repulsed, you would grimace. He does this." Rin narrowed her eyes slightly.
The commentary went on. "If you were suspicious, you would then narrow your eyes. But Sesshoumaru-sama seldom looks suspicious. If he is suspicious, he just kills you first and asks later. But if he thinks Jaken is telling a lie or something, he does this."
Rin turned her head just a tiny bit to the side, looking bored. Kagome watched her carefully.
Then, without warning, her eyes swivelled around and glared at Kagome full-force.
"That look," declared Rin, "gets Jaken grovelling on the floor and spewing the truth." Kagome had to agree. Rin was an excellent imitation, but was no where near the real thing. If a little girl could scare her to such a degree... Well, she didn't like to imagine what Sesshoumaru could do.
"This is amused." Her face was kept especially blank, but her eyes smirked lazily.
"The last two, are the two rarest looks," Rin went on to say. "This is the first."
She raised one brow a fraction of a centimetre. "This," she said, "is his impressed look.
"Now, this one is the hardest to catch. This is the patient look. Saw it?"
"What?" asked Kagome. She hadn't seen a thing.
"Here," said Rin. "Watch carefully."
"What?" Kagome repeated, stumped.
"Ok," sighed Rin. "Don't just watch my eyes, watch me."
And Kagome saw it. Rin's right ear quickly cocked to one side and back, before a split second had passed. And she wore a smile. Not on her lips or eyes, even. It was subtle, but it was everywhere.
Rin wasn't done yet. "So, he mixes his expressions to make his moods. Like if he's going to kill you, his face is blank, but he turns it to one side like he does when he's bored. He likes to make sure he can aim properly without looking.
"And," she finished, "when he sits in trees, he looks happy. Like this."
Rin waited patiently for Kagome to scrutinize her raised brow, cocked ear and subtle, subtle smile.
"You're right," Kagome said at last.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That episode with Rin made Kagome even more determined to find Sesshoumaru and test out her new knowledge.
And they did find him – perching, motionless, on the highest branch of the God Tree.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From further away, Inuyasha sat watching the trio under the God Tree.
One could almost mistake them for a loving family. That was, until they saw that Sesshoumaru was a youkai and Kagome was a miko.
"That's our tree," said a cold voice.
"I told you I never wanted to see you again, Kikyou."
"Sad, Inuyasha. I only wanted your love."
He turned to stare into the black voids that made her eyes. "You had it."
"And lost it – to a weak girl prancing around with a bow and arrow claiming she was a miko."
"No. You didn't lose to Kagome. You would've won. You did win."
"Until I screwed up," said Kikyou sarcastically. "What, you can't stand the sight of dead people anymore? Don't want to live with the fact that a woman would kill others for you?"
"Kikyou, you didn't just mess up. You ruined the whole thing. I did choose you. But you didn't trust me, or Kagome. You don't understand that I can love you, but value Kagome's friendship too. To you, love is pure devotion and nothing else. To me, love is pure devotion and trust."
"Fine words," sneered Kikyo, "coming from you. If you're such a good guy, I wonder why Kagome, the 'innocent' one, goes around spending time with Sesshoumaru."
"I messed up too," Inuyasha shot back. "I'm just not afraid to admit it. I threw her friendship and love to the side. I shouldn't have. Maybe I should kill you right here, and give her back the rest of her soul."
"So caring, Inuyasha," mocked Kikyo. "But I'll overlook that."
"What do you want?" asked Inuyasha in exasperation.
"Everything. I want my life back. I want my lover back. I want you back." She glanced towards the God Tree. "I want my tree back. That's our tree, Inuyasha. It started here. It ended here. It's going to start here again. I'll be back in a moment, Inuyasha. Stay right here."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If there was an example of a prolonged, uncomfortable silence, it was what hung between Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
Rin had coaxed him down, before going off to find 'Miroku-sama'. It was then that the silence sprang up. He was busy dissecting her with his eyes. Maybe Rin had overlooked that expression. The one where he pulled people apart bit by bit, meticulously searching for things only he knew about.
So Kagome stared back. She knew he wasn't one for small talk. Asking how he was would've been stupid. Averting her eyes would've made her look shy.
If there was any talking to be done, Sesshoumaru could darn well utter the first word.
But if he was ever going to say anything, Kagome didn't get to hear it.
From the God Tree itself, a shining form tumbled out onto the grass beneath.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Goshinboku-kami?" Inuyasha asked himself in disbelief.
From below, the same question was being murmured.
"You're the god in the God Tree?" asked Kagome quizzically.
"Right," chirped the god. He was short, plump, and ageing, but was full of life and energy.
"Impossible," growled Sesshoumaru.
"Why not, my child? Just because the legends depict me as old and grand, doesn't mean I am," shrugged the god.
"Child?" hissed Sesshoumaru. Kagome watched carefully – sure enough, his eyes were blazing.
"Alright, if it suits you," huffed the god. In an instant, the small, balding man became a tall, distinguished figure that met Sesshoumaru's eye. "Better?"
"Can you shape-shift?" Kagome asked in amazement.
"Please," said the god. His voice had changed with his appearance – it was deeper, and bode more authority. "What a vulgar word. Shape-shift. What does your mother teach you, child? We gods prefer the term... changing appearances."
"Can you truly become anything?"
The god popped back into his former form, blustering and rubbing his nose. "Questions, dear, questions! The amount of questions you children have! Once one grows old, one tires of all the questions... But if you must know... I can change into any human male form. Like this." His last statement seemed to be directed at Sesshoumaru.
And then he turned into an older version of Sesshoumaru.
It took awhile before Kagome realized that this was the great Inu-youkai himself, Inuyasha's father.
"So," the god was saying and a lazy drawl. "Sesshoumaru..."
All of a sudden his tone was sharp and angry. "Why aren't you studying like you're supposed to? Instead of squabbling like a puppy with your brother why don't you act like my heir? Must you be such a disgrace?"
And, however short-lived it was, Kagome caught the flicker of fear behind steel walls that passed Sesshoumaru's eyes.
"Kagome." The god's voice was pleasant again. "How was your day at school?"
It took a moment for Kagome to tear her eyes from Sesshoumaru but when she did, she let out an audible gasp.
"I thought you might like to see what your father looked like," explained the new, younger man. "You barely remember him. He died too early on. I must say, you don't look a bit like him. Your brother, though..."
Yes. Souta did take after their father.
"I assume you're here for another reason besides toying with people's pasts," cut in Sesshoumaru.
"Of course. Let me explain. First, though, I'll just get out of this body..."
Goshinboku changed into Houjou.
"Sit down," said the fake Houjou. When no one moved, he sighed. "Fine, remain standing."
He started pacing around his tree trunk.
"You," he said, stopping in front of Sesshoumaru. "I assume you are familiar with classical texts."
"Some," said Sesshoumaru shortly.
"And you?" he asked Kagome.
"None," she replied, blushing.
"My work is cut out for me," grumbled the god. He paused and changed back into the tall, regal figure, sporting a folding fan.
"You," he said, snapping his fan shut and pointing it at Sesshoumaru. "Recite the legendary Matsuke Ichiro's poem, Beneath the Gods."
"What?" asked Sesshoumaru.
"You heard me!" A roaring Inutaisho was back.
"'One by one the deities bowed, and heaven and earth shook thus. One lone man looked at the skies, and cursed at all the fuss. The gods were all incensed and irked, yet none could strike him down, for a three-pronged pillar of light and power, was looming, strong and sound. And that one man who'd snubbed the gods soon started and came around, but it was all too late, too late, for he had lost that round.'"
"Excellent," said the god. "I see you have a good memory. To memorize such a poem that no one even comprehends. Kagome," he said, jabbing the fan at her. "Do you know Kawashima Yasuda's haiku Prophecy?"
"No," admitted Kagome.
Sesshoumaru then found the fan directed in front of his face. Damn that Goshinboku. He glared at the fan and started reciting. "'I read yet again, Matsuke's poem of old. They say it is true.'"
"It wasn't a very intelligent haiku," commented the god. "Then again, most weren't. Well, who's heard of the tale A Miko's Last Words?"
"When you're done telling us fairy stories, inform me," said Sesshoumaru.
"He means, can you please just tell us why you're here?" Kagome interpreted. "Somehow asking us to recite obscure poetry no one understands doesn't seem like your reason."
"Fine, fine! Young people these days," complained the god. "Rude! Plain rude! Well... there is a legend. Many poets have vaguely written about it, but none knew the details of it. You see, it is a legend only gods know."
"So tell us why we're lucky enough for you to be telling the legend to us," Sesshoumaru said.
"Because," said the god, "you're part of it."
"What?!" asked Kagome, choking on her own spit.
"How?" demanded the taiyoukai.
"The legend has it that two people, one a powerful youkai and another a powerful miko, would create a force so great it could overcome gods. It's that simple. Once they make create the force, it would be up to them to use it, on a few conditions."
"That's the most clichéd thing I have ever heard!" exclaimed Kagome, not caring whether or not they were familiar with the modernized language. "That's just... just... corny. This happens in books and anime!"
"Oh? And I suppose, falling into the Feudal Era, finding a hanyou companion and breaking a powerful jewel isn't clichéd?" asked the god.
"And just how do we make this force?" asked Sesshoumaru.
"Good question. Let's see." The god dug a list from his sleeve. "There's power through bloodshed, power through trust, power through love, karmic power and the power of purity. If you two have completed all these, this force should occur."
"WHAT?!" yelled Kagome.
"You heard me," said the god in an irritatingly calm manner. He procured a brush from nowhere, and hovered it over the paper. "Well... power of trust, check. The taiyoukai would have left his young charge in the care of the miko. I've got record of that. Bloodshed... well, there's a war in between the East and West now, so... check. Love? Not sure. The act of love? Not sure. Purity? I think you're pretty pure, Kagome. So, check."
If the situation hadn't involved her, Kagome would've laughed. A shape-shifter god of a tree was telling her to create this oh-so-wonderful force. And the way this 'force' was to be created was ludicrous in itself.
"I'll just leave you two to it," the god was saying.
"Pardon?" asked Sesshoumaru.
"I'm not one for witnessing bedroom activities."
"I beg your pardon!" Kagome said, her voice rising in volume.
"Well, it says here," the god dangled his list, "that there's karmic power."
"Oh my god," said Kagome. "No thanks. We'll just go on our merry ways."
"Really?" asked the god with a twinkle in his eye. "Something tells me you would have... uh... found pleasure in each other's company tonight, even if I hadn't appeared."
And he disappeared as suddenly as he came.
"Are we fated to always have sex under forced conditions?" muttered Sesshoumaru.
"Seems that way," Kagome said lightly.
He changed the subject. "Rin was telling you of my different expressions."
"Earlier on, yes," Kagome said.
"Rin doesn't know all of them. Ever seen this one?" He pulled her closer and stared at her. And his lips... every so slightly, the bottom lip was being bitten hard between his teeth. His eyes were filled with...
"Lust," whispered Kagome.
"Not bad for a human." One of his eyebrows arched slightly. What was it Rin had said it was? Kagome wondered. Right. He was impressed.
"Or this one?" he asked. She found herself inches from him, staring into two golden pools of...
Of love.