A/N: I never suspected I'd be returning to the Steampunk AU, but it's happening. Why? Because through the past year some of my readers requested it, so I thought it'd be fun to make a sequel and post it 100 Barks later. More - it's going to be a two parter. the second one appearing somewhere - hopefully - within next 20 Barks. If the internet survives, that is. Anyway, this one was checked by book-thot
New Work. Sequel Pt 1
Ah-Un was ready to take off.
It in itself wasn't unusual, the great airship had traveled before, but it was going to be the first time the miko Kagome Higurashi was going to be a member of the security service.
She had prepared for this travel as well as she could. She wore a pair of wide, dark red pants that could pass for a skirt and wouldn't be too scandalous. She also wore a loose top, hiding her bosom from any perverted eyes. The sleeves of her robe were cuffed at the wrist, which was a bit nontraditional, but she hoped would be overlooked, since it was practical. It was going to be her attire for two next trips, until her black uniform was ready. She put her flowing hair in a loose braid that could be pinned up if need arose and had her short bow and arrows at ready.
She was sitting by a small table in the restaurant part of the Musashi station, looking out through a window and admiring the zeppelin. She had a cup of tea in her hand and was waiting for her older, more experienced partner.
The two additions to the security of Ah-Un were a reiki user and a fighter, just like the pair already working there. To gain experience the new pair was split and assigned to the older one. This way Kagome ended up being Inuyasha's partner. She was going to provide the reiki assistance while he was going to use his skills in battle - and youki, as she assumed.
It was a bit exciting to know she was going to work alongside a man.
A very handsome, strong, silent and usually borderline rude man with the most adorable ears.
Kagome and Sango haven't had a chance to spend much time with Miroku and Inuyasha, but Kagome already had them somewhat figured out. They had traveled to the Western Palace, known also as the Sky Palace, since it was located almost on top of a small mountain. But during that trip she had been merely an observer, trying to memorize what was going to be expected of her.
As a woman she knew many would be watching her carefully. Women weren't security officers, shrine maidens should be working at some shrine or in a hospital, not guarding airships. But to Kagome duties of a miko tending to a shrine or to sick, even while being noble and good, felt also pretty dull. Every girl could be a shrine maiden, sweeping yards and cooking soup. She had a great potential, her ancestors granted her big reiki level, she had the personality of a fighter, the desire to protect.
"Jasmine tea?" Kagome was pulled back to the realty by a deep voice and turned her head to look at the magnificent sight that was the younger brother of the Western Lord, Inuyasha, called by many Taisho, as a nod to his late father's title of the Great General of the Dog Youkai. Nowadays, in the age of peace and enlightenment, the youkai had no regular army, so there was no need for Lord Sesshomaru to employ a general, but the head of his security team was probably the closest thing to a general. Besides, the miko was sure that the Lord could assemble as many soldiers as he wanted if he wanted to wage a war. And his stubborn, powerful hanyou would probably be close to the top rank in the army. But those who called Inuyasha Taisho referred rather to his personality - he was the one barking orders, the one who wanted to know everything related to his field of action, who made decisions and created strategies.
Rumors had it he sometimes even had an audacity to challenge Lord Sesshomaru's authority.
And now he was standing by her table, his black uniform contrasting with his white hair, his face twisted in a mild scowl, that seemed to be his usual expression. He had his hands resting on his hips, which indicated he wasn't really annoyed.
"Good morning, Inuyasha," Kagome stood up and greeted her superior. "Yes, I brought some with me, since the restaurant hadn't had it. I quite enjoy the taste and mister Hojo was kind enough to brew it for me."
"Feh," Inuyasha's ears twitched. "Finish your tea, we're departing soon. I sensed Sesshomaru coming back from the dumb council. He should be here in ten minutes and we better be on that ship or he whips us with his youki whip. And it's leaving ugly scars, especially on delicate human skin."
Kagome glared at the hanyou, who smirked. She realized he was merely teasing her, in his own rough way. The miko obediently finished her ta, promising herself to settle the score at some later date.
"Here, all done," she put the cup on the table for a servant to find and followed the hanyou, who was already making his way to the door. She caught up to him outside and walked beside him. Normally, women weren't supposed to walk beside men, unless they were wed to them, but it looked like Inuyasha didn't mind. The ear closest to her swiveled her way and she fought back the desire to pet it. This would be out of line, even for her.
"Do you predict any trouble?" she inquired as they neared the airship. The hanyou looked skywards.
"Hard to tell. If anything wants to attack us it will do it when we're in the air, so we can't call on the ground support," he said with the calmness of someone who had experienced a lot during his work. "Probably when we reach the mountain range."
Kagome nodded her understanding and Inuyasha led her inside and to the security room. Kagome sat by the window so she could watch the Lord's arrival, Inuyasha went to check on something.
As Inuyasha had predicted soon a carriage bearing the West's crest came to stop near the airship. A tall youkai in white came out, his flowing hair much like Inuyasha's. A kappa was following the Lord as he crossed the field, carrying a big bag filled with documents. Another carriage came from another direction, a woman and a girl leaving it, but Kagome didn't pay much attention to them, instead focusing on the Lord.
She knew his looks, he had been often on the pictures in newspapers. Still, seeing one of the daiyoukai in real was a thrilling experience. She could sense his youki from her spot and she knew he was hiding most of his power. He moved with a predatory grace, looking regal and cold.
"Ah, Lord Perfect's finally here," she jumped when she heard Inuyasha behind her. He sounded... bitter. She looked at the hanyou standing close enough that she could touch him if she reached a hand. He was glaring at her.
"What's perfect about being a man, who constantly changes his mistresses, not willing to commit, but leading women on?" she asked, then covered her mouth with a hand, paling. "Please, forgive me, I should've spoken so-"
Inuyasha's laughter gave her a pause. Kagome, frozen by the vastness of her comment's rudeness, blinked up at the proud man, who's loyalty to his half-brother was almost legendary (no doubt a part of his inu youkai nature) who now was laughing at her utterly rude and out-of-place comment on his lord's lifestyle.
But those golden eyes looked at her with warmth that hadn't been there before, warming her and making her relax almost on instinct.
"True, he doesn't keep one woman at his side for too long," he nodded. "But most of them are just gold diggers anyway."
"So, it is alright to make a woman a mistress and then leave for another?" Kagome suddenly felt like she was going to explode.
"Nah," the hanyou seemed not to notice the tone of her voice. "But it's not like he's breaking their hearts. They stick to him by their own free will, wanting his wealth and power, not bothering to want him."
Kagome's ire disappeared in a blink of an eye. Inuyasha was looking t his brother disappearing behind the airship, his face sad.
"He was in love once, but his beloved was betrothed to another. And despite his wealth, status and power, he couldn't do nothing to prevent the marriage."
"But... How?" Kagome couldn't believe her own ears. Lord Sesshomaru had been in love with someone and lost her - this wasn't included in any biographic article on the Lord of the Western Youkai.
"She married the Emperor," Inuyasha finally looked at her, his expression passive, but sorrow for his brother shining in his eyes for a moment. "Not long after that she was assassinated. Since her he never fell in love again. Sometimes I think he has so many mistress because he wants to forget about the one woman he wanted and couldn't get. He isn't a person who lets others in his heart easily in general."
"Oh," Kagome whispered, feeling sorry for the Lord who always appeared so cold and who - now she knew - had been hiding a wounded heart behind this wall of ice for all those years.
Suddenly the door to the room swung open and a chirpy voice exclaimed.
"Uncle Inu!"
To Kagome's shock a human girl bounced into the room. She appeared to be around eight years old, with long black hair and wide smile on her face as she ran to hug the gruff hanyou's leg. She wore a robe of the finest silk, with a yellow and orange pattern on it, that only enhanced the joyful energy practically radiating from her petite body.
"Lady Kagura took me to an ice cream place! I had ice cream and the nice lady there said I'm cute!"
"Hi there, kid," Inuyasha laid a hand on her head, all traces of his earlier melancholy vanished. "Meet Kagome, she's our miko. You see something you don't like or get scared, go to her. Kagome, this is Rin, the cute Lady Ward of the Western Youkai's Lord."
As if only now noticing Kagome the girl hid behind Inuyasha's leg.
"Hello," she said, suddenly shy and silent. Kagome realized it was the legendary Rin, the girl the lord protected and shielded from all harm. She had read about her in a newspaper once or twice, but since the girl was usually staying in the Sky Palace there was little information about her. Besides, the journalists felt there were more interesting topics to write about than a little girl.
"Hello, Lady Rin, it's nice to meet you,"
"Miss Kagome," Rin still held Inuyasha's pants in her hand, but looked a bit less shy. "You can call me Rin."
"Alright, but you have to call me Kagome," the miko gave her an easy smile. She missed the rather fond look that Inuyasha gave her before patting Rin's head when she nodded.
"Okay, you said hi, now get back to Sesshomaru before he sends Jaken after you," he pushed the girl towards the door. "We're going home soon."
"But I want to stay with you, uncle," Rin gave the hanyou a puppy expression. To Kagome's surprise the stern man didn't even put a fight.
"Okay, but first you have to report to Sesshomaru and you can stay only for a half of an hour. Then your uncle has to work," he caved in. Rin squealed happily and ran to get her permission for her lord.
"And here's the mighty Taisho made to change his orders," Kagome commented. Inuyasha scowled at her.
"Don't think you can get away with something like that, miko," he warned her.