InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nothing Left to Lose ❯ Anything is Possible ( Chapter 9 )

A/N: Thanks, gtolady, I didn't know I was set to only accept registered reviews. I've got it changed now, so anybody who's been biting their tongue can let me know what they think! Also, thanks for the great review! I own about the same amount of stuff I've owned through this whole dang thing (wow, it's getting long!).

 

 

“Kagome-chan, what is wrong with your hair?”

 

An evil glare was on Kagome's face as Kumo struggled with the mess. Kumo was mumbling under her breath, and none of it was flattering. “I fell asleep with my hair wet.”

 

“Wow, Kagome-chan!” Rin was watching with fascination as the mess was being tamed. “It looks like you haven't brushed it in a week!”

 

“Thanks, Rin.”

 

Rin was oblivious to the sarcasm. Already dressed and groomed, Rin was impatient to go down to breakfast. “Kagome-chan, Rin will be late!”

 

Sigh. “Go ahead down, Jo-chan, and let Sesshomarou-sama know that I will be down as soon as possible. That's all you need to say, that I will be down as soon as possible.”

 

“Hai, Kagome-chan!” Rin was already out the door and running down the hall, holding the hilt of her sword so that it did not bang against her legs.

 

“My lady, this is a disaster. This could take me most of the morning!” Distress was evident in the servant's voice.

 

“Don't worry, Kumo, we don't need it perfect, just close enough to get it into a ponytail. I'm just going to practice, after all.”

 

`Now, when I was young, a lady that had just started courting a lord would be very worried about her appearance. What are the youngsters today thinking? I know that she and Sesshomarou-sama were talking in the hot springs, the attendant told me this morning. Why is she not acting like she cares?' Kumo was mystified yet again by her charge. `Maybe it is a human thing.'

 

“Ah, close enough Kumo. I can get it into a ponytail, it doesn't look that bad. I'll clean up after practice and let you work on my hair all you want. Now I need to get breakfast. I can only imagine what Rin is telling Sesshomarou-sama about why I'm late.” Without even glancing in a mirror Kagome hurried from the room. Kumo stared after her.

 

`What am I going to do with her?'

 

*~*~*~*

 

When only Rin appeared Sesshomarou had a moment of concern. Had he upset the miko? Would she refuse to see him now?

 

“Sesshomarou-sama, Kagome-chan will be down as soon as possible. That's all Rin has to say, that she will be done as soon as possible.”

 

“Rin, where is Kagome.”

 

“She is upstairs with Kumo doing her hair. It is so big, Kumo is worried that it will never lay down again. Rin thought it was very funny, but Kagome-chan seemed grumpy about it. Rin has never seen Kagome-chan's hair look like that before, but sometimes Rin's hair looks like that. But Kagome-chan has more hair than Rin, so . . .”

 

“Rin!”

 

Rin looked up from her breakfast. “Kagome-chan! Your hair looks better!”

 

`I haven't even made it to breakfast and I'm blushing already.' “Rin, you didn't need to tell Sesshomarou-sama all of that, just that I was on my way!” Refusing to even glance towards Sesshomarou, Kagome took her seat next to Rin.

 

“Sesshomarou-sama wanted to know where you were. Rin did not mean to make Kagome-chan mad.” Tears were starting to appear in the little girl's eyes.

 

“Oh, Rin, Kagome-chan isn't mad at you.” Kagome scooped the girl up and gave her a hug. “There are just some things you don't tell everybody.”

 

Kagome returned Rin to her spot so she could work on her breakfast. Incident forgotten, Rin returned to packing food into her mouth as quickly as possible. Sesshomarou was pointedly ignored in the hopes that he would not ask any questions about Kagome's hair or tardiness.

 

The youkai lord was sorely pressed to not harass Kagome further. He could see that her hair was still not as sleek as usual and that there were dark circles under her eyes. Had she slept at all? “Kagome, did you sleep well?”

 

The object of his attentions choked on her breakfast. `Did he just ask me how I slept?' Covering her mouth and desperately trying to catch her breath, her mind spun on. `What the hell? I've never heard him ask about anybody, other than asking if someone was dead yet.'

 

“Um, hai, my lord. It was a late night, but I did sleep well.” `I hope that sounded normal enough.' Kagome finally looked up at the youkai, an uncertain smile on her face.

 

Sesshomarou's face gave nothing away, but his eyes seemed . . . warmer somehow. It was almost as though her really did care whether or not she had slept well. When had she seen that expression before? `When he listens to Rin! Whoa, does he actually care? Just a little bit?'

 

Breakfast suddenly seemed like a safer place to focus. Rin was already done and was running from the room, calling over her shoulder, “Hurry, Kagome-chan!”

 

Now Kagome could not resist a real smile, watching the impulsive girl skitter around the corner. “I think that she needs to learn just a bit of self-control. What do you think, my lord?” `Hmm, that sounded down right friendly. Maybe all of those knocks to the head are starting to catch up with me.'

 

“Hai. Perhaps her weapon lessons will teach her some control.” Sesshomarou was equally startled by the polite conversation, but did not want to disturb it.

 

Giggles erupted from Kagome. “Obviously you have not been watching her. She is just as impulsive against a pell as she is in everything else. She does enjoy herself, though, and her yells would make anyone, youkai or ningen, think twice.”

 

`Yes, he is definitely smiling. Wow. And I'm staring. Baka, Kagome!' Again she refocused to her breakfast.

 

“Perhaps she needs some work against an opponent to get her attention.” `Was she staring at me?'

 

“Oh, no, my lord, I am not facing that fury! Even with just her wooden practice blade she is pretty fierce. I don't think Takanou is too eager to face her either.”

 

“Then this Sesshomarou will be her first opponent. If Takanou is too frightened to face a small girl then she will need some additional instruction.” Rising from his place, he glanced at Kagome. “Are you finished?”

 

“Hai, my lord.” `He is coming to practice? That cannot be good. Maybe with Rin around he won't beat up on me too much.'

 

It was awkward, walking with the youkai to the courtyard. Kagome had no idea what to say, while Sesshomarou did not give the slightest clue to his mood or motives. After such a polite conversation she was more relaxed, though. It was nice to think that he could talk to her without either of them throwing down a challenge or an insult. `Wow, a whole conversation without either of us trying to cause physical harm. That is definitely a first!'

 

Rin's voice was already raised with excitement. Entering the courtyard Kagome could see her pummeling the pell yet again. Not much in the way of technique or finesse, but there was a lot of enthusiasm and she would get stronger. Takanou was trying to get the girl's attention, but to little effect.

 

“Rin, you need to stop hitting with the flat of the blade, it doesn't do any good.”

 

“Hee yah!” was Rin's response as she continued to wail on the defenseless pell. “Take that, evil wolf youkai!”

 

“Rin.”

 

That quiet command was enough to bring the girl to a halt. “Hai, Sesshomarou-sama?”

 

“If you would like to defeat a real wolf youkai then you need to learn more than how to yell and hit with a stick. Come here.” Sesshomarou brought the girl over to the side. “This is how one grips a sword. Both hands like this. Here, this Sesshomarou will show you.”

 

Kagome could not help but smile and watch. Sesshomarou was standing behind Rin, showing her how to hold her weapon and how to stand. Rin was silent and focused, listening to every word that her Sesshomarou said.

 

“I am thankful that he is going to talk to the girl, she is very difficult to teach!” Takanou had come up beside Kagome and was watching the pair. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Are you well, Kagome-sama?”

 

Surprise showed in the miko's eyes. “Hai,” she whispered back. “Why?”

 

“I was, concerned. I do not want you to think you are alone here. I will help you in any way that you wish.”

 

“Thank you, Takanou. I think that things are going to be just fine. It's a matter of sorting out a new partnership.” Kagome's eyes were back on the duo, watching as Rin learned what a block and a parry were. “I think that we both have some adjusting to do.”

 

“Kagome-sama, do not forget, you are here against your will.”

 

“Am I, Takanou?” Kagome moved to pick up her staff. Raising her voice to normal, she called to her teacher. “Shall we get some work done, since Sesshomarou-sama has Rin distracted?”

 

Mute, Takanou nodded. `What had that meant? Was she a prisoner or not?'

 

*~*~*~*

 

`I am such a pushover.' Kagome fussed with her sleeves, then forced her hands back to her sides. Kumo had still been distressed that afternoon, so Kagome had let the servant dress her for dinner. Now the miko was dressed in a beautiful kimono with luscious layers of silk. And long drop sleeves. Dinner had been an ordeal, much to Sesshomarou's amusement.

 

`Damn arrogant bastard.'

 

Rin and Sesshomarou were already out for their walk, and Kagome was bored in her room. Her journal had already heard enough about her problems. The evening was beautiful, begging her to go outside for something more than training. `Like I could train dressed like this. That's it, I'm tired of moping around. I'm going for a walk! Even if I can barely move.'

In the gardens Kagome wandered from path to path. This was the first time she had been able to actually explore the gardens on her own. When she was out with Rin she was constantly chasing the girl and did not get a chance to look at anything. Now she could move at a leisurely pace, admiring the flowers and landscaping. The gardens were massive, it felt as though she could wander for days and still not see the same place twice. She stopped to smell flowers that she had never seen before. `Now I'm starting to relax, finally.'

 

*~*~*~*

 

Kagome's scent had already drifted to the youkai through the gardens. Rin was skipping down the path, looking for another flower for her bouquet. Sesshomarou looked around, trying to sight the female that he had already found by scent. `There she is, just over the bridge.' Keeping a casual air he started to move towards her. `She looks so different dressed like a lady. One would almost miss the warrior there. This is the most relaxed I have seen her since she got here. Is it because she does not know I am here?' Seeing her made the youkai lord relax as well, as though he had found something he had been searching for.

 

The miko had noticed him. Her expression was uncertain, with a glance cast behind her shoulder. “Sesshomarou-sama, I thought you were out walking with Rin.”

 

“Rin is just on the other side of the bridge.”

 

“Oh. Um, I can head back to the palace, so I don't disturb you two.”

 

“This Sesshomarou would enjoy your company as well as Rin's.”

 

Her eyes widened at the lord's words. “Really? If you're sure, I can walk with you two. I just love these gardens, they are amazing.”

 

“They were my mother's.” Sesshomarou's eyes were on the bundle of energy racing towards them, his face a mask.

 

`I've never heard him mention her before. I don't think he wants any questions, though. Easy, Rin!'

 

Rin had grabbed Kagome around the legs. “Yea! Kagome-chan can walk with Rin and Sesshomarou-sama! Now Rin will need more flowers!” Without a backwards glance Rin was running down the path, looking for the perfect flowers.

 

“Sesshomarou-sama, I think we had better follow her.”

 

“Hai.”

 

The couple walked through the garden in silence. Kagome was still admiring the gardens, while Sesshomarou was admiring her. She stopped to admire a beautiful, tiny lily. It was gold in color with white along the edges. `A perfect compliment to her red and gold kimono.' Kagome was startled when Sesshomarou picked the lily and set it into her hair. He said nothing, his face in it's usual mask, then turned and followed Rin's voice.

 

`Okay, I'm just getting weirded out now. Who was that, and why did they look like Sesshomarou?'

 

`What was that?' Even Sesshomarou was confused by his behavior. `What, exactly, was the point in that?'

 

The rest of the walk was in silence, watching Rin as she ran and played. The fireflies were coming out, lighting the paths and making the gardens feel like a place out of a fairy tail. When the little group returned to the palace there was a relaxed feeling that was new to both of the adults. Rin was oblivious, far more interested in her new flowers that would need to be put in water.

 

“Um, good night, Sesshomarou-sama.” Kagome took Rin's hand and disappeared into the palace.

 

“Good night, Kagome,” he whispered in reply.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Alone in the dark of her room Kagome stared out the window. Rin was sleeping, Kumo had come and gone. The miko was dressed in a robe, her damp hair carefully brushed and braided. The lily that Sesshomarou had put in her hair was now in her hands. She studied it, thinking back on the night. `That was almost . . . romantic. I would have never, ever thought that he could do something like that. Maybe, maybe this could work. No, he won't love me, but he may care. Care is better than nothing. I would like to think that he cared. This may work. After all, that was a whole day without violence or threats. Anything is possible.'

 

The moonlight was shining on her bed, calling her to sleep. `I feel more relaxed now. Maybe I'll be able to get a good night's sleep. That would be wonderful.'

 

As Kagome slid her hands under her pillow, already half asleep, her hands touched paper. `Hmm?' Curiosity overruled sleep and she pulled out the paper. The moon offered enough light to let her see what it was. `A note? From Takanou?'

 

 

A/N: I figured I would try this whole cliff hanger thing out. *evil laughter* It's just a little one . . .