I Am Me; No One Else

Chapter 4: A Respite with Playful Tones

Kagome and Sesshoumaru had been traveling together for a little more than two weeks now and were enjoying the time together as they knew the temple was not far away though still some distance from where they were. Edo was quite a way from the Western territory, but not so far as the Northern one would have been.

Kagome felt that she had grown as a person, miko, and more in this time and was saddened to know this journey and camaraderie would be ending before she could really get to truly know much of her companion. She had gained many experiences that she never would have in her own time, not if she was cautious enough; and all of them ranged in both good and bad.

She silently admitted to herself that she had also become fond of her demon lord protector. He had been quite different from what she had been expecting of him due to all the past interactions she had had with him; and she could see how his brush with death had affected him this time.

She was highly aware that the demon lord had likely been close to death several times more than this; as Rin had saved his life before once too and Sesshoumaru had been alive for far longer than either of them, but Kagome saw how this time had come a bit too close to him for his own comfort.

Even when he said nothing nor gave any emotional signals that most would notice.

But; to her, he seemed more open to ideas from his companions than he would've been before now. It did not seem to matter who they were unless they had irritated and annoyed him outright, and that was hard to do...more so than one first thought.

He took more time to notice the smaller things. He reserved his judgment further until he was certain the path he had chosen was the one he wanted. He had cared enough about her stability and well-being to help heal the emotional wounds she had for when she had broken down; even knowing her issue was over her heart having been shattered by his half-brother and her seeing him trying to conceal his confliction over her state.

Confliction that she wasn't sure was correct of what it was about; but she suspected that his pain was because he saw her as more than a friend; as a potential mate, and it made her sad to know she was causing him this turmoil.

Her nightly sessions with Midoriko was more than learning to control her reiki.  The Mother Miko had sat sometimes with her and taught her of human and demon society; their views, politics, traditions, and so much more.

Kagome had decided not to let the demon lord know that she knew of what he intended; she wanted to wait and see how he would react to her more. If they could truly work, and she smiled as Midoriko encouraged her not to make it easy on the 'stubborn pup' as she called him.

So, it was now a game of delicate cat and mouse. Or rather a game of a dangerous hunting dog versus the wily forest fox. Kagome had remembered smiling and giggling a bit to herself at that sentiment; she had referred to herself as a fox...in demon terms, that would kitsune. Ironic then, that she would have an adopted kitsune of her own that she treated as if he were her son.

Like Sesshoumaru had adopted a small human girl named Rin and considered her as his daughter; against all the odds.

It was one of the games that she knew she had to be careful playing as so not to alert him of her intentions, or he might not be so amused by her antics.

Kagome wasn't sure if he truly had a reason for being at the Bone Eater's Well that night, but she was grateful for him and his presence nonetheless. She was certain there was more to this than his simple respect and care for her survival because of her role. She also knew that she wanted to move forward and find out what it could be, but she was afraid.

Afraid of him turning her away as his half-brother did in some way or by him withdrawing himself from her. She did not know how to cope if he did that. Especially since there was at least another two or three months of travel to go depending on how lenient the weather would be.