CHAPTER 9: A Family

It had been a while since Kagome had been off the grounds. She had never stayed this long in one place, not even at home. Home...

"Is something wrong, miko?"

Kagome pulled out of her rolling memories to look up at her nearly silent companion. "Um, no. Why?"

A lifted eye brow reminded her of Sesshoumaru's excellent sense of smell, further reminding her of his younger brother who alerted her to demon senses.

"I was just thinking about home. I miss my mother." Kagome's eyes glazed over again.

"You two were close?"

"Close as one could hope for." The strange turn of events in Kagome's life didn't leave room for much thought but she was nothing if not grateful for the relatively kind hand fate dealt her. Kagome missed the calculations in Sesshoumaru's eyes.

"Call for Satoshi. I would have you go to town to buy Rin some gifts. We are having a small gathering next week on the full moon."

"But I don't have any money."

If Sesshoumaru would ever roll his eyes, now would have been the time. "Satoshi will be given a purse. You are free to purchase anything you wish within means."

Kagome stumbled to her feet and launched herself at Sesshoumaru, still sitting behind his work table. "Thank you thank you thank you!" Her arms circled around his neck as tight as she dared, knowing there wasn't a possibility of ever choking him.

Sesshoumaru was about to comment about how typical it was for women to get excited over spending his money until Kagome added, "I haven't been anywhere in a long time! It will be so nice to be outside again."

Sesshoumaru didn't know whether to be offended about an insinuated warden title or the fact that the young woman was expecting to use his money. Typical-

When Kagome saw Sesshoumaru's face, she put her hands up in defense, totally misreading him. "I didn't mean to say that your home isn't beautiful, that's the last thing on my mind. It's just that before..." she couldn't bring herself to say it, "I'm just not used to constantly being in one place in this era...I love having somewhere to call home, don't get me wrong. I...I guess I just miss..." How to get her words out in a way to make him understand.

Kagome sat down next to him, Sesshoumaru's eyes were trained on her. "In my time grass and trees and flowers surround our homes because man put them there. Buildings as tall as your castle and taller still crowd nearly every inch of earth; stone and concrete cover every walkable surface. Horseless carriages rule the roads, long carriages fly in the sky to transport humans from place to place. Nature is dying out because of man.

"Here, there is only grass as far as my human eyes can see, trees run wild. Flowers bloom where they want and when they want with no interference from man. Nature rules this era and it's something that I do not take for granted. So being outside and among nature is peace to me. My era is so noisy, your-this era is not."

"Indeed, it is not."

Kagome smiled. "So when I said that I couldn't wait to be outside again, I wasn't intending anything rude by it. It just feels...nice."

Sesshoumaru could only sigh. Kagome was a miko, she was born of nature, of the earth and could not be separated from it. She was so much like Rin.

"Go, miko. Call Satoshi and have your peace." Kagome moved to stand. "And maybe in you leaving, I will be able to find a little for myself."

Kagome was not slow by any standards but it took her a few extra seconds to process the last thing Sesshoumaru said. Instead of scowling and throwing something else at him for his remark, Kagome surprised him with a goofy smile. "Did I just hear a joke come out of your mouth?" She shook her head and walked out the door but not before Sesshoumaru heard her laugh and mutter something about telling Eiko something.

Oh the sweet smell of joy.

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"I have a confession to make, Satoshi."

Satoshi turned away from the delicious smelling food and focused on the miko next to him. "Your confessions are my secrets," he said with a gleam in his eye.

Kagome laughed. "I actually don't really enjoy shopping."

To that Satoshi scoffed. "What woman does not enjoy spending another's money?"

"Me? That's not normal is it?"

Sesshoumaru's cousin shook his head. "No, my lady. I am afraid that is not normal at all."

"It's not all about the money either. I just never know what to buy people. I mean, what does his highness normally buy Rin?" Kagome looked over the items on the booth counter and saw some really expensive fabric, only the best for the ward of the demon lord.

Satoshi shrugged. "Those two are very practical people. He usually buys her clothes for the season. She is still young enough to grow out of her clothes frequently. The girl is quite special. She is easy to please and is always pleased by the small things."

"Do you see what I mean? I never know what to get people and if they want for nothing, that makes my job even more difficult. And if she doesn't like it, it's not my money I'm wasting, it's Sesshoumaru's."

Satoshi could not hold back his laugh at hearing that. "Wasting Sesshoumaru's money as you say should be the least of your concerns. Do not waste your energy thinking about him. He is so frugal and wise with his money and investments that if he wanted, he could retire from being a lord and live comfortably for the rest of his life. And when I say comfortably, I mean the same way he lives now."

"Whoa."

"Indeed."

Another vendor a few buildings down caught her eye and Kagome dragged Satoshi alongside her. "Look at these! I would have to a pay a fortune back home for a set like this!" Kagome said. "Excuse me sir, how much for the set of brushes against the wall there?"

The shop keeper glanced at the particular box the woman pointed at and told her the price. Kagome, not really familiar with the monetary value of things, turned to Satoshi to ask his advice. After some silent calculations, Kagome told the shop keeper how much she would take the set of brushes for.

"Absolutely not. These are some of the best brushes I have ever made. You may as well steal them from me."

Kagome may have not liked shopping but she knew how to bargain, especially when she had a mother who could barter down anything. "Sir, I mean you no disrespect. I think the box is exquisite and the brushes, I can see, are of very good quality. But I also see the layer of dust on the edges of the box, suggesting that you have not been able to sell it for quite some time now."

If Kagome couldn't talk this man down, she would change her name. She would not let her mother down from poor bargaining skills. "You see, your merchandise is of excellent quality, all of it is, but you are literally selling to the wrong crowd. No one who comes through this town is looking for painting brushes because they simply have no need of it. These are farmers that surround us today. I am looking for paint brushes and I also intend to buy painting supplies from only you in the future, so you could think of it as a long-term investment that will eventually pay itself off."

The shop keeper folded his skinny arms across a flat chest. "This is why women should not be educated," the man grumbled as he shut the box and wrapped it in a course material. "Educated men may be conniving and excellent strategists but women...they have eyes."

Satoshi knew exactly what the shop owner was talking about. Kagome had no clue but didn't care enough to question. For someone who did not enjoy shopping, she sure did make a day of it. It was with a bag full of small trinkets that the two companions returned home and Kagome told Satoshi to put the bag in her room.

"Thank you for a fun day, Satoshi."

"It was my pleasure, lady Kagome. Anytime you wish to save me from my boring life, please do." Satoshi bowed at the door of her room and left without a sound.

Kagome laughed at Satoshi's antics and pulled everything out of their sacks, laying them across her futon. She would have to discover a new way to wrap presents without the help of tape.

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The preparations for Rin's birthday celebration were finally falling into place. Rin was now the ripe old age of twelve years, nearing the age of marriage and near child-bearing in the Sengoku Jidai, a fact that did not sit well with Kagome at all. The castle was in a whirl with the woman-child running around jumping for joy with her companion Shippo, for the celebration taking place later tonight.

For now, the children were with Miroku, Sango, Eiko, Kagome and Sesshoumaru in the private dining room of the Western wing, having a family celebration.

"It was always tradition in my family to have a small family celebration before the bigger party and I would like to continue it with this family if there are no objections."

Rin grinned. "Did you hear that, Shippo? Kagome said we're a family!"

Kagome saw a flash of mischief pass through Shippo's eyes and a look shared between him and the monk before realizing what he was about to say. "I know! Kagome's the mommy, Sesshoumaru's the daddy and we're their children!"

To that, Kagome did not know how to react so she blushed. Her cheeks burned her palms as she covered her face in embarrassment. "Shippo! You…you can't just go assigning roles without asking…I can't…ugh."

"Well, it appears that makes us uncle Miroku and aunt Sango," the monk said.

Rin nodded, "and don't forget grandma Eiko!" to which Eiko merely nodded.

Kagome lifted her face from her hands as she felt the energy drop in the room a few degrees. Rin asked in a quiet voice, "But I thought you said we were a family. Do you not want to be a family?"

Kagome couldn't answer. She did want a family to fill the hole in her heart, but she would only be speaking for herself.

"Rin hasn't had a family in a long time…"

Kagome sighed and reached her hands across the small table to hold Rin's smaller ones. "Sweetie, I would love to be a family in the way Shippo said but we…we are a different kind of family. We are the kind of family that has come together to be with the people who make us the happiest." The older female prayed for a distraction from the current topic and it came in the form of her adopted fox-child.

"Well, I've always wanted a little brother. Can I have one of those for my birthday?"

Miroku snickered until he was whacked in the back of the head by his beloved.

The smile returned to Rin's face. "I want a little brother too, Kagome! Please? Pretty please?"

Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Shippo must have been convincing Rin that they were supposed to be a family forever. He had declared one day to Kagome that it was his new life mission to find someone who would make her happy for eternity. Eternity. Kagome was beginning to see a reoccurring theme when dealing with the kit as of late.

"I'd like to hear your thoughts about this rather interesting development, Lord Sesshoumaru." Miroku grinned as all the eyes in the room fell to the highest head at the table.

"Thoughts, indeed…" Kagome muttered. She knew why he hadn't said anything yet. She had somehow managed to chuck a scroll past Sesshoumaru's impeccable senses and knock him in the head today. He had been really distracted by something and she couldn't figure it out. He was a little peeved, whether at her or himself, Kagome had no clue but she felt really bad.

When she looked at him and only saw a blank stare for a reaction, Kagome blew up-hands in the air. "How many times do I have to tell you I'm sorry? Again? I'm sorry, I really am. But what had you buried in the hills of la la land today that you didn't see the scroll? It was right in front of your face – you were looking at it! Or it looked like you were at least…"

Sesshoumaru dragged his eyes from Kagome to Rin without changing expression. "Are you sure you want a little brother, Rin? They are a big responsibility."

Kagome narrowed her eyes. She knew where he was taking this. "Maybe we should get her a puppy, Sesshy." That earned her a glare from the demon lord. "Well someone has to speak in this family and if you're not going to then that leaves me!"

Rin squealed. "Did you hear that? Kagome said it again!"

That wild look of mischief gleamed in Shippo's eyes again. "So if Kagome's the mommy then that makes Sesshoumaru the daddy. My mom told me that when mommies and daddies love each other enough they join energies and that's how babies are made!"

Kagome groaned into her hands as many biology lessons about reproduction pulled themselves to the forefront of her mind. That was actually a great way to explain baby making but only for a few more years she supposed.

Eiko sensed Kagome's frustration and thought it best to help her out. In fact, all the adults were having a pretty good laugh over the situation. "Children, that is enough on that topic. Prepare to be served." On that cue, three servants entered with appetizers and placed them on the table. Lunch was a rather quiet affair but the children were buzzing with excitement in their seats.

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The sun sank three quarters of the way through the sky and it was finally time for the great celebration of Rin's twelfth birthday. Guests filled the inner courtyard, Rin's haven of flowers, and enjoyed the light snacks placed throughout the gardens. Musicians played on opposite sides of the citadel providing music in any direction a guest were to travel. A group of foxes and raccoons provided magic for the younger guests and even some of the elder ones as well.

Dinner was a feast, the entertainment was marvelous. The servants had decorated the main floor to Rin's taste and a few things that her guardian wished her to come to appreciate as well, hence a few of the paintings that were hung afresh in the morning. The party ended well into the early rays of the next morning and as the guests retired for the night, Kentaro approached Sesshoumaru.

"Give little Rin our regards. My mate and I will be leaving in the morning."

"Hn," was the only answer Kentaro received.

"Sudori and I will be celebrating our fourth anniversary in the time of two new moons. Bring your family. I am sure that the pups will enjoy the festivities. My mate is curious about your miko. She could not help herself after I regaled the story of my last visit to your home."

"Indeed."

"Goodnight, Sesshoumaru. It has been a pleasant evening."

"Kentaro."

Lord Kentaro walked towards his temporary room, leaving Sesshoumaru looking over the servants who were cleaning up for the night. Rin and Shippo were smiling about something in a corner, the miko was chatting away with some of the mates of the lords who visited not too long ago. Apparently the tale of Yuki being controlled with a single word from the fuming miko had turned into quite the story after being told several times over and Kagome was doing her best to tone the story down a few notches to the truth of the event.

"I am so happy to have met you ladies. If you will excuse me, I must get the children ready for sleep. They're not pleasant if they don't get their eight hours."

Sesshoumaru watched and listened silently to the youkai women when Kagome left their circle. It was rather impressive that they had good things to say about the human woman who lived in the Western citadel. Kagome was doing well for herself in the social circles and it filled him with a strange sense of pride, knowing that one who was a mortal enemy to his kind had befriended many on her own, of her own merits. The day went well and the Western Lord was satisfied.

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Authors Note: I'm sorry to have taken this long on updating. I've changed jobs since the last chapter, which will leave me more time for writing, something I'm very excited about. Well, thank you for everyone who has reviewed this story. I hope to be updating a little more regularly now. I don't know how some people do it, writing these super long chapters and getting them out every week. I used do to that *cough* and hopefully I'll be able to again.

Echo