"Kagome!"
The dark haired Miko smiled brightly as a little girl ran towards her, arms thrown open for a ready embrace. She was followed closely by a small kitsune, running at full speed.
Sesshomaru and the Miko were walking back to the village in silence, in the wake of their rather heated exchange. Kagome could still feel the flush in her face from his...affections. She glanced over at the Taiyoukai, noticing that his golden gaze was on Rin, watching her approach carefully.
Both of the children smacked into her, arms wrapping around her chest. Kagome giggled lightly and hugged them back. Shippo looked up at her with an accusatory glare, a frown upon his face.
"Kagome, where did you go last night? You always sleep with us, but you weren't there today!" Rin nodded anxiously, pulling back somewhat to look into the mikos azure eyes.
"Yes, where did you go?" Both of the children looked up at her with wide eyes. Stifling a smile at their tender affections, she glanced over at the taiyoukai guiltily.
"I went on a walk with Sesshomaru, and we ended staying out all night. It was an accident."
"Are you sure about that, Kagome?" Sango's voice rang out teasingly, as her and Miroku appeared around a bend in the pathway. The miko felt a blush rise on her face as she looked up at them, seeing a knowing smirk on the hentai monks face.
Sesshomaru was watching her closely, and smirked as the color rose in her cheeks. He thought it looked rather flattering on her...not that he would ever say that, oh no, how could the great Inu Taiyoukai ever admit to something as paltry as...Feelings, for a human woman?
"So, Kagome-sama, how was your night?" She flushed even more at the teasing gleam in Miroku's eyes.
"That...is something I need to talk to Sango about! We'll be back later!" Kagome rushed forward, snagging her best friend by the wrist and quickly dragging her away from the smirking men.
Miroku sighed as he stared after them, his arms crossing lightly over his chest.
"Women..." He muttered lightly.
Rin watched The older Miko walk away, a pensive look on her face. She'd been hoping against hope, for a long time...the way that Kagome-sama looked when she spoke about Sesshomaru-sama, it was special. She remembered her mama looking at papa like that, like he was the whole world to her.
But Sesshomaru didn't get the same look back. She wondered about that, about the way he looked. He looked like he melted. She loved her lord, she really did, but she noticed the coldness in his eyes. She saw how merciless he was in battle, and while he was never cold to her, she knew that he was rather closed off. But he wasn't like that with the Miko. He spoke more, he smiled more. She'd even heard him laugh!
She didn't know what was gonna happen, but it seemed like things were changing for the better.
~WLITS~
Firetrucks. She knew that her face had to be redder than a fire truck at this point. She could feel the blood rushing up her veins, and it was burning.
Just like his gaze. Those golden eyes, they used to look so cold to her. Murderously cold, just the same as black ice. But it was different now. She didn't know how, but everything had changed.
"Kagome! Stop walking so fast, and where are we going?" Shocked, Kagome dropped the hand that she forgot she was holding, her footsteps stilling. Sango was giving her a wide eyed look, smiling faintly.
"Ahh, I'm sorry Sango. I didn't mean to drag us so far." She laughed lightly, nervously, running a hand through her wild black hair as she looked around. Lost in thought, she'd dragged the Taijiya into the edges of the forest. The sunlight flittered through the leaves ge truly, bathing them in a dappled golden glow.
"That's alright. But why did we need to escape so quickly?" Kagome pressed her lips together, her arms crossing thoughtfully.
"I wanted some alone time to talk, because things are a little bit confusing right now," She said sheepishly. Sango smiled at her in relief, sighing softly.
"I know what you mean! Quite a few things have changed between houshi-sama and I." Kagome didn't miss the pink blush that arose on Sango's cheeks, and she giggled happily at her.
"Yes, you two are muuuuch closer than before," she said tauntingly, her simpering smile only growing wider. "What changed?"
Sango looked away from her with an exasperated sigh, but she couldn't help the grin that tugged at the edges of her lips. "Well, you know after we left Inuyasha, it took us a few weeks to make it back to the village. We just...grew closer. He was protective when we entered new villages, and I..." Her smile dropped off a bit, eyes shifting to the ground. "I'm sick of waiting for us to kill Naraku. It's been years, and we aren't any any closer to killing that damn demon. I don't want to waste any more time without him..." She sniffed lightly, her eyes appeared glassy and defeated. Kagome's expression softened in pity, and she wrapped the girl into a warm embrace. Sango shuddered in her arms, before hugging her back tightly, taking deep breaths to control her sudden onslaught of tears.
"Don't worry..." Kagome comforted her quietly. "We will defeat him. I know it seems hard, and far away, but with everyone's power, we can do this."
After a shuddering breath, Sango nodded, wiping her eyes on the back of her hand. "I-I know...but since you brought it up, will Sesshomaru be helping?" She stood back up, carefully disentangling herself from the kind miko's embrace. The ravenette was blushing quite heavily, and wrung her hands lightly.
"I, ah, I don't know for sure..." Taking a deep breath, she looked up into Sango's red rimmed, yet kind, eyes. "He accepted me into his pack, so I thin-"
"He WHAT?!" Sango's shriek pierced her ears, and the Taijiya grabbed her shoulders, looking into the miko's eyes widely. "Kagome, do you even know what that means for you?! Do you know how rare it is for someone to become pack, let alone to a taiyoukai?" Baffled, the Miko merely shook her head.
"I can travel with him now?" Sango sighed, shaking her head fiercely.
"No, it's a lot more than that!" She let her hands drop, crossing them over her chest as she looked at Kagome. She supposed that the woman had never been exposed to demon culture, so this was going to be quite a shock for her. "To any form of canine demon, but the Inu especially, pack is everything. They base their entire society around pack dynamics, with an alpha male ruling the kingdom of the west, and an alpha bitch, his mate, at his side. But a pack has many more members than that. For example, Rin is a pup to Sesshomaru, he cares for her like she's his own. Jaken is also a member, albeit a lowly one."
Biting her lip, Kagome cocked her head to the side, "Then, what does that make me?" She asked tentatively.
Sango opened her mouth to reply, but bit her lip, a little bit confused. She wasn't quite sure herself. Sesshomaru was not the type to accept any normal people into his pack, everyone had a specific place, Jaken served him, and Rin was his ward, but just where did that leave Kagome? She wasn't helping him with any quest, nor did Sango think he was romantically pursuing her...yet. She'd seen the way his eyes followed her movements, and had been meaning to ask the Miko about those nightly walks she seemed to take..."Well Kagome, I think that you'll have to ask him yourself. It's a very personal choice, to accept someone though. You should be very grateful that he even offered."
The Miko bodded, her eyes wide, but cloudy blue, as if she was absorbing all of the information given. To be completely honest, she'd never really given much thought to her status in Sesshomaru's pack. She enjoyed his company, and he was helping her, training her. She was no longer useless. She had never considered what he gained out of it, why he would want her around. She was useful if one was hunting Naraku, but he didn't particularly need her help, having no use of the jewel shards himself. Whenever they had talked about pack, it had been about the alpha's duty. He protected the pack, cared and provided for them. But that was similar to every leader, wasn't it? She knew that she was somewhat useful to him, since she had protected Rin, but that was one instant that occurred ages ago. What use could he have for her now? Biting her lip nervously, she looked back into the warm brown eyes of the patient Taijiya.
"I am grateful that Sesshomaru accepted me, but it's confusing. He explained the Alpha's duties, to care for the pack, but I don't know what I'm doing for him in return. I can't imagine that he merely enjoys my company..." She trailed off sadly, a sensitive, insecure hurt appearing in the depths of her azure eyes. Sango managed to keep her expression soft and open, but her hands clenched into fists. That damn Inuyasha. His wishy-washy ways, and deceiving Kagome into believing in his love, only to run away with Kikyou had destroyed the woman. Sango hadn't seen her immediately after the fact, but she could see the scars. The beautiful womans confidence seemed rather low, and it revealed the deep hurt that the Hanyou had done her.
Keeping her voice low and soothing, Sango replied kindly, "Why would you say that?"
"I...he's a powerful demon lord, and I'm just human. I always need rescuing, or help. There is no way...he can't be feeling the same things I..." She trailed off slightly, her voice quivering as her eyes grew glassy with tears.
The Taijiya patted her shoulder, giving the woman a supporting smile. "Kagome, that's not true. You're a powerful priestess, remember? You've brought Naraku to his knees before. And Sesshomaru is definitely not one to associate with those he finds annoying, so he must like you at this point. Don't give up, okay?"
She sniffed lightly, but a watery smile made its way onto the miko's gentler features. "Th-thanks Sango...I needed to hear that."
The Taijiya nodded to her, her hands drifting back to her sides gently. "Of course Kagome, you do the same for me, there's no need for thanks." After sniffing one last time, Kagome wiped her eyes brusquely.
"We should go back..." She murmured. Sango rolled her eyes lightly as they began to walk back through the green woods.
"Yes, I suppose that Miroku's hands will be wandering at this point." The Miko laughed dryly, her eyes twinkling lightly.
"Oh, Sango, he's changed for the better." The ravenette had to hold back a giggle as a pink blush spread on Sango's cheeks.
"He-He's still a hentai!"
"Now, dear Sango, surely you are not talking about me, a paragon of heavenly virtue!" Both of the girls started slightly as the monk appeared around a bend in the pathway, an innocent, astonished look on his even features, despite the gleam of amusement in his dark eyes. Sango began to splutter again, and Kagome would have laughed at the tender display had the person of her hesitant affections not appeared right behind the monk in question.
Sesshomaru watched the Miko inquisitively as her cheeks pinked, azure eyes not quiet meeting his gaze. He noticed the hint of red that still lined her eyes, and there was a lingering scent of salt in the air. Tears. Why would Kagome have been crying? She had seemed rather content this morning, if vexed at his actions, but happy enough. He had thought that the one on one time with the slayer would ease her mind, if anything. The two were rather well acquainted, he didn't think it likely that they would have fought. And why would she not meet his gaze? He had gotten used to her fearlessness, her inability to bow to him. This spineless aspect was not part of the Miko that he knew.
"Well, not that we are all United, I have a proposition to make," the monks inquisitive words roused his curiosity, and Sesshomaru's gaze left the embarrassed woman, though he continued to glance her way every few moments. Miroku cleared his throat, and gave them all a nervous smile. "We all have a common goal here, to vanquish Naraku. Sango wished to avenge her family, Kagome needs to collect the jewel shards, and I must remove my curse. Sesshomaru-sama, I assume that you want the wicked creature gone from your lands also." All of the members of the group nodded grimly, the mood darkening considerably.
"Since we all want the same thing, I propose that we travel in one group, and use all of our talents to corner Naraku and kill him." Kagome gasped lightly, her eyes immediately flicking to Sesshomaru, attempting to discover any hint of reaction in his amber orbs. Sango nodded slowly, her own dark eyes narrowed as she thought about the monks idea.
"I have no problems with this, and it seems smart." The Taijiya offered a smile to her lover, boosting his confidence. Grateful, he smiled back at her secretively. Kagome had bitten her lip, eyes still roving over the Impassive taiyoukai.
"Sesshomaru?" Her voice was the tiniest bit rough, but loud enough for him to hear. His eyes flicked over to her, surprised when she met his gaze head on. There was a small bit of confusion in her gaze, and he could scent a great deal of nervous anxiety on her.
He sighed lightly, golden eyes observing the monk and Taijiya cooly. They would not be bad companions. The two were a fairly sensible pair, and got along well with the children. Kagome seemed to brighten in their presence, she laughed much more sense they had appeared. He had seen their skills in battle, and that hadn't bored him, like so many others. He supposed that the foolish Miko could do with extra protection, seeing as she liked to throw herself into harm's way...
"I will allow the monk and Taijiya to travel with this Sesshomaru's pack while we hunt the hanyou," he rumbled out impassively. Golden eyes widened fractionally as the Miko smiled brilliantly at him, her hands coming up and clapping excitedly.
"Oh thank you Sesshomaru! Thank you!" She seemed overjoyed, hugging the slayer and turning her thousand watt smile on the monk.
"However," he cleared his throat, easily gathering all of the excited mortals attention,"We shall not depart until your wounds have healed."
The brilliance of her smile dimmed somewhat, and azure eyes flicked down to her side, where bandages lay hidden underneath her kimono. "Yes," she said softly. "I suppose that's smart."
"Oh Kagome!" Sango burst in, grabbing her best friends hands happily. "This'll be good! We'll catch that scoundrel in no time!"
The monk chimed in confidently, coming up and slinging an arm around his lover's waist. "He's as good as dead now, Kagome-sama." The Miko merely smiled at them, but her eyes flicked over to the taiyoukai. He could see the happiness in them, but there was a lingering sadness.
He should not have brought up her wound. The incident was obviously still painful for her, mentally. He almost cursed. He'd only spoken of it to ensure she didn't try to exert herself before it was fully healed, but it seemed to have only reminded her of the once faithful hanyou's betrayal.
"Give it back Shippo!"
"No! Kagome-sama gave it to me!"
Sighing, the Miko lifted her head up to look over at the yelling children. They were all bundled into Kaede's hut, packing away their sleeping rolls and food. She was kneeling on the ground, going through her first-aid kit, counting the rolls of gauze and antiseptic wipes. She figured they would come in handy in the inevitably battles...but she prayed not. Shippo and Rin had been packing up their belongings, sleeping rolls and little toys she had given them, when they had yelled out. It was rather surprising, as they rarely fought. Holding back a little smile, she looked over at the frowning children.
"What's going on you two?" Rin swung her indignant eyes over to Kagome, pointing at a box of Pocky in Shippos hands.
"You said that I could have that box of sweets!" Shippo shook his head, tossing his chin arrogantly, just like a certain Taiyoukai...
"No, she gave them to me!" Holding back a smile, Kagome got up and walked over to the little kids, placing a hand on each of their heads.
"I'm fairly certain what I said was that you two could share the box of candy, didn't I?" Both of the kids looked abashed, and their eyes guiltily slid away. Wordlessly, Shippo held the box of candy out the Rin. She smiled lightly at him, and took a singly piece.
"Thanks Shippo," she said softly.
"Sorry I yelled," he said quietly. Kagome patted the top of their heads, smiling lightly before she walked back over to her bag.
Sesshomaru was standing outside the little building, arms crossed as his icy eyes observed the interaction between them. He was waiting for them to be ready to leave, waiting to go track down the filthy hanyou. The Taijiya was also packing inside, while the monk waited next to him. He did not mind that man's presence. He did not make useless chatte-
"Ah, Kagome-sama has such a way with children," And there went the no useless chatter. Holding back a sigh, his golden eyes slid away from the woman, looking over at the smiling man icily. "One day, she'll make a good mother. That's all she really wants, you know," surprisingly, The monk's eyes were flashing with a warning, a deep emotion, despite his light tone of voice. "All she wants, is a family. To have people who will love her."
The taiyoukai pursed his lips, his golden gaze returning to the small woman just as she flashed him a smile. A brilliant smile, bright as the sun. A smile unique to her, and her only. She straightened up, heaving her backpack up with her.
"Ready to go?" She asked him cheerily.
/ hey guys! I'm so sorry it's been so long since I Updated, school has been crazy. But I haven't given up yet, and now everything is all set for some exciting action!
Thank you for reading, and PLEASE PLEASE review