InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Syndrome ❯ To Steal From a Miko, To Find a Friend ( Chapter 24 )

I do not own Inuyasha and Company, no matter how happy it would make me. Rumiko Takahashi does. I also do not own Have You Seen Me Lately by Counting Crows.

 

Chapter 24 - To Steal From a Miko, To Find a Friend

 

@@ One Year Ago @@

 

 

He was little. He was young. He was brilliant but that didn't matter. It didn't keep the other students from teasing him. He really hadn't wanted to go to this school, but he didn't have a choice. The latest in the long line of foster homes was in this school district. It was bad enough to be starting at a new school as a senior, when all the other seniors' friendships and bonds had been formed over the last three years. Being three years younger than everyone else, well, that added a whole new level of difficulty. He had a hard time making friends when he was surrounded by kids his own age as it was. He never seemed to fit in anywhere.

 

There were days he wished he'd died along with his parents all those years ago, but at least this was the last one, his last year of suffering. Once he graduated he would be legally deemed an adult and then he would regain control of his life, as well as his family's fortune. Then he could decide where to live. He could find a college and find an apartment and he would never have to be yelled at by near strangers again. He would never have to depend on them for his health and well-being. Foster homes sucked, that was something he knew all too well. Sure there were some good ones, but there were more bad ones, ones where the `family' only fostered children for the monthly check and they couldn't care less if you walked to school in rags with no shoes in the middle of December, let alone care to make sure you have breakfast in your stomach. He knew. He'd done it.

 

School was the only thing he had, the only thing he could control. He was naturally bright but he also was absolutely devoted to his studies. He didn't have anything else to do anyway, so burying his mind in books and facts helped him hide from the harsh realities of his life, and he had quite a few. His parents died in a car accident that he somehow escaped from without a scratch when he was just a child, six years old. He'd been bounced from home to home for over eight years. He'd been neglected, half starved, even beaten by the worst of the `families' he was forced to live with. He had millions of dollars to his name but he couldn't touch it until he graduated high school, something that had been in his parents will, them not expecting to leave him so early in his life or at all. Millions of dollars but he couldn't buy a burger on the dollar menu when he hadn't eaten since two days before.

 

And now he was here, another new school. He should have been a freshman this year, but he'd skipped a grade three different times. He was three years behind his classmates, development wise, plus being a kitsune didn't help him a bit. And to be honest, he was small even for a fox demon his age. So he did what he always did. He tried to be invisible. Of course his teachers always screwed up his plans, making a big deal about introducing him and telling all his secrets. They never seemed to understand what that made him… a target. He was an incredibly short kitsune with no experience in using his demonic powers, relying only on instincts when necessary. He was an outcast because everyone was intimidated by his intelligence. And big bad demons didn't like feeling intimidated by tiny helpless ones, choosing instead to intimidate right back, and he was easily intimidated.

 

It was just another day of trying to make sure he didn't end up stuffed in a locker or hung from a doorknob by his underwear, all the while struggling to carry a pile of books that weighed at least as much as he did. It was just a week into the school year and he was already hiding. He didn't know how he was going to survive a whole year of this hell, though he'd lived through worse. Every year it got harder. Every year the loneliness grew. Every year he was alone another part of his little heart died. It was like the deck was stacked against him and he didn't have a chance.

 

Every day now he'd run into this jerk, ugly thing he was too. He was big and bulky and had this huge bald head with just a few hairs on top that he was constantly messing with, the shape reminding Shippo of a lizard that mated with Pac-man. It seemed the jerk had a problem with some girl because today when he caught the little kitsune he gave him a choice; see how high the flagpole really was or steal her purse. He didn't want to do it, but he really didn't want to be hoisted up the flagpole… again. It was really high!

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Kagome smiled at her three best friends. She was glad it was their senior year and she was surprised she'd made it this far. At the moment Bank and Miroku were regaling Inuyasha with the tale of her hesitance to enter the `big scary high school' as Bank called it. The hanyou was listening with a smirk on his face, so everyone was confused when he said in a dark voice, “Just what the fuck do you think you're doing?”

 

Kagome furrowed her brows at him. “What? Inuyasha, what are you talking about?” She, as well and Bankotsu and Miroku, looked on in surprise when Inuyasha raised the arm that for some reason had been behind his back. In his hand was the fluffy red tail of a tiny kitsune and in the kitsune's hands was Kagome's purse that had been hanging on the back of her chair. “Were you trying to steal my purse?” she asked in shock.

 

“No wench, he just wanted to see if it went with his outfit,” Inuyasha said sarcastically, earning his arm a smack that might as well have been a soft summer breeze with as much as it hurt. “Now, what to do with the runt…”

 

Kagome looked into the bright green eyes that held the guiltiest look she'd ever seen. “I didn't want to,” he said quietly, looking around for his most recent tormentor.

 

“If you didn't want to, then why did you?”

 

“Why the fuck do you care why? He was trying to steal from you!” Inuyasha yelled while shaking the small demon boy for emphasis.

 

“Inuyasha, put him down! I want to know.” Inuyasha heaved a sigh but plopped his captive on the table in front of her, barely missing her lunch. The little guy was quivering, terrified that not only had he failed in his ordered mission but he'd angered a hanyou who appeared to be friends with a human, a monk, and the worst, a miko. He'd tried to steal from a miko! He was sure he was going to be purified right then and there when she lifted a hand. “Hey, why are you so scared?” she asked softly. “No one's going to hurt you. Just tell me what happened.”

 

Shippo's eyes were pinched tightly closed and twitched in fear as her hand touched him. It took him a whole thirty seconds to realize that she'd just run her fingers gently through his bangs. When he finally noticed that he was still alive and not a little dust cloud he opened his eyes and looked into hers… and he couldn't look away. He was entranced by the way her gray eyes glowed with bright bolts of brilliant blue. There was something in the way she was looking at him too. He couldn't place it and was almost certain he'd never seen a look like it, one with quite so much kindness and compassion, but it had an almost déjà vu quality to it. Right then he knew he couldn't lie to her. He could never lie to her, but he didn't need to because she would listen and believe the truth.

 

“There's a guy that's been… well, bullying… me,” he whispered, everyone but Inuyasha leaning in closer. “He said that if I didn't steal your purse and bring it to him he would send me up the flagpole, and he'll do it! I know he will!”

 

“Do you know his name? Or why he wanted my purse?” Shippo shook his head. “Is he watching you now?” Again he shook his head, his fiery red hair frizzing up more with the rapid movement of his head. Kagome was silent for a moment as she thought and a minute later she handed Shippo her mostly empty purse. “Here, take it to him.” She looked at a shocked Inuyasha before turning to Bank and Miroku who nodded. “We'll follow and see who it is and then I promise he won't bother you again.”

 

“H...How?” he stuttered nervously. Sure, she was a miko but the demon was big and he didn't want to be responsible for her getting hurt. That and he had a feeling that her friends, especially the inu hanyou, would make him pay if she did.

 

“What's your name?” she asked instead of answering his question.

 

“Shippo,” he almost whispered.

 

“What grade are you in?” Bank asked gently.

 

“I'm in 12 th.”

 

“Bullshit!” Inuyasha almost yelled, causing the kitsune to jump. His nerves were shot.

 

“How old are you?” Miroku asked this time.

 

“Fourteen. I'll be fifteen in January.”

 

This time Kagome asked. “So you skipped grades?” When he nodded she smiled. “That's gotta be hard, isn't it? Is this your first year here? I've never seen you before.” He nodded again. “Have you made any friends?” When he shook his head and looked down she reached out and lifted his chin. “You have now,” was all she said before motioning for him to go on before the bully got tired of waiting and came to see what the problem was.

 

She watched as the fox demon named Shippo scurried towards the cafeteria doors while holding her purse. They all grabbed their bags and followed, Miroku shielding their presence as much as possible. When they reached the end of a hallway they could hear a voice around the corner, yelling at Shippo.

 

“What took you so long? I should run your fluffy little ass up the flag pole anyway!” They all looked at each other, everyone immediately recognizing the voice. “What the hell? Where's her wallet?”

 

“Why would you want my wallet, Manten?” Kagome asked as she turned the corner, holding out a hand to Shippo who made a mad dash to her side. “And are you really so afraid of me that you have to bully someone else into doing your dirty work?”

 

It was rather funny, watching Manten begin to shake while he fought to maintain his composure. He was trapped by her eyes, not even seeing the three other males around her in addition to the kitsune. Sure, the hanyou had kicked his ass, but from what he was told later, she stopped him. And then there was the incident in the cafeteria not long after. No, he wasn't scared of her friends. He was petrified of her.

 

“What's the matter? Not so big and tough without all your friends around?” she asked in a teasingly innocent sounding voice. He knew though. He knew not to trust her tone. That was what got him in trouble the last time. Kagome took a step forward and Manten took a step back, step after step until he found his back pressed up against a very solid wall. Her eyes flashed and he slid down the wall to crouch in a ball, trying to disappear. It was humiliating, being so frightened by a girl, but she had never been an ordinary girl.

 

Kagome could hear the guys laughing behind her and glanced over her shoulder at them with a smirk. That was the first time Shippo saw her eyes really flash, and moments later he was about ready to piss his pants when he saw the pink glow begin to form around her. “Shippo,” she called over her shoulder. “Relax.”

 

As difficult as the idea of it seemed to be he looked around and noticed that the hanyou wasn't afraid. Of course then he noticed the necklace he wore and he was ready to freak out again. Miroku leaned down and looked at the quivering fox. “She won't hurt you,” he whispered. “Trust me. You've never felt something so wonderful in all your life.” Shippo's eyes held disbelief, but somehow he felt that she wouldn't hurt him, not with the way she'd looked at him earlier, and he calmed slightly.

 

Kagome's attention refocused on Manten and she smiled at him. “I'm going to say this once and only once. You will stop. You will not bully Shippo or anyone else every again. If I hear that you have, and you know I would, I will make sure you can never forget what this feels like.” With that she let her power flare and Manten had to fight not to scream. It only lasted a second, but it felt like he'd been struck by the lightning in her eyes and his entire body burned. He heard her step closer, grabbing her purse from the floor where he'd dropped it. He didn't dare move, didn't even look up until he was sure she was gone, taking her entourage with her. Apparently she'd accepted a new member. The kitsune was now permanently off limits.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

The monk had been right. He'd never experienced anything as amazing as when her power reached him. It felt as if every wound he had ever experienced floated away forever so he would never again remember the pain. He felt safe and warm and loved and he never wanted to be away from her again. After the bully learned his lesson, a hard one from the looks of it, they all went outside to sit under a tree for the remainder of lunch. First he got the full back story on Manten and couldn't help but laugh at the thought that she'd now successfully humiliated him three times.

 

She introduced her friends, and while Miroku and Bankotsu welcomed him right away, the hanyou didn't seem at all pleased that he was there. Of course he could understand that. She was amazing. Why would anyone want to share her? Why was she friends with them to begin with? The monk and the human he could understand. The hanyou though, he had no idea. He was surprised that he hadn't heard any insults from the student body while he walked and sat with them. There had been a hanyou at one of his previous schools, and the torment he went through… he left the school after just a week. How was it that this guy got so lucky?

 

Over the next few days Shippo learned all about Kagome and her friends. He knew how she met them all. He knew how she'd rescued Inuyasha from a life of torment. He understood why they all looked at her with such adoration and love, though he could have figured that one out on his own. Once he was spotted with her no one bothered him again. How such a sweet looking girl could inspire such respect from some and fear from the rest he had no idea, but he thanked the gods every day that he'd been forced to try and steal her purse or he would never have met her and not only would he still be alone, but he would be alone and bullied.

 

Shippo was rather quiet about his own life though, not wanting to talk about his home or his parents. Kagome could see the pain in his eyes and decided not to push the issue. He would tell her when he was ready to and she could wait.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Kagome stuck to her decision not to push him when he came to school in torn jeans and t-shirts so thin they might as well have been made out of tissue paper. She kept her mouth shut when she noticed the holes in his shoes. She bit her tongue when he didn't have a lunch or lunch money and when she saw how he ate like a stray dog, grabbing what he could and scarfing it down so fast she was sure he would choke. It was the bruises that got her. She couldn't keep quiet anymore.

 

She invited him to her house after school one day and he was thrilled. He was confused when the other guys didn't come along, but he didn't mind the chance to have her all to himself. He certainly wasn't going to complain. As they walked side by side his attention was captured by a beautiful almost whispering voice.

 

“Get away from me. Just get away from me, this isn't gonna be easy. But I don't need you. Believe me. Yeah, you got a piece of me, but it's just a little piece of me and I don't need anyone. And these days I feel like I'm fading away. Like sometimes when I hear myself on the radio…”

 

The guys had told him about her singing, but he'd never experienced it before, which made him wonder what she was worried or upset about.

 

“Have you seen me lately? Have you seen me lately? Have you seen me lately? I was out on the radio starting to change, somewhere out in America, its starting to rain. Could you tell me things you remember about me, and have you seen me lately?”

 

He felt guilty. She shared so much with him, all of them had, but he just hadn't been able to tell them. He acted like everything was just fine, but he knew she knew he was full of crap. She was letting him get away with it, he understood that, but he also knew it was hurting her, not knowing what was wrong, not being able to make it better.

 

“I remember me and all the little things that make up a memory, like she said she loved to watch me sleep. Like she said: It's the breathing, it's the breathing in and out and in and... oh, have you seen me lately? Have you seen me lately? Have you seen me lately?”

 

Maybe he should tell her. Maybe if he finally told someone it would all be okay. He was afraid to say anything to his social worker. If he was moved to a new foster home he might have to go to a different school. He'd just found her and he was afraid to lose her. So he was keeping his mouth shut.

 

“I was out on the radio starting to change, somewhere out in America it's starting to rain. Could you tell me things you remember about me, and have you seen me lately?”

He could take it. He'd been through worse. It was worth it to see her smiling face every day, to feel how her aura wrapped him in invisible arms that absolutely oozed love. He hadn't felt anything like it since his mother died and he could barely remember how her arms felt. While he listened to Kagome sing he tried to remember his mother's face, but he couldn't. All his parent's belongings were in storage for him when he could legally own them, but that left him with nothing. He'd managed to take a picture of them with him, one that had been on the sun visor in the car they died in, but it was gone now, lost to the life of a foster child.

 

“I guess I thought that someone would notice. I guess I thought somebody would say something if I was missing. Can't you see me? Come on color me in, Come on color me in, come on, come on, come on. Give me your blue rain. Give me your black sky. Give me your green eyes. Come on give me your white skin. Come on give me your white skin. Come on give me your white skin.”

 

He smiled then as the words she sang sunk in. It was like a part of him was missing and he hadn't even noticed it until she'd filled the gaping hole in his heart. Soon… soon he would be able to remember what his mother's face looked like. Soon he would remember what color his father's eyes were. Soon he would be able to find their lingering scent as he looked through the boxes of memories that someone else packed away for him. Soon he would remember who he really was, not Shippo the foster kid, not Shippo the poor pitiful orphan, not Shippo the punching bag for relieving his latest foster `father's' stresses, but Shippo Makka, his father's son, his mother's little boy, himself.

 

“I was out on the radio starting to change, somewhere out in America, it's starting to rain. Could you tell me things you remember about me, and have you seen me lately? Have you seen me lately? Have you seen me lately? Have you seen me lately?”

 

Until then though, Kagome was all he had in the world. Sure, the guys were great and Inuyasha seemed to be getting used to his presence, but it was her… she made everything alright with just an upward twitch of her lips. And so he decided that he could tell her. He could tell her about his parents. He could tell her about the accident. He could tell her the things he didn't even want to remember, the things that would never leave his memory. He could trust her with his pain and he knew that was what she wanted.

 

She wanted to help him feel better, and he would never feel better if he didn't get it out. It was like a toxic black cloud that floated around his head, tainting every breath he took, and she was a sweet smelling gentle breeze that would whisk it all away so he could breath deeply again.

 

When they reached the shrine and the privacy of Kagome's room he let her ask her questions, knowing that she deserved the answers, and then he gave them to her. Of course he felt guilty when she cried for him, but as her tears flowed down her cheeks he could feel the pain washing away, like her tears were cleansing his very soul. When she hugged him tightly and he closed his eyes he remembered. He could see his mother smiling at him. He could hear his father laugh. Somehow this angel gave him back the memories he thought were gone forever by taking away the ones he never wanted.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Of course Kagome couldn't sit back and do nothing after she heard what Shippo's latest `home' was like. She wanted to laugh and vomit at the same time. Home; what a disgusting use of a word that was supposed to describe a beautiful place, a place where you felt comfortable, welcome, and safe... none of which applied to her newest friend's situation. It didn't take long until she'd solved his problems, just like she did for each of her friends. Her mother made a few calls and Shippo had a new home. Sure, it wasn't perfect, but it was a lot better than where he'd been before.

 

The mother of the family was wonderful, caring and sweet, and she understood demons and their variety of needs that most humans had no idea about. But then she did mate a demon and raise two hanyou sons, and even though they displayed no demon traits besides their markings they still had the same strengths that Inuyasha had, combined with the power of their miko mother, and they knew how to use both. Mariko accepted Shippo into her home with open arms, and Bank and Jak didn't mind sharing a bit.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

He'd never been to something like this before, at least not that he could remember. It was possible he'd gone with his parents but if he had the memories were lost to time. He wished he could find some way to pay her back for all she'd done for him. She'd taken away all the bad memories, all the pain. She'd helped him remember what he'd been sure he'd lost forever. She'd found him a wonderful place to stay with a family that treated him like one of their own. And now she was teaching him the meaning of friendship and fun, two things he'd never known.

 

Shippo looked around in absolute awe of his surroundings. Everything was so bright and colorful and big! Laughter filled the air from every direction as well as a plethora of wonderful smelling foods. The rides… he'd never seen anything like them, let alone ride them!

 

“Looks like you made the right decision, Kagome,” Miroku said with a laugh, drawing her attention to the kitsune who was nearly dancing in his place in line where they were waiting to pay their admission.

 

“Yeah, I guess so! Shippo, calm down. There will be time for everything, okay?” She laughed harder when his eyes widened at her words.

 

“EVERYTHING?” he asked, his excitement level now through the roof.

 

“Yes, everything you want to do we'll do.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around him when he nearly threw himself on her. His head came at just about the middle of her chest and she glanced at the `You Must Be This Tall' sign, sighing in relief when she was sure he was tall enough. It would have been awful to bring him here and then tell him he was too short to ride the rides.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

The things he did to see her, to get close to her. It was beginning to get ridiculous. He snorted at the thought. `Beginning to get ridiculous? It was ridiculous at the start!' If someone had told him a few years ago that he would be willingly paying to get into something like this… he probably would have separated their head from their shoulders, but as it was Sesshoumaru held out his wrist for the all day all ride pass he'd just purchased and the band was snapped into place. As if the injustices to his pride weren't already enough, the band just had to be hot pink.

 

He looked around, taking in the sight of where he would be tortured all day just to be near her. The county fair was just too much. The stands and the rides were garishly painted and he wished he'd brought sunglasses just to protect his eyes from such hideous color combinations. It was beyond noisy, the sounds of laughter, the mechanical whirring of the rides, the screaming of the fools riding the rickety looking contraptions; it all combined into a roar that blocked out any chance he would have had to hear her sweet voice. The smell of food was everywhere, as was the stench of the crowd, and for a minute he was afraid he wouldn't be able to find her and her band of merry followers in the crowd.

 

Somehow she'd picked up yet another stray a month or so earlier, giving the great Sesshoumaru yet another person to be jealous of, a tiny kitsune. Hell, he was more jealous of the fox than any of the others because when she hugged him his face or cheek was pressed firmly to her beautiful breasts. What he would give to pillow his head with them, to listen to her heart beat while she ran her fingers through his hair. Realizing he'd stopped walking and closed his eyes, Sesshoumaru opened them and scanned his surroundings at just the right moment. For once it looked like the gods were on his side because there she was, just a few yards in front of him at one of the game stands, watching and cheering as the kitsune threw rings at posts for the chance to win a prize. The other three males were just standing around, not looking anywhere as enthused as Kagome and Shippo.

 

Now that he knew where she was he found a spot to look casual while he watched her. If he lost her in this crowd he might never locate her again and then all this torture would be for nothing. Before he'd laid eyes on her, the object of his obsession, he wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this, but for her he would endure anywhere and anything. He would suffer all the layers of hell if it meant he could see her smile or hear her laugh; even if she didn't know he was there.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Shippo was having the time of his life. They'd played every single game and sampled a lot of the carnival food; cotton candy, funnel cakes, and more. Now he was ready for the rides. Sure, some of them looked scary but he intended to get as much out of this day as he could and that included riding all the rides.

 

Miroku, Bankotsu, and Inuyasha were following a few steps behind Kagome and Shippo, each weighed down by the giant stuffed animals Shippo had insisted on winning for Kagome. “Hey wench,” Inuyasha called, loving how her eyes flared when she turned around to glare at him. “We're gonna take this shit to the car, `kay? Where ya gonna be?”

 

Kagome shook her head. She was more than used to the name, but that didn't mean she had to like it. Looking down at Shippo, she followed his line of sight to the Sea Dragon, a ride that looked like a giant boat with dragon heads on either end. It was basically just a giant swing and Kagome's eyes glittered with excitement. “We're gonna be on that!” she pointed before grabbing Shippo's hand, running away before the guys could take in a breath.

 

“She'd be on that ride all afternoon if it was up to her,” Bank said with a smile before turning around and carrying the hideous pink elephant that he had no idea what Kagome was going to do with to his car. Bank wasn't sure if they would be able to fit into the car with all the stuff Shippo had won!

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Sesshoumaru smirked when he saw the others leave her side. It might be his only chance to get closer and he wasn't going to miss it. He slipped silently into line behind her and made a point to stare into space, knowing that she'd sense him so close and turn around. She turned to look at him and he watched her surprised expression from the corner of his eye. He wanted to laugh as she looked behind him, trying to determine who he was there with. She was blissfully unaware that he was there with her.

 

Sesshoumaru was more than pleased when the line grew longer behind them. If things went according to plan… Finally it was time to board the ride and he was blessed again by the grace of the gods that the operator directed him to sit beside her since there was room in her row and he was alone. When he gracefully took his seat next to her she looked at him again. This time he allowed himself to look at her, confused by the slight dusting of pink on her cheeks. Was she blushing? Because of him? He gave her a fanged smirk and was happy to discover that her affection for fangs had not abated as her blush darkened and her scent spiked.

 

Finally the giant boat began to swing like a pendulum, each time going a little higher, and Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. He hadn't been paying attention to how high the thing went! It couldn't be safe! Turning to look at her though, the look of excitement and absolute joy on her face and in her eyes was enough to make it worth it. The higher they went the more she laughed and Sesshoumaru tried to drown his self in the sound. He could actually feel the happiness rolling off of her in waves and he found it increasingly difficult not to smile. The ride was over far too soon and he had to slip away, knowing that her bodyguards had most likely returned.

 

He followed them closely and listened to Shippo go on and on about how much fun the ride had been and they discussed what to go on next. He should have expected it, but he cringed anyway when the words came from her mouth.

 

“Inuyasha? Did you know your brother was going to be here?”

 

The hanyou snorted at her. “Sesshoumaru? Here? Ha! He couldn't be caught dead in a place like this.”

 

“Well, he looked very much alive on the Sea Dragon.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. “You saw him?”

 

“He sat next to me. Kinda hard to miss him.”

 

Sesshoumaru listened as the hanyou let out a low, threatening growl and wanted to laugh. As if the fool had any chance of scaring him off. He dropped back though, allowing more distance between them now since Inuyasha was surely on alert and looking for his presence. The taiyoukai wondered just what his half-brother was thinking, what Inuyasha thought he was doing there.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

He'd followed the group, watching as they rode ride after ride and looked at every vendor's stand. He saw her admiring several things but buying nothing and he was inspired. He made his way to the vendor she'd just left and asked what she'd been looking at. A few minutes later he left with something very important held tightly in his hand.

 

Finally night began to fall and Kagome declared excitedly that she wanted to ride the Ferris wheel when it was all lit up. Sesshoumaru smirked and carefully slipped ahead of her group. He had a ride operator to bribe.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

It had been driving Inuyasha insane, the knowledge that his brother was around somewhere. He didn't know why, but the idea of Sesshoumaru sitting next to Kagome ruffled his fur. For some reason he felt like he was missing something, that something was going on that he had no idea about. He was trying his best to shake the feeling but it wasn't doing a damn bit of good.

 

They stood in line for the Ferris wheel, the last thing they would be doing before heading home, no one noticing the taiyoukai standing directly in front of them with his hooded jacket hiding his telltale silver hair while he hid his aura. The scents of the fair had covered his own quite effectively so he didn't even bother hiding his scent as well. Finally they were at the front of the line and he nodded at the operator. Before the guys knew what happened, Kagome had been led to a seat without them. The operator locked the bar down over their legs, securing them for the ride. The guys were split into two more seats behind them and he could hear Inuyasha complaining.

 

Kagome hadn't recognized him yet. He waited until the ride started moving before taking off his hood and allowing his hair to fly freely. He smirked when Inuyasha's complaining turned into a string of profanities when he finally saw who was sitting beside the little miko. When she heard the yelling too, Kagome turned her attention from the amazing view of the fair beneath them to her company, startled when she recognized him. She looked away quickly and Sesshoumaru's heart clenched. She was uncomfortable in his presence it seemed, as she never once glanced at him again. Of course he knew he shouldn't be surprised and he wasn't, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

 

When the ride slowed and they were let off one car at a time, Sesshoumaru disappeared while Kagome waited for her friends. Inuyasha caught her in his arms the second the lap bar was released and he was looking her over like he expected her to be bleeding or missing pieces or something.

 

“Inuyasha? What's wrong with you?” she asked as he let out a sigh and buried his nose in her hair. She was alright so the ride operator would be allowed to live. She looked at Shippo who only shrugged. He didn't know what Inuyasha was so worked up about. So she sat next to Inuyasha's brother. So what? But then he had yet to meet the taiyoukai.

 

“Nothing, Kags. You ready to go?” Kagome nodded and yawned and Inuyasha crouched down in front of her. From the shadows, hidden amongst the crowd, Sesshoumaru snarled. The hanyou was carrying her, touching her, holding on to her thighs much higher than necessary in his opinion. Seeing that they were leaving he made his way past them, locating Bank's car and leaving his gift to her where he knew she would find it. All in all it had been a good day. He got to be close to her, heard her laugh. He got to leave her a surprise, something he knew she would like. The fact that he'd pissed his half-brother off, well that was just gravy.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

When they reached the car, Inuyasha carefully set Kagome on her feet and she went to open the passenger door. When her fingers touched cold metal she looked down and saw it. A beautiful silver bracelet was clipped around the door handle. She unclipped it as her friends watched and when she got a good look at it she gasped. It was the bracelet she'd been looking at and it had been engraved with what she'd only mumbled to herself while looking at it. How anyone could have possibly overhead she had no idea, but it was perfect. She immediately clipped it around her wrist with a huge smile on her face. “Which one of you did it?” she asked.

 

“None of us, Kaggie. We've been with you all the time, except for when we brought the prizes out here, but that was before we looked at the vendors,” Miroku said with a grin. “Looks like our Kagome might have a secret admirer.”

 

“He'd better stay a secret too,” Inuyasha growled. He didn't like it a bit. No one could have her. He couldn't afford to lose her and he didn't want to have to share her with anyone else either. The runt was bad enough.

 

Sesshoumaru smiled from where he sat high in a tree above the car. He couldn't thank that vendor enough. The gods had been on his side all day long, as the panther demon running the stand had heard what she mumbled perfectly clearly, making his secret gift that much better. It looked beautiful on her. He stayed high up in the tree until they'd all piled into the car and driven away before he dropped to the ground and made his way to his own car to head home. He was sure his dreams would be especially nice tonight.

 

Of course Inuyasha never connected the bracelet to the interesting coincidence of his brother riding two different rides with Kagome. He never gave it a second thought, though every time he saw that bracelet on her, the one engraved with the characters for `Butterfly', the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. And he saw it a lot too. She wore that bracelet just as often as she wore the mystery butterfly clips, and while it wasn't as often as the ankle charm bracelet he gave her that same Christmas, it was still far too often for his comfort.