Chapter 8 Gyan chauper (Snakes & Ladders)/ Pachisi (Parchisi)

The rain and wind continued with only brief pauses, forcing the group to remain in the caves. Floods and landslides were a real possibility. Not even Inuyasha wanted to push them and risk their safety in the storms. During the few breaks in the rain, Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Sango would hunt or fish. Jaken and Miroku would forage for edible plants. Kagome would be left in the cave with the two children and Kirara, behind a barrier formed of her reiki and Sesshoumaru's yoki. She would do her best to keep Shippou and Rin occupied.

In addition to the games they were already familiar with, she also brought out some string and showed them how to work it into cat's cradle and other string games. They played Daruma-san, and Onigokko. They used gathered pebbles to play Ohajiki. She took some time to sew a simple Kemari ball for them to play with. She even included word games, like Shiritori, for the semblance of something educational.

"Mama, Rin and I are done with our homework. Are you finished yet?", asked Shippou, his big eyes and pleading tones making it clear that he wanted her to be done and ready to give him attention.

Kagome looked at the workbook in her lap, then back at the hopeful face of her adopted kitsune son. "Give me just until I finish this page, Shipp, and then I'll be done for tonight. Thank you for being patient." She turned back to her homework. It was important for her to get it done while things were quiet. High school work was much harder than the middle school work from last year. At least she didn't have to worry about turning things in on specific days or mandatory attendance. When Mrs. Higurashi realized that her daughter was going to continue to miss school due to her time traveling obligations, she'd enrolled Kagome in a remote learning high school program. This way, Kagome could do the course work when she had the time and she could turn it in on her periodic trips home. There would only be four testing periods during the year, and there were multiple test days for each one to choose from. It wasn't ideal, but it was a good solution to the problematic interruption of Kagome's 'normal' life. Inuyasha still didn't understand why Kagome needed to keep up with school, but Sango, Miroku, Kaede, and most of all Sesshoumaru all approved and encouraged her to pursue her education. Oddly, the daiyokai was most vehement in making sure she had the time she needed to study and to do her worksheets. Kagome assumed it was because he wanted her to be able to keep teaching Rin as time went on.

Sesshoumaru sat with his back to a to the cave wall, arm resting on his upright knee. His calm demeanor belied his turbulent thoughts. His gaze was concentrated on Kagome, who was hurriedly finishing her evening learning. She referred to it as 'homework', which was a ridiculous term. She only labored at it when she was away from her home on the other side of the well. Yet another quiddity about the miko that added to her mystique.

He had tried to puzzle out the complexities of her future purpose indirectly. He'd combed through the pages of the game catalog he had kept. He'd looked at the lessons she was giving to the younger members of the pack. He'd even permitted Inuyasha to brag about all he he'd seen on his trips to the future with Kagome, as unbelievable as those descriptions were. All to garner clues about miko working industriously while in his sight.

As Sesshoumaru came to this decision, Kagome closed her workbook. "Shippou, Rin! I'm done for tonight. Let's get set up for Family game night. Miroku is sharing games with us.

Miroku pulled two bundles of cloth out of his pack. He unrolled them to display colorful painting on the rectangular one, beautiful embroidery on the cross shaped one. There were also a handful of small shells, and dyed wooden markers. "Tonight's games are called 'Gyan chauper'," the monk gestured at the painted rectangle, "and pachisi." He pointed at the embroidered one. "My mother made these game boards. I had saved them for my own children, when I have them." Miroku gazed longingly at Sango, who smacked him lightly on his arm. "Ahem. These games come to us from the mainland, from India. Let me explain the rules.

After Miroku had explained the gameplay, Kagome told them that versions of these games existed in the future as well. They would be called 'Snakes & Ladders' and 'Parchisi' in her time, that instead of shells, they used dice.

They divided into two groups, each one playing one of the games. The rules were not difficult, but the reasoning behind them was not evident. Sesshoumaru was playing the one with the painted snakes on it. "Monk, what is the purpose of these games? This one sees no value in this play."

Miroku and Kagome exchanged a glance. The monk answered first.

"Gyan chauper is a metaphor for spiritual and religious harmony. Evil deeds cause one's karma to fall, poisoned by the snake, good ones for it to rise, climbing the ladder. It also teaches patience for random events that might tempt or strain a person's emotions"

"As for pachisi," Kagome chimed in, "it's mostly just for fun, for enjoyment. Some people will gamble on various aspects of the gameplay. Some will use it to create elaborate taunts at their opponents. Souta and I would do that. They couldn't be hurtful, and the sillier the better."

As expected, this last idea caught the imagination of Shippou, and Inuyasha. Surprisingly, Jaken also was spurred on by the idea of encouraged insults. Rin preferred the concept of sliding down a snake and climbing up a ladder. She didn't really understand the morality play that Miroku tried to explain to her and Sango, but she nodded energetically and enjoyed moving her playing piece. Kagome flitted between the two groups, answering questions, or reigning in the insults to make sure the three players understood what she meant by 'silly, not hurtful'. Sesshoumaru played next to Rin for one play through, before moving aside to contemplate the group dynamic. Eventually, Kagome joined him, letting out a sigh as she slid down the cave wall.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her. "Did you not wish to compare insults during gameplay, miko? You seem to use many of them regularly."

Kagome just waved a hand at the demon lord. "I get plenty of practice when we're fighting Naraku's goons. I'm taking a break from it. Honestly, I'm a little 'played out' at the moment. I didn't realize how exhausting it is to take care of children full time. I need to remember to thank Mama and Grandpa next time I go home. I'm sure it was difficult, especially when we were little. Of course, it's still difficult now, I guess. I know Mama worries a lot about my traveling here. But at least I'm old enough to not need entertaining. And in a few years Souta won't need as much supervision. Plus, by then I'll be an adult and can be more helpful."

Kagome's words surprised Sesshoumaru. He had not thought that parenting would be considered work. He also assumed that the miko was already considered an adult. Women her age were often married and had children by this point.

"How are you not an adult?"

Again, Kagome did a little had wave, "I know that people my age are considered adults here. But at home, I won't have the full weight of responsibilities until I turn 20. So, four more years. Even then, I'll still be in school for at least a couple more years. University, not high school. Assuming I can pass the tests to get in. Which is why I'm working so hard on my school work. I want to thank you for supporting me with that, by the way.

Sesshoumaru considered her words carefully. "You are welcome. This Sesshoumaru wants you to succeed and to reach your full potential that you may fulfil your purpose in both times."

Kagome glanced at the daiyoukai, and saw his topaz-colored eyes staring at her intensely. "Fulfil my purpose. I will try my best. I know what that is here and now. Find the shards, defeat Naraku, reassemble the Shikon no Tama. And probably make the right wish to fix things. As to my purpose in my time? I'm not sure what it is. Maybe when we finish here, it will be clearer. I just hope that when I do return, I'm not alone."

"What do you mean by these words, miko. You have family and friends there as well as here. How would you be alone?" He then spoke her name, as he knew she preferred, "Kagome, what is in the future? Not in my future, what is in yours? What does it hold for Kagome?"

"I'm honestly not sure. In the future there's no real need for a miko. Especially since there aren't any youkai anymore…umm…oops." Kagome realized what she'd just let slip. Nervously, she looked down, bracing for another argument.

"What do you mean, there are no youkai?" he growled.

Sorrowfully, Kagome lifted her eyes to meet Sesshoumaru's fearsome gaze. "There are no youkai in the future. Or at least none that I've found. I've looked. Inuyasha looked, the times he's been there. I don't know why. I think that's one of the reasons I've been able to time travel is to change that. We've guessed that maybe I can't find them because they are hiding. If that's true, then they've chosen not to reveal themselves to me. Or at least not yet." Her lower lip trembled a bit. "I really hope they've just hidden. I don't think I want to live in a world without youkai."

"I am certain there are youkai. Do not worry, miko. This Sesshoumaru gives his word to find you in your future."

Kagome's breath caught. "You promise? Because that would make me so happy."

"This one has given his word. I have never broken my word of honor. Kagome, I will find you in your future. Maybe not the very day you return, but soon after."

Overcome with emotion, Kagome reached over to touch his clawed hand, "Thank you, Sesshoumaru. I will look forward to that day." Sesshoumaru did not pull away from her touch. Instead, he regally nodded his head, accepting her thanks.

The group played through a couple times with each game, at which point the children were sent to bed. Inuyasha went to the mouth of the cave to watch out into the night. Kagome went to tuck in Shippou and Rin and to give them each a hug and kiss goodnight.

A/N: Daruma-san = Statues/Red Light, Green Light

Onigokko = tag

Ohajiki = similar to marbles, popular indoor game in the Edo period

Kemari = cloth ball used for a game similar to hackysack

Shiritori = word game in which the players are required to say a word which begins with the final kana of the previous word.