Kagome was curled up on the couch laughing at something stupid that InuYasha had said when Sesshomaru walked into his house. He took one whiff of the air and his eyes widened minimally when he finally comprehended the fact that the little priestess from five hundred years ago was sitting in his living room, on his couch laughing at his little half brother.
"Miko." He said emotionlessly, somewhat amused when she leaped up from her seat and bowed low to him.
"Sesshomaru-sama," she murmured.
She looked up and saw his lips twitch slightly before settling back into the cold expression he almost always wore. That small change was plenty for Kagome though and she raced up to give him a hug.
"Sesshomaru-sensei, I missed you!"
"Indeed? Likewise Miko-chan. This Sesshomaru is glad that you have returned to his house. Who is the human you have brought. He smells strange."
"Oh, that's Kyo Sohma. He and his family are part of the reason I came here. I was wondering if we could talk privately actually?" Kagome had learned that Sesshomaru wasn't one for small talk or any sort of beating around the bush so she decided to ask him straight out.
Sesshomaru gave her an odd look but nodded in compliance. "Follow me Miko-chan."
He lead her around the house before pulling her into his arms and leaping at an astounding pace through the woods.
Kagome laughed in glee at the feel of the wind whipping through her hair. It was surprising actually. Had somebody told her five hundred years ago that the regal Lord of the West would be carrying her through the forest, not to kill her, but to have a (hopefully) pleasant conversation, she would have laughed them out of the country.
After a very short sprint through the forest, Sesshomaru landed gracefully on a large oak tree before seating himself at the fork between the branch and the trunk. He patted the spot beside him, allowing Kagome to seat herself next to him.
"Very well Miko-chan. We are alone. What was it you wished to speak to this Sesshomaru about?"
Kagome looked down at her toes that were dangling off the branch and smoothed out her skirt. She was playing for time and trying to figure out how she would ask Sesshomaru how in the world she was supposed to be able to lift the Sohma curse. Finally, after a few minutes of trying to bring up the situation delicately, she decided it wasn't worth the effort anymore. Plus Sesshomaru was looking a bit frustrated with her hesitancy.
"I'm looking for a way to lift an ancient and powerful curse. How would I go about doing that?"
Sesshomaru looked over at her and his eyes narrowed. "Why would you wish to lift a curse?"
Kagome appeared affronted. "Sesshomaru-sensei, I haven't changed much in the last five hundred years. I just want to help people live a better, more comfortable life."
"If you haven't changed much, then I daresay that you already told these people you would help them without thinking of the consequences, did you not?" Sesshomaru asked in a disapproving tone.
Kagome blushed and looked back at her toes. "Maybe."
"Miko-chan, this curse that you are trying to lift was put upon the Sohma family by a priestess nearly more powerful than Kikyou herself. It would be very dangerous for you to attempt this."
"I kind of figured it would be something like that," the young priestess grumbled. "But I still have to try- Hey! How did you know it was the Sohma curse I was trying to break?"
Sesshomaru actually cracked a smile and flicked his gaze toward the teenager at his side. "Miko-chan, it was fairly obvious. I've been keeping an eye on you since you got back. I know who you've been hanging around with lately and I approve."
Kagome was silent in her thoughts until she decided that she was officially irritated. "Sesshomaru-sensei," she began calmly. "You mean to tell me that you knew when I came back and left me alone?" Her voice had reached a pitch that was beginning to make Sesshomaru flinch. This annoying sound was partially the reason he had stayed away from her for so long after her return. He knew she would get irritated and whiny eventually. It was what had happened when Rin got older.
"Miko-chan." Kagome's mouth immediately shut and she thought she may have gone too far if the widening of her eyes was anything to go by. "I would like to tell you what I know of breaking this curse, but only of you lower your voice now." Sesshomaru's voice lowered menacingly and Kagome nodded quickly and mimed a zipping motion over her mouth.
"Now, as far as this Sesshomaru knows, the entire curse must be bound in a powerful artifact, but even then, the curse will only be delayed until the next generation. As soon as the first generation dies, the second will immediately be burdened with the curse again. I am sure that if you return to your shrine, you will be able to dig up more information. You might even be able to find a way to completely eradicate this curse from the world. But I warn you Miko-chan, this won't be easy. And if you strain yourself too much, you could die."
Kagome nodded solemnly, but suddenly her eyes twinkled mischievously and she couldn't help herself. "So, even after five hundred years, there's still something the great Lord of the West doesn't know?"
Sesshomaru snorted in a rather undignified manner and sniffed, "this Sesshomaru has no need of the knowledge of curses and blessings and other such things along the line of humans and 'holy people'".
Kagome laughed at Sesshomaru's derision before she glanced at him in curiosity. "Whatever you say, Sesshomaru-sensei. How 'bout we head back now, okay?" And with that she leaned back off the tree branch and allowed herself to tumble toward the ground.
Sesshomaru bolted upright from his relaxed position in shock. "Miko-chan!" he almost cried, but he wouldn't be the eternally composed Ice Prick if he did that, so it was merely an exclaimation.
He peered over the edge of the branch, expecting to see Kagome nursing a twisted ankle at best and broken and bleeding at worst. What he saw was nothing. In slight confusion he leaped off the tree and called, "Miko-chan?"
Unable to control herself any longer, Kagome dissolved into giggles. "Sorry Sesshomaru-sensei. It was too much of an opportunity to pass up," she said as she dropped the barrier disguising her and putting a hand on Sesshomaru's arm. "I'm glad you actually do care though, Sessho-nii."
Sesshomaru growled at the small girl, but there was no real malice behind it. He raced toward her and scooped her onto his back, somewhat enjoying her short shriek of surprise before it turned into a peal of laughter.
"Alright Sesshomaru-sensei! Let's head home!"
So, I hope you enjoyed this short chapter. Personally, it's one of my favorites. Unfortunately it's also the last one i have typed thus far. i hope this was a good back to school present for all those poor souls who had to go back to that dreadful place, but please Review kindly to make me feel better.
One review mentioned that Akito is a guy, not a girl. This is true of the Anime but as far as my research shows ***SPOILERS*** in the manga he is revealed to be a girl. I probably should have mentioned that i am mixing elements from both the manga and anime. Sorry for the confusion.
Dont forget to REVIEW! Thank you kindly ;)