Tainted Silver
-Chapter 7-
"Sango," Kagome mumbled through the pancake in her mouth, "these are great!"
Sango scrunched her nose at her.
"Don't mention it," she pleaded.
Miroku trailed in, a disheveled Sesshomaru following. His weary eyes trained on Rin.
'This,' I thought, 'is the moment of truth.'
Everybody stood stock still and silence permeated the air.
"Come eat Otou-san. Okaa-san said the pancakes were good," Rin said happily.
Everybody let out breaths and the kitchen was, once again, filled with conversation, clatter of plates, pots, and pans.
"I believe an apology is in order," Sesshomaru said softly.
I rose from my seat and started to wash my plate.
"I'm sorry for attacking Kagome three days ago. I'm sorry for locking her in the basement when she first arrived here, and I am sorry for scaring all of you."
Everybody muttered their 'it's okay now's and looked towards Kagome expectantly.
"I'm just glad you won't doubt my sincerity anymore and that I didn't cause major damage to your family."
"Our family," stated Sango, "you're our okaa-san."
Kagome blushed faintly and resigned with a nod.
"Fine, fine," she said, "just don't expect any additions to the family."
Sango and Miroku laughed while Sesshomaru hid his face behind a cup of coffee. Then the inevitable happened.
"Why not mommy?"
Sesshomaru spit his coffee out in surprise and Kagome paled. Sango and Miroku almost fell over in laughter. Souta and Kohaku wandered in, both equally confused.
"Why can't Rin have a baby sister or brother?." She questioned with a frown.
"You need a mommy and a daddy Rin," commented Souta.
"Rin has them!," she exclaimed impatiently.
"They have to have sex as often as Sango and Miroku," stated Kohaku knowingly.
Kagome turned to a pale Sango, Miroku just sort of turned away.
"Kohaku?," Souta asked, not looking up from his plate of food.
"Yeah?," he answered, confused.
"Run."
Kohaku looked up at Sango.
"Gotcha."
He ran, an enraged Sango hot on his heels, screaming that he only spoke the truth.
"Otou-san?"
Sesshomaru turned wide eyes to his daughter.
"Can you and mom have a lot of sex?"
"I- I- I-."
Kagome promptly fainted and, of course, Sesshomaru caught her.
"We'll talk later Rin."
"But Rin wants a sister!"
"Later Rin, later."
"YAY! Rin's getting a sister later!," she squealed excitedly.
"Rin-."
He growled as the young girl ran off. This, he knew, was a hopeless situation. He cradled the woman in his arms carefully.
"You may be innocent, but you're still more trouble than you're worth."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kagome, again, woke up to the white ceiling. She groaned and threw back the covers and got up. She looked down at her state of clothing and frowned.
"Sango!"
"Yes?"
"I need a bath."
She stepped out of the room and looked over the banister cautiously.
"Sesshomaru's not here so…"
"Funny. Very funny," she commented dryly.
Sango laughed and waved her off.
"I'll get you clothes," she said between giggles.
"Where is Sesshomaru?"
"Out hunting with Miroku. The kids are taking a small nap."
Kagome nodded silently as Sango walked inside her own room, still laughing.
"Could you please stop laughing?," Kagome pleaded irritably.
"Yes, but you must admit it was risible."
"Just as funny as Kohaku's comment on your frequent activities."
Sango cleared her throat and gave Kagome dry clothes.
"Thank you," she said with a smile.
"No problem at all."
"Kagome stepped out of the room with Sango closely following.
"Are there any indoor springs or something?"
Sango nodded quickly and took her by the arm.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"This isn't exactly indoors…"
"It's warm and near the castle," commented Sango, "and I'll leave you to yourself. I have to go cook dinner. The guys must be back by now."
Kagome nodded in silent agreement and let Sango leave. Her friend had led her to a small enclosed hot spring that vaguely resembled a sauna.
"I couldn't ask for more," she thought aloud.
She set her clothes on a nearby chair and removed the dirty ones she wore. She grabbed an oversized silk robe and slipped it on. She put her hair up in a messy bun and gave up on the robe. The robe, which was highly uncooperative, covered one shoulder and rested on the elbow on the opposite side. The dark burgundy matched the dark silk theme in the whole house.
"I wonder who used to live here."
She sighed and picked up a sponge and soap. Time to set to work.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Sango?"
"In here Miroku," Sango called out.
Miroku grinned and pecked her on the cheek.
"What did you guys bring back?"
Miroku shrugged passively, grabbing a glass and filling it with water.
"A couple of pidgeons and a deer. I picked some tomatos for you, onions, and bell peppers… Good enough?"
"Of course," she praised, kissing him.
"Where's everybody else?"
"Kagome's taking a bath and the kids are taking naps."
"Ah."
"The animals are outside Sango," grumbled Sesshomaru, "I'm going to take a bath because I'm all bloody from skinning the damn thing."
He carried his clothes and a towel with him. Sango opened her mouth but Miroku pinched her.
"Miroku," she growled.
He shook his head. Sango took even breaths trying to calm herself.
"Sesshomaru, Ka-. Sesshomaru?"
Said male was long gone. Sango turned slowly and shoved Miroku.
"Kagome will be furious with me!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'All I need is a hot bath,' he thought, 'and a little time to reassess my thoughts.'
He entered through the back door, the shower half. After a few minutes there he shook most of the water off. He slipped on his clean clothes and walked out, fully intending to soak his tired feet in the hot spring. He opened the door and his eyes landed on a female. A barely clothed female.
'Her.'
He narrowed his eyes and continued to watch her. Something in him nearly snapped when she poured a bucket of water on her head. He left quickly, no evidence showing he'd ever been there in the first place.
Kagome turned when she felt a gust of cold air hit her wet back. The door, however, was closed.
"Weird," she stated with a frown.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sango cringed when the door opened and closed with a slam.
"Sesshomaru?," she called out tentatively.
"Have you seen him today?," he questioned, avoiding her and Miroku.
"No. Kohaku and Souta took him his breakfast."
"Alright. I'm going to see him now."
He left quickly, leaving no room for discussion or interrogation.
"Uh…"
Sango pointed at Sesshomaru speechless.
"Don't worry," Miroku said softly.
Sesshomaru knocked on the door lightly and walked in.
"Hello Shippou."
A/N: I do not own Inu & Co. and I don't own Beauty and the Beast. I do, however, love your reviews. Thanks guys. You're an inspiration.