Disclaimer: All but the plot to this particular story rightfully belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
A/N: I've been enjoying the reviews so far! To show my thanks, here's a longer chapter. :)
Words: 1,107

Crickets

Kagome sat beside Rin on the futon while the girl chattered endlessly. She smiled gently, nodding as Rin told her about the crickets. Definitely feeling better now.

After her crying in the front room had settled down enough, Kagome, promising to explain everything, asked the girl to take her someplace private. Perhaps it was the thrill of showing off one's home, or possibly Kagome's own admittance to having gone through "the sickness", that had given Rin a small, yet noticeable, spring in her step as she guided Kagome down a narrow hallway and up a narrower angled staircase. As they had reached the second floor, Rin's pressure on Kagome's hand loosened comfortably and she took on the role of a meek tour guide.

"This is where Jaken-sama reads to Rin," she had pointed to a room filled with books- shelves were entirely stocked, tall piles of halphazardly stacked volumes sat below the window, and another set of tattered, delicate scrolls that looked older than the island, was nestled under a side-table in the corner.

Kagome's jaw hung fractionally low in awe as she had tried to take in what she could at their rather brisk pace.

"This is Sesshoumaru-sama's room, but he doesn't like Rin to enter without permission." She had looked up at her, giving her a tentative smile, and Kagome knew she was trying to be brave despite her confusion. Her eyes suddenly twinkled, "Maybe Kagome-chan can ask Sesshoumaru-sama to see!"

Kagome had paused, then skeptically looked at the closed screen. First a home, now a bedroom- the littlest things seemed surprising. She had tried to picture Sesshoumaru tucked snugly into a down comforter, clad in pajamas. Silk, she mused, nearly sniggering. With smiling eyes, Kagome mustered up an earnest look as she had leaned down to Rin. "I bet his room's pretty impressive."

Rin nodded.

Kagome hummed, "Yeah, but I think I'd like to see your room instead."

Rin's grin had erupted as she grabbed hold of Kagome's hand and pulled her quickly to another room. She placed her hand on the paneling of the door, then paused for effect and shot Kagome another smile. "This is Rin's room!"

At first, after Rin had showed her everything: her bed, her dolls, her combs, her quilt, her clothes, her masses of wilted flowers. When they finally sat down, Kagome struggled to initiate the topic of conversation. However, seeing Rin's pink-tinged face, downcast gaze, and restless wriggling, she took a breath and smiled, remembering how strange it was for her when she was Rin's age. She placed a hand on Rin's head and ruffled her hair.

Rin had looked up, surprised, then blushed even further upon noticing Kagome's "here I go" expression. Kagome had covered the pure basics- what was happening and very vaguely why, but Rin's discomfort mixed with relief mixed even further with exhaustion at such a late hour caused the girl to avoid eye contact and pick at the hem of her red obi to the point where it would probably need to be sewn up. Therefore, Kagome had decided to spare her and delve into details in the morning. Yawning sleepily, she amended: Or afternoon.

Now Kagome sat on the girl's bed, listening to her talk about Sesshoumaru-sama's pond and Sesshoumaru-sama's woods and Sesshoumaru-sama's garden, where Jaken had scolded her for catching crickets and bringing them inside. She had relaxed considerably and excitedly took advantage of Kagome's company.

"Jaken-sama was mad when he found a cricket in his tea, but he didn't look in the teacup before he poured the water. Jaken-sama blamed Rin, but Jaken-sama did not pay attention." She shook her head glumly, missing her crickets.

Kagome chuckled. She patted Rin's forearm to get her attention, "You know, when I was a kid, I really liked caterpillars."

Rin's wide eyes peeked up at her. "Did Kagome-chan take them home?"

Grinning, Kagome nodded. "My mom gave me a jar to put them in." She motioned with her hands, "I'd put little twigs and leaves in there and the caterpillars would move around. Maybe tomorrow we could find a jar for you, then Jaken won't have anything to be upset about!"

Rin's excited laughter echoed through the hall and down the stairs, faintly surprising Sesshoumaru. Setting his brush on a loose cloth near his bottle of ink, he turned toward the direction of the stairway, eyebrow lifted. Kagome and Rin had been gone no longer than it had taken him to read through one minor scroll and begin a single line of writing.

For two days Rin had cried and refused to leave her bedroom. No one that entered had done anything to pacify the girl, but then, no one completely understood. Sesshoumaru preferred seclusion at the pavillion, but the attendants he did have were all youkai. On the second day, Sesshoumaru himself had grown desperate. And now Rin was laughing.

A polite rapping on the shoji redirected his attention to a tall inu-youkai with a patient expression on his youthful face. "My lord, shall I check on the girl?"

Sesshoumaru thought for a moment. If Rin was laughing, perhaps the miko had been successful in giving solace. Were that the case, it wouldn't hurt to confirm her state. He nodded at the youkai and resumed his writing.

The demon bowed courteously, then allowed himself one more swift look at the taiyoukai before exiting the room.

Smiling to himself as he heard yet another squeal of delight coming from upstairs, he fluidly made his way towards the source of the noise. As he reached the entrance to Rin's room, he saw her sitting in front of the miko, hands clasped together, eyes bright, while the priestess gestured wildly about what he presumed to be butterflies. Shaking his head lightheartedly at the human's animated "flying", he tapped against the wooden panel.

Two pairs of eyes met his, one sparkling with youthful pleasure and the other somewhat startled.

Kagome tensed, instantly recognizing the man as a youkai. He stood tall, head just inches from the ceiling, with shoulder-length, charcoal-gray hair, pale skin, and pointed ears. Though his youki was striking, what might have caused her muscles to loosen up a bit were his amiable blue eyes. He seemed to pose no threat. Seeing his diplomatic nod, she offered him one as well.

"I see you are faring much better, Rin-chan." His words were tender.

Grinning wildly, Rin stood from the futon with determination. "Takuma-san! Kagome-chan will get Rin a home for her crickets!"