Curiosity Caught the Miko by Stella Mira

Favors and Guardians

"Ye cannot be serious, child! Even with the Shikon gone, there are still many dangers lurking around for a woman to be traveling alone. Yer a capable miko, but yōkai are not the only evil creatures out there. Ye cannot fight against human bandits. Yer reiki will be useless and yer not adept with a sword – a bow will not provide much defense." Kaede argued with Kagome logically, trying to dissuade the younger miko from this risky journey. She understood that with Inuyasha mated and gone, Kagome would need to find a way to move on, but this was beyond anything she had imagined.

"I agree with Kaede-sama. If you wish to travel and offer aid to others then why not visit the taijiya village? You can stay with Sango-sama and Miroku-sama for a while; I'm sure they'd love that," Rin proposed as a slight compromise. She would be terribly sad without the older woman's company, but she understood her reasons for wanting to get away. Rin had Tatsuma and Chizukirō – a family of her own. She could understand with painful clarity that which the miko was missing from her life so much. Perhaps, she could find the answers she sought at the taijiya village, but traveling the unfamiliar lands alone would be suicide.

"I have made my decision. I may pass by Sango-chan's village during my journeys, but I'll not stay there for long. Besides, Kikyō was fine on her own and I will be, too. I know I am still lacking as a miko, but I'm not a weakling either. I know you worry about me and I love you all the more for it, but I can't go on like this – lost, hollow, alone," Kagome stated with firm conviction, her voice slightly faltering at the end.

"If only I was a bit younger –" Kaede exhaled a heavy sigh, lamenting her old age for the first time in years. The determined gleam in Kagome's gaze told her that her decision was already made, but she could not follow after the younger woman at her condition even if she wanted to.

"You must stay here and be the village miko either way, Kaede-baachan." Kagome shook her head, laughing after her mentor's words. She had no doubt that the seasoned miko would have insisted on coming with her had her body not been ravaged by time.

"When will you be leaving then, Kagome-sama?" Rin finally accepted the miko's decision in stride, though something gleamed in her eyes. It seemed that Rin had taken her decision the hardest and Kagome knew her absence would be mostly felt by Rin.

Kagome hummed as she went over a list in her mind. "I still need to gather supplies and prepare concoctions for many illnesses. It's best to be prepared after all. I think it will take me no more than three days to get ready for departure. Don't worry, Rin-chan! I won't disappear in the middle of the night."

~~~~~

"Konnichiwa, Sesshōmaru-sama." Rin greeted her guardian when he arrived a couple hours after the sun had risen. It was rare for him to visit so early in the day, but Rin could pretty much guess his reason for doing as such today. The daiyōkai acted in an indifferent manner most of the time, but she knew he cared for those he called his own. She passed her son to him out of habit, her gaze softening at the sight. He would make a great father if he ever decided to find a mate and settle down. Rin barely suppressed a laugh when she imagined Jaken babysitting for his lord's pups much like he had done for her in their travels.

"How is Jaken-sama? It's been a while since his last visit." Rin's expression turned wistful after her last thought. In all honesty, she missed the tiny yōkai even with all his nagging haughtiness.

"Do you wish for his presence?" Sesshōmaru lifted his locks behind his back. Chizukirō had been fascinated by their silver sheen, often making attempts to trap them within his short, chubby fingers.

"I would like to see him – yes." Rin nodded with enthusiasm, hiding an amused smile when the daiyōkai graced her son with a disapproving glance for his mischief.

"Then he will stay with you for as long as you wish," Sesshōmaru decreed without giving more thought to the matter. Rin would have pointed out that the tiny yōkai might object to that, but she knew the decision was made. In a way, Kagome and Sesshōmaru were more alike than anyone would have ever imagined when it came to Inuyasha and Jaken respectively, Rin thought, further amused.

"Kagome-sama decided to become a traveling miko." Rin's comment was casual, but she was well aware that her guardian knew of this fact already. In fact, she was certain this was the reason for Sesshōmaru's unexpected, early visit today. Kagome would depart at noon after lunch.

Sesshōmaru was quite used to feminine wiles thanks to his mother's cunning nature. He could surmise what Rin wished to discuss by the slight hunch of her shoulders and her guilty expression when he leveled her with a pointed stare.

"Speak your mind, Rin."

"Could you keep Kagome-sama safe? I know you like to travel alone, and I don't think she would wish to impose on you either, so I won't ask you to let her join in your travels. But could you check on her once in a while?" Rin chose to be completely honest with her guardian, understanding that there was no need to mince her words.

"I would have done as such regardless." Sesshōmaru ended their discussion, handing her son back to Rin as he exited the hut silently.

"Thank you, Sesshōmaru-sama," Rin whispered with a sweet smile after he had left. She rocked and cooed at her son, delighted when the imp's loud squawks were heard from outside after a few minutes.

"Ready to meet Jaken-sama?"