Persistence by gradualwisd0m

Chapter One: Homework

Pages rustled as the wind whipped across the field and over Kagome's text book. This darn wind today! she grumbled. Sighing, she placed a larger rock on the pages to hold them down and resumed her studies. The sun was warming her back as she lay on a blanket she had spread over the sparse grass. The weather was beautiful with a brisk, but warm, breeze flowing over the land, caressing the grasses. Her brows scrunched together as she tapped her pencil on the page, trying ruthlessly to figure out her latest math assignment.

Across the way, Sesshomaru gave her a side-long glance.

"Girl, why do you meddle with that which seems to frustrate you?"

Startled by his sudden outburst of conversation, Kagome looked up, blinking until her eyes focused on Sesshomaru who was standing over her, looking down his nose at her math book and notebook. The sleeves of his haori rustled in the wind creating a soft, silken whisper and the sun glinted off the spikes of his armor. Sesshomaru's group had joined their group a week ago to Rin's delight and Jaken's dismay. It made sense to Kagome that they should join forces to fight Naraku, no matter how wary Inuyasha was about the situation. Sesshomaru had mostly kept to himself, walking 30 paces ahead of the rest of the group as if to separate himself. Rin had been a welcome addition, allowing Kagome time to study while Shippo had someone else to play with. At the moment, they were both running through the nearby field, Kirara playing along with them.

Kagome tapped her pencil lightly against her bottom lip and studied Sesshomaru. Was he really interested or really bored? she thought to herself. Probably bored knowing him. I'm sure once I answer I'll get a biting, insulting reply. Why can't he just be nice? Kagome rolled her eyes to herself and huffed.

"I need to keep up with my studies no matter how much they may frustrate me, Sesshomaru-sama. You know, persistence." she answered, glancing at him to gauge his reaction to her answer. His gaze leveled on her face as if to evaluate her. Kagome knew that women were not educated in the feudal era and that Sesshomaru probably did not understand why someone such as her (Kagome sneered at this thought) needed to study.

Kagome could feel him watching her, gazing down on her with his golden eyes. Why doesn't he say anything? I used the proper honorific she thought, shifting her weight to her hips as she propped herself up on her elbows. He was gorgeous, she had to admit. His stunning silver-white hair, beautiful silk clothing, and not to mention his flawless skin. She could feel a blush coloring her upper chest, rising up her neck to fill her cheeks with a rosy hue. He was still staring. I hope he can't read minds.

"Uh, Sesshomaru-sama, it's really difficult to concentrate when you're standing over me" she muttered through clenched teeth. She didn't look up, afraid her cheeks would flush even further if she met his gaze.

In a flutter of silk, Sesshomaru gracefully sat down near her, still gazing at her. Kagome drew in a soft breath and held it, suddenly very anxious with the taiyouki sitting a yard away. She scrunched her eyes closed, afraid of what he had planned for her. They may be traveling together but she still felt that Sesshomaru would be indifferent to killing any one of them. After a few moments of nothing, Kagome cracked her right eye open then her left, glancing around to see that nothing had changed and there wasn't a great demon preparing to slash through her tender flesh. Her eyes slowly slid over to where he was sitting, watching as his eyes held hers for a few seconds before he looked away.

Sesshomaru snorted, watching his ward in the field with the young kit and neko.

"As you said, Miko, you need to study. I could kill you in less than a human heartbeat... but do not let my presence keep you from your task. I will not harm you."

Kagome released the breath she was holding. What a way to reassure me she thought bitterly, tell me how fast you can kill me then say you won't. Suddenly, her thoughts came to a screeching halt. He said he won't harm me but he's tried to kill me at LEAST 3 times in the past. Should I trust him? She continued looking him over. He almost seemed relaxed, sitting with his hands folded into his haori sleeves, his hair fluttering in the wind. It was at this time she realized his armor was sitting at his side along with Tenseiga and Tokijin. Unarmed and unprotected, Sesshomaru looked smaller and less formidable yet, at the same time, she knew there were lethal claws hidden within his sleeves.

A corner of her mouth lifted, forming a half smile as she turned back to her studies. "Yes, Sesshomaru-sama."

A yard away, Sesshomaru returned to watching her, a curious look glinting across his eyes as he watched the lithe human girl study her foreign book. I know persistence very well, Miko, and I will continue until you are mine.