The Races

Chapter 8

The next morning Kagome was once more found standing on the balcony when Kouga came to get her. “Still can’t sleep can you?” He paused, “You know that it wasn’t your fault.” Kouga said as her hugged his sister.

“It was my job to protect and I failed.” Kouga was the only one who knew what the true cause of Kagome’s insomnia was. He above all else knew her best. He was always there even when she was in training he was the only one to come and see her when she was in the mountains and stayed with her when she visited her family in the unfamiliar city.

Kouga released her and held her at arms length, “You were not at fault, and your charges death was not your fault. If she followed your instruction she would still be alive. Kara’s death was not your fault she was sent to the mountains to train with you and grandpa but she is the one that wondered out in the wilderness with untrained powers knowing that untamed Youkai still lurk around.” After Kouga’s speech Kagome felt better.

He always knew what to say to her to make her feel better. “I want to come with you to the airport and see you off.” Kagome said as the two walked out of the room.

“Won’t that make you late to school?” Kouga asked as they descended the stairs with their arms linked.

Kagome shugged her shoulders, “I can sign myself if to school later on after you depart.” She paused as the reached the bottom of the stairs. “Besides who knows when the next time I will see you is.”

“True.” Kouga said as they sat down at the table.

Shortly after, Shippo and their parents came down. “Oh dear, Kagome we got worried when you were not in your room.” Mia said as she sat beside Tasukie.

They ate in strained silence. “Well I best be going.” Kouga said as he stood up. “Thank you both for allowing me to stay here in your home while I was in the country again.” With that he looked at Kagome and nodded to Shippo.
Kagome stood and went to follow him out but, was stopped by Tasukie’s voice. “Where do you suppose you are going?” Tasukie said. “It is too early to leave for school.”

“I am taking my brother to the airport to see him off.” Kagome said and left before he could say anything to prevent it.

Kouga drove to the airport to show Kagome the way and once he was there at the terminal she gripped on to him tightly, “Why, Why couldn’t I have stayed with you? I could have avoided this whole mess.”

“I am beginning to form my own Idea’s about why Mia, or rather, Tasukie wanted you here. I am starting to think that he has his own agenda just promise to never be alone with that man, I sense something off about him.” He paused and hugged Kagome tighter. “I feel that something could happen if you are alone with him, promise that you will stay safe at the Tashio Manor.”

Kagome nodded her head against his chest. “Please call me! Give my friends my number I would love to hear from them and arrange to visit them or them to come here.” Kagome released herself from his grasp. “Be safe brother and call me when you land so I know you are safe.”

“Yes mom!” Kouga joked. Then he heard the announcement for him to board. “Bye Kagome, I love you ok, so be on guard and remember what I said to you.” With that he disappeared into the plane.

Kagome drove back and when she reached the school it was 4th period. Psychology, her favorite class even though she had it with Sesshoumaru, but even still it’s not that bad.

She walked into the class and immediately felt his eyes on her form and from the aura he was projecting he was not happy. Kagome walked over to him and gave him a peck on the cheek hoping it would dissipate some of his anger. ‘It worked’ she cheered in her head. She whispered, “I was seeing my brother off, his flight was this morning, I could not let him leave without seeing him off.”

Sesshoumaru nodded and his anger completely disappeared. “I went to pick you up this morning and you step-father would not tell me where you were.” He hissed, “You are not to be alone with that man, he is up to something.”

“Ha,” She laughed lightly, “Kouga said something similar this morning.” She whispered to him. “And I feel the same way.”

He nodded and the teacher cleared his throat, “Is there something you two would like to share?”

“Oh we were just discussing how the blockage of the air way can cause sleep apnea and that is a mental illness of sorts, that the reaction of a sever case could cause violent reactions in the sleep pattern, such as thrashing in the sleep and abusiveness toward any one sleeping near you. It’s caused by you tongue falling into the back on you throat or your mouth falling open while sleeping and you jaw closing the air passage, then we continued on to discuss the way in which to cure or treat this problem.” Kagome said.

“Really Miss. Higurashi continue, seems how you are most knowledgeable in this field of illness, please continue.” The teacher said.

“Well If not treated it can cause death of you or another person, they treat this illness with a machine that emits a constant flow of air into a mask that is placed over your face as you sleep. The other is to cut a way some of the back of your jaw because it is too long.” Sesshoumaru said backing up her claim that what they said were true.

“Well I must say that I am impressed but the next time you wish to talk about such important information to this subject in which were covering you might want to share it with every one instead of just your selves.” The teacher said as he again resumed the discussion starting off where Kagome and Sesshoumaru left off. They shared a look and followed along the rest of the class period.

At lunch Kagome met up with Sango and Miroku. The talked as she told them why she was late to school. On the way to their table Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome aside. “I want you at the house from tonight on.”

“Fine I will grab a couple of the boxes that are still packed and head over after school.” Kagome said as she walked to the table to sit with Miroku and Sango.

“What was that all about?” Sango asked.

“Well as it turns out I am engaged to Sesshoumaru.” Kagome said calmly.

The two sat for a second, ‘3…2…1…’ “What!” Both shouted at the same time.

“Yeah in order to not tear up your brother and Rin’s relationship and Inuyasha and Kikyo’s I offered my self to “Unify” the two families.” Kagome said sarcastically.

“Wait, you mean you don’t even get a chance to look around, you are already taken?” Miroku asked.

“Yes.” Was the simple reply that Kagome gave in a calm voice.

Sango stared in disbelief, where was the girl that called Sesshoumaru cold yesterday. Where was the spitfire she, Sango had befriended? “What the hell, you mean to tell me you’re OK with that? I am sure Kohaku would be fine even though the choice would have been made and it was out of his hands.”

Kagome looked up at her, “So you would rather me to have chosen my happiness over your brother’s?” She paused, “It is my duty to protect those that can not protect them selves. I could not do that to Rin or Kohaku.”

“Duty? You are eighteen, you shouldn’t have a duty.” Sango yelled grabbing the attention of every one in the room.

“I gave away my free will when I accepted the role of a miko. Protect those against the forces of darkness, and protect the weak that it my Job, my obligation, my life, and my duty.” Kagome said starting to get heated. “I will not sacrifice some one else’s life for my gain or happiness, if one soul can be saved by my sacrifice then damn it I will do it, because that is what it is to be a miko, some thing you wouldn’t understand.” Kagome paused to catch her breath, “And damn it if I have to mate ice-man Sesshoumaru, and/or any other Youkai to keep the world safe God Damn it I will, because that is what I have been trained my whole life to do that is a true miko. Not something you read in fairy tales, where the miko gets what she want and saves the world form the prophesied evil due to arrive any day. No this is the real world.” Kagome shouted the last part out. “I don’t care who or what they are if they can be helped or saved I would gladly sacrifice my life for them.”

The room was silent fallowing the speech, the Youkai were all scared they could feel her start to lose control and as it was about to break free as she pulled it back a bit when she finished her speech. The humans, well they were all in shock at what she said. No one insulted Sesshoumaru so openly. Sure they all thought he was beautiful but no one dared to approach him because of his ice like personality.

Sesshoumaru a bit peeved that she could refer to him as she did so openly, then state about mating others, he could feel the emotion and her power slipping ever so slightly. At the end of her speech he got up and walked over to Kagome and wrapped his arms around her and held her securely to himself, while emitting a low calming growl to sooth her while he rubbed his cheek against hers, “Come walk with me.” He asked and yet commanded.

Out side Sesshoumaru turned to Kagome, “What had you so angry?”

“She pissed me off, you would think me agreeing to mate you and saving her brothers relationship would be appreciated but no, I was wrong and should have a free will of my own.” Kagome went on about it and as she did she calmed. Talking always calmed her down, even if it was heated talking until she blew off enough steam.

Sesshoumaru heard the whole exchange, he was proud that she defended their future mating but was not so happy about the way she went about it. “I want to thank you Kagome, you didn’t have to stand up for our relationship like that.” Kagome’s jaw about dropped was she dreaming, was he being nice? “I hope to find that in the future you will find that I am not how did you put it, oh yes Ice-man Sesshoumaru, and I will satisfy you to where you will not want to mate with any other Youkai.” He said with a lecherous smirk. ‘Sometimes I think he and Miroku are distant relatives.’ Kagome thought.

“Sesshoumaru,” she started as her brain finally caught up with her, “I didn’t mean it like that, I was simply trying to say that I would do just about any thing to save an innocent.” Kagome explained.

“I know, I know.” He said as he pulled her to him and nuzzled her hair as she hugged him in return. “And what’s with the ‘I will satisfy you to where you will not want to mate with any other Youkai’ comment you big pervert.” Kagome said as she snuggled into his embrace.

******Authors note: To those faithful reviewers I thank you.******

* And to Rowdygirl I know that Notre Dame is in Indiana but there is also one in Ohio I would know because that is where I am going this fall for college.*