InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ripples ❯ When Doves Cry ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3: When Doves Cry

Sesshoumaru awoke to yet another unpleasant sight. The kitsune had jumped onto his chest and was staring wide-eyed at him. He pushed the boy off and sat up.

"What, kit?" He growled irritably.

"Mommy said to tell you that she's grateful for the beautiful kimono, but it is much too expensive for her to wear. I think it's pretty on her, but I think she's afraid she'll mess it up or something. Also, she said to ask you if you are going to have breakfast with her, or if you want her to get started on the books right away."

Sesshoumaru tied his sash (obi, whatever guys wear) and turned to Shippou. "Why didn't she come herself?"

"She's taking a bath and wanted to catch you before you got mad and started ranting about how she's a lazy human with too much time on her hands." Shippou gasped after saying that and clamped a tiny paw across his mouth. He stared in horror at the taiyoukai.

"I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama! I forgot that you are not the same as the one I know. Gomen nasai!"

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow in amusement before sitting in a chair across from Shippou. "Well, Shippou, since you seem to know a lot about my future self, tell me what I'm like 500 years from now."

Shippou sighed in relief and then grinned. "You are so cool! You have this really awesome private detective agency and you hunt down the bad guys. You are still the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands, but the title only means something to demons and the rare human who knows about demons. Actually, I guess you could say that your detective agency is on the side. Your real money comes from investments in companies and things. You're probably one of the richest men in Japan."

The elder demon pulled on his boots. "What of Rin?"

"She's so nice! She mated this neat inu youkai and the guy helps your company out. I think you pretty much try to keep her out of trouble, but I'm sure she knows all about it. Rin-chan's really smart. She's one of Kagome's best friends."

"Speaking of your mother, what is our relationship?"

The kitsune scratched his head in puzzlement for a moment. "I'm not really sure. Part of the time you're yelling at her for risking her life on stupid things. Sometimes, you kinda act like she's the dumbest little kid that can't take care of herself."

Sesshoumaru snorted and rose from his seat but stopped when Shippou went on.

"And then, sometimes, when you think no one is watching, you look at her like she's your best friend. Maybe your only friend. I dunno, you aren't exactly gushing with feelings even in the future. That's ok, though, I still love ya."

The elder demon glared at the kit and then opened the door. "I shall take you to Rin's room now. You may play with her and Jaken today."

He noticed Shippou cringed when Jaken was mentioned and hid a smirk. So the toad lived another 500 years. Once Shippou was deposited with a delighted Rin, Sesshoumaru made his way to Kagome's room. Knocking once, he allowed her five seconds before walking in. She was standing, half turned in a window wearing her robe. When she saw him, she smiled and walked over.

"Why do you refuse the kimono, wench?"

Her smile, surprisingly increased and she giggled slightly. "Wench? Really, Sesshoumaru-sama, I do have a name. As for the kimono, it is much too elegant for the likes of me. I'll just get it dirty or something. You should give that to someone who knows how to wear it. Someone besides the common thief in the night."

He took note of the faint blush on her cheeks and the way she kept her eyes glued to the floor. She wasn't used to having anything fancy, he decided, and apparently she didn't know what to do with it.

"It is not an extravagant kimono, Kagome."

"I know, but it's more than what I'm used to wearing."

He smirked with an idea. "They do not wear this style in your time, do they?" She shook her head. "So you don't know how to put it on?"

Her eyes shot to his. "I'm sure it can't be that difficult."

"Come, I will show you," he said as he walked over to the kimono and picked it up.

Kagome watched him with what he could tell was extreme embarrassment. "Come here, woman." She slowly walked over to him and stopped two feet away.

"You do have your undergarments on up under your robe, do you not?"

She nodded. "Yes, thank you very much, I do have some modesty. I can get the underwear and the shift that goes up under the outer kimono, but how everything connects, I'm lost."

Kagome felt her blush all the way to her toes. True, the shift she wore covered her from her neck to her ankles and was completely modest, but still, it was the fact that Sesshoumaru was about to dress her like a Barbie.

Sesshoumaru smiled inwardly when he saw her blush. She was very uncomfortable, but it served her right for breaking in and waking him up in the dead of night. Slowly she took off the robe and reached for the kimono. He watched as she pulled it on and stopped, looking at the ties helplessly.

"You really are a nuisance, girl," he said as he began tying the fastenings in a quick, business like manner.

Soon, he finished tying the obi and placed a brush in her hand. "Here, work on your hair."

She glared at him and snatched the brush away. He watched as she attacked her still damp hair ruthlessly. In a matter of minutes, it was brushed and she had it pulled back in a bun. Standing, she turned to face him and shifted uncomfortably in the kimono.

"I still think it's too much for me, but I did agree to wear the clothes you provided. So, do we get some food, or hit the books?"

"I shall accompany you to breakfast," he said as he opened the door and offered her his arm.

She took it and glanced at him curiously. "You made yourself out to be a horribly cruel person, but so far, you haven't been bad."

"Perhaps you simply do not know what I am capable of doing. I am for all intents and purposes, an aristocratic assassin."

The wench studied him for a moment with an unusual look in her stormy eyes. "I've seen your future self go into a demon rage before, and it's not pretty. So, I guess I do have a small idea about what you can do when you feel like it."

He looked at her sideways for a moment before escorting her into the dining area and setting her in the seat next to him. Shippou and Rin were already there, chatting away. Kagome giggled when she saw Rin and exchanged a look with Shippou.

"Hi, are you Shippou's okaa-san? You sure are pretty, like Sesshoumaru-sama. I'm Rin, are you going to play with me?"

"Hai, I'm Shippou's okaa-san. Thank you for the compliment and I would love to play with you, Rin. My name is Kagome."

Servants came in and served the food. When they left, Kagome filled a teacup for Sesshoumaru and offered it to him. He sat there for a moment, stunned that someone raised as a human would be so polite to a youkai. No one had ever offered him the honor of the first cup, one of the reasons he never ate in the presence of others. In fact, when Rin ate, he simply sat with her to keep her company. Slowly, he took the offered teacup and sat it down by his place. Kagome asked if Rin and Shippou wanted any and filled her own cup when they declined. Sesshoumaru was surprised throughout the meal when Kagome repeatedly offered him the first choice of all the food. Perhaps she wasn't such a nuisance after all.

"Are you going to stay with us forever, Kagome-neechan?"

"Probably not forever, Rin-chan, but for now. Shippou and I have certain duties we must do before we can stay with someone forever. Speaking of which, are you two through? It should be time for a bath and then studies."

Shippou grumbled but Rin quickly pulled him out of the room while saying a quick goodbye to the adults. Kagome smiled and waved before turning back to the overly quiet demon lord. She found him studying her silently.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Iie, but you are a conundrum. Perhaps we should take a look at those scrolls now."

She nodded and took his arm when he offered. They walked to his room and Kagome watched as he drew back the blue tapestry and opened a hidden door. Sesshoumaru lit some candles and Kagome's eyes grew wide at the number of books revealed.

"Wow," she said, breathless and excited. She couldn't believe the amount of knowledge that must be stored in this one room.

The corners of Sesshoumaru's mouth turned up at her awed reaction. He quickly stifled the feeling and walked over to a shelf in the very back of the room. He drew two scrolls and two books and walked back to the woman practically drooling on his books.

"You like to read, I take it."

She turned to him and grinned. "Yeah, it's somewhat of an obsession. Are those the scrolls and books on the Guardians?"

He nodded and ushered her out the door after extinguishing the candles. Kagome plopped down into a chair and hurriedly jerked open the first scrolls.

"Ok, scroll number one."

"Are you able to understand it?"

"Hai, its kinda like modern English with ancient Japanese and Gaelic all rolled into one. Tolkien would have loved it. Basically, it's saying that a Guardian is born when he or she is needed and that they are basically immortal. They can be killed if they are beheaded, but it takes a lot to beat them in a fair fight. They have extremely powerful miko abilities and can purify the Shikon no Tama. Their sole purpose is to protect the Shikon and fight darkness. Wow, I'm kinda like a super hero. Oh, boy, yay."

"Can you use your miko abilities?"

Kagome got a faraway look in her eyes. She sat there silently for a moment before jerking back to reality. "No, at least, not at will. I'll have to train myself to use them, I suppose."

Sesshoumaru could tell there was something more to it, but he let it drop when she continued reading.

"Anyways, it says that about 50 some odd years ago, there was a Guardian named Naraku and the guy went totally evil. Midoriko, the spirit guide of the Shikon, took the jewel away from him before he could corrupt it. She gave it to the next Guardian, Kikyou. Hey, that's your half-brother's cousin."

The taiyoukai nodded. "Hai, so Naraku vowed to get the jewel back. He sealed Inuyasha to the tree to get him out of the way because he knew Inuyasha would protect his cousin. Then he killed Kikyou."

Kagome nodded. "But Midoriko concealed the jewel inside Kikyou's body so Naraku couldn't find it. After Kikyou's body had been buried for a while, a low level demon took the jewel. Naraku killed the demon, but accidentally broke the jewel in the process. Now the shards are scattered all over the place and I only got a shard instead of the whole thing. What's your grudge against Naraku, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"He once kidnapped Rin. I have not paid my debt of death to him."

"Oh. Well, most of the rest of this stuff is just information on different Guardian abilities and attacks. I don't think it'll be much help to you."

He stood. "Then I shall check on the children, they have been quiet too long."

Kagome laughed and watched him leave. Then she immersed herself in the books.

**Sesshoumaru found the children in the garden. Jaken was passed out on a rock and Rin was teaching Shippou how to make flower wreaths. When the girl saw him, she waved vigorously and glomped his leg. Shippou smiled at him, but continued to concentrate on making his wreath.

"Kit, has your mother ever used her miko abilities?"

Shippou frowned and stared at him a moment. "I don't like to think about that day much."

Sesshoumaru sat down next to him and watched as Rin ran around picking flowers. Slowly, Shippou began talking again.

"I guess it's all right to tell you since you were kinda there, too. You were both really scary that day. I don't think I've ever been that afraid." Shippou looked at him and the older demon gave him a small smile.

"Mommy had been captured a week before by some really, really bad demons. They threw her into a dungeon and chained her to the wall. She told me to leave through a window and go find either you or Inuyasha and to tell you that she'd found the red cell. I was supposed to bring you back to their base. It took me three days to find you and then another two to get back to where they held Mom. You were pissed beyond belief that she'd let herself get caught. Anyways, when you got to the dungeon and found her, t-they ha-had…"

"What, Shippou?" Sesshoumaru asked as he put a comforting hand on the trembling kitsune.

"They had tortured her the entire time. You got her down from the wall and she woke up. It was really weird then because the first thing she said was…"

Flashback

Sesshou rushed over to Kagome who hang helplessly from brutal chains. He could tell she'd been through Hell and he felt his demon side begin to take over. Slashing the chains, he caught her as she fell into his arms and woke up. Gently he brushed the hair out of her eyes and watched as she smiled brilliantly at him.

"Geez, I really could go for a cheeseburger and a Sprite right now."

He snickered softly. "I'll get you one as soon as I get you out of this mess you seem to have gotten yourself into."

Suddenly, they heard someone clap behind them. Sesshou let Kagome go and stood in front of her, facing the grinning demon.

"My, my, the great Lord Sesshoumaru. To what do I owe this honor? Have you come for your little girl friend, there? I can understand why you keep her around, she tastes divine."

Sesshou felt the rage take over. His eyes bled red as he transformed into his demon form. Guards had rushed into the dungeon, but they did their master no good. Sesshou ripped them all to shreds and took out one side of the castle. Snarling, he looked around for the ring leader, Akumarub, but couldn't find him. Suddenly, he heard a strangled cry behind him. Whirling around, he found Akumarub with a knife at Kagome's throat. Normally she could easily get away, but she had been tortured for a week and was exhausted. Slowly, Sesshou reverted back to his human form, his eyes still red.

"Let her go."

"I don't think so, Sesshoumaru. She's my ticket out of here, but if you're a good doggie, I'll send you her body back."

Shippou hopped down from Sesshou's shoulder and reached his paws out to Kagome. The taiyoukai stopped him from getting any closer.

"MOMMY! Please, mister, let her go. Don't hurt her!"

Akumarub laughed evilly and drew a small cut along the miko's neck. Instead of crying out, Kagome's eyes turned a brilliant pink and began glowing. There was a complete lack of sound and then the entire castle exploded in a pink blaze. When Sesshou awoke, he found that he had been healed of his injuries. Shippou was next to him and the older demon scooped the boy up before making his way over to Kagome. When he stroked her face, she painfully opened her eyes.

"Would you like your lecture now or later?"

Kagome smiled faintly. "Later, please, I think it'd be a good thing if I saw a doctor pretty soon. You and Shippou aren't hurt, are you?"

He shook his head. "No, I think your miko powers healed us."

Tenderly, he picked her up and carried her to his private doctor. When the man had treated her and she had had a nice bath, Sesshou walked into her room. She looked up sleepily from her bed. He sat down on the edge of it and handed her a Sprite. She woke up more and grabbed the bottle.

"Sesshou, you know my weaknesses. Bless you."

He smiled faintly. "Your mom is keeping your cheeseburger in the fridge until you feel like eating."

She laughed and put the Sprite on her nightstand. Sesshou took her hand and she looked at him oddly.

"Sesshou? What's the matter?"

"Kagome, I'm sorry."

"For what? Saving my butt?"

He looked away. "For not being able to stop that bastard before he got you."

"Sesshoumaru, it is not your fault. I was stupid enough to get caught. It's my mistake, not yours."

The taiyoukai took both of her hands and looked hard into her eyes. "What did he do to you? Tell me the truth."

She bit her lip and looked down at her robe. "H-he just whipped me some."

"Let me see, Kagome."

She jerked her hands away. "No. Only if you let me put on Lynx."

Confusion appeared in his eyes. "Why?"

She sniffed and blinked down the threatening tears. "B-because Lynx doesn't care if you see it, but Kagome does."

With that she burst into tears and turned away from him. Sesshou closed his eyes and then carefully pulled her into his embrace. She stiffened before relaxing against him.

"Let me see, Kagome, please."

Slowly, she nodded and rolled onto her back, taking off her robe. Sesshou gently pulled up her shirt and peered under her bandages. Angry, deep whelps crisscrossed her back and sides. Burns marred her white skin and Sesshoumaru felt his claws dig deep into his palms at the sight. Bruises were scattered across her body ranging from black to yellow. He hissed in fury before replacing her clothes.

"They're on my legs and stomach, too," she said in a dead, monotone voice.

"Kagome," the taiyoukai began as he stroked her hair. She refused to turn over. "Kagome, you are still beautiful. You're still very feminine."

She sniffled and finally rolled to face him. "You thought I was pretty before this happened?"

Sesshou's jaw dropped. "Holy St. Krishna, woman! Do you honestly not notice the looks you get when you go somewhere? Geez, you practically cause disasters because guys are so preoccupied with checking you out that they don't watch where they're going or what they're doing."

"Shut up, Sesshoumaru, that's not funny," she muttered as she gave him a small shove.

"Kagome, I'm not kidding, you're one of the most beautiful women I know. And that's saying a lot."

Kagome's eyes filled up with tears and she smiled a genuine smile at him. "Thanks, Sesshou."

He gave her a small kiss on the forehead, telling her to get some sleep, and then left the building.

End Flashback

Shippou looked up at the quiet demon beside him. "See, sometimes you two are really nice to each other, but sometimes you get in the worst fights. One time ya'll got into a big argument that even Inuyasha was afraid to interrupt. You called her a `headstrong, impetuous, stubborn, stupid little bitch.' She turned right back to you and called you a `domineering, arrogant, anal retentive jackass.' Then you just fought each other until you were both so tired you just fell asleep right there in the dojo."

Sesshoumaru glanced down at the kit. "Have I taken a mate, yet?"

"Nah, you said you aren't in any hurry to saddle yourself with a nagging shrew who would just turn out to be like Mom. Usually she turns around and says that you're just afraid of commitment and then the fight's on."

The young lord chuckled softly and Shippou smiled up at him. "Ya know, Sesshoumaru-sama, Mom's really tough and can handle herself, but she's always been treated like a boy. She doesn't know she's pretty, no matter how many times I tell her she is. She's more comfortable being Lynx than being Kagome. Even if she acts like it's no big deal, I know those scars bother her. After letting you see them that one time, she hasn't let anyone else see them. She doesn't wear anything that might show them and she doesn't talk about it."

"She's not very good at relating to people when she's not fighting them?"

Shippou frowned in concentration. "It's like she can make and keep friends easily, but she always keeps them at arms length. I think that something inside her knows that one day she'll have to let them go. I know she's gonna probably outlive me, being a Guardian and all, but I'm glad she's my mom."

"You'll live longer than you probably think, kit. How old do I look in your time?"

"Umm, maybe twenty three? Not much older than you do now."

"See, we youkai age very slowly. You'll be with your mother for a long time yet. Now, collect Rin and we shall abduct your mother for dinner."

Shippou laughed and ran over to Rin. Grabbing her, they both raced the demon lord to the castle. Rin got there first and grinned at Sesshoumaru.

"I think you two let me win! That's all right, though, I'll beat you fair and square next time."

The children ran giggling to the dining room while the young lord went in search of Kagome. He found his room empty so decided to follow her scent. It ended at the door of the dojo. Stepping into the training room, he swept the room for her. She was no where to be seen. Confusion ignited in him and he turned just in time to see her tackle him to the ground. She pinned his arms while straddling him and grinned wickedly.

He growled, amused, but tried to hide it. "What in the seven hells are you doing, wench?"

"Ya know, Sesshoumaru-sama, I never have asked you if you are ticklish. Are you?"

"Nani? Of course I'm not ticklish. Now remove your person from me this instant."

Kagome just tossed her hair and attacked his ribs. He tried to hold it in, but soon, she had him laughing like an eight month old pup. She was laughing almost as much.

"Say you give."

"N-no!"

"Come on, yield."

Sesshoumaru shook his head and flipped her onto her back. "You yield, or I will sic Rin and Shippou on you."

"You fight dirty. Fine, I yield."

Sesshoumaru noticed that she was wearing the black clothes she had brought with her instead of her kimono. She saw him glower at the out fit and blushed.

"I couldn't train in the kimono, I would ruin it. I'll go change for dinner."

He escorted her to her room and waited outside until she reappeared, dressed in the green kimono.

"Orchids," she said.

"What about orchids?"

"They're my favorite flower. What's yours?"

Thinking a moment, he led her into the dining room. "Violets."

"Really? I never would have guessed. I like them, too."