Blossoms in the Garden of the Moon
Chapter Two
His fingers flex around mine as our eyes meet and we stare at one another lost in the solid gazes of the other person. My mouth hangs open in shock my words frozen on my lips. I'm unable to move rooted to my spot by the energy surrounding him. It was like a blanket of warm silk, heavy but calming at the same time and it had a heat to it that reminded me of the kitchen when my mother would use spices in her cooking. Heat spread down my arm and across my body causing my cheeks to redden and my heart to beat fast. My lips begin moving and words spew from my mouth.
"I want to get back at him for all the times he hurt me and I thought maybe seeing me help you would make him hurt…' I trail off and his grip on my fingers tightens and he leads me off of the rock.
"Put your footwear back on miko…we leave for your camp as soon as I return to my ward." I gaze at him awestruck for a moment before he bends and retrieves my shoes and socks handing them to me with a tender face. I take them from him and put them on properly before following behind him taking two steps to equal his one.
We return to the field of flowers and Rin runs up. I watch in awe and Sesshoumaru bends and picks the young child up hugging her just as tightly as she hugged him. His nose skims her hairs and she giggles into his neck.
"Otou-sama, you've returned…" Rin whispers for just his ears but I pick it up by some odd chance. He nuzzles her hair for a moment before settling her down and patting her head.
'You needed to hear that and the Kami's made sure.' Midoriko murmurs in my ear like a cool fall breeze. I stiffen and watch as his eyes dart to me looking for any danger.
"Miko?" He questions obviously wondering about my stiff posture. I relax my body and bow my head shaking it back and forth. "I assume it is nothing then. We are leaving Rin get on Ah-Un. Jaken ride with her until we get there seeing as I will be at the front of the pack with the Miko." Hi eyes narrow as Jaken goes to object at me being at Sesshoumaru's side.
"Hai, Lord Sesshoumaru…" He moves to Ah-Un and the two headed dragon begins walking following closely behind Sesshoumaru. I walk at his side and he glances at me every so often. I stop at the edge of the clearing and he waits patiently.
"Kagome is that you?" Sango calls from beside the fire. I smile softly at her worried tone before stepping into the fire light.
"Yeah I take it Inuyasha and Kikyo left for the night?" I fall into my normal role as care taker and mother as I lift a blanket from a pack before covering Shippou with it. "Sango I made a deal with someone so that we can defeat Naraku. If Sesshoumaru joins our group then I'll give him back his arm."
"Are you sure you wish to go through with this Lady Kagome?" Miroku ask softly his voice carrying the same concern for me as Sango's did but moments before.
"She has no choice I have already agreed and she has already asked." Sesshoumaru says stepping into the light with Ah-Un and a sleeping Rin following behind. I realize Jaken isn't on the beast at the same moment Sesshoumaru does. His eyes narrow the slightest before a cool breeze blows through the clearing making the small child shiver. He moves to her and lift her from the saddle wrapping mokomoko around her small body and laying her next to the fire.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, it is an honor to have you join our group." Sango murmurs softly before bowing her head. His eyebrows raise at the quiet acknowledgement of his authority before he turn his back and moves toward a tree a bit away from where I am kneel. He untied his armor and unhooks both swords from his belt before setting them against the tree and then leaning against it as well is swords in perfecting reaching distance.
"Slayer you need not use formalities you are part of my pack now and as pack you will be treated as family. Do keep in mind that seeing as Kagome cares for the children she is Alpha female." Sango looks up startled and her gaze finds my startled one as well. I didn't know that he saw me as an Alpha female.
"Hai…" Sango says before unfolding her own blanket. Miroku moves to a tree where he leans and pulls her body toward his, both of them cuddle under the blanket until they fall into fitful sleep moments later. I look around and notice that Inuyasha took the other pack with him and I sigh and move toward a tree myself.
I settle against the bark and hear a soft snort of amusement. "Miko you do realize that it will be cold tonight do you not? I understand your powers are vast enough that you can notice the energies of all things." I look up startled at his comment and nod softly. His fingers dance along his knee for a moment before he stands and moves to my side where he settles against the tree without even using his arm.
His arm snakes out of his outer haori and he shrugs the fabric from his shoulders before handing it to me. "Are you positive?" I murmur unable to resist reaching out to grip the silken fabric.
"If I were not positive would I have offered Miko?" He questions and I nod and shift the large fabric around my shoulders noticing how much larger he is compared to my petite self. The haori falls nearly to my knees and hangs down my arms covering my hands entirely and then some. I giggle and lean back against the tree.
"Thank-you Sesshoumaru, you aren't as cold as one would perceive you to be." I hear him breathe in deeply before I close my eyes and snuggle into the fabric my dreams quickly finding me and bringing me to the small circular pool of water. I wasn't used to this place but it had a very relaxing presence about it that I couldn't put my finger on. I didn't know where I felt this energy before.
Shrugging it off I stand and notice the lovely kimono wrapped around my feminine body. I run my fingers over the fabric taking in the delicate beauty of the stars and crescent moon sewn into the blue silk. I hear feet hitting the ground and turn to see three small children running toward me followed by a young man with bright red hair tied high atop his head.
"Okaa-san…okaa-san, where are you?" A sweet high pitch voice calls out forming from a young girls lip. I gasp as arms wind around my waist and pull me into a tree as a chuckle drifts to me ears.
"The point of hide and seek is so that they don't find you, mate…" A deep voice whispers in my ear sending shivers down my dream body. I run the tips of my fingers unconsciously over the much larger hands around my stomach and giggle softly.
"I am well aware of the point of hide and seek Koi, however I was not informed we were playing or that you had finished you work." I feel a smile come to my lips and instead of being confused because I'm in the arms of some man whom I haven't seen his face or that I don't recognize the voice of I am relaxed beyond belief.
"You were informed of such happenings I watched Yuzumi walk out to tell you. It appears as if you were too deeply lost in your meditation to realize she was speaking to you." I hear his wistful chuckles before I feel his deft fingers on my cheek. His other hand turns me around so I'm staring at his white and blue fabric covered chest.
"Perhaps you are right but that hasn't happened in quite some time." I murmur not looking up but feeling my eyebrows crease in worry. His fingers smooth my brows out before the grip my chin and pull it to face them. My eyes meet with the rich golden eyes of Sesshoumaru.
"I have not seen you in such deep meditation since we first traveled together nearly a century ago. However then you only meditated to keep you mind off your troubles about thinking you were less than Kikyo. What troubles you now my love?" I look up wide eyes unable to control the actions of my body or mouth any longer.
"It is not much Koi I am just worried about Shippou and Maru leaving for their training…I'm becoming a worried mother is all." I look away and watch two little girls check behind trees and then see Shippou look up and wink at us. A smile crawls across my features before lips brush my ear.
"Mate being worried about our pups is natural for a mother. You have seen them grow and now they are leaving den to become men and find mates for themselves. It is very hard but you will always be their mother." I feel his fingers graze my cheek and I turn back to him before he leans forward.
I awake with a start and feel the cool wind whip past my cheek. I look to the sleeping occupants of the camp and notice Rin and Shippou shivering under their blanket. Standing, I slip the warm silk from my shoulders and walk toward them gently tucking it around them with as much ease as I can with my shaking hands.
I straighten and move toward the field below where the moon is hitting the ground in smooth beams. I settle into the beds of flowers and lean back before speaking hesitantly. "I know I put up a strong front but sometimes I wonder if she really is better than me. I think that maybe he deserves a better woman than I am."
"Hn…your mind works much different than demon females, miko." I feel his presence more now as he moves to recline against a tree at my side staring up at the night sky. Looking over I realize how warm he actually seems when you look past his tight lipped mouth. His eyes are actually very fiery and his skin looks silken but as warm as his hand was. "Your mind is a mystery to this Sesshoumaru because it isn't like a human woman's either."
"Is that good or bad Lord Sesshoumaru?" I turn away from him and return my gaze to the sky instead of looking at him. I close my eyes and listen to his breathing in the silent night. His breathing is slow and rhythmic lulling me into a still peacefulness.
"I suppose it is a good thing. I wish to understand your mind miko thus is why I have never killed you. This Sesshoumaru is not keen on doing so in any other situation but you are an exception." I feel his eyes on me and open my own to stare at him for a moment. In his eyes I can almost see his soul laid out before me like a buffet.
"Why aren't you mated yet, Lord Sesshoumaru?" I hear his sharp intake of breath before he releases it in a sigh and looks back to the sky his eyes almost completely out of his line of vision.
"I am to be mated to a horrid woman by treaty because I was the prince of the western lands when my father signed it. The woman was my closest friend and as we grew she became truly putrid. I do not wish to be near her much less mate with her." His eyes roll and his lips pucker in disgust and upon seeing this I let a giggle pass through my lips. His eyes find mine as I sit up and cover my mouth with my finger tips. His molten eyes narrow and he growls playfully. "Do not laugh at this Sesshoumaru less there be dire consequences."
"Oh really what's the big bad Sesshoumaru going to do to me?" I scramble to the ground and move backwards giggling as he stands as well a playful glint entering his golden eyes. They remind me of a young teenager's eyes. His feet propel him forward and I turn and run before feeling his arms wrap around me and we're falling forward. He turns mid-fall and when we hit the ground he rolls again pinning me beneath him before beginning to tickle me. His torture causes me to laugh shrilly but not enough to wake our group.
"Do you promise not to laugh at this Sesshoumaru's situation again miko?" I grin up at him as he pins my hands above my head. I giggle and shake my head before he releases on wrist. I grab his hand aiming for my side and look him dead in the eyes.
"I will promise only if you promise to stop saying 'this Sesshoumaru' and say I instead." He chuckles and leans forward before nipping my nose with his fang but not enough to draw blood. I gasp and push his chest playfully. His entire body stiffens and he presses a finger to my lips in warning. His body ducks down to cover my own before his lips find my ear.
"My brother has returned to camp and is looking for you. Do you wish for him to see us in this situation or would you rather him see us training?" I look into the night sky a bit startled by the proximity. His words filter into my mind and I sigh and think for a moment.
"I would much rather he found us training." He nods and flips us once more before winking at me and shoving me backwards so I go flying but enough that I can get my footing. He moves so he's crouching and his blade is drawn. Mine appear as I fly and I land and propel forward gaining Inuyasha's attention.
"Onna surely you have more power than that!" Sesshoumaru taunts dancing a deadly dance with me. We clash swords and my feet slip backwards through the dirt. Inuyasha jumps down and goes to draw his blade as we break apart.
"Don't you dare Inuyasha; Sesshoumaru-sama is training me that is all." I command my fiery eyes settling on him. His golden eyes narrow and then slide to Sesshoumaru.
"Who said he could be here?" The hanyou folds his arms into his sleeves as I allow my arm to fall and my blade to disappear as Sesshoumaru sheaths his blade effortlessly. I hear him chuckle dryly as he moves toward the hanyou all playfulness leaving his now stony eyes.
"The miko has asked my services in defeating Naraku and in return she will gift me something I desire." His eyes flicker to me and he smirks as Inuyasha fiery energy flares and I force my feet to stay planted against the onslaught of anger.
"What did you promise to give him you idiot!" He shouts waking everyone up who was sleeping. I watch as Sesshoumaru's ears perch at the children's whine.
"Onna tend to the pups I will deal with my brother." I nod once and hurry up the hill to see Shippou and Rin rubbing at the sleep encrusted eyes. I grin brightly and kneel down to gather the blanket and Sesshoumaru's outer haori. I fold both and set them beside Ah-Un before taking the hands of both children and leading them to a small creek.
"Wash your faces quickly we will bathe later tonight alright?" They nod and do as I tell them before we return to camp and I get them breakfast that Sango cooked. Inuyasha walks up the hillside muttering with a very large purpling bruise on his head. Kikyo goes to heal it as Sesshoumaru walks forward and grabs her wrist.
"I would not advise doing that, seeing as it was dealt from an alpha of the pack it will only come back twice as painful after your healing miko. I have learned from experience." I notice that he said I instead of his normal reference to himself. I giggle into my hand and walk over to grab his haori. His golden eyes find mine and soften the slightest as he removes his haori from my small hands and unfolds it before donning it with grace.
"Everything is ready and packed Lord-Sesshoumaru we can leave whenever you are prepared." I say with a slight incline of my head. He chuckles as Inuyasha huffs in annoyance at my respect for his elder brother. I glare in his direction and stiffen as Sesshoumaru's hand comes in contact with the top of my head and he leans forward to look into my eyes.
"Do not worry about anything the hanyou says today. I am Alpha of this pack and you are alpha female. I would like you to tell me if the children need to stop or any pack members need to stop during our journey. We will stop before dark and make camp any other stop is merely to rest. If we stop for a battle we will move to a cleaner area and you may cleanse the field before returning with me back to the camp and we will rest then as well." I nod and he removes his hand from my head before turning his back to me and gathering the reins of Ah-Un in his hand. His feet propel him forward and I follow alongside the two headed dragon that carried the children and Kirara.
We walk for a few hours and I hear Rin's stomach growl and she looks toward me in shock. I look at her with a raised eyebrow. "Did you eat breakfast today Rin." Her eyes widen and she blushes softly before shaking her head 'yes'.
"Rin did eat breakfast but she could not finish because she was full." I can tell there is something she is not telling me. Sesshoumaru tilts his head to the side hearing it as well. I move closer to the two headed dragon and look at Rin.
"Are you sure that's the real reason Rin?" She looks at me scared for a moment before shaking her head 'no'. "You can tell me dear I won't yell at you."
"Lady Kagome, Rin was hungry but she could not eat as fast as everyone else and Inuyasha-san was complaining that it was taking too long and that the jewel shard thingies were not going to find themselves so Rin thought it was her fault and stop eating. Rin lied to you so that we could leave and Inuyasha-san would stop worrying about the jewel shard thingies." I gasp and frown softly patting her head and then smile softly before turning to Sesshoumaru. His head turns so he is looking back over his shoulder at me.
"Can we stop please Sesshoumaru-sama?" He nods and slows to a stop in a small clearing that is circular and covered with short grass. I help Rin down before squatting to her level and touching her head. "Rin, I want you to do two things for me alright? First I want you to say I instead of Rin when you are talking about yourself because it is improper when you are having normal conversations and secondly I want you to eat until you are full no matter what people are saying. If they have a problem with how fast we go they can bring that up with Sesshoumaru-sama and he will deal with it. If anyone ever badgers you I want you to come to me alright. You can trust me. Now how about I get you something to eat?"
Rin laughs and follows behind me to the bags where I pull out a small snack for her and Shippou to chew on while everyone rests. Sesshoumaru stands while leaning against a tree and Inuyasha huffs and folds to the ground muttering to himself about how slow we are going. I look to Sesshoumaru and find his eyes on me waiting for me to look to him. "Miko I would like to talk to you alone for a moment. Hanyou if anyone in this group is injured or harmed in my absence which includes crying I will decapitate you and castrate you in the same blow."
"Whatever you bastard…" Inuyasha quips back before huffing and turning his nose up to his brother who walks into the surrounding forest. We walk for a bit before he stops with his back to me standing silently for a moment. I go to open my mouth and he turns to peer down at me with such intensity and fire that I'm stuck speechless.
"Miko promise me that you will not tell anyone about the occurrence last night. I am not normally a playful dog and you may see that more than anyone else but I do not wish for others to know of such a trait. You I trust the others I do not they must earn my trust first. When we return to camp you will return to me my arm as well." I stare up at him in shock and his eyes decipher my own trying to figure out why I haven't spoken back or fought with him in anyway.
"Alright we should get back so I can regenerate your arm we can leave." I turn and go to move before his fingers wrap around my arm pulling me back to his chest. His lips find my ear and he whispers into it.
"Miko, I can assure you that your revenge on the hanyou will come quick enough relax and let what happens happen." I shiver at his tone and nods softly before allowing him to nudge me forward and then lead me back to the clearing in silence. We reach our large group and he turns to me with a pointed gaze.
"Please sit down Sesshoumaru-sama." I murmur and he follows my directions with ease. I fold to my knees and begin rolling up both of his sleeves. I take his full hand in mine and close my eyes digging deep in my soul to unlock my holy powers. My healing ability surfaces and my hands glow with it. I see the images of the structure of his arm in my head as my fingers work their way up to his shoulder. The images save to my mind and turn so that they are a left arm instead of a right. I open my eyes and see everyone gasp as they too begin to glow with my tightly controlled energy. I move my hands to his left shoulder and grip the smooth skin before working my way down from it my eyes wide and my hands tightly wound around the new flew and bone. I finish his last fingers reseal my power as my eyes dim to their normal power and I place my shaking hands on my lap.
"Our deal is finished miko, I thank-you for the return of my arm." The great lord of the west stretches the fingers of his new hand and looks at it in mild wonder. A small twitch of his lips and brightness to his eyes alerts me to his happiness. I glance at Inuyasha to see him watching me his eyes wide and his jaw hanging open while Kikyo stares at me with soft knowing eyes. In those eyes I see something like the humanity she had when everyone told me about her. The look vanishes and she turns confused almost before shaking her head and settling against a tree to separate herbs.
"You are very welcome Sesshoumaru-sama. I'm going to collect some more herbs while we rest if that is alright. Kikyo would you like to come along since it appears we are running low on herbs?" Her eyes turn up quickly and fill with surprise before she nods silently and stand grabbing a small basket to fill with herbs. Inuyasha goes to speak and she turns to him with a small graceful smile.
"Inu-kun, do not worry Kagome and I will be fine. Do you not trust that we can protect ourselves…two very powerful mikos?" Inuyasha's ears flatten to his head and she smiles sweetly before moving to my side and walking with me toward where I feel herbs growing. They have a very pure energy that it distinguishable from the earth easily if you are trained enough to do so.
"You dealt with Inuyasha's object very well." I state lowering to my knees in front of a patch of herbs as she moves to sit so she and I are facing each other. I look up when I hear her soft carefree laughter. Our eyes connect and I notice that the color of her eyes changed from stormy grey to liquid azure. I am shocked when I feel her energy change as well. The barren tree seems to almost come alive and untwist its vines holding strong as its leaves move with the rustling of the wind giving off a strong and steady feeling.
"Is there something on my face?" She questions her eyes darkening in confusion. Her words process and I shake my head back and forth and laugh softly covering my mouth with my hand.
"I'm sorry it's just that your eyes…they change colors as your emotions change like mine do. It is nice to know that I am not the only one." Her laughter joins mine and Kikyo smiles brightly at me looking exactly like Midoriko-sensei.
Why do we all look the same? There has to be something more to what Midoriko told me but for now I think I should just enjoy the little amount of time I have to get to know this woman. I could learn from her as well. Even I must admit that I do not hate her as much as I thought I would…actually I kind of enjoy being around her now. She's calming and I'm afraid to admit it but if this keeps happening I might trust her.
'Not all rivals are truly that my dear do not fear trusting her…you might find more than you bargained for but you will not mind because you gain much more.'
Midoriko's presence is a short flare in my mind but it makes me believe that I might have been wrong about Kikyo up until now maybe she is just as lost as I am. If that is the case maybe I should let her become closer to me and talk to me about what it going on in her mind.