Chapter Sixteen- Reached
-The Next Morning-
Kagome tightened her grip around the handful of white lilies. Heading towards the study room, she felt her footsteps grow heavier and heavier as if reluctant to near the room. Reminding herself that she had just mistaken the cold atmosphere and that he was busy, she thought of several reasons as an excuse for his cold behavior.
Arriving at the double doors to his study room, she noticed that the doors were slightly open. Kagome quietly moved to peak through the cracks. She saw piles of scrolls on his desk. His silver hair tied back to prevent strands of hair distracting him while he worked.
"Come in, Kagome," she heard him say softly. Her silly worries vanished. At the same time, a relieved smile made its way to her lips as she recognized his gentle voice. Kagome pushed past the double doors and placed the lilies into a vase near the window.
"You will record the information from several scrolls into the Western books," she heard Sesshomaru voice stoically. Quickly turning her attention towards him, her eyes widened. Golden eyes no longer held a distant look but rather were replaced with a softer glow. She felt joy burst within her. Unwavering blue eyes continued to stare at his softened eyes in awe.
A few minutes had passed by as Kagome continued to stare in a daze. Realizing that Sesshomaru was now looking at her with a raised brow, her daze broke as she heard him say, "Did you not want work?"
Nodding her head fiercely, she blurted out quickly, "Yes! Yes, I wanted work! Thank you!"
Eagerly scanning the desk, Kagome searched for the scrolls she would read through and the Western books she would write records in. She was so confused with all the piles of scrolls stacked on his desk that she didn't know which one she needed to work on. Biting her lips, she continued to scan his desk and asked, "Which one is mine?"
"How do you plan to write, Kagome?" She glanced at Sesshomaru to see amusement dancing in his eyes and smirking.
Kagome pouted and silently grumbled her frustrations at her injured arm. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru's smirk widened at the sight of Kagome blaming her injured arm for preventing her to work.
"I will send your duties to your room when you have healed," he said to try and ease her frustration. Feeling bad that she wasn't able to be of help to him, she sent him an apologetic smile.
Sesshomaru noticed she was about to leave and said, "I will also be away for a few days."
Kagome paused after hearing the news and then asked sadly, "Where are you going?"
Though Sesshomaru never told anyone where he was going, he said, "To the Western fortress."
Titling her head to the side, she wondered what business Sesshomaru had there. Then remembering the young human child that traveled with him, she blurted out, "Can I come with you!? Please?"
Seeing Sesshomaru tense, she quickly reached for one of his tense hands that rested on his desk. Covering her left hand over his, she stared into his eyes with a pleading look.
"Fine," she heard him say stiffly. Too excited to finally journey outside of the Western Castle, she grabbed the hand she was holding and pulled it towards her cheek. Kagome didn't notice his hand tensing even more as she snuggled her cheek against his hand. The overflowing rush of excitement pumped through her veins causing her heartbeat to pound against her chest. Smiling sweetly at him, she said warmly, "Thank you!"
Kagome slowly let go of his hand as her fingers grazed till the tip of his hand. Her excitement caused her feet to lighten as she ran out of the study. She had much to prepare for this new trip.
His hand she had touched remained frozen in the air.
Golden eyes were fixated on the door she had vanished through.
She did not realize the raging storm she would always stir up and leave with him. Once again, she left his study after stirring up a commotion. Clenching his tense hand, the burning sensation from her touch remained. Golden eyes shifted his attention to stare at the hand she touched.
She knew nothing, indeed.
-The Afternoon-
Kagome dressed in her Miko garb to make sure she was comfortable while traveling. Emiko had helped her sew a backpack for her using her description and instructions. Packing all the necessities she would need for a week's worth of traveling, Kagome had to restrain herself from skipping all the way towards the Western Gates. She saw Sesshomaru waiting for her in front of the gates. The moment he noticed her arrival, he turned to leave the Castle. Catching up to him, Kagome comfortably walked by his side.
"How long will it take to get there?" Kagome asked.
"One hour," he replied stoically.
The last words needed to be said were said. The two walked side by side in a comforting silence. No words needed to be exchanged for the other's presence was enough to feel at peace.
The sun continued shining brightly in the sky without a single cloud to cover its heat. But with the tall trees that loomed beside their path, its leaves covered the strong penetration of the sunbeams. A cool shade scattered the path they walked on. Kagome couldn't help but drink in the wild trees and plants with her eyes. It had been too long.
They had reached a clearing where there no longer held tall trees to loom over them. Looking upwards at the clear blue sky, her footsteps unconsciously slowed. Unaware that Kagome had come to a full stop, she reached for the sky with her left hand.
She wanted to reach him, Kagome thought.
Slowly lowering her hand, blue eyes widened to see Sesshomaru stop to stand a few steps in front of her. She had thought he would just walk ahead without her, instead he waited. With her left hand still half way raised, she moved to place her hand against his arm.
A strong breeze rushed through.
Kagome tucked her hair as it floated along with the wind. A tender smile tugged on her lips as she looked at him with warmth.
By reaching him, she hoped to show him that there would be at least one person he could believe in.
One person that would never betray him.
That she would be that one person.
She saw his golden eyes soften, causing her heart to race at the sight.
She had reached him, she felt.
Her left hand lingered against his firm arm for a while before letting go. Moving a few steps forward, Kagome glanced behind to wait for him to reach her side before walking.
For the rest of the trip, the Miko and Inuyoukai silently walked side by side. The Miko busied herself by engraving the beauties of nature into her mind. The Inuyoukai, on the other hand, glanced at the Miko from the corner of his eye from time to time.
Silently.
Arriving at the Western Fortress, Kagome observed the beautiful structure with amazement. The fortress was not as big as the Western Castle, but could compare in beauty. Elegant carvings on each tile decorated the Japanese rooftops. Kagome could even see from a distance that the wall paper of the fortress held a rich texture.
"It's beautiful, Sesshomaru," Kagome breathed out in awe. Sesshomaru slightly smiled and hesitated before placing a hand on her back to guide her inside.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin yelled out. The child Kagome remembered had grown taller, but still had a child-like face.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Kagome winced at the squeaky voice that rang loudly. Noticing Jaken running as fast as he can with his short legs, she tried to hide her laughter from the funny sight. But, a giggle escaped her lips causing her to gain Rin's attention.
"It's Lady Miko!" Rin said as she pointed at Kagome. Smiling sweetly at Rin, Kagome said, "You can call me Kagome. And you are Rin, right?"
Rin nodded her head and said cheerfully, "You remember me! But why do you come with Lord Sesshomaru?"
"I am staying at the Western Castle, so I followed Sesshomaru because I was bored," Kagome explained.
"Hmmm," Rin sounded as she wondered why Lady Kagome was residing in the Western Castle. Rin glanced at the hand Sesshomaru had still placed behind Kagome's back. Also noting a softer expression she had never seen him express, she thought out loud, "Are you Lord Sesshomaru's mate?"
Red flushed against Kagome's cheeks at the awkward and surprising question. Releasing a nervous laughter to ignore her racing heartbeat, Kagome said, "No, no, Rin, I am Inuyasha's intended mate."
Rin was about to ask Lady Kagome more questions, but stopped. She noticed her Lord's soft expression vanish. His usual stoic mask appeared, but this time she thought it looked more hardened than usual. Although she did not understand the reason for her Lord's sudden change, she knew she should not continue on the topic.
"Do you want to see the gardens?" Rin asked to change the topic. Seeing Kagome eagerly nod her head, Rin grasped her hand and lead her to the gardens. Grabbing for Jaken's hand too, Rin exclaimed, "Jaken, you must come along too!"
Kagome laughed at Jaken's squawks of complaints as he was being dragged by the arm.
Her laughter rang through the fortress bringing life to the once dull building.
Flashes of so many unpleasant memories ran through his mind.
This place had been his hide out during the days his Uncle betrayed him and sent out assassins to kill him.
Sesshomaru could only remember returning to this place bloodied or half-dead.
Twinkling blue eyes looked behind and yelled out, "Sesshomaru!" She waved her hand to ask him to join them before being pulled away by Rin.
Feeling his chest tingle, old anger was replaced with warmth.
The flashbacks ceased.
All those unpleasant memories didn't seem to matter anymore.
Sesshomaru followed the sound of her laughter and soon reached the fortress gardens. His eyes remained glued on her as she moved through the garden entranced by all the different flowers. Watching her searching for something, he knew what she was searching for.
Rin noticed Kagome's fidgety behavior and asked, "What is wrong, Lady Kagome?"
Glancing at Rin with a sheepish smile, Kagome replied, "I'm looking for a certain type of flower."
"I don't know the names of the flowers, Lady Kagome," Rin confessed.
"Kagome," a deep voice called out. Turning her head to Sesshomaru, Kagome heard him say, "The lilies are to your right."
Brightly smiling, Kagome thanked him and scurried over the right side of the clearing. Meanwhile, Rin was staring at Sesshomaru with her mouth hanging open. She had always presented her Lord with many flowers over the years she traveled with him. But, he never held any appreciation for them. He looked at them as objects rather than beautiful creation. This was why he never knew the names of the flowers. That was why Rin never learned the names of the flowers.
Yet…he knew what 'lilies' were?
Rin saw Lady Kagome return while holding white flowers in her hands. Guessing they were named 'lilies', Rin asked, "Are lilies your favourite flowers, Lady Kagome?"
"Yes, they are," Kagome replied. She held the flowers near her nose to breathe in the scent. Kagome neared Sesshomaru and handed him one of the lilies she was holding. But, it was through Rin's eyes that saw Sesshomaru's expression relax after Kagome had looked away from him.
Was it because these 'lilies' were Lady Kagome's favourite flowers that caused her Lord to know the name?
Rin smiled wide.
It was a good thing.
She was always sad when she saw Lord Sesshomaru looking at the flowers she loved with dull eyes.
But Lady Kagome seemed to change that.
"Jaken! I'll make you a flower crown!" Rin cried cheerfully. She skipped after Jaken who was running away. A huge smile remained on her lips.
Kagome remained at Sesshomaru's side under the shade. Observing Rin chasing after Jaken made Kagome smile. But, she couldn't help but worry that Rin might feel isolated and lonely in the fortress with only guards and Jaken. She knew that Sesshomaru wouldn't entrust Rin to a human village. There was a high chance that Rin would be beaten for having a demon as a guardian. There was a higher chance that Rin would not even be accepted into the village.
"Won't you allow Rin to remain in Sango and Miroku's village?" Kagome voiced softly. Sango and Miroku had built a village that accepted demons, half-demons and humans. Rin would have Shippou and many more friends to keep her company.
Glimpsing sideways, Kagome caught his golden eyes watching Rin.
He must know that Rin is alone. He must care.
If he did not know or care, she didn't believe he would have come visited her when he still had a lot of paper work to go through.
Blue eyes softened as she stared at Sesshomaru affectionately. Slipping her left hand around his arm, she caught his attention. A care-free smile painted across her lips as she said, "You can place personal guards, however many you want to protect her. But I think Sango and Miroku would risk their lives to protect Rin either way."
Sesshomaru slightly furrowed his brows while he considered her suggestion.
"This will be good for both you and Rin," Kagome said as she patted his arm. Chuckling at Sesshomaru's confusion over her words, she explained, "I assure you, you will feel more at peace knowing that Rin is taken care of in a village that will love her and become her second home."
"Hn."
Kagome's smile widened as she leaned closer to Sesshomaru. And although seconds turned into minutes, he remained still. He did not pull away, but rather accepted her touch.
Author's Note: A storm is just beyond the horizon *evil smirk*
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