Miko... Kitsune?

Disclaimer: I don' own it... damn it! Why are you still tormenting me?!

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Song: My Immortal
Artist: Evanessence
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Chapter 6: Conflictions

InuYasha was getting to his last string of patience. Kagome and Tsaisuki had been meditating for over an hour now, wasting precious day light that could be used for travel. Hotaru seemed just as annoyed. It was nice though, spending time with another hanyou. Hotaru may not have grown up exactly as he had, but she understood. She wasn’t that bad of a fighter either.

“InuYasha, are you going to sulking up there for the rest of the night?” Sango’s voice called.

He didn’t understand it, but recently, something had changed in how he saw Sango. There was something that he just… he couldn’t get off his mind. It was like when he’d first started falling for…. Wait, was that it? Was he falling in love with Sango? He had to admit, she was different than any other human he’d ever met. She was an amazingly focused warrior, and a good person to look to when he needed backup. They worked so easily together now, falling into each others steps when in a fight, one watching out for the other’s back. But he still loved Kikyo, didn’t he?

“InuYasha, are you going to answer me?” Sango called again. “Supper’s almost ready and I-“

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming!” he grumbled as he leapt to the ground from his perch in a nearby tree.

Sango seemed surprised. “That took shorter than I expected,” she said as she watched him crouch into his landing, his silver mane falling wildly behind him. What was this fluttering in her heart? Like a bird was trapped within her chest and trying to fly free. Why did she feel this whenever he came near? They were just friends, comrades in arms, right? “Um… I… dinner! Yes, dinner is about ready. That is, if your hungry. I… I have to get back to cooking,” she stumbled over her words as she turned to flee from the object of her strange feelings.

InuYasha watched as her cheeks tinged to a pretty pink, his heart clenching at the sight. What was this that he was feeling? Was he really falling for her? He’d never felt quite like this with Kikyo or Kagome.t wat was this light feeling he had in his limbs when she spoke? When she blushed, or when she laughed? What was this heat he felt inside when she laid her hand on him, or when she wore that tight armor of hers? God, he was confused. He didn’t dare try to talk to Miroku about this, not wanting the lecher to jump to the wrong conclusions. He couldn’t talk to Kagome, seeing as how she was still mad at him, and well, talking to Sango would kind of defeat the purpose. What could he do?

“You’re in deep thought, something that I learned, early on in life, is never a good thing,” Tsaisuki’s voice broke into his thoughts.

InuYasha felt relieved. Yes, Tsaisuki could help him! She was wise, and not mad at him, and not that lecher Miroku! Not to mention she knew him pretty well, having watched him grow up some. “Can I ask you something?” he asked.

“You just did,” she joked. She then smiled warmly to the inu-hanyou and nodded. “What’s on your mind, InuYasha?”

“Have you ever been in love?” he spoke softly, so no one but she would hear.

The blue colored kitsune raised an eyebrow. “Ah, so that’s what’s troubling you.”

“What? What do you mean?” he asked hurriedly. Tsa Tsaisuki smiled to the younger boy and gave his shoulder a slight squeeze. “I know nothing of love, having never really experienced it, but I do understand the workings of the heart, especially yours. You’ve had it broken so much in your life, because you used to give it freely. You guarded it when your mother died, only to let it loose and allow the priestess Kikyo to show you love, but then she died and you felt a hurt that was far worse than the arrow that had pierced it. Kagome helped heal your wounds, but was so very similar to Kikyo, that you could not love her completely. Sango, though, is different. You’ve never felt anything like this before for anyone, have you?”

InuYasha stared at her, dumbfounded. “How the hell..?”

Tsaisuki tapped the side of her forehead with a pair of clawed fingers. “Part of my sorcery training’s side effects was the ability to see into another’s heart, unguarded. I believe Kagome calls it empathy. Lies are impossible in my presence, because I can see the truth, which is why Inari values my judgment. My mother had a different power as a side effect, and that was the ability to see into the future without aid of a spell or object.”

“So, what is this I’m feeling?” he as his his head falling on the older female’s shoulder.

Tsaisuki sighed and placed an arm about his shoulders. “Love, InuYasha. You are feeling love for her. What kind of love, is up to you.”

“I missed this,” he mumbled.

“So have I, InuYasha. I have always regretted not being there for you. I should have looked for you after your mother died, not allowed you to wander aimlessly through the world alone. For that, I am sorry.”

InuYasha lifted his head and leveled his gold eyes with the silver of Tsaisuki. “Don’t be. I turned out fine. We can’t change the past.”

Tsiasuki’s eyes softened. “I’m glad that I didn’t.”

InuYasha raised a brow. “That’s right, you could have. I’m glad you didn’t either. I’d have never met these guys if you had.”

Tsaisuki smiled and nodded. “My mother always said that fate does all things for a reason.”

InuYasha smiled and nodded. “Right, now let’s eat, I’m starved!” he declared.

Tsiasuki laughed. “Oh, Yasha-chan. You’re still the same little pup I met all those years ago. Never change.”

InuYasha glared playfully at the blue kitsune. “Don’t call me Yasha-chan.”

Taisuki shook her head. “You may be a great warrior, Yasha-chan, but you cannot control me. Remember, I have plenty of blackmail waiting for you in my memory.”

InuYasha continued his glare. “You wouldn’t.”

Tsaisuki took on an innocent look. “Wouldn’t what, Yasha-chan?” she asked.

“I said stop calling me that!” he snapped.

Tsiasuki grinned evilly. “Yasha-chan, Yasha-chan, Yasha-chan, Yasha-chan!” she shot quickly.

InuYasha growled low before blushing red as a giggling Sango appeared beside him. “Snago!” he cried out, obviously surprised.

“Was that your nick name when you were a child?” she asked.

InuYasha, now a clear shade of crimson, just stood there, mortified.

Tsaisuki nodded. “It’s what I and my mother called him.”

Snago smiled “Can I call you that?” she asked.

InuYasha couldn’t move. ‘What should I say? Why can’t I move? What’s going on?’

Tsaisuki laughed. “I think he’d love it if you did, Sango-san.”

Sango’s cheeks flushed prettily before she turned to the very red hanyou. “Supper is ready now, if you’re hungry, Yasha-kun,” she said softly before returning to the camp.

Tsaisuki giggled at the silly happy look on his face. “That was so kawai.”

“She called me Yasha-kun,” he gasped before running off to the camp.

Tsaisuki sighed and shook her head. “Ah, fools in love.”

~*~*~*~

Inari stared down at the scroll before him. It was an old contract that he and InuTaisho had created to keep peace between their two lands long ago. The contract had vanished sixty eight years ago, only to return now. His heart filled with an untold joyis mis meant that his beloved Kagome was alive, alive and well. This also meant that he could permanently get those other lords off of Tsaisuki’s and Sesshomaru’s back now. Although, he also had a feeling things might get a bit problematic now. Especially when Sesshomaru found his copy.

~*~*~*~

Jaken paced back and forth. Should he tell his lord now? Probably. Should he just let him find out on his own? No, that would be wrong and not befitting a retainer of his rank and title. This was most perplexing. Especially, now that the rumors of Sesshomaru’s infatuation with the miko of InuYasha’s woods were circulating. This was not good. He himself knew the truth of these rumors, but he did not think his lord would want such a stain on his reputation.

‘That miko whore! She will ruin my lord’s reputation with her scarlet ways of seducing him. Pure? Ha! She travels with that lowly hanyou, and knowing him, he has exploited her purity long ago! My lord is too kind to not kill the lowly woman, now she dares to destroy his honor with these rumors! He will end this, he has to! He has responsibilities to his lands! To his people! He cannot go gallivanting after that miko slut any longer! Soon, his honor will be restored. Thank kami that Lord Inari’s child hath returned!’ he rambled mentally as he paced.

“Jaken, either enter my study or cease your irritating pacing,” Sesshomaru’s cold voice commanded.

Jaken leapt a good two feet into the air. “L-lord Sesshomaru! Um… yes, well… I first must address the rumors that are being spread throughout the four kingdoms. That you were conductsecrsecret rendezvous’ with InuYasha’s miko.”

“Where did you hear of that?” he asked.

“Apparently, an agent of Lord Hisho spotted you. And well, you know that old neko…”

“Is nosy and should not delve into the private business of others.”

Jaken’s yellow eyes bulged. “Lord Sesshomaru! You mean that you will not deny this?”

“What have I to deny. The miko is an acquaintance, nothing more,” the taiyoukai stated. ‘An acquaintance… she is not, but that is all they can be allowed to think,’ he thought to himself.

Jaken groaned and nodded. ‘She has tainted him as InuYasha’s mother tainted his most honorable father…I must save him!’ the imp resolved as he spoke. “I see. I also have news that Lord Inari’s daughter has returned, after being missing for some sixty eight years.”

Sesshomaru raised a brow. ‘Inari’s heir has retuned. Interesting.’ “Why should this Sesshomaru bother with such a matter?”

Jaken fidgeted and sighed. “Because of an unbreakable agreement between that of your father and Lord Inari.”

“What sort of agreement?” Sesshomaru inquired.

“A way of keeping both the Western and Eastern Lands in peace for much time to come,” the imp said. ‘Oh, he’s going to destroy me after this. I just know it.’

Sesshomaru said nothing but allowed Jaken to continue.

“Well… Um… I found the treaty and have read what it entails and…”

“You are trying my patience, Jaken. Spit it out.”

Jaken laughed nervously. “Apparently, Lord Inari and your father arranged that you and Inari’s daughter be… betrothed. To ensure a strong time of peace between the lands.”

Sesshomaru was speechless. ‘What? No! This is not good! I care not to marry Inari’s child! I still do not understand this feeling I have for Kagome. There must be a way to change this!’

“Unfortunately, mi lord, the cont ist is unbreakable,” Jaken stated, seeing the look that flashed through his lord’s eyes. ‘It is for the best, the human miko would not be good for my lord. Even though, I must admit that he has been most agreeable since he began his meetings with the miko.’ “Gomen nasai, mi lord, but I believe your father thought it for the best.”

Sesshomaru let out a slight sigh and gave the toad a slight nod. “Leave me, Jaken.”

Jaken bowed. “Lord Inari expects you to come to the gathering at his home within a month to meet your bride.”

Sesshomaru nodded again and closed the door to his study. He then waited until he could sense no one nearby and allowed his head to fall against the cool wood of the walls. ‘I have no choice in this. It will be the best for my lands.’

Her face flashed through his mind.

‘Gomen nasai, Kagome. But no longer can I wonder if I am in love with you. Duty, as you would say, calls me to act accordingly. Know always that I hold you dear. I cannot say that I love you, but you are precious to me. Unfortunately, you shall never know that. I hope you find love one day, Kagome. For I shall never know it, save in the memories of you,’ he sighed mentally as he stared out at his window.

[Flashback]

Kagome gasped as she saw him. He had been in a fight with an invading youkai that held jewel shards, and now sported some bad wounds. He had not thought of fleeing to his home, only to their sanctuary, where he knew he was safe.

“Sesshomaru!” she cried out as she knelt at his side.

He could smell her, that scent of spring that clung to her. She was in that damnedable yukata again. Were he not so injured, he would have had quite a fight with his youkai instinct to tear it from her form and rut with her until she screamed. But that was just lust, nothing more. He could fight that, not that he had the strength to do any of that if he wanted.

“What happened?” she asked as she assessed his wounds, her fingertips gently touching his skin, driving him mad.

“A youkai took this Sesshomaru by surprise, it possessed jewel shards,” he stated as he placed the four shards into her hand.

Kagome gasped. “So many! I’m glad that you’re okay, though. Can you stand? I’ll clean and dress those wounds.”

“I will be fine. I heal fast.”

Kagome snorted. “You sound like InuYasha.”

Sesshomaru stiffened. “I am nothing like him, refrain from comparing my brother and myself, if you please.”

Kagome nodded and shook her head. “You should rest.”

“I am fine.”

bar barrier will protect us, you don’t need to worry. Anyways, it’s a new moon. InuYasha is plenty busy and won’t bother to look until dawn. Sleep.”

“This Sesshomaru needs no sleep,” he grunted.

Kagome made an exasperated sound before lifting his head and placing it in her lap. “Then just relax, that’s what this sanctuary is for, ne?”

Sesshomaru stared up into her strange eyes. She was so kind, so giving. What did do to deserve her friendship? He then nodded and allowed his eyes to drift closed as she ran her fingers through his hair and began to sing to him.

“I’m so tired of being here
suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
Because your presence still lingers here
And it won’t leave me alone

These wounds won’t seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There’s just too much that time cannot erase

If you cried, I’d wipe away all of your tears
If you screamed, I’d fight away all of your fears
And I’ve held your hand through all of these years
But you still have, all of me

You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
Now I’m bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
You voice it chased away all the sanity in me

These wounds won’t seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There’s just too much that time cannot erase

If you cried, I’d wipe away all of your tears
If you screamed, I’d fight away all of your fears
And I’ve held your hand through all of these years
But you still have, all of me

I’ve tried so hard to tell myself that you’re gone
And though you’re still here with me
I’ve been along all along

If you cried, I’d wipe away all of your tears
If you screamed, I’d fight away all of your fears
And I’ve held your hand through all of these years
But you still have, all of me…”

They stayed in those positions until the sun rose, waking him to the sight of her sleeping form, his head still in her lap. He wanted to stay like that for all time, he had thought. Wanting he be be there, caring for him even in his sleep, it was that night, that he realized, perhaps, it wasn’t just his lust that wanted her. Perhaps, it was something else as well.

[End Flashback]

That song, he would forever remember that song. For it was how he felt for Kagome. He could not yet put a name to those feelings, and probably never would, but he knew thhat hat strange and lilting song that had seemed filled with such regret was a perfect description of what he felt, and would always feel, for her, for his miko, his friend… his Kagome.

~*~*~*~
Levii: I'm pretty proud of this one.
Inu: What the hell are you planning?
Levii: I'd think it would be rather obvious.
Inu: Her?! You're pairing me with....mmrph!
Levii: [holding hands over Inu's mouth] Now now, let the audience figure things out for themselves!
Inu: [growling and glaring]
Levii: Now, all I have to figure out is who to pair with Miroku...
Miroku: You called...
Levii: O.O is your hand where I think it is?
Miroku: Where do you think it is?
Sess: Monk, remove your hand from her.
Miroku: [scared shitless] Okay!
Levii: [releases Inu and glomps Sess] Sessho! You saved me from the lecher!
Sess: This is true.
Levii: [suggestive grin] However will I repay you?
Sess: [raises eyebrow] I could suggest a few things
Levii: mind tell me?
Sess: [Tosses Levii over his shoulder] I shall do better. [runs off stage with a wildly grinning authoress.
Inu and Miroku: [shock]
Sango: Umm... Levii's busy right now, and the boys are in shock. So, I guess its my job to end this. Remember to review and send your suggestions for a pair for Miroku. Oh, and please review! It is most appreciated. Ja, until next time!