mysticarcher | overflow

(from here)

[Now that she's had a little time to cool off, Kagome is better able to appreciate the beauty of the park around them. It's like the more she sees of this place the more normal it gets, when it should be just the opposite. Sure, there's strange moon phases, but apart from their animalistic features the Prismals seem just like normal people.

Even the hill they finally settle down on reminds her of the countless hilltops she and her friends have sat on during periods of rest, taking in the views around them. Never ending valleys of green grass mixed with stretches of dirt road.

Okay. So the feudal past definitely has different scenery compared to this sprawling city, but both are beautiful and unique in their own way. The differences certainly don't seem to matter to the pang of wistful longing that surges through her at the thought of home.

She shakes her head suddenly, trying to clear away the melancholy thoughts. It's then that she realizes she's fallen silent for a long time, lost in her thoughts. Taking a peek over at Cloud, she wonders if she should say something to start a conversation. Even in their short time together she's starting to get the sense that he's a bit on the quiet side.]

So...Cloud. What do you think about this place? I was just thinking about how normal everything seems. When you...ah...ignore all the strange stuff. [There is a lot of strange stuff. But then again, her history books haven't exactly prepared her for all the weird demon stuff she would encounter when she fell into the past either. Her tolerance for strange is probably stronger than an average person's by now.]

(from here)

[Kagome smiles and offers her a firm nod. It's cute how flustered Konoha gets, and that she seems to have forgotten that she can see her perfectly through the mirror. But Kagome isn't going to embarrass her by reminding her.]

Right. I'll see you there!

[A couple minutes later, after getting hastily dressed and finished combing her hair, Kagome stands at their meeting place. Not yet having the chroma for any new clothes, she's wearing her usual school uniform.]

(from here)

[So caught up in her anger, the fact that she's managed to wiggle up far enough to be nearly shouting directly into his ear is another thing she didn't realize until he said something. She then lifts a hand up to his ear and begins rubbing the tip of it between her fingers, as if that could ease the soreness away.

Or she's just using it as an excuse to touch his ear. Anything is possible.]

Oops. Sorry about that.

[But is she really sorry? Because she's immediately back to throwing death glares at the men in the window over Inuyasha's shoulder. The state of her towel still hasn't made itself apparent to her yet. But before she can begin another angry rant at the men - What? Are they trying to take a picture? - Inuyasha is swinging them back and forth and then they're in the air.

Kagome makes the launch and quickly followed landing with as much grace as someone who has become used to being barreled through the sky and hung off cliffs can be. That is to say, her heart is racing by the end of it, but she never had any doubt that Inuyasha would be able to get them back inside her apartment.

She remains bundled in his arms for a moment, before slowly moving to sit up, ending up more or less in his lap.]

Yeah...I'm fine. Are you okay, Inuyasha?

[The towel, unfortunately, is not okay. The fold that has been holding on so strenuously finally loses its battle and slips completely undone.

Uh-oh.]

(from here)

[The woods and the park, why is she not surprised? While Inuyasha has proven that he can get along in a city during his trips to Tokyo, it's not without it's problems. His heightened senses, for one, can make city life hard to adjust to. But at least here, unlike in Tokyo, he doesn't have to hide certain parts of himself.]

Yeah...I should have figured that.

[Kagome looks at the device Kagura indicates. It looks a lot like the one she'd been given. But she hasn't had the chance to try her's out yet. Still, it's pretty strange to have Kagura explain to her how a phone works. Even more strange is the idea of Inuyasha using one.]

I guess if it's another way for him and Sesshomaru to argue I shouldn't be surprised that they'd learn to use it. Ah...thanks. I'll give it a try.

[And the more she hears about these moon blessings the less sure she is that they're blessings at all.]

They can affect someone's mood? How?

(from here)

[Training. It reminds her of a certain someone who could use a little more training in manners and listening to others.]

You're that good of a trainer, huh? You'll have to teach me some of your tricks.

She watches Matthias give Trassel a command, and even though she doesn't understand the words, she can tell that they both have a strong bond. It's in the way that the wolf responses immediately to his owner's words and the affectionate scratch Matthais gives him before turning to Kagome. It's cute and she can't help but smile at the both of them.

Throwing Trassel a little wave, they set off towards the tree. Kagome studies a couple of the branches before spotting one that is low hanging.]

What about this one?

[She's 5 foot nothing, okay. We go low or you'll be boosting her up the tree.]

(from here)

[She can't help but giggle in delight when he goes pliant and continues feeling up his fluffy animal bits, completely at ease.

If she even notices the glare he's attempted, she doesn't seem bothered by it in the least. Finally, it's his question that causes her to pause in her petting.]

Oh? Do you want me to stop?

[Frankly, it hadn't occurred to her that he might be uncomfortable. But if he is, all he needs to do is say something.]

[The sound of the trot will give Konoha away before she arrives, turning the corner and spotting- oh, that's her! Wait, was it? Her ears have disappeared... no, it's definitely her otherwise?]

Hello!

[Coming to a stop before the other young woman, Konoha dips into a little bow of greeting, momentarily not towering at around seven feet tall as she lifts her head from the bow to smile, welcoming... and a little embarrassed, because-]

I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself properly... I'm Konoha.

[Kagome turns towards the sound, smiling when she spots Konoha approaching. She looks up...up...up. Wow she's really tall.

At 5'0" she's not winning any height competitions, but she's never gotten used to being towered over. Except...maybe by Sesshomaru.]

Hello! [She bows low in return.] It's nice to officially meet you. I'm Kagome.

Nice to officially meet you, too, Kagome!

[The side effects of your human waist starting at what was already most men’s shoulder height. Even Sesshomaru is shorter than her... though honestly even with her height there’s little intimidating about her, not with that big smile and the fact that, were it not for her more equine parts, she dressed and acted... like a peasant from the country.]

Last time I saw Inuyasha was the groves... I think he might be living there? Lord Sesshomaru is, too, so... maybe they don’t like the apartments? I’m not sure if he’ll be there now, but- I can show you where it was?

[He hums in consent. It doesn't particularly matter to him which branch they tie the ribbon around, so whichever is easiest for her to reach is a good choice. Matthias is used to being the tallest person in any company he might end up among, but he feels even taller than usual next to this girl.]

We're supposed to tie it together? It would be easier for only one person.

[But that defeats the point of the ceremony, he supposes.]

Let's see...

[Once they manage to get the ribbon around the branch, he makes a loop with his end and looks expectantly to her.]

So if you bring your side around and pull it through, it should stay secure.

[ "So...Cloud." ]

Mm?

[ Kagome's intuition on his quieter nature was on the nose. Although admittedly, there was something about the girl that was piquing his curiosity a bit. Besides showcasing what happened when she was miffed about something (dragging him along? a bonus feat,) the fact she'd almost immediately associated the trick with magic made him wonder. Was she familiar with this kind of setting- or at least spells? Because if he were still new to this place, he wouldn't have been able to make heads or tails of it at first.

He's about to ask when she breaks their silence first, leaning back on his free hand as he gives her his attention. What did he think of this place? His feelings were all over the place, if one were to get an honest answer out of him. Not only was his greatest enemy here (and yet not at the same time), but a combination of his family and those he's lost were back in his life. That's ignoring all the aforementioned "strange stuff" that Kagome was referring to.

Cloud seems thoughtful at first, his head bowing for a second or so before he looks back up to her. ]

Sounds about right. It's pretty normal when you get rid of all the tricks.

[ But that's not the question at hand, was it? He knows this as he sets his gaze to the sky. ]

At first, I wasn't so sure how I felt. [ A beat. ] All I could think of was how quickly can I get back home. That I've got family waiting for me. Now...?

[ He's still not 100% sure. But then he thinks of not only those he's been reunited with, but those he's met in his short time here, his expression lightening up a little. ]

It's not so bad.

Ah...well, I'm more familiar with Sanguis and Cordis than I am with Iris, but those affected by Sanguis can become more short tempered and aggressive during the Sanguis mooncycle. Other traits can include possessiveness and protectiveness. If someone already has those traits, they're heightened.

[She hasn't really talked to anyone who's an Iris about their moonblessing and how it affects them.]

My moonblessing is Cordis and I get very hungry during the Cordis mooncycle.

[Hungry both for food and for chroma, but she doesn't feel like sharing the latter.]

I also get very self-indulgent and impulsive. I bought myself ten houseplants in one day during the Cordis mooncycle just because I wanted my apartment to smell more natural.

[Enjoy that odd image of your former enemy deciding she just needed ten houseplants out of nowhere, Kagome.]

[With InuYasha's propensity for sleeping in trees and Sesshomaru's utter abhorrence of humans and their villages in general, she's not too surprised to hear about their living arrangements.

The expression of her face is merely one of exasperated acceptance.]

That sounds like them alright. And yes, if you wouldn't mind just showing me the general area he tends to be in, that would be great. I don't want to take up too much of your time.

[Besides, as long as InuYasha isn't too far away, he's likely to pick up her scent and come on his own.]

Sure! Follow me.

[Never too busy to lend a hand, and she’s particularly not busy right now, Konoha gestures for Kagome to follow her and begins clopping her way towards the groves. The general area she could show her too easy.

And she also can’t help but be curious, turning to speak while they walk.]

How do you know Inuyasha?

Yeah, but it wouldn't be much of a teamwork experience if someone just did it themselves.

[She's not putting much thought in the whole ~eternal~ bonding thing. That's got to be a gimmick.

Once the ribbon is looped over the branch, she follows Matthias' instruction, bringing her end around and through his.]

There. I think we've got it!

[She smiles in delight at the little victory. But as her hand brushes against Matthias' when she tries to bring it down, she suddenly finds their hands entwining.]

What? Hey, what do you think you're doing? Come on, let go.

[The Sanguis cycle doesn't sound particularly pleasant. And if she's worried for a brief moment about InuYasha being effected by it and the catastrophe that would be, she doesn't admit it to Kagura.]

Cordis doesn't sound too bad. A few days each month of vegging out and making random and impulsive purchases I can handle.

[If only...]

[She listens to him with quiet contemplation, staring at the city laid out before them. His initial thoughts sound very similar to her own after she had just arrived. Those first couple of days all she could think about was getting back home, returning to her family and friends. Worrying about the fates of InuYasha and the others.

But after she found out that InuYasha was already here...some of the initial panic and desire to leave lessened. She can't help but wonder if she should feel bad about that. Her desire to be by his side being stronger than her desire to go home.]

But you still miss them, right? Your family?

[Kagome follows at her side eagerly, her legs working quickly to keep up with Konoha's gait.

The question causes her to glance away awkwardly. Why were they back to this question? She doesn't know any better now how to explain their relationship.]

Uh..well...we've been traveling together for awhile. Back home, I mean.

[She quickly attempts to leap to a new topic.]

So, how did you and InuYasha meet?

[Traveling together... well, it certainly was dangerous for a young woman to do that sort of thing alone, especially a human woman... so Konoha just nods with a hum. He must be like a bodyguard, then? Maybe?

Thankfully? for Kagome, she doesn’t pry any further.]

Oh, well... I’d heard a lot about him from Lord Sesshomaru, but I didn’t meet him until he helped me out of trouble some really persistent Fox people that visited the city before... but then, I don’t know, if all got really confusing and he misunderstood how I knew Lord Sesshomaru, so I went to set him straight, and to thank him for helping me, but-

[Quick breath]

Well, I guess I’m not his favorite person. Maybe don't tell him I’m the one who told you where he was? It might be better that way...

From Sesshomaru? [The idea that Sesshomaru would be talking to people about InuYasha is strange enough. He definitely couldn't have been saying anything good.]

You shouldn't believe too much of what he says about InuYasha. They've never had a good relationship, you know. InuYasha is actually a really helpful guy. It doesn't surprise me that he helped you out of a bind.

I won't say anything if that's what you want. But maybe I could help you sort out the misunderstanding? He's not very good with subtlety so it's best to just be forth-right with him until he understands.

[Before Kagome even finishes speaking Konoha is shaking her head with a wry smile. She’d thought as much, but... it’s so frustrating that of all the things he’d said about his half demon brother, the one positive thing was what he’d sworn her to secrecy on. And as much as she hated not being able to say so... she also owed Sesshomaru more than to flagrantly break a promise she’d made to him.

Even if it might smooth things over with Inuyasha a little.]

I believe what I see for myself. Inuyasha helped me out when he didn’t have to, so I know he’s a good person. ... Lord Sesshomaru was right about the rash and temperamental part though, I have to say.

[All she can do is laugh a bit helplessly, scratch behind her ear.]

I thought I was being pretty clear, but... I don’t know. He said I might be a spy, or inadvertently give away his secrets to Lord Sesshomaru, and all kinds of nonsense...

[and Konoha is pretty sure she’s way too dumb to pull off being a spy... but,]

At least he doesn’t think we’re having an affair anymore... I’m married, I can’t have that kind of talk going around!

[Kagome might not suspect that Konoha is keeping any confidences of Sesshomaru's regarding InuYasha, but she is glad to hear that the jinba isn't swayed by second hand information. Especially from a biased source like Sesshomaru.]

Tell me about it. His temper can be the worst sometimes. It's like pulling teeth just getting him to talk about anything that isn't fighting related.

[She can't help but let out a laugh when Konoha tells her InuYasha suspected her of being a spy.]

Honestly, don't mind him. He can be so dumb sometimes. Especially when it comes to that brother of his.

[...What?]

Affair? With Sesshomaru? [Her eyes widen.] He's not really the type. I mean, you could do so much better! Just where is InuYasha getting all of these crazy ideas? Geez...

[It is funny, right? Her? A spy?

It’s also funny to imagine Sesshomaru having an affair... Well, not funny, but. Just barely even imaginable at all! Just by virtue of her culture Konoha sort of expected people of a certain age to be married one way or another, so she’d asked, but... yeah, nope.]

Right? I was just trying to explain how I knew him, and that we weren’t like, plotting an attack on him or something, I just bring him lunch and we moonlace sometimes, but moonlacing can just be holding hands and stuff! That’s all, I don’t know why he just jumped to the worst possible one....

[She shakes her head with a small blush, the bun on top of her head wobbling along.]

Lord Sesshomaru is more like... like a protective brother? Mmm, no... like an estranged uncle, maybe? Something like that!

Well, I can't blame InuYasha for expecting the worst from Sesshomaru.

[In fact, her own first encounters with the older youkai were less than pleasant. He really doesn't present himself in a good light at all. But he does have a little human girl he's taking care of now. Or...he did. So maybe he's becoming a little less awful.]

But he shouldn't take it out on you. You have nothing to do with their relationship. And I'll be sure to tell him that once I find him.

[She can barely hold a straight face at the idea of Sesshomaru being anyone's 'protective brother'.]

I really can't imagine it.

D- Don't be too hard on him or anything, I guess. I mean-

[Konoha tries to think of how to phrase it based on the scraps of information she's gotten from both brothers (and Matthias), frowning as she leads Kagome deeper into the Greatmoon Groves.

Eventually, though, all she can do is smile a bit helplessly.]

I was probably kind of stupid about it. I didn't mean to, but I guess to him it looks like I picked "a side"? I didn't, but.

[Sigh, this is complicated. Demons!!!]

I'm glad Inuyasha will have a friend here, though.

[Maybe it's just her, but. She thought he seemed a bit lonely.]

[The warmth of her hand against his comes as a surprise. He's about to ask her what she's doing, when...she turns the same question against him. Tugging his hand back, he finds that the girl's hand comes along with it. Flexing his fingers does nothing to untangle them from hers. His brow furrows in bewilderment.]

I'm not doing anything! My hand is stuck like this.

[Glancing around the shade of the tree, Matthias realizes that they are not alone in this predicament. They are surrounded by couples clasping hands over the ribbons they had tied to the branches. The difference, though, is that nobody else seems bothered by it. He catches smiles and warm countenances, shy glances and soft tones as people get to know their partner.]

What did you say this ceremony was about?

[There is an edge to his voice now.]

[ He's pensive at first. Less of the fact that he didn't want to say, but that he wasn't sure how he felt in his entirety. His brow momentarily furrows before he counts himself down. Gotta say something. He knows that he feels something. ]

Of course. [ His distant gaze that spans across the fields and skyline that's somewhat veiled, soon returns to Kagome. Just saying those two words fills him with more confidence in that belief. No matter what happened here, he refused to forget what was left behind. ] I still wonder if life's still moving. Or if the kids even know we're not there.

[ Did everything stop? He's still not sure... ]

But, I'm not alone either.

[ Impromptu hand holding didn't count. But, his thoughts immediately return to Tifa. Then everyone else he's met here. ]

Some people are more strongly affected by the moons than the others.

[After a moment, she does remember one awkward trait about Iris, and clearly sharing is caring.]

Iris people...well. One of the things I know a lot of them experience is heightened arousal.

[Youkai senses make that particular detail hard to ignore, and if she can smell it, she can only imagine how much more strongly Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha do.]

Those kinds of effects can be very pronounced with some, while others don't seem to experience those at all.

overflow | prismatica

cloud;

konoha;

inuyasha; there was no other way it could go lbr

kagura;

matthias;

tenn;

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