InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not Soon Forgotten ❯ Home Away from Home ( Chapter 4 )

About half an hour later, most of the boat's occupants went ashore to shop, eat, and seek other means of entertainment.

 

Sesshoumaru had informed Kagome that while on one of his many travels around the world, he had purchased a home up in the mountains on the outskirts of Honolulu. He had called for transportation when they reached shore and were currently making their way to his home away from home.

 

As they made their way up the mountain side, Kagome was astounded by the many beautiful plants that surrounded them. She had never been to Hawaii, but it was indeed the island paradise that people had made it out to be.

 

“Sesshoumaru this is beautiful!” Kagome said as his island bungalow came into view.

 

The place was grand with all of the tropical plants that lined the borders. The home itself was not overly large, but it was certainly nothing to scoff at. Cast iron fences lined the property with wild vines growing on them for privacy. The home itself was painted white with a light blue trim and it had a large porch which wrapped around the outside.

 

The car stopped and they both stepped out and made their way to the house. Kagome was afraid to blink, lest she miss something. She had never before seen such a sight as this. When she looked out at the way they came, she was awarded with a spectacular view of the ocean.

 

“I can see why this place is your home away from home,” Kagome said quietly. “How do you keep this place so well managed-oh I guess you have people who keep it up for you?”

 

“In a way-” he began to answer.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” someone called out to him.

 

Sesshoumaru turned and allowed a smile to cross his face. A young girl came bounding toward him at full speed and threw herself against his legs. Kagome looked on as Sesshoumaru picked up the small girl and twirled her in the air once.

 

“Rin, it has been a while since I have last seen you. You have grown,” Sesshoumaru said to her.

 

“Oh yes Sesshoumaru-sama, I'm almost seven years old now!” Rin said proudly.

 

“That is quite old. I can only imagine how old your parents are…”

 

“I heard that Sesshoumaru,” came another voice.

 

Kagome turned to see two people walk out of the house towards them. One was a handsome man with shoulder-length brown hair tied up in a low pony tail; while the other was a nice looking woman with long brown hair that went down to her mid back. They were holding hands and smiling as they walked towards them.

 

“Miroku, Sango, you two are looking well,” Sesshoumaru greeted them.

 

The two people bowed low to Sesshoumaru in greetings before Miroku looked over to Kagome.

 

“Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama, who is this beautiful woman you have with you?” Miroku said as he made his way towards Kagome.

 

Sesshoumaru stepped to the side of Kagome and put his arm around her shoulders, effectively halting Miroku in his advance.

 

“This would be Ms. Kagome Higurashi, and you would be unwise to turn on your charms around her,” Sesshoumaru threatened.

 

Miroku's eyes widened and he quickly retreated to the safety of his place next to Sango. Sango looked over at him and rolled his eyes; he was never one to pass up being able to man-handle a beautiful woman. As much as she loved him, he was such a pervert.

 

Breaking the tension that she could feel in the air, Kagome commented on this beautiful place.

 

“Taisho-sama, this place is immaculate. Are you two the one's who keep this place looking the way it does?” Kagome question Sango and Miroku.

 

“Yes we are, thanking for the compliment,” Sango said. “Working on the landscaping is a small price to pay for being able to live here for free.”

 

Kagome started at this. Sesshoumaru let them stay here for free, just to work on the landscaping? She smirked and looked over to Sesshoumaru who looked as if he wanted to strangle Sango, no doubt for making him seem soft.

 

“Yes, well,” Sesshoumaru said as he cleared his throat, “it is very hard to find good help these days and I am hardly here anyway.”

 

“Perhaps you would like to give Kagome a tour around your home Sesshoumaru-sama?” Sango suggested.

 

“Indeed I would,” Sesshoumaru said, “thank you Sango.”

 

He grabbed Kagome's hand and led her away to tour the grounds. He had many plants and statues here that he was proud of, many of which came from his trips to different countries.

 

Sesshoumaru led her down a small graveled path to the rear of the house. Behind a small gate it opened up to reveal a jungle-like haven that stole Kagome's breath away.

 

“Sesshoumaru, th-this place…it's wonderful,” she whispered.

 

He nodded both in agreement and thanks; it took him many years to get this place just the way he wanted it.

 

“It feels like an entirely different world here, it's nothing like I've ever seen,” Kagome said in awe, “It's so peaceful.”

 

“It is my world and that of Miroku, Sango, and young Rin,” Sesshoumaru told her.

 

“So, will you tell me a little bit about them? How did you meet them?” asked Kagome.

 

“I met Sango while at a business conference in Hilo. She was the executive assistant to one of the woman whom I was to do business with-”

 

“Business, right…” Kagome interrupted.

 

“Hn. Anyways, after the conference I saw the two women arguing about something or other, and my soon-to-be business partner struck Sango. Sango in turn gave the woman three broken ribs and a black eye; she's been working for me ever since.”

 

“Impressive.”

“Yes, quite. Miroku, on the other hand, I met through Sango. She found him one day trying to con his way into one of the hotels I own by saying he “knew” the owner of the hotel personally.”

 

“He didn't?!” Kagome said incredulously.

 

“He did, and for reasons I still don't understand, Sango helped him and they have been together ever since. When they had Rin, I suggested that they move from their downtown apartment here, to take care of my lands of course.”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” came the high-pitched yell of Rin. The little girl once again made a flying leap into Sesshoumaru's arms and squeezed him tightly around the neck.

 

Not long after, she was followed by Sango who was shaking her head while a light smile played on her face.

 

“Sorry Sesshoumaru-sama,” Sango said, “she just really missed you, it was all I could do to get her to not break the door down to get to you.”

 

“There is no need to apologize; she has the tenacity of her mother,” Sesshoumaru replied.

 

“Ha ha. So, how come you didn't tell us you were coming, we would have had things better prepared for you.”

 

“I wanted it to be a surprise?” Sesshoumaru said unsurely.

 

“You forgot didn't you?”

 

“I did not feel it was important to inform you of my arrival.”

 

“Yeah sure. So Miroku tells me you're getting married?” Sango asked a bit perplexed.

 

“Married? I don't know…have you lost weight, you are looking thinner,” he dodged.

 

Sango laughed lightly and shook her head. She looked towards Kagome who wore a blush on her face. “So, is this your fiancé?”

 

“No, she's not my fiancée, I met Kagome on the cruise ship,” Sesshoumaru clarified.

 

“Oh, too bad. You're quite lovely Kagome, I'm sure we'll get along well,” Sango said as she smiled.

 

“Thank you for the compliment. You seem very nice yourself,” replied Kagome.

 

“If you'll excuse me, I think I need to go lay down for a while,” Sango said.

 

“Are you feeling alright?” asked Sesshoumaru.

 

“Yes, I'm fine,” Sango said with a grin. “I just need to get all the rest I can get before the baby comes.”

 

“Congratulations!” Kagome said to her.

 

“Yes, congratulations to you and Miroku; the two of you make wonderful parents,” Sesshoumaru offered.

 

“Thank you very much. Kagome, may I ask…are you from Japan?”

 

“Yes I am.”

 

“I miss Japan, I haven't been there since before we had Rin. Miroku and I went there on our honeymoon. We were both born there, but our families moved here for one reason or another,” Sango sighed in remembrance. “We couldn't have asked for a better home though, we both love it here, and Rin loves all the flowers.”

 

“Yes it is very nice here,” Kagome agreed. “Um, may I please use the restroom?”

 

“Of course Kagome,” Sesshoumaru spoke. “Just go through the back door and make a left; it is the fourth door on the right hand side.”

 

“Thank you. If I'm not back in five minutes, send a search party,” Kagome said as she made her way to the house.

 

“I like her Sesshoumaru, she seems genuine,” Sango said once Kagome was out of sight.

 

“She is; I've quite enjoyed our time together,” Sesshoumaru told her.

 

“So,” Sango said with a sigh, “tell me what your fiancée is like. Are you looking forward to finally getting married?”

 

“Sango, you know my life: nothing is about what I want, it's what best for the company.”

 

“You can't possibly be serious?! Sesshoumaru-sama, you're getting married! That's a huge commitment. It should be with someone you care for, not just because it's best for the company. I'm sure your father-”

 

“Do me a favor and don't bring my father into this conversation. If I hadn't talked him into giving me the company on his death-bed, Inuyasha would have run it into the ground by now and all of father's hard work would have been for nil.”

 

“I'm sorry Sesshoumaru-sama; you've just done so much for my family and me…I just want to see you happy.”

 

Sesshoumaru said nothing.

 

“Look, I'm going to go make some tea, Miroku should be out in the dojo if you need a way to vent your frustrations. He's been a brat lately anyway, he could use a beating,” Sango said before walking to the house, holding Rin's hand.

 

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and sighed before cracking his knuckles and heading for the dojo.

 

Sango got to the house and put Rin down for a nap. She saw that Kagome was just coming out of the bathroom and decided to get to know her a bit better. “Would you like some tea Kagome-san?”

 

“Oh, yes please I would love some,” Kagome replied.

 

Sango nodded and the two of them went to the kitchen. Sango busied herself making the tea and told Kagome to have a seat at the table. Like everywhere else in the house, the kitchen had big windows that had a wonderful view. The view from the kitchen was that of the mountain side, green plants as far as she could see.

 

“As rich as Sesshoumaru-sama is, you'd think we'd have a maid or something. He actually insisted that we do, but Miroku and I like being able to do things on our own,” Sango said as she finished the tea.

 

Kagome heard Sango, but she noticed a beautiful painting on the wall of a giant white dog that looked to be dancing across the sky in the clouds.

 

“Do you like the painting?” Sango asked as she saw what held Kagome's attention.

 

“Yes I do, it's very detailed. Who painted it?”

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama did actually.”

 

“Taisho-sama did this?!” Kagome said disbelievingly.

 

Sango laughed at the expression on Kagome's face. “Yes he did, he painted it for Rin when he found out I was pregnant with her.”

 

“But-but it's so good,” Kagome said.

 

“Yes, he paints a lot; he's really good at it.”

 

“Oh, I guess that came out bad; it's just that, I had no way of knowing,” Kagome said apologetically.

 

“Yeah well, he doesn't really boast about his painting skills; he's his own worst critic. He hasn't painted anything after he did this which is unfortunate.”

 

“That really is a shame; I'd like to see what else he could do.”

 

“Besides,” Sango said lightening the mood, “he's always so busy working; he hardly has time for anything anymore.”

 

Kagome nodded in understanding. She went to brush her hair out of her face but accidentally hit the cup of tea that Sango had placed before her, sending tea spilling across the table.

 

“Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! Where are the towels, I'll get them and clean it up,” Kagome said as she stood.

 

Sango began picking up the things on the table as she pointed Kagome to a cabinet near the stove. Kagome went where she was directed and grabbed a few towels and then returned to clean up the mess she made.

 

“I'm so sorry; I can't believe I did that! I'm so clumsy.”

 

“That's okay; it's not a big deal. Thank you for helping me clean it up,” Sango said shrugging.

 

“Why wouldn't I help you clean it, I should be thanking you instead,” said Kagome.

 

“Well, most of the women that Sesshoumaru-sama has…known, haven't really fit the description of someone who would do housework,” Sango admitted.

 

“In my family, my mother made sure that we did our share of the housework. She was a single parent, so she was a very busy person. If we didn't do our chores, we didn't get to see the outside of our rooms for a week.”

 

“Come on Kagome,” Sango said as they finished cleaning the mess, “let's go sit in the living room where we can talk more comfortably.”

 

Kagome nodded and followed Sango into a bright room. The room, like the house itself, was beautiful, and held many different collectables. There was a big couch near an even bigger fireplace, and a baby grand piano in the corner near a set of French doors that led to the front of the house.

 

They took a seat on the couch and Sango put her head back to rest on the back of the couch.

 

“You know, we may not seem like it, but we're really excited to see Sesshoumaru-sama again; especially Rin. Rin loves him so much; she's the only one I've seen that has been able to make Sesshoumaru-sama lose his businessman bravado.”

 

“She's a very adorable little girl,” Kagome complimented.

 

“Thank you. You know, when Miroku and I first moved in here, Sesshoumaru-sama was such a different person. He just seemed free, he didn't seem so stuck up; but I guess the business world will do that to a person. He even used to play the piano,” Sango said gesturing to the piano behind them. “Then he took up painting. I'm so jealous; he is just good at everything he does.”

 

“He's a jack of all trades I guess,” Kagome said.

 

“The bad thing is everything comes too easy for him. He gets bored and is attracted to the art he isn't practicing, wants to visit the places he hasn't been, and wants to be with the girl he hasn't met,” Sango said wistfully.

 

“I probably shouldn't have met him,” said Kagome with a grin.

 

“No, I think you're different. You don't seem to be the type that is attracted to things like money or fame. Miroku and I have been worried about him…”

 

“How come?” asked Kagome with concern.

 

“We're just afraid that he's working himself into an early grave, just like his father. He's always so serious when it comes to life; he never seems to have fun. However, when we saw him with you, he seemed different; happier. It made us worry less for him, if only for a moment.”

 

“Well I'm glad that I could ease your worries. I wish I felt the same way.”

 

“Don't worry, you'll find the confidence you need when you need it most. There's nothing wrong with Sesshoumaru-sama that a good woman won't fix,” Sango said playfully.

 

Kagome blushed at the hidden meaning behind Sango's words. For someone so young, Sango seemed to have a lot of insight into the minds of others.

 

Sesshoumaru as well as a tired, and a bit disheveled, Miroku walked into the front room at that moment. Miroku walked to the couch and plopped tiredly next to Sango and then laid his head on her shoulder.

 

“I guess you didn't take it easy on him?” asked an amused Sango.

 

“Of course I did, he's just out of shape. What have you been feeding him Sango?” Sesshoumaru replied.

 

“Oh just the usual. He tends to overeat a lot though,” Sango said as she ran her fingers through Miroku's hair.

 

“So how have you ladies been? Getting along?” Miroku asked.

 

“Like you wouldn't imagine,” Kagome answered.

 

“I bet Sango has been doing most of the talking,” Sesshoumaru stated.

 

“Hey, I don't talk that much,” Sango defended herself.

 

Sesshoumaru and Miroku both gave her a look that said they clearly disagreed with her.

 

“Fine, I did all the talking,” Sango relented.

 

“And just what have you been talking about?” Sesshoumaru questioned.

 

“You,” came the short answer from Sango.

 

“Nothing but good things I hope,” said Sesshoumaru.

 

Now it was Kagome who spoke up. “Only that when you don't get your way you kick and scream and get red in the face.”

 

“I only did that once, and that was at the entertainment of Rin. If I'd have known that would come back to haunt me…”

 

“Oh don't worry,” Kagome started, “I told her you don't do that anymore. Now when you don't get your way you simply threaten people.”

 

“Hn. Just what have you two been talking about? Sango, you know I don't like to be left in the dark.”

 

“Would you like some tea Sesshoumaru-sama?” Sango asked instead of answering him.

 

He resisted a sigh and then nodded in the affirmative. Sango stood up to go get him a cup of tea from the kitchen.

 

Miroku, who had been nearly passed out on the couch, noticed that Sesshoumaru held a package in his hands and decided to ask about it. “What do you have there Sesshoumaru-sama?”

 

Sesshoumaru brought the package to him and handed it to Miroku. “It is merely a gift for Rin,” he answered. “You two may open it if you like. I would like to know what you think of it.”

 

Sango came in and handed Sesshoumaru the cup of tea while Miroku eyed the package. She sat down next to him while Miroku made his way through the wrapping. When he finally got to the gift he nearly choked on the lack of air. Sango saw it and was almost in tears.

 

Out of curiosity, Kagome looked over Sango's shoulder to see what it was. She gasped when Miroku held it at arms length.

 

It was a beautiful painting of one of Japan's most prestigious gardens. The colors were vibrant and the detailing was exquisite. There were so many different dimensions in the painting that one had to look over it a couple of times to not miss anything.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama this is amazing! It's so detailed, it doesn't look like you left anything out!” an emotional Sango exclaimed.

 

“Isn't this the garden that your father funded so it could be constructed?” Miroku asked. At Sesshoumaru's nod he was even more amazed. “You said you hadn't been there in years; how did you capture it so perfectly?”

 

“I painted it from memory. It used to be a special place for my mother and I to go.”

 

Kagome was speechless; the garden painting was incredible. “I can't believe you painted this from your memory.”

 

Sango looked at Kagome with tears in her eyes. “I told you he was talented.”

 

Miroku gently placed the painting on a nearby table. A whistle from the boat could be heard faintly from inside the house and there was a collective sigh.

 

“I guess that means we should be going,” Sesshoumaru spoke up.

 

“Oh do you have to Sesshoumaru-sama. It seems like we haven't seen you in so long,” Miroku all but whined.

 

As if in answer to Miroku's question, the boat whistle sounded again. Miroku visibly hunched his shoulders.

 

“Does that answer your question?” Sesshoumaru said.

 

“Will you at least play us a song before you go Sesshoumaru-sama? Who know when we will see you again, and I have wanted to hear you play the piano,” Sango pleaded.

 

“Sango…” Sesshoumaru started.

 

“Oh come on Sesshoumaru,” Kagome said. “Please?”

 

Sesshoumaru heaved a sigh and walked towards the piano in defeat. “I know you two probably planned this. Just keep in mind that I have not played in a while and I am doing this as a request. One bad word and I stop.”

 

Sesshoumaru cracked his knuckles as any cliché pianist would do and begins to lightly tap the keys. Although he hasn't played in a while, the tune sounds beautiful and Kagome can't help but start to hum to the song.

 

Sesshoumaru gave her an approving nod and motions her to the songbook resting on the piano. Kagome picked it up and looked over the words as he began the second verse of the song.

 

Miroku and Sango sit up against the back of the couch and listen as Kagome starts singing along with Sesshoumaru's playing. Sango looked up to Miroku and gave him a knowing smile which he returned. They looked back to Sesshoumaru and Kagome as they finished the song.

 

Once again, the boat whistle sounds, informing them that they need to get back.

 

“Oh,” Sango sighed, “I hate boat whistles. That was beautiful you guys, thank you so much for indulging me.”

 

The group heads outside and is surprised to see that it is almost night time. A light breeze dances across them as they made their way down the stairs. Kagome stops to smell one of the flowers that had caught her attention when she arrived, trying to savor the fragrance.

 

“Do you like that flower?” Sango asked Kagome.

 

“Yes I do, I don't think I've ever seen one like it,” Kagome replied.

 

“I'll send you some seeds for it one day, right now is not the best time to harvest it,” Sango offered.

 

“Thank you so much,” said Kagome. “It really was a pleasure to meet you, thanking for allowing me into your home.”

 

“You are welcome here any time Kagome-san,” Miroku interjected. “Even if Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't accompany you,” he added with a smile.

 

Kagome nodded and then gave both Sango and Miroku a hug goodbye and climbed into the car that was waiting for her and Sesshoumaru to take them back to the boat.

 

Sesshoumaru turns to his two friends. “I will try and visit more often. I really would like to see more of Rin, and your new one, once he or she arrives.”

 

“We would enjoy that immensely Sesshoumaru-sama, and so would Rin,” Miroku said.

 

“Please tell her she can write to me any time. I promise I will write back,” Sesshoumaru stated.

 

Miroku and Sango nod in acceptance and watch as Sesshoumaru and Kagome drive away.

 

“I like her,” Miroku said suddenly.

 

“As do I,” Sango agreed as they walked back to the house. With a smile she added, “I think Sesshoumaru-sama does too.”