Thawing Her Heart

Disclaimer: You Know the drill they still belong to Rumiko Takahashi!


Chapter 8 An Understanding


Slowly waking as the barely risen rays of the sun began crossing her lids, Kagome sat up and stretched. Grabbing her stomach as it growled hungrily she decided her first order of business would be to eat. Getting up and Stretching she wrapped her robe around her and headed out the door. Kami! Finding the kitchen was going to be difficult. Remembering her way to the stairwell from the previous night she stopped when she got to the bottom. Right? Left? Which way should she choose? Deciding to go with her first instincts she turned right and headed down a short hallway descending another flight of stairs. From there she could only go one way, left. Following that passage to a shorter flight of stairs she found herself in the very kitchen she had been seeking. A small smile passed her lips when she realized her luck in finding the place so quickly.

Grabbing a pot from the hook it hung upon she turned to the fire pit to stoke the almost dying embers. Adding some more wood to the pile she filled the pot with water from the pump in the wall. Actually for a feudal kitchen a lot of things were actually convenient. She looked around taking in the actual size of the room. When she had first entered she thought it to be small, but she was surprised to see where she thought would be a wall was at least another room adjoining this one in equal size. Kami! She thought her mother could have fit their kitchen in here at least 3 times! At the thought of her family her heart did a flip. She hoped her mother could accept the note she left for when she returned from her aunts. She would not return again until the Shikon no Tama was complete and Naraku defeated. She pushed the thought away and focused her attention once more on the water coming to a boil. Taking one egg from the hanging wire basket above her she dropped it in the water. Walking over to where a loaf of bread was she searched for a knife.


All of a sudden she realized she was not alone. Turning she came face to face with a female youkai. She looked old by human years and Kagome could only wonder at how old she must really be. “Why be ye here my lady?” Quizzical blue eyes met Kagome’s Returning her gaze she sensed a smile in those blue eyes when she answered, “My name is just Kagome, not my lady if you please. I am making myself something to eat. Seeing as how I missed the evening meal my stomach woke me to repay me for my neglect.” Slightly smiling at the old woman when she finished, Kagome could only hope she hadn’t offended her in any way. If she thought those eyes were smiling before she had no doubt they were glittering with undisguised mirth now. “Well then Kagome, tell me what it is you would like and I will prepare it for you. It would do me a great disservice if the lord should find out I let an honored guest cook for herself.” Kagome gently replied she could do it herself when the woman simply waved her to a chair by the table set off in the corner by the doorway. “ I’ll have none of it ye hear? I may respect yer wish to be addressed by yer birth name but I will draw the line at making a pretty young one such as ye to cook over an open fire for yerself. My name is Katsune and ye may call me Kat if it pleases ye my dear.”

Smiling the old woman busied herself slicing the bread for the girls toast. Glancing back every so often she noticed the girl was indeed a beauty, however the sorrow that seemed to emanate from her very soul seemed to make her what one would call haunting. She hummed a gentle tune to herself wondering why it was that her lord had obviously placed a woman of such an odd nature within his inner sanctum. Kagome could have sworn in between the tiny bits of a hummed tune she could catch a sound of clucking. Once Kat had finished her small meal for her she sat down and began to eat. She loved a poached egg in the mornings. Not the traditional Japanese fare but just enough to fill her without making her want to go back to bed. Kat watched as the girl silently ate. Once she was finished she thanked her kindly and turned to climb the stairs back to the lord’s wing.


Kat chuckled to herself when she realized this girl as quiet as she may be was going to be a handful for her lord. Not only because she spoke her mind as all the servants were gossiping, but also because with a beauty like hers she would surely be noticed by the many other males in the lord’s court. Smiling even harder she suddenly started to cackle when she recalled that tonight was a meeting night. That meant the entire surrounding lord’s of the alliance would be here to discuss the politics of the last few weeks. Oh my yes the lord was going to have some trouble because she could think of quite a few brash young lords who were sure to notice this entrancing beauty.

The very woman in question was quietly closing the door to her chambers. She glanced around at the rooms she had been given. Well “rooms” weren’t quite an appropriate enough description. They were more like a suite at an expensive four-star resort. The bed in itself was a treat. Tall trunks of wood graced the headboard only to disappear where they met the ceiling, almost as if they were a part of it. Noticing the deep red in the wood she could assume that they were made of cherry trees. The mattress was a down filled delight and the armoire matched the almost rustic elegance of the bed. Walking through the door to her right she entered what could be considered a rather large sitting room. This was done in the traditional tastes of the Ladies of the feudal era. Silk down filled pillows as large as the size of coffee tables graced the woven fabric of oriental carpeting that spread wall to wall. Ink sketches of mountains and nature graced all but one of the walls. They instilled a feeling of peace to the room with their gentle beauty.

The last wall was really just two rice papered screens leading to what really delighted Kagome about these rooms. This is where she was headed; this was the next necessity on her list. Walking over to them now she grabbed the small brass ring and slid one door open, she lightly stepped out to what seemed to be her own private retreat. Sesshomaru’s Estate was built with mountains embracing the back, instead of towering above the domain instead the home seemed to be carved directly from them. It was one with the land and the land one with it, which allowed for very comfortable bathing practices. Stripping her robe she hung it upon a waiting hook and stepped into the bliss of the hot spring. Grabbing her loufa and body soap from where she had instilled them the night before she gently worked up a lather. Sliding the loufa across one of her legs she reached for her razor. One luxury she would not let go she made sure she had packed enough blades to last. Bringing her leg up to the step she was sitting on she began her bathing ritual.


Sesshomaru moved from his bedroom to his dressing room, dropping his robe upon the hook just inside the screens leading to the springs he quietly stepped out. He meant to have the miko explain her well to him today, he was sure after their “discussion” in his study the previous evening that he did indeed need to know what the blue light had been. Lost in thought as he made his way to the springs a sound caught his attention. Snapping back to where he was, his eyes widened at the sight that awaited him. There in HIS bath was the very distraction he had been pondering. Slowly his eyes drank in the sight of her as she bent over her long, slim, and VERY naked leg. She had a posterior that begged to be squeezed. His gaze slid slowly upward to follow the graceful line of her spine and the blue-black hair that caressed her thighs with each motion. He noticed the serene look upon her face and realized that even in her peace she still held a trace amount of ice and pain in her features. Dawning on him suddenly was the thought that his body was becoming aware of the tempting sight before him. Turning on his heels he walked quickly back to his rooms.

Once inside he pondered the image he had just seen again. Why was the build up of ice around her emotions plaguing him? She was a ningen, not only that but one who had traveled with the hanyou that was his half brother. This Sesshomaru should not be plagued by the feelings of ningens! Once he had managed his icy mask back into place he returned to his bedroom to await his turn in HIS baths.


Night was slowly giving way to dawn as Inuyasha was roused from his slumber. Sniffing the air he caught the scent of Miroku, Sango, and the mangy wolf. So they had not yet stirred to continue on. Stretching he jumped gracefully to the ground. Putting his nose to the air he caught the familiar scent of Kagura as he noticed that she too had not yet departed. Scowling he began to ponder why she had made no move on any of them since she began trailing them two days before. Shrugging it off he again waited for the trio ahead of him to set out.

Kouga turned back to where the demon slayer monk followed him on the neko youkai. He hoped the articles they left behind were enough to give Inuyasha the impression that they had not broke camp yet. Smirking he congratulated himself on his own success of masking their scent as soon as they had headed out but three hours ago. They had risen before the sun to carry out there strategy, suddenly his mouth turned down in a frown as he pondered whether or not that bitch Kagura would be duped as well. Calling out to them he announced they would reach Sesshomaru’s inner sanctum before the time for the evening meal.


Newly clad in a pair of her favorite jeans and a spaghetti tank top that read “high maintenance” in glittery letters, Kagome set off to find the study of Sesshomaru. Stopping at Rin’s door she poked her head in to observe the sleeping girl. On a futon just a few feet away slept Shippo. Satisfied that they would still slumber for a while she continued on her way down the hall. Descending the same steps she had earlier she turned left instead this time. She followed the gracious hallway a few feet before stopping in front of the door to her right. Also made of cherry wood it gleamed as if recently polished. Raising a hand to knock she stopped when she heard a voice call out to enter. Sliding the door to the right she entered to find the one she had been seeking behind his large desk. Sliding the door closed behind her she entered and sat down in front of him. “I have come to answer your questions as you so clearly requested last night.”

His eyes rose to her face as the sarcasm in her tone reached him. Deciding to let it slide he brought his full attention to her and pondered what to ask about first. Unbidden memories of her form as he had observed her bathing flashed through his mind. Keeping his icy cool he pushed them off and spoke. “ Where is your village? Why do you jump in that old well? Most importantly what is the blue flash and why does your scent disappear after it?” Taking a deep breath Kagome thought on where to start, deciding honesty was the best policy she chose to divulge her secret to this icy lord. “ After I tell you I know you will probably think me insane, however I assure I could not make this up if I tried.” Nodding at her as if giving her permission to continue he sat back as her story came forth.

When she had finished his mind was reeling from what she had told him. His mask was in place however when he finally spoke. “ I believe you. As fantastic as your tale may seem I would sense the deceit and I only sense honesty. Tell me though why do you keep returning to repair the jewel even though you know that you don’t belong here?” His gaze met hers and he watched as pain, anger, resolution, and acceptance swam in the brown depths before the ice replaced them. “Make no mistake, I will repair the jewel as I am honor bound to do. In doing so I will also destroy Naraku for his many transgressions against those I call family. Inuyasha will get his wish and my promise will be fulfilled.” She spoke so quietly but with such conviction he heard in her voice the truth. She would do as she had said but he didn’t think she expected to survive long enough to watch his brother become full demon.

/Such beauty should not wish for death. / He mentally slapped the thought away. After a few more moments of silence he addressed her once more. “ Miko tonight will be a meeting of the lords of the alliance. I will expect you as well as Rin to attend the dinner. However I do not wish to be embarrassed, you will wear something more appropriate to dine tonight.” Expecting her anger he got instead ice.


“ Very well my Lord I will surely change before that time. If you would like you may observe my out fit before I join your guests so that you may give me your stamp of approval.” Standing she bowed, turned and made her way to the door as her hand reached the handle she stopped when she heard his next statement. “ I will surely make the time.” She then yanked the door open a little harder than necessary causing it to slam. After closing it behind her she made her way back to her rooms, inside she flounced down on the bed and sighed. Sitting back up she realized that verbally sparring with him was exhausting. It was then she realized she had forgotten to ask him when she would start teaching Rin and begin her training. She fell back again with a groan. Her door came open and in ran Rin followed by a much slower Shippo. He was staring at her intently as if looking for something. “Rin wants to play now with Shippo and Kagome-nee-san. Can we play now?” Looking back at the girl with the lopsided grin Kagome smiled and replied with a quiet “hai”. Shippo seeing the smile finally jumped next to her and gave her a fierce hug. “ I missed you Kagome.” Kagome hugged him back. Standing she joined hands with the youngsters as they made there way outside to the inner courtyard. Watching from his study window Sesshomaru’s golden amber eyes narrowed as he wondered at the feelings the ningen miko was stirring within him.


OOOHHH I wonder what's gonna happen? Will Kouga sweep her away? Will Sesshomaru decide to throw caution to the wind and embrace this beauty? Or will she end up with someone entirely different? FInd out in the next exciting installment of Thawing Her Heart when it continues tomorrow night, same time same place! @_@