"Kagome!" Shippo's excited shout filled the air as he leaped straight into her open arms, nuzzling into her chest like he hadn't seen her in years. Kagome laughed, squeezing him warmly, while Sesshoumaru's steady gaze followed her.
Rin arrived just as Sesshoumaru set down their bags outside Kaede's hut, her eyes lighting up as she skipped toward him. He placed a hand on her head, giving her an approving smile as she beamed up at him. The children's chatter and Kagome's laughter drew the attention of Miroku and Kaede, who soon emerged from the hut just as Kagome was pulling treats from her yellow backpack.
"Lady Kagome, Lord Sesshoumaru—welcome back," Miroku greeted them, smiling as he watched Kagome maneuver around the excited children to distribute her gifts. Turning to Sesshoumaru, his tone grew more serious. "And…has she been well?"
Sesshoumaru's gaze darkened momentarily before he guided Kagome inside the hut without answering directly. Once the children were happily distracted and the adults gathered around, Sesshoumaru finally explained the strange disturbances that had plagued Kagome.
Kaede listened intently, absorbing every detail with her usual calm. Miroku's face, however, tightened in anger as he clenched and unclenched his fists. When Sesshoumaru finished, Kaede gestured for Kagome to sit before her.
"Strange, indeed," Kaede murmured. "You've sensed nothing unusual?"
"No," Sesshoumaru replied, his tone edged with irritation. "But I do not doubt the priestess's claims."
With a nod, Kaede placed her hands gently on Kagome's face, studying her with an intensity that silenced the room. Miroku cleared his throat, attempting a more casual approach. "And, Lord Sesshoumaru, might I ask…exactly how you've been aiding Lady Kagome in clearing her blocked reiki?"
Sesshoumaru met Miroku's gaze, his brow arching slightly, but before he could reply, Kaede spoke up, her tone amused. "Now, now, Miroku—what these two do behind closed doors is their own affair."
Miroku blinked, his cheeks coloring at Kaede's words. His violet eyes darted to Sesshoumaru, catching the slight twitch of what might've been a smirk on the demon's face, and he quickly decided that perhaps Kaede was right.
Gently, Kaede placed her fingers at the back of Kagome's neck, her one good eye closed as she directed her holy powers to search. For a long moment, she found nothing but the normal pulse of Kagome's heart—until a faint, sinister flicker brushed against her senses. "Miroku, come here," she called, beckoning him to place his hand alongside hers.
Miroku joined her, focusing his spiritual energy until suddenly, a shock pulsed beneath their touch, causing him to yank his hand away. The two exchanged a glance before Kaede finally spoke, her voice grave.
"It is as we feared. What lingers within Lady Kagome is but a remnant of Naraku—a mere echo, yet formidable enough to feed off her fears and doubts."
Sesshoumaru's expression darkened further. "So, it is a mere parasite?"
"Yes," Miroku confirmed, rubbing his now-tingling hand. "Its strength lives in its lies. It preys on her mind, much like it tried to do with me just now."
"Fortunately, your treatments seem to be on the verge of destroying it which is why it has begun lashing out," Kaede noted, watching as Kagome moved closer to Sesshoumaru. They spoke quietly, Sesshoumaru relaying the news to Kagome in JSL, his hands moving gracefully to reassure her as she sighed in relief. Unconsciously, he reached up to brush a stray strand of hair from her face, the two so absorbed in each other that they seemed to forget anyone else was there.
The soft moment was interrupted by the faint creak of the door. All eyes turned to find Sango, frozen in the doorway, her face drained of color. She hadn't expected to find the entire group there. Her hand tightened on the threshold, as if to back away, but Kagome quickly reached out, her voice unexpectedly loud.
"Wait!"
Surprised, Sango let herself be pulled, Kagome's grip steady as she led her outside to the bags left by the door. Kagome rummaged through her backpack, muttering under her breath as she dug around.
Sesshoumaru appeared beside Kagome just as she pulled out a small box, eyes gleaming with triumph. She handed it over to a confused Sango before turning to Sesshoumaru. With quick, expressive gestures, Kagome communicated her thoughts, though Sesshoumaru's response was a dubious eyebrow raise. Kagome nudged him lightly, and with a resigned sigh, he turned his attention to the demon slayer.
"In the box, you will find items to ensure your health and the pup's," he relayed with measured calm. "There are vitamins, teas…" He paused as Kagome continued to sign, and his eyes narrowed before he added, with a hint of reluctance, "And oils…to aid with stretch marks."
Sango stared down at the box, her fingers tracing the elegant design on the lid, a mix of wonder and guilt flashing across her face. When her eyes brimmed with tears, she set the box aside and, almost before she knew what she was doing, pulled Kagome into a tight, trembling hug.
Kagome returned the embrace softly, patting Sango's shoulder in silent reassurance. Sango eventually stepped back, wiping away the wetness that streaked down her face. Kagome's fingers began to move again, and Sesshoumaru spoke her words aloud.
"Kagome says," he began, "that while she is still coming to terms with everything that happened with you and the half-breed, she does not want that to affect the innocent life you're carrying."
Sango's hand went to her stomach instinctively, and she nodded, humbled by the sentiment. Bowing deeply, she thanked Kagome, clutching the box as though it held something far more precious than supplies. Without another word, she turned and walked away, shoulders a little straighter.
They watched her leave, and Sesshoumaru tapped Kagome on the shoulder. "The half-breed's scent is stale around her. He hasn't been nearby for some time."
Kagome's expression softened, though a frown lingered. While forgiveness might take time, she couldn't shake the instinct to make sure Sango wouldn't have to face such a journey alone. Once they returned from the north, she would make sure Sango was staying healthy and supported.
Sesshoumaru observed her silently, his expression unreadable. Finally, he murmured aloud, "You are… unusually compassionate for one who has been wronged."
Kagome glanced up at him, a small smile tugging at her lips.
The next morning, the hut echoed with pleas and protests as Shippo and Rin tried every trick in the book to join Kagome and Sesshoumaru on their journey. Shippo tried wobbly lips and shimmering eyes, while Rin clung to Kagome's sleeve with a mournful gaze that could have melted stone. But Sesshoumaru was utterly unmoved.
Kagome, however, was another story. She tried to stand firm, but each teary look from Shippo and Rin chipped away at her resolve. "It's just… so dangerous," she signed with a helpless sigh, Sesshoumaru's warning about the wolf's den looming in her mind. Not to mention the ominous clouds gathering above, promising a storm that would only make the already-treacherous path more grueling. Rainy season really knew how to pick its moments.
Sesshoumaru adjusted the two heavy backpacks slung across his shoulders, fixing Kagome with a look that very plainly said, *It is time to go.* With a final sigh, she leaned down, wrapping the children in one last tight hug. She waved to Miroku and Kaede, hoping to hide the pang of guilt from leaving them behind.
But before she could second-guess herself and maybe sneak in just one more hug, Sesshoumaru deftly scooped her up, holding her snugly in his arms without so much as a warning. Kagome gasped, fingers clutching the silk fabric of his haori, but Sesshoumaru gave her no time to protest. In one powerful leap, they were airborne, the world below shrinking as they cut through the crisp morning sky.
As the wind rushed around them, Kagome marveled at the view, her heart still fluttering from the sudden ascent. The forest spread out like an endless sea of green, and she could just make out the small figures of Shippo and Rin waving from below.