Chapter 12 State of Affairs

Shippou immediately went for the cake but was stopped by Kagome's almond eyes which burned him to a crisp in a silent scolding. Retreating from the cakes(momentarily), Shippou decided instead that he would focus on the okonomiyaki. Shippou felt his taste buds shiver in delight as perfectly seasoned pork with onions and mushrooms intermingled with the taste of dough on his tongue.

The rest of the table was similarly pleased with the culinary creations and a moment later conversation over Kagome's era began as Rin asked about other lands. She had actually been to the future once but Sesshoumaru had never allowed her to go beyond the Sunset shrine. Privately he had confessed to Kagome that he wasn't sure how Rin could adjust to the future. Even with everything she had seen, Rin was still simultaneously dazzled and frightened by the changes 500 years could bring. Every appliance and convenience that Sesshoumaru and Kagome took for granted, Rin approached with a recklessness born out of naiveté. Her first experience with electricity had nearly been her last when she tried to examine an electric socket to see if thunder storms were contained within them.

Recurring dreams of a charcoal Rin had plagued Sesshoumaru enough to deny for a time her repeated requests to go to the future again. Shippou had only been an additional inconvenience, as he often complained about a travel ban enacted because of her carelessness. He had missed out on the first trip due to a sickness and felt grossly mistreated when Rin had seen the future but not him. Once again Rin related to Shippou the moving carriages she had seen that had roared to life, as well as a box with people in it. While Rin described to Shippou, Kohaku, and Jaken(who were always baffled by the story) what she had seen in Kagome's time, the other end of the table began a separate discussion. Somehow the conversation directed itself toward Miroku and Sango who both declined an invitation to the future much to Kagome's disappointment.

"Kagome, I can't deny a certain curiosity," Sango admitted. "But right now it would be best for some of us to remain here; namely Miroku, myself, Jaken, and Kaede, to gather as much information as possible about..." Sango hesitated in discomfort for a heartbeat; "...local events."

Kagome immediately understood the true meaning of her friend's words. Sango was really planning to search out any threats in the area and identify them before they could harm Kagome. And knowing Sango, she would have every intention of destroying them if she could. But to avoid ruining the lighthearted atmosphere they had created, she had tried to disguise her plans as something more innocuous sounding. At once Kagome felt gratitude for Sango's devotion to her, but couldn't express it as such without defeating the purpose of her bluff.

Kagome thought quickly of a way to provide a cover for the truth. "Well, that sounds like a good idea. Besides I'm sure you wouldn't want to be fried to a crisp like Rin almost was." The lies we tell to our loved ones to protect them from the sharp edges of truth.

"That reminds me," Miroku broke in as he addressed Sesshoumaru. "What are your plans as far as Rin and the future are concerned? Since you've obviously decided to allow her into the future once more, does that mean you have a place for her there?"

Sesshoumaru let out an irritated sigh. "No, and her sudden appearance would be difficult to explain to my family, not to mention any authorities. If I were to try and send her to any school or any official institution uncomfortable questions would be raised. While I'm certain I could obtain forgeries for birth certificates or whatever, those could easily come back to haunt me. Similarly the use of spells might attract unwanted attention from other youkai or worse. And that's not even considering Rin's dangerous ignorance."

"So there are still youkai in Kagome's time?" Sango asked. "From the way she described it I got the impression that they were gone." She gave Sesshoumaru a significant look. "Excepting you of course"

The implacably serious expression that Sesshoumaru had worn for nearly all his life appeared on his reincarnation's face. "I assure you, they are there. They are simply keeping a low profile in their everyday lives, but many high-powered business men in our time are not in fact human. The majority of youkai that are alive are youkai that are gifted in assuming a human appearance. The one's that can't do so are rare and live in very remote areas."

Sesshoumaru paused to try and find words that would be understood by people from 500 years ago in his past.

"In our time there is a term called 'evolution' which describes the natural phenomenon whereby different types of creatures either adapt to the pressures of the world they live in or are driven to extinction. Youkai are subject to that same force. The ones that could blend in did so and thrived. The one's that couldn't, didn't."

"Beyond that though, a more benign, or at least less predatory, attitude towards humans is present. Cooperation with a chosen few humans who know the truth and self-policing of violence seems to be accepted by those in power, who wish to spare us a fractured society. I believe that that human ingenuity in weapons development provided a decisive advantage in securing this peace. Technology and numbers have persuaded youkai to stay in the shadows and acquire wealth and political power to shape the world to their desires rather than overt displays of force."

Kagome finished it from there. "So yes, they're still alive; living in the shadows and taking advantage of human disbelief. Or ignorance. Call it what you will."

Sango and Miroku had curious expressions on their faces as if they were questioning whether they could believe their ears. Before either of them could articulate any thoughts they were having, Kagome felt a familiar weight cling to her back.

"Kagome I am just going to hang here until you leave so I can't miss out. You don't mind do you?" Shippou asked while looking at Kagome with such a pitiable expression in his big green eyes that she felt positive he had been practicing when she wasn't around.

Kagome reached around and brought the kitsune to her rest in her lap while scratching the soft down of his ears. "Much as I love you I do like some private time every now and again. I wouldn't leave you out though; you should know that."

Shippou didn't reply with words, but simply snuggled in closer to her warm embrace. As Sesshoumaru resisted the inborn urge to rip the other youkai away from her, -he knew it was irrational, but that didn't mean much to his territorial nature - a new scent entered into his perceptions. It was the tangy aroma of fear, the kind one gets before taking a test or facing parents in an awkward situation. At the far end of the table Kohaku got up and approached where Kagome and Sesshoumaru were sitting. Although his outward appearance gave none of his anxiety away, Sesshoumaru knew that his stomach must be clenching in knots.

"Kagome," Kohaku began in a deferential tone, while keeping his eyes lowered. "I would like to know if I too can travel with you to the future."