Title: Spring forward, leap back
Author: Angelicatt
Prompt: Seasons Challenge - Spring
Genre: Friendship/Romance
Rating: K+
Warning: Mild language
Word Count: 2,993 (inc. Endnote)
Summary: Continued from #84 Billow: Everyone seems to have a lot on their mind
A/N: There was way more story than there were weekly and one-shot prompts, so I am spicing it up a little and mixing in new challenges. Originally posted on LJ on 4/24/10
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own cracked imagination (& Toki-Mai)
"Where is InuYasha?" Kagome asked hesitantly. She wanted to make sure he was nowhere around when she announced that she was going home for a couple of days.
"Oh, he ran off again around dinnertime last night. At first, I thought he was going to come looking for you; but I guess not huh? I don't really know what goes through that boy's head sometimes." Sango answered back, shrugging her shoulders in disgust at the hanyou's recent antics.
Sometimes she secretly wished that she had the power to "SIT" him too. Kami knows he deserved it on more occasions than she had fingers to keep track of them on.
"Well, I guess now is as good a time for me to go home and restock our supplies, as well as spend a little quality time with my family before we set off in search of more shards and Naraku again. I shouldn't be gone long…maybe three days. You guys don't mind a few more days to rest, do you?" the sneaky miko chimed, like there was nothing wrong in the world.
The rest of the group nodded in agreement, not really minding that their 'fearless leader' wasn't there to readily voice his disgruntled refusal – it was like a broken record that replayed every time she said she wanted to go home. At this point, the only person who fretted was the missing hanyou.
Her path was clear; the only thing that she still had to figure out was what reason Sesshoumaru would have to disappear as well, coincidentally, at the same time. She didn't have to rake her brains, because apparently the daiyoukai had figured that quandary out as well.
"This Sesshoumaru will escort you to the well, and then will utilize the time to patrol the Western lands. It has been some time since it was done and we would be remiss to allow that foul kumo-hanyou free reign of what is mine. Jaken, you will stay with Rin. Rin, you will behave yourself accordingly and pay attention to the taijiya and houshi's instructions." He announced to the entire clearing.
Sango and Miroku bowed in accordance to the Inu's wishes. They were used to having to 'babysit' Shippou while Kagome was away and loved having Rin with them. It was like practice for if and when, they had their own kids; besides, having Ah-Un and Jaken around for added help and defense was a comforting thought.
Kagome could only shake her head to hide the smile. 'That damn dog thought of everything' she remarked to herself.
"You kids be good and I will bring back lots of ninja snacks and some special treats for both of you," the miko informed to two children "and you two as well." she gestured to her adult friends, with a grin.
'I don't know who those two think they are fooling but I know they adore their 'alone time' and all the time they spend playing with the kids. It's so obvious that they are madly in love with each other. I just wish they would just admit it already. Maybe, when I get back, I might have to play match-maker some. 'Tis the season for declarations of love and new beginnings apparently.' she idly thought as she rifled through her yellow monstrosity of a backpack, pulling out food and medical stuff that could be left behind and re-stuffing it with dirty clothes and a plastic bag of empty futuristic snack bags and cans, that couldn't be disposed of safely.
After giving everyone a quick hug or a pet, in the case of the two-headed dragon and Kirara, and a small nod to Jaken, the miko and daiyoukai headed out of the camp on foot; blissfully unaware that seven pairs of eyes were watching their every step.
~*~*~*~*~
InuYasha had heard every word from his vantage point, high up in the trees, just downwind from the camp. He had been practicing masking his aura, like Sesshoumaru had shown Kagome how to do months earlier. No one believed that he had been paying attention to that lesson or any of the others; every one just assumed he didn't care. They were so wrong.
Just because he was a boneheaded, loud-mouthed hanyou didn't mean that he was incapable of learning and bettering himself. It was Kagome that taught him that. He would have been truly idiotic to pass up a chance to learn something new from the Ice Prince; nobody else needed to know that though.
That's why he would disappear every night, when everyone went to sleep…to practice, to train, to vent all the pain and frustration of knowing that no matter how hard he tried that Sesshoumaru would always be better, because he was a full youkai and had learned directly from their father. As a hanyou, InuYasha always felt the need to prove himself and that by fighting without abandon that he would get stronger, but after a year of having his half-brother around, he knew that was just utter bullshit.
Sesshoumaru was superior because he was dedicated, because he was focused, because he trained endlessly; especially after Inu-no-Taisho's death. The daiyoukai understood his responsibilities and was driven to always be the best at whatever he did. His aura oozed confidence and only his cold demeanor construed it to be all ego. He was prideful yes; but then again, he was Inu and that came with the species.
InuYasha was determined to make himself over and begrudgingly admitted, only to himself that he actually looked up to his half-brother. Honestly, there was no finer example of a true warrior in all of Japan and if he could became half as strong, then maybe, just maybe he would think himself to be somewhat worthy of his father's blood and sword.
Of course now, it seemed like the Prince had found his Princess, in the form of one Kagome Higurashi and it would take every ounce of willpower and control to not lay into the elder inu about taking her away from him. He had lost so much already, and if all he was destined to have was her friendship, then he would fight to ensure that he kept it. He planned on remaining hidden for a while, in hopes that the others would gossip more about the pair. 'Feh, knowledge is power. Isn't that what Kagome always says?' he groused.
~*~*~*~*~
As soon as Sesshoumaru and Kagome passed out of Shippou's hearing range, he hopped down from his perch and signaled for everyone else to come closer. The kit might not be able to hear them; but the daiyoukai's hearing was far more impressive than all the others and what he wanted to say was not for the Inu's ears. Once they were all positioned in a close knit circle around the fire he began,
"Lord Sesshoumaru gave Mama a courting mark; but she didn't say anything about it. Why are they keeping it a secret? Me and Rin think it's awesome that they are going to mate. It means that we're going to have parents again."
"Shippou are you sure about that? How? When? I didn't even know that there was something going on between the two of them." Sango questioned with a frown, the miko had a lot to answer for when she got back.
"The kit is correct my dear Sango. I witnessed the meshing of their heightened auras myself when they were standing together. One need not question as to why they have hidden the fact from us all…" Miroku intoned, silently wondering why he had a niggling feeling that there was more to it than just the secret courtship mark.
"Well this Jaken fully supports my Lord's decision to mate with the miko. Lady Kagome is far too important to be entrusted to InuYasha's less than capable hands." the imp blurted out, totally shocking everyone around him and garnering him an unheard growl from up in the trees.
Rin just sat there quietly smiling, her hands clasped as if almost in prayer. 'I wonder if Kagome would let me call her Mama too, like Shippou does.'
"It makes me wonder why the sudden urgency to go back home. Maybe she needs guidance from her mother on this matter. I am sure her grandfather will be none too pleased with her decision to mate with a full-blooded youkai. At least Lord Sesshoumaru never has to worry about facing the wrath of the old man. Anyone know how long a traditional Inu courtship last anyways?" the monk questioned.
"I believe that it's about six months, if Lord Sesshoumaru follows all the steps, which I am sure he will, with him being an honorable, old-fashioned daiyoukai." Sango chimed in; glad her youkai knowledge was useful at a time like this.
"What steps?" Rin exclaimed, thinking more of an actual staircase than the hypothetical concept that it was.
"It's not really steps Rin dear. It's more like a series of important things that Lord Sesshoumaru has to do in order to prove that he is worthy of mating with Kagome; and if I know her, she's not likely to make it easy for him either." the taijiya responded, while brushing a hand through the little girl's mop of hair.
"What do you mean Sango?" Shippou asked. He knew the steps and couldn't understand why there would be any hiccups in the execution.
"I think what Sango means is that Kagome probably doesn't know or understand what the steps entail or their significance for both her and Lord Sesshoumaru. You know she's not one to just accept anything at face value and if she rejects even one of his offerings, the whole thing will be void in the eyes of all other youkai and it would be a terrible disrespect to Lord Sesshoumaru. It could cause lesser youkai to think that he is incapable of securing a mate, a human miko no less; even if she is the Shikon miko." the houshi responded, worry setting into his brow at the thought of having to deal with rioting youkai.
"Bah, this will not do at all. We will all have to instruct her on her return, now won't we? I will not have Lord Sesshoumaru shamed by the miko's lack of education on proper youkai mating protocol." Jaken spluttered out indignantly.
No one could argue the retainer was right; it would be a major catastrophe if Kagome was to accidently 'put her foot in her mouth' as she was apt to do in situations she didn't understand.
~*~*~*~*~
Not too far away, the miko and daiyoukai continued on their trek to the Bone Eater's well in relative silence. After almost tripping over an exposed root, Kagome had taken to holding Sesshoumaru's hand, as he guided them through the expanse of forest. He didn't mind the contact in the least bit; as it made up for the loss of her embrace that he would have received, had he utilized his youkai cloud as the mode of transport instead.
Pausing to think on how she had handled her pack's questions about her whereabouts the previous night and his own subterfuge, he realized that he indeed need to make sure that his lands were protected; especially since he was planning on venturing to a different time period. One couldn't be too cautious and he couldn't have his entire kingdom fall apart in his absence. Stretching out his youki, he zoned in on one of his messengers and sent out a jolt of power requesting their immediate presence.
Kagome felt his surge of raw youki and looked around warily for the reason behind it. 'Could it be that he sensed something that was beyond my range?' As she was about to expand her own reishi, a dark-clothed youkai sprang from out of the shadows and bowed at Sesshoumaru's feet.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, what is thy bidding?" the figure asked, their covered head still prone.
"Rise and release your barrier. This Sesshoumaru wishes to know to whom he converses with." the dai commanded. Kagome had not even been aware that the youkai's aura was masked. She really needed to work on her perception ability more.
The youkai stood and flipped back the hood that hid their hair and face, to reveal an intimidating yet striking silver kitsune female. The jealousy that overtook Kagome seeped through the unused courting mark and seared Sesshoumaru where he stood.
"Toki, how many times has this Sesshoumaru told you not to mask your aura in his presence? There are no threats about. What is the meaning of this?" he scowled at the other female.
"My apologies my lord but when I sensed the miko's reishi I assumed the worst; not that you can't deal with your own problems." she jested back, before taking a careful sniff in Kagome's direction. Her blue eyes enlarged when she realized who was talking to.
"Are you she that cares for youkai and human, who nurtures one of my own kind and travels with the inu-hanyou?" Toki posed to Kagome, who just looked up at Sesshoumaru with a 'what the heck' expression on her face. The daiyoukai's only answer was "Hnn".
"I am Kagome Higurashi, the Shikon miko and adopted mother to the kitsune Shippou and friend to InuYasha, if that's who and what you mean" the teenager answered authoritatively; already she was sounding like the future Lady of the West.
The silver onna latched onto Kagome, effectively pulling her away from Sesshoumaru, which earned her a well deserved growl and embraced her. It was the first time the miko had ever gotten a hug from another youkai female. They were supposedly very territorial and from the informal way this one talked to Sesshoumaru, she could have sworn that she was probably harboring designs on getting into her Lord's pants. That obviously was not the case.
"Kagome, allow this Sesshoumaru to introduce you to Toki-Mai, second daughter of the Lord of the Silver kitsune clan from the mainland. She is the Western Lands' most cunning spy and general of the messenger corp." he gesticulated as the two females looked up at him and then back at each other. "Toki, please release my intended, before this one allows her to purify your insolent hide." he smirked at her.
"You sly inu! I guess congratulations are in order then. When are you going to make the announcement? I can't wait to see those doddering old fools flip their shit when they find out you are mating a human miko." she jabbered on aimlessly, "No offense Lady Kagome but those relics in the youkai council all deserve a little zap of something."
"This Sesshoumaru is accompanying the Shikon miko to her home to make arrangements for the upcoming union. We will be observing it with a human ceremony, as well as the traditional youkai one, once we have received permission from her family. Upon our return, a formal proclamation and hearing will be made. This news will not leave this spot, not even her pack mates or the half-breed have been told as yet. Are we clear on this?" he barked out, clearly upset at the thought of anyone finding out before he was even given the go-ahead from the miko's mother and grandfather.
"I got it. My lips are sealed, I swear. Talking about flapping gums, where's the mutt anyways?" Toki joked at him. Her mirth filled her eyes with such a wicked gleam that it made Kagome smile. It reminded her so much of Shippou when he was scheming.
"That is what this Sesshoumaru summoned you for in the first place. Had we known that it was you that would heed the call; we would have told you not to bother, as we are now further delayed by your tiresome chatter. This one's ward, retainer and the miko's pack mates are in a clearing four miles due east, see that they are guarded in my absence and also have Kenjiro-taicho send out a patrol for the entire perimeter of the Western Lands. If there are any disturbances, you and Kenjiro are to deal with it; however and this Sesshoumaru can not stress this clearly enough, if Naraku dares to rear his ugly head anywhere within this one's lands, you are to put the entire citadel on lockdown."
The stony face and glare was enough to tell Toki that the daiyoukai was deathly serious. After delivering the message to Kenjiro, she intended to personally take on the task of safeguarding the motley pack of humans, youkai and one surly hanyou. Her curiosity about the kitsune pup and the Lord's half-brother had her head going in circles. This was going to be fun; maybe she could teach the kit a thing or two, while miko-mama was away.
The kitsune smiled at the couple, bowed and in a flash of blue powder disappeared from sight, just as quickly as she had appeared. Kagome stood there giggling at the strange youkai with very human-like tendencies.
"What is it that you find so humorous miko?" Sesshoumaru asked her, eyebrow hidden in his bangs.
"I like her. I like her a lot. I think she would be perfect for InuYasha." she chuckled.
"You can not be serious. Toki would have him running around chasing his non-existent tail for days before he realized that she was only playing with his feeble mind." he remarked, all the while questioning the logic in her random human mind.
"Exactly, what could be more perfect than that?" Kagome smiled deviously back at him.
That's it, the miko was officially crazy, probably from falling down so often - one loose spring too many had addled her brain.
Endnote: I utilized the prompt: Spring 3x – to describe "the season of love and new beginnings" as it is commonly used for; for the introduction of my OC, Toki-Mai, the tricky silver fox; and for Sesshoumaru's recognition of Kagome's unique mental state.