Kagome frowned. Countless times in her life, she had bathed with other women without a second thought. Her school friends from the Modern Era, Sango, Rin, Mayuri—

The tub was certainly large enough to accommodate two people. Even she and Inuyasha had managed to squeeze into it on more than one occasion. But as Kagome’s eyes took in the pinks of Kanako’s sunken cheeks, the part of her thin lips, the pebbling of her flat chest and the slight tremor of her upbent knees, her stomach gave an uneasy twist.

“Later, maybe,” she said, turning away. “It’s time for breakfast now.” Bending down, she rifled through a wicker chest for a spare yukata. “Here, you can wear this for today.”

As Kanako dried off and dressed, Kagome returned to the hearth. Adding some salt pork and pickled vegetables to the rice, she dished it out and dined with her houseguest in almost companionable silence. If the girl would learn not to stare so much, Kagome might not be so bothered to have her around. Reminding herself that Kanako clearly didn’t know any better, the miko resolved to continue coaching her. Kanako certainly seemed eager enough for the instruction.

Sending her off with a list of chores, Kagome eyed the tub, the sheen of her nightmare weighing heavy upon her. A film of sudsy residue gleamed from the water’s surface. Draining the tub through a bamboo pipe that led out of doors, Kagome rinsed and re-filled it before climbing in.

Her lashes descended as she relaxed into the balmy heat. Letting her head loll back against the wooden rim, she pushed her damp hair out of her eyes as they closed. The water’s warmth was cocooning, embracing. A sultriness that enfolded and untethered her, spiriting her away to another time and place.

To the last pleasant hours she had known.

Adrift in the velvety darkness, she remembered the deserted bathhouse in Tatsumi castle—remembered the lush, pillowing press of full breasts against her back, the spread of soft, feminine thighs around her hips. Gentle, practiced fingers carded through her soap-slicked tresses. Warm breath whispered along her ear, bittersweet with the tang of sake.

Heady with promise.

Tell me about Edo village, Kagome-chan. Tell me about your friends, your family. Your dreams and desires. I want to know everything—I want to know everything about you.

Kagome’s lips trembled, her heart thudding slowly and audibly beneath her clammy palm. Nimble and delicate, Mayuri’s phantom fingers smoothed along her brow, before trailing away down her neck, her spine. Against her backside, Kagome felt the feathery brush of floating curls, the slide of satin arms around her waist and shoulders.

I feel like I’ve known you all my life—like we could be sisters. Can we be sisters, Kagome-chan? Living together, learning together…

As Kagome’s legs drifted apart, the fingers clutched at her chest descended. Ghosting over her quivering stomach, her touch came to rest in the aching furrow of her thighs. Cradling more than stroking, she held herself together in the curve of her hand. Her nose burned, the seams of her lashes beginning to bleed.

Needfully, she rocked forward.

It’s exciting, but a little scary. I’ve never left these lands before.

I didn’t think I ever would. 

Kagome sobbed, the sound muffling to a whimper in her throat. Ribbons of silky hair wove around her, teasing at her flushed, naked skin. Entwining with hers.

The world titled as she turned toward the cheek resting weightlessly upon her shoulder. Toward the voluptuous lips she would never taste. Faintly smiling, they hovered, a hairsbreadth from her own.

Life is so full of possibilities, isn’t it?

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi