You and you alone can save me
Playing with Rin and Ah-Un
By: Kuraii-chan
Kuraii-chan: I'm back with another chapter! Hn. I wonder if I could get 100 reviews by 12 chapters? Well, that will be my new goal! And if I achieve that goal then... umm... I dunno, what should I do for you reviewers?
Kouga: An extra chapter?
Kagome: No... pocky for everyone?
Kuraii-chan: x.X Nu. My pocky.
Inu: {clings to ramen protectively} My ramen!
Kagome: Honestly Inuyasha! Could you just grow up?
Inu: Hn. Nope.
-{Kagome storms off stage}-
Kouga: Now look what you've done mutt-face!
Kuraii-chan: Shut up, all of you. You are giving me a headache.
Sesshou: This Sesshomaru was not speaking.
Kuraii-chan: Did I not just say to shut up? That doesn't exclude you!
Sesshou: You DARE speak to this Sesshomaru that wa- err... Kuraii-chan? What are you doing with that axe?
Author Notes: Hn. {looks through notes} Lemme see..... Ah! Here we are. I want to say this now; each day that Kagome stays in Sesshomaru's castle will be about two chapters long. If this changes for any reason I will let you know. Right now is the second chapter for day two. The chapter that starts the beginning of a new day will often cut off around lunchtime. That's all I think...
Finishing off the soup with practiced ease Kagome then set her bowl and pair of chopsticks down upon the beautiful mahogany table before her. The cups, bowls, and chopsticks all matched. Each white with blue, gold, and purple designs that seemingly never ceased their twirling about the porcelain-looking objects.
She didn't know how anyone in the castle managed to eat with such utensils. Kagome was constantly scared that she would somehow manage to break the valuable-looking items.
And each time the chopsticks collided with the side of the bowl, which was quite often in Kagome's case, it made this soft clicking noise. And every time it made the noise Kagome's stomach would lurch, fearing the worst. That she had broken something she could not pay for.
"Thank you very much for the meal Sesshomaru-sama." said Kagome once she had quickly made sure she hadn't broken anything while setting it down. "Are you sure you didn't want anything to eat yourself?" He hadn't eaten but instead drank tea the whole time.
"Must you keep asking that? I do not need petty human food." Said Sesshomaru. He looked... bored at the conversation.
"All right then, if you are sure..." said Kagome softly.
"Yes I'm sure!" snapped Sesshomaru. At first Kagome just stared at the Taiyoukai but soon she allowed her anger to surface.
"Well you didn't have to snap at me! I was only concerned and didn't like eating when you weren't." huffed Kagome. She stood and gave a small incline of her head that looked to be a substitute for a bow. "Now, I will be going." And with that Kagome opened the door Kyo had been guarding and slammed it shut behind her.
"L-Lady Kagome?" said Kyo. Had Sesshomaru done something to upset her? He had been focusing so hard on his job that he had forgotten to listen to what was going on. Something that had gotten him in trouble a few times before...
It was a few moments before she actually responded. "I'm fine Kyo-kun. Now, just where can I find Rin? I was hoping to play with her after I had lunch..."
"Rin?" Kyo looked thoughtful, "I do believe that she should be out playing with Ah-Un. It's something she likes to do after she eats lunch. Then she gets to play until dinner."
"Thank you Kyo-kun!" Kagome started down the hall but soon paused and turned back to face Kyo.
"Um, Kyo-kun? Just where is it that Rin likes to play with Ah-Un?" asked Kagome biting her bottom lip. How could she have forgotten to ask where Rin played? And how to get there? She sure didn't know.
"Oh! I'm sorry Lady Kagome. She should be out in the garden that's nearest Ah-Un's 'house' as Rin calls it. So if you follow this corridor until you reach the end there should be a door to your right. Take that one and three doors down on your left should lead you outside straight to Ah-Un's 'house'. Just a little beyond that is the garden."
Kagome nodded, "Thank you Kyo-kun!" she called before starting once more down the hallway.
"No problem Lady Kagome" called Kyo from behind her.
She soon came to the end of the corridor and saw two doors, one to her left and one to her right.
"Right." Muttered Kagome to herself and easily opened, slipped through, and closed the door that was on her right. She found herself in another hallway looking place, but this one was much colder than the one she had just been in. And a bit smaller as well.
"Third door on the left... third door on the left..." Kagome muttered to herself so as not to forget. There was one door...and then two...
Where was the third door?
Oh, there it was. But why was it so far from the other doors? Oh well, I might never know.
Reaching out Kagome grasped the wooden door. It was much warmer than the stone corridor she was currently in. It took a bit of work pulling the door open; it felt like it hadn't been used in years. But finally it gave and slid open, revealing lots of lush looking green grass, and a nice small wooden stable that Kagome assumed was Ah-Un's 'house'.
Kagome stepped through the doorway and slid shut the door with great difficultly. The sun blazed overhead making her squint against the assaulting harsh brightness. It was nothing like the darkened halls, and corridors that she had just came from.
After several moments Kagome could look around without needing to block out the sunlight with her hand. The garden was just beyond Ah-Un's 'house' if she remembered correctly, so Kagome started to the stable that belonged to Ah-Un alone.
As she approached the stable she could make out a figure resting lazily against the side of the wooden structure. She could soon see the pale blue yukata and pristine white obi that the figure, which she could sense was another kitsune youkai, was wearing.
"Hello?" Kagome called uncertainly, she wasn't quite sure whether or not this artic kitsune, she could see a tail identical to Kira's upon the female, was friendly.
The kitsune turned and smiled at Kagome. "Hello. And just who might you be?"
She had hair an identical color to Kira's as well. The same azure color, except her hair was longer, reaching mid-back, and instead of being strait it was wavy and curled ever-so-slightly at the end. Her eyes were a milky brown with small golden flecks in them.
"Higurashi Kagome. And you are...?" said Kagome with a smile.
"Taijou My-Linh. You would be Higurashi-sama, am I correct?" Kagome nodded, "Oh! Well then I am rather pleased to meet you. The miko that our Sesshomaru-sama, a coldhearted bastard, has rescued and is trying to help heal. Amazing, I don't know how you did it."
Kagome couldn't help but grin at My-Linh. She had an attitude and a sense of humor, all anyone really needed in Kagome's opinion. "Yes, that would be me. But please call me Kagome, always hearing 'Lady', 'Lady Kagome', 'Kagome-sama', and 'Higurashi-sama' is annoying!" She scrunched up her face and stuck out her tongue.
My-Linh laughed, "Yes. I see what you mean, fine then. Kagome it is, but only as long as you call me 'Your Highness'." The kitsune cracked up when she saw Kagome's next expression. "Just kidding! Just kidding!" she cried between gasps, "Call me My-Linh."
Kagome nodded. "Yes, Your Highness." She answered with a straight face.
My-Linh stuck out her tongue, "Thank you Higurashi-sama!"
Kagome raised her hands in mock surrender. "I give! You win, My-Linh it is."
"Thought so. So, what are you doing out here?" said My-Linh grinning smugly.
Kagome was quickly reminded of her reason for being out here. "Oh! I was looking for Rin and Ah-Un." My-Linh nodded, "They are out in the garden playing. Rin likes to play with Ah-Un after she eats. Truth be told, I am grateful that she does it. She has to much energy and it makes her pay more attention while eating and to her studies."
"Are you her sensei?" asked Kagome suddenly. My-Linh's head inclined. "Yes, she really is quite a bright little child, if only she would pay more attention to her studies instead of daydreaming." She shook her head and stood quickly.
"I can take you to them, I'm rather curious as to what they are playing right now anyway." Kagome nodded gratefully. "Thank you! I'm sure it would have taken me awhile to find them by myself."
My-Linh stretched and when she was certain that Kagome was following she took off at a steady pace towards a somewhat small enclosure surrounded by a stone wall and a small wooden gate.
"My-Linh?"
"Hm?"
"Are you in any way related to Kira?"
My-Linh paused and turned to Kagome with a puzzled look, "You know Kira?"
"Well I met him earlier. So are you?" asked Kagome. She was almost 100% sure.
"Well yes." My-Linh replied with a laugh, "We are triplets. Though both of my brothers are a few minutes older they think that they can tell me what to do. Or more so Kira thinks that, Kiba doesn't think that way."
"Kiba? Is that your other brother?" My-Linh nodded.
"Now, come on. And while we are walking you can tell me just how you came across Kira."
They began once more on their way to the garden.
"Well I was exploring and while looking in a room your brother, Kira, scared the hell outta me." Kagome paused, "He should really learn not to sneak up on people and demand what they are doing when they have every right to be there."
She could hear the distinct sound of snickering.
"My-Linh, it is not funny."
"Like hell it isn't!"
Kagome decided to ignore that remark. Well, that and they were finally at the gate to the garden. From within she could hear Rin's muffled giggles and a few less-than-happy sounding grunts from Ah-Un.
Kagome opened the gated and bowed low in mock sincerity, "After you Lady My- Linh."
My-Linh glared at Kagome but walked through the gate opening with an air of mock dignity.
"Onee-chan!" Cried a voice that identified itself as Rin.
"Hey Rin. I came to play with you and Ah-Un. Just what are you playing?"
Rin grinned toothily and gestured to Ah-Un. Who might I add did not look very happy. Ah-Un had quite a few wreaths of flowers about their necks and atop both heads.
Kagome and My-Linh both seemed to be stifling laughter at the sight. Ah-Un gave them dirty looks.
"We were about to have tea."
Wow, even in this era little girls liked to have tea parties. Amazing.
Kagome tried her best to look serious as she nodded. We would like to join you."
Rin grinned once more, "Rin would like-"the little girl paused at the reprimanding look from My-Linh. "Err, I mean, I would like that."
My-Linh smiled and nodded, Rin looked pleased with herself.
"Come on, onee-chan. Sensei. Over here!" Rin skipped off around a hedge to where Rin and Ah-Un obviously had been about to start the tea party before they had interrupted.
Kagome followed after the bouncy little girl, admiring the many flowers and plants along the way.
Rin sat down in the middle of a circle of grass that was surrounded with plants with only one path out, the way we had just come. "See onee-chan? Would you like some tea?" Kagome smiled and nodded. "Yes Rin, I would love some tea." Rin beamed. "And sensei?"
"Hai Rin, I would love some tea." Answered My-Linh from behind Kagome. She whipped around and glared at My-Linh, "You are just as bad as Kira!" Kagome hissed. My-Linh looked thoughtful before smiling sheepishly, "Gomen Kagome. I didn't mean to just scare the hell out of you."
"Hn." Well, they were family. (Kira and My-Linh) And kitsune are normally wonderful at stealth, Shippou seemed to be an exception though... but she wouldn't tell him that.
Rin offered Kagome an imaginary cup filled with imaginary tea. And then repeated the gesture to My-Linh. Both accepted the imaginary cup with a smile.
"Rin did you make this yourself? It's quite delicious!" said Kagome after taking a sip of something that was never there. Rin beamed happily. "Yes onee-chan! Rin made-erm, I made the tea by myself."
My-Linh had given Rin another warning look about her grammar.
Ah-Un gave something resembling a snort as it made its way into the enclosure as well.
Rin got up and went to reprimand Ah-Un as it lay down and tried to rid itself of the annoying wreaths of flowers.
"Ah-Un, you can't do that! Rin worked really hard to make those for you, so Rin would appreciate it if you didn't try to destroy the flowers." Huffed the little girl. She was back at speaking in third person yet again. My- Linh sighed in defeat.
"I give up. Rin will never learn not to speak properly. Oh. Wait, I don't give up. I would rather not being punished for failing to teach Rin properly."
"Nani? Sesshou-kun would have you 'punished'?!"
My-Linh nodded as if it were only obvious. "Of course. Why wouldn't he if I have failed to do my job?" she sighed and made a face, "The baka could be nicer and less cold though... I really don't think it would kill him. Or maybe it would? That could be why he is always so cold."
Kagome laughed. "No, I think he chooses to do it of him own free will... a waste, ne?"
"Hai," My-Linh nodded sagely, "If he weren't so cold he might actually notice that he has many women fawning after him. But no, his high-and- mightiness must stay cold, distant, and cruel to everyone. Seemingly with the exception of Rin and you..." The artic kitsune studied Kagome closely.
"But why?"
Kagome snorted, sounding rather undignified, "Like I know. I even travel with one of his grater enemies..."
"Oh! Really? Who?" My-Linh questioned looking rather interested.
"Inuyasha." Now My-Linh looked shocked.
"You travel with him?! Whatever possessed you to do something like that? I know from experience that he has horrible manners and the worse temper I've ever seen."
"Inuyasha isn't all bad! Sure he can be a bit mean when he's in a bad mood and he isn't exactly civil but he's a really nice person!"
"And you are defending him?" My-Linh studied Kagome once again and announced to an unsuspecting Kagome, "You are in love with the hanyou are you not?"
"N-nani? Why would you say a thing l-like that?" stuttered a nervous looking miko.
"Aha! I knew it!" cried My-Linh triumphantly. "But I can also tell that something is troubling you about it... explain."
Kagome could clearly see that there was no point in denying anything; My-Linh was clearly skilled at this sort of thing. "Well, he's still hung up over Kikyou."
"Kikyou...Kikyou... where have I heard that name- wait! Was she not the protecter of the Shikon no Tama? About fifty years ago?" inquired My-Linh after racking her brain for a few moments.
"Hai. Not to long ago a witch, Urasue, stole Kikyou's ashes. She then recreated Kikyou with her ashes, bones, and graveside soil. She's a friggin clay pot. Either way Kikyou in now back in the land of the living with soul stealers because she cannot live without the souls of the dead. And now that she is back Inuyasha is having trouble deciding between us."
"Err, I hope you don't mind my asking but would her clay pot-ish-ness not require her soul as well?"
Kagome darted a wary glare at My-Linh, "You are to sharp and know to much about, well everything. Yes, Kikyou as a clay pot would require her soul. I am Kikyou's reincarnation, so Urasue stole it from me for a short while. When Kikyou tried to kill Inuyasha I was able to call my soul back to my body. Kikyou is only able to walk upon the earth because seemingly her hatred for Inuyasha had sunk into the graveside soil that she was made of. Not only that but now the only thing Kikyou wishes for is to drag Inuyasha to hell with her. She has already tried once."
And I witnessed the whole thing... bound to a tree I witnessed her trying to take Inuyasha from me... I saw her, I saw her...kiss... Inuyasha....
"Wow." Said My-Linh at last. "That is one of the most complicated things I've ever heard. In my opinion if Inuyasha can't decide then he can't be worth too much. He should be able to see that Kikyou is no longer a pure maiden, but in fact a clay pot, and an ugly cold one at that. He should be able to see that you are a wonderful person and that he should be happy to even know you, much less breathe the same air. I really don't think he is worthy of you. Think about it, okay Kagome?"
Kagome nodded, a bit shocked by the intensity of understanding, knowledge, and wisdom in those words.
Maybe My-Linh is right; perhaps I should just try and forget Inuyasha. No, I don't think that is something I can do. Ever.
"Thank you My-Linh." My-Linh nodded and smiled.
"Not a problem now lets get back to our 'tea' and enjoy watching Rin scold Ah-Un." Kagome giggled and turned to watch the little girl keep telling Ah- Un that she had worked so hard to make it those wreaths of flowers and that she didn't like Ah-Un messing it up.
Quite a funny sight really.
With a sigh My-Linh got up from her position on the ground and walked over to Rin and Ah-Un. "Rin, it is almost dinner time. Ah-Un, ready to go back to the stable?" The youkai nodded both of its heads vigorously, ready to get away from Rin so it could take off the flowers in peace.
Kagome got up as well and followed the two youkai and ningen to the gate.
Rin then stood on her tiptoes and whispered into My-Linh's pointed ear. My- Linh nodded and whispered back to the little girl. Kagome would have been able to read their lips had they not been whispering behind their hands.
Finally both stood up straight and Rin stepped forward. "Onee-chan? Would you please have dinner with Rin and Sensei?"
Kagome's lips formed a smile and her eyes danced delightedly. "Of course Rin! I would love to. I must go speak with Kyo-kun about it first but I can have him bring me to.. Where will we be eating dinner?"
"Um." Rin looked at My-Linh.
"We shall be eating in Rin's chambers."
"Okay! I will see you there in a little bit." Kagome called as stared off at a jog back to the castle. When she had reached the stable she turned and waved before jogging the rest of the way back to the door she had come out of.
Once again it took a while before she had pried the door open. Stepping into the cold stone hall Kagome shivered before the door snapped shut. A reminder that it was colder in the castle than she would have liked. Now, if only she could remember just how she had arrived here... had it not been something like left, then third on the right?
Wait, no. It was the other way around. Last door on the right then third door on the left! Yay, she had remembered!
Kagome hastily hurried down to the end of the hall pulled the door open. She slid it shut as quietly as she could before scurrying down the hall. Well, now she was back to the dining room that she had stormed out of earlier.
Erm, where was her room again?
"Lady Kagome!" Hm?
Kyo turned the corner and smiled at the sight of the confounded looking ningen before him.
"How do you always know where I am?"
"I shall never tell Lady."
"Humph, be that way. Oh! Yes, I am going to have dinner with Rin and My- Linh."
Kyo stared at her dumbfounded, "You've met My-Linh?" Kagome beamed.
"Hai! And she is really nice and funny."
"She rather has a certain disregard for rules, formality, and everything else."
"So? You say that like it's a bad thing. As long as she is loyal, funny, a good ally, and a wonderful person that is really all that matters."
Kyo nodded. "I guess so. Ability to fight comes into consideration as well though."
"For a friend? You know what, never mind. Now, should I change before dinner?"
Kuraii-chan: Hm. I will add that to the next chapter. (The dinner thing) Or maybe not. Who knows? It depends on the turnout of reviews!
Kagome: Meaning...?
Kuraii-chan: That I want at least 6 new reviews (meaning if you post more than once it wont count) to get the dinner thing.
Kouga: That's it? I would have thought like, 15.
Kuraii-chan: Your right, but instead it will be 14.
Sesshou: Why 14?
Kuraii-chan: Because it's sort of my lucky number.
Author Notes: Oh and as for the thing I put at the beginning of the chapter... ya know, about the 100 reviews? I need help as to what I should do for you reviewers if you DO just happen to get 100 reviews by chapter 12... so if you have any suggestions please tell me!
Aleviel: Yes, nobody is perfect. Especially not me...
INUGIRL: Wow, do you really like this story that much? I'm flattered!
ra: Here ya go!
Leira,Frooky: Really? You had pocky?? No fair! I haven't had any in quite awhile... {glares suspiciously at cast who suddenly finds something to do...}
DemonWicca1: Glad you like! I really hope many others enjoy my story as well. (Stories really, I started another one...)
Shinna: Thank you. Here is the next chapter and I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
serenity2222: Yes, um thank you very much!
sessshy74: I'm happy that you like it so much! Please continue reviewing.
Chapter Recommendation: 'Two Faced' By Rozefire
Kouga: Ahem. Kuraii-chan has locked herself in her closet and is trying to figure out the second chapter for her other ff, Will I remember you?. Be wonderful reviewers and not only review this story but WIRY two!
Inu: Feh. You really think that they read this? Nobody ever does, so they really won't go and review WIRY.
Kagome: What's WIRY?
Cast: {dead silence}
Sesshou: Honestly you baka ningen. WIRY- Will I Remember You?
Shippou: Be nice to Kagome!
Sesshou: You think you can order this Sesshomaru around?
Kuraii-chan (from closet): SHUT UP! I AM TRYING TO WORK HERE!!
Cast: {nervous dead silence, again...}
Kuraii-chan (from closet): Well? Kyo?
Kyo: Make Kuraii-chan happy and review. And remember, 14 reviews will get you how the dinner turned out on the next chapter...