Chapter 10

Lord Sesshomaru sat against a tree in his usual position. A cool spring breeze, telling him a storm was approaching, lifted a few silky strands of his silver hair. He was seated in the clearing that housed the time portal. Rin was chasing Jaken around a short distance away. The inu demon looked to the fast moving clouds in the sky. Even through the gray cover he knew the sun had started its descent from its highest point.

The miko was late, it was an hour passed midday and he wanted to know where she was. The demon lord did not like to be kept waiting. Sesshomaru thought back to the aura the well gave off when the miko jumped in. He wondered if there had been a mistake in her passage.

A powerful burst of energy came from the well then was gone quickly, almost like it might not have happened. He could smell the miko's scent indicating her return. Something was different though. There was much more power in her aura.

Standing, he went to the well's lip and reached into the darkness with his newly returned hand. A small hand gripping his was his que to hoist the woman out. He grabbed her by the hips and set her feet firmly on the ground. Releasing her, he stepped back and took in her different appearances and scent.

"Good afternoon Lord Sesshomaru, thank you for the hand," Kagome said with a slight bow. "Hn, explain why you have changed." he demanded, his curiosity not letting him wait until she was settled. A high pitched squeal interrupted Kagome before she could speak. "Kagome-Sama your back!" Rin yelled, throwing herself into the woman's arms. It looked like Sesshomaru would have to wait for his answers after all.

"Hello Rin, I've missed you so much!" The miko greeted, scooping the child up to hold her. The neko jumped from his master's shoulder and into the arms of his ward. "Ashi missed you too!" the miko giggled. "Rin missed you to Ashi!" the small child greeted, hugging the cat tightly.

Setting his pup on her feet, the miko turned to him. "Lord Sesshomaru, I have something for you that I was told to give you right away," she said, reaching into her pouch. Watching with curiosity he watched her pull out a sword then present it to him. "I was told to give this to you by the Kami as a gift to protect that which belongs to you."

Approaching the woman, he reached out and took the offered sword. As soon as the blade was in his grasp it pulsed with power recognizing its new master. The handle was wrapped in black leather. The sheath was black aside from a perfect replica of him in beast form. He was running on his cloud, surrounded by golden leaves that fluttered near him.

Pulling the large sword from its home he held it out to examine it. The blade was a very deep black. It pulsed with power at being drawn and for a moment many golden leaves appeared over the blade then disappearing to reveal the name Futari no ken written in gold down its length then quickly disappearing, replaced by blue crescent moons and golden leaves.

This sword would certainly do. He could feel its immense power, its aura seemed to reach out and cradle the miko and Rin without their knowledge. He sheathed the sword and secured it to his obi.

"Miko, explain." he ordered, he needed answers now. The woman sat on the grass and pulled Rin into her lap to play with her hair. She told him of the trip she went on to a realm of the Kami, how the Sun Goddess appeared and unlocked a power within her. 'The Kami chose her for a great destiny, she is truly powerful,' the Lord thought, "Mate," his beast chimed in. Sesshomaru ignored him.

A strong breeze blew against them lifting his hair angelically. "Come," the Lord commanded, "a storm is fast approaching." Kagome took his wards hand and happily talked about Rin's day with the child. Sesshomaru led his pack to the closest cave he knew of.

The wind started to pick up. Deep gray clouds mixed with the previous white ones tainting them. Leaves and small twigs broke free from its confines and were thrown to the ground. The rain started in a mist, getting carried at strong speeds by the wind. Kagome picked up their smallest member and cradled her to her chest, shielding her from the prickly wind.

Arriving at the entrance to the cave, big enough to house his entire pack they barely crossed the threshold before a downpour signaled the true start of the storm. "Wow, we made it just in time," Kagome stated, looking outside at the shower of rain blurring the trees at the entrance. Sesshomaru kept walking deeper into the cave. He stopped when he found a spot with dry ground and a few cracks in the ceiling for smoke to escape. "We will rest here until the weather changes, it will last for sometime," Sesshomaru said. "There is a hot spring further into the cave."

Kagome set Rin on the ground and reached into her pouch at her side. Lord Sesshomaru watched her take out a blanket and lay it down for the child. She then took out another and wrapped it around the girl. 'She has acquired an enchanted pouch,' the Lord thought to himself. Sesshomaru left the cave to gather some logs while they were still somewhat dry. He made sure to get enough to last them for their entire stay. While he was out he searched for some game to feed his pack but the rain made it impossible to find the hiding creatures.

Upon his return, he saw the miko had laid out a strange sac that looked like a bed on the blanket. She also had a few cooking pots and what looked like a teapot and cups. "Oh good you found firewood!" Kagome said, then came to help him with his load. She took a few back to the spot she occupied before and started to set a fire a few feet from her bedding.

Sesshomaru sat down the bundle still in his arms then went to sit against the cave wall opposite the miko. He watched as the young woman bustled around the fire, making food and tea. While doing this she entertained Rin with a doll she pulled from her seemingly bottomless pouch.

The little miko approached his person holding something. "Here you go, Sesshomaru-Sama," the girl said, handing him a plush cloth. "A towel so you can dry off." Sesshomaru accepted the towel, she was being very attentive to his pack.

He continued to watch the miko set about making sure everyone was comfortable and received a portion of some sort of soup she made including Jaken. She even gave Ah-Un a few carrots. The miko once again approached him with a wooden box. "Ano, I didn't think you would eat human food, but would you like some tea?" the woman asked timidly. Looking into the box she opened and presented to him, he took it and examined its contents. He had never seen such a collection of different teas. Deciding on a particular tea bag that smelled slightly of fruit and mint, he handed both back to the miko.

"Coming right up," Kagome said with a smile and turned to place the bag into a cup then poured boiling water over it. She carefully lifted it and brought it back towards him. Kneeling in front of him she presented the tea to him. He took it and gave a small nod of thanks, which she returned with a smile.

While the miko cleaned up after their meals, she put the used dishes and utensils in a bucket she brought and filled it with water and soap. When everything was cleaned and put away, she got out a few things for herself and Rin that looked like bathing supplies. "Lord Sesshomaru, if it is alright with you, we will go and bathe now," the miko asked. "Hn," was his reply. He watched as she took Rin's hand and motioned for the neko to follow. "Lady Kagome, it's dark down there!" Rin said, slowing her pace. "There's no need to be scared, watch this," Kagome replied then summoned six rabbits made of glowing reiki. The spiritual animals hopped off down the dark path lighting it up as if it was opened to daylight. "Bunnies!" screamed Rin chasing after them and completely forgetting her fear. Sesshomaru heard the miko's laughter as she ran to catch up.

"She is a good alpha female to our pack." His beast stated, stirring awake and making himself known. 'Indeed' was his reply as he sipped his hot tea. It was delicious. "Want her as a mate," his beast demanded. 'No' was his only reply as he shoved his beast back into his confines.

The miko returned almost an hour later holding a giggling little girl. "Rin likes the rubber ducky a lot especially when Ashi chases it in the water," the small child said. As soon as she was set down Rin ran over to him and pointed at his lap. He nodded his consent and she climbed in. "Lady Kagome braided Rin's hair!" the girl stated, showing off the two braids on either side of her head. "Sesshomaru-Sama, if it is alright with you I have a small dessert I got for Rin in my time?" Kagome asked, presenting said treat. Lord Sesshomaru examined the sweet smelling thing that lay on a piece of cloth in the miko's hand. He smelt no poison and trusted the miko would not harm his ward so he allowed it. "Rin, this is a cookie from my village that a baker decorated to look like a flower, would you like to try it?" the miko asked. Rin looked at him for permission and once he nodded his confirmation she reached for the dessert.

One small bite later and his ward was bouncing with glee at the delicious treat. "Rin likes it very much, thank you!" Rin said. "Your welcome sweetheart," the miko said, patting the little girl on the head. "Rin, I also have a few special presents for you from my home," Kagome said when she was seated in a seiza on the blanket by the fire. Rin climbed out of Sesshomaru's lap and sat in front of the miko.

Kagome took two wrapped gifts from her small bag and set them down in front of the girl. Rin once again looked to him for permission and he nodded. She chose the smaller one first and opened it. His beast howled with laughter at Rin's gift. An uncanny fluffy representation of himself in his demon form was being crushed to the chest of his ward. He smelled magic coming from the toy and knew the miko must have done something to it so it would have his markings. Setting the stuffed toy in her lap Rin started to open her second present.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened a small fraction. Rin was given a single red rose that hovered inside some kind of clear vessel. The rose radiated power that made it glow and shimmer in the fire light. "This is an enchanted rose, it is from a story from my time that was my favorite when I was your age," the woman explained. "It's so pretty!" Rin said with eyes so wide they were fully rounded. "If you'd like, I can tell you the story of this rose before you go to sleep," Kagome offered. "Rin would like that very much!" the small girl said, standing with her new dog toy.

The miko sat the enchanted flower out of the way but still in view of the child. She then picked up Rin and settled her into the sleep sac. The small neko hopped into the bedding and laid down next to Rin. "Rin is ready for your story," she said excitedly. While the little miko tucked the child in she began the tale of the rose. "It's called Beauty and the Beast," the miko said, taking a strangely wrapped scroll out and opening it.

"Once upon a time, in a far away land, a young prince lived in a shiny castle…" Kagome read. The miko told a story of a youkai and a human falling in love. The youkai used to be human and was cursed by a witch. Her tale told of the demon falling at the hands of a human. 'He must be a weak oni to fall at the hands of a puny human,' he thought to himself mocking the weak beast. He was surprised to hear the human woman bring back the beast with her healing powers and thought she must be a miko. When both of them professed their love the castle was returned to its normal state and the curse that turned the beast's heart cold was lifted. 'Hn, a child's story indeed,' he thought after the miko was finished.

His ward had drifted to sleep before the tale was done. The miko put the book down and leaned over the tiny child to kiss her forehead. "Mmm n-night mama," Rin slurred in her sleep. The miko gave a small gasp and Sesshomaru could smell the slight scent of salt.

The miko rose to take a small gift over to Jaken and Ah-Un. His vassal was given an engraved handkerchief. Sesshomaru noted with a small smirk, the toad tried in vain to hold back tears at being included in the miko's gifts. Ah-Un received sugar cubes that were eaten quickly. Each head of the dragon nuzzled into her side in thanks.

The little miko had gifted each of his pack members with a gift. This made him proud to know she accepted each one of her pack members. The miko then walked to stand in front of him then kneeled down into a seiza just to the right of him. "I got you a few gifts as well my Lord," the little miko said shyly, setting them down in between them. Sesshomaru looked at the packages for a few moments, he did not expect to be included in her gift giving.

Selecting the larger of the two he cut the twine with his claw and unwrapped the burlap to reveal another of the miko's oddly wrapped scrolls. Looking to the woman for an explanation, she started quickly telling him what it was. "This is called a book, in my time scrolls are no longer used, instead they take small sections of paper and bind them together," she explained, pointing out the pages and binding. "This book can be dangerous in the wrong hands. It tells the history of Japan from my time 500 years in the future."

Sesshomaru allowed a small bit of surprise to show in his eyes. He opened the book to see if what she said was correct. The first section spoke of his father's rule. It did not mention his name but there was enough detail he knew of whom it spoke of. With this book he could have an upper hand in battles, the knowledge to know how any enemies he would face were taken down. This gift was invaluable and one of a kind. Setting it aside to further examine later he picked up the next package and unwrapped it.

A small wooden box was beneath the wrapping. Setting the burlap aside, he lifted the lid and set it down. Inside was a jade comb. He had not seen such a well crafted comb before. This grooming tool was better than the one he currently had which was made of a simple bone. Taking it from the box he handed it to the miko. She frowned at first then smiled as he set the box down and gave his back to her.

The miko picked up a section of his hair and gently pulled the comb through it. It glided along nicely. Sesshomaru felt a purr rumble in his chest. He had not been groomed since he was a pup. It was something he enjoyed thoroughly and intended to let the miko do it frequently from now on. Almost an hour passed until the miko finally stopped. He was so relaxed it took him a moment to turn around again. "Thank you for allowing me to do that, I've always wanted to comb your hair," the little miko said with a smile.

She handed him his comb which he slid into a pocket in his sleeve. "Thank you, Kagome," the lord said, truly grateful for his gifts. No one had ever given him anything without expecting something in return.

The young woman seemed shocked at first of his thanks but recovered quickly then smiled. She then stood and stretched, reaching her arms high in the air. "It was my pleasure, everyone deserves to be spoiled, even you," she commented.

The miko had a sad smile as she walked to the entrance of the cave and sat to watch the storm.

The faint scent of tears told him she was crying. Then she started to sing.

~Song~

And now I find, we're both alone

Goodbye may seem forever

Farewell is like the end

But in my heart is a memory

And there you'll always be

Goodbye may seem forever

Farewell is like the end

But in my heart is a memory

And there you'll always be

~Song End~

She had the voice of an angel. He stood and went over to sit next to the little miko. "What ails you?" he asked, needing to find a way to comfort her. "The well has run out of magic and I cannot return to see my family," the miko said with sadness. "Did you not say you are immortal now?" He asked. "Yes," she said confused. "Then you will see them one day again," the Lord spoke, standing. "But I may be killed before then," she replied. "I will make sure you live to see them again, come," Sesshomaru spoke, putting an end to her sadness. He did not like to see her cry.

"Thank you Sesshomaru Sama," the little miko said, her happy smile returning as it should always be. She then walked over to the sleeping child. The female alpha climbed into the bedding with the Lord's pup and pulled her close to her body. Rin cuddled into her chest unknowingly. Moments later, the miko was asleep.

~ End Chapter 10~

Aww. 3

Miko-Priestess

Seiza-Traditional style of sitting

Futari no ken-Sword of two beings

Ano-Umm

Yokai-Demon

Song from fox and the hound (I didn't write, Disney did)

Ja ne, Peach