Shomen
Kagome stared at the ceiling, restless. Why couldn't she sleep!? Her body was so exhausted, but her mind whirled with a thousand worries for Shippo.
Where was he? Was he injured? Are there other survivors with him? What happened to that village? Would they be able to get to him in time?
It felt as if a heavy stone of anxiety grew in her stomach the more she thought about it. She hated to leave Katsurou behind on her search for Shippo. She had left him for one night, but this trip could be weeks and that was if things went well. The thought of being away from him for so long worried her even more. I know he'll be safe here while I'm gone, but there are still so many risks! What if they attacked the palace? Katsurou still hasn't learned how to use his reiki... Kagome wanted to be there to teach him how to use his powers, but given the circumstances, she hoped the enchanted fang would do the job for her.
She raised her arm above her head, and examined Sesshoumaru's fang in the darkness. The damn tooth fought her and resisted her manipulations in every way. It had taken her hours to find a solution. Maiko had sat with her in the den, watching her shatter crystal after crystal as youki and reiki refused to be confined. Kaeda had taught her similar spells for amulets, but none of them had worked.
It wasn't until Maiko sat patiently picking out glass-like shards out of her hand, did she realize that she had been going about it all wrong.
Sesshoumaru was simply too powerful, and she had been an utter fool to believe that an ordinary crystal would hold his youki for even a second. To her shame, his mother had been right. Kagome had not known what she was asking for.
The only way to achieve her goal would be to abandon the crystal all together. Instead, she focused on the fang by itself. There a few different spells that might work, but in the end she settled for a strong barrier spell. Her reiki would cover the fang and create a seal. The youki could still be felt from the fang, but unless someone knew how to get through her barrier, then they could not access the power inside the fang. The end result was a tooth radiating both reiki and youki.
The screen door to her bedroom slid open softly. Maiko stepped inside, holding a green ball of foxfire to light her way.
"Kagome-sama?" Her eyes blinked at her. "What are you doing awake?"
Kagome groaned and rolled over, clenching the fang in her fist.
"I couldn't sleep."
Maiko frowned. "You should have told me! I could have brought you a sleeping draught." She scurried over to kneel next to her lady.
Kagome sighed. "No, I wouldn't want to bother Hanako-san, or else she'll poison me." The healer of the palace did not like her, that's for sure.
Her maid gasped. "She would never! Hanako is honorable and loyal to Sesshoumaru-sama! You should not fear her."
Kagome rubbed her eyes. "I have to disagree. She has been nothing but hostile to me. I have no idea what I did to make her mad. Perhaps it is because I encroached on her territory..." She did force her way into the infirmary and heal the patients the healer could not.
Maiko took it to understand something else entirely. Her cheeks flushed in the green fire light . "Oh...Do you think she is jealous?"
Kagome pulled at the leather tie in her hair, freeing the locks from their constraints. Her hands paused as the meaning of her words caught up with her.
Her maid was blushing.
"Are you mated to Hanako-san?!" She asked incredulous.
Maiko waved her hands in front of her. "No! I...well she wishes to court, and I am considering it."
Kagome chuckled. "Maybe that's why she doesn't like me. You probably go to her reeking of me, because you have to be around me all the time. I mean it is your job."
The kitsune clenched her paws in her lap. "I am sorry, Kagome-sama. I had no idea; I had caused you so much distress."
The priestess scoffed. "You have caused me no distress. I can handle a jealous woman."
"My lady, please do not punish her for her actions; punish me instead." Maiko begged. If her lord found out that Hanako had been disrespectful towards Kagome, then there would be a price to pay. Sesshoumaru would have to make an example out of her.
Kagome grabbed a hold of her maid's trembling paw.
"Maiko-san, it's alright. I don't think I could ever punish you. Besides if I haven't said anything about it before, why would I bring it up now?" Though, Kagome suspected that it wasn't a miko that she afraid of, but the lord of the estate.
Her maid visibly relaxed. "Thank you."
Kagome flopped back on the bed, pulling the blankets over her head.
"What are you doing?" Kagome heard her maid ask.
"What does it look like? I'm trying to get some sleep!" She said under the blankets.
Maiko raised an eyebrow at her ridiculous, but kind Lady.
Kagome yelped when her maid ripped the blankets off of her.
"I came in here for a reason. It's time to get up."
"W..what?! I have a few hours before dawn!"
"We have a lot to do before then." Maiko said shaking her head.
"Like what?" Kagome huffed.
In the blink of an eye, Maiko had dashed from the room, only to return a moment later carrying a large wooden chest.
Kagome stared blankly, as the trunk dropped on the ground.
"Kimonos?"
Maiko laughed. "No." She opened the chest for her Lady to see.
Inside were an odd assortment of steel covered plates and leather.
Kagome looked at her sharply. "Armor?"
"Sesshoumaru-sama had it made for you." She explained while pulling out several pieces.
"This seems...excessive." Her eyes wandered over the many different items laid out before her.
"Nonsense. Our lord wishes to keep you safe. Now stand up."
Kagome stumbled to her feet. Maiko made quick work of the futon and blankets, folding them up to make more room.
After several months of having her maid dress her in various kinds of robes, she knew to hold her arms behind her with her hands closed tight. Maiko first slipped a white juban up her arms and over her shoulders, followed by a thicker more substantial robe. Next she was handed a pair of shortened hakama that tied off at the calf. After she had pants on, she sat down and pulled leggings up over her exposed legs, followed by boots. Maiko knelt down beside her and tied the stiff leather greaves to her shins.
After her legs were covered, Kagome stood up so that Maiko could wrap a heavy apron around her waist, covering her thighs. Her eyes drooped as, she started to nod off.
"Wake up!" The kitsune said sharply. "You need to watch what I'm doing so that you'll be able to put this armor on yourself later."
Kagome opened her eyes, feeling more exhausted.
Maiko lifted her arm and slid a padded sleeve up her arm and across her shoulder.
"Ugh, how is that so heavy?" She whined.
Her maid tugged on the sleeve and tied the cord under her adjacent armpit. "There's metal sewed into the fabric."
Kagome closed her eyes again as Maiko pulled another sleeve over her other arm, following the same process.
Her arms were pulled up as chest plate and armored skirt settled over her shoulders.
She opened her eyes to watch as Maiko pulled the ties tight, and laced up the right side of the armor.
"Is this all really necessary?"
"If you have a problem with it; take it up with Sesshoumaru-sama."
Kagome sighed as Maiko ignored her, and wrapped a red silk belt around her waist.
"Are we done?"
Her maid glared at her. Much to Kagome's dismay, she picked up two armored plates, and began latching them to one to each shoulder.
The fog of exhaustion cleared and her eyes opened with realization.
"You're putting samurai armor on me."
"In a way, yes. The armor materials are different though. Sesshoumaru ordered the armor-smith to make you something fit for a human." Maiko explained before she plopped a helmet on top of her head.
"Okay, I appreciate it and all, but this is too much."
"Like I said, if you have a problem-"
"I'll talk to Sesshoumaru-sama." Kagome finished.
Her body was heavy. How did anyone fight like this? The helmet not only partially obscured her view, but it also muffled all sound. If an enemy had approached her from either side, she would never see it coming.
"Ah..Maiko-san?"
Her maid closed the trunk and turned to her.
"What about the shomen mask?"
Maiko rolled her eyes. "Those are absurd."
Kagome smiled. "Would you mind finding me a mask and some paint? I have an idea..."
Xxxxxxxx
Author's Note: Hey everyone!
Shomen – Also known as men yoroi. A shomen is a full face mask worn by samurai that were made to look like demons and evil spirits.
That tidbit is important to understand what happens in the next chapter. :D
A big thank you to my beta, Saruwarui, because she puts up with me. She's amazing and wonderful and she drew for me Sesshoumaru wearing a christmas sweater.
Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews. I always appreciate reading what you have to say.