Kagome touched her side and felt the despair wash over her. She pushed it aside and shoved her shirt on. She slammed the drawer shut and grabbed her bag. She ran down the stairs and waved to her mom as she ran out the door. Yuki was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. They started toward school.
“You ready for the test?”
“Hardly…but hey, that never stopped me before.”
“You’ve worked so hard in summer school, you deserve this break. I know you’ll ace it.”
Kagome beamed at her friend. “Thanks, I needed to hear that.”
School was the usual mix of the bizarre and mundane. The test was remarkably easy. So easy in fact that Kagome found herself double and triple checking her answers, but there were no mistakes. A smile touched her lips. It looked as though all those months of playing catch-up had paid off. She turned it in, school ended and she and Yuki walked out together.
“How’d it go?”
“Swish!”
“I knew it. You want to come over for dinner?”
“Sure, let me call my mom and tell her.” Yuki handed Kagome her cell and she made the call after hanging up she handed the phone back. “I have got to get one of those.”
“Tell me about it. It’s like you’ve been living in the dark ages for the past three years. I’m glad you finally decided to emerge.”
Kagome shrugged. Her friend did not know how right she was, but it was over and done with and it was high time she got on with her life. She would not graduate with her friends. But a year late was better than never, and there had been several times she was certain she was never getting out alive. They walked to Yuki’s apartment. Dinner was long, but fun. Kagome couldn’t remember being this relaxed in a long time. The last few months with Inuyasha had been strained until she had finally made her decision. Sealing the well had been painful, but it had been the right thing to do. He had his life and she had hers. It was a silly fantasy, a child’s fairytale to believe that they could ever be together.
It was late, almostmidnightby the time she left. Kagome had lost her fear for most things. She’d faced demons, warlords, and over-amorous monks. There wasn’t much that fazed her. She shrugged her bag up onto her shoulders and started her walk. It was a little more than two miles to her home. She was almost half-way there when they poured out of the alley. There were four of them and they all stank. Kagome realized suddenly that she was not as prepared as she had thought.
“Hey beautiful.”
They started advancing, but Kagome did not back away. She could not allow herself to become cornered.
“It’s late, boys, I’m going home.”
“Dangerous neighborhood, maybe you need an escort?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Maybe you do.”
He stepped close enough for Kagome to see his blood shot eyes. She took a deep breath and moved. Her heel ground itself into his instep as her bag contacted his friend’s temple. She sprinted through the opening. A tug on her bag made her release it. It was important, but it wasn’t worth her life. Suddenly strong arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground. She opened her mouth to scream and felt a hand cover it. She bit down. He swore and threw her into a stone wall. She scrambled to her feet only to have him toss her back again. She lashed out, her nails digging into his flesh, her feet bruising shins. She felt hands pinning her to the wall. She only had one option left, her powers. She closed her eyes, trying to figure out how she would explain this to the police, when hands on her panties solved the problem for her. She opened her eyes and snarled at them. These men would writhe for touching her.
A growl ripped though the night and huge white mass cannon-balled out of the alley. One of them was knocked to the ground. Kagome wrenched herself free and kneed the closest in the groin. They backed off and Kagome saw now that the creature as a dog. It was huge, the size of a great dane. Long white hair covered his body. He was quick obviously male and unnuetered. The hair on his hackles was standing on end as he positioned himself between her and her attackers. The men, seeing the prudence in living, ran. Kagome sighed softly. Now that the adrenaline was leaving her system, she catalogued a dozen hurts and wished she’d had the chance to really show her stuff. She limped over to her bag and smiled at her rescuer.
“Well, come on. The least I can do is give you warm bed for the night.” He fell into step beside her. “You know, I could have taken care of them. There wouldn’t have been much left, but hey, it’s their fault they were too stupid to realize who they were attacking.”
The dog looked at her and she could read the question in his eyes. Somehow talking to him seemed right so she continued.
“I’m a miko. It wouldn’t have been very neat or tidy, but they would have left, or died.”
They got to her shrine and she sighed softly as she began to pull herself up the stairs. It seemed as though they got taller every day. At least there was a week long break so none of her friends would see her like this. One of her famed illness could simply resurface briefly. Her vacation was ruined, but that was not so big a deal to her. All she really wanted was to relax anyway. The house was dark and she had to use her key to get in. She kicked off her shoes and dropped her bag. With a smile to her new companion she walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge.
“So what do you like to eat?”
The dog nosed his way into the fridge and nudged a container of cooked rice and what turned out to be hardly half a serving of cooked meat. Kagome pulled them out and nodded toward the microwave. She wasn’t stupid, this animal was too smart, but after everything else, a dog that could all but talk coming to her rescue really wasn’t that shocking. He shook his head so she opened both containers and poured it into a large dish. He ate slowly, licking at the plate to get to the last of the food before looking at her in silence. She put the dishes in the sink and got him a dish of water. He drank for long minutes before sitting down. She started to leave but he moved to block the door. Using his sizable bulk he pushed her back toward the fridge.
“You’re still hungry?” He shook his head. “Then…you want me to eat? I guess I probably should have at least a cup of tea. Happy?”
She made her tea and drank it down. He seemed satisfied with this and followed her up to her room. He made to climb onto her bed but she gave him a none-too-gentle shove.
“Not until you’ve had a bath.” He growled softly and she shook her head. “No, you stink. You’ll have a bath tomorrow. Tonight,” she pulled a spare blanket out of her closet, “you can sleep on this.”
She spread it out near her bed. He pulled it a little closer before curling up. Kagome shook her head before she began to change. Life was just a little too ordinary right now. He would make it interesting at least. She climbed into bed and turned out the light. Rolling over she gazed at him for long minutes.
“I suppose you have a name, but me guessing at it will take too long.” He did not stir. “I knew a great youkai once, well knew is saying a little too much. I knew of him, and watched as Inuyasha fought him on occasion. When he transformed he…well I’ve never met such an impressive creature. Would it be all right if I called you that? Would it be all right if I named you Sesshomaru?”
The great head looked up and amber eyes caught the moonlight. She smiled and nodded in silent understanding.
Sesshomaru allowed himself a small canine laugh when he opened his eyes in the morning. He gazed up at the woman. He had sensed her power, and knew those men had been in mortal danger, even if they hadn’t. She hadn’t needed rescuing, but it had been fun. Still, she was wounded and that had to be seen to. He rose and glared at the closed door for a moment. It wasn’t very hard for him to open it. He slipped out into the hall. He could sense power just down the hall from a room that smelled of an older male. He opened this door and stepped inside. The old man was sleeping on a traditional mat instead of the raised futon the woman preferred. He walked over and nudged the man. He rolled over. Sesshomaru snorted and lapped at his face. Sputtering, he sat up.
“What…”
He gripped the old man by the yukata and managed to drag him halfway across the room before he found his feet. Sesshomaru trotted down the hall and pushed the woman’s door wider. The old man followed and gasped softly. The woman’s arms had marks where the men had grabbed her and blood had stained her pillow. The old man sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Kagome?” Her eyes fluttered open. “What happened?”
“I was attacked on the way home, Sesshomaru saved me.”
“Sesshomaru?” She gestured toward the dog who was now sitting by the foot of her bed. “Then we owe him a great debt. Can you heal yourself?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Sesshomaru growled softly. He had brought the man here to heal her. “I guess he doesn’t like that.”
“Well he’s a dog and has no say.”
“That attitude will change. I’m going to take a shower then…no, scratch that I’m going to give him a bath then take a shower.”
“I’ll get your mother up. Are you sure you’ll be all right on your own? I could help you along a bit.”
She smiled warmly at him. “No, I’m sure. Nothing too exciting going on today, so I’ll just rest.”
“All right.” He rose and nodded to Sesshomaru. “Thank you for getting me, but she is more than capable of taking care of herself.”
He left, shutting the door behind him. Sesshomaru gave a soft huff as Kagome rose stiffly. She smiled at him. “Let’s get you cleaned up before we show you to my mother. She’ll be more receptive that way.”
She opened the door to the bathroom and he stepped in. Filling the tub part way she stripped off her shirt and gestured for him to climb in. The water splashed a little as he entered. She used a cup to wet him down before pouring a handful of shampoo out of the bottle. He suppressed a sigh of contentment as her fingers dug deep into his pelt. He knew he didn’t have fleas, but that didn’t mean he didn’t itch and this was more akin to a massage. She worked the shampoo over his back, his chest, and his stomach. He felt her hesitate when she reached his rear and in the end only ran a cursory hand over certain parts. She used a handheld nozzle to rinse him and let the water down the drain.
“Conditioner?”
He nodded slightly and she giggled. This was definitely not an ordinary dog. She conditioned him quickly and rinse again. Using an old brush and a hairdryer, she dried him. At last he stepped out of the tub and onto a towel. He licked her hand lightly and nudged her toward the shower. With a sigh she drew the curtain and started the water. He stepped into the bedroom and pushed the door closed. He sat down and waited. A few minutes later she stepped out wrapped in a towel. She dropped the cloth and began to dress. Already the bruises had faded. She finished dressing and smiled at him.
“Well, let’s go introduce you. You look much better after that bath.”
They stepped out into the hall and down the steps. Kagome’s mother was hesitant though grateful. Once she saw that he was indeed well behaved and house broken she agreed to let him stay. Souta was ecstatic. He wanted to try to ride him, but Kagome would not allow it. She found a length of rope and tied it around his neck. He sneered slightly, giving her his opinion of such things.
“Hush, it’s just for now. We have to get you a collar. I don’t want you getting in trouble. You protected me, now let me protect you.”
She guided him down the steps. The first stop was the local animal control. There were no reports of missing dogs fitting his description, so Kagome registered him as hers. The clerk frowned at the name on the application.
“Sesshomaru? What the hell kind of name is that?”
“I knew a man by that name, he reminds me of him.”
“How so?”
Kagome shrugged. “He has this arrogant protective way about him. It just fit.”
“If you say so.”
The next stop was a pet shop. She found a metal choke collar and a matching leash. He actually growled at this. Kagome pulled him to the back of the store, so no one would think she was too crazy.
“Listen to me, please. You are a big, scary looking dog. I know I will never have to use these, but other people need to feel secure. If they see you wearing this, then they can believe I have the control. I know I could never make you do anything you didn’t want to. I’m no fool. You are not a normal dog, Sesshomaru. You are magnificent. Never doubt that you are extraordinary, but people are afraid of things that are extraordinary. Do you understand?”
He looked at her for a long minute then nodded. She sighed with relief and slipped the collar on. She hooked up the leash and ripped off the tags on both and brought it up to the register. At last they headed home. That night she sat up late watching television. She sat on the floor, her back against the sofa. He lay with his head in her lap, it was really the only part that fit in her lap. She stroked him absently. Slowly her hand stopped. He glanced up. Her eyes were closed, her breathing even, she was asleep. A soft laugh escaped him and he nudged her gently. She turned off the television and climbed the steps. He followed. She climbed into bed and he curled up beside her. It was his job to protect her.