Chapter 6 - Too Close for Comfort

Sesshomaru watched as fear, determination, reassurance, and other various emotions flashed across the miko's eyes. The emotion that stuck turned out to be fear. He sniffed the air slightly, sensing that the miko's fear was getting stronger and thicker as she came closer. When she sat down it clearly and distinctly permeated the air but Sesshomaru could see the smile plastered on her face for Rin's sake.

'She seems to be getting along with Rin quite well,' Sesshomaru thought.

Sesshomaru heard a swarm of maids come in quickly with their meal. They set it on the table in front of them with great care before turning and disappearing into one of the many doors.

The taiyoukai noticed the miko's shock at seeing the table full of delectable food. Her eyes were wide as her gaze went from tray to tray surveying the meal.

"Is Kagome-chan happy?" Rin asked, again breaking the silence.

"Huh?" Kagome asked, blinking confusedly.

"Is Ka—"

"Oh yes, Rin-chan, I am very happy," she said smiling warmly.

Sesshomaru saw that the woman was in fact scared senseless, but her cheery façade was rewarded by a wide smile from the human child.

Sesshomaru filled his plate with food and waited for the females to do the same. When they finished, he nodded to the small group, signaling that they may begin and raised his chopsticks to begin eating. He saw Rin start to dig in happily and noticed the way the miko nervously glanced around before beginning to eat.

Throughout the meal, Rin told Kagome stories to which she nodded along, looking interested.

After lunch, Rin changed the subject and asked her new friend a question, "Do you want to pick flowers with me?"

Kagome opened her mouth to say something, but it was not her voice that answered the question. "Go Rin. She will join you shortly." It was Sesshomaru's.

Kagome froze, the fear that had dulled and faded came rushing back to her. She fervently wished that Rin would refuse to leave without her.

To her dismay, the little girl grinned and agreed. "Ok," Rin hopped off her chair and skipped happily out the main doors. Kagome watched her go then stared at her empty plate.

Sesshomaru surveyed Kagome through icy, golden orbs. Her unreasonable fear was beginning to annoy him. "Look up," he ordered.

Kagome jumped a little, surprised that he hadn't just got it over with and killed her. She recovered from her shock and complied, peering into his emotionless eyes.

Sesshomaru, seeing that he had her attention, began. "You will watch over Rin at all times, making sure that she is safe. If she is harmed in any way or I hear any complaint then I will personally see to it that you are dealt with." He paused and watched her face as her fear evaporated and was replaced by defiance.

"And if I don't?" Kagome demanded.

"Then, you will truly become my prisoner," his eyes narrowed, daring her to challenge him.

Kagome's face darkened as she glared at the man before her. It wasn't that she was opposed to watching over Rin, she just didn't like the way that he was talking to her. She stood and strode angrily toward the exit.

Kagome was stopped in her tracks by an apparent wall that had appeared in front of her. She felt a hand close around her upper arm.

Sesshomaru jerked her chin up to face him with his free hand. He glared down at her and was slightly amused when she didn't back down. Neither did she summon her miko powers. Scoffing, he released her and was gone before she could utter another word.

Kagome stood mystified, alone in the dining room. What had just happened? Shaking her head, she walked to the door and exited the room.

Kiara smiled at the human when she came out of the large doors, "Ah, you're still in once piece."

Kagome ignored her comment and told her about her newly assigned duty.

Kiara nodded and began walking with Kagome in the direction of the grounds.

The miko kept Sesshomaru's strange behaviour to herself and let her mind ponder the events of the past few days. Her eyes became downcast and by the time she was outside, she was downright miserable. "I'm going to die, aren't I?" she asked in a dejected voice.

Kiara stopped completely and turned around to find a silently crying miko. Kiara enveloped the quivering miko in her arms, her bright red hair mingling with Kagome's ebony locks. "You're not going to die Kagome-chan. I'll make sure of it."

Kagome cried into the older female's shoulder, "Why did he have to take me? What did I ever do to him? What did I do to deserve this?"

"You didn't do anything. It is just in Sesshomaru-sama's nature to act first, then think. Just do what he says and he'll let you go sooner than later."

"How do you know that he won't just keep me?"

"Trust me, I know him better than you do. He is not so cruel as to keep you from your friends and family forever."

"But I want to leave now! I want my okaa-san!" Kagome's tears soaked into the Kiara's clothing. Kiara held her closer and whispered what she hoped were comforting thoughts. "It's okay; you'll get to see your okaa-san soon. He won't keep you here long, I promise. Here comes Rin-chan, don't let her see you upset."

Sniffing, Kagome quickly wiped away her tears and smiled for the little girl who was running up to her.

"Houshi-sama?" Sango asked, breaking the deafening silence within Kaede's hut.

"Yes Sango?"

"Is Inu Yasha still moping around Goshinboku and Bone Eaters' Well?"

"Hai."

"We have to find a way to get his strength back… to get him back on his feet."

"Nay, child. You are to give Inu Yasha his time. Kagome will be safe for now," interrupted Kaede's wise, old voice.

"How do you know that she'll be alright?" joined in Shippo, voicing his concerns for the miko who had been his surrogate mother since Hiten and Manten of the Thunder Demon Tribe had slain his parents.

"From what you have told me, it seems that Sesshomaru-sama has only taken her to learn more about her and her unique powers. That and to obtain Tetsusaiga. She will do no good to him if she is not alive."

The three quieted and nodded demurely. As much as they hated to admit it, Kaede had a point and rushing into things never ended well.

For now, Kagome was safe with Sesshomaru.

Inu Yasha sat leaning against the well gazing out into space, thinking yet again about that fateful night that both Kagome and Kikyo were taken from him.

'It's my fault. All my fault. That day when the evil witch Urasue revived Kikyo, if I'd killed her then, then none of this would have happened. Kagome would still be by my side and we would still be searching for the jewel shards. No one is to blame but me,' Inu Yasha thought for the millionth time. 'If I'd been able to stay put in Kaede's hut and not go to Kikyo's side, then Kagome wouldn't be angry with me. I should've killed Kikyo the moment she stole the jewel shards from Kagome and gave them to Naraku. This is all my fault, if only I'd been able to kill Kikyo—" Inu Yasha's thoughts were disrupted by the angry call of a certain ookami prince.

"Hey, Dog Face! Where's my woman?"

"Come on you guys, I sense Koga," Miroku said suddenly, breaking up the women's heated conversation.

Sango immediately got up, "He'll interfere with Inu Yasha's 'healing'."

"Go. Explain the story to him. My old bones will only slow you down. I shall stay here," Kaede said quickly.

"He what?" Koga screamed after Sango and Miroku finished telling the story.

"Calm down, it wasn't his fault and besides, we don't think Sesshomaru-sama will hurt her…" he trailed off when he noticed that his words seemed to anger the prince further.

"What do you mean it wasn't his fault? Of course it was his fault! Who was the one that went off with that dead wench in the first place? That's what caused my Kagome to run off!" Koga went on ranting and raving about how it was all 'stupid Inu Trasha's' fault that Kagome ran off and incidentally bumped into Sesshomaru.

"Well, all that screaming was to be expected, seeing as it is Koga," Sango sighed, turning away with Miroku.

"Hai, that's true… You know what?" a sudden thought struck Miroku.

"What?"

"I think that we need to get Inu Yasha away from Goshinboku and the well. This place holds too many memories of Kagome. He shouldn't be anywhere near here. If he stays here, he may never stop feeling sorry for himself."

"You're right. Come on, let's go discuss this with Kaede and figure out a way to get Inu Yasha out of here."

Leaving the furious ookami prince and the hanyou behind, Sango and Miroku started back to the village, ideas already forming in their minds.

Glossary

taiyoukai - full demon

miko - priestess

okaa-san - mom

arigatou - thanks/thank you

ningen - human

houshi - monk

houshi-sama - lord monk

hai - yes

iie - no

hanyou - half demon

ookami - wolf

A/N) Hmm.. fanfiction doesn't let you put an exclamation mark and a question mark side by side... interesting.

Review please (: