Summary: Sesshoumaru has gotten into the habit of leaving Rin in Edo village. During one of those visits Kagome returns from the future with gifts.

AN: LJ Dokuga-Contest, Seven Treasures Challenge – Agate

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~ooO Agate: Gifts for All Ooo~

Everyone in the Inu-taichi was tense. Kagome was in the future, catching up on her schooling, and Sesshoumaru's presence did not help. InuYasha had thrown a fit and attacked the daiyoukai before being beaten soundly by the Western Lord. Thankfully Sesshoumaru had been content with that and not taken out his displeasure on the rest of the group and Edo village.

"When will Kagome-san return?" Rin asked the question on all their minds.

Miroku coughed. "Soon, Rin-san. If she has not been delayed she will be returning this evening."

"In fact I'm early," a cheery voice announced from the entrance of Kaede's hut.

"Kagome!" Her name was cried in unison as all the occupants rose to greet her. Shippo leapt into her waiting arms.

"Kagome-kaa-san!"

She nuzzled the top of his head. "Hello there Shippo, I hope you've been a good boy." He nodded vigorously. She ruffled his hair. "Good boy. I have some gifts for everyone."

The word 'gifts' was enough to make everyone settle down.

Kagome slipped her backpack off and knelt on the floor. "Where is InuYasha?" she asked idly. Everyone glanced at each other. No one wanted to be the one to tell her he was off with Kikyo. Kagome noted their worried expressions. "No worries, he can get his presents later." And then she proceeded to remove specific items from her backpack and hand them out.

Sumi stones, pellets, brushes, and paper for Miroku.

A bath gift-set with shampoo, conditioner, soap, loofah, and towels for Sango.

A colouring book and a new box of 24-colour crayons for Shippo.

A small bag of catnip and squeaky toys for Kilala.

An airtight jar with willow bark tea for Kaede.

Kagome glanced over at the unexpected additions - Rin and Jaken, Sesshoumaru was presumably out on patrol and Ah Uhn would most likely be grazing in the forest - and she felt guilty she had nothing to give them. Jaken didn't expect anything (it showed in his haughty expression) but Rin looked wistful, yearning, but she did not say anything. She had most likely learnt it was no use asking for frivolous things (her parents would have been too poor, the villagers too selfish, and Sesshoumaru… well he was not the sort to coddle anyone).

The young miko's expression brightened when she hit upon an idea.

"Kaede-san, do you have any silk cord? Or thread?"

The older miko nodded and removed a small twist of the requested item from a storage chest before handing it over to Kagome.

Kagome settled back, crossing her legs under her, and thrust a hand into a side pocket of her yellow backpack. "Ah hah!" she announced cheerfully, pulling out a string of polished green-grey polished beads.

Rin cocked her head. "What is that Kagome-san?"

"This is something I picked up in a gift shop back home. I'd like you to have it Rin-chan. The beads are made of a stone called agate."

"A-gat-e?" Rin frowned and pronounced the unfamiliar word slowly.

"Agate," Kagome confirmed. "It's a little long for you but I can shorten the strand and re-string the excess." And then she proceeded to do just that. There were about twenty-five beads left over, strung on Kaede's silk cord. Kagome strung the ends of the longer strand of beads onto the clasps and double knotted them.

Rin's eyes were shining as Kagome slipped the necklace around the girl's neck and hooked the clasp. She played with the slick round beads, listening to the soft click made when one stone hit the ones on either side.

"Is agate special?" Rin wanted to know.

Kagome blinked. "Well, I'm not sure," she confessed.

"Actually it is," Miroku interjected. He waited until he had everyone's attention before continuing. "Agate is believed to discern truth, accept circumstances, and heal emotionally. It is supposed to improve memory, perception, concentration, and analytical abilities. Some say it increases stamina, encourages honesty, ensures pleasant dreams, increases personal courage, and protects against danger. It also helps the wearer remain calm and focused."

Shippo snorted. "Sounds like something InuYasha could use," the kit commented.

"It is something we all can use," Kagome countered. "I think four or five beads on silk cord would be good enough for each of us."

"Kagome-san," Rin interjected shyly.

"Yes Rin-chan?"

"Could you make one for Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Kagome blinked. "Sesshoumaru?"

Rin nodded vigorously. "And Jaken-sama." Everyone ignored the squawking protests from the imp.

"May I ask why?"

Rin fidgeted with the hem of her kimono before confessing, "I want to give something to Sesshoumaru-sama."

Kagome smiled gently. "Of course. I'll make the longest possible strand for him. And you can give it to him."

Rin's bright smile was enough to quell most of Kagome's misgivings. She just hoped the daiyoukai would not take it as an insult, being given a string of agate beads by a human. But then again Sesshoumaru was unusually patient with Rin. As long as it was from Rin it should be okay.

Deftly she set about creating what she had promised Rin, a long strand of agate beads for Sesshoumaru, and several necklace-length cords strung with one bead for the rest of them, including herself.

~o~

Her prediction proved true; the daiyoukai had accepted the short strand of agate beads from Rin without a fuss, though he did give Kagome a sharp look as he tucked it in his sleeve. He probably caught traces of her scent on the silk string and beads. It proved true when he cornered her at the first opportunity.

"Miko."

"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama?" Kagome did not look at the inu directly in the eye.

"You procured the strand of polished agate beads."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I wanted to give her something. I had the string of agate but it was too long for her so I shortened it and had some extra beads. She asked for a strand for you." Kagome explained simply.

She refused to flinch under the penetrating golden gaze. After several tense seconds he nodded once and walked away. Kagome let out the breath she had been holding. She hoped the agate would help him stay calm and accept his current situation (travelling with humans and his half-brother).

"Kagome-san!"

The miko's expression brightened as she turned towards the cheerful voice and responded in kind. "Coming Rin!"

As she hurried towards Kaede's hut she made a mental note to herself: next time get something just for Rin.

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The End.

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AN: In case you're wondering why Kagome doesn't give Kaede a bottle of tylenol or aspirin... most people tend to be reluctant to change their habits. Kaede might just take the pills while Kagome is there, but she'll go back to her usual teas when they've left. By giving her willow bark tea, Kaede can make it herself and feel like she is doing what she usually does... make herbal tea.

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