Chapter 6: Another request
A/n: Obligatory disclaimer that I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters. I'm just playin' with them.
"Oi Kagome, is our food done yet?" Inuyasha hollered.
"It'll be done soon Inuyasha, calm down." Kagome grit back. Geez, we've been back to travelling for two days and he's already on my back. Kagome turned back to the stew boiling over the fire. She added a few more ingredients and some rice they'd gotten at the village, stirred a few times, and then announced it was ready. She spooned out bowls for everyone before spooning her own out. Aside from the praise of how tasty it was everyone ate their dinner quietly.
Rin and Shippo played with Kilala and Jaken while Sango and Kagome cleaned up and Inuyasha and Miroku stocked up on wood. Sesshomaru had decided to leave, claiming he wanted to make sure the area was safe. By the time he got back the slayer and monk were asleep and Shippo and Rin were cuddled in the sleeping bag. Kagome hadn't noticed his presence yet so he stayed in the tree line to watch.
"Aren't you going to sleep with us?" Rin asked while rubbing her eye with her first. Kagome smiled fondly at his ward.
I'll be to bed soon, I have some stuff to do first though. Now go to sleep." Rin mumbled an okay as the miko smoothed her hair back before standing and making her way to Inuyasha. She sat beside him in silence for a few moments before Sesshomaru could sense her nervousness. What could she be anxious about?
"Inuyasha…"
"What?" He asked in his uncouth way, not looking at her. She flinched.
"Look, I'm sorry. I'll try to be more careful next time. But I, um…" She paused. A white soul collector glided past Sesshomaru's vision. Once Inuyasha caught sight of it he took off to follow. "Wait, Inuyasha!" He watched her shoulders slump in defeat as the half breed disappeared from view. Kagome's back hit the tree as she slid back down to the ground. The miko's emotions were all over the place. Anger, pain, confusion, sadness, loss. What an odd girl. Rin at most has happiness and sadness. Comfort mate. This miko is not our mate. Mate. Sesshomaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his beast. For a while he watched as she stood, paced, sat, stood, sat, and fidgeted. Eventually, to get his beast of his back, he walked over and sat crossed legged beside her. The foot or two between them was as close as he'd get he told himself.
"Miko." Kagome mumbled out a 'what'. Her knees were even up in front of her with her arms crossed over them and her head rested on her forearms. He waited for her to lift her head and look at him while they spoke. It didn't take long before her brown eyes lifted to look at him.
"Yes Sesshomaru?" She asked dejectedly.
"What is the cause of all this discomfort?" He watched as she briefly looked in the direction Inuyasha had let. "Where did the half breed go?" He tried what he hoped would be an easier question.
"He went to chase after Kikyo." She said crestfallen.
"The dead priestess?"
"Yep." She popped the 'p' then rested her chin back on her arms. Sesshomaru could tell she was still upset. Comfort her. No. Yes.
"What else bothers you miko?" Kagome turned her head away from Sesshomaru. He could sense her apprehension, then determination, as she turned to face him.
"What if the poison ball that had hit Rin had been stronger? What if I couldn't save her? I feel like I have so much power but I don't have control over it. Maybe if I had been able to…" She trailed off. "Maybe I wouldn't have had to be away from the group so long and we'd have the last 2 shards by now." She finished. Help her. Training. It was something he was capable of and could do to help her.
"This Sesshomaru shall train you." He felt her excitement spike.
"You will?!" He looked to the sleeping pack then back to her. "Oops, sorry." She whispered then threw her arms around his neck before sitting beside him. He gave her a nod before moving onto his next question.
"What caused you to stay in the barrier?" Her excitement was replaced with revulsion.
"It was nothing." She said. He could feel her finality. Fine, if she didn't want to be honest with him yet he wouldn't push it. They sat in silence for a while watching the fire. Eventually her head dropped onto his shoulder as she fell asleep. He let her for a while before deciding if she slept like that all night she'd wake up with a sore neck and wouldn't be able to train to the fullest extent of her abilities. He gently moved her to lay flat before leaning back against the tree.
He took the opportunity of not being watched to study her. She was very attractive, even by demon standards. Her black hair was striking against her near perfect white skin. Her mouth was not dry and crackled like most and her teeth were in immaculate condition. Her neck was slender and long. Mark her. No. He moved down to her body, athletic yet still feminine. Combine with her power, soon to be training, and the alpha air she gave off, she really would make a suitable mate one day, for someone else. His beast growled.