Author's Note: Thank you for the kind messages and reviews. I hope you enjoy this next installment. Also, the hori-gotatsu mentioned in this chapter are the precursors of the modern kotatsu.

Chapter 10

Kagome was pleased that things had returned to normal. At least on the surface. Sesshomaru no longer avoided her, and their interactions, while still formal, weren't as icy as before. But something still tickled the back of her mind—an elusive feeling, like when she sensed the distant pulse of a Shikon shard or the approach of a hostile youkai. The sensation was persistent, just out of reach, and it frustrated her that she couldn't pinpoint its source. Still, she tried to ignore the sensation.

At least the children provided ample distraction.

In the two weeks since her confrontation with Sesshomaru, the weather had shifted from brisk and pleasant to downright miserable. Rain and chill seemed to seep into everything, but the warmth inside the castle helped keep her spirits up. The many braziers and recently unveiled hori-gotatsu meant staying indoors was hardly a sacrifice… at least not for her. The kids, however, did not seem to enjoy being cooped up. But luckily, a clever miko and her wise mother had prepared for this eventuality.

Today, Kagome had decided to introduce the kids to a bit of modern science with the ever-beloved volcano experiment.

Rin and Shippo were seated around the hori-gotatsu in the library, already too warm and excited to stay under the blankets. Their eyes were wide with curiosity as Kagome explained the materials spread out in front of them: a lumpy, clay model of a mountain on a lacquered tray (borrowed from the kitchen), a jar of vinegar, and a small bowl of baking soda.

"Alright, guys. Today we're going to make a volcano." Kagome smiled. She was comfortably sat under the warm blanket of the hori-gotatsu, enjoying the excitement already building in the room.

"A real volcano?" Shippo asked, his eyes lighting up. "Like the kind that spits fire?" He pressed as close to Kagome's side as he could, leaning against her left shoulder to try and get a look inside the hollow opening at the top.

"Well, not exactly," Kagome laughed, positioning the clay mountain at the center of the table to make it easier for both children to see. "This is a mini version. It's not dangerous, but it'll still erupt."

Rin frowned thoughtfully, staring at the mound of clay and poking one of the sides. "But how is it going to do that? There's no fire or anything."

"Good question," Kagome said, adjusting her position so Rin could scoot closer on her right. "We're going to use something called a chemical reaction. It's kind of like magic, but instead of spells or youki, it uses two things—an acid and a base. When we mix them, they'll react and create a gas, which will make our volcano erupt."

Shippo scrunched his nose. "An acid and a base? What's a base? And isn't acid the stuff that melts things?"

"You're right! Some acids are really strong, but not all of them. Vinegar, for example, is a weak acid, but it's enough to cause a reaction with this," Kagome explained, holding up the dish of baking soda. "Baking soda is a base. When we mix these two together, they'll make a fizzy gas called carbon dioxide, which is what will cause the eruption."

Shippo's eyes lit up again. "Oh! So it's like when soda fizzes?"

"Exactly," Kagome said, beaming, pleased he remembered the sweet drink she had brough from her time. "But this time, you'll see a lot more fizz."

The kids leaned in eagerly as Kagome poured the baking soda into the opening at the top of the clay mountain. She placed the vinegar nearby, ready to pour.

"Are you ready?" she asked with a grin.

Both children nodded enthusiastically.

With a flourish, Kagome poured the vinegar into the volcano. The reaction was immediate—white foam bubbled up from the volcano's peak and spilled over the sides, cascading down like lava. Rin gasped in delight, and Shippo's mouth hung open in amazement.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Shippo leaned closer to watch the foam spread. "It's just like magic! …a little more stinky though," he admitted, scrunching up his nose.

Kagome smiled, satisfied by their wonder. "See? Science can be fun."

Rin giggled as the foam continued to froth over. "It's like a real volcano! But not scary."

"That's the idea," Kagome said, smile growing as the children went about trying to recreate the experiment themselves.

Just then, she felt it—an unmistakable presence behind her. Her senses prickled, familiar and steady. Sesshomaru. He hadn't made a sound, but somehow, she just knew he was there. It was just like when she had played the Kagome Kagome game as a child. Her expression briefly flickered to something between a smile and a grimace, the memory bittersweet. Pushing the thought from her mind, she turned her head slightly, glancing over her shoulder at the hidden demon lord.

"Enjoying the show?" she asked, eyes searching until she spied him looking at the group through a shelf of scrolls.

Sesshomaru's golden eyes met hers, betraying a hint of surprise that she had noticed him. He stood still, arms resting at his sides, though his gaze switched back and forth between her and the once again overflowing mountain on the table.

"Teaching them… science?" he asked, testing the strange word, though his attention briefly returned to the bubbling foam.

"Yep. It's a little science project," she replied casually, turning back to the kids, who were marveling at the foam mess they had created. "Thought they'd enjoy learning something new. You don't get to see a volcano erupt every day."

Sesshomaru didn't respond, but there was an almost imperceptible softening in his gaze as he watched Rin and Shippo laugh together. He had never experienced anything like this in his own childhood. The concept of playful experiments and discovery was foreign to him, but he couldn't deny the effect it had on the children. He stepped out from behind the shelf to come closer to the hori-gotatsu.

Kagome leaned back on her hands, stretching her feet a little closer to the charcoal under the table. "They seem to love it," she said, glancing back at him. "Not that I'm surprised."

Sesshomaru's eyes met hers again, this time with a flicker of something more. He gave a slight nod, acknowledging her efforts before retreating to his study, closing the door behind him.

Kagome smiled, feeling the tension between them ease just a little more. Things weren't completely resolved but they were getting better. And that, she thought, was a step in the right direction.

Sesshomaru sat in his study, listening as the children made the "volcano" erupt a few more times. Each time their squeals of delight and Kagome's melodic laughter filtered into his space, leaving him with a strange feeling in his chest.

He had entered his study through the hallway originally and noticed immediately that the passage between the study and library was open. He hadn't made a sound as he stepped past the threshold and walked between the shelves, standing directly behind the miko and children, just as the first "eruption" had taken place. There was no way they could have heard him, and the kit was too close to the sour, acidic odor released by the project. And yet, Kagome had known he was there.

Sesshomaru frowned slightly as he sat down at his desk. There was much about the miko that was a mystery. While questions lingered in his mind, he knew that he should be more detached. He grabbed the first stack of papers and began to sort through his work.

Sighing through his nose, he listened as Kagome and the children cleaned up for the day and left to play.

At dinner that evening, Kagome noticed Sesshomaru seemed tenser than usual, his focus elsewhere as he picked at his meal. She had grown attuned to his subtle shifts in mood, and tonight something was clearly on his mind. Curious, but not wanting to pry too much or draw attention, she waited for the children to become engrossed in their own conversation to ask him about it.

"You seem... distracted," she ventured, keeping her tone casual. "Is something on your mind?" She kept her focus on her own plates, picking up some vegetables delicately with her chopsticks.

Sesshomaru glanced at her, his expression as calm as ever, but there was a brief flicker of thought behind his eyes. "There are missives to attend to," he said finally, his voice smooth but weighted with the unspoken burden of responsibility. "Matters that require my attention."

Kagome nodded, thoughtful. "Sounds like a long night ahead," she replied, giving the demon lord a small, sympathetic smile.

Sesshomaru didn't respond, merely giving a subtle inclination of his head before returning his attention to his plate. Kagome knew he wouldn't say more on the matter but was pleasantly happy that he had decided to share.

Later that evening, after everyone had retired, Kagome moved about her room, putting things away and setting out items for the next day. She had taken a bath with Rin in the castle's sento earlier, and the lingering warmth in her body made her feel pleasantly relaxed. Her hair was still wrapped in a towel from her time, but she wore a white sleeping yukata paired with a grey quilted hanten jacket this evening.

Deciding it was still a little early for bed, she requested a pot of warm water from a passing servant and went to retrieve one of the tea bags her mother had sent for evenings like these—a calming blend of chamomile and lavender that always helped her unwind. After selecting a book and some sweets to go with it, a light tap sounded at her door. She retrieved the boiled water, thanking the servant for taking the late request.

As she carried the tray back to her hori-gotatsu, Kagome noticed she had been given two plates and cups. An idea suddenly sparked in her mind. She placed two tea bags and the sweets on the tray, slid her book into her jacket pocket, and headed toward Sesshomaru's study before her rational mind had a chance to come back from whatever vacation it was on. She had never brought him something so… personal before, but maybe this small gesture would be appreciated. He seemed to be having a rough evening, after all.

The door to his study was slightly ajar, a faint sliver of candlelight spilling into the hallway. Kagome knocked softly before entering, knowing that he had already sensed her approach. If he had a problem with it, he would have said something before.

"I thought you might like something to help with all that work," she said, stepping inside and placing the tray on the corner of his desk. "It's just tea. Nothing fancy, but it's supposed to help with stress." She felt a little awkward, especially after their last interaction in this room, but stood her ground, waiting for his response.

Sesshomaru looked up from the parchment he had been reading, his sharp eyes narrowing briefly as he took in the sight of her and the tea tray placed before him. His gaze shifted slightly as he inhaled, the foreign scents unrecognizeable, yet soothing. Kagome couldn't help but smile inwardly as she saw the faintest softening in his expression.

To her surprise, he didn't dismiss the gesture. Instead, he gave a subtle nod. "Hn."

Relieved, Kagome smiled, watching as he reached for the tea with his usual grace, despite the weariness she suspected lay beneath his composed exterior. He didn't drink immediately, but there was a quiet acknowledgment in his eyes.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, she paused, her concern lingering. "Is there anything else I can do? You seem… more tired than usual."

Sesshomaru's gaze flicked to her, sharp and assessing, but there was a subtle shift in his posture—his shoulders relaxing, if only slightly. "It is nothing unusual," he replied after a moment. "However, the workload has been… time-consuming."

Kagome nodded in sympathy, ready to make her exit once more, when Sesshomaru's voice stopped her.

"There are two cups," he remarked, his tone as even as ever. "And two… satchels of tea."

Caught off guard, Kagome glanced at the tray and smiled. "I don't want to disturb you," she explained gently. "It's no trouble."

"You are not a disturbance," Sesshomaru replied with certainty. He filled the second cup with hot water and placed the other tea bag in it, then slid the cup toward the opposite side of the desk. He motioned to the cushion on the floor.

Kagome hesitated for only a moment before accepting the invitation. She knelt on the cushion, leaning slightly on her hip rather than sitting in perfect seiza, and rested her arm against the edge of the desk as she pulled her book from her jacket pocket.

Sesshomaru raised a brow, but said nothing, allowing her to settle in. Once she seemed comfortable, he took a sip of the tea she had brought. He could feel her watching him from the corner of her eye, but he didn't acknowledge it. Instead, he focused on the soothing warmth that spread through his body as the calming blend worked its magic. Whether or not it was real magic was unclear. The sensation was similar to the tingling the miko's powers had on his person. But there was nothing threatening or uncomfortable; as she had said, the scent was both calming and relaxing.

While he allowed the first taste of the strange blend to be tested by his senses, he noticed Kagome remove the wrap from around her head, dark damp hair spilling over her shoulders. The miko's scent, heightened by her recent bath, was stronger now. It was a mixture of the castle's herbal soaps and something uniquely hers—a fragrance of rain and waterlilies that lingered and softened everything it touched.

For a while, they sat in companionable silence, with Sesshomaru returning to his scrolls and Kagome quietly reading her book. The peace of the moment, though unspoken, was palpable. Despite the lack of conversation, the atmosphere felt light, as though they both silently agreed that their presence was enough.

Eventually, as Kagome stifled a yawn, the quiet serenity of the evening drew to a natural close. Sesshomaru, too, noticed the lateness of the hour and finally set aside his work.

"You should turn in for the night," Sesshomaru said as Kagome covered another yawn with the back of her hand.

Kagome's eyes darted to him a moment before returning to her book. She turned the page before marking her place and closing it. After a short sigh, she slipped her book back into her pocket and slowly stood up.

"I suppose you're right," she replied, making to grab the tray and tidy their snack.

Sesshomaru's hand darted out to still her movements, his hand encircling her wrist firmly yet gently. "Leave it," Sesshomaru said with equal suddenness.

Kagome's eyes had widened in surprise at the contact, but once the shock wore off a moment later, she inclined her head and smiled softly at the demon lord, grey eyes soft with both affection and sleepiness. "Very well. Good night, Lord Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru released her wrist and inclined his head, watching her go with a sense of quiet satisfaction, her scent still lingering in the air as she left.

Over the next few days, Sesshomaru found himself more attuned to Kagome than usual. He watched her carefully as she moved through the castle, attending to Rin and Shippo, organizing activities to keep them occupied during this period of near continuous cold and rain. She was constantly engaged, her energy directed toward the children, with barely a moment for herself. Each morning, she rose early to train, then spent hours entertaining the children with stories, games, and lessons. He noticed the fatigue in the way her steps slowed toward evening, the way her smiles sometimes seemed more forced than natural. Despite her weariness, she never complained, her dedication to Rin and Shippo unwavering.

Sesshomaru wasn't accustomed to paying such close attention to another person's daily routines, yet he found himself more aware of Kagome than he had anticipated. Perhaps it had been her concern for his own well-being—unnecessary as it was—that opened this floodgate. He'd see the faint lines of exhaustion tugging at the corners of her eyes or the way her hands lingered on her back as if to stretch out an ache she refused to acknowledge. Even the subtle shifts in her scent told him she was running on empty—her usual light fragrance was tainted with the faintest hint of strain. Yet, through it all, Kagome remained cheerful and attentive, never letting the children see her struggle. He felt slightly foolish, realizing that he may have overlooked it as well if not for… whatever was drawing his attention to her now. He also found himself annoyed for not considering that she would need or want time off in the first place. Once again it seemed like the naturalness of her presence led to her being taken for granted, something that did not sit well with him, knowing what he did of his brother's travels.

One evening after dinner, when the children had gone to bed and the rain beat softly against the windows, Sesshomaru found Kagome under the hori-gotatsu in the library. Her legs were tucked beneath her, a book open in her lap, though she didn't seem to be reading it. Instead, her eyes were half-lidded, gazing into the flame of a brazier near the door, her body relaxed as if she were soaking in the warmth. She didn't look up as he approached, and he thought she was too absorbed in the rare moment of peace she had stolen for herself.

"You do not rest as often as you should," he said, his voice low but cutting through the quiet of the room.

Kagome glanced up, but did not seem startled. Perhaps she had not been as distracted as he thought. Her eyes, though tired, still sparkled in the flickering firelight. "What do you mean? I rest," she replied lightly, though the fatigue etched into her features betrayed her words.

"You have not taken a day to yourself since you arrived," Sesshomaru observed, his tone even, but there was an edge of something unfamiliar—concern, perhaps? It was strange for him to care about something so mundane as another's exhaustion, yet here he was.

Kagome's shoulders slumped slightly, though she quickly tried to shake it off. She laughed softly, a sound tinged with both amusement and dismissal. "I've gone longer without rest before. When I was looking for shards, I used to travel for days—sometimes weeks—without a proper break."

Sesshomaru's gaze sharpened, as if he were piecing something together. His golden eyes held hers for a moment longer before he spoke again. "And yet you are not in the forest, nor are you hunting shards. This is not the same."

Kagome opened her mouth to protest, to tell him that she was fine, but she caught herself. He was right. She hadn't had a moment to herself since arriving at the castle. It wasn't like before when she could lose herself in the hunt for shards, pushing her own needs aside in pursuit of a greater goal. Now, her time was spent looking after the children, her days filled with endless tasks that left little room for self-care. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to complain. "The kids need me," she said quietly, her voice softening. "I don't mind. It's just... different from before."

There was a long pause as Sesshomaru regarded her, his expression unreadable, though his eyes remained locked on hers. His usual cold detachment seemed tempered by something else, something she couldn't quite place. He watched her for a moment longer before speaking again, his tone firm but lacking its usual harshness.

"You will take the day for yourself tomorrow," he said, the command slipping from his lips as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Kagome blinked, confused. "What?"

"I will arrange for the staff to watch over the children," Sesshomaru continued, his gaze never leaving hers. "You will rest. For one day at least."

Kagome stared at him, her mind struggling to process the words. Sesshomaru, of all people, was telling her to take a break. She opened her mouth to argue, but the stern look in his eyes left no room for debate.

After a long pause, she finally smiled, a soft, grateful expression crossing her face. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. It was all she could think to say, the warmth of his unexpected kindness blooming in her chest.

Sesshomaru didn't respond—didn't know how to respond— and simply turned and walked away before he could say or do anything else irrational.

As his figure disappeared into his study, Kagome couldn't help the warmth that lingered in her chest, a strange mix of gratitude and something else she couldn't quite define.

The next morning, when she woke up to find the castle unusually quiet, she knew he had made good on his promise. The soft hum of the castle's daily routine carried on without her, but for once, she had time to herself. The realization brought a small smile to her lips as she allowed herself to relax fully for the first time in what felt like forever.

Author's Note: What do we think? I've got some more drama coming up for those who like a bit of those gothic romances. I don't think Sesshomaru is quite ready to admit his feelings yet and Kagome is totally oblivious, but I think we'll make some strides in the next couple chapters. Join me, would you?