His ward had not ceased crying since she woke. When the infant opened her eyes and could not locate the miko, she began to wail.
Sesshomaru's ears were sensitive. The constant bawling of the babe was irritating to endure, though not as annoying as the stares the sound provoked from the villagers. They eyed him warily as if expecting him to attack without being provoked. He sighed and carried his ward into the one-eyed miko's hut.
The kit was already inside, proudly displaying his illustrations for the village elder. She cast a disapproving look at him but said nothing.
"This one is a drawing of our pack. See, Kaede? Sesshomaru's training me to use my foxfire and Kagome is feeding Rin," he explained.
"They are quite good, Shippo," the old woman praised him.
"Yeah, Kagome and Sesshomaru thought so too."
"And did Kagome mention when she would return?" the one-eyed miko inquired.
"Shortly. She has journeyed home seeking supplies," Sesshomaru returned.
"I can take the child," Kaede offered.
"I will tend to my ward," he replied gruffly. Despite his conviction, Rin continued to cry.
"I think she misses Kagome," Shippo said, unaware of the tension between the two adults in the hut.
"Indeed," the one-eyed miko agreed.
"Maybe you should try rocking her, Sesshomaru?" the kit suggested. "That's what Kagome always does."
The demon lord gazed down into the pinched face of the baby, considering the notion. He had witnessed the young woman swaying side to side often. The motion appeared to soothe the infant. Sesshomaru adjusted his hold on the child and shifted his weight from the left to the right.
At first, nothing changed. Rin's face had grown red from her prolonged cries and her cheeks were wet with tears.
Sesshomaru moved rhythmically until she fell silent. Her wide brown eyes were staring up at him. She babbled something non-intelligible and grabbed at his hair. He frowned as her tiny fingers curled around a handful of silver tresses. Rin pulled. Hard. She possessed more strength than he had expected.
"It seems she has grown used to you," Kaede remarked.
"She is a ward of the Western Lands. You and your village would do well to remember that," Sesshomaru told the miko.
"Perhaps you should focus more on the child in your care than the opinions of others," she retorted.
He glowered at her. Sesshomaru had assumed Kagome's obstinate nature was due to her youth and her proximity to his half-brother. Now, he wondered if it was a trait shared by all mikos.
The kit remained unaffected by their argument. He was content to lay on the floor mat, crafting a new illustration with the tools Kagome had left him.
"The people here have learned to accept Inuyasha and Shippo because of Kagome," the old woman continued. "If you treat them fairly, they will accept you as well."
"I do not require their acceptance. Their opinion does not concern me," Sesshomaru told her.
"Perhaps not, but it does concern Kagome. She has made a life here. If you take your pack vows seriously, you will honor her by being fair," Kaede insisted.
Sesshomaru glanced at the hut's flap. He could hear the half dozen humans lingering outside. They were either curious about the lack of crying or concerned for the old woman. Whatever their reasoning, he did not expect them to enter. Their scents were clouded by fear.
He was unbothered by their aversion to him. Sesshomaru did not seek to build an alliance with the one-eyed miko or her neighbors. His purpose in the village was solely to wait for Kagome's return. He was tempted to leave with the baby and the kit. They would be better off waiting with A-Un in the forest.
"Kagome's talents extend beyond her spiritual powers and her skill with a bow," Kaede said. "She has a gift for engaging others and she is a loyal companion. I wasn't sure Inuyasha could be convinced to give up his foolish quest to become a full-blooded demon but he has not spoken of it in many weeks. I believe Kagome has shown him that such a change is unnecessary."
"Why are you telling me this?" Sesshomaru demanded.
"Kagome and Inuyasha are connected. Of all her friends, he is the only one who has been able to pass through the well into her time. Yet, she chose to abandon him and her mission to join you. Why do you think that is?" Kaede questioned.
"We have an arrangement," he explained.
"Inuyasha also has an agreement with Kagome, but she still sided with you," the old woman pointed out.
He did not have an answer for her. Sesshomaru suspected she knew. The way she was angling her head at him, indicated that she already had the answer she sought. She was merely toying with him. He did not appreciate her antics but before he could say so, the kit spoke up.
"Sesshomaru takes care of us, Kaede. He's training me for my ranks and he helped Kagome and Sango save Inuyasha and Miroku," Shippo revealed as he colored in the drawing he had crafted.
"Did he now?" the one-eyed miko asked with a knowing smirk.
"I protected a member of my pack," Sesshomaru clarified.
"You helped Kagome."
"I require her assistance. She cannot aid me if Naraku captures her or she is injured," he stated flatly.
"Or if she rejoins Inuyasha's party," Kaede said plainly.
Sesshomaru began to growl. Shippo's response interrupted him. "She wouldn't do that. Kagome likes the palace. She has her own room, a bathhouse, and the kitchens! Kaede, have I told you how great the cook, Aiko, is?"
"No, why don't you tell me about your favorite meal while we check the crops?" the one-eyed miko prompted, giving her full attention to the kit. "I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru won't mind staying here for a bit. It will give him time to think."
He watched them leave, Shippo happily chatting away while the old woman wore a knowing grin. If her goal was to irritate Sesshomaru, she succeeded. He was in a far worse mood than when he arrived, minus one squalling babe.
Sesshomaru hoped Kagome would return soon. They had much to discuss.
His vow to keep her safe interfered with the terms of their arrangement. They needed to determine how to proceed against the spider hanyo.
After yesterday, Sesshomaru was concerned about the jewel's ability to strengthen Naraku's powers. It would take all of his energy and the miko's spiritual prowess to conquer the foe. She needed to train and he would serve as her teacher.
Sesshomaru did not want to think about what would have happened with the girl Kanna if he had not been at Kagome's side.
Though, to be fair, he had lapsed too. She had come to his aid against Inuyasha's lover.
Defensively, her skills were adequate but Kagome had to become more comfortable with taking an offensive approach. It was the only way she would be able to defeat the spider hanyo.
Training together would keep her mind off her friends, give her time to acclimate to the Western Palace, and provide him with an opportunity to convince her to stay.
He wanted her to stay.
Sesshomaru thought on her words. I got the chance to know you. It was nothing of consequence yet the admission had stuck with him. Just as her opinion, I think he chose well had. Her praise, so genuine and unprovoked, was not something Sesshomaru was familiar with.
Jaken spoke highly of him often. His attempts to stay within Sesshomaru's favor were as transparent as the river water. The demons at court who sought him out were much the same. They only looked to him to further their own agendas. Even his mother saw him as a pawn, something to leverage for her satisfaction. No one saw Sesshomaru for who he was.
No one except Kagome.
He gazed down at Rin and found his ward fast asleep. It was then that he realized he had not stopped rocking. The kit had been correct. Kagome's methods were effective.
She had been the right choice for helping him raise the child. She was a worthy ally in the fight against Naraku. And she was the only human Sesshomaru had ever tolerated a challenge from.
Suddenly, he knew what the one-eyed miko was hinting at.
It was the same thing his inner beast had known all along.
By the time Kagome finished dinner and passed through the well, it was evening. Overhead the sky was clear of clouds. The only interruption to the expanse of inky black was a dusting of twinkling stars.
Kagome smiled at the sight, grateful to be back in the Feudal Era where she could see the stars. At home, the smog made stargazing difficult. Here, life was simpler, less cluttered— at least in most aspects.
Simple wasn't a term she applied to Sesshomaru. The demon had made it quite clear that he would end Kikyo's life,— if you could call it that — with little regard for Inuyasha. It was only Kagome's pleading that had saved the priestess.
She still couldn't figure him out. The majority of the time, he acted indifferent toward others but when it came to her, he was quick to anger and even faster to engage. Kagome wondered if she had gotten under his skin the way he had gotten under hers.
Sighing, she heaved her backpack with her over the top of the well. The forest was alive with the nocturnal creatures— owls hooting, fireflies lazily drifting, and an orchestra of crickets. Kagome listened to their repetitive chirps as she started toward the hillside.
She had only taken a few steps before a large shadow appeared at her side.
"Hey, A-Uh," Kagome greeted the dragon. "How was your day?"
The two-headed beast's answer was pressing both of its faces to hers, both vying for her attention. Kagome laughed, petting each of them.
He was more loyal than Buyo. That cat barely even glanced at her when she came home to visit. He only cared about being fed. A-Un's personality was akin to a dog's— always seeking acknowledgment. Maybe that was why Sesshomaru kept him as a companion.
"I'm going down to the village. Do you want to come along?" Kagome asked.
The dragon settled into the grass. She took that as a 'no' and waved goodbye.
From the top of the hill, Kagome could see the huts illuminated by firelight. The hearths inside were maintained throughout the night to keep the villager's homes heated. She saw a small plume of smoke rising out of Kaede's hut and grinned.
Kagome hoped Rin had behaved for Sesshomaru. She hadn't had the opportunity to teach him as much as she wanted to and she knew he was still nervous about accidentally hurting the child. Kagome had talked to her mother about his reservations. Mama told her that every parent behaved that way.
"It just means he cares," she told Kagome.
She believed her. Kagome had witnessed how attentive Sesshomaru was with Shippo. She knew that once he was comfortable he would behave the same way with Rin. She just had to show him that he could do it.
A yawn escaped her as she crossed the river. It had been a long day, made even longer by the events of the morning. Kagome glanced over her shoulder toward the woods.
Leaving her friends hadn't been easy but it was the right decision. In her absence, Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Inuyasha would learn to rely on each other. It would force Inuyasha to trust his companions the way he trusted her. Plus, Kagome didn't think she could stay in the group if he invited Kikyo to travel with them.
It was one thing not to want the priestess dead. It was an entirely different thing to be forced to coexist with her. Kagome considered herself a forgiving person but having to share even more of herself with Kikyo was out of the question. The woman already had a piece of her soul. If given the chance, what else would she take?
Inuyasha, her mind supplied.
Kagome shivered as she remembered Kikyo's plea.
Come with me. We'll go to hell together.
Her voice had saved him from that fate yet he continued to go back to Kikyo. Kagome shook her head. She couldn't save her friend if he didn't want to be saved. She had to let him go.
And she had.
Ever since Kagome had walked away from him, she had felt lighter, more like herself. The jewel was still in pieces, Naraku was still a threat, and she was still splitting her time between Tokyo and Edo. But none of that had weighed on her heart as heavily as Inuyasha. She moved freely, unhindered toward a brighter tomorrow.
As she strolled through the village, Kaede stepped out from Sayo's hut.
"Ah, Kagome."
"Hey, Kaede." Her brow furrowed. "Why aren't you at home?"
"I thought Lord Sesshomaru would value his privacy," Kaede responded.
"Oh."
Kagome wondered if she shouldn't have suggested he stay in the village. He preferred to be outdoors. Maybe he would have been happier in the forest with A-Un.
"You are free to remain here tonight," Kaede offered. "I believe Rin and Shippo are already asleep."
"Great. Thanks, Kaede. I'll make sure to stop by before we leave in the morning," Kagome promised.
She gave the village elder a wave and continued down the dirt path to her hut.
When Kagome pulled back the flap, she gasped. In the far corner, Sesshomaru was leaning against the wall. His armor had been removed and was neatly stacked off to the side. He had Rin tucked in his good arm and Shippo curled up on the same side. They looked like a proper family all cuddled up together.
Kagome smiled. It was cute seeing him like this with the children. She wished she had brought her camera.
As she crept inside, his eyes opened. "You've returned."
"Yep, I got everything Rin needs. It should hold us over for a while," Kagome told him. She knelt on the floor and set her backpack down. "How was today?"
"Fine," Sesshomaru answered.
"Yeah? No tears?"
"A few," he admitted.
"I'm surprised you didn't hand her off to Kaede," Kagome remarked as she came to sit down beside him.
"I am capable of tending to my ward," Sesshomaru returned.
"I'm sure Rin enjoyed all the attention," she replied, leaning across him to readjust the baby's blanket from where it had slid down her side.
"We should wake the kit and leave," he suggested. "This village is not secure."
"Kaede said we could spend the night," Kagome told him. "Besides, I don't think A-Un wants to travel with two cranky kids."'
"Hn."
"Oh, come on, Sesshomaru, it's only one night. It won't kill you," she said, nudging him teasingly.
"Fine. We will rest this evening but in the morning we return. Understood?"
"Yes," Kagome answered, stifling a yawn.
Sesshomaru leaned closer and Kagome realized he was encouraging her to join him. With a tired smile, she draped the empty sleeve of his hankimono around herself and snuggled into his side.
"Night, Sesshomaru," she said, closing her eyes.
"Goodnight, Kagome."
Sleep was a rarity. Sesshomaru did not require consistent rest like his mortal companions yet while in the village, he found it surrounded by his pack. He woke to a mixture of sucking and slurping to find Kagome sitting with Rin cradled in her arms. The child was feeding while the kit was stretched out on the floor nearby, resuming his illustration work.
The early morning light filtered through the roof, casting an ethereal glow over them. It cast a golden hue over the miko's smooth skin. She no longer appeared like the naive young woman he had initially met. Kagome was calmer, more self-assured.
He was glad.
Sesshomaru did not agree with her merciful treatment of Inuyasha's lover but he was pleased to see Kagome at ease. She looked content as she held Rin, a soft smile on her lips and adoration in her eyes. Sesshomaru realized he wanted to see her that way all the time. If anyone deserved happiness, it was her.
"Morning," she greeted when she caught his gaze.
"Good morning," he replied, rising from his spot.
"Hey Sesshomaru, are we going back home now?" Shippo asked without preamble.
"Yes," he confirmed.
"Great! I can't wait to see what Aiko's cooking in the kitchens," cheered the kit.
Sesshomaru was also eager to return. The safety of the palace would offer them the security they lacked here. Having Ena watch the children would allow him an opportunity to speak with Kagome about training together. He hoped she would be open to the idea.
"Let me just finish feeding Rin," Kagome told them. "Oh! And we have to say goodbye to Kaede."
"If that is your wish," Sesshomaru said.
While she cared for his ward, he assisted the kit with gathering up his tools.
"Uh, Kagome?"
"Yeah, Shippo?"
The fox scratched his neck sheepishly. "I forgot to give Kaede and Sayo their gifts."
"It's alright," she said with an understanding smile. "Kaede stayed at Sayo's last night, so we'll say goodbye to both and give them their gifts then."
"Great!"
Indeed, thought Sesshomaru, annoyed they had to linger longer.
Each minute spent in the village was another one closer to Inuyasha and his group returning. Sesshomaru was not ready to face his brother again, at least not in front of Kagome and the pups.
After she withdrew a couple of items, Sesshomaru removed the yellow pack from the floor.
"Thanks."
"We should be going," he advised, urging her out of the hut.
She nodded and secured Rin to her chest with a long swatch of fabric. "There. Ready," Kagome announced.
The four exited the hut. Sesshomaru was aware of the inquisitive stares of the villagers as they made their way toward the bridge. They looked at Kagome with pride but their expressions changed when they spotted him at her side.
They viewed Sesshomaru with mistrustful glares. He did not trust them either. They were not equipped to deal with Naraku. They could not protect Kagome. She was better off remaining at the Western Palace.
With him.
Ours, his inner beast echoed.
Sesshomaru had given up fighting his instincts. The miko was part of his pack, just as the baby and the kit were. Kagome belonged in the West where she would be cared for, protected, and free.
He would train her how to fight, encourage her to use her abilities, and allow her use of his library if she chose to continue to pursue her studies. Sesshomaru would ensure she had everything she needed. Then, even once Rin matured, Kagome would have no reason to leave.
His inner beast purred with contentment.
"Good morning, Kagome."
"Hi, Sayo. Thanks for taking care of Rin the other day. Here," the miko said, handing the woman a container that smelled of flowers. "I know you like this kind."
"Thank you," the villager beamed.
"Are you returning to the Western Lands?" the one-eyed miko inquired as she hobbled over.
"Yep," Kagome confirmed. She passed a small metal box to the old woman. "Thanks for letting us stay overnight."
"You and your friends are always welcome here," Kaede told her. Her eyes flickered to Sesshomaru when she said the word 'friends.'
"Thank you," Kagome replied. She paused, glancing up at him. "Hey, Sesshomaru, can I have a moment with Kaede before we leave?"
He could not scent any fear in the air or unease. With a nod, Sesshomaru told her, "I will prepare A-Un for our travels."
"Okay. I'll be right there," she promised.
He watched her and the one-eyed miko stroll along the riverbank before he proceeded to lead the kit uphill to the forest.
With his heightened senses, Sesshomaru heard Kagome asking about necklaces and how to test their power. He listened for Kaede's response but was unable to hear it because Shippo had begun asking him about his ranks.
"When the time comes, I will escort you there," Sesshomaru vowed.
"Can Kagome and Rin come too?"
"Of course. Your pack should be present to show their support," he answered.
"Do you think Kagome will be proud of me?" the kit questioned as they neared the well where A-Un was waiting.
Sesshomaru patted him on the head. "She already is."
Shippo grinned.
Sesshomaru remembered how his father had motivated him to train. Touga had spent countless hours in the courtyard with him, helping him harness his abilities.
Once he had gone, Arisu provided instructors for Sesshomaru to learn from. They were talented but the effect had not been the same. He had not cared about obtaining their approval. They were not the ones Sesshomaru sought to impress.
"I am pleased as well," he told the kit. "You will make a fine demon."
Shippo's grin widened. "Really?"
"Indeed."
The fox whirled around happily. He stopped when he noticed the miko had joined them. "Hey, Kagome, did you hear that? Sesshomaru thinks I'll make a good demon one day."
"One day?" she questioned with a laugh.
"When I'm all grown-up," Shippo clarified.
"Well, don't grow up too fast," Kagome warned jokingly, ruffling his hair as she came to stand beside him. "I kinda like having you and Rin as my little guys."
"But I want to be big and strong like Sesshomaru," he whined.
"You will be," the demon lord said. "For now, enjoy your childhood."
Shippo looked at him then Kagome. When he saw neither adult would budge, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and plopped down onto the grass.
"Fine," he muttered petulantly.
Kagome shook her head, a grin threatening to overtake her face as she watched the kit pout.
He had to agree with her. These moments, where it was the four of them, were rapidly becoming his favorites.
Sesshomaru wished there was a way to hold onto them forever.