InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Special delivery ❯ Crossing paths ( Chapter 45 )

Chapter 45: Crossing paths

 

 

A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating last week! Life has been getting in the way, but as always I will try my best not to make you wait longer than two weeks for an update :)

 

Thank you to my beloved reviewers:

 

Sychotic

Soojinyeh

Sesshkagufan13 (Congrats on leaving the 550th review!!!)

BlackMagicWhiteMagic

Little25victor

FoxFire7

 

90sgurl (I agree Rin is so cute. Maybe she'll pop in the story again)

 

Sesskagufan13 (Happy belated birthday. Thanks for the nice words. Well Rin isn't going to be a crucial part of the story and there will soon be a reunion between our fave couple.)

 

Once again thank you to Dogsfang for the PM.

 

 

On MediaMiner.org

 

Zetsuii (Congrats on leaving the 70th review! We'll see about Sessh developing paternal instincts)

 

Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, Sesshy and Kagura would be happily mated and working on silver haired baby number three by now…

 

 

“Talking”

`Thoughts'

 

 

 

Sesshoumaru looked at his watch and groaned when he realized he was going to be late for his appointment. He quickly sat up from behind his desk and put his jacket on.

 

`If I rush I might be able to make it. Though I probably will have to come back to the office afterwards, I am getting behind on the campaign for that damn jeans company.'

 

His reflection was cut short when someone opened the door to his office widely and walked in.

 

“Hum you're leaving the office pretty early today, what's up?” None other than Inuyasha exclaimed truly surprised. He had come to bring a file to Sesshoumaru himself since his brother had yet to acquire a secretary, and that he had given Kagome the afternoon off, which she had decided to spend with her mother.

 

“I have a meeting that is all.” The dog demon tried walking past his brother to get to the door, but a grinning Inuyasha side stepped to plant himself just in front of him.

 

“Move aside.” He sighed. Even though his tone was not threatening, Inuyasha knew his brother enough to know that when annoyed he could really cause harm.

 

“You know if you're going to see Rin, you can tell me.” The half demon smiled. Noticing his brother's surprise he added “Wondering how I know? Well Haruka and I may not be together anymore, but we still talk. Not to mention that I still help around at the orphanage.”

 

“Kagome will be thrilled to know about that, but I fail to see what it has to do with this Sesshoumaru.” He declared not willing to recognize his little secret had been found.

 

“Feh! Don't waste your time. The wench already knows, and she has volunteered at the orphanage as well. Seems like you're not willing to speak it aloud, but I don't mind. Haruka has told me about your visits to Rin. Three visits in just two weeks? Looks like you're getting quite taken with the kid? Reminds me of how I used to be with Shippou.” Inuyasha remarked thoughtfully. He crossed his arms over his chest and observed his brother, waiting for a reaction.

 

“I have become her mentor at Haruka's request. You have no need to look beyond this. Unlike you I have no wish to adopt, or become a father.” Even as the words left his mouth, Sesshoumaru felt like they rung false. In the past he had even hated only the idea of children, but his opinion had changed the moment he had met Kanna. In addition he was also getting quite taken with Rin. As his brother had said ever since her birthday party, he had visited the six years old girl three times.

 

The first time had not been because he had wanted to, but since then he had visited the little girl twice of his own volition. He could still remember his own surprise at how everything had come about.

 

 

*Flashback*

 

“I am sorry for asking you to come here Sesshoumaru-sama. To be honest I am quite surprised by my decision.” Haruka smiled politely. She and the dog demon were seated at her office desk.

 

`No more than I am…' He thought to himself before speaking aloud. “Why have you asked to see me? If you do not mind, I have a meeting in an hour.” The dog demon commented looking at his watch. He had taken advantage of his lunch break to visit the orphanage, but he still had to hurry back to work. His reshuffling of the agency was demanding for him to be more present at work, which he did not entirely mind since it gave him a nice distraction from the gap the absence of Kagura and Kanna had created in his life.

 

“Yes. Of course. I do not know if you are aware, but we are always welcoming of volunteers to spend time with the children and mentor them...” She paused trying to sort her thoughts, and think of a best way to make her words clear. “If I may ask, do you know how the adoption of Shippou by your brother went?” The head of the orphanage asked.

 

She was unsure if her idea was good due to the fact that when she had dated the hanyou he had told her a lot about his stoic brother and his anti social tendencies.

 

“Yes of course. Shippou was his mentee before becoming his son. Though I do not see what it has to do with my presence here.” Sesshoumaru was at first sure that Haruka had called him to ask for a donation, which he would be more than willing to give, but now he was not so sure.

 

“Yes precisely. Here we welcome every mentor we can have since due to our limited resources every child does not get to have all the attention he or she needs. Inuyasha has been a mentor here for a long time. He has really helped children build up their self esteem, and brought them a lot. He has the required qualities to help the children, and in a way I believe you do too.” Haruka's smile grew when she noticed the dog demon's incredulous amusement. Trying to get rid of her still present hesitation, she nervously shook her heavy bright red mane.

 

“What exactly do you want from me?” He asked her. His golden gaze strayed around the room to observe it. The young woman's office was relatively small, but she had managed to make it look warm. Behind her, on the wall was placed a large board with pictures of all the children her orphanage had helped at some point. The sight was actually quite impressive to Sesshoumaru. He had heard the story of how Haruka, a wealthy orphan herself had decided to invest all of the money inherited from her deceased parents to realize her life's dream: help children. She had worked as a social worker for a long time before creating and running an orphanage to help the less favored children of the city.

 

“Well I was getting to that. Rin is a special child, and I believe she could benefit from having a positive influence in her life…”

 

“Let me guess.” He cut her. “You believe this influence could be me?” He supplied surprised.

 

“Yes indeed. Strangely you seem to have a formidable effect on Rin. Before meeting you she had not even spoken a word.” Haruka explained a small satisfied smile on her lips. Then as she noticed the surprise in the golden eyes of the dog demon she explained further. “Rin is a child who has experienced a lot of pain. She and her parents got in a car accident a year ago; she unfortunately was the only survivor, and this is how she ended up in our care. Due to the trauma of the accident she had lost the ability to speak. On a physical level she was fine, but on an emotional one… Despite our best efforts she had refused to speak or interact with anyone.”

 

“I am the first person she spoke to in a year?! Why?” The last question was more to himself. While waiting for Haruka's answer he thought about Rin. As much as he tried to overlook it, he had quite liked the little girl. It was true that in many ways she reminded him of Kanna, but there was more to it. He could easily remember her bright smile when she had given him her drawing and how it had made him happy in turn.

 

“I have no answer to this question. Something about you must have connected with Rin. She has always kept to herself, but she had no trouble interacting with you; she seems to like you a lot. I actually called you because she has asked about you several times.”

 

“Rin has been speaking?” He inquired, genuinely interested in her well being.

 

“Oh yes.” Haruka suddenly seemed very pleased. “Ever since she started talking to you, she has been unable to keep quiet. So, what do you say? Do you wish to become her mentor?” The young woman turned her head to the side, letting her dark eyes stay on a picture of an unsmiling Rin.

 

“I understand your idea, but unfortunately I do not think I can be of much help. I am a busy businessman, and do not have the time to babysit a child. Goodbye Miss Fujibayashi.” With one last nod, Sesshoumaru stood up.

 

Having not anticipated a negative answer from the dog demon, she cursed slightly under her breath. She had thought that like Inuyasha he would find it in his heart to help a child in need.

 

`Then again Inuyasha had said that his brother could be cold and unfeeling…'

 

Wanting to get him to stay and hear her out, or at least change his mind, she decided to try tugging on an emotional string.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama please wait. At least think about it. I truly think you could help Rin a lot… I… I already told her you would come visit the orphanage soon, she is looking forward to it very much.” She quickly blurted out.

 

He stopped in his progression towards the door at her words; though, he did not turn around to face her. He silently mulled over her what she had just said, and decided to give in.

 

“I make no promises, but I will think about your proposition. Although from now on do refrain from making promises on this Sesshoumaru's behalf.” He sent her an evil glare. She knew that he did not like her ever since she had suddenly broken up with his brother, to devote herself to her orphanage, but had hoped he would be able to forgive her considering that the hanyou was now happily engaged. Without bothering to say another word he left the room.

 

`As much as I hate Haruka's machinations, I do not wish to disappoint another little girl.' He thought to himself, remembering Kanna's teary dark eyes the last time he had seen her.

 

 

*End of Flashback*

 

 

“Yes. I am going to the orphanage to see my mentee… Rin.” Sesshoumaru admitted glaring at his brother, daring him to say anything or mock him.

 

“Ah good for you. I just hope you won't mess her up. Mentoring is an important thing ya know. Kids really count on you…” The hanyou shared his wisdom.

 

“Thank you for the unnecessary advice, it is true that you have done such a good job with Shippou. As proof we can take how he listens to you so much…” Sesshoumaru chuckled as he walked outside of his office. Not paying attention to Inuyasha spluttering curses at him.

 

He was supposed to take Rin out to the park, and then for ice cream, and wished to be on time. He was aware that despite how she had tried to hide it, she had been devastated the one time he had been late for their meeting. At remembering her large chocolate eyes shining in unshed tears, his heart clenched.

 

`It seems that the little girl is getting to me…'

 

 

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The wind sorceress suddenly turned around to look over her shoulder. She once again could not shake the feeling that someone was watching her. Ever since the afternoon she and Sesshoumaru had argued and gone their separate way, she on several occasion had felt a presence hover over her. She was afraid Naraku had found her, but since no one had come forward to threaten or hurt her and her daughter, Kagura had pushed away her fears and decided to overlook the tiny shivers of worry racing down her spine.

 

She sighed and simply decided to ignore her feeling. “I must be losing my mind…” She murmured, briefly shutting her crimson eyes and taking a deep breath.

 

Turning back again Kagura pushed her cart further along the aisles of the supermarket, attentively following along her list of groceries. She had just finished her work at the center, and before going to the restaurant for her night shift decided to take advantage of her break to get some groceries with her daughter. She intended to try out a new recipe that she wanted to serve at the dinner party Mrs. Higurashi was hosting for the engagement of her daughter to Inuyasha.

 

`She is so stressed out about this dinner thing that I better be sure about what I'm serving…' The wind sorceress thought to herself with a smile. To thank her friend's mother for her kindness Kagura had agreed to help Mrs. Higurashi cook for her dinner celebration.

 

“So honey what's next on the list? Well I believe it's strawberry pocky!” The wind sorceress tried to get her daughter to smile.

 

“No thank you.” Kanna turned her head to the side. She was sitting inside the shopping cart her mother was pushing, a sad expression replacing her usual dispassionate one. In order to try to help her stay entertained Kagura had even allowed her daughter to take along her favored mirror, which she was turning around in her small hands.

 

“Honey what's wrong? You've been upset since Saturday.” Kagura asked pushing some of Kanna's white bangs out of her eyes. `And you were doing so much better.'

 

“I'm okay.” The little girl forced a smile for her mother's benefit.

 

“Okay. If you say so…” The wind sorceress frowned just as she resumed walking. Despite her daughter's words she did add four boxes of pocky to her cart. `I'm sure that she'll love sharing them with Shippou when I drop her at the shrine.'

 

“Oh my what a coincidence.” The wind sorceress heard a familiar feminine voice say behind her. When she turned around she was surprised to see that it was none other than the elegant older demoness that had visited the shrine two weeks ago after Tanuki when she had been working.

 

“Hello.” Kagura said as she smiled politely. Not willing to leave her daughter unattended she turned her cart around, placing it in between her and the newcomer, to have the little girl clear in her eye sight. Something about the woman just did not sit right with her…

 

“Aw could this be your daughter?” The woman asked, her crimson eyes suddenly looking misty even though her polite smile was still in place.

 

“Yeah. Her name's Kanna, she's almost three years old now. By the way my name's Kagura.” She introduced herself extending her hand towards the stranger.

 

“What has gotten into me? I seem to have forgotten my manners. I should have introduced myself sooner. My name is Sakura Fujimori. It is a pleasure to see you again.” The woman's smiling eyes travelled from Kagura to Kanna. She quickly cradled Kagura's hand in hers rather than shook it. A surprised look from the wind sorceress made her release the trapped limb.

 

Despite herself Kagura could not help but let her crimson eyes roam over the woman in front of her. She was once again dressed in designer clothes and shoes, and was even wearing a pair of gloves matching her pale purple leather clutch purse.

 

`Not quite the kind of clothes other people wear for shopping around here…' The wind sorceress thought. After all she was greatly surprised that a woman as smartly dressed as Sakura even came all the way to her small neighborhood super market to shop for groceries.

 

“Your daughter is so beautiful. She actually reminds me of one of my two sons. They do look alike. Here I have a picture… He's my youngest… Hakudoushi I think I mentioned him earlier…” Sakura quickly fished her wallet out her purse and took out a picture of a smirking teenager.

 

At seeing the young man, Kagura was speechless. Other than his pale lavender eyes he looked exactly like her daughter. The resemblance between the young man and Kanna were obvious; they both had creamy pale skin and white hair, but the similarities went beyond their coloring as they even seemed to share some facial features.

 

`I thought Sakura looked like Kanna, but her son is like her spitting image in an older male version… that's just crazy.' Kagura's crimson gaze once again moved to her daughter's seated form.

 

“I hope he was successful in his exams.” The wind sorceress chocked out when her ability to speak was back.

 

“Oh yes. I am so glad you managed to remember him. Yes he was successful. Thank you for asking.” Sakura's smile grew, happiness spreading through her.

 

The older demoness suddenly jolted as she felt a small surge of demonic power. Her deep crimson eyes moved from Kagura to her daughter. She raised an eyebrow in surprise before speaking “Kagura my dear I am amazed by your daughter's abilities. Despite her young age she seems to have tremendous potential.” She lowered her gaze to the little girl in the shopping cart between her and Kagura.

 

At hearing the woman's cryptic words the wind witch also lowered her eyes to look at her daughter. Her eyes opened wide when she noticed that Kanna's dark eyes were locked on the small mirror in her hands, but what shocked her the most was that instead of its usual reflective appearance Kanna's mirror showed an actual image.

 

“What the hell?! Kanna what are you doing?” Even as she spoke the words Kagura could not help but stare into the mirror. Her heart clenched when she saw an image of Sesshoumaru sitting in one of the restaurants not far from his agency, one where the two of them had often shared a meal. What caused her the most pain was not seeing him eating in one of their special places, but rather the fact that he had company. In fact despite the small size and poor quality of the image she could clearly see that he was seated opposite a beautiful demoness with long silver hair mirroring his own.

 

“Is this for real?!” She whispered reaching her fingers towards her daughter's mirror.

 

“Don't!” Sakura exclaimed as she shot her hand forward to stop the wind sorceress's action.

 

“What? Why? I don't understand what's going on?” Kagura questioned even though she refrained from going against what she was told. She was afraid and unsure of what was going on.

 

“Nothing to worry about dear. Just like Kanna I am a void youkai, so I know what I am talking about. Even though she is quite young your daughter is simply making use of her powers. It will stop soon.” The words were barely out of Sakura's mouth that the image inside Kanna's mirror fizzled and died away, to the young girl's displeasure.

 

“There there as you can see it's all gone now. It's really harmless, kind of like a television.” The older demoness said soothingly trying to push away Kagura's sudden discomfort. “It appears Kanna cannot control her powers yet, so when she starts using them, you should refrain from touching her unless you wish to have some of your demonic energy be stolen… With time and a little training she will however be just fine.” Sakura smiled proudly down at the little girl who was peering into her mirror wishing it to show her some more.

 

“No one taught me how to use my powers…” Kagura murmured. She could still recall how she had cut her fingers with wind blades more than once when she had tried to control her powers in her youth. Ever since she had managed to handle them she had however gotten used not to use them too much.

 

`Anyways if I used them Naraku would beat me up, so it's not like I had a choice…' She thought to herself. Without her father's `influence' she would have probably not used them so much anyway as nowadays most, if not all demons refrained from using their powers to blend in better into human society.

 

“Kanna-chan I don't know since when you started using your powers, but I want you to stop for now… or I'll take your mirror away. Now honey we'll talk about this power business later on.” Kagura was suddenly feeling weary and was not sure how to handle the situation.

 

“Also do not be too hard on her now. Spying on people when you have the power to do so might be a little too tempting, Kanna dear, but your mother is right you shouldn't do it. However Kagura dear taking away her mirror wouldn't be a good idea.” Sakura said with a charming smile. She then leaned forward to smooth a gentle caress over the little girl's cheek.

 

Seeing the woman who was a complete stranger to her act so familiarly with her daughter sobered Kagura from her thoughts of Kanna's budding powers, and the sight of Sesshoumaru with a possible replacement. “I don't think you are in any position to tell me how to raise my daughter.” Kagura said dryly.

 

“Well I'm sorry. I did not wish to offend you, but rather help. I am only giving you my expertise as a void youkai. It seems Kanna has bonded her powers to her mirror, so it must be very important to her… If you want I could help Kanna learn more about her powers.” Sakura offered hope simmering in her ruby gaze.

 

“No thank you I can manage on my own.” Kagura said taking a step back, moving the cart, and effectively her daughter, away from Sakura. “I'll think we'll leave now. We've had a long day. Goodbye Mrs. Fujimori.” The wind sorceress said ready to leave.

 

“Please Kagura call me Sakura. I hope we will see each other again soon. Goodbye to you too Kanna.” With one last smile Sakura turned around and left.

 

`I don't know what's up with this woman, but she is a little strange…' Kagura thought just as she started walking. She before reached inside her cart to take Kanna in her arms. She gave one more glance over her shoulder anxious to see if Sakura had followed her.

 

“Baby when did she start using your mirror to… look at Sesshoumaru?” Kagura refused to use the word `spy' due to its negative connotation.

 

The little girl was reluctant to answer, but a glare from her mother encouraged her to speak. “Two weeks…” Kanna could not help but think back to the first time she had seen Sesshoumaru in her mirror. She had wanted to see him and he had magically appeared in her mirror. What she had saw had hurt her a lot, and slightly made her regret her wish to see the dog demon. What her trusty mirror had shown her was an image of Sesshoumaru drawing with an unknown dark haired little girl, just like he used to with her. Seeing them together Kanna felt an incredible feeling of jealousy.

 

`Did he replace me?' She asked herself, her heart feeling heavy and tears brimming in her eyes once again. After seeing Sesshoumaru with the little girl, Kanna had sworn she would do everything to get the dog demon back with her mother, and back in her life, where he deserved.

 

`That sure explains Kanna's strange behavior lately. I wonder what she saw… no I shouldn't think like that.' The wind sorceress shook her head to dispel her thoughts.

 

“Promise me you will stop doing that, okay. It's wrong. How would you react if someone looked at you when you didn't know and saw all your secrets? You'd be unhappy, right?” Kagura asked her.

 

“Yes.” Kanna agreed reluctantly.

 

“Well you don't want Sesshoumaru to be angry, do you?” She pressed further.

 

“No.” Only the thought of it made Kanna scared.

 

“So you'll stop using your mirror now, right?”

 

“Yes. I promise. I'm sorry mommy.” Kanna breathed out as she buried her face in the crook of her mother's neck, seeking warmth and comfort.

 

“I am sure you are honey.” Kagura smiled pressing a big loving kiss to her daughter's forehead. “Come on let's go home and eat some pocky and read some books. We still have some time to spend together before I have to go work at the restaurant.” Kagura faked cheerfulness even if she truthfully was struggling with the idea that her daughter's powers were developing so fast. She had pushed away from her mind the hurtful image of Sesshoumaru with another woman as her worry over her daughter was more important to her.

 

`There's no way I'd be able to help her control her powers, and I can't afford to get her a private teacher. And if I want to use of those governments programs to help young demons develop, we'd stay on the waiting list forever not to mention that void demons are rare to begin with…' The wind sorceress was not sure how she was going to get her daughter help, but she knew she would, she had to.

 

“Okay!” Kanna smiled brightly as she allowed her mother to put her back in the shopping cart. The two finished shopping quickly, after all they had some fun to go have at home, and Kagura intended to find a quick solution to another problem she had just been presented with.

 

 

To be continued…

 

A/N: Next time Kagura gets some comfort and advice, but from who? The next chapter will be named Soothing words in which the engagement dinner will take place. Wonder if things will go well?

 

If you haven't already be sure to check out my Valentine's Day story!

 

Battle Royale: They say love is a battlefield, but the fight can be sometimes unexpected. Sesshoumaru/Kagura one shot for Valentine's Day. I'll post it Sunday if I have time to finish it.

 

I'll try my best to update next week!