"I didn't know you could do that," Kagura said, leaning against one of Bokuseno's larger roots. The two inuyoukai had gone hunting, the tree deeming the glade safe enough for Inukimi to distance herself a little more than usual.
Kagura had been wary, Kagome more so, but the ground still pulsed with her power, and Bokuseno hadn't given them any reason to doubt him yet, so the two of them had relaxed as Sesshoumaru and his mother transformed. Crimson eyes regarded them both, Inukimi lingering a moment longer before bounding after her son.
"I wasn't sure what would happen," Kagome admitted. "Usually, the build-up takes longer, but maybe that's because we're not connected anymore." It was another reason why Kagome travelled so much. She couldn't risk anyone being caught in the crossfire when she released her power.
Lakes and rivers had been her place of choice, the shifting waters an unusual but effective conduit, the waves carrying her power away without touching land—or anyone else on it. But there was something about the way the grass swayed in the clearing that made Kagome think letting go wouldn't be so bad.
She fingered a blossom by her feet. She'd never had a set destination when she travelled—focusing on exploring than revisiting places she'd been before—but Bokuseno's home was tranquil in a way she'd never felt before, and she could already feel the need to return.
"Did you ever have to do this before?" Kagura asked, bringing her out of her musings.
"Before Naraku, you mean?" She sighed and lay on her back, watching Bokuseno's branches sway. "There were times after Magatsuhi's seal was broken that were close, but we were fighting so often that it never overflowed."
"But now that there isn't a threat…" Kagura clicked her tongue. "Damn, they really underestimated you, didn't they?"
Kagome tapped her foot to an invisible tune. "Who?"
"Your friends." A cool breeze blew through the clearing, raising goosebumps on Kagome's arms, but she shrugged. "I was fifteen and untrained. The rest of them knew what they were doing."
Kagura snorted. "Could've fooled me. If you weren't there to keep them under control, Inuyasha probably would've chopped someone's leg off."
"Or arm," Kagome blurted. Their eyes met, and they burst into laughter. "Don't tell him I said that!"
"Wouldn't dream of it," Kagura said, still grinning. "At this point, he'd probably take it in stride, anyway."
Kagome pushed herself up onto her elbows. "What do you mean? He'd probably try to cut mine off in retaliation."
Kagura's eyes narrowed skeptically. "You're kidding, right? He let you wear his pelt."
"I was cold," Kagome argued. "And you were the one making snide comments!"
"They weren't snide, they were encouraging." Kagome pursed her lips, but Kagura only grinned more, throwing a stick at her. "You can't deny your relationship has changed since we first landed at the palace gates."
It had, but Kagome had refused to allow herself to dwell on it. He'd been nothing but supportive of her wanting to improve her skills, going as far as training her himself, and the flow of their conversations felt natural and unforced.
She'd never admit that the sight of him made her heart skip a beat now and then, but this was also the first time she'd spent so much time with anyone. Hell, if Jinenji wasn't completely enamoured with Rin, she might've had the same reaction to him, considering how thoughtful and considerate he was.
"Whatever you're thinking, you're lying to yourself," Kagura said, twirling another stick between her fingers.
"You don't know what I was thinking."
"No, but I do know that whenever you're trying not to think about something, you chew on the left side of your mouth."
Kagome immediately licked her lips to stop doing just that and lay back on the grass. "So?"
"So—" Kagura nudged her foot. "Which particular thing about his royal smugness were you trying to deny?" She ducked as the previous stick was thrown back at her.
"None of your business," Kagome huffed.
"Whatever you say," Kagura grinned. "Just know I'm not the only one who's noticed it. And Mr. Out-of-season here already said you should keep hanging around him to help with the overflow."
Kagome gazed up at Bokuseno, the youkai's face coming into focus as it emerged from the bark. "It was not my intention to make you uncomfortable, Kagome."
"You didn't," she said. "That's not it at all." She tried to put it into words, but the more she tried, the harder she had to think about it, heat slowly rising to her cheeks.
The truth was, she'd never felt as seen as she did with Sesshoumaru. Any criticism from him was objective, a means to better her technique. After that first encounter with the weasel youkai, she'd understood just how much faith he had in her abilities.
Her friends had always sought to protect her first—assuming she was the most helpless of the group—and while she loved them dearly, she'd also yearned for the chance to prove herself.
And not just as a last resort.
It wasn't just that her power still felt volatile, that she still wasn't sure what it meant for the jewel to be part of her; she wanted to impress him. Not to prove that she could, but because it was him.
She was treading into very dangerous territory. If she wasn't careful, she'd end up—
A swirl of youki signalled the return of the daiyoukai, their paws not making a sound as they touched down. Inukimi placed a boar youkai down in front of her before returning to her humanoid form. "It seems I am the victor today, my son."
Sesshoumaru snuffed, tossing his ears before he did the same, youki curling around him in a spectacular light show. Kagome had to keep her reiki from responding, her chest tight as his power washed over her.
"It was not a competition, Mother."
Inukimi smirked. "You only say that because I was the one to bring something back."
"In case you have forgotten, humans do not eat raw meat." Kagome blinked in surprise at the notion that he'd forgone bringing something back specifically because it wasn't to her taste. There was no way he'd been that considerate for her sake.
Kagura's elbow in her ribs said otherwise.
"Well, that just makes it more apparent that you should be seeing to your companion's needs." Inukimi flipped her hair over her shoulder, then motioned Kagura forward. "Shall we share my bounty in peace, my dear? Clearly, my son is too stubborn to admit defeat and will, therefore, not be partaking."
Kagome smothered her laughter, having to use both hands as Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. Kagura elbowed her again, then stepped forward, Inukimi's claws already cutting into flesh. The scent was a little sour, and Kagome wrinkled her nose, shifting closer to Bokuseno before being joined by Sesshoumaru.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" she asked, the air feeling slightly tense after his exchange with his mother.
"Hunting is a necessity," he replied.
"That didn't answer my question." It felt light and teasing, but she was honestly curious. "Do you spend a lot of time in your true form?"
"It is not required to hunt." He draped an arm over a bent knee, fingers flexing.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Well, I could've told you that. I just meant in general." Golden eyes slid in her direction, and she lifted her chin. "What? It's not like I've never hunted before." He continued to stare, and she crossed her arms. "Are you saying I can't?"
"I would never think to contradict you," he said. His tone was serious, but Kagome caught the slight twitch of his lips.
Incensed, she pointed a finger at him. "I bet I could hunt circles around you," she challenged.
"You are welcome to try."
She scrambled to her feet, retrieving her bow out of habit and strapping it to her back. "Just wait. I'll bring back a—" Kagome's eyes widened as Sesshoumaru slowly stood up. "What are you doing?"
He raised an eyebrow at her. "It hardly seems fair to be part of a competition without being present."
"You're coming with me?" Her mouth dropped open as he strode toward the treeline.
"What is the matter, miko?" he called back over his shoulder, lips curving up into a smirk. "Afraid you will not be able to keep up?" An electric thrill shot up her spine, and she all but sprinted after him.
She'd show him.