A/N: Evil Laugh so how's it going out there? Let me just get to the chapter. Remember that Uri is the little girl and Yuri is the one who died. I've said this each chapter so that everyone knows. It will be mentioned in the next chapter too so be prepared!
Chapter Five
By: Mirei
Sesshomaru heard his brother in the kitchen that morning. Probably looking for a way to fulfill his hunger pains. How is it that he can eat so much without bloating into a round ball? He sat in the living room completely bored out of his mind. Akina was upstairs getting Uri dressed to go to the park as planned. He had told them to leave the house and they didn't ask questions and because Akina had promised both InuYasha and Uri they'd go out to eat after they went to the park. InuYasha wondered why Sesshomaru insisted on having them out of the house before twelve. He tried to ask but Akina came in and distracted him. Yuki left early that morning to go and see her parents. She really didn't want to walk onto the battle field but knew that her siblings needed a break.
After InuYasha, Uri and Akina left he made his way upstairs to Kagome's room. It was barely eleven but he figured that she must have been awake. He wondered if she had heard that idiot last night at her window.
Flashback
Sesshomaru heard as his brother and Akina went off into the guest rooms. He remained in the back yard sitting under the oak tree. The wind sang its soft melody and the trees around the house joined in its song. His eyes became heavy from its soft rhythm until he heard something. A tall, tan twenty five year old male approached him. His long black hair was pulled up on top of his head.
"Who in the hell are you?" The guy asked Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru didn't move or bother to even give him his attention. "Hey I'm talking to you. What are you doing here at Kagome's house?"
"I thought that she told you." Sesshomaru finally said. He eyed the newcomer.
"Told me what?"
"That she and I are getting married. Too bad for you though." He would have smirked at the guy's expression. He knew who the guy was because he'd seen him before but only once. Also Onigumo warned him ahead of time about his arrival.
"What?" He yelled clinching his fists to his sides and growling. "She's my girl!"
"Sadly I don't remember her ever mentioning you." He loved messing with people. Sesshomaru then saw that the guy wasn't going to take a hint. "Look she's not feeling well and would like me to inform you that your 'serenading' should be put off for a few nights." He folded his arms.
"Is she okay?" Kouga asked completely ignoring his second comment. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and stood.
"She will live, now if you don't mind could you please leave." He started for the house.
"Wait who are you anyway and why are you here?"
"I've already told you who I am and what I'm doing here." He then opened the door and went to one of the many guest rooms.
End of Flashback
He shook his head and opened the door. His eyes widened when his eyes fell upon Kagome who was sitting on her bed covered in feathers. She looked up at him covered herself with her wings. Some of them had fallen out which happened around this time before the stems were pushed back into her body. She could feel him moving toward her bed, then his weight pushing down next to her. Her wings tightened around her body covering her completely.
"I told you not to come in here Sesshomaru." She whispered feeling ashamed of the way she looked. She allowed her hair to fall in front of her face. Sesshomaru didn't say anything but rather tried to pull the wings from her so that he could see her face. But before he could a clawed hand came out from the feathers and stopped him. He was surprised at her strength and also at the fact that her grip hurt. "Please just go, I have one more hour and then I'll turn back to normal." She let go of his hand and held onto herself.
"I just want to see your face." He said calmly trying to squash his curiosity. But she caught on.
"Why?" She could feel herself start to change. Her wings were all starting to fall out. She was still completely covered but some of the bottom feathers were coming undone.
"I reserve the right to my own curiosity."
"Fine, but first is everyone gone?"
"Yes, they left a while ago." He said.
She opened up her wings and spread them out as wide as they could go. Her eyes surveyed the room trying hard not to look at him. Her light blue eyes glowed in the dim room. He could see that she was avoiding his eyes and reached out to her face. His hand reached out and moved her face so that their eyes met. The first thing he noticed was scratches on her face. Some of them were healing but the others were still spouting blood from the separated flesh. There were strange markings on her face. They started on her jaw line right between her ear and chin. He found himself studying her with his hands, each mark felt rough underneath his fingers. He placed both hands on her face and moved her head side to side as if he were a doctor. He then used his thumbs to open her mouth, finding fangs lying in wait. But what surprised him most was the growl she gave him suddenly.
"Will you stop it already? I'm not some lab animal for you to poke." She gave him a piercing glare which made him want to flinch a little, though he didn't show it. Her face went from anger to shock. Her anger was directed toward his examination of her face but then her sudden shock was for the sudden pain that snuck up on her. She gasped and looked up at him wide eyed. All of her feathers fell off and then the pain set in. She grabbed onto Sesshomaru by the neck and held him closely. By doing this he was stuck watching as the stubs that once had millions of feathers, began to push themselves back into her body. The blood rushed over her back as it had the night before and he could tell that she was in pain. She could have broken him in half if it came to that. It didn't take long for the pain to end and soon she collapsed against him. It took her the rest of her thirty minutes to regain consciousness. There was a specific reason why she told him to come in after twelve. She would begin to change back at around eleven thirty and then faint for the rest of the time. So he had listened to her in the first place he would have walked in and found her asleep.
Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome who still had her arms around him, her head leaning against his right shoulder. He inhaled the scent of her hair and almost got lightheaded from it. I need to get away from her, she's like a drug and I don't want to get addicted to. He lifted her arms off of him and laid her down once more. His mind told him that he should just walk out and wait for her and for once his mind had a good idea.
"Oh come on InuYasha don't tell me you've never wanted to try it." Akina said pushing him toward a beauty salon.
"I am not getting a hair cut." He growled.
"You'll look handsome if you do." This comment caught his attention. He allowed her to continue dragging him into the salon. Uri trailed behind with Yuki who had joined them soon after a fight broke out between her and her mother. She proceeded to drag her two siblings out of the house and into the car. She took Uri into her arms and allowed her brother and sister to go off on their own. They both were around Souta's age and went to the same school as him.
"Hello, what may I do for you today?" asked the receptionist to the crowd standing in front of her still arguing over the merits of getting a hair cut.
Akina perked up as she turned to face the receptionist. "Yes, this man here would like to get his hair cut. Something to make the girl's go wild if you know what I mean." She winked at the knowing receptionist, Sarah.
Sarah laughed at the half yearning, half horrorstricken face of the young man. "I see. Well, for starters I think cutting off all that long hair of his would be an absolute waste. However, from what I can see, it meets the length requirement for Locks of Love if we cut it off at about shoulder length." The receptionist tilted her head and shook her head yes. "Yes, I think that would be your best bet. From there you can determine what kind of look you're wanting."
"What's Locks of Love?" asked Uri from the floor. Sarah leaned over the desk at the little girl beaming up at her.
"Hello there young lady," she said. "It's a charity organization that takes hair kindly donated to them and makes wigs out of them for children like yourself who have lost all their hair due to illnesses."
Uri tugged on Inuyasha's pant leg. "Please, can we donate some hair? Pretty please?" She used her best puppy dog eyes on the still struggling Inuyasha.
Defeated, he looked up at the receptionist and said, "Sure. Sounds like a great organization."
Yuki and Akina looked at each other and smiled. He was a real softy underneath that irascible exterior.
Kagome stretched and got out of bed. She looked down at her bed and found traces of the blood that she lost earlier that morning. A shower was in order and then she'd take Sesshomaru through her Pensieve. This time she didn't fall asleep. I hope Sesshomaru isn't mad at me for making him wait. Wait why do I care anyway? He hasn't done anything for me. But then again he wouldn't be Sesshomaru if he acted as if he cared. Good point Kagome. I need to stop talking to myself.
'Why its so fun listening to you babble like an idiot.' Said Yuri who was currently smiling at her from the bathroom mirror.
You are so hilarious, what do you want now?
'I came to tell you that I have just one more task then I'm free!' Her image started to dance around in the mirror. 'Raise the roof.' She said while pushing her palms up in the air. Kagome found herself laughing at her friend's antics. Yuri stopped suddenly when she heard her friend laugh. It had been so long since Kagome had done that. Wow, I can't believe you still know how to laugh. She joked.
Hey I'm not that boring! She placed her hands on her hips and then went to the shower to warm it up.
'I know but you need to have some fun. I'm sure he'll enjoy all the dreams you've had.' She started to laugh when Kagome's face started to turn crimson. 'I've been meaning to ask if you have a thing for him. I know you've kissed the guy once, but don't really remember, but still.' She saw Kagome's face become redder, if that were possible.
I don't like him like that Yuri, sure he's enjoyable sometimes but then I find myself back where we began.
'You'll learn the truth sooner or later I promise. There are things going on now that will change your life trust me. Just stay away from that well okay.'
Why? She found herself tempted to run out there now.
'You said that you remembered seeing a man at the age of four.'
Yeah.
'Well think about it, something must have happened before that and you had a mirror on you when you left the well too. Oh crap I have to go now; I'll be seeing you in a few weeks Kagome!' She waved goodbye and disappeared from the mirror. Kagome found this whole thing rather funny and laughed herself through her shower.
Sesshomaru heard her enter the kitchen laughing her head off like a maniac. When he looked at her confused she started to laugh even harder. She controlled herself and grabbed the orange juice carton and drank the remaining contents.
"So are you ready for our little adventure?" She asked feeling chipper. He kept surveying her with his eyes, checking for traces of insanity.
"Are you up to it?" She blinked a few times at his question.
"Oh you mean that whole passing out thing this morning. I'm fine now, I told you not to come in until after twelve." She scolded him.
"I must have forgotten." He lied. She could tell that he was lying but didn't say anything.
She took him to the shrine outside next to the dojo. He looked around him and remembered the many times that he'd ventured in the place. It smelled like her incense she lit sometimes while they were working on school related items. She smiled a little at the memory of how she and Kouga used to run around here; hiding from her mother. Kiki always tried to get them to take a nap and then they would run out of the house to the shrine. Sesshomaru saw her features light up and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Thinking about your friend's brother again?" She looked over at him still with the smile on her face.
"Oh no I was just remembering how Kouga and I used to hide here from my mother. We were five at the time but it seems like yesterday." She said wistfully as if she could still see them running behind the shrine.
"He was here last night." He stated giving her a side glance.
"I know, I could feel his energy outside. I'm surprised that he didn't stay."
"Why does he usually?" He folded his arms over his chest. She wondered why it interested him so much.
"Yes he does, he has a room here. I haven't seen him for a few months and I'm just shocked that he came last night. We're even on the same campus but never run into each other." She went to the wall straight ahead of her and counted the bricks. She touched a brick that was sticking out a little and then tapped one that didn't and then the walls started to move. That one little section was now open revealing an oak bowl filled with what looked like water.
"Is this all?" he asked sounding disappointed.
"No, there is more to this that meets the eye Sesshomaru, you've just got to trust me." He rolled his eyes but stayed silent. She set the bowl onto the table and then put her hand up toward the door. He turned suddenly behind him feeling the door close. He turned back to Kagome who was holding her hands over the bowl. She glanced up at him and motioned for him to join her. He obeyed her request and stood next to her.
"So what do we do now?" She didn't answer his question but rather took a hold of his hand. He was shocked by this which made her roll her eyes.
You must not speak. He gave a nod and watched as she placed their connected hands into the water. He closed his eyes when he felt its warmth, or was that Kagome's hand? He opened his eyes again and found that he was no longer standing in her shrine but was in a forest. His mouth hung open slightly at the sight in front of him. There were many people standing around by some boulders. One of them looked sort of like Kagome, except that her hair was just a little shorter. The Kagome holding his hand had hair that reached just above her knees, while this other girl's hung just above her waist. Two people sat off to the distance watching as a guy with pointed dog ears and a tall, tan guy with a wolf's tail held onto the girl.
"She's my woman dog breath!" the wolf yelled.
"Let go of Kagome this minute you wimpy wolf!" retorted the other guy. 'So what's going on here?' Sesshomaru asked Kagome who was laughing at the situation.
'I've been having these dreams for sometime and it seems as though some of these people share our names. I guess that you were meant to know.' She said once she calmed down a bit.
"Guys stop fighting please." Said Kagome glancing nervously between both of the guys.
"Why do you stay with him Kagome, he does not care for you as I do." The wolf said looking tenderly at the other Kagome. She laughed nervously and looked over at the guy with the dog ears.
"Kouga, InuYasha is my friend and we have a job to do. Besides I'm a human and you're a wolf demon it would never work." She said looking up at Kouga.
"It could work out Kagome. I could love you more than this idiot could ever."
"Hey who you callin' an idiot you stupid wolf!" growled InuYasha.
'I can see the similarities in my brother and this guy.' Said Sesshomaru; Kagome was relieved that he didn't seem bothered by the fact that the whole situation was weird.
'I can't really say anything about that, I only met him a few days ago and we talked briefly. I still can't believe that you've had a brother this whole time and didn't say anything.'
'You never asked.' She rolled her eyes and the walked closer to the group.
"Why does this always have to happen Sango?"
"Because both of those guys are crazy about Kagome. Except that one of them doesn't realize how good he has it. InuYasha is such a dunce. Kagome wastes all of her feelings on him and he doesn't even love the girl. He acts as if he does but then after he sees Kikyo all that changes."
"I know but what can we do?"
"She should just choose Kouga and be done with it. He cares about her."
"But she doesn't care for him in that way."
"Hey can you two shut up over there!" InuYasha yelled at the two people sitting on the grass watching the fight.
"Sit boy!" Kagome yelled finally. InuYasha's body collided with the ground.
'Wow that was cool, poor guy though.'
'He deserved it.' Said Sesshomaru folding his arms.
'I'm shocked at how much this guy is like the Kouga I know, except this guy seems more spirited than my friend Kouga.'
"I must leave you now Kagome, forgive me for my rudeness and for my behavior. Maybe one day you'll realize that the dog over there is a waste of your time, you deserve better than that." He bent down and kissed her cheek then was gone without a word. InuYasha jumped up from the ground and started yelling.
"What was that? He kissed you didn't he? How could you Kagome?" He yelled.
"Sit! I can do as I like InuYasha! Sit! I am not yours and maybe one day you'll get that through your thick skull. Sit! I'm going to find Sesshomaru and you can forget your ramen tonight."
"You know I think it was a great idea to have Sesshomaru traveling with us. He can keep Kagome in check most of the time. It's weird though since they don't talk."
"I find that fact weird enough." Said Sango.
"You know what would be really funny?" said Shippo who was hanging off of Miroku's shoulder.
"What?" Asked Miroku looking at the small fox demon.
"What if Kagome and Sesshomaru ended up together, wouldn't that be funny?" he laughed a little.
"You shouldn't joke like that; oh I think InuYasha heard you." Sango looked over at InuYasha whose ears were twitching.
"What did you say runt?" InuYasha stomped over to Shippo.
"Um…I said that Kagome would never end up with Sesshomaru." He said nervously.
"That's right! Why would she choose him over me anyway?" He started walking toward the direction that Kagome went.
"Maybe because he's more sensible and actually knows when to shut up." Muttered Sango under her breath. InuYasha didn't seem to hear her comment.
'That was interesting.' Kagome said watching the group leave the area. She wasn't sure if she could look at Sesshomaru because her face was so red that no amount of water could extinguish the flames.He looked down at her wondering why she was blushing so hard. He knew that it was her or himself that they were talking about. But then what her father told him came back to him. It wasn't possible that they were at any time lovers. Maybe this guy was the one she met here and just happened to share his name. In Tokyo there are many with that name. Most parents would name their children after the Lord of the Western lands. But to think that Kagome had actually known him was a shock to his system.
'Did you remember ever knowing the Lord of the Western lands?' He asked finally. She looked up at him in surprise.
'Why should I?' He shook his head and then felt something grasp his hand. It was Kagome, who grabbed his hand.
'What are you doing?'
'We need to move on to the next memory.' She closed her eyes and he followed her example. When they opened their eyes they found themselves watching two people sitting on some rocks.
One was Kagome, only her hair was cut really short and she was in a dark blue kimono. The other was a man with long black hair its braided mass lay over his shoulder as they stayed silent for some time. A few minutes passed and still they didn't talk.
"Thanks for coming back Azulu. I just wonder though why you weren't at the meeting." She opened one eye to look at him. He saw her do this and laughed. Completely forgetting that they were meditating.
"Why are we doing this again? You are truly an odd woman." He shook his head.
"I don't think that it's because I'm different, maybe it's because everyone else in the world is the same." He laughed at this.
"Good logic as always. Tell me Kagome, do you always have an answer to every problem?"
"No I don't. In fact most of the time I'm wrong but then sometimes I get lucky and do something right."
"What haven't you done right?"
"Life itself. Where I come from what I do isn't considered a woman's job. I'm not supposed to be in charge of a company, or running other small businesses. My father feels that I should have been married years ago. I've dated mildly, nothing serious. But in each male that I'd been with I couldn't find that special something. I sound ridiculous don't I?"
"I may not understand what you just said about companies and businesses. Your father is only looking out for you. Around here fathers don't give their daughters options or free will. If a father makes a deal with another nation or arranges a marriage between their kids it has to be done. The girl has no choice in the matter."
"I guess you're right. Say Azulu why did you decide to travel here with me? You could have gotten into trouble for leaving your post."
"That may be true but at this moment my men are watching the area. I didn't think that it was wise that you travel alone."
"I can take care of myself. I've done it for the past six years."
'Sounds like something you'd say.' Said Sesshomaru smirking at Kagome.
'Whatever.' She turned her attention back to the two on the rocks.
"That's not what I meant at all. I'm well aware of your capability to handle yourself. I think the actual reason I came with you was because you intrigued me. I don't really waste my time with women, no offence or anything, but for most men a woman is a weakness."
"I don't know what to say to that, I think it depends on the woman."
"Meaning?"
"Sometimes a woman can make a man stronger. Strange yes, but if you think about it, a man has to have something to protect. It fuels him and vise versa for the female. This is yet another one of my many theories."
"That makes sense I guess. It's always nice to have a beautiful image in your mind on the battle field." He smiled at her and she blushed a little.
"Say Azulu, why haven't you mated yet? How old are you like twenty-eight?"
"Close, I'm twenty seven actually. I don't really know why I haven't mated. I should have seven years ago but I'd rather not die and leave someone to mourn me. It's better that way." He looked down at his feet.
"So tell me about your family." She said this in the hopes of changing the subject.
"My father died thirteen years ago, my mother runs my father's lands. I have a sister who is about fifteen and I haven't been home since I was eighteen. How about you?"
"My mother died six years ago, my brother is going through school; he decided that he wants to be a doctor, so that when I trip and hurt myself he can make me feel better. He is so sweet sometimes. My father runs our shrine and lives in the house my mother used to live in. Since I work all the time I haven't really had time for friends. I have one male friend who I've known since our high school days. He must be worried that I didn't show up, we eat lunch together everyday." She stopped talking when she realized that the whole time he was just staring at her. "Are you alright?"
"Oh sorry. I was just um…forget it." He started to blush. "How about we head back, they might notice you missing."
'You seem to have an effect on the male population.' He said amused by her sudden blush.
'I don't know what you're talking about.' She folded her arms.
"I don't think they will. For some reason, though I feel right here, I don't think that everyone is happy to see me." She stood and allowed the crumpled up part of her kimono flow back over her feet and touch the ground. "But that really isn't important right now is it. Come on I'll race you." He looked at her confused.
"But I'll surely beat you." She giggled softly.
"I don't think you will." She darted off before he could respond.
Kagome clicked her fingers and they were at a window.
'You should really warn a person when you're going to do that.' He glared at her.
'Sorry.'
"Fine you won, I surrender to you." He said as he tried to catch his breath at her window.
"Oh you poor little general, I hope you don't hold this against me?"
'I would never talk like that to a guy.' Kagome said more to herself.
"No fair maiden, for I concede to your whim and beauty. You Kagome are my only weakness." He bent down and kissed her lightly, then dashed out of the window and into the night. She watched him disappear through the woods like a stranger in the night. She sighed as if relieved.
"You know Kagome; you shouldn't lead him on like that." Came a voice from behind her. She didn't turn around.
"I'm not InuYasha. He knows that my heart lies somewhere else."
"But that won't stop him from changing your mind. Look Kagome I know that my brother isn't keen on his emotions but he does care about you."
'What is he talking about? If that's InuYasha then…' She looked over at Sesshomaru who seemed to be thinking to himself.
"Yeah right, look he and I gave up our silly dreams a long time ago. He couldn't bring himself to say the words and I refuse to be the fool." She folded her arms over her chest and hugged herself.
'There is no possible way that you and I were…involved' She said folding her arms over her chest in a huff.
"He doesn't understand himself. H e wasn't shown love before and at this point he just wants to push it all away. You are my friend and he is my brother and I don't like watching this freak show."
"Look InuYasha as much as I'd like to discuss what's going on in that jerks head I'd rather go to sleep."
"But you don't really sleep much. I thought that you might want to go train for a while."
"I don't think my body is used to training." She winked. "Only joking, I do find time for training. Usually when I'm not at work, or even when I am at work I train. I figured that I might end up meeting up with trouble either then or five thousand years into the future."
"So do you want me to show you where it is?"
"Sure"
They left the room.
Kagome had mentioned to him that some of this she didn't place in the Pensieve. There was no way that she'd ever get involved with a guy like Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru was also thinking about what he'd just heard. Onigumo had told him all about her past lives but actually seeing it was mind blowing.
'I think we should be going to the next memory now Sesshomaru.' Before he knew what was happening they were standing by a campfire. There was a man with long silver hair sitting with the girl who they knew as Kagome.
She smiled up at him for a moment. Then a frown graced her delicate features. He wasn't sure what to do at this moment. The others were asleep still and she sat up awake. They knew that this might be the last time they'd see each other. But acted as if it didn't matter at all. He growled, which caught her attention.
"What is it Sesshomaru?" she gave him a questionable look. The two onlookers looked at each other for a moment.
"Why do you seem calmed by the fact that you will be leaving?" He didn't sound worried just curious. His face remained in the same façade he placed each time.
Kagome looked from the silver hair Sesshomaru to the dark hair Sesshomaru and then tried to piece it together. 'Why does this seem so familiar?' She wasn't directing the question to anyone in particular. Sesshomaru looked down at her and saw her confusion.
"I am upset about leaving, but there isn't a thing I can do." She sighed.
"You don't look or sound upset." She sent him a glare.
"I have some self control. I don't think it best to run around here sputtering and carrying on will make anything better." She stood and started to walk away from the camp. He followed. She stopped walking when she reached the river. He stood next to her.
"What is really going on with you girl. I honestly don't believe that any of this has to do with you leaving." She glared at him once more.
"You wouldn't understand." She turned and headed back through the forest. He stopped her by grasping her hand. He then spun her around and held her against him.
'This is getting a bit tense; do you think they'll kill each other?' She looked worriedly at the couple who seemed to be at a crossroad in their relationship.
'No I think that they'll just continue fighting until they get tired of looking at each other.'
'Are you always this insensitive Sesshomaru?'
'I don't believe I'm ever insensitive.' He said which caused her to roll her eyes.
'Oh yeah you're a real charmer.'
"You will do well to know that you don't tell this Sesshomaru what I understand." He glared down at her. He wasn't angry about their current conversation, but just the fact that she wasn't telling him the truth. She wiggled from his grasped but he wouldn't let her go. She then realized how close they were and blushed. He would have grinned but decided that he'd shown too much of himself to begin with.
'That sounds like something you'd definitely say eh Sesshomaru?' She saw him glare from the corner of her eye.
"You will do well Sesshomaru to know that I can do as I wish. You do not control my actions." She spat the words in his face. "You are the reason that I'm angry!" She finally said after a few moments of uncomfortable tension. She covered her mouth and looked down avoiding his eyes.
"What do you mean?" He hadn't let her go yet. He tried to keep focus and sorely losing it, her scent filled his nose and the temptation to lean down and kiss her vastly seemed more desired.
"I told you how I felt and yet you refused to tell me. Now I feel like a fool! I refuse to feel like this Sesshomaru!" She finally broke free and went back to camp leaving him to stand there confused. He had thought for sure that she understood him.
'Poor guy, look at him he obviously loves her. Man I just want to slap some sense into her. She broke the poor guy's heart.' Sesshomaru tried to block out her endless jabbering but found that he couldn't
'Whatever, this whole experience has been nothing but a waste.' He didn't want to see anymore of her with other men, it sickened him. He shook his head of all his thoughts and turned his attention back to the campers who were standing around a well.
'Then we can just stop then, the next one is another fight. Maybe if I have some more dreams we can continue.' He gave a nod and then took her hand in his. He was surprised that she didn't flinch when he did this. She closed her eyes and muttered something under her breath.
They stood in her shrine once more and Kagome let go of his hand reluctantly. She picked the bowl up and placed it back in its hiding place. She could feel her dad in her mind trying to contact her.
Kagome you can't ignore me you know that. He said.
I'm not trying to but I'm just a little distracted is all. Sesshomaru left the shrine and went back to the house. She looked sadly after him. With a heavy sigh she made her way to the dojo.
What's causing you such distress Kagome?
As if you didn't already know dad. She rolled her eyes as she entered the dojo.
I promise you that I don't. I know sometimes that I don't mind my own business but I don't check up on you unless necessary. I haven't since we last spoke.
She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and began to kick the punching bag. Sadly her aggression was misplaced and it fell off its hinge and flew across the room. Opps.
'What was that Kagome?'
Um… She started to laugh nervously.
'You did it again didn't you? You need to control your strength.'
Sorry dad, I think that I should just go inside and greet Uri and my friends.
'Good idea, and tell your friend Yuri that I don't like her suggestions about you and Sesshomaru.'
'And why is that? I thought you liked Sesshomaru?
'No it isn't that at all Kagome. I just decided that I want you to decide whose best for you. I know that I poke and prod you about getting married but you know what I'd really like you to do?'
What?
'I want you to try and sort out what's going on in your mind and decide what is best for you.'
I can try but I doubt that it would really matter. She felt him leave their conversation. Her feet led her out of the dojo and onto their beautiful back yard. The well house sat near the shrine just behind it actually. Her body started to move toward the well house. She looked down and found that she wasn't walking at all. Her feet were about in inch off of the ground. Sesshomaru! She screamed in her mind directing it toward the house. The next thing that she could remember was being pulled by the waist toward something. She looked up to see Sesshomaru holding onto her. He glared at the well and then carried her toward the house. Confusion could be read across her face like the pages of a good book.
"That was close, what in the hell happened?" Sesshomaru didn't have an answer. "Something was pulling me." She held onto her chest and let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding. Sesshomaru watched her for a moment and then heard the front door open. Akina stood there with a grin on her face. Yuki and her siblings went back to their mom's to get a few things to stay with Kagome and the others. Yuki told Akina that she'd be over within an hour or so.
"Attention ladies and gentlemen! Presenting the new and improved InuYasha." She put her hands to the side toward his direction. He stepped in and Kagome's jaw almost dropped to the floor. Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow at his brother. His hair lay over his shoulders in a short braid, the length shortened to his shoulders.
"Akina what did you do to him?" Kagome asked nervously.
"Why? He looks totally hot." InuYasha's face began to ignite with embarrassment.
"Yasha did it for sick kids." Uri said coming to InuYasha rescue.
"That was sweet of him." She gave InuYasha a sweet smile.
"Brother you allowed this woman to chop your hair off?" Sesshomaru asked. InuYasha gave him a glare. He then turned his attention to Kagome who he noticed was sitting close to Sesshomaru. Without a single thought he dashed over to Kagome's side and pulled her away from his brother.
"What are you doing InuYasha?" She asked him while he held onto her. Sesshomaru gave his brother a bored look.
"Why did Sesshomaru want us out of the house?" He glared at his brother who didn't seem fazed by it.
"What are you talking about?" She said a bit confused. She managed to break free of his grip and moved back over to where Sesshomaru was sitting.
"Were you two doing something?" He asked glaring at them.
Akina came over and sat down on the other side of Sesshomaru. Kagome glanced over at Sesshomaru who did the same.
What is with your brother? Why does he care anyway? He smirked at her.
You are a very dense girl Kagome. By saying this it caused her to glare at him. InuYasha and Akina were a bit confused by this.
What's that supposed to mean?
He likes you, how stupid are you anyway? Is it difficult to act this stupid or does it just come naturally?
"Shut up Sesshomaru I'm not stupid! You are such a jerk." She said out loud but then covered her mouth after realizing how crazy she sounded.
"Kagome he didn't say anything." Interjected Akina looking at her friend worriedly.
"Right, it must be the pills again." She laughed nervously. "So Uri did you have fun with Akina today?"
Uri's eyes lit up with happiness. "Oh yeah mommy she took me to the park and then we went and Yasha got his hair cut. It was funny. But he did it to help sick kids when their hair falls out. He kept crying about his pretty hair. And then we went to the doll store and I got a doll that looks like you. And then we went to get some cookies!" The cookies she mentioned were evident on her face still. Small traces of cookie crumbs and chocolate chips were on her cheeks.
"Why don't you go wash your face and I'll take you out for a while?" Uri jumped from her mother's lap and ran to the bathroom.
"So what did you have planned?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Does it really matter? I wasn't going to invite you anyway." He gave her a glare.
"I wasn't planning on going anywhere with you." He folded his arms over his chest.
"You know when you try to glare it only comes out as a pout. It's quite funny really." He glared. "See you did it again." She started to laugh at this. "If you really work on it you might be as good as I am one day." She grinned when he tried to glare again.
"Would you just shut up?" He growled.
"You know this sounds really familiar." Kagome said suddenly.
"Oh really I wonder why?" He rolled his eyes.
"Oh yeah that's right we just saw this in the-" she stopped for a moment. 'You really need to shut up sometimes Kagome.' Said Yuri in her mind. "-movie we were watching." He yet again rolled his eyes at her pathetic attempt to lie.
Shut up Yuri!
'Make me!'
She glared at nothing in particular which they all noticed. Uri came running into the room and grabbed her mother's hand.
"Come on mommy it's time go!" Kagome stood and headed out the door with Uri pulling her along. Sesshomaru followed them out of the house and closed the door behind him so that the other people in the house wouldn't follow. Akina looked over at InuYasha confused. He didn't seem to like the idea of Kagome and Sesshomaru having anymore alone time. His whole entire reason for leaving the dorm was to protect Kagome from Sesshomaru. He'd picked up on something different in their 'friendship'. It had only been three days since he'd met Kagome but for some reason he felt as if he should protect her from any male that approached. He didn't really feel threatened by Sesshomaru since his brother had known Kagome for a long time. He figured that they must have always acted this way. He had heard them the night before in her dorm. It was strange that he could feel their discomfort while being in a room together.
Akina watched the expression on InuYasha's face change from anger to confusion.
"What are you thinking about InuYasha?" Over the past few days she found him to be the only guy she could befriend without sex being an issue. She didn't seem him as boyfriend material but as a close friend, definitely. She took a seat next to him and awaited his answer.
"I don't really know. I feel like I want to protect her or just keep other guys away." Akina laughed a little.
"So you like Kagome then?" His eyes grew wide and he started to blush. "That color suits you InuYasha."
"Feh, why am I even telling you?" He folded his arms and huffed.
"Because I'm here and no one else is except that Yuki should be here soon."
Kagome and Sesshomaru fought it out before they even left the driveway. Sesshomaru told her that he refused to be left in the house with Akina and InuYasha. At first she was going to say no and stick her ground about their earlier argument but then Uri gave her a pleading look. Uri was overjoyed when Kagome said yes. Uri trusted people too easily and this worried Kagome. She didn't want her daughter to end up making the same mistakes as she had. It was a typical thing that happened with parents and their children. Children learn by the examples parents set and Kagome felt as though she hadn't been any kind of example to her three year old.
During the ride the car was silent. Uri occasionally would ask a question but otherwise the two older people didn't speak. Kagome gave Sesshomaru a side glance and found that he had his eyes closed and arms folded.
"I find it so strange that after all this time you and I are sitting in a car together. If someone had asked me when I was 15, where I'd be in five years I wouldn't have guessed that I'd be sitting in a car with you." She pulled into the driveway near the playground. She knew that Akina must have taken her to the one farther down the road. Uri was used to going to this particular park because all of her friends would be there. Uri dashed from the car toward the swings. Milo and Sochi looked up when she approached. Kagome went over to her usual bench and sat down. Sesshomaru followed her and took a seat right next to her. Kay and Ty came over and sat down with Kagome.
"Hey Kagome I thought you went back to school?" Kay asked.
"Some things came up and I had to come home."
"Oh that's too bad. How's Uri?"
"She's her usual happy self."
"I remember when you were about four or five I used to baby sit you when your parents were out of town."
"I know, talk about evil baby sitter." She gave Kay a grin.
"It's just surprising that Kagome turned out so well eh Kay?" chimed in Ty.
"So Kagome who's your friend?" Kay eyes Sesshomaru as if he were a cinnamon roll. He folded his arms over his chest and went back to watching Uri who was being pushed on the swing by Milo. Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru.
"Oh right this is Sesshomaru, he's a friend from school." She looked back at him again to find him giving her a confused look. What is it now?
A friend huh? That's stretching the truth a little isn't it?
So you don't want to be my friend then?
Not if you're going to ask me. I figured that we could have a silent agreement.
We could I guess.
"Is he Uri's father?"
"Oh no." She shook her head blushing. A devilish plot formed in his mind. He placed his hand on her shoulder and pulled her closer to him.
"Now Kagome why lie to your friends here. Of course I'm Uri's father, can't you see the resemblance?" Kagome's face started to burn up. She sent him a glare which only brought a smirk to his face. "Kagome doesn't like to talk about me much. She's an odd girl." Kay and Ty gave a nod in agreement.
"Where have you been all of these years? Kagome never mentions you." Asked Kay.
"She doesn't like to talk about me I guess. We were supposed to get married a few years ago but she decided that we should forget about that and just live together." He could feel Kagome stiffen under his arm. He knew that she would get him for this later.
"Sesshomaru DEAR, why don't you tell Uri that it's time to go?" She glared once more at him. He smirked at her and then did something that shocked her. He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips before dashing off to get Uri. Kagome wasn't sure if she should be angry or happy about the whole thing. Damn you Sesshomaru!
'I was just having some FUN. Besides you enjoyed it.' He sent her a smirk while he picked up Uri who was just so happy that Sesshomaru was paying attention to her.
You are so arrogant! I can't stand you! She yelled which caused him to wince.
'Damn it woman! Stop your incessant yelling!'
Then you stop yelling!
'Will you both shut up!' Came a third voice. Both Kagome and Sesshomaru blinked. He came back and she said her goodbyes. They placed Uri in her seat and just sat in their seats confused.
"Who was that?" He finally asked.
"That was my friend. She sort of has the ability to bug me whenever she feels like it."
You two fight like an old married couple. They both heard.
Shut up! Yuri you can be such a total troublemaker. Kagome rolled her eyes when Yuri's image appeared in her rear view mirror.
Hi Sesshomaru, pleasure to meet you.
Sadly I don't know you and I'm now going to have to sign myself in to an asylum for I've become clinically insane. Besides I don't believe I want to know you. He stated giving her a glare in the mirror.
He's a feisty one isn't he Kagome? You might want to watch out with this one.
I don't think he and I are an issue at all Yuri. You seem to think that any guy who just happens to be right near me is oh so perfect. I told you already I don't want another boyfriend you troublemaker! You can't keep playing matchmaker.
Sure I can, besides I have so much time on my hands. I need a little entertainment.
My life isn't supposed to entertain you. I see that death hasn't changed you at all.
Oh contraire Kagome I think it just gave me a better chance at knowing you better.
You knew me well enough.
Feh I know you like the back of my hand but that doesn't mean a thing. You are still a complex individual Kagome.
Can you just go finish your task and get your ass back here?
Oh I see you want a little alone time with 'Uri's father'. Yuri gave a wink in the mirror which caused Kagome to blush.
"Your friend seems to be insinuating something Kagome." He gave her a pointed look.
"Oh no she always acts like that. Now onto more pressing matters Sesshomaru, why in the hell did you do that! How dare you kiss me in front of all my friends? What kind of example were you setting for Uri? I can't believe you Sesshomaru! You embarrassed me so badly!" She was screaming like a banshee by this point and he couldn't stand it any longer. He leaned over and captured her lips with his shutting her up. She sat there with shock scribbled along her face. His lips felt right against her lips. What in the hell is wrong with you. This is Sesshomaru we're talking about! She tried to convince herself but shut it out. She found herself responding to his advances until Yuri's voice broke through her mind. 'I knew that you liked him Kagome! Now all we need to do is organize your wedding. She pulled away and looked at him with anger dancing in her eyes. She did the first thing that came to mind; a hand found its way across his cheek.
"She has a real temper doesn't she Uhen?"
He turned to his lover and gave a curt nod. He had watched the two with mild interest. His attention wasn't wholeheartedly with them though. It had been sixteen years since he last saw the girl he knew as Kagome. He had returned her as a child of only four. Kagome could remember their meeting quite well but refused to acknowledge it. Eventually she'd tell his second reincarnation. His first was a little more respectful toward Kagome; this second one knew her quite well. It was all part of the plan in the first place. They needed to be near each other, become familiar with having one another. Sahori told him and Yura to stay out of it. Yura the first Kagome decided to change her own name. She refused to hold onto a name that she was given. It could have been different if it had been given to her by her own parents. Sadly she never had real parents.
"It seems that my reincarnation likes to play games. I hadn't figured that this kind of trait would be passed down. He'll grow from it." Stated Uhen.
"I doubt it greatly; you still like to mess with the help and even poor Kazo. He's really still a beginner around here you should give him a break." She scolded Uhen.
"I can't help it, I just have to bring torture into someone's life, and you married me so now you're stuck with it." He gave her his trademark smirk which only caused her to glare.
"Then I can't help you tonight when you're sleeping on the couch tonight." She turned around and left him at the watered mirror. He let out a sigh and prayed that his second reincarnation would realize his love for the girl soon. Though Sahori told him otherwise. She informed him that it would take many years for them to establish any real feelings toward each other. But that didn't mean he couldn't interfere every once and a while. Yuri seemed to be taking her task seriously enough.
Kagome had decided to take Uri to get some ice cream since it was traditional for them to do so each time they went out. Kagome had let Uri out of her seat while she and Sesshomaru continued to argue. Actually Kagome did most of the talking. But while their attention was pulled toward their own issues they completely forgot that a three year old girl was left unattended to. Once Kagome had realized that Uri wasn't near she panicked. Completely forgetting about their argument they both set out to find Uri. She was standing around in the street and a car was slowly making its way toward the toddler. Kagome didn't react fast enough but then something happened that took her by surprise. Someone very familiar to her grabbed onto the child and pulled her from harms way.
He approached her at once with Uri still in his arms. Kagome took Uri in her arms and held her close.
"Uri what did I tell you about running into traffic like that."
"Sorry mommy." Uri bent her head down.
"Thank you so much." She told Miroku. "What are you doing back in town anyway I thought that you moved to Kyoto?"
"I did but couldn't stand my mother. She drove me insane so I decided that I'd just come back here."
"I remember you. You're Miroku." Said Uri.
"She's as sharp as always."
"It hasn't been that long." Kagome replied watching his hands. He was actually behaving himself.
"I realize this but I find that any time that you are not around must be an eternity."
"Up to your usual tricks huh." She put down Uri and folded her arms.
"Oh Kagome you have pierced my heart with your words." He held onto his chest as if he were in pain.
"Same old Miroku." She unfolded her arms and pulled him into a hug. "Keep your hands and any other body parts where I can see them." She warned him when she felt his hand move from her back down toward her butt. He then let her go. His eyes had landed on the guy behind Kagome. At first he couldn't place a name on him but soon realized who he was.
"Who's the gentleman behind you Kagome?" At first she looked confused. She turned around and found that Sesshomaru was there with Uri at his side.
"Oh right this is Sesshomaru."
"I know this already, I had him one of my classes."
"Miroku Aiko. As I remember you went around and asked many young women to bare your children." Stated Sesshomaru.
"But Kagome was the only woman that I wanted to bare my children." Kagome blushed and then decided to change the subject.
"Would you like to join us, we could catch up on lost time. We're going to go get some ice cream." She linked arms with him and took Uri's hand. Sesshomaru followed close behind with a scowl on his face. He didn't quite understand why it bothered him so much that Kagome was walking with another guy. As he told himself many times she was nothing to him and he staked no claim on her. Then their small kiss replayed in his mind momentarily. He could still feel her lips on his and he knew that she had wanted it. This one thought made him smirk.
A/N: HAHAHA I wanted to get more words than this but found that I couldn't continue with this chapter. It had to end sometime right? I have more to come but in the next chapter it's time for school! WOOHOO! Now all of you can see how bad I am with the rest of my story.