Last Time:

After the initial moment of shock that she had actually followed the miko's advice, Sesshoumaru straightened. He patted Rin on the head, indicating his pleasure. AhUn came forward, and Rin climbed on quickly. Kagome went over as well. Before she climbed on, she whispered to Sesshoumaru. "That was very well done."

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure what surprised him more: the fact that miko had complemented him, or the fact that the compliment had made him happy.

CHAPTER 6: SETTLING DOWN

Kagome woke up the next morning feeling battered. She didn't understand why until she saw the two children sleeping on either side of her. With a groan, she remembered how Rin and Shippou had crept in with her in the middle of the night. "My own fault." She muttered. Carefully, she extricated herself from the two kids and replaced the blanket around them. Then she crept out of the hut.

Kagome stretched, then realized that InuYasha was no where to be seen. She felt for his now familiar aura, and found it easily. She frowned when she figured out where he was. Why in the world would InuYasha be in the shed? she thought, heading over to the hut.

As she got closer, she could hear him screaming. "Kohaku, you pathetic brat! Let me out so I can kill you!" Kagome giggled as she caught sight of the hut. Apparently, Kohaku had decided to have some fun with InuYasha, and had sealed him into the hut. InuYasha probably was still trying the doors and windows.

He may be a powerful ghost, but he's not very bright. Kagome thought with a smile. She opened the door to find a very irate InuYasha charging at the door, only to be stopped by the seal. "Good morning InuYasha. How are you on this fine morning?"

"Let me out of here!" He bellowed. Kagome giggled.

"Only if you make a promise not to go after Kohaku." Kagome replied. "After all, he is my favorite nephew."

"I'm going to kill that kid!" InuYasha screamed. "Now let me out."

"Not with that attitude." With the attitude of a person experienced with temper tantrums, Kagome shut the door in his face. She headed down to the village, specifically Kaede's hut. "Good morning, Kaede." She called, heading over to start the fire for the elderly woman.

"Good morning child." Kaede returned. "How is the problem with Sesshoumaru coming along?"

Kagome made a face. "Well, he's stopped giving me death glares since we brought Rin back, but I'm not exactly his best friend." She set a pot of water up to boil. "Speaking of Rin, I wanted to talk to you about her."

"What about her, child?" Kaede asked.

"I think that she has miko powers." Kagome explained. "When I was trying to find her in Sesshoumaru's palace, I found her aura much easier than I would have found a normal person. And she can see InuYasha." She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I'm trying to see what isn't there. But I would be grateful if you would look at her for me when she wakes up." She made the tea and placed it in front of Kaede.

Kaede took the tea with a knowing smile. "I believe ye know what ye speak of. If ye believe the child to be a miko, then she most likely is. But I wonder as to Lord Sesshoumaru's reaction."

Kagome grimaced. "I'd forgotten about him. He won't be happy about Rin having miko powers, will he?"

"That I do not know, child." Kaede responded. "However, should the girl have power, he must be told, and she must be taught, before she causes damage to others."

Kagome nodded. "I'll talk to Sesshoumaru after this. He does deserve to know the truth."

Kaede set down her tea. "Do ye remember what we were working on last time?"

Kagome smiled and concentrated on an image of herself. Beside her, a second Kagome wavered into sight. "Utsusu*!" They said together. "We're ready for the next step, Kaede."

Kaede nodded. "Alright." She led the two Kagome's into the yard. "I want the real Kagome to sit over by the hut." She did so. Kaede turned to the copy. "Alright, Kagome. Take you bow and arrow and shoot that tree." She pointed to a tree nearby.

"No problem!" The copy crowed. "We've gotten a lot better at aiming." The copy pulled up her bow and fired an arrow. It landed short of the tree and to the right. "What the heck!" Both Kagome's fumed. The copy shot again. And again. And again.

Finally, after the fifth shot, the arrow hit the tree. By now, both Kagome's were nearly in tears. The copy shimmered out of existence, and Kagome ran up to Kaede. "I don't get it!" She shouted. "I really have gotten better!"

"Calm yourself, Kagome." Kaede soothed. "Shoot the arrow again."

Kagome brought up the bow and fired. The arrow hit the tree dead center on the first try. Kagome blinked. "Why couldn't I do that before?" She asked.

"This is the lesson, Kagome." Kaede pointed to the arrows lying around. "When you divide yourself, you also divide your powers, your strength, and your intellect. The more copies you have, the less of each will be recieved by the copies. So be careful how you spread yourself." Kagome nodded in understanding. "On the other hand, by improving yourself with less, you will improve yourself overall. It is a good training tool, but not very effective in combat."

Kagome nodded. "I understand then."

Kaede hugged the girl close. "I have no more to teach ye. You have been a wonderful apprentice, Kagome."

Kagome hugged Kaede back. "You've been a wonderful teacher, Kaede. Make no mistake about it." Her smile faded for half a second. "Will I have to leave?"

"Only if you wish to." Kaede soothed. "It is common for a miko to wander for a bit before taking her vows, but it is also common not to. The choice is yours."

Kagome shook her head. "I've been traveleing. There's not much fun in it." She thought for a moment. "I'd like to just stay here and think about things, if that's alright."

"Of course, child." Kaede packed up the rest of the arrows. "Now, you have a duty to attend to, do you not."

Kagome groaned. "Right. Sesshoumaru." She clasped her hands together. "Please kami, let my death be quick and painless."

Kaede laughed at the girl's foolishness. "Go, child. Besides, Shippou will soon wake."

Sesshoumaru

Sesshoumaru sat in Kagome's hut, waiting for Rin to wake. The hut smelled of the miko, a combination of the regular human stench and the purity of miko. It brought back so many wonderful memories of blood running down his claws, invading his senses, losing himself in the screams of his victims. . .

Rin stirred, and Sesshoumaru's thoughts were brought crashing back to her. Would she still fear him? Would she know that he didn't want her to leave? She was his daughter. No one else could have her. Not even death.

The smell of the miko increased as she approached the hut. It bothered him that he could tell where she was whenever he wished to, without even an effort. He shrugged it off as part of this curse from the gods. Once he'd found a way to circumvent it, the bond would disappear.

"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome whispered, a smile on her face. "Excellent! I was hoping I'd find you here." She placed her bow and arrow in the corner, away from the kids. "I have to speak with you later, if we get the chance."

Sesshoumaru barely spared her a glance before he refocused his attention on Rin. Kagome shook her head and walked forward. Gently, she shook Shippou. "Come on, Shippou. It's time for breakfast." Shippou yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"I don't wanna." Shippou grumbled.

"If you hurry, you'll be able to get to InuYasha before breakfast." Kagome wheedled. "Kohaku sealed him into the hut. I'll bet he's still stuck in there."

Shippou perked up. "Really!" Kagome nodded with a laugh. "Can I go see him?"

"Be nice." She cautioned, before moving out of the kits way. As soon as Shippou had left, Kagome moved to Rin. She ignored Sesshoumaru's warning growl and shook Rin gently. "Rin-chan." Rin mumbled in her sleep, and rolled over. With a giggle, Kagome shook her again. "It's time for breakfast, Rin. Sesshoumaru's waiting for you."

The little girl sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. "Rin is hungry."

Kagome laughed and picked up the little girl from the bed. "I know. That's why we're having a big breakfast." She set Rin down next to the water basin, and went into a corner. When she returned, she held a bundle of clothing. "Here, Rin. Try one of these kimonos on. That one doesn't look too good after the fire."

Sesshoumaru watched with chagrin as Rin took the new kimono and compared it to the battered one she wore. Catching Sesshoumaru's eye, Kagome rose. "Sesshoumaru and I will give you some privacy, Rin." She said. "If you need help, give a shout, alright?"

She led the way out, and was soon followed by Sesshoumaru. She moved beyond the little girl's hearing and turned to him. "I need to speak to you, Sesshoumaru." She sat down and leaned against a nearby tree. "Would you like to sit?"

Sesshoumaru chose not to speak. Instead, he merely glared at her. She rolled her eyes before continuing. "I want to talk about Rin." Sesshoumaru tensed, eyeing her carefully. The last person who'd wanted to talk about Rin had been a monk who thought it would be good for Rin to live with humans.

"I think that she's a miko." That statement shocked him, and his eyes widened a tiny bit. "She can see InuYasha, which no ordinary human can do. On top of that, her aura is much stronger than a normal human's." The eyes fell back to their normal state. If this was the completion of the wench's proof, than he had nothing to worry about.

"With your permission, I would like to test her." Kagome finished. "If I'm wrong, then no harm done. If I'm right, then she needs to be trained. I'm sure you know better than anyone how dangerous an untrained miko is."

He did know. With a small growl, he glared at the woman. "Rin is no miko."

"And if she is?" Kagome challenged, her voice completely calm. "What will you do then?"

Sesshoumaru hesitated before answering. "There is no possibility."

"Then what's the harm in testing her?" Kagome asked. Sesshoumaru could hear the bars of a cage closing. The miko had trapped him. "Unless, of course, you are afraid she does have miko powers."

Sesshoumaru glared at her. "You will test Rin."

Kagome opened her mouth, then closed it. After a deep breath, she spoke. "Try using your manners."

Sesshoumaru stared at her. Had the human just corrected him? He decided to ignore the order. "After breakfast."

"Only if you ask politely." Kagome insisted. Sesshoumaru glared, but said nothing. Kagome sighed. "You know, this is probably a major reason why you're stuck like this. I guess that's the first thing we'll work on."

"This Sesshoumaru will not 'work on' anything." Sesshoumaru growled. "Nothing worthwhile can be learned from a human."

Kagome's eyes glinted, but she refused to lose control. "I think by the time we're done, you'll retract that statement." She sat down and listened to the wind blowing in the trees. "Now, first lesson of manners: when you want something, you say please." She opened an eye to look at the seething taiyoukai. "Why don't you try it out?"

Sesshoumaru turned on his heel and walked away. Kagome rolled her eyes. "And he claims to be more mature than InuYasha."

Before she even realized what had happened, Sesshoumaru was face down on the ground in front of her. A voice boomed. "Rule number one: Sesshoumaru may not harm Kagome."

Kagome gulped, and rubbed her throat, guessing at how close she'd come to death. Thank kami for that particular rule. "I'm guessing the InuYasha reference was a bad idea." She chuckled. Inside, she was shaking from fear. But she'd be damned if she'd let the taiyoukai know that. "But you have to admit, you're acting exactly like him."

Sesshoumaru stood, his eyes searing holes into her soul. "Never compare this Sesshoumaru to that half-breed abomination."

"Now why does everyone conclude that hanyous are abominations?" Kagome asked.

"If they were meant to exist, they would have been created from the beginning." Sesshoumaru snapped.

"You've met gods, Sesshoumaru. Do they seem like the type to let mortals do as they wish?" Kagome asked, standing and dusting herself off. "They have punishments for those that break the rules, as you yourself are now finding. But they allow hanyous to exist, and to live." She looked him straight in the eyes as she spoke the next part. "So if the gods decide that hanyous have the right to exist, what demon or human is so wise and powerful that they can prove the gods wrong?" She stood and walked away. "And just so you know, I will be testing Rin, even if you did ask so rudely."

Sesshoumaru was left with a lot to think about. For all her annoyances, the human also had some wisedom hidden away. She's made a valid point about the gods. Before this, he would have said he was greater than the gods. But as recent events showed, this assumption was wrong. If he wasn't greater than the gods, than no one was.

So could the human woman be right?

Kagome

"Rin, hold still, or this won't work." Kagome cautioned for the third time.

"Yes, Lady Kagome." Rin said, instantly settling down.

The two of them, plus Sesshoumaru who sat in the corner, were in Kagome's hut at the edge of the village. They'd been sitting for about ten minutes now, and at last everything was prepared.

Kagome linked hands with the small girl in front of her. "Just follow me, Rin." She said quietly. "We'll find out together. No need to worry."

The two of them meditated in the style Kagome had taught Rin. The little girl was surprisingly good at it, and so everything progressed quickly. Rin found herself floating above her body like a ghost. She flew over to Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru-sama, look at Rin!" Sesshoumaru didn't answer. "Sesshoumaru-sama!"

"He can't hear you Rin." Kagome called from above her own body. "Only I can see you at the moment. He just sees our bodies."

Rin's lip quivered slightly. "We can go back, right?"

"In a few minutes, Rin, I promise." Kagome brought Rin back to her body. "Right now, we need to go inside of you." Rin looked confused, but nodded. "Just follow me, Rin." Together, they entered Rin's body.

Sesshoumaru

Sesshoumaru watched in agitation as Rin entered the trance. What he really needed was to go kill something, preferably something that could actually put up a fight. But instead, he was stuck in a human village watching a miko who was too kind for her own good. And in addition, now his ward was being caught up in the woman's madness. He didn't need this aggravation.

"Annoying, isn't she?" Sesshoumaru didn't even bother to acknowledge he'd heard his half-brother's ghost. InuYasha plodded on, though, since he knew that he'd been heard. "But annoying in a good way. I mean, she does get annoying in a bad way, too. But most of the time when she annoys you, it's for a good cause."

"Either speak of something interesting, or leave." Sesshoumaru growled. He didn't need lectures from his failure of a brother.

InuYasha laughed. "You've gotta be dying. You can't kill anyone, and the one person who could probably stand a chance against you is already dead. No satisfaction there." He walked over to the girls' body, and Sesshoumaru growled. "Protective, aren't we?"

"Yes." InuYasha was surprised to hear him say it. "Leave."

InuYasha decided to see how far he could push his aniki*. "Nope." He settled down next to Rin and stared at her. As a ghost, he could see Rin and Kagome inside of her, and so he used that information to taunt Sesshoumaru. "Rin's looking pretty good, ain't she?" He asked conversationally. "I bet she'll be a real looker when she grows up."

Sesshoumaru growled again. As if he didn't already know this. But he'd be damned if he'd let his half-breed brother make that assumption.

"Looks like Kagome's got everything in hand pretty well, except for that whole coming back thing. She's not too good at that." InuYasha continued, not paying attention as Kagome returned to her own body. "In fact, she's actually a terrible miko, if you want my opinion. She can't work her own spirit well at all, and now she's got Rin to take care of too. Wouldn't surprise me if-"

"If what, InuYasha?" InuYasha whirled to see Kagome open her eyes. She was ticked off. "If I came back unharmed with Rin?" She stood and shook Rin gently. "That's what you were going to say, isn't it?"

InuYasha gulped. "Yup, that's right. I was totally going to say that. No doubt about it."

Sesshoumaru smirked for a moment at his otooto*'s back stepping. Rin opened her eyes, and instantly jumped to her feet. "That was really Rin?" She asked excitedly.

Kagome laughed and hugged the little girl quickly. "Yes, I promise. That was really you."

Rin giggled. "Rin is just like you, Lady Kagome!"

Kagome rolled her eyes. "My name is just Kagome, Rin. Don't bother with the formalities."

Rin giggled and rushed to Sesshoumaru. "Rin did it! Rin really really did it!"

Sesshoumaru nodded as Rin jabbered to him. Kagome had brought forth his ward's hidden talent, and now he could see it. It was a small spark, barely more than a flicker, but that would grow with training.

"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Sesshoumaru refocused on Rin. "It's okay for Rin to be like Lady Kagome, right?"

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure how to answer that. It depended on your perspective really. From his standpoint, it was uncertain whether Rin having miko abilities was good. For a demon, it would be considered evil to the highest degree. For a human, it would be wonderful.

Kagome was giving him the evil eye, practically ordering him to answer. He thought about Rin's question, and decided on a half answer. "You could never be like the miko, Rin." Sesshoumaru said. "You are Rin, and therefore different then her." Not an answer, but enough to satisfy his ward.

Unfortunately, Rin was no longer a five year old just grateful to have a companion. She knew by now that she could get away with things others couldn't. "You know what Rin means, Sesshoumaru-sama. Is it okay for Rin to have miko powers?"

Sesshoumaru kept his face blank, but Rin could see the scowl that he was hiding. She couldn't tell if it was from her question or if that was his answer.

Inside, Sesshoumaru growled in annoyance. That ward of his had really matured if she wasn't so easily distracted by his logic. He'd have to think of some other answer.

Honestly, you'd think this would be easy. Sesshoumaru's inner beast growled.

I suppose you have a solution?

Yes. Rin is ours. If she happens to have power, then so be it. Rin will still be ours, and an even more valuable pack member.

"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin asked, a bit fearful of his reaction. Sesshoumaru refocused once more on his ward, nearly showing his shock at the fear he saw in her eyes. She wouldn't be able to take his rejection.

Sesshoumaru placed a hand on her head. "It is acceptable." Sesshoumaru said at last. Rin breathed a sigh of relief. "Go play." Sesshoumaru ordered.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin shouted, running out to go find Shippou.

Kagome stared at him for a while, and so Sesshoumaru found a vent for his agitation. "Does something interest you, miko?" Sesshoumaru growled.

Kagome refused to rise to the bait. "Yes, actually. I wonder how it is that anyone can call you heartless when you care for that girl so much."

Sesshoumaru rose slowly, a technique he found often intimidated other, especially considering his height. "I know not of what you speak." He said calmly.

Kagome laughed at that. "You two really are the same. The only difference is how you express it."

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow in question, but Kagome shook her head. "Forget it. I don't feel like being attacked again today, especially considering how much of the day is left." She rolled her neck, which cracked satisfactorily.

"Would you stop that!" InuYasha snapped. "It's disgusting."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "This from the guy who slices people in half. Get some backbone." She left, giggling at InuYasha's ramblings. Sesshoumaru waited until InuYasha left before allowing himself a brief smile.

The miko is proving to be quite entertaining.

-------------------Author's Rant-------------------

Kagome: Wow. I'm actually not so whimpy in this one.

Obsessive_Goddess: I told you it would be awesome.

Kagome: Huh. I'm actually enjoying this.

Obsessibe_Goddess: Welcome to my side!

Sessshoumaru: [glare] I will destroy both of you now.

-------------------Author's Rant-------------------

*

Utsusu: copy

Aniki: elder brother

Otooto: younger brother