The Shikon and the Miko by Chie

Chapter 7

Travelling with Sesshoumaru was a bizarre experience. She was used to Inuyasha’s grumbling. She delighted in riding on his back while he tirelessly ran ahead, deriving security from the physical contact with her friend. Inuyasha and Shippou would bicker, Sango and Miroku would flirt in their manner, and she would converse with all her friends. The atmosphere was usually light and cosy – the company of her friends lifted her spirits and made the stretching miles before them shrink.

With Sesshoumaru, it was a whole different experience. She rode on Ah-Un with Shippou and Rin while Jaken waddled next to the mount. He might sometimes grumble, but his grievances were a lot different from Inuyasha’s. Sesshoumaru led them all and walked ahead. It didn’t take long for Kagome to become very well acquainted with the sight of his back. The only distraction from the travel was the cheery chatter from the little girl. But of course, it was quite different to converse with a child than with people close to her own age. She did like talking with Rin, but their discussions were hardly the kind that would make the hours fly by. So most of the time Kagome stood back and left the chatting to Shippou and Rin. From Sesshoumaru, there was only silence. She had not particularly tried to engage with him, however.

Although she was glad that he was helping them, and although she did gain some comfort from his presence, she still found him rather imposing. She did trust him to keep her and Shippou safe but she couldn’t help feeling wary around him. Why was he helping her? What was he getting out of it?

His reaction yesterday had really startled her. The daiyoukai generally appeared so aloof, and there had been only a few rare instances where Kagome had seen him truly angry – and those scarce occasions had not been at her expense. He had been decidedly venomous with her, and she had not at all enjoyed being at the receiving end of the demon lord’s ire.

And to be frank, she didn’t really understand just what about her decisions, rash though they had been, had warranted such a response from him. She may have been a bit reckless and placed herself in potential peril, but why exactly should that incur Sesshoumaru’s wrath?

There was a pinch and a twinge, and pain once again bloomed in her chest. It had been there constantly, ever since she had woken up, sometimes weaker, sometimes stronger. She wasn’t sure if it was some side effect of the curse Naraku had placed on her, or if it was something that had always been there but which her innate powers had masked. Perhaps she ached because her soul was broken, a part of it stolen to animate Kikyo’s clay body. She did not really know. There were too many reasons why her heart could be in pain. The poor organ had seen much use and abuse here in the feudal era.

The day was long, and the children were exhausted when they finally made camp. Kagome made sure they ate, but they were fast asleep very soon after that. She tucked them in and smiled. They looked so calm and peaceful, so different from the restlessness burning in her soul.

She sat back down by the fire she had made, and spooned some of the porridge into a bowl.

“You have been quiet.”

Kagome flinched at the sudden deep voice and turned her head, watching as the daiyoukai lowered himself to the ground next to her.

“So have you,” the miko shot back at him.

The demon lord hummed.

“I do not mind the silence. You, however, are a talkative one. Is something amiss?”

“You mean besides having been injured, cursed and left behind by my friends?”

It was the barest of movements, but Kagome could have sworn that Sesshoumaru’s lips twitched in response.

It was decidedly peculiar, Kagome realised suddenly, to be sitting side by side with the reserved daiyoukai, having a conversation he had initiated.

The words bubbled out of her before she could stop them.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer. “I mean I am very grateful for your help, but I don’t really understand why you’re helping me in the first place.”

“Because we are allies,” was his answer, but his golden eyes remained unreadable and Kagome couldn’t help but wonder if it really could be that simple.