The walk back to Kaede’s hut felt much longer than the outbound trek to the stream. The pitcher of water dug bruisingly into Kagome’s hip, her tired fingers straining to maintain their hold. Still, she felt confident in her resolve as she shoved past the heavy curtain and marched over to Kaede.

“Here you go!” she said, setting down the jug with relish.

She could feel Sesshoumaru’s eyes upon her as she bustled around the hut, fetching and preparing ingredients at Kaede’s directive. Only when the stew was simmering above the hearth did she glance back, fixing him with a pointed look. He seemed to take the hint, his eyes sliding shut as he turned his attention away from their mundane human activities.

“Aye, just a few minutes more,” Kaede remarked after sampling a bit of the broth from the end of a wooden spoon. “Have ye given thought to where ye’ll be staying, child?”

“Staying?” Kagome blinked. “Baa-chan…are you kicking us out already?”

Kaede gave a short wave.

“Yon beds are for the ailing. There’s plenty of space for ye to shelter nearby.” A faint blush tinged her wrinkled cheeks as her lone eye slanted toward the aloof daiyoukai. “…Of course, Sesshoumaru-sama is welcome to convalesce here, if he so chooses.”

Kagome glowered at the older miko’s shameless tactics. Across the room, golden eyes opened narrowly.

“Baa-chan…” the younger miko admonished through gritted teeth.

Unabashed, Kaede chuckled as she began dolling out the stew into a mismatched pair of wooden bowls. As Kagome accepted hers, the curtain swung open, and Rin burst through like a mini, orange-checked tornado, an irate Jakken puffing at her heels.

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” the little girl exclaimed, going at once to the demon lord’s side. “Rin was so worried!–Jakken-sama has been crying extra loud today.”

“Impertinent ningen!” the imp reproached, an ugly blush breaking out across the bridge of his beak. “Cease your irritating chatter this instant. Sesshoumaru-sama is in no mood to suffer your ridiculous prattle!”

“Jakken,” the daiyoukai spoke, his voice as frosty as the winter air.

The imp quailed, shooting bitter looks at Rin and Kagome both.

“Hey, what did I do?” Kagome bit out around a mouthful of stew.

Entranced, she watched as Sesshoumaru’s pale, elegant hand withdrew from the tent of his sleeves, claws resting lightly atop Rin’s ponytailed head. The surprising gentleness with which he addressed his young ward caught Kagome completely off guard.

“I am well,” he said to her. “Go and play.”

Rin’s tremulous smile broadened into a toothy grin.

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!” she said brightly, rising to her bare feet and padding toward the door, throwing one last affectionate glance back at her protector as she darted from the hut.

“That was incredibly sweet,” Kagome observed, smiling over at Sesshoumaru as Jakken gaped at her like she’d grown a second head.

“Aye,” Kaede agreed, the corners of her aged eyes crinkling. “It is very good of ye, Sesshoumaru-sama, to care for the child so.”

Sesshoumaru’s gaze flickered. “I suppose.”

“…Like his great power, milord’s generosity knows no bounds!” Jakken cried out in belated eagerness.

“Quiet, you,” Kagome snapped in annoyance, pelting the fawning imp with a soggy bean pod.

As he launched into a tirade about “wretched ningens,” the young priestess returned sulkily to her lunch. Out of the corner of her eye, she studied Sesshoumaru’s stoic profile. As happy as she was for Rin to have found his favor, she couldn’t help but be a little bit envious for herself.

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi