Disclaimer: I still do NOT own Inuyasha, I'm still making no money... Hmphm. Who reads these things anyway?
Chapter Sixteen – Why me, why you
"So tell me, Kagome-chan," Kayade asked with a slight frown on her brow, "did something happen between you and Hisakata-sama?"
"Huh?" Kagome raised her head. "Nothing really," she said, fighting to keep herself calm. Not knowing that her friend in a matter of fact was a demon, Kagome had no idea that her acting calm wouldn't convince Kayade. She smelled through her friend's petty lie.
"But you're kinda dating now, are you?"
"Yeah, well, you could call it that I suppose.." Kagome frowned.
"So... What about Takeo-chan then?" Kayade asked raising her eyebrow.
"Uhh, what about him?"
"So why were you making out with him then – and enjoying it?"
"Umm.."
"So which of them are you seeing now, Kagome-chan? Takeo-chan or Hisakata-sama?"
"Umm.." Kagome blushed. "Both of them." She hated herself for saying that. It made her sound cheap and deceiving... but what could she possibly say to Kayade? She couldn't blow off Hisakata-sama's cover, if he wished to be known as "Takeo-chan".
"Both! Ohh, Kagome-chan!"
Kagome watched at her friend, helplessness written clearly all over her face. Of course, Kayade didn't understand the true reasons of the helplessness but she thought it was due the problem of liking two guys at the same time.
"So, which of them do you prefer?"
"Umm.."
"This is impossible, Kagome-chan!" Kayade barked out heatedly.
"If Hisakata-sama ever finds out you're cheating on him he'll kill you AND Takeo-chan for sure..."
Kagome still answered nothing, merely shifted on her seat uncomfortably.
"And how can you do such a thing to Takeo-chan? He's such a sweet guy... You're breaking his heart, Kagome."
"Kayade-chan. Look. It's not what it seems to be… I… Argh, I really can't explain it to you now, okay? But I can assure you that if Takeo-chan and Hisakata-sama would ever find out about each other, they'd get along."
Kayade raised a very, very doubtful brow at that.
"Somehow I find that highly difficult to believe."
"I know it sound impossible but please, Kayade-chan.. Trust me. I know what I'm doing."
'Well, at least I think I know,' she added in her thoughts.
Kayade sighed.
"Very well then..."
The two did not speak about the subject anymore after that. Although Kagome could have sworn that she saw Kayade roll her eyes and mutter something to herself, sounding like "I can't believe how you always succeed in getting yourself in such a mess".
They were having a lunch-break. Sesshoumaru and Kagome were sitting side-to-side in the cool winter air. The sun was shining though and it was warming the legs that Kagome's skirt left bare. Neither of them spoke anything, for they both were deep in their thoughts.
She absentmindedly studied her lunch. It was some tasty sandwiches Shaere-san had kindly made on a quieter hour. Therefore it was a pity that she didn't feel like eating at all. A sheer thought of eating made her stomach twist painfully and caused the waves of nausea run through her.
"You are not eating," Sesshoumaru pointed out.
"I'm not hungry."
"Hungry or not you should eat."
"I don't want to."
"Eat it, wench, or I shall force it down your throat," he snarled.
Kagome turned her head, her hazel eyes flaming she glared the taiyoukai.
"Why do you care! It would be just better for you if I'd starve, right?" she retorted. "All your problems would vanish with me, I'm a stain in your oh-so-perfect life, am I not?"
Sesshoumaru gazed at her coldly.
"I was only thinking the well being of your pup."
But his words only upset her more.
"My pup! Indeed. Don't pretend that you care. You're ice throughout," she rose and spared him one final glance full of despite.
Sesshoumaru watched her go and mentally sighed. Mood-swings. His thoughts wandered to a distant memory...
"My dear, you really should eat."
"I'll pass this time, Inutaisho. Even the faintest smell of food makes me sick."
"Izayoi. Please eat." Inutaisho reached and placed his hand on Izayoi's belly.
"For our pup, Izayoi."
She raised her head and looked into his eyes. Inutaisho picked up his chopsticks and started to feed her. Young Sesshoumaru turned away in disgust.
Yes, he had experienced it before, a woman carrying a hanyou pup. But still, this time was totally different. This time he could not turn his head and look away no matter how disgusted he would feel. He had lately been pondering the situation. He could deny it thousands of times and yet in truth it would still be his responsibility. He could blame it all on his inner demon or on the wench... But eventually the little, annoying voice of truth would reach his ear and remind him that it had been his choice to go drinking that night, he had given up the control without fighting. He was as responsible for the current situation as the other two.
He got up.
Sesshoumaru found the miko in the staff room. He walked over and sat down on the bench beside her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I shouldn't have yelled at you, you did nothing wrong.."
"You have no need to apologize. I'm aware that your state of mind is now very fragile and easily changing. I've seen it before."
"Huh? Seen what?"
"Seen a human woman carrying a demon's child."
Kagome's eyes widened.
"You have?"
"My father once fell in love with a human woman."
"So... So you have a brother?"
"I had a half brother. But he's been dead for long now."
"Oh.. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. We weren't so close."
"Why.. How did he die... Oh, or am I being too curious?"
"He killed himself. He returned from a battle to find out the woman he had loved was gone and he couldn't bear it."
"That's so sad," Kagome replied quietly, a tear gleaming in the corner of her eye.
She saw a strange emotion flicker in his eyes. An emotion she could not recognise.
"Sad indeed," Sesshoumaru replied curtly. Oh, the irony of the situation! The fates truly were gruesome creatures. Sesshoumaru felt a sudden little twinge in his heart. He couldn't define what it was. But it was better that the demon lord did not identify the feeling for it had been a tiny sting of pity. Pity that he felt towards the human woman next to him.
"Kagome-chan? Kagome-chan, where are you?"
"I'm here, Kayade-chan," Kagome called.
The door of the room was opened.
"Kagome-chan, there's someone who wishes to see you."
"Ohh?" Kagome frowned but got up and walked out of the room.
"Who is it," Sesshoumaru questioned Kayade.
"It's Hojo-kun."
"And who is he?"
"He's the guy Kagome was engaged to before something, umm, happened and he left her."
"What is he doing here?" Sesshoumaru snapped.
Kayade's eyes widened. Had she just heard a growl..?
Kagome walked into the restaurant room and her eyes widened the moment she spotted his figure.
It was Hojo-kun.
The moment he saw her he rushed over to her and indeed threw himself at her feet.
Kagome could but stare at the man, who kneeled in front of her.
"Kagome."
"Hojo-kun... What are you doing here?"
"I needed to see you."
"Umm.."
"I don't care if my parents throw me out of the family but please, Kagome I love you. Come back to me."
Kagome's eyes widened at this statement and a slight blush rose to her cheeks.
"Uhh, Hojo-kun... We're kinda causing a scene..."
"I don't care. I need you, Kagome."
"Ummm.."
At that moment strong arms wrapped themselves around Kagome's waist and pulled her backwards. Instead of the hard floor her back hit a broad chest. From the corner of her eye she managed to spot a blur of red and silver and then her eyes fell closed as she felt warm tongue caressing the side of her neck.
Hojo looked now wide-eyed at Kagome, who was leaning against the unfamiliar Japanese man, who had short black hair and tanned skin. He was nuzzling the side of Kagome's neck.
Kayade also stared at the pair.
'Ohh, Takeo-chan, I didn't know you had it in you...' She wondered to herself. 'He's acting like.. a demon..? But why would..? But who would...?' Kayade's eyes narrowed in suspicion. 'Sesshoumaru. You wouldn't!'
"And who you think you are?" Hojo snapped as he got up from the floor, glaring at the newly arrived man.
Sesshoumaru stopped licking Kagome's neck and shot Hojo with an arrogant glare.
"I'm her lover."
"Her what?"
"You heard me. On what rights you have come here to claim Kagome? It was you who left her alone."
"I did it because I had no choice," Hojo defended himself.
"There's always a choice. You had your chance, you lost it. Now it's my turn to play," Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Get away from her."
"Why should I?"
"Get away from her!" Hojo now yelled.
"Are you challenging me?"
Hojo shivered when he saw the amused grin on the male's face. For a moment he thought the brown eyes watching him coldly would have been glowing crimson.
"Yeah I suppose I am then," Hojo replied, his hands in fists.
Sesshoumaru chuckled softly. He bent to place one final kiss on Kagome's neck before he straightened himself and stepped forward.
Kagome fought to get her eyes open. She felt a little dizzy and very much puzzled. What had happened again? Hojo-kun... That's right, Hojo-kun had come and said he wanted her back. And then... Then she had been swept off to heaven by the use of a highly skilful tongue. It most certainly couldn't have been Hojo's tongue though, it brushed the side of her neck so silkily that... Yes. And now... Kagome's eyes shot open.
She watched from Hojo-kun to Hisakata-sama, both glaring at each other. A shiver ran down her spine when she noticed the menacing grin on Hisakata-sama's face... She also noticed his eyes were shining red.
'Well that's it then...' she sighed mentally.
Hojo started to roll up his sleeves.
"Name the time," Sesshoumaru sated calmly.
"Now," Hojo snapped. "Name the place."
"The back yard of this little restaurant."
"Deal."
"Fine."
Both guys turned to leave and started to walk towards the back door. They halted when they heard a soft voice speak.
"I suppose there is no way to stop you from doing this?"
"No, Kagome my love. I have to teach this guy a lesson."
Kagome bit her lip as she heard Hojo's words. 'Poor boy, if you only knew..'
Kagome walked over and grabbed Sesshoumaru from his sleeve.
"Don't get too excited," she whispered in a so quiet tone only Sesshoumaru's youkai ears could pick her words up.
"He wants to steal you from me. I'll rip his head off for that."
"Woah now, slow down, mister."
"I'll teach him for claiming what is mine."
Kagome hissed and tugged his arm so hard his head bent down to the same level Kagome's head was in.
"I agreed to you courting me, okay? That doesn't make me yours. I belong to no one," she glared at him.
'Yes you do belong to me,' the inner demon insisted in his mind.
'Oh shut up, idiot,' Sesshoumaru replied in a bored tone. He was watching from side what his inner demon was doing while being in control. He couldn't help but smirk as he thought what was about to happen. That "Hojo-kun" would so get his ass kicked...
"Did I make myself clear?" Kagome snarled.
"Hai, you belong to no one," inner demon replied slowly. 'But me,' he added in his thoughts.
"Good." Kagome let go of his sleeve.
She followed the two males outside.
They stood in the asphalt field, facing each other. Kayade and Kagome were standing side to side on the very stairs Kagome and Sesshoumaru had been enjoying their lunch only fifteen minutes ago. Both of the women were eyeing at the pair. Kayade was frowning and Kagome had her arms crossed. She already knew the winner...
The fight was over before it even properly started: Hojo was the one who rushed forward to attack but Sesshoumaru calmly took a step to the side blocking Hojo's strike. His hand moved swiftly and his fist met Hojo's cheek, sending the poor human fly several feet away and hitting the asphalt-covered ground.
Kagome rushed over to Hojo's unmoving body.
He was alive, and apparently fine – save for that he was unconscious and had an evil-looking big bruise forming on his left cheek. A tiny stream of blood trickled slowly down from the corner of his mouth.
"Honestly, Hisakata-sama..." Kagome shook her head.
Kayade let out a gasp as she heard her suspicious being announced out loud to be true.
'So, he's ready to go THAT far in courting Kagome-chan? Oh my...'
"You know you shouldn't have hit him that h – "
Sesshoumaru, still controlled by the inner demon, had walked over to Kagome while she had been speaking and now using the opportunity. He let his tongue slip into her open mouth.
For some strange reason her stream of words stopped at that very instant.
'Okay, I've seen enough,' Kayade decided and turned around.
Eventually the kiss broke, since they had to breathe.
Kagome gasped for air, feeling dizzy and weak on the knees.
"Warn me next time," she mumbled meekly.
Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Oh, but it's rather amusing see your eyes widen..."
Kagome's eyes flew up to his face.
He was back to himself again.
"Come now, our lunch break is nearly over."
"But.. What about Hojo-kun?"
"He'll come to it eventually."
"Sigh..."
She smiled at him. He bent his head down and his lips found hers. She responded immediately and the kiss deepened...
They heard someone clear his throat and sprung apart.
"Interesting," the calm velvety voice reached through the small room.
"I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama." She said, flashing an apologetic smile. "We got carried away..."
"I figured."
"Uhm, so.. Myoga-san is waiting for you in your office."
"Thank you for informing... And Rin, as it seems you don't feel like working now, just go home." Sesshoumaru nodded to Hitachi, who had a rather sheepish smile on his face, before walking into his own office.
It had twanged his hear to see Rin kissing her husband. Of course that wasn't anything abnormal, they were married... But still. He hadn't still used to see her like that. See her as an independent, adult woman. He missed the sweet little child that had followed him everywhere... Yes, Sesshoumaru didn't mind children's company, especially when they were quiet and knew how to behave. That was why he partly didn't hate the idea of the pup. The only problem was that the pup he was ought to have would be half-breed and its mother was a lowly ningen formerly known also as Inuyasha's woman. Ahh, such a stain in his perfect life, exactly as the miko had put it. And it didn't help at all to know that the pup was just a result from a very bad mistake he had done after drinking too much alcohol. Considering all these facts it didn't feel so great to be having a pup anymore. Well, he had never formally admitted that he was the father, had he? So, there was nothing to worry about. It was the miko's problem...
'You're being unreasonable.'
'What? I find that I'm just being logical.'
'She's right. You're just ice throughout.'
"Uhh, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
Sesshouamru raised his gaze. Ahh yes, he had already nearly forgotten about Myoga.
"Yes, Myoga. What is it?"
"I'm just curious, Sesshoumaru-sama."
The taiyoukai raised his eyebrow.
"Have you made any progress?"
"Progress in what?"
"In courting Kagome-sama, of course. She is an ideal choice for mate, as I told you before."
The corner of Sesshoumaru's mouth twitched. Why did everyone expect him to take that miko as his mate? Sure he was courting her, but not for that reason...
"..."
"And what about your pup then?"
"What about it?"
"Has she already seen a doctor?"
"Why should I know?"
Myoga frowned.
"Well, it's lucky that I prepared just in case!"
"Hmmm?"
The office door opened.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, here's Usugi Kira. She's a doctor."
Sesshoumaru watched the middle-height woman who had dark brown hair and dark eyes.
"And Kira-san, here's Sesshoumaru-sama, the Lord of the Western lands."
"It is pleasure to meet you, my lord," the other youkai said as she bowed down.
"Kira-san is highly experienced and is without any doubt the best choice for Kagome-sama's doctor."
Sesshoumaru studied the woman with his gaze for awhile.
"Do as you like," he replied then, turning away.
Kira bowed her head again and then left her card on his table.
"My lord, just tell her to stop by whenever she feels like it, I have time."
"Thank you."
Kira inclined her head and turned to leave.
"Myoga, escort her out."
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama."
The office door closed.
Sesshoumaru fell into his chair.
Peace, at last...
The dark-haired woman dressed in a traditional miko outfit looked around in the forest that was surrounding her.
'This isn't where I'm supposed to be,' she thought, narrowing her eyes.
'And she is not with me either this time... I wonder what went wrong.'
She raised her head abruptly.
'Evil aura. There's a demon somewhere ahead.'
She took a tighter grip of her bow and started to walk towards the feel of the aura.
She arrived to a clearing and saw a demon, badly wounded one, leaning against a tree trunk. His clothes were torn, his hair was dishevelled and he seemed to be sleeping.
'My, this isn't anything I'd remember.'
The demon raised its head slowly, his golden orbs glaring at the woman.
"Miko."
"Sesshoumaru."
"You seem to be different – and I don't mean the clothes."
"I am different, Sesshoumaru-sama. I might look like her but I'm not her, at least not anymore."
"Explain."
The miko inclined her head and sat down on Sesshoumaru's side.
"Ever since she was pulled down that well her life changed. When before she had been one and whole, she now was torn in two: On one hand she was Higurashi Kagome, high school student living in Tokyo with her family, on the other hand she was the miko Kagome, who travelled with Inuyasha searching Shikon fragments."
Sesshoumaru glanced at the woman sitting next to him.
"And?"
"And then the day Naraku was killed, she was permanently torn apart. Now her two lives are separate. Though, she didn't know anything about the other one anymore. That was how the spell of the mikos influenced: It separated Kagome's miko-side, which remembered all about what happened in Sendoku Jidai and sealed it away. I was sealed away."
"And why are you here now?"
"I don't know what at first caused the seal to crack a bit. But the moment there was this small crack, it was an opening for me. I then started to show up in her dreams, forcing her to re-live some moments in that hope that eventually the sealing would break. I'm just a half. She's just a half, although she does not know it. We complete ourselves and complete is what we should be. Just imagine how your life would be, without your inner demon. It would be incomplete."
"Hmmmh. But what are you doing here then? This memory is not yours."
"I realised that. And I don't know what brought me here. I wasn't supposed to come here. Why? How? Those are good questions."
"Speak it out?"
"What?"
"I can sense it from you. There is something that you want from me, miko."
"Yes. I want your help. You have already helped me, just by showing up. It made another crack into my seal. And I want you to help me. With your help I will be able to break free."
"What makes you think that I would agree?"
"You will help me, even if I had to make you to."
Even in his weak state, Sesshoumaru snorted arrogantly.
"How you could make this Sesshoumaru to help you?"
"My dear old friend. I'm Kagome's miko side. Even if she can't use her miko powers now, I can. And it seems that here you're already half-dead, so wounded, so fragile. Some purifying added..."
"Are you threatening this Sesshoumaru?" he snarled.
"Yes, I am. I have travelled long enough with Inuyasha to learn how to deal with you stubborn creatures," she watched him with resentment flashing in her eyes.
He remained silent.
The miko got up.
"What say you? Will you agree to help me, Lord of the Western lands, or do I have to destroy you here and now?"
"You are not fooling me, miko," he spat out. "This is only a dream. You can kill me here a thousand time and yet I'd be alive."
"What if I purify you in the real life?"
"How could you? You said it yourself, you're sealed away."
"Ah yes! But when Kagome's consciousness is not here... When she's asleep... I'm free to do what I want. How you think Rin found out that diary?"
Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow.
"I dug it out from its lost hiding place and set it out to be found. I was hoping for her to find it, but oh well."
Sesshoumaru considered this. If the miko was able to make Kagome move while she slept, she could maybe fulfil the threat.
"What say you?"
"Fine. I'll help you."
The miko smirked and then bent over his hurt form.
He felt her powers flare and for a second his eyes widened. Was she going to purify him even after his agreeing to help her?
Warm waves ran over him. Sesshoumaru didn't know when he had closed his eyes but when he opened them again, the miko was walking away. He frowned.
Sesshoumaru then glanced at his body and his eyes widened again.
He was fully healed.