Kagome's first thought after the battle was Rin.
A-Un had kept the infant from the battle and she had— thankfully —appeared to have slept through the entire event. Kagome was grateful. That woman, Kagura, had been an unexpected foe. She didn't want to give Naraku any more ammunition to use against them.
"How's my little girl doing?"
Rin began to cry. Kagome hoisted her out of the sling. "Are you hungry?" she asked, checking the baby. "Yeah, I think you are and you need to be changed."
"Kagome." She glanced over her shoulder to find Kouga staring at her. His gaze fell to Rin. "Is she yours?"
Her cheeks burned. "What? No! Of course not!"
"Sorry, it's just...she kinda looks like you," he said sheepishly.
Kagome studied Rin. She supposed it was true. They both had the same dark hair and porcelain skin but where her eyes were blue, Rin's were a deep amber brown.
"I found her," Kagome told him. "She's an orphan. Her entire village was slaughtered."
"By wolves," a terse voice added.
Kouga faced Sesshomaru. "The rogue wolves were dealt with," he snapped defensively.
"I hope so, for your sake, wolf," Sesshomaru returned. He didn't sound convinced.
The two demons stood stiff and unmoving, glaring at one another in silent challenge. Kagome coughed, overwhelmed by their yokai.
"Sango, could you help me, please?" she asked.
"Sure." Her friend hurried over, grabbing the yellow backpack.
Together the two women went over to the clearing where Miroku had built a fire. Inuyasha was leaning against a tree, running his hands over his wounds. Kagome reached into the pack and retrieved her first aid kit. She tossed it to Inuyasha.
"If you keep messing with them, they won't heal," she scolded him. "Wrap them up."
"Whatever," he grumbled.
Shippo came running over to join her and Sango. "Why does she smell so bad?" he questioned, pinching his nose.
"She needs to be changed," Sango said.
"You might want to stay away, Shippo," Kagome advised.
As Kagome unswaddled Rin, all the men seemed to shy away. Sango handed her fresh linens. She cleaned Rin up and redressed her. "There we go," she said proudly, glad to notice the smile on the little girl's face.
Sango laid out the rations from Kagome's pack, including a new container of formula. Everyone congregated around the fire.
Kirara and A-Un kept their distance from one another, each choosing to rest on opposite ends of the group. They weren't the only ones with tension crackling between them. Inuyasha kept sending fervent glances at his older brother. Sesshomaru pointedly ignored the gesture. Kouga glowered at both of them.
Kagome sighed. So much for teamwork. It was clear they would need more than a common hatred for Naraku to come together.
Sango passed out ramen, beef jerky, and pocky for Shippo. Both Sesshomaru and Kouga declined any food. Kagome knew cooked meat, or burnt meat as Kouga's wolves referred to it, was not to their liking. Demons preferred their meals rare— the bloodier the better. She shivered, pulling Rin a little closer at the thought.
Across the fire, gold eyes bore into her. Kagome chose to ignore it.
She prepared a bottle of formula and showed Sango how to feed Rin. At first, the little girl seemed confused but the moment she tasted the formula she settled. Kagome took the opportunity to arrange what was left of her belongings in her pack.
"What do you make of Kagura?" Miroku asked.
"She's nothing we can't handle," Inuyasha answered.
"That witch is harder to kill than you think, mutt," Kouga insisted. "Kagome, you should come back to the den with me. As my woman—."
"Kagome ain't your woman, so shut it," Inuyasha snapped, rising to his feet.
Kouga stood. "She'd be a hell of a lot safer with me than you! I wouldn't have left her alone."
"No, you'd just let her drag your useless body to safety," Inuyasha retorted angrily.
"She was taking care of me because she's my woman," Kouga said with a smirk.
"Stop saying that," Inuyasha demanded, drawing closer to Kouga. "Kagome's got a duty to us. She owes you nothing."
Kouga chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest. "See? That's your problem, mutt. All you care about is the jewel. You're missing the real prize."
"Eh?"
"He means Kagome," Miroku clarified as he sipped his soup. He was completely unaffected by their displays of dominance.
"Kagome ain't no prize," Inuyasha grumbled.
"If that's how you feel, then you won't mind if I take her back to the tribe with me," Kouga announced, leaping over the fire to land at her side.
He pulled Kagome to her feet and snaked an arm around her waist. She flushed, slightly embarrassed by his antics but also a bit pleased. It was nice to feel desired.
"I will look after you. I'll accept the pup as if they were my own," he promised as he held both her hands in his.
"Kouga—."
A wave of heat flared against her back. A deep voice growled, "You will do no such thing."
Kagome gazed up. "Ses-Sesshomaru?"
"The miko and I have an arrangement. She will be returning with me to the Western Palace," he said, removing Kouga's hands from Kagome.
"Like hell she will!" Inuyasha raged, withdrawing Tetsusaiga.
"She's my woman!" Kouga yelled simultaneously.
The two began bickering again, their voices growing louder and louder until Rin lost interest in her meal. She wailed, arms flailing above her head as she reached for Kagome.
"That's enough!" Kagome shouted at them. Everyone stilled. She took a breath before speaking in a quieter tone. "Kouga, I'm grateful for your help with Kagura, but I'm fine. You should go back to your pack and make sure everyone knows what happened." She turned to her friend. "Inuyasha, Sesshomaru is right. I made a promise. I'll keep hunting the jewel shards but I am going to stay with him from now on."
"Kagome—."
"A promise is a promise," she told him, placing her hand on his arm to comfort him. "Once you guys figure out how to track down Naraku and Kagura, let me know. I'll be at the Western Palace where Rin is safe."
She knelt by her yellow backpack, securing the fastenings for their return trip. Inuyasha and Kouga stared at her, too stunned for words. Sango exchanged a worried look with Miroku. Shippo began to cry, begging her not to leave.
"It's only temporary," Kagome assured the kitsune. "After Rin grows up, I'll be back to traveling with you guys full-time."
"But, Kagome, that will take years!" Shippo cried.
"I'll still see you. Sesshomaru offered to help us on our search," she revealed.
"What?" Inuyasha and Kouga yelled.
"Hn," Sesshomaru said by way of confirmation.
"Kagome, I don't like the idea of my woman living with another—."
"Kouga," she said as kindly as she could, despite her annoyance, "I'm not yours. I'm a person. I don't belong to anyone."
The wolf prince gaped at her. She'd spoken forcefully to him before but this was the first time she'd firmly rejected his proposal.
"All fed," Sango announced, standing to hand Rin over to Kagome. She stepped directly between them, her back to Kouga to break him out of his stupor.
"Thank you," Kagome said with a small smile.
"Be careful," her friend advised softly. "Keep your bow on you at all times."
"I will," Kagome promised, giving Sango a one-armed hug.
"We will miss you, Kagome," Miroku said as he came to wish her farewell.
"I'll miss you guys too."
"I wanna go with you," Shippo whined, clutching her leg.
"Oh, Shippo, I don't think Sesshomaru—."
"The kitsune may accompany you."
All eyes turned to the inu-daiyokai. Kagome felt the intense heat from his yoki beginning to recede. Maybe he thought she'd be more willing to stay if Shippo was around.
"Thank you, Sesshomaru."
He gave her a curt nod.
Shippo took this as the cue to jump up on her shoulder.
"Kagome." Inuyasha came forward. She waited, expecting him to argue with her or start shouting again. Instead, he stared over her head at Sesshomaru. "Take care of her. If anything happens to Kagome, I won't be the only one who comes after you, do you hear me?"
She glanced over her shoulder to see Sesshomaru nod. When Kagome turned back, she saw Sango, Miroku, and Kouga were all staring at the demon lord with solemn expressions.
"We'll see you guys soon," Kagome told her friends in what she hoped was a reassuring tone. She gave them a little wave then followed Sesshomaru over to A-Un.
She wasn't sure what to expect once they reached the Western Palace but she knew he hadn't forgotten about her escape.
The air was clear as they ascended. Sesshomaru was grateful for the unobstructed view. He wished all things were as calm as the skies. With the miko taking Rin, he had permitted the kit to ride with him.
It was a mistake.
The fox had not stopped chatting since they left the miko's companions in the woods. He inquired about Sesshomaru's armor, the castle, and even questioned what kind of dragon chose to serve a dog demon. When Sesshomaru tired of answering his queries, the kitsune moved onto storytelling.
He told Sesshomaru about how he had met the half-breed and the miko. The kit spoke of the Thunder Brothers and how the pair had murdered his father for his pelt. At this, Sesshomaru repressed a growl. The story brought up unpleasant memories of his own father's demise, a topic he greatly disliked.
When he glanced over at the miko, he found her head nodding and her form slouched. Sesshomaru shifted closer, fearing she'd slip off the dragon and fall into the trees below. Yet each time her head bobbed, her first response was to clutch the reins and hold the infant tighter.
He frowned. Suggesting they leave so soon had been ignorant. Humans required far more rest than demons. He had put her and the baby in danger by forcing them to leave before they were ready.
"And then Inuyasha asked Miroku if he could have both of them and Kagome left through the well—."
"Shippo!"
"Eh, sorry, Kagome," the kit apologized, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.
Sesshomaru noticed the red color of her cheeks. Her scent had a sharp spike of citrus. The story had upset her. He began to tell her to forget the half-breed when the palace came into view. Sesshomaru saw his reprieve from the incessant fox tales on the horizon and grinned.
"Wow!" the kit exclaimed in awe. "Kagome why'd you ever leave?"
His words reminded Sesshomaru of the conversation he had yet to have with the miko regarding her sudden disappearance. They would speak once the children were tucked away. He did not wish to admonish her in front of them.
He was not as careless as his brother. Sesshomaru would not provoke the miko. He saw the way her reiki neutralized the wind witch. He did not wish to be stripped of his powers the same way.
"This place looks great. I bet they have all kinds of candy in the kitchens," the kit went on.
"I don't know," the miko responded. "I've never been there."
"I will have Jaken give you both a tour," Sesshomaru decided.
The kit cheered happily. The girl thanked him.
She appeared somewhat reserved. Considering her outburst and harsh words toward the wolf and his brother, Sesshomaru had anticipated a level of aggression from her. She did not challenge him. He glanced at her and caught the miko stifling a yawn.
Her exhaustion explained her lack of opposition. The fire behind her eyes was gone, replaced by her body's need for rest. The tour would have to wait.
The dragon began his descent and Sesshomaru followed. Above the roar of the wind, he could hear the kit talking excitedly about how superior his flying skills were to traveling with Inuyasha. Sesshomaru smirked. His ability to fly was only one of the many ways he outranked his brother. In time, the kit would learn just how powerful the Lord of the Western Lands truly was.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru, you've returned!"
No sooner had his boots touched the earth than Jaken was scurrying forth, waving his staff and flailing dramatically. The demon lord repressed a grimace.
"Jaken."
"Lord Sesshomaru, you have returned with your quarry," observed the imp. He glanced at the kitsune. "And a snack."
"Excuse me?" the miko snapped. The fire was back in her voice and he was keenly aware of the way her reiki rose around her.
"The miko and the kit are guests of the Western Palace. Once they have rested from the journey, you will provide them with a tour of the estate," Sesshomaru commanded his vassal.
The imp's yellow eyes bulged. "What?! But Lord Sesshomaru—."
"Must I repeat myself?"
"No, of course not, my lord, but—."
"Come," he said to the miko. She stepped around Jaken with a 'hmpf'. The kitsune trailed behind her, sticking out his tongue at the indignant imp as he passed.
The nursery was as she had left it. Though his beast had been furious, Sesshomaru had not allowed his emotions to overtake reason. He kept his property immaculate, perfectly curated and maintained the way a lord should. It was one of the lessons ingrained in him since birth.
"Here you are," the miko said to the infant as she set her into the bassinet. Rin watched her with her doe eyes. The miko smiled down at her until those brown eyes grew heavy and the babe succumbed to sleep.
There was a tugging on his pants. Sesshomaru gazed down to find the kit craning his neck to see his face. "Where is my room?"
"Shippo!" the girl chided in a hushed whisper.
"What?" the fox questioned, perplexed by her shock.
"You can't demand things from your host. That's not polite."
"She is correct. It is not proper to make requests of your host," Sesshomaru agreed.
The kitsune's shoulders sagged and he shrunk away. "Sorry," he muttered dejectedly.
"I will have Jaken bring a bed in here for you," Sesshomaru told him. Turning to the miko, he said, "Your chambers are through the door." He indicated a door off to the side of the crib.
She seemed surprised. "I have my own room?"
"Would you prefer to sleep on a cot like the kit?"
Her cheeks reddened. "No."
"I suggest you rest. I will come for you later. We have much to discuss."
She nodded, catching her lower lip between her teeth. He could scent her unease. She was worried about their conversation. His lips twitched and he moved toward her. Both the girl and the kitsune jumped slightly.
He withdrew, exiting the nursery before he made a further fool of himself.
Kagome didn't move until she couldn't hear Sesshomaru's soft footsteps on the floor. He hadn't mentioned a room before. She wondered if he had changed his mind or if she simply hadn't given him a chance to show her.
Curious, she pushed open the door and peeked inside.
The sight that greeted her was impressive, though Kagome realized she shouldn't have been surprised. The entire palace was a study in opulence and grandeur. Evidently, that theme extended to the guest wing.
The room was larger than her entire house back home in the future. It had everything she needed— a luxurious bed, a desk, a wardrobe, a changing screen, and even a pair of doors that led out onto a balcony. Intrigued, she raced over, throwing the doors open to look out at the compound.
From her perch, Kagome could see the stables where A-Un was hunkering down for a nap. She grinned, glancing around the mountains. The mists surrounding them seemed peaceful. It was no longer an ominous unknown swirl of clouds but a gentle veil keeping them safe. She returned inside, making sure to latch the balcony doors behind her.
The bed was large enough to fit her, Shippo, and probably the rest of their group. Thinking of her friends caused a slight pang in her chest. Kagome brushed it aside. She hadn't said goodbye for forever, only for now, while she helped raise Rin. They didn't need her right now anyway. They had to regroup and come up with a plan for how to handle Kagura. She doubted Inuyasha would even notice her absence.
"Kagome, can I sleep with you?"
She turned to find Shippo standing hesitantly in the doorway.
"Sure," she said, beckoning him inside.
As interested as she was to explore the remainder of her room, Kagome heard sleep's siren call. She flung herself onto the mattress, sinking into its soft form. Shippo hopped up and snuggled alongside her.
Within minutes, they were both asleep.
Sesshomaru stood in the courtyard, Tenseiga in hand. He did not require long periods of rest like humans did. The battle against Kagura served to strengthen his motivation. He would unlock the secrets of his sword. He would enhance his skills, claim Tetsusaiga for his own, defeat Naraku, and become a greater fighter than his father. Where Toga failed, he would succeed. It was his destiny.
He swung the blade, slicing it through the air. The metal sang. His weight shifted. Sesshomaru's steps were smooth yet calculated. He followed the practice form's flow, one of the many he had memorized over the centuries.
Balance, his tutor had told him, was what separated the elite swordsmen from those who wielded a blade like a chopping axe. "You must strike a balance between the energy of your blade, the energy of your opponent, and the energy of yourself. Only then will you be able to direct the flow as necessary and secure your victory."
It was advice Sesshomaru kept at the forefront of his mind for years. He may have forgotten the tutor's name but the lesson remained clear in his mind. It had served him well. Sesshomaru had been undefeated.
Until he had gone against Inuyasha and Tetsusaiga.
And the miko.
He had not anticipated his father's inheritance to be guarded by a riddle. Sesshomaru recognized the cleverness of Toga. Hiding the sword in plain sight only to have it unobtainable without a human hand— his father had surely made the blade impossible to free, at least when it came to his eldest son. It was yet another slight to Sesshomaru. He did not understand why he was being punished for his father's follies.
Tenseiga sliced an invisible path around him as he transitioned into the next form of the series. When his head was clouded, Sesshomaru trained. The precise movements were familiar, controllable. They allowed him to regain clarity.
He suspected the time spent on his daily training regime would need to increase.
When the miko was near, his clarity was corrupted. The actions he normally made effortlessly became a debate. His reactions had softened and, worst of all, he was allowing himself to rely on her— a human female. Sesshomaru briefly wondered if he had lost himself. Had the half-breed taken more than just his arm?
The fault was his alone. He had permitted the girl entry into his home, into his routine. The alternative would have been to let the pup die. Human or demon, Sesshomaru could not stand to see such a young life be taken so needlessly.
Wolves, he thought darkly.
He would have to speak with the miko about her relationship with the wolf prince. The demon was not a suitable companion and Sesshomaru would not tolerate the wolf being around his ward.
As if his thoughts had summoned her, he picked up on her warbled cries. Sesshomaru sheathed his sword. He noted the position of the sun in the sky. It was afternoon. He had spent the better part of the day practicing.
With a sigh, he proceeded up to the nursery.
Sesshomaru found the doors opened and a gathering of his attendants surrounding the miko. She was smiling at them all, despite their skeptical, albeit curious, gazes and telling them about Rin.
"What has happened?"
At the sound of his voice, the crowd broke apart.
"Ah, Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken crowed, waddling forward. "This wench neglected her duties."
He looked to the miko who was glaring at his vassal. "She needed to be fed and changed, which I did. What did you do?"
"Uh…"
"Exactly," she snapped, propping the babe on her hip. "All you did was upset her by creating this commotion." She gestured to the palace staff.
"Jaken."
"Er, yes, my lord?"
"Get out." The imp jolted, clutching his staff tightly. He scurried off. Sesshomaru leveled his golden eyes at the rest of his attendants. They followed Jaken from the chamber.
The miko knelt onto the floor and began laying out a blanket. He watched as she wrapped it around the child, tucking the edges in so the baby was wrapped completely.
"It's called swaddling," the miko explained. "Would you like to learn how?"
Sesshomaru stared at her. He had never used his hands for such a delicate task. His training had been focused around quick and efficient kills. His tutors had followed a strict curriculum set by his mother to prepare him for court life. Humans were not a part of that education. His mother saw them as a means of nourishment— nothing more.
"It's alright. You won't hurt her," the miko assured him. She moved to the left. "Here; sit down next to me."
He hesitated then did as she suggested. Sesshomaru tried not to think of what his mother would say if she knew he was kneeling on the floor like a servant. Her ridicule cut like a blade, sharp and quick. He had no doubt that she would be merciless. She was not the type to hold her tongue.
"First, you lay out the fabric, like so," the miko began, demonstrating the process.
She did not appear to notice his unease. Sesshomaru wondered if she was ignorant of her powers as a priestess or simply did not care. Either way, he was grateful she did not remark on his demeanor. He did not show weakness to anyone, least of all a human. It would be yet another failure for his mother to scold him about.
"There," she said, beaming proudly at him. He blinked. She was done and Sesshomaru had missed the entire process. "Wanna try?"
He gazed at the infant. A pair of large brown eyes stared up at him. From his perspective, the pup— baby, Sesshomaru reminded himself —appeared about as certain about him as he was of her; which was to say, not at all.
"I'll help you," the miko said encouragingly.
She moved closer to him and placed one of her her hands over his. Slowly, she guided his clawed hand over the fabric. Sesshomaru watched as she untied her perfectly wrapped fabric and pressed it flat to the floor.
"Now, you take this edge and bring it over here," she instructed, moving his hands as she spoke. "Then this comes up like that. And you arrange the fabric around Rin like this…"
The sound of her voice soothed him. Sesshomaru found it easier to concentrate with her light scent filling his nostrils, her warm skin against his, and her calm tone. She directed his actions without judgment or arrogance. Even if the task was a simple one, he found himself filled with satisfaction once it was completed.
"See? You've got it," she praised him. "And you've taken a major step with Rin. She didn't cry once."
It was not until the miko pointed out the fact that Sesshomaru recognized the truth of her statement. The child had not shed a single tear nor had she howled with fear. Rin was becoming comfortable with him.
She was not the only one.
The kit came bounding into the room, sidling right up to Sesshomaru. "Whatcha doing?"
"I'm teaching Sesshomaru how to swaddle?"
The fox tilted his head. "Waddle?"
"No." She laughed. "Swaddle. It's how we wrap babies up in their blankets so they don't get tangled up."
"Oh." The kit peered over at Rin curiously. "Why can't she talk?"
"She's still too young for that, Shippo. It will be several months before Rin will be able to say words and even longer until she's ready to talk like you and me," the miko informed him.
He groaned and crossed his arms over his chest. "Babies are so boring."
"One day, you'll change your tune...probably when you meet an attractive girl fox," she replied with a teasing wink.
"Nah, girls are disgusting," the kit refused.
The miko grinned knowingly. "You might think that right now but you'll change your mind."
Her words struck a chord with him, taking him back to an earlier time, to a similar conversation he had had with his mother.
Your father was foolish. Humans have only one true purpose. They serve as food. Do not mistake them for anything else. Humans are disgusting.
He had learned that lesson centuries ago, yet Sesshomaru heard the miko's words echo in his head.
You'll change your mind.