Breakfast was almost empyt. The children entered the room, dressed for the day, and saw no one but Kagome, Sesshomaru, and Jaken at the table. Only two servants were standing by for service. Confused, they sat next to Kagome in silence.
"What's going on?" Shippo looked at Kagome with a raised eyebrow. "Where are all the guests?"
"They have fled to their homes," Sesshomaru answered, turning to the kit. "Naraku has been spotted in the area."
"What!" All three kids stared blankly at the youkai. "Are we leaving, then?" Rin asked tentatively. The days at the castle created an illusion of peace for their small family.
Sesshomaru nodded. "I advised my guests to attend to their lands personally and ensure their protection. We are leaving after this meal to pursue him."
Kagome, silent until this point, frowned at Sesshomaru. "Hatori has to wait for his grandfather to retrieve him. And he can't stay here by himself."
The daiyoukai narrowed his eyes at Kagome. "The servants will attend to him."
"No!" Kagome said adamantly. "If we leave, he's coming with us. His grandfather can wait here for him, if need be. I won't leave a child without a caretaker." Kagome stroked Hatori's hair gently, smiling at him. "Besides, Rin and Shippo really like him. Don't you?" Kagome turned to the other children.
"Yes!" Rin beamed. Shippo nodded in agreement. Kagome grinned triumphantly at Sesshomaru. The inu youkai looked at the band of four, all vying for the same goal.
"Lord Sesshomaru would not travel with a half-breed," Jaken interrupted, glaring at Hatori. "That filth might be allowed to stay here for the time being, but Lord Sesshomaru-"
A loud smack reverberated around the room. Jaken lay on the floor, Sesshomaru having moved so quickly that he appeared to stay still. "Fine," he conceded, looking at Kagome. "The hanyou kit may travel with us. I will leave a message with the guards to alert his grandfather of the situation."
Kagome smiled. "Thank you, Sesshomaru. This means a lot."
"It means a lot to me," Hatori added. "It would be lonely at the castle by myself."
"Hn. Let us eat, and we will prepare to depart."
Without the guests around to create noise, breakfast was near silent. The children chatted among themselves. Jaken, when he recovered, ate quickly and sat somberly, ready to answer to anything Sesshomaru asked. Kagome watched them, wondering what this might mean. Tracking Naraku was of utmost priority. However, the Hana no Shukumei might complicate the effectiveness of their band. Her need to collect shards could also slow them slightly. Not things Sesshomaru wanted.
I could try to work on the Mating Dance on the road, she thought, biting into her bread. But Sesshomaru will want to focus on Naraku.
"Kagome."
She jumped, and turned to Sesshomaru. "Yes?"
"You will be provided with a new quiver and arrows," Sesshomaru said, "made by professionals. They will improve your accuracy and miko abilities. I will also continue your instructions in youkai power, on a less frequent basis."
Kagome gave a small smile. "That's very considerate, Sesshomaru. Thank you. I suppose all the help I can get in improving is needed if we want to take down Naraku." Her brow wrinkled. "It's hard to believe how powerful he is becoming. We'll need all of our resources."
"Any way we can help?" Shippo asked. "My fox fire and illusions are a lot better than they used to be."
"I know, sweetie." Kagome gave Shippo a pat on the head. "But Naraku is too powerful for that. If we encounter him, I want you kids to stay as far away as you can. It's dangerous."
Shippo pouted, resuming his meal. Kagome shook her head at his predictability. Shippo was useful in battle, but only against minor youkai. Someone like Naraku would not hesitate to kill a child, regardless of age or species. Shippo and Rin were both in danger of his power. Not to mention Hatori, while he stayed with them. Kagome refused to be responsible for their deaths.
"Jaken, prepare Ah-Un," Sesshomaru commanded the imp.
"Yes, my lord!" Jaken hopped from his chair and scuttled from the dining hall. The servants began clearing his plate, and a few of the empty food plates. Kagome looked out the window, seeing the sun rising in the sky. Today would be warmer than usual.
"I'll start getting ready." Kagome stood, and waved to everyone. "I'll wait outside when I have my stuff." She opened the door, and left.
Sesshomaru watched her carefully, and saw worry in her face as she exited. Kagome had a reprieve from Naraku while staying at his home. Sesshomaru guessed she nearly forgot about the threat of the evil hanyou. They rested long enough, and Sesshomaru dealt with all he could for his land before wind of Naraku was heard in the palace. Too many of the nobles did not need Sesshomaru to advise leaving immediately, most in the middle of the night. He felt the absence from the moment he awoke.
After eating, Sesshomaru went outside to check on the condition of his loyal dragon. The stable near the dojo was forbidden to all not authorized to care for Ah-Un. Jaken had his saddle and muzzle placed firmly, and was leading the creature from the small building. Sesshomaru stopped in front of it, eying the imp. "Jaken."
"My lord!" Jaken startled, spooking Ah-Un and causing the dragon to pull him sharply to the left. Jaken yelped, sticking his feet in the ground and yanking the dragon straight again. "He is ready, Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken announced.
"Good. Take him to the gate." Sesshomaru turned, reentered the castle, and went into his office. Many of the papers scattered about were organized, with a few new sheets on the table. Sesshomaru double checked his work, noting the number of complaints from subjects about food, and resolved to deal with the issue on their next visit. He locked the door and turned to wait at the gate with Jaken.
He paused. An odd feeling itched at the back of his mind. Sesshomaru frowned, and followed where the feeling was leading him. He opened the door, and smelled salt.
It was Kagome. She was in the middle of packing her bag, laughing and crying at a book in her lap. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, and said, "Kagome."
"Huh?" She looked up. "Oh, Sesshomaru. Sorry." She closed the book and placed it in her bag. "I just found my photo album when going through my stuff. I hadn't seen it in a long time and it made me think about some stuff." Kagome stood, starting to close her yellow backpack.
Sesshomaru halted the zipper, and removed the photo album. "Hey!" Kagome objected, trying to grab it. Sesshomaru avoided her hand and opened the book.
Miniature portraits lay inside, all showing with incredible detail the exploits of Kagome and her friends. "What are these?" Sesshomaru asked, pointing to the page.
"Photos," Kagome said, sighing. She would not get her book back. "They're like tiny paintings, taken in a few seconds with a machine from my time. They record moments in time." She stepped next to Sesshomaru and indicated a photo of herself and Sango, taken when Sango first cut her hair. "I keep them to remember happy things."
"Hn." The tiny pictures, 'photos,' were one of the few objects of the future Sesshomaru had seen up close. He had not bothered to observe anything when in Kagome's home time. Many of the pictures did not have Kagome herself, focused on her friends from both this era and her own. Three girls were smiling in one, all with black hair and brown eyes. They must be the human friends of her time, he thought, turning the page.
"I hadn't looked at them in a while," Kagome said. "I got a little emotional. If I can have it back, I'll put it away and we can go downstairs to leave."
"Allow me to keep this a moment," Sesshomaru said, continuing to look through the pictures. Many had his brother in them, teasing the fox kit or glaring. One picture was of Kagome with Inuyasha, the two smiling and holding hands. His brother had a slight blush. Sesshomaru felt the impulse to growl, and held back. "Here." He closed the book and handed it to Kagome.
"I can show you more later, if you want," Kagome offered, placing the book in her backpack again. "I've never really shown you any stuff from the future, have I?"
"Hn. I will be outside." Sesshomaru left quickly, catching Kagome's words of, "Hey, wait-" before he shut the door.
Kagome frowned, and set to finish her packing. All her possessions were in the bag, with the exception of a small wooden box on the vanity table. Kagome picked it up slowly, and slid the top back to view the inside.
The rose was pristine, the delicate purple shimmering in the light. It refused to die. Kagome was sure to keep it near her, lest she become sick again. At least she didn't have to worry about Sesshomaru taking it away from her.
Looking at the rose, Kagome was reminded of the Mating Dance. She had to accept Sesshomaru's ability to protect her. There was no doubt in her mind that he was physically capable. The daiyoukai was famous for his strength, and she'd seen him in battle. But Kagome refused to move on with the second step of the Mating Dance until she felt emotionally safe with him. She would not let Sesshomaru bully and talk down to her.
He hasn't been doing that lately, though, she thought, placing the rose back in its box. Sesshomaru was civil, a tad irritated at worst. However, Kagome did not sense as much anger surrounding him when she was near. Rather than treating her like a nuisance or inconveneince, he was treating her as just another youkai. Not to be shown affection, and Kagome wondered if he would ever feel the need to show affection towards her, but not to be ignored, either. It was progress.
Kagome discarded the kimono she'd worn to breakfast, and donned a haori and hakama, both dark blue, tied with a white obi. The clothes were durable, and she was a more difficult target for her enemies without her old school uniform, which sat at the bottom of her backpack. Kagome felt silly wearing the uniform after graduating, anyhow. She slung her backpack on her shoulders and left the bedroom. The halls were eerily empty, something Kagome noticed on her way to changing from her training outfit. The nobles were truly worried for their lands after hearing word of Naraku.
Outside the castle gate, the children, Ah-Un, and Jaken awaited. Sesshomaru was nowhere to be found. Kagome jogged to the kids, all three sitting on Ah-Un's back. "Hey!" She smiled at them. "Ready to go?"
"Sure thing, Mama." Shippo smiled back and jumped into her arms. Kagome hugged him tenderly.
"I apologize for any inconvenience," Hatori said, turning to Kagome. "I did not mean to anger Lord Sesshomaru when I requested that I come with you."
"Psh," Kagome said, setting Shippo back on Ah-Un. "I'll be dead before I let a little kid stay at this big castle by himself. "Where is Sesshomaru, by the way?"
"Milord is preparing the castle for his absence," Jaken said, crossing his arms. "He must ensure that everything is in order. He has responsibilities, unlike some of us." Jaken eyed Kagome unfavorably. "He cannot just pick himself up and leave at a moment's notice."
Kagome nodded, trying not to be irritated with the imp. "I wasn't implying that he didn't. It was only a question, Jaken."
The imp frowned, and said, "You will not address me so impolitely, you little-" His words were cut short by a loud thwack.
Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru, whose foot was planted on Jaken's head. "Are you prepared to leave?" he asked, taking his foot away. Jaken rubbed his head as he stood, not daring to complain.
"Hi, Sesshomaru. Yes, I think so." She turned to the children. "Shall we leave?"
"Let's go!" Rin pumped her fist in the air. "Onwards to find Naraku!"
They began on a path through the forest. The road was carved on until the borders of the Eastern lands, at which point it turned south. Sesshomaru could not yet detect Naraku's scent, or other traces of him. When they found something, they would abandon the road and follow the spider's trail.
As they were walking, Sesshomaru motioned Kagome next to him. Tied next to his swords were a bow and quiver, hidden underneath his Mokomoko. Sesshomaru pushed the fur aside to untie them. "These will be your new weapons, Kagome." He offered them to her.
Kagome's eyes widened as she took the weapons. The quiver was thicker than her current one, covered in a strong hide that she didn't recognize. The arrow tips were made of a fine iron, carved to such sharpness that Kagome would cut her fingers if they happened to brush against the metal. She nodded to Sesshomaru, and said, "Thank you. They're well made." She stopped on the path to put her old weapons away and place the new ones on the side of her bag.
"Sesshomaru is serious, then." Shippo frowned. "This is a hunt."
"We're always searching for Naraku, but this feels different," Rin agreed. "I think Lord Sesshomaru is tired of never being able to catch him."
"It may have to do with the loss of supplies."
The children looked down. Jaken was leading Ah-Un, not facing them. However, he spoke again, saying, "Milord's lands have been losing food rapidly. He suspects Naraku is the cause. The suffering of his people and of those in the surrounding lands is not tolerated when such a dispicable hanyou is responsible for it."
"Do not put words in this Sesshomaru's mouth, Jaken." The daiyoukai glared once, before turning back to the trail. "You are lucky that you have guessed correctly."
"It's true?" Kagome tightened her grip on her bag. "Naraku is destroying the resources of this land?"
"In an attempt to provoke me," Sesshomaru said. "He knows not who he is dealing with."
()
Mattaki at your service! Hi, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was shorter, since I didn't have much time to work this weekend. My graduation party is upcoming, and I've been working a summer job that takes up all my time. Next week's chapter will be longer, I promise.
Back on the hunt for Naraku, and this time it's personal. Sesshomaru never liked the spider, but in the canon anime I felt he was more indifferent than anything else. I wanted to give him a more personal reason for trying to find Naraku. Hopefully this will work the way I want.
Thanks so much for reading! I love all your comments and suggestions. Although I've been getting some negative reviews of 'A Mysterious Flower' lately. I hope some of you remember that I was thirteen when I wrote it. I'm a better writer now, and am reworking the first story into 'Roses Aren't Red' to try and redeem myself a little. Anyway, please please review, I like hearing everyone's opinions. Thanks again!
Ja ne~