"Are you sure?"
"Positive. It felt—" She tried to put her finger on it. "—foreboding is too strong, but it was like a warning." Kagome slid her palm along the edge of the well. There had been something when she'd come through. Something else.
Something different.
The well had never been considered an entity before, but it was like it was calling to her—asking for help. The overall lack of power made her think things were worse than she'd initially thought.
And it hadn't just been when she'd jumped through.
Kagome had been planning on returning to Kaede's village tomorrow, after a good night's rest and with a fully restocked bag, but a strange power surge had compelled her to come back early. She'd barely let Miroku finish his dinner before dragging him away.
"You have always been more in tune with the well's magic, Kagome-sama," he said, placing his hand on the edge beside hers. "It's not as strong as it used to be, but I haven't felt anything else."
Worrying her lip between her teeth, she sent some of her reiki into the murky depths. The well responded in kind, its power latching onto hers like a frightened child. It did little to quell her disquiet.
"I'm not imagining it."
"I believe you."
His unwavering trust brought a smile to her lips. "Has Kaede mentioned anything?"
Miroku shook his head. "But she's been more focused on training Rin. The child's thirst for knowledge has yet to be quenched."
I wonder where she gets that from, Kagome thought with a smirk. The Western Lord could pass it off as a whim or brush it off with his typical impassive expression, but his insatiable curiosity spurred his actions even more than his quest for power. And it seemed he'd passed it on to his ward.
They'd actually had a conversation the last time he'd visited the village, one he'd sought her out for.
Who knew he'd be so interested in birthdays?
Apparently, Rin had been gushing about the celebration they'd had for Kohaku during his most recent visit and mentioned how everyone had presented him with gifts. Sesshoumaru had pulled Kagome aside and demanded she reveal its significance.
After explaining that humans measured the passage of time with annual reminders, he'd become contemplative. Rin never asked for anything, but Sesshoumaru was keen to provide, requesting that Kagome not only find out when Rin's birthday was but also plan an elaborate event.
Kagome had been more than happy to oblige. The only problem was that Rin didn't know the date of her actual birthday. With the trauma of her family's murder and her own after the fact, the young girl couldn't remember ever celebrating her birth.
After encouraging her to choose a time special to her instead, Rin had decided on the day that she had been saved with Tenseiga.
Sesshoumaru's face had been a mix of pain and pride when she'd told him.
Kagome couldn't blame him; it was a bittersweet memory for both of them. She still didn't know all the details, but if Rin wanted to turn it into a day of celebration, who was she to stop her?
It might've been easier had Miroku and Sango ended up having children of their own, but it seemed the lack of Naraku's threat left them both wanting something more. Sango was more focused on rebuilding the slayer's village and her father's legacy than settling down. And the monk was content to follow Inuyasha, lending his hand in the extermination of lesser demons—and the gold coins that went along with it.
She was glad that Inuyasha kept him busy, and out of trouble, the two of them making a name for themselves in the nearby villages. There weren't as many youkai to get rid of, or fake spirits to exorcise, but Kagome had a feeling being able to use both hands to help build houses and fences brought Miroku a sense of peace that he'd never experienced before.
And this thing with the well was not helping.
"It's probably nothing," she lied, putting on her best smile. "I doubt it's anything to worry about."
Miroku gave her a sideways look, the edges of his eyes crinkling before his hand settled on the edge of the well. "I would never brush off a premonition from someone as in tune with the portal's power as you, Kagome-sama."
She seized the opportunity to change the subject. "I've told you before just to call me Kagome. I don't need the honorifics. I'm just Kagome."
"Ah, but therein lies your charm! I would never think to call someone of such beauty and grace anything more than what they—" He hissed as she pinched his hand, interrupting its descent to her backside.
"Uh-huh. Keep talking, monk. One of these days, that mouth will get you in trouble," she said.
Indigo eyes gleamed with mischief as he fell in step beside her, heading back to the village. "I certainly hope so."