A/N: For those of you who read Wandering Ways: the tea ceremony in this chapter is barely touched on, unlike the one in that fic; this is because to this version of Kagome, tea ceremonies are nothing unusual. Unlike that other Kagome, who only learned in her late teens, this one grew up learning and performing them. So it won't be tedious or very descriptive. Yay for those of you who found it annoying/boring, my apologies to those of you who enjoyed all that crazy description. Unfortunately, my characters control themselves. As with previous chapters, definitions are at the end, so if you get confused just scroll down and see for yourself.
Tents; check!
Sleeping bags; check!
Fire pit; check!
Firewood; check!
Kindling; check!
Flint and steel; check!
Dowels; check!
Cast iron pots; check!
Fresh meat; check! (In part, anyhow, she'd need more for dinner.)
Vegetables; check!
Rice; check!
Tea set so that she could practise her chabako temae tea ceremony for Sesshōmaru-kun; check! (Kagome was excited for this – she had performed all the other tea ceremonies for not only Sesshōmaru-kun but also for many of the guests that visited her grandpa, Sesshōmaru-kun, and Toga, but this was the first time she would be using the chabako temae tea set that was meant for preparing tea outdoors with anyone except Toga. Especially because it was furo season and she intended on doing a chaji ceremony; no simple chakai with only the thin usucha, she would be making her good friend the thick koicha. Well, it wasn't as big of a difference with her though because Kagome refused to use lesser-quality tea for her usucha as was normal, she only used the finest quality she could for the situation, full stop, because to her doing otherwise was rude. Toga was unsure of where she had gained this attitude, but heartily approved of it despite the expense.)
Empty, flat, and wide space in the clearing for her lessons; check!
Longbow, hunting bow, daggers (yōkai bone and steel), katana (ditto), wakizashi (and ditto yet again), flute, and shamisen; check!
Targets (for her daggers and her arrows); check!
Toga; currently licking her face, which definitely counted as a check!
Grumbling, Kagome giggled and shoved her alpha off of her, before rolling onto his back and rubbing her kind-of wet face into his fur, then kissing between his ears (don't think about how he can't notice) and standing up with a stretch, the sleeves of her light grey yukata falling to her elbows momentarily. "They'll be here soon; I'm not so mean as to make them set tents up for what is likely their first time ever camping, which is why I've already gotten them set up. They'll be here for three days – they get to see all my lessons except my reiki and miko-ki lessons; they don't need to see those. I'm so glad my sensei all agreed that since I'm not having traditional school lessons these days they would double up on my other lessons, so that I can show off what I go through in less time.
"Oh, and, I kept this a secret from you, but it won't do for you to be surprised when I bring it out for Sesshōmaru-kun – I brought along my chabako so I can do chabako temae for Sesshōmaru-kun since we're outdoors; it's the only one I haven't performed for him yet, and while I definitely prefer doing tea ceremonies for you, you can't exactly drink my tea—even if you can taste it—it just flows right through you. I absolutely cannot wait until I can perform a tea ceremony for you and you can drink my tea for real."
Kagome was way beyond the level with her miko powers where she could understand beast yōkai that weren't in (or didn't have) humanoid forms – as shown by her crow friend Kei, she could even understand intelligent animals if they'd been exposed to ki other than just reiki and earth-ki for most of their lives, although she'd been able to do that since she was practically still a baby; especially if they had levels of telepathy, which most of them did – so Toga responded to her easily. "Chaji or chakai?"
"Chaji, despite us being camping I insist on making both koicha and usucha," she responded, as she began building up the kindling so that a fire would be easier to light with the flint and steel she had with her – no matches or lighters here, Toga forbade them – then she continued, "I really want to impress Sesshōmaru-kun with how well I can do a tea ceremony both outside and in front of an audience. So I'm using my best quality matcha even though camping outdoors means less formal, and even though I might mess up – you never get anywhere without making mistakes, after all. That was the first true lesson you taught me, after I was inu enough for you to begin teaching me other things."
Her beloved alpha smiled fondly at her despite his canine muzzle, "You remembered; I am so proud of you, my precious little bird. Also; I do hope these boys in your class are easily intimidated, or your numerous talents are likely to have them falling all over their feet to be with you."
Blue eyes darkened to an almost midnight colour in pure pleasure from such a strong compliment, and even the composure he had drilled into her was not enough to keep Kagome from blushing, so she turned away with a squeak, "T-toga! Don't say things like that! Not in the least because you probably just jinxed the whole trip!"
Then she grumbled lowly – not quiet enough for him to not hear her, but quiet in a way that meant she was making a very serious threat. "If even one of them tries anything like what I know a couple of them are capable of, they will more than regret it. You are the only person I will ever willingly submit myself to with any semblance of regularity."
Toga was simultaneously deliriously happy – that was as good as a love confession, coming from his feisty little bird – and inordinately proud. Not just of his Kagome, but of himself. He'd been so worried, in the beginning, that he wouldn't be able to teach her everything she needed to learn for her quest and her position as his Lady, while still having her keep that indomitable will and fiery spirit. Yes, Kagome rarely ever actually fought with or against Toga himself – but an enormous part of that was simply that they were almost disturbingly well-suited for each other; he could count the number of disagreements they'd had in her entire life on one hand, and all of those had been quite minor and patched up easily. The one time he questioned Omoikane-sama and Amaterasu-sama about it, They laughingly told him that that was just how soul-mates were; they fit together, added depth to each other, and matched.
It certainly made him feel less guilty about having basically groomed her for the position of the Lady mate of a daiyōkai Lord. Yes, yōkai did that sort of thing constantly, it was just part of their culture, but even though she acted it – and had acted it in her "previous life," even – Kagome was not actually yōkai. She was still born a ningen; Shikon no Tama trapped inside of her body or no.
Though, several of the Kami had all but told him straight to his face that being born with the cursed jewel inside of her body had changed her from being ningen to being more than ningen in all the important ways.
His attention was caught as a group of twelve people were led into the clearing by Daisuke, who promptly left them with a quiet, "Have fun."
Kagome was on top of things immediately. "Okay, because my grandpa is very strict, and because I am a proper and true shrine maiden and miko, not just a shrine child, I am sharing my tent with our guard dog instead of any of you guys. The rest of you, split up into four groups of two; it really doesn't matter who is with who – the tents sleep four people. There will be a teacher in each tent with two students in it, and since there are only five tents, one of which is mine… have fun figuring out where you're going to sleep! I have to go gather some more firewood so that I'm not stuck trying to juggle a torch and the wood simultaneously later on tonight. Be right back!"
Toga followed her, allowing her to tie a large load of wood to his back as she carried a pile underneath each arm (her camping yukata and kimono were all yōkai-made; no need to worry about tears or splinters, there), and they walked back to camp in companionable silence, Kagome humming softly.
Everyone seemed incredibly shocked to see how much wood Kagome was carrying, but she laid it down in an orderly fashion, then used the steel and flint to start a fire with the kindling she had already prepared – once it had caught well enough, she methodically placed the wood atop it so that it would burn evenly, then waved at the group again, "I have to fetch some water to heat up the rice with; I cheated and used some slightly undercooked rice for this trip, since I'm doing all six days – well actually, seven, but one of my teachers does not wish to do his lessons in front of a group, so those lessons are being skipped – of lessons in just three days. Keep in mind; these are just the physical lessons. I'm learning a lot more on the mental front than what I learn in school; especially when it comes to politics. I also get extensive lessons in surviving on my own in the wild. You'd be bored during that lesson so we're skipping it, too – they just make me get lost and navigate back to camp when it's a short lesson and not a weekend lesson.
"Anyhow! Water for the rice, and then I have to check my traps, there should be lots of rabbit out this time of year – if there is, I'll roast a few for dinner. Tomorrow we're having boar stew – there's a mean guy out this season and I need to cull him; we don't want that attitude being bred into more of our population. Be back in a bit!"
The conversation that those ningen were having was utterly hilarious – apparently they had never once thought that maybe Kagome had been completely honest about not having any free time and taking so many lessons outside of school.
These were going to be a fun few days.
Kagome ran towards Sesshōmaru-sensei, slashing her katana towards his side in a feint, then stabbing forward with her wakizashi – he just barely dodged that, and that fact coaxed a full out laugh from him as he bowed towards her, "Well done, Kagome! That is the closest you have yet come to cutting me, and if you had been using your full speed," meaning, of course, if she had been using her body to its natural extent instead of holding herself back so that the ningen watching could actually see what was going on, "you undoubtedly would have gotten me that time. Now; Toga says you have a new tea ceremony to perform for me? I assume that since you have – repeatedly – performed all of the others, you are intending on chabako temae?"
"Yes, Sesshōmaru-sensei, and thank you for your kind words. This Kagome will be serving you koicha and usucha both despite to the constraints, rather than doing a chakai with usucha alone, because this Kagome wishes to do Toga-sensei proud."
Her alpha rumbled in an amused manner – in his humanoid form now, and being kept looking completely solid by her reiki; this would be a challenge, but Kagome knew she could do it. She really wanted to make her beloved, wonderful, perfect alpha proud. "Please; I ceased teaching you tea ceremonies years ago, little bird, stop with the -sensei. You are no longer my student in this matter, instead you are a master, yourself."
Sesshōmaru-kun inclined his head forwards as she pulled out her chabako box and began unpacking it how she was taught, methodically going through the comforting ritual that she was so used to by now, as her sword-sensei responded, "Agreed – we are not in lesson any more, Kagome, there is no need for -sensei – and if you forget and revert to -sama like you called this Sesshōmaru when you were but a child, he will have to flick your ear; or better yet, sic your alpha on you."
The jibe made Kagome smile softly, relaxing just a bit more – she wasn't actually nervous, but the banter made her happy. "Somehow this Kagome does not think that siccing Toga on her would be conducive to this Kagome learning a lesson, as we both enjoy playing chase and tag far too much for our own good."
Toga growled playfully, leering at her in a way that, had she seen it, would have made her turn as red as a cranberry, training and composure or no, "Watch what you're saying, little one – you know that chase and tag are training games and other things; not just fun – or does this Toga need to remind you of that, songbird?"
This was what her life should be like – feeling utterly treasured, loved, confident, and happy. She didn't even remember that she had a twelve person audience any more; especially since it was her last day of having them intruding in her forest. "Of course not, alpha – this Kagome was just stating that she, at least, finds chase and tag to be so much fun that the purpose of any lesson meant to be learned by siccing you on her would end up not being learned."
He laughed that stunning laugh of his, just as she finished folding the koicha, handing the ceramic chawan to Sesshōmaru-kun for him to taste, keeping her head bowed in respect, but peeking up at him through her bangs. He hummed in delight as he tasted it, giving her a genuine smile, "Perfect, as your tea always is, Kagome. Truly, you are as much a Lady as you are a Warrior, and you do your family – and your pack – proud."
Kagome clasped a hand over her mouth to hold back a squeal of happiness while Sesshōmaru-kun finished his tea – and then, that little jinx Toga had created at the beginning of this outing kicked in. Their Divine audience was most eager to see this.
"You, Higurashi Kagome, are going to be my wife."
Toga blinked at that, and Sesshōmaru turned to him, actively smirking in a wicked manner that immediately made his father wary, as he placed down the chawan he had been drinking from and whispered – low enough that his fuming Kagome could not hear, "You, Father, are about to need your ears cleaned out, because this Sesshōmaru knows exactly what a filthy mouth your mate-to-be has when she is truly and properly infuriated – even without being around the hanyō and despite him never influencing her into crude language in the first place. This Sesshōmaru suspects it is influence from the adult novels we began allowing her to read at ten due to her reading level and maturity being so beyond what was her age range. She has actively kept you from finding out, not because of shame but because she feels that these ningen are not worthy of her composure, unlike you and those you have her meet."
Toga blinked, again, and his eyes widened as a tone he had never heard from his little bird escaped her mouth in an angry hiss, and she stood up, barely holding in her reiki and miko-ki. He had not even known that Kagome could get this angry! Sure; the Kagome dealing with Inuyasha and numerous other fools, but his little one? Well, apparently he truly hadn't changed her that much in that way, after all, but still...
Then he recalled what that arrogant little boy had said, and resolved to simply enjoy the show. He still loved her more than anything on earth, after all. Hell, this really just made her even better for him. Toga was well aware that how laid-back he was often tricked people into thinking they could walk all over him – having a mate who was not so laid back and had such a temper would make them think twice about that little deception of his, especially if he never held her back unless it was truly necessary.
"What. Did. You. Just. Say. Ryuu. Ken'ichi?!"
The rest of the students – and even the teachers – had the sense to step away and to the side, but the foolish boy stood his ground and smirked vainly, "I said, that you, Higurashi Kagome, are going to be my bride. You are perfect, I want you, and I always get what I want. Deal with it."
That tore it, and out came the lungs – and the language. "How dare you! I don't fucking think so, you stupid, thick-headed, brainless, pompous, vain, insipid, misogynistic, dictionary definition of a presumptuous, conceited asshole! I would not come near you with a ten metre pole if you were the last fucking person in existence in any universe! You are scum and not even worthy to be walked upon! And, for your information, and the information of everyone else here: the only person I will ever marry is my alpha, Toga, who also happens to be the only person I will ever willingly submit to, and the only person I will ever love with all my heart. Anybody who thinks otherwise or tries to convince me otherwise can go rot in hell."
Toga was completely, utterly gobsmacked – talk about a confession, holy shit; so much for waiting until she was fourteen – and he could hear Amaterasu-sama and many other Kami laughing, remember that conversation She made him forget, and on top of that, his son was holding back laughter, and whispering to him, "Count backwards from ten, father. Your little mate is absolutely hilarious."
Reluctantly, he did as his son said, and as soon as he reached "zero", his precious, adorable, and completely frightening Kagome flushed redder than he had ever seen anyone go before, squeaked, covered her mouth, and ran over to him, kneeling on the ground beside him and burying her face in his lap. Sesshōmaru stood up, cleared his throat, and directed everybody out of the clearing, so his father and eventual stepmother could get the aftermath of her outstandingly stunning confession over with in private.
Translations:
Chabako temae – outdoors ritual tea ceremony. A chabako is the box in which a portable tea set is held.
Chaji – a full tea ceremony in which two kinds of tea are served.
Chakai – a simplified tea ceremony in which only thin tea is served.
Usucha – thin tea. Usually lesser quality than thick tea.
Koicha – thick tea. Usually higher quality than thin tea.
Furo – the warm season that takes up half the year, from May to October. The cool season from November to April is called "ro".