InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price ❯ Immunity ( Chapter 19 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

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

A/N: Thank you so very much for your support! This fic placed at the recent 4th Quarter 2009 and went on to win four banners in the Best of the 2009 voting at the IYFG!

Bouquets to my citrus-loving beta, Ranuel.

Warnings: Coarse language and heavy lime content (at end).

The Price

Chapter Nineteen: Immunity

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Third Level, University Parking Garage…

“Aunt… don't….” Tenmaru choked out, crimson bubbling over his lips and dripping down his chin.

“He won't be so cocky... when Father gets his hands on him,” Tsugane wheezed.

Kagome fully faced the fox-youkai. “Do you really think you'll survive an all-out war with the House of the West?”

“With the Shikon-no-Tama in my grasp, I fear nothing... especially not a pack of toothless dogs.”

“Then you're a fool.” Kagome set down her backpack and put her hands in her jacket pockets to disguise their shaking. Her fingers closed around a rounded, rough-textured granite pebble, and her nerves settled. He obviously doesn't know the Jewel is inside me… if I can just get close enough to set off its protective tendencies…. The focus stone was a comforting weight in her hand, and it gave her another idea. A projectile! If it works for arrows, it should also work for stones! Slowly pacing towards Gintouzoku, she mentally gauged the range. If I can distract him, I have a chance! Concentrating on the desire to protect her nephews, she poured the energy flowing through her body down her arm and into her hand where it imbued the volcanic rock with purification power.

“You are an attractive woman,” the fox-youkai observed as she closed the gap. “Perhaps I shall keep you as my pet.”

“My husband wouldn't like that,” she retorted.

He considered that revelation. “A priestess and a youkai? How droll… urk!”

While he was speaking, Kagome pulled her hand out of her pocket and threw the glowing pink stone with all her might. Please hit! The missile struck Gintouzoku in the shoulder and bounced off; she had intended to rush him, in order to put his youki in contact with her aura, but when his concealment spell burned away, Plan B presented itself on a gilded platter.

“Bitch!” Gintouzoku snarled as his shaggy bangs and long braid turned silvery-white, but then his four luxuriant tails, rather large canine ears and piercing yellow eyes were also revealed.

As the Shikon-no-Tama's aura blasted the fox-youkai at point-blank range, Kagome murmured, “May Inari forgive you, because I won't.”

Gintouzoku didn't have time to do more than look incredibly surprised before he disintegrated into a column of ash that held together for a few surreal seconds before cascading to the concrete floor and forming a rapidly-dissipating smoky pool. Kagome watched it wash over her shoes before stooping to retrieve the focus stone. Now what? The guardsmen should've been here already… unless their shift was over and they left! Slipping the piece of granite into her pocket, she squared her shoulders and turned to face the fox-youkai's henchmen.

They were staring at her with expressions that ranged from stunned to bewildered to horrified, until one of the gunmen shouted, “Fucking bitch! How dare you!” Raising his weapon, he aimed it at Kagome's chest and pulled the trigger.

As if in a dream, she saw the puffs of expelled air scribed in swirling dust as the bullets left the muzzle, but in the space between heartbeats, a gleaming silver barrier arrived in front of her. “Bastards!” Sha snarled, the bullets bouncing harmlessly off Tetsusaiga's transformed blade with harsh metallic pings.

The thug emptied both clips, the bullets spraying wildly, shattering windshields and sending chips of cement flying; the volatile stink of gasoline vapours filled the air. “What the hell are you waiting for, idiots?” he snapped at his fellows, who were gaping at the dark-haired man hefting the enormous sword glinting in the parking garage's dim lighting. “Kill them!”

“Not today, fuckers,” Sha hissed and dove at the huddle of humans in a blur of speed. Wielding the Tetsusaiga like a massive baseball bat, he sent the gang tumbling ass-over-teakettle with one mighty swing. Grim-faced guardsmen swarmed out of the woodwork, tackling the humans, disarming them and roughing them up for good measure.

A senior officer approached Kagome and bowed very deeply. “My apologies for not arriving sooner, my lady.”

Buyo's cautionary words regarding the guardsmen's loyalties echoed in her mind. Maybe they were `accidentally on purpose' late because they were hoping to grab the Jewel from Gintouzuko? “Lord Nishiki will not be pleased that his sons were injured due to your tardiness,” she sharply replied with a perfunctory nod as she strode past to check on her nephews.

Tenmaru remained prone, his face pale beneath the red smears and his breathing laboured; his sweater glistened wetly in the fluorescent lights. “Forgot your fire-rat today, huh?” Sha commented, examining the youngest hanyou's injuries with a practiced eye. “Two perforated lungs and torn-up intestines… heart, too?” At Tenmaru's weak nod, he growled deeply, although the pat he bestowed on the wounded man's shoulder was gentle. “How about you, whelp?” he asked Tsugane, who was just as pale as his younger brother but trying harder to hide it.

“My jacket protected me from the worst of it,” the younger hanyou grimaced as he allowed Sha to pull him into a sitting position. “I need a few slugs removed from my back... dammit! They shot me in the ass!” Shifting onto his hip, Tsugane muttered, “Just need a few minutes to recover….”

“Not likely, Ichiko,” Kagome said as she knelt beside him, feeling distinctly queasy as she inspected bloodied bone shards sticking haphazardly out of his tattered jeans. “Your knees are completely blown.”

“Better than scrambled brains,” he managed to cheek.

“I could do bullet removal the usual way,” Sha offered, “but Tenmaru's already lost a ton of blood.”

“Usual way?” Kagome asked, curious despite the tense situation.

“Digging `em out with my claws.” Turning to the hovering officer, Sha commanded, “Load these two up and we'll take `em to the Ajisai Clinic.”

The guardsman looked puzzled. “Why there, my lord?”

“Because it's the closest youkai-friendly medical facility that I can think of. Kagome, you're with me.” Carefully rifling Tenmaru's pockets, he extracted the car keys. “Hang tough, brats.”

“What about these vermin?” the officer asked, pointing at the subdued gang members.

Sha smiled wickedly. “Take `em somewhere remote, explain to `em why pissing off the House of the West isn't a good idea… and make `em walk back to Tokyo.”

The guardsman's answering grin exposed the tips of his fangs. “A jaunt out to Lake Ashinoko might be good for their constitutions.”

“Dump those fucking handguns while you're at it.”

“With pleasure, my lord.”

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Kagome waited until they were a couple of blocks away from the parking garage before she queried, “Where were you today?”

“At an auction,” Sha tersely replied, not looking at her.

“All day?”

“Yeah.”

“With your phone turned off?” He didn't respond. Tightly folding her arms across her chest, Kagome glared out the passenger window and allowed her irritation to simmer. “You might want to talk to the guardsmen when they get back from terrorizing those thugs.”

“Why?”

“They showed up fashionably late, too.”

“Keh.”

They sat in silence for the rest of the trip. Kagome belatedly realized that she needed to calm down because her enlarged aura was sparking against Sha's youki. Glancing at the grim-faced hanyou, she fished in her pocket for the stone. Smiling wryly, she ran her fingers over the curving granite. It certainly did come in handy… just not in the way Miss Buyo or I thought it would! Closing her eyes, she began composing herself. By the time they reached the clinic, she felt much more clear-headed, but still distinctly annoyed with Sha.

At the front gate, she was out of the car before he could object. Pressing the buzzer, she hopped from foot to foot until the security guard appeared. “We have two patients that require emergency medical attention.”

He snapped to attention as he whipped out a radio. “Turn at the corner. Half-way down the block, you'll see a loading bay. Injuries?”

“Bullet wounds!” she shouted over her shoulder as she ran back to the car.

Jumping into the passenger seat, she started to pass on the directions, but Sha muttered, “Heard `em,” so she held her tongue.

When they pulled ahead of the entry ramp to give the following vehicle easier access, she ignored Sha's shout and chased after the van carrying Tsugane and Tenmaru. Charging up the incline, she arrived as the youngest hanyou was loaded onto a stretcher. Tenmaru lay very still, his eyes closed, while Tsugane cracked bad jokes with the orderlies.

“Excuse me, but are you related to these men?” a nurse enquired.

“I'm their aunt,” Kagome replied without a second thought. “I'm also a medical student, so if I can be of any help....”

“We'll keep that in mind,” the professional brusquely replied, consulting her clipboard. “What can you tell me about their injuries?”

“Bullet wounds caused by handguns....”

“Handguns!” The nurse repeated, appalled, then gave Kagome an icy look that took the young woman off-guard. “We are a respectable facility, so I will require approval before your men are admitted.”

“My... men?” she repeated in confusion, then clued in. She thinks we're yakuza! Kagome almost laughed out loud, but instead had an inspiration. Tugging on the collar of her leather jacket, she turned slightly to make sure that the tiny enamelled pin was visible, and felt a small thrill of power when the woman's eyes widened in recognition. “I trust that we now meet your approval?” she couldn't help asking, with a touch of asperity.

“Er, yes, ma'am... the House of the West certainly does,” the nurse flustered. “Gunshot wounds, you said?”

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Kagome had just been gently shooed out of the examining room when Dr. Ueda galloped down the hallway towards her. “My lady! Are you all right?” he demanded.

“Yes, Doctor... but I can't say the same for my nephews.” She quickly brought him up to speed on the recent events as they watched the team tend to Tenmaru and Tsugane; the blinds were quickly closed as Tsugane's jeans were cut off.

“If Lord Tenmaru requires a transfusion, do you happen to know if his elder brother has the same blood type?” Dr. Ueda asked.

“I don't, but Sha might.”

The horse-hanyou suddenly twitched. “I almost forgot... Miss Mifune is in a session with Dr. Sanada! She should know about this... er, shouldn't she?”

“Definitely. Can you show me the way to his office?”

Dr. Ueda instantly beckoned to a nurse. “I will remain here to await Lord Sha.”

“Please tell him where I am? He must be having trouble finding a parking spot.” Several bewildering turns and long corridors later, they arrived in Dr. Sanada's waiting room. As the nurse bowed away, Kagome approached the receptionist. “How much longer until Miss Mifune's session is over?”

“Approximately ten minutes.”

“Could we interrupt it? This is kinda important....”

“It has been a very intense session,” the man demurred, giving her a direct look. “I wouldn't wish to compromise Miss Mifune's healing process.”

“Oh, of course!” Kagome took a seat, but she only had to fidget for a few seconds before the door to the inner office opened, and a red-eyed, damp-cheeked young woman came out with Dr. Sanada in close attendance.

“Mrs. Nishiki?” the psychologist said in some surprise as Kagome bounced to her feet. “I didn't realize that you were scheduled to see me today.”

“I'm not; I'm actually here for Miss Mifune.”

The teen blinked owlishly, as if she didn't recognize Kagome. “Excuse me... do I know you?” she asked, confirming the other woman's suspicion.

“Sota's sister; I'm Kagome.”

“Oh, yes... I'm sorry; I didn't recognize the last name,” Karin apologized, bowing.

“It's okay, Miss Mifune.” She smiled at the younger girl. “I haven't had that name very long.”

“Why were you looking for me?”

“Tsugane and Tenmaru have been wounded; Tenmaru is in rough shape.”

Karin's hand flew up to her mouth. “What happened?”

“They were shot while protecting me,” Kagome admitted.

“I must see them!”

“Dammit, girl... would you quit taking the hell off?” growled a clearly disgruntled voice; Kagome quickly turned around and stepped aside.

“Perfect timing, Sha! You can take Miss Mifune to the boys,” she said brightly as the hanyou's scowl vanished. Ushering the teen towards him, Kagome assured, “My husband will look after you. He's Tenmaru and Tsugane's uncle… do you remember?”

“Mr. Sota's brother-in-law?”

“That's me.” As he took custody of a shaken-looking Karin, Sha threw his wife a sharp look. “You coming?”

Instead of replying, she turned to Dr. Sanada. “Do you have time for a chat right now?”

“Of course, Mrs. Nishiki,” he replied. “Sounds like you've had an interesting afternoon.”

Sha didn't look happy. “Stay put until I come back for you,” he firmly ordered.

“Sure,” she answered readily enough, but her flippant tone earned another dark look.

Karin daringly tugged on Sha's sleeve. “Excuse me... but can we hurry?”

As they disappeared out the door, Dr. Sanada pushed his glasses up his nose and gestured towards the inner office. “I am intrigued, Mrs. Nishiki... shall we?” As they seated themselves, he steepled his long fingers and studied her carefully. “First of all... what happened that brought about this unscheduled visit?”

The young woman sighed heavily and slumped in her seat. “We were attacked by a gang of humans led by a kitsune; they wanted the Jewel, of course.”

“Tenmaru and Tsugane are...?”

“Lord Nishiki's two sons; my nephews by marriage.” Kagome shifted in her seat. “Miss Mifune is the reincarnation of their mother.”

Dr. Sanada's eyebrows climbed towards his hairline as he processed the information. “Interesting family you've joined.”

“I really hate it when they're hurt because of me... and it'll never end so long as I'm the Shikon miko.” She studied her hands, folded loosely in her lap.

He shook his head, a mix of sympathy and admiration in his expression. “This guilt that you carry only increases with each encounter; our work is cut out for us.”

“I killed someone today... and for the first time since all of this started, I'm not upset about it.” Kagome looked up. “Is something wrong with me? Am I becoming jaded?”

“What was your reason for ending this person's life?”

“He hurt the boys, our backup didn't arrive in time, there were guns involved... I didn't feel like I had a choice except to go on the offensive. I didn't really plan to kill him... maybe just crisp him a little.” Rubbing the back of her neck, she added, “It isn't like I had any control over the Jewel's reaction; as soon as his concealment spell disappeared, it went for him.”

“Silver-haired?”

“Yellow-eyed, to boot. He didn't stand a chance.”

Pursing his lips, Dr. Sanada said, “I have to admit that I don't quite understand how an inanimate object can develop preferences for looks.”

“It's complicated.”

“Of that, I have no doubt.”

Kagome rolled her shoulders and gave him a simplified version of how the Lady Kikyo's final conscious memories were affecting the Shikon-no-Tama's reactions to certain physical attributes. The psychologist rubbed his chin as he considered her wan expression. “One thing is for certain; there will be no `quick fixes' to this situation.” When she nodded miserably in agreement, he handed her a tissue. “You were defending yourself... and protecting others... when this acquisitive kitsune died at your hands,” Dr. Sanada stated matter-of-factly.

“Yes, but... I'd like to have more offensive and defensive control over this power inside me. That's why I'm hoping meditation will help, unless I can figure out the `right wish',” she said, dabbing at her eyes.

“Pardon?”

“I kinda `went inside' the Jewel at one point during my confrontation with Naraku and spoke to Lady Midoriko and Lady Kikyo,” Kagome confessed.

He leaned forward, his gaze riveted on her face. “Fascinating. A defensive out-of-body experience?”

“Probably. There were tentacles involved.”

“Tentacles?” he repeated, his horror plainly evident and then his brow furrowed. “I don't intend to compromise doctor-patient confidentiality, but is this the same youkai who abused Miss Mifune?”

“Yes,” Kagome replied shortly, then continued, “Just before I was `kicked out' of the Jewel, I heard a voice saying, `The right wish will set us free', so I'm trying to find out what that might be.”

“You plan to wish away the Jewel?”

“Yes.”

“How will its absence affect your perception of yourself as the Shikon miko?” Dr. Sanada wanted to know.

“Since I just found out two and a half weeks ago that I'm the Shikon miko, not very much,” Kagome replied. “If I'm stuck with it for years, then my answer will obviously be different.”

“May I ask how you define yourself?”

“As a doctor,” she promptly answered. “I want to heal those that are suffering.”

He chuckled. “I approve of this ambition.” Tapping his fingers on the desktop, he asked, “What do you hope to accomplish with meditation?”

“It might sound silly, but I want to talk to Lady Kikyo, to see if I can explain to her that it wasn't Sha who killed her. Maybe then the Jewel will settle down and I can use its power to help... like when I exorcised Naraku's shouki from Miss Buyo's wounds.”

Dr. Sanada perked up. “You can purify injuries caused by contact with youkai energy?”

“It's the one thing I can do... most likely only on a human patient, though, since I can't get too close to anyone with youkai blood right now.”

Giving the young woman a considering look, he was about to say something when someone knocked loudly on the door. “Enter,” Dr. Sanada called, and Sha stuck his head inside.

“We're taking the brats home,” the hanyou said without preamble.

Kagome stood up and bowed, but Dr. Sanada detained her for a moment longer. “For Monday's session, come prepared to put Naraku to rest… permanently.” At her surprised expression, he said, “We have to try extreme measures.” Glancing at Sha, he added, “I believe that the Lady Kikyo's memories will not be pacified until Naraku's stolen visage is stripped away and she sees her true enemy.”

The hanyou curtly nodded, and almost as an afterthought, said to his wife, “You should talk to the cat, too. She knows what happened before I was sealed… when Naraku was still a human bandit called Onigumo.”

“How can a human become a youkai?” Dr. Sanada asked, considerably surprised.

“Invite evil youkai to possess your dark, twisted soul,” Sha impatiently replied. “C'mon, Kagome.”

“I'll see you on Monday,” she said, making a point of being polite to offset Sha's abruptness, and followed her husband out of the office. She deliberately remained a couple of steps behind as they traversed the corridors back to where they had left Tsugane and Tenmaru, still feeling disgruntled with Sha's attitude. A raised voice… feminine and sharp-edged… caught her attention as they approached.

“I am sorry that you feel that way, Uncle, but this is my decision. I will keep you informed.” Karin Mifune looked up as she put away her cell phone. “I am ready, Mr. Nishiki.”

“Doesn't sound like your people are very happy,” Sha commented and she looked startled, until he tapped his spell-created ear. “I couldn't help overhearing.”

“Ah.”

The dark-haired hanyou gave her a considering look. “Are you sure you want to get involved with this situation?”

Karin drew herself up to her full height, which was still at least an inch shy of Sha's chin, and staunchly replied, “Absolutely.”

“Are the brats ready to go, Doc?”

Dr. Ueda swiped his forelock out of the way as he consulted a clipboard. “Lord Tsugane is fine, if a little tender in some areas, but Lord Tenmaru's condition is considered serious. The specialist doesn't recommend that he be moved for several hours.”

“I think you can understand the potential threat to your clinic if opponents learned that the heirs of the House of the West were down for the count.”

The horse-hanyou nodded as he handed over a card printed with telephone numbers. “Please don't hesitate to call if either of them need further treatment.”

“I doubt an herbal potion can fix busted lungs,” Sha dryly observed, but Kagome flinched at his apparent brush-off of the doctor.

“Thank you, Dr. Ueda,” she said graciously. “I'll let you know if anything is required.”

Their exit began; Tsugane was lying on his stomach, but he managed a jaunty `thumbs-up' as he was wheeled past on a stretcher and loaded into the back of the van. Tenmaru followed on another stretcher; there was a pause while Tsugane's conveyance was locked into place and Karin impulsively took advantage of it. Stepping forward, she took hold of the youngest hanyou's limp hand and waited until he opened his eyes. “You're going to be fine,” she murmured, smiling quietly. He managed to squeeze her fingers once before the orderlies muttered apologies and pushed him through the doors to the waiting van.

“Where's your driver, Miss Mifune?” Sha asked.

“I've already sent him home,” she answered.

Sha arched his dark brows, but chose not to comment on her assertiveness. “Fine; you can ride with us.”

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Sesshiro was awaiting their arrival in the outer courtyard, his loosely-tied black hair whipping around his tall, pale-robed frame. He exchanged low words with Tsugane and lightly touched Tenmaru's brow, then directed the guardsmen acting as stretcher-bearers through the gates. As she exited the car, Kagome could hear Mrs. Nishino alternately chiding the pair of wounded hanyou and hustling the troopers along the gravel path to the main house.

Karin gathered her school bag and squeezed out of the back seat. Slipping past Kagome, she marched across the courtyard towards Sesshiro. “Lord Nishiki?”

The taiyoukai gazed down at the petite young woman, his face as impassive as ever, but Kagome easily detected the calming of his youki before he spoke. “Yes, Miss Mifune?”

The determined set of her shoulders didn't waver. “May I stay with your sons?” she asked.

“Do as you please,” Sesshiro answered.

“It's amazing,” Sha remarked as his brother followed the young woman through the gate. “One whiff of his mate's scent, and Sess calms right down.”

Kagome shot him a look. “Doesn't seem to be working for you right now.”

“Works both ways.”

“What?”

Sha shrugged. “You're not exactly thrilled with me right now, are you?”

Anger blazed through Kagome and she barely resisted the urge to slam her bag into the ground. Only the memory that her new laptop was inside stopped her from physically expressing her frustration. “Where the hell were you today?” she demanded.

Sha blinked at her use of profanity even as he took several steps away from her surging aura. “I couldn't help it,” he growled. “Things were out of my fucking control.”

“Oh, really? Your client wouldn't let you use your cell phone, much less turn it on?” Kagome asked, her tone dripping sarcasm.

“Fuck. Okay… I should've called,” he unwillingly muttered.

“So… why didn't you?”

“Because I was fucking pissed off, dammit!”

“About what? I haven't even seen you since breakfast!”

The hanyou abruptly found the gravel highly interesting. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? Then why…?” A sneaking suspicion caused a frown. “You've been angry since last night,” she flatly accused. “Ever since I hugged Tsugane.”

He defiantly curled his lip. “Yeah… so what?”

“So what?” Her voice rose, and his invisible ears flattened. “If you hadn't decided to be a jerk about it, maybe the boys wouldn't have been hurt!”

“I know,” Sha snarled. “Don't I get any props for saving your life?”

They glared at each other for a long moment. “Thanks,” Kagome finally forced out.

“Have you two finished scandalizing the neighbourhood?” Sesshiro rumbled. “Sister, your aura is like a signal flare; kindly cease advertising your position. I would not care to face another attack this night.”

“Yes, Elder Brother,” she meekly replied, following up her verbal docility with action in the form of on-the-spot breathing exercises that brought the pink flames back down to a simmer. Picking up her bag and slinging it onto her shoulder, Kagome strode across the courtyard without a backwards glance. Sesshiro stood aside to let her pass, then fixed his suddenly-yellow gaze on Sha. “I assume that you have a good reason for remaining incommunicado today?”

Sha shuffled his feet before finally admitting, “No.”

“Is your wife correct as to what has caused your fit of pique?”

“Keh.”

“You wilfully endangered your wife… and my sons… due to a wounded ego.” The taiyoukai's tone was downright glacial. After a chilling pause, Sesshiro continued, “I trust that this situation will not be repeated.” Turning on his heel, he stalked through the gate.

Raking his claws through his hair, Sha muttered a string of curses before retrieving Tetsusaiga and following at a slower pace. He was half-way along the path when he realized that Kagome's aura was glowing behind the window screens of Wisteria House. What the hell is she doing? Fuelled by petulant anger, he crossed the garden in two jumps and landed on the veranda. Yanking open the entry door, he stomped into the foyer.

Kagome looked up from where she was unloading the contents of her backpack onto the kotatsu. “Yes?” she asked coolly enough, but the spiritual energy snapping around her body gave away her true feelings.

“Why are you here?”

“I live here,” she retorted, tossing the empty backpack aside.

Sha bit his tongue rather than voicing a snippy response and tried again. “Why aren't you fussing over the brats?”

The young woman gave him a scathing look that clearly stated he was an idiot as she gestured to the power rippling around her slender frame. “I need to cool off, and I'm finding your presence rather infuriating. Go hang out in the main house for a while.” Turning her back on him, she headed into the kitchen.

Sha hesitated, then swore violently before storming back out, the windows rattling from the force of the door slamming shut.

Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð–

“May I bring you a cup of tea, my lady?” Mrs. Nishino asked, giving Tenmaru's quilt an unnecessary straightening.

Karin nodded, absorbed in a miniature portrait painted on an ivory panel. It depicted a woman in her late twenties, robed like a princess with a jewelled comb in her long black hair. Her face was lovely, but her expression was wary, as if she wasn't quite sure of the viewer's intentions. The housekeeper fidgeted, but had no real reason to either stay or comment, so bowed out of the room. When the fusuma closed, leaving them in privacy, Karin gave the picture one final look before kneeling beside Tenmaru's futon. When the injured hanyou opened his eyes and smiled weakly, she blurted out, “I'm not your mother.”

“I know,” he murmured. “But you look like her, smile like her... smell like her... and your presence makes the discomfort bearable.” Tenmaru's eyes slid closed again and he sighed deeply.

Karin sat still for a long moment, studying the young man's pain-tightened features. Making a decision, she scooted closer and clasped Tenmaru's hand. Tenderly stroking his bangs away from his sweaty forehead, she waited until his eyelids fluttered open before whispering, “Then I will stay with you for a while.”

“Thank you, Miss Mifune.”

When Sesshiro entered the room not long after, bearing a lidded cup on a small teak saucer, the scene made him pause just inside the doorway. He watched Karin soothing his wounded son; she caught his gentle expression when she glanced over her shoulder. “Lord Nishiki.”

Inclining his head, he crossed the room and offered her the cup. Reluctantly ceasing her attentions to Tenmaru, who had fallen asleep, she accepted the steaming drink. Removing the lid, she sniffed appreciatively at the fragrant brew while Sesshiro seated himself a respectable distance away on the tatami. After several minutes of companionable silence, Karin set down the cup and returned to feathering her fingers through Tenmaru's spiky bangs. The taiyoukai was content to watch her, filling his nose with her scent and revelling in her presence.

“How long will he suffer?” she asked.

“Your presence is calming his youki and allowing it to focus on healing his injuries.”

“And your other son?”

“Well enough to challenge his uncle to some video game or other.”

“What about Miss Higur-, er, Mrs. Nishiki?”

“Her spiritual power is unstable and she did not wish to endanger anyone; I expect that she will join us for dinner.”

Karin studied Tenmaru's delicate features. “May I see him without his concealment?”

“I doubt he will object.” Sesshiro shifted closer, reaching for his son's wristwatch. His sleeve brushed over Karin's hand; curious, she caught a fold of the rich cloth between her fingertips and wondered at the oddly insubstantial quality despite its solid appearance. It's almost as if it is woven of mist, but that's impossible... isn't it? Tenmaru stirred as his father skilfully unbuckled the leather strap; as the hanyou's hair turned from glossy black to gleaming silver, Karin returned to caressing the soft strands. He emitted a small, grumbling growl, turning his head to nuzzle into her palm.

Karin giggled softly as she petted Tenmaru's cheek. “He really is just a big puppy, like Miss Hig-, er, Mrs. Nishiki said.” Admiring the pale blue crescent moon adorning the hanyou's forehead, her gaze couldn't help straying to Sesshiro. The taiyoukai reached into his robes and withdrew a small object on a knotted blue silk cord. Offering it to Karin, he dropped it into her open hand. Intrigued, she held up the ivory netsuke to better inspect the mischievous-looking, curly-tailed dog, down on its forepaws, tongue lolling, its head canted upwards as if asking for a ball to be thrown. As she did so, Sesshiro's colouring altered to match that of his son.

The young woman inspected him with frank curiosity before glancing down at Tenmaru and back up again. “You could be his brother, instead of his father. How is that possible?”

“Youkai age very slowly in comparison to humans.”

Her brow furrowed. “So you're actually even older than I thought.”

“By several centuries,” he allowed.

“Why do you take the appearance of an old man, anyways?”

A graceful eyebrow arched. “Forty-five is hardly an `old man', Miss Mifune. I must convincingly pass as the father of my adult sons, who do not alter their spells to appear younger than they are.”

“Oh! So they could make themselves look like little kids?”

“In theory, but in practice it would be difficult to remember to sound and behave like a child that is much smaller in stature.”

“Yes, I can see that might be tricky,” she agreed, rubbing her thumb over the netsuke's smoothly-polished back. “What is it like, to live so long and see so much?”

“Without the presence of family, it would be very lonely.”

Karin met his yellow gaze for a long moment, then took him off-guard. Looping the netsuke's cord over her finger, she boldly reached for him. Cradling Sesshiro's large hand in her much smaller one, she closely inspected the long, dangerous claws tipping his slender fingers. Impulsively touching the tip of one, Karin discovered that it was indeed as sharp as it looked, and quickly popped her bleeding digit into her mouth while he made concerned noises.

He isn't human... he's dangerous... but I somehow know he'd never harm me. “I should be terrified of what you are and what you could do to me,” she slowly said, “but I'm not. Oddly enough, not being afraid is what's freaking me out.”

His hand, that pale, elegant, deadly expression of his otherness, moved to clasp hers with the netsuke trapped between their palms. “You never were afraid, not even the first time we met.”

“You're not talking about Oshima Island, are you?”

A thumb swept over her knuckles. “You were much younger than you are now; a mere child who fearlessly approached a wounded youkai and offered him water.”

She stared at him in frank disbelief. “You? Injured? No way!”

Sesshiro shrugged. “It was a foolish quarrel.”

“So... that's when we met? Why did you take an interest in a little kid?” She suddenly looked suspicious, and the taiyoukai barely suppressed a smile.

“My intentions were honourable, I assure you,” he answered. “Humans and dog-youkai have a long history of interaction.”

“In other words, I was a stray that you picked up,” Karin snorted. “Did you do that often?”

“You were the first and the last.”

“But how... um, when did you decide that I, er, she was the one you wanted? You must have had plenty of princesses to choose from, being the Lord of the West and all.”

Yellow eyes took on a far-away look. “It was the summer before your coming-of-age. I found you by the pond, teasing the carp with a bamboo frond... your sleeves dripping wet from picking the waterlily in your hair... and I just knew.”

“Just like that?”

“Don't be so sceptical, Miss Mifune,” he gently chided. “My lady mother took one look at me, threw up her hands and set about educating you to be my consort.”

“How did she know?”

“Apparently my lord father had much the same expression when he met my brother's mother.”

“Oh, er, um... huh?”

“My lady mother is not my lord father's soul-mate; it happens,” Sesshiro sighed. “However, she recognized my reaction to you as being the same as my lord father's to the Lady Izayoi, and so took action.”

“Did I have any choice in the matter?” Karin demanded, unconsciously slipping back into first person.

A fang peeked out of his wry grin. “You have always been notably opinionated; if you had not wished to be my bride, you would have made your objections known.”

Karin abruptly realized that throughout the discussion, she had been unconsciously moving closer and closer to Sesshiro, until she was practically in his lap. When she tried to put more socially appropriate distance between them, she was stopped by a firm grip on her fingers.

“Please stay,” he murmured.

Flustered, she apologized, “I'm so sorry; I wasn't paying attention....” His intense gaze made her throat go dry and she hastily shut her mouth.

“It is natural to reach for the other half of one's soul.”

“Y-you r-really believe that?”

“Absolutely.” As he raised her hand to his lips, there was a gagging sound from the futon.

“Get a room, you two... preferably someone else's,” Tenmaru feebly smirked.

Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð–

Western House, Saturday morning...

Kagome had just accepted a cup of tea from Mrs. Nishino when she nearly dumped it all over the silken quilt covering her lap as Tsugane lurched into the main room, his arm slung around Karin's slender shoulders. The young woman was wearing a brightly-hued yukata that was in danger of unwrapping itself with every step because what appeared to be a netsuke putting strain on the carelessly-knotted sash; Sha bounced upright and assisted the two of them, but Tsugane reserved his smile for Karin as he was awkwardly lowered onto a cushion.

The young woman teasingly ruffled his messy bangs before bowing to Sha and greeting Kagome, then dashing out of the room again, fixing her clothing on the fly. Kagome heard a cheerful conversation in the kitchen and was still blinking in confusion when the staff began serving breakfast.

“Did Miss Mifune stay over last night?” she finally asked, not quite sure what to think. One drawback of not being on speaking terms with Sha; he didn't make breakfast for me this morning, either. She glanced at her hanyou, but he was engaged in a conversation with Tsugane and showed every sign of staying on that side of the table.

“Yes, she did,” the housekeeper practically beamed. “It's so wonderful to have my lady back! Young, bright and lively... I predict she'll keep his lordship hopping!” When she noticed Kagome's stunned expression, she laughed merrily. “In a separate suite, of course!”

“I see you were busy in the clothing storage this morning, Mrs. Nishino,” Sesshiro rumbled from the doorway. While the woman looked abashed, the taiyoukai cracked a small smile as he took his seat. “That shade of golden peach was ever your favourite for my wife.”

“Will she stay, my lord?”

“That is entirely dependent upon the outcome of the conversation with her guardians this afternoon. Miss Karin shows every sign of being as stubborn as she ever was once she makes up her mind.”

Sha glanced around. “Where is she, anyways?”

“Coaxing Lord Tenmaru into eating,” Mrs. Nishino said proudly, scooping rice into a bowl and handing it to Sesshiro. “She's taken to her maternal role with gusto!”

Kagome put down her tea and plaintively asked, “Will somebody please tell me what's going on?”

“Miss Karin and I had a long conversation last night,” the taiyoukai answered. “She has decided to spend more time at Western House.”

“You mean, she's going to move here? Just like that?”

“As I mentioned, much depends on the discussion. Miss Karin turns twenty a week today, and will legally be in charge of her own affairs. Her guardians are naturally somewhat perturbed by recent events.”

“No doubt,” Kagome muttered. “It must be nice to have had a choice.” Abruptly realizing what she'd just said, she quickly added, “I'm very happy for you, Elder Brother.” Keeping her head down, she didn't see the shocked looks exchanged by her audience.

Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð–

Wisteria House, Saturday evening…

“Knock, knock!”

“Come in… oh, hello, Ichiko,” Kagome answered, surprised to see Tsugane in her foyer, and even more surprised when he limped into the main room carrying an armload of paperwork and his laptop. “What's up?”

“Taking a breather from Hurricane Karin,” he cheerfully replied, plopping down at the kotatsu.

“She's very, um, energetic.”

“Go ahead and say it… she's like a new puppy,” the hanyou grinned. “You can't take your eyes off her for a second because she's into everything, but at least she hasn't peed on the tatami.”

The young woman snorted. “That's your lady mother you're talking about.”

“Yep.” His grin became positively mischievous. “I'm seriously liking the way she's knocking Father sideways!”

“I thought that one eyebrow had become permanently stuck to his hairline by dinner time.”

Tsugane cackled gleefully. “That's what I'm talkin' about! He needs someone who'll shake him up and make him take a fresh look at life.”

“He appears to have found it… in spades.” Watching him set up his laptop and organize the stack of papers, Kagome asked, “Are you actually going to do some homework?”

“Those term-end exams aren't gonna write themselves… and neither is this paper on the human excretory system.”

“This isn't like you on a Saturday night,” she observed.

“Knees are still too messed up to take anyone dancing… and Uncle didn't wanna lose to me again. He really sucks at gaming unless it's first-person shooter.”

“Um, do you know where Sha is?”

“Hiding in the office with Father and playing Go, under the pretence of having a business meeting.”

Kagome giggled and turned back to her own homework, but soon found herself thinking of far more attractive things than faeces and sweat glands, such as the tumultuous events of the afternoon. The entire fortress had been marshalled to make the best impression possible on Miss Mifune's guardians; she'd nearly tripped over a gardener down on his hands and knees hand-snipping the small tufts of ornamental grasses bordering the path when hurrying to answer Mrs. Nishino's summons. The main house was in a controlled frenzy of preparation when she arrived, but she was instantly swept up by the housekeeper and carried off to an impromptu dressing room.

A half-dozen elegant kimono, in a range of spring-time hues and patterns, were displayed on stands with the matching obi and accessories arranged in boxes on the floor. She was handed over to a pair of good-natured servants who then spent an hour turning her into the very image of an aristocratic lady. I was almost afraid to wear that kimono; I still can't believe that the plum blossoms were embroidered with real silver thread! Subtly jewelled combs held back her hair, the floral crest appearing in so many places on her person that she lost count.

The chorus of masculine approval when she'd shuffled into the main room had definitely been gratifying, Tenmaru and Tsugane's wolf whistles making her blush. Sha hadn't said anything, but his admiring look spoke volumes. He was so handsome in his black outfit. Mrs. Nishino had fussed over the arrangement of the trailing obi when she was seated beside Sha. “A truly lovely hostess,” the housekeeper smiled before disappearing again.

“Hostess…?” Kagome asked nervously.

Sesshiro waved his hand. “The servants will take care of everything protocol-related; all you have to do is make small talk.”

She blew out her lightly-powdered cheeks. “I think I can do that.”

As it turned out, Kagome hadn't had to say much of anything. Karin's aunt and uncle arrived promptly at two o'clock; they'd barely had a chance to exchange pleasantries and be seated when the teenager at the centre of the discussion had glided into the room, robed like an empress and accompanied by two young girls who acted as handmaidens and kimono-wranglers. Kagome knew she was gaping, but after a quick glance around the assembled guests, discovered that she wasn't alone.

Karin cheekily winked at her on the way to seating herself next to Sesshiro in a flurry of silk. Once her trailing sleeves were arranged by her attendants, she'd bowed to her guardians and then snapped open a fan as if she'd been doing it her entire life. There really wasn't much to say after that! The aunt and uncle appeared to realize that any hope they had of retaining control over the teen or her inheritance had evaporated, and gave in with reasonably good grace. A formal betrothal was discussed, but not concluded; because of that, tea was served along with the dainties, even though it was obvious that Karin wouldn't be returning home any time soon.

The tangible results of the meeting appeared just before dinner, in the form of a truck-load of boxes filled with Karin's belongings. Sesshiro appeared to be alternately amused and bemused by the chattering whirlwind who had taken up residence in his house as she set about turning the suite she'd claimed into a personal nest decorated by a bevy of J-pop posters.

“Miss Karin's definitely going to liven up the place,” Kagome said out loud, sighing gustily.

Tsugane smirked. “Should I warn you that she's really looking forward to group homework sessions?”

Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð–

Ajisai Clinic, Monday afternoon...

“Okay... I think I'm ready,” Kagome muttered, checking the notes from her conversation with Buyo one last time. “This Onigumo was a real treat.”

“All that was left of the bastard was his human heart,” Sha reminded her, fidgeting with the Tetsusaiga's case. The air between them was still strained despite being called into Sesshiro's office on Sunday morning like a pair of truant children and apologizing to each other, but Kagome continued to keep both her counsel and her distance. Being in the dog house sucks big, scaly dragon balls… and so does sleeping in a separate room.

Yesterday, they'd visited the shrine with Karin in tow. The young woman had closeted herself with Sota and Mrs. Higurashi to ask their opinions on her decision, while Kagome had disappeared with Buyo, leaving Sha with Genma. The excellent plum wine Yayoi had served allowed the two men to be fairly pleasant to each other and Sha thought he just might have impressed Genma with his knowledgeable discourse on the revolutionary tactics used by Oda Nobunaga's musketeers at the battle of Nagashino. Eye-witness experience finally comes in handy. The residue of the potent alcohol in his system later fuelled his clumsy attempt to make up with Kagome, once Karin had been escorted back to Sesshiro. His wife had listened quietly, her expressive grey eyes dark and thoughtful, nodded in the right places, but remained aloof. She'd probably be pissed if I told her that she looks so much like Kikyo right now that it's fucking unnerving.

Watching her shuffle papers into her backpack, Sha pondered Kagome's stated reasons that morning for skipping classes, which were heavy on the decision being her `choice'. If she's seriously considering withdrawing from school just to take the pressure off her guards, then I can't keep my promise to her gramps that she'll continue her education!

Dr. Sanada beckoned; Kagome stood up without sparing Sha a glance and followed the doctor into the inner office. She made a point of firmly closing the door instead of allowing the hanyou to eavesdrop, and the psychologist noticed. “Is something wrong, Mrs. Nishiki?”

She waved off his concern as she took a seat. “Minor stuff.”

He inspected her over the rim of his glasses before pushing them up his nose. “How are your nephews?”

“Much better, thank you. Um, can we get on with this...?”

“Very well.”

He briefly explained his proposed course of action; Kagome listened carefully before smiling ruefully. “Is your secretary fully human as well?” she asked.

“No... he has a stag-youkai somewhere way back in his family tree.”

“Better send him on a break; I don't know if the door will contain my spiritual power if my visualizations become a little too intense.”

Dr. Sanada tilted his head. “Shall I warn your husband as well?”

“Sure... but he won't be happy about it.”

The sandy-haired doctor did as she suggested, and once both Sha and the receptionist were cooling their heels in the hallway, he closed both doors. The black-haired hanyou was predictably unimpressed with the situation, but agreed that it was safer for all concerned. “You sure you're one hundred percent human?” he asked Sanada.

“I am fairly certain of it. I have so far been unable to see this infamous killer aura of hers.”

“Count yourself lucky.”

If Dr. Sanada took longer than usual in coaching her through the relaxation exercises, his patient didn't appear to notice the extra time he was giving her to calm down. Kagome breathed deep, the tension leaving her body as she rolled the volcanic stone between her fingers. If I can keep my wits, I should be able to do this. His voice remained distinct against the background buzz, a soothing thread to hang onto as she carefully visualized those horrifying minutes when she was naked and helpless in Naraku's clutches.

She thought she was prepared for it, but the thundering maelstrom of negative emotions that slammed through her psyche left her panicking and her heart racing from the adrenaline, but she fought back with every fibre of her being. No! I have to succeed, or I'll never have a chance at an ordinary life! Struggling to control her focus, Kagome clung to the arm of the chair with one hand and gripped the stone so tightly in the other that her nails started to chip as she broke out in a cold sweat. The brightly-painted office disappeared from her vision, replaced by swirling, suffocating darkness.

Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð–

Out in the hallway, Sha's youki prickled in warning just before the walls and floor began vibrating. Holy gods! Letting out a yell, he grabbed the receptionist and raced down the shaking corridor, trying to put as much distance between them and the office door as possible.

“Mr. Nishiki? Wh-what are you…?” the man gasped, rather flummoxed by his current position slung over Sha's shoulder.

“Not taking any chances! When Kagome's spiritual power goes off, there's no telling what might happen!”

Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð–

The blackness surrounding her coalesced into the red-eyed, fanged, silver-haired face that haunted her nightmares, writhing tentacles enclosing her in an undulating cage. Closing her eyes to shut out the image, Kagome realized that she wasn't in any pain, and the wriggling appendages weren't touching her. Okay; it can't hurt me. Now to convince the Jewel of that. Inhaling deeply, she concentrated on the rough texture of the granite in her hand and when she was ready, she opened her eyes to face Kikyo's fears.

Staring defiantly at the nightmarish countenance, Kagome began peeling away Naraku's borrowed dog-hanyou features. The silver hair slowly turned black and became ropy while the canine ears slid down the sides of the apparition's head to become smaller and more rounded. Resistance rose inside her, the Jewel stubbornly refusing to let go of the negative energy created by the image. Is that what it wants? Fear and anger? Puzzled, Kagome closed her eyes in order to consider this development without distraction. It must be the demons inside the Jewel that are feeding off the darker emotions; surely Lady Kikyo can understand that she isn't helping either herself or Lady Midoriko...?

Even more determined, she opened her eyes and set about stripping away the final vestiges of Sha's appearance from the threatening visage, leaving her with the empty eyes and bony, arachnid features of Naraku's final form. She studied the skeletal face while her heart rate slowed and the sweat dried as the tension in her body relaxed. Did it work? The image of the dead hanyou slowly disappeared into bright white light of the same intensity as just before her consciousness was ejected from the Jewel. I wasn't expecting this to also be on the day's agenda!

Steeling herself for what could be a difficult confrontation, Kagome organized her thoughts. Lady Kikyo... can you hear me? There was no immediate response, but she soldiered on. Do you remember the injured bandit that you nursed in the cave just before you, er, died? Onigumo? A credible witness told me that he gave up his body to youkai the night before your death and gained a new form that could shape-shift. He deliberately took on Sha, um, Inuyasha's appearance that morning so that you would believe you had been betrayed by your love.

Despite the discouraging lack of reaction from her long-deceased predecessor, Kagome didn't falter. Onigumo also pretended to be you in order to provoke Inuyasha into attacking the village, with the intention of corrupting the Jewel even further before he seized it. What I'm trying to say is, Inuyasha didn't betray you; he loved you. Waiting patiently, feeling much calmer than she had in a couple of weeks, Kagome tried again to visualize the interior landscape of the Jewel. However, instead of the churning, dimly-lit battlefield of demonic body parts, she found herself in a breeze-rippled, flower-strewn meadow.

A seated figure dressed in white and red appeared, conversing with a second person. Drawing closer, Kagome saw that it was a youthful-looking Sha, wearing the brilliant scarlet robes she'd last seen on Mount Mihara. He was crouched about a bow's length away from Kikyo, his handsome features arranged in a familiar scowl. As he stood up, the priestess tucked loose strands behind her ear and smiled softly up at the hanyou; Kagome watched Sha's fierce expression melt away, his velvety ears drooping as his golden eyes widened. His answering smile was hesitant but genuine before he leapt away, the embodiment of fluid grace and restrained power. He really is something special.

Both women watched the hanyou disappear into the bright haze, and then Kikyo unexpectedly made eye contact with Kagome. `Thank you for telling me of Onigumo's devilry... in my heart, I never truly believed that Inuyasha betrayed our love,' she murmured, relief evident on her lovely face.

“That's why you sealed him instead of purifying him, right?”

Kikyo nodded, then her expression changed, becoming quietly resigned. `Unless you can cut the Jewel's ties to the world of the living, the Shikon miko can never be an ordinary woman.'

“Do you have any idea what the `right wish' might be?”

`I cannot say,' Kikyo replied, and Kagome felt her genuine regret at having to give that answer. `The correct wish will change not only the Jewel's destiny, but the Shikon miko's as well. We are counting on you to end this cycle.' The white veil encroached, blurring the priestess' image until there was only blinding incandescence, which slowly faded to the ordinary darkness inside her eyelids. Whew! That wasn't so bad!

Kagome nearly jumped out of her seat a moment after that because Sha's intense violet eyes were only inches away from hers. “Eep! Don't do that! Are you trying to become a crispy critter?” she gasped, fighting to still her suddenly-pounding heart. His delighted grin confused her, to say the least.

“Your aura isn't reacting,” he gleefully informed her. “After the explosion a few minutes ago, I figured we were completely screwed for being in the same building from now on, but look at yourself!”

“Huh?” Kagome obediently looked herself over and instantly noticed the change. Only her hands still glimmered with spiritual power, as if she had rubbed her skin with a shimmering lotion. Pushing up the sleeves of her sweater, she confirmed that the deadly aura no longer extended through her clothing. As hope began surging through her, Sha beckoned forward the receptionist.

“Your levels of youki are ridiculously low, so let's see how close you can get.”

Kagome defensively leaned back. “I don't think that's a good idea!”

The blond man smiled reassuringly. “Mr. Nishiki has informed me of your difficulties to date, ma'am. I would be honoured to be a `test subject'.”

“Are you sure? It could be really, really, really painful if the Jewel objects!”

“My blood is about ninety-eight percent human... apparently my youki is so weak as to be non-existent... so I doubt there will be much pain involved.” After squinting carefully to check his lack of aura for herself, Kagome held out her hand. He tapped her palm with his fingertips, and when nothing happened, they briefly clasped hands. “I can feel a very slight tingling, like there's a tiny bug skittering across my skin,” he said. “Very interesting!”

“This is great!” she enthused after making sure the Jewel hadn't left burn marks. When Sha eagerly stepped forward, though, she demurred. “I think we should maybe find a volunteer with less youkai blood than you, but more than this gentleman.”

“Dr. Ueda may be game,” Dr. Sanada said. “He is one-eighth youkai, I believe.”

“I'll call his office,” the receptionist offered, and within a minute or two, the horse-hanyou trotted into the room.

“I didn't realize that you were a personification of Nai-no-Kami as well as the Shikon miko, Mrs. Nishiki,” Bakumon joked. At Kagome's blank look, he glanced at the other occupants of the room before explaining, “The blast of spiritual power you released earlier shook the entire building.”

“Oh! I'm, er, sorry about that,” she said sheepishly. “It must have been when I confronted my memory of Naraku.”

“No harm done.” He critically inspected her appearance. “Your aura has noticeably retracted, so I willingly offer myself as a test subject.”

“So I might harm you,” Kagome mumbled unhappily.

“The Shikon-no-Tama may object, but perhaps your level of control is better?”

“That's debateable.”

“I shall be prepared to flee.” Dr. Ueda held out his large hand, palm up, and Kagome reluctantly stretched out her fingers, prepared to snatch them back at the slightest negative response. I feel surprisingly peaceful... like a weight has lifted. Maybe this is the effect of talking to Lady Kikyo? Brushing against his palm, she waited for the tell-tale flare of his youki coming into contact with her spiritual power, but again, nothing damaging happened. Cautiously resting her hand on his, she could barely contain her elation when the Jewel remained quiescent. Bakumon scratched his ear. “I felt only a mild tingle. We should try again... but this time without my concealment spell, which suppresses my youki to a certain extent.”

He removed his name tag, and Kagome found herself looking at a chestnut-skinned man with a white blaze down the centre of his long face, highly-set pointed ears and a wild mane of black and white hair, now outlined by a vivid spring green aura. The liquid brown eyes were the same, however, and they twinkled merrily at her stunned reaction. “I expect that your children's colouring will take after Lord Sha, since his father, like my great-grandfather, was a taiyoukai of his kind,” Dr. Ueda cheekily observed.

Kagome blinked at Sha's goofy grin, then blushed furiously. “I, er, hadn't thought that far ahead... shall we try again?” When their hands touched, the pale pink energy coating her skin thickened slightly, but it still permitted the contact.

“Good. Now let us try increasing the threat level.” Bakumon unleashed his youki and the fresh green of his aura turned dark from the infusion of jyaki. Kagome's spiritual power instantly rose in response and he hastily disengaged. “Excellent. It appears that the Shikon-no-Tama is now differentiating between regular youki and jyaki.” Bakumon shook her hand in the Western fashion once his youki was back to normal. “Well done, Lady Kagome.”

“I didn't really do anything,” she hedged.

“My turn,” Sha declared eagerly, and Dr. Ueda bowed out of the way. Her hanyou smiled down at her, his spell-concealed dark eyes alight with excitement, before he attempted to touch her cheek. There was a loud crackle and he yelped, his fingertips smoking. “What the fucking hell?” he demanded, glaring at Kagome as if it was her fault.

“I-I don't know...!” Helpless, she looked to Bakumon, who was plainly shocked. “Why would the Jewel accept you, but not Sha?”

Dr. Sanada cleared his throat. “It's obvious that Mr. Nishiki has too much youkai blood.”

The dog-hanyou stared at the psychologist, opened his mouth, then closed it again before continuing to blow on his singed fingers. His shoulders slumping, he muttered, “Dammit.”

“What we need is a full-blooded youkai to make sure that the Jewel is reacting negatively to higher levels of youki, not simply to Lord Sha,” Bakumon said, his broad brow furrowing in thought. “Don't we have a couple of wolf-youkai in the physiotherapy department?”

“They're off today; something about a run out to Mount Fuji,” the receptionist chimed in. “I think they're training for a marathon.”

“I know exactly where we can find a full-blood,” Sha said grimly. “C'mon, Kagome. We'll see if the Jewel likes Sess any better.”

Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð–

“Well, at least we know that the Jewel is now reacting only to youkai who are at least half-bloods... unless there's jyaki involved,” Kagome sighed, running her fingers through her hair and wondering if she should brush it before tucking herself under the quilt. “Doesn't really help our situation, though.”

“There's one thing we didn't test,” Sha said, his voice muffled by the heavy curtains surrounding her futon.

“What's that?” she asked, turning towards the opening as he parted the hangings, then let out a panicked shriek before diving under the blanket. “Are you insane?”

“You talked to Kikyo, right?” Ears flattened into silver hair at her dismayed reaction, the hanyou tossed his concealment anchor onto the mattress next to Kagome's pillow. Seating himself beside the futon, he waited. When she remained undercover, Sha impatiently flipped back the blanket.

She covered her eyes with her hands. “You won't be able to escape the Jewel if you're in here! Get outside the curtains, so at least you have a chance!” Kagome wailed.

“I can see your aura, and it isn't any more threatening than it was in the quack's office... before I tried to touch you, that is. Suck it up and look at me, Kagome. I have to know.”

The young woman unwillingly peered through her fingers. Long legs encased in dark blue fleece trousers were crossed, his bare feet just visible under the soft folds of fabric. Silver pooled on the tatami mat next to a knee, then an elbow propped on that same knee led her eye upward. Shirtless? At least he could've worn his fire-rat for some protection! His chin rested on his fist; it took Kagome a long time to find the courage to look above Sha's mouth, but she finally met his golden eyes. There was a long moment, when absolutely nothing happened, before she dared to look directly at him.

Sha smiled, showing off his fang-tips, and still the Jewel didn't react. “At least that's a fucking improvement,” he muttered. “Now it can tell the difference between you being scared for me, not of me.”

Kagome wiped a shaking hand across her sweaty brow. “I was terrified, you idiot!” she snapped. “At least you could've warned me!”

“And listened to a hundred reasons why we shouldn't do this? Better to get it over with fast.” Reaching behind him, he piled a pillow and blanket in his lap, then waited expectantly, watching her through his bangs.

Forgiveness is a virtue… on both sides. The young woman moved over, leaving one side of the futon open. Sha arranged his pillow, wrapped himself in the blanket and stretched out beside her. They simply gazed at each other for several moments before Kagome made the first move. “I'm glad that you don't have to wear your concealment spell any more,” she ventured, twirling several strands of his silver sidelock around her finger.

“I'd rather wear it and be able to kiss you, if that made the difference,” he grumbled, watching her braid the length of hair.

“Tough weekend, huh?” Kagome mumbled, not quite meeting his gaze.

“Keh. You going back to class tomorrow?” Her despairing scent broadcast her answer even before she spoke, but Sha cut her off. “We're big boys, Kagome, and we all know the risks of being your guardian. You can't quit now, or your gramps will get up my nose because I promised him you'd finish your education.”

“When did you do that?”

“On our wedding day.”

She closed her eyes and sighed. “I just don't want anyone else to be hurt.”

“There's risk involved with anything worth having,” Sha replied, and his tone implied he meant more than just her future medical degree. When Kagome peeked at him, she caught her breath at the tenderness in his expression. “Don't freak out on me now... I wanna try something.” Bringing up his hand, he carefully skimmed his aura against hers, gauging the safety zone.

“I can feel the warmth from your fingers,” she murmured. “Feels nice… eep!”

“I said, don't freak out,” he breathed, his mouth barely a quarter-inch away from her cheek. Scootching closer, Sha used the quilts between them as a flimsy shield while ghosting his lips over hers. Their noses brushed, and a light jolt had him pulling back, but only for a moment. She arched her neck in invitation, then shivered delicately at the sensations of his warm breath, accompanied by the faintest tingle of power, skating over her skin.

Her nipples hardening, Kagome spared a thought for what it would feel like if Sha paid the same attentions to her breasts, and almost immediately experienced desire pooling low in her belly. He can smell that, too… uh-oh.

A warning crackle forced Sha to move away as his youki expanded, sharpening his sense of smell so that he could still enjoy her alluring scent from a safer distance. “Dammit, girl! You'll be the death of me yet,” he muttered, inhaling deeply as he flopped back onto his pillow.

“Playing with fire,” she agreed, trying to ignore the surging arousal that practically demanded that she touch herself to relieve it. Her state of mind wasn't helped when the hanyou smirked knowingly, his eyes so dark with want that the gold had been reduced to a bright rim.

“Burn, baby, burn.” As Kagome rolled her eyes and threatened him with her pillow, Sha tangled a fistful of her dark hair and rubbed it against his cheek, then over his bare chest. Grinning at her wide-eyed look and rising blush, he shoved the blanket out of the way and stroked her tresses over his abdomen. “It's still the only part of you that can safely touch me,” he murmured. “Unfortunately.” When she looked away, he gently tugged on the glossy strands. “I'm not bitching... honest. I don't know how you managed to keep it all together while facing Naraku again.”

“Did I really shake the building?”

“Knocked a couple of ugly pictures off the wall in the hallway.” Continuing to rub her hair over his skin, Sha got an idea when Kagome's gaze followed his motions and her scent deepened again. “Why don't you try it?” he invited, slyly hoping for at least a glimpse of her naked stomach.

She carefully gathered a handful of silver, choosing from the longest strands, and hesitantly pressed her nose into the gleaming bundle. “It's very soft,” she commented. “But there's some coarser hairs running through it that I've never noticed before.”

“Guard hairs. Dog-youkai, remember?” Sha lazily smirked, watching her through his lashes as he deliberately stretched to attract her attention back to the matter at hand. Kagome was attracted all right, and then bit her lip, her blush returning full-force as she watched the sensuous patterns her hair created on his golden skin.

Then it was his turn to have the blood rush to his face - along with other, more sensitive body parts - when the young woman folded back her quilt and shyly unbuttoned her pyjama top. Hesitantly parting the pink flannel, she self-consciously stroked the handful of his hair between her breasts and down over her stomach. It wasn't long until her breasts were completely bare, her breathing growing quicker and heavier as she succumbed to the pure sensuality of the moment.

“Gods, Kagome!” the hanyou hoarsely rasped, his gaze riveted on her perky nipples. Her pale skin flushed rosy all over at his lustful tone and she ducked her head in embarrassment, covering herself with a silver veil that still tantalizingly hinted at the delectable curves underneath. Sha couldn't restrain himself; in a flash, he was crouched over her and yanking his hair out of her grip to reveal her shapely form.

The young woman squeaked and froze. “Sha, be careful!”

“I'm just gonna look,” he promised softly against her ear, but then trailed moist air down the side of her throat until his mouth hovered just above one of her nipples, close enough that the combination of his heated breath and the mingling of their auras had her gasping and arching upward, instinctively seeking a more tangible caress. Sha jerked away; pressing the back of his hand to his stinging lips as he straightened, he grumbled, “Ya gotta hold still.”

“I'd like to see you `hold still' if I tried that!” Kagome protested, her jiggling bosom making him lick his scorched lips. She squirmed a little, trying to surreptitiously relieve the desire building between her legs, but that movement released a potent waft of her arousal into the air. The seductive scent hit Sha full in the libido and made his youki fairly howl with delight... until her protective energy began sizzling warningly.

Bolting upright and away before their auras came to blows, Sha was panting and wild-eyed. “I gotta go take care of something,” he muttered before darting through the curtains, leaving a surprised and concerned Kagome behind.

He's in the bathroom... oh, gods, did I zap him? Listening carefully, she was first puzzled by the strangled sounds the hanyou was making across the hall, and then turned several shades of red when she figured it out. Pulling the quilts up over her head, she huddled down in the futon, feeling like an idiot... until a completely erotic image of what Sha was doing re-ignited her own arousal so hard and fast that it made her glad that she was already lying down. Sliding her hand into her pyjama bottoms, Kagome quickly followed Sha's example, and by the time he returned smelling of fresh soap, she was fast asleep.

He paused in the opening between the curtains, taking in the relaxed smile on her face and correctly guessing at the reason. Dammit, the night of the new fucking moon can't come fast enough! I hope she's ready, because I'm already so damn horny that I'll have to tie a knot in it if she isn't! The spicy scent of Kagome's release hung heavy in the air of the enclosed space, and he groaned. Tying back the fabric panel to let air circulate, he headed back across the hall for a cold shower. This is just not fucking fair!

Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð– Ð–

Inari: God/goddess of the crucial rice harvest and patron of kitsunes.

Handguns: Japanese mafia groups follow the traditional samurai familial structure; senior members are referred to as `elder brothers' and junior as `younger brothers' (as seen earlier with the Band of Seven in this fic). Women have been known to lead crime families, but in most cases they took over for deceased husbands as interim bosses. Handguns are highly illegal in Japan, and involvement with them is considered to be a sure sign of gang membership, which is why the nurse was suspicious that Tsugane and Tenmaru were wounded yakuza lieutenants.

Netsuke: Tiny, highly collectible art objects once carried by sophisticates at the Imperial court. They were kinda-sorta the cellphone straps of their day, sometimes attached to fans or other personal accessories and depicting a vast range of animals, humans or spirits engaged in activities ranging from the erotic to the mundane. They were carved out of a variety of materials, with ivory being particularly favoured.

Nai-no-Kami: Japanese god of earthquakes. Feared above all other Shinto gods and goddesses because he can wipe out all of them in one cataclysmic blow.