The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Guest

Chapter 224 - The Guest

This was written for Stella's Word Prompt Game, Prompt: Stigma

"I sort of feel bad for Kouga," Kagome said, wincing when both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru shot her dirty looks. "What? He's my friend."

"I'd say that friendship ended when he threatened to kill your mate and take you as his," the hanyou muttered. He never understood Kagome’s affection for the wolf. No matter what Kouga did, the miko always made excuses for him, and it was looking like this occasion wouldn't be any different.

"You're right about that," Kagome replied. "That was going too far. Still, though, he  had just as many reasons to want Naraku dead as we did. Maybe we should have gotten him before we went to find Naraku."

"The flea-bag would have only gotten in the way," Inuyasha said. "I can't believe he refused to give you the shards, even though he'd promised he would."

"He's going to have a rough time adjusting to life without them," Kagome said while shaking her head. "He's depended on the power of those shards for so long now, I'm surprised he could walk at all now that they're not in his legs. I understand why he didn't want to give them up. They help him protect his pack."

"Nah, all he really used them for was to show off," the hanyou muttered, his lack of affection for the wolf obvious.

"I still feel bad that he didn't get to help kill Naraku."

 "If he had been with us, he never would have let Kagura help us out like she did. He would have tried to kill her just like he did a few minutes ago."

"True," the miko agreed. "He needs to let go of his anger towards her."

"I doubt that will ever happen," Kagura said. "I massacred a large portion of his pack. There is nothing that can be done to make up for that. He will always want revenge. I deserve his wrath, and I do not know why you protected me."

"No, you don't," Kagome said while shaking her head. "You are not responsible for the things Naraku made you do. I understand feeling guilty about it, but that doesn't mean you should allow someone to try to kill you for something you didn't want to do in the first place!"

"I think I should go," the wind witch said. "My presence has only caused you problems. The stigma of being born of Naraku will follow me everywhere."

"No, it won't. People will forget, and it's not like everyone in the world knows. And I want you to stay with us." the miko said. "I mean, do you have any idea where you're going to go, or what you want to do with your life?"

Kagura shook her head. She really had no idea. She hadn't expected to survive, so she made no plans for the future. In truth, she really expected Naraku to kill her. Every single day he didn't was a gift, but now she was truly free and able to do as she pleased. Too bad she had no idea what she wanted to do.

"Then, I think that you should come and rest up at the palace for a few days. Relax and use the time to think about your future."

"I do not wish to impose." Kagura had seen the slight frown on Sesshoumaru's face when Kagome initially invited her to the palace, and she was surprised that he hadn't told her outright that she was not welcome. It was obvious that the miko had a great deal of influence over the taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru was clearly wrapped around her little finger. It was the only explanation for why she was still traveling with them and hadn't been sent away.

"You wouldn't be imposing. There's tons of room! You'll have the guest wing almost completely to yourself. You'd only be sharing with Sesshoumaru's mother and her nanny," Kagome said with a smirk.

"Your mother has a nanny?" Kagura asked the taiyoukai.

"It is a long story," he replied. "One that would be better told once we have arrived."

Kagome couldn't help but giggle at the slight smirk on Sesshoumaru's face and the lilt in his tone that gave away his amusement at his mother's situation.

The miko turned her attention to Inuyasha, who was walking off to her right. "You rested up enough?" she asked. "Are you up to running again?" The group had been walking at a leisurely pace to allow Inuyasha time to catch his breath, but they had been doing so for a while now, and Kagome was eager to get back to the palace and her children. She knew that they would be worried about them, and she wanted to assure them that everything was fine. Shippo was sure to be thrilled that Naraku was finally dead, and they could live normal lives now without the endless traveling.

"Yeah. Let's get this show on the road," the hanyou replied, leaping up into a tree and breaking into a run, leaping from limb to limb. Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around the miko and formed his youki cloud, taking to the sky, while Kagura did the same on her feather. It wouldn't be long now until Kagome had her children in her arms.