Only minutes after she left Sesshomaru's room, Kagome was out the door and driving towards Sango and Miroku's to fetch Rin—without a single hour of sleep. After half fighting and half making up with Sesshomaru the whole night, she hadn't found a chance to take even the smallest of cat naps. She hadn't showered either, so with a quick smirk, she rolled the windows of her car down and hoped her deodorant masked any scent issues she could possibly encounter.
Rin was excited and completely packed, waiting not-so-patiently for Kagome in the driveway when she reached Sango and Miroku's. They had briefly seen each other when Kagome was talking with Sango the night before, but she'd sent Rin up to bed to be a guest at their cousin's house one more night because of the late hour.
Stepping out of the car, Kagome smiled at Rin and Miroku, who was lounging on a chair on the front porch.
"Hi Kaggie!" Rin shouted and ran to Kagome's open arms.
"Hey, Rin. I missed you too." With one last squeeze Kagome set her sister on the ground. "How has your week been?"
"It's been more than a week," Rin reminded, and then grinned widely, "but I've had so much fun! Miroku and I worked for a long time, and I got to see lots of pretty women try on pretty clothes! Miroku says when I'm older I can wear that stuff too for a special occasion!"
Kagome flashed Miroku a look and hoped that anything Rin saw went over her head. When Miroku shrugged with a devilish smile, Kagome entertained the idea. "Maybe when you're older, who knows? Nonetheless," she scowled once more at Miroku, "you probably won't return anytime soon..."
Rin pouted until Miroku slyly interjected. "Naturally beggars can't be choosers, so Rin is welcome at my little slice of heaven anytime Kagome springs her upon us without a proper warning."
Rolling her eyes, Kagome picked up Rin's bags and loaded the car. With a grateful nod to Miroku she bid her goodbyes and told Rin, "Okay, sweetheart, let's go home."
Beaming, Rin kissed her cousin on the cheek and hopped into the car. "I bet Jaken-san missed me. He likes to play princess dress up with me on Fridays, you know. And on Saturdays we draw some pictures, but we do that every other day too..."
Rin began to ramble as Kagome quickly checked the clock in the car and began to drive. She had a half hour until her workout with Leola, and she definitely didn't want to be late after her not showing up at all for the last one. She didn't want Leola to have a bad impression of her.
"Hi Kagome, glad to see you're right on time," Leola smiled at Kagome as she ran into the building, with not a minute to spare. She took a few deep breaths and nodded to say hello.
"We're going to work in this portion of the gym today. Weights are a great way to start off." Leola chattered on, half professional and half casual as she led Kagome through the gym.
They walked to the back corner of the weight room, which was filled with men and women alike covered in sweat, and filled with a determination that Kagome seemed to lack. She eyed their corner, which was suspiciously filled with both small and big weights. There was no way she could lift like the others, and if Leola thought she could, than she was crazy.
"So we're going to start with these ten pound weights and you're just going to do some squats like this." she demonstrated and Kagome frowned. That's it?
A hundred squats later Kagome wasn't in the same frame of mind. She thought that she might as well be in an entirely different universe of thought, because these 'simple' exercises felt like torture. Kagome wasn't unfit, per say, but she certainly was no Leola.
"Okay, let's do another round! We're young, we're beautiful, and our thighs are singing!" Leola chanted as she performed the exercise with Kagome.
Kagome groaned. The last time she'd believed Leola's mantra was ten rounds ago. With another shaky squat, Kagome straightened and asked politely, "Maybe it's time for a new exercise?"
Leola blinked at her, nearly shocked, and then smiled. "Let's do one more set, and then we'll move on."
As Kagome lifted the weights in both her hands simultaneously as she bent down, she wondered if the reason a hanyou like Leola stayed so chipper was because she'd taken refuge in something like exercise, instead of being sheltered. It puzzled her to no end how Leola remained so happy all the time when most hanyou her age had been raised in harsh conditions, no matter how protective their parents were. Thus was the youkai way of life.
When Leola wiped her brow and decided it was time to change tactics, Kagome nearly collapsed with relief. But as Leola led her over to heavier weights, her happiness subsided, and she blanched.
"Umm... Leola?"
The instructor brightened at the sound of her name. "Yes?"
"I'm not sure I can lift something like that. It's too... large."
"Nonsense. You're stronger than you think, Kagome," Leola scoffed. "Just try it. There's no fault in an honorable attempt."
Kagome rubbed her lips together, but then nodded. Placing her hands on the bar that connected the two weights on each end, she managed to lift it a fraction of a foot.
"Great job," Leola smile. "Now use your arm muscles, thighs and plant your feet into the ground so you can tell that dumbbell who's boss!"
Kagome huffed and did as she said, meriting better results. Somehow, her enthusiastic instructor was right. She actually was able to lift the weight.
When they were nearing the end of the lesson, Leola gave Kagome a five minute break to relax and start cooling off. More than relieved and grateful, Kagome walked over to the bench where she had placed her belongings and grabbed her water bottle.
"Small sips! Don't guzzle that water," Leola reminded her as she drank from her own water bottle.
Sifting through her bag, Kagome searched for her phone so she could check the time. When she reached it, the screen was lit up, announcing she had a waiting text message. Clicking on it, she noticed it was from Hayate.
Sorry can't make the lesson today. Let's take a rain check.
She frowned and took another sip of her water. It was pretty unprofessional of him to bail on their first lesson, but then again she had done the same to Leola, so she was in no place to judge.
Kagome shot him a quick text telling him they could meet tomorrow at the same time and turned to Leola. "Do you know Hayate well?"
The hanyou pursed her lips together and hummed. "Not really. I met him the same day I met you. We're staying in the same hotel, but I don't see him very often, so I don't really know him."
"Oh," Kagome put her phone back in the bag and took one more sip before returning her water. "I didn't know you were staying in a hotel."
Leola nodded. "My house is out in the country. I prefer it there, but a brief job like this is a lot of fun."
"Glad you're enjoying yourself," Kagome smiled and added, "my muscles certainly appreciate what you're doing for them, even if I'm reluctant."
Kagome was running on fumes by the time she arrived home that night. After the exhausting workout with Leola, she'd quickly showered in the ladies room and then stopped by a cafe for some tea, only to find herself falling asleep as she ordered. The tea and shower did wonders to wake her up, but they weren't perfect. She desperately needed to sleep after her all-nighter.
Walking through the front door, Kagome was mindful to properly take off her shoes and hang the keys before she moved to the family room to collapse on the couch. Rin, who had been watching a princess film on the t.v. noticed her sloppy behavior.
"Kaggie? What's wrong?" Rin's big eyes were filled with concern.
"Nothing," Kagome breathed as she relaxed on the couch. "I just gotta sleep. Remain as you were," she joked and began to doze.
What felt like only minutes later she felt someone tapping on her face. She blinked lazily as her eyes focused in on her sister.
"The movie's over," Rin whispered, "and I'm hungry. What're we eating?"
"Food," Kagome groaned and rolled over. "There's some meat in the refrigerator. Eat that."
"Don't be silly!" Rin erupted into giggles and then wondered aloud, "Maybe Jaken-san would like to cook something?"
"Yeah, yeah," Kagome muttered sleepily, "Jaken-chan would love that. Now lemme sleep."
Sleep wouldn't find her again, though, as Jaken fumbled around the kitchen so she rose and resumed her duties. Shortly before the hour was done, Kagome had fixed up some chicken and salad for the family to eat. The toad youkai politely declined her offer, and returned to his home, leaving Rin and Kagome alone.
"Yum, yum! Thanks, Kagome," Rin praised between mouthfuls. Kagome sighed and shoveled more food into her mouth, day dreaming about a fluffy bed.
As they began to clean up Sesshomaru arrived at the door. He stepped inside, and made an attempt to look unruffled, but Kagome could tell he was nearly as tired as she was. She threw him a quick tender look when he met her eyes.
"Work keep you busy?"
"Yes," he walked over to her and offered a small smile.
"We already finished dinner, but I could heat something up for you if you wanted."
He shook his head. "That's alright." After a moment, he added, "Work kept me later than I expected, and rendered me unable to tell you."
She chuckled at his unorthodox apology. "I understand. It's fine."
Rin, who had been wandering through the house found them, and rocketed herself at Sesshomaru, engulfing his waist in as big a bear hug as she could manage. "Hey, Sesshomaru! I missed you!"
"Hello, Rin." He patted the top of her head gently and waited, expecting her to remove herself.
When Rin didn't, Kagome smirked, and tugged the little girl away. "I think it's time for bed. Someone around here's looking tired."
She exaggerated a slow scan of the room and with playfully narrowed eyes, she stage whispered, "Who do you think it is, Rin?"
"Hmm..." Rin grinned widely, showing off a toothy smile, and repeated Kagome's actions. "Sesshomaru. It's his bed time now."
"Sesshomaru?" Kagome mock gasped and turned to him. "Is it really your bed time? How long have you been keeping this from me?" She whispered loudly.
"You'd have to ask my secretary. She's the one who has the list on the various other secrets I keep from you," he smirked as she rolled her eyes, and planted a surprise kiss on her cheek. While Rin gawked at them, he scooped her up and whisked her away announcing. "I believe it is time for your rest."
Kagome watched them travel down the hallway and turn into Rin's room, her heart filling with mirth. Nothing was awkward between them-it was as if all problems had been erased. And as she saw them together, Sesshomaru carrying Rin, she couldn't help but wonder what he would look like as the father of her kids.
It's a stretch that he would be willing... I'd thought it was a stretch for us to get along... She didn't want to entertain delusional thoughts, but she really couldn't help believing that somehow, Sesshomaru was changing, and that maybe, just maybe, he was falling as deeply in love with her, as she was with him.
After finishing the work in the kitchen, Kagome headed off to bed, making a quick stop to Rin's room. She opened the door and tiptoed in, careful not to disrupt the drowsy girl. As she placed a small peck upon her forehead, Rin rolled over and mumbled softly.
"I like Sesshom'ru..."
"Oh?" Kagome tucked Rin's covers in. "Why?"
"His play... Sessh's sorta silent but... silly. He needs... to be taught how'ta play."
"Okay." Kagome patted her head once more and whispered a goodnight as she left.
Yes, it certainly was hard not to entertain ideas of Sesshomaru as a father these days.
Kagome showered and dressed quickly, intent on getting to bed as fast as possible. She was beyond exhausted, with her muscles aching, her head stinging with a budding headache, and more. When she slid into her covers, though, they didn't provide the relief she had been hoping for.
Her door creaked, the sound eerie and disturbing. The window, which she had thought was closed, rattled with the wind, letting in a whistling breeze. The moon was full, illuminating a front yard which she had thought was beautiful, but suddenly looked haunted.
The wind howled again and she shuddered. The blankets didn't feel warm but she wanted them too, because the forecasted balmy summer night wasn't as pleasant as was promised.
Kagome strained to hear over the sound of rushing blood in her ears. Her heart beat was loud, but the sound of pattering on the roof above her was louder. She swallowed, intending to focus on other sounds.
Another creak. A second rattle of the window. A sudden tap on the wall.
Kagome hugged her flimsy blankets closer to her body, seeking comfort. When the tap was repeated, she tried to picture what had created it.
A baby bird. Definitely a bird, simply tapping away. Maybe it's a woodpecker? She shivered, her mind twisting the image of the baby woodpecker into a dark shape, ominous and threatening. No, no... Sweet eyes, filled with birdly love. The eyes of the shape glowed in her mind, and she let out a yelp.
A scratch on the window. Her wide eyes flashed towards the sound, and saw a dark figure move outside. It's just the bushes, just the bushes! Her body wouldn't respond to her attempts on comfort, and she curled her legs up to her chest. When the wind clamored again she flinched, her sweaty palms drawing her body even closer together.
When she caught the shadow of some other figure moving past her window, she screamed. Grabbing a pillow for defense or reassurance—she wasn't sure which—Kagome dashed into Sesshomaru's room next door. Slamming the door behind her, she inhaled deeply, slouching against the door, and let her head hang low.
After a pause Sesshomaru cleared his throat, and by reflex her head jerked up, becoming acutely aware of her surroundings. When her scared eyes met his, she felt her body instantly relax and she walked towards where he was sitting in his bed. He cocked an eyebrow when she parted his covers and entered, but said nothing.
After a few minutes of cuddling up against him, Kagome sighed. "I was scared."
"I could tell."
She giggled and nuzzled into his chest. "You're so powerful."
He smirked and placed his arm around her fragile body. "I noticed."
"No," she laughed quietly. "Well, yes, but, that's not what I meant. It was like... you're so powerful you could scare away anything dangerous. It's not a problem anymore."
He was silent for a bit, until he placed a kiss on her head and murmured, "I'm glad."
Tilting her head up to meet his, he leaned down as she inched forward so their lips could meet. Her lips were strong and soft at the same time, commanding enough to remind her who he was, but tender, as if to tell her exactly how meaningful she was. His hand caressed her cheek as he deepened the kiss, parting her lips with his tongue.
Push and pull, play and tease; it was enough to coax her into a soft lull of comfort and she settled down onto the bed. His kisses were enough to make her forget her nerves, forget just about everything, for that matter, but they weren't enough to make her body forget her aching muscles. She tugged on his bottom lip once more, before confirming her fatigue, and smiled against his lips.
"My mortality is showing," she whispered, which earned her a smug smile.
"I know." He drew their last kiss out longer before he pulled her close to him, spooning his large body around hers. "Rest, and tomorrow will hold promises of new horizons."
She blushed at the thought, and fell into a contented slumber, safe and secure.
Hope you enjoyed! ~Gracie
All characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.