Raven hair lightly pulled against a modest hair tie, while the owner huffed in determination. She knew the hair tie contrasted with her miko attire of red and white, but this priestess would not bother with a ribbon. Hardened arms put out the humble fire in the middle of her hut, before strong legs shuffled petit feet into woven sandals.
Kagome stepped from her hut with a giddy smile as she spotted Rin and her adopted son, Shippo. From a glance, the girl still looked as if she were sixteen and fresh to the feudal era. Big blue eyes sparkled brightly in a face untouched, but her body had been transformed with proper training. Sango and Miroku gladly shared their gifts of knowledge and skill. With both of them so busy with their children, Kagome would travel to aid nearby villages. Even Kaede grew busier with the raising and training of Sesshomaru’s ward, Rin.
Inuyasha still traveled with Kagome, but only stepped in when he could thrash an enemy he felt too strong for her. This sparked an increasing amount of arguments between them. They were not together as everyone had expected, but that did not make them any less than best friends.
There was one odd thing that the priestess had not expected after the destruction of the Shikon Jewel and Naraku, it was Sesshomaru. He showed an immense amount of trust in leaving Rin under the protection of Inuyasha. The cold lord visited frequently and it was not without some form of awkward social interaction. Sesshomaru would usually fight with his little brother, but there were times when he would begrudgingly include him in demon politics. At other times, he would speak to Kaede about his ward. Kagome tried to talk to him, but he always turned away.
“Shippo! Tag! You’re it!” The joyful priestess tapped lightly on the little orange head, triggering two squealing children to burst into sprints. The three of them raced about the village and rice paddies, until a deep baritone voice demand their attention. “Rin” He barked. Apparently today was one of those visits from the stoic lord. Kagome ushered the children to calmly return to the village where his white, tall figure stood. She and Shippo bowed in passing while Rin greeted her father. Gold met blue in a single moment of a side glance, but Kagome took it as a greeting all the same.
Little did she know, Sesshomaru was here to take Inuyasha.
It was his squawking that caused her to step back out of her hut, curious. “I don’t believe you!” Inuyasha shouted while stomping his feet, his hands stayed tucked in his sleeves throughout the tantrum. “You have never trusted me with something like this before, why now? Why would you give me this position now?” Sesshomaru sighed, glancing at the concerned priestess.
Kagome had snagged her bathing supplies for the brief moment inside her hut, so her casually walking past the canine brothers almost went unmentioned. She was almost a yard past when Inuyasha called out to her, “Kagome! There’s some issues at the Western Palace that Sesshomaru has come begging- WHACK- uh, I’ll be gone for a bit. You’ll be ok?” She could only smile and reply, “Go, Inuyasha.” Kagome didn’t need to look at the lord to know he was watching her. With a quick bow, she excused herself from their conversation with the appearance of simply wanting to hurry to her bath.
An hour passed, and the raven haired woman relaxed against a rock. Her dark locks floated leisurely around her round breasts and small shoulders. Her arms and legs were perpetually sore with layers of deep bruising regardless of the firm muscles. Now, she wouldn’t say she has muscles; Sango has muscles. But, her arms, legs and stomach weren’t soft and squishy any more. Kagome was even quite happy to find her rear had tightened and become perkier. This put her in quite the happy mood for days, but she wouldn’t dare say anything. The idea of her walking up to Inuyasha and proclaiming, “My butt looks awesome!” sent her into a fit of giggles. The spring’s surface rippled with her tiny movements.
Another minute of silly scenarios entertained her until the fact of her apparel sobered her attitude. The miko robes hid everything. The only change that they allow to be visible is the length of her hair. Sadly, it was still long with bangs, except it had grown from her middle back to now resting below her hips. The growth was what caused her need for ponytails. Honestly, Kagome grew envious of the beautiful hair of the court ladies she had met or seen during her travels, so she took what advice they would offer and let it grow. Just because she couldn’t be a princess didn’t mean that she couldn’t look as pretty as one.
“Priestess” The deep voice broke into Kagome’s thoughts as her eyes shot open. “This Sesshomaru is in need of your service as well.”
He just stood there at the edge of the spring like nothing was wrong. She wasn’t having it, “Pervert! Turn away!” The silver lord barely dodged sweet smelling shampoo and soap bottles as she continued, “You can’t just walk in on a girl bathing! Good Lord, stop looking at me and turn around! Pervert!” It took him way too long to finally turn his back to her so she could hide behind a tree. Kagome hated dressing while still damp; her hair usually soaked a good portion of her clothes if she wasn’t careful. To ensure minimal wetness, she quickly did a simple braid.
He was still standing with his back to her as she stepped out from behind the tree trunk and shrubbery. “Alright, what service do you desire?” Kagome asked while finishing her temporary braid.
“This Sesshomaru is in need of a wife. There are many suitors that need to be properly managed. Do you think yourself capable?” It took a moment for her to grasp what he was asking of her, but even then, she was shocked to silence. Sesshomaru needed a wife to produce purebred demon children, and he sought her council in choosing one. It wasn’t even a marriage of love.
Kagome knew he could see and smell her sadness, but both chose not to remark on it. “You want me to play matchmaker? I can do that, but you have to do something really important in order for this to be successful.” The cheeky girl waited until a silver eyebrow rose in question before continuing, “You have to talk to me. I need to know what personality traits you like or didn’t like, physical traits and the alike. Also, please fill me in on any current demon courting cultures or at least give me access to a resource where I can read up on them.”
She grew worried for a moment as the cold lord glared at her. Was it a glare or was he analyzing her, Kagome had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time he looked at her like that. “Arrive at the palace with Inuyasha in two days’ time.” And, in a gust of wind, Sesshomaru was gone.