True to her word, Kagome whipped up a feast for Rin and Masaru that evening. It had been a good distraction until Rin ate so much that she passed out at the table while still holding her chopsticks. Without her endless cheerful chatter, the room felt hollow and dark.
As Kagome gathered the dishes and cleaned up, Masaru carried Rin to bed, wrapping her in mokomoko before shutting the door and helping the priestess finish storing leftovers. The lieutenant had many questions but would patiently wait until Kagome was ready. He watched as she opened the wine cabinet and grabbed a bottle and two glasses. With a gentle smile, she nodded towards the outside deck to signal him to follow. Masaru would follow; he had already accepted he would follow the little priestess anywhere.
It was a clear night, and the full moon and stars shone brightly, illuminating the small glade. The chickens had returned to their cozy coop while they ate, bringing a serene calm to the night with only a soft breeze tickling the trees, making the leaves rustle quietly. A demon and priestess sat together, admiring the peaceful atmosphere after a turbulent day.
"I'm sure you're wondering how I came to know Sesshoumaru's half-brother Inuyasha." Kagome broke the silence and sat her now empty glass down. Masaru refilled it, eagerly awaiting her tale. From the beginning, she started with how she was pulled into the Bone-Eaters Well as a young teenager and found the half-demon sealed to the Goshinboku. He listened intently and only interrupted when she recounted her first meeting with Sesshoumaru.
"You pulled the late Great General's fang from his grave and threatened his lordship with it?! How are you still alive?" The accusation, while accurate, made Kagome blush and take another sip of wine. "What are you?"
"He asked me that same question when I survived his poison attack," Kagome answered with a wistful grin. Masaru could only blink at her in shock. He would need more than one bottle of wine by the time she finished her story.
That night, he learned about her friends who accompanied her to complete the broken jewel and defeat Naraku. The lieutenant had heard rumors here and there in passing but now understood the impact this small woman had made on saving their lands. He had no idea that Kagome went from being enemies to allies, and now… well, he still wasn't sure how she viewed her relationship with Lord Sesshoumaru. But he was beginning to understand why the demon lord held the priestess in such high regard. She was courageous, loyal, brave, and unbelievably powerful. These traits were what any high-ranking demon would look for in a female; he never considered a human could process all of them and more. To Masaru, learning she was from the future was irrelevant and the least interesting thing about her.
Deep in thought, Masaru hadn't noticed Kagome left until she sat back down beside him with a second bottle.
"After the Shikon Jewel disappeared for good, Inuyasha and I decided to try to make a life together. It seemed like the logical next step since the Well no longer worked, and I couldn't go home." A faraway look took over her azure eyes after mentioning the Well closing. Downing her third glass of wine, she continued. "Miroku and Sango were gone to rebuild her old village with the help of her younger brother Kohaku. Shippo wanted to learn to do more magic and become stronger, so she enrolled in Kitsune School. So that just left Inuyasha and I with each other."
"Why did you not seek out Lord Sesshoumaru?"
The question caught Kagome off guard. "Why would I? Even though we crossed paths over the years, I didn't really know him. Not until he sought me out to take care of Rin. But that's a different story for another time." Masaru nodded and nursed his own drink so she could continue.
"Inuyasha spent his whole life wandering, so I wasn't too surprised when he became antsy after staying in the village for only a few weeks. The arguing started when he expected me to stay put while he was away. As if my sole purpose was to wait for him to return like a dutiful wife would. We weren't even married and had never been intimate other than one kiss and holding hands."
She paused and took a deep breath.
"I tried Masaru, I really did. But each time he left, he was gone longer than the last time. When Inuyasha was home, he acted like he couldn't stand being there longer than he had to. It took six months before I had enough and told him I was leaving." Kagome gave Masaru a heavyhearted look. "For once, he didn't fight me on the decision. He even looked relieved. Kaede's health had been deteriorating, so I stayed for a few more weeks to care for her until she passed."
They were both quiet for some time when she finished. Kagome reflected on how she never truly knew how Inuyasha was feeling or why he fought to hold back his instincts from her. Masaru wondered how much Lord Sesshoumaru knew of the relationship the priestess had with the half-breed.
The stars were beginning to fade in the sky as dawn was approaching. "I suppose there is a lot I don't know about dog demons and what drives their instincts," Kagome whispered.
The lieutenant couldn't argue with that; it had been evident to him the first time he met her a year ago. He didn't fully know Lord Sesshoumaru's intentions regarding the priestess, but he knew his lord's primitive side had laid claim to her, and dog demons were very possessive creatures. Looking up towards the brightening sky, he saw a two-headed dragon flying towards them in the distance.
"I will teach you what I can about upper-class dog demons and what calls to our instincts and bestial side. While he can hold humanoid forms, there are still certain traits and characteristics we cannot ignore."
"I'd like that." Kagome gave him a small, sleepy smile. The morning light reflected off her onyx hair, giving the illusion of a halo. Half-lidded ocean eyes shined as they looked back into his own wide shamrock colored ones.
Masaru tried to convince himself that the heat he felt in his cheeks was from the wine and not because of how she smiled at him. Ah-Un's graceless landing saved him from his internal torment while sending the chickens into a frenzy. "You should get some rest. I'll unload the provisions and store them." Standing, he went to move but stopped and reached into the collar of his haori. "I almost forgot, Inuyasha said the reason he came was to deliver a message." His claw hand withdrew the small piece of paper and held it out for her.
Hesitantly, Kagome took it and stared at the parchment in her lap while Masaru walked away. It was a short message from Miroku telling her Sango was due to have their third child soon, and they both wished for her to be present at the birth.
It had been a long time since she had last visited them. She didn't even know they had a second child, let alone expecting a third. Would she even be able to travel to their village with Rin and Masaru? Kagome let out a tired sigh and collected the empty bottles and cups. She was too tired to think about all that right now.
Intending to go to bed, Kagome slid open the shoji doors to head back inside. She didn't get far when Masaru stopped her.
"These arrived for you and Lady Rin." The lieutenant handed her two envelopes that were clearly from Lord Sesshoumaru.
"Thank you, Masaru. I will try to get a few hours of sleep before Rin wakes." She placed a hand on his left shoulder, "And thank you for all your help and listening to me. I know we haven't gotten to know each other that well, but I would really like to be friends." Closing the door behind her, she missed seeing Masaru's beet-red face.
As Kagome changed into her night clothes and pulled on Sesshoumaru's haori, she placed the letter that arrived for Rin next to the girl's pillow. Getting comfortable, she settled onto her own futon and opened her envelope, pulling out the letter.
Priestess,
Shall I return to find one of my best soldiers transformed into a farmer? You will likely convince him to plow a field next or sheer an ewe.
You should know better than to request that I show weakness to those who challenge me, Priestess. By the end of this war, many will fall under the edge of my sword.
It pleases me to know you don my haori each night. I can smell the change in your scent in your last correspondence. Will you indulge your Lord by including an item of your own bathed in your fragrance? It would bring much pleasure to my Beast.
Be well, Priestess; this Sesshoumaru awaits your reply.
Once done, Kagome tucked the letter under her pillow. It would seem she'd have to speak with Masaru sooner rather than later about what exactly Lord Sesshoumaru wants from her.