Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the other characters sadly…
-
-
-
-
Chapter Two: Curiosity and the Cat
-
-
-
-
When they finally arrived Sesshomaru flew over the gates and landed in a courtyard, ordering a few of the approaching servants to arrange another set of rooms in the West wing for their guest. He did not explain who or what Kagome was, but they could all tell that she was a miko by her nearly overwhelming aura and they all watched her warily, wondering what his purpose was in bringing her there as they quickly went about their business.
Rin led the way excitedly and Sesshomaru followed behind, carrying Kagome as he stared stoically ahead. Shippo trailed behind Rin, glancing up at his surrogate mother from time to time.
"You shall wait in the garden for now, as your rooms are not yet prepared," Sesshomaru explained, setting her down beneath a large, budding peach tree.
Kagome subconsciously ignored him, instead focusing on the now awaking Haru. She was smiling a little, pleased with the beautiful garden and where she'd been seated.
"I shall go to attend to the more important matters of the land, but I will return as soon as your rooms are ready to receive you."
She nodded barely perceptively, her smile gone as she began digging in the bag that he had just set down beside her. Without a second glance he left, gone before they could blink. The children immediately began to play tag, laughing loudly.
Kagome leaned back as she fed Haru a left over piece of fish from the night before. And once she was sure he was gone she sighed loudly, her serious face falling instantly.
"Why does he have to be so serious, huh Haru?" Haru glanced at her lazily as she gummed her food, acknowledging that Kagome had spoken. "The important matters of the land," she mimicked. "We haven't been here for more than five minutes together and he's already focused on work." She looked up into the branches as she lightly rocked the little babe. "We'll have to fix that while we're here, won't we Haru? I mean, sure, I can understand the need for it being the lord of the lands but he could relax once in a while."
"Kagome-chan! Look!" exclaimed Rin, running over with a beautiful potted bonsai tree. "This is Rin's! Sesshomaru-sama gave it to Rin and Rin takes care of it every day!"
"Really? Good job Rin, it's very pretty," she smiled. "Who taught you how to care for it?"
"Sesshomaru-sama of course!" she laughed as she set it down on a stone pedestal near the path. "Kagome-chan is so silly!"
Kagome was surprised at that. He had taught her himself? How very curious. Kagome couldn't help but think a little better of him for it.
"Have you shown Shippo yet? He would like to see it," she suggested seeing her kit chasing a dragonfly nearby. Rin's face lit up and she jumped up to grab the bonsai once again, racing over to show off her treasure.
-
-
-
"This will be your room," Sesshomaru explained as they entered, being careful not to hit her feet on the frame of the shoji screen. "There are doors connecting your room to that of the kitsune's on the south side and that of Rin's on the north side. My rooms are down at the end of the hall." There was a quiet ringing of a bell at the door, and Sesshomaru called them in.
A young neko demon entered, bowing low at the waist.
"You called for me my lord?" He looked up for a split second at Kagome and then directed his eyes back to the tatami mats beneath his feet.
"Indeed. While I am addressing my personal affairs I require you to look after the miko. She will be needing assistance as she is injured." He turned to the door when the neko straightened, opening it a fraction of the way before turning back.
"For convenience sake you may take your meals here," he offered to Kagome, waiting until she met his eye to continue. "That is until you heal of course. Afterwards I will expect you to join me in the great hall."
"Thank you Sesshomaru-sama," she smiled, hoping that he realized she meant for more than what had just transpired. She would have to find other ways to thank him for taking her in, and Kagome was determined to make it her personal project. She would get him out of his barrier if it took all that she had.
-
-
-
-
"So," she began awkwardly. "What's your name?" The neko demon glanced at her from his spot near the door. He sat there as soon as Sesshomaru left, taking his post very seriously.
His green eyes flashed in curiosity before dimming back to their original state.
"His name's Shiroi!" Rin exclaimed from her seat at the table, bouncing a little on her cushion.
"Shiroi?" It meant white.
"Hai, miko-sama." He bowed his white head almost reverently.
"Well, it suits you," she smiled shyly, taking his colors and lack of patterning into note. His hair and tail were of the purest white, his yukata a steely blue-grey.
"I thank you, miko-sama." He bowed his head again.
"Please don't do that," she blushed. "I'm just here to teach Rin-chan. Nothing special."
"You are under the care of Sesshomaru-sama. That alone warrants respect."
"Alright, I'll acknowledge that but no more bowing, please. At least not when it's just us."
"As you wish miko-sama." He sat up straight, once again staring at the tatami mats.
*Hmm,* thought Kagome, *He may be a tough one to crack, but I'll get him to open up, just like Sesshomaru.* She smiled to herself, taking a sip of the tea that had been brought in before them. She had her work cut out for her.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
~~A short chapter, I know, but I think the first one was longer simply because it was the first chapter, the introduction of sorts…^_^ And while I know it may make people unhappy that they're short, it will be easier for me to update more frequently if they're shorter… Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed it! Chapter Three will be coming up next!