InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Throw Caution To The Wind ❯ Kagome: Renaissance Teacher ( Chapter 8 )

AN: First of all, sorry this took so long. I kind of wrote myself into a corner for a couple of days and as a result, the chapter is different than what I had planned, but hopefully not in a bad way. Second, thank you to those of you who review. I'm glad that somebody out there thinks this story is ok. Third, I want to thank those that have reviewed on MediamMiner.org. As and apology, this chapter is about fifty percent longer than usual. It's not as much action oriented. There's a lot of relationship building.

Well, hope you guys think it's ok. Hopefully Sesshoumaru isn't too OOC.

THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND_CHAPTER 8_

KAGOME:RENAISSANCE TEACHER

There are some quotes I have been able to apply to many things here in feudal Japan. For instance: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he doesn't exist." I can't express how accurately that describes our good 'ol friend Naraku. His evil influence was unmistakable, yet he could disappear at the merest whim, and half of those under his power would never know he existed.

Then there's that old line "Nothing is as it seems." I know, a bit cliché, ok, very cliché, but it still works. For instance, I became best friends and fell in love with a half dog demon who had supposedly murdered many people and was evil's incarnate, having killed the priestess he had loved and demolishing her village. Although he can be know for his ire, and is somewhat standoffish, I can tell you that he's no psycho mass murderer who can't control anything, let alone himself, just because he has a demon streak. Well, half. And then, there's the big one. Sesshoumaru. Worshipped and feared Lord of the Western Lands. The taiyoukai to beat all others. A merciless god, I once heard him called. An angelic devil with a taste for brutal, slow death and mutilation. Beware, the one who crosses his path. Yeah, right. The guy was just virtually an over-stuffed, egomaniac, stick-in-the-mud, puppy. And who knows how old he is.

Ok, that may have been a little presumptuous, but really, I began to learn a few interesting things about Sesshoumaru, from a number of different sources. For instance, he wasn't a mass murderer whenever he felt like killing something. In fact, the only time he killed was when threatened. Anyone in the feudal age would do that. Heck, if I were in danger…well, let's just say I don't hesitate to fire those arrows. And, I have to admit, he's not too merciful (I mean, look at where I was, a servant to him, but at least he hadn't killed me) and he's definitely not gracious, and I guess if you didn't know him, you could possibly think him the devil reincarnate, but he was a quiet, thinking, and not to mention, a very handsome devil at that. Beautiful death. Describes him perfectly.

It was my second week working in Sesshoumaru's citadel. After being bandaged and treated for my cracked rib or whatever it was, I continued on with my chores, but the manual labor was eased up with the full recovery of Maki, which I was very proud of, by the way. I gave Rin lessons during the afternoon, sometimes ate lunch with her, and even put her down for an afternoon nap, if necessary. Needless to say, I was absolutely in love with the girl now. In fact, I liked all the people in attendance there. Maki and Kaji were kind, grandmotherly figures to me, and reminded me much of Kaede. They introduced me and gave me helpful hints. The other servants were also kind and would show me the ropes willingly. Heck, I was even getting to respect the toad thing Sesshoumaru toted around with him, seeing as how he took good care of Rin when I was not with her, no matter how much he may gripe about it. He was always with her. Personally, I think the reptile was developing a soft spot for children, not too unlike his master.

Then there was Sesshoumaru, himself. It seemed as if he had swayed from his avoid-Kagome-mood a bit, for I would occasionally see him around, whether writing a letter, studying maps, or merely walking about the castle. And, get this, he actually acknowledged my presence. He would stop momentarily and inquire about Rin's progress. He would even occasionally ask about my conditions. It was odd, to say the least. Odd that he would so quickly accept my presence. But then again, I was just another servant to add to the small population of the castle. And castles need to be tended to. But, it was also odd, about Rin. From what I had previously learned of Sesshoumaru, he despised humans, even loathed them, yet he kept one as a ward. And, I think, he really grew to care about my little Rin. Who couldn't? If anyone could turn a stone youkai to mush, it would be her. Her happy, gap-toothed smile, spindly, fast-paced body, the way she was so accepting. It's no wonder she had somehow snuck through the cracks of the stone lord's heart. For, I'm sure that's what had happened. Sure, he didn't read her bedtime stories or kiss her goodnight, but he watched her with the concerned eye of a father, allowed her to accompany him, and even handled her incessant chattering, every once in a while, answering one of her many questions. As far as I was concerned, the Ice Prince was hooked. Only, he didn't know it. Or chose not to recognize it. Just the fact that he hadn't killed her yet was enough. If only he could realize it, or would chose to.

"Kagome-nechan. Like this?" Rin held up a piece of parchment with covered with sprawled handwriting, repeating the kanji of her name over and over. I took the paper from her and scanned over it.

"Yes, much better, Rin. You've gotten a lot better." I handed it back to her with an approving smile. "Write it for me three more times, please. Let's see how good you can make it."

"You'll see, Kagome-nechan! It will be great!" She plopped back down at the short desk (a small table that Jaken had put in the study/library for Rin to use. My ribs were hurting, so I sat down in the corner. She began writing again, attacking the page with an energy I wished I could only have for my math and science tests. Speaking of which, I was going to be so far behind in my summer reading. Thankfully, we were, I calculated, still in vacation time. School wouldn't start back for another…dang, I forgot. Not that it mattered much. The chances of Sesshoumaru letting me go back for school were very slim. I mean, very. But, maybe if I did everything right, he would let me go back and see my family, if I were obligated to stay in the Sengoku Jidai period for a long time. I was attempted to let out a 'Feh' , Inuyasha style. If I had thought Inuyasha was stubborn about letting me go back to my time, I couldn't think how Sesshoumaru would handle it, especially since I was his servant. He would probably just kill all of my friends I had ever made in the old era.

I snapped out of my little reverie and looked over at Rin, who was busy working away, but now had smudges of black ink across her face.

"Rin, did you finish?" I bent over the girl and looked at her work. I had to stifle a giggle.

"Yes, Kagome-nechan. I finished it all, but I got bored, so I drew a picture. See, there's Jaken-sama…" Rin pointed to a round ink ball/glob with a pointy nose and ears, laying flat on the ground, with what looked to be daisy flower shapes on his head. "..he tripped." she explained insightfully. " And here's me! I was picking flowers. See, I gave Jaken some. And here's Sesshoumaru-sama." The unmistakable form of Sesshoumaru was standing stiffly, Rin not more than what appeared to be a foot away from him. "And here's you, Kagome-nechan!" Rin pointed to a rather odd portrait of me, standing next to Sesshoumaru, looking as if I were holding his hand, and watching Rin. I looked happy.

For some reason, this picture hit a nerve somewhere and I wanted to cry and smile at once. Rin had drawn me looking so happy, but how could I be that way if I didn't have my friends or family with me? I couldn't be satisfied here forever. And it suddenly hit me that I very well may have to be. This revelation washed over me like as if I had been doused with ice water. Why was I there? Why me? What if I never saw my family, ever, again…

I stopped myself, shaking my head, and plastered a smile on my face.

"I love it, Rin. It's beautiful. I really like Jaken. He looks very real."

Rin giggled, then turned to me happily.

"Could Kagome-nechan write Jaken-sama's name right here and Sesshoumaru-sama's name right here, so I can see what they look like?"

I nodded and wrote the names carefully in Kanji as best as I could.

"Oh! Don't forget Kagome-nechan's name. Right here!"

I smiled and labeled the stick figure miko with such a happy face. It didn't feel like me, but it made me smile for some reason.

"Wow! The names are pretty, Kagome-nechan!"

I stared down at the picture quietly. Next to Sesshoumaru's name, mine looked so plain and empty. His was elegant and dignified, even in writing. I sighed, realizing how utterly opposite two people could be, even in names. Sesshoumaru was the epitome of stoic and calm and I was a mood-swing infested, very 'spirited' girl.

"Yes, they're all very beautiful names..but I like Rin the best."

Rin smiled broadly and studied the parchment one more time, before attempting to reproduce the symbols.

"Rin, is it ok if I keep this picture? I like it very much, it's beautiful." I didn't want anybody else to see it. I didn't want anyone to think that I could be happy without my family and friends. I didn't want to think I could be happy without them. I shouldn't be, definitely not in Sesshoumaru's home. I would throw it away as soon as I could.

Rin nodded and smiled once more, but asked if she could keep it just a little while longer, again pointing out the fact that "Sesshoumaru and Kagome-nechan are happy watching me and Jaken. Kagome-nechan didn't leave. She stayed with Sesshoumaru-sama and me and Jaken and she was happy."

I sighed and decided that it would be time to teach her how to write her numbers.

_______________________________________________________________

An hour and two bottles of spilt ink later, I decided it was time for a break. I watched Rin complete her sentence, making one last stroke, before putting the brush down and calling to me across the room.

"Kagome-nechan, I'm do-ne!" she sang out enthusiastically. I grinned and took the piece of parchment she held out willingly. I gingerly eyed it, scanning over the different kanji, not paying attention to what was written, but examining the symbols for accuracy, then handed it back, glancing into her eagerly awaiting.

"Hmmm. Well…" I scratched my hand nonchalantly. "I guess….it's wonderful!"

Rin squealed with delight and hugged me. "Kagome-nechan! That's mean!" she laughed cheerfully. "Is it really good?"

I nodded seriously. "Amazing. You're doing very good for only having lessons a couple days.

"Only three days, Kagome-nechan!"

I nodded, thinking about her statement. Only three days… How long had I been there, at Sesshoumaru's citadel? Did my family think I was dead? What about Inuyasha and the others? It seemed like such a long time.

"Kagome-nechan…are you ok?"

Rin's cheerful voice broke my mental retreat and I snapped back to the present.

I plastered a smile on my face, the smile I had learned to perfect over time. It was my smile for when Inuyasha would leave without telling me, only to come back an hour after I had seen glimpses of Kikyo's soul stealers floating above the canopy of the forest trees. It was the smile I lay across my face when Sango fell into memories of Kohaku and her family. It was the smile I spread over my features when Miroku tried to hide the fact that his kazaana was ripping wider apart. It was the smile that graced my features when Shippou would call out for his mother and father in his sleep. It was the smile of lost things, of pain and regret. It was a smile I learned to live with and learned to love, because I could always turn to it when no other expression would do.

I picked up Rin with a swing of my arms and she squealed in delight, clutching at my neck. I had grown stronger since my travels in the past era.

"Would you like to go take a bath, Rin? I know I stink…and you…ewww." I held my nose with two fingers.

Rin giggled and grabbed my hand, leading me out of the makeshift classroom and into the hallway.

"Great!" I exclaimed. I needed some form of relaxation, even if I did have Rin there to hinder it. "Now, where's the bath again?" Not to mention, I needed her. I needed her.

"Kagome-nechan, you're so funny." She giggled and pulled me onward.

"You know me so well, Rin-chan." I smiled at the small hand grasping at my arm. She was so young, yet so old for her age. I often had the feeling that she knew more than I could ever imagine, more insightful than I ever would have guessed. So why, in my late teenage years, did I not understand half the things she did? Perhaps it's not age, but perspective and experience.

The baths in Sesshoumaru's castle would, technically, not be considered in the castle. To my utmost enjoyment, the first time I had gone looking to wash the disgusting grime that had overtaken my hair, I had not discovered baths, I had discovered baths. No, no wonderful inside gazebo tub in a room full of native plants and waterfalls. No, instead there was an astounding hot spring on the castle grounds within walking distance, surrounded by native plants and a waterfall, without the limitation of a room. Utter bliss.

The sun hanging low in the sky. It would be dark in..an hour and a half, maybe two, I estimated. We could not be long or we would miss dinner. Not that I would be spending two hours at the hot springs, even if I didn't mind the prospect at all.

We found the edge of the water easily, with Rin in the lead. I carried two towels in my arms, along with the ends of my shampoo.

"Ok, Rin, let's go!" We stripped out of clothing and I jumped in. Rin debated the water where I treaded, waiting for her, before sprinting to the other end and wading in.

"What's wrong? Scare?" I chimed happily. I swam over to her and splashed her lightly. She grinned and flung her hands at the surface of the warm water. In less than a minute, we were engaged in an all-out splash fight.

It's difficult to say who won, considering we both collapsed about the same time. Rin flopped down, the water coming up to her chest.

"Oo. Look at the pretty rock, Kagome-nechan!" Rin pointed enthusiastically at a rock near me, resting at the bottom of the spring.

"It's beautiful Rin. Why don't you get it?"

Rin looked at the rock, then me, an odd expression coming over her face.

"What's wrong, Rin."

"Um…I…"

"Don't tell me you can't swim?!"

Rin wrung her hands then looked up, staring at me softly.

"You mean Sesshoumaru hasn't taught you?" I was scandalized. I positively loved swimming. How could he not teach her. Then again, I doubted if many people in the feudal age knew how to swim. Some villagers had though I was a water kappa when I had jumped in and saved the drowning boy. Perhaps it wasn't a common thing to know. And, even so, I didn't think Sesshoumaru would be the type to teach anyone anything.

"Fine then. I'll just have to teach you."

Rin looked up, her eyes shining, the grin on her face spreading like a disease.

"Really?"

"Sure, come on! I picked her up as best I could and carried her out deeper into the spring.

"Ok, now lean back. Don't worry, I got you, my hands are under your back. Ok…good. Now stay still and look up at me, ok?"

____________________________________________________

Thirty-five attempts later, we had made good progress. Rin was kicking right and I had taught her how to float. Now all that was left was the not-drowning-every-time-I-let-go-of-her part. Progress.

"Great. You're a very quick learner, Rin. Can you show me how you float one more time?"

Rin smiled and nodded, literally throwing herself back in the water. She held her breath, pinching her nose and lay as still as possible, something not easy for such an energetic girl. She maintained the position for a whole six seconds than gasped, flipping up, and nearly going under.

"Great job! I'll teach you how to tread water next time so you don't sink every time you move. But, now, if you ever fall in, you know what to do. Just put your head back and float."

"Thank you, Kagome-nechan! Can we do it again tomorrow? I want to swim like you!"

I smiled happily and splashed her once. She giggled and threw her hands out to block it, retaliating quickly after her defense. Once again, we found ourselves in an ugly war of who would be last to be waterlogged. Rin, despite her lack of swimming talent, I must say, is a hardcore splasher. I laughed a playful, evil laugh, splashing then going in for a tickle. Rin squealed under my tickles and squirmed, laughing louder than I had ever heard her. She gasped in between laughs, begging me to stop and hurling small threats of revenge back at me.

"Kagome-nechan!*giggle* Stop! *giggle* I'll *giggle* get you back, Kagome-nechan!" Rin hollered, coiling away from my flying fingers. I laughed once more, allowing her a breath then going in for the final attack.

"I was under the impression that baths were not a task that required half of the day."

I froze instantly, hands outstretched in front of Rin who had stopped also, only to brighten up immensely.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin jumped out of the spring and grabbed her towel. She threw it around herself and then went to throw herself around him, but stopped short, content just to grin at him. "Kagome-nechan taught me how to float!" she beamed. "She's going to teach me how to swim, because she says you're too stubborn, or you don't know how, but I think you would teach me, so I think you don't know how to swim. Do you want Kagome-nechan to teach you too?"

I cringed, the amount of embarrassment only too evident on my face. But, it was true. I had said it to her when she had asked why Sesshoumaru hadn't taught her.

"She said that. Indeed?" He looked over to me. A me that I just realized was completely nude under the water. I automatically sunk underneath, up to my neck. I decided it would probably be better if I just kept my mouth shut about the demon lord in future situations.

"It's true. I mean-I did say it." I knew he would be mad at me for talking about him like that and I mentally reprimanded myself..numerous times.

"That was very presumptuous of you to say." I cringed. Where was my lady etiquette? That had died a long time ago. Probably due to my travels with a horny monk and adolescent demon dog. "However, in this one instance, you seem to be correct."

I think I had to hold my jaw out of the water. I gaped at him. Had he just said I was right? Had he just admitted that he didn't know how to do something? Woah. Progress.

"I-I-"

"Does your offer still hold?"

"I-well, you see, I never actually said-"

"If not, than say so. Either you will show me, or you will not."

I was still in shock. Was he asking me to teach him how to swim?! This couldn't be right.

"Uh-well-I-I guess I could maybe help you a little…"

He stared straight at me, searching my eyes as if looking for the grave of my father that would hold some powerful ladle that could spoon out a hundred cups in one scoop. My father had been a very good cook.

"Very well. Tomorrow you will give Rin her lessons, teach her, then I will come to learn how to.." he rolled off in thought for a second "…swim."

This was a little much. Wasn't this out of character for Sesshoumaru? I mean, I know he asked me for help with Rin and all, but that was because she was dying. Now he wanted me to help him swim. I suddenly got the image of Sesshoumaru splashing around in the water like a chicken with its head cut off, hollering 'help meee…I can't do-glub glub' as his head sunk underneath. I almost had to dive underneath the water to cover up my laugh. That was completely not Sesshoumaru. A new, more accurate picture formed in my head of Sesshoumaru, stock still and silent, sinking under the water with the most dignified look I had ever seen on someone about to be drowned. I had to hold my stomach to keep the peels of laughter in. Ok, in reality, the situation was a lot uglier and a lot less comical, but perhaps I could help water it down a bit.

"Um, why don't I just teach both of you at the same time?"

He shot me a don't-question-my-actions glance but sighed and responded.

"I am occupied until the later parts of the day. I will not have available time on my hands.

So much for that. I had hoped that by having Rin there, things could maybe..not be as intense or something. Or maybe I wouldn't half to talk to him. Oh well.

"Um, ok. But, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to learn how to swim?"

He merely looked at me as if I was just a tree in front of him.

"Why do you choose to teach Rin?"

Well…I….because. That way, if she ever fell in a river or something, she could swim safely to shore. And because…it's just fun."

"Then I do not need to answer your question. Dinner is prepared. You were late and Jaken was unable to find you. Do not leave without alerting another member of the household. I will not have you wandering around without my awareness. Is that understood?" He sure changed the subject quick enough, but I nodded, not feeling up to a fight after two splashing fights and a tickling war. My ribs were aching anyway. "Come. You are already late for dinner, do not delay more. Jaken is waiting at the forest edge." I suddenly realized that I had dragged Rin with me back into the forest, where I had just been attacked by wormzilla not more than a week ago. I was so dense sometimes. I hit my forehead once, but shook out of it. Rin snatched up her clothes, the large towel wrapped around her like a cloak, and ran off ahead to find Jaken.

Sesshoumaru turned to me.

"That includes you."

"A very unclothed me, I might add."

"I am not dense."

"And a very pervy and very here you."

"You are mistaken if you think I would be tempted to look at you. You waste time with your decency, Kagome."

"And you waste time if you think I'll get out of a hot spring naked with you staring straight at me!"

He sighed and tuned his back to me.

"Very well. Hurry."

I scrambled out of the water and snatched up my clothes. Making sure that his gaze was directed elsewhere, I crammed on the kimono given to me, not checking twice over my clothes before turning back to him, only to see that he was still staring into the woods.

"Ok. Let's go." I was in a bad mood, to say the least. I was not looking forward to giving swimming lessons to the taiyoukai lord of the west. I stomped off, Sesshoumaru following behind me. Almost as if the wind had blown through lazily, a small sound reverberated from behind me. I stopped dead and turned around to stare at Sesshoumaru, pissed. Did he just…laugh at me?! He had better not have! But..why on earth would Sesshoumaru laugh at me? He doesn't laugh. Ergh! The jerk! I glared up at him and snapped a "what was that?!" at him in the most condescending of tones. He merely gazed at me, but I could swear there was some foreign expression that had flashed in his golden eyes that I was not used to seeing.

"I know not of what you talk about." he replied stonily.

I huffed and continued on till we reached the citadel. I brushed through the large doors and headed straight in the direction of my room, only to nearly barrel head first into Maki.

"Oh. I'm sorry, Maki!" I bent over, helping her pick up a few loose items that had fallen to the floor.

"Nothing to worry about, Kagome-sama. Where were you going in such a hurry?" she inquired, stooping over as well and picking up a radish.

"I was just heading for my room…how are you feeling lately, Maki?"

"I'm fine, Kagome-sama. Never felt better, thanks to you. You really are a kind soul." I blushed a bit and told her it was nothing while placing the last vegetable in her satchel.

"That's great, Maki! I'm glad to hear it. Make sure you take care of yourself, though." Remembering the words of Houjo, I told her to eat well and get enough sleep. She promised she would and I continued on down the hall.

"Kagome-sama." Maki called. I turned around, questioningly.

"Hm? What is it, Maki?"

"Your kimono…perhaps you did not take too much care in your hurry…" She looked pointedly at my back and I twisted my head so as to see better.

"Oh…" My face must have shamed tomatoes around the world, with the temperature rising in my cheeks. "Er…thank you…Maki." I looked down again. The entire back portion of my kimono was caught and folded under the hastily tied obi, exposing my backside which wasn't covered by undergarments.

I moved quicker than Inuyasha could block a well, rearranging my kimono and obi, this time flawlessly. I thanked Maki once more and continued on to my room.

So that's why Sesshoumaru was mocking me! And he walked behind me that whole time! Geez, he's worse than Miroku!! But, that seemed completely out of place for Sesshoumaru, heck, he probably hadn't even noticed. But then why was he laughing? I could fell my face flush. That wasn't something Sesshoumaru would not do regularly. Things were getting awfully difficult to understand. Sesshoumaru was getting difficult to understand.

____________________________________________________________ __

If you thought you had problems, try being a servant, tutoring an overactive eight-or something-year old, and teaching the kid and her psycho demon lord guardian to swim on top of it.

School lessons were going well with Rin. She had a knack for spelling simple words, apparently having been taught very, and I mean very basic kanji and letters. She was also quite good at math, unlike me. To tell you the truth, I was actually a bit jealous, it came to her so easily. She was an eager pupil, though her attention span was about as small as Miroku's sense of purity. Needless to say, her studies were going along well and I was proud. I found that when she understood something or was really good at something, it felt like a victory for me too. Maybe I would go into elementary school teaching if I ever got back home. If.

Needless to say, I had been a bit, nervous, ok, very much so, at the prospect of teaching Sesshoumaru, lord of the western lands, enemy of my friends, and all together ice prince how to swim. I mean, come on. I had the right to be a little bit finicky. But, in the end it really hadn't been that bad, if you set aside the fact that I had been extremely embarrassed.

I had just finished going over how to do the right arm stroke with Rin and was wrapping up our session (if that's what you want to call it) with an intense competition of who could squirt water the farthest with their hands (a neat trick my mother had taught me while I was very small). I was just about to fire what I knew was the winning shot when I was coarsely interrupted.

"I was under the impression that lessons were for teaching. They are normally a productive thing, are they not?"

I looked at him blankly, then at Rin and a smile cracked as I splashed her once more.

"Ok, Rin. You heard Grumpy-sama! It's his turn." All I could do from breaking down was to make this as tolerable as possible-even if that included humor.

Rin giggled and we both got out of the spring, me following her, as I had fished out some old clothes from my pack that I brought that might be acceptable to swim in. The events of the day before did not need repeating. I'd be damned if I gave Sesshoumaru swimming lessons in the nude. And Naraku would be pretty cold after he died, seeing as hell would be frozen over.

I helped Rin dry off quickly and she scurried off to meet Jaken. I watched her leave, ready to give anything to have her turn around and come back. Already, a dead silence had assumed its position between Sesshoumaru and myself. If there's one thing I can't stand when I'm nervous, it's dead silence.

"So!" I turned to him, a smile molded on my face. "Ready?"

Sesshoumaru looked at me dully and nodded. I hopped in the spring, relishing the warmth it brought to my abused body. After a couple of seconds, I turned around to see Sesshoumaru, standing exactly where he had been. He hadn't moved an inch and wasn't any closer to explaining the reason for it by his own will.

"Um." There was a problem here. "How exactly am I supposed to teach you if you don't get in the water?" I guess my tone of voice must have been a bit accusing, for he retaliated calmly, yet successfully.

"I don't recall ever asking you to teach me."

"Eh?" Was all I could say. What was he talking about. Oh, how he could make me feel like the most stupid thing on earth with just one sentence, a talent, that.

"I merely asked you to show me. Demonstrate. I do not remember asking you to instruct me on anything. I will watch you."

I think I almost had a seizure. He was just going to sit on the side and watch me swim?! How annoying! How embarrassing! How…freaky! Well, at least it would be easier than actually teaching him, although a bit degrading. The damn stick-in-the-med lord wouldn't accept direct help from anyone, the stubborn…but he had come to me and ask me to help Rin. Whatever.

I let out a sigh and nodded.

"Ok. What do you want me to show you?"

"Swim."

"But-"

"Swim."

Me Tarzan, you Jane. What on earth does he think he's doing? There's no way this is going to work. I let out an exasperated sigh and dove into it-literally. I swam around, at first conscious that he was watching my every move, but after a while, the smoothness and warmth of the water set in and I found myself enjoying my swim. I relaxed and focused on nothing but swimming. It was wonderful at taking things off your mind. Just focus on breathing, the strokes coming naturally. I was a wonder of a stress relief. I hadn't realized how much time had passed by until I had dove underneath by the bank of the spring only to have a hand dive in and lift me up by the arm. I nearly screamed, but realized that it was only Sesshoumaru.

"That is enough for today." he stated cooly. I nodded, still a bit embarrassed at the degree of my undress, but nowhere near that of the day before. I grabbed a towel and my pack as he stood.

"I have other things to take care of. You have other duties to attend to also." With that, he took off in the opposite direction of the castle and I marched my way back through the grounds, shivering and wet-headed.

After that was over, everything seemed a bit easier than it had the day before, though the absence of Sesshoumaru had considerably declined, putting me just a bit more on edge, as I would find myself running into him more and more. Each time, he appeared either very engaged in his thoughts, or gave me the oddest, most disorienting looks, would say maybe a word, then disappear around a corner. This irked me a bit, but otherwise, everything seemed perfectly fine, for being a servant and tutor in the house of a great demon lord. Things were running fairly smoothly.

Rin had done a more than good job on her classes and I finished all of my chores earlier than normal, so, deciding to relieve Jaken from the flower weave he was momentarily forced to tolerate, I suggested that Rin and I go pick flowers than get an early start on swimming. She had nearly jumped with happiness, but out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed that Jaken's happiness was even more evident as he scurried off. I could almost swear he gave me a small bow of gratitude before his green, bobbing head disappeared.

I didn't think it was possible to find a being more hyper than Souta after the time he had eaten five boxes of candy as a small child, but Rin put that to test. I had never seen a child so full of energy. She flitted in flashes from flower to flower, to the occasional weed, presenting me with whatever she thought "looked pretty". I couldn't help but smile as I watched her. Seeing as how she would pull up the entire field if I did not intervene, I decided to show her how to make flower chains which, I may say, was the most genius thought I have ever come up with. I watched her, bent over her small, white flower chain, tongue poking out of the side of her mouth with concentration.

"Kagome-nechan." she picked up another small flower, tying its green stem around that of another flower.

"Yes, Rin-chan?" I added another link to my own bracelet, admiring the tiny pedals of the light pink flowers I had found. Small, yet beautiful and strong. I was amazed at their durability.

"Are you going to stay with me and Sesshoumaru-sama and Jaken-sama forever?"

I paused, gazing down at my half made bracelet of blossoms. Continuing with another link I replied-

"Forever is a long time, Rin-chan. No one can promise forever. But," I set aside the flower chain and moved to place her in my lap which she did happily. "I will stay here with you while I can. I won't let you be alone, Rin-chan."

Rin smiled happily.

"Kagome-nechan! It's done!" She held up the flower chain for me to see and I complimented her craftsmanship. She clamored out of my lap and stood up. "It's for you, Kagome-nechan." She placed the small chain around my neck. I couldn't help but notice the similarity of my flower necklace and Inuyasha's rosary. They both kept their wearers in check, unable to abandon the people around them. I blinked once, wishing the stinging to go away, and it did. Rin grabbed my hand and pulled me forward.

"Come on, Kagome-nechan! Time for…swimming lessons!" I grabbed my yellow pack which held swimming attire for both of us and all the other normal commodities and we headed towards the spring, our feet steeping in the same rhythm.

Great job, Rin-chan! Are you ready to try it with my help?"

"Yes, Kagome-nechan!"

I leaned Rin forward, supporting her stomach with my hands as she kicked and paddled with her feet and hands, nearly surpassing mach three in doing so. As she began to slow down, I released her, holding her in my arms, rested against my hip. Rin was gabbering on about something a hundred miles an hour, but I was distracted when I felt something pull at my senses. Realizing what it was, I turned back to Rin and listened to the rest of her story.

"Rin-chan, I have an idea, you want to try it?" Rin smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "Ok, good. Get on my back and hold on tight. When I tell you to hold your breath, take a deep breath and hold it in, ok?"

"Ok, Kagome-nechan." Rin grabbed my neck and hoisted herself up. She was so small, but still a fairly large weight for me. I adjusted her a little bit than, shouting "Here we go!" I dove out into the middle of the spring. I circled it and small around. After a few minutes, I told Rin to hold her breath, and I dived underneath, towing her on my back where she dug her knees into my ribs (which were still sore by the way).

Feeling the effects and strain of carrying a girl around, I stopped and swam Rin over to the side of the spring where she sat on a rock that was partially submerged.

"That was fun, kagome-nechan!"

I joined her moments later, leaning back on my elbows to rest a while. I wondered silently whose idea it had been to put springs on earth and why they weren't worshipped every day. Rin kicked her feet in the water, causing ripples to slide through the clear surface. I looked on with partial interest, the way water moved so smoothly still somewhat captivating, even after all the years of being by it.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, it is not polite to merely stand back and eaves drop. "I drawled in a mock-polite tone. "Especially for such a long time. Join us if you want to, or go on your way, but it's freaky having you just standing back there."

He didn't move.

"I don't appreciated taking orders from a human woman, a servant, nonetheless, in my lands, on the grounds of my home."

For some reason, the fact that Sesshoumaru would call someplace a home struck me odd. I had never really thought about it before. Having a place he would take comfort in just seemed so…un-Sesshoumaru. Oh well, that's off topic.

"Then don't take the orders, just follow them." I replied snidely. "And this human woman is also the woman who just so happens to be the human who is tutoring your ward and even showing you," I poked him in the chest for emphasis. " yourself, how to swim." I smiled triumphantly and he snatched my hand in his, shocking me a bit. I stared down at our hands, his nearly devouring mine in size, then at his his face, confusion written across mine. It was his turn to smirk.

"Except for the fact that I know how to swim."

I snatched my hand away, a bit irked.

"You mean you knew how to swim the whole time?!" I could feel the pink seeping into my cheeks.

"No, but I do now."

"You can't be serious." I said in a dead tone. Who did this guy think he was-some god or something? Just 'cause he has a good body and gorgeous features and is a killer fighter-literally-doesn't mean he runs the universe. He's not some superman. Correction, super youkai. Wait, damn. That would unfortunately go against the whole taiyoukai title, wouldn't it. Ok, I was just backing myself into a corner. But still!

"Ok, fine! Let's see what you can do! But, keep this in mind, I really don't feel like saving anyone today. Performing CPR would put a damper on my good day." Though, I really doubted he had any clue as to what CPR was. Whatever. I didn't feel up to explaining it, and he didn't ask. I huffed and plopped down on a rock at the edge of the spring, crossing my arms and staring daggers into the water. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the movement of white fabric, but paid no attention.

"If you continue to stare at the water like that, it will freeze." his calm voice sounded from somewhere to my right.

"Then it'd be just like you.." I muttered under my breath and looked up to glare at him, only…I never got that far. It's really hard to glare when your eyes are wide open and your jaw is hanging down a foot. Perhaps when I had said he was gorgeous it had been…a bit of an understatement. Not only did he have the male model features, but he had the body to accompany it. I'm not one to go into details or a faint when I see a guys body, but, well, I guess I had never seen such a…nice…body. Sure, Inuyasha definitely had nothing to complain about, but he's only a hanyou. Take something almost twice as strong and..well, I'll let you have fun. So, needless to say, I was a tad bit shocked. And, I was even more shocked when the gi pant thingy he wears started to come off.

Oh hell, I'm too young for this!

"Put..those…back…on…this instant!!" I hollered, my eyes squeezed shut, my hands against my head.

"I do not understand how it is acceptable for a female to swim nude, but for a male to do so is unacceptable."

"It's not unacceptable, it's just-no."

There was a rustling of fabric.

"Indeed. You may open your eyes now."

Waiting a second more, I opened my eyes once again, still caught by the flawlessness of his skin and how smooth it appeared. This guy…what was the term my friends used, oh yeah…this guy was ripped.

In a moment of realization, I slapped my forehead. Why was I thinking these things?! What about Inuyasha? I loved Inuyasha and that meant not gaping at some other guys chest. But then again, a part of me argued, it's not like Inuyasha and I were going out and it wasn't like I was doing anything wrong, just looking at a guy shirtless. No big deal. Think Inuyasha thoughts. Think Inuyasha thoughts.

I snapped out of my reverie quickly when he slipped into the water. He stood, the water only reaching his upper stomach, gazing at me intently.

"W-what?" His looks disturbed me sometimes. Ok, all the time, but whatever.

"Are you not going to insure that I do not drown? You seemed concerned earlier."

I huffed. Really, the guy was impertinent.

"I-I wasn't concerned. I just don't want you to die or anything."

"Concern."

"For Rin. If you died, she would be lost."

"She would have Jaken."

"Jaken can barely take care of that two-headed dragon. Rin is twice as tiring."

He paused slightly for a second as if calculating, then replied slowly. "She would have you."

I was slightly shocked, to say the least, but overcame It quickly. "I won't be here forever. I can't take care of a child, my life is too dangerous."

"The life of a servant, to dangerous?" He quirked an eyebrow at me, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Oh go stuff yourself." I mumbled, hopping in the water after him. "Let's see if you are as great as you think."

Without a word, Sesshoumaru slipped silently under the surface of the water, diving towards the center of the spring where he proceeded to swim with perfect, calm strokes until he had conquered the length of the spring five times. His motions were fluid, yet calculated and had a certain beauty to them that I longed to possess. It wasn't fair that a man could be so beautiful and move so beautiful. And that damn hair of his. He probably didn't even wash it and it was at least twenty times better than mine. I just wasn't natural.

When he stopped five feet in front of me, I looked up, startled.

"But-how-you only watched me one-"

"I am a fast learner." he said quietly, brushing strands of wet silver behind his pointed ears. He looked like some mythical creature. Well, by my time's standards, he was some mythical creature, but that just goes to show that maturity does not always mean wisdom.

"That's a bit of an understatement."

He nodded once and turned, presumably to take another little dip.

"Sesshoumaru-sama." He stopped, his smooth back and shoulders glistening with surplus droplets of water. "Why did you say that Rin would have me?"

He stood for a while and I was beginning to think he wouldn't answer me. A slight breeze blew through, causing the part of me that was out of water to shiver and give me goose bumps. He stood motionless, then turned around slowly, wading towards me through the water, his silver hair pooling out behind him on the azure surface. He stopped, a mere foot away from me. He gazed down at me, his eyes easily searching my face without moving. His demeanor and very presence was calm. He was like a natural sedative until you realized that he could kill you with the flick of his wrist.

"I have observed your maternal behavior around Rin enough to make the assumption that you would not leave her for ill. It is not your character. She reminds you too much of the kitsune you miss and the only time you smile is when in her company."

I stared at him in shock. He knew this? What, had he been making observations of my interaction with Rin? This was crazy. He was crazy. And he was right. I didn't want him to know this. I didn't want him to know anything about me.

"How can you be so sure? You don't trust me."

I think he may have sensed my confusion, for he continued, stepping closer to me, his face mere inches from mine.

"The picture that Rin drew. You know of it."

I nodded dumbly, his close proximity making me antsy and retarding my reactions.

"Rin does not lie or deceive. She is honest and hopeful and is rarely wrong in her observations. If I were to leave her, Rin would be happy with you."

"Even if I do like Rin, don't you dare plan on dumping her on me. Sure, if you were gone I think she would be responsible enough to deal with it, but she would never choose to leave you for me. She loves you, gods help her. You aren't…planning to get rid of her are you?"

He said nothing, just stared at me, that piercing, judgmental stare that was so personal.

"Somehow she's found, if any exists, the good in you. I would take Rin if it was required, and I would watch over her carefully, but she needs you. And you need her."

An odd look flitted across his stone features and he leaned down, his face by my neck.

"I was beginning to fall under the misconception that you were smart, somehow different from other humans, but you are all the same." he breathed in my ear, causing an extreme case of the chills on my part. His hand rose up to cup my chin. "Do not speak of that which you do not understand." His voice cut through the air between us. It was cold and hallow. He was mad. He had no right.

"I understand one thing-you don't know what you have until it's gone."

"Less is more." He seemed to shake himself out of an immense inner turmoil, pulling back, his hand leaving a tiny trail of warm red on my cheek, after his claws. Inuyasha never would have been so careless. But perhaps Sesshoumaru

Suddenly I found myself sickening at the sight of Sesshoumaru, his cold demeanor and stoic mask suddenly appeared idiotic and childish. His calm perfection so opposite of that which was his half brother's. A half brother that I loved and missed.

I discovered in that minute that I hated Sesshoumaru. I hated him for putting me there in the first place. For trying to hurt my friends so many times, for having a jewel shard in his home which it was my duty to come collect, for making a fool out of me, making me into a servant so that I may save my friends (since he threatened them to begin with). It all fell back to Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru had caused so many trials for us. Sesshoumaru had left me in the woods when I became lost and was held by Naraku. And Sesshoumaru…was the only stable thing that I had at the moment. It was a maddening and disorienting thought. He hadn't betrayed or deceived me in my hallucinations while under Naraku's influence. He was always the same, cold exterior of a person, fiercely loyal to those like Rin, who mattered to him. He was completely different than Inuyasha, yet, the same. He was a cold being and a literally perfect killing machine, yet honest and loyal. He would not leave that which was important to him.

As quickly as my hatred had formed for him, it washed back away like ink on paper.

AN: Well, that was interesting…and almost pointless. I really don't know if this story is headed in the right direction. It looks like the story will be at least a chapter longer than expected, but that's good, right? Again, sorry it took so long and I didn't get a chance to proof read it, so….

To answer a question, yes this story does deal with a Sess/Kag relationship, but I have yet to decide how far it will go.

Well, Please tell me what you guys think. I would like to aim for twenty reviews before the next chapter. Please give me any suggestions you might have. Next Chapter-somebody comes for Kagome. More relationship building (but always in unique ways), and an accident that Kagome may never live down. Assuming she even remembers it. Catch you all next time!