InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Blessed Curse ❯ The Gift ( Chapter 11 )

~ Blessed Curse ~

By: Youkai Yume

Yume: No, this fic is not dead…and no, I have not lost interest in it.

CF: Yume's just been shirking off-

Yume: With intentions of finishing schoolwork. Education comes first.

CF: Uh huh. (rolls eyes) Yume doesn't feel that way about math.

Yume: Hush child. Math is evil.

CF: Sorry for the long wait, it was all YUME'S fault.

Yume: (growl) Neways, here's the long awaited next chapter, enjoy, and I'll get to all of my other fics as soon as I finish ForgetMeNot, which will be finished in roughly around four chapters. ^^

CF: Yays!

Yume: I must also admit that if it weren't for you reviewers, and especially Striking Falcon, I think I would've waited longer to update this story. So thanks all!

Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, Sesshomaru would be shirtless throughout the ENTIRE series. (drool) But sadly, I don't. (wipes drool)

Act 11: The Gift

The snow drifted lazily outside her window-just as it did everyday, and Kagome let out a peaceful sigh at the sight of them. How carefree they seemed to be. How light and weightless they floated through the air. She sort of wished she was outside at the moment, but alas…

Sapphire eyes narrowed in distaste as she looked down at her textbooks. `Even though I'm a prisoner, I still have homework to complete.' Sighing once more she started to fiddle with her pencil, offhandedly wondering if somewhere in Inuyasha's forest, her friends were watching the snow fall as well.

Strangely, it didn't hurt as much anymore when she thought of them…strangely, she was getting used to being in this castle, and strangely, she was beginning to feel less like a prisoner, and more like…more like…

Kagome wasn't sure what she was in Sesshomaru's scheme, but she feared that she was becoming attached to this place. She shuddered at the thought. `How in the world can I become attached to a place that has the planet's only walking icicle living in it?'

Though lately…She had to admit, the icicle didn't seem as cold as it used to, at least not deathly freezing. The young girl nibbled her lower lip and scratched her head thoroughly.

`Focus, Kagome! Focus!' She chided herself. Eyes narrowing at her biology book, she forced herself to be interested in her studies…

"Is there something wrong, Kagome-san?" Kagome looked up at Kotori's curious voice. "It seems as if you are very uncomfortable about something…"

"Oh no, Kotori-chan," She answered. "Just doing a little homework."

"Homework?" Kotori inquired. "Is it painful? It looks like you're in pain."

"Well I'll tell you this, I think it's worse torture than being held prisoner," she mumbled. "And it's voluntary!" Kagome's eyes knitted together in thought. "But come to think of it, me being a prisoner was voluntary too…"

"Is it really torture?" Kotori asked, her tone holding a hint of sadness that it surprised her. "Do you really hate it here?" The servant felt her hopes fall…If Kagome didn't like it here, then there was probably a good bet she didn't like Sesshomaru still, which meant there was a good chance their little plan to get them together was going nowhere.

Kagome's eyes softened.

"Oh no, I didn't mean that. I was just being sarcastic. And maybe a little grumpy. Homework can do that to you," She winked.

~*~*~*~

His footsteps came out quiet as he walked through the empty halls, and though the snow and wind outside promised cold and frigid weather, the halls seemed to glow in warmth and light. And what's more, the demon lord suspected that it didn't have anything to do with the newly lighted torches and candles.

Rather, it was because of HER.

"Are we going to see Kagome-neesan?" The little girl who trotted behind him asked. Sesshomaru let out a disinterested "Hm," and continued down the hallway. It was strange…how his stomach seemed to tighten at the mention of her name…And true, she was the reason why he was out of his chambers this evening.

Ever since the feeling of warmth had spread throughout himself when she flashed him her smiles…it seemed different. He wasn't used to the changes that she was beginning to invoke on the castle, but oddly he didn't dislike the effect.

He noticed how she no longer talked to him with a tone of bitterness or sorrow laced in her words…but rather, he was beginning to hear instead a soft tone of kindness of understanding….not that there was anything about him to be understood.

And yet, her voice now rang in his ears like a sweet melody. He recalled her laughter the other day in the gardens…she seemed, almost happy then, free from her sorrow and troubles as she frolicked along with Rin in the snow. Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink, radiating warmth despite the cold breeze.

She seemed…unreal…almost untouchable then…

Sesshomaru furrowed his snowy brow. `Why are all of these thoughts beginning to manifest?' He thought angrily. `That filth human…untouchable, as if I would want to touch such filth in the first place.'

"Yay! We're here!" Rin cried out in excitement, tugging on Sesshomaru's sleeve to open the door. He gave her an emotionless stare, and slid the shoji door open, revealing a Kagome hunched over a book in deep concentration and nibbling on the tip of her number two pencil.

She looked up in surprise at their entrance, her hair falling over her shoulder and sapphire eyes widened for a second before softening. Kagome smiled warmly at them-yes, them as in both Rin and Sesshomaru.

He mentally cursed himself when he felt his stomach lurch. With the fire flickering merrily in the hearth and the snow falling in the background, it caused almost ethereal shadows to play across her features.

No, he was wrong…she wasn't just a human, and she definitely wasn't filth. He scoffed at the thought. `She's far too hygienic to be filthy.'

"Kagome-neesan!" Rin squealed, running to give Kagome a tight hug around her middle. She fell backwards with an "oomph!" her book knocked from her lap and her chest rose with her laughter.

"Well hello to you too, Rin!" She propped the giggling child on her lap, and combed through her hair. Her sapphire orbs soon averted to gaze at the demon lord that still stood in the doorway, his face unreadable-well almost unreadable. His eyes shown with a sense of contentment and his lips were almost curved in a smile. Almost.

She couldn't help but feel a slight advantage in reading what little emotion the taiyoukai displayed in his hanyou state. But only enough to irritate him-not to the point where he wanted to kill her.

"Good morning, Sesshomaru-sama," She greeted cheerily, seating Rin beside her and gesturing for him to enter. "What brings you to this part of the castle?"

"Spare me the pleasantry," He said stoically. Kagome huffed, and her lips came together in an adorable pout that rivaled even Rin's. He became fixated on it.

"Well, okay then." She cleared her throat. "Oh, it's just you. What do you want?" She smiled up at him, her blue depths glittering. "How was that?"

"Do not push your luck, human." He growled at her, coming out of his little stare at her pink lips. Though she noted that it wasn't threatening in any way, more or less playful. She had to shake the thought from her head.

"I'll keep that in mind, Sesshomaru-sama." With that, Kagome turned back to her studies. The demon lord seated himself in the far corner of her room.

"Actually, it was Rin who insisted in coming here. It was her request that I keep company." But even as the words left his mouth, somewhere in the back of his mind, in the pit of his stomach…something told him that he felt drawn to be here, in this room, in the presence of his woman…of his own free will.

"Oh," Kagome muttered. Without saying anything else, she lifted the pencil to her lips again, focusing on the book. Sesshomaru closed his eyes, deciding upon just mere silence and the peace of the moment. Listening the soft sound of her breathing and the gentle scent that seemed to have seeped into this room now, the demon lord could not stop the undeniably strong feeling that…he liked it this way.

Kagome felt a bit uncomfortable under Sesshomaru's watch. Not that she didn't want his company, but she always felt so very plain and clumsy when she was around him. Yes, her self-esteem deflated when he was near.

She couldn't understand that as of late, this feeling seemed to grow even larger within herself…this feeling of nervousness when she saw him out of the corner of her eye. It was like she had to prove to him something. `Prove what?' She didn't quite know.

`Grrr, stop thinking about him!' She chided herself, `He's only using you! A sworn enemy, remember?'

"What's Kagome-neesan reading?"

Kagome was brought abruptly out of her thoughts at the sound of the questioning child's voice. She looked up to see Rin staring back at her with large brown orbs.

"Huh?" She mumbled.

"Book," Rin pointed to her biology textbook, and smiled. "Is it a good book? Will Kagome-neesan read Rin a story?"

The older girl laughed at this, causing Rin to tilt her head to the side slightly in confusing.

"Oh, sweetie, it's not a storybook!" She explained. "It's a biology book, it's for learning."

"B-b-bibliology?" Rin stuttered, testing the word on her lips. Kagome giggled again.

"Biology," She corrected. "And it's by no means a `good book,' trust me."

"Then why is Kagome-neesan reading it?" She asked.

"Because I have a test back home that I have to be taking soon, and I don't want to fail it." She looked down at the little girl, sweatdropping when she realized that must've not made any sense.

"But Kagome-neesan, this is Kagome-neesan's home now," Rin started. Kagome's sapphire eyes widened momentarily. On the other side of the room, Sesshomaru also cracked open a golden eye over at the conversing girls. "Kagome-neesan's going to stay here with Rin and Sesshomaru-sama forever, so Kagome-neesan doesn't have to go and take a t-test…or read the yucky bibliology book!"

Kagome smiled sadly down Rin, closing her textbook and placing it on the side. Running her fingers through her hair, she sighed against Rin's tresses.

"Rin, this is your home…my home, my family lives far far away." Kagome spoke softly to her.

"Far away?"

"Yes, I live in a shrine that my family owns. There's Mom, and Sota, and Grandpa…and my fat cat Buyo." She giggled.

"Kagome-neesan has a cat?" She nodded.

"He eats a lot! He's really plump, like this!" Kagome puffed out her cheeks and outstretched her arms, emphasizing the fat part. Rin laughed at this.

"But he's really huggable," Kagome went on. "My little brother, Sota likes to play with him a lot…He's about your age Rin."

"Really?" She inquired.

"Yup, but he's really annoying, and he thinks he's so cool. That baka…" Her tone went noticeably from irritated to fond at the word "baka" and a wistful look came over her eyes. Rin snuggled up to Kagome's side, and sighed.

"Kagome-neesan misses Sota?" She asked softly. Kagome nodded.

"I miss all of my family and friends."

There was a long silence that followed after, and only the sound of the crackling fire could be heard. After a few minutes, Rin piped up again.

"Can Kagome-neesan read to Rin anyways?" She asked. Giggling, Kagome nodded, picking up her textbook and flipping the pages to "An Introduction to the Study of Life."

`This is way too educational for Rin's age…' She thought.

"If only I had my fairytale books with me…" Kagome sighed.

~*~*~*~

He had been listening to her every word…he heard every sway of her voice, every giggle that bubbled from her mirth, every wistful and longing tone that she used.

`She is homesick.' He realized. It had only been a few days since she was held prisoner in his castle, but already her eyes seemed to speak of yearning for what lay beyond the castle walls. A sudden dissatisfaction came over him at the word `prisoner.'

It was strange, but he suddenly didn't want her to think of her stay here as such. And then whatever Rin said…He growled softly, only soft enough for a demon to hear.

For some reason, her sadness bothered him. Whether it be the mere fact that he felt insulted that despite his hospitality, she was still unhappy…or because seeing her sapphire depths shine in such a way that promised unshed tears, he didn't know. He preferred that it wasn't the latter.

But did this mean that he wished for her to be happy? Did he want to make her feel welcome here?

Coming out of his thoughts, he decided to rest his eyes upon the form of the older girl reading what she called a "Biology" book to the child. And thought Rin seemed thoroughly confused with it, she still looked as if she was interested.

Sesshomaru's eyes softened when he examined Kagome's face…her eyes so gentle and her voice so soft as she spoke to the child. How her eyes lit up when she spoke of her home, and how melodious her laughter sounded when she talked about this… `Buyo.' He could already tell that someday, she would make a loving mother…He shook his head at the intruding thought, but…

He could not help but think it…endearing…

"Lord Sesshomaru,"

The demon lord did not turn to the voice, but nodded in acknowledgment. Aki and Jaken had entered the room, the badger holding an armful of scrolls, and the toad that followed after holding several more documents.

"Sesshomaru-sama, there you are! We have been looking all over you, milord, there are important matters that are still unattended to!" Jaken piped, dropping the scrolls the ground beside the demon lord.

He sighed. Part of the reason he wanted to come here was to avoid all the tedious paperwork, but alas, one could not escape their duty. Still, he didn't feel like doing them.

"Can't you see that I am trying to enjoy the peace?" He said stoically to the little toad, who cringed under his gaze.

"But, Sesshomaru-sama-"

"We understand, milord," Aki covered Jaken's flapping mouth and bowed politely to the taiyoukai. "I can see you are enjoying being in the presence of our…(ahem) guest…" He added with a sly smile, his whiskers curling along with the curve of his lips.

Sesshomaru sent his servant a raised eyebrow at this, and he only returned it with a nervous smile. However, he could not find himself correcting Aki. `Enjoy her company?' He turned golden orbs to the girl once more. `Do I enjoy her company?'

"I must say, milord. Lady Kagome has brightened up the castle. It's almost as if she was always here, wouldn't you say?" The badger said casually, his beady eyes glittering in hope and apprehension that his master would agree.

The taiyoukai didn't answer, rather kept his gaze on Kagome. But his ears caught every word. Yes…in a way it seems as if the young miko has made a place for herself in the gloomy castle. Not to mention she had already done so much without her knowing it.

She had become the sister Rin never had, she gave the castle and its' inhabitants new light in their lives…his clawed hands carefully went up to his side…where the wound that he had received from those youkai in the woods now ceased to exist…leaving only perfect, flawless skin.

With the same clawed hand, he lifted it to his eyes, marveling at the fact that it was as if the appendage had never been hacked off in the first place by his brother.

He closed his eyes, remebering when she had fully healed him the other day.

~ Flashback ~

Her nimble fingers gently removed the last of the bandages as Sesshomaru gazed silently outside at the half darkened moon. After several arguments and winning none of them in particular, the demon lord had learned to make it easier on himself and the girl by letting her attend to his wounds without protest.

They had just gotten inside from playing outside in the snow-Rin and Kagome that is, and she had insisted to check on him one last time before the day was over.

He had wordlessly let her do so. Letting the fine fabric of silk slide from his shoulders and hearing her gasp at the sight of him. He was still smug that he had the affect on her.

Sesshomaru recalled her gentle and caressing fingers danced over his chest at the healed wound, a sigh escaping her lips in wonder. He had looked at her then, studying her with his calculating gaze as she became fixated on his skin.

"It's all healed," She whispered, a small smile gracing her lips as she lifted her head to lock sapphire with gold. "I'm glad."

The demon lord stared surprised at her words. And all she could do was smile…A warm feeling came to him at the possible thought that she cared about his well being…that she, a human-a human prisoner of his and Inuyasha's wench cared about him in some way.

He didn't understand why, but it made him feel good. It was then that he saw her blue irises trail over to his stub of an arm. Surprisingly, Kagome didn't turn away in revulsion at the sight of it, which caused him to have an even deeper feeling of respect, as well as relief wash over him for the girl.

No words were exchanged, nothing was spoken, and only the warm whisper of skin…of her touch could be felt as Sesshomaru watched her place her soft hands on his arm.

The next thing he remembered was the warmth that flowed within himself, and the white light that seemed to plague his eyes. When the moment had passed and his golden eyes had blinked back to reality, he looked down to see an unconscious miko laying against his chest.

He had wrapped his arm around her, supporting her weight-that was when he realized that he had an arm in place of his stub.

`She healed me…' Golden eyes had peered curiously down Kagome.

"I'm glad…" She mumbled in her sleep, obviously exhausted from the spell that she had used.

Cradling her against himself, he couldn't help but let the smallest of smiles to grace his lips.

~ End Flashback ~

`She has done much for me…' Sesshomaru let his newly formed hand fall back to his lap, golden eyes fixing themselves once more on Kagome. He, suddenly felt a sense of honor, as well as obligation and…perhaps maybe because he wanted to as well…to thank her.

"Milord?" Jaken started.

"This arm…" Sesshomaru finally spoke, and his two servants straightened upon his voice. "The miko has granted me the restoration of my arm…I need to repay her." He said emotionlessly.

"Oh…OH!" Aki's eyes glittered and lit up at what his master was trying to say. The devilish gleam returned to his eyes. `Perhaps it won't be as hard as we thought…'

"Well, there are many ways to show appreciation, milord," Aki said.

"Such as…" Sesshomaru was not one known for giving gifts of appreciation, and so it might prove to be difficult for him.

"Oh, don't be so elaborate milord," Jaken cut in. "She's a ningen, you don't have to thank her-oomph!" The toad was violently shoved aside as Aki stepped in, ready to give the proper advise. `I can't ruin this! It's the opportune moment!'

"Nonsense, Jaken! She needs to be thanked properly! Milrod, might I suggest something that the form of your appreciation should be meaningful to her…something that she might like…" He suggested.

Sesshomaru furrowed his eyebrows together in thought, deeming himself nearly mad for considering such a thing. `Damn my being a hanyou…'

Despite this, he racked his brain for what could be important…what would appeal to the young girl that he could possibly give to her.

"If only I had my fairytale books with me…"

She had said earlier…and then it hit him like a ton of bricks.

~*~*~*~

"Sesshomaru, is this some kind of trick?" Kagome asked in an irritated, but still excited voice.

"I, Sesshomaru, does not need to deceive others," He answered blandly, continuing to walk down the hallway knowing full well that Kagome would follow despite her protests.

"Then what..?" They stopped right in front of elaborate shoji screen doors. Kagome peered curiously at it, shifting her gaze from it to the demon lord beside her.

"You wanted to show me a room?" She asked.

Sesshomaru looked down at her, his eyes flickering some unknown emotion that she couldn't identify as well as what she couldn't believe was nervousness.

"Close your eyes." He said, more like commanded.

"Huh? Why?" She asked, her head tilted slightly. He sighed, and only shook his head.

"Do not question me."

Kagome shrugged, and did as she was told…afterall, she didn't have anything else to do…

The demon lord could feel his heartbeat quicken...for the life of him he couldn't understand why, he had never felt this way before, so nervous and insecure…Turning his eyes to the door, he had to remind himself of his task.

The door slid open, and he stepped inside, looking back when he realized she wasn't following.

"Um, Sesshomaru?" She waved at the air in front of her, as if to feel for him. Sighing in slight amusement, he came back and took her by her waving hand, guiding her into the room.

His golden eyes softened when he saw her blush upon the contact of his cool hands. He watched as she smiled, then her hands clasped around his, holding him in place. He felt his stomach tighten at this, but he decided to ignore it, instead going to the middle of the room and stopping.

"Are we here yet? Can I open my eyes now?" She asked. Sesshomaru couldn't help but inwardly smile at her excited voice, and almost regretted it when he parted with her hands.

"Stay here," He told her sternly, walking over to the window and opening it to let in morning rays. He turned back to see Kagome practically bouncing on the balls of her feet in anticipation.

"Now? Can I? Can I? Can I?" He chuckled slightly at her childlike behavior, and he had to be honest and admit that he was quiet excited to see her reaction as well.

"Kagome…" He called out to her, and as soon as her name passed his lips she opened her sapphire irises, only to have it widen in complete and utter surprise and delight.

"Oh, Sesshomaru!" She gasped, her eyes falling upon rows and rows of books and scrolls…walls and walls in fact. She had never seen so many books in one place and she was so eager to get started in reading them that she was walking back and forth and then in circles due to the fact that she didn't know where to start.

"It's so….wow…"

Sesshomaru couldn't help but smile at her childlike wonder at the sight of his library. Her happiness seemed to radiate off of her in waves and he didn't know why, but it brought him great pleasure as well as pride to see her so impressed.

"You are pleased, then?" He asked her, his voice remaining as emotionless as he could make it out to be. She turned to him, her eyes sparkling and she was grinning from ear-to-ear.

"Pleased?! Do the words `WOW' mean anything?" She giggled, "wow, just…WOW! I love it…"

Sesshomaru chuckled, and she approached him slowly, her smile never fading.

"If you like it all that much, then I give you this library to do with as you please," He said calmly, almost anticipating her happy expression. However, her reaction never came, as she just seemed to freeze on the spot, her eyes staring dully at him and her mouth parted in shock.

"Kagome-"

Before he could say anything else she hurtled herself at him, latching onto his neck and snuggling her face into his chest, and he heard a few muffled, "Thanks you's!" against his silk kimono. Now it was Sesshomaru's turn to freeze up, as he just stood there, awkwardly stiff as the girl embraced him like he was a lifeline.

Slowly, but surely, he wrapped his arms around her, returning the embrace. It was such a simple act…but he had never felt closer to anyone ever before…here in his library with a human girl in his arms, surrounded with her cherry blossom scent and her bubbling laughter stifled in his chest.

"You're…welcome…" He whispered into her hair, feeling for the first time as if…perhaps he DID have a chance at breaking this spell afterall…and maybe a chance at something else as well. Something that promised many more embraces such as this one to come.

~*~*~*~

"Oh, isn't that sweet?" Nira gushed, her aged eyes sparkling with new life as she gazed with at the couple in the library.

"Yes, perhaps there is hope for them yet…" Aki agreed.

"But she's a ningen!" Jaken squealed, "Sesshomaru-sama's embracing a ningen!"

[BONK!]

"Jaken-sama!" Rin scowled, his staff in her hand. "Doesn't Jaken-sama want Sesshomaru-sama to get all better?" But the toad was knocked out cold and sporting a huge lump on his head on the floor.

Aki sighed.

"Oh, he means well…he's still not used to this whole her being human thing…"

"Rin likes Kagome-neesan! Rin wouldn't mind if Kagome-neesan becomes Rin's okaasan!" Rin piped. Nira laughed and nodded, throwing one more look back at the demon lord and miko as they began to explore the room and books.

"Yes, well…it's not much, but it's a start…" She took Rin by her hand and walked to the kitchen, Aki following closely behind and dragging the poor toad with him.

"Hai, hai. It's very…" He mulled over the next word, "encouraging."

End Chapter ^_^

Yume: Arg…I meant to finish this in the morning, but I had an offer to go play tennis and I couldn't refuse!

CF: One, Yume needed the exercise, and two, Yume's getting rusty in Tennis!

Yume: I know that's right! Okay, I know that there's been a picking up in the pace, but I think it's time to kick this love boat into warp speed!

CF: I HAVE A NEED FOR SPEED!

Yume: Yeah…okay read and review, no flames please! I'll try to update as quickly as I can!

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~Mediaminer.org~

squeaky-ness; akuma river; Angel_of_Faith2003; Fenikkusu Ice, THANKS!

Aira^o^: I suspect you've already given up on me, ne? (sniffles) Oh wells, I still appreciate you sticking with me as long as you did.

Striking Falcon: Your welcome! But I guess that pic still sucked…lol. Anyways, Always happy to hear from you…you do know you're one of my idols, no? ^^ CF sends you kisses! No, literally, kisses as in "Kisses" candy. Lol.

[END NOTE!]

Yume: Don't forget to read and review! Please visit this site to nominate our fics for an award! The following links I list will have the words {dot} in between, so you can actually see the link. Just replace them with a dot, and copy and paste! ^^

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Ja Ne! ^_~