Rin's fussing woke Kagome. She blinked, confused to find she had actually made it into her bed the night before. Kagome thought she had fallen asleep on the floor, hunched over her textbook. With a shrug, she tossed back her covers and hurried into the nursery.
Shippo's cot was empty. Kagome stared at the empty bed for a second before Rin's cries grew louder. The baby was kicking her legs and flailing her arms.
"I know, I know," Kagome cooed, picking Rin up.
She shifted Rin into one arm, freeing up her other to grab a fresh diaper and a changing blanket from her backpack. The little girl watched Kagome with her doe eyes. She was too young to speak but she noticed everything. Kagome was glad Rin was so curious.
When Sesshomaru revealed what had happened to her family, Kagome worried Rin would be quiet and withdrawn. Even if she couldn't remember the actions that led to her becoming a ward of the Western Lands, Kagome suspected shadows of her past may linger in her subconscious. Maybe Tenseiga had erased them along with the pallbearers from the underworld.
"There you are," Kagome said, smiling at Rin as she secured a clean diaper on her.
She discarded the soiled diaper and washed her hands in the basin Ena refreshed throughout the day. There weren't many things Kagome missed from modern-day Japan, but running water was one.
As she toweled her hands dry, Kagome heard a noise from the courtyard below. She lifted Rin into her arms, balancing the infant on her hip as she gazed from the window into the yard below.
The sun was rising over the mountains, bathing the grounds in a golden light. She held her hand over her eyes. Two figures were standing across from one another.
Sesshomaru was gesturing as he spoke to Shippo. Kagome leaned closer to the window but it was impossible to hear their conversation. Shippo had his hands outstretched in front of him. His head was ducked down in concentration. After a moment, she saw a bluish-green ball of fire manifest between his hands.
Sesshomaru nodded and Shippo hurled his foxfire at him. Kagome gasped. Startled, Rin began looking around for what upset her. When she didn't see anything, she began to whimper.
"No, it's alright. You're alright," Kagome said soothingly, rocking her. She saw that Sesshomaru had dodged the blast but her heart continued to race.
She knew Sesshomaru had promised to train Shippo in preparation for him to excel through the kitsune ranks. She just hadn't expected the lessons to be so hands-on.
Kagome backed away from the window. She set Rin in her crib while she prepared a bottle. Her formula rations were getting low. Kagome would need to return to the well next week to purchase more.
She wished she had time for a job. A few hours after school would help offset her Feudal Era expenses. Her allowance had dwindled to a few thousand yen. She might have enough to cover one more trip but after that, Kagome would have to ask her mother for money. She hated doing that. It always made her feel guilty.
"We're going to have to figure something out," Kagome commented to Rin as she approached her crib.
Her eyes fell to the beads hanging on the wall. If she blessed them with her reiki, would the well let Rin pass through? Kaede seemed to believe so and she hadn't been wrong yet. Kagome was inclined to believe her but she was worried about what would happen if something went wrong.
Would Rin be stuck bawling at the bottle of the well? Would she get stuck somewhere in between the time periods? She bit her lip. Kagome needed a way to test the beads before she used them on the infant.
Rin was happily sucking away on her bottle. She was content to be in Kagome's arms while enjoying her breakfast.
Kagome wondered if Rin would be this well-behaved in Tokyo. At the Western Palace, the noise and disruptions were at a minimum. In the modern-day city, there was traffic, hordes of people, and the constant hum of electricity. Those sounds would be unfamiliar to Rin and potentially frightening.
Where would Shippo stay while she was gone— here in the Western Palace or would he go back with Inuyasha's group?
And who would watch Rin while she was at school? Her mother and grandfather were busy with the shrine. They didn't have time to take care of an infant. Of course, Kagome couldn't show up to classes with a baby slung onto her chest either.
"Oh man," she groaned. "What am I gonna do?"
Shippo came bounding into the room. "Kagome! Kagome! Did you see what I did?"
"Yeah," she said with a wide smile. "You seem to be controlling your foxfire better."
"Sesshomaru is teaching me how to hone my abilities," the kitsune shared excitedly as the towering demon entered the nursery.
Kagome's eyes locked on his. "Well, that's nice of him."
"Hn."
"Yeah," Shippo went on, not noticing the way the two adults were staring at each other. "And tomorrow we are going to work on my illusions. Next time Kouga kidnaps you, his wolves won't be able to spot the difference."
Kagome laughed. "Thanks, Shippo but I don't think I'll be visiting Kouga's den anytime soon. I'm needed here."
"Well, I'll be ready for him," the kitsune promised with a determined expression.
"Alright," she replied, still smiling. When she raised her gaze to Sesshomaru, Kagome found him glaring at the floor. "Good morning," she greeted him.
"I trust you slept well," he said.
"Yeah, I thought I fell asleep out here but I guess I managed to crawl into bed."
His gold eyes widened slightly. "Right," Sesshomaru replied tersely. "I will leave you until this afternoon."
Kagome walked up to him. "You could stay," she offered. "I'm almost done feeding Rin. I can show you how to burp her."
He blinked, clearly confused by her words.
"Here," she said, handing him the nearly empty bottle.
Kagome retrieved a clean cloth from her backpack and draped it over her shoulder. She readjusted Rin on her chest and lightly patted the baby on the back. Rin made a small coughing sound. Kagome swayed side to side, continuing to pat her until the little girl quieted.
"See? It's not hard. It helps when they swallow too much air," she explained.
Just then, Rin coughed. Kagome stiffened as she felt spit up leak into her blouse. She groaned.
Sesshomaru's brow creased. "Is she ill?"
"No," Kagome assured him. "This is normal. I should have covered my back better. This happens sometimes."'
He didn't appear pleased by this news. Considering his fancy silk kimono, Kagome doubted he would be willing to try feeding or burping Rin any time soon.
"I'm going to put her down for a nap while I go to the bathhouse. She usually falls asleep a few minutes after eating," Kagome announced.
"I can stay here with her," Shippo volunteered. "I wanted to show Sesshomaru my picture book."
Kagome glanced at the demon lord. He gave her a curt nod. "Okay then."
She laid Rin in her crib and dug through her pack for a clean set of clothes. As she did, Kagome heard Shippo explaining his drawings to Sesshomaru.
"I showed these to Kagome earlier and she thought they were great!" he told Sesshomaru proudly. "Just don't blame me for the purple color. Kagome picked it out."
Her cheeks burned as she remembered how embarrassing the images were. She gathered up her clothes and headed for the door.
"Here's my newest one. It's a picture of the four of us— our pack."
Kagome froze in the doorway.
The four of us? Pack?
She looked over her shoulder to see Shippo holding up a picture of her holding Rin and him perched on Sesshomaru's shoulder. There were little pink and purple hearts surrounding them. Her eyes went wide and her blush extended down her neck to her chest. Sesshomaru gazed at her. Kagome let out an undignified squeak.
Before he could say anything, she ran for the bathhouse.
Sesshomaru studied the assortment of illustrations the kit had crafted. He was chattering away, completely oblivious to the miko's discomfort.
He had scented her embarrassment before he caught the bloom of color on her skin. She was worried about his reaction to the drawing. He would need to educate her on pack dynamics.
It was normal for the fox to think of them as his family. That was how pack animals operated. Even if not all members were bound by blood or marriage, they were a unit. They lived together, protected each other, and acted as one. It was the natural order of things.
"I am pleased you are content in the palace," Sesshomaru said, approvingly.
"I like it better here," the kit told him. "The food is good. I get to practice and color. You don't yell at me all the time or punch me in the head. And you don't make Kagome cry."
Sesshomaru stiffened. "The half-breed made her cry?"
Shippo nodded. "More than once. Ever since his ex-girlfriend, Kikyo came back."
"The miko who bound him to the tree? I heard she died."
"She did but a dark sorceress brought her back to life," the kit explained.
"How is that possible?"
"She took part of Kagome's soul."
"What?" Sesshomaru snarled, his inner beast seething.
"Kagome almost died but she fought against the spell and restored most of her soul. Kikyo still has a small part of it but that piece needs to be supplemented for her to survive. Kikyo relies on her soul collectors to stay alive."
"Abomination," Sesshomaru growled.
"Yeah," the fox agreed, pausing in his play. "I don't like her. She's cold and mean. I don't know why Kagome always helps her. I guess it's because she cares so much about Inuyasha and wants him to be happy."
Sesshomaru knew the girl was infatuated with his brother but he had not understood the depths of her devotion. How could the half-breed be ignorant of her feelings? The girl risked her life for him, stood at his side, and the way Inuyasha repaid her kindness was by chasing after a clay corpse.
His eyes narrowed. If he ever met the dead miko, Sesshomaru vowed to end her. He would do what his brother didn't have the strength to do to complete the girl's soul.
"Where is the dead one now?" he asked Shippo.
The kit shrugged. "I don't know. The last time we saw her, Naraku took her away."
Sesshomaru scowled. He did not appreciate the idea of the dead miko and the spider hanyo joining forces. They were each powerful in their own ways but he would not be deterred. Naraku had attempted to use him as a pawn. The dead miko had done the same to the girl. Sesshomaru would not stand for such insolence.
When the opportunity presented itself, he would kill them.
Kagome toweled off her hair as she strolled up to the castle. The architect of the Western Palace was a genius for leveraging the underground hot springs as the location for the bathhouse. It was almost like indoor plumbing. Almost.
When she returned to the nursery, Kagome wasn't sure what she would say to Sesshomaru. She had planned on apologizing for her outburst yesterday but Shippo's picture had distracted her. No matter how she tried to calm herself down, she couldn't get the image of the four of them out of her head. Her cheeks were red, though not from the scalding water. Kagome sighed. She still needed to apologize and Kagome would.
Just as soon as she stopped blushing.
"Kagome!"
She turned with a gasp, spotting a figure flying fast towards her. "Sango?"
The demon slayer and her nekomata landed in the courtyard, both out of breath. "Kagome," Sango managed to choke out her name before she slumped forward.
Dropping her towel, Kagome reached out and caught her friend. "Help! Someone, please help!" she cried, hoping Akio or one of the other attendants could hear her. She heard footsteps behind them and tried to prop Sango up.
"S-she attacked us. I didn't realize...I couldn't see what she was until it was too late," Sango murmured.
Kagome rubbed her back reassuringly. "Don't try to talk. We'll get you help and—."
"No," her friend moaned, trying to stand. "They need us. They need you, Kagome. You have to come back. I only left them to come to get you," Sango pleaded.
"What happened?" a deep voice demanded.
Kagome glanced up at Sesshomaru, her blue eyes filling with guilty tears. Her friends were in trouble and she hadn't been there.
"It was a trap. Kagura set us up," Sango revealed.
"Come," he said, taking her by the arm on the side opposite Kagome. "Ena has had some healer training."
"It's alright. I can do it. I just need herbs," Kagome told him.
Together, they carried Sango inside. Kirara trailed along behind them, her tails twitching behind her as she walked. As they made their way to the staircase, the attendants came rushing to help.
"Get the miko whatever she requires," Sesshomaru ordered. The lizard demoness followed them upstairs while the others hurried to fulfill their lord's request.
"Rin?" Kagome asked him.
"The kit is watching her. I will tend to her while you stay with your friend," he returned.
"Thanks, Sesshomaru."
He led them into one of the guest chambers and hoisted Sango onto the bed. "Do what you can. The slayer will need to be able to travel."
"Travel?" Kagome questioned, her brow creasing.
"You mean to go after them, do you not?" he inquired.
"Of course."
"Then I will accompany you," Sesshomaru declared. He swept out of the room before Kagome had a chance to reply.
She sat on the edge of the bed, holding her friend's hand in her own while she waited for the supplies. Akio brought the necessary herbs from his garden and Dachi had provided her with a jug of fresh stream water.
Carefully, Kagome pulled aside the layers of fabric around Sango's ribs to reveal a darkening bruise. Kagome felt her friend tense. Sango clenched her jaw as Kagome gingerly applied the healing paste to her cuts and bruises.
"Rest here. You can move freely once it sets," she told her
"Thank you."
Kagome nodded and began cleaning up.
"He's different," Sango remarked, watching her.
Kagome smiled. "Sesshomaru isn't so bad. He's training Shippo so he can achieve his ranks. And he's doing great with Rin."
"Because of you," Sango said.
"Well, that's why I'm here, isn't it?" Kagome replied with a laugh.
"Maybe it started out that way but he obviously cares for you."
"We're allies. He's going to help me restore the jewel and beat Naraku," Kagome reminded her.
Sango sat up, adjusting her garments to cover up. "Just allies?"
"Hey," Kagome said, pointing a finger at Sango, "don't start with that. Unless you want to admit your true feelings for Miroku."
The demon slayer's cheeks reddened. "I don't want to talk about him right now"
Kagome crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, I don't want to talk about Sesshomaru."
"Why? Did something happen?"
The doors flew open and Shippo came running into the room. "Sango! Kirara!"
Saved, Kagome thought as relief flooded through her.
"Hey, Shippo," Sango greeted him, while Kirara nuzzled her face against his side, purring.
"What happened to you, Sango? Where are the others?" the kitsune questioned as he looked around the room curiously.
"We went into town and met one of Miroku's friends, Koharu," Sango began. Kagome noticed the way her friend's face soured when she said the girl's name. "I think...I think she was Miroku's first love."
"Oh, Sango." Kagome reached for her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
"I didn't realize she was being possessed until it was too late. She and the rest of the villagers are under Kagura's control."
Kagome gasped. "They're all dead?"
Sango shook her head. "No, there's another with Kagura this time— a child, a girl named Kanna. She's the one who stole the souls of the villagers."
"Their souls?" Kagome asked, shivering. Kanna's abilities were a bit too much like Kikyo's for her liking.
With a nod, Sango continued, "Her mirror has the ability to trap your soul and once she has it contained behind the glass, she has control over you. But that's not all it can do. The mirror can also reflect attacks."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Inuyasha?"
"He didn't listen. He tried to use the Wind Scar and...," Sango trailed off, shaking her head. "I came as fast as I could."
"We have to rescue them," Kagome said, sliding off the bed.
"I'm going with," Shippo decided.
Kagome placed her hands on his shoulders, kneeling to his height. "No, Shippo. It's too dangerous. Besides, I need someone to watch over Rin while Sesshomaru and I are gone."
"But Kagome—."
Sesshomaru cut the kitsune off as he entered the room, holding Rin in his arm. "The miko is right. This battle is not one you can win. You can serve better by staying here and watching over the palace."
"Watching over? I get to be in charge?" he asked, his mood brightening.
"Jaken and the others will assist you," Sesshomaru replied. Kagome noted that his response wasn't a confirmation but it wasn't a refusal either. Clever.
Sango held a hand to her side as she stood up.
"Are you sure you're okay to travel?" Kagome asked, worried.
"I'm fine," her friend answered.
"You can ride on A-Un with me. It will give both you and Kirara a chance to rest," Kagome offered.
Sango eyed Sesshomaru warily as if expecting him to refuse. The demon lord said nothing to contradict Kagome. Instead, he held Rin out to her.
"I'll be back," Kagome promised the little girl. "Shippo is going to look after you."
"Ena will assist as well," Sesshomaru added, gesturing to the doorway where the lizard demoness stood. "She watched over me when I was young. She will be sufficient in the interim."
The demoness handed Kagome her bow and quiver.
"Thank you."
She bowed her head and held out her hands to receive Rin.
Kagome swallowed, finding it difficult to hand the baby over to Ena. It wasn't that Kagome didn't trust the demoness but the thought of leaving Rin upset her. The moment the infant was out of her arms, she hurried down the hall. It would have been harder if Rin was awake. If Kagome had had to see those big brown eyes staring up at her, she didn't know if she could have left.
"You'll be back," Sango said encouragingly.
"I know," Kagome returned.
The two women walked side by side out of the palace, Kirara and Sesshomaru following.
When they reached the stables, the nekomata stared at the two-headed dragon cautiously. In turn, the beast regarded her with a guarded air. They each sniffed one another until they deemed the opposite to not be a threat.
Sesshomaru prepared A-Un's saddle and reins, while Kagome checked her quiver. There were only eight arrows. She would need to make more before their next rendezvous with Naraku and his minions.
"Lady Kagome!"
She whirled around to find Akio running towards them. "These are for you," he said, thrusting a satchel into her hands. "Medicinal herbs for you and your friends."
"Thank you," Kagome told him, slinging the strap of the bag over her shoulder.
Akio bowed his head to her and then again to Sesshomaru.
"Ready?" the demon lord asked.
Kagome nodded. "Let's go catch a spider."