InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price ❯ Seal of Approval ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha; Rumiko Takahashi and a large publishing conglomerate hold his leash.

 

A/N: I am thrilled to report that The Price has been nominated into the 1st Quarter 2009 voting process at the IYFG! Thank you so very much for your support of the fic!

 

Bouquets to my lovely CMAs, Forthright, Ranuel and SilverOnTheRose who go out of their way to make the damn bunnies' drunken ideas work.

 

Special mention must go to the talented PurpleRebecca, who is utilizing the multiple-reincarnation plot device to considerable effect in her Sess/Rin doujinshi titled `Dogwood Blossoms' which is available on DeviantArt. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

University and college campuses the world over are surrounded by cheap `n cheerful student pubs offering beer, snacks and camaraderie, and Japan is no exception. Thanks to Sharibet for sharing her experiences of dining in an izakaya!

 

Warnings: Coarse language and rampant WAFF.

 

The Price

Chapter Five: Seal of Approval

 

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Kagome spun around, amusing Sha by protectively screening him from the interloper when it was already too late. For his part, Sota gave her an old look and moved aside the leather jacket, then proceeded to make himself comfortable on the foot of the futon. Impatiently flapping his hand, he said, “Out of the way, Sis. I'm only gonna look at him, I promise.”

 

“I must be losing my touch; didn't fucking smell you or hear you,” Sha grumbled.

 

“I've been in the room the entire time,” Sota replied. “Someone has to keep an eye on my sister, since she's decided that having slumber parties with strange men is acceptable.”

Kagome gave her smirking brother a look that would have shrivelled a lesser life form as she shifted out of the way. At that moment, Buyo appeared in the opening between the screens and hopped onto the futon next to Sota. Briefly surveying the situation, she walked over Sha's legs and sauntered up the bedding until she curled next to his hip and began purring loudly. Sota watched the feline's non-verbal declaration of support and asked, “So, are you a cat-youkai, and that's why Buyo accepts you? One kitty to another?”

 

Kagome choked. “He's half dog-youkai… whatever made you think he's a cat?”

 

“The ears… and the claws. Hey, are those fangs? Awesome!”

 

Sha wasn't quite sure what to think while the siblings exclaimed over the physical attributes that set him apart from them as well as other youkai. What is it with these people? No fear at all! He came back to attention when Kagome fidgeted. Here come the difficult questions…

 

“Um, if you're a dog-hanyou… what's your other half?” she softly asked, her fingers knitting together.

 

His memories helpfully conjured an image of his long-deceased mother, but instead of the Lady Izayoi's knee-length dark tresses, the figure incongruously wore Mrs. Higurashi's cropped hairstyle. The smile is the same, though. “My lady mother was a human princess of Setsuna,” Sha answered.

 

The siblings nodded sagely, and then a small light bulb seemed to go off in Kagome's head. “W-wait… y-you… are you… that Inuyasha?”

 

“The Inuyasha? Are you kidding me? He'd have to be, like, totally ancient!” Sota scoffed, expectantly waiting for Sha to back him up.

 

“I was born during the late Heian era; I'm either 826 or 573 years old, if you don't count the centuries I spent sealed to the Goshinboku,” Sha replied matter-of-factly, enjoying the way their jaws dropped.

 

While Kagome gaped, Sota exclaimed, “Cool! Are all youkai so long-lived?”

 

“My father was almost six thousand years old when he died.” As he spoke, Sha noticed Kagome had gone very quiet; her brow was furrowed and her scent was an interesting mix of emotions.

 

“Now I know why you're interested in the Inuyasha-no-Tetsusaiga,” Sota said sharply.

 

Sha abandoned his attempt to parse Kagome's scent and stuck to the matter at hand. “The Tetsusaiga was a bequest from my father.”

 

“Can it really wipe out one hundred lives with a single strike?”

 

“How do you know that, Sota?” Kagome interrupted.

 

“You're not the only one who's read Great-Grandpa's papers,” he sniffed.

 

“One hundred youkai lives,” Sha quietly interjected. “I can use it to protect Miss Higurashi.”

 

Sota blinked. “Why does Sis need protection?” he asked.

 

“She's the reincarnation of the Shikon miko that I knew, and the Shikon-no-Tama is inside her body,” Sha stated with authority, then was somewhat disconcerted by the shocked looks directed his way by both siblings.

 

“Reincarnation…?”

 

“Inside her?”

 

Deciding that Sota's query was easier to deal with, Sha nudged the young woman. “Show him, Miss Higurashi.” Casually dropping a steadying hand onto Buyo's back, he soothingly rubbed the cat-youkai's narrow shoulder blades. She lightly nipped his fingertips for his presumption even as she hunkered down and used his body as a shield. Kagome visibly collected herself and reached for an arrow, but Sha instead suggested, “In your hand, like when you rescued your cat from Yura's hair.”

 

“Yura?” Sota interjected.

 

“The reason why my t-shirt's in that bag,” Sha answered, closely watching Kagome. Her scent radiated anxiety as she clenched and unclenched her fist. Finally, pink energy began to glow, first on her fingertips and then her entire hand lit up.

 

Sota was suitably impressed. “Way cool, Sis!” he exclaimed, but then sobered. “If even half the stories about the Shikon-no-Tama's powers are true, then we're in for trouble. I take it this `Yura' was after the Jewel?”

 

“Yeah, but first there was a centipede-youkai, which is why your sister `fell ill' a few days ago.”

 

“Crap. Hey, why don't you want the Jewel, Mr. Nishiki? I mean, our Setsubun traditions re-enact what happened the last time you tried to steal it.”

 

Sha flinched. “All I want is my sword. If you've paid attention to your shrine's unofficial histories, a fucker named Naraku set us up to kill each other so he could grab the Jewel.”

 

“That's true… but you're sure that Sis is the Shikon miko's reincarnation?”

 

“Kikyo… her name was Kikyo.” Not completely oblivious to the way Kagome's body went rigid at the mention of her predecessor's name, Sha paused for a moment before continuing, “Miss Higurashi could be Kikyo's twin sister in terms of her appearance, and she's her equal with the bow.”

 

“Really?” Sota asked sceptically.

 

“Really… but otherwise, she's nothing like Kikyo.”

 

Kagome shot to her feet, Sha's concealment anchor plopping onto the blanket. “I have a full day of classes tomorrow, so I should really get to bed.” Bobbing a formal bow to the startled hanyou, she picked up her bow and stepped over Sota's legs. “Can you dispose of that bag in a public trash can on your way to school tomorrow?”

 

“Wait… you've been attending classes since all this started?” Sha demanded. “Are you fucking nuts?”

 

“I have exams coming up and I can't afford to miss any labs or lectures!” she protested, her cheeks turning red and looking anywhere but at him.

 

“You're running a huge risk, Miss Higurashi; what if one of your classmates is a youkai who's planning to make a move on the Jewel?”

 

“I'll manage… somehow,” she replied, edging towards the opening between the hanging screens.

 

“What if they're humans? It isn't just youkai that will be interested in the Jewel,” the hanyou pointed out, confused by the unhappiness palpably swirling around the young woman.

 

She pasted on a very bright, very fake smile. “I'll be fine, okay? Good night.” As Kagome bolted out of the enclosed space, Buyo shot Sha a worried glance and chased after her.

 

When the shoji on the other side of the hanging screens slid shut, Sha gave Sota a puzzled look. “Was it something I said?”

 

The teen shrugged. “Hell if I know; women are confusing at the best of times… and then there's my sister.”

 

“She can't just run around loose… dammit, I need to be healed and I need my sword!”

 

“If you get the Tetsusaiga back, how do we know you'll hang around?” Sota shrewdly asked.

 

“I have a score to settle with Naraku for Kikyo's death and my sealing. If someone else hasn't killed him already, he'll come sniffing around for the Jewel sooner or later. All I have to do is wait….”

 

“Sis is the bait?” Sota yelped.

 

“Er… I suppose you could look at it that way,” Sha hedged.

 

Sota sat back, crossing his arms on his chest, his eyes very sharp. “Okay… tell me about this `Yura' and anything I should know before something else happens that might be hard to explain to the authorities… or the rest of the family.” Sha gave the teen a rapid recap of recent events and the potential threats facing Kagome, grinning at Sota's wide-eyed reaction, but he was really impressed when the youth switched into enthusiastic planning mode. “I can skip last block tomorrow… get the notes from Kenji… then we'll start with the last known location of the Tetsusaiga and go from there. Gramps will be at his weekly shogi game, so we won't have to worry about him.”

 

“Last known location?”

 

Sota wrinkled his nose. “Gramps has this odd notion that the stuff in the shrine's storerooms needs to be `aired out' once in a while, which basically means carting it from one room to the next for no apparent reason. Unlike his father, he's not exactly meticulous about keeping the records up to date, so while your sword is supposed to be on shelf 2, storeroom A, it might actually be on shelf 5, storeroom C… or maybe hidden in the bottom of the chest in his bedroom.”

 

“Wouldn't that be just fucking dandy?” Sha grumbled as he dropped his necklace back over his head. He laboriously pulled his hair free of the cord, but gave up trying to tighten the strand without help. “I'll watch over your sister tomorrow since I doubt I'll be able to talk her out of attending class. She can't be left undefended, no matter what she says, because the Jewel's presence is like a giant magnet.”

 

“Works for me,” Sota nodded as he watched the hanyou revert back to a fully human appearance. “Hey, Sis has warned you about the potential for an interrogation session with Gramps, right?”

 

“Keh. He's welcome to make any inquiries that he wants; the House of the West has centuries of practice in deflecting the curious.”

 

“I'll bet.”

 

“There's an old sword out in the forest where we fought Yura this afternoon; won't be too hard to find because there's broken branches and blood all over the place. Wear a pair of gloves… under no circumstances touch the sword with your bare hands… and maybe we can substitute it for the Tetsusaiga so your grandfather doesn't realize it's missing.”

 

“Cool. Um, why can't I touch it without gloves?”

 

“It's a youkai weapon, and you run the risk of either being blasted into next week by a shield spell or possibly possessed by it.” As Sota stood up, Sha asked, “Oi… do you know where my jeans went?”

 

“Do you drop trou this easily with all the girls… or just my sister?”

 

While the hanyou spluttered, Sota chortled and disappeared. A few minutes later, a neatly folded pair of jeans was tossed between the hanging screens by a smirking teen, leaving Sha to ruminate on the easy acceptance and good humour of this remarkable family as he settled into a watchful doze.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Kagome stared at the ceiling above her bed, one hand fretfully petting a loudly purring cat. The giant centipede was no problem and, I kept my cool with Yura… so why is finding out I might be someone's reincarnation really eating at me? I mean, it's almost normal considering everything else that's happened lately, and it probably explains why the Jewel is inside me, but… Rolling onto her side, she displaced Buyo, who meowed a rebuke before snuggling against her stomach. Sighing heavily, Kagome acknowledged the small worm of jealously nibbling at her heart. I wonder if he still loves her?

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Sha was up before dawn; after carefully flexing a few times and checking his general well-being, he tightened the cord on his concealment anchor, pulled on his jeans and set about tidying his sleeping area. Everything's healed up, but I'll wait to ditch the bandages… even though this medical tape is driving me crazy! Can't get rid of it here in case her mom notices, and there's too much to stuff in my pockets. Carefully scratching under the gauze to avoid slicing it with his claws, he set his jacket aside and began cleaning up his sleeping area.

 

As he was folding up the futon, Mrs. Higurashi poked her head around the shoji leading into the kitchen. “Goodness, Mr. Nishiki! Have you recovered already?”

 

He executed a polite bow. “Good morning, Mrs. Higurashi; I feel very well, thank you. My apologies for the extra work I created,” he said, indicating the futon.

 

“No trouble at all!” she cheerfully replied. “Will you join us for breakfast?”

 

On cue, his stomach rumbled. “I would be delighted.”

 

“Very good! Sit down and I'll make some tea while the rice steams. I'm afraid I'm out of red miso; all I have on hand is white.”

 

“That's quite all right, ma'am; white miso suits me just fine.” Sha rather enjoyed spending the half-hour it took to cook the rice chatting with his hostess; her welcoming manner and gentle scent made him feel completely at home. There are some traits common to all mothers he mused as he sipped his tea and watched her bustle. Of course, my lady mother had servants to do the work, but she was very much the same in the mornings. Sota tumbled into the kitchen at that moment, his hair sticking out in all directions, his shirttails out and his school tie askew. Mrs. Higurashi fussed over the lanky teen as she set him to rights; Sha hid a grin while swallowing the lump in his throat caused by memories of Lady Izayoi doing much the same before deeming him ready to face his tutors.

 

Kagome arrived next, dressed more casually than her brother in token of her status as a university student; Sha surreptitiously ogled the feminine curves revealed by her soft sweater. Gods, I love modern fashions!

 

She offered him a polite head-bob and a small smile as she seated herself on the other side of the table. Sota plunked himself down directly opposite Sha, and in the process of being served bowls of fragrant hot rice, miso soup, grilled fish and dishes of pickles, the hanyou learned that Grandpa Higurashi was complaining of a sore neck and wouldn't be joining them. He snuck a glance at Kagome, but she was occupied with her breakfast.

 

“He'll have a miraculous recovery in time to play shogi; I can virtually guarantee it,” Sota grinned. “He hasn't missed a match with Mr. Yoshida in forty years!”

 

There was an awkward moment when Mrs. Higurashi wondered if Sha had his t-shirt, since she hadn't seen it in the laundry. He quickly said that he had it, thank you, but still felt mildly chilled. “Is it all right if I keep this sweatshirt for another day?” His false admission led to motherly fluttering over the state of his health, which he had to bravely endure. Kagome was conspicuously silent during the entire meal, prompting Mrs. Higurashi to notice and press her hand against the young woman's forehead.

 

“I'm fine, Mom… just a little tired,” she murmured before excusing herself from the table. Sota and Sha also took their leave, Sha thanking Mrs. Higurashi for her hospitality as Sota collected his bento and left the room.

 

“It's the least we could do, Mr. Nishiki. You were too kind to help Kagome the other day; you are welcome in this house any time.”

 

“Actually, you'll see me fairly soon, ma'am. I'm driving your daughter to school and back today.” Dropping his voice, he took a risk. “Your son offered to show me the Inuyasha-no-Tetsusaiga this afternoon, while your father-in-law is at his shogi game; I hope that's all right?”

 

“Of course!” Also lowering her voice, like they were a pair of conspirators, Mrs. Higurashi said, “I know where it is, so I can save you some time.”

 

“How do you…?” he wondered, not quite believing it could be that easy after all these centuries.

 

“Who do you think helps Grandfather move things around when the children are at school?” she asked with a long-suffering sigh.

 

“You're a treasure,” he declared.

 

She winked and said, “Let me give you directions to Kagome's campus; she always takes the train, so may not be as familiar with the street names.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Ten minutes later, the hanyou watched with a mix of concern and amusement as Sota herded Kagome across the courtyard towards his motorcycle, followed closely by Buyo.

“I've had this thing inside me for twenty-three years and haven't had any problems so far!” Kagome objected, fussily tugging on the straps of her yellow backpack.

 

“It wasn't awake before, Sis. You might as well have a target circle painted on your back right now.”

 

“I'm sure Mr. Nishiki has more important things he could be doing today,” she insisted.

 

Sota gripped her hand and squeezed. “Please; you're the only sister I have… and Mom would be devastated if she were to lose you as well as Dad.”

 

The young woman froze, her eyes wide, but she quickly composed herself. Squaring her shoulders and raising her chin, she said, “Fine. For Mom's sake, I'll go along with this… oh, heck! I'm wearing a skirt!”

 

“And this is a problem… how?” Sha asked, admiring the way Kagome's close-fitting knee boots emphasized the briefness of her skirt.

 

She self-consciously tugged down on the garment's hem, but before she could object, Sota said, “Just tuck it under your butt; no one can see anything from the front, so don't worry about it… you are wearing underwear, right? Lots of girls ride their boyfriends' motorcycles while wearing skirts; you see `em all the time.”

 

“He's not my boyfriend!” she exclaimed, equally mortified at the mention of her underwear in front of the hanyou and the insinuation that they might be considered a couple.

 

Sota gave her a weary look, then nodded to Sha. “See you later… and good luck,” with a jerk of his head in Kagome's direction.

 

“Oi… your mom offered to help us look for the Tetsusaiga; she says she knows where it is.”

 

“Awesome… that'll save us plenty of frustration wondering where Gramps hid the needle in the haystack!” Sota waved and jogged away across the courtyard towards the torii gate, hitching his satchel strap higher on his shoulder.

 

Sha turned his attention back to Kagome, who was biting her lip as she inspected the tread pattern on his boots. “I'd give you my helmet, but it has a customized fit to allow for my ears, so we'll pick up one for you on your lunch break. Turns out that the cycle shop I patronize is only a couple of blocks away from your campus.”

 

She gave him a narrow look. “First of all, how do you know where my school is located, and secondly, buying a helmet for one day's use seems like a waste of money.”

 

“First, your mother gave me directions and second, it's a good investment, Miss Higurashi. I'll be part of your life for a while yet, because I'll be damned if I let anyone get their hands on the Jewel.”

 

“Right. You'll be gone as soon as you have your sword,” she muttered.

 

“Nope. Like I told your brother, if Naraku's still around, he'll come after the Jewel… and I won't let him touch even a hair on your head.” He straddled the motorcycle, fished his keys out of his pocket and fired the ignition, then reached down to flip out the steel foot pegs for his reluctant passenger. Donning his helmet, he beckoned her over. “C'mon, girl. We don't have all fucking day; put your foot on that peg, swing your leg over, and let's go.”

 

“Mr. Nishiki, I really do appreciate your offer, but I don't need a babysitter. I'll take the train….”

 

“And expose yourself to a possible youkai attack? Not on my watch.” Losing patience, Sha held out his hand. “Get on, you stubborn wench. I promise that I won't bite.”

 

Kagome sighed but gave in, using his proffered hand to balance herself as she awkwardly slid onto the saddle behind him. Fussily tucking her skirt into place, she primly attempted to maintain some distance between their bodies in defiance of both the angle of her seat and the force of gravity until Sha reached behind with both hands and grabbed her elbows. Ignoring Kagome's startled `eep', he pulled her flush against his back as he wrapped her arms around his waist.

 

“You have to sit closer or you'll throw off my balance… and that wouldn't be a good thing.” As she gingerly clasped her hands over his stomach, he revved the engine and put up the kickstand. “Do your best to follow my moves, especially when we go around corners,” he shouted over the motorcycle's deep-throated roar. Giving Buyo a significant look, he jerked his chin in the direction of the house, then muttered an epithet when the cat-youkai deliberately turned her back and insolently shook her hind legs as if she'd just exited a litter box before strolling towards the foyer door. Snapping down his visor as he rolled backwards to avoid the Higurashi's car, Sha sent the machine accelerating towards the exit gate.

 

His passenger was as stiff as a board for the first few blocks, especially when cornering, but she finally relaxed enough to make it easier on both of them. However, Sha doubted that Kagome was really enjoying herself because he discovered that she was literally white-knuckling it when he happened to glance down at her hands while idling at a stop light. Prying her fingers apart, Sha shoved her hands into his pockets and held them there in case of objection. She's shivering; by now it's with cold and not nerves. Better pick up a jacket for her at the same time as the helmet; should phone ahead so we don't have to hang around the shop all afternoon. When her fingertips curled into the fire-rat lining of his pockets, he released her wrists and patted her hands. “All right, Miss Higurashi?”

 

“Fine,” came the faint reply, “except for the hair-whiplash.”

 

“Eh?”

 

“Do you mind if I move it?”

 

“Uh… sure. Whatever.” He stabilized the bike while she swept his hair out from between them and flipped it over her shoulder. She ended up half-hidden beneath the thick mass and pressed snugly up against his back; even through the thick layers of fire-rat and dragon hide, Sha was highly aware of her curves. Scowling at the car ahead of them, he tried to ignore the way she was intimately… and innocently… wrapped around him. Keep your mind on the traffic and out of the gutter, hanyou. You still don't know what upset her last night.

 

Several blocks and one high-speed short-cut later, they pulled up in front of the high-rise campus of the medical college. Despite her earlier reluctance, Kagome made no attempt to distance herself even when the bike stopped moving. Turning off the engine and putting down the kickstand, he pulled off his helmet and shifted to look over his shoulder at his clinging passenger. “We're here.”

 

“I think my knees have locked,” she confessed sheepishly.

 

He couldn't help a chuckle. “I won't let you fall… but first you have to let go.”

 

Kagome's cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink as her arms loosened. Sha dismounted and simply lifted her clear of the seat, then set her carefully on her feet, mindful of the heavy backpack. Loosely encircling her in his arms, he couldn't miss the way that her scent changed, apparently just from his proximity. Allowing himself to enjoy the moment, he encouraged her to lean against his chest while she tested her balance. “My legs feel like jelly,” she muttered.

 

“That's normal for your first time,” he replied, filling his lungs with her gentle fragrance.

 

Kagome was somewhat perturbed by her body's response to Sha's embrace. I barely know him, but he makes me feel... She looked up and found herself almost nose-to-nose with the hanyou; Sha's dark, heavy-lidded gaze made her knees go weak, but a niggling little voice made itself heard. Does he see me or her? Straightening up, Kagome stepped away from Sha, who reluctantly released her. Checking her watch, she said, “Gotta go… um, thanks for the ride.”

 

“Lead the way.”

 

She stared at him. “You're not planning on attending my classes… are you?”

 

“Whatever it takes to keep you safe,” he answered, switching his helmet to the other hand. Taking hold of her elbow, he ushered her towards the building's lobby. “Which floor?”

 

“You're not serious? You'll be bored out of your mind!” Kagome protested, too stunned to struggle.

 

Sha pulled her around to face him. “Let me make myself perfectly fucking clear, Miss Higurashi; I'm deadly serious when it comes to your safety. I promised to protect you, and I will.” The blazing intensity of his glare made anything else she planned to say fly out of her head, so Kagome just nodded dumbly and he briskly escorted her into the lobby. At the elevator banks, they crowded into the first available car along with a chattering throng; Kagome noticed the admiring glances being directed Sha's way. She then surprised herself by experiencing a few pangs of jealousy… until she became aware of something else far more disquieting.

 

“What's the matter?” he murmured, his voice deep and intimate… and close enough to her ear to raise goose-bumps.

 

Looking carefully around the car's occupants despite Sha's distraction, she whispered back, “Tell you when we're off this thing.” When the doors finally slid closed behind them on her floor, she allowed her escort to pull her to the side while she scanned the crowded hallway. “I never realized how many people of youkai blood there are in my program….”

 

“Now you can see their youki, right? Quite a few of `em are hanyou of various percentages, including… oh, hell, no.” Grinding his fangs, Sha fairly dragged Kagome along behind as he stormed towards a tall young man wearing perfectly-creased dress trousers and an expensive-looking sweater standing opposite the open doorway of a classroom at the end of the hall.

 

“What's wrong, Mr. Nishiki?” she hissed worriedly, wondering what was causing the hanyou to growl so impressively under his breath. When she realized exactly who Sha was bearing down on, she attempted to slow their forward momentum. “That's my prof's guest observer! What're you…?”

 

“Look more closely, girl,” Sha snarled.

 

Assessing the young man, she finally spotted the tell-tale aura of pale light haloing his slender body. “Oh… he's a…”

 

“Keh. When did he show up in your classroom?”

 

“Um… the day after Mistress Centipede's attack.”

 

“Dammit. Oi! What the hell are you doing here, brat?”

 

The `guest observer' gave a very Sha-like smirk before replying, “Hello, Uncle.”

 

“Uncle?” Kagome squeaked, looking back and forth between Sha and the tall man, who were instantly locked in a ferocious glaring contest.

 

“This is my snot-nosed nephew, Tenmaru Nishiki,” Sha growled, fairly bristling at the younger man's refusal to submit.

 

“Good morning, Miss Higurashi,” his opponent smoothly intoned, managing to politely incline his head without breaking eye contact with Sha.

 

Kagome frowned. “You were introduced to the class as Tenma Nibanko....”

 

“Why the fuck are you here?”

 

“Father was concerned over the haphazard arrangements made for Miss Higurashi's safety and felt that extra security was warranted.” Breaking off his pissing match with Sha, Tenmaru directly addressed Kagome. “You are aware of what we are?”

 

“No shit,” Sha began, just as his nostrils flared and he developed an instant eye-twitch. “Oh, fuck… not him, too!”

 

“Hey, Mishi! How's it going… aw, hell. Long time, no see, Uncle,” interjected a new voice.

 

“Mishi?” Sha exclaimed. “What the fuck, Tsugane?”

 

Ignoring the hanyou's outburst, Kagome wheeled around, her mouth dropping open. “I-ichiko? You, too?”

 

The stocky newcomer, garbed in jeans and a close-fitting, long-sleeved knit top that casually showed off his ripped physique, glanced questioningly at Tenmaru and received a nod in return. As he handed the befuddled young woman a cardboard cup of hot tea, he grinned sheepishly. “Please don't be mad, Mishi; Tsugane Nishiki is my real name, while `Ichiko' is one of my family nicknames.”

 

Tenmaru smirked. “It's short for `Ichiban-no-koinu'.”

 

“`Number-one-puppy'?” Kagome weakly asked.

 

“Thank you, Niban-no-koinu,” Tsugane said loftily, looking down his nose at Tenmaru despite being several inches shorter. “Excuse me, Uncle, but I'll take Mishi… and any explanations… from here.” Cupping Kagome's elbow, he whisked her into the classroom.

 

While Sha gaped in disbelief at being handily out-manoeuvred, not to mention Tsugane's casual familiarity with Kagome, Tenmaru mockingly clucked his tongue. “Hard to believe he's over 500 years old.”

 

“Proof that he was dropped on his head one too many times as a pup.”

 

“Funny… Father has always said that about you.”

 

Rounding on a highly amused Tenmaru, Sha growled, “Mishi? What the hell's that all about?”

 

“Brother decided that `Miss Higurashi' was too big of a mouthful for casual conversation when they were taking their English-language refresher course last year and combined a few letters. She doesn't seem to mind.”

 

“Asshole… what the fuck is he doing screwing around at university, anyways?” Sha sneered.

 

“His reasoning was something along the lines of `chicks dig medical students!'” Tenmaru shrugged. Folding his arms, the younger man continued, “We have Miss Higurashi well in hand, Uncle; I suggest that you go home and relax for a few hours.” Wrinkling his nose, he continued, “Perhaps consider a shower… and a change of clothes.”

 

Before Sha could retaliate either verbally or physically, the professor bustled up the hallway, precariously juggling an armload of file folders, a briefcase and a brimming mug. “Ah! Good morning, Mr. Nibanko; ready to start the day?” the man cheerily asked, returning Tenmaru's bow with an enthusiastic head-bob that endangered his balance as he sailed past.

 

“Of course, Professor,” Tenmaru murmured. Above the shuffling of feet and scraping of chairs in the classroom as the students stood up to greet their instructor, he said, “Meet us back here at one o'clock, Uncle. Trust us to protect the Shikon miko in your stead.” With that, he shut the door in Sha's face.

 

The stunned hanyou glared at the steel panel for a long moment before turning on his heel. “Fucking little snots…” As he strode up the hall towards the elevators, steam practically pouring out of both sets of real and illusory ears, Sha was a long way from admitting that having his nephews on duty made it easier to keep his promise. I'll thrash those little brats within an inch of their lives if anything happens to her!

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

One o'clock that afternoon found Sha tapping his foot and checking his cell phone's display every ten seconds until his nephews emerged from the building with Kagome safely tucked between them. Tenmaru had her yellow backpack slung over his shoulder and Tsugane was jabbering away as he gesticulated wildly. That whelp is such a fucking motor-mouth. Sha's hackles went straight up when Kagome giggled at something Tsugane said while flashing the young man a brilliant smile. Tenmaru heard the resultant sub-sonic growl, though, and he caught Tsugane's eye over Kagome's head. Both brothers imperceptibly straightened as they met their uncle's furious gaze; Kagome became aware of the charged atmosphere and glanced between the three men. “Your youki are really bright…” Breaking off, she nervously looked around. “Are we about to be attacked?”

 

“No, Mishi… not unless you count Uncle's famously foul mouth,” Tsugane murmured, gently steering her towards Sha. “I'll save a couple of seats at our usual place, okay? Join us once Uncle is finished turning you into a biker chick.”

 

Sha bared his teeth, and his nephews had enough sense to lower their eyes and take a step back. Tenmaru tapped the shoulder strap of Kagome's backpack. “I'll keep this for you, Miss Higurashi; see you soon.” Bowing, he and Tsugane headed off, causing quite the flutter among loitering groups of young women as they strode up the sidewalk. Sha watched them retreat, a snarl trying to break free, until Kagome cleared her throat.

 

“Um… didn't you want to go somewhere? If you've changed your mind, I'd like to catch up with those two because I'm starving.”

 

Sha cursed viciously under his breath before saying aloud, “Let's get the fuck out of here... wait, what did that brat mean, `our usual place'? Has he been taking you out?”

 

“You sound like my grandfather,” Kagome retorted. “Yes, Ichiko and I regularly go for lunch at an izakaya around the corner. He's funny, smart, good-natured… and I enjoy his company.” Studying Sha's rigid posture and flaring youki, she abruptly put two and two together. “You're jealous!”

 

“Of that whelp? You're fucking insane.” Sha swung into the saddle of his motorcycle and started the engine.

 

“You are,” Kagome insisted, trying to decide if she should be flattered or offended at his possessiveness.

 

“Am not!” Jamming his helmet onto his heat, Sha fumed… until the bike rocked gently as Kagome slid into place behind him.

 

Moving his hair aside, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “If he's like you, then I'm just as safe with him and both of them are actually doing you a favour by saving you from terminal boredom. This afternoon's lab concentrates on the internal structures of the human eye.” After a moment, she continued, “There's no need to be jealous; Ichiko's nothing like you.”

 

Sha bit back a cutting remark when he realized that Kagome had joined him without a fuss… but he wasn't sure if she'd just complimented him or insulted him. Nothing like that brat? I fucking hope so!

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

After a brief and highly successful buying trip that started with Kagome blurting out, “You have the most beautifully-coloured youki!” to the bemused proprietor of `Foxfire Cycles', Sha took a moment to admire the young woman now attired in a curve-hugging leather jacket as she attempted to fluff her flattened hair.

 

“How do you do it?” Kagome finally demanded in exasperation. “You take off your helmet and presto, you have babe hair!”

 

“Superior genes, remember?” While Sha preened at her compliment, the young woman huffed and tried again before giving up. “Where are those two brats waiting for us?” he asked.

 

“This way.” Kagome relieved him of her new helmet and led him towards a grungy flight of stairs squeezed between a florist shop and an electronics parts store.

 

“It looks kinda shady….”

 

“Oh, don't be so suspicious,” she chided. “The food is terrific!”

 

“I'll take your word for it,” he muttered dourly. “Oi, wait a sec.” As she paused on the threshold of the lively pub, he checked to make sure that the tiny blue and white enamelled pin on the collar of her new jacket was visible to those with keen enough eyesight to matter.

 

Kagome fingered the floral crest after he withdrew his hand. “I saw this inside your collar yesterday, but didn't realize the significance…”

 

He arched a dark brow. “You mean you've never noticed that the same crest is on the gas tank of my motorcycle?”

 

She was saved by Tsugane's boisterous hail from across the crowded, noisy room. “Good timing! The food just arrived!” Accosting Kagome as she arrived at the table, he made her turn in a complete circle as he checked out her new jacket. Finally nodding in approval, he shooed her into the bench seat against the wall and stood aside for Sha to join her. “Nice, Uncle. Premium dragonet leather with baby fire-rat fur lining?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Only the best for the House of the West,” Tenmaru chimed in, mischievously leaving it open as to whether he was referring to the clothing or the young woman. Refusing to be cowed by Sha's lowering gaze as he poured tea, he blandly queried, “Do you need another pin, Uncle? I have an extra.”

 

The young woman looked questioningly at Sha. “How come yours was inside your collar?”

 

“He likes to pretend he isn't related; can't imagine why,” Tsugane grinned. “I mean, just look at us! We're good-looking, talented, intelligent…”

 

“And annoying as hell,” Sha finished grumpily, sniffing cautiously before selecting a chunk of deep-fried chicken kara-age and popping it into his mouth.

 

“That, too,” Tsugane agreed equably. Spearing a pale, round dumpling on his chopstick and waving it under her nose, he asked, “Ready to dissect some eyeballs after lunch, Mishi?”

 

“Ugh. I'd rather put stuff back together than cut it apart,” Kagome replied, batting at his hand before choosing a piece of sushi. “I know I have to understand the body's structures to do so, but still….”

 

“Too bad humans aren't self-repairing like youkai,” Tenmaru observed, assuming that the room's cacophony would make it difficult for eavesdroppers to pick up on the unusual topic of conversation. “However, that wouldn't bode well for future employment in your chosen profession if they could.”

 

Sha's cell phone went off at that moment, and the lurid cursing which immediately erupted as he answered the call made the other two men exchange smirks and Kagome's eyebrows disappear under her bangs. The expletive-loaded conversation continued for another minute, until Tsugane deadpanned, “Uncle is very fond of his dear elder brother. The affection is simply spewing from him at this moment.”

 

“Fuck off, brat,” Sha snarled as he closed his phone and switched his formidable attention to Kagome. “What time are you finished today?”

 

“Four o'clock.”

 

“You're on duty, whelps; apparently that damn wolf needs a gentle reminder of his place in the pecking order.”

 

“Father's tolerance for the wolf prince's shenanigans is impressive… but then, he's had plenty of practice with you, Uncle,” Tsugane observed, then ducked the `friendly' swat aimed at his head. Once Sha had taken his leave, Tsugane and Tenmaru efficiently divvied up his portion of appetizers between the two of them. Noting that Kagome had gone rather quiet and was aimlessly tapping her chopsticks, her attention obviously a million miles away, he gave his brother a significant look before giving her a friendly nudge. “Something on your mind, Mishi?”

 

She jumped a little, then smiled ruefully. “Yes, but I'm afraid I'm being terribly rude and nosy….”

 

“Fire away, Miss Higurashi,” Tenmaru invited, sipping his tea.

 

“Okay… are you full-blooded dog-youkai?”

 

“Nope. We're hanyou, like Uncle. Our mother was human,” Tsugane said, running his hand through his fashionably tousled hairstyle.

 

“Oh! Do you have cute ears like Mr. Nishiki?” she asked, squinting hard to see if his youki outlined the fuzzy appendages the same way it did Sha's. Catching the glance that passed between the two brothers instead, she fell silent. “Um… did I cause offence…?”

 

“Not at all, Miss Higurashi. Ichiban-no-koinu does indeed sport perky ears, but I do not, possibly because of our varying parentages,” Tenmaru murmured.

 

“Varying parentages? But…you said your mother was a human… or am I missing something?”

 

“She was… but his mother and my mother weren't exactly the same person.”

 

Tsugane rolled his eyes. “You're confusing the crap outta the poor girl; lemme try. Mishi, Tenmaru is my `brother from another mother'.” Bursting out laughing at her expression, he cheerfully elaborated, “I was born to the first Lady Rin, while he is the son of her reincarnation … same soul, different bodies.” As Kagome sat in stunned silence, he continued, “Father first met Mother when she was quite young, during the Warring States era; he took her into his household as his ward and married her when she came of age.”

 

“That sounds so… The Tale of Genji-ish…” she managed to say.

 

“It was, minus the excessive bed-hopping by Father, of course; dog-youkai by nature are very loyal to their mates. My lady mother lived to a ripe old age, but still, she was only human. When she passed away, Father and I had a hell of a time trying to find her again. We're pretty sure that we missed her at least a couple of times, because it wasn't until the 1700s that we came across her in a fishing village to the south of Niigata. That's when `Number Two Puppy' here joined the family.” He fell silent for a moment and shared a long, unhappy look with Tenmaru.

 

“Your father is alone again?” Kagome ventured.

 

“Yes; Mother's last reincarnation… that we know of… passed away during the Meiji era,” he answered, clearly uncomfortable while Tenmaru found the tabletop extremely interesting. The young woman noted their body language and decided not to pry, but Tsugane continued, “Mother was extremely venerable when we found her. She died only a few weeks later, but at least she had us… her family… at her side.”

 

“Even though she never had the chance to meet your father, she didn't marry anyone else during her lifetime?” Kagome couldn't help asking.

 

Tsugane's smile was bittersweet. “She was orphaned as a child and had been taken in by a Buddhist nunnery. At the time of her death, she was the dowager abbess.” His expression brightened, and he excitedly beckoned Kagome closer to confide, “Good news, though! I found Mother a couple of weeks ago, and we're just waiting for an opportunity to introduce ourselves. She's a few years younger than you, as it happens.”

 

Kagome bit her lip. “Um… this is kind of an awkward question…”

 

“Yes?”

 

She squirmed. “Do you think that when your father looks at a new reincarnation of your mother, does he see her… or the first woman he knew?”

 

The brothers exchanged speaking glances before Tenmaru cleared his throat. “Father has always said that while my mother had the same face and scent as Tsugane's mother, she was very much her own person due to the influences of her life before she returned to his side.” Ducking his head to better see Kagome's expression, he softly asked, “Does your question have anything to do with Uncle's assertion that you are the reincarnation of the first Shikon miko?”

 

“He said I was `nothing like her', though,” Kagome mumbled, uncomfortable with how keenly Sha's words had cut.

 

Tsugane smiled quietly. “How could you be anything like her, Mishi? From what we know, the Lady Kikyo was not only an orphan, but had the responsibility of raising her younger sister as well as protecting the Shikon-no-Tama in a harsh, unforgiving time. You've grown up in a loving family and enjoyed all the advantages of this modern era, from abundant food to medical care to schooling… of course you are your own person, no matter who you may look like.”

 

“Were they… married?”

 

Tenmaru instantly replied, “No. In that time? A priestess and a hanyou, or a priestess and any youkai for that matter? They'd be shunned at the very least, or killed outright.”

 

“But they loved each other, right?”

 

The two men recognized a loaded question when they heard one and shifted uncomfortably. “They did,” Tenmaru confirmed. “But they also knew they could never be together as they were, so Uncle planned to use the Shikon-no-Tama to wish himself human in order that the Lady Kikyo could become his wife. However, Uncle recently told Father that Naraku intervened and caused the tragedy that your shrine faithfully re-enacts every Setsubun.”

 

“How do you know about Naraku, when his participation was apparently news to Mr. Nishiki?”

 

Tsugane hastily swallowed a mouthful of food. “Naraku attacked my lady mother during the time that Uncle was still pinned to the Goshinboku. As for your other question, Uncle passed on the circumstances surrounding his sealing to Father only a few days ago.”

 

“Naraku attacked your mother?” Kagome gasped, her own lunch forgotten. “What happened?”

 

The dog-hanyou smirked. “Father handed him his ass on a gilded tray, of course. However, he was unable to kill the bastard.”

 

Tenmaru checked his watch. “We'd better head back if you don't want to miss a single drop of vitreous humour.” Kagome gamely popped another piece of sushi into her mouth as she gathered her new jacket and helmet, but the shrimp-filled morsel tasted flat and unappetizing.

 

Tsugane noticed the droop to her shoulders and guessed at the reason. Helping her into her jacket, he murmured, “I'm sure that Uncle sees you, Mishi. The Lady Kikyo has been dead for a very long time, and his memories of her were tainted by the circumstances of his sealing… yet he has willingly taken on the role of your protector.”

 

“But… I don't know him,” she protested as they threaded through the crowded tables towards the entrance.

 

“This reincarnation of Mother doesn't know Father yet, either, but true soul mates are drawn together… you must feel something when you are with Uncle,” he insisted as they waited for Tenmaru to pay the bill.

 

“I do… but….”

 

“You're weirded out by the idea that you were destined to fall for him?” he hazarded.

 

The young woman went very pale and looked more than a little shocked. Tsugane gave her arm a comforting squeeze as the trio thudded down the stairs and headed towards the medical building. Along the way, the young woman's luck in acquiring such handsome escorts garnered envious looks from disappointed young ladies.

 

The source of equally envious attention, although for very different reasons, set down his tea cup with deliberate care as he watched the small piece of flesh, cartilage and bone dodging feet, backpacks and table legs as it scuttled towards him. Scooping up his temporarily-detached ear under pretext of retrieving his wallet from his coat, he patted it back into place and contemplated what he had just overheard, his reddish-brown eyes veiled behind long dark lashes. So the rumours are true… you have finally returned, my lovely priestess. Unfortunately, you seem to have the same taste in male company as the last time; it must be karma that allowed the stupid dog to once again usurp my rightful place at your side.

 

Making sure that he continued emanating a benign youki signature selected from the hapless dozens imprisoned within his body, he rose gracefully to his feet and shouldered into an extravagant fur-trimmed coat. With a nostalgic thought for the time when he would have simply slaughtered the occupants of the room and been on his way, he tossed several yen notes onto the table. I look forward to re-introducing myself to you, my dear Kikyo… and to the Lord of the West. Brushing imaginary lint off the sleeves of his immaculate coat, he unhurriedly departed the izakaya.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

 

A/N: Yes, the proprietor of `Foxfire Cycles' is a certain russet-haired fox-youkai of our acquaintance; however, like the fleeting mention of `that damn wolf', neither Shippo nor Koga play any further role in this fic.

 

The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki is considered the world's first psychological novel; it has just been re-issued to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of its first publication in 1009 AD. The protagonist is a handsome Imperial princeling who is not only irresistible to women but sees no need to resist, despite his devotion to his long-term mistress… who entered his household at the age of ten and was trained up to be his `perfect companion'.

 

Detachable body parts - Naraku's last incarnation in the IY manga, Byakuya of the Mirage, had the ability to remove his eyeball from its socket and send it off on snooping missions, so I decided that Naraku could probably be capable of something similar.

 

Random trivia: Shiro means `white', and because the central towers of Japanese castle complexes were usually covered in plaster and white-washed, the word also came to mean `castle'. Sesshomaru is going by the modern name `Sesshiro' in this fic because I couldn't resist the connotations relating to the colour of his robes in canon as well as the existence of the real-life fortress of Inuyama, which lies to the west of modern Tokyo in Aichi Prefecture.