Work Text:
Kagome always felt so out of place when everyone got together. And it really was everyone. Inuyasha had been so isolated when they'd first met that she had no idea how far his family stretched.
It was more thanks to Sesshoumaru, she supposed, considering most of those present were from his side of the family.
She chuckled. The fact that Sesshoumaru was involved in anything family-related was a surprise in itself, but the brothers had made up at some point in the last five hundred years, which had been an even bigger shock.
It had been thanks to Sesshoumaru's resources that they'd found her in the first place, or rather, his mother's. While Sesshoumaru preferred to avoid the spotlight, Hizuki Kimiko spent the entire day revelling in being the centre of the media's universe.
Ever the active socialite, she pushed the boundary of political advocacy for youkai-human relations. Those who crossed her soon learned that while she gave off the air of a blonde airhead whose only care in the world was which gown she would wear next, she could chew you up and spit you out within seconds if given the opportunity.
Marilyn Monroe had had nothing on her.
What wasn't well known was how much she adored her family. After Sesshoumaru had shared stories of his dealings with Naraku, Kimiko had demanded to meet her late mate's other child. She'd known about the princess' pregnancy, but not that she'd carried him to term, and then survived. Inuyasha had been given a doting mother overnight, and no matter how much he'd fought it initially, 'Mimi' had become one of his most important people.
Which, considering his tumultuous relationship with Kouga, was needed on more than one occasion.
Kagome grinned, leaning over the wooden railing of Kimiko's villa. Who'd have thought Inuyasha would've been the one to convince the wolf prince to settle down? She still couldn't believe it herself, but apparently, Kouga was the type who preferred to take orders rather than give them—but maybe it was just a relief after being the alpha of his pack all day.
A scuffle inside broke her out of her musings, and the front door opened with a bang, Kimiko looking slightly dishevelled as she led a silver-haired daiyoukai onto the front porch. "Kagome, Mother is having a bit of an episode. Would you be a dear and watch her until she calms down?"
"Of course." She guided the woman to one of the rocking chairs, amber eyes wild as her head darted around.
"Thank you," Kimiko said, already trying to compose her hair. "Normally, I would do it myself, but with so many people—" She sighed and shook her head. "Perhaps I should not have brought her."
Kagome waved her off. "It's fine. Once she's more of herself, I'll bring her back inside." She patted Kimiko's arm. "And he wouldn't have forgiven you if you'd left her out."
She let out a forced chuckle. "How is it no one has snatched you up yet? You help so many yet ask nothing in return."
Kagome managed to keep the blush from spreading too far, masking it with a shrug. "I love being here with everyone. A partner would only complicate things."
Kimiko clicked her tongue, but someone called her from inside, and she squared her shoulders before opening the door. "Call me if you require help." Kagome waved her off again, then sat in the chair opposite the ancient daiyoukai.
Youkai aged much slower than humans, but only daiyoukai lived long enough to see multiple millennia. Koraino Hikari was one of the few who would see her fourth in the next few years, though she wouldn't know it.
Even youkai were not immune to things like dementia.
It had gotten worse in the seven years she'd been reunited with Inuyasha and his family, Kimiko often reminiscing about the great warrior her mother used to be. Inuyasha had only met her a few times before her expression had turned placid, but even his memories of her were good ones.
"She was always complainin' about my manners," he'd said on more than one occasion. "But she never threw me out. And once she saw what Kouga was like, she was a little more forgiving.'
They'd thought it was head trauma after Hikari had gotten into a car accident, but it ended up being the cause, not a symptom. A partial stroke had stripped her of her peripheral vision, and she hadn't even seen the other car turning into her lane.
Sesshoumaru never spoke about his past, wishing instead to live in the present, though it was much more painful. He'd known in her prime, and to see her as a shell of her former self ate away at him, though he'd never admit it.
Kagome witnessed the tightening of his expression every time his grandmother frowned at the sound of his name. Like he was a long-lost memory that was always out of reach. Yet he remained, ever hopeful the cobwebs would clear and the light would return to her eyes.
Kagome moved the other chair so she was sitting directly in front of her. Then, she held her hands up, moving her fingers in a silent melody until they caught Hikari's attention. Her amber eyes were clouded and unseeing, but repeated motions and soft noises helped her focus. Shoulders hunched, she shuffled to the edge of her seat, watching Kagome's fingers like a perplexed child.
"There, see? It's not so scary out here." The woman frowned, eyes darting to the front door, but she said nothing. "I know, there's a lot of people here today. But Sesshoumaru wants to see you, so we need to tough it out a little longer, alright?"
Regardless of his claim of being unfeeling, Hikari was different. His mother had been bogged down with political responsibilities even when the youkai court was still in full effect, so the matriarch had practically raised him. She was his confidant from a very young age, guiding him through the loss of his father and his arm—and then Rin.
She'd chosen a mortal life, marrying Kohaku when she'd come of age, and though Sesshoumaru understood, it still didn't prepare him for the way she aged. According to Inuyasha, his brother had disappeared for over a decade after her death, no doubt sequestered away in his grandmother's castle.
Standing in front of her and having her look right through him, having no idea who he was, broke him every time the family got together, but he would have it no other way.
"I know you still remember him," Kagome said, still moving her fingers. "Maybe you just need some help." Glancing toward the door and then her car, she got to her feet, offering her hands to the woman at a different angle. "Let's go for a drive."
She was surprised that Hikari agreed so readily, though agreed was putting it mildly. She simply allowed Kagome to lead her to and basically stuff her into the passenger seat, only yelping when the engine roared to life. She pressed herself against the window, and it wasn't until Kagome turned on some instrumental harp music that she finally relaxed.
"I'm not an expert, but let's see if anything here jogs your memory." She kept the speed steady, eventually rolling down the windows. Hikari's hair was cut short, which was abnormal for anyone of her standing, but anything past her shoulders gave her something to grab onto, her silver locks usually coming out in clumps.
The summer air was warm, and Hikari turned her face toward the sun as they made their way to the end of Kimiko's property. "See the gate? Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha used to have races from the front door. Inuyasha always claimed Sesshoumaru cheated." There wasn't more than a passing glance, so Kagome kept going, easing her car down the winding road.
She considered taking Hikari into the city but thought better of it, not wanting to overwhelm her. She'd been around long enough to point out various landmarks that held significance, and she swore there was a spark of recognition every time she mentioned Sesshoumaru's name.
Stopping the car, Kagome gently pulled the daiyoukai from her seat, leading her into a large meadow covered in Queen Anne's lace. "Do you remember this place? You used to dance with him here." It was one of the reasons Kimiko had purchased such a large plot of land. Daiyoukai were the only ones whose true forms were large enough to topple buildings. Kouga had one, as did Shippou, but they were much smaller due to the strength of their youki.
Kagome hadn't had a lot of contact with other races, but she knew the inu breeds enjoyed their true forms more than their humanoid ones. The kids Inuyasha and Kouga had adopted loved making Sesshoumaru and Kimiko their personal playgrounds during these events.
"It was wonderful to watch, though I've only seen it once," Kagome said, firmly grasping Hikari's hand. "Maybe you'll show me again someday." She faced her, holding both hands now. She hummed a song she'd heard Sesshoumaru play on the grand piano Kimiko had in one of the rooms at the villa, a melancholy lullaby that had no name but tugged at her heart all the same.
Keeping her movements slow, she helped Hikari move to the music, making sure she didn't trip, even when she spun her around. The ancient seemed to pick up the steps, and soon they were moving in tandem, the sides of her eyes crinkling as she remembered how to smile.
"Hold onto that feeling until we get back, okay? Sesshoumaru misses you so much, and I know it'll mean the world to him, even if you don't remember who he is." They continued to dance and sway until the wind picked up, sending the soft seedlings from the dandelions spiralling through the air. Hikari pulled her hands away to rub her arms, and Kagome kept humming, luring her back to the car before buckling her in.
Next time, I'll bring my camera, she thought. Or at least someone else to hold it. Maybe she'd even invite Sesshoumaru. If Hikari was willing to dance with her, there was a chance she'd do it with him, too.
There was a flurry of power as she pulled back into the driveway, and Kagome looked up to find Sesshoumaru pacing the front porch. She squeezed Hikari's hand, then slowly got out of the car. "Is everything alright?" she asked.
He whirled around, hair flying. "Where have you been?"
She frowned, looking between him and his grandmother. "She was a little overwhelmed, so I took her for a drive."
Sesshoumaru all but leapt off the porch, tendrils of youki reaching the passenger door before he did. "She is too frail for that."
"She's stronger than you think," Kagome snorted, but her eyes were on Hikari. The daiyoukai had frowned the moment he'd stepped in front of her car, and Kagome's breath stilled as she followed her grandson's movements.
"I would like to think I know her a little better than you," he replied, half-yanking the door open. He collected himself before kneeling down in front of her, swiftly unbuckling her. "Come, we will get you inside—"
Hikari reached out a steady hand, one finger tracing the moon on his brow, and Sesshoumaru froze. Kagome gripped the edge of her car to keep herself upright, tension thick in the air. Hikari's head cocked to the side as her finger reached the tip of the crescent before her shoulders went back. "Sesshoumaru."
The raw emotion on his face had Kagome's knees buckling. Tears quickly overflowed as Hikari cupped her grandson's face and bumped their noses together. Dark splotches broke out onto Sesshoumaru's face, and he tried to pull back, but Hikari held firm, hands sliding to his shoulders to pull herself from the car.
"Grannie—"
"Is there tea inside?" she asked, dusting herself off. "I am a bit parched."
Kagome covered her mouth as she bit back a sob, and Sesshoumaru gave her a stiff nod, helping her around the car. The ancient motioned to Kagome. "Come along. We will have some together." The three of them walked up the stairs, a slight wobble in Hikari's steps making them pause as Kimiko opened the door.
"Oh, thank goodness." She turned to Kagome. "I asked you to watch her, not take a day trip. She prefers to stay close to the house."
Kagome opened her mouth to reply when Sesshoumaru didn't, but Hikari beat her to it, lifting her chin in a dignified sniff. "What I prefer, dear daughter, is the jasmine blend. I can smell the citrus from here. You will have to brew a new batch."
Kimiko went as pale as her hair, leaning against the doorway for support. Her eyes darted to Kagome and then Sesshoumaru. "How long?" she whispered.
"I do not know," he replied, "but let us enjoy it while it lasts."
She managed a single nod, then took her mother's hand and pulled her inside, trying to keep herself from becoming a blubbering mess as she cooed about how she'd get her tea immediately. Kagome waited for Sesshoumaru to follow, but he stood in the doorway, eyes never leaving his kin, even as his hands bunched into fists.
"What did you do?" he asked softly.
Kagome waved her hands. "Nothing!" His head tilted enough for him to glare at her. "Really! All I did was show her places I thought might make her remember you. Like the gate and the meadow. We danced a little bit, though I don't know if I'd exactly call it dancing." She bit her lip, trying to figure out what had been the turning point.
"You did this for me?"
Momentarily distracted, Kagome looked up at him, confused. "Who else would I do it for?" The door slid shut, making her jump, but she barely had time to process it as Sesshoumaru's hands were on the small of her back and neck. The gasp that escaped gave her just enough air before his mouth closed over hers, plastering her body against his own.
She couldn't tell if it was his cologne or just him, but it invaded her senses, her hands grasping at his shoulders as she tried to get closer. He shuddered, anxiety melting away, and his touch became less desperate, fingers brushing the back of her neck.
Kimiko's choked laughter reminded them they weren't alone, and Kagome pulled back, automatically licking her lips as she stared up at him, blinking slowly. "Do you always say thank you that way?"
Colour tinged the tips of his ears, darkening the stripes on his cheeks, and he tried to retreat, but she tightened her grip on his shoulders. "I apologize. I was overcome with emotion—"
"Can I get that in writing? I doubt it happens very often." She chuckled at his scowl, then draped her arms over his shoulders. "Tell you what. I'll forgive you for not asking first if you promise to do it again later."
His claws dug into her back. "I will do it again right now if you let me," he said, voice low.
Kagome shook her head. "Your grannie remembers who you are. You need to spend as much time with her as possible before that stops."
Sesshoumaru squared his shoulders, finally releasing her. "You were always a better person than I."
"I know. Now go inside and tell Hikari-san how much you miss her."
He didn't argue, though he brushed his lips against her knuckles before reaching for the door. "Thank you, Kagome. I will always be in your debt for this."
"But I didn't—"
He motioned to his mother fawning over Hikari, Inuyasha's youngest sitting in her lap. "You did. And I will enjoy paying you back."
Kagome flushed. "You just said you'd always be in my debt," she mumbled.
He smirked over his shoulder, the light returning to his eyes. "Exactly."
Her flush only deepened. "That's cheating!" she called, chasing him inside.