Chapter 13 – Moon Flower

She carefully put on the kimono Sesshoumaru gave to her. She really liked the flowers on the obi. "These are moon flowers right, Ah-Uhn?" She asked the dragon. "Do you know where I can find some of them?"

The dragon lumbered to its feet and started walking off. Kagome picked up her newly washed though tattered school uniform and took off after the dragon.

Sesshoumaru was seated under a tree, as was his custom. It was a full moon with no clouds in the sky. The moonlight poured down from the sky filtered only by the branches and leaves. He was waiting for the miko to come back to camp before he started his nightly meditation.

His mind was turning over the time he has spent in the company of the miko. He thought that bearing Rin's loss would have been more difficult. But with the presence of the annoying miko, it has been bearable. He found that the miko and Rin have shared qualities. Though the Taiyoukai wouldn't admit it, he did observe what the miko does during their travels.

They talk in the same way. They can hold conversations with anyone and anything. They don't require the other party or parties to participate. All they require is for someone to be there to 'hear' their rambles. Even the tempo of their conversation when they find something very interesting that they just have to share it with you is the same. They don't show disappointment that he didn't pay attention. They take comfort in the fact that he's there.

They sleep in the same way. They have the same nesting place in Ah-Uhn's side. The dragon would curl its head over its bedmate for optimal warmth. They would pat the dragon's side and thank them for the day's hard work. They would then bid everyone goodnight. It didn't matter if no one responded.

They walked in the same way. They would take a few steps of a normal walk, roll on the balls of their heels to observe an interesting plant or a worm, take a skip and a hop and then, walk a few normal steps again. Then cycle would repeat.

Their joy in life is the same. It was as if everything they encounter is new to the world. It was like every flower, leaf or rock is unique even though there are thousands like them out there. He often wondered how Rin saw the world. How she could be in awe of every little thing. How she could be happy with the smallest patter of a raindrop on a leaf. How she could be delighted with Jaken's scolding. How she could find new things to be happy over every day.

He snorted at himself in distaste. He was paying more attention to the miko than he thought he was. This didn't sit well with him. He should be properly mourning the loss of his pup.

He could hear the dragon and the miko approaching. She took longer than usual in her bath tonight. It must be the hot spring. Humans did love soaking in hot springs.

"I'm back Sesshoumaru-sama!" Kagome beamed at him as she approached his tree.

He slid a golden eye towards her. She was hiding her hands behind her back and she seemed very happy about it. "Miko, why are you hiding the flowers behind your back?" asked Sesshoumaru.

Kagome's smile wilted. "You knew? Inuyasha couldn't smell past the sulphur near hot springs," said Kagome. "Here I was banking that I could surprise you."

"Hn. Do not compare this Sesshoumaru's superior senses to that of a mongrel," said Sesshoumaru disdainfully. "There is no comparison."

"Hai, hai. I've heard that a million times," sighed Kagome.

"Watch your tongue wench," Sesshoumaru said. "That you are alive until now is not a guarantee that this Sesshoumaru's good graces will last 'til the morrow."

Kagome all but rolled her eyes at him. "Anyway, Sesshoumaru-sama, I would like to thank you for the kimono and this stop at the hot spring. The hot water helped in washing away the impurities from my wounds and it helped relieve the ache from my muscles," Kagome said with a bow towards him.

The miko though she behaved and dressed like a wild child, does have a bit of social grace. When Rin grows up, he would like her to be schooled in social graces and manners as well. Sesshoumaru's eyebrow twitched. That's right, Rin is no more. He should be in mourning instead of dealing with Inuyasha's wench. He growled to himself.

"As thanks, Sesshoumaru-sama, here are moon flowers that I picked for you," Kagome then presented the flowers to him as she smiled up at him.

This was too much! Sesshoumaru's hand snaked out and grabbed Kagome's wrist. "Do not try to replace Rin," Sesshoumaru hissed at her as he pulled Kagome towards him. His slitted gaze bore into her wide, startled eyes. He turned her around and deliberately breathed along her exposed neck. He grazed a fang against her skin, where her jugular would be. He watched fascinated as goose bumps involuntarily rose on her skin. "You, miko, are not worthy." With that, he shoved her away from him. She stumbled onto her hands with a cry. The moon flowers scattered around her and their fragrance burst in the air.

Only Kagome's harsh breathing could be heard in the clearing. She slowly sat back on her heels. Head hung low, she gathered the crushed flowers. "I know, Sesshoumaru-sama," she said in a whisper. "No one is. No one can replace her. These flowers are a sign of my thanks, my appreciation of you."

"I have a son too, Sesshoumaru-sama. I would take offense to anyone who would try to replace him. I assure you, I wouldn't do that to you," Kagome explained.

She breathed in deeply as if to gather her courage and slowly got back on her feet. She looked up at the sky that he was staring intently at. The sky in Feudal Japan never fails to amaze her. The sky is so clear and clean. The stars were as numerous as the sand under your feet. She let go of her breath with a whoosh as she stretched.

He could hear her going towards him again. He growled a warning but her footsteps didn't falter. She took a few normal steps, rolled on the balls of her feet, took a hop and a then a skip towards his tree. He could feel her warmth from the hot spring as she stood beside him. Her natural citrus scent with the moon flower's fragrance wafted over to him. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and their hair. She stood beside the seated Taiyoukai for a while; the moonlight bouncing off his silver hair and her white kimono, giving the both of them a soft muted glow.

"Us girls you know, we only give flowers to people that we appreciate, that we like," she whispered softly. "Oyasuminasai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Long after Kagome feel asleep, the Taiyoukai sat awake.

He could still feel the miko's warmth against his side as she stood beside him.

Her citrus scent still hung in the air around him with the moon flower.

He could still hear her peculiar steps.

He could still taste her at the tip of his fang.

A/N:

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