Perhaps indulging in a fourth bottle of wine last night was not the wisest choice made by the demon lord.
Sesshoumaru was now standing before a sobbing girl while resisting the urge to massage his temple to relieve his headache. If would seem the Portuguese are skilled in making strong spirits.
He dared a glance up towards where Kagome stood with her arms cross under her chest. Judging by the disappointment on her face she was not pleased to wake up to a wailing Rin or to find empty wine bottles scattered across the floor. All the apprehension and nervousness she felt the night before towards the demon were replaced with dismay and irritation.
"Rin, why don't you walk down to the stream and wash up before breakfast. I wish to have a word with his lordship." Sesshoumaru could practically feel the bite in her tone. So, the little bird still had a spark in her.
Doing her best to suppress her tears after learning of her lord's extended departure, Rin lowered her head and went to retrieve her basket of toiletries before dragging her feet outside to allow her surrogate parents some privacy.
Once she was sure Rin was out of earshot Kagome opened her mouth to thoroughly tear down the demon lord. Unfortunately, before she could get a single word out said demon lord strolled right past her to the other side of the small hut where a barrel of purified water sat. He gracefully lifted the ladle hanging off the side by a nail and proceeded to take many long spoonful's without so much letting a single drop escape his lips.
"Serves you right." He heard the priestess mutter.
Once satisfied, he dropped the ladle into the now shallow barrel before turning and pinning her with a hard stare and a raised eyebrow. She responded by sharply turning her back to him and began cleaning up his drunken mess." Seriously Sesshoumaru, what the hell were you thinking?!" Each time Kagome reached down for a discarded bottle she spewed more accusations under her breath.
Sesshoumaru should be insulted by her blatant disrespect when she chose to address him without his title and turn from him. But the sight of her rear high in the air whenever she bent to gather his spoils was enough to let her action slide. He had already decided not to listen to anymore words spilling from her lips until his headache receded.
Snapping back up Kagome quickly whirled back around yelling, "Sesshoumaru are you listening to me?!" The vacant look in his eyes was her answer. She huffed her annoyance before stomping out the door to drop the empty glasses onto his fur and armor. The sound of the bottles shattering on his belongings was enough to bring Sesshoumaru back to the present.
"What did you say to Rin? Couldn't you have waited for me before breaking the news?" The disappointment was back he noted. Having allowed the cool water to work its magic on his dehydrated state he was finally capable of coherent thoughts again.
"This Sesshoumaru saw no reason to delay further." He started while gliding to stand before her on the patio. Looking down at her with an air of arrogance he continued, "How This One chooses to speak with his ward is none of your concern woman. It has been done and now there are other matters to see to."
The demon lord began to slip his boots back on and shook out what was left of the broken glass from his fur. Kagome was forced to take a few steps back to avoid the flying shards.
It was when Sesshoumaru acted like this that Kagome wondered how she could deal with his hot and cold attitude. She had no problem being pushed around but she would not allow him to do the same to Rin. Before he finished fastening his armor with his only hand Kagome threw up a barrier trapping him in her home.
"I have stayed silent for years so not to interfere in your relationship with Rin. Let me tell you it has not always been easy!" She took a breath while the final leather strap secured his armor in place. "Do not misplace the anger you feel about this damn war. Drowning in booze will only hurt everyone else around you so please... Please talk with Rin once more before you go." With each word Kagome could feel her anger dying out and soon all that was left was hollow feeling in her chest. Long lost memories from when she was young were creeping to the surface. Images of a distraught man flashed as she heard her own childhood voice yelling in anger. The last time words she spoke to her father were selfish and the regret still haunted her.
Sesshoumaru waited patiently while the priestess berated him. He was aware that the way he handled Rin was shameful. He would not admit it to this small woman in front of him who now suddenly appeared broken and lost.
"Remove your barrier priestess." Sesshoumaru placed his hand upon her left shoulder causing her to blink up at him, "I will seek out Rin and see to her worries the best that I can." He pulled his hand away and stared at her waiting for his words to sink in.
Kagome blinked up at the demon lord a few more times before letting out a heavy sigh and dropping her shield. She had not planned to project her own past trauma onto him, but it seemed to get the point across.
With a stiff nod Sesshoumaru began to make his way around the hut to sniff out Rin. Before rounding the corner, he said, "This One will return before his departure in a fortnight." He turned his eyes to meet hers. "A full report is still expected upon return. Be sure Rins lessons no longer consist of bat droppings or cave dwellers."
She couldn't stop the small smile from spreading across her lips. "Infuriating dog."