A Sister's Gift

Chapter 5 – Meeting the Miko

Kagome walked quickly back to the main house. She needed to speak to Sango. The creature in the cell, had frightened her, but before the viscous growl, she had felt something else. Not fury and hate. No, it was almost... peaceful. She knocked on the door, and it was immediately opened by Kohaku.

“Konnichiwa Kohaku,” Kagome said with a smile. Kohaku grinned back and opened the door wide for her to come in. Kagome sat her little basket on the table, and turned as Sango entered the room. “Konnichiwa Sango. I’m sorry to bother you, but I was curious about the creature being kept in the holding cell at the very end of the youkai building.”

Sango regarded her for a moment and then asked, “Did he do something to frighten you?”

Kagome, not wanting to cause the creature any trouble, shook her head ‘no’.

Sango wasn’t sure she believed Kagome, and mentally kicked herself for not warning Kagome to steer clear of that area. “Well, Kagome, what would you like to know?”

Kagome thought about this for a moment. “I would like you to take me to see it. Is that possible?”

Sango was a little taken aback at Kagome’s request. In all the years she had known the girl, she had never exhibited an interest in the new acquisitions. She was now certain that the Beast had done something. If he had threatened her sister, well, his life would soon be over, and she would just hunt down a less frustrating taiyoukai to train for Kagome.

Sango almost refused her request, for fear the creature would insult her or try to scare the young girl, but since he was originally chosen as Kagome’s protector, she figured it wouldn’t hurt. Besides, nothing else had wavered that infuriatingly stubborn and arrogant bastard. She’d give him one last chance.

“Hai Kagome, I suppose we can do that. I must warn you though, do not let him intimidate or frighten you.” The older woman warned.

Kagome nodded, and followed Sango and Kohaku out of the door, grabbing her little bamboo basket on the way. Sango led her through the archway that went through the center of the youkai building. Kagome had been through here before, as Sango’s dojo and weapons storage were located here. They kept walking until they came to the very end of the building. To the left was a heavy wooden door, which Sango unlocked and pushed open. Behind it was another door made of steel bars, which was unlocked with a key from the same ring. Sango waited for them to step inside, then she turned to lock the metal door securely behind them.

Kagome felt a sudden sense of claustrophobia, as the loud clang from the metal rang out in her ears. Timidly she glanced around. There were many cells made side by side. Grouped to suit the different types of youkai. Kagome felt a shiver run down her spine. This was not a happy place.

Sango sensed her friends gloomy demeanor immediately. This part of the facility could be very ominous. She attempted to ease her mind. “Kagome, these are the holding cells. This is where the youkai are brought immediately after capture. I really don’t like to keep them here long. We try to get them to conform as quickly as possible. Once they have passed that phase, they are moved to more accommodating living quarter’s on the right side of the building.” After receiving another little nod from her sister, Sango turned to the right, motioning for her to follow. Kagome walked slowly behind Sango until they came to a stop, just beside the Beasts cell. She stayed Kagome for a moment, so that she could issue a warning to the Beast, about her friend.

He heard them coming. The two demon exterminators. Another, who he had been so far unable to catch a whiff of, accompanied them. That’s fine, bring it on. He was in a foul mood at the moment anyway. It would do him good to let off a little steam.

When Mistress Bitch stepped out first, his immediate reaction was a deep-throated growl. He snatched at the binding chains and opened his mouth to speak. He stopped as soon as he seen the look of fierce determination set on the slayer’s face. This was new. She usually strode in with haughtily indifference. He decided to give her first say.

Sango seen the look on his face. He was about to unleash his usual bout of aggressive threats and demeaning statements. ‘Not today big boy’, she said silently glaring into his eyes. Satisfied that he knew she meant business, Sango began to lay down a few rules. “Listen very carefully you. You are about to meet someone who I hold dear to my heart. If you so much as look at her evilly I will personally cut your eyes from your face. If you can’t say anything nice, then keep your mouth shut. This will only take a moment.” Sango stepped back and held out a hand to Kagome. “This is Kagome, and she was to be your Mistress.”

The utter shock and disbelief on the faces of the taiyoukai and the little miko could not be compared.

While the demon simply stared at the girl with recognition and shame, the miko took a step forward. Sango grabbed her arm quickly, and pulled her back. Kagome still looked as if she were in a stupor. She shook off Sango’s arm, and again stepped forward.

Much to Sango’s despair and amazement, the taiyoukai visibly calmed. She could sense his fury subside as he looked at Kagome. Her mind was screaming to snatch Kagome away from the bars, but her instincts told her that she was in no danger. She watched the inuyoukai’s body language, checking for any sign of a threat. It didn’t happen. Instead Kagome leaned against the bars with her whole body, and the taiyoukai reached up very slowly and stroked her cheek with the back of his long clawed fingers. Now this, was not what she expected. She shook her head in dismay.

“Miko,” the beast said softly.

Kagome closed her eyes as he touched her cheek so gently as he called to her. She opened them again, half expecting him to be a dream. He still stood staring into her face with his intense golden gaze.

Sango had no idea what the hell was going on here. “Do you two know each other?”

Kagome answered Sango without ever turning her eyes away from this magical creature in front of her, “We met once.”

Sango felt like a heel. Kagome would certainly think she was the epitome of evil now. She had captured a creature that her sister knew and caged him like an animal. ‘Good grief! Can this get any worse?’

Sango stepped back to stand near Kohaku, as they both stood observing this unexpected behavior from the creature that she had dubbed ‘Beast’. You just never know. Further sending her into a fit of shock, Kagome slid down to sit neatly in the front of the cage. The youkai, as well, took a seat just in front of her. Kagome then softly asked the beast, “What is your name?”

Her voice was bittersweet to his ears and he eagerly responded, “I am Sesshomaru.”

Kohaku quickly saw his sister’s distress. She choked, and he feared that she had swallowed her tongue. He grasped her arm and beat her back several times until she stopped turning blue.

Sango couldn’t believe her ears! “He’s been here three weeks and refused to give me his name! Your here three minutes and he tosses it out like the washwater.” Her cry fell on deaf ears however, as the two sitting on the floor had begun discussing the names and uses of the herbal plants in Kagome’s little basket. They were having an intelligent conversation. It was simply unbelievable! Sango was sure she felt the beginnings of a headache coming on. She rubbed her temples a few times and finally decided that Kagome would be safe here, while she attended to a few matters. “Ah... Kagome? Kagome?... Sister!” Once she was certain she had the miko’s attention, Sango asked, “Are you going to be alright if I leave you for a short while?”

Before Kagome could utter a word, the taiyoukai answered for her, “Kagome will be safe with this Sesshomaru.”

Sango looked quickly to Kohaku and said, “Kohaku will stay with you Kagome, until I return.” She glared a warning at Kohaku as he threw her a pleading look. Finally his shoulders slumped heavily in defeat. “Fine,” the boy said and turned to take a seat.

Kagome looked sadly into the cage that had become Sesshomaru’s home. She could see the pain in his aura. Nothing like the first time she saw him. His aura at that time glowed with a powerful will to live. She smiled at him sweetly. Kagome felt no ill intentions from this magnificent man, and that knowledge put her at ease. Once more she studied his features. Otherworldly perfection.

Sesshomaru was now very glad that he had chosen to control his anger. He no longer wanted to frighten the little miko away. Seeing her face so closely as she smiled warmly up to him was like nothing he had ever felt before. Her face held so much expression. So much life. She lay so open and vulnerable to the world. Something that he, a taiyoukai, would never have the luxury to do. His world was a primal viscous world built on skill and instinct.

“I’m sorry about all of this, Sesshomaru. I would never have wished for you to become a captive.” She glanced quickly back to Kohaku. “Sango was only trying to help me. I have an important trip to make and it’s very far away. I go the Emperor’s palace, you see, and I will not return here for two months.” Kagome sighed deeply. “I know that is no excuse for taking your freedom, but Sango is afraid for my safety. She won’t be able to travel with me... and... I will have to go... on my own. I hope that you can someday forgive me.” Kagome dared not look into his eyes. Her tears threatened to spill at any moment.

Sesshomaru regarded the miko’s words. She seemed to blame this on herself. She had it all wrong. “It was the dragon’s fault.”

Kagome just stared dumbly at him. She had no Earthly idea of what he meant. Finally she managed a, “Huh?”

“I have spent too many days in this cage. Much of this time I have spent determining the precise moment that led to my downfall. I have come to the conclusion that it was the dragon.” He said matter-of-factly.

Kagome still wasn’t following, “What dragon?”

Sesshomaru gave her a little shimmer of a smile, “The dragon that injured me. You came to heal me. You were so small and brave.”

Kagome smiled shyly, turning a light shade of red, and asked, “That was this past winter Sesshomaru. How is it that you came to be with Sango?”

She still did not understand. Sesshomaru thought his answer out. “This Sesshomaru could not allow you to be harmed. I kept you from harm during your visits into the forest.”

Kagome was startled at this. “You mean.. you were protecting me... every time I gathered herbs in the forest?”

He cocked his head slightly, “Hai.”

“Arigato. So, you were following me that day?” Kagome asked.

He repeated, “Hai.”

Kagome shook her head slowly. Eyes focused on the ground. “Then this really is all my fault.”

Sesshomaru was beginning to think she was somewhat dense. “No. I have already solved this, and I clearly told you that it was the dragon’s fault.”

Kagome smiled up to Sesshomaru happily. Feeling much better after his insistence to blame the dragon. Strange, but in a peculiar way, he was right.

“Your scent is pleasing,” Sesshomaru said softly as if he were commenting on the weather.

Kagome blushed again, “Arigato.”

Sango returned at that moment, signaling an end to their visit, and Kagome found herself strangely reluctant to leave her new friend. She picked out a withered daisy she had plucked earlier that day, and handed it to the inuyoukai. “I have to go now. If you like, I could come back to visit you.”

Sesshomaru had been dreading this moment. He knew it would inevitably come. When she would have to leave him... here alone... in this fucking cage. He sighed deeply, and only watched as the little miko rose delicately from the hard floor. She waved good-bye as he grasped the bars with his claws, still on his knees, feeling very defeated.