InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Allies with Benefits ❯ Crisis Averted...I hope. ( Chapter 8 )

Allies with Benefits

Chapter 8: Crisis Averted….I hope.

“What about this one Kagome?”

Kagome looked up at the kimono the shopkeeper was holding up for their inspection. “Too green,” she said softly, smiling at the young girl's frown. They'd been looking at kimono for over an hour and Kagome had thus far avoided buying one by finding something wrong with every one they were shown. But she was quickly running out of excuses, and although she was convinced they must have seen every kimono in the kingdom by now, the little shopkeeper kept bringing new ones out to show her, each more beautiful than the last.

They'd already found a gorgeous kimono for Rin made of a deep orange silk that had a plethora of flowers and vines that wove and blossomed around the base—but Kagome couldn't bring herself to buy one. She was beginning to realize however, that Rin was not going to take no for an answer. No doubt his doing I'm sure.

“Come on Kagome, you have to pick one. Don't you want to go to the gathering?”

“Yes of course I do, I just….haven't found the right one.”

“Well, we'll just have to keep looking then. What color do you think you want?”

She shrugged. “Not sure. I guess I'll know when I see it.”

“You know what,” the elderly man said, smiling softly at the pair of them. “I'll be right back.”

He disappeared into the back of the shop and Kagome looked at Rin in confusion for a moment before shrugging once again and walking over to examine some geta on display near the door.

“Oh Kagome,” Rin breathed a moment later. “It's perfect.”

“Hmm??” She turned, surprised to find the shopkeeper holding a large box that Rin was practically drooling over. Walking back to the counter, she looked down at the box and gasped. The silk was a deep azure blue and she could see willowy sakura branches stitched across it with soft pink petals floating all around, as if blown in the wind. “It's beautiful,” she murmured, holding her hand out almost reverently as if to touch it.

“The obi is white, as are the geta, and is there is a surprise on the back.” The shopkeeper was still smiling, and he nodded when Kagome moved to touch it. “It should stand out perfectly with your eyes.”

“Oh Kagome, you have to get this!” Rin exclaimed and then, turning to the shop keep said, “We'll take it. Please see that this kimono along with the orange one are delivered to the fortress as soon as possible.” And with that, she pulled Kagome from the shop and out into the morning sun. “Now we can shop for anything else we want! I was thinking of getting some bangles, and you definitely need some hair ornaments. Oh, this is so much fun! I haven't ever had a woman to shop with!”

By the time they finally began to head back, Rin had somehow gotten more for Kagome than even herself—something that baffled Kagome considering she hadn't really wanted to buy anything. But no matter what she tried, every time she showed more than a passing interest in something, Rin bought it before she could protest. She just hoped Sesshoumaru wouldn't be angry with them for spending so much money.

“Don't worry about it,” Rin said when she voiced her concerns. “He told me to make sure and buy anything you seemed to want since he knew you wouldn't buy it for yourself.”

“But that was so much money!”

“Not really,” Rin said, shrugging. “And some of the shopkeepers will probably just give Sesshoumaru-sama everything.”

“What!? Why would they do that? They should be paid for their work!”

“Yes, but he protects them. And it's not like we go shopping every day. Don't worry. Sesshoumaru-sama will make sure they are compensated in some way. Last year, he had his guards build two new wells for them in the village so they wouldn't have to walk to the river for water.”

“Oh, I didn't know that. But wasn't that a human village?”

Rin chuckled. “Yes, but they supply the fortress with food and supplies, so Sesshoumaru-sama takes care of them.”

“Makes sense I guess.” Kagome said, trying to make room for this new piece of information in her already overflowing perception change in Sesshoumaru. Every time she thought she had him figured out, she ended up getting thrown for a complete loop. She couldn't decide if it was wonderful or nerve wracking. “So, have you been to a gathering before?”

“Not yet,” Rin replied, shaking her head. “The last one was held by the Northern Lord and Sesshoumaru-sama didn't want me to go. So I stayed here with Jaken while he was gone. I asked Jaken why I couldn't go and he said it was so I wouldn't embarrass Sesshoumaru-sama. But I heard him talking to one of the guards about how he was glad to have an excuse not to see the wolves and I realized Sesshoumaru-sama didn't want me to get scared. I um…don't like wolves too much.”

Kagome nodded, mentally thinking the girl had a very valid reason for not liking wolves. She had always admired how Rin had been able to retain her innocence even after what had happened to her. Wait…wolves…gathering. “Oh crap!” She groaned, quickly urging her horse into a run. “We have to get back! I have to warn Sesshoumaru!”

“Wait Kagome!” Rin shouted after her, urging her horse forward as well. “Warn him of what?”

~~~

“Inuyasha,” Sango sighed, rubbing her temples as the headache that had been threatening all day finally broke free. “Is this really necessary? Kagome will come back on her own. Why don't we just stay here at home in the village until she comes back? You don't even know where she went.”

“Because dammit! She's supposed to be here! What the hell right does she have to waste time running around like a whore!”

“Inuyasha!” Miroku shouted. “That is enough!” He had been just as shocked as everyone else about Kagome's recent activities, but he also felt extremely proud of the young miko for getting on with her life. He had always felt that Kagome had cheated herself by falling for the hanyou, considering the way he treated her. And he was not about to let Inuyasha ruin things for her if she had finally found someone. Plus…he was tired of traveling. The last thing he wanted to do was go traipsing around Japan searching for a girl who obviously didn't want to be found. Especially considering how long their last trip had taken. While Naraku may be gone, they were still forced out of the village way too much for his liking and it was time for a much needed break. He was ready to settle down, maybe finally talk Sango into moving into one of the empty houses in the village so they didn't have to sleep on Kaede's floor. “Kagome isn't some tool for you to take out and use at will. She has a right to her own life!”

“Think of what you're saying Inuyasha,” Sango said softly. “Do you really think that way of Kagome? You couldn't have really expected her to wait around forever when you clearly chose Kikyo.”

“I didn't…I…” the hanyou suddenly dropped to the ground in a crouch, his ears flattened to his skull. “I don't know why I said that. Of course I want her to be happy. And we both know we're just friends.”

“Wait,” Miroku interjected. “If neither of you wants to be more than just friends, why does she always look so miserable and run off whenever you see Kikyo?”

“I'd imagine she's using it as a cover to go see this guy.” Inuyasha grumbled. “It's the only time I wouldn't notice her gone. But why wouldn't she just tell me? And why haven't I smelled whoever it is on her?”

Miroku sighed. “Considering what just happened, can you really blame her?”

“Keh.” He scowled, turning away from them. “Fine. We'll wait. But she's gonna have some serious questions to answer when she comes back.”

~~~

“Kagome!” Rin shouted, urging her horse to go faster. “What's wrong? What's the hurry?”

“There's no time! We have to get back before he shows up!” I just hope it's not too late. Kagome couldn't believe how stupid she was. She'd been so eager to get some alone time with Sesshoumaru, she'd completely forgotten one key factor. The whole point of this gathering was for the lords to meet. And one of those lords…was Koga. And that fool was bound to start trouble if he found out about her and Sesshoumaru. The only question was how to explain it to Sesshoumaru without angering him.

But Kagome learned years earlier, The Fates did not favor her. When they entered the courtyard, Koga was already standing there—in a formal kimono no less, something Kagome hadn't even known he possessed—having apparently just arrived himself. It only took him a moment to notice her, his carefree features furrowing in confusion as he turned to face them.

“Kagome? What are you doing here? Where's dog breath?”

“Hi Koga,” she replied, slipping off her horse and handing the reigns over to one of the guards. “I'm here…on vacation.” She hoped the foreign word would confuse him long enough for them to get away and find Sesshoumaru, but he wasn't having it.

He was walking towards her now and Kagome realized, she probably still reeked of Sesshoumaru. And judging by his reaction, he knew it. His features were darkening and Kagome quickly shoved Rin behind her. “Kagome,” he practically growled, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Why do you smell…”

“That's far enough wolf.”

Kagome almost melted. She had never been happier to hear his voice. Chancing a glance over Koga's now frozen form, she spotted Sesshoumaru standing on the steps into the house. Koga, it seemed, was not stupid enough to try anything with the taiyoukai present and backed slowly away from them. But his expression was still murderous and Kagome knew that things would never be the same between them.

Sesshoumaru walked out to meet them, leaning down to kiss Kagome who didn't hesitate to tilt her head up to receive him. She knew what he was doing—not that there was any real need since Koga could smell everything—but who would ever pass up the chance to kiss the most beautiful man in existence.

“Did you find everything you needed?” He asked softly, looking to Rin as well. She nodded and he motioned for them to enter the house. “Good. Go inside. I'll meet you in a moment.” Then he turned to face Koga.

Kagome looked from him to Koga, praying she hadn't unknowingly created even more drama for Sesshoumaru. She wanted to stay, but Rin was already pulling on her arm and Kagome reluctantly let the young girl pull her inside.

“I don't like wolves,” Rin said as the doors shut behind them.

“Well, after today, I'm not sure they'll like me anymore either.”

“What do you mean Kagome-dono?”

She smiled, looking at Rin's confused expression. “I'll tell you when you're a little older. For now, why don't we go see if Sasune has anything to eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starving.”

~~~

“What are you doing here Koga?” Sesshoumaru said evenly as soon as the women were safely inside. “I wasn't aware I'd invited you into my home.”

Koga bowed, his thick ponytail falling over her shoulder. “The Lord of the North begs your forgiveness and hopes you will accept me as an acceptable replacement.”

“And why isn't he here himself?”

“The lord is busy attending to his mate. Her pups appear to be coming early and he felt travel might bring them to harm.”

“Very well. But know your place wolf.”

“I understand my lord.” Another bow. “It won't happen again.”

“See that it doesn't.” He glared at the wolf for a moment longer, ensuring his threat did not go unnoticed, before turning and striding back into the castle.

When he found Kagome, she and Rin were giggling along to some joke told by his cook. She saw him at once and hurriedly rushed forward to meet him. “I'm sorry,” she said, her eyes looking pleadingly into his own. “I was trying to get back to warn you. Sesshoumaru, what if he tells Inuyasha?”

Sesshoumaru noticed Sasune back slowly out of the room to give them some privacy. “The two of you will not walk unaccompanied until he leaves. I will escort you back to your room Rin.”

She nodded and they followed him down the hall. After they had safely tucked Rin into her room and he had warned the guards not to let her out of their sight if she left said room, Kagome and Sesshoumaru walked back to his own rooms.

“You don't really think he'll hurt Rin do you?” She said as soon as the door shut behind them. Sesshoumaru began to undress and she watched him, willing herself to enjoy this view while she could, too bad her brain didn't want to cooperate. “Oh this is all my fault. I'm so sorry Sesshoumaru.”

He turned to face her, and she was shocked to see the confusion on his features. “Why are you apologizing?”

“Koga…he's well, obviously he's going to cause trouble.” Her eyes dropped to the floor, unable to face him. But he gently grasped her chin with his fingers and lifted her gaze once again to his.

“The guards are there for Rin's peace of mind. I would have ordered it even if the Northern Lord had come as planned. The wolf is not stupid enough to try anything here.”

“Wait…I thought Koga was the Northern Lord?”

Sesshoumaru sighed. “He's the Lord's son. Eventually he'll be Lord, but for the moment his father is still running things. However, he apparently decided to send Koga in his place.”

“Oh,” Kagome said softly, noting the growl that rose within him as he spoke. But then it was gone as soon as it had come and Kagome saw the muscles in his shoulders relax slightly.

“I did not know Koga would be coming.”

“Shou, what are we going to do? He'll tell Inuyasha just to spite him!”

“I will take care of Koga. He will not bother you anymore. ” He wrapped his arms around her and slowly began backing them towards the door to the hot spring, his fingers trailing to the edge of her shirt. “Now, forget about this for a while. I have another more pressing problem—one that will require your undivided attention.”