InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price ❯ Determination ( Chapter 16 )

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

 

A/N: A little resolution and a lot of set-up for the final scenes of this fic.

 

Bouquets to my CMAs, Ranuel and SilverOnTheRose for their expert `catches'… and to Snowfall for fielding that `foul ball'!

 

Warnings: None

 

The Price

Chapter Sixteen: Determination

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

Later that samemorning…

 

“Ten minutes.”

 

Kagome leaned her head against the helicopter's rear window, dully watching the morning cityscape unroll beneath, until her knee was lightly rapped by a rolled-up magazine. Tenmaru gave her an encouraging smile across the empty seat between them, and she gamely returned it, but he tapped his nose and arched a sceptical eyebrow. Shrugging, she dropped her gaze to Sha's booted foot, which was all she could see of her husband from his spot on the other side of her nephew. I don't really blame him for wanting to keep his distance… but I wish he would at least smile once in a while.

 

Shifting in her seat, she raised and lowered her hand, watching the spiritual energy trail like a thick mist just behind her movements. The Jewel stopped freaking out the minute they put on their concealment anchors, so it is definitely their hanyou appearances that are the problem, but it also doesn't seem to like this much youki in its immediate vicinity. At least, that's the most plausible reason I can think of for it suddenly covering me in this `warning light' so that they won't get too close.

 

Smoothing her glowing hands over her jeans, Kagome tugged on the cuffs of her leather jacket. I'm glad Mom sent my clothes; that kimono Mrs. Teishu offered to loan me was very pretty, but I feel more secure dressed like this. She caught herself twisting the cuffs and forced herself to stop. We all came home alive, so I have to focus on the positive!

 

On the other end of the row of passenger seating, Sha leaned as far forward as his seatbelt allowed to stretch his back. Naraku might be dead, but the bastard's probably laughing his crispy-fried ass off in the eighth hell right now. How are we supposed to overcome this? Rolling his shoulders, he cast a glance towards his wife. Kagome immediately perked up and smiled, blowing him a kiss. Fuck. That's the only kind of kissing that'll be happening unless it's my human night… once every twenty-nine fucking days. She recoiled a little from his dark expression, but before she looked away, undoubtedly with the entirely wrong idea, he pressed two fingers to his lips and returned the affectionate gesture. Kagome brightened, but then her face fell in obvious disappointment while the aura around her intensified. She figured it out.

 

“Prepare for landing.” The static-laden command focussed their attentions outside the windows, and they peered down at the wind-buffeted reception committee as the pilot lined up the helicopter with the widest part of the courtyard. Kagome held her breath as the blurred rotors whizzed perilously close to the main shrine's upturned eaves, but the pilot obviously knew what he was doing. “Mind your heads, because we're not shutting down the engines.”

 

Removing her headset and unbuckling her seatbelt, Kagome watched the co-pilot exit the aircraft and slide open the door next to Sha. He left without a backward glance, but Tenmaru beckoned her forward with an encouraging grin before hopping out. The young woman nervously eyed the maelstrom outside, but scooted along the row of seats anyways. Instead of offering her his hand when she hesitated at the doorway, the co-pilot actually stepped back. Tenmaru and Sha were waiting for her, their dark hair whirling wildly in the rotor wash, but neither of them moved forward to assist.

 

They don't dare touch me. The reality of her situation struck Kagome like a thunderclap, and she stumbled on her jump down from the chopper's passenger cabin. As she straightened, the co-pilot made frantic cutting motions with his hands; she blinked in confusion until he urgently patted his head and ducked. Oh, right. Decapitation wouldn't be good. Smiling wryly in thanks, she bobbed a bow before scuttling like a crab across the courtyard. Once their passengers were safely out of range, the chopper rose into the air, spun around on its axis, and took off over the treetops.

 

“Kagome! Thank goodness!” Mrs. Higurashi exclaimed, pushing her hair out of her face and crushing her daughter in an embrace. “You were successful!”

 

“Yes, Mom… sort of,” she quietly replied, feeling far from jubilant as Yayoi greeted Sha and Tenmaru with enthusiastic hugs.

 

Sota briefly squished his sister; noting how the dog-youkai were keeping their distance, he murmured in her ear, “The Jewel's still causing trouble?”

 

She leaned her head against his shoulder. “It's really bad.”

 

“Don't worry, Sis. You'll figure it out,” he said encouragingly. “C'mon… Miss Buyo and Miss Karin are waiting inside.”

 

“`Miss Karin', huh?” she grinned, then sobered. “You do remember that she's kinda-sorta spoken for, right?”

 

“I know,” he growled, rolling his eyes. “Miss Karin and I went through some nasty shit together, so she feels closer to me right now… not to mention safer with me… than she does anybody with fangs and claws.”

 

“Apparently she and I are in the same boat… but for different reasons,” Kagome muttered, linking arms with Sota as Mrs. Higurashi ushered the group towards the house.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Buyo and Karin awaited them inside the tatami room; Kagome blinked when she realized that the teenager was wearing her neon-pink sweatshirt and a pair of her jeans. She's been here all night? Sesshiro has to give her back sooner rather than later! Pasting a smile over her surprise, she bobbed a bow to the pair. The cat-youkai stepped past Karin, reaching for Kagome, but the young woman hastily backed up, forcing Sha and Tenmaru to also retreat. “I-I'm sorry, Miss Buyo, but it isn't safe for you to touch me.” A huge lump rose in her throat. No one can touch me…not unless they're human.

 

Buyo dropped her hands as she inspected the sparkling aura surrounding Kagome, not to mention the young woman's deflated demeanour. “Lord Nishiki mentioned that there had been complications.”

 

“Thanks to Naraku,” Sha spat.

 

The cat-youkai nodded. “In more ways than one, if my suspicions are correct.”

 

“I'll make a fresh pot of tea,” Yayoi interjected. “Lord Nishiki will be here shortly, and this sounds like it will be a long discussion. Please, take a seat; standing here in the hallway isn't doing any of us any good.” The taiyoukai did indeed arrive fifteen minutes later, just as the cups were being filled; Kagome noted that while Karin greeted Sesshiro with a polite bow, her smile was tentative and she stuck very close to Sota.

 

Kagome found herself sitting alone on one side of the table; Sha and Tenmaru flanked Sesshiro directly opposite to her, while her mother, Sota and Karin clustered on one side. Buyo considered the young woman's social isolation and deliberately seated herself as close to her human as possible.

 

“Ohhh, Miss Buyo… that isn't a good idea!” Kagome protested, scooting backwards. “Please don't test the Jewel! I'm not in control of it at all!”

 

“I am merely demonstrating that there is no need for you to be so severely quarantined,” the cat-youkai gravely stated, with a significant look across the table. When none of the dog-youkai budged, she quietly enquired, “How is Lord Tsugane?”

 

“His condition is stable,” Sesshiro replied, carefully inspecting the Jewel's notable lack of reaction to Buyo, who was literally only inches away from Kagome. Abruptly rising to his feet, he swept around the table and seated himself roughly the same distance away on the young woman's other side. They all watched with varying degrees of nervousness as her aura expanded outward several inches.

 

Kagome broke out in a cold sweat as she tried to control her emotions and thereby restrain the Jewel from lashing out. Taking several deep, cleansing breaths, she forcibly stopped her panic from escalating and watched her aura retract.

 

“You do have some control, my lady,” Buyo said, smiling in satisfaction. “Have more confidence in yourself.”

 

“Er… excuse me? What's going on?” Sota asked in confusion; Karin and Yayoi were similarly baffled.

 

“It'd be easier if you had spiritual power,” Kagome answered. “Right now, I'm glowing like a traffic beacon. The Jewel just reacted to my fears that it would attack Miss Buyo and Lord Nishiki by making my aura larger. When I calmed down, it retreated.”

 

“The Western Lord is wearing a concealment spell, but I am not,” Buyo noted, her brow furrowed, “and yet, the Jewel is not trying to destroy me.”

 

“You don't have silver hair,” Sha growled back, unhappily eyeing Sesshiro's proximity to his wife.

 

The cat-youkai straightened up, her pale eyes keen. “The Jewel's reaction appears to be tied to a youkai's appearance?”

 

“Keh.”

 

Hunching her shoulders, Kagome whispered, “Naraku took on Sha's appearance when he was torturing me.” Those who could see her aura noted how it became laced with crackling sparks; the youkai on either side of her discreetly edged away.

 

Buyo rubbed her chin as she considered the large can of worms that she was possibly about to crack open. I need more information. “Can you tell us what happened, Lady Kagome?” she gently prompted.

 

“We don't need the gory details, cat,” Sha snarled.

 

The cat-youkai looked down her nose at the hanyou. “I do not wish to hear `the gory details', either. I have a theory as to what may have triggered the Jewel's new aggressiveness, particularly towards those with silver hair, but only Lady Kagome can fill in the blanks… unless, of course, she has already told you the full extent of her experience so that you can be her spokesman?”

 

Sha looked away. “No,” he mumbled.

 

“I was inside the Jewel,” Kagome said, snapping everyone's attention in her direction.

 

“Like an out-of-body experience?” Karin suddenly piped up. When the eyes of the company swung to her, she quailed briefly but bravely continued, “When Mr. Hitomi was… hurting me, at one point I felt like I was floating near the ceiling, watching him do these horrible things to someone else.” She shuddered violently, her hand flying up to cover her bruised cheek, and Sota immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders. When a low growl rumbled from Sesshiro's direction, the teen met the taiyoukai's narrowed gaze with calm defiance. After a stand-off that lasted only a few moments, it was Sesshiro who first broke eye contact.

 

“Um… it was sorta like that,” Kagome hastily interrupted, “but instead of watching from outside, I was inside a dark place filled with youkai corpses. Naraku's aura was all around me, and I was still in unbelievable pain, but he wasn't actually there. Lady Midoriko was, though, along with Lady Kikyo.”

 

While Sha visibly twitched, Buyo raised her eyebrows. “And…?”

 

Kagome fastened her eyes on the cat-youkai, who smiled encouragingly. “We didn't have that much time; Lady Midoriko said that we had to move fast before Naraku completely tainted the Jewel. She helped steady my nerves and gave me the confidence to fight back.”

 

“Did Kikyo say anything?” Sha rasped.

 

“She said `he has given you the same wound' and `he cannot be trusted', but I figure that she must have been talking about Naraku.”

 

“Not necessarily; otherwise, how can the hostility towards anyone who shares the same colouring as Lord Inuyasha be explained? Naraku was dark-haired.” Buyo absently smoothed her robes as she collected her thoughts. “Lord Inuyasha, I need your assistance. Please cast your mind back to the day of your sealing.”

 

The hanyou's expression became stony. “What does that have to do with this?”

 

“It may hold the key to the Jewel's reaction; when Lady Kikyo shot at you the first time, there is a strong chance that it was actually Naraku wearing her guise, correct?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Explain, Brother.”

 

“The attack was totally unexpected… I mean, we'd parted the night before with my promise to use the Jewel to become human, and suddenly she's yelling `Die, Inuyasha!' and trying to peg me with an arrow.”

 

“A change of heart?”

 

Sha rapidly shook his head. “No. When I thought about it after talking to Buyo last Monday, I realized three things… one, Kikyo was definitely downwind, two, the arrow wasn't glowing, and three, she was uninjured. When I saw her again after I grabbed the Jewel, Kikyo was horribly wounded and the arrow she aimed at me was crackling with power.”

 

“And yet, she did not purify you; instead, she only sealed you,” Buyo pointed out.

 

“Keh.”

 

The cat-youkai steepled her long fingers on the polished tabletop. “Your claws were free of her blood, so you were definitely not her attacker.”

 

“How do you know?” he demanded, more than slightly disconcerted.

 

“I checked your hands that night” she flatly replied. “If you were Lady Kikyo's killer, I would have cut your throat myself.”

 

“When Lady Kikyo said `he has given you the same wound', she was talking about Sha, not Naraku,” Kagome whispered with a sense of horror. “That's why she also said `he is not to be trusted'.” Looking around the table, she added, “This could explain those odd feelings….”

 

“`Odd feelings'?” Sha asked, almost afraid of the answer.

 

She took a sip of tea to wet her suddenly dry throat before slowly replying, “Anger, fear, disappointment… disillusionment….”

 

“The emotions of betrayal,” Buyo murmured.

 

“But… but… I didn't…!” the hanyou spluttered.

 

“Lady Kikyo died believing that you had attacked her, Lord Inuyasha. I suspect that is why the Jewel appears determined to keep you as far away from Lady Kagome as possible.”

 

“Lady Kikyo is probably only trying to protect Aunt from suffering the same fate,” Tenmaru said thoughtfully.

 

“Does this sound like a reasonable explanation, Lady Kagome?” the cat-youkai asked the silent young woman.

 

“Unfortunately… yes,” she uncomfortably admitted.

 

“Too bad that you can't go back inside the Jewel and talk to Lady Kikyo,” Sota commented.

 

“I almost died,” Kagome pointed out. “I really don't want to be in that situation again any time soon!”

 

“There must be a way to prove that Sha isn't a threat!” Yayoi said plaintively.

 

“Earlier, when you were afraid that we were too close, the Jewel definitely reacted to your fear,” Sesshiro observed. “This is useful knowledge.” Deliberately infringing on Kagome's personal space, he silently challenged her to put that knowledge to the test.

 

She first shrank away, her aura expanding, but then determinedly squared her shoulders. The roiling spiritual power quieted, even tolerating a light brush from Sesshiro's youki… but that was as much familiarity as the Jewel permitted. When the taiyoukai attempted to lay his fingers on Kagome's arm, there was a ferocious crackle and flare that sent him shooting backwards out of range.

 

“Oh! I'm so sorry! Are you hurt?” Kagome gasped.

 

Before answering, Sesshiro calmly brushed down his shirt and smoothed his hand over his black hair. Despite his efforts, several small twiggy strands sproinged disobediently outwards, and across the table, Karin muffled a giggle in Sota's shoulder. “I am unharmed,” he said stoically. “However, it does appear that physical contact between yourself and someone of youkai blood is out of the question… for now.”

 

Kagome couldn't look at Sha. Thanks for the reminder… like I needed it! Just then, a small mystery tugged at her memory. “There's one more thing that puzzles me….”

 

“Yes?” Buyo asked.

 

“Lady Midoriko said `the right wish will set us all free'… what do you suppose she meant?”

 

“Maybe… `free' in terms of the threat that the Shikon-no-Tama poses to both its bearer as well as those who seek it?” Tenmaru suggested. “If it didn't exist, there wouldn't be any conflict over it.”

 

Yayoi spoke up then. “The legend of the Shikon-no-Tama always implied that if the wish was selfish, then the Jewel would distort the wisher's desire into something monstrous to punish them.”

 

“Aren't all wishes, by their very nature, kinda selfish?” Sota asked. “I mean, even if you wish for something big like `world peace', you're still hoping to protect someone.”

 

Kagome rubbed her temples and sighed. “I suppose that I can use my free time to look through Grandpa's scrolls for any information on the `right' wish….”

 

“What do you mean, `free time'?” Sha asked.

 

She avoided his gaze. “I can't go to school until I can control the Jewel… and I can't live with you for the same reason.”

 

Yayoi clasped her hands to her heart at her daughter's palpable sadness. “I'm sorry, Kagome, but you can't stay here either. Your grandfather is being released this afternoon, and if he thinks the marriage has already been repudiated, it might cause him to relapse.”

 

Sesshiro quietly observed, “Your youkai classmates all wear concealment spells. The powerful spiritual energy surrounding you will be a natural deterrent to attack, as will the presence of your bodyguards. There is no reason why you cannot attend your university classes as well as live at Western House.”

 

“B-but… you can't truly be yourselves if I'm living there!” Kagome protested in a panicky tone.

He shrugged eloquently. “Wearing our concealment anchors is a minor irritant,” Sesshiro coolly replied. “Your presence will be accommodated.”

 

“Sha? What do you think?” she appealed to the silent hanyou.

 

After a long pause, he murmured, “Sess is right… you're safer at the main house, and if the Jewel isn't here, then your family is better off, too.”

 

Kagome bit her lip. “But, will you live at Western House… or the apartment?” she asked, her tone plaintive.

 

He managed a crooked smile. “I ain't gonna leave you to deal with the brats by yourself.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Kagome fidgeted on the limo's plush leather seat, twisting the hem of her sweater, until Sota sharply said, “Don't get yourself all worked up, Sis.”

 

She jumped, then folded her restless hands in her lap. “I know, but….”

 

“You can do this… I know you can.”

 

“How many people will I hurt before then?” she mumbled.

 

“With that attitude, quite a few,” he growled, biffing her ear. “Smarten up.”

 

“Your brother is correct,” Sesshiro commented from his seat across from them. “Negativity breeds negativity.”

 

Quickly changing the subject, Kagome said, “I thought that things went well with Miss Mifune.”

 

Sota snorted at her transparent diversion attempt, but went along with it. “Our cover story was just close enough to the truth that they bought it.”

 

“Her housekeeper, Mrs. Ueda, is horse-hanyou,” Sesshiro noted. “She recognized me, so I doubt there will be any trouble on that count.”

 

“Why did you assign extra security, since Naraku is dead?” the teen wanted to know.

 

The taiyoukai smiled mirthlessly. “I have made more than one enemy over my lifetime.”

 

Sota wrinkled his nose. “Popular guy, huh?”

 

“You will also become part of Miss Mifune's extended protection system,” Sesshiro responded silkily, controlling his annoyance.

 

“I will?”

 

“Your high school is near her college; I will arrange that the two of you are picked up and dropped off together.”

 

The teen grimly smirked. “Since her former chauffeur suddenly `went to pieces' as of last night, it'll be easy enough to stick one of your guardsmen into the position. So, why am I allowed to hang out with her? You weren't too happy about it earlier.”

 

“Miss Mifune trusts you,” Sesshiro quietly replied.

 

Sota gave him a considering look. “So, I'm kinda your liaison officer, huh?”

 

The taiyoukai's face was a picture. “In a manner of speaking.”

 

“Go easy on her,” the teen advised. “Sis went from `sorta normal' to `Shikon miko' to `Mrs. Nishiki' in less than a week, and she only made it through all that because she had Sha. Miss Karin found out about youkai twenty-four hours ago when Naraku did the tentacle-abuse thing… sorry, Sis,” he amended when Kagome flinched. “The point is, Miss Karin's probably gonna need more time to digest all of this because she's on her own.”

 

“Um… Elder Brother?” Kagome hesitantly asked. “How did Miss Mifune's previous reincarnations react to the truth about you?”

 

“I had no need of a human appearance until the foreigners arrived in their black ships, so only Miss Mifune's immediate predecessor saw me in this guise,” he rumbled, indicating his silver-threaded black hair. “She died within weeks of our reunion, so had no time to learn the `truth'.”

 

When Sota looked puzzled, Kagome filled in the blanks. “Miss Mifune is the third reincarnation of the original `Lady Rin' who married Lord Nishiki back in the Warring States era.”

 

“Wow… so, you were able to find her every time she was reincarnated?” the teen asked with considerable interest.

 

“Not necessarily,” Sesshiro answered.

 

“That would really suck,” Sota earnestly sympathized. “At least Miss Karin is young, so you'll have her for a long time, right?”

 

“I truly hope so.”

 

The teen tilted his head, thoughtfully regarding the taiyoukai's middle-aged human concealment spell. “Can you change your appearance at all?”

 

“Lord Nishiki can turn into a giant dog,” Kagome offered.

 

“That was you? Totally cool; I saw you just before that freak grabbed me,” Sota eagerly replied. “No, what I meant was… can you make yourself look younger, Lord Nishiki? Miss Karin isn't into older men, if you know what I mean.”

 

Sesshiro was plainly surprised. “She told you this?”

 

He nodded. “Naraku spilled the beans about you being her husband, and she's kinda worried that you're too old for her.”

 

“You didn't tell her exactly how old, did you?” Kagome demanded.

 

The teen grinned. “Nope. Didn't want to completely spook her.” They sat in silence for several long moments after that, until the limousine came to a stop just long enough for an impressive set of iron-bound wooden gates to open. “Whoa….” Sota breathed, practically pressing his nose to the tinted window as they rolled into a gravelled forecourt enclosed on one side by a converted mews and on the others by high walls softened by trailing greenery. “This is awesome!”

 

“Welcome to Western House,” Sesshiro intoned. The uniformed chauffeur opened the passenger door and saluted; Kagome tightly gripped Sota's hand as they exited the vehicle. Following in the taiyoukai's wake as he headed towards an inner gate, the siblings tried not to gawk at the man energetically raking smooth the gravel rumpled by the limousine's passage.

 

“This place is huge!” Sota gasped as soon as they stepped past the saluting sentry onto the winding gravel path. Mature trees towered overhead, their branches reflected in the still waters of a large carp pond, and cleverly planted bushes gave the impression of a forested glade in the heart of the city.

 

“The Western House compound covers several city blocks and we also own the surrounding lands.”

 

“Why so much?” Sota asked, then hastily amended, “I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that….”

 

“Security,” Sesshiro replied. “Taller buildings give an enemy the advantage of height for both spying and attack.”

 

When Sota's eyebrows disappeared under his bangs, Kagome interjected, “It also prevents nosy photographers from taking pictures, I imagine.”

 

“Yes. It is very pleasant to be able to relax outside without our concealment spells.”

 

And now you've lost that simple pleasure because of me. Kagome guiltily focussed on the gardens. “Where is Wisteria House?”

 

Sesshiro came to a stop and pointed. “On the other side of the pond… the arbour is magnificent in springtime.”

 

The siblings squinted in the direction indicated at a gracefully-curved decorative wooden structure covered with silvery-grey vines; behind it loomed a tiled-roof pavilion. “It looks very beautiful,” Kagome said honestly.

 

“It was built for my honoured grandmother. Come.” Sesshiro led the way up a broad flight of stairs to the main building's carved wooden door. Sota gave Kagome's hand an encouraging squeeze as they entered.

 

A familiar face awaited them as they removed their shoes in the foyer. “Lady Kagome! Welcome to Western House… and Mr. Sota! How nice to see you again!” Mrs. Nishino chirped, bowing. When the teen straightened from his bow and she had a better look at his face, her expression became dismayed. “Oh, my goodness… is Naraku responsible for those injuries?”

 

“Not exactly, ma'am. It was one of his goons.”

 

The petite housekeeper stepped closer and peered up at his bruises. “I have a salve that will speed your healing,” she offered.

 

“That would be greatly appreciated,” Sota replied as she ushered them into a spacious tatami room with a view over the gardens. “I never thought I'd say this, but I don't want to miss any more classes.”

 

“Tea, my lord?”

 

“In a moment,” the taiyoukai replied. Turning to Kagome, he asked, “Would you see Tsugane?”

 

She brightened, then sagged. “Is he wearing his concealment anchor?”

 

“No, but the room is darkened.”

 

Biting her trembling lip, she unhappily whispered, “It's too big of a risk.”

 

“I'll go say `hi' for you,” Sota offered, then looked expectantly up at Sesshiro, who inclined his head and led the way out of the room.

 

“Please have a seat, Lady Kagome.” Mrs. Nishino indicated a kotatsu draped in shimmering fabric. She bustled off as Kagome sank down on one of the cushions and cautiously drew the rustling quilt over her lap, reappearing a few moments later with a fully-loaded tray. “My lord informs me that difficulties have arisen?” she inquired as she arranged the tray on the low tabletop.

 

“Very much so.”

 

The dog-youkai smiled warmly at Kagome's wan expression and offered her a steaming cup on a teak saucer. “The House of the West has faced many, many challenges over the centuries, my lady. I think you will find us more than accommodating of your special needs.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Not long after, when Kagome's small load of personal belongings arrived from the shrine, Sota left with the guardsmen who delivered it. “Mom's gonna need help bringing Gramps home this afternoon,” he said, hugging his sister. “Come by later to see him, and in the meantime, I'll start digging out some scrolls. After Ryukotsusei's `earthquake' last week, at least I know which storeroom they're all in!”

 

“All right….”

 

He lightly tapped her under the chin. “Positive thoughts only, Sis.”

 

“I know.”

 

Mrs. Nishino arrived, a small jar in her hand. “Here you are, Mr. Sota. Apply three times a day until your skin is healed.”

 

“Thanks very much, ma'am,” the teen replied, pocketing the salve. “Hey, do you happen to have more of this?”

 

“Unfortunately not,” she answered. “Is someone else in need of treatment?”

 

“Naraku roughed up Miss Karin pretty bad,” he said. “She has an even bigger bruise on her face that'll stop her from leaving the house for a while.”

 

The dog-youkai nodded and bowed. “I'll send the recipe to her housekeeper; horse-youkai are usually very skilled at compounding traditional medicines.” Once the truck left the forecourt, Sota hanging out the window and waving, Mrs. Nishino escorted Kagome through the garden and under the eponymous arbour to Wisteria House, followed by a couple of troopers pressed into service as porters. As they ascended the stairs to the veranda, the young woman admired the handsome woodwork adorning the exterior, particularly the finely carved door that portrayed delicate wisteria blossoms swaying over a carp-filled pool. “This pavilion is almost two hundred years old,” Mrs. Nishino said as she opened the door. “I hope that you will find it comfortable here.”

 

Kagome stepped into the foyer, and gulped at the deceptively simple interior. A niche directly opposite the door held a studiously elegant floral arrangement, and the wooden floors of the hallway gleamed with beeswax. Is that an ancestral shrine? While she examined a finely carved cabinet, she hastily acquired a pair of house slippers from the well-stocked rack.

 

“Here is the main room,” Mrs Nishino said, sliding open a panel on the left to reveal a comfortable-looking space, complete with kotatsu table sporting a sumptuous quilt, scattered floor cushions, bookshelves and an entertainment centre. “Come in, come in… this is now your home, my lady,” she gently chided as Kagome hesitated on the threshold.

 

Her feet sinking into the thick tatami mats as she crossed the room in Mrs. Nishino's wake, the young woman inhaled the fresh scent advertising the newness of the pale green floor covering. Those look like silk bindings; Gramps'll be impressed! Heck, I'm impressed… and more than a little intimidated.

 

“This is the kitchen,” the dog-youkai beckoned from the adjoining room, the doorway hidden behind another sliding screen. “However, you are most definitely welcome to join us in the main house. Your class schedule is the same as Lord Tsugane's correct?”

 

“Er, yes,” Kagome answered, looking around the tiled and stainless-steel-clad work area. Mom would kill for this much counter space!

 

The dog-youkai nodded vigorously. “To facilitate your homework schedule, then I insist that you allow me to take responsibility for your meals.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

One of the troopers stuck his head into the kitchen. “We put your luggage in the second bedroom, Lady Kagome. Will there be anything else, Mrs. Nishino?”

 

“Not right now, but keep an eye out for Lord Sha's arrival.” He bobbed bows to both of them and disappeared along with his fellow. Mrs. Nishino smiled at the young woman. “Would you like some help unpacking?”

 

“Oh, I appreciate the offer, but I'll do that myself,” Kagome answered.

 

“Very good; lunch will be served at 1:00.” Bowing, she swept out of the room, and a few moments later, Kagome heard the front door's latch click.

 

Rubbing her arms, she hesitated for a moment before exploring the rest of the house. Entry doors to the toilet and a tiled bathroom lined the hallway next to the kitchen; across from them were a pair of sliding wooden doors adorned with the wisteria-and-carp theme. Kagome cautiously peeked inside the first and discovered a spacious eight-tatami room furnished with a tall, old-fashioned chest of drawers. A futon was folded up in the middle of the floor and topped by a pile of bedding. Sha's room, I guess. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she retreated back into the hallway and tried the second door.

 

An identical room greeted her, also equipped with a tall wooden chest and a pile of bedding. Her luggage was neatly piled beside the dresser, and she sighed. Better get on with it. Kneeling next to the chest, the first thing she did was finger the dark-blue binding on the tatami. That's definitely silk… wait, that pattern looks familiar. Bending over until her nose was practically pressed to the woven rushes, she squinted at the tiny white design. It's the same floral crest that's on Tsugane's car, which means this is a custom job… I am so out of my league, it isn't funny. Sitting back on her heels, she began organizing her clothing and packing the items away in the narrow drawers. I hope Sha brings my yellow sweatshirt back from the apartment, and then I have to somehow retrieve my pink one… and my jeans… from Miss Mifune.

 

Glancing around as she pursed her lips, she noticed that the dividing wall between her room and Sha's was composed of sliding screens instead of solid panels… and smiled ruefully. Looks like someone is hopeful that we'll be able to share a room someday. Emptying her last bag of a stray sock, a scarf, and her alarm clock, she stashed the final items and then realized what was missing. Oh, shoot… they forgot my textbooks! I'll pick them up later. Arranging her pyjamas on top of the stacked bedding, Kagome wandered out into the hallway. A very steep set of cupboard stairs led upwards, probably to an attic. I'll check that out later.

 

The bathroom across the hall with its oversized, very deep tub was a welcome sight. Big enough for two… someday. On her way back to the main room, she detoured through the kitchen and snooped in the cupboards. Finding a kettle in one and a canister of green tea in another, she decided to make herself a cup.

 

While waiting for the water to boil, she poked around for a teapot and cup. It's chilly in here, probably because the rooms are bigger than at home… or because I'm nervous. She located a wall socket and plugged in the kotatsu's electric heater, then tucked herself under the quilt. Surveying her gracious surroundings, she couldn't help but feel a little discouraged. Do I have any chance to really fit in here? I mean, you pretty much have to be born into a family like this to know all the protocols. Lightly banging her head on the inlaid tabletop, Kagome completely missed the arrival of her first visitor.

 

“Is Wisteria House to your liking, Sister?” The kimono-clad taiyoukai arched an eyebrow at her startled expression as he glided across the room and seated himself at the kotatsu. Folding his hands in his sleeves, he gave her an expectant look.

 

“Ah, er, yes, Elder Brother,” she stammered. “Um… may I offer you some tea?”

 

“You may.”

 

Jumping up so fast that she banged her knees on the edge of the table and almost tripped on the quilt, Kagome bolted for the kitchen. Behind her, Sesshiro hid a smirk behind his hand. When she returned a few minutes later with two cups of tea precariously balanced on saucers, he mentally placed bets on her spilling at least one of them, but she managed to serve both without mishap… despite obviously shaking hands. “Is Sha home yet?” she asked, planning to sound casual, but instead coming across as somewhat desperate.

 

“No,” he answered, sniffing his tea before sipping carefully. “I wished to speak with you before he returned.”

 

Kagome went pale, and set down her cup. “W-what a-about?”

 

“Why do you assume the worst?”

 

She exhaled, her shoulders slumping, and gestured around the elegant room. “I'm feeling really out of my element.”

 

“You will adapt, as others have done before you.” He took another sip before continuing, “Tenmaru's mother was born into a poor fishing village, living hand-to-mouth for several years after the deaths of her family in a typhoon.” Looking into the middle distance, he added, “She found the transition from her old life to be… difficult. In some ways, she never recovered from the traumas of her childhood.” His attention abruptly focussed on Kagome. “You have many advantages over her.”

 

“Yes, sir,” she meekly replied. “Um… what did you want to talk about?”

 

“I wish to know your goals.”

 

“My… goals?”

 

He propped his chin on his palm. “Do you intend to lock yourself in this house and bewail your fate?”

 

Kagome blinked rapidly, then stared into her teacup for inspiration. “I have no intention of doing that… but I'm not sure how to bring the Jewel back under control. Do you know anyone who can advise me?”

 

“My contacts are currently looking, but so far they have not located anyone with the necessary level of experience.”

 

“Darn. Then I'd better hope that I can find something in the Shrine's records.”

 

“Indeed.” He raised his teacup and inclined his head. “This is acceptable.”

 

“Er… thanks?”

 

“Dog-youkai have far more sensitive palates than humans, so lightly-steeped tea is our preference.”

 

“Oh! Like the mild flavourings in the salmon we had for breakfast yesterday?” When he nodded, she mumbled, “I think… I have a ways to go to fit in.”

 

“Do not doubt yourself.”

 

In the following silence, Kagome managed to corral her scattering thoughts and consider his question. Clasping her hands in her lap, she quietly said, “Right now, my goals include containing the Shikon-no-Tama so that it can't hurt anyone else… and maybe figure out how to use it to help people.”

 

“Your Shrine Guardian claims that if you were properly trained, you could save even those on the brink of death,” Sesshiro commented.

 

She sat upright, her eyes bright. “Really?”

 

“A useful skill,” he replied blandly. “What else?”

 

“I want to go back to school… if you're sure that it's appropriate.”

 

“It is up to you, Sister. Your absences have been excused, and Tenmaru has volunteered to be your bodyguard.”

 

“That's very brave of him; um… what did Sha say?”

 

“Your husband is being remarkably reticent,” Sesshiro said. “While his brooding silence is a welcome change from his usual profanity, I am concerned.”

 

“Seeing your wife being sexually assaulted and not being able to do anything about it would fuck with any normal man's head.” Kagome jumped at Sha's snarled insult, but Sesshiro merely gave the seething hanyou a cool look.

 

“Your wife's valour has rid Japan… and the world… of a threat far beyond our capabilities to contain it, Brother. Celebrate her courage instead of dwelling on the unpleasantness that she endured.”

 

Sha scowled. “Easy for you to say; at least you have the potential for erasing Miss Mifune's bad memories with some tender loving care.” Heaving a bulging duffel bag over his shoulder, he stomped off down the hallway.

 

Against a backdrop of loudly slamming drawers from the direction of Sha's room, Kagome solemnly met Sesshiro's gaze. “I would also like to kiss my husband without endangering his life.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Later that afternoon…

 

“Hey, Sis… had enough already?” Sota wryly greeted Kagome as she left the house wearing a pinched expression.

 

“I feel sorry for Mom,” she answered, grimacing.

 

“How about me?” he mock-pouted.

 

“You get to escape to school every day. Mom's stuck here with him… why is he being so darned ornery?”

 

“He was like this the last time… remember? When he had food poisoning two years ago, he came back as grouchy as a badger-dog with a thorn up its butt. I suspect that it's his way of asserting his `alpha' status.”

 

“Couldn't he just pee on the boundary markers and call it even?” Kagome muttered, causing her brother to collapse in a fit of giggles.

 

“I've located more possibilities, Mr. Sota… ah! Hello, Aunt,” Tenmaru greeted, crossing the courtyard towards them with a dusty wooden crate in his arms.

 

“Er, hello, Nephew… what do you have there?” she asked.

 

“We are pillaging the storerooms for written records that mention the Shikon-no-Tama,” the disguised dog-hanyou replied. “This is the third box so far.”

 

Kagome crossed her fingers. “I hope there's an answer in there. If I can harness the Jewel's power to help save lives, both human and youkai, then it'll be worth the trouble it's causing.”

 

Sota opened the limo's trunk and helped Tenmaru slide the crate into place beside two other equally elderly boxes. Picking out a file folder, he waved it at Kagome. “These are Great-Grandfather's papers; I hoped there might be a clue in his family histories.”

 

As he wedged the folder between two of the crates and straightened, Tenmaru asked, “How did you explain your facial injuries to Mr. Higurashi?”

 

The teen rolled his eyes. “Pretty much the same story as we told Miss Karin's people… and that set off a tirade about the Western House breaking its promise to protect us.”

 

Tenmaru shuddered. “Glad I missed it.”

 

“It was fucking classic rant,” growled a fourth voice, and they turned to regard Sha, standing at the top of the stairs leading to the storeroom complex with his arms folded over his chest.

 

“Sometimes less-than-exceptional hearing is an advantage,” the younger hanyou grinned.

 

“Ready to go, Kagome?” Sha sharply demanded.

 

“I, er, guess so. I have to grab my textbooks, because they only sent my clothes this morning.”

 

“I'll come with you; no one should have to enter the war zone alone,” Sota said. “Besides, you ought to say goodbye to Miss Buyo… she's taken refuge in my room.”

 

As the siblings entered the house, Tenmaru glanced up in time to see Sha's longing expression. Rapidly crossing the courtyard, he bounded up the steps to join his uncle. At risk of having his head bitten off, he murmured, “I believe that Aunt would have a greater chance of success if you were less truculent.”

 

“You sound like your old man.” When Tenmaru merely nodded agreeably, Sha muttered an expletive under his breath. “None of you understand….”

 

“That you cannot express your affection and concern for Aunt without risking death? I saw what happened to Brother last night; I do understand your frustration, Uncle.”

 

The elder hanyou rubbed his hand over his face. “Maybe I'm destined to become human after all,” he said resignedly.

 

“Unlikely,” Tenmaru quickly retorted. “Since the Jewel is inside her, it is out of your reach to wish upon… and I strongly doubt Aunt would agree to this course of action.”

 

“If I were human, we'd have similar life spans.”

 

Tenmaru blinked rapidly as he absorbed Sha's words. “You might still have to watch her die,” he cautioned.

 

“Thanks for that cheerful thought, brat.”

 

At that moment, a guardsman who had been helping in the search for scrolls approached the pair. “Lord Sha? We possibly have a problem.”

 

“What kind of `problem'?”

 

“Remember the `haunted hibachi'?”

 

“Oh, yeah… the frog-youkai. What's up?”

 

“The seals seem to be weakening, because a crack has developed in the container.”

 

“Keh. A little taste of Tetsusaiga ought to solve the problem,” Sha smirked, already reaching for the carrying bag strapped across his back.

 

“Perhaps it would be better for Aunt to purify it, rather than risking more damage to the Shrine?” Tenmaru hastily suggested.

 

Sha dropped his hand. “You're fucking determined to take all the fun out of my life, aren't you?”

 

Tenmaru shot him a look before hailing Kagome as she emerged from the house, a yellow backpack slung over her shoulder and another heavy bag in her hand. “Aunt! We have a purification job for you!”

 

The young woman dropped her bags next to the limo and jogged towards them. As she ascended the stairs, she said, “I don't have any arrows, and my bow is missing.”

 

“It must have been left behind on Oshima Island; if there's anything left of it, the clean-up crews will bring it back with them. Who had it last?”

 

Sha looked suspiciously innocent. “Ya don't really need arrows for a job like this, do you? You can channel your power into your hands, right? All you gotta do is touch the container to fry the frog.”

 

When she nodded, the guardsman bowed. “This way, my lady,” he said, standing aside and indicating the open doorway. Sha and Tenmaru followed Kagome at a safe distance, stopping when she halted just outside the room.

 

“Could you bring it outside for me? It's kind of crowded in there.”

 

“The shield spells are very strong; we dare not touch it,” the trooper replied.

 

She nodded. “Right… it hurt one of you last week, didn't it?” Ducking into the room, Kagome exchanged a few pleasantries with the other guardsmen before staggering back outside with what appeared to be a tall, turned-wood bowl in her arms. “It's heavy,” she huffed, awkwardly kneeling on the planking in order to set it down safely. Both hanyou drew as near as they dared while she tilted the container to inspect the thickly-layered sutras covering the exterior. “Tsukumo-no-Gama?”

 

“The `Shadow-Stealing Frog?” Tenmaru wondered.

 

“Mrs. Higurashi told us about it last Friday,” Sha said. “It's an 800-year-old frog demon that preyed on maidens.” He noted the crack that the guardsmen had mentioned, as well as the crackling blue mesh overlaying the aged wood.

 

Kagome frowned lightly. “Um, how am I supposed to purify it through the sutras?”

 

“Er, no idea,” Tenmaru sheepishly admitted while Sha shuffled his feet.

 

“Maybe I should do some research first?”

 

“The risk is that crack might widen in the meantime, and the sutra would no longer be able to contain the frog-youkai,” the youngest hanyou pointed out. “If he or she is truly that old, then they would indeed be a formidable opponent.”

 

Sha let out a snort. “If he's been sealed inside that thing for five centuries, he isn't gonna be that much of a challenge!” he said scornfully.

 

His nephew gave him a cool look. “According to Father, you were in fine form when you awakened from your sealing. The Tsukumo-no-Gama might be spoiling for a fight.”

 

“And I can't use Tetsusaiga. Damn.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes at the bickering. “Um, hello? Still not sure how to deal with this thing…!”

 

Sha suddenly adopted a bland expression. “Why don't we take it into the forest?” he suggested.

 

Tenmaru and Kagome exchanged glances. “Why?” asked the younger hanyou. In reply, Sha reached up and patted the carrying case that hid his sword. “You're incorrigible,” Tenmaru sighed. “What do you say to this, Aunt?”

 

“Taking it away from the house sounds like a good idea,” she reluctantly admitted. “But, I'm afraid that I might drop it on the way.”

 

“Gimme a minute.” Sha darted into the storeroom.

 

“After what's happened the last few days, I don't think that we should borrow trouble,” Tenmaru opined.

 

Before Kagome could reply, Sha reappeared with a rustling tarp slung over his arm. “Look, I didn't even get in a shot at Naraku last night; you were the one who finished him off,” he growled. Quickly folding the tarp into a carrying sling, he impatiently beckoned to Kagome. “Bring that thing over here; the brat and I can carry it between us.”

 

“You truly think that omission justifies taking a risk like this?” his nephew demanded, uneasily watching the hibachi being packed up.

 

“With both of us right there, what can possibly go wrong?”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Random Household Trivia: Tatami mats are produced from highly-compacted rice straw overlaid with a woven mat of igusa rushes and bound by strips of fabric. They're usually about two inches thick, and the standard size is roughly three feet by six feet. Rooms are sized by how many mats are required to cover the floors; for instance, four-and-a-half mats cover a small square room (roughly eighty square feet) and create a pleasing visual pattern with the light-coloured mats and their dark binding. Larger rooms are sized as six-, eight-, or ten-tatami and each has a pre-set decorative layout to enhance the rooms' aesthetic appeal. Single mats can be pressed into service as sleeping pallets.

 

The rushes absorb moisture in the air, and release it back into the atmosphere when they dry. The mats can smell `swampy' if they are used in a typical tightly-sealed Western house and end up absorbing too much moisture with no way to release it; they are meant for the somewhat draftier Asian home that `breathes', which leads us to…

 

Kotatsu tables are nifty inventions that keep you from freezing in those poorly-insulated Japanese homes, which generally lack central heating (and air conditioning). They are composed of a low table frame that is draped with a thick quilt (or thin futon; take your pick of terminology) which is then covered by a wooden top. Modern kotatsu have an electric heater attached on the underside of the table frame; traditional ones had either a brazier or were arranged over a lined fire pit, which certainly increased the risk of burns. In the summers, the covering quilt/futon is removed.

 

The kotatsu usually has pride of place in the main room and is an efficient method of space heating. People tuck their legs under the quilt to do homework, eat meals, watch television… even slide under it for naps, as in the Fruits Basket manga when Kyo and Yuki are found snoring under the kotatsu by Tohru and Shigure. In the InuYasha manga, there are several scenes showing the Higurashi family gathered around one, including Chpt. 392; on page 12, Grandpa H is depicted reading his newspaper at the skirted kotatsu while Inuyasha runs laps around him.

 

Chpt 392 of IY also shows one of the tall chests of drawers mentioned in this chapter; Mrs. Higurashi has one in her bedroom on page 5, and a similar cabinet is visible in the Tendo home in Ranma ½. The Kamiya house in Rurouni Kenshin is also equipped with one.