DISCLAIMER
X
One week later, the group crossed the border into the Southern lands. As Miroku predicted, the children had kept Kagome on Ah Uhn, for lessons and reading allowing her ankle to heal. With a couple hours to spare until sundown, they stopped near a hot spring. Almost immediately after they set up camp, Kagome and Sango made for the spring. Shippo and Rin joined, of course, bringing the duckies that Kagome had brought from her time for them. They laughed as they played, while Kagome and Sango relaxed against the edge.
"So how's your friendship with Lord Sesshomaru coming along? It seems to be going pretty good." Sango asked.
"It is! He's actually quite the conversationalist. But the best part, is that he asks me things about me; my friends, my family, what I do for fun at home. He even answers most of the questions I ask." Kagome said, as Sango busted out laughing. "What is so funny?"
"It's just- 'most'. It's so him!" She said between bouts of laughter. Kagome joined in after a second.
"It must have been really hard on him, losing his father so soon. I mean, to us he'd be old but... he couldn't have been more than a handful of centuries old." Sango said, solemnly a few minutes after they'd calmed. Kagome nodded.
"From what I can tell, his mother taught him how to be so cold, and she's extremely clever. Intuitive, manipulative, and incredibly cunning. But I don't think she really treated him badly, either. I think, despite the affair, she was just as devastated as Sesshomaru was." Kagome replied as she washed Shippos hair. Sango took the shampoo bottle and began washing Rins, as well.
"Lord Sesshomaru told Rin that the Lady Mother is really, really powerful and she's got people every where telling her gossip." Rin piped up. "Lady Kagome? What's gossip?"
"Gossip is when people talk about other people and what they're doing. They talk about whether they think it's right, or scandalous, or they talk about how things they've heard can be avoided. Have you met the Lady Mother, Rin?" Kagome replied. Rin nodded.
"Rin met her once, but I don't really remember it. But my Lord Sesshomaru says she saved Rins life!" she answered excitedly. Kagome and Sango looked at each other sadly over the children's heads.
"I heard about her, long ago." Shippo said, "It was said that after Inu no Taisho died, she locked herself away for months. Barely anyone saw her, then one day she walked into the court of the West, and informed them that Sesshomaru would take his fathers place as Lord of the West."
"Really? So soon after, Sesshomaru became Lord?" Kagome said, shocked. Shippo nodded.
"He would have had to, or it would have gone to another demon of high rank and his fathers legacy would be lost." he replied, his emerald eyes shining. Kagome ruffled his now clean hair, and smiled.
"He must have been very brave to do so. Just like a clever little fox I know." she said, rubbing her nose against his. He giggled and shook his head. They finished washing and made their way to camp. To their surprise, there was a boar roasting above a fire.
"Wow, Miroku's cooking? Hope we survive the night." Sango joked as she sat down next to him. Kagome and the kids laughed with her, while Miroku clutched his heart in mock hurt.
"My dear Sango, to think I would ever hurt such a luscious and beautiful woman as yourself." he said, his hand moving towards her rear. With a roll of her eyes, her hand met his cheek with a loud clap. Shippo winced and shook his head.
"Really Miroku, you'd think you'd learn." he said, shaking his head. Miroku laughed and shook his head, holding his left hand.
"This cursed thing, I can't control it!" Miroku exclaimed, pretending to fight his left by holding it by the wrist with his right. He thrashed around, yelling and howling about his cursed hand, the children screaming with laughter the whole time. Kagome sat next to Sesshomaru to the right of them, chuckling at the monks antics. She leaned towards Sesshomaru, and he leaned towards her.
"This is the most fun I've ever seem him have. He's always fun to be around, but he's never joked and played like that. It's a joy to see." she whispered, her eyes on Miroku and the children the whole time. Sesshomaru looked to Miroku, then to Kagome.
"Perhaps there is more joy to be found, because there is more hope." he replied, just as quietly. Kagome looked at him and smiled, not even realizing how close their faces were.
"Perhaps you're right. We stand a much better chance with you by our side." she said. Sesshomaru chuckled quietly and shook his head.
"I was speaking of you. You've grown more confident in yourself as well as your powers. With some training, you'll be even more powerful." he said, a slight smile on his face. She looked at him, completely shocked.
"You think so?" she asked. He could have scoffed if he wasn't taught otherwise.
"I would not have said it if I didn't believe it to be true." he deadpanned. Kagome laughed at herself.
"Yeah, I suppose that's true. You're not much of a talker, usually." she said. He nodded and chuckled again.
After dinner, and the children had been put to bed, the adults sat around the fire. They talked about the shards, their battles and adventures, and people they'd met along the way.
"Koga of the Northern wolf tribe?" Sesshomaru asked. Miroku nodded, still laughing. Sango shoved him to the side, as Kagome covered her cherry red face in embarrassment.
"It's not funny, guys! Like, every time we see him, it's 'Kagome, my woman! You're my woman, shut up dog breath!' It's too much." Kagome laughed, impersonating Koga the best she could. Sango and Miroku laughed harder, but Sesshomaru was miffed. Who was this wolf to claim Kagome?
Mine. His beast roared. The filthy wolf cannot have her! Mine! Sesshomaru rumbled in agreement.
"Are you alright, Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked. Said demon snapped his gaze over to her quickly, his eyes slightly wide. "You growled. Do you sense something coming?" Her hand inched towards her bow, preparing for battle. He shook his head, and Miroku glanced at him knowingly.
"It is nothing of concern. I merely remembered I have some business to attend with Koga. He does this every time he senses you nearby?" he asked, turning the attention back to Kagome. She nodded, blushing again. He found he liked that on her, how it spread beautifully across her ivory cheeks.
"He does, yeah. I've told him it's never gonna happen, but he's too thick headed to listen. Someday I'll have to get it through his thick skull, but I've been too busy dealing with the jewel shards and Inuyasha." she replied, shrugging. The others nodded, and started joking about the different ways she could get it through his skull.
"Hey Kagome?" Sango asked.
"Yeah? What's up?" Kagome replied.
"Could you tell us more about your family? What are they like?" she asked, laying on her side and supporting her head with her hand. Sesshomaru and Miroku looked to her as well.
"They're lovely, if not a bit eccentric. My grandpa is the one who runs our shrine, though he has no spiritual power. But he was always telling me stories about this era, the demons, the politics, all of it. He'd even given me a trinket of the Shikon No Tama the day I fell through the well the first time." Kagome laughed, looking into the fire.
"Mama is the sweetest, most loving woman you'd ever meet, and quite possibly the best cook. She always knows what to say when I'm having a hard time. When dad died, she really stepped up. Started working as a waitress part time on top of helping at the shrine, while raising Souta and myself. Souta, he's a butt sometimes, but he's brilliant. He's intuitive, and so bright. He loves to play soccer, too. I think he could go pro if he keeps it up."
"Soccer?" Miroku asked, tilting his head to the side.
"It's a very popular game. You've got two teams, and a goal on either side of a field, long ways. One person from each team guards the goals, and their job is to stop the other team from scoring a goal, and earning points. The rest of the players from each team run up and down the field kicking the ball, trying to score. But they're not allowed to use their hands, or it's a penalty and they don't gain points. I'm not the best at explaining it, but it's a fun game." she explained, gesturing with her hands and rocks
"I do not understand the point of this game. What does it teach?" Sesshomaru said.
"It's for fun, for entertainment. Like the Romans with their Gladiators. I suppose it teaches coordination, teamwork." she replied. He sat quietly for a second, thinking it over. "Haven't you ever done something just for fun?"
"Not in many centuries. There is no reason or time for fun when you are a Lord." he answered.
"I think you know that's untrue, Sesshomaru." A voice said, from the dark. Kagome, Sango and Miroku sprang up, weapons in hand, but Sesshomaru stayed sitting.
"I figured you would have arrived sooner, Naoshi. You're getting slow, old friend." he said, from his position on the ground.
"Now, now Sesshomaru. So rude. Didn't your mother treat you better?" Naoshi asked, stepping into view. He was tall, with fair, slightly silver skin and blue-green hair. He was well built, more muscled than Sesshomaru, and his eyes were cerulean. Kagome lowered her bow, motioning for Sango and Miroku to do the same. She bowed her head low, but did not prostrate herself before the Southern Lord.
He raised his brow in response, as Sango and Miroku followed suit. A smile spread across his face as he looked to Sesshomaru quickly who was looking at Kagome with pride and awe in his eyes. He chuckled, and Kagome lifted her head to meet his gaze.
"Lord Naoshi, of the Southern Lands, we welcome you to our humble camp. Could I offer you some tea?" She asked pleasantly, a smile on her face.
"Indeed. Thank you, Miss...?" he said, smiling at her.
"Higurashi Kagome, my Lord." she said, as she turned towards the fire to make more tea. Naoshi sat down next to Sesshomaru, while Sango and Miroku took their places silently, confused about what happened.
"Is it often you do not bow properly before a Lord, Kagome?" he asked, eyebrow raised and a smile on his face. Kagome glanced at him as she readied the cups.
"I meant no disrespect, my Lord. But I find no need to pose as a toad, when a simple bow will do. I know my place, and it is not on my hands and knees before those who have not earned my respect." she said, as the kettle boiled. She poured the tea, handing each being their glass before pouring her own.
Naoshi laughed aloud, Sesshomaru smirked behind his cup, and Sango and Miroku stared at her, eyes wide and mouths agape. Their heads whipped back and forth between the crazy girl and the powerful demons, sure she would be attacked. But Naoshi simply held his cup up to her in cheers, a smile on his face.
"I like you, Kagome. You've got fire. So how is it you still have your head around this icicle?" he laughed, nudging Sesshomarus shoulder.
"Who, that teddy bear? Nothin' doin'." Kagome joked, winking at Sesshomaru. His eyes widened marginally and his face reddened just slightly before he got himself under control again. But Miroku and Naoshi saw it.
"So how'd you meet Sesshomaru, anyway?" Naoshi asked.
"He tried to kill me." Kagome said simply, before sipping her tea. "Well, he tried to get his fathers sword from Inuyasha, and I was there."
"And...how are you his friend?" Naoshi asked his voice full of confusion and wonder. Kagome, Sango and Miroku laughed.
"Kagome has the best heart you'll ever encounter. Almost every friend she's made has either tried to kill her, kidnap her, or both." Sango said, a huge smile on her face.
"You included?" he asked, looking to her and Miroku. They both nodded, bashful looks on their faces.
"Well, really, Miroku tried to steal from Inuyasha and they fought. Sango tried to kill Inuyasha because she thought he'd killed her brother. Again, I was just there." Kagome said, holding Sango's hand.
"Did he?" Naoshi asked and both women shook their heads.
"No, a half demon named Naraku did. He told me Inuyasha had done it, and in a vengeful rage I attacked him. I'm lucky they saved me, instead." Sango answered.
"That's amazing. Pardon my rudeness for not having asked before. What are your names?" Naoshi asked.
"Sango, and Miroku." she replied, gesturing respectively. He nodded in greeting, a smile on his face.
"I see you brought Rin with you, Sesshomaru, but who is the other one?" he asked.
"That's my son, Shippo. A fox kit." Kagome answered, smiling towards her adopted son. Naoshi's eyebrow raised.
"How is this possible? I can smell your purity." he said, bluntly. Kagome blushed and laughed.
"I adopted him. He tried to steal the jewel shards from Inuyasha and me, to avenge his fathers death. We helped him, and I took him in." she answered. Naoshi's eyes widened.
"You are quite extraordinary! It seems every one here is very lucky to have come across you." he said. Kagome shook her head.
"No, I'm the lucky one. They've taught me so much." she said, smiling at her friends.
"On the contrary, Kagome, we are more lucky. You've become our family. We are all a family now, because you showed us love and compassion when we had none." Sango said, squeezing Kagomes hand. Kagome squeezed back, and wiped tears away with her other hand.
"Aw, Sesshomaru why don't you talk to me like that?" Naoshi said, leaning against the other demon with his hands clasped against his chest. Sesshomaru scoffed and pushed him off. The others laughed, and Naoshi feigned hurt.
"Oh, Sesshomaru, you wound me. You're so mean." he pouted.
"How long have you two been friends?" Kagome asked.
"Hmm. Before our first fangs, I believe." Sesshomaru replied. Naoshi nodded in agreement.
"We used to get into trouble together at the western fortress all the time." Naoshi said, smiling. "Ohh Shiori used to get so mad at us when we'd wreck the gardens."
"Because we wrecked more than the gardens." Sesshomaru said, a small smile gracing his lips. Kagome giggled.
"Did you two run rampant?" she teased, but they both nodded.
"There was about a decade that we weren't allowed to see each other, because the cost of repairs was getting too high." Sesshomaru said. The other three gaped.
Horrible place to leave off and I'm sorry. But hey, little look into Sesshy's childhood.