VI
"Can't we just-"
"No."
"But you're the-"
"Miko, cease this-"
"They have no right to-"
"Kagome."
Kagome snapped her mouth shut as she glared sullenly into the trees. Sesshomaru sighed as he continued to walk beside Ah-Un, where the miko was currently perched. He knew she was angry -he was too, after all. But the elders had demanded...and he knew it was the right thing to do. He could not keep her. She didn't belong to him, or to his court. The court was slowly changing her, tainting her, and he refused to allow that to continue.
Kagome hugged Un's neck, and the dragon turned to nuzzle her gently, while it's twin gave an unhappy growl. The dragon understood more than its master thought, and if it hadn't been so loyal to him, it would have taken the miko in the opposite direction.
"This Sesshomaru does not want this...however...it is this, or they force you into a mating not of our choice. This was the only alternative that this one could think of," Sesshomaru admitted quietly.
"But Rin..." she said quietly, eyes landing on the kit that slept beside her on the dragon.
"She will be leaving the court within the night as well. This Sesshomaru gave her and Yakusho a home that was far from the courtlife. Neither of them are suited for it," the dog demon said, voice barely a whisper.
"But...you...who is going to make you take a break when you need one?" Kagome asked, as though he hadn't been able to do so before she and the little girl had come around.
"Hn. You may always visit, Kagome. Just make sure to send a missive beforehand," he continued, ignoring her question.
"Right..." she mumbled, clutching the dragon tighter as she felt tears burn her eyes.
"I will also be visiting regularly."
Her head shot up to look at him in surprise, before a soft smile lifted her lips.
"Do the elders know that?" she asked, voice bright despite the thickness in her throat.
"...saw no reason to tell them..." he mumbled, earning a laugh.