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Kagome awoke with a screaming headache. Groaning softly, she tugged the blankets over her face, trying to block out the sunlight. Cocooning herself in darkness didn't help, the pain only increasing, so she shifted onto her side.

She felt discombobulated—like she'd been hit by a bus—but after the well had opened back up, the feudal era had become her home, so she knew that wasn't the case. She couldn't remember drinking sake either, her gums missing the telltale fuzziness as she licked her lips.

Had she been attacked?

Knowing she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, she pushed herself onto her elbows, using the headboard to keep herself balanced. Air filled her lungs as she took deep breaths, and holding herself steady, she slowly opened her eyes.

The bothersome sunlight filtered in through a large bay window, the curtains fluttering in an early spring breeze. Intricately carved furniture lined the walls, and she could see the edge of a large tub through a connecting doorway. Next to her, a fresh bouquet of plum blossoms sat in a vase, the fragrance wafting past her nose.

It was a lovely sight to behold—the decorator had likely spent a lot of time selecting the pieces—but there was only one problem.

This wasn't her room.

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She wanted to get up to explore, but although her reiki was still intact, her vision swam every time she moved, so Kagome resigned herself to staying still but remained on alert.

She wasn't chained to the bed, and she was fully dressed, so that was a plus, but she had no memory of coming to this place or even falling asleep, so she wasn't about to let her guard down. Someone had taught her that, but she couldn't remember who, so she leaned back against the headboard, waiting for her elusive host to check on her.

It was past morning, probably closer to noon by the way shadows danced between the curtains on the balcony, so she doubted it would be long before someone appeared. Without modern electricity, Kagome's circadian rhythm had shifted, and she no longer needed those extra five minutes when she woke, often doing so as soon as the sun rose.

Kaede had never commented on it, but Kagome knew she appreciated the extra help in the morning when her bones weren't so brittle. The aches in the old miko's joints worsened as the day wore on, so most of their errands and herb collecting were done before lunch.

She knew Kaede had few years left—she was old even by modern standards—and Kagome wanted to learn as much from her as possible before taking over her duties.

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It was strange that she didn't feel hungry, or at least not enough to warrant calling out for anyone, which begged the question of why she was here. She couldn't be a prisoner—she'd seen enough dungeons to know they didn't have dressers, let alone silks on the bed—so why was everything so unfamiliar?

It felt intimate; all the decor matched in some way, as if it had been specifically chosen for the room, but it only made her more apprehensive. Her clothing was also off. The fabric felt more like cotton than silk, and the embroidered lotus on the sleeves was definitely something she'd pick for herself, but she couldn't remember ever purchasing it.

She didn't belong here.

Hands clenching into determined fists, she tried to pull the blankets off but found her strength drained. Her power bubbled under the surface, but her limbs were heavy, and even sitting up had been a struggle. Sighing in defeat, she resigned herself to recharging herself before whoever had brought her here showed up—so she could give them a piece of her mind.

She wasn't sure how long she lay there, but the soft creak of a door suddenly had her on alert, head whipping around, only to find a very startled Jaken holding a tray of incense. Bulbous eyes blinked at her, his mouth falling open. "You're awake."

"Yes?" She wasn't sure how else to answer.

The sticks of incense toppled over as his eyes widened, and he was already turning around, screeching excitedly down the hallway. Kagome would've followed if she could, as the toad hadn't sounded irritated in the slightest. In fact, if she had to put a name to it, he actually sounded relieved.

Her curiosity was short-lived, however, as the door opened again, and Sesshoumaru stepped into the room.

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His eyes were searching as he looked her over, not moving from his place in the doorway, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

Was this Sesshoumaru's home? It seemed so unlikely. He'd basically been a nomad during their fight against Naraku, and even in the few years after her return, she'd never heard Rin speak of him having a permanent residence anywhere.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was soft, seeking, and not at all what Kagome remembered.

She rubbed her temples, the headache that had woken her resurfacing. "My head hurts," she admitted.

"That is to be expected."

"Is it?" Did he know what had happened to her?

"Hnn." He left it at that, as if it were a complete sentence, and a frown furrowed Kagome's brow. Was she not privy to the information? Or did he not deem her worthy due to her human heritage?

He may have just been an ally, but she'd thought he'd at least shed his prestigious views separating youkai and humans. Hadn't Bakusaiga formed due to his need to protect Rin and Kohaku?

His hand on hers had her thoughts splintering, her frown deepening as he inspected it closely. "The burns seem to have fully healed."

"Burns?" she echoed.

Sesshoumaru inclined his head. "It appears your mentor is still good for something."

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Shoulders straightening, Kagome extracted her hand, pinning him with a sharp glare. "Kaede is a wonderful teacher."

"I do not deny you have learned much from her," he replied. "But she cannot be relied on in a pinch."

Blue eyes turned stormy. "And what 'pinch' would that be, Sesshoumaru-sama?" He bristled at the title, but she crossed her arms. "You've yet to explain how I got injured and why I'm here—" She motioned to the room. "—in the first place."

It was his turn to frown. "Why would you not be?"

"I don't know," Kagome mocked, irritation growing. "You mentioned burns on my hands, but I don't remember being in a fight, and I woke up with a headache in a strange bed." She couldn't be sure, but she swore his face paled—either that or his stripes darkened, either of which couldn't be a good sign.

She'd never studied his face before, but he hadn't moved from the edge of the bed since he'd sat down, and she didn't know where else to look. Considering she'd never backed down from him before, looking away didn't feel like an option.

"You also insulted Kaede when she's the best healer around," she continued, arms tightening across her chest.

"Rin would have seen to you first, but she is in the north helping with a smallpox outbreak," he said simply.

Power sparked from her fingers. "Rin is too young to travel that far by herself. And she's nowhere near Kaede's level."

Silence stretched between them, the rustle of curtains the only sound. "How old do you believe Rin to be?" he finally asked.

Kagome rolled her eyes. Had Kaede given him instructions to test her memory? Maybe she'd hit her head along with burning her hands. Fine, she'd play his game. The sooner she got it over with, the sooner she could go home. "She just turned twelve."

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Sesshoumaru grabbed her chin, inspecting her closely, but Kagome had had enough. She shoved him away, intent on rolling off the opposite end of the bed to put space between them, but the sudden jerk of her body had her gripping her head in pain.

There was a hard bite to the growl that escaped his lips, but his hands were gentle as he eased her back onto the pillows. "You are to remain here until further notice. Jaken will be assigned to you until another healer can be located." With that, he rose to his feet, not even bothering to give her a backward glance as he strode from the room.

The snap of the door opening revealed Jaken on the other side, a tray of steaming tea clutched in his hands. "My lord!" he said, startled. "I thought you would be staying."

The lines on Sesshoumaru's face hardened, and he murmured something too soft for Kagome to hear. Jaken's eyes bulged out of his head for the second time that morning, and he looked between the two of them. "But that would mean—"

"Tread carefully," Sesshoumaru warned. "We do not know the extent yet." He glanced over his shoulder, expression placid as Kagome glared at him. "I leave her in your care."

The vassal bowed. "The honour is all mine, my lord." He waited for Sesshoumaru to disappear around the corner before entering the room, sliding the door closed with his foot. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

Since when did he care? "Fine," she said.

"Lies do not become you." The imp waddled over to her bed.

"He's the one keeping things from me," she retorted, pointing to the door.

An unfamiliar sound escaped Jaken's mouth as he poured her tea. "You will have to forgive Sesshoumaru-sama. He has received a shock."

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She wanted to refuse the beverage, but the floral scent was calming, the liquid sliding easily down her throat. They sat in silence for a while as she ignored Jaken's probing glances. She could tell he wanted her to ask the question, but dealing with Sesshoumaru's mood swings was low on her priority list.

"Where am I?" she asked, allowing him to refill her cup.

He might've winced, but Jaken was twitchy at the best of times, so she couldn't be sure. "Hinansho," he replied. Her blank look had his shoulders straightening. "It is a village kept secret within the western mountains, which provides protection and nourishment for those who dwell within."

"Can't be much of a secret if you know about it," she jabbed, hiding her smile behind her cup. To her surprise, he didn't devolve into a tantrum. She fully expected the teapot to hit the wall or the chair he'd dragged to the side of the bed to be tipped over, but all he did was snort as he poured himself a cup. "I guess even obnoxious little toads grow up someday."

"You will learn, Kagome-sama," he replied smoothly, "that I'm capable of many things."

She blinked, surprise turning to shock. "Since when have you called me by my first name?"

"Since you threatened to beat me over the head with Nintojo if I didn't."

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He spoke of the village's intricacies, delving into how its inhabitants prepared for each season and the trade routes used to sell goods at the base of the mountain. Kagome tried not to look interested, but it became increasingly difficult each time he mentioned another surrounding clan.

"Sesshoumaru mentioned Rin has travelled north," she cut in at one point. "Is that where the Kogasu clan lives?"

Jaken eyed her carefully before nodding. "They've remained segregated for some time, so their immune systems are not equipped to handle things like cold sweats. It interferes with their flames and makes it impossible to fly."

Kagome tapped her chin. "Increasing their core temperature would be the best tactic. It would help burn through the infection." There'd been little interaction with any of the northern clans, but phoenixes were exceptionally elusive.

"Which has already been recommended," he replied.

She pursed her lips. Kaede was old and refused to spend her remaining years learning about the ailments youkai suffered from. She preferred to spend her time healing humans. So Kagome had taken up the other side of things, researching and testing the weaknesses of as many species as possible. She'd taken meticulous notes but had yet to share her findings with anyone.

Had Jaken gone through her personal belongings?

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Once again, she was on edge, placing the cup back on the tray before crossing her arms. Jaken, to his credit, noticed immediately and did the same.

"It seems you have a more pressing question," he said, still oddly calm.

She almost missed his screeching. "What am I doing here?" she asked.

There was no change in his posture, no flicker of his gaze as he tried to come up with a lie. "Your research on youkai illnesses required more resources than what you'd gathered by yourself," he said. "So you requested the use of the shiro's library."

The fact that a youkai-heavy shiro had a library, let alone granted her access, had her eyes narrowing, and his façade finally cracked.

"Technically, you demanded it," he relented, "citing that any further preventable deaths would be his fault, so he really didn't have a choice in the matter."

Her fingers drummed against her upper arm. "Who's 'he'?"

Jaken gave her a droll look. "Sesshoumaru-sama, who else?"

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Kagome's scoff was audible as she rolled her eyes. "He was probably worried I'd break his armour again." The first time had been a fluke, but she'd improved drastically since her true powers had been unlocked. "And he probably removed all the important stuff before even letting me near it," she added.

It was Jaken's turn to snort. "Quite the opposite. It has never been organized since Sesshoumaru-sama took up his father's mantle." His feet tapped unconsciously against the chair. "He fully expected you to give up after a week."

"Shows what he knew."

"Precisely."

Kagome groaned and flopped back against the pillows, instantly regretting it as pain shot between her temples. The fact that Jaken had yet to yell at her was making her head spin, which only added to the pounding headache.

"You should rest," he stated, gathering up the tray.

She felt like she'd been resting for days, but her eyes were already beginning to droop, so she didn't argue, using the last bit of her energy to turn her head toward him as he waddled toward the door. "Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked.

Jaken paused, bulbous eyes full of secrets as he glanced over his shoulder. "Because you were nice to me first."

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She half expected to be woken again by someone coming into her room, but her next moment of consciousness felt natural, as if her body had recovered enough energy to grant her consciousness.

It was still jarring to wake up in a room that didn't belong to her, but with what Jaken had said, she had to assume she had a permanent role in Hinansho.

Maybe she'd hit her head and was dealing with short-term memory loss. She pursed her lips. A stack of scrolls had probably fallen on her while organizing the library.

Turning her head toward the balcony, Kagome decided to test out her legs. She pulled the blankets away and swung her feet over one side. Wriggling her toes, she pressed her feet against the floor. Nothing swayed or dipped, so she gripped the headboard and pulled herself upright.

The floorboards felt unfamiliar against her skin, but her vision was clear, so she slowly made her way toward the balcony, using the wall for support. She didn't give herself a chance to inspect the furniture as she went, focusing instead on her destination.

Her limbs felt weak but usable, each step becoming more steady. The curtains billowed in the wind, the scent of flora clearing her senses, and she refrained from gabbing onto them, slipping through one side to breathe in the night air.

Lanterns flickered in the distance, the collection of chatter muffled between the maze of houses below. She wasn't sure what to expect; Jaken was known to exaggerate, especially when his lord was concerned, and if any part of the shiro belonged to his father, it was likely to have been used as a stronghold against his enemies.

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Inuyasha had spoken more of his mother than his father during their fight against Naraku, but that was a given, considering how little time he'd had with him. It was something they'd bonded over, though their fathers had met very different ends.

She was pretty sure it was why Inuyasha had been so lenient with Mama touching his ears when he visited her time.

Chuckling at the memory, Kagome leaned against the wall. She wanted to look over the edge of the balcony but didn't trust herself not to fall, and she planned on avoiding any more head injuries.

As if on cue, her head throbbed, her fingers automatically trying to massage the pressure away. It wasn't as bad as before, but she had no idea what had caused the injury in the first place, so maybe this was normal.

Another light flickered, drawing her gaze, but this was closer than any of the houses—and much brighter. Frowning, Kagome leaned closer to the edge, keeping herself as balanced as possible. There was a flash of blue, followed by a burgundy blur, and she suddenly found herself on her ass, wings beating against her face.

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She wasn't sure if she should scream, so she raised her arms to protect her face, hoping the beast would realize she wasn't its next meal and leave her alone. She thought about using her reiki, but she couldn't be sure how many youkai were within firing distance and didn't want to send them into a panic.

As it was, the wings eventually stilled, claws scraping against the railing as the wind finally died down. There was no pain, no threat of danger, so Kagome peaked through her arms, blinking in surprise at the creature perched on the balcony.

It was a dragon.

It cocked its head at her, its body covered in burgundy scales. The wings that she'd been so worried about hung around its shoulders like a cloak, rippling each time it moved, and slit pupils stared at her from the middle of crimson irises.

She didn't move, wondering why it had chosen now of all times to grace her with its presence. Then it opened its mouth, a tiny ball of blue flames erupting before it jumped down in front of her. It was as agile as a cat, bowing its head before looking at her expectantly.

When its head dipped again, Kagome copied the movement, sending the dragon hopping up and down before it playfully nudged her foot. Kagome's eyes widened in realization.

It was a baby.

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She was so used to associating red with anger that she'd never considered it could just be part of a creature's appearance. Its eyes were menacing at first, but the complete lack of apprehension had her reaching out her hand.

The dragon nudged her foot again, then slid up her leg. It felt like a snake, minus the feet, and she patted its head when it got close enough. "Were you just wanting someone to play with?" she murmured.

It rubbed its head against her palm, then opened its mouth, baring a single row of sharp teeth. Kagome gasped and tried to pull away, not wanting to lose a finger, but the creature was snatched away from her, amber eyes glaring as it was held aloft.

"You have been warned to stay away from here," Sesshoumaru stated. The dragon snapped at him, its tail wagging like a dog, and the daiyoukai rolled his eyes.

"I take it you two are already acquainted?" she asked, pushing herself into more of a sitting position.

He sighed, grabbing the baby by the tail and dangling it between them. "He is more acquainted with you, but it has been some time since he has been allowed near you."

"Why would I be acquainted with a dragon?" she asked, biting her cheek. She needed to stop asking so many questions. At least ones that didn't have long-lasting answers.

Sesshoumaru knelt down next to her, still holding the dragon away from her hands. "He only lives due to your interference."

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Kagome automatically glared at Sesshoumaru. "Why is it every time I stop someone from dying, you call it 'interference'?" she snapped.

Instead of answering, he grabbed her hand, holding it close to the dragon's face. She tried to pull away, but his grip was ironclad, a garbled squeak of outrage escaping when he pricked the middle of her palm with his claw.

The dragon sniffed her skin, opening his mouth to finish the job, but Sesshoumaru growled and shook him. "Behave, or you will be banished to your nest." The dragon whimpered but hung its head, and Sesshoumaru let him get close again.

Kagome gasped as a rough, forked tongue slid along the cut, clearing away the tiny bead of blood. The dragon seemed to contemplate the taste, then started to squirm. She fully expected Sesshoumaru to launch it off the balcony, but he just sighed again and placed the baby in her arms.

She waited for the claws to tear through her sleeves, but the dragon rubbed against her like he'd done with her leg. His front feet pressed into her chest, giving him leverage to bump the underside of her chin before curling up against her sternum.

She blinked in surprise, then looked at Sesshoumaru in question. He merely shrugged. "There are many who have been concerned with your recovery."

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Puchi, appropriately named for being the youngest and smallest in a litter of six, was one of Ah-Un’s children. He was much lighter than she expected—much like that of a kitten—but she still required Sesshoumaru’s help in getting to her feet.

His hand on her elbow felt strange, the way his claws easily curled around her elbow a foreign concept even as she stared right at them, but if he’d allowed her to peruse his personal library, she supposed it made sense he’d be alright with touching her from time to time.

It was likely a byproduct of raising Rin.

He helped her back into bed, and Kagome didn’t argue the point, already feeling drained. It was one thing to walk to the balcony—it was another to encounter a dragon.

“Are you sure Ah-Un won’t be mad that he’s up here?” she asked, settling against the pillows.

Sesshoumaru snorted. “You have been more of a mother to it than they have. They consider Puchi to be your brood.” He tucked the blankets under the futon as if to keep her from escaping, then adjusted the pillows so she could lie down with ease. 

He straightened but lingered, and she took the chance to study him closely. Each time he visited Rin, their paths had barely crossed, as he was a loner and preferred to keep to himself. Rin was fine with it; the visits had become more sparse over the years, so when he did show up, Kagome and Kaede knew that Rin would be busy entertaining him until he left.

Kagome wasn’t sure how one would go about ‘entertaining’ a daiyoukai, especially when he and Rin had nothing in common, but they were both happy to see each other, so who was she to judge?

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She tried to remember their last encounter—before she'd woken up in his home—but came up blank, automatically rubbing her temple to subdue the headache that was already building.

A flutter of movement appeared on her periphery, and she jerked as Sesshoumaru reached toward her. The muscles along his jaw tightened, and his hand returned to his side. "The healer will see you in the morning," he said, voice clipped.

Kagome eyed him warily. "Don't feel obligated," she replied. As accommodating as Jaken had been, he clearly didn't want her here, so what was the point in lingering?

Youki flared as a growl escaped, but he kept his distance. "The healer will see you in the morning," he repeated. It was a command this time, each word punctuated with a snap of his fangs, and if she hadn't been weighed down with Puchi, she'd have met him shot for shot. She glared at him, lips pressed into a firm line, and he turned on his heel, stalking toward the balcony.

She fully expected him to take flight, bracing herself for the show of sparks and smoke, but he gripped the banister, the tension in his shoulders visible even from the dimly lit room.

What the hell was his problem?

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Kagome stared at him for longer than she should've, but it was hard not to when he was all but pacing outside her room. He kept muttering to himself, though it was more of a series of growls that she couldn't understand.

He didn't feel dangerous, not like he had before, but that was probably from Puchi's lack of movement rather than any reassurance he'd given her. She felt like a wounded animal with a lone predator stalking her outside her cage, and it wasn't until Jaken showed up again that she could finally relax.

That in itself was strange, but the toad hadn't been shy about forcing the western lord to leave her alone.

"You will only agitate the situation, my lord," he insisted, all but herding him across the room. "There is nothing for you to do right now."

Puchi had curled around her shoulders, allowing her to cross her arms over her chest when Sesshoumaru met her gaze. Another growl escaped, and he finally acquiesced, leaving the room in a flurry of silk and silver hair. Kagome tensed as she waited for Jaken to berate her about upsetting his lordship, but he puttered around the room, dimming the remaining lanterns without a word.

Yellow eyes gleamed in the moonlight as he passed by her bed, tapping it in a weird rhythm that seemed oddly familiar. "Sleep," he said, then shuffled toward the door. "There is nothing else for you to do right now."

She wanted to argue, but a jaw-cracking yawn interrupted whatever she'd planned on saying, and she succumbed to the rest that everyone seemed hellbent on forcing upon her.

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The next few days passed in the same way.

She'd wake up—she still wasn't sure on the time—Jaken would appear with food, she'd try to walk around as much as possible, and Sesshoumaru would show up and berate her for pushing herself too far.

It was an odd cycle, but she appreciated the routine. It gave her more time to think about how she'd ended up there in the first place. Plus, Jaken was being quite accommodating in providing information about Hinansho and how things were run.

"Wait, wait," she said, pushing Puchi's wing out of her face. "How long have you been here?"

Jaken paused in the middle of replenishing her food. She'd finally found her appetite, though he insisted on providing as much meat as he did fruit. The fruit was strange enough, as a lot of it was out of season, but he'd stated it came from the shiro's garden.

"Fifteen years," he said eventually. "It took time to recruit builders and find the right resources for Sesshoumaru-sama's vision."

Kagome pursed her lips as she accepted the plate. "I never took him for an architect."

Jaken chuckled—she was used to it now—then settled back into his chair. "He is not, but Inuyasha-sama was more than happy to provide his knowledge on the subject."

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"Inuyasha-sama?" she echoed. Now she knew she was dreaming. There was no way Sesshoumaru's right-hand youkai had changed so far as to refer to Inuyasha with such reverence.

The toad made a face. "It is not my choice to call him that. Even he doesn't like it."

"Then why—" Jaken met her gaze over his cup, another habit she was getting used to. "Me?" she asked incredulously. "You can't be serious!"

"He refers to me in the same way, actually," Jaken replied. "You got tired of us fighting, so you forced us to show each other more respect."

"And you listened?"

"I think we've established the fact that I listen to most things you have to say," he replied tartly.

Rolling her eyes, she popped a slice of peach into her mouth. "Stop that. You sound like him enough already."

"Who?"

Kagome waved a hand toward the door to her room. "The cranky old dog that likes to scowl at me every day."

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She wished she was exaggerating, but Sesshoumaru really did check on her daily. It was always at the end of a meal, and Jaken claimed he was concerned for her welfare, but the scowl was etched so deeply into his face that Kagome had begun to think she stank. Either that, or he was annoyed at how slow her recovery was because he wanted her out of his home.

What other reason did he have to look at her like that?

Sighing, she leaned back against the headboard. She wasn't used to being stationary for so long, but her energy levels didn't allow for much else. Flexing her fingers, she tested her reiki again. There were a few sparks, but nothing of substance, and her teeth ground together.

Even as a teen, calling on her power had never been this difficult. And after Magatsuhi's seal was broken, she had power she didn't know what to do with. The meditation from Kaede helped, but every so often, she had to expend the extra reiki. Most of the time, she needed a conduit, relying on an ancient like Goshinboku to absorb the excess so it didn't overload her.

Closing her eyes, she tried to remember the last time she'd expended her power, but once again, came up blank. She shouldn't be surprised, both by the lack of memories and need, since her reiki was so low.

Jaken's hand touched hers, and she opened her eyes to find his face full of concern. "Do you need more food?"

Kagome ignored the question, fixing him with an intense stare. "Do you have any hogosha here?"

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Jaken's face paled. "Are you feeling another surge?" He scrambled off his chair. "I will call Sesshoumaru-sama—"

"A surge?" she asked.

Her question instantly calmed him down, and the toad breathed a sigh of relief. "That's a no, then. Thank goodness." He adjusted his robes, smoothing out unseen wrinkles, then motioned to her plate. "You should finish that off."

"Not until you tell me what a surge is," she countered. "And why you were so worried about me having one."

Jaken blanched, but her insistent look had him pushing his chair closer to the bed. It wasn't high enough that he looked down at her, as the bed was raised off the floor, so he was able to grab her hand, forcing her fingers apart into a star shape.

"Not long after you arrived, you made us aware that being in tune with the jewel left you with an abundance of power. Power you didn't know what to do with." He tapped each finger. "During your fight against Naraku—" He shuddered at the name as if it were something forbidden. "—it wasn't as obvious because you were constantly using it, but since your return, it's had nowhere to go."

As much as she wanted him to fill in the gaps, it was still odd to hear someone like Jaken tell her about her own life—especially with the lack of screeching and insults.

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The flutter of a curtain distracted her.

How long had it been since she'd been outside?

The balcony didn't count. She wanted to feel the grass under her feet and the wind in her hair. She'd even settle for rain on her face, regardless of how cold it was. Something was missing, an ache deep in her core, and her room, as lavish as it was, made her feel more like a prisoner with each passing day.

"Goshinboku was a perfect specimen," Jaken said, pulling her from her melancholy. "His roots run deep within the ground. I can see why you chose him."

"It helped that he was so nearby," she said, tearing her gaze away from the balcony. Maybe she could convince him to take her into the gardens later.

Jaken nodded. "But a little out of the way since you came here." He pointed to her thumb and pinky. "These ones always tingle when a surge is close. We started tracking your symptoms when—" He swallowed slowly before placing her hand back on the bed. "—when it became apparent you needed a conduit."

Kagome cupped her hands in her lap. She'd never thought about it before. With Goshinboku, it became a monthly routine, so the buildup was never that bad. "Did I hurt someone?"

The toad rubbed the back of his head. "Nothing we couldn't heal. Though Sesshoumaru-sama usually took the brunt of it."

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"Why would he do that?" she wondered aloud. There was nothing in it for him. It's not like her power was transferable. Besides, unless she was fully concentrating, reiki was harmful to even the more ancient of purebloods.

Jaken hemmed and hawed for a moment, trying to put his thoughts into words before finally settling on, "Your holy power was unnerving to those living in Hinansho. It could be felt throughout the far corners of the village when it got really bad, so he insisted on being involved."

"Meaning there's another hogosha nearby," she supplied.

His little shoulders swayed. "Yes and no. He only knew of one other. He took you there a few times, but the consistency of the surges required something close by. Especially when you weren't able to travel."

Nobody else in Kaede's village knew of their existence. Guardian entities were solitary creatures, often sequestering themselves away after they'd reached their peak. It was another reason she'd delved so far into youkai and hanyou research. Hogosha were very rare, but they were supposed to absorb any kind of power. It's why Inuyasha was able to stay sealed to Goshinboku for fifty years. His youki remained dormant due to the ancient tree's influence.

He nearly had her with the mention of a second ancient, but she'd learned Jaken liked to ramble, often letting tidbits slip when he wasn't paying attention.

"Why wasn't I able to travel?" she asked. Yellow eyes bulged, hands waving as he struggled to come up with an answer, and Kagome pinned him with a hard stare. "Why wasn't I able to travel, Jaken?" she asked again.

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"Enough."

The terse word made them both jump. Puchi flared his nostrils before crawling onto her head, flapping his wings at the intruder. Jaken slid from his chair, bowing low.

"Forgive me, my lord. I was concerned about her having another surge," he said.

Sesshoumaru's icy stare punctuated the toad's back, causing him to shiver. "A conversation for another day," he stated, his tone broaching no room for argument.

"You know," Kagome cut in, "Knocking goes a long way." She detangled Puchi from her hair, sliding her fingers down his scales to calm him down. Nostrils flared again, but he curled up in her arm, satisfied that he'd done his duty.

She made a point of thanking Jaken for the food, blatantly ignoring Sesshoumaru as she told him she was looking forward to their next conversation. Jaken kept his head down, though she caught a glimpse of a smile as he cleaned up what remained of her meal.

Golden eyes narrowed at the tray when Jaken passed by before meeting her gaze. "You need to eat more."

Kagome tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Those who enter a lady's chambers without permission don't get to make demands," she said cooly.

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She wasn't sure why, but something about him put her on edge. She felt like she'd matured in the time since returning to the feudal era, but every time Sesshoumaru stepped into the room, her hackles went up.

It didn't help that he barely talked. Something was going on behind those amber eyes, but until he decided to vocalize it, she was left with no choice but to antagonize him.

Jaken had nothing but glowing reviews about his master, but he was biased at the worst of times. She never understood what drove him to leave his home and follow the Western Lord around the countryside, especially when he was so cruel to him, but the same could be said about Rin.

Stroking Puchi's back, she scrutinized the daiyoukai. He'd been well trained but had a temper. He'd initially picked fights with his brother, but his prejudice about humans and hanyou had been thoroughly reprogrammed during the hunt for the shards.

It was a fact even she couldn't deny, as he'd come to her rescue more than once. None of which had benefited him in any way, and now Jaken was claiming he'd volunteered to be a conduit when her power overloaded.

What was she missing?

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She'd also clearly missed the part where he became an interior decorator. The furnishings inside her room—it was still weird to think she had her own room in Sesshoumaru's home—were expertly crafted and reminded her of things she had at the shrine.

The bed was a four-poster instead of a futon, covered in lush sheets and blankets. A desk reminded her of the set she had at home, several shelves built into the back and attached to the wall. There was nothing in them, the fine layer of dust covering each board telling her it had been a while since they'd been used, but time and energy had been put into making them.

There was also an ensuite, which was unusual considering the times they lived in. Natural springs had been carved out of stone in another part of the shiro, but hot water had been provided every couple of days so she could sit and soak in a lavish tub.

Even the soaps screamed of modern convenience, and Jaken had sent in a female attendant to help wash her hair. Kagome had a feeling it wasn't the woman's usual chore, as there was a distinct lack of care when it came to the act, but at least she felt clean afterward.

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She'd been forced to tie her hair back, settling for a loose braid instead of the typical low ponytail, after Sesshoumaru had permitted Puchi to stay. The little brat enjoyed making nests in her hair, often leaving it a tangled mess, and Kagome was hesitant to use the set of combs she'd found in the adjoining room.

They all had Sesshoumaru's symbol carved into the back.

Pieces of bone and wood had been woven together to create an intricate design, but nothing felt like it was hers. It was likely that all of her notebooks and research were in the library. If her head injury had come from a stack of scrolls falling over, then they were probably still buried.

The room was lovely to look at, and comfortable enough to live in—for a guest. Everything looked well taken care of, but it was meant to impress, not reassure.

Kagome was also not materialistic. She'd rather spend her money on good food or supplies that would last a long time. You'd never find her browsing through silk or satin at the market, and she'd never gone looking for a gemstone surrounded by gold. There was nothing in the room to signify she'd completely lost her mind, but there was also a severe lack of herself that kept her on edge.

If she'd really been here long enough to make a home of this place, why was none of her stuff here?

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Questions bubbled under the surface, but she knew this wasn't the time. It wasn't like Sesshoumaru was going to be the one to answer them. He'd rather spend his time glaring and sending away the one person who would talk to her.

Flexing her fingers, still slightly shaken by her conversation about her power, she crossed her arms. "Did you interrupt us just to come in here and assert your dominance?" she asked.

Jaw muscles clenched, but he bit back his retort, slowly making his way around her bed. Kagome shied away from the edge, shoulders hunched as she pulled in on herself. Her reiki was still out of commission, and he looked like he was ready to pick a real fight.

He looked her over, nostrils flaring, then leaned over, holding out his hand. She stared at it blankly, blinking owlishly before meeting his gaze. Another muscle twitched, but his hand remained where it was. "I thought you might like to tour the garden," he said.

Kagome's mouth fell open. Opening up his home was one thing, but offering to take her on a personal tour was something else altogether.

"What's in it for you?" she asked warily.

"You require a distraction," he replied, avoiding her question. She looked between his face and his hand, trying to decide if there was a youki custom she'd forgotten along with everything else, but he didn't move, didn't snarl or bite, so she finally nodded, placing her hand in his.

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His pace was slow, giving her time to catch her balance anytime her feet didn't cooperate. The proffered hand had turned into an elbow, his arm bent to allow more stability down the long and winding hallway.

There was no way to keep track of the various corridors, and the constant spinning of her head made her dizzy, so Kagome kept her eyes on the path ahead of her. She expected the walls to be covered in delicate tapestries, depicting his various battles, but they were surprisingly bare.

'Maybe he stores them in a different part of the shiro,' she thought absently, focusing on keeping her steps straight.

"You will inform me immediately if you feel unwell," he said as they made a sharp left turn.

"Don't worry," she replied tartly. "If I plan on throwing up, I'll make sure not to get any on your shoes."

He smothered a huff by covering her hand with his own, keeping her attached as the hallway got brighter. She breathed in the scent of fresh flora, unable to quell the excitement from finally going outside.

"Should I be worried about anyone else?" she asked. Usually, she'd welcome the company, but considering her current state, she'd rather avoid any unnecessary questions, especially when she had no answers.

"No one will bother you here," he murmured.

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She wanted to ask if that included him, but couldn't bring herself to do so. He was nice enough to get her some fresh air after she'd been cooped up for who knows how long, so the least she could do was curb the snark.

For now.

All bets were off if he decided to start glaring again, though.

He cupped her elbow, his other arm wrapped loosely around her waist as he helped her off the engawa. The heat from his chest seeped through her clothing, and Kagome suddenly realized he wasn't wearing his armour.

She gave him a startled look, one he misinterpreted, and instantly released her. His hands settled behind his back, and she was left to make the rest of the journey herself. Luckily, the entrance they'd used opened up into an enclosed garden, rows of peach and plum trees shutting out the outside world.

Her steps felt lighter, something akin to joy stirring in her chest. Jaken had mentioned the fruit came directly from the shiro, but until she'd laid eyes on it, there was still a part of her that hadn't believed him.

Nothing in Hinansho felt real, least of all being owned by Sesshoumaru. A warlord turned saviour and growing fruit in his backyard? It was absurd. He'd never shown interest in anything but bloodshed and being better than everyone else.

However, as she dragged her fingers along the leaves of an azalea bush, she found herself smiling.

This felt like home.

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"Either you discovered you have a green thumb," she mused, "or this is Rin's doing." The walk had taken a lot out of her, so they'd decided to take shelter under one of the larger plum trees. Sesshoumaru's gaze had lingered when she'd made her choice, but, as always, he'd said nothing, so she assumed she hadn't overstepped.

The garden felt familiar, but it was more like she'd dreamed of it rather than actually being there.

The sun was bright, but the temperature wasn't sweltering, so even with the stoic lord watching her every move, Kagome found herself relaxing. She'd likely pay for it tomorrow, as her strength was nowhere near what it needed to be, but maybe she could convince him to make this a daily occurrence.

"A bit of both," he said, finally answering her question. She opened one eye, not having realized she'd closed them in the first place, but he wasn't looking at her. The trunk was large enough for several people, but he'd chosen a tree on the other side of the path, one arm resting atop a bent knee.

The space was…indescribable. She appreciated the distance, but, for some reason, she had the feeling he was doing it more for his sake than hers.

Snorting, she leaned back against the tree. He probably did it so he could keep a better eye on her.

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"Rin always had an eye for plant life," she said, absentmindedly picking at the grass. It was cool to the touch, tickling her skin and keeping her connected to the earth in a way she felt she'd missed. "She could probably teach me a thing or two."

"She would feel humbled to do so," Sesshoumaru replied.

Sucking in a deep breath, Kagome raised her face to the sky, catching a ray of sunlight as it danced through the branches. "You can learn a lot from children. They notice more than we give them credit for."

"Hnn."

He didn't sound convinced, but he'd probably acquired enough knowledge to last Rin several lifetimes by the time they'd met. He also wasn't the type to take lessons from anyone, least of all a human.

Was that part of her allure? Rin was the polar opposite of Sesshoumaru, so there had to be something about her that caught his attention all those years ago. More than her innocence and flower crown skills, anyway.

Another snort escaped. Maybe he had some inane desire to be the best at everything, so watching a little girl make better flower crowns than him was more than he could handle.

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The lure of the trees became too much, and soon Puchi was soaring above them like a miniature but majestic kite. It had taken a little for him to relinquish his hold on her, but a stern scolding from Sesshoumaru after the tiny beast had scratched her collarbone had his wings expanding.

She'd thought he was pure burgundy, but sunlight reflected off his scales in shimmering gold, each pass sending sparkles prancing through the grass.

"I still can't believe how domestic he is," Kagome said, shielding her eyes from the sun as she watched him turn circles in the air.

"That will happen when he is raised among humans from birth." She glanced over at him, eyebrow raised, but his eyes were still closed. "You were very intense in your care," he supplied.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't?" she asked, getting defensive.

The shake of his head was subtle but effective. "Not in the slightest. Though I wonder how forgiving you will be when he reaches full size."

She blinked in surprise, looking up at Puchi again. He was so tiny right now that she couldn't imagine him fully grown. "Will he be as big as Ah-Un?"

"Unlikely. Though I have never seen a runt survive this long, so I have no means of comparison."

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Silence descended, but unlike her bedroom, it felt less constricting, and Kagome was content to let it linger. Somehow, being outside rid her of the jumbled nerves due to her injury.

Sesshoumaru was also less pushy. And overbearing. And irritating in general. Maybe she just needed to spend more time outside. Even with the space her room provided, there was something less encroaching about his behaviour. It might've been her imagination, but she'd rather not have to spend more time with him inside to find out.

She'd save that for Jaken. He was less likely to tower over her or order her around. Not that Sesshoumaru had done that, but it was the vibe her gave off. Like he thought he had power over her in some way.

Kagome clicked her tongue. Regardless of her current accommodations, he'd find out very quickly that she could put up just as much of a fight without her reiki. The thought that she'd had proper defensive training stirred a memory, but pain shot through her head before it could form, and she massaged her temple with a sigh.

The grass crunched next to her, and she found Sesshoumaru kneeling in front of her, brow pinched in concern. "Are you alright?"

Her first instinct was to push him away, as he was far too close, but she bit her tongue. He'd been nothing but pleasant to her today, so she'd return the favour in kind.

For now.

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"Just a headache," she murmured. The fact that he was concerned only made the headache worse, and she pressed the heel of her palm against her temple.

There was no reason for him to be concerned, no reason for him to linger, yet here she was, in his home, with his servant doting on her without so much as a whine. Maybe being concerned was commonplace.

Opening her eyes, she found his lips pressed into a firm line, the concern edging into something more akin to frustration. The slight tilt of her head had the clench of his jaw worsening, and his eyes traced her hairline. "Will you permit me to help?" he asked.

'Do you want to?' almost escaped, but if he was asking, clearly there was a purpose behind it. The pain hadn't ebbed, so she nodded once. His shoulders sank, tension easing, before the back of his knuckles brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face.

She would've pulled away, but tendrils of youki slid along her scalp, the pain lessening with each wave, and she sighed in relief before leaning back against the tree. "Thank you."

Neither of them moved, the air warming as the wind settled, and he continued to look her over. "Do not hesitate to ask for assistance," he said, voice tight.

"Careful," she replied, the edge of her mouth twitching. "You're starting to sound like Jaken."

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He laughed. He actually laughed. Well, it was more of a snort that turned into a chuckle, but it still had Kagome staring at him in shock. Since when did the Lord of the West laugh?

"He would consider it his greatest feat," he said eventually. Her headache was gone, but he seemed unconvinced of her well-being, so he stayed close. It was still an odd sensation, but maybe it was a weird quirk he'd picked up in the last few years.

It was unclear how much time had passed, but from the way everyone was tiptoeing around the issue, Kagome had figured out that whatever had happened to her had caused a bout of memory loss.

At some point, she'd come to the shiro to peruse Sesshoumaru's library to further her research on youkai illnesses and injuries, but that was as far as she'd gotten. She wouldn't have stuck around longer than a couple of years, right? Just long enough to do the research, and somehow make friends with Jaken.

And force him to make peace with Inuyasha.

And raise a dragon.

Groaning, Kagome rubbed her head again, opening her eyes in time to swat his hand away. "I'm fine."

"That remains to be seen."

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What remained to be seen was his insistence on coddling her, but she bit her tongue. He wasn't asking for anything in return, and as far as she knew, it wasn't to pay her back for anything. There had to be an internal reason for it. She just hadn't figured out what his was yet.

If it were anyone else, there wouldn't be an issue; it was just the fact that it was so out of character for him that set her on edge. And it wasn't something she could put her finger on, either, which was half the reason she couldn't stop herself from snapping at him.

She'd thought she was missing something about herself, but maybe she was missing something about him.

Maybe he was the one who'd changed.

The thought wound around in an endless loop in her brain as she gazed up at Puchi. The somersaults had stopped, wings spread wide as the updrafts kept him aloft. If he hadn't been locked around her neck for the past several days, she'd have thought he was an intricate kite.

Memories of the short reprieves they'd had between Naraku's attacks flashed through her mind, and she gave him a sideways look. "What do you do for fun?"

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His startled expression had her biting back laughter. As out of place as she felt, seeing him show any sort of emotion was oddly cathartic. It was so out of character that it seemed to ground her, somehow.

"Has your—" Her raised brow had him clearing his throat. "Why do you ask?"

She pointed to the sky and the circling dragon. "I know kites are mainly used by nobility, but back home, kids use them all the time. It just made me wonder what hobbies you might have."

He continued to stare at her, gaze piercing, and he eventually sighed, leaning back on one hand. "I have tried many things over the years, but nothing has caught my interest yet."

"Like?"

The wind shifted, blowing through the grass and shifting his focus. "Painting. Reading. Floral arrangement. There was a time when Rin insisted every room be decorated in origami."

She chuckled at that. "I bet your claws sliced right through the paper."

Instead of encouraging the conversation, he flinched, free hand flexing over his knee. "Indeed." When nothing else was added, Kagome pursed her lips and relaxed against the tree. So much for trying to be civil. She wasn't going to force him to talk to her.

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She expected him to make more demands on her—either about rest or food—but the silence continued, so she left it alone.

The garden was a much better focus of her time and energy. Puchi eventually descended, scales rippling under her hand as he curled up in her lap. He really was like a cat. His tail had wrapped around the rest of his body, wings tucked against his side as she continued to stroke him.

Did dragons grow at the same rate as other domestic pets? Most of them reached adulthood within a year or so of being born, but cats and dogs lived much shorter lives. Maybe they were more like youkai and hit their stride further down the line.

Kagome clicked her tongue. It wasn't like she'd read up on them, and even if she had, if it had been in the last couple of years, she'd have forgotten it. She needed to check the library.

Jaken had offered to make her a map, but he refused to do so until she was well enough to walk the halls on her own. Everything was in working order when she was in bed, but as soon as her feet touched the floor, even walking to the next room became a chore.

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The attendant they'd hired to help her with bathing—a butterfly youkai by the name of Tsubasa—never commented on it, even when her knees wobbled. She was sweet, though very hard-headed when it came to following orders, so Kagome hadn't been able to convince her to take her on a tour of the shiro.

Yet.

She was wearing her down, though, as she'd sensed the hesitation in her voice the last few times she'd mentioned it. Maybe that was why Sesshoumaru had shown up today. It wasn't because he'd sensed her restlessness; he'd gotten fed up with her badgering his servants.

Stifling another sigh, she closed her eyes. She didn't want to sleep, but her body seemed incapable of doing anything else, and the warmth of the sun was lulling her further into unconsciousness.

A slight pressure on her shoulder had her eyes fluttering back open. Sesshoumaru stood in front of her, hand outstretched. "We should return."

Kagome pushed his hand away. "I'm fine where I am."

Jaw muscles clenched, but his hand remained where it was. "I am only looking out for your best interests."

She looked him up and down, wishing she had enough reiki to sense his true intentions, then pointed to Puchi. "I can't move until he does." The dragon instantly perked up, wings stretching, and he hopped off her lap. Kagome sputtered with laughter. "Traitor!" She patted his head, then caught Sesshoumaru staring. "What?"

Blotches of colour touched the tip of his ears, and he looked away. "It has been a while since you have done that."

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It took a moment to realize that he was blushing, and then Kagome was blushing in kind. He cared about the fact that she was laughing? Since when?

It was something she did often, at least since she'd returned after the fall of Naraku, so she'd never thought anything of it. Searching for the shards had been trying, and cost them all a part of their lives they'd never get back.

They'd all suffered from nightmares—Sango especially—and nothing but time could cure them. They just had to get used to not being attacked in the middle of the night, or their loved ones being used as bargaining chips.

The three years spent back home had been both torture and solace. The sorrow from being separated from her friends had kept her in a cloud of misery for weeks, but subconsciously, she'd known no one would attack her within the comforts of her own bed. All in all, she'd probably adjusted better than the rest of them, but as far as she knew, Sesshoumaru hadn't stuck around in the village long enough to keep track of her laughter.

She stared at him in shock, willing the heat in her cheeks to disappear. "Is laughing so important?" she asked.

"To you," he replied. "And to others who are anxious about your recovery."

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She felt like she was dreaming again. Jaken had mentioned time and time again that Sesshoumaru was worried about her, but it just hadn't computed in her mind. The only person she'd ever seen him care about was Rin, and even that had been stilted. Everyone knew not to mess with her, but he'd never been open about his affection.

Had he really changed that much? And what had she done to warrant such a change?

Biting her lip, she finally took his hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet. "I guess revamping the library left an impression," she said, at a loss for what else to say.

"More than you know," he murmured. He wrapped her arm around his, forcing her to lean against him for support, then turned them in the direction of the doors they'd entered from. "We can make this a daily occurrence, as long as your health does not deteriorate."

"I'd like that," she replied, surprised at the honesty in her tone. She wasn't sure if the trips would include him or not, but she'd agree to anything so she didn't have to spend every waking hour in her-but-not-her room. And who knew, maybe she'd eventually get the real story of why he was letting her stay.

The trek back to the shiro was slow, as he seemed to know how far she'd waned, but he pulled her to a stop before they'd taken more than a few steps. Kagome's head raised in confusion, expression brightening as a figure emerged from the shade of the engawa.

"Inuyasha!"

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A slow grin broke across his face. "What's up, wench?" The teasing tone was everything she remembered—no hidden agendas, no tiptoeing around her because he thought he couldn't handle it. Just him.

Kagome suddenly forgot how tired she was and sprinted forward. She felt Sesshoumaru's youki spike, and Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise as she threw her arms around his neck. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!"

He stood ramrod stiff, arms at his side. "What the hell are you doing?" he yelped.

She jerked back, staring up at him in question. "Can't I say hello?"

"Yeah, but not like—shit!" He shoved her out of the way, the few seconds it took to do so giving up his advantage, and Sesshoumaru's claws caught a few locks of his hair, silver strands floating to the ground.

Cursing violently, Inuyasha ducked another blow, but his brother was too fast, quickly forcing him onto the defensive. Inuyasha didn't even try to fight back, attempting to put some distance between them—or at least, them and her.

Catching him around the throat, Sesshoumaru's claws dug into his skin. Inuyasha didn't struggle, mouth open in shock at the feral expression on Sesshoumaru's face. "I didn't do anything, I swear!" he gasped.

Fangs bared, Sesshoumaru leaned closer, marks on full display. Gone were his normally placid features, the shadow of something far more sinister in their place. His eyes remained golden, which told her he was still in control of himself, but that made his reaction all the more confusing.

All she'd done was hug her friend. Was this just some stupid brotherly game that she wasn't privy to? They were about to turn to her and call it all a joke, right?

Then Sesshoumaru's fingers began to glow.

Commission by Stardust

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She leaped into action, wrapping both arms around his elbow. "Let him go!" she yelled, reiki sputtering to life. Both brothers hissed, and Sesshoumaru instantly released him. Inuyasha dropped to one knee, but held up his hand when she moved to help him up.

"Don't touch me," he warned. "It'll just set him off again."

Temper flaring, Kagome whirled around. "Explain yourself, Sesshoumaru-sama!" She heard Inuyasha's sharp intake of breath, but her eyes were focused on the daiyoukai in front of her. Her reiki reserve was still running on empty, so if he decided to turn his ire on her, she wouldn't have anything to defend herself with.

As it happened, Puchi didn't like the way the western lord was eying her either, and he darted forward, wings flapping, and claws going for Sesshoumaru's eyes. She reached for the beast, not wanting him to get hurt, but Sesshoumaru backed away without retaliating.

He met her gaze, his face washed of all expression. "Make sure she returns to her room," he said, and then he was gone. The ball of youki zipped through the trees, singeing a few branches, and Puchi snorted as if to say good riddance before returning to her shoulder.

She patted his head affectionately, and he nuzzled her ear in response. "You'll protect me even when you get bigger, right?" she said with a smile. He snorted again, tail curling around her neck as she turned around.

Inuyasha was staring at her, still keeping his distance, ears twitching. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded.

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She'd wanted to stay in the garden, but Inuyasha hadn't let her argue, ushering her inside with a firm glare. She managed to get to the door by herself, but leaned against the wall to catch her breath.

Inuyasha looked like he wanted to help, but his hands remained clenched at his sides, and he edged away from her. "I'll go get help." Then he was gone as well, and Kagome had to stop herself from stomping her foot.

Why was everyone treating her like she was made of glass? Yes, she'd been injured, but this wasn't the way to help her get her strength back. She needed to push herself a little more each day, to build up a resilience like she had before, so that silly tussles like these didn't knock the wind out of her.

An attempt to shuffle along the wall had her vision blurring, and she leaned against the wall for support. Puchi whined in her ear, and she scratched the underside of his chin. "I'm alright, just a little dizzy."

"There is no 'little' about it," Jaken replied with a huff, scuttling toward her, Inuyasha and Tsubasa in tow. She'd never thought she'd see the day when seeing Jaken would leave her relieved, but nothing seemed to make sense lately.

Tsubasa wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her steady as Jaken placed Kagome's hand on his head for support. They looked a fright as they waddled back to her room, but they eventually made it, Inuyasha holding the door open.

Once she'd settled into her bed, Jaken pinned her with a scathing stare. "I told you not to push yourself."

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Kagome bristled. "I didn't push myself! Everything was fine until Inuyasha showed up." She waved toward her friend. "Then Sesshoumaru-sama lost it and attacked him."

Tsubasa, who had been in the middle of adjusting her pillows, straightened with a frown. "Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Jaken cleared his throat. "Tsubasa, would you inform the kitchen that Kagome-sama will be taking her evening meal early this evening?" The butterfly youkai blinked in surprise, then bowed and hurried out of the room.

Kagome pried Puchi away from her neck, placing him on the bed next to her. "I'm not hungry," she stated.

"You still need to eat," Jaken replied automatically, then turned to Inuyasha. "What happened?"

He hadn't moved from the door, arms now folded across his chest. His gaze flickered between the vassal and Kagome, shoulders hunched. "She hugged me."

"I greeted him," Kagome corrected. "What's so bad about that?" She was still pissed, and as soon as Sesshoumaru showed up, which she knew would happen eventually, she was going to give him a piece of her mind.

Jaken sighed, dragging his hand down his face. "Are you alright, Inuyasha-sama?"

Inuyasha rubbed the side of his face with the back of his hand, wiping away the remaining blood from when Sesshoumaru's claws had cut him. "I'll deal."

"You certainly will not!" Kagome snapped. "Sesshoumaru-sama was completely out of line—"

"Why do you keep calling him that?" he cut in.

The question caught her off guard, and her head tilted to the side. "I've always called him that."