Sitting in the shade close to a village Kagome ran through some math figures while Shippo drew beside her with his crayons.
"Kagome!" Looking up quickly she saw Rin running towards her before coming to a screeching halt placing her hands behind her back.
"Hey Rin." She greeted warmly. It had been weeks since she had seen the little girl and was happy to see her doing so well. "Are you out here by yourself?"
"Mhmm." Nodding her head caused her little side ponytail to bob. "Lord Sesshomaru pointed in this direction and told me to walk this way. He must have known you were here."
"I see." Kagome said smiling as Rin hunched down watching what Shippo was doing. Looking up from his drawing he looked around nervously.
"Not that I'm not happy to see you Rin but does that mean that Sesshomaru will be here too?" He asked warily.
"I don't know. Maybe. He probably has something to do with Jaken so he told me to come here." She replied with a shrug. "What are those?" Pointing at the crayons Shippo handed her one.
"Kagome calls them crayons. They're made out of colored wax." He said handing her a blank piece of paper from his sketch pad. Dragging it down the paper Rin squealed in delight at the pink line she drew.
"That is amazing! Kagome, you must be very rich to afford so much paper and such a fine thing as this…crayon." Rin said stumbling over the word.
"No. Where I come from this stuff is pretty common and cheap, it doesn't cost a lot of money." Watching as the two drew beside one another she went back to her work.
Tapping her pencil eraser against the side of her notebook before fixing her mistake she felt eyes on her. Smiling to herself she reached out with her energy feeling Sesshomarus presence.
"Why don't you come over and join us Sesshomaru?" Kagome called out not looking up. Rin looked around as did Shippo both squaring their gaze on him with very different reactions.
Rin stood up and waved excitedly to greet him while Shippo jumped into Kagomes lap trying to hide in her kimono.
"Oh man, this is what I was afraid of." He moaned out.
"Relax Shippo. Sesshomaru isn't a bad guy." Kagome said looking up as he walked closer to them.
"How can you say that Kagome?!" He nearly shouted at her. "Sesshomaru's a very scary demon! Why are you inviting him over?!"
"Calm yourself kit." Sesshomaru rumbled out softly. Shippo balked glancing up at him as he stood over them. Shouting in fear he jumped onto Kagomes shoulder and hid in her hair.
"Oh Shippo." She sighed out shaking her head.
"Lord Sesshomaru, look!" Rin picked up her drawing showing it to him. "Kagome is wealthy and can afford fantastic items like crayons!"
"I am wealthy in the way of friends and family." She said in good humor. "Money on the other hand, is a different story."
Sitting beside her Kagome fought the urge to lean against him not knowing if he wanted to show any outward displays of affection around others. "Long time no see."
"Yes." Sesshomaru said.
"What have you been up to?" Kagome asked demurely.
"Same as you I suppose. Naraku has become the bane of my existence, coward that he is hides behind illusions." Sesshomaru replied with a scoff. "He knows he stands no chance against this Sesshomaru and insists on these…games."
"Yeah I know how you feel. Every time we get anywhere near him he just vanishes. Whenever we think we got him it just turns out to be a golem or some other stupid trap." Kagome agreed before continuing.
"That's why we're here. There was a rumor about Naraku maybe being around. Inuyasha and Miroku went to check it out. Sango and Kirara are following up on their own leads leaving Shippo and I to take some downtime."
"I see." Sesshomaru said.
"Is that why you're here as well?" Kagome questioned.
"Partly." Turning his full attention to her Kagome couldn't help the blush that she knew was blooming across her cheeks. Glancing away and smiling softly to herself she took a breath.
"It will be some time before the others return." She offered trying to make it sound as if she were just continuing conversation.
"Is that so?" He asked sounding nonchalant. "Perhaps it would be in our interests to share knowledge of Naraku, since we are both seeking him out."
"I agree." Kagome replied not trying to sound too eager.
"Let us go to a secure location. Rin, remain here with the kit until we return." Sesshomaru said standing.
"Okay Lord Sesshomaru." Rin chirped.
"Kagome, you are not seriously going off with Sesshomaru are you?" Shippo whined as she put him down on the ground.
"Just stay here and color with Rin. We'll be back." Kagome stood seeing that Sesshomaru had already begun to walk off. Following after him she stopped in her tracks at what Shippo said.
"I'm telling Inuyasha you took off with Sesshomaru!" He shouted. Glaring at the ground she clenched her hands into fists.
"Fine! Go ahead! He's always taking off with Kikyo anyways!" She fired back running after Sesshomaru who had a good lead on her.
Once more into the wooded area she saw him waiting for her.
"Before we continue I do have to say that while you may not harbor any feelings other than friendship towards Inuyasha his are not so platonic." Sesshomaru said.
"Why do you say that?"
"At the well, when he approached, I could tell." He said simply.
"Inuyasha is my friend. Nothing more, maybe once in the beginning I thought we could be but so much has happened between us…I just don't see him that way." She said. "He isn't my type."
"And I am." Sesshomaru countered.
"I think so. I like you. We get along, you listen, you're intelligent…I can hold a conversation with you." She thought out.
"This way." Leading her to a different cave she followed behind him carefully until they entered into a larger cavern. The walls were lined with torches secured into the walls with evidence of many old flames burnt onto rock.
There was furniture including a table with different scrolls and maps laid out on top of it. A small futon lined with many furs sat in some disarray close by a larger one that was nearly made.
In the center was a fire pit that could have easily fit two of her in it. Looking up she saw a small opening in the top where she could see the sky.
"Do you live here?" She asked curiously.
"Sometimes." He replied. "This is one that I have frequented for some years."
"Is that Rins bed?" Pointing to it Sesshomaru nodded.
"Rin is eager for the day that you will continue to journey with us." Sesshomaru said coming up behind her. Turning she looked up at him, reaching for him.
Taking her by the waist she tugged at his armor.
"Please take it off. I want to be closer to you." She pled gently. Unfurling his arm from around her he did just that single-handedly much to her amazement.
Placing his swords down alongside it he seemed to cover Tokijin and squared his gaze at her.
"Never touch that sword."
"Don't worry. I want nothing to do with it." She assured. Wrapping her arms around his middle he resumed his around her waist.
"Do you know why I brought you here?" He questioned softly.
"I have an idea…" She ventured.
"I wish to make you my mate, if you will have me."
"So, in the physical sense…or….?"
"In all ways."
"I…want to but I…don't know if this is the right time." Kagome said. "Can we wait until after Naraku is defeated and the sacred jewel is taken care of?"
"Yes. I apologize for my eagerness."
"Don't. Sesshomaru, all I want to do is lie on that futon and give myself to you, just not yet." Kagome whispered.
Tilting her head to him he graced her forehead with a soft kiss.
"Thank you." He whispered back.
"You're welcome." She replied holding him closer to her.