Chapter 9 - On the Job
"Kagome-chan!" Rin called, racing toward the older girl, "Rin wants to go outside! To the gardens!"
Kagome giggled at her enthusiasm, "Of course Rin-chan, lead the way."
Beaming, Rin grabbed Kagome's hand and dragged her all the way out to the gardens.
Once outside, the two stood for a moment and enjoyed the cool breeze, "What do you want to do Rin-chan?"
"Rin wants to pick flowers," the girl replied.
Kagome laughed, "Lead the way."
For the next hour and a half Kagome trailed the girl to every flower bed in sight, picking the prettiest looking flowers from each.
Kagome led Rin to a cluster of trees and sat gratefully in the shade.
Rin remained standing, she gazed at Kagome quizzically, "Is Kagome-chan tired of picking flowers?"
"Hai Rin-chan, but you can continue without me if you want."
"But Rin will get bored without you," she said sadly.
Thinking quickly, Kagome smiled encouragingly, "Come sit with me Rin-chan, we'll weave the flowers together and make necklaces."
The child grinned toothily and sat next to Kagome. Together the two laughed and laced the flowers together. An hour later, both sported several necklaces and wreaths made from the flowers they'd collected.
Rin plopped backwards to lie in the emerald grass, admiring the sky. Kagome leaned against the tree and watched as the young girl closed her eyes.
Kagome wished that she could be young again; wished that she could be carefree again. It didn't seem worth all the trouble, everything that she'd gone through… just to get told that she was nothing. That he had been using her from the beginning. She was so stupid. She should've known from the way that he looked at Kikyo's dead shell that he would never get over her.
"Kagome-chan?" Rin spoke, breaking through Kagome's reverie.
"Hai?"
"Do you have an okaa-san and otou-san?"
"I have an okaa-san… no otou-san."
"Rin has only Sesshomaru-sama. He is Rin's otou-san."
Not knowing what to say, Kagome remained quiet.
Rin broke the silence again, "Will Kagome-chan be Rin's new okaa-san?"
Kagome's jaw slackened as she surveyed the girl. Rin had sat up and was now staring back at her expectantly.
Kagome mentally kicked herself back into action and grinned widely at the girl, "Of course Rin-chan."
Shrieking with pleasure, Rin leapt into Kagome's arms, "Arigato!"
The miko laughed lightly at her excitement.
"Okaa-san?"
"Hai?"
"Do you promise never to leave Rin?"
"I promise," Kagome's arms tightened around the girl, "I promise never to leave you." She looked down to see the child happily stifling a yawn. "Sleep now, Rin-chan, you must be tired."
Nodding, the child shifted so that she was comfortably leaning against Kagome.
Kagome adjusted her arms around the youth and placed a kiss on her forehead, "You're very sweet Rin-chan." She listened as her breathing evened out and soon, Kagome knew that she'd fallen asleep. Gazing out at the attractive grounds, she couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if everyone was here with her…
"Kagome! Kagome!" Looking up, Kagome spotted Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara and Kaede approaching her. Sango was holding onto Miroku's hand and dragging him forward, as if she couldn't wait to reach the younger girl.
Scanning the crowd following the taijiya, Kagome's face fell when she noticed that Inu Yasha was missing.
"Looking for me?" Strong arms wound around Kagome's slim waist and silver tendrils billowed out in front of her, teasing her skin. Clawed fingers rubbed her arms gently.
Kagome sighed and leaned back into his arms. Red cloth engulfed her being, "I love you Inu Yasha," she breathed.
Inu Yasha turned her around in his arms and looked down at her lovingly, "I love you too Kagome." He pressed his lips softly against her forehead.
"Get your filthy hands off my woman!" a voice screeched.
The couple knew who it was even before they looked toward the voice. Kagome laughed inwardly at the seething wolf prince, nothing would be complete without Koga. Hakkaku and Ginta were a little further off, panting and struggling to keep up with their prince.
A moment later, Sango was on top of her, pulling her away from the hanyou. She hugged the miko tightly, "I missed you Kagome!"
Kagome returned her hug with equal vigour, "I missed you too."
"Okaa-san!" Kagome looked up in time to see an orange ball of fur latch itself onto her.
"Shippo! I missed you too. I have a surprise for you."
"For me?"
"Hai," she pointed to a shy child standing off to the side, "Come here Rin."
Quietly the girl came forward and stood next to Kagome. After introducing the two, Kagome watched as they went to play together in the fields.
Her attention strayed back to Inu Yasha and she found him arguing with Koga. Suddenly, Ayame joined the group and Koga's eyes flew to her. Turning abruptly, he began conversing with the other wolf.
Inu Yasha's eyes found hers and he returned to her side. "I missed you Kagome…"
Gazing into his familiar molten orbs, Kagome was astonished to them pleading for forgiveness. Kagome smiled warmly up at him and nodded her forgiveness, "I missed you too."
He smiled and leaned in to kiss her.
Kagome's eyes opened. Touching her cheek, she was not surprised to find it wet with tears.
Slowly, Kagome's mind drifted back to reality and she noticed that something was different. Looking down, she noticed the absence of Rin. Kagome's eyes widened and she was instantly on her feet. 'Maybe she went to the bathroom,' but even as she thought it, a horrible feeling of dread was growing in her stomach. Looking around, she searched for a clue as to Rin's whereabouts. Studying a patch of tall grass, Kagome saw a slight parting, as if someone had recently passed through. Following the path with her eyes, Kagome was thunderstruck to see that it lead directly into far off woods. These woods were past the property line meaning there were demons in the woods.
Wasting no time, the miko lifted her kimono and set off for the trees. Ten minutes later, Kagome stood panting on the edge of the Western Lord's property. She stared into the thick trees uncertainly. The forest floor was bereft of grass meaning Rin's trail had disappeared.
Catching her breath and forcing herself not to panic, Kagome scoured the area for any more clues.
Far off, Kagome spotted something bright red on a bed of dirt, roots and decaying leaves. Approaching it, Kagome saw that it was a flower.
Eyes wide, Kagome scanned the forest floor for any more fallen flowers. To her relief, there was one several metres away. As she drew nearer to the flower she saw another and another after that. Offhandedly, she wondered if Rin had dropped the flowers on purpose.
On and on she went, following the path of flowers for what seemed like forever, 'How far could she have gone?'
A scream answered her question. It was nearby. Sprinting in the direction of the scream, Kagome came upon a clearing. She stood behind a tree and quickly took in the situation. Rin was backed up against a tree with eight or nine wolf demons surrounding her and coming steadily closer. These were not Koga's familiar wolves though; these wolves were black with devilish red eyes. Kagome could see the outline of their ribs, and she figured that they must be half crazed with hunger.
Picking up a rock, Kagome snuck around the clearing heading toward Rin. Taking a deep breath, Kagome launched the rock into the distance. As expected, the demons whirled to confront the disturbance.
Snatching Rin's arm, she bent and looked her in the eyes. Holding her finger to her mouth, Kagome indicated that the girl should remain silent. Quietly, Kagome lead Rin back around the clearing and hurried in the direction of the castle.
Hearing a growl, Kagome figured that the demons must have noticed that they were gone. 'Damn,' Kagome urged the girl into a sprint; she could hear the demons behind them.
A demon leapt at Kagome and managed to push her down to the ground.
Kagome struggled against the weight of the demon.
"Okaa-san!"
Lifting her face from the floor, she saw that Rin had stopped running and was watching her hysterically. From the corner of her eye, Kagome could see more demons gaining on them. 'I will not allow Rin to be hurt.'
Rolling onto her back, Kagome glared at the wolf above her. Thrusting her arm against the demon's chest, she felt her power surge through her. Her hand glowed pink and the demon was purified before her eyes.
Getting up, Kagome grabbed Rin's hand. She could feel the demons gathering around them. Choosing a tree, Kagome pushed Rin behind her and stood protectively in front of the girl.
The wolves were close enough that they'd slowed to a menacingly slow pace. All eyes were trained on the girls.
The miko distractedly noted that there were more than before. Concentrating, Kagome formed several tiny orbs of purification energy and shot them at approaching demons. It was no use. It seemed that for every demon she purified, another two took its place.
'Where are they coming from?'
Kagome had never been trained to use her spiritual powers and without a bow and arrow to channel her energy the only way she knew how, she could feel her energy draining.
She looked around desperately for a weapon; anything that could help her out of this situation. Nothing. There was nothing. Still, if the demons wanted Rin, they would have to go through her first.
"Jiya-sama! Jinenji-sama!"
Inside the hut, everyone looked inquiringly at Jinenji and his mother. "Who is Jiya-sama?" Sango asked confused.
"That would be me," Jinenji's mother said, getting to her feet. "I apologize, I must have forgotten to introduce myself."
Stepping outside the hut, she found herself face-to-face with a breathless villager. "What's going on?"
"Jiya-sama! The village! It's being attacked by youkai!" he wheezed, "The women and children are in danger!"
"Who is attacking?" the old woman demanded, immediately on the defensive.
"Youkai."
Jiya nodded and went back inside. "The village is under attack. Jinenji, houshi-sama and Inu Yasha-san, come with me," she commanded, picking up a spear from the corner of the hut. "Sango-san, look after yourself and your neko. We will return shortly," with that, Jiya was out the door.
The men hurried after Jiya, leaving Sango alone with Kirara.
Kirara mewed restlessly and stared longingly at the hut's entrance.
Sango stroked Kirara thoughtfully, "Maybe fighting will help bring back Inu Yasha's spirit."
"Where did everyone go?"
Kaede looked up from sorting herbs to see a ginger kitsune giving her a puzzled look.
"Where have you been little one?"
"I met some other kitsune while I was out and I stayed with them for a little while," Shippo answered honestly. He blushed at the look Kaede gave him. He had forgotten to tell anyone where he was going.
"They are gone young one."
"Where?"
"Before I tell you, you must give me your word that you will not go after them."
Shippo paused, "Why can't I?"
"A young kitsune travelling alone can get lost, or even hurt."
Shippo reluctantly nodded, "I give you my word."
Kaede smiled, "Good, they are gone to Jinenji's."
"Jinenji? You mean the hanyou that helped Kirara get better? Why are they there?"
"Hai, they are there because Inu Yasha needs to be away from the village."
Shippo nodded slowly, his mind furiously trying to remember the way to Jinenji's herb fields.
"You're not hoping to remember the way there are you?"
"Eh? Of course not," he smiled sheepishly.
"I hope not, someone besides me needs to stay here in case Kagome comes back," the miko urged.
Shippo's eyes widened, "Me! I'll stay."
Kaede's lips turned upwards, "That would please Kagome."
A/N) Kagome daydreams a lot no? Tssk, what a bad babysitter.