Kagome's plans of studying the bond between the two female youkai were immediately dashed when Inukimi announced she would be returning home as soon as the pair returned from their hunt.
"This little adventure has been fun, but I really must be getting back," Inukimi mused.
Kagome's brow pinched in confusion. "But we haven't figured out the details yet. Kagura will have to go with you—" Inukimi's raised eyebrow had Kagome turning to Kagura, giving her a questioning glance.
The wind demon shrugged casually. "We're not in any hurry."
"But—"
Inukimi patted Kagome's head. "Your persistence is admirable, little miko, but power begets power, and you cannot separate that which does not want to be separated." Kagome immediately grabbed Kagura's wrist, dragging her as far away from mother and son as she could without putting her friend in danger.
"Did she threaten you?" Kagome hissed, eye darting back to the pair.
Kagura blinked, then burst out laughing. "Not in the way you're thinking."
"Then why—" The rest of her tirade was lost as Kagura pulled her close. Kagome was too surprised to return the embrace, her body still stiff when Kagura released her.
"I appreciate the concern. It's not something I'm used to, but I'll take it, considering it's you."
Kagome flushed. "You're my friend," she said, as if it was obvious.
"Yeah, I'm starting to get used to that." Glancing over her shoulder, she met Inukimi's gaze, surprising Kagome yet again when the tips of her ears turned pink. "I'm going with her out of choice."
"Because?" Kagome pressed, wanting to hear it from her directly.
"Because she's interesting." Kagura shrugged as she turned back around. "She doesn't demand anything from me. And she said she'd cut the bond if I really wanted to leave."
"It's that easy?" Kagome asked incredulously. Bokuseno made it seem that way, but bonds like this had a way of being permanent.
Kagura smirked. "I doubt it, but I believe her."
Kagome looked between the two women again, noting the interest in Inukimi's eyes, and her own widened. "You like her!"
Another casual shrug. "The feeling seems to be mutual, and I'm up for figuring out what that means."
No longer on edge, Kagome bit her lip. "Well, if that's what you want."
"It is for now." Kagura squeezed her arm. "But I'll let you know if it changes."
"Immediately," Kagome replied, crossing her arms. Kagura chuckled but nodded in agreement, exchanging soft smiles as they rejoined the other pair.
"It seems a new path has been set," Sesshoumaru mused, his mother unrepentant.
"Seems so." Kagome looked between the two females again, the subtle differences in the way they carried themselves while standing next to each other more obvious now. Kagura had always kept herself separate from the group, even given her bond to Inukimi, but she stood closer now, the inuyoukai's claws brushing her sleeve every so often.
Her relaxed demeanour settled Kagome's heart more than anything. She still felt guilty about forcing Kagura into the bond in the first place, but if neither party was arguing, then who was she to judge? She knew inuyoukai mated for life, and if that was what this was, and Kagura was happy, she wouldn't stand in her way.
"What will you do now, little miko?" Inukimi asked, giving her an expectant look.
For some reason, Kagome's face grew hot. "Actually, Sesshoumaru offered to let me help back at the shiro, so I guess I'll be doing that sooner than expected." She looked up at him, barely catching his approving nod before Inukimi clapped her hands together.
"How wonderful! I am sure you will be exactly what he needs."
Kagome didn't believe for one minute that there wasn't an ulterior motive to her words, but she wasn't about to call her out on it here. "It's not going to be anything excessive-"
"Nonsense!" Inukimi gushed. "Be sure to observe him at all times. You never know when the tiniest detail will prove to be fruitful." Kagome narrowed her eyes, but it was Kagura's elbow in Inukimi's side that stopped her from talking—along with Sesshoumaru's warning growl.
"I will not expect you at the shiro for some time, Mother, considering your new circumstances," he said pointedly, it more of a command than a guess. If she'd had more stake in the game, and she knew Inukimi was always playing, Kagome would've stepped in as well, but although they'd been travelling together, she had no right to tell his mother to stay away.
And she wanted her to stay away, if only to spend more time with Sesshoumaru. She enjoyed his company, probably more than she should, but he didn't seem to mind, so she would take advantage of it for as long as she could.
She was also curious about his home. Rin had mentioned it a few times, but it was through the fawning and awe-struck eyes of a child, so Kagome had taken the fairy tale castle she spoke of with a grain of salt.
For all she knew, he didn't even have a house. Sesshoumaru didn't strike her as the domestic type, and with how much time he spent travelling, perhaps it was more of an overall feeling rather than an actual place.
Rin had also mentioned a village, though, so maybe there were others who lived in the area that relied on his protection, and he just passed through every now and then. Her curiosity increased as she tried to create a picture in her mind, the possibilities endless.
"You are staring, little miko."
Kagome jumped at Inukimi's smug tone, realizing she had been staring—right at Sesshoumaru—and she flushed again. "Sorry, I was thinking about something."
"Oh, by all means, continue to do so." Kagura elbowed her again, but she brushed it off. "Oh, come now, my dear. Can I not have a little fun?" Kagura rolled her eyes, neither she nor Sesshoumaru giving her an inch, and Kagome took that moment to dart away, bowing low in front of Bokuseno.
"Thank you for the use of your home. It was lovely."
His branches swayed, showering her in flower petals, the blooms still fresh and fragrant. "Think nothing of it, Kagome. You are welcome here anytime." The tree smirked over her shoulder. "Perhaps you will return sooner rather than later. I find I quite enjoy the ruckus your presence creates."
Kagome pursed her lips. Did all the elder youkai speak in riddles? She didn't have time to think much on the matter, though, youki sparking behind her as both inuyoukai transformed, lowering their heads for each of their passengers.
Kagura quickly climbed up between Inukimi's shoulder blades, her movements swift and coordinated, leaving Kagome to clamber awkwardly up on Sesshoumaru, wincing every time she had to use his fur for leverage. "We could've walked, you know."
Sesshoumaru snorted, inclining his head to his mother and Bokuseno before leaping into the sky. Kagome yelped, not used to the sudden shift in momentum, and she gripped him firmly. "Next time, warn me when you're going to do that!"
His head cocked in her direction, and she swore his muzzle lifted into a smirk as he climbed higher, clouds rushing by before they suddenly changed direction, and he dove towards the ground. Her scream caught in her throat, and she yanked hard on his fur, trying to pull him in the opposite direction.
The beast wouldn't be budged, only changing direction at the last moment to prevent them from slamming into the ground. His speed lessened as he rose again, staying at a much more manageable height as he levelled off.
It took a moment for Kagome to realize he'd done it on purpose.
"I ought to zap you for that!" she yelled, though she didn't release her grip on him. "Or maybe I'll shave you in your sleep." Sesshoumaru snorted again, ears flying as he tossed his head. "Gloat all you want, dog man. We'll see how tough you are when you wake up chained in the yard." The image had her laughing, unable to help herself, especially when crimson eyes narrowed in her direction.
Kagome raised her chin defiantly. "Don't start battles you can't finish," she sniffed before finally admiring the scenery around them. Even with her heightened abilities, she was usually stuck to travelling along the ground, and the rolling landscape left her breathless.
She slowly released his fur, leaning further out as she took everything in. "I can see why flying is the better option," she said, treetops swaying under his massive paws. Even with their new destination in mind, he seemed to take his time, skirting over lakes and mountaintops.
Kagome had never wished harder for the modern convenience of a camera. Colours bled into each other as the sun dipped low, painting the horizon a myriad of warm pink and orange as the moon took its place in the sky.
And just when she thought they'd have to stop for the night, she spotted a cluster of huts in the distance, the slow flicker of lanterns guiding them to the ground. Her skin buzzed excitedly, and she tried to blink away the impending darkness as he landed in a large courtyard. She moved to slide from his shoulders, but youki swirled, and she found herself in his arms as he slowly placed her on the ground.
"That was wonderful!" she gushed, unable to hide her excitement, even with the sudden proximity. "I'd love to do it again."
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her, the stilted silence giving her time to focus on just how close they were, her body growing warm where they touched. She really needed to stop thinking about these things.
"If you wish it," he conceded, finally releasing her.
Her lungs expanded, Kagome suddenly realizing she'd been holding her breath, and she gave him a slight smile before looking around. "So, do you have a hut in the shiro?"
He snorted, then motioned behind her, her eyes widening at the sight of a towering stone building at the centre of a bustling citadel. "Welcome to my home, miko."