I Can Hear You by LadyDaniTar

Chapter 3

Kagome’s plan had failed.

She hadn’t taken into account that only Miroku was able to read, and even that was limited. Shippo was still learning basic reading and writing while Sango showed little to no interest in JSL. Inuyasha immediately became frustrated and stormed out of Kaede’s hut after watching two minutes of a video Kagome put on for him.

Needing a break of her own, Kagome took a short walk through the village to clear her head. Upon returning to the hut sometime later, she had found a message Miroku had quickly scribbled. There was a rouge demon rumored to have a jewel shard in a neighboring village, so they had all left to investigate. No one had bothered to ask if she wanted to join. Did they really see her as being useless now? Kagome was left standing alone surrounded by her books and learning materials that now proved to be pointless.  

Kagome slowly gathered her books to pack away when a shadow was cast over her from the doorway. Looking but she couldn’t help but smile, Rin stood there with a goofy grin on her face.

The small girl rushed in and sat in front of the priestess and began talking a mile a minute. Kagome’s smile fell. Trying to get Rin’s attention she placed a hand on her shoulder and brought her other hand to her lips in a sign to be silent. Rin gave her a confused look as Kagome motioned to her ears and shook her head. The young girl’s eyes widened in shock as she mouthed, “oh.”

She had known Kagome was injured during the final battle, but no one had told her how. Lady Kagome couldn’t hear.

As this new information sank in Rin just smiled and pulled Kagome into a hug. The young woman was stunned, after a moment she returned the hug. Averting her eyes so Rin couldn’t see the tears prickling them, Kagome turned and grabbed a few books and handed them to the girl. The priestess knew that Rin was taking reading lessons and had helped tutor her during the search for Naraku.

Unlike her friends, Rin was eager to flip through the study material Kagome had brought. Her enthusiasm was contagious and soon she had learned how to operate the electronic tablet and the two girls were watching the JSL instructor on it together.

Time flew by as Kagome helped Rin practice the few signs she had learned and soon she was able to spell her name and say general greetings and farewells. Neither realized the sun would soon set until Kagome felt a strong demonic energy brush along her back. Turning around sharply she relaxed when she saw Sesshoumaru. They briefly made eye contact before he looked at Rin and called out something to her.

Rin was having so much fun with her new lessons she had forgotten she promised to meet up with Lord Sesshoumaru outside the village after dinner.

Turning to Kagome, Rin slowly began to move her hands, “Time to go. Goodbye!” She turned to leave when the priestess grabbed the bottom of her kimono. Tilting her head to the side in question, she gasped when Kagome handed her a small pile of books and the talking screen.

Pointing to herself Rin mouthed, “For me?” to which Kagome nodded and smiled.

“Thank you!” Her hands moved so fast Kagome almost didn’t see it before the small girl threw her arms around her. Quickly grabbing the items, Rin dashed off to catch up with the demon lord who had grown tired of waiting.