During Kagome's stay in the Shiro he had adopted a apathetic attitude. The servants were civil, but they were very cautious of him. The nobles of the place treated him with sarcastic sort of kindness. Kagome made no claim to a title or land. Frankly the residents of the Shiro were pretty sure he was just another one of Touga's strays. He wasn't given a luxurious room or refined clothing. The only special treatment he had received was the daily lunch with Touga and access to the library. Outsiders looked upon him with envy and bitterness just for receiving that. Kagome couldn't imagine the wrath Inuyasha's mother had endured. But this is how Kazou had lived and grown up. Living like this had planted the seeds of loneliness and bitterness. Perhaps this too was why Sesshoumaru had grown up with that stoic icy demeanor. The Kami was counting the days till he could leave. The last thing he wanted was to feel this way.

Kazou was doing well over the course of weeks. He was finally getting what he needed to grow instead of the bare minimum that kept him hanging on to life. For that Kagome was grateful. From what Kagome knew Kazou would slowly gain memories from his other time line as he grew. Things would most likely be similar for Sesshoumaru. At the moment both were too young to hold that type of information. But Kazou called Kagome Aniki with a softness that his future self didn't have. Kagome didn't even have to ask him to. When the boy had woken up he had called out for his Aniki. It was a fact that was clear even to someone so young. It had made Kagome heart just a bit lighter.

Tenka had been busy with the plans for the shrine. Apparently building the thing hadn't taken long. Just this morning Tenka had mentioned the finishing touches would be made. Kagome had a feeling that the restlessness was growing in him too. It was clear in those pink violet eyes. Well to Kagome at least. The servants kept their distance from him. Noble women and men often approached him with certain intentions. Apparently celestial beasts were rare and highly sought after. But Tenka was uninterested in any of them. Settling down was the at thing on his mind.

Touga was always occupied with business so Kagome rarely saw him. The one thing he had made a point to do was eat lunch with him everyday. But Kagome had a slight feeling that if his form had been female he would be seeing Inutaichou a lot more. It had caused a involuntary shiver down Kagome's spine. Inuyasha would burst from his grave if he found out his old man hit on Kagome. But then again that was apart of Touga's charm. He had a mischievous streak in him. Perhaps he had some fox blood. It wouldn't surprise Kagome if he did.

As for Sesshoumaru the Kami hadn't seen him once in his stay. Touga had mentioned that his brother was in charge of caring for him. Well half brother but Touga was insistent on calling him his brother. A odd opposite of both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Guiren was a inuyokai with half foreign dog demon in him. His hair was a ebony color with eyes to match. His hair was kept braided neatly. His facial markings were similar to Touga's but a eclipsed moon rested on his forehead. Kagome had passed him leaving the library. His eyes were a black hole that could have swallowed Kagome.

Today Kazou was napping deeply. Kagome had begun to teach him how to read. After a while he was completely exhausted. Together beneath a tree they rested. Colbat eyes rested beneath closed lids. Wind gently blew across the land and the sun bathed his Kagome's skin. Days like these had kept Kagome going. Lightly something caressed his jaw. Colbat eyes snapped opened in alarm. He was greeted with the sight of a man leaning over him. His eyes were a soft gold and his expression was curious. A braid of white hung over his shoulder. Kagome raised a brow silently. Clearly he was inuyokai; perhaps a member of the council. "So beautiful... Truly my family is blessed." Kagome didn't know what to say. Obviously his concept of personal space was limited. "No. I believe I am just cursed." Kagome spoke with a bit of a bite to his tone. He was still embarrassed. Lightly the man laughed with light in his eyes. "I cannot be sorry for that. It benefits me greatly to have you here."

Kazou yawned softly in his fox dog form. He stretched his muscles and looked at Kagome curiously. "Aniki... you know it's creepy to talk to yourself." Kagome simply ruffled his fur. "Good puppy kits should watch how they speak to elders." Kazou didn't protest and enjoyed the touch. The man practically in Kagome's lap pouted softly. "He can't see me." Although it was a whisper Kagome could hear him clearly. "Go inside and get some sleep. I don't want you getting your fur messy again." With that Kazou had bounded off into the Shiro. Once he was out of ear shot Kagome turned his attention back to the man. "A ghost? It's been a while since I've seen one." The other scowled deeply. It looked out of place on someone with such a pretty smile. "Susumu is my name not Ghost."

Kagome hummed softly. "Susumu then. Why have you shown yourself to me?" Susumu's expression lightened again. "I want to give you something special for what you've done." That had caused Kagome pause. It took a moment for him to speak again. This time with a appathetic expression. "You owe me nothing." Susumu pressed his forehead against the Kami's. "Oh yes I do. My boy has been given a future with his sons. For that you have lost much. It's only fair I give you something." Colbat eyes gazed deeply into golden ones that held a deep compassion. "Then what is it you intend on giving me? Dead men don't have possessions." Kagome's voice was cold. Frankly he didn't want anymore to do with the dogs of the West. So deeply he was bound to his word and duty to them. It was almost crippling. Loss clawed at him deeply. Part of him wished he had never fell down the well. That he had never released Inuyasha and was never needed in the past. Softly Susumu cupped his face. Sorrow was clear on the Kami's face. Kagome watched silently too engulfed in his emotions to respond. "Thank you Kagome." Ever so sweetly a chaste kiss was placed on Kagome's lips. Then Susumu was gone as if he had never been there.

Roughly Kagome rubbed his face in frustration. There had to be a limit to how much these dogs could mess with him. First Inuyasha had lead her on for years. Bitterness and envy grew in her teenage self. Being compared to Kikyo shredded into her self worth. He had promised Kagome the world only to die without remorse with Kikyo. Kagome scoffed in annoyance. So foolish she had been. But looking back Kagome probably didn't love Inuyasha like she thought. She clung to the safe haven he represented. He protected her most of the time. But then there were times when he was gone and she had to fiend for herself. So many excuses she made for him. But her stupid crush didn't matter. Inuyasha was dead and the loss of him had caused a change. Perhaps even pushed Kagome towards maturity.

Then there was Sesshoumaru. That man was like a white puzzle with missing pieces. pieces. Kagome couldn't figure him out. So many times he had threatened her well being. But every time she came out alive. She wasn't stupid. If he had wanted Inuyasha or her dead they would be. But the amount of acceptance he had towards her claim on him was disturbing. This situation was overwhelming in more then one way.

Kagome stood up with determination. He was leaving soon and that was that. He was growing too anxious here. Stupid alive inuyokai and even stupider dead inuyokai. Kagome made his way to Touga's study. Servants kept a silent and constant watch. It was a unsettling and creepy how closely they observed him. Ignoring the gross feeling of being watched Kagome found Touga quietly going through papers.

"Do you have a moment?" Golden eyes met cobalt curiously. Rarely did Kagome ever seek him out. If he needed something Tenka was sure to inform him personally. "Is something wrong?" Touga found it odd how stoic the Kami's face was. Usually what he was feeling was plain as day. Something was off. "After the shrine is connected to me I will be leaving. Being idle is grinding on my nerves." Touga had seen this coming. Guiren his brother was skeptical of Kagome's presence in the Shiro. He had wanted to tell him. But his attachment to Sesshoumaru was too great. He wouldn't see the bigger picture. Just the fact that Sesshoumaru had been given to a stranger. He would be hysterical and that was a headache he would like to avoid.

"What will you do?" That had caused Kagome pause. Really he had no idea what this Era was like. Things would be extremely different then what he knew. Scowling with folded arms Kagome knew he was caught. "Then I want to be able to do as I please without someone shadowing me." Touga gave a curious look. Slightly frustrated Kagome sighed. "The demon Kagome can make all the enemies he pleases. The Kami Kagome cannot afford to have them. The last thing I need is someone hunting me." Touga then saw the connection. He had wondered why there was a dramatic change in not only appearance but personality. The fox Kagome protected the identity of the Kami Kagome while silently doing her bidding. "I see... Then I suggest you make yourself comfortable at your shrine. I've requested someone to make your stay easier. She is very trust worthy and devoted to caring for Kagome-Kami." That had caused confusion in the fox demon. "But I have no following here." Touga grinned widely. "My sister is a wonderful seer that has returned to the West specifically to meet you."

"... Damned dogs." With that Kagome on his heel with a blank expression and headed to his room to sleep. The Taisho dogs were multiplying.