Sesshomaru's interactions with Rin held an unexpected level of tenderness. Kagome warmed as she watched the large demon echo her movements. It took him several attempts to successfully swaddle Rin, but neither he nor the baby showed signs of discomfort. On the contrary, the expression on Sesshomaru's face was one of pure determination.
If they were friends, she would laugh. What they were had yet to be determined. Kagome considered his help in battling Kagura. Maybe they were allies— yes, acquaintances and allies sounded appropriate.
Rin cooed, her eyes dropping with the need to sleep. Sesshomaru stiffened.
"She's fine, just tired," Kagome assured him.
Picking Rin up, she settled the infant against her chest. The little girl immediately snuggled into her. Kagome rubbed soothing circles along the baby's back while carrying Rin to her crib.
Sesshomaru followed, standing behind Kagome like a curious shadow. He peered over her shoulder as she set Rin down. The infant's jaw stretched in a wide yawn then her eyes fluttered shut.
"She's a good baby," Kagome informed him. "Barely cries, except when she's hungry—."
"Or Inuyasha yells," Shippo piped up.
"Yeah," Kagome agreed hesitantly.
She didn't want to bring up Inuyasha, not when she and Sesshomaru still had to talk. A reprimand was awaiting her but his mood could determine the difference between harsh punishment and a simple chiding. Kagome wanted him to be in a good mood— if there was such a thing.
"The half-breed will not be permitted near her again," Sesshomaru stated.
"That's probably for the best," Shippo agreed. "Inuyasha isn't good with kids. He beats me all the time."
"You should stay with your own kind," Sesshomaru said.
Kagome glanced up at him. "His own kind?"
"Full-blooded demons. Maintaining the company of half-breeds and humans does not prompt growth or skill."
She clenched her hands. "Because they are beneath you?"
"Yes."
Her anger went from a slow simmer to boiling hot. "Shippo, stay here with Rin. Sesshomaru and I need to have a chat."
"Uh, okay," the kitsune replied, shying away from her. He'd seen Kagome mad before. He knew to avoid her wrath.
She walked out of the nursery, waiting until she was joined by their host to shut the doors.
"What's wrong with you?" she demanded.
The demon lord stared at her.
"Just because I'm human doesn't make me any less of a person," Kagome snapped. "I don't consider you superior because you were born a demon. I don't see Inuyasha as inferior because he is half-human and half-demon. The fact that we were each born differently doesn't change who we are. What we choose to do with our lives does."
She waited for him to object to her remarks. He remained silent which she took as permission to continue.
"Miroku is a pervert but he's one of my best friends," she explained. "He's been dealt a cruel fate but he doesn't let that stop him from helping his friends. He's put himself in danger to protect us. That makes him a good person. And then there's Sango, who's been through more than you could ever imagine. She's strong because of what she's had to endure not because she was born to be a skilled slayer. You can't judge people based on what they are. You have to judge them on who they are and how they choose to live their lives."
"What is your point, miko?" he asked testily.
"My point is," Kagome replied, punctuating the word by prodding his chest with her pointer finger. "Shippo may be a demon but what's best for him isn't staying with other demons. Other demons murdered his father. Someone's designation has nothing to do with what's best. Choices do. And our choices make our group the best place for him."'
"Then why did the kit choose to leave with you?" Sesshomaru countered.
Kagome blinked. Her finger curled in toward her hand as she considered his question. She was happy to have Shippo with her. It made her feel less alone but what about the kitsune? How did he feel about the new arrangement? When the novelty of the Western Palace wore off, would he still want to be here?
"Demons such as the kit are bred with a pack mentality," Sesshomaru informed her. "We are loyal to those in our pack. We protect them, provide for them, and prize them above all others. They are our family unit. The kit chose you because you fulfill the role of a surrogate mother, just as you do for Rin. I let him join you here because it is what is best for his development. It is to his benefit to be around other full-fledged demons."
"Development?" Kagome asked.
"Foxes earn tails as their skills increase. I am not familiar with the specifics but I know he will only be able to achieve higher ranks if he trains. I can assist him with that."
Kagome gaped at him in disbelief. "You're going to train Shippo to fight?"
"Tricks and illusions are powerful weapons in battle when wielded correctly. I will advise him on how to use his abilities effectively," Sesshomaru said.
"But why?" Kagome questioned. "Why would you tutor him?"
"The day I requested your assistance, I made you part of my pack. You are tending to my ward. Pack etiquette dictates I take care of you. My efforts extend to the kit as he belongs to you."
"And my friends?" Kagome inquired.
"No."
"But they belong to me too!"
"The kit is a child. He is dependent upon you. Your friends," he sneered as he said the word, "are fully-grown and do not require my aid, nor are they deserving of it."
"Why? Because they are human?" she asked.
He didn't answer.
Kagome's eyes narrowed. "If that's the case, then I shouldn't be here and neither should Rin." She moved to return to the nursery.
His clawed hand closed around her wrist. "Miko."
She whirled around, yanking free. "My name is Kagome."
"We are not finished. There is still the matter of your disappearance," he growled.
"Are you going to punish me?"
There was a dangerous glint to his metallic eyes, like a glaze covering the true form. Kagome swallowed nervously. Nothing could be more true. She knew what lurked beneath his calm exterior— a vicious beast far too large and fast for her to take down alone.
"You are deserving of retribution," he answered.
"And Rin?" she asked
"An infant cannot be held accountable for their actions. They are too young to know better."
Kagome felt some of the tightness in her chest ease. "Okay then. What do you want me to do?"
"Do?"
"For leaving," she clarified. "What do you want me to do? Mop the floors? Polish your treasures? Clean A-Un's stalls?"
He stared incredulously at her.
She put her hands on her hips and returned his gaze. "Well?"
"You will wash my hair."
Kagome's brow furrowed. "What?"
He did not understand what possessed him to speak those words. Such a task was meant to be shared with an intimate partner, not a common human. Sesshomaru stalked down the hallway toward his chambers, fuming.
Clearly, the miko was a sorceress of renowned powers. She had managed to penetrate his mind and manipulate his thoughts. To wash his hair was not a punishment; it was an honor, one he was bound to bestow upon his mate. A feral growl escaped him as he entered his rooms.
She would join him after dinner.
Sesshomaru had two choices. First, he could retract his earlier decision and give her another task, which would make him look indecisive and weak. Or, he could suffer under her mortal hands and put the experience out of his head. Neither option sounded agreeable but, as he was short on time, he did not have another choice.
He attempted to distract himself with scrollwork. Though tedious, it was not challenging. However, it did take time— time otherwise spent overanalyzing the girl. Sesshomaru resigned himself to his task.
A few hours later, when Jaken announced the miko's arrival, Sesshomaru was glowering at his fireplace. While his work was done, he was no less irritated.
He did not wish to see her. He did not want her frail hands to touch him. But he knew he could not turn her away.
Not now.
The time for establishing distance had passed. Instead of listening to his instincts, Sesshomaru had fallen into her trap. He had let her get under his skin. He feared she would stay there, festering like an infection he would never get rid of.
Angrily, he flung the doors open. Her blue eyes widened yet she did not cower. She stood tall, staring up at him while his vassal backed away warily.
"You are dismissed, Jaken," Sesshomaru told the imp.
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken said with a quick bow. He scuttled off as Sesshomaru stepped aside to allow the miko entrance.
She slipped through the opening, immediately walking across the room to where a large basin of water was set by the hearth. She did not utter a word. Sesshomaru watched her study the bottles of oils set beside the water. Each was lifted to her nose and her chest expanded as she inhaled deeply. She began to rearrange them, setting the majority off to the side. The only two she kept were the Japanese camellia and honey.
Interesting.
He settled by the basin, turning his back to her. No sooner had Sesshomaru inclined just head backward than a pair of hands was combing through the silken strands, drawing them gently into the water.
"Who normally does this?" the miko asked.
"I do."
She gasped. "You wash your own hair?"
He scowled. "You do not believe me?"
"For someone who has a palace big enough to fit a whole village, you don't strike me as the type," the miko replied. "Especially when you have more than a dozen servants," she added.
"Hn."
Sesshomaru did not tell her that his attendants were not worthy of the task. He understood her inquisitive nature. She would question why he had ordered her to do it. He had no answer to give.
She used her nimble fingers to card through his tresses, gently guiding them through the water until his entire head was thoroughly soaked. Sesshomaru stared at the ceiling, grateful she could not see his face. His eyes were struggling to remain open. The way she caressed his scalp before working her way down to the ends was soothing. He had never felt such a calming sensation.
As she worked, the miko hummed. Sesshomaru frowned. He asked her about the unfamiliar tune.
"It's a lullaby," the miko explained. "My mother used to sing it to Sota and me when we were children. It's called The Moon over the Ruined Castle."
"Your mother wrote music?"
She laughed. "No. It was written years ago. My mother learned it in middle school. I guess it just sorta stuck with her."
"And what of your father."
Her hands stilled. Sesshomaru scented regret and anguish on the air.
"He passed when Sota was a baby," the miko responded softly. Her voice was tense and he smelled the sting of salt. She was still mourning in her heart for her father. They had that in common.
Sesshomaru did not ask anything else of the miko. He stayed reclined against the basin's lip. The silence was filled by her continued humming and the crackling of the fireplace.
It was not until she poured a generous portion of honey into the water that he realized he had not given her the instructions to do so. She coated his hair in the golden substance.
The sweet aroma filled the air between them, fresh and floral. She massaged it into the strands. Her movements were firm but not rough. It was a pleasant balance between force and tenderness. He permitted his eyes to close for a brief instant.
Grooming had always been a necessity. His appearance was one meant to intimidate his foes and demand respect from his underlings. Sesshomaru had never sought enjoyment from bathing nor had he anticipated finding a mate who would care to humble herself so. The demonesses at court were painted to perfection, all seeking the same thing he was: power. They would not lower themselves to such a mundane task.
At least not more than was necessary.
Etiquette demanded the task be done between mated pairs, an act to strengthen their intimacy and increase their bond. Sesshomaru could not recall having ever heard of his parents following the tradition.
Not that he expected them to.
Toga and Arisu's binding had never been about an emotional connection. Neither would seek to strengthen their bond because there was no bond to fortify. The only thing that tied them to one another was a court decision.
And him.
Sesshomaru could remember the cold way his mother had stared at him after they left. Once Toga's infidelity came to light, Arisu saw her son as a reminder of what had been lost. The union of their two houses was achieved through Sesshomaru but Arisu's rule was limited to her palace in the sky. She would never achieve more.
Eventually, she turned her attention to leveraging her last bargaining chip. Her son, the child who looked so much like her mate, was all Arisu had left— one last pawn on the board. Her lessons had been harsh, though not nearly as harsh as her words. She spent centuries molding him. Arisu flexed what little power she had left until Sesshomaru's power outweighed her own.
On that day, he left. Wandering the lands of his father, Sesshomaru had searched for purpose. He struck down those he was within his rights to dispatch to the underworld. Battle after battle, war after war, he raged— a feral beast finally released from its cage.
And then came the whispers of a sword.
The blade crafted from Toga's fang was nearly as legendary as the great warrior himself. Sesshomaru had been convinced the treasure was what he had been scouring the earth for.
Fate was not without a sense of irony. The blade had been promised to his half-brother. He had been furious. Had his father not slighted him enough? Did he think so little of his kin that he would cast his firstborn aside? Tenseiga was nothing compared to Tetsusaiga.
But no matter. In time, the sword would be his. He was sure of it.
His eyes flashed open. Hands were cupping the back of his head, languidly massaging the tense tissue. The contact sent a pleasurable heat rushing through him. It erased all thoughts of his father, Inuyasha, and the damned blade.
"Miko."
"Yeah?"
"What are you doing?"
"Your hair," she answered, perplexed. She leaned closer, studying his expression. "Are you okay?"
"Fine," he lied.
"Okay, then." The miko shifted into place and resumed her ministrations. As she did, the heat returned and he was unable to keep his eyes open.
Ours, his inner beast purred.
The miko is a human, Sesshomaru seethed angrily.
He was not certain what was more frustrating. The fact that his inner beast did not answer him or the increasing satisfaction he gained from her touch.
Distance.
Sesshomaru needed to maintain distance. Without it, he would only allow her to cloud his mind further.
Falling into a new routine wasn't difficult. Once they got over their initial confusion at having two humans in their midst, the palace attendants were welcoming. Kagome wasn't sure how much of that was due to her friendly smiles versus the glower Sesshomaru had given them. She decided it didn't matter. For the time being, the Western Palace was home. She was going to make the best of it.
Kagome kept her bedroom doors open each night, in case Rin cried. It made her feel guilty to put so much space between them but from what she'd read, Kagome knew Rin needed to adapt to a sleep schedule. She wouldn't do that if Kagome was constantly fawning all over her.
Alarm clocks were a thing of the past— or future, as it were. Kagome woke with Rin each day. She changed, fed, and burped her. By the time she made it through their morning ritual, Shippo was up and ready for breakfast and the three made their way downstairs to the kitchens.
The head chef, Akio, was an elderly dog demon. He was pleased to have someone to cook for, even if it did take him a while to adjust to Kagome's human palate. After her glowing review of his gyu kushi, Akio was more than happy to alter his methods to accommodate her.
Breakfast was followed by a walk outside, usually to the stables to visit A-Un. Shippo liked to climb on the dragon as if he was a jungle-gym. Kagome was relieved to find the beast tolerated the kitsune almost as well as he did Rin.
Even though she was too young to play with Shippo, Rin showed her appreciation for A-Un too. When they sat in the grass, she would raise her little hands skyward. A-Un would lower one head at a time, snorting against each of her hands. As soon as she felt the burst of air, Rin would squeal with glee and try to catch him. The same game would be repeated for the other side and so they volleyed back and forth until Rin either grew tired or hungry.
That was Kagome's cue to head inside for lunch. With that came another changing, another feeding, and another burping. Despite the extra clothes she had packed, she almost always needed to change into a fresh blouse. Rin was notorious for managing to get spit-up everywhere. Thankfully, after lunch, it was time to put Rin down for a nap. That was when Kagome did her schoolwork.
Despite the recurrent nature of her days, Kagome found comfort in the palace. She quickly learned the most direct route to the bathhouse, found that— like her —many of the servants found Jaken annoying, and recognized how devoted Sesshomaru's staff was. They all spoke highly of their lord. At first, Kagome thought it was because they feared him but she soon learned that while his behavior could be alarming, he was well respected.
Akio told her of his generosity, his fairness, and his empathy. These were traits Kagome had not thought to apply to Sesshomaru, at least not until she saw him with Rin.
He acted differently around the child, careful, as though he thought he'd break her. Which was why she didn't understand how he could have forgotten their lessons.
After washing his hair, Kagome had mentioned the list of things Sesshomaru needed to learn. When it came to human infants, there was a list of practices a kilometer long. Swaddling was a good start but he still had to learn how to prepare a bottle, how to hold her, how to rock her to sleep, how to feed her, burp her— the list went on. They had agreed to meet daily following Rin's afternoon nap.
When he didn't show the first day, Kagome wasn't bothered by his absence. She figured he had duties to see to. She busied herself with arranging things in the nursery.
Kagome hung the beads from Kaede over Rin's cradle. They served as a reminder of the protection she had promised to give the child as well as the support of her mentor. She still had to give Kaede and Sayo their gifts. Kagome sighed. She'd have to wait until she went home to stop by the village.
On the second day, she contemplated asking someone, then decided against it. She was making excellent progress with her English translation project. A few extra hours and she'd be done.
By the third day, Kagome was worried. She hadn't seen Sesshomaru once.
"Shippo?"
The kitsune glanced up at her from where he was attempting to control his spinning top. "Yeah?"
"Have you seen Sesshomaru today?"
"He was practicing in the courtyard earlier," the fox demon answered. "When I wake up, he's usually out there, though sometimes he's busy and he goes later."
Kagome strolled over to the window to peer out at the grounds below. Sure enough, she had a perfect view of the courtyard. Iit was vacant. She pursed her lips, trying to figure out why he hadn't visited the nursery. Kagome thought Rin was his priority. If Sesshomaru had time to train, he had time to learn.
"Can you take a break and watch Rin for a few minutes?" Kagome asked Shippo.
The kitsune's face lit up. "Sure!"
"Remember; be gentle with her. She's still an infant."
"You got it," Shippo replied with a mock salute.
Kagome laughed. Shaking her head, she ventured out of the nursery in search of their host.
She found him in his chambers with the babbling imp in front of him. Not wanting to eavesdrop, Kagome knocked.
"Lord Sesshomaru is busy, mortal. Go away!"
Kagome glared at the little demon. A moment later, she startled, hearing a cold, "Leave us."
But Sesshomaru's command wasn't directed at her. He was facing his vassal.
"Meddlesome woman," the imp grumbled as he waddled out.
Kagome watched him leave, wondering what she'd done to make him hate her so much.
"Do you require something?" Sesshomaru questioned, drawing her attention back to his passive face.
"You haven't come to the nursery. I thought we agreed—."
"I have other obligations besides my ward, miko," he said, cutting her off as coldly as he had dismissed Jaken.
Kagome crossed her arms over her chest. "I thought we were part of your pack," she argued.
He said nothing to this.
She didn't understand what had changed since they had last met. The way he had offered to help Shippo and his care with Rin was touching. It showed he was capable of true compassion, yet the person who stood before her now was more closed-off than ever before. Maybe he had changed his mind.
Kagome sighed. "Listen, if Rin is too much for you to handle, I'm happy to take her to the village and raise her there."
"By yourself?" Sesshomaru questioned, sounding amused by the prospect.
"I'm sure Kaede will help and Sango too, when she's available," Kagome told him.
"You would forgo your quest?"
"I can't take a baby across the country with me. It isn't safe," she answered.
"Indeed."
Kagome waited but he said nothing further. He simply stared at her. She began to feel uncomfortable under the weight of his gaze and cleared her throat. "Alright, it's settled then. The agreement is off. I'll take Rin and raise her myself since you're obviously too busy to—."
Her words died in her throat as Sesshomaru surged forward. He snatched her wrist up, pulling her arms apart. "What did I tell you about your attire?"
"These are my clothes. I'm not going to change them just because you aren't up on 20th-century fashion trends."
He growled, his grip tightening.
Kagome wasn't aware of that her reiki had responded to him until he jerked away. One second he was looking over her with a menacing snarl on his lips and the next he was releasing her with a hiss. She stumbled backward trying to regain her balance.
"Do not do that again," he warned.
"Don't tell me what to do," Kagome retorted.
His golden eyes narrowed. She thought he'd charge at her, knock her down, or pull a blade. His yoki was a toxic cloud of aggression, pride, and something else— something primal and unfamiliar.
Neither of them moved, locked in their positions across from one another. Kagome could hear her pulse ringing in her ears. Her instincts were telling her to run but, if experience had taught her anything, she knew fleeing would just provoke him. The only choice she had was to make a stand.
"If you want Rin to stay here, then make good on your promise. Being a parent means putting aside your own needs for the needs of your child. You may have other obligations but Rin should always be your priority. You need to learn how to take care of her. If you don't, the next time I leave, I'm taking her," she said, before adding, "And we won't be coming back."
His nostrils flared in anger. "I will hunt you."
"You won't find us," Kagome informed him resolutely. She wasn't sure if he knew about the Bone Eater's Well, though she figured he had his suspicions. "Tomorrow afternoon," she told him firmly.
With a deep breath, Kagome took a tentative step forward, then another and another until she had crossed through the doorway.
She felt his eyes upon her the entire time. She didn't look back.