Forever Entwined by Mistress Sianna

Chapter 1

  Forever Entwined

Summary: Naraku and the Shikon Jewel are gone. Three years after being forced to her own time, Kagome makes it back to the past, but the timeline is out of sync. More than 60 years have past in the time she once knew. Only one familiar face remains.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters associated with the series. The following story is a work of fan fiction, written for entertainment purposes only. The author makes no monetary gains for this work. 

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It wasn’t supposed to be like this, Kagome thought for what must have been the hundredth time. Almost carelessly, the miko had draped herself over one of the Sacred Tree’s sturdier branches, her left leg dangling listlessly beneath her. High above, the impassive sky drifted over her, it’s bright stars and sliver of moon dappling its inky surface. A million thoughts raced through her mind, yet nothing substantial managed to stand out.

What did it all mean? What was the point of it all? Why… why did the well allow her to come back to this world, a world without her friends, the second family of her heart. She’d spent the better part of a year pondering that very question, still no answers had managed to surface. 

While in her own time, only three years had passed, something like sixty years had passed here in the feudal era. When she’d managed to get back through the well, happily anticipating a life with Inuyasha and the rest of her friends, she’d instead returned to a world of mostly strangers. Only a few of the older villagers remembered her from childhood, including Yasu-Miko. She could clearly remember the day she’d made it back. Initially she’d been afraid the well hadn’t worked, for she’d arrived inside the well house. Only when she’d exited the small structure and nearly collided with the older priestess did she realize that she had, in fact made it to the past. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the past she remembered.

“Hey, what are you doing in here?! You‘re not supposed to--” she’d faltered, before pausing to take a closer look. “ Ka--Kagome-sama?” Yasu-Miko had uttered, shock writ clear on her face. “Is it really you? What are you doing here?”

“I’m… back?” Kagome had said, not really knowing what else to say.

Yes, I can see that, but… why after so many years. I was just a girl the last time I saw you.”

That brought her up short, for when she really looked at the other priestess, she could clearly see that Yasu-Miko was a much older woman than she. If she had to guess, she would say that the woman was not much younger than Kaede had been the last time she’d seen her. 

Upon speaking with the older woman, Kagome had learned that Yasu-Miko had been present in the village during the final battle with Naraku. She’d actually witnessed when Kagome had shot that final arrow, purifying the evil youkai and the Sacred jewel.

“I never got to thank you,” Yasu-miko had told her. She and her younger brother had been attempting to flee the village as falling chunks of Naraku’s corpse rained down around them. The boy, just three years old at the time, had tripped and was nearly killed. Kagome’ arrow struck just in time to save the child from being crushed by a toxic lump of flesh.

She also learned that, unsurprisingly, after sixty or so years, all of her human friends were dead. Miroku and Sango had had children, but they’d moved away and hadn’t been back in many years. As for Rin, no one seemed to be sure what happened to her. She’d trained under Kaede into early adulthood and many had expected her to become the new village priestess. Apparently, the young woman had other ideas because one day, she simply ran off. It was rumored that she married some time later, but again her husband’s identity was unknown. Some claimed it to be Kohaku, and others said she married a demon, probably Shippou. 

The kitsune had stayed with Miroku and Sango for many years, but had disappeared around the same time Rin had, thus the rumors. And then there was Inuyasha. As it turns out, the one she’d wanted to see the most, had been the first to leave the village. He’d left nearly ten years after the well closed and hadn’t been seen since.

It still pained her to think of it. What must he have been thinking? Evidently he’d given up the idea that he’d ever see her again.

He probably thinks I abandoned him, even though I promised that I never would. I hope he doesn’t hate me.

She sighed, tucking her cool hands into the oversized sleeves of her haori. There was a bit of a chill in the air tonight, but it was nothing her thick haori and hakama couldn’t handle. 

More than once, when she’d found herself perched in the boughs of the Sacred Tree, she couldn’t help but to think of Kikyou. She must look so much like the departed priestess in this moment, dressed as she was in traditional miko garb and resting in a tree. It probably didn’t matter though. So much time had passed, by now most people didn’t even remember what Kikyou looked like. Kagome was free to be her own person.

She sighed, not sure if she was relieved or resigned. 

“You’re late.” the miko murmured, knowing the newly arrived male would hear her.

“If that is your idea of a greeting then I suggest you try again. Otherwise I’ll leave here without you.” he returned, and a small smile tilted the edge of the miko’s lips.

“As if you would.” she shot back lazily. “You’re just as bored as I am. That’s the only reason why you’d keep coming back.”

“Hn,” she heard him murmur, and immediately she could picture the slightly annoyed expression he must be wearing. 

Careful of the rough bark, the miko repositioned herself on her perch, turning over so she could see her visitor down below. 

“Sesshoumaru, do you sometimes wonder why things turned out the way they did? I mean, it’s kinda weird don’t you think? All of our friends… everyone’s gone. Everyone but you and me.”

“No.” he said without hesitation, though his tone was mildly subdued. “Such pointless musings will not change the current situation.”

Kagome sighed again. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Though I still can’t help but to wonder about it.”

A slight scowl etched his features. “Miko, you complain that I am late, yet you continue to dawdle in trees? Do not endeavor to waste my time.”

The miko only smiled down at him. “Sooooo, you have some important business to attend right now?” she asked, gesturing at the darkened sky above them.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Impudent woman. Why do I bother with you?” he murmured, turning and beginning to walk away.

“Okay, okay!” Kagome called after him, trying to keep her laughter at bay. “Don’t leave me, I’m coming!” 

She moved to sit up, but quickly found that she was stuck on a small jagged piece of branch. “Uh-oh!” she cried, looking up just in time to see him pause a short distance away. 

“I, umm… I’m stuck!” 

He turned to look at her, a single eyebrow lifted into his bangs.

“A little help?” she asked softly. “Please?”

“Hn,” he harrumphed silently, his youki cloud forming beneath his feet. 

He rose to her chosen branch, looking her over to see where she was stuck. “Where?” he asked when he didn’t immediately see anything.

Struggling to lift herself, Kagome grabbed Sesshoumaru’s arm and attempted to pull herself free. When that didn’t work, the woman gave a small sigh of defeat. Blushing, she looked up at him and winced. “My hakama. I can’t--”  she faltered, shifting her weight and trying again to pull herself free.

“Stop struggling,” the daiyoukai ordered, reaching to her left side. “You’ll rip it.”

Following his instructions, the priestess held still, biting her lip as she felt his warm hand near the hem of her hakama. His fingers curled about the edge and gave a small tug. She felt herself come free of the branch and immediately sat up, grasping his shoulders for support. Their eyes locked, and for reasons she opted not to question, a heated blush spread over her cheeks. 

“Thank you.” she smiled, and for a moment, she thought she saw his eyes soften, just a little before he easily scooped her up, cradling her in a single arm as he turned away from the branch. 

She yipped playfully at the sudden movement and grasped the top edge of his armor as they descended to the ground.

The pair landed a short distance away and he carefully released her, seeming to linger just long enough for her to regain her balance. She smiled up at him again. He simply stared down at her, his normal façade of indifference now firmly in place, before he turned and began to walk. 

Kagome fell in step beside him, and the miko and youkai disappeared into the night.

***

The strange, unlikely camaraderie between Sesshoumaru and Kagome had developed with surprising ease. 

Until their paths had crossed again, Kagome had spent most of her time in the village with Yasu-miko, helping care for the villagers. When she wasn’t doing that, her spare time was spent brushing up on her miko training and archery. Though Yasu-Miko was good, it only took a few short months for Kagome to master all the elder priestess had to offer. In the following days and weeks, the young miko quickly discovered that she didn’t care to have an abundance of free time on her hands, so when there were no sick and injured villagers to treat, Kagome traveled to other villages. 

In a way, she found it somewhat liberating. Though she was often saddened by the fact that, not only had she lost her family in the future, but also her friends here in the past, in this time and place, she had a freedom she’d never experienced before. There were no Shikon shards to chase and protect, no Naraku, no exams to cram for… there was just her. For once, she wasn’t being pulled in a thousand different directions and was free to come and go as she pleased. It hadn’t immediately occur to her that this was a positive, but when it finally did, she began to take full advantage of it, traveling more frequently and further away from the village.

It was during one such excursion, a few weeks after her return, that a bemused Sesshoumaru picked up her familiar scent. He followed the trail to a small clearing, and was surprised to find Kagome, nearly as young as she was the last time he’d seen her, placidly resting against the stump of a tree.

It had been nearing dusk and she’d built herself a small campfire. Though her eyes had been closed, a shimmering pink barrier had rose up around her the instant he’d breached the edge of her clearing.

“If you’re here to cause trouble, I wouldn’t recommend it,” she’d said without even bothering to look up. “I’ve had a rough day and  really wouldn’t have a problem taking out my frustrations on--” she trailed off, suddenly bolting to her feet. She stared at him with wide eyes, her lips parted in silent inquiry.

“S-Sesshoumaru?!” she’d managed at length, her barrier collapsing around her. She seemed to take a moment to gather her wits, before slowly moving toward him. She’d stared at him, almost as if she were expecting him to vanish in a puff of smoke. 

“It‘s really you,” she said when she was finally standing before him. “I-- I never thought I’d see you again.” 

“I could say the same to you.” he’d returned. Briefly, his mind swam with questions. How had she returned to this time after so many years? Why had she barely aged, and what was she doing in the middle of nowhere all alone? 

“What are you doing here?” he finally asked.

“I was… resting my eyes until you arrived,” she said, sounding slightly bewildered.

He’d glowered at her. “I’m certain you realize that is not what I’m asking.”

It seemed to take her a few moments to fully wake, as well as to get over her sudden shock at seeing him again. When at last she did, the miko told how she had managed to return through the well and about the apparent mismatch of time, which clearly sought fit to plop her sixty plus years after the time she’d first arrived. 

Taking in her rushed words, the daiyoukai was able to conclude that, while she had aged just three years in her own time, it had in fact been closer to sixty-three years since the last time he’d seen her. She didn’t seem to understand why the time-line had fallen out of sync, but Sesshoumaru had his suspicions.

So it is true, he mused silently. I had hoped Bokusenou was wrong, but what other explanation could there be for her to have returned to this time after so many years? 

Noiselessly, he sighed. 

So be it. 

He welcomed himself into her clearing and stayed with her for quite a while. Since they’d never spent so much time together on amiable terms, that first meeting grew slightly awkward, especially when Sesshoumaru didn’t immediately leave after the miko had answered all his questions. She had expected that, but when he didn’t she’d been somewhat at a loss of what to say to him. More than once, she’d wanted to ask him what had happened to Rin, but ultimately decided against it since it was likely a sensitive subject. She did however discover that Jaken and Ah-Un were still around; though at the time they’d been off on some unknown mission for Sesshoumaru.

Though they weren’t on exactly friendly terms, Kagome found that the longer she remained in his presence, the easier it became to talk to him. He was of course dry and direct with all of his queries and responses, but he seemed surprisingly willing to sit and speak with her. It occurred to her that he might be able to help her, though she was extremely reluctant to ask. In the end, she’d concluded that she really had nothing to lose and took the plunge.

“Sesshoumaru,” she faltered, plucking nervously at the thick red cords of her oversized sleeves. “Please don’t kill me when I ask you this, but could you… help me find Inuyasha?”

The daiyoukai scowled, but before he could respond she quickly added, “You wouldn’t have to do anything really! Just let me travel with you, and if you happen to pick up his scent, you could point me in his direction.”

Encouraged by his silence, she continued. “I promise I won’t be any trouble. I can look after myself and provide my own food…?”

With bated breath, she watched him as he seemed to consider her words. Finally he said, “Your powers have grown considerably. Unless you have failed in learning to use them, a miko of your caliber could easily detect his presence, even several leagues away. Why would you require my assistance?” 

She deflated visibly. Had he just complimented and insulted her at the same time? Deciding to ignore it for the time being, she reluctantly answered his question. “Honestly, I probably don’t. I just… I’m just tired of traveling alone.” 

A long stretch of silence followed, during which Kagome was certain he would deny her request. Finally he’d said, “Agreed. However,” he  trailed off, seeming to consider his next words. “If I request a favor of you in return, I will expect your ready compliance.”

“What… what could you possibly want from me?” she wondered aloud, suddenly feeling uneasy. 

“I’ve not yet decided,” he returned easily, making no effort to ease her mild apprehension.

“Well, I guess that’s only fair.” she said after considering his proposal. She was sure he wouldn’t ask her to kill anyone, he’d easily do that himself. And she wasn’t carrying any Shikon shards, not that he’d ever shown any interest in them in the first place. Whatever he might request, it couldn’t be too bad, could it?

“Okay,” she conceded at last. She was about to reach out to shake his hand, but then quickly remembered that he wouldn’t understand the gesture. Instead, she smiled and gave a quick nod, which, surprisingly he returned.

After that, the pair periodically traveled together. The first time, they’d roamed the countryside for nearly a week before parting ways. There was sickness in one of the villages they happened upon, and Kagome decided to stay there for a time and do what she could to help. She hadn’t really expected it, but after several days Sesshoumaru returned. Since by that time most of the infirmed were on the mend, Kagome opted to leave with him, resuming their seemingly aimless trek about the western borders.

They generally travel together anywhere from a few days to more than a week, before Kagome would either return to Edo, or remain in another nearby village to tend to the sick and injured. Occasionally, her services were requested to exterminate rogue demons, which came with frightening ease, even when they were considerably powerful. The first such occasion, she’d been nervous without her friends. As it turned out, she hadn’t truly appreciated the scope of her full power now that it was available to her. That, coupled with the much needed training from Yasu-Miko, and Kagome had not yet come across a demon that could truly challenge her.

Sometimes Sesshoumaru would leave her at some random village, and while he was away, Kagome would end up at a completely different random village, having been called away to care for those in need. No matter where she was, he always seemed to find her again after several days. 

This pattern continued for the better part of a year, though Kagome silently observed that of late, it seemed they were together more often than not; traveling together for two weeks or more. The times they were apart now rarely extended beyond a few days at a time. 

During their times together, they never came across Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru never asked Kagome for a favor. With increasing frequency these recent months, the priestess could almost forget she was even looking for the hanyou. It turned out that Sesshoumaru, in spite of himself, made a fairly decent traveling companion. Since he was simply “patrolling the borders,” (whatever that meant,) he wasn’t in any particular rush to get anywhere. Therefore, he didn’t have to drive her tirelessly across Japan like a certain slave driver she knew. He made no demands, and didn’t complain when she wanted to return to Edo or stay behind to tend random villagers.

Weirdly, in spite of the disdain he held for the afore mentioned sibling, Sesshoumaru shared more personality traits with Inuyasha than he probably ever realized. Kagome would never tell him that though. He wouldn’t take it well. 

Both were arrogant and often rude, even to those closest to them. Both hated feminine tears, and both had their own unique brand of charm, though she figured most wouldn’t agree with that assessment. She was surprised to also discover that Sesshoumaru, much like his brother was often more bark than bite. Sure he was frequently insulting and sometimes just plain mean, but generally he tended to do the right thing… with sufficient cajoling of course. 

More and more, Kagome was finding that she actually enjoyed spending time with him.

***

“Why do you insist on returning to this place?” the daiyoukai asked suddenly, startling Kagome from her rambling thoughts. 

They were currently heading southwest, breaching the far edge of Inuyasha’s forest, away from the village of Edo. 

She glanced over her shoulder. “To the village? I don’t know, I guess… even though my friends aren’t here anymore, it still feels like home to me.”

Unconvinced, he glared at her from the corner of his eyes. “When was the last time you checked the well?”

She blushed and avoided his gaze. “It’s been a while.” 

“Yesterday?”

“This morning,” she sighed.

“Since you’re still here, I presume it is still not working?”

“Evidently.” she rolled her eyes.

“Hn, it has been nearly a year since your return, yet you continue to cling to the past. What a pointless endeavor.” he scoffed, seeming to turn his nose up at her without quite doing so. 

“Shut up!” she shot back, sending her own glare at him. “I’m not living in the past! It’s taken me a while Sesshoumaru, but believe it or not, I’ve come to accept what’s happened. It’s just… well, I never considered settling down anywhere else. Unless…” she trailed off, giving him a dubious look.  “Are you suggesting that I stay… I mean, travel with you? All the time?”

“Is there a reason you wouldn‘t?” he asked, surprising a small gasp from her.

“I don’t know. I mean, right now we get a break from one another every couple weeks or so. If we were together all the time we might drive one another crazy! I’m sure one of us would be dead before the end of a month.” 

“I have considered that,” he told her, his voice leeched of color. “I would simply kill you.” he added, casually flipping a few silver strands over his shoulder. “But fear not, I would at least grant you the dignity of burying you in a shallow grave.”

Kagome stopped in her tracks, staring up at him with wide eyes and parted lips. A moment of silence stretched out between them before the miko burst into laughter. “You’re such a jerk!” she cried, playfully slapping his arm as she resumed  her trek through the woods. 

A small smile tilted the edge of his lips as he too resumed his pace. “If I am feeling especially magnanimous that day, I would even place a marker in your honor.”

Another burst of laughter erupted from the woman; a silent but highly amused daiyoukai trailing in her wake.

Glancing at the still chuckling miko, Sesshoumaru silently marveled at the strange camaraderie that had grown between them. In reflection, he honestly couldn’t pinpoint the moment the woman had started taking his threats and barbed comments with such a lack of gravity, nor could he recall the moment said comments lost their genuine edge of malice. Anyone else would have fled his presence ages ago, quaking in fear. But Kagome took it all in stride. 

She interacted and spoke to him with such blatant familiarity. At the very least it should annoy him, but he found that the more time he spent with her, the more he welcomed the chance to indulge in such exchanges. No one, not even his mother or father related to him with such ease. It was oddly refreshing. 

“So,” she finally said, reigning in her lingering mirth, “I’d get to travel with you across the country with no particular destination in mind, enjoy frequent arguments and rude comments, all under the threat of murder. What’s not to love!? I’ll do it on one condition.” she said nearly tripping over a small branch as she struggled to keep up with his long strides.  “If you tell me why you asked, I’ll stay with you.”

When the daiyoukai didn’t immediately answer, she teased, “You must have missed me this past week? Awww, how sweet!”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” he told her. “I simply detest traveling to this village.” 

“Fair enough,” the priestess conceded, not really satisfied with his answer. Then, something else occurred to her. “What if we find Inuyasha?” she wanted to know, her tone now subdued.

He looked at her then, and she couldn’t identify the faint expression he wore. 

“Then do as you please.”

***

Though neither miko or youkai seem to fully recognize it, the new arrangement bridged a gap between them, causing many who met the pair to question the nature of their affiliation. Kagome still provided care to random villages from time to time, as well as human and youkai travelers along the roads. Those bold enough to question their unusual association were told that they were simply allies, though their familiar banter and sometimes close proximity to one another seemed to suggest a much deeper connection than that.

They found themselves alone together quite frequently, as Jaken always seemed to be away, but were never visited by boredom.

***

Relentless golden eyes watched her every move, and though Kagome tried to maintain an air of calm calculation, a bead of sweat was forming at her brow. Her fingers twitched, but she knew wiping it away would only give away her nervousness. He could probably smell it anyway, but she wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of showing it! 

“Surely you must realize there is nowhere left to run?” he taunted, his golden stare blazing down on her.

“Be quiet!” she shot back, “You’re ruining my concentration!”

A darkly amused chuckle. “Concentration won’t save you now. Simply concede defeat and I will spare you the indignity of completely destroying you.”

“Never!” she growled back, glaring up at the arrogant dog. 

He was right though, she was cornered and defeated and they both knew it. Slowly, she reached forward but quickly withdrew, realizing the flaw in her strategy.

“Damn it!” she grumbled after a long pause, “Why do I keep doing this with you?!”

“I don’t know,” he told her, smirking in triumph, “perhaps you’re a glutton for punishment.”

She folded her arms over her chest, turning her nose up at him. “Whatever! I’ve beaten you before!”

“Rarely,” he admitted, “but this time victory is mine. Surrender now and I shall be lenient with your penalty.” he added, leaning in to more effectively glare at her. 

“Fine!” she shouted, wanting to smack that arrogant look off his face.

He smirked, “Then say it.” he demanded.

Scowling, she recited the now familiar mantra: “I concede defeat, oh great Lord Sesshoumaru. May your vengeance be swift and merciful.”

He sat back, surveying the Go board* with satisfaction. “I would have preferred more sincerity, but that will do, I suppose.”

“You realize the first time I said that, I was being sarcastic, don’t you?”

“It matters not,” he said flippantly, “As punishment for challenging this Sesshoumaru’s strategic prowess, you are hereby sentenced to an evening of manual labor.”

“What kind of manual labor?”

“Grooming,” he informed her, tossing a large comb in her direction.

“Hey! This is mine!”

“Yes, and you may have it back when your debt is fulfilled.”

“Whatever. Lets get this over with.” she murmured, moving to seat herself behind him. With slow and careful strokes, she began combing his long hair.

In spite of her sulky attitude, the miko knew it was all in good fun; or at least it would have been, if Sesshoumaru wasn’t always such a jerk when he won, which happened more often than not. She’d procured the game a couple of months ago, and they often played when time allowed. The penalty of hair combing had actually been Kagome’s idea. Since hers had grown rather long, caring for it had become a bit more time consuming than she was used to. When she’d defeated him that first time, she’d requested that he comb her hair in retribution. To her utter shock, he’d actually complied.

“It is done, my Lord.” Kagome told him when her task was completed, mock graciousness saturating her tone.

“I will be the judge of that,” Sesshoumaru intoned, reaching into her small traveling pack to retrieve her looking glass. With great care, he studied his reflection before running clawed fingers through his now tangle free tresses.

“It is acceptable.”

The miko bowed low, her forehead pressing deep into the soft grass on which they sat. 

“Thank you, my Lord and Master, provider of my every moment of contentment in this world. May I comb my own hair now?”

He scowled at her saccharine tone, and Kagome burst into laughter. He may act like a jerk when he won, but the young priestess nearly always got the last laugh. 

“For your continued insolence, you shall also procure this evening’s sustenance. I believe venison would be suitable.”

“Nice try, but you know the rules! You can’t impose two penalties for one game!”

“Very well, then as part of your grooming penalty, you will refrain from combing your hair.”

“What!? But it‘s tangled!” she cried, slamming down the comb in frustration. “I washed it tonight!” 

“That is not my concern,” he informed her, a smirk edging his lips. At her continued pouting, he again ran his fingers through perfect silver hair.

***

Returning from a nearby spring, the miko tottered through tall grass, slightly distracted by her efforts to dry her hair. Emerging in hers and Sesshoumaru’s chosen clearing, she removed the thick cloth from her hair and placed it over a low branch to dry. 

“What a beautiful night,” she said, enjoying a gentle breeze.

Sesshoumaru turned just in time to see her flipping her long dark hair over her shoulders. Seemingly just for him, it flared out and danced behind her like something wild and untamed. Eyes fixed, he watched as she then stretched her arms high over her head, her oversized sleeves falling away revealing long slender arms. In the evenings she tended to change out of her traditional miko garb in favor of a less cumbersome yukata. The one she wore now was a dazzling white, a simple dragonfly pattern edging its sleeves. 

She pranced over to him and smiled.

He stared down at her, gazing into her dark eyes. Not the slightly awkward teen she had once been, she had matured both mentally and physically. Her features were that of a woman, framed perfectly by the night and a thick mane of inky black tresses. 

She was beautiful.

“Come sit with me.” she invited, already pulling him toward a large tree.

The daiyoukai made no move to resist, and soon found himself propped against the tree, a small miko pressed against his side.

“There’s something really peaceful about the night, don’t you think?”

“Hn, I thought humans generally feared the dark.”

Kagome considered this, knowing demon attacks were more prevalent in the night. “In this time they probably do.” 

“And you do not?”

“I used to sometimes, but now…” she trailed off, staring at her right hand. The appendage began to glow, and a wave of power rolled out around them. It tingled against Sesshoumaru’s skin. Either youkai were growing weaker, or Kagome had grown stronger. Either way, she didn’t feel the least bit threatened by any demonic aura she’d sensed since returning to this time. “Now that my powers are unsealed, I doubt any demons could really harm me.”

He glared at her from the corner of his eyes. “Present company excluded of course.” she amended, then added. “Maybe.”

“If I were you, and thankfully I am not, I wouldn’t speak so carelessly of such things.”

“Please,” she waved him off, “I may not be as fast or as strong as a demon, but I really don’t need to be. A strong barrier would balance the playing field a bit. If I was ever faced with a powerful opponent, I‘m sure I could hold my own.”

“Let us hope you never have to put that theory to the test.” 

“Yeah…” she murmured tiredly, not really caring for the direction of this conversation. She snuggled down next to him, resting her head in his lap, something she’d taken to doing over the last few weeks. Reflexively he rested his hand on her head, his claws threading through her soft tresses.

“Where’s Jaken always running off to?” she yawned, changing the previous subject. 

“He is overseeing a project for me,” he told her, stroking her hair as if she were a favored pet.

“What kind of project?” she wanted to know, voice clouded as she stifled another yawn.

He considered whether or not to tell her.

“A building project.” he finally said. 

“Hmm…” she hummed, blinking languidly. He was glad she didn’t ask him to elaborate.

A long, peaceful silence drifted between them and Sesshoumaru assumed she’d fallen asleep.

“I wonder… where Inuyasha is right now.” she suddenly breathed. 

Oddly, the daiyoukai stiffened. She hadn’t spoken of the hanyou in some time. That she did so now… it made him uneasy. Before he could respond, he heard her continue. “I hope, wherever he is, he’s safe… and happy.”

In his mind, the demon lord replayed her words over and over, even long after she’d fallen asleep. He’d nearly asked her what she planned to do if their paths crossed with the hanyou, but wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer. It was hard to tell if she’d been partially asleep when she spoke, but there seemed to be only contentment and acceptance in her voice. It was as if she was letting go in her own subtle way. 

Perhaps it was time to reveal what Bokusenou had told him regarding her. It had taken him quite a while to accept it himself, now it was only fair that she be given a chance to do the same.

Mind made up, Sesshoumaru decided to tell the miko what he had learned so many years ago. He could only hope, that she would take the revelation better than he had.

________________________________________________________________________

* Go board: “Go” is an ancient sort of board game, based heavily in strategic play, similar to chess or checkers. At least that’s the way I understand it. I’ve never played before.

At any rate, I hope you all enjoyed the story so far! Since I seem to be having a difficult time committing to long chapter stories these days, this one will consist of two chapters, three at the most. Hopefully it doesn’t seem rushed. It’s meant to be a short story.

Thanks for reading!

TTFN!