Hey! I'm updating and it's only been, like, 2 months! I'm getting better at this. Hehe. Anyway, I was going to thank someone for catching my eleventy billion mistakes and blunders, but I can't find the Post-It note that her name is written on, so I'm sorry. Thanx to everyone that keeps sending me reviews, cuz it helps a lot.
I've been a bit distracted with work and my new anime buddies(Matt and Liz-hehe), so I apologize for this taking as long as it did. I hope you like it, and PLEASE, please review!
Chapter Thirteen
"We're here," Kagome stated. She turned toward her companion as he put her down. "I guess it really is in your blood. Are you okay?"
"That was…interesting, to say the least," the Taiyoukai replied.
"Let me just warn you now that in this time, there are noises everywhere and the air is polluted, so the smell isn't the most pleasant. Luckily, our shrine has wards to protect the peace, so you should be okay." Nodding, he jumped out of the well when he heard the miko climbing out. When she reached the top, she took hold of his hand. "Come on. My house is this way." He followed the girl into her house when a voice rang out.
"Is that you, Kagome?"
"Yeah, Mom. It's me."
"Good, then perhaps you could tell me why Inuyasha came here looking for you almost a week ago," she stated.
Kagome cringed. "Something important happened, and I didn't have time to tell Inuyasha," she explained sheepishly.
"And what was so important that you had to worry your friends and family?"
"Your daughter was helping me," Sesshoumaru replied, shocking Kagome, and bringing her mother into the room.
"Oh, hello. And you are?"
"Mom, this is Sesshoumaru. He's Inuyasha's older half-brother."
"Half? So, that would mean that you're a full demon, right?"
"Correct."
"It's nice to meet you, Sesshoumaru." He nodded in agreement. "Now, you said that Kagome was helping you?"
"She was. It would appear that a traitor in my castle has placed a curse upon me. The miko has been trying to break it. My retainer was a bit, overzealous, and brought her to my home as soon as she arrived, allowing her no time to inform anyone of her whereabouts."
"And now? Did he find you?"
"Yeah. He followed that stupid little toad's scent to his castle. Everyone's there now, watching over his lands."
"Lands? Castle?"
"Sesshoumaru is the Lord of the Western Lands, Mom."
"I see. Well, you're welcome here for as long as you need, but I feel that I should warn you about my father."
"Warn me?"
"My father dislikes demons and tries to banish them with the sutras that he carries."
"Trust me, Sesshoumaru, he's completely harmless. Those sutras don't work on Inuyasha, so I highly doubt that they'll work on you." She looked around. "Where is Gramps, anyway? And Souta."
"They're at the park." To Sesshoumaru, she asked, "Will you be eating with us?"
"I must respectfully decline. I do not eat human food."
"If you'd like, we have fresh vegetables."
"That will be fine." He bowed slightly. "I thank you for your hospitality."
"Anytime. I'll let Kagome show you to our spare room." With that, she returned to the kitchen, but not before seeing her daughter take his hand and guide him to the stairs. 'He's blind,' she realized. She continued making breakfast, all the while reminding herself to search the storehouse.
"Hold on, Sesshoumaru."
"What is it?"
"Right in front of you, there are twelve steps." When they reached the top, she explained, "The spare room is next to mine, and for you, about six paces on your left."
He stopped in front of a door. "Here?"
"Yup."
He opened the door and entered the room. It was obvious that the room wasn't frequently used, he deduced, from the musky smell. After being informed that the bed was four paces in front of him, he walked over to it and sat down.
"This will do."
Kagome rolled her eyes. "I'm so glad that it pleases you, My Lord." The comment was promptly ignored. "So, Sesshoumaru, how long do you think it'll be until you'll be able to see?"
"If this temporal excursion actually works, my vision should begin improving by morning."
"Wow. I know that demons have quick healing abilities, but yours is amazing."
"It is. Mine is more advanced than most because of my mother."
"What do you mean?"
"She had the ability to heal. She was also a skilled apothecary."
"Cool. Did she teach you?"
"She tried. I had, difficulties, learning the potions and other concoctions."
"Do you still?"
He hesitated before answering. "Yes."
She smiled brightly. "Ha! I finally found something that you can't do!"
He glared at her. "I said that I have difficulties, not that I can't do it."
"Oh, just admit it. You're not as perfect as you think you are."
"If you recall, I never said that I was perfect."
"You don't have to. Your attitude says it loud and clear."
The Demon Lord had opened his mouth to respond when he picked up on the approach of Kagome's mother.
"Your mother is coming." A few moments later, there was a knock at the door before it was opened, indeed revealing the Higurashi matriarch. She was holding a laundry basket.
"Sorry to intrude, but I brought out some of my late husband's clothes, in case you would like to change into something else."
"Thanks, Mom." Sesshoumaru nodded.
It was downstairs that the trio heard the door open and close, followed by footsteps running upstairs.
"Mom?"
"We're in the spare room, Souta!" she called back. The door opened to reveal the ten-year-old boy.
"Is breakfast re-" He stopped when he saw his sister and Sesshoumaru. "Hey, Sis. Who'd you bring home?"
"This is Sesshoumaru. He's-"
"Inuyasha's brother," he blurted out, completely awestruck. "Are you a full demon?"
"I am," he replied.
"Wow. That, is so cool. So, how old are you? Are you older?"
"I am over a thousand, and yes. Inuyasha is slightly over two-hundred."
"You're a thousand? How awesome is that?"
"That's enough, Souta. Go on downstairs and set the table. Your sister and her guest will be eating up here."
"Aw, but do I have to?"
"I'm sure that they have a lot to discuss, so go on."
"Fine," he conceded dejectedly, leaving the room.
"I'll be right back up with your breakfast," Mrs. Higurashi said as she, too, left, only to return a minute later.
Kagome's eyes lit up at the sight. "Are those what I think they are?"
Strawberry pancakes with maple syrup?"
"Uh huh."
"Of course."
"Mom, I love you to death."
"I know," she joked, placing the two plates on the bed. "And for your friend, I brought fresh vegetables from the garden."
"I thank you."
"It's no trouble, but I thought that you should know that my son will be up here as soon as he finishes his breakfast." That said, she left to eat, as well as to distract her youngest child.
The two ate in silence until Kagome spoke. " I have an idea."
"And what would that be?"
"Why don't you change into some modern clothes and we can walk around the city. It'll give your senses a chance to get used to this time."
He thought about it for a moment before nodding. "I suppose so."
"Okay, let me just find you something to wear." She began rummaging through the basket of clothes. "Good thing my dad was really tall."
"Was?"
"Um, yeah. He died shortly after Souta was born."
"I see."
"Here we go. Now, hold out your hands."
"Why?"
"Oh, just do it."
He rolled his eyes, but did as she asked. After placing the pair of jeans in his hands, she demonstrated how to fasten them. Then moved on to the white T-shirt she had found.
"I'll be right back. I'm just gonna bring my mom these dishes and then get changed myself." He nodded as she left the room.
After dropping off the dishes, she ran back up to her room. The miko searched her room until she found her favorite pair of dark denim hip-huggers and a deep magenta halter-top.
'Hm, I match his markings,' she mused. Then it hit her. 'Wait. What do I tell people about his markings? Well, I guess I can say that they're tattoos.' Shrugging, she left her room and knocked on the door. "Are you done in there?"
"I believe so."
She opened the door and was stopped in her tracks. The light denim jeans fit him perfectly and the ivory shirt revealed his well-maintained physique.
'Wow,' her mind screamed before she said, "You look good in those clothes, but what happened to the fur?"
"It's part of me, so I simply willed it away."
"What is it, anyway?"
"It connects me to my beast form."
"Are you able to hide your markings, too?"
"Yes, why?"
"It's not entirely normal. At least the crescent? No one here knows it's meaning anyway. We can just say that the streaks are tattoos."
"Tattoos?"
"Ink designs on the skin." Nodding, Sesshoumaru focused and slowly ran his index and middle fingers across his forehead, effectively hiding the royal mark. "Hm, one last touch."
"What now?"
"Sit down, please." When he did, she braided his hair into a long silver rope, tying it off with a rubber band.
"Are you quite done, Miko?"
"Yes, but could you call me Kagome in public?"
"I suppose."
"Thank you. Well, let's go."
They walked downstairs and Kagome peeked into the dining room.
"Mom, we're going out for a bit."
"Okay, but take the sunglasses on the table by the door. Your friend might need them."
"Sun-glasses?" he asked, confused.
"They protect your eyes from the sun. I guess that she realized that you were blind. I'll bet that she thought the sun would be too bright at first."
"Okay, but have you ever made Inuyasha dress in this odd attire?"
She snorted. "He can barely wear the hat to cover his ears without pitching a fit. I just don't let him leave the shrine. You, at least, understand the concept of being inconspicuous."
"Do you honestly believe that Inuyasha knows it's meaning to begin with?"
"Good point."
"Now, where are we going?"
"There's a small bit of woods not too far away. I thought that we could go there. We need to walk a bit through town, but not too much. It's just that it's a very relaxing place for me."
"Understandable. A miko feels most comfortable when near nature."
"I think that Kaede told me that once." Shrugging, Kagome took the demon's hand and led him down the main stairs of the shrine, though stopped suddenly about half way down.
"What is it?"
"The wards end here. After this step, it'll all hit at once." Nodding, they walked down the rest of the stairs and continued on through town.
"This is why I hate humans," Sesshoumaru muttered.
"Why?"
"Only humans would do this to nature," he replied, his nose wrinkling at the smell.
"Well, I agree with you. We just don't have as strong a connection to the earth as you."
"You seem to be only exception I have ever met."
She smiled and nudged him in the side. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that was a compliment."
"Good thing you know better." The girl giggled softly, a sound that Sesshoumaru couldn't stop himself from thinking was 'cute'. 'I've spent far too much time with this girl.' His musing was halted by a loud yell.
"Kagome!"
Turning toward the yell, Kagome saw her friends, Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi, run over to them.
"Hey guys," she greeted when they reached her.
"How've you been?" Eri asked.
"Yeah," Ayumi added. "We haven't seen you in ages!"
"I was away helping a friend," she replied. 'Not exactly a lie,' she told herself. It was then that she noticed that the three teens had turned their full attention toward Sesshoumaru.
"Kagome, who's your friend?" Yuka asked, proverbial hearts in her eyes.
"Oh, right. Guys, this is Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru, this is Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi."
Leaning close, Eri asked, "Is this the jealous, two-timing, hothead that you've told us about?"
"Um, no. This is his brother," she explained.
"Half-brother," he cut in, his silky voice making them melt.
"But, why are you two holding hands? I thought that you were dating his brother."
That caught the Taiyoukai's attention. He had been a bit curious as to the relationship between Inuyasha and the miko for some time now. It appeared that he would finally be getting some answers.
She turned bright pink. "No, I'm not dating anyone, least of all Inuyasha, and I'm holding Sesshoumaru's hand because he can't see. I happen to be friends with both and offered to help him out until his vision returns, which should be soon," she explained. "I've told you guys a thousand times that I'm not dating Inuyasha."
"Well, what about him? He's absolutely gorgeous," Yuka whispered.
"Well, he is that," Kagome agreed. "Only problem is, I think he knows it."
"I can hear you, you know, Little Miko." This caused the blush to return to her cheeks.
"Miko?"
She laughed nervously. "Yeah, because I live in a shrine."
"We should get going, Kagome," he stated.
"Yeah, you're right." She turned to the girls. "Sorry, but we were on our way somewhere."
"No problem," Eri said.
"Just call us later or something," Ayumi added.
"Sure thing." To Sesshoumaru, she said, "Let's go." He nodded and followed the girl, leaving her three friends on the corner where they had been stopped.
"Jealous, two-timing hothead, hm? I assume that they meant Inuyasha."
"Yeah. I've been known to rant about him to my friends, and they just assumed that he was my boyfriend."
"Which he's not."
"Right."
"Do you wish he was?"
She stopped. "Why do you want to know?"
"You ask questions of me, so it's only fair. Besides, I'm curious as to why he's so protective."
They had just reached the wooded area, so Kagome led him to a nearby bench and they sat down.
"There was a time when I wanted more than just friendship, but I now know that he'll never see me as anything other than Kikyou's reincarnation."
"Is that why you are you insecure?"
She paused. "Am I?"
"You think that you are weak. That, is insecure."
"I suppose so. I mean, when you're told something for long enough, you grow to believe it."
"What is it about Inuyasha that makes his word law?"
"What do you mean?"
"He says it, therefore that must be the truth. Tell me, does he ever compliment you?"
"Sure he does."
"How often?"
"Well, um, I guess it isn't too often, but he said that my scent was nice once."
"What was the situation?"
"He was human and dying," she admitted.
"And your friends?"
"All the time, now what are you getting at?"
"Inuyasha isn't perfect."
"Oh, I know that, trust me."
"Then stop taking his criticism as fact. Now, in regards to the undead priestess, ask yourself why she can use her powers."
"What do you mean? She's a miko. Why couldn't she use them?"
"She's tainted my death and malice. What must a miko possess in order to use her powers?"
It dawned on her. "A pure heart and soul." She turned to him. "Then why can she still use her abilities?"
"It's your soul inhabiting her body, isn't that right?"
"How do you know about that?"
"Not much escapes my attention."
"So, you 're telling me that it's my soul fragment that allows her to purify?"
He nodded. "Yours is the purest soul I've seen; purer than Midoriko's, I'd wager. It isn't tainted in the least by evil or the prejudices of the time. Remember that you're far more powerful that Inuyasha gives you credit for." The slight scent of tears invaded the Taiyoukai's senses. "What's wrong?"
"Absolutely nothing," she answered serenely. "No one's ever said anything like that to me before." She then placed her head on his shoulder, startling him at first. His left arm began moving on it's own, wrapping around Kagome's small frame. A small giggle escaped.
"What?" he asked.
"Who would've ever thought that we'd be friends?"
"Hm, I suppose we are."
"By the way, I think I know why we've been sharing dreams."
"Continue."
"I think it might be because I've been using my powers on you. It's acting like a link."
"Makes sense."
"I don't know how to sever it, though."
"We'll figure it out."
"You know, I like you like this," the girl mumbled.
"Like what?"
"I dunno. Less guarded, I guess. Calmer, too." She paused. "I know that I've asked you this before, but why are you being so nice to me?"
"I'm not sure. I suppose it may be because I stopped thinking of you as an ordinary human."
At that, Kagome sat up, clearly surprised. "Why?"
"An ordinary human wouldn't have expelled enough energy to purify me." As if an afterthought, he added, "And an ordinary miko wouldn't have held back." His lips curled into a smirk as he felt her temperature rise, a sure sign that she was blushing. "You blush quite easily, Kagome."
"Um…"
Sesshoumaru heard the sudden jump in her heartbeat and was unable to keep the small smirk from growing into a full smile.
'Strange. Why do I feel so warm when I sense her emotions like this? I almost feel…content.' "Strange."
"What is?" mumbled Kagome, barely awake.
"Nothing," he replied, unconsciously pulling the girl closer. "You humans and your constant need for sleep are quite entertaining."
"You've slept every night since I arrived at your home."
He shrugged. "This curse drains me of energy. What would you have me do? I'd rather not collapse during the upcoming council meeting."
"Good point."
He was silent for a few minutes before opening his mouth. "How can you be so relaxed around me? It makes no sense."
She sat up and smiled at him. "I trust you." Kagome's smile faded when she saw utter shock and complete confusion break through his mask of indifference. "What? Haven't you ever trusted anyone?"
"No."
Her shock was evident. "No one?"
"Well, my mother, Uncle, Kira, and Akira."
"What about your father?"
His eyes clouded. "Until my mother's death."
"But I'm sure people trust you."
"If you recall, I was cursed by someone living in my castle. Does that sound like trust to you?"
"What about Jaken?"
"He's afraid."
"Rin, then. And Kira and Akira."
"I suppose."
"Well then, you have my trust, and I hope that you will trust me." Not knowing what else to say or how to respond, he just nodded. After a moment, Kagome got up and stretched, yawning loudly. "I'm done sitting here. Let's do something. A walk, maybe."
"A walk won't hurt, I suppose," Sesshoumaru conceded, getting to his feet as well.
"Sorry, I've just been really, really fidgety for some reason."
"You may have had too much rest at my home."
"Maybe, but it feels different."
"Perhaps your powers are warning you of impending danger."
"Can they do that?"
"Of course. It's similar to empathy."
"Ya think?"
"It's certainly a possibility worth considering." The two left the woods, both thinking the same thought.
'From which side of the well is the danger coming?'