Sesshomaru watched how the demon slayer slumped against the miko. Her arms were wrapped tight around the girl's waist and her head rested on her shoulder. The miko did not appear to mind. Her hands were right on the dragon's reins. Her gaze was on the horizon and her jaw was set with determination.
From the moment he heard her cry, Sesshomaru had known she would leave. Her distress permeated the air. It was different from her earlier unease. This was raw fear and it had forced him to rush to her side instantly.
When Sesshomaru saw the slayer, he understood. The miko blamed herself. The salt of her unshed tears turned his stomach. He left her to calm down, prepared to do what was necessary to return the carefree smile to her face.
It was what the leader of a pack did. They tended to those under their care. That was what he was doing. His feelings were valid because the miko was part of his pack. There was no other reason.
None.
"I'm sorry."
Sesshomaru blinked uncertainly. Her apology caught him off guard and he was unsure how to respond. Fortunately, there was no need.
The miko continued, "I assumed you didn't care about Rin because you didn't come to the nursery. I didn't think about how busy you were or how this is all new to you and I said some things that I shouldn't have."
He glanced at the demon slayer, expecting her to say something about this abrupt turn. She remained silent. Her breathing was rhythmic. She had fallen asleep. The only witnesses to their conversation were the dragon and the slayer's pet who was resting beside her.
"I should not have neglected my ward...or you," he admitted. "It will not happen again."
"Thank you, Sesshomaru. And thank you for coming with us. I don't think Sango is in any condition to fight, no matter what she says," the miko told him.
"She is strong. She will survive," he assured her.
The miko's eyes shimmered. She turned away to rub at her eyes. "Sango's been through so much already. Her village, her family— Naraku took it all from her. I don't think she could handle losing Miroku too."
Sesshomaru's brow furrowed. "She has chosen the lecherous monk as her mate?"
Her eyes went wide. "What? No! No, of course not. Just forget I said anything," the miko pleaded in a hushed voice.
He smirked. Sesshomaru did not care if the slayer and monk mated. He was relieved to see his question had startled the miko enough to remove the tears from her eyes. He despised the burn of salt.
"Perhaps tomorrow you can join the kit and me in the courtyard for training. I believe he would be motivated by your presence."
The miko smiled. "That would be fun," she agreed.
Sesshomaru was pleased to find her normally cheerful demeanor returning. "He has potential. With time, he will be able to control his abilities and strengthen their impact."
"I'm glad. I wondered if we did the right thing by letting him tag along with us. Inuyasha didn't have a typical demon upbringing and…," she trailed off with a shrug of her shoulders, "…well, I'm human."
"You did well," Sesshomaru responded. "Foxes tend to be mischievous. It is likely his tricks would have gotten him into dangerous situations. Had you not intervened, he may have not survived."
The miko stared at him. "He's a child."
"He is old enough to use magic. Our kind—," he frowned, choosing to select a different phrasing, "—Demon-kind recognizes development not by age but by abilities. He would have been treated as a threat or at the very least an annoyance. Depending on who he came across, it could have ended in his demise. He is lucky to have found you."
A small smile played on her lips. "I'm the lucky one. I never asked for any of this. I went into the well house looking for my pet cat. My brother was too scared to go in, so I did. The next thing I knew, I was here. People were shouting and a demon was trying to kill me. I thought I was dreaming— that maybe I fell and hit my head. Then, I met Inuyasha. He saved me."
Sesshomaru clenched his jaw, loathing how soft her tone had gotten. Despite how he had treated her, the miko admired his brother. If anyone was lucky, it was the half-breed. He did not deserve someone as pure as the girl was.
"Of course, it was my fault the jewel shattered but even though I was upset at first, I can't be too mad about it. This journey has given me the chance to learn who I really am. I've made great friends along the way, found Rin, and..."
He glanced at her, seeing her turn red.
"...I got the chance to know you."
Sesshomaru did not know how to respond to her confession. Her scent was a myriad of emotions, each complex and challenging to analyze in the moment. The longer he remained silent, the darker the color on her cheeks became.
Before he could speak, a familiar cry pierced the air.
The miko gasped, "Inuyasha."
The nekomata raised her head, her ears twitching in the direction of the sound. As her owner roused from slumber, the cat demon leaped off A-Un and transformed into a fiery beast.
"Let's go," the slayer commanded, jumping from the dragon's back to straddle the nekomata.
"I'll be right behind you," the miko promised, nocking an arrow.
Sesshomaru placed his hand over Tenseiga's hilt. As the village came into view, he could make out the distinct scent of Naraku, though it was overwhelmed by the coppery smell of blood. Inuyasha was not Sesshomaru's priority. Killing the spider hanyo was the objective. He would end the puppet master and then he would seek out the dead miko. Sesshomaru would keep his promise. He would restore the girl's soul.
Ours, his inner beast snarled protectively.
This time, he did not correct it.
The first person she saw was Inuyasha. He was on his back, head tilted to the right with blood strewn across his face. Both of Kagome's hands were on her weapon. She had no way to stifle the whimper that escaped her at the sight of him. A pang of guilt assaulted her. They needed her— he needed her —and she had abandoned them.
She directed A-Un to follow Sango in her descent to join the fight. A hand landed on her shoulder, stopping them.
"Wait," Sesshomaru instructed.
Kagome glanced at him. His eyes were focused on the scene below.
"Naraku!" Miroku shouted, jumping out from behind a boulder. He ran across the field toward the demon and his cohorts.
Kagome recognized Kagura from the battle at the castle but the girl to Naraku's right was new. Sango's observation was accurate. The girl couldn't be more than nine or ten years old with pale skin, white hair, and lifeless eyes.
Naraku taunted Miroku. He surrounded himself with the villagers, using them as leverage to keep Miroku from attacking. Kagome glared at the demon. He has never fought fairly but this tactic was a new low. She drew her arrow back, aiming for their black-haired adversary.
"Wait," Sesshomaru said once more.
Kagome's hand itched to release her arrow. From her vantage point in the sky, she was sure she could strike Naraku down. She didn't understand how Sesshomaru could remain so calm while his brother was bleeding and on the verge of losing consciousness.
Then Miroku spoke of Naraku's spider scar. Kagome gasped. She looked to Sesshomaru who watched the scene with rapt interest. Had he expected that Kagura and this new girl Kanna were part of Naraku?
She was too busy considering how Sesshomaru knew of a connection between the three that she missed what Naraku was saying. It wasn't until Kagome heard him say Kikyo's name that she remembered her arrow.
Her blue eyes widened. She returned her gaze to Inuyasha.
He hadn't moved. His eyes were struggling to remain open but one mention of her name and he was fighting to get up. Naraku's cruel remark hung in the air between them, buzzing louder than the beating wings of his insects.
Kagura raised her fan and Kagome knew her time had come. She let loose her arrow.
The wind witch blinked, stunned to find her wind blades were useless. Her crimson eyes found Kagome hovering above them with Sesshomaru at her side.
"You," she hissed venomously.
Sesshomaru descended, drawing Tenseiga. Kagome followed, leaping off A-Un's back right before he touched down. Sesshomaru removed his harness and the right head released beams of blue lightning, attacking the nearest cluster of Naraku's insects.
Kagome scrambled across the ground, glancing over her shoulder to see if she could locate Sango. Her friend was with Kirara, corralling some of the villagers and escorting them away from the fight. She breathed a sigh of relief and knelt by Inuyasha's side.
"Ka- Kagome?"
"Hey," she greeted him in a strained voice.
"You're here," he said in disbelief.
"I told you I'd be back to help you."
His expression darkened. "No," he grumbled, attempting to shove her away. "Get away before they hurt you."
"I'm not going anywhere," she retorted, retrieving another arrow from her quiver. She leveled her gaze at Naraku and his minions. "Not until you're finished."
"Kanna, deal with her," Naraku ordered the little girl.
She approached Kagome, holding up a mirror.
"Kagome, watch out! Don't let her get too close to you with that," Miroku warned from somewhere behind her.
But Kagome barely heard him. Her focus was on the light emanating from Naraku's body. It was a blindingly pink light, the kind of light that only came from one source.
The Shikon Jewel.
It was powerful due to its size. It was the largest collection of fragments Kagome had seen since the jewel was destroyed by her arrow.
Noticing her hesitation, Naraku chuckled. "If you're wondering how I obtained this," he began, withdrawing the almost complete jewel from his robes, "the answer is simple. Kikyo gave this to me."
Kagome felt the blood drain from her face. Her hand trembled. She hadn't spoken to anyone about what happened when they were under Kikyo's spell in the forest. Inuyasha knew she had left her to die but they had never discussed the fact that Kikyo left with all of their jewel shards. At the time, Kagome had been too distraught to mention it but now...
...now she was angry.
"Kagome." She felt a hand on her leg.
Ignoring Inuyasha, she swallowed the lump in her throat and stood. Kagome aimed for Naraku. "You are such a creep!" she yelled.
"Don't, Kagome," Inuyasha warned, tugging on her skirt.
She didn't listen to him. Kagome glared at Naraku, unbothered by his smug expression. Kanna stepped in front of him with both hands on her mirror, her expression impassive. Kagome didn't falter.
She let her arrow fly.
It pierced the glass then vanished. Kagome held her breath, frozen as she waited to see what would happen. What if her shot fired back? She had no way to defend herself. What if it struck her? What if it hit Inuyasha?
The mirror's surface cleared. Kagome saw herself reflected in its glossy surface, lips parted and eyes wide with shock.
Oh no!
A shadow fell over her and she winced.
"Miko." Sesshomaru stood there, holding Tenseiga. "This blade may be useless in battle but as a shield, it is adequate."
Kagome glanced between him and the pale girl. Her head was tilted down. She was staring at the mirror, silently inspecting it. Kagome inched closer to Sesshomaru.
If Kanna meant to use the mirror against her, wouldn't she have already felt the effects of its dark power?
"Kanna," Naraku snarled.
The girl muttered an apology and abruptly held up the mirror. Dozens of orbs broke free of the glass. The balls of light soared overhead before dropping into the crowd of villagers.
"Their souls," Kagome whispered in awe, "—they're returning to their bodies."
Kirara and Sango rushed in, urging the disoriented villagers out of harm's way.
"Everyone get down!" Miroku ordered.
Suddenly, Sesshomaru's arm was around Kagome's waist and she found him hunched over her and Inuyasha. His knees were on his half-brother's legs, using his weight to keep Inuyasha pinned to the ground. A-Un joined them, curling his twin necks and tail around them like a protective wall.
As Miroku unleashed his wind tunnel, Kagome buried her face in Sesshomaru's side and wrapped her arms around his torso. The air howled around them, causing small rocks and debris to fly past. Sesshomaru's hold on her tightened. Kagome felt his chin come to rest on top of her head. With her head turned away, she didn't see Inuyasha watching them.
"Dammit, he's gone," Miroku shouted. A second later, the wailing wind was silenced.
Kagome looked up to see him securing the beads around his hand.
She untangled herself from Sesshomaru. Gently, she ran her hands over her friend's form, assessing the damage. "Inuyasha, are you alright?" she asked.
"Yeah," he answered. His gaze shifted from her worried face to Sesshomaru's. Inuyasha's eyebrows pinched together in aggravation. "Get the hell off of me!"
"Gladly." Sesshomaru straightened up, taking Kagome with him as his arm was still around her.
A-Un stood, both of his heads sneaking around the demon lord to sniff at Kagome.
"I'm fine," she told him, patting each head effectively. "You were great!"
"Fire-breathing, eh? Where were you earlier? We could have used your help," Inuyasha grumbled, attempting to get up by leaning on Tetsusaiga.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome darted forward, catching him before he hit the ground. "You shouldn't be moving around," she scolded him, unaware of Sesshomaru's resentful gaze.
She propped Inuyasha up, looping one of his arms over her shoulders.
"Here, Kagome," Miroku said, joining her on Inuyasha's opposite side. "Let's get him into one of the open huts. He needs rest."
"Yeah, and Sango does too," Kagome agreed, finding her friend leaning against Kirara ahead of them.
Miroku glanced over his shoulder at Sesshomaru warily. "So, will you be staying with us for a while?"
"Inuyasha and Sango need medicine. I brought some herbs from the palace with me. I can mix up the remedies once we get them settled," she offered.
"Thank you. With you here, it will be much easier to keep Inuyasha calm."
"I am calm," snarled the hanyo.
"Indeed," Sesshomaru remarked.
"No one asked you," Inuyasha shot back at him.
"Would you two knock it off?" Kagome groaned with a roll of her eyes. "Honestly, you're like a couple of kids. Jeez."
The two continued to glare at each but made no further comment.
With Miroku's help, Kagome managed to get Inuyasha inside and down on a mat. Kirara carried Sango in behind them. Miroku helped her settle onto a mat next to Inuyasha, close enough that Kagome could reach both of them.
Sesshomaru handed her the supplies Aiko provided and she began to work.
Sesshomaru lounged against a tree several paces outside the hut. Once the miko started preparing the herbs, he excused himself. The hovel was barely large enough to house the four companions, let alone him, the nekomata, and a dragon.
He felt Inuyasha's questioning gaze upon him as he left. The half-breed had been irritable since Sesshomaru saved them from being sucked into the monk's vortex. He should have been grateful yet he acted ornery and petulant. The miko had been correct to call the behavior childish, though Sesshomaru wished she would have left him out of it.
Inuyasha's change in mood had less to do with having been saved and more to do with Sesshomaru's proximity to the miko. He had noticed how naturally they fit together and how unabashed the girl was when Sesshomaru touched her. If his brother had not been gravely injured, Sesshomaru may have commented on that fact. It would serve as a reminder to Inuyasha about how foolish he had been to allow the dead priestess to weaken her. Sesshomaru would never allow that to happen.
"That should keep them for a while," the miko announced as she stepped out of the hut. She dragged her arm across her brow with a tired sigh. "Sesshomaru, why don't you come inside? Sango and Inuyasha are asleep but you can join Miroku and me for tea."
"I do not believe my presence inside would be appreciated," he replied.
She appeared to consider this for a moment before sitting next to him. "Then, I'll stay with you out here."
"Why?"
"Because you're alone," the miko observed. "Is A-Un off foraging?"
"No, I sent him ahead with a message for Aiko that we will be delayed in our return," Sesshomaru informed her.
The miko turned her face towards him. "Thank you for letting me stay to help them."
"We have an agreement," he reminded her.
"I know but staying away for an extra day for healing wasn't part of it. Thanks for understanding," she told him. "And," she added quickly, "I'm sorry Inuyasha was rude. He's still not used to accepting help from others."
Sesshomaru contemplated telling her that wasn't the reason for the half-breed's attitude but decided against it. The miko was with him instead of hovering by the hanyo's bedside. He was in no rush to send her away— no matter how hypocritical he found his brother's behavior.
"He misses you," Sesshomaru stated evenly.
"I miss him," she said, fidgeting slightly.
Sesshomaru stared at her. "But?" he promoted knowingly.
"It's hard to be here when I feel like I'm always being compared to someone else."
"Was what Naraku said true?"
He watched her throat bob as she nodded. "I couldn't stop her. She had me under a spell and when I broke free, she tried to kill me," the miko admitted.
Fury raged within him. His brother was foolish. Sesshomaru had always known that but this knowledge condemns the half-breed to pure stupidity. Whether he loved the woman or not, did not matter. Her crimes against the miko were too great. Sesshomaru was prepared to hunt the woman known as Kikyo. Just as he vowed to end her life, he was hit with the scent of salt.
"No matter how much I practice shooting or how many hours I study herbal remedies with Kaede, it's never enough. I'm never going to be her. I don't want to be either. It's just sometimes I wish...," she trailed off, shaking her head.
"All my life my mother has compared me to my father. When she looks at me, she sees him and his offenses," Sesshomaru confessed, allowing her a moment to collect herself.
"Is that why you prefer not to stay at the palace?" the miko asked.
"It is. She never cared for humans. After my father's transgression, her distaste grew. She ensured my instruction supported her beliefs."
"I don't think any lesson could hurt as deeply as your father abandoning you."
Sesshomaru thought on her words. It was true he had never seen much use for human companionship but he had never meant them harm— not until one stole his father away. In his youth, he had hated Izayoi because he blamed her for Toga leaving. It was not until years later, when the pain of his scars had dulled, that he was able to see things more clearly.
His parents had been bound without affection. Their mating was part of the court, more of a ceremony than anything else. When his father discovered love with Izayoi, he had chosen a life of happiness instead of obligation. What Sesshomaru could not justify was the fact his father had left him.
A hand wrapped around his own. The miko was gazing up at him, her blue eyes twinkling in the moonlight. "Hey, you don't have to tell me about it. We can just sit here."
He nodded, content to let her remain at his side for as long as she wished.
She shifted a bit closer, resting her head against mokomoko. Sesshomaru tilted his face up to watch the stars as if he was not listening intently to the sound of her heartbeat.
He distracted himself by silently naming each constellation. When Sesshomaru had named each cluster, he recited the tales of the celestial beings associated with the stars. They were ancient fables, passed down through the generations. His father had taught him. One day he would share them with his own son.
The thought caused him to frown.
He rarely thought of having offspring. Having a pup meant taking a mate. In all his travels, Sesshomaru had not come across anyone who he viewed as an equal partner.
Except for the miko.
Pointedly ignoring her, he resigned himself to the thought of merely sharing the stories with his ward. There was a slim chance that he would find a suitable mate and have offspring. The duty of extending his line was not one he had ever considered viable.
The night air grew chilly. Sesshomaru turned to suggest the miko return inside where it was warm. Her breathing had slowed and her eyes were closed. She had fallen asleep.
He glanced at the hut, illuminated by the fire within. Her friends were in there. Inuyasha was there. Sesshomaru scowled. He did not appreciate the idea of the miko sleeping anywhere near his brother.
Carefully, he lifted her just enough to maneuver mokomoko around. Once she was wrapped in the thick fur, Sesshomaru slipped his arm around her and tucked the miko into his side.
If he started picturing a pair of pups with his silver hair and her blue eyes, it was only to stave off boredom.