Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Every Second Counts

The wave of shadow shot from the dark miko’s hands straight towards Rin, Jaken, and Shippou. With speed and strength only a daiyoukai could summon, Sesshoumaru pushed the three out of the way. Even he could not move fast enough to avoid the torrent of dark energy that surrounded him. Horrified gasps escaped from several sets of lungs as it spun tightly around his form and then collapsed upon itself, disappearing and taking Sesshoumaru with it.

====================================================

Sesshoumaru was in a place that he thought was dark and quiet. No, it was silent, the complete absence of sound, and the darkness was the absence of all light. Even his superior sight and hearing could not discern a flicker of light to relieve the unrelenting blackness, nor could he hear his own breath. His voice made a growl that escaped his lips, but no sound impacted the silence. He smelled nothing, not even his own scent. He was neither warm nor cool. There was no sense of pressure on his hide. He neither sat nor stood, just existed, floating in a vast nothingness without sensation. There was nothing he could fight. No foe, nothing solid to use his vast strength or powers against. A demon without senses was an impossibility. Yet the reality was indisputable.

He tried to press his claws into his palms, to draw a bit of blood, to create a small amount of pain. Anything to confirm that he still existed. He felt nothing. Then he recalled the miko had once touched Rin’s throat when the little girl was unconscious, to determine if her heart was still beating. Ignoring the absence of sensation, he willed his arm and hand to move upward, and placed two fingers on his own throat. Something. A minor pressure. A slight presence. His own heartbeat.

He had no means to tell how long he had been floating in the limbo of nothing, but now he had a measurement of time. He began to count his own heartbeats. 1…2…3…4…

He was never going to see the light again. Never feel the wind nor smell the rain. If he stopped counting, he would cease to exist. Of this he was certain. To count was to live, to stop was to die. How long could he count his heartbeats before he could count no more?
Then there were the voices. He heard nothing with his ears. But still he thought he heard them. Maybe he saw them from the corner of his eyes, though it wasn’t clear if they were even open. Faces flickering, just out of sight.

“Sesshoumaru-sama?”
“Sesshoumaru-sama!!”
“Sesshoumaru, ya prick.” “My lord” “My son”

“Sesshōmaru, did you believe you were a god?”
“Do you have someone to protect?”

1977, 1978, 1979….
Phantoms continued to taunt him, to entice him. He thought he felt a breeze, but there was nothing. Was that the waning moon shining on its twin that graced his forehead? No, it was nothing. A mere illusion born of the absence of light.

His count was at 3423 when he thought he saw something twinkle in the darkness. Possibly the tiniest spark of what might be light. Or perhaps his eyes and his mind were playing more tricks worse than what a kitsune might attempt.

4781, 4782, 4783…

The small pearl of light began to expand its radiance. It took on a slightly rosy hue. It did not waiver nor blink out of existence when he focused upon it. Then it flared and rapidly grew to the show the outline of a person, a pink sphere which encased the form of a familiar human miko - Kagome. One hand raised slightly, the spark of light shined forth, cutting through the dark nothingness.

5007, 5008, 5009….

The light moved closer, somehow Kagome was penetrating the shadow, drawing ever nearer to the motionless demon lord. Curiously, her form and her voice had not visited in the time before. She alone had not haunted his nothingness. His eyes locked onto her form, a beacon of hope that burned away his despair. He’d always thought her beautiful, but here she was literally the light of his existence.
5362, 5363,5364….

“Sesshoumaru, hang on. I’m going to try to break you out and bring you back. Stay with me,” Kagome’s voice was faint and echoed oddly, as if it was inside a hollow tree. But it was sound. The first sound he’d heard in thousands of heartbeats.

She was so close. But not close enough. He could not reach for her yet. He could not move his fingers from his own throat, lest he lose his own heartbeat. If he should, he might stop existing. He had to stay, until she could reach him, touch him. How he yearned for that touch. A hand resting on his arm, a ruffle of his hair, arms clasped about his torso, anything…lips on his cheek, on his forehead, on his…6014, 6015, 6016….

The sphere of light moved so slowly, so many heartbeats and it only came infinitesimally closer. Sesshoumaru tried to will himself closer, but there was nothing to push off of, nothing to walk on, nothing to fly through. All he could do was wait, and watch, and count. 6777, 6778, 6779…

The miko was close enough to see clearly, encased in the glowing globe of light. Her forehead furrowed with lines of concentration. Her teeth slightly sunk into her lower lip. Her blue eyes almost purple through the pink tint of her power. Her hands were in front of her, flattened against the front of the globe, as though she were pushing it. She looked up and caught his gaze. A tremulous smile appeared as she continued to advance. Again, he heard her echoing voice. “Almost there, Sesshoumaru. Just hang on and I’ll be there. Everything is going to be okay.”

What was that word “okay”? He’d heard her use it countless times, but had never received a clear definition. If he truly was able to return with her, he would ask. But for now, he needed to count. 6999, 7000, 7001…

7023, 7024, 7025… The sphere of pink charged reiki reached him, slowly it touched what he realized was his outstretched hand. He felt a bit of a fizzle, as the power crept up his arm. It did no harm, but it had been so long since felt anything, it was overwhelming. Closer it came, swallowing his arm until it was next to his torso, his head. He closed his eyes for a moment, and then jerked them open, lest he descend into darkness again. 7047, 7048… And he was enclosed in light. “Kagome!!” he gasped, removing his hand from his throat, abandoning his count.

“Sesshoumaru?!?” Kagome answered, her voice tinged with concern. “I’ve got you. Are you okay? Never mind, let’s get out of here, and then I can double check.” As she turned towards the way she had come, he stopped her with his hand, placing it on her shoulder and looking at her with widened eyes.

“Are you real? How do I know? I need to ….” He lost his words. Instead, he reached with his other hand, placing it beside her cheek.

“Oh! Yes, Sesshoumaru, I’m real.” Kagome reached with both her arms and embraced him. Something she had never done before. She felt his body trembling. She moved to release him, and he clasped her tightly, not willing to let her go. “Hey, ummm, you’re going to have to let me turn around so I can get us back. Here,” she wriggled in his grasp until she had her back to him, “just hold onto me while I face this way. I need my arms to concentrate.”

The daiyoukai kept one arm around her waist, his front plastered against her back. The heat of her body warming him when he hadn’t even realized he was chilled. He buried his nose face into the mass of her black hair, inhaling her scent. It was the sweetest thing he’d ever smelled, after too long of no scent at all.

There was no sensation of movement, but Kagome was pulling on something with her hands, concentration and purpose in her posture and actions. She was straining, sweat presenting on her skin. He could smell it on her neck, where his nose remained. There was sound accompanying this effort, which he realized was her voice explaining something, in hushed tones.

“We weren’t sure what happened when the shadow swallowed you and you disappeared. Rin was inconsolable. Inuyasha and Sango pretty much beat up that dark miko until she gave us some answers. Miroku threatened to send her to the afterlife. Jaken threatened to send her to your mother. I think it was the last that finally broke her. Your mom must be really scary. Then again, my mom can be really scary if someone tries to hurt me or Souta, so I guess I can’t fault your mom for doing the same for you.”

Kagome continued, “Anyway, the dark miko gave us the information we needed. Sango knocked her out. Miroku and I together were able to reopen the rift you had been pulled into. He’s holding the other end open and sending me pulses of holy power to follow. Sango and Inuyasha are keeping everyone else safe. Jaken is keeping watch on the kids and making sure there’s food for us when we get back. Shippou is distracting Rin. It will be just a bit longer until we’re out. It’s just difficult to move in this pocket of shadow.”

Sight, scent, touch, sound and…taste? Unobtrusively, he gave a small lick on her neck, the salt taste and the smoothness a balm to his tongue. The miko had brought all his senses back. A gift beyond price, risking herself. He would need to do something to repay her. If he could find anything that was of appropriate value.

Suddenly, there was a large burst of light, the sense of falling, as they tumbled onto the ground. He landed on top of Kagome as she caught herself on her hands and knees, his own propping his body into a cage around her. His already over heightened senses searing that sensation into his mind. His overactive mind furnishing him images of other ways he could imagine her in that position. Quickly, he pulled himself away, standing up on solid ground before he could be distracted by such inappropriate thoughts. He reached down and lifted Kagome upright.

Immediately the voices of the extended pack assaulted his ears. Jaken’s high-pitched squawk competed with Rin’s sobs and Inuyasha’s brash cussing. Too loud, to ears that had been without sound. He growled, low and deep, anger and frustration evident in the tone. This had the effect of quieting Rin’s sniffling and stopping Jaken’s voice entirely. Kagome’s low voiced ‘Sit, boy!!’ muffled Inuyasha’s string of cuss words in the dirt. She turned to Sesshoumaru. Softly, she soothed, “Ssshh, it’s okay now. I’m guessing it’s just too much all at once. Come over here and sit by this tree. I’ll keep them back and let them come see you one at a time. Okay?”

There was that word again. He wasn’t sure why he had latched onto that particular quiddity of the miko’s vocabulary, but it teased at his mind. He realized she was waiting for his permission to proceed. He allowed her to lead him to the indicated tree and replied to her query. “Hnn.” He braced himself for the louder members of the group.

Kagome seemed to understand, instinctively, that too much of anything overwhelmed his senses. She cautioned Rin, Jaken, and Inuyasha to quiet their voices and slow their movements. It helped, to an extent. Sesshoumaru bore with the hugs from Rin, the brashness of Inuyasha, snuffles from Ah-Un. But not even a softer voiced Jaken could make his nonstop praise and bragging tolerable. A pebble silenced the imp, Sesshoumaru’s mood improved.

Once the various members of the group had reassured themselves that Sesshoumaru had returned, they were more content to resume normal camp preparations. As the evening wore on, dinner was served, bedding was laid out, the fire was banked, and everyone settled.

Kagome had changed into her pajamas for the night. She made sure Rin and Shippou were bedded down next to Ah-Un. Then she strolled over to where Sesshoumaru was sitting.

Her voice was pitched low and soft, “Now that everyone has settled for the night, can you tell me what happened to you in that shadow pocket? I want to make sure there isn’t a residual taint from the dark miko. It didn’t seem like you had taken any physical wounds, but I didn’t get a chance to look closely.”

“This one has healed any incidental scratches that may have occurred. Do not trouble yourself, miko,” the daiyoukai stated, voice flat and imperious.

Her tone soothing, Kagome replied, “Okay, but I’d still like you to tell me your experience. That way I know more and can help others if it should happen to them.”

“You have used that word again, miko. ‘Okay’. You use it often. What does that word mean?” His tone was biting, aggressive, and irritable.

“Oh! I suppose I do use it a lot. Let me think,” she replied thoughtfully, startled by both his manner and the segue. “It’s a word that is borrowed from another language. It has a lot of uses, so it’s flexible in its meaning. It means ‘acceptable’, ‘agreement’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘approval’. Probably it can mean a few more things, but those are the ones I can think of immediately. Just like when you say ‘Hnnn’ to mean a bunch of things, depending on the circumstances.” The last was said in a teasing voice.

“Hnnn”

“Did you….just make a joke? I wasn’t sure you ever did that.” Kagome’s eyes were wide.

“There is much you do not comprehend about this Sesshoumaru,” he intoned formally. “I wish to rest now.”

“Oh! I’m sorry. I’ll let you get some sleep. Goodnight, Sesshoumaru.” With that she moved towards her own sleeping bag. Only after she had settled, she realized Sesshoumaru had not answered her questions concerning the shadow dimension.

Chapter Text

Every Second Counts Part 2

When Kagome woke the next morning, Sesshoumaru and his entourage were gone.

“Yeah, they took off at sunrise,” grumbled Inuyasha. “Not even a ‘goodbye’ or ‘thanks’ or nothin’. He’s still a prick, even if he ain’t an enemy. I’m ready to go back to the village. Now that we took down that dark miko that was causing problems, we can go home. I’m ready for a break.”

Kagome was a bit surprised at their absence. Sesshoumaru had been enroute to the village to drop off Rin at Kaede’s for more lessons in “being human” when they met up with him. It didn’t make much sense for him to leave the group to rush ahead without them. Or at the very least let Rin have a chance to play with Shippou. On the other hand, Sesshoumaru had his own way of doing things and rarely explained his thinking process to Kagome. Or really anyone. With a shrug, she started to pack up her gear. Like Inuyasha, she was ready to go back to the village. It wasn’t quite home for her yet. She’d been back from her birth era only a couple of years. But it was at the very least “home base”. Home was far in the future and it was unlikely she’d ever see it again. She didn’t regret her decision to return to the Sengoku Jidai. Even if things hadn’t played out the way she expected.

“I think we’re all ready for some rest, Inuyasha,” said Miroku. “Sango and I want to make sure Katsuo is well. I know Kaede and Kohaku are watching him, but a parent wants to be certain.”

Katsuo was Sango and Miroku’s baby boy. He was just starting to walk which meant he was starting to get into mischief.

Kagome nodded. “I’ll need to check on everyone who was affected by that miko’s darkness. After that, Inuyasha, you’re okay to head out to meet up with Kouga and his wolves. I know you miss him.”
Inuyasha blushed a bit, and responded with his usual, “Keh”

While Kagome and Inuyasha’s romantic thoughts had cooled in the years she’d been trapped in the modern age finishing school, the wolf demon and the half dog demon had found themselves in company more and more. The result was a rather tumultuous relationship somewhere between flirting, courting, one-upmanship, and wrestling, much to the amusement of their friends. The two of them would get together for a certain amount of time, then one or the other would lose their temper and stalk off. The one who had been angry would always find an excuse to come around after a week or two. Then the whole process would start over. It was Inuyasha’s turn to go seek Kouga.

While her friends had settled, more or less, into domesticity, Kagome was still a bit at loose ends. Eventually, she hoped she’d find someone to partner with, but in the meantime, she was okay being single. She worked hard as a healer and, when necessary, exorcist. She trained as a miko, healing powers especially. She’d managed to bring some research materials with her. Books on biology, holistic medicine, psychology & mental health, and chemistry. She also worked hard to hone her defensive and offensive skills. Adding staff work to her weapon training, in addition to archery.

Once she returned to the village, she’d have to make sure the victims of the dark miko’s attack were recovering properly. All of them had been wrapped in darkness by the dark powers wielded by their foe, though none as completely or for as long as Sesshoumaru. Facing this particular dark miko had required Kagome to call on all of her skill sets. She’d likely need more of her healing knowledge in the days to come.

A week later, Kagome had a better picture of what had happened to those who’d been attacked by the dark magic. They felt like they had been cut off from the world, briefly. Like the shadow pocket she had found Sesshoumaru in, they had been surrounded by darkness. No light or sound penetrated it. Whether it was due to the constant bombardment of holy reiki from Kagome and Miroku, or because they were all human, or if the evil magic had less power earlier in the attack, the time of darkness for these folks was relatively short. The longest any of the villagers had been cut off was about 10 minutes. Still, the absence of sensation had caused a variety of reactions. People had trouble sleeping. Adults and children alike were experiencing nightmares if they were able to sleep at all. Strong emotional reactions were common. Lashing out in anger and frustration, even in the usually even tempered, was common. So was depression. Loud noises and bright lights triggered the anger. But if the patient was put into a quiet, dark area it resulted in panic attacks and depression.

Gradually Kagome and Kaede worked out a course of treatment. They pulled in Shippou to design illusions of soft lighting and gentle sounds – music, water, leaves fluttering in the breeze. They put together fabric “books” with different textures – rough and smooth weaves, raised embroidery, leather. For the youngest children they designed mats out of the same kinds of fabrics. They also put things with pleasing scents in small clay jars with covers. They brought in the patients and reintroduced them to all these pleasant sensations, one at a time, with the patient controlling how fast to switch from one to the other.

By the end of the first week, most of the villagers were back to their usual routines, with only a few needing more of the intensive therapies. Kagome and Kaede were so happy with the methods they’d come up with, they discussed other uses for the same materials. They gave Sango one of the touch mats for Katsuo to play on. Kagome had remembered similar toys from the future to help babies with stimulation.

Kagome and Sango soaked in the hot spring in the evening a week and a half after their return. There were no urgent patients or tasks either needed to tend to, so they were taking the opportunity to chat and relax. As they basked in the warm waters, they heard a voice call them from above their heads.
Craning to look up they saw Ah-Un flying by, with Rin clinging to his back. “Kagome-sama, Sango-sama!! Rin has found you! Ah-Un, down please.” The double headed dragon circled and landed in a clear spot, a little way from the spring. The young girl clambered off the dragon’s back and darted quickly towards the two women, who were standing up and reaching for towels and clothing.

“Rin, what brings you here so late in the day?” asked Sango, as she finished getting dressed first. “Is something amiss?”

Rin stood with her hands on her knees, breathing heavy from running.

“Catch your breath first, then tell us what’s going on,” Kagome admonished as she put her hand on Rin’s shoulder. “Whatever’s happening, we’re here to help.”

Rin gulped as she tried to answer. “It is Sesshoumaru-sama. I need to get Kagome. She told me to fetch you to the Western keep. So, I came to get you as fast as I could. Please, come with me. She said I needed to bring you.”

“Slow down, Rin. Who is “she”? What’s going on with Sesshoumaru? Of course, I’ll come and help, if I can. But I need to understand what’s happening. Start at the beginning.”

Rin nodded, then began again. “When we returned to the Western keep after fighting the dark miko, Sesshoumaru-sama started acting strangely. We did not notice at first, but he was having problems sleeping. He did not like rooms darkened. He became growly and angry, especially at Master Jaken. He even growled at Rin. This scared Rin. Sorry, I meant this scared me.” Even though Rin had mostly overcome her habit of speaking in the third person, when she was stressed, she reverted.

Rin continued, “We then noticed that Sesshoumaru-sama would stop and put his hand to his throat and mutter under his breath. He would count. Just numbers, but he would do this for a long time. Eventually, Master Jaken sent for the Lady Mother. Once she arrived, she talked to him and then tried a few things to help. He got angry at her as well. Then the Lady Mother yelled at him and scolded him. She told him that only a miko of light can fix what was done by a miko of dark. She said that he was foolish to leave the strongest miko to try to fix himself. She then told me to go fetch you immediately. So, I rode Ah-Un here.”

Trying to make sense of the garbled tale, Kagome nodded and then attempted to summarize Rin’s ramblings. “Let me make sure I’m getting this right. Sesshoumaru is still having reactions to what the dark miko’s shadow did to him. Whatever it is that you all have tried to help isn’t working. Jaken sent for, ummm, I’m guessing Sesshoumaru’s mother? And she told you to come and get me so I can hopefully cure the side effects Sesshoumaru is still having. Among those side affects is irritability, trouble sleeping, and obsessive counting? Have I got that right?”

Rin nodded vigorously.

“Okay!! Let’s go back to the village so I can get my gear. I’ll get Shippou as well to assist with this. Luckily, I’ve spent the last couple weeks getting the human victims back to speed, so I should be able to help Sesshoumaru, as long as he’s willing to work with me. The rest of the patients should be okay with Kaede staying to keep an eye on them. Rin, take Ah-Un and meet us in the village.”

With that, Rin ran back to the two-headed dragon and they sped off in the sky towards the village. Kagome and Sango started to walk quickly in the same direction.

“Do you think you’ll be able to cure the daiyoukai?” Sango asked. “There has to be some differences between him and the villagers.”

“I sure hope so,” Kagome responded. “The same treatments should be effective, though he was in the shadow pocket a lot longer than anyone else. It sounds like he’s got a few more complications, maybe because of the extra time. I’m hoping the psychology is the same as for a human mind, but I won’t know until I try.”

Once they arrived back at Kaede’s hut, Sango explained the situation to Kaede and Shippou, while Kagome started to pack up the scent bottles, texture books, and other equipment, as well as general supplies and clothing. Shippou immediately volunteered to go with Kagome and Rin.

“Shippou, I’m going to really need to rely on you for this patient. I’ll need your insight into what a youkai thinks and feels to come up with the best treatment plan. So, thank you for offering and being willing to be my assistant,” Kagome said, as she stuffed her backpack full of items she thought she might need.

“Of course!!! I’ve been helping you with the rest of the patients, so I’m a well-trained assistant,” he boasted.

“Well, I guess that’s everything I can think of. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’ll try to send you updates as I go. Let me know if you think of anything else I should try, Kaede-obaa-sama,” Kagome said, with affection lacing her voice.

“Be safe, child. The village will be fine in your absence. I will send for you if you are needed urgently,” Kaede promised.

“Just one thing before you go, Kagome. Do you want us to tell Inuyasha where you are, if he should come by and ask?” queried Sango. Inuyasha could still be a bit touchy where his older brother was concerned. And he still tried to boss Kagome around, though she rarely allowed it to affect her.

“He’s still in his happy Kouga phase, so I don’t think he’ll be around. If he does and he asks, I guess it should be okay to tell him,” Kagome responded, thoughtfully. “Inuyasha knows I won’t refuse to help someone in need, not even Sesshoumaru. Besides, he doesn’t have a claim on me or my time, other than friendship. So, he should really get over his bossy-boots attitude.”

With that, Kagome put on her backpack. She, Shippou, and Rin collected the rest of the bundles. And they headed out to mount Ah-Un and fly off to the Western keep.

Chapter Text

They landed in the courtyard of an imposing complex. High walls and a large gate dominated the structures, with towers at each corner. Rin had merely waved at the guards on the walls and they were allowed to fly over and land without challenge. As they dismounted from Ah-Un’s back, a screeching voice harangued them.

“What took you so long, you silly human girl? The Western Lord is unhappy and you took time to smell the flowers, didn’t you? Hurry up, all of you. The Lady Mother summons you to her presence. Do not keep her waiting!!” Jaken was in full cranky voice.

Kagome was not impressed with Jaken’s tone or attitude, but she supposed he was even more anxious than usual. Rin, however, seemed to take his words in stride. She did a quick bow to Jaken and then ignored him in favor of helping Shippo unload the various bundles and packs.
Kagome decided to follow Rin’s lead and not take Jaken’s squawking personally.

“Ah, Jaken. Good to see you again. Before we see the, ummm, Lady Mother, we will need a place to store our healing bundles and personal affects. Perhaps we should take a few moments to wash the dust of travel, so as to not appear unkempt in front of either her or Lord Sesshoumaru? After all, as she has asked for the Shikon Miko, one wouldn’t want to insult her by implying that this one couldn’t take the time to dress properly. I’m sure that a retainer as important as yourself would know how best to arrange such?” Kagome might not be the most diplomatic person, but she had learned a few things over the years.

Jaken paused in his typical diatribe at the calm and politely voiced requests. “Of..of..course, Lady Kagome. I shall convey you to suitable chambers immediately. Please, come this way.” With that he turned and began waddling toward the large doors leading into the most imposing building.

Within a very short time, they had been led to a pair of rooms, stashed most of their belongings. Once inside, Jaken and Rin had left Kagome and Shippo to very quickly wash up and change into what Shippo referred to as their “healer miko and super assistant uniforms”. For Kagome, that meant a variation on the typical miko garb, with blue the predominant color instead of traditional red. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail with a blue ribbon. For Shippo, it meant his usual attire, but with a matching blue hair ribbon and blue shirt. Each of them carried a pack with some of the basic materials for treatment. Feeling as ready as they could be, they walked out the chamber door to the hallway, where they found Jaken waiting, pacing impatiently while muttering to himself.

“Thank you for your patience, Jaken. If you would kindly escort us, we are now prepared,” Kagome said this with a friendly smile, while Shippo rolled his eyes where the imp demon couldn’t see him. “More with honey than vinegar, Shippo,” Kagome murmured to the young kitsune.

“Follow me, Shikon Miko,” Jaken stated importantly, and led them down the hallway, deeper into the complex.

A double wide sliding door, elegantly carved and painted, let them know they had arrived in the more formal areas of the Western stead. Jaken knocked in front of the doors, waited a moment then slid them open. Proclaiming, loudly, “My lady, may I present Kagome-sama, the Shikon Miko,” and with a sidelong glance at Shippou, “and her assistant.” They entered the room behind Jaken, and bowed politely to the lone occupant of the room.

In front of them, seated behind a low table, was a woman who could only be Sesshoumaru’s mother. Their similar coloring aside, the waning crescent on her forehead was a declaration of relation. In addition, the aura of her power thrummed strongly in answer to Kagome’s reiki. Second only to Sesshoumaru’s, this more than anything impressed upon Kagome that she was in the presence of a daiyoukai of high status.

Sesshoumaru’s mother spoke, “Excellent, Jaken. Please make sure preparations for the evening meal include proper food for humans. Rin may join us tonight. You are dismissed.” With that she turned her attention to her visitors. “Welcome to the Western Shiro, miko-san. Be welcome in our home. This one appreciates your prompt response to our request of your healing ease for our son. Please, be seated and comfortable. Tea?” Without waiting for an answer, she proceeded to pour four cups of tea. “Rin should be joining us momentarily. Between us, hopefully you will get enough information to make an educated start on Sesshoumaru’s treatment options.”

Kagome was taken briefly taken aback at how forthcoming the woman was. No prevarication, no trying to save face or cover up the reasons for her summons.

“Great Lady, thank you for your welcome,” Kagome intoned as formally as she could, stumbling over the words a bit. She wasn’t used to this level of courtly exchange, so she drew on memories of how Miroku had spoken with nobles and dignitaries they had encountered during the quest to find the Shikon Shards. “I hope to be able to treat Sessh….ummm, Lord Sesshoumaru. We have had great luck treating the others that were likewise affected. Obviously, we will customize his healing to his specific needs.”

To Kagome’s great relief, the doors slid open to reveal Rin, in clean garb, but with her usual sideways ponytail and cheerful smile. “Greetings, Lady Mother. I brought Kagome, as you told me to. Oooo, tea!!!” With that announcement, Rin plopped onto the cushion next to Shippou and sipped from her cup. “Did I miss anything? Kagome, you can help Sesshoumaru, right?? Shippou is helping. Can Rin help? What are we going to do?”

Kagome couldn’t help but laugh at Rin’s enthusiasm. Which thankfully seemed to break the formal mood that had trapped her tongue. “Yes, Rin, I’m sure you will be of help. I will let you know what to do once I have the full picture of what is happening. The Lady said the two of you would tell me what has been happening in greater detail. After that, I’ll need to actually observe, and hopefully get some direct answers from Sesshoumaru himself. Then we’ll be able to create an action plan and course of healing.”

“Strategically, stated, miko-san. No use formalizing the plan of battle before the field has been surveyed and the enemy counted. Let us recount the events of the last two weeks.”

“Oh, please, call me Kagome.”

“Hnnn, very well. You may call me Kimi.” With a sip of her tea and a nod of her head, Kimi gave Rin permission to start. As she did so, Shippou took out began writing notes on rice paper with brush and ink.

“Sesshoumaru woke Rin, Ah-Un and Master Jaken very early after the fight with that evil dark miko. Instead of going to the village and Kaede’s so Rin could study, we came back here. Sesshoumaru immediately gave orders not to disturb him and he went to his chambers. When he didn’t come out again after a day, Jaken and I thought he might not be feeling well. Well, I said that. Jaken denied that Lord Sesshoumaru would ever be feeling anything other than perfect. But Jaken made him tea and brought him snacks and paperwork. I brought him some flowers. We could hear his voice inside the room, but couldn’t tell what he was saying. When we peeked into his room, it was mostly dark, with just a little light from the window coming around the shutters. He was sitting in the middle of the room with his hand against his throat, and he was talking, even though no one else was there. He was counting out loud. He saw us and he stopped counting. Then he told Jaken to leave the tea, but take the papers out immediately. He thanked me for the flowers, then said to leave him for now and come back later.”

At this point Rin broke off speaking to take a breath and drink more tea. She then continued, “When we came back later, Jaken brought a few lamps. I had colored a bunch of pictures and brought more flowers. That night, I heard my lord speaking again as he walked the hallways. He was counting, just like before.”

Rin continued in the same vein, detailing everything they had done and seen for several days.

“And Jaken also brought some incense to chase away evil vapors, he said. Then he sat outside my lord’s chamber and played the shamisen and sang. Then Sesshoumaru-sama opened the door, and bonked Jaken on the head with the shamisen. And he….he…,” Rin paused and looked a bit panicked. Shippou patted her arm. She gulped and continued a bit sadly. “Then my lord growled. At Master Jaken and at Rin. Rin grabbed Jaken’s arm and pulled him away. When Jaken woke up, he sent for the Lady Mother. She sent me for you.” At this point Rin was quite overcome with her own recitation, she drank her tea and looked down at her lap.

Kagome scooped the girl into her arms in a hug, patting her back. “It’s okay, Rin. You tried very hard to help. It just was more darkness than you had the skills to fix. You are a good girl and you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Kimi observed the two for a moment, one eyebrow raised, then spoke. “I have little to add to the tale. Certainly, I think my son should have brought you here immediately after the incident. Or stayed wherever you were. Then much of this could have been avoided. He continues to roam the Western keep like a specter. He doesn’t sleep. He doesn’t leave on patrol. He rarely interacts with anyone. He does that ridiculous counting thing constantly. Obviously, he is still under that dark miko’s curse. You, Kagome, are the Shikon Miko. The strongest miko of our time. You will break the curse and bring my son back to himself.”

Kagome sighed. She thought for a moment before she replied. “I’m not sure I could have helped immediately, as I learned a lot from treating the others her were affected. Lady Kimi, Rin. Thank you for your time and observations. They are very helpful. Shippou, thank you for taking notes. Before I make any decisions about what is happening, however, I need to get some answers from Sesshoumaru himself. May I go see him now?”