Kagome stared wide eyed at the curly haired boy who shimmered in and out of sight. His brown eyes were equally as wide and his mouth hung open in surprise.
"C-can you see me!?" His voice was cute in a childlike way, but just deep enough to know he wasn't that young.
Kagome nodded, the jewels dangling in her hair swaying with the movement as she kept her eyes locked on him. They were deep down in the most protected area of the west and this little boy had somehow managed to sneak in. She could feel Inukimi's and Sesshomaru's eyes on her, but she refused to meet their gaze. She feared that if she looked away, he would disappear.
"Can they see me?" He gestured towards the lord of the castle as he stepped from behind a box of stacked gold.
"Shippo," she whispered. Her kit touched her sleeve to let her know he was listening. "Can you see that little boy in front of us?" She nodded in the direction that he stood in front of the boxes. Now less obscured, she could see that he was barefoot and had on a once white hakama and haori that were in disarray. The only other thing that seemed off about him was that he seemed to shimmer in a way that only showed at the edges of his silhouette.
"I don't see anything Kagome" Shippo's high voice reached her ears just as she saw the surprise flash across the young boy's face. He concealed it quickly by nodding and closing his eyes, a smirk lining his face.
"Good, usually people can't see me unless I want them to. But," he eyed her, looking at her from head to toe. "What are you?"
Kagome blinked and a smile blossomed across her face, glad that he wasn't intimidated by her. "That's not a nice thing to ask you know?" She giggled as a slight blush dusted his cheeks and he had the decency to look abashed.
He shrugged and stepped closer to her, "Like I said, people can't usually see me, normal people anyways."
"Who are you talking to?" Inukimi's voice reached her and Kagome finally looked away from the boy. The demoness' face was smooth and without emotion, but Kagome could see the gleaming curiosity underneath. She glanced back at the curly haired boy and smiled.
"Well, it looks like some of us can't see you."
He nodded and his brown eyes skimmed over the lord of the west and his mother. "You can tell them, no point in hiding anymore apparently anyways. After all, you caught me."
Kagome watched as the slight shimmer that surrounded him subsided. Hearing Shippo gasp, she knew he had revealed himself.
"This," she gestured to the young boy, "is who I was talking to."
Sesshomaru stepped forward in front of her, blocking her from the preteen's view. He cracked his knuckles as he inspected his ragged form and spoke, "How did you enter these chambers?"
Kagome peeked over Sesshomaru's shoulders, straining on her tiptoes. She eyed the young boy with a raised brow, trying her best to imitate her own mother.
"Uh," suddenly the teen was nervous and took a step back, craning his neck up to stare at Sesshomaru's cold, gold eyes. He glanced down at her and she kept up her stern face, or at least she hoped she did.
"I've been wandering this castle as long as I could remember." He glanced away and shrugged, running a hand through his messy hair. "You know, you were a lot easier to keep eye contact with when you were little"
Kagome felt her eyes widen and she gasped in shock. She wasn't exactly sure how old Sesshomaru was, but she knew it was at least 800 years according to Inuyasha. Inukimi glided across the polished wooden floors and looked down her nose at the young boy.
"Is that so?" She raised a single silver brow and continued, "name." Her tone booked no question for arguments and the young boy straightened; his eyes wide as he looked up at her.
"My name is-" he cut himself off and furrowed his brows. His dirty hands clenched at his sides and he stared off into the distance. The young boy's face shifted into sorrow as he looked at Inukimi once more. "I-I think I forgot"
Kagome could argue that there was no way that someone could forget their own name, but looking into his despondent, brown eyes almost convinced her. She stepped forward around Sesshomaru and held a hand up to Inukimi, motioning for her to move. Her instincts were guiding her, and Kagome wasn't one to deny them. She looked down at the young boy and felt her power gently encompass her in a more brilliant glow, letting it escape from her hold and dance in the air around her. His brown eyes widened in awe as he stared up at her, then to the hand she extended towards him.
Hesitantly, he grasped it and immediately fell to his knees. Kagome would have been worried, but she could tell he was in no pain. Her power flowed into him and his hair unmatted, the white of his clothes became unmarred, and the stitching fixed itself with a golden thread. The dirt smudged away and Kagome gripped his hand tighter as she delved into his mind. He tensed and she briefly wondered if he was able to tell she was snooping.
There was a haze in his mind, one that seemed so woven into his thoughts that it made Kagome wonder if it was permanent. But he was telling the truth, he couldn't remember his name. Kagome nodded to herself and blacked away, letting go of his hand when it was clear he was going to stay on his knees.
"He cannot remember, a haze is in his mind, though that is all I can tell." She bit her lip and looked away from the flabbergasted boy to Inukimi who was staring at her with a strange look in her eye. As curious as Kagome was, she would allow the demoness her privacy. She forcefully tuned out any stray thoughts that could have drifted to her during her experiment and stubbornly made her power recede as much as she could. Her skin went back to the subtle glow and her eyes were just a little too bright, but that was ok for now. She looked back down at the boy who was still staring at her, his brown eyes were bright and there was something else there that Kagome couldn't quite name.
"I am yours."
Her brows flew into her bangs and Kagome sputtered in shock. "Wait what?"
"No." Sesshomaru stepped forward again, his golden eyes fierce. "One such as yourself has no right to declare yourself hers." Kagome was about to argue but the sharp look that Inukimi sent Sesshomaru's way made her still. Was she missing something?
"Though brutishly put, my son has a point. What could you possibly offer to a kami, as I'm sure you know she is one by now?" Inukimi snapped open her fan and hid her face behind it delicately. It would have been a passive movement, but the glittering blades on the edge of the fan showed Inukimi meant to back her words. Kagome felt Shippo climb back up to her shoulder and she cooed at him, trying to take away the jealousy that entered his green eyes. Against her better judgement, she remained quiet and let them speak to the now nervous boy.
"Well," he scratched his head and looked away. "I can be a spy or something. After all," he looked back to the western lord and lady. "You couldn't see me, could you?"
A fierce scowl marred Sesshomaru's face as the sound of his popping joints filled the ensuing silence. Inukimi giggled and snapped her fan shut, "you have great self-preservation I see."
Molten gold eyes landed on Inukimi and Kagome wondered at how the demoness seemed so unfazed.
"Don't look at your mother in such a way pup, I rather not teach you any more lessons in manners if I can help it."
Sesshomaru looked away and closed his eyes. "He is a danger to her; someone is already after her and we know not who." He sneered down at the boy as he continued. "As far as this Sesshomaru is concerned, he could be one of them."
"No!" The boy shouted and jumped to his feet, his eyes suddenly fierce as he dared to glare at the elder demon. "I'm not like that! Yeah maybe I don't remember my name but… I know… I know that wasn't me. That's not who I am!" The conviction in his voice startled Kagome and Sesshomaru simply narrowed his eyes. The boy deflated then and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, who is 'they' anyways?"
Sesshomaru simply turned away and met his mother's eyes. "This one does not approve."
"Unfortunately, that is no longer up to you. What say you, Kagome-sama?" Inukimi glanced at her and she stared dumbly for a minute before composing herself. She couldn't figure out why this was such a huge deal, and most importantly, why Sesshomaru seemed so...unyielding about her safety. She understood she was important, but she had restored the gold of the west, surly they weren't in any more dire straits? And even if they were, how could she possibly help the literal killing perfection? She mentally shook herself and forced her eyes to open, not knowing when they had closed.
"I think it will be okay, his heart was pure." The last bit slipped out before Kagome realized what she said. She paused and tilted her head. Was that what her instincts were trying to show her? The purity of his heart? How had she done so? The confusion must have been written on her face because Inukimi nodded and grabbed her hand.
"Very well, you shall be her servant, but for now she must return to walk her shrine and rest." Inukimi led her out the door before pausing and turning around, "for now, you will be known as Hajime*." She turned back, ready to walk back out the room when she called over her shoulder, "Sesshomaru, I will return to the study after we are done."
Kagome was led out once more and she let herself be. Her mind was in a daze and she couldn't quite hold on to a single thought. There was so much to understand, learn and do, she wondered if she would ever be able to manage it.
"Breathe"
She took in a breath that she didn't know she needed and then another. Inukimi waited for her patiently and Shippo tapped her cheek with his small paw.
"I'm okay, I'm okay," she repeated, gathering her bearings as she took a final breath and forced herself to calm.
Inukimi gestured for Kagome to follow her once more and soon they were walking back up the winding trail of hallways. She wasn't sure why she suddenly felt so overwhelmed, she thought she had been doing a somewhat decent job at least.
"Better?"
Kagome glanced at Inukimi and nodded with a small smile.
"Yeah, sorry I'm not sure what happened there." Kagome but her lip glanced out of the first window she could. The large crowd had mostly dispersed from the shrine, but a few people remained waiting for her to return. She sighed, pausing at the window as she took in the scene. She spotted Miroku making small talk with a few of the demons that seemed more receptive to humans, but she kept a keen eye on those that looked at her friends with hateful eyes. She felt Inukimi approach her side as she joined her in observing the bustling night.
"I was like them once," Inukimi slid her gaze from the window and to Kagome, gauging her reaction as she continued. "I thought humans to be dishonorable, dirty animals." Kagome looked at her with furrowed brows and Inukimi continued, looking back out the window.
"In my many years though, I have learned that is not so. There are those who are unworthy, but also others who are." The demoness paused and motioned for Kagome to follow her once more, "hatred is easier than compassion."
Kagome nodded as she walked back down the hall with her, her heart heavy. Inukimi wasn't giving excuses, but a reason. Kagome knew all too well how easy it was to fall into the clutches of hatred, bringing about a self-destructive cycle. "I think I understand," she would not judge the demons too harshly for their beliefs, but she would defend her friends.
"That is all I ask, are you ready?" The silver haired demoness glanced to her left and took in Kagome's relaxed expression, trying to see any cracks in her calm mask.
The goddess nodded and took in a slow, deep breath before placing a gentle smile on her lips. "Yes."
Inukimi nodded in approval and motioned for the two solitary guards to open the door with a flare of her jaki and then stepped through them a second later. As they walked back to the shrine, they seemed to float. The wind played with their trailing kimono and the small chains that lined and dangled from their hair. Slowly, the chatter seized and a silence took the clearing. Kagome diverted her steps from the shrine and Inukimi followed without question, knowing what was about to occur.
Kagome approached Miroku with a smile on her face and he motioned Sango to quickly join him. They were both dressed in their usual attire, having preferred to be part of the security detail.
"Sango, Miroku!" She didn't bother hiding the warmth and excitement in her tone, wanting all to know that they were precious to her and that she would protect them. "Lady Kagome," Miroku bowed his head to her, ignoring the whispers of curiosity from the gathered demons. The demon that he had been speaking too quickly bowed and backed away, not giving Kagome a chance to see his features.
"Kagome!" Sango leapt forward and gave her a hug, Kagome instantly returning it before pulling back. The whispers were now scandalized, no one understanding why Kagome let the humans treat her with such familiarity.
"Thank you for your hard work in helping me," she began, wanting all to know that they were no pushovers. "Your skills are as sharp as ever." Kagome paused and raised her voice slightly so no one with curious eyes would have to strain to hear her. "Thank you for your protection," she saw Sango begin to retort but Miroku gripped her hand, motioning for his wife to hold off. She was glad Miroku was so good at reading the room. "For the care you have given me, I shall give you protection of my own." The whispers that had filled the clearing stopped abruptly and Kagome continued, trying to keep the satisfaction out of her voice as Sango's eyes lit up in understanding, realizing that Kagome was trying to cement their place at her side.
"Your lives will be long, and your hard work will bear the fruits of your labor, this I swear." Kagome grinned and pulled Sango in for another hug, she pulled back slightly and kissed her forehead, wishing for nothing but the best for her dearest friends. The glow that illuminated the darkness of the night startled her and she pulled away, eyes going wide as a golden lotus outlined in pink appeared on Sango's forehead. Gasps were heard and Inukimi moved forward to inspect the mark.
"If I may suggest, you should give one to the monk as well. The blessing is meant for two after all." Kagome stared at Inukimi dumbfounded but nodded anyways, motioning for a grinning Miroku to come. He took a step forward and bowed his head so she could reach. She felt the love for her friends pour out of her, giving the mark strength as Miroku pulled away. The lotus that marked Sango's brow was now copied on Miroku. Their wide smiles warmed her heart and Kagome didn't even care that it had been an accident, it was a wonderful one.
"We will always be there for you" Sango's voice rang out, her conviction strong as she swore to her. "You're my sister, family, nothing will ever change that."
A blush dusted Kagome's cheeks as she nodded and smiled at the fierce woman, her admiration for her soaring. Miroku nodded to her and his eyes showed his thanks as he took a step back and motioned for Kagome to lead the way.
"I do believe we now have much to discuss?" Miroku motioned to themselves, at the change that they had undergone, and Kagome nodded excitedly. Without a second thought she walked back to the entrance of her shrine, ignoring the disbelieving looks from the crowd but taking note of those who seemed to still hold malicious intent.
TBTW
A plethora of emotions were running though her body as Sango drank her offered tea. It seemed almost cold compared to the warmth she felt emotionally as well as from the mark on her head. Next to her, her husband sat calmly and with a forced serine expression. The slight tilt of his lips and twinkle in his eye gave him away though. He was just as excited as her, and they both had very good reason to be. Sango glanced over at Kagome who was trying to get comfortable in her seat. Each time she leaned too much to one side her headdress would tip slightly from its weight and cause her to rush her hands up to make sure it didn't fall off. She let out a small smile as she watched Kagome huff about overdone garments.
"Oh, Sango don't worry"
Said woman met glowing blue eyes and the mischief there almost made her scared. Almost.
"When we have any big celebrations, I'll be sure to invite you into the formalities. After all, you are my sister."
Sango gaped as she caught on to what Kagome was saying. "No! Wait I mean-!" she threw her arms up in exasperation. "I was laughing with you, not at you!" The phrase from Kagome's time was a perfect fit but it didn't seem like she was buying it. Even Shippo snickered from his perch on Kagome's shoulder.
"Oh course my dear Sango." Miroku sipped his tea to hide his grin and she smacked him on the back of the head, causing him to sputter.
"Don't worry my dear husband" she emphasized. Grabbing his wrist harder than necessary she clasped their hands together and gave him her most innocent smile. Though, it may have come off more terrifying.
"After all, I can't be expected to be left alone during the ceremony, especially since I am wed."
His eyes widened, "ah, my dearest I simply meant you would be most gorgeous!"
She smiled and sat back. "Then you may have all night to gaze your eyes on me when the time comes." She brought the tea back to her lips and Miroku sighed in defeat. If she had to prance around in fancy formal wear, then so did he.
The sliding of blades caused her to stiffen and she looked up in time to see Inukimi hide her small smile behind her war fan. She relaxed immediately and gave her a slight tilt of her head.
"I see, I shall make sure letters be sent to you on the last full moon of the year at the very least." The demoness's voice was almost amused, and Sango winced but nodded graciously.
"Thank you"
Shippo's yawn broke the slight silence and Kagome brought him down into her lap, tucking him into the many folds of her kimono so he could rest.
"Do you think I could give Shippo one?" Kagome's bright blue eyes landed on Inukimi who nodded and took another sip of tea.
"I do not see why you couldn't. Though, I am sure each blessing given takes some of your strength. Do you feel well?"
Kagome's brows raised in surprise before her features turned sheepish. "A little more tired than the past few days."
Sango furrowed her brows and touched her forehead, her hot fingers feeling cold on her marked skin. "How much energy do you think it took?"
Kagome looked at her and sighed, shaking her head. "I can't really say. I just know I'm more tired. But," she glanced away from her and back to the silver demoness. "I think Inukimi is right. The energy for the blessing has to come from somewhere."
They sat in silence as they contemplated the possible consequences. The more they spun ideas in their heads, the more worried they grew. Sango was especially cautious. Something was after Kagome, something big, and yet they could not figure out who or what. Now on top of that, her energetic and pure hearted sister would overwhelm herself. Sango knew this without a doubt. Any poor soul that wandered her way with any sad story of their life would immediately pull at Kagome's heartstrings.
She glanced at Miroku and saw him look back at her with knowing, purple eyes. She looked away after a moment of quiet exchange and caught Inukimi's quirked brow. Sango shook her head and mouthed 'later', thankful that the demoness didn't push the topic and that Kagome was too lost in her own thoughts, unable to see the exchange.
"Well, it seems not much can be done about the situation. I take it that if you knew what would happen to them explicitly you would say so?" Inukimi's voice broke the silence and startled Kagome out of her thoughts.
"Oh! Uhm yeah." Kagome's cheeks tinted pink and Sango had to refrain from laughing at her sister.
"Sorry guys, it sorta just happened. Pretty sure there's no bad intent though?" The raven-haired kami finished with a shy grin and Sango didn't bother to hold back.
She heard Miroku join in with her laughter and he spoke between chuckles. "No lady Kagome," he shook his head as a gentle smile formed on his lips. "If it correlates to what you said, I think my dear Sango and I will be quite alright." He nodded in her direction and the playfulness vanished from his expression as he looked at the young goddess.
"Family we may be, you didn't have to," Miroku held his hand up, intercepting Kagome before she could interrupt him. "Even if it was by accident, we will be forever grateful for this, and all the joy you have given us in our life. Even before you were kami, you were always our Kagome." He bowed to her from where he sat, it was informal but well-meaning nonetheless. "Really, thank you Kagome."
It was times like these that reminded Sango why she treasured and loved her husband so much. She bowed also, a smile on her face as she followed his lead. Showing Kagome the words she could not express by herself. When she raised her head it was to see Kagome's blushing face and Inukimi's stern stare.
Kagome bowed back to them slightly, a small smile on her face. "Thank you."
The silver demoness' approving nod made Sango blink in confusion. Was the western lady helping her friend from the future hone in her manners? That would be a sight to see.
"If that is all for this night, I must return to my dear son. It seems his hands are quite full at the moment." Sango felt the hairs on her arms raise as the trickle of jaki that surrounded Inukimi swelled before receding completely. The western lady was strong enough that even she could feel it. Sango found herself thankful that the demoness was on their side. She glanced at Kagome, watching as she coddled Shippo in his light sleep. She didn't know how, but her sister always managed to find friends in the strangest of places.
TBTW
Sesshomaru found that as the days passed, his patience grew thinner and thinner. Off in the distance he could see the shrine that housed Kagome, the gold glittering even in the low light of the moon. His eyebrow twitched as the young boy in his office rummaged around his scrolls and paced in boredom. Sesshomaru refused to move from his place near the window, the fresh air giving him some restraint. His mouth hardened into a line and his eyes narrowed in annoyance. He was kidding himself, the view wasn't what kept him at the window but rather the scent of the electrified sky and running water. Even from the top of his palace, his superior nose could make out her scent. To be fair, he had familiarized himself with it quite a while ago, the miko had visited often.
He was tempted to sigh in frustration but refrained. His mother was approaching and she would already notice anything off about him.
"This one does wonder, if you are as old as you say why do you have no manners Hajime?" His mother's voice drifted through the suddenly silent room and Sesshomaru looked over his shoulder just in time to see the boy blush.
"I apologize my lady," he bowed towards her at the waist. "Excited is all" he mumbled under his breath.
"Hn, do see that you reign it in. Your skills are needed, the protection of your kami is on the line." Sesshomaru's eyes snapped to his mother's figure as she sat at the low table. His eyes narrowed as he stalked over, grabbing the boy by the collar and seating him forcefully.
He declined the tea that was given by a posted servant and waved him away, his eyes never leaving Inukimi. His mother sighed and looked between him and Hajime, her head tilting in thought. Sesshomaru nearly growled in frustration. He knew his mother was dragging this out longer than necessary, yet he couldn't be sure why.
"None can see you when you are in your hidden form, correct?"
Hajime blinked but nodded his confirmation. "Yes you are right, though, it seems the divine can spot me." His eyes grew glazed and a soft smile formed on his lips before Sesshomaru's rough bark drew him out of his thoughts. The white haired demon lord was staring at him with molten gold eyes and Hajime quickly cleared his throat and straightened.
"Very well, you are to follow Kagome-kami everywhere she goes," Hajime's eyes lit up in excitement before Inukimi's next words extinguished his hopes. "Everywhere that does not require privacy." The teen's face fell and Sesshomaru had to force himself to stay unfazed. Though the grip he had on the table did not go unnoticed by his mother.
"I can do that!" The teen's voice brought Sesshomaru out of his warring thoughts and he huffed in annoyance.
"This one assumes you intend to use him as an early alert?" He raised a brow at his mother and she nodded in agreement.
"If only the divine can see him, then we will be able to find out who is snooping." Her golden eyes moved from him back to the young boy that he sat beside. "If you feel that anyone has noticed you, that is not our kami, then you must inform her and tell us immediately. You may leave her side to come get us if necessary, Kuro is more than capable of fending someone off with her aid."
Sesshomaru glanced down at Hajime and was slightly relieved at the seriousness in the teen's features. At least he would act in Kagome's better interests it seemed.
"I understand my lady."
Inukimi nodded and waved him off, "very well, you may leave to your charge now."
Sesshomaru watched as Hajime stood and stayed still for a moment. His skin shimmered and then he disappeared from sight. He didn't want to admit it, but the boy had his uses.
"This one believes him to be a zashiki-warashi*" His mother's face was set firmly and her gaze was far off. "It would explain why only the divine can see him."
Sesshomaru turned from his mother and studied the shelves that held his various scrolls. "Why so quick to trust him then?" That had been his main nagging question, his mother was never quick to trust. She let out an uncharacteristic sigh and a sad smile tilted her lips.
"On one of the days leading to your father's death, he mentioned a little boy running amok in the palace. He said he was of good character, but I was never able to find him."
Sesshomaru felt his chest tighten as he glanced back at his mother. The look in her eye was unreadable, and he wondered at how much his mother hid from even him.
'"It seems not only the divine can see him, but perhaps those close to death." The room fell silent as they both contemplated the possibility. Sesshomaru began to wonder if his father knew death was near, did he try to avoid it?
"This one believes him to be the same boy your father saw. The description matches as well as the mischievousness." The silver haired demoness stood and drifted towards the open window. "Beware my son, he is not only a marker for Kagome-sama, but for us as well. Should you ever truly see him when you should not, beware."
There were few times in Sesshomaru's life where he saw his mother in a different light, this was now one. The demoness was beautiful, cunning, and ruthless. Now he understood, understood how the house of Taisho had survived for so long. Strength helped, but if his ancestors were as brilliant as his mother, then he could fathom their longevity even more. There had been many great houses throughout the eras, but they relied on the pillars of their strength alone.
"This one understands." His words held more meaning than simply heeding his mother's warnings and she smiled in acknowledgment. "This one is glad you inherited my wit. After all, your half brother takes after your father."
Inuyasha
Even now, the name brought rage to Sesshomaru. He clenched his fists, drawing blood from his palms as he ground his teeth in an attempt to control the emotion he was most familiar with.
"Is his banishment not enough?"
Sesshomaru let out a long breath from his nose and turned towards the window where his mother was bathed in moonlight. Her sad eyes caught him off guard and he stilled.
"He tarnished not only his reputation, his honor, but also ours." Sesshomaru unclenched his hands and stalked towards where his mother was, placing his bloody palms on the sill of the window. He took a deep breath, the smell of electrified air helping to calm him.
"What he did was deplorable yes, but you act as if you yourself was in her place. Even the others knew the punishment was too harsh." Inukimi watched as her son stilled, only his nostrils flaring. "You care for her."
The wood under Sesshomaru's hands splintered and he fought to keep his face even. "This one cares for no one." Out of the corner of his eye he saw his mother shake her head and begin to leave.
"You may lie to yourself my son, but you cannot lie to me."
Sesshomaru was left in silence as his mother walked out without another word. The grip he had on the window slackened and he watched as his healing skin forced the splinters from his palm. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes, his mind racing. He, the great killing perfection, was a coward.
Sesshomaru straightened and his golden eyes focused on the shrine that glowed in the distance. His eyes focused and he was able to see Kagome's small figure walking slowly around her new home. With each step she took, Sesshomaru saw her shoulders sag and her head jolt back, as if trying to keep herself awake. The marble under her feet glowed as she walked, the power expanding out and covering the shrine. Beside her was Hajime in his mortal form, his nervous steps following her closely and his hands outstretched in case she fell.
Sesshomaru sighed and forced himself to look away. He knew she would have to claim her shrine for three nights. It was something she had to do alone. A flare of power made him snap his gaze back out the window and he was surprised to see Kagome stubbornly continuing, her head held high. Hajime was no longer pacing behind her, but instead he was on his knees at the door of the shrine, candles lit and his hands together in prayer.
As he jumped from the window and made his way over to the new kami, Sesshomaru told himself it was his duty to help in any way he could. Now that he knew she didn't actually have to do it alone, he was simply being a proper lord. Yet as he approached, his heart hammered in his chest and his steel nerves almost frayed. He continued on stubbornly, ignoring Kagome's questioning look and motioning for her to continue her walk around her shrine.
She did so slowly, still dressed in her formal attire and glowing marvelously. Sesshomaru approached the shrine doors and motioned for a wide eyed Hajime to move over. Never before had Sesshomaru truly prayed at a shrine, but now seemed to be the best possible time for it to be his first. He lowered himself to his knees, his silver hair laying on the marble floor as he clasped his hands together and prayed for the strength of the new kami.
He heard Kagome gasp just before he felt her small hand on his shoulder. "Sesshomaru, you- you don't have to!"
He kept his hands clasped and his eyes closed, silently relishing in the warmth of her hand. "This one does as he wishes." The hand on his shoulder tightened briefly before Kagome pulled away. Even without looking at her, he could hear the smile on her face.
"Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama."
"Hn."
Sesshomaru sat in prayer until he felt the warmth of the sun on his face. When he opened his eyes, he saw Hajime laying on his side, fast asleep. His golden eyes adjusted to the light and his gaze followed Kagome as she came around the bend. Her smile was wide and her skin glowed bright even in the sun. As a mortal she would have been exhausted, but now she seemed to thrive.
He stood and his legs protested at the movement, having fallen asleep long ago. Still, re refused to look anything but graceful and forced his body to function to his liking.
"Are you done?"
"Thank you so much!"
They both spoke at the same time and Kagome let out pearls of laughter. "You first!"
Sesshomaru simply quirked a brow at her and she rolled her eyes in amusement. "Yes, I am done for tonight." The demon lord nodded, noting how she only mentioned being done for the night, not in total. He would visit again then.
"Very well, this one shall return to his study." Sesshomaru paused as Kagome stood in his way, a slight blush on her cheeks.
"May I show you my appreciation? It might be different for inu, but Shippo told me how it works for foxes." To Sesshomaru's dismay, he found his curiosity piqued. Not only could he not deny his curiosity, but he was unwilling to deny her pleading blue eyes. A strange emotion filled him as he nodded his approval and waited silently. Slowly, Kagome stepped forward, bringing her intoxicating scent of charged air directly under his nose. She stilled for a moment, as if debating her actions before she stood on the tips of her toes and rubbed her cheek along his lower neck, the highest area she could reach.
His mind blanked and he stilled completely, his eyes widening. He felt her step away abruptly, blue eyes wide.
"Was that bad?"
He couldn't respond. From the corner of his eye he could see Kuro off in the distance, mouth agape as he stared at Kagome in astonishment. She would be safe.
Without another word, Sesshomaru turned and took to the sky, his heart pounding in a way he didn't like and his instincts screaming. One thing was for sure though. Dogs and foxes were nothing alike.
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Uh, hi? Sorry for the skipped month there, sorry this is shorter than normal. Life has been kinda wild. I have a small break coming up soon so hopefully I can write more. If you notice mistakes please let me know! I don't have someone to look these over usually. Sorry if my romance skills are…awkward. I'm usually an action/adventure genre writer. Tips appreciated.
*Zashiki-warashi: Spirit-like beings that live in storage rooms. Typically a child to teenager.
*Hajime: means "beginning" (or if that's totally off my kittens please let me know too.)
Thanks for reading everyone! I hope you all stay safe
