Several hours of research later leads me to everything I need to know. Both Kagome's dance studio and apartment building are owned by one Naraku Hadani. While his official records are clean, his personal records reek of deceit and underhanded deals. The woman, Kagura, has been in his employ for the better part of the last twenty years. The two are clearly not to be trusted. I wouldn't put it passed them to invade someone's place of business or living to take what they deem theirs. It would explain Kagome's phone call last night, as well as her behavior toward the wind demon outside her studio. Seeing as she is not in immediate danger, I decide not to take any further action, short of alerting Royakan of the necessary information he would require, including photos of all of this Naraku's employees, as well as my suspicions in his involvement. When it is time to pick up Kagome, she is in a much better mood than when I left her, easing a tension in my chest I had been unaware of until that moment. She talks most of the way home and I can't find it in me to mind the slightest.
"I'm sorry, I've been talking your ear off this whole time," I notice her rub the back of her neck as her cheeks flush a delicate pink. "I can be a bit of a chatterbox, please don't hesitate to tell me to stop if it's too much."
"You are perfectly fine," I inform her, turning into our driveway. Our driveway? I catch myself, when did I start thinking of it as our driveway? Shaking my head slightly to clear the strange thought away, I just catch her asking about my day. "It was uneventful. Work took up most of it."
"Oh, well, did you get a lot done at least?" I pause, my door partially open, and consider her question. While it is true I did not get as much paperwork done as I had originally planned and only just started going over potential contracts for the next quarter, I was satisfied with my findings on Kagome's current situation.
"It was productive enough." I catch her smile before walking around the car to get her door.
"Awesome! Think it would be okay to watch a movie with Rin before she has to go to bed? If her homework is all done, of course, I just thought it might be nice since I know she had wanted to hang out today but we were both busy." I suppress a small smile at her concern for disappointing Rin.
"I do not see that as being a problem," I reply, opening the door. "Something tells me she finished her work as quickly as possible." Kagome giggles and, sure enough, Rin is at the door waiting for them, homework in hand.
"Sesshomaru-sama! Rin has finished all of her work for the weekend and read ahead in some of her books! She didn't even need Jaken's help this time! Look Kagome!" She exclaims, proudly, before thrusting the pile of papers into Kagome's arms. The woman merely smiles, straightening the papers a bit, before going over them one by one, making sure I am able to see as well.
"Rin, this is amazing! And your handwriting is beautiful!" Rin's smile only grew under Kagome's praise.
"It is indeed done well, Rin," I inform her, "you may have the rest of the night to yourself." She smiles brighter and I catch Kagome looking at me from the corner of her eye, asking silent permission. I nod my head, just enough for her to notice.
"Hey, Rin," she begins, "movie night?" The eight-year-old squeals in excitement before taking off down the hallway to find something suitable to watch. Kagome chuckles before turning her gaze back to me. "Should I take that as a yes?" I take her coat and hang it up in the hall closet before leading her into the kitchen.
"I believe that would be a safe assumption."
"And would it also be a safe assumption that you will be joining us?" She asks, settling into a stool at the counter.
"So long as I am permitted. I would hate to intrude." She scoffs, rolling her eyes at me.
"In your own home? Hardly." I open the refrigerator, keeping my back to her, as a smile tugs at my lips. "How much you wanna bet she brings something about a princess?"
"There is a good possibility, though she has been watching more animal-related films as of late. Is there anything in particular that you would prefer for dinner?" I ask, glancing at her over my shoulder.
"May the best man win then," she winks over at me before shrugging. "I'm good with whatever you guys want." I nod my head before wandering over to the pantry and retrieving a box of angel hair pasta. I'm almost done making dinner when Rin reenters the room, pajamas on, and movie in hand.
"Okay," she begins, voice extremely serious. I notice Kagome suppressing a giggle to my right. "After careful consideration, Rin has decided on The Princess and the Frog." I glance over at Kagome who is already looking in my direction. Looks like we both win, I smirk.
"I love that movie, I'll help you set it up," Kagome offers, but Rin shakes her head.
"I can do it! Kagome can help Sesshomaru-sama finish dinner." She runs out of the room before either of us can reply. "Rin would like a soda with dinner if it's alright!" She yells from the other room. There is not a chance in hell that girl is getting a soda this close to bedtime. I shake my head as Kagome retrieves three bowls from the cupboard.
"Will Jaken be joining us as well?" She asks, hand hovering slightly in the cupboard.
"No, he has been relieved for the evening." She nods her head and shuts the door.
"Safe to guess Rin isn't getting soda for dinner?" I look at her with one eyebrow raised, forcing a laugh from her. "Message received, water then?" I nod once and begin dividing the pasta among the bowls. We grab the food and drinks and make our way to the living room where Rin is already waiting on the far right side of the couch under a blanket. I give Rin her dinner and move to sit next to her when she quickly puts her hands in the way. I look down at her, one eyebrow raised in confusion.
"I want Kagome to sit by me." Should have known, I smirk to myself with a nod, gesturing for Kagome to take the seat. Once she's settled, I sit down on the other side of her and start the movie. Not even halfway through, I see Rin snuggle up against her, clearly fighting sleep. A quick glance shows Kagome in a similar state. I manage to keep my chuckle to myself and my eyes on the screen until something falls on my shoulder. I know what it is even before I look down. Sure enough, Kagome had dozed off and she had been pushed over by Rin's leaning, directly onto my shoulder. I allow myself a small smile and push a bit of hair out of her face. She begins to stir as the firefly is hit by a bolt of magic and blinks her eyes, sleepily. She picks her head up enough to glance up at me, cheeks red, even in the darkened room.
"Sorry about that," she whispers, "I didn't realize I was that tired."
"It is more than alright," I assure her. "This one does not mind." She chuckles a bit, nodding her head. "Allow me." At her puzzled expression, I raise my arm and drape it over her shoulders, rubbing Rin's head lightly on the other side. "This should be more comfortable, so long as you do not mind." Though I cannot see her face, I am more than pleased when she nestles into my side, shifting Rin a bit so she is laying on her. This feels so right, I can't help but think to myself. The three of us on the couch, living under the same roof, it is as though a puzzle piece finally fit into place.
"I love this part," her quiet voice floats up to my ears. I look up at the screen, pulled from my thoughts, and shake my head. Of course. The frogs have just kissed and been enveloped in magic swamp water, transforming them into humans.
"Do you prefer to kiss frogs rather than men?" I ask. I feel her scoff against me and can imagine her rolling her big, blue eyes.
"No, it's true love. Everybody wants that." I had never thought of true love as something attainable. It always seemed to be something humans created in an attempt to give their lives meaning, something people chased but never caught. Emotion in itself is something I had never fully grasped, not in the sense of losing one's self to it. However, coming from Kagome, it somehow became something almost... desirable. This thought is troubling, I am a daiyoukai, former lord of the west. I do not require such... affections. The movie ends and Rin is still asleep. Kagome looks at me, nodding her head towards the sleeping girl, clearly not wanting to wake her. I nod my head and carefully remove myself from the couch. Rin shifts a little as I pick her up, but remains asleep the whole way to her room. I lay her down, turn on her nightlight, and tuck her in before exiting, leaving the door open a crack. When I return, Kagome has refolded the blankets and is battling with the remote in an attempt to turn off the television and DVD player, much to her frustration. "Stupid piece of..." I chuckle quietly and take the remote from behind her.
"Allow me." She startles at my sudden appearance before glaring at the remote once more. I press two buttons and the entire system shuts off while Kagome's expression turns to one of complete shock.
"How did you, but, I... I pushed those!" I smirk, throwing the remote onto the couch.
"I am sure you did. We will have a lesson this week on how to use the appliances, but for now, I think it would be best to get you into bed." She rolls her eyes but follows me down the hall towards our bedrooms. "Do you need to leave at the same time tomorrow?" She nods her head again, mid-yawn. "I will take you then." Seeing she is about to argue, I raise my hand to cut her off. "It is on the way to Rin's school, I usually take her in around eight-thirty and get to work by nine. It is no trouble at all." She huffs a bit, crossing her arms, before nodding silently. We stop outside of her door where she wraps her arms around me quickly before pulling away.
"Sorry again for falling asleep on you. I had fun tonight."
"No worries, I did as well." She opens her door, still facing me.
"Good night, Sesshomaru."
"Sweet dreams, Kagome." Once she is inside, I get myself ready for bed and make sure my alarm is set a little earlier so that I can be up before Kagome has the chance to start cooking for everyone. Settled in, I am strangely aware of how large my bed is, and a particular lack of warmth at my side where Kagome had fallen asleep before. I shake my head to clear my thoughts and turn over onto my side. There will be none of that, I chastise my inner demon. She is a guest, nothing more... until she should demonstrate a want otherwise of course.