Chapter Two
"That's rubbish Sesshoumaru, I don't miss no one when they are gone; I manage just fine on my own...but only Kagome can see the shards." He huffed and blushed but for once Kagome didn't rise to the bait seeing the truth herself clearly through his bluster. But her eyes still shone with mirth when Sesshoumaru ruffled his brother's hair and said:
"Of course, Inuyasha, of course." A gentle clawed hand petted one of the puppy ears on Inuyasha's head in token apology at the glance of hurt that passed over the hanyou's face; Inuyasha hated to be laughed at. He also hated remaining inactive for any length of time and soon he was pestering Shippou and ended up with a full scale chase and hunt game. Shippou knew that it was all pretend for Inuyasha, but it still had him in an adrenaline fuelled state as he didn't know which direction the hanyou would be coming from next. Plus Inuyasha kept grinning at him with his very sharp fangs and running his tongue over them as if he was hungry and fancied kitsune as his main course.
"It is good that Inuyasha is still able to play like a pup should." Remarked Sesshoumaru; who as far as Miroku was concerned, sounded a tad too superior. Once again Inuyasha took exception to his statement, predictably coming up to face off with his older brother.
"I keep telling you I'm no whelp; this is training for Shippou that's all." Once more Inuyasha blushed at his own assertion and even Shippou rolled his eyes at the blatant evasion of truth.
"How old are you really Inuyasha?
"Feh! It's none of your business Sango."
"Inuyasha is in his two hundred and third year, slayer"
"Wow Inuyasha, you don't look it."
"Youkai age differently to humans Miko, he is the equivalent of about sixteen or seventeen of your years as far as maturity goes."
"Shut up Sesshoumaru, I'm much older than that."
"Indeed you are not Inuyasha, I do not jest with you: had I done my duty properly you would never have been left alone when you were only eight. In truth you are still too young to be on your own; these are matters that concern me now."
"How do you work that out? I've done fine on my own and I don't need no nursemaid now: leave me alone, we hunt for shards tomorrow." He stormed off, his playful mood ended and an uneasy silence fell on the group.
"I only wish to put things right with Inuyasha; I regret the disquiet I have caused." Sesshoumaru apologised to them all generally.
"It's O.K. Sesshoumaru; Inuyasha will calm down when he's killed a few trees." Kagome said, trying to ease the guilty look that flashed on the youkai's face.
"He has the right to feel angry and betrayed Kagome." Sesshoumaru replied as he turned to face the way that Inuyasha had gone and where the sound of falling trees was evident. She watched as the unfamiliar expressions played across his face and she noticed how extremely beautiful and attractive he was, even though he was a formidable predator and possible danger to them still. Kagome could easily see how alike the brothers were in looks and to a certain degree in disposition, but it was also obvious that one was fully adult and the other still a child in many ways.
Kagome thought back on all the time she had spent in the feudal era during the past two years never considering that Inuyasha was just still a boy; he seemed so much older than she and yet he was the equivalent same age. Younger than her in effect if Sesshoumaru was correct; besides the acknowledged fact that girls were more mature than boys at the same age. She had to admit however that Inuyasha had more life experience under his belt than anyone else she would ever come across.
She could not help her own feeling of superiority creeping over her however; it was not her imagination that had led her to feel exasperation sometimes at the somewhat immature hanyou. Kagome felt small when she remembered all that he had accomplished in his lonely life and a wave of genuine and deep love for him surged through her. Not that Inuyasha would have wanted her sympathy but maybe she could help the brothers to mend their bridges.
Inuyasha returned in time for the evening meal and nobody made a fuss as they were well used to his rapid mood swings. He was handed his meal and ate enthusiastically, therefore he had let off steam enough to get rid of his bad humour. The evening passed by in a good way, contentment surrounded them all and they all went to bed tired but happy, feeling ready to get going the next morning.
Once they had all breakfasted satisfactorily and had packed up the camp, they were all ready for a good walk in the gentle warm autumnal air. Nobody was surprised when Sesshoumaru went ahead of the group except Inuyasha who made a fuss saying that he was the leader of his small pack. With a small indulgent smile, Sesshoumaru gestured for his brother to walk ahead of them and Inuyasha did so with a quiet 'Feh!' The Youkai couldn't help the small smile that played about his lips at the haughty way the hanyou took charge.
Kagome too was smiling and when Sesshoumaru caught sight of her they shared an amused sideways glance and the Miko felt her heart give a flip inside her chest. That was disturbing and she kept giving him surreptitious glances that made her feel even less secure in her heart. Sesshoumaru was gorgeous, had a sense of humour, was very helpful, had modern ideas on educated women and was looking at her with those wonderful golden eyes without contempt.
In fact he was looking at her with a quizzical look and a gentle smile of his own that made her face flush and heart race as she wondered what it would be like to kiss the soft lips of the youkai lord. Time seemed to stand still for a while or at least until the youkai looked away from her and then the embarrassment set in. Sesshoumaru must have known how her body was reacting to him but if he would ignore it, there was no way she was going to make an issue of what happened.
"What's the matter Kagome, you smell funny and your face is all red; are you getting sick?"
"No Shippou, I am fine; it's just that I am heated from walking."
"Oi wench, what's the kit on about? You are red and you do..."
"SIT, do not finish that thought Inuyasha, it's nothing to do with you." She watched Inuyasha as he fell forward on his face, although she felt guilty that her own embarrassment had caused her to over react and the fact that Sesshoumaru was laughing gently before he said;
"Certainly Inuyasha, it was nothing to do with you." He chuckled which made Kagome turn angry and she stormed off and towards the next village, before she did something she might have cause to regret. But by her actions she already had caused suspicion, Inuyasha suddenly looked at his brother then after Kagome before hanging his head and walking on without a word. She came back however, having not gone far and was mollified over lunch when Sesshoumaru leaned forward and whispered a sincere apology.
Harmony seemed to be restored and the group set off again in good spirits; Sango and Kagome chatted away to each other and the three older males walked in mainly silence but with occasional muted discussion. Shippou and Kirara played tag around the feet of the two groups of their companions. Inuyasha couldn't make his brother out at all; Sesshoumaru seemed different somehow and for the next week as they travelled back towards Kaede's village, nothing made sense to him at all.
The actual week was very pleasant; the air was balmy, with no sign of Naraku or in fact any enemies at all and the rest from hard physical fighting was also a welcome break. Days settled into routine and they walked during the morning and after lunch to mid afternoon when they would make camp early so they could all relax and keep their strength up. Well the humans could, Inuyasha champed at the bit but he was easily overruled by Kagome who was surprisingly supported by Sesshoumaru.
"You really should know by now, how best to look after the humans in your care Little Brother. They benefit from regular breaks and can go further and longer when they get them."
"Feh! Since when do you care how tired humans get?"
"It is always best to keep your warriors in top condition Inuyasha, human or otherwise." Sesshoumaru smirked when he realised that his brother had no rejoinder and went to relax under the same tree that Kagome was already at as she studied her mathematics. The Taiyoukai was sincerely interested in these studies as he found that not a lot had changed between their respective times and he was able to explain some of the problems to her. They shared many hours in quiet discussion and sometimes the youkai's tail would creep around them both as he kept the chillier draughts away.
At first it seemed that Inuyasha was slow to notice the closer relationship developing between the Miko and his brother; Sesshoumaru was not overly familiar to her in the way he spoke, he was only interested in her lessons. There was also a gentle teasing side to the Lord in the way he interacted with his brother and everyone was relieved that confrontations were not tolerated by Sesshoumaru, who was refusing to stoop down to his little brother's level. Inuyasha was getting pissed by the condescending way he was being treated but could do nothing to stop it.
If he tried anything to change the new status quo, Sesshoumaru would merely point out how like a pup he was behaving; which encouraged the others to think of Inuyasha and Shippou in similar terms. Even more annoying was Shippou too wanted him to play and complained loudly when Inuyasha stomped off and decimated a few trees in his frustration. Part of his exasperation came from the fact that he yearned in his heart to have a true brotherly relationship with Sesshoumaru and he tried to swallow his annoyance as he adjusted.
Inuyasha missed Kagome's chatter and presence as he led from the front on their gentle marches. She more often than not, now talked with Sesshoumaru about her studies and found that discussion was proving to be a great way of remembering her facts. On realising this, Inuyasha sat down next to her the next afternoon and looked over her shoulder as she read her geography. He did not understand all the signs and symbols and truth be told, he couldn't see the necessity for learning them in the first place.
Intellectually he had understood the reasons Sesshoumaru had given for an educated mate, but how did geography honestly help? Or stupid algebra or science; anyway a mate should not have more knowledge than her alpha should she? Especially if it was not the alpha's fault that he had not received such learning. Kagome was trying to help him see how the symbols on her map showed in advance what sort of terrain they might encounter, but as Inuyasha said. 'We find out when we get there anyway so what's the point?'
Kagome smiled at the sulky hanyou and snuggled up close to his side understanding him perfectly, as did his brother who also smirked at the pair.
"It is something that I sorely regret now; I did not allow you to have the learning you were entitled to, my brother. It is not your fault that you do not understand the importance of Kagome's education; it is completely mine."
"Feh!" Was Inuyasha's retort; but as he left Sesshoumaru to take his place; the hanyou was not sure what to do. Sesshoumaru's regrets about him were balm to his deeply wounded soul, but they also drove a sliver of a wedge between himself and Kagome. Inuyasha jumped into a nearby tree and pondered; he was no fool and could see that not just Kagome but Sango as well were attracted by the mature Sesshoumaru and looked to his guidance on decisions rather than Inuyasha's own. How could they not be, when Inuyasha too felt the pull of his brother's leadership?
Inevitably Inuyasha ended up less and less in charge of his little pack, deferring more to Sesshoumaru and he became quieter as his brother would not allow him to bicker or use coarse language near him or the girls. And all the time he saw Kagome and Sesshoumaru get closer which made his heart ache with great pain. Inuyasha still could not form the words and get his message across to the young Miko without putting his foot in his mouth and saying things he didn't really mean.
The hanyou's dilemma was not lost on Sango or Miroku who had noticed the budding affection of the Youkai and Miko and they discussed it one evening when Inuyasha had gone off to hunt for the main meal of the day.
"Now he knows how Kagome felt each time he went to Kikyou." Sango said rather unmercifully. But Miroku disagreed;
"I rather think it is more how Kikyou felt my dear Sango. She did after all have prior claim on our hanyou's heart."
"Humph, it was a rather bigoted and conditional love. Kagome is far better for him and he knows it."
"True, my dear; but any love was better than none for Inuyasha at the time and his loyalty will not allow him to fail a friend in need any more than he would leave Kohaku if he can help him. If he disregarded Kikyou leaving her completely on her own and unaided, because of his love of Kagome; none of us would hold any respect for him at all."
"I suppose..."
"He still has fond memories of Kikyou and knows it is not her fault that she is as she is. Do not forget that it was as if no time had passed for Inuyasha when he was sealed; it has been a confusing time for him."
"I think it still is and will get worse." Sango added as she stared at Kagome and Sesshoumaru; Miroku could only nod his head in agreement. Soon Inuyasha returned and put the small deer he'd already dressed, over the fire to cook; only sparing the two couples a brief glance before leaping into a tree and watching Kirara and Shippou playing a game of chase.
During the next week, Inuyasha was very subdued; he did not bicker or fight with anyone not even Shippou. In fact he walked straight and tall with his hands tucked in his sleeves between Miroku and Sesshoumaru and hardly said a word that could be construed in anyway as childish. He thought through his words carefully before speaking, refrained from angry or ill considered outbursts and didn't rise to Shippou's baiting thereby not earning himself a 'sit' for the entire time. He was doing very well too, even if Kagome didn't seem to notice until they reached Kaede's village.
Of course Kagome wished to go home through the well to restock her supplies and to see her family; besides she had a few tests that were important for her to take. Inuyasha was determined to be adult about this, so instead of making his usual fuss he just asked her to give his regards to her mother. They all stared at him but Kagome threw her arms around his neck joyfully and kissed his cheek. Everything was going well and just as Inuyasha had planned, until she said she would see them all in a couple of weeks. Then he got upset and started yelling, he'd been prepared to let her take two or three days and feeling generous as he did so; but two weeks?
That was just too much and he strictly forbad her to be away that long. Kagome as usual couldn't reason with the angry boy and turned in a huff towards Sesshoumaru hoping that maybe he could.
"Inuyasha, it is important for Kagome to take these examinations, they will enable her to take her education further. This is most honourable."
"She can't hunt shards over there, two weeks; it's too long."
"Silly pup, she'll be back soon. I will spar with you everyday and stop you from missing her."
"Feh!" Inuyasha retorted blushing a deep red.
"Besides Inuyasha, I'm not going back yet; I need to check on Kaede and make sure the village is secure before I do. I will be going in two days even if I have to sit you to the centre of the earth. Inuyasha turned away feeling hurt and sulky; he'd tried so hard and was still being treated like a fractious pup, instead of an adult with valid reasons for not wanting Kagome to be away for so long. After the evening meal and having caught up with Kaede, he vanished to sit in Goshinboku; he really needed to get his words straight so that he could tell Kagome just what she meant to him and how lost he felt whenever she left.
Inuyasha spent quite a bit of time trying to formulate the right sentences and it seemed like the time to try them out was at hand, Kagome exited the hut with a basket on her arm ready to collect some night herbs for Kaede. The hanyou watched her for a few moments; admiring the graceful curves of her body as she stooped to pick the small plants. Kagome seemed a little distracted as she hummed an unknown song under her breath and Inuyasha was just about to land lightly next to her when a silver shadow reached her first.
Sesshoumaru stood in front of the Miko and reached down to pull her up gently by her elbows and smiled down at her upturned face before meeting her lips with his own. Inuyasha could only watch helplessly as Kagome instead of pulling away, actually leaned in to his brother to deepen the kiss.
TBC