Christmas Collection by kaoruhana
Unsuspecting Allies
This is my first canon-setting story. There's bound to be errors, so please tell me if you see them.
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It had been nearly a half year since Sesshomaru had joined the group led by his half-brother and the miko. She’d been nothing short of respectful in her own way towards him. The monk and tajiya were different in their respect but he appreciated it as much as he did the miko’s. And she was exceedingly kind to Rin, kind enough that he began to wonder if Rin needed more human interaction in her life. He’d also noticed a difference in how the miko acted towards his half-brother.
Whereas before she’d been pining over him constantly, now she acted more like a sibling- something that had surprised him at first but now seemed normal. And as he got to live with the group, he’d quickly begun to understand her as well and appreciate all the different complexities that made her her. She was from the future and she intrigued him. After all, she was the first in the group to really consider him an ally. Now, he found that he saw her as an ally too.
He’d never really thought of it that much, but Sesshomaru knew that as soon as the final battle was over, stately duties would be back around for him to take care of. After all, nearly all the jewel shards except for the ones held by Naraku were in their possession. The eve of the final battle was approaching. And that meant he’d never see her again. She’d become someone to talk to at times, someone who understood some things he never thought she could and who, through her knowledge, taught him some things in return.
“Sesshomaru-sama?” Kagome asked making her way over to him. It was early winter but the weather had forced them to stop travel for a few days and they were resting in Edo- Kaede’s village. Kagome to pass the time had introduced to them a holiday tradition of hers and had explained how it was really special to her. She’d brought over some things from her side and opted to spend the special day with them. It was getting late in the day now and Sesshomaru watched as she visibly shivered from the cold.
“Why are you outside in this cold?” He asked finding it odd that the woman had come to find him in this weather. Granted he’d been thinking of her but he thought she would have liked to spend the day with her friends.
“Why are you outside then?” She returned shuffling her feet to keep herself warm. “Everyone’s having fun inside- you sure you don’t want to join us?”
She knew that everyone was terrified of Sesshomaru. But to put things in simple terms, she also knew that his bark was worse than his bite. Sesshomaru seemed scary and aloof but it wasn’t that hard to get to know him- you just had to approach him differently. And right now, she wanted him inside with everyone because that’s what allies- no friends she corrected herself- did.
“I needed to do some thinking.” He answered watching as her face clearly expressed her understanding of his words.
She knew what that felt like. How many times had she practically begged Inuyasha to just leave her alone for a little while? Sometimes you needed to be alone to sort things out. Smiling, she took a seat on the cold, slightly wet ground next to him shuffling closer to him for warmth. The area he’d found was relatively untouched by the snow and she was grateful for that. Her clothes would otherwise take forever to dry.
As Sesshomaru regarded her he wondered about the future. What if he never saw her again after the battle? What if she disappeared to her time forever? He wasn’t sure of what he would do, he just knew he had this one day- this one special time for her- with her and he would make sure that the both of them enjoyed it together. She was unknowingly someone special- she brought him company when he needed it most and he liked it- no he needed it and he wanted it to never disappear.
“Sesshomaru-sama, what’s wrong?” Kagome noticed the emotions flicker on his face and was scared when his eyes seemed to suddenly darken in anger. She hoped that she had done nothing to offend him, though she couldn’t think of what it was that she did. He’d never minded her sitting this close before so what was it? Did he truly want to be left alone this time?
“What will you do at the end?”
“The end?” Kagome repeated as though the words seemed strange. Truthfully, she’d never thought about it. What would happen when the jewel was complete- either in Naraku’s hands or hers? If it was tainted, then it would be doom for everyone. Shuddering, she decided not to think about that. But if she succeeded what was she going to do? She could go back home and finish her studies, but would she be stuck there forever? Or what if the well closed and she was stuck here? So many thoughts were swirling through her head and she wasn’t sure- for the first time in her life she really didn’t know if she was ready to face the future head on.
“I don’t know.” She idly stared off into the distance, in the direction of the old well. “What if the well closes? What should I do?”
Sesshomaru wasn’t sure how to answer, or what exactly the best way to answer her was. Nonetheless, he found himself speaking.
“The West is always open to you. My court needs some new faces.”
Kagome was shocked hearing this. She knew that he was nice to her but to offer her a position on his court was just unheard of. She wasn’t that special! Promptly, she squashed down his offer.
“I don’t mean to be rude but I can’t take this offer. I’m nowhere near skilled enough to serve on your court.”
“You are more knowledgeable than me.” Sesshomaru countered, pausing and then continuing. “And you are from the future.”
Kagome knew that he was right- she was smarter than him (at least on some things) and she could probably advise him on things but she just wasn’t ready for a role in politics. She wanted to rest for a few years doing nothing at all expect occasionally fending off the rouge demon or two- that is if she won the battle. And even though being in the company of Sesshomaru was appealing she didn’t know if it was worth the consequences. He seemed to notice her hesitation and swiftly maneuvered her into accepting the proposition.
“Think of it as a gift. Did you not say allies offer gifts to one another at this time? For the scroll you have given me, think of this position as repayment.”
She sighed, knowing that he did offer her some good points and decided that she might as well take his offer. After all, now that it was a gift there was no way to refuse his offer without insulting him. Taking a deep breath she agreed with a nod and then stood up dusting off her pants after she did so.
“Thank you Sesshomaru-sama!” She was considerably colder than she was when she had originally stepped out and she knew it was time to go inside. “Are you sure you don’t want to go inside?” She asked waiting for his answer.
“I shall accompany you.” He replied standing up gracefully next to her. Smiling, she walked next to him as they walked back into Kaede’s village and towards her hut. Sometimes, Christmas really did bring people closer together; Kagome realized sneaking a quick glance at the daiyoukai next to her. And she was suddenly very glad that it did for her and came in the form of a most unsuspecting ally.