Chapter Ten: Fatherhood
When Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands calls upon you, it is a dangerous idea to not answer his summon as quickly as possible. When Aikanna of the Sea was notified of his request, she followed the messenger back to the castle in that moment. It was a three day journey to get from her location in the Western Lands all the way back to the castle, but they made good time. Upon her arrival, Sesshomaru, Yukino, and Alwin were waiting in the courtyard and greeted her.
"Aikanna." Sesshomaru nodded his head in respect.
"Lord Sesshomaru." Aikanna replied and bowed politely. "You are in need of my assistance?"
"I am. I appreciate your quick response." Sesshomaru said and motioned for her to follow him. "A human woman I am in custody of has broken her body through demon levels of training. I know you do not heal humans often, but I am hoping your natural skill will get her back on her feet."
"I see. A human woman?" Aikanna curiously questioned him. "It was hard to believe you brought a human child into your protection, so it is difficult to believe you've brought an adult. At least a child will learn to obey."
"Her presence is required to lure out Naraku." Sesshomaru explained.
"The half-demon whose filth crosses the land every so often?" Aikanna asked and Sesshomaru nodded in confirmation. "I see. What does this human woman have to do with that abomination?"
"He has recently placed a powerful curse on her, causing her to lose all memory of who she is." Sesshomaru stopped as he came to Kagome's door and turned back to Aikanna. "She has recovered a small number of memories, but nothing substantial or clear enough to remind her of who she is."
"Understood. I am lucky that I spend most of my time in the water." Aikanna explained with an element of pride. "Little for Naraku to corrupt out in the ocean, so I am safe from his scourge."
"Which is good. I'd rather not have our most powerful healer harmed by Naraku." Sesshomaru said and then slid Kagome's door open. He stepped to the side so Aikanna could pass him by. Aikanna stepped into the room and momentarily observed the sleeping human before walking over. Aikanna sat on the edge of Kagome's futon and waved a hand over Kagome's body. Kagome must have sensed her presence because she opened her eyes. For a moment, the two watched each other.
"You're beautiful." Kagome muttered out pained words.
Aikanna was indeed a beautiful female demon. She had long sky-blue hair that fell down past her knees and seemed to glow with magic of some sort. Her eyes were a pale golden color and her skin was clear and as soft looking as clouds. Her clothing was something out of Greek mythos, leaving little to the imagination, but colored as white as snow with elegant gold decorations shaped like starfish and seahorses. Hanging from a long chain around her neck was a golden vial shaped like a teardrop. It was filled with some sort of water-looking concoction that glowed similar to the way Aikanna's hair did.
"Thank you." Aikanna replied. She appreciated the sincerity, but she had received the compliment so many times in her hundreds of years of life that it really did nothing for her anymore.
With no more talking, Aikanna began her examination. There wasn't much to surprise her. With what little she knew about Kagome's situation it was obvious that she was just exhausted and her body needed to recover from long hours of intense training. Aikanna pulled up the tear drop shaped charm and twisted pulled out a small cork. She had Kagome drink a couple drops of the liquid inside.
"It tastes sweet." Kagome said. "Thank you."
"I only gave you a small amount. It's a powerful potion that heals demons quickly, so it should be even better for a human. You've torn muscles and exhausted yourself. Work too much harder, you could kill yourself." Aikanna explained as she sealed the charm again and walked over to Sesshomaru, speaking seductively to the demon. "If you need anything, don't be afraid to summon me again, my lord. I'm sure I can be useful in more ways than just a healer." Aikanna tapped Sesshomaru's chest and then made her way out of the room. "Until then, keep me on your mind. You'll be on mine."
"Why must she always leave that way?" Sesshomaru thought and closed Kagome's door between him and the departing demon. Aikanna would be escorted from the castle by those he already gave orders to, so he had no reason to worry about where she'd end up. "Stupid woman."
"She seems to like you." Kagome said and sat up without much problem.
"She likes my title. She would flirt with my Father the same way." Sesshomaru said and turned back to Kagome, observing some quick changes he was seeing in her. She was no longer pale, nor was she wincing in pain every ten seconds. "Good. It seems to have helped."
"Yes. I still feel weak, but the pain has lessened a lot." Kagome explained, moving her arms around to see how much pain she was still in. It was more like soreness now. "It worked so quickly. She's impressive."
"It is a demon healing remedy." Sesshomaru explained and sat down on the cushion beside Kagome's bed. "You've been in and out of consciousness for a few days now. You'll need to eat soon."
"Lord Sesshomaru, I hope you know how much I appreciate your taking care of me." Kagome said, but refused to look at him out of fear of offending him. "I know you don't like humans that are not Rin, but my time here has not been horrible and I do feel safe. Rin says that being safe is important and that she never felt safe in the human village she used to live. It wasn't until you that she felt safe."
"Do you have a point?" Sesshomaru questioned.
"Yes. Thank you for making sure I am safe." Kagome turned to him and smiled wide.
"U-… You're welcome." Sesshomaru cleared his throat. For a brief moment, Kagome's smile raised something within him that he wasn't used to. He couldn't tell what it was, but there was a warmth in his chest that caught him off guard. Her appreciation sparked a tinge of joy. Luckily for the stoic demon lord, the feeling faded as quickly as blowing out a candle. "When you're well, you will continue your training with your mortality in min-…"
Sesshomaru was suddenly cut off by the sound of many footsteps coming up the hallway and multiple familiar scents being carried over the air. He looked back to the door as it swung open. Jaken and Rin both hurried into the room with Miss Jukudo, Alwin, and Yukino right behind the two.
"Kagome! You're awake and you can sit up!" Rin hurried over to give Kagome a hug, but was stopped when the back of her collar was suddenly grabbed. She looked back to Sesshomaru.
"She is not at one hundred percent. Careful." Sesshomaru warned.
"I will." Rin said and decided to just sit by Kagome's side.
The other demons in the room noticed Sesshomaru's worry about Kagome's condition and so did Kagome. Yukino and Alwin looked to each other curiously, wondering exactly what was going on in their Lord's head to suddenly be so careful of Kagome. Miss Jukudo moved to the corner of the room and leaned against the wall quietly, watching whatever scene was about to unfold before her. Jaken just stared at Sesshomaru, jaw dropped and now worried that his lord's sanity had been affected in some way. When Sesshomaru noticed this, he glared at the little imp.
"What?" Sesshomaru asked annoyed.
"Nothing, Milord. It's just… I dare not say." Jaken sighed and shook his head.
"Spit it out." Sesshomaru demanded.
"I think he's curious about your showing so much care for the human woman." Miss Jukudo spoke up bluntly. "There's no reason to start being kind to her now. Just because she trained herself half-to-death, doesn't mean she deserves any special treatment from you, Lord Sesshomaru. Don't waste your time with filth. You're treating her like she's more than just a toy for Rin to play with."
"That would be because she's not a toy. She's a guest of Lord Sesshomaru's." Yukino snapped at Miss Jukudo. "And it's about time you get with the picture. I am so sick of hearing your whiny bullshit every single time Kagome's name comes up. You're like a jealous little girl begging for attention."
"Jealous?" Miss Jukudo retorted angrily. "Of some human?"
"Obviously! Otherwise, you wouldn't feel the need to insult her every chance you get." Yukino said. "People don't attack what doesn't threaten them."
"I think you two should calm down." Alwin took a step away from the women.
"I wish Lord Sesshomaru would just get rid of you already." Yukino shouted angrily at Miss Jukudo, but Yukino wasn't getting any sort of reaction from her. "You treat Kagome the same way you treat any new female that comes to the castle. You hate not being the only pair of tits in the room and everyone can see it. Why did you even come here? You could have stood out in the hall or done something else while I watched over Rin during her visit with Kagome. Instead, you choose to come along just to make everyone uncomfortable. It's inexcusable and pitiful. Next time, just go back to your room and wait there until someone calls you. At least then you don't have to act so fake."
"Like you and your secret galivanting around with Captain Alwin?" Miss Jukudo suddenly said, like she thought it would get Yukino and Alwin in trouble.
"Wh-What?" Yukino said in shock, the wind taken out of her sails.
"Do you really think you're that good at hiding it?" Miss Jukudo chuckled. "You and Captain Alwin have been hiding your relationship for months now. I don't know how many times I've seen you two running off behind the shed in the garden or locking the store room door to be alone."
"Can you guys shut up?" Kagome suddenly said. Everyone looked to her and were surprised by the look of complete annoyance on her face. She rolled her eyes. "Yukino's relationship with Captain Alwin is honestly none of your business. If it hasn't been impacting their work, there is no reason for you to bring it up. And whether you like it or not, she's also right about the way you treat me. However, I couldn't care less about you or your opinion of me. I will be here for as long as Lord Sesshomaru allows it. Now, why don't all of you show some him some respect and apologize for this childish performance?"
"Y-You dare talk to me like that?" Miss Jukudo retorted, but a firm glare from Sesshomaru stopped her in her tracks. "I… Uh…" Miss Jukudo sighed and bowed politely. "I apologize, Lord Sesshomaru."
"Yes, Kagome is right." Yukino bowed as well. "I shouldn't have snapped the way I did. I hope you can forgive me for this foolishness, Lord Sesshomaru. It will never happen again. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. Leave." Sesshomaru waved them off. "And I do not care about your relationship with Alwin."
Everyone except Rin left. Jaken was going to stay, but Sesshomaru motioned for him to leave too. He really did not want to deal with the imp after that cat fight. Once the door was shut, Sesshomaru stayed silent, eyes closed, and waited. Once their footsteps were far off, he sighed.
"Wow, Kagome. That was amazing." Rin said impressed.
"How are you feeling now?" Sesshomaru asked, finally opening his eyes and looking at Kagome. "You seem to be feeling even better, as shown by that rather intriguing performance just now."
"I'm really tired of Jukudo. Why do you keep her around?" Kagome asked.
"She's first in line to become my mate if I do not choose one on time." Sesshomaru explained.
"What?" Rin asked out of worry, something both Kagome and Sesshomaru noticed. "But you can't marry Miss Jukudo. She teaches me stuff, but she's a mean person an-…"
"Rin. You are a child and this matter is beyond your understanding." Sesshomaru scolded.
"But if… I don't… You… can't." Rin suddenly began sobbing.
Rin stood up and ran out of the room without giving them a chance to stop her. Sesshomaru didn't try, but Kagome wanted to. She just didn't know how. She understood what was on Rin's mind, at least she thought she did. Kagome sighed and looked to Sesshomaru with a concerned expression.
"You do know what that was about, right?" Kagome asked him.
"I have no clue. Rin is a child. She has no reason to deal with matters like this." Sesshomaru crossed his arms. "You're both human, so can I assume you understand what is going through her mind?"
"I think I can guess." Kagome took a deep breath and faced him. "Rin looks up to you and not just as a protector or the guy she lives in the house of. You're like a Father to her. I know you're aware of this, so how would you feel if your Father decided to be with a woman you didn't like?"
"Like my Father mating with Inuyasha's Mother?" Sesshomaru's expression dulled, as if the fact should have been obvious to her. "It disgusted me. However, I still had no choice in the matter."
"That's what I think Rin is worried about. She's young and sees you as her Father, so if you get into a relationship with someone, she will want to see them as her Mother." Kagome explained as politely as possible, knowing this subject wasn't the best one to talk to him about. "Rin isn't someone who wants a Mom that hates her. She wants to be loved, especially by you, so ignoring those dreams of hers will crush her spirit. I know the political part of it is not her business, but the family part… Well, I guess that depends on how you actually see Rin. Just because she wants to call you Dad, doesn't mean you want to call her daughter. I think you should make those intentions clear to her sooner rather than later. Don't let her hold onto a dream that will never come true. It's… cruel."
Sesshomaru was silent for a few moments. While his eyes faced Kagome, making her feel really awkward in the silence, they were unfocused as he thought on what she told him. What exactly was Rin to him? He allowed the girl to follow him around and protected her, but had never thought of her as more than a companion at most times. Was there something more there? Should there be?
"Rin is…" Sesshomaru began, but couldn't finish the sentence.
"You don't know, do you?" Kagome asked.
"I don't." He answered.
"What do you know then?"
Sesshomaru had to think again. The room went silent. Kagome watched him, but tried not to stare too much. When Sesshomaru was deep in thought, Kagome always found herself fascinated by him. She couldn't figure out what her thoughts toward him actually were. It was so confusing. There were times that she hated and feared him. At other times, she enjoyed his company and cared about him. She wasn't able to make up her mind.
"I know I ensure her safety, shelter, and feed her." Sesshomaru said.
"You also make sure she knows how to read and write and listen to her stories." Kagome added.
"How did we end up on this conversation?" Sesshomaru brought his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. Thinking about this was giving him a bit of a headache. He was not fond of the current conversation.
"Rin ran out of the room because sh-."
"Enough." Sesshomaru waved his hand. "You're bothersome."
"I-I'm sorry. I was just trying t-."
"Stop. Talking." Sesshomaru demanded.
Kagome didn't say another word. She watched Sesshomaru in silence. He was deep in thought again and that worried her. Had she just angered him? He didn't look angry. In fact, he looked concerned. Their conversation bothered him and she could tell. Kagome sighed, catching his attention.
"You can trust me." Kagome told him, even though she knew she wasn't supposed to keep talking anymore. "I know I'm not a demon and that we're not really friends, but I'd like to be…"
Sesshomaru stood up and glared down at Kagome. The intensity of the anger in his eyes caused her to scoot back away from him, her heart racing. When Sesshomaru saw this, he calmed down. Saying nothing more, Sesshomaru turned away and walked to the door. There was a moment he hesitated, not wanting to leave the room while things were tense, but why did he care? He left and slammed the door behind him anyway.
"What the hell is this?" Sesshomaru asked himself as he moved rapidly through the hallways of his own castle. He soon found himself outside in the courtyard, heading for the front gate. He didn't stop there. He jumped over the tall stone wall that surrounded his castle and ran off toward the forest at the valley's edge. He kept going even farther until finally he came to a clearing and slid to a stop. He finally felt like he gained enough distance from Kagome. He brought his hand to his face. His fangs were bare, his eyes flashing red out of anger. "What is happening to me? I should not be feeling this way around a stupid human. She's driving me crazy."
Sesshomaru took a few very deep breaths and listened calmly to the world around him. It was his way of meditating. He began to focus his mind on the problem. Over the last few days, any time he was near Kagome, something happened to him. The usual annoyance he held toward her presence was gone. The first thing that was strange was the guilt. He noticed it when he found out she was sick. He felt guilty enough to summon the West's most notable healer to ensure that Kagome was well. It was easy to use Rin's happiness as an excuse, but that could only last for so long. He even took part in longer conversations with her. He let her give him advice and let pieces of his history be known to her. The things she said about Rin struck harder than normal and he was considering taking the path of fatherhood. It was all happening way too fast for him.
"Damn it. Stupid woman. She talks too much." Sesshomaru thought, cursing his situation as he forced himself to calm down. "Is she starting to get to me? I can't let that happen. I need to figure this out."