Welcome to my 3rd Sesshoumaru/Kagome one-shot! I’ve been working on this particular piece a little less than a week before Thanksgiving because I was trying to figure out how to go about the interaction between Sesshoumaru and Rin. I will let you know that Kagome doesn’t make a huge appearance but, obviously, it’s Sesshoumaru/Kagome centric (and let’s face it, we wouldn’t have it any other way!). Please let me know what you think. ~ Lady Wystaerya
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha or any of its components. I simply own the storyline present in this little one-shot.
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"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death."
~Leonardo da Vinci
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It took several years (or rather, several human life times) for Sesshoumaru to come terms with the Inu no Taisho’s decision to pick a human woman over his responsibilities. A human. Useless and pathetic, who brought nothing more than pain and heartache not only to his mother but also to his half-demon bastard. Perhaps he, Sesshoumaru, should have ended to life of the infant to spare its suffering. Humans would never accept him for the demon blood that coursed through his veins – regardless of its nobility – and demons would only see the runt as a useless waste of space, a weakness of the once-great demon lord of the West.
If it had not been for his ward, his lack of tolerance would have been far worse, he knew.
No, not unless it was to protect little Rin. His young ward would not bat an eye, even if she was ordered to turn away, for the sake of her innocence. Jaken, his retainer, certainly new well enough to ensure the young girl would not bare witness to more violence than she already had when she was much, much younger.
And now, as he travelled with his brother’s pack, watching the woman, known as Kagome interact with the little fox kit who called her mother – though they were of no relation. The kit was a full demon, orphaned. And this human woman saw fit to take the child in without so much as a thought to what he was. Did she hold no fear?
Oh, no. She held fear. He remembered the first time they met. He was attempting to kill her for getting in his way - and because she was her half brother’s weakness as much as she was his strength. But now? She held his pack together. The Monk and the Demon Slayer tolerated his half-brothers, dim-witted decision to be unfaithful with an undead creature because of Kagome, the true, legitimate Priestess to the Jewel of Four Souls.
But what did his idiot brother know? Half brother – the damn whelp. He went from the dead woman to this priestess as though they were toys. Not even Sesshoumaru would accept such heinous actions. But what could he do? He was the greatly feared Demon Lord with far more to lose than his honor and title as Lord of the Western Lands.
“Lord Sesshoumaru?”
The Demon Lord cracked a singular, cold eye open. The little girl – his ward – sat in front of him with her little hands clenched and her dark eyes looking up at him through bangs of ebony. Her usually long hair was otherwise pulled back into a braid and decorated with wild flowers that, he suspected, was the priestess’s doing. The older woman seemed to enjoy spending time with the fox kit and the child.
“Hn.” He didn’t shift from where he rested against the tree.
“May Rin ask Lord Sesshoumaru a request?”
Sesshoumaru lofted an eyebrow and the little girl’s cheeks colored slightly as she ducked her head in apology.
“May I ask Lord Sesshoumaru?”
The Demon Lord watched his charge closely.
“You may.”
“Can Lady Kagome and Shippo come back with us to the West? She wouldn’t want to stay here, would she? Shippo told Ri—me about that…that…” she trailed off, hesitant. She brushed her hair out of face carefully.
“What has this Sesshoumaru taught you?” he asked patiently.
“To speak R- my mind. The truth, even if…my voice shakes.” Rin repeated.
Sesshoumaru nodded slowly, “Then continue.”
“Lord Inu-Yasha is a good person, but his temper is short. Lady Sango and Miroku have each other. Kilala wouldn’t let anything happen to either of them. But Lady Kagome came from far away. She and Lord Inu-Yasha fight all the time but what if…if..something bad happens? Rin doesn’t want Lady Kagome hurt. Or Shippo.” The words started spilling out of the little girls mouth, one after another and the Demon Lord listened patiently, through half-closed eyes. For his charge to see his eyes tinge red in range would be nothing more than a sign of another weakness. The first was taking Rin as a charge, never mind the little girl had miraculously saved his life, and the second –
His ears twitched at the sound of yelling and the two of them glanced up briefly, only to watch the Kagome, once more, put her foot down once more firmly.
“He’s doing it again.” Rin murmured.
The look on his face was enough to tell the both of them what they needed to know. Inu-Yasha was no longer hiding his affair, and it appeared, Sesshoumaru heard (and quite clearly), he was being woefully deceitful. One more word from Kagome sent his half-brother into the ground.
A brief smile formed on his face before his façade slipped in place once more.
“This Sesshoumaru thinks, Rin, that should the Lady Kagome wishes to accept an invitation to the Western lands, then she will be most welcome in our home as our honored guests. But our responsibilities must come first.” Sesshoumaru answered slowly, returning his attention the younger girl at hand. “And you needn’t question Lady Kagome’s strength. She has our support. However, we must not intervene without her expressed permission.”
Rin hesitated.
“Lord Sesshoumaru?”
“Hn.”
“Why don’t we just take her away from here?”
“Because to do so would impede her honor, her duty, and her strength. It is not something she would allow. You know this, as you’ve spent much time with her.” Sesshoumaru answered quietly.
With a small pause, he carefully moved aside enough to allow his charge to sit next to him, against the long furs of his mokomoko. It was not a particularly cold evening, but it was enough that he would not have those under his watch shivering. Her small frame in the simple traveling kimono barely did much to keep her warm. He made a mental note to have his retainer retrieve better blankets. For the time being, this would have to do.
Rin curled up against the furs as they engulfed her. She was oblivious, to the rage of his inner demon roaring against his brother. No, she had little to be concerned about. There were only two humans who showed little fear towards his demonic self. One was the child resting against him now and the other?
He raised his head and stared across the fire towards the priestess who stormed away from the crater that had formed from subjugating his brother. The anger – regardless of how unfounded it was, compelled the inner demon pace silently back and forth, back and forth, waiting. He did not settle until the priestess was bundled up against the kit, on the odd pallet, with her back to the fire.
“She looks sad when she thinks no one is watching.” Rin murmured in her sleep.
“Hn.”
“But she plays and dances with me and Shippo. And she still laughs when the monk tells his jokes and when Lady Sango smacks him against the head for being le-lechous.
“Lecherous.” Sesshoumaru corrected patiently.
“What does that word mean?” Rin sat up suddenly, curious.
Lord Sesshomaru paused.
“We will discuss it at another time.” Sesshoumaru answered, resting his head back against the bark of the tree.
“Okay.”
He did not move until Rin’s breathing steadied and her heartrate slowed to a calm, stead beat. The child was far too observant for her own good, but he suspected she had no choice but to be so, considering the circumstances he found her in first. He suspected that, although the priestess’s circumstances were different – they were no less dire.
What gives women greater strength to endure the stones thrown by the very men they attempt to protect?
Sesshoumaru exhaled slowly.
The strength of the pact outweighs the needs of the individual.
And it seemed that most humans have yet to learn this. Even his own half- brother had learn to hear this.
After all – he is a half human. And male half human.
Lord Sesshoumaru bit back a low growl. When the time was right, he would approach the Lady Kagome with a proposal at Rin’s behest. It was time to protect the pack that his half-brother was neglecting. And he would share his strength, without encumbering Kagome’s, should she desire it.
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A/N: That’s it for now, my dears! I’m hoping to add some more eventually. I’m having more ideas, for Sesshoumaru and Kagome’s story but since they’re still a bit scattered – I think I’ll continue writing them as one-shots. I look forward to writing more of my favorite couple!