Chapter 6: Similarities
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters…
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As Sango went about her day, she realized just how much help Kagome was and how much she really wished she wasn't off for the day. Most of the youkai at the zoo were temperamental at best on a regular basis, but at least towards Kagome they were respectful. Especially recently.
Now that it was just her, they were back to being snippy and crabby.
She sighed as she trudged over to her last exhibit for lunch time and stopped in her tracks when she saw the sign on the door.
Gone until further notice.
"What?" Confused, she peered closer. There was indeed a handwritten sign on the door stating that their taiyoukai was gone. Until further notice, apparently.
Knowing that she couldn't dispute it since he was there of his own free will anyways, she shrugged and went to have lunch and relax for a little bit with Miroku.
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Kagome rushed down the street from the bus stop, her jacket and purse flailing out beside her as she ran. She struggled to get her hair up in a messy bun as she did so, dodging civilians in her rush.
"Stupid alarm clock! I am going to kill it when this is over!" Once she succeeded in her struggle with her hair she ran with renewed vigor, her eyes always darting to her watch.
Seeing the school up ahead she smiled and burst forward.
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It was bring your parent to school day, and the entire classroom was filled with excited children and bored and impatient parents. Their muddled scents drifted to him and clung to his nose, unwilling to dissipate. Unfortunately.
With a slightly disdainful sniff, he crossed his arms over his chest as he sat precariously on the too-small plastic chair. Beside him, Rin was all excitement, practically bouncing in her seat.
They were listening to one parent drone on about her career, explaining what she did at their local super market and he couldn't help but wish that he wasn't there. While he was only too content to do as Rin had requested in order to make her happy, he silently regretted the dullness of it all. They'd already listened to a pediatrician and a stewardess speak, and there were still more to come.
Eyes glancing about discreetly to take into count how many adults were there, his eyes landed on a small, dark haired boy Rin's age who sat alone. He was sitting in his seat with his chin leaning on his hand as he gazed at his desk forlornly.
Sniffing discreetly once more, he couldn't help but notice the waves of melancholy and anxiousness that came from the boy. Deciding that is was none of his concern, he turned back to the woman speaking about vegetables.
Just as she was about to start on the merits of bringing your own bags to the supermarket the door burst open and everyone's eyes turned to it.
His eyebrows rose into his bangs at the sudden intrusion and he was hit with a pleasantly familiar scent.
A young woman stood in the doorway, her hair disheveled and clothing settling around her as she stood still and leaned on the doorframe, her breaths coming in rushed as she tried to calm herself. As she came in she bowed a little, whispering her apologies as her eyes searched the room.
"Kagome-san!" cried Rin, waving delightedly.
Eyes startled, the woman stared at his ward before slowly, ever so slowly, turning to him. She blinked. And blinked again as her hand came up slowly to wave in return, a hesitant smile on her lips.
"Kagome!" called the boy that he'd been watching earlier.
She quickly went to sit next to him, muttering her apologies once more to the group.
The woman continued speaking after having been so rudely interrupted, and then finally it was his turn.
He stood and went to the head of the classroom, his chin tilted up proudly among the ningen.
When he stood before them all he was silent for a moment and allowed just a hint of his aura to brush out among them, to show them exactly what he was.
"I," he began, "am Inu-youkai." There was a collection of gasps from the children and all stared up at him wide eyed. A few of the parents were startled as well, watching him warily. "I was once the Lord of the West, and I had ruled for nearly two thousand years before the rule of man came. Many today do not understand nor accept those of youkai blood, and this is what I fight against in these times." He was silent again, allowing his aura to appear calm, hoping to calm the rest among him. "There are some among you who fight along side my kind, helping to make others aware of what we are and what we once were." He glanced to Kagome and nodded slightly, out of respect. "They are a credit to your species."
A hand darted up and he tilted his head to the child.
"Do you eat people?" The boys eyes were wide in fear and a little in morbid fascination. Sesshomaru contained his smirk.
"We do not. Depending on the species of youkai, most eat raw meat and others eat flora. In this day and age it is quite easy to acquire such at the local food supplier. So there is no need to fear being consumed. There are youkai laws to protect ningen from such should a youkai ever decide to waver from this. They would be stopped before they could even attempt to do such."
Another hand darted up and the girl began talking before he could reply.
"I saw you at the zoo! I was there last week! And I saw her too!" She pointed over to Kagome proudly.
His eyes drifted over to the miko as well as the rest of the class, and he allowed her a grin.
"Indeed. Perhaps it would be best if Kagome were to assist me in this conversation."
"Oh! Yes!" She darted to her feet, standing beside him in front of the classroom. She bowed to him out of respect with a murmured, "Sesshomaru-sama", and then stood before the class.
"Well, kids, I work as a keeper at the Sengoku Jidai Zoo. And I actually prepare the food that the youkai eat. Our goal at the zoo works along side Sesshomaru-sama's goal. We are trying to educate children about the history of youkai while showing them what they were like out in their natural habitat of old. Now, of course now-a-days they don't still live in caves and dress in kimono or yukata on a daily basis." She waited as the children giggled. "They live just like the rest of us. They dress like us and eat like us for the most part." She flashed a smile at the Inu beside her. "If not a little on the rare side." The kids burst into giggles once more. "We're here to show you that you don't need to be afraid of youkai just because they're a bit different from you. They still have a brain and a heart just like the rest of us."
Kagome glanced up when the teacher signaled to them.
"And it looks like we're out of time, but hopefully you guys will all stop by the zoo and learn a bit about your local youkai, and maybe visit Sesshomaru-sama," she bent closer to them and brought her voice down to a whisper, "So he doesn't get lonely!" The children erupted into giggles for the last time as Kagome and he both took their seats.
As the next parent took over speaking he could feel the children's eyes darting to him curiously and had to admit that this was a good idea. He was wary at first of going into a public building and deliberately stating what he was, as most youkai were, but if it would pique the children's curiosity and educate them then he was glad to do it.
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Kagome said her goodbyes to Souta and Rin before leaving the classroom alongside the Inu. Both were silent as they walked, casually, and Kagome couldn't help but peek over at him from time to time. He was wearing jeans and a tucked-in black, button up shirt.
"Is something amiss, Kagome-san?" She jumped.
"Oh! No! I'm just not used to seeing you dressed like a normal person," she admitted guiltily, a blush seeping onto her cheeks. "It's a reminder for me too that you're just like the rest of us."
"Hn." He stuck his hands in his pockets. "I could say the same, onna." His golden eyes glanced at her clothing, from the bottom up, taking in her tight jeans, t-shirt and messy bun. "I must admit that I am unaccustomed to it as well."
They walked in silence once more, neither really going anywhere, just walking.
"It must be nice to get out of the zoo for a bit; have a day off."
He nodded his head minutely in agreement.
"It is, but I will admit that I appreciate the nostalgic benefits of the zoo. It has been many, many years since I was able to live out under the stars as youkai are wont to do."
"Did you live out in the open like that for a long time?"
"Yes. While I still retained the fortress of my father, I preferred to be out in my natural surroundings. It is much more natural to a youkai to be out among the earth, as we are a part of the earth. We are creatures of nature, more so than ningen will ever be."
"It makes sense," she smiled. "I can't imagine wanting to be cooped up in a building when you can go out and be free." She was silent for a moment. "It's very good of you all to help at the zoo."
"Hn, but it is you who are helping us." They both subconsciously stopped walking and he peered down at her, a small grin on his features. "And as a way of thanks, I would like to take you to lunch."
A/N: I know it's been a long time guys, but I've actually had this one in the wings collecting dust cuz I wasn't too sure if it was ready just yet…but I think it's good to go! So there you are with a long overdue chapter! Hope you all liked it! And as always, R&R! :D