Growth by Watermelonsmellinfellon

Meetings and Mysteries

A/N: Hello, people!

I don't own Inuyasha.

I have no beta.

ENJOY!

It was nearing twilight on the first day of Obon, and Kagome had found herself lounging in a tree that overlooked the valley the village resided in. From her position, she could see, hear, or smell any incoming individuals, be they good or bad. It helped her understand just why Inuyasha tended to frequent trees so often when they weren't traveling.

Kei was in her lap, and had been napping for hours while she simply sat and thought. Her thoughts however, were interrupted by the sight of something flying in front of the full moon that had appeared rather early that night. The sky was still pink/orange after all.

The form above their heads seemed to twist and turn, until she was able to see details. And said details revealed a familiar face that was much welcomed.

Sesshomaru had returned. Rin would be thrilled.

~.O.~

He came bearing packages that had been finely wrapped, while he sat side-saddle on Ah-Un. Jaken was hanging on to Mokomoko, barely managing to not fall. The familiar sight was a pleasant one.

"Kagome," the Western Lord greeted once he was on the ground. Her heart skipped like four beats in response because he'd said her name again and his voice was very attractive.

Kei moved before he could be dislodged, knowing that Kagome would jump down to the greet the Dai since it was only the right thing to do.

She beamed. "Rin told me you'd come! You never disappoint."

"Hn." He held out the package wrapped in a fine, red fabric. "For you."

She accepted the offering with careful movements to avoid tearing it with her claws. Unwrapping the silken white tie revealed a white kimono with red Sakura blossoms on the shoulder, much like Sesshomaru's but on the opposite side. It was of very fine quality and she knew that this was a kimono that should be worn properly along with the lavender and gold obi it came with.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama. I love it." It was the nicest thing in her possession too.

Sesshomaru had bought her a gift. She felt so much better over making all those the cranes now.

~.O.~

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin screamed when she noticed them coming toward the village that had only just begun the festivities of the evening. Drums were pounding and children were laughing as they ran to and from the different stalls in search of goodies to snack on.

The little girl threw her entire being into the hug she bestowed upon her lord, and smiled up at him from his hip. Her adoration was infectious.

Sesshomaru placed a hand on her head, while dropping the second package he had brought, into her arms. She thanked him and set to opening it, revealing another white kimono of impeccable make, and more red Sakura blossoms like his own, though the spanned both shoulders.

"Rin can be just like you, Sesshomaru-sama! Thank you!"

It was absolutely adorable how excited the child got over the idea of emulating the person she admired most in the world. Kagome felt the intense urge to coo but only managed to withhold it by looking away.

Any further comment was halted as Sesshomaru's shoulders stiffened, which in turn caused Kagome's body to stiffen. Both lifted their noses to the air to take in the new scent washing over them. It was acidic, but not sharp like Sesshomaru's was.

The Western Lord huffed. It was almost too low to register in Kagome's ears, but she managed to catch it. He wasn't happy, but it was more of an annoyance at the incoming scent, than worry.

"It is this one's mother."

Oh.

~.O.~

XVIII

Sesshomaru glared up at the darkening sky in displeasure as he hastened away from the ningen village at a moderate pace for a youkai. He would much prefer that his mother not land, full form, in the center of the little fools. It would only cause mayhem and he wasn't looking forward to dealing with that.

True to her usual entrances, she descended from the clouds in her natural form. It was smaller than his own and nowhere near as imposing, though it still inspired fear in the hearts of many.

Inukimi did not like to fight, but she was still a warrior through and through. She could, if she so desired, destroy a whole village with minimal effort if she truly wanted to.

"Kaa-san," he greeted in full monotone when she finally landed on all paws, claws digging into the earth to steady herself.

A second later the ningen form of his dam stood before him, her arms outstretched expectantly. "Are you not going to greet me as usual, my son? Or are you self-conscious over the other female Dai's opinion of you?"

So that was why she'd come. She'd heard of Kagome and was curious.

He should have been prepared for this to be a possibility.

"The last time you visited this one you were in too much of a rush to greet me properly then as well," Inukimi went on to pout.

With a subtle roll of the eyes, he moved closer in order to lean down and nuzzle her sharp cheekbone.

They were not ningen. They did not greet family by bowing to each other or embracing one another. And kissing was saved for lovers and done privately and most certainly never on the lips.

"Introduce this Inukimi," his mother said imperiously, sending an interested look toward Kagome, who was standing back and watching with interest. The Dai was no doubt confused.

"The Shikon no Miko, reincarnated, Higurashi Kagome. Kagome, this is Inukimi, this Sesshomaru's dam and Lady Presumptive of the West."

Kagome's only response was to whistle and say, "Nice to meet you."

Her complete lack of proper respect in terms of addressing other Daiyoukai was obviously the first thing to capture his mother's attention. And with that, Inukimi sauntered forward, extending an arm to the youngest youkai in their company. "Come. We shall get to know one another."

The Western Lord glared at her interference. Just what was she planning?

~.O.~

Sesshomaru obviously took after his mother. His face bore the same shape and his hair the same color. The crescent moon adoring his brow was hers. Even the strips of color on his eyelids and across his cheekbones were the same color. It was interesting that Sesshomaru was basically a copy of his mother since he seemed to hold his father in such high regard.

Inuyasha bore stronger resemblance to Touga, the Inu no Taisho. After that whole So'unga situation and the small glimpse she'd gotten of the Daiyoukai's appearance, Inuyasha's full-youkai form matched better than Sesshomaru could ever hope to.

How strange. It made her wonder a lot about youkai genetics. Since Daiyoukai could not choose what their ningen form looked like, Sesshomaru had actually taken after his mother.

It was kind of cute in a way. It was like he was a momma's boy in a sense.

~.O.~

"Now what did this one's phlegmatic son present you with this night?" Inukimi asked once they were a good enough distance away from the Western Lord.

Kagome held up the package bearing the kimono and obi that were practically copies of Sesshomaru's own clothing. "These. They're lovely." Even when they weren't friends, Kagome could never dismiss Sesshomaru's obvious beauty and the fact that he dressed to impress always. Patterns that should not work together, managed to only increase his beauty, which was so strange to her.

And now she had her own version of his clothing. Sakura blossoms and all.

Inukimi's eyes glinted with an emotion Kagome couldn't quite grasp yet. Her scent turned almost flowery in a sense as she smiled. "Then we shall dress you in such fine cloth and present you to him."

That was how Kagome found herself dragged to the nearest onsen after being told to grab her necessities, and unceremoniously dropped in under the order to cleanse herself.

"Make certain you don't neglect your ears," the older Dai added, eyes twinkling with mirth and Kagome's predicament.

Distantly, she wondered if this was how Sesshomau got his baths as a child, and she had to dunk her head under to avoid smiling too widely. A little Sesshomaru was probably the most adorable thing in the world.

~.O.~

"It's fascinating how you managed to obtain such a form after being reincarnated so recently," said Inukimi as she ordered Kagome's limbs this way and that so she may place the obi properly. "It has never been recorded that a former miko would be reincarnated into a youkai and then ascend through the hierarchy so quickly, or reach such a station. Not even normal reincarnations have such chances."

She shrugged minutely. "The Shikon did it according to Bokuseno-sama."

That got a hum of understanding as the Dai patted down the bow she'd made. "There. You look as one of your station deserves to. Let us surprise Sesshomaru with your transformation. We may even elicit a gasp if we're so fortunate. This one has longed to see Sesshomaru's vaunted control disappear." She was playful and a lot less anal than her son. Kagome was certain that she would like the other Dai.

When they approached the Western Lord once more, it was to find him with Rin and Jaken as usual. Rin had presented her crane collection to the Daiyoukai, who had accepted it graciously and with no small amount of appreciation as he patted her head in gratitude. Kagome could have melted from the cuteness right then and there. He was a good father-figure.

Sesshomaru turned to face them once they were near enough. Kagome was shocked to see his mouth drop slightly and his golden eyes begin darkening into red. Said eyes trailed very tellingly over her form, up and down in what she was certain was appreciation.

She definitely looked good, but there was nothing new about her appearance. Was there? Did Inukimi do something that hadn't been aware of? She didn't feel any different.

Said female Dai leaned into Kagome to whisper lowly in obvious amusement, "You are wearing his colors and his personal motif. Essentially, you have declared that you are his soon-to-be Mate, which was what he was aiming for when presenting you with such a gift. Congratulations."

Oh.

A/N: Another is done!

How was it? Let me know!

Ja ne! :D