InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Allies with Benefits ❯ Coming Clean ( Chapter 12 )

Allies with Benefits

Chapter 12: Coming Clean

Kagome smiled as her feet touched the ground. The afternoon sun glinted softly through the crack in the door, adding to the warm, musty feel of the well house. It was quiet and comforting and called to her like nothing else could. She climbed out, relishing the breeze that swept around her as she opened the door. “Home,”

She'd intended to just drop her stuff off and then go straight back to the feudal era, but the sight of the shrine, a perfect mixture of the old era and the new, made her long for home. She took her time walking to the house. The day was just so perfect. She was tempted to find a sunny spot to take a nap, but first things first, she wanted to drop her bag. She'd left most of the stuff Sesshoumaru had given her at the fortress since it would have looked too suspicious carrying around a bunch of formal kimono she hadn't had a week before - especially since she really had no use for them - but she hadn't been able to resist bringing a few things with her. Now it was just a matter of figuring out how to hide them.

She made her way up to her room and sighed as she dropped her bag onto the bed. She still had no idea how to explain her relationship with Sesshoumaru to Sango. How do you explain to a youkai exterminator that the taiyoukai who has tried multiple times to kill your comrades has been screwing your brains out for the past week?

I guess I'll just have to wing it. She thought, walking over to open the window. Fall was definitely on its way. There was a crispness to the air that made Kagome's heart soar. She'd always loved fall. The colors and smells had always held a special place in her heart. Not to mention she finally got to wear her favorite accessories - scarves! Kagome had always had an obsession with scarves. They were just so fun, making even the simplest outfits special. As she emptied her bag and began to repack it, she found it hard to narrow down which scarves to take first. She knew most of her thicker scarves would have to wait a couple months, but that still left her with around twenty light scarves and she had no idea how to choose.

There was a knock at the door and Kagome turned just as Mrs. Higurashi entered the room.

“Kagome dear, did I hear you come in?”

“Hi Momma,” she said, rushing forward to hug the older woman. “I thought you were in town. I'm only home for a minute. I was in desperate need of some new clothes.”

Her mom chuckled as her fingers glided over the scarves draped across the bed. “Are you sure you didn't just come back for these?”

“Haha, maybe. I'm trying to decide which ones to take this time.”

“Hmmm. That's a tough one,” Mrs. Higurashi replied. “Why don't you pack everything else first and then decide on those last. Whichever ones you think about most can be the ones you take.”

“That makes sense.”

The two women darted around the room, grabbing this and that while simultaneously putting back things that wouldn't be needed for a while. Kagome loved moments like this with her mom. It had become almost a tradition in a way. There were usually a few good stories that came to mind as they sorted through her bag and it gave the older woman a glimpse of her daughter's travels, letting her connect to the other world her daughter called home. Kagome was just wondering what stories would be sparked today when her mom unwrapped a jeweled hair comb with a gasp.

“My word!” she exclaimed softly. “This is beautiful! Wherever did you find it?”

Kagome felt her face flush. “It was a gift.”

“A gift? But it must have cost a fortune!”

“He can afford it,” Kagome said, giggling as she reached into her bag. “Mom, I have something to tell you.”

Mrs. Higurashi looked up, confusion creeping into her features. “Does this have anything to do with why Inuyasha thought you were here?”

She nodded. “We're having to keep it a secret.”

“What dear?”

Kagome inhaled sharply. This was the moment - she hoped her mother approved. “I met someone,” she said softly, grinning like a Cheshire cat as her mother's eyes widened slightly.

“Oh Kagome that's wonderful!” She pulled her daughter into a hug, drawing back a moment later to ask. “But why do you have to keep it a secret?”

“Inuyasha doesn't like him.” Kagome held up a camera and clicked it to a picture of Sesshoumaru. “He's absolutely wonderful Momma!” Kagome said, unable to keep quiet as her mom began flicking through the pictures she'd taken of the Western fortress. “Definitely a little rough around the edges and not really who I'd thought I'd ever like. But he makes me feel special and seems to know what I'm thinking before I do. I can't stop thinking about him, even though I just saw him an hour ago!”

“He's very handsome,” Mrs. Higurashi said. “He looks like Inuyasha.”

“Hehe…that's because they're brothers.”

“Brothers!? But isn't Inuyasha's brother your enemy?”

“He was,” Kagome replied, suddenly realizing she was no more prepared to tell her mom about Sesshoumaru than she was Sango. “We're allies now, sort of. They called a truce so we could finally kill Naraku. They're still not exactly friends though, so Inuyasha doesn't know yet.”

Her mother looked worried. Kagome could almost hear her brain over analyzing the situation. After all, Kagome had told her mom plenty over the years. How would she know how much things had changed? It's not like she could see him for herself. “His name is Sesshoumaru. He's the taiyoukai of the Western lands.”

“The what?”

“Oh sorry, in the fuedal era, different youkai lord over the four areas; Sesshoumaru is lord of the West, Inuyasha is lord of the East, our friend Koga's family lords over the North and the Southern lands are ruled by a lightning youkai, but I've only met his son, Kazuki.”

“Interesting. I didn't realize Inuyasha was of noble birth.”

Kagome nodded. “He doesn't talk about it much. His father defeated the previous lord of the East, Ryukotsusei and then when his father died, the lands were left to Inuyasha.”

“Oh wow, so where would that translate to in today's world?”

She smiled, relieved that her mom was interested now and not scared. She tried to think of how best to explain. “Well, Tokyo is part of the Eastern lands. The forest surrounding us is actually called Inuyasha Forest in the Fuedal Era, but Inuyasha never formally ruled so there's not a castle or anything. As for Sesshoumaru's fortress, I'm not sure but I think it's near Osaka. I saw the ocean briefly as we flew home and I think I also saw Himeji castle too. I think Kouga's domain is near Morioka, but I've never been to the Southern lands so I have no clue where they are.”

Kagome watched her mom try to absorb everything. She could tell she was impressed, but Kagome knew this couldn't be this easy for her. Kagome had this whole life that her mom could never see and sometimes she wondered how she dealt with it. Granted, she had skipped some of the darker details, but her mom had probably guessed the dangers anyways. More and more as time went on, Kagome found herself wishing she could stay in the fuedal era permanently. The modern world was so loud. If she stayed more than a few days, she felt her heart pulling her to the well. She wondered if her mom knew one day Kagome would have to choose, and what that choice would be.

“You know,” Mrs. Higurashi said finally. “I think I've seen your Sesshoumaru before.”

Now it was Kagome's turn to be confused. “What? When?”

“A few years ago, when we were looking to refinance the shrine. I could swear there was a gentleman we met who looked almost exactly like him.”

“I doubt it was him. Inuyasha would have smelled him if he'd been here before and he's never mentioned sensing any youkai in this time.”

“Hmmm, guess I was mistaken. Oh well. So, how long have you two been seeing each other?”

“A few months,” Kagome said, still grinning like mad. “We've had some difficulties getting time alone though because Inuyasha always shows up. So, finally last week he asked if me I wanted to stay with him for a week and I said yes. Sorry I didn't tell you, but I knew Inuyasha was bound to come looking for me and I didn't want to make things awkward for you.”

“It was less awkward to make me worry something had happened to you?”

“Yeah…sorry. I guess I didn't think of that.”

“It's ok, I understand. So, what are you two going to do now?”

“I'm not sure,” Kagome admitted, picking up random things she wanted to take with her. “We're thinking of talking to Sango about helping us. But I'm not sure to approach her with it.”

“Just be honest dear. That's all you can do.”

***

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure why he was still watching the well. He'd watched Kagome vanish into the blue energy that supposedly took her to the future and knew she was planning on switching out some things in the monstrosity she called a bag. It might be hours before she returned and yet he found himself unwilling to move from his hiding place. Something told him to stay.

She finally appeared a little over an hour later, her bag practically splitting at the seams. He would never understand a female's need to carry her entire life around with her. He debated flaring his youki for a moment to draw her attention, but he resisted. Inuyasha was sure to have sensed her by now and he was in no mood to handle one of his childish outbursts.

Sure enough, the hanyou appeared moments later, demanding to know where she'd been. As he listened to Kagome brush off question after question, he noticed the hanyou's hands kept finding their way to her skin. He was being careful to keep his touches innocent, but there was no mistaking his intent. Sesshoumaru suppressed a growl. The hanyou had no right, especially since he could smell the dead priestess all over him. He wanted to rip Inuyasha's arms off for touching what was his, but he stayed. Kagome wanted their relationship to stay secret and though he tired of the situation, he understood her reasons.

Not that he thought the fool would actually hurt her, but Inuyasha was not known for his tact. Sesshoumaru knew Kagome feared what the hanyou would say when he found out. No doubt, she feared he would hate her. So he would allow her this, for now.

***

He thought he was being sneaky and as far as she could tell, he was being mostly successful. No one else seemed to notice him, but perhaps because she'd spent so much time seeking out his aura, she could feel it like a gentle caress. He was definitely watching her and as far as she could tell, he'd been there since she'd gotten back. The tiny flickers of youki against her aura filled her with courage to talk to Sango. Now's the moment, she thought, looking over at her friend. They were currently resting in the hot spring - Inuyasha and Miroku safely back at Kaede's hut and Kagome knew they didn't dare cross her. This was her best shot.

She suddenly wished he wasn't being sneaky. What would happen if he just showed up right now and kissed me? She could almost feel his lips upon hers as she let her imagination run with the idea. He would materialize behind her, dip her head back and kiss her, ignoring Sango's grasp of shock laced terror. Then, she would smile innocently at her friend before rushing off into the night to…

“Does he make you happy?”

“Huh?” Kagome said, jerking from her thoughts. “Who?”

“Whoever it is you've been seeing. The one who left that mark on your shoulder.”

Kagome touched her shoulder, sometimes her friend was just too observant for her own good. “I should have known I wouldn't be able to hide it from you. How'd you figure it out?”

Sango gave her a look that plainly said `Oh come on Kagome' as she poured shampoo into her hand. “You were never good at acting. Your performances were just a little too dramatic all the sudden. I know you stopped pining after Inuyasha years ago, so I figured you must be using it as a distraction. The only thing I couldn't figure out is why you hid whoever it is from me in the first place.”

Kagome gave her friend a wane smile. “It was just nice to have something that was mine and mine alone. Something I wouldn't have to share. I love you guys more than anything, but I needed to do something for me.”

Sango nodded. “I understand. Not much chance for privacy when we're traveling.”

“Exactly! Inuyasha is so annoying. He never leaves us alone! So finally, we got tired of being interrupted and he asked me to come stay with him for a week.”

“Oh wow. That's a big step. So, you going to tell me who he is?”

Kagome chuckled nervously. “Well, that's the thing. It's well…he's…I don't exactly know how to tell you.” Fuck this was hard. Sango continued to stare at her, faint lines of worry were slowly seeping into her features.

“Kagome?”

“It's just - don't freak out ok?” Sango nodded, mumbling a quiet “ok.” Kagome readied herself, hoping her friend wouldn't hate her. Just do it quick. Like a band-aid. She felt a brief influx of youki surround her as if he knew her struggle. It gave her strength, and after taking a deep breath she said finally “It's Sesshoumaru.”