Hey all! This is my entry for TangerineDream's Second Annual Fanfiction tournament. (http://www.dokuga.com/forum/29-challenges/64798-second-annual-fanfiction-tournament)
I do not own IY or its characters, nor do I make any kind of profit from this. I write purely for fun, and because sugar0o still refuses to return my repellant. And thank you for my awesome beta, doing magnificent job, as always. <3
Title: Of Jealousy and Hearts
Round One: Evil Eye
Paired with: kogazgirl29
Genre: Romance
AU/CU: CU
Rating: T, just in case
I'd love to read your opinions of my story so please, review. But remember to vote by sending TangerineDream a PM. And remember to read kogazgirl's story as well.
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Kagome sat leaning against a tree at the edge of clearing they had chosen as their resting place for the night. The sun was setting and the camp fire was roaring slightly, sending tendrils of warmth in her way. She felt happy and was content to stay as she was, but the way children were looking at her, her rest would soon be a memory.
Not that she complained. She loved both kids very much and had been delighted when Sesshoumaru had decided to accept her invitation of joining the group. Now she could huggle and cuddle two kids, because both obviously craved gentle attention.
Kagome's thoughts were interrupted by two giggling bundles that attacked her, both chirping about the fun games they should play, and the beautiful flowers they've seen. And the butterfly that had sat on Shippo's nose. And the candy that she gave Rin yesterday that was soooooo delicious. The children chattered so animatedly, that they failed to watch what they were doing, and soon they collided with each other. Both ended up in a heap on the ground, blinking at Kagome with confused eyes.
Kagome couldn't hold her laughter and everyone in the camp stopped minutely to watch their miko laugh so freely and happily. Miroku and Sango looked at each other from across the camp and smiled. Kagome hadn't laughed that way since Inuyasha had ran off to search for Kikyo after what happened at Mt. Hakurei.
The only one who seemingly wasn't affected with the girl's laughter, was the ever stoic demon lord. But through out the evening, Kagome could feel his eyes on her back, just like every evening when she was playing with Rin.
First she had firgured it was his protectiveness of the human girl. He had nearly threatened her when she first time asked Rin to play with her and Shippo. Like she would anything let happen to the girl. But after weeks, the hostility and the waryness in his stare had diminished, and something else had begun to seep in to his gaze. If she didn't know better, she'd say it was envy and jealousy. But why would Sesshoumaru be jealous of her?
A couple of days later, the group was passing a village with a market place right outside. It seemed to be rather popular, if the amount of vendors was any indication.
Miroku and Sango were enthusiastic to visit the market, Miroku for reasons of earning money in his own, slightly devious ways, and Sango for the sheer enjoyment of it. Inuyasha was against the idea, but gave in when Miroku hinted that there might be news of all kind of happenings and persons. Kagome didn't really mind. The possibility of buying things they needed was tempting, and the kids were already chirping of the things they might see. Sesshoumaru didn't take another look at the market, and sat at the base of a tree a decent distance away from the 'pugent smell of disgusting beings'.
The group had the left the demon lord, his retainer and dragon there, and started walking towards the market. They had just reached the edge of it when suddenly Kagome felt herself being stopped by a strong hand.
An old man that looked to be from the continent held Kagome by the arm and babbled something very fast in an unknown language. The miko looked around helplessly. She didn't understand a word and she wanted to continue the shopping. Another foreign looking man neared them and started to translate older man's talk.
“He says you have met the evil eye. He says you'll die, if not confront the eye and guard against it.” younger foreigner said. “The evil eye, it kills. But he wants you to have spell against.”
The older one then held out his hand, giving Kagome a necklace that had black and white cylinders all over it.
“He says these beads will help you, but you must confront the evil eye. The evil eye, the man does not know he uses it. So confront it.” Younger one said, as older one pressed the necklace on Kagome's hand. And before she had chance to say anything, two of them disappeared from her sight.
Too shocked to move, Kagome's eyes turned to the necklace she was given. She gasped a little, recognizing the shape and patterns on the beads. She had seen these all over in her time. They came from Tibet and were used to ward of evil and jealous eyes. She knew though that the belief was not known at this time frame. Or if it was, it was scoffed at. She herself didn't believe that you could curse someone just by looking at them. From all her experiences you needed a spell or potion or something else to do that.
But she also had learned enough during these months in the Feudal Era, to not laugh at those two foreign men. Obviously they had sensed something on her, and had given her a chance to defend herself. If they had been scamming her, they would have asked payment for the necklace.
The others had not noticed the strange exchange between two men and Kagome, but they realize that she wasn't them as they walked forward. They turned back to look for her and found her staring something in her hand, deep in thought.
“There you are, Kagome-sama.” Rin chirped. “Rin was worried Rin had lost you. Sesshoumaru-sama wouldn't like Rin to loose Kagome-sama.”
Kagome raised her head, looking at the small girl who was smiling her already familiar toothy grin. She smiled back and shook her head.
“It was nothing important, Rin. And you're right. Sesshoumaru-sama would be very angry if I lost his precious little Rin, now wouldn't he?”
Rin giggled, took Kagome's hand and started to lead her towards the others. She thought that adults were funny. Rin had meant exactly what she said. Her Sesshoumaru-sama would become really irritated if something happened to Kagome-sama. She better stay right by older girl's side, just in case she got lost again.
The day went by fast. When the group returned to where the demon lord had chosen to wait, they found Jaken roasting a deer over a fire. Sesshoumaru was sitting under the tree and his face looked emotionless as always. But Kagome could have sworn she saw a smug glint, when their eyes met. That itself shocked her, and woke butterflies in her tummy.
The dinner was delicious and the children talked about everything they had noticed, seen or smelled and made guesses and wild stories about some of the stuff they had seen sold at the vendors. The evening was filled with laughter, until Rin mentioned how shocked and lost Kagome had been at the beginning.
“Keh, stupid onna. Should have known you'd be lost in there too. Kikyo would...” Inuyasha, who was suffering from not hearing any news of his long - dead, returned - as - clay sculpture lover, scoffed at the Shikon miko's hard luck.
“I don't care what Kikyo would or wouldn't have done, Inuyasha.” Kagome snapped at her friend and former crush. “And I didn't get lost. There was this old man who stopped me and started pouring out something of evil eye and its effects on me.”
A stunned silence followed her words. When she realized all eyes were on her, she thought through her last words and mentally growled at her stupidity. She didn't mean to reveal that tidbit.
“Oops.”
~~~
Two days later Kagome woke up in pain. She felt highly feverish and her joints were sore and aching. It was during the first rays of light of the day, and no one else was awake. She tried to get water to wet her parched and sore throat, but even a slightest movement sent a jolt of pain through her. She cried out softly, trying not to wake others up.
”What ails you, miko?” A soft baritone voice was talking right next to her ear.
Kagome gasped. She hadn't notice him move nearer. Or sensed him being awake, for that matter. He sure slept light, if he slept at all.
She took deep breath to calm her down, and winced when slight pain shot through her. With soft and raspy voice she told demon lord of the fever and soreness.
“You didn't feel any of this last night.” It was more a comment than a question, but Kagome answered anyway.
“No. I felt perfectly healthy.” She whispered.
“Hn.”
Suddenly a bowl of steaming broth was right in front of her face. She lifted her eyes to see Sesshoumaru holding the bowl so she could drink it, without needing to lift herself too much.
“What is it?” She asked, when the smell wafting from the bowl was unfamiliar.
“Herbs, they help fevers. I keep it for Rin.” Deep voice explained.
That in itself surprised Kagome, she wasn't expecting an explanation from him. But she wasn't going to question the only one who was awake to help her.
“It will help you sleep.” inuyoukai continued when it seemed that little miko was suspicious.
That settled it. Anything strong enough to get her sleep with the pain she was feeling was worth trying. She drank bowl empty and set herself back down. She met the golden eyes of inuyoukai and smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Sesshoumaru.” She whispered. And soon she fell asleep. Last thing she remembered was, Sesshoumaru's eyes had been worried.
A few hours later she woke up to find their camp in uproar. Inuyasha was yelling at everyone, disappointed that they couldn't move forward that day. He was tattered and bruised, so Kagome guessed he had fought with his half-brother, again.
Miroku and Sango were playing their usual grope-grope-slap-slap- game that seemed to never end, and children were running around like headless chickens, asking all the time if their onee-san was really going to be ok. Even Jaken was a mess, though he tried to cover it by complaining, rather vocally, about weak human beings.
Only ones who seemed calm were Ah-Un and Sesshoumaru. Both were sitting close to the miko, the two-headed dragon, laying very close to her, keeping her warm.
“Could someone give me water?” Kagome rasped. And then she was surrounded by chattering group members, all asking if she was alright, if she needed anything and the questions went on and on.
“Silence.” Sesshoumaru said, lifting Kagome to sitting position against Ah-Un's side and holding a cup of water for her. That sight was so unfamiliar and unreal to all, that the talk ended and everyone looked wide-eyed as the taiyoukai tended the ill miko.
“Kagome, what happened?” Inuyasha broke the silence, annoyed at the fact that Sesshoumaru was hovering over his friend. “The bastard here said only that you were in pain last night.”
“Yes, onee-san, what's the matter?” said Rin, who was on the verge of tears.
Kagome cleared her throat after drinking some water, and nodded her thanks to the demon lord. Then she turned her attention to her worried friends, and explained the nights occurrences. The chatter broke free once more, everyone thinking aloud of the cause. Kagome felt a little light headed and didn't pay much attention to her friends' guesses, until Miroku said something interesting.
“You don't think this is the result of that evil eye, the old man at the market was speaking of?”
Kagome snorted. Why would anyone use evil eye on her? She had nothing anyone would be jealous about. She said so too, and got dubious looks from the rest of them. Even Rin. But little girl thought it better not to say anything. No one would believe her anyway.
The argument over the worth of Kagome went on, and Sesshoumaru was getting irritated. He personally thought that the Shikon Miko was worth more than his lands, but he had reputation to keep up, so he chose to be silent and stoic as ever. Miroku and Sango tried to convince her of her worth, she was the Shikon Miko! But all Inuyasha had said and done over the months they'd spent searching the fragments of the Shikon no Tama, had affected the sensitive girl from the future deeply.
The talk ended, when Miroku said gravely that he wanted to investigate it anyway, no matter what Kagome said or thought about it. She stated that he'd be welcome to do so, just leave her out of it.
“I will.” The houshi promised. “But first you must tell me, what did you do with the beads that man gave you?”
”I gave them to Rin and Shippo.” was the answer. She might not believe the effects of the evil eye herself, but Kami knows what children came up with a story like that, so she had given those beads to the kids, 'just in case'.
The rest of the day was silent. Rin and Shippo helped Kagome lay down when she tired herself. Sesshoumaru kept close eye to her as well, and Jaken, for once, didn't complain when she asked him to fetch water or other things.
Kagome also had time to think about all that had happened at the market and that morning. While she still had problems believing anyone would be envious enough to use the 'evil eye' on her, she had to admit that all compliments had made her feel warm inside. Only thing that still bothered her, was the irritation that had flashed in Sesshoumaru's eyes, and she couldn't help but wonder what had caused it.
A part of her wished that Sesshoumaru would have been irritated of her low self esteem. The thought of him caring about her and thinking of her highly, made her cheeks burn and butterflies flutter in her tummy. She crushed the thought and fought the blush down. Her friends wouldn't never let her live it down if they found out she was blushing because of Sesshoumaru. They'd think the evil eye made her a nutcase as well.
Speaking of the evil eye, she really didn't believe she could be ill because someone was jealous. But what could have made her so sore so suddenly? She had visited the future day before, since her mother had wanted her to go to doctor, for a yearly check up... A smile spread to her face. Yes, now she knew. She was thankful sore joints and fever, even if high, were only things she had.
Meanwhile, Miroku was doing his own thinking. Kagome was not the only one noticing how Sesshoumaru behaved when Rin was showering Kagome with gifts and attention. Though the little girl didn't leave her lord with any less attention, it seemed that the joyous smile on Kagome's face turned lord's mood sour. It was quite obvious to the houshi, that Sesshoumaru envied Kagome. Hence, he was also an obvious culprit for Kagome's illness. Who would have thought?
The monk was so enthralled in the thought, that he forgot to grope Sango while they were collecting fire wood. That made the huntress a little bit disappointed. She did however agree with the monk, when he shared his thoughts.
~~~
Next morning found Kagome up and about, humming a tune and taking care of breakfast. Inuyasha was happy with the fact that they were now able to move on to find more shards and Kikyo, and didn't question his friend's fast recovery. Miroku and Sango were shocked into silence, watching her like a hawk for any signs of weakness and dizziness. Sesshoumaru was flabbergasted to see her without pain and fever so fast, but didn't let it show. Even though Kagome noticed his eyes widen somewhat.
Kagome smiled at him. “You know, without that herbal drink you gave me the other night, I'd still be down. Much better, but still unable to move this much. Thank you, Lord Sesshoumaru.” she said, bowing formally to the inuyoukai.
Sesshoumaru seemed pleased and shocked his half-brother and other group members even more by answering to Kagome with his own bow. Granted, it wasn't as deep as hers, but it was a bow. Kagome's smile widened and a light blush covered her cheeks.
“So, Kagome.” Miroku cleared his throat. “Guess who, obviously, is the culprit of your illness?”
Kagome laughed at him. “Culprit? You mean you still believe some one has used the evil eye on me? I thought I told you guys that there's nothing anyone would be envious about.”
“Oh, but there is. Many people, actually.” Miroku continued.
“Please, share your thoughts. Though I have to disappoint you, as I know what caused the pain and fever and it sure isn't an evil eye.” The girl from the future kept laughing.
“Very well, ” Miroku started. ”Now, let's see... There's Ayame. She's envious that Kouga gives you so much attention and claims you as his mate to be.”
Kagome's laughter rang again. ”First of all, Ayame knows I have no feelings what so ever to her Kouga. We have had our girl-chat and cleared out any of her insecurities about me.”
“Inuyasha has told us that he's envious of how easily you get along with people.” Miroku continued. “Both Sango and I have reasons to envy you, but while that is true, neither of us or Inuyasha would poison you or curse you knowingly.”
Kagome giggled and looked at the stunned hanyou near her.
“Then there's Kikyo.” Sango continued. “She's envious of your soul, and that you're so close with Inuyasha.”
“But who we really think, is our culprit, is Sesshoumaru-sama.” Miroku stated. “He's jealous, because Rin has started to pay more attention to you than him.” He finished, feeling proud of his train of thought.
A stunned silence spread to the clearing. Shippo and Rin stared with wide eyes at Miroku, who was staring Sesshoumaru. The demon lord's eyes had widened minutely, but otherwise he was stoic as ever. Sango was looking around her, trying to figure out everyone's feelings, Jaken had fainted and Inuyasha was looking angry.
“Pfffft.” A stifled laughter was heard. All eyes turned to Kagome, who was shaking with laughter she was attempting to hold back, very unsuccessfully. Soon she was laughing out loud, and tears were streaming down her cheeks.
It took her ten minutes to calm down, and even then she only managed when she didn't look at the inuyoukai. Sesshoumaru was bit offended of this fact, but he too was trying to prevent his lips from twitching. The houshi could get a job as a jester, if he wanted to, that was for sure.
“You know, Miroku.” Kagome said. “I'd recommend you as a stand-up comedian, if they had those in this era.” By now she was laying on the ground, looking at tree tops.
“And though I agree with Kikyo being jealous because I have her reincarnated soul,” she frowned at Inuyasha who started to protest, “I simply can't believe that she'd make me just ill. I'd be dead in a second, if she had the means and power. And don't you deny it, Inuyasha.”
The inu-hanyou was sputtering, but knew it to be true. Or at least close enough, so he shut his mouth. He did love Kikyo almost blindly, but even he wasn't stupid enough to not to notice the obvious hostility the once dead miko held toward the younger one.
“When it comes to you three, the man did say that the culprit would do it unknowingly, so it could be any of you.” Kagome smirked at the horrified faces of her friends.
”And while Rin gives me gifts and attention, have you not noticed how she pays it double to her lord? There's no way Sesshoumaru would envy me of Rin's attention. Am I not right, my lord?”
Sesshoumaru nodded slightly. He was not least troubled over the fact that Rin seemed to spend time with older girl.
“Rin can do as she pleases. This Sesshoumaru has noticed the miko teaches her the basics of reading and writing, thus time spent with the miko is not opposed.” He said.
“If Sesshoumaru-sama would envy anyone, it would be Rin.” Rin piped in.
That got everyone's attention.
“What do you mean?” Miroku asked.
“Rin takes Kagome-nee-san's attention so much. Sesshoumaru-sama wants some of that attention, but Kagome spends time with Rin, because Rin asks her to.” The little girl said, looking the Shikon Miko and her lord with knowing eyes.
Once again silence spread. Kagome was blushing furiously and tried to hide it, but at least Sesshoumaru's keen eyes noticed it. Everyone else was too flabbergasted to notice anything.
Shippo noticed how Sesshoumaru glanced at Kagome, and snickered. Ooh, he and Rin would surely have their wish come true soon. But adults were so slow on these things. Maybe they could help somehow. Oh, the possibilities tickled kitsunes mind.
Inuyasha was lost. And let it be known, quite verbally too. “Oi, you brat! What do you mean and who is the one making Kagome sick?”
“No one.” Kagome answered quickly, wanting this to be over and done with. It was one thing dreaming of silver hair, golden eyes and maroon stripes. But hearing from others that the owner of those attributes could maybe, possibly, have a hint of similar thoughts made her heart race and soar to the skies. She really needed to think this through.
“I went home two days ago, remember? You had that awful fit again.”
Inuyasha grunted at that.
“Well, mama had gotten me a appointment to see a healer of our time, to see that I'm fit and in good health. The healer gave me some medicine, so I'll be immune to some of the diseases that go rampant here. And that medicine, a vaccine as we call it, can give some people side effects. Obviously I'm one of those people.” Kagome explained, trying not to confuse her friends with words from future. They seemed to get confused with her terms sometimes.
“So, you weren't ill because of the evil eye?” Sango questioned her friend.
“No, it was just coincidence, really.” Kagome answered. “Now, let's get going and forget this 'evil eye' thing all together, shall we?” She chirped, took her backpack and started walking, the children and Sesshoumaru with his entourage hot on her heels.
Rest of the tachi looked at each other, shrugged and took of walking. But a small doubt was starting to form in their minds. It might have been something they had overlooked, but it felt like there was something going on between their friend and Lord of the West.
Later that evening, when all the others were asleep, Kagome snuck away from the camp. She sat down at the base of a tree and looked towards the sky and its stars. She fingered the single dzi bead, that was dangling from a silver chain around her neck, when an arm wrapped around her. She leaned on the person, knowing full well who it was.
“So, it's been three days.” She whispered. “When will we tell the others, my lord?”
“Hmm...” Sesshoumaru looked down at her. “You want us to tell them about you attacking this one about the evil eye, that you supposedly don't believe in, and what it lead us to?” he asked.
“Oh, please. It's not that bad. I'd say it's romantic, you confessing jealousy over the attention I showered on kids and not on your royal person.” She chided him, smiling happily.
“Hn. This one believes that you still give more attention to others than to this one.”
Kagome turned towards her lord, fully intending to berate him for that. Before she could say a word, she was silenced in the most sweetest way, and she didn't complain.