Supreme Conquest
By Danyealle
(MMF/FanFiction/Drama/Angst)
Chapter 15
The next day went much the same as the previous when it came to the routine of waking up and Kagome going to school. Once she was off to school her mother went to the store with her list of supplies that were needed for her next trip through the well. It was the plan that once she got home from school, took a rest then had supper they would once more leave for the feudal era.
Actually, Mrs. Higurashi had a great deal of fun shopping with the non-humans. The fact was that it was easier with them around to know what kinds of things to get that could be used, what she would need, what all of them wanted, etc. It was also made easier by the fact that she would be allowed to take a second bag along. Both Togaou and Sesshomaru assured her that they had problem with extra supplies as long as they were things that were useful and needed.
One of the first places they stopped was a camping equipment store to pick her up a warm sleeping bag and a few smaller pieces of cooking equipment. After that, they headed to get food as well as personal items for Kagome. The older onna actually had a great deal of fun at the grocery store. All three males were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of food in the place. For her, it was fun to walk through the store and explain what, to them, were exotic foods. It was also a great help to know what to get and what kinds of foods everyone liked. Quickly, she found out dried fruits and nuts were to their liking. She even made sure to pick up honey-roasted nuts as Kagome had promised Togaou. They also picked up mostly dried or instant foods that were easy to prepare and ‘junk food’ like potato chips. Of course, at Inuyasha’s instance, lots of ramen was obtained as well.
Once the food issue had been handled, she moved on to gathering personal things Kagome would need. Most of what she picked up, like soap and shampoo, were items she could easily explain to them or they had encountered and they understood what they were. Tampons, however, were a whole other matter. Though the female cycle and how to deal with it were normal, natural parts of modern life, she found it a bit embarrassing trying to explain to three males just what tampons where and their use. The concept of what their function was and how they were used wasn’t something that any of the three males could wrap their minds around. Finally, after several attempts to gently explain their function, the woman gave up. Slipping the instructions out of the box, she handed it to them to read while she picked up things for Kagome’s first aid kit. By the time the males were done reading the little pamphlet, and looking at the simple illustrations that came with it to demonstrate the correct procedure for their use, the males were very quiet. It was also noticed that they really couldn’t look her in the eyes. She found that a bit amusing but didn’t say anything, understanding why it was and didn’t want to embarrass them.
…kst…kst…kst…kst…
For Kagome, her day had gone much the same way that one before had. Though she had been relieved that Hojo hadn’t put in an appearance when she had shown up with the two inus, that wasn’t to last. Later, she had been less than thrilled to find the young man had been waiting for her at her locker with another gift from his mother’s store to help her ‘feel better’. Though she was polite and thanked him for it, she gently reminded him that she was seeing someone now. Then she told him that she didn’t think it was appropriate for him to be giving her gifts any more. Internally, she knew both males would be less than thrilled about this.
Flashing her that winning smile, he had laughed. “Oh Kagome, don’t worry about it! I know you’re seeing someone. I’m just bringing you these things as a friend that’s concerned about your health is all. Surely, he wouldn’t begrudge me something like that?”
Not answering, she gave him a smile that was more than a little bit forced then stuffed the gift into her locker, fully planning to let it rot there. For her, it seemed as though he was going to press on but they interrupted by the bell, much to her great relief.
Like the day before, she seemed to be spending more time answering questions from her friends than she did listening to what her teachers were saying. In fact, since they seemed to have gotten a better look at Togaou and Sesshomaru the day before, they seemed to be far more persistent with their questions and things they wanted to know about. They were so persistent with their questions that as lunch time grew closer she began to seriously dread it. In fact, the closer it drew the more she found herself trying to figure out a way to grab something to eat and vanish until it was time for the next class.
It seemed her friends had sensed, in some way, what she was planning for because they made sure they stuck close to her during the period right before lunch. Then they were certain they were flanking her when the period ended to prevent her from escaping. Knowing a fruitless battle when she saw one, Kagome gave a mental resigned sigh and prepared herself for another round of interrogation.
As she had expected, lunch was another round of intense questioning by her three girlfriends. But this time Hojo joined them. Though he didn’t join in the questioning, he was paying close attention to what was said. To Kagome, it seemed that he was paying attention so closely it was as though he was mentally taking notes about what she was saying. That was something that she didn’t like and it sent up a few warning flares in her head.
By the time school ended for the day, Kagome was relieved. Not only that, but she was looking forward to leaving for the feudal era that night. No, she didn’t relish what she had to do or all the drama that was bound to be headed her way because of everything with Togaou and Sesshomaru, but she was looking forward to getting away from school, her friends and just how complicated things had become because of her relationship with the inus. She was certain that whatever was awaiting her in the feudal era would be easier to endure than a few more days as these last could have been with her friends.
When she walked out of the front door of the school, she made a quick exit from her friends with the excuse that the two diayoukais were waiting for her. Hurrying away, she walked over to where they had met her the day before. As she expected, they were waiting on her. After greeting them and looping her arms through theirs, she muttered quietly, “Get me out of here!”
Holding her books with one arm, Togaou slipped his other from her then put it around her waist. “Was it a rough day my dear?” He asked her, sympathetic tone in his voice.
“The worst,” she admitted. “All I want to do is go home, take a nice hot bath then a nap.”
“Did that boy give you any more problems?” Sesshomaru inquired.
Sighing, she really wasn’t sure how to answer that question. Rather than reply to it directly, she gave them a brief rundown of her interaction with him.
Like the day before, neither of the males liked what they heard. No, there was no overt action on the boy’s part that would be deemed as wrong or over-stepping boundaries but it certainly wasn’t something they liked either. That alone was enough for both of them to be quite relieved that they were going home that night.
…kst…kst…kst…kst…
As Kagome said, when she got home she ate a light snack then went to her room to take a bit of a nap. It was obvious to all that the girl was tired, probably from the emotional stress she was under from so many directions. While she slept, her mother enlisted the help of the three males to assist her starting to get ready for them to leave. Other than what she wanted to take from her room, they could get almost everything packed and ready to go ahead of time.
Her ugly yellow pack that she lugged around since she had willingly gone back through the well the first time was emptied out and her mother began to fill it with her personal items, schoolbooks and clothes. Because it was heading into fall, her mother packed her some warmer clothes and long pants rather than the skirts she had worn up to that point. The older woman had also picked her up a couple pairs of more durable shoes that would be far more suitable than the loafers she usually wore. The other pack was then filled with the food, cooking utensils and her sleeping bag.
Once Kagome had finished her nap, she took a bath then headed downstairs for supper. The meal its self was spent with the two diayoukais talking about plans for the near future. They wanted to spend a week at the Fortress first. Then they planned to start the jewel hunt. During that week both Sesshomaru and Togaou planned to see if they could get any leads on where some shards may be. Or, at the very least, they hoped to uncover some clues about odd things that may well indicate their presence. Because they had a schedule from her mother as to when Kagome’s next batch of tests were, they saw no reason, barring serious complications, that they wouldn’t be able to get her back in time for them.
Once the meal was over there was a flurry of activity as the quartet prepared to leave. Once the three males were once more dressed in their normal attire they waited in the kitchen with the miko’s family. While the waited, she went through things in her room to ensure that she had everything she needed to take with her.
While her mother also did a double check to ensure everything was packed, she issued a stern warning to both diayoukais that she expected the conditions they had agreed to would be followed. As would be expected, they assured her they would be.
Once Kagome appeared in the kitchen with a couple things she wanted to take then put them in her backpack, she was ready to go. After giving her family a hug and kiss goodbye, she shouldered her yellow pack and Inuyasha grabbed her new one. After Togaou thanked her family for their hospitality, he and the other two males said their goodbye then they headed out the door to make the trip through the well back to their time.
…kst…kst…kst…kst…
As they had done before, Sesshomaru held Kagome as they went through the well and Togaou onto Inuyasha. For the three males, it was a relief when their feet hit terra firma in ‘their’ time once more. Not only did they feel more in control of everything but also the air was cleaner and the noise level was once more something that they could handle.
Kagome had some things she wanted to drop off to Kaede and to let the elderly miko know she was back, so the plan was to stop and take care of that then head to the Fortress. If it went as they planned, they would be there by dark. That would give Sesshomaru plenty of time to attend to what he needed to before bedtime.
Once in Edo, while Kagome was talking to Kaede, she kept getting the creepy feeling that she was being watched. It was as though she could feel a pair of eyes on her, staring, and it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up plus a cool chill dance down her spine. While she talked to the old miko, she kept glancing over her shoulder and looked the direction she thought it was coming from but didn’t see anything any of the times she did it.
What she was doing didn’t go unnoticed by the two diayoukais. Each time she would look over her shoulder they would glance the direction she seemed to be looking but never say anything themselves either.
Finally, after about the sixths or seventh time, Togaou asked her about it.
“I keep getting this feeling of being watched but I don’t see anything or anyone that could be doing it.” She told him quietly.
Knowing those feelings didn’t usually happen for no reason, Sesshomaru went to investigate. Sure, it might be nothing but he felt that in cases like these it was better safe than sorry.
After several minutes of nosing around outside the hamlet, he couldn’t find anything. But he came to the private conclusion that it wasn’t because nothing was there. He decided that it had more to do with the fact that whatever or whoever was there was going out of their way to conceal themselves from detection. Personally, he decided that they needed to hurry everyone along and vacate the village as quickly as was prudent.
Once back in the village, he told his father about what he had found, or didn’t find as the case may be, then his own feelings on the matter. Togaou agreed with his assessment then said something to Kagome about wrapping up her conversation so that they could get moving.
Thinking it was so they could keep on schedule as they wanted, the young miko handed over the things she had brought for the elderly one then began to say her goodbyes.
Once she was done, the quartet walked away from the village. When they found a large clearing away from any prying eyes, Togaou shifted once more to his true from. Once everyone was on his back, they took to the skies then headed off towards the Fortress.
…kst…kst…kst…kst…
Hidden deep in the trees on a branch high near the top in the thick foliage where he wasn’t likely to be seen, Naraku perched. Dressed in the white baboon skin that helped to cloak his aura, he watched the quartet as they went about their business knowing they wouldn’t be able to detect him. Though he thought of this as a reconnaissance mission, to gather information on them, it was a bit of a personal deception. Yes, that was part of what he was doing but the real reason he was there was to catch a glimpse and watch his beloved for a short time. He had been hanging around Edo for a couple days now, when he could get away from the castle, in hopes of catching a look at her. Of course, he also hoped to get an idea or clue as to what the four were up to so he could keep an eye on them. On that front, he had been more successful than he had anticipated.
As he had listened in as she talked to the sister of Kikyo, he heard of their plans. That, in turn, gave him information enough that he could start to keep a closer eye on them, either in person or with one of his demonic puppets. That way he could gain enough information so that he could start putting his plans into action or modify them accordingly.
When they had left toward the west, he had desperately had wanted to follow but had managed to restrain himself. Realistically, he knew that he would be able to follow them fast enough to keep up at this point. But the dark cloud of miasma, how he traveled, would be noticed. Not something he wanted. For now, he wanted to remain in the shadows and for them not to know about him. The time for that would come, just not right now. For now, he wanted to stay in the shadows and pull the strings like any good puppet master. There was much to do before he revealed himself.
Glancing at the sun, he calculated the time then gave a soft sigh. He needed to get back to the castle. There was much to do and set into motion still. Plus it wouldn’t do to arouse suspicions of the ningens there. There was too much he had to set in motion, quietly, and he couldn’t allow anyone to jeopardize that.
…kst…kst…kst…kst…
Once back on the familiar turf of the Western Fortress, both youkai felt better. Though the trip was quite an adventure for them, and one they would be having again in the future, it was far more comfortable being home.
Once settled back in the family wing and clothing changed, Sesshomaru was off to his study. He had to get a debriefing of what had gone on while he was away as well as starting to attend to things that required his immediate attention.
After a change of clothes and a bit of rest, the remaining trio headed towards the main part of the Fortress where members of court usually gathered and mingled at night. In their absences, Togaou was certain that word of his return as ell as plans for he and Sesshomaru’s impending mating had circulated far and wide. Thus bringing more than the usually number of court members to the Fortress, what he had wanted. Now he was planning to circulate a bit to see and be seen. He also wanted to start the hunt for someone to take on the duty of being a surrogate father for his miko. Plus, he wanted to start catching up on all that had gone on since his demise.
As he had anticipated, when he appeared in the main commonroom with Kagome on his arm and Inuyasha by his side, there was a bit commotion. First came the reintroductions of old friends and acquaintances then the introductions of those he had never met before. While those were being made he ensured that they all met Kagome, introduced as the Shikon Miko and both he and Sesshomaru’s future mate, and his youngest pup Inuyasha. During the introductions of the two, he made it crystal clear that he would brook no insult to either his youngest pup or future mate for any reason. But if anyone dared to do so or make derogatory remarks or comments about what kind of beings they were then they would find themselves dealing with him before being out of their backsides. He assured them that Sesshomaru would also have the same stance on the matter.
Really, he only planned to spend a couple hours with what court was at the Fortress, mostly it was just to see and be seen. Once the introductions were done, the trio sat down with a group of the diayoukai’s old friends while they filled him in on all the things that had happened since his demise. Though the old dog was greatly interested in what had gone on in his absence he had another purpose in mind. He was also using the opportunity to feel out which of his old friends no longer had children to raise and could be trusted to take on the task of being a surrogate to Kagome. About midway through the conversation, Togaou had whittled down the possibilities to five. But he would take another day of conversation to decide on what to do.
At about the two hour mark, Togaou had enough of the incessant chatter and gossip then made it known that they three of them were calling it a night. Once they said their goodnight to all, they made their exit.
Walking back to the family wing, Togaou slipped an arm around Kagome’s shoulders. “So, what do you think of court so far my dear?”
“There seemed to be a lot of them that if they had kissed your butt any more their whole head would have been brown,” she answered quietly, a bit of a giggle in her voice.
Walking beside her, Inuyasha let out a snort of laughter and grinned from ear to ear. “Yeah, it did kinda’ seem that way.”
Chuckling deeply, Togaou nodded. “Very true. Most of them are stuck up fools interested only in themselves, their status and how to better it. But there are a few nice, genuine souls among the idiots that once you befriend them will be loyal and your friend for life. You’ll just have to wade through the rest to find them is all.”
By that time they had reached their rooms. It was decided that once they were all changed they would meet up in Togaou’s room.
…kst…kst…kst…kst…
From the time Sesshomaru’s hind end hit the seat behind his desk, he was swamped. First, he was debrief by those he had left in charge as to what he needed to know about what had gone on while he had been away. Next, he attended to those things that required his immediate attention. When he was done with that, he began to sort through the mountain of scrolls that had landed on his desk the couple of days he had been away. With those, he sorted them into two categories: what needed attending to right away and what could wait until the following day. Once sorted, he dove in and started to work.
Though he was focused on the task at hand, part of his mind wandered to something else. He wasn’t at all happy with the fact that while he attended to his duties his father once more was alone with Kagome. Yes, he understood that because of the duties he had his time was a lot less free than his father’s, thus allowing his sire more time alone with her. But that didn’t mean he had to be pleased with the reality of the situation. However, on the heels of that he decided that his goal for the time they would spend at the Fortress this time was to get her comfortable enough with himself that they could spend longer time periods alone together. Once he accomplished that, he would be able to make up all the periods he had to be away while he attended to his duties. He was also going to have to manage his time in such a way that he could block out portions of it during the day so he could get away and spend some time with her. To do so meant his father didn’t have her all to himself other than at night. If that were to happen, he was certain that things would be all the rougher for him in the future.
When it came to gaining her trust, he had a few ideas he thought might work, or at least help him. One was something his sire had mentioned; working with her on her archery skills. Spending an hour or so with her doing that a day would be most helpful. He was just going to have to keep a leash on himself while he did that was all. As he was well aware, his manner when teaching someone something could be very gruff. It wouldn’t do for him to take that attitude with her. Patience would he the watchword when it came to that.
Another niggling he had was to see if he could persuade her to join him the couple times a day when he took a tea break and perhaps lunch. These weren’t for long periods of time, yet she would be alone with him thus giving him time with her. Also, he hoped to persuade her to come stay in the study with him when his father attended to various things rather than pal around with Inuyasha. The way he saw it was she could read or do her homework during this time. Again, it wasn’t much but it would time together. None of these things was big so he felt that he could persuade her to agree with a minimal effort. Nor did he think that his father would have any reason to voice any kind of objection to it. It could go a long ways towards accomplishing what he wanted.
With a mental sigh, eh realized that he wasn’t going to get what needed done tonight if he didn’t fully focus on the task at hand. With a soft growl, he forced himself to focus, bearing in mind the fact that the quicker he was done, the less time his father would have alone with Kagome.
|
|