The Heroic and Super-Duper Trials of a Girl and a Demon by UnknownRandomness

Query

Prompt: Discipline (Week 50)

Word Count: 564

“…I’m sorry. What did you just say?”

“I realise that this is quite a shock for you, Kagome, but you must understand that things will now be different for you. Immortality is more a state of mind than a state of being.”

The miko’s breaths came in rapid pants, her eyes hurriedly flickering over the inuyoukai’s features, willing her to correct the words that had just been uttered. Immortal? She couldn’t be immortal, she was Kagome Higurashi: female, human. Immortality didn’t really fit into that category.

Why did her chest feel so tight so suddenly? The air was too thick and it was hard to think. Immortal? No, no. Immortal? Youkai were immortal, people like Lady Tashio and her son were immortal, she was not immortal. None of it made sense to the young woman’s addled brain and whimpers passed from her lips as she tried to comprehend the enormity of this new information. Our lifespans are now of a similar length that was what the great Lady Tashio had said to her, her! This wasn’t supposed to be happening!

Her panicked gaze swept downwards as a sensation on her stomach startled her out of the panic attack she had been having. Shippo’s large green eyes stared up at her, worry shining in their depths. With a cry, Kagome clutched the kitsune to her chest and buried her face in his hair, needing the contact of something familiar to anchor her in this spinning world. His small hands slid around her neck and he stroked her ears softly, whispering reassurances that he was there and she didn’t have to worry.

How long they sat there, in one another’s embrace, they didn’t know; but Lady Tashio eventually interrupted them.

“Have you quite ceased your tears, miko?”

The arched tone of her question caused a mild frown to appear on Kagome’s damp face as she looked at the demoness. The sympathy on her face, so at odds with her sharp voice, ensured that the tired human didn’t respond.

Lady Tashio continued, gently, “My son is bound to be looking for you. I can bring him here, or I can divert his attentions elsewhere. It is your decision. I will go to meet him, and in the meantime, you can practise disciplining your mind to adjust accordingly to your new lifespan.”

A long pause followed, and the time traveller belatedly realised that the daiyoukai was waiting for her decision on Sesshoumaru. Was she prepared to see him? Especially after learning of such news?

Well, she was bound to encounter him eventually, why not sooner rather than later? Get it all out of the way at once, rather than dwell on it.

Raising her eyes to Lady Tashio, she gave her a hesitant nod, not trusting her mouth to say yes. The elder female raised her chin and turned, but before she could speed away, Kagome abruptly asked,

“What’s your name?”

The miko winced as the demon stiffened and she saw Shippo’s eyebrows disappear into his fringe in her peripheral vision. Had she gone too far? She wasn’t actually that familiar with the wealthy lady her mind reminded her and she really shouldn’t have blurted that out.  

Lady Tashio turned slightly, an appraising look in her eyes as she watched the nervous human. A little hint of a smile played at her lips before she quietly replied,

“Miyuki.”