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Chapter 4

With the young priestess now caring for both her own child and Rin, Sesshomaru found that the area immediately surrounding him was far quieter and calmer than it had been in more than two years. While Rin was nowhere near as boisterous as other human children he had observed, compared to his many decades of almost complete solitude, having her around was rather noisy. And for the week or so after the priestess came, the addition of the fox only compounded those sounds.

However, now he was alone in his study, after breakfast, reading some reports from various locations throughout his lands. The autumn season was fully upon them now, and a cool, refreshing breeze brought crisp morning air into the room. If he paid attention, he could hear the miko's soft voice and the laughter of the children from the room a few doors down, but he had stubbornly decided to focus on the contents of the messages and not on their lesson. His thoughts soon began to wander, much to his chagrin.

Sesshomaru knew that the priestess was young, and being in such close proximity had made him realize just how young she truly was. She could not be more than 17 or 18 years. Somewhere in the back of his mind he thought he should know the exact age, but brushed it aside. What was more surprising – or dare he think it, impressive – was how such a young girl knew so much about so many subjects. Her place of origin was indeed strange.

He occasionally sat in on her lessons (or eavesdropped through the door though he would never admit that to himself nor anyone else), pretending to be bored, but actually listening with some degree of interest. He knew she was well-educated, but her range of knowledge was rather astounding. And then there was the matter of presenting that information to her pupils.

The way she moved between subjects was very organic. The children could be looking at a map, then begin to write and draw, or they might talk about counting and shapes and colors, and then suddenly decide to go on a walk. While it seemed very disjointed, the miko always somehow connected everything together. It was very different from the strictness and rigidity of his education. Everything was taught with kindness and warmth, and though he scoffed at how soft it all was, he had to admit that her methods were effective; in the month since she had arrived both children were almost completely literate in the woman's writing that made up the sounds of their language as well as a number of other facts and concepts that they shared with him excitedly each evening over their shared meal.

Remembering their progress in reading and writing led the demon lord's thoughts down another path. The miko tried to speak like those around her, copying words and phrases with an odd stiffness, but there was something undeniably strange about her…dialect. In addition, there was a uniformity to her writing that he had never seen before. Very strange indeed.

Kagome was slowly getting used to life in the castle. She had finally figured out how to navigate the halls of the east wing without getting lost and lessons with the children were progressing smoothly. In the morning, they trained, ate together, and studied, and in the afternoon they played and did crafts until it was time for their evening meal.

Her time in the demon lord's presence was thankfully short, and he seemed content to leave her and the children to their own devices. In fact, other than her greetings (and his slight nods acknowledging said greetings), very little in the way of conversation had passed between to two.

Kagome was secretly glad that he had little interest in her doings. She was nervous enough trying to teach the kids and observe proper etiquette for this time period without having to worry about how to converse with someone like him. It's not like he particularly inspired conversation either…

She wondered if she should make more of an effort to engage him though. She hadn't had an adult conversation in weeks, and while she loved the children dearly, being with them day in and day out was beginning to wear on her nerves. She decided to try when an opening appeared.

…and a few days later, such an opportunity made itself apparent.

After morning training and breakfast, Kagome decided to take the children on a walk through the garden. The leaves were turning colors, the green of the previous season being almost completely replaced with the yellows, reds, and browns of autumn. She thought a bit of fresh air and a science lesson might be a good way to start the morning.

To her surprise, Sesshomaru had followed the group outside and stood on the little platform that looked out over it as they walked around below and talked about the reason the plants changed colors. Seeing that he would be there awhile, Kagome left the children to play on their own and walked slowly over to where the lord stood. She decided to direct her gaze to the garden too, though mostly to avoid any potential eye contact with Sesshomaru. It wasn't that she was particularly afraid of him, but striking up a conversation with him was more than a little intimidating.

"Um… Lord Sesshomaru…?" she began hesitantly.

If she had been looking at him, she would have seen his gaze slide from the scene in front of him to her… or rather her head. She kept her eyes stubbornly forward, and Sesshomaru let his eyes go back to their previous subjects.

Seeing as he wasn't going to walk off immediately and ignore her, Kagome continued, slightly emboldened.

"Why are there so few demons in the castle?"

This time Kagome did look up. His face remained blank, however, and she wondered if he would even bother to answer. He didn't even look like he had heard her. She leaned her elbows on the railing in front of her and then rested her head upon her arms. It was a childlike pose, but she didn't really care.

"The majority of those who worked in the castle before have been assigned elsewhere for now."

Kagome jumped a little at his voice and stood up straight again so she could look at him. Of course, nothing had changed in his face, but she pressed on.

"…why?"

Sesshomaru looked down at her. There really was no reason she needed to know, and he could think of no reason why she would want to know. Perhaps it was just curiosity. He decided he would humor her for the time being.

"They are needed in battle."

Kagome took the information in slowly, realization dawning on her.

"I got so caught up in my own battles, I kinda forgot this was called the Warring States Period."

Sesshomaru raised his eye brows slightly. Was…? He didn't get the chance to voice his question though, as the priestess continued.

"But I haven't seen any battles recently."

"The last few months have been quiet, but there are still enemies waiting for their chance."

Kagome nodded and turned her attention back to the children, suddenly grateful for the peace of the castle and the assured safety of being under Sesshomaru's protection.

Sesshomaru silently took his leave, and the priestess, lost in thought, barely noticed his departure. After a few moments though, she called the children to her and they began their lessons for the day.

Kagome sat on the half wall of the hallway in front of her bedroom, one leg hanging lazily off the side. It was starting to get cold out at night, but she didn't feel like being cooped up. In truth, she had not spent such an extended period of time in one place in years, let alone in the same building. While the castle was large, it was much different living here than her two or so years of constant traveling throughout the country. She was starting to get cabin fever. And she was starting to miss home too.

She was wearing sweats and a T-shirt, not interested in the sleeping yukata that had been prepared for her. She had been trying to incorporate more kimono into her daily wardrobe as Sesshomaru seemed to dislike her foreign clothing, but some days she just gave up tying the obi and slipped into something more familiar. He wasn't the fashion police anyway.

Speaking of the demon lord, their conversation (if you could call it that) had really surprised her. In fact, his whole demeanor in general was strange inside the castle walls, but she chalked that up to the familiarity of being at home. Not that he seemed any more forthcoming with words or kindness than before. He just seemed… Well, he didn't seem to be anything. It was like there was a wall of glass between them. She could see him, of course, but the inner workings of his mind were unfathomable. No indication of his thoughts or emotions existed, other than his slightly eased posture. It was probably a step up from scornful glares and trying to kill her though, she admitted.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that the very being she was thinking about had joined her.

Sesshomaru followed her slightly blank gaze to the moon and stars, knowing she was not entirely present at the moment. He scoffed at her lack of awareness. It was a miracle she hadn't gotten herself killed thus far. But another part of him thought perhaps she was just comfortable in the castle or with his presence. That was a mistake on her part though. He had brought her here for a job, but that didn't mean she should trust him so easily. Looking at her again, he took in the light of the moon reflecting on her soft, pale skin and the blackness of her hair. Her strange blue grey eyes almost ethereal. Objectively, she was appealing for a human. He scoffed at his own thoughts then, focusing on his original intent in approaching the woman.

"Miko."

Kagome was so startled that she nearly fell over the side of the railing. In fact, it was only Sesshomaru's lightning fast grip on her arm that saved her from a nasty meeting with the earth far below. She giggled nervously at his glare. So much for no scorn.

"Haha…ha…thanks…?"

The glare was joined with an annoyed huff.

"I get it. I'll get down now."

She slid off the railing, waiting for him to release her arm. He did not, however.

"Miko, the kit still remains in the same form. I do not repeat myself."

Kagome pursed her lips, remembering their conversation from over a month ago. There was no question that she was to obey his tone. She had been avoiding talking to Shippo about this, but suddenly the idea of Sesshomaru broaching the subject seemed to change her mind on the matter slightly. She gulped and took a deep breath.

"I'll speak with him in the morning."

Sesshomaru nodded, pleased at her, albeit unwilling, compliance. He released her from his grip and she stumbled forward slightly, not prepared to be completely independent of his strength. She looked back up at him, but he was already walking away, heading toward his own quarters.

"Good night, Lord Sesshomaru," she said quietly before taking off her shoes and slipping into her own room.