Chapter 6- Awake

Groaning softly she rolled over in the large silk covered bed, Kagome hadn't had a decent sleep in months, and yet even though she wasn't on a schedule the dawn still set her internal clock. Forcing herself into a sitting position her hand came to her lips as she yawned. "Another day in super feudal Japan…" She mumbled lightly looking towards the balcony were the first rays of light splayed across

the walls. She hoped Sesshomaru would show more signs of life today, she had stayed up late into

the night spoon feeding him broths and potions, not to mention slipping him some modern medicine, hoping it would aid in his recovery. Considering he is a demon he should heal like ten times as fast as a human, which she hoped to be leaving by tomorrow after noon…by any luck anyway. Sliding from the bed her feet touch the cool floor which caused her to shiver slightly. Kagome tugged the t-shirt over her head and stuffed it back into her bag, she had snuck it on a few hours before considering it would be far more comfortable she assumed then the attire she had been given the previous night to sleep in.

She slipped into her priestess clothing which was finally dry and went to the door which joined hers to Sesshomaru's, cracking it open she peered in and viewed Inutaisho sitting on the bed edge mumbling what she figured was soothing words to his son. Taking a deep breath she then stepped into the room announcing her presence. " I didn't mean to intrude my lord, was just coming to check in on my patient." She watched a smile cross his lips as his gentle golden hues turned to her. "He is looking much better Lady Kagome, I thank you for your help in healing my son when no other could." Kagome felt a blush wanting to rise to her cheeks but she pushed the feeling down, she had to stay seeming professional, otherwise…she didn't particularly want to think about it." "Lady Kagome I don't wish to question you but what is that pendant which hangs about you neck that generates much power? It could be dangerous if not concealed properly." She mentally wanted to smack herself for not remembering to cast another barrier over it. Mumbling the familiar words the shard was once more sealed from senses.

"Just my own curse my lord, a duty that I must return to soon enough when my task is done here." Kagome mentally sighed as he just gave a nod, her own gaze moved to the boy as she stepped up to the bed. He did look quite better, his features far more healthy in appearance. Her fingers brushed the boys bangs from his face and his skin was cool to the touch. "He will be fine my lord, the fever broken and his breathing far more steady. I do believe soon I will be taking my leave." Taking a deep breath she moved to the table and began preparing a light broth for the boy's morning meal. "I ask of you to stay priestess, your hand in healing is powerful, as you demonstrated here, with my son. My palace is always open to you, for I owe you a debt. My son wouldn't have survived much longer with such a heavy sickness, I would prefer you to stay for you are quite talented." Kagome stilled at his words a moment before finishing mixing the remaining potion in the broth. " As I said my lord my responsibility is else where."

Inutaisho watched the young woman return to his son's side and tilt his head slightly back forcing the blend of substances into his mouth. She was a lovely creature even for a human, her hand steady and her heart kind, he wondered where exactly where she was birthed. Her accent was strange and her manner oddly stubborn like. His focus returned to Sesshomaru, his only son who had been near on his death bed yesterday and today look as if he could jump up at any moment. He wondered what exactly did she do to heal him so quickly, besides ducking him in ice water to break a fever. That was something he needed to remember, if someone was with a high fever place them in ice water to counter it, what a interesting procedure, he mused. " I have worked to attend to miko, I leave my son in your able hands, I will send food up for you." Standing he walked to the door and made his exit. His study seemed like a good place for him to retire for the next few hours.

Kagome had finished feeding the demonic child before sitting on the end of the bed, her book now in hand as she began to read, as she figured there wasn't much else for her to do right now. She soon found herself too distracted to read her thoughts straying once more to her friends and family, would she ever be able to return to them? Shaking her head she then remembered the demons from the woods, perhaps she should have a word with Inutaisho about the conversation she over heard. Shifting of the boy caused her gaze to rest on him as he continued to move about, she heard him mumble lightly as then a single word escaped his young lips. "Father?" He was waking up, she near wanted to jump in glee but also a sudden fear coursed through her heart. Kagome stumbled to the door and flung it open near screaming at the guard to get Inutaisho up here that his son was near awake. Pulling herself back in the room she stayed still watching the lad fumble around in the blankets trying to escape them. She didn't know what to do, approaching him could be bad especially being a stranger to him, so she would just stay away from him until his father arrived.

Within five minutes Inutaisho appeared from no where as he rushed to his son, his gaze scanning over the boy who resembled him so much. "Father." He heard the child say as their golden eyes clashed. "Hey Sesshomaru, how you feeling boy?" He helped him sit up, as he watch Sesshomaru rubbed his eyes like a pup. Inutaisho couldn't help the grin which lined his lips. "I'm fine father, I was feeling ill, but now

I'm fine." He saw where his son's gaze moved to next, the miko who had been hovering in the corner since he returned to the room. "That is Lady Kagome, Sesshomaru, she healed you. She is a miko." He watched Sesshomaru study her for a long minute , curiosity and a bit of distrust flashed through his son's golden orbs but it quickly faded. "Thank you lady Kagome for saving me, I am in your debt." The boy's head declined in a nod, covering for a bow.

"You are welcome Lord Sesshomaru." Kagome stepped up lowering her head in return. "I am glad you are recovering well, you seemed to have been worrying Lord Inutaisho." She studied the two demons who looked near like twins. "I am retiring to my room, if you need my services any longer my Lords, just call for me." She bowed lightly and departed to her room were she quickly closed the door and leaned heavily upon it. She allowed some of her tense muscles to loosen a bit. It had taken less time then she had predicted, at this rate tomorrow morning would be when she could take her leave, the boy was awake and probably soon to wander from his bed. Congratulating herself lightly she clasped onto the bed, she was glad that was over with and the thoughts of soon leaving this place caused a smile to grace her lips. "Northern mountains here I come…" Her eyes closed as she took a deep breath, several thoughts swarming her mind which caused her to shudder. She also made a mental note to speak to Inutaisho about the demons. "So much to do so little time…"

Kagome pushed herself to her feet and strolled out onto the balcony, this place was so serene, like nothing could ever penetrate its calm atmosphere. If she was to ever settle down, she wouldn't mind it to be a place just like this, perhaps not as large. She assumed Inutaisho had one of the larger estates in this region, he was quite powerful and persuasive after all. Her hands gripped the railing which circled around the edge of the balcony, preventing the residents of the room from taking a tumble. A sigh came to her lips as she observed the occupants below which bustled about the area doing chores. Her gaze reached further out into the gardens which were beginning to go dormant from the oncoming winter, she could only imagine how wonderful this place must look in spring and summer. Kagome found herself sighing once more, in a longing way. It was becoming a bad habit, all the sighing she had been doing lately, half the time for no real reason. Just seemed to her lately that nothing was going right, first the whole problem with Inuyasha, her mother was becoming ill, and now she was thrown into this place; this just wasn't her year apparently.

Her gaze slid to the balcony which rested a few feet away, the balcony which was connected to Sesshomaru's room. She wondered how a boy who was fairly kind and respectful turn into a heartless, egotistical, fool. Her nose scrunched slightly at the thought, one day that boy would attempt to kill her, but then again maybe he would remember and be more merciful? Kagome near wanted to laugh at that thought, The great Lord Sesshomaru, having mercy and pity. Shaking her head her dark hues returned to the horizon. "And Inuyasha would proclaim to hate Kikiyo…that would be the day…." that boy will grow and be a cold blooded killer, no ifs, ands, or buts. Pushing from the railing she made her way back into the room, her gaze rested on her pack then as she picked it up and shoved a few more articles into it that she had laid over her bed, she couldn't wait to get out of this place and hopefully tomorrow would be the day.

A knock came to her ears and she turned to face the joining room door. "Lady Kagome, I wish to speak with you." It was Inutaisho's voice which pierced through the wooden frame of the door. "Come in my Lord, I am just packing." Her gaze moved to his form as he stepped inside, his own hues resting on her movements as she stuffed her bag she felt. "I would like you to join my son and myself this evening to dine, since he is improving quite well." Kagome held her breath a moment before straightening and turning to him. "Very well My Lord, it would be a honor. Lord Sesshomaru seems very strong willed, I am glad he is recovering wonderfully." She watched him give a nod and soon answer. "He is much like his mother in strength, but in power he and looks follows my steps. I will see you later tonight, I assume you wish to leave by tomorrow night?" Taking a deep breath she nodded and turned back to her task, which was pretty much done she just didn't wish to be under his intimidating gaze.

He watched her curiously for a few moments more before turning to go but her voice halted his steps. "My Lord Inutaisho, a few days ago on my travel, I ran across a group of demons, I didn't catch names my lord but they seem quite set on killing you and the northern lord. They spoke nothing but bad of both of you, and I do believe they were mercenaries." He raised a brow to her as his claw hand rose to his chin and scratched a moment. "I ask how you avoided detection from these demons, if you say you think they were trained mercenaries." He watched her shift a moment before speaking. "I barrier sir, and the wind happen to be on my side that day, I was quite blessed other wise not to be discovered." He nodded then and the retreated to ponder this further in his study. "Thank you for telling me miko." He left her to her own devices as he quickly moved through the corridors of his palace to return to his sanctuary. Why would mercs be planning to attack, the region had been peaceful for the last three hundred years, this deeply disturbed him.

Entering his study he all but near plopped ungracefully in his chair and cleared the stack of papers from his sight. There was something about the miko which nagged at his senses, she was a very interesting human indeed, not to mention her healing abilities are quite amazing and that stone she guards. "Hmm…" His mind wandered back to what she had told him, he had heard nothing of it before this, and he had spies every where. If this was true he needed to dig deeper into it, as of now to prepare for dinner, he had been trying to think of a way to keep the miko here longer for some reason, he didn't know why. His clawed fingers came to rest on his temples as he rubbed slightly, his intuition tugged at his senses saying something was coming, and the priestess had something to do with it. Taking a deep breath he raised to his feet and moved to go to his room to prepare for the evening meal, until then he must think of some reason to keep her here.

* * *

Kagome spun around viewing herself in the long length mirror which hung upon the stone wall, she had bathed and now wore the second kimono which lord Inutaisho had given to her. She had pulled her hair up on top of her head which caused slight ringlets to hang about her shoulders. This was to be a interesting evening she assumed as her feet slid into slipper like shoes which she had also been given. Stepping out into the hall she found someone waiting for her, Lord Sesshomaru. His hues turned to view her and she felt uneasy, he approached her and held his arm out to her, he was near her height but she had a couple inches on him. She hesitated a moment before taking his arm, even now she felt cautious around this young demon, he was indeed dangerous.