The simple, single sentence of praise shouldn't have affected her so much, but Kagome found herself lingering on it. The rest of the pack had never noticed when she'd improved a skill, no matter how much she practiced. They'd equated it to dumb luck or been too busy running for their lives to say anything at all. Not that she expected it in the middle of a fight, but the fact that her first real acknowledgement had come from Sesshoumaru, said something.
She still hadn't figured out what that something was, but she knew it was significant.
Chewing on her lip, she snuck a glance at him. There had been a shift since she'd disposed of the crows. It was subtle, but it was there, and it was different from anything she'd experienced with any of her other friends.
"You know," Kagura said, clicking her fan open to cover her mouth. "He's going to think something's wrong if you keep glaring at him."
"I'm not glaring at him," she hissed, that familiar heat creeping up the back of her neck.
"Why are you staring at him then?"
Kagome pursed her lips, not wanting to divulge her new interest in the western lord—especially when his mother was present. "I've just never been around him this much. And he's been training me, so—"
"You never had issues telling Akitoki how you felt," Kagura mused, giving her a sideways look, her smirk written plainly on her face. "Or would you prefer me to knock him into the mud first?" Kagome groaned, managing not to miss a step as she ran her hands down her face.
How did she get herself into these messes?
"He already tried to stab you, remember? Don't press your luck."
Kagura's shoulders lifted in a casual shrug. "Wouldn't be the first time it's happened."
"Sesshoumaru's stabbed you before?" Kagome asked incredulously. The two daiyoukai in front of them glanced over their shoulders, heat creeping into her face.
"Not him specifically. I just meant I've had similar injuries." The perpetrator was nameless but obvious, both women going silent.
"I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you," Kagome said eventually.
Kagura shrugged again. "It's not like I asked for help."
No, you didn't, Kagome thought, but the pleas had been there all the same. Every time she'd held her power back, every time she'd conveniently let information about Naraku's next plot or location slip, Kagura had been practically begging to join their team.
And they'd ignored her.
She grabbed onto Kagura's wrist, pulling her to a stop. "Would you ask now?" she said, eyes searching. Kagura raised an eyebrow at her, it only hardening Kagome's resolve. "If you needed help now, would you ask for it?"
A myriad of emotions crossed over the youkai's face, but she eventually sighed. "Only because you'd make a stink about it if I didn't." Kagome grinned and pulled her into a quick but fierce hug, causing her to groan and playfully push her away. "Don't start getting all touchy-feely with me, or I'll ask Mr. Stick-Up-His-Ass to train me instead."
Kagome gave her another squeeze, then finally let her go—just on the off chance she was being serious.
They made it to Bokuseno's glade without any other interference, youki thrumming beneath their feet as they stepped out of the treeline. Kagome had to force herself not to release the lid on her reiki, the sheer power of the elemental making her fingers twitch.
"To what honour do I owe the great Inukimi and her son for gracing me with their presence?" The voice wafted through shimmering leaves, a face slowly taking form in the bark of the tallest tree.
"We have a conundrum, old friend. One we thought you might be able to enlighten us on," Inukimi said, her fan, for once, strapped to her hip.
"Oh?" Bokuseno's wrinkled gaze shifted from Sesshoumaru to Kagome. "Is the young pup finally able to ask for help?"
"This One has never required aid from anyone," Sesshoumaru scowled. The ground rippled, sending shivers up Kagome's arms, and she bowed, blushing slightly when she was the only one to do so.
Bokuseno chuckled. "Such lovely manners from the Shikon Miko. You would do wise to emulate her, pup." Kagome's cheeks only darkened, Kagura smothering her laughter behind her fan.
"I do not know when my son forgot all I have taught him about protocol and manners," Inukimi said with a flourish, "but it is not him we are here for anyway." She motioned to Kagura, urging her forward as her youki rose to the surface, ruffling her sleeves before weaving through Bokuseno's branches. His eyes lifted in contemplation as leaves danced, the air whistling as it encircled Kagura's head.
It reminded Kagome of how Kagura used to move before she'd taken shape, like a tethered bird, trying desperately to break free of its chains. It pulled at her heart, reaffirming her need to find a solution for her friend.
They both deserved to be free.
"How interesting," he mused, limbs shaking. "You have acquired a new companion, your ladyship."
"Which is kind of my fault," Kagome said, raising her hand. "She was attached to me before, but I never noticed what she was, so when Inukimi-sama helped me bring her back—"
"You are sweet to assume blame when there is none, young one."
Kagome blinked in confusion, looking between all those present. Sesshoumaru was still scowling, and Kagura was just as confused as she was, but Inukimi was unperturbed—as if she'd already known what his answer would be.
Bokuseno's gaze landed on Kagura, the demoness stiffening under his scrutiny. "You want to be free, yes? To survive on your own?" A slight nod was her only reply. "Well, it is a simple enough wish, considering your circumstances."
Kagome released the breath she hadn't known she'd been holding, almost clapping with joy, but Kagura remained skeptical, eying Bokuseno even though he couldn't move. "Are you going to tell us how to do it?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Leaves rustled as he chuckled. "The bond you share can be broken when those involved are strong enough, and strong-willed enough, to release each other. Though I believe her ladyship was already away of this." The youkai in question ran her claws through her hair, tossing the long silver strands over her shoulder.
Sesshoumaru growled. "Mother—"
"Oh, come now, it is not as nefarious as all that," she argued, pinning Sesshoumaru with a glare. "I had an inkling, but it would be foolish not to seek the wise one's council before acting."
"I appreciate that dear lady," Bokuseno said. "It makes this old tree feel useful."
Kagome was tempted to nudge Sesshoumaru, to remind him that he should visit Bokusenomore often, but with the scowl on his face, she had a feeling his friend was about to end up as kindling for their next fire.
"Besides," Inukimi added, "my little wind is not near strong enough to handle the break needed." Kagura blushed at the title, arms tightening across her chest.
"Is there anything special we need to do?" Kagome asked, trying to direct the conversation back to Bokuseno. "Or do they just 'release' each other? Is it like untangling their youki?"
The tree youkai smiled. "So many questions."
Kagome blanched, waving her hands in front of her. "I'm sorry, I just—"
"Forgive me, Shikon Miko. It has been a while since I've had so many visitors. Your inquiries are not unwelcome." Branches swayed, a few leaves landing on her shoulders, and the scent of fresh flora tickled her senses.
"Please," she said, finally relaxing as a smile touched her lips, "call me Kagome."