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Of Butterfly Wings

Chapter Thirty-Six: Conditions

Touya kept one arm slung around Kagome's shoulders as they sat in the back of the strange toad-like creature's car. She hadn't spoken much since they'd left the shrine, however he noticed that her trembling had started to subside once they'd made their way into the vehicle.

He still had no idea what exactly was going on or why Kagome seemed to calm down so much after seeing the toad. It was obvious that her mother had sold her off but it didn't appear that Kagome felt threatened by the person she was being sent to. He had his own set of reservations though. Regardless of how much Kagome may know of this person, there was something to be said about them buying her from her mother.

He pulled her further against his side as the car turned down a long driveway lined with cherry blossoms. It wasn't in season so the familiar pink petals were not in bloom. Perhaps in a few months time they would be though.

The car pulled around a horseshoe driveway, stopping as they came upon the main entry for the manor they found themselves at.

Touya was familiar with wealth. His father had been rich since the day he'd been born. His entire estate was worth more than he could even imagine. Yet when he stepped out of the vehicle and helped Kagome to her feet, he felt somewhat dwarfed by the building they stood before.

It didn't just scream money but a level of class as well that was hard for him to fathom.

"Lord Sesshoumaru is waiting for you in his study." Jaken held the doors open for them as they stepped inside, "He'll speak with you there regarding your current situation."

The little toad gave him a displeased scowl, "I shall take you home once you're finished."

Touya bristled at the tiny creature.

He would not be leaving this house until he was one hundred percent certain that Kagome was safe here. He wasn't keen on the idea of her living with a stranger, especially one he'd never met before.

He felt her lean close to his side.

"Sesshoumaru is Inuyasha's older half brother." Kagome explained as she led them down ornate halls filled to the brim with paintings that looked like they cost more individually than his family's entire estate. She continued, "Those two have never gotten along and they're about as opposite of each other as they can get.

That was only a small comfort, but not one that he was willing to let his guard down for.

She pressed on with her explanation, "I've known both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha since I was young. While I did spend a lot more time with Inuyasha as a child since he was closer in age to me, I also ended up spending a lot of time here at this manor during my middle school years." He laced his fingers with hers as they made another turn down the never-ending labyrinth of corridors. "He ended up adopting a daughter around that time and Jaken was getting too old to keep up with a small child. So I stayed over here a lot to babysit her."

It made a little more sense but it wasn't enough to help him feel at ease about this situation.

"Sesshoumaru was the one who first introduced me to books. When I was little, he used to let me explore the library here while he, my mother and his father were all in their meetings together." He felt her fingers curl around his a little tighter, "Sesshoumaru used to work at his father's Hero Agency as a lawyer. About five years ago though they had a major falling out so he now works with All Might's Agency."

Touya blinked.

Well that would explain why it seemed as if the man was swimming in cash. Working for the top hero agency would leave anyone drowning in a pool of wealth.

"He's a bit of a no-nonsense kind of guy but he's always very blunt about what he expects of people. Plus he's always been fair when it came to how he treated me." Kagome came to a stop once they reached a set of double doors nestled at the far end of the hall.

He could tell just from the way she spoke that she held a great deal of respect for Sesshoumaru. He wouldn't call it blind admiration but there was a sense that she held him in high regard.

Touya sucked a breath through his nose as she knocked once.

"Enter."

He pushed the door open, allowing Kagome to step in first. Touya followed right behind her. He silently took her hand once more as he finally met Sesshoumaru face-to-face.

He could certainly see the family resemblance between himself and Inuyasha. Both men had silver hair and piercing gold eyes. Yet where Inuyasha was loud and brash, this man gave off a chilly disposition. It was nearly impossible to tell how old Sesshoumaru was either. His features held all the advantages that youth could give him, yet there was something about the way the man stared at him that made him seem far older.

"I see you've brought Todoroki's eldest with you." Sesshoumaru cast him a quick glance, "That should make this easier."

Had he been expecting him to turn up at the manor like this?

"I have three conditions for you to fulfill while you're living in this house." The older man spoke to Kagome directly, "The first is that you are to maintain passing grades at all times. If you are struggling at any point in time, we can set you up with a tutor as necessary."

Touya found himself nodding along with Kagome. That sounded normal enough. Most parents wanted their child to keep their grades up so that was to be expected if Sesshoumaru was going to take the place of her new guardian.

"Secondly, you are to look after Rin whenever her nanny is unable to do so." Sesshoumaru plucked a stack of papers from his desk as he began to read over them, "She's been begging to see you again so I would pay her a visit before you turn in for the night."

Touya cocked his head to the side curiously. Was Rin the adopted child that Kagome spoke of earlier?

"Last but most certainly not least," The man pinned him with a pointed look. "There is to be no intimacy within this household. You may continue to date and see each other as you would normally, but that is all. No closed doors in this home. Understood?"

That time both he and Kagome flushed simultaneously. It wasn't as if he hadn't thought about it before but to have a complete stranger tell them that they couldn't was mortifying in a way he couldn't even describe.

"Todoroki Touya," Sesshoumaru called out to him. "For what it's worth, you did well in the Sports Festival. I look forward to seeing what you will accomplish in the future." He then gave a short wave of his hand, "You're dismissed."

Kagome quickly dragged him from the office. He released breath he hadn't known he'd been holding.

"Touya!" She flung her arms around his neck enthusiastically, "He actually acknowledged you! That's wonderful!"

He wrapped his arms around her in response.

Was being acknowledged by Sesshoumaru really such a big deal?

He honestly had no clue.

Touya closed his eyes as he buried his face into the crook of his girlfriend's neck.

"Are you sure you'll be alright here?" He asked, pulling her flush against his chest.

He still felt off about leaving her in the home of a man he knew so little about. Sesshoumaru didn't give him any malicious vibes, but that didn't mean that he was comfortable with the notion.

She nodded her head, "It'll be fine. Honestly this is probably the safest place I could be at." Her arms folded up the length of his back as she fully returned his embrace, "I'll see about inviting you and the rest of your siblings over to stay the night soon. Sesshoumaru had been bugging me to make more friends. Plus I'm sure that Rin will want to meet someone close to her age and Shouto could use a friend."

Touya felt his lips curl up into a smile, "I'll hold you to that."

At least for now, he knew she was safe. That was good enough for him.