Rose Clippings

by Sereia13

Kagome and Kagura live with their mother in a woodland cottage, free from the grime of the large city, so when a knock is heard at their door in the dead of winter, they can't imagine who it could be. Or how their visitor will change their lives forever.

43. Accoutrement

And the fact that he didn't have any marks made his origins that much more mystifying.

Most full-blooded youkai were capable of speech, those of higher status having a humanoid form, but the beast had neither. He was intelligent enough that Kagome knew he was above the ones they hunted, especially with the strength of his youki, but there was something off about it.

Something stilted—like a part of him was missing. Maybe it had something to do with the seal that had affected his healing process the year prior.

Rolling onto her back with a sigh, she scratched the underside of his jaw. "You'd tell me if you needed help, right? If you were suffering in some way?" The question was rhetorical, but it saddened her to think he'd been afflicted by something. "Mama, are there any healers in town? Ones that specialize with youkai?"

Emiko met the beast's gaze. "I'm sure there are, but I doubt they know more than you. And none with your power."

Kagome sighed again. "I'm just thinking someone else might have a different way of looking at things."

"Which is what makes you so wonderful, dear." The beast seemed to agree, lapping at her hand, then her face, and her sighs turned into laughter, instantly distracted.

For the most part, the beast was content to lay by the fire, always peeking up when she joined him. She hadn't felt any weakness or ennui, apart from that first night, so if he was affected by something, it couldn't be that bad.

Maybe she was just overthinking it.