A/N – So, I'm hoping that wait wasn't too long with a little Zutara to keep you company. XD. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and favorites and alerts! Be prepared this chapter for some Inuyasha scenes, and some more Kikyo scenes. I don't own Inuyasha! Or Transformers. Sadly. But I like to mess with it. Hee. So, inspiration for this chapter was "East Bound and Down" by Jerry Reed. Oh, and Marvin Gaye, with "Let's Get it On", a song that half the world was conceived to. WIN. XD Anyway, have fun with this one! P.S. Look out, there's major cussing later!
Chapter 10 – Don't Run With Jaken's Staff!
"Night after night, day after day,
and still I can't move."
-Sesshoumaru
Dawn light filtered through the thin branches, which were coated in a light dusting of snow. Inuyasha groaned as some fell directly on his face. "Why did I have to listen to her, anyway?" He asked the air irritably as he worked a kink out of his neck. He snorted derisively. "Women." Jumping out of the tree, he began wandering back toward Sesshoumaru's territory, intent on finding Kagome and really figuring out what was going on. Kikyo's scent led over the mountains, and since he could cover that ground twice as fast as her, he'd catch up to her in no time. Or at least, so he figured.
He grumbled to himself the whole time as he trudged through the fresh layer of snow.
0-0-0-0-0
Kagome awoke to the sound of Rin's high laughter. Rubbing at her eyes as she stretched, she almost forgot where she was. Then she heard Jaken's grating voice, yelling at her to stop running through the halls lest she wake Lord Sesshoumaru. Kagome snorted. Sesshoumaru was probably awake the second that Rin took one step in the hallway. Someone knocked at her door. "Uh... Yes?"
"Are you presentable?" A female's voice asked.
"Sure, as long as you're a girl." Kagome said, straightening her clothes slightly. The door opened, and Kagome recognized Mao, one of the twin healers. She held Kagome's bag in one of her hands almost effortlessly. Oh, how Kagome loathed that thing.
"I've brought your things, and if you'll follow me, I'll take you to our hot springs." Kagome sighed, extremely happy to be able to bathe. Last night's cold weather had her feeling like crap this morning.
"Thank you." Kagome said as she got up and stretched again. "How's Shippou doing?"
Mao smiled. "He is sleeping at the moment, but he is recovering. We fed him some soup earlier, and he's held it down."
Kagome sighed in relief. "That's good. Could I visit him before we go to the springs?"
"Of course, Miss Kagome." Mao bowed slightly, and Kagome frowned.
"Uh, you don't have to do that whole bowing thing around me." She said, giving Mao a reassuring smile. The two stayed silent for a moment as Mao waited patiently. "Um... What?"
"You aren't going to... change clothes at all?" Mao asked. Kagome wore the jeans she'd collapsed in last night and a t-shirt.
"What for? We're going to a hot springs afterward right?" Kagome asked, shrugging. She rand a hand through her hair, then pulled it up into a loose bun. Mao gave her an odd look, then nodded and led them out of the room. Kagome would have bet that women in this time never left their rooms without hours of preparation, but she couldn't bring herself to get that dressed up so soon after waking. It was just... an unattractive idea altogether. She snorted.
Mao looked back at her in question, but she shook her head. Kagome noticed that the servants seemed a little less on edge than they did yesterday as they walked through the endless hallways of Sesshoumaru's mansion. None of their auras were bristling at her presence. Maybe they were used to her?
In the healers' quarters, Ayako seemed busy grinding some herb up into a paste, and Ran was settling Shippou into a more comfortable position. "Shippou?"
Kagome smiled gently when he turned his head wearily in her direction. "Momma!" He said, a smile brightening his face. She rushed over to him, such a wave of love passing over her; so strong that she almost stumbled. Leaning over the bed, she caught him in a gentle hug, holding him to her chest. Just reveling in the knowledge that he was safe was enough to make her happy for the rest of the week. Hell, for the rest of the year. Losing him would have destroyed her. It would be like losing her family again.
Tears gathered in her eyes. "Shippou, you scared me so bad."
"I'm sorry, I should have listened to you." He said quietly.
"No, Shippou. It's not your fault, okay?" She pulled back to hold his face in her hands.
He nodded, then wiped her tears away with his fingers. "Don't cry. I'm right here."
Kagome made a soft noise in her throat. "Oh, Shippou, I know. I'm just happy you are." his hands came around her neck. Ayako had stopped what she was doing to watch Kagome, her eyes soft and a little too bright. "I'm gonna let you sleep now, 'kay? You need it to get better."
Shippou laid back down on the bed. "Okay." He didn't like it when she cried, but he knew this was a happy sort of cry.
Ayako smiled at Kagome as she walked out the door.
Kagome and Mao's footsteps echoed in the now empty hallway. "You really think of that little fox as your son, don't you?"
Mao seemed a little disbelieving. "I do. He needed someone to take care of him." She blinked at Kagome's words. "His parents died."
"If you don't mind me asking, why look after him? He is a demon, after all." Mao said quietly. Kagome took a moment to glance at the young—at least young looking—healer. She just seemed honestly curious.
"It doesn't matter what you are, it matters what you do." She said, smiling. Mao stared at her for a while, some arcane expression on her face.
"You are unlike any human I've met." Mao said, a little wonderingly.
Kagome smiled. "I like to think so." She giggled.
Mao laughed lightly, and just then Kenshin popped his head into the hallway, an impish grin on his face. "Is that Mao I hear laughing?"
The girls snorted, and Kagome was struck with the image of Sango and Miroku. Though way less extreme. She laughed. "Point being?"
Kenshin seemed to waltz into the hallway, a light cadence in his steps. Kagome glanced at Mao in question. She just rolled her eyes and shook her head. Kenshin sighed dramatically, almost swooning as he neared them. "A demon such as myself should not be permitted to witness your beauty."
"You can just as easily go right back inside that door." Mao muttered, but it was drowned out by Kenshin.
He shook his head, his bright silver eyes mocking sadness. "I shall be punished, then, for I cannot look away."
Kagome face palmed. "Oh jeez."
Kenshin's romantic facade vanished, and he laughed. Kagome and Mao joined in a moment later. A shoe hit him in the back of the head. "Ow! What—Oh. Oops."
At the end of the hallway stood Ran, minus one shoe and plus one glare. "Kenshin! Stop hitting on my sister and Miss Kagome!"
She shot Kagome an apologetic glance, but Kagome waved it off and smiled, then looked to Mao, confused. "They're courting." She sighed, and rolled her eyes as Kenshin pressed a gentle kiss to Ran's forehead. Kagome blinked. Oh. "He's always like that. But he loves her."
Kagome smiled, and so did Mao. "Why are you all so relaxed today?" She asked as Kenshin and Ran disappeared.
"Lord Sesshoumaru is out patrolling his lands, as is his wont." Mao said.
The young priestess giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "So you relax when he's not here?"
Mao smiled. "That is correct."
"Is he really that bad?" Kagome asked. She remembered the night he'd checked her arm, when his touch had been firm, but gentle. He didn't seem that bad.
"His formality and temper are quite tiring sometimes." Mao said, seeming thoughtful. "But most of us have been here for decades, and even centuries. For example, Ran and I were born here a little over a hundred years ago. And even though our mother died at childbirth, Ayako raised us."
Kagome pondered that for a moment. Memories of the times he'd been kind to her; if it wasn't for that, she wouldn't be at his palace. Not to mention stuck underneath the branch of a tree. "He's not heartless." She murmured. It was almost a revelation, and even though she'd seen Sesshoumaru interact with Rin before—the thought of Rin made her wonder where she was—she'd believed that Rin was the exception to Sesshoumaru's unyielding mask. In a way, she was; he showed he wasn't uncaring in roundabout ways that not many would take note of.
Mao nodded. She glanced at Kagome. "Yes, he is powerful. Yes, he is vicious. But not heartless."
The hallway fell silent as Kagome thought to herself, tugging on an errant strand of hair lightly.
"Rin, you put my staff down right now!" Jaken's voice squawked from around the corner in front of them. "Rin!" The little girl's ringing laughter sounded loudly.
Mao and Kagome rounded the corner quickly. "Lady Kagome!" Rin was running as fast as her legs could take her, all while carrying Jaken's two-headed staff.
"Rin! Rin, slow down!" Kagome cautioned the young girl. She slowed. "Now, give Jaken his staff back. That's dangerous to be running around like that. It breathes fire, remember?" Kagome was instantly reminded of the time her mother told her not to run with scissors. It's the same basic idea at least. Except my scissors never breathed fire. Or had two heads. She thought, giving a mental eye roll.
Rin sighed. "Oh-kay." She handed the staff to Jaken. "Sorry, Master Jaken."
The little toad glanced at Kagome and nodded his head in a sort of reluctant respect. Kagome smiled. "Now, Rin, it's not nice to take people's things."
"I know... I was just bored, that's all. I won't do it again, I promise!" She said, looking up at Kagome with widened brown eyes.
Mao watched, amusement glittering in her eyes. It was obvious that Kagome had a way with children.
"Okay, now, how about you go find Kenshin and ask him for a piggy back ride? I'm sure he'd love to." Kagome said, smiling. She knew that Kenshin wouldn't be able to say no to the little girl, and so did Mao, who snorted.
Rin was delighted. "Okay! Master Jaken, help me find Kenshin!" She ran off, tugging a disgruntled Jaken behind her.
As soon as the two were out of earshot, Kagome and Mao bust out laughing. "I'd say 'poor Kenshin', but I wouldn't mean it." Mao said jokingly.
0-0-0-0-0
It is nice, Sesshoumaru observed, to be here again. He'd been patrolling his territory since dawn, and was quite pleased to see no unwanted demons had breached his lines since the last time he'd been there. Ah-Un sniffed the air carefully just a moment after Sesshoumaru. A scent, strong and familiar, crossed his nose. There went his enjoyable morning. He'd thought that Inuyasha would have evacuated accordingly last night, after stumbling across Kagome. Changing direction, he followed the scent, growing more irritated with each step that Inuyasha had taken into his territory. His.
Sesshoumaru found Inuyasha sniffing around the place that the foal had been last night, seemingly confused. "What brings you into my territory, half breed?"
Inuyasha whirled, baring his fangs and grabbing the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "Your sneaky ass, that's what! I wanna know why Kagome's really here." He growled.
"What importance is it to you?" Sesshoumaru's eyebrow raised. "I was under the impression that you left after the clay woman." He spoke coolly, but his temper was slowly getting the best of him. His claws itched. He wondered vaguely if Inuyasha would ever mature enough to act properly. The probability of that, however, was slim indeed.
"Just shut up and let me talk to Kagome, you bastard!" Inuyasha shouted, his grip on Tetsusaiga tightening.
Sesshoumaru cast a glance at Ah-Un, who took off immediately. "I do not believe it was wise to invade my territory." Leaping across the clearing, he pulled Tolkijin from it's sheath effortlessly, and swung it downward. The sound of blade against blade echoed through the snow-covered trees. Grim satisfaction made itself known in the back of Sesshoumaru's throat, urging him to growl savagely. He bit the feeling back...
0-0-0-0-0
Kagome and Mao were walking though the courtyard of the mansion when Ah-Un swooped out of the sky and landed next to them with a startlingly loud thud. He began nosing Kagome, as if to maneuver her onto his saddle. "Ach! Ah-Un, what's your deal?"
"Ah-Un left with Sesshoumaru this morning. Perhaps he sent for you?" Mao suggested, and helped Kagome onto the dragon's saddle.
Kagome blinked. "Oh. Maybe he's in trou-" She was cut off as Ah-Un jumped back into the air, making her lose her breath. And when she caught it, she screamed. Loud.
0-0-0-0-0
Inuyasha had raised his blade to swipe at Sesshoumaru when a bloodcurdling scream ripped through the air. He paused.
Sesshoumaru knew that scream; and it caused him to stop momentarily as well. Then he took the advantage, and punched Inuyasha in the side of his jaw. The half demon flew back, losing his sword as well as consciousness. He glanced up at the sky and saw Ah-Un, flying at breakneck speed, Kagome holding so tight to one of his necks that he thought she might kill him. She looked terrified. But did it cause him some relief to know that she was not in danger? Of course not. He told himself.
Ah-Un landed not a minute later. Kagome staggered as she almost fell off of him; a rather ungraceful move, Sesshoumaru thought with a hint of amusement. "What, exactly, is this about?" She demanded, her eyes bright with frustration.
She caught sight of Inuyasha, who'd regained consciousness, and now held his blade at them. "I told you to leave, idiot! Sit!" Wham.
"Augh... Damn it... I wanted to know why you're here with this asshole." Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed.
"I told you; Shippou's sick. And he's getting better." She glanced at Sesshoumaru. "You know those visions I told you about?"
Sesshoumaru watched her for a moment, keeping his eyes impassive. "Yeah? What about 'em?" Inuyasha grumbled as he recovered himself, standing and roughly brushing his legs off.
"In another vision, someone threatened Kikyo with your life." Sesshoumaru remembered that. "She left to save you." Kagome watched as Inuyasha drank in the information, seeming to process it. "If you go after her, and you find her, you'll be killed." Kagome desperately hoped that Inuyasha would listen to her, and not tell her that she was crazy. Her hopes dwindled as Inuyasha's eyes narrowed and his fingers turned white from holding Tetsusaiga so tightly. Sesshoumaru absorbed this information slowly; if that vision had come true, then why not others? It was surely just coincidence.
"Yeah, I'm sure of it. Stupid wench." He growled, mistrust in his eyes. "All you want is for me to forget Kikyo!" He strung the theory together quickly, eyes alighting with anger. Kagome blinked.
"Inuyasha?" She asked, concerned.
"Don't fucking 'Inuyasha' me, you bitch." Inuyasha took a few steps forward, putting his sword away. "That's all you fucking want!" Kagome backed up as Inuyasha came nose to nose with her. Sesshoumaru watched, displeased. "I almost fucking believed that you wanted to be just friends—but you're just a fucking cunt!" Whatever he was about to say next was cut off as a hand closed around his throat, raising him off the ground. Sesshoumaru's claws drew blood. "Let m-me... go-" A thundering growl silenced him. Kagome watched him, hastily wiping the unshed tears out of her eyes.
"As she explained, she is here for her fox." Sesshoumaru's voice was deadly quiet. "You intrude my territory, challenge me, insult me, and insult her, all while she tries to save your pitiful excuse for a life." Sesshoumaru squeezed tighter, causing Inuyasha to cough weakly. "You would do well to be grateful and heed her warning." He dropped Inuyasha to the floor, where he began coughing and sputtering.
As he turned away, he caught Kagome's eyes. Some of his anger faded. "Come." It wasn't rude or angry, or even commanding.
Kagome followed him out of the clearing as he wandered; then she realized she still hadn't had a bath. Fidgeting nervously, she hoped she didn't look too terrible, and tried to brush her bangs back away from her face. She wrapped her arms around herself to guard against the cold.
Sesshoumaru had stopped once the forest had surrounded them, and was waiting for Kagome to catch up. "I'm sorry he came here." She said quietly, and sniffled. She really wished that Sesshoumaru didn't have to save her all the time, but she was grateful that he did.
He could smell the salty scent of tears even though she refused to let them fall. "He is... unintelligent." he paused. "You are not to blame."
Kagome stared at his profile, trying to gauge his mood. Silver-white bangs, royal blue crescent moon, molten gold eyes, magenta stripes along his cheeks, and full lips; behind which she knew were lengthened canines. The light of his eyes signaled predator. Inuyasha's eyes never held such cool calculation. Nor did he possess the fluid grace of Sesshoumaru's movements. He glanced down at her, one eyebrow raised.
"Thank you." Kagome smiled at him, and then shivered.
He knew he shouldn't respond. He knew. "You're welcome." Her answering smile was as bright as the snow beneath him, but faded quickly. She averted her eyes to the ground, and shoved her hands in her pockets. She trudged ahead of him. Her thoughts had been drifting toward her family, growing more melancholy with each second. The hole left by her family's deaths was yawning wide in front of her, threatening to drag her down. She gulped, shivering again with more than just the cold. "Life comes and goes."
She whipped around to look at him, but he was enigmatic as ever. Comfort from Sesshoumaru? That's about as possible as Megatron—Oh look! There he is! She thought sarcastically as Megatron played tic-tac-toe with a flying pig in her head. He was losing. "Yeah... I know." She whispered.
Sesshoumaru caught the emotion in her eyes. She wasn't just thinking of Inuyasha's impudence. He mentally groaned at himself. He wasn't supposed to know things about her. Shouldn't it have been enough to know a few things? The visions they had shared at the God Tree passed through his head, and his hands curled into fists, claws pricking at his skin. The dreams came back in a dizzying rush, threatening to overcome him. Closing his eyes for a moment, he inhaled deeply. Her scent surrounded him.
"Sometimes, when I think about my family, I wonder why I survived." Kagome said, her eyes seeming far away. "But then I think of Shippou." She gave a wistful smile. "He needs me." She cast a glance back to Sesshoumaru, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.
His eyes locked onto hers, scarcely concealed emotion churning in the molten depths. Confusion, frustration, and curiosity. Kagome was helpless under his gaze as he stared at her, trying to glean the information he wanted from simply surveying her face. She watched his eyes flick once or twice to her neck, seeming steeped in his indecision. She was aware of the heat blooming in her cheeks and the racing of her heartbeat under his scrutiny. Her hand landed on her chest, emotions fluttering from self-conscious to nervous to hoping that he would say something. As she regarded him, she found her eyes wandering to his markings again, and the heated gold of his eyes. She was stunned at how absolutely predatory he looked, and how benign she looked in return. It occurred to her that he could kill her very, very easily. But he hadn't; and Kagome found that what she feared more was something else entirely.
A snowflake landed on Kagome's hand. "Oh." She murmured, glancing down at it reluctantly. Sesshoumaru inhaled so sharply it sounded like a hiss, then turned on his heel, her scent strong in his nose.
0-0-0-0-0
"I'm sorry." Straight black hair slipped over one shoulder as the woman bowed her head. Guilt, disgust, and shame made her sway, nauseous. The demon had been sleeping, slightly snoring when she'd walked in to end his life. She would've bet that he had many years ahead of him. Now, however, that life was gone—taken by yours truly. Kikyo thought to herself. Over the past few days, she'd been trying to think of ways to go around her Master's orders. As she continued to make plans, the more unrealistic they became. But there were a few that she thought might work, if someone was willing to comply. She doubted it.
Kikyo exhaled violently, trying to expel the scent of blood from her nostrils. She wiped her blade on the sheets. When she took another glance at the body, her breath came short. She dropped to her knees. "I'm so... so sorry." her hands clutched at her chest. "Gods above... I only wish that this person be granted safe passage into your realm. And I accept the fact that his death was my doing. I apologize." Even after three times, she still felt sickened by the deaths that she caused. The glee in her Master's eyes when she reported their deaths only furthered her unease.
Slowly, she stood and leaned over the body again. With shaking fingertips, she gently closed the demon's glazed eyes. No one deserves to die like that. She thought, her anger and guilt bubbling up inside her. She was glad that no one else was home: her orders prevented her from leaving anyone present alive.
Kikyo gasped as a new thought occurred to her. Pondering it for a moment, she stood perfectly still. Then she grabbed one of the lanterns off the wall and pulled off it's thin paper covering, revealing the small candle inside. Kneeling next to the sheets, she lit them on fire. Then she went to the walls, the nightstand, anything substantial that could catch fire. Soon the whole room was alight, and filled with smoke. "No one else." She muttered, determination gleaming in her eyes. She walked calmly through the mansion, setting the tapestries and walls on fire as she went. By the time she shut the front doors, more than half the mansion was being licked up by hungry flames.
She walked to the edge of the estate, and stood, watching the flames envelop the building. Kikyo grinned bitterly, satisfied with her work. "If only I'd thought of it before... No one would have had to die."
Near midnight of that day, the embers were still glowing, but it didn't stop her from wandering through the ruins. Only a few beams of the structure were left, blackened and ready to crumble to the ash below. The remains of the bedroom were barely recognizable at all; there wasn't even a sign of a skeleton. Kikyo tilted her head to the heavens. "No one else." The memory of mournful howling made her shudder.
0-0-0-0-0
"Um... Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked after she'd caught up to him.
He turned his head slightly in her direction. Kagome rolled her eyes.
"I was wondering if we could head back now? I know you're all impervious-to-cold and all that, but I'm not. And frankly, it's freezing." She said, her fingers buried in her clothes. Not to mention that she felt pretty nasty, having not taken a bath yet that day.
He turned in her direction, his senses still a little overwhelmed by her scent. "Ah-Un." The two headed dragon padded up to her, snorting once or twice.
"Thank you." She smiled as she mounted Ah-Un a little perilously. He gave her a curt nod, watching her for a moment. Her foot slipped on the other side, but before she could swing off, she felt two strong hands supporting her back. "Oh." Sesshoumaru felt his gaze directed to her cheeks, where a light flush was spreading. He heard her heartbeat increase. Their eyes locked.
"You should be more careful." Kagome blinked when he was suddenly gone. Her heart fluttered. Brushing it off as just the fear of falling, she held on to Ah-Un as he took off toward Sesshoumaru's mansion, and toward her hot bath. She let herself relax at the thought.
It turns out, the hot springs are right next to Sesshoumaru's rooms. But heavens above, they felt nice.
Kagome was neck deep in steaming hot water. "This is wonderful." She murmured to herself, tipping her head back to wet her hair. She caught sight of her arm, and a startlingly purple bruise that was situated on it. She poked at it gently, remembering the tree landing on her. Sesshoumaru's words that night flashed through her head. "Further than was necessary." He'd sounded almost concerned then. Kagome sighed, shoving the thought away. This was Sesshoumaru. The Killing Perfection. And what an apt name that is. Kagome thought, shivering despite the warmth of the water. He certainly looked perfect.
Her thoughts wandered. Leaning against some rocks in the water, she pulled her ankle up. On the back of her right ankle was a ragged scar. The wolf. It was still very pink, and if someone were to look closely, the outline of teeth were clearly visible. Her memory of that night was fine until she collapsed against the side of the hut. Shippou had told her what happened, but she still had trouble actually believing that Sesshoumaru, of all people, had saved her that night. Kagome ran her fingers over the scar before rubbing shampoo into her hair. Then again... He has been really kind, to take Shippou in and help him get better. There are some things you can't ignore. She rinsed the shampoo out of her hair, then started on conditioner. There were soapy bubbles surrounding her. Damn... I wish I didn't get so flustered and teenage-girl around him, but he's so... Hell, I don't even know a word that describes him. Fluster-inducing isn't a word. At least... I don't think it is. She thought, feeling her heart do a little flutter at the way his hands felt under her back. Her negativity got the best of her; there was no way that he'd ever, ever, feel anything toward her. She shoved the fluttering away forcefully, a little angry with herself.
She had more important things to worry about than her feelings. Sighing reluctantly, she stood and left the hot water behind, and started to get dressed. It was still only late morning.
Once she was dressed, Kagome left the room and found Kenshin; holding his hand was Rin. She rolled her eyes.
"Hi Lady Kagome!" Rin jumped and hugged her legs tightly.
Kagome picked the little girl up and swung her around, laughing. "Did you get Kenshin to give you a piggy back ride?"
Kenshin shot her a look. "Yes I did! He kept grumbling, but it didn't sound anything like a pig to me." Rin seemed confused, but Kagome just laughed loudly.
"Would you like something to eat?" Kenshin asked, "I was just on my way to take Rin to get a snack."
Kagome blinked. She hadn't really thought of food, but it sounded awesome now. "Sure." Kenshin led them down a few hallways, all while Rin was talking. She really was an amazing little girl.
"You're learning history too?" Kagome asked as she held Rin's hand.
Rin beamed. "Yep! It gets boring when Jaken teaches though."
Kenshin snorted. "Who else teaches you?" Kagome glanced down at her.
"Kenshin! He makes it fun." Kagome smiled at Rin's excited state. The dining room was quite formal, Kagome thought, but when Rin entered the room, she made it seem lively.
"So, what's on the menu today?" Kagome asked, sitting down on one of the pillows, with Rin right next to her.
"Just some fruit and vegetables for right now, lunch will be in a few hours." Kenshin said as he leaned sauntered through a doorway which Kagome assumed led to the kitchen.
"Do you like it here, Rin?" Kagome asked the little girl.
"Yeah, I love it! Lord Sesshoumaru lets me ride the horses and pick flowers! But I don't really like studying—flowers are so much prettier! Sometimes, when he's in a really good mood, Lord Sesshoumaru will let me put one in his hair. But that's only when no one's visiting."
Kagome giggled at the image. "Do you ever decorate Jaken with flowers?"
"All the time! He doesn't seem to like it all that much, but purple makes him look nicer." Rin paused. "I guess he doesn't notice that though."
Kenshin strode back into the dining room again, and Kagome's smile faded from her face. The look in his eyes was dark. He seemed angry and guarded. "Are you alright?"
He met her eyes, and shook his head very slightly. Kagome was about to ask him what that meant when who she guessed was the cook came in, bringing food with him. He had very short black hair, black eyes, and pale skin. His eyes landed on her, then perused the length of her body, halting slightly at her breasts and hips. Kagome's brows drew together, wishing she was wearing something baggy as compared to the jeans and purple t-shirt she wore.
"I'm Shou. You must be Lady Kagome." he set the plates down on the table, then held his hand out.
"Yes." Kagome said hesitantly, setting her hand in his. He bent, bringing it to his lips, and Kagome had to fight the urge to wince. Something about this man was definitely not right. She shot a glance at Kenshin, who was glaring at Shou.
She drew her hand back from him, and he bowed at her, never breaking eye contact with her. Then he turned and disappeared back into the kitchen. Kenshin was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed.
Even Rin didn't seem to like him all that much. "He's weird." She said before grabbing a strawberry off of the plate.
Kagome snorted. "Yes." Kenshin stayed in the room for the rest of the meal, then led them out. He was still in a foul mood by the time they were outside. Rin was running in front of them, heading toward the stables, or so Kagome was told.
"What was wrong with that guy?" Kagome asked Kenshin in a hushed voice.
"He seems to have a strange interest in you." Kenshin muttered.
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"A bad sort of interest." Kenshin explained. "He was like that around Ran for a time as well, until I started courting her."
Kagome frowned, and was about to say more when Kenshin opened the door to the stables, revealing twenty or so horses. "Is the foal Ah-Un brought okay?" Rin ran to a stall in the middle where a light mare pricked her ears and whinnied.
Kenshin nodded. "He's just down here." At the end of the stalls, there was a blanket laid out on the hay, and on that lay the dark foal from last night. She hadn't realized it, but, the horse was black, and a very pretty black. He seemed to be asleep. His injured leg was bandaged and set awkwardly away from the rest of his body.
"Is he able to walk?" Kagome asked.
"We're not sure yet, but since the wound is healing well, we assume he'll make a full recovery." Kenshin said, seeming satisfied.
"Good." Kagome murmured, and brushed her hand over the horse's fur. "Sesshoumaru actually got him out of the trap."
Kenshin glanced at her. "Really?"
"I wasn't strong enough, and neither was Ah-Un, even though he tried with both heads." Kagome shrugged.
Kenshin's eyes sparkled. "You have quite the effect on him."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kagome asked, one hand on her hip.
"Nothing, nothing. He just seems less... 'ice demon' around you." Kenshin lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug, leaning against a wall and crossing his arms.
Kagome snorted. "Sure."
"Kenshin!" Rin giggled loudly as her mare snorted and sniffed at her hair.
The good part of the next hour was spent watching Rin ride her little mare around the barn. Kenshin was teaching her how to ride side saddle, but it wasn't working too well. The sight calmed Kagome's nerves. "Isn't she the sweetest?" Mao had just walked in through the doorway, a soft smile on her face.
Kagome giggled. "Yeah, she really is. Is Sesshoumaru as cold around her?"
Mao glanced her way. "Sometimes...He indulges her though." Mao laughed. "He bought her six kimonos, six hair pins, and six different flowers."
"Why six?" Kagome quirked an eyebrow.
"It was her birthday. She turned six." Mao said, her eyes bright.
Kagome smiled and laughed. "That's so cute!"
Mao smiled gently. "Sometimes I wish I had a little girl like her." She paused. "But then I realize how many of us it takes to take care of her—I mean look at Kenshin." She gestured with her hand. He was having trouble getting her to stay side saddle. Kagome covered a laugh with her hand.
"It doesn't bother you that she's human?" Kagome asked, curious.
"It did when she first came here." Mao tilted her head to the side. "But then she started talking to us. Kenshin was the first to soften up. He's her second favorite, right under Sesshoumaru. We all love her." She frowned. "Maybe not Shou, though. Have you met him yet?"
Kagome grimaced. "Yeah. He needs to find someone else to look at."
Mao grumbled and muttered something under her breath, strands of her silver-purple hair falling out of its braid. "Watch out for him, Kagome."
Kagome nodded, "Wasn't planning on spending any excess time near him." She wrinkled her nose. "What kind of demon is he, anyway?"
"Jackal. No one really cares for him here." Mao muttered.
"Eesh. You're a dog demon, right?" Kagome asked.
"Sure am. Not as powerful as Sesshoumaru, but I'm not helpless." Mao shrugged.
"Unlike me." Kagome's lips turned downward. She wished she could learn how to control herself better.
"Are you kidding me? You should feel your own aura, you know that?" Mao's eyes were wide. "You scared me so bad when you got here yesterday, I thought we were under attack!"
Kagome blinked. "Uh. Was it that bad?"
Mao nodded. "A few of the servants actually ran for it. Sesshoumaru wasn't too pleased with that." She snickered. "And that's why Shou isn't in Sesshoumaru's good graces."
"Serves him right, then." She sniffed, and crossed her arms. Kenshin glanced up and snorted.
A crash sounded outside the doors before someone flung them open. Kagome jumped and whirled. A male demon, panting and sweating, leaned heavily against the door. "Where's Lord Sesshoumaru?" He gasped out. His blue eyes landed on Kagome for a moment, then whirled away.
"Hayato! What's wrong?" Mao ran to him, her hands on either side of his face.
"Another counsel member—dead." He took a deep breath. "The house was burned to the ground." He continued to pant, leaning on his knees.
Kagome blinked. "Another?"
Kenshin scowled. "Mao, could you go and find Sesshoumaru? You're quickest." He turned his attention to Kagome as Mao nodded quickly then took off in a flurry of speed. "Yes. One of his counsel members was killed about two weeks ago, and we haven't found the culprit." Rin had stopped playing on her pony, and was staring at Kenshin with wide eyes. "Come on, Rin, let's go inside now."
A few minutes later, Kagome, Rin, Ran, and Kenshin sat in the dining room. Kenshin had called for all of the servants to be on the grounds and alert. Shou was preparing lunch for the group.
Suddenly, Rin and Kenshin stood and backed away from the table. "Wha-" Kenshin put a finger to his lips, a grin on his face.
Shou walked in with trays of food in his hands, his eyes lingering on Kagome for longer than was necessary. He set the trays down, and before Shou looked at her, Kagome shot them a helpless glance. "Miss Kagome." His eyes dropped to her chest, just as Sesshoumaru appeared. He looked smaller, having not put his armor on, but no less threatening. He zeroed in on Shou, the direction of his eyes, the closeness of his body and Kagome's obvious uneasiness with the situation. Sesshoumaru stayed still, but a low growl issued from his throat. Shou backed away, his eyes averted. But he shot Kagome a grin that made her skin crawl. She would have so shot an arrow into his creepy face if there weren't children around.
"Leave us." Kenshin disappeared, and Ran grabbed Rin before leaving as well.
"Thank you." Kagome murmured, standing up next to him. He faced opposite her. She reached out to touch his shoulder. He turned quickly, his silver hair falling over one shoulder.
He nodded. "Can you take me to Shippou? Please?"
Sesshoumaru met her eyes, noting the soft concern for her fox. "Come." He walked into the hallway, his footsteps silent as always.
As they walked in the hallway, the silence started to bother her. "Did Inuyasha leave?" She fingered her hair.
She looked vulnerable. Her brown eyes, so warm most of the time, were distant, and a little melancholy. He watched her fingers tangle in her hair, and had the strange urge to run his claws through the dark locks. He shoved the urge down, mentally stabbing it repeatedly with annoyance. "Yes. He was headed over the mountains."
"Toward Kikyo, no doubt." Kagome sighed. "Do you really not care if he dies or not? I mean, he's really irritating sometimes, but he's still your half brother." She stared up at him, wishing she wasn't so short compared to him. Sesshoumaru stayed silent a moment, observing her. "Still maybe you hate him that much, I don't really know—it just seems silly to want your only family dead."
"He is not my only family." Sesshoumaru said, watching her face carefully.
"Is your mother still alive?" Kagome asked.
Sesshoumaru nodded curtly. "She lives far away." His nose twitched at her scent, so close to him now. "And to answer your question, I do not wish him dead. He simply needs to learn respect."
"Did your mother hate Inuyasha too?" Kagome's voice was soft.
Memories of his younger days filled his mind. Sun. His mother's bright smile. "No. Inuyasha was a child. He'd done nothing wrong." But she'd left nonetheless, unable to bear Inutaisho's obsession with Izayoi.
"Oh." Kagome smiled. Once Shippou got better, she was going to leave. The thought seemed odd, even though she'd only been there for a day. Her smile faded. But other people needed her. Like Kaede. The whole village of Edo needed a priestess to follow Kaede. Sesshoumaru...
"Here." Sesshoumaru's voice brought her out of her reverie. It had to be only four o' clock in the afternoon, but it felt like an eternity since she woke up this morning. Inside the room, Ayako sat, reading a large scroll as she relaxed. Shippou was sleeping on the bed.
"Thank you. You have no idea—well, maybe you do, with Rin and everything, but this means a lot to me." Kagome smiled at him, then turned and went to Shippou, picking him up gently and cradling him in her arms. Sesshoumaru watched quietly. He was astounded; not at the depth of her gratitude, even though it bemused him. No, what surprised him was that he had chosen to save her little fox. She cooed a soft lullaby to him as she rocked from side to side, her dark hair swaying with her movements. Gentle. Ferocious.
Ayako glanced up at him from her scroll, a smile on her face. She cast a glance toward Kagome. After a moment, she returned to her scroll. Her light touch on his shoulder earlier only proved she wasn't afraid of him. It is not as if she was afraid of me before. He mused. That should have angered him. Should have annoyed him. Even though he sought for the familiar emotions, they were nowhere to be found. His fingers brushed the wood of the doorway. She turned, and what Sesshoumaru saw made him pause in his thoughts. Her face was suffused in radiant joy and relief, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. She placed Shippou down, at a loss for words. The realization of Shippou, safe and sound, and recovering, all due to Sesshoumaru, was staggering.
She stood close to him. Sesshoumaru almost thought that she would bow, but then she threw her arms around his neck, glad that there was no armor to stab her. She stayed that way for a moment, not expecting anything; it was her only way of showing her gratitude. "Thank you." She murmured. Just as she was going to let go, the fingers of one hand settled on her waist gingerly. Kagome sighed heavily, sniffing. She bet her life that he really didn't understand how grateful she was, but she'd damned well try and make him understand. She pulled back a moment later, wiping at tears.
"A mother is always protective of her pups." He said softly, the emotion in his eyes unreadable. He turned with a sweep of his kimono and silver-white hair, disappearing into the maze of hallways. Kagome smiled, and turned back to Shippou.
End of Chapter 10 – Don't Run With Jaken's Staff!
"And so, he stood in the doorway
of indecision, unsure of whether
he wanted to take the first step..."
A/N – Well, that sure seemed like a long chapter. I hope it was worth it! :D review and please don't hesitate to favorite! I don't think the button bites very hard. XD, thanks you guys! You're made of awesomesauce!
