Chapter One: Under the Full Moon's Light
I do not own Inuyasha or the characters
Fighting to keep my breathing slow and even, I listen to Inuyasha stirring in the tree branch above our camp. My mind already accepts what my heart would rather not. He's going to leave us defenseless again tonight in his pursuit of…whatever it is he hopes to obtain from a woman that has no business walking this earth. He leaps from his perch, rustling the thick leaves as he falls quietly to the ground. I can sense him freeze to see if anyone in the camp heard the swish of the leaves or the light thud of his feet hitting the soft earth. Sniffing the air, he takes off running without a second thought for the potential peril of our camp. How many nights has he run off leaving us completely defenseless in our sleep?
Without releasing the sigh building within my lungs, I carefully move Shippou from my arms and crawl from the sleeping bag, relieved when he merely murmurs in his sleep not waking. The spring night air is cold making me shiver a bit in my short pajamas. Focusing inward, I pull on my miko powers creating a barrier surrounding the camp. It takes so much energy; I just know I'll be exhausted tomorrow. However, unlike a certain hanyou, I refuse to leave my companions unprotected in the night. My training with Kaede has been going quite well and I know my powers are increasing significantly. My companions are unaware of my training, including the martial arts I've been practicing at home. For some reason Inuyasha becomes angry whenever I try to better myself. Perhaps he feels it's a dig at his ability to protect me. Though, even he would have to admit that he's doing a rather lousy job of it lately.
The barrier stays in place as I leave the camp, wandering in the direction opposite of the hanyou's frenzied flight. The moon is full tonight, casting soft light through the trees to light the path at my feet. I roam aimlessly, slowly walking through the quiet forest, relishing in the silence of the night. Inuyasha has been so brash recently, his voice starting to grate on my nerves. Well to be honest, he was always loud and obnoxious, but it's different now. I think he feels guilty for leaving us unprotected while he visits with Kikyou. Of course maybe he's just an immature jerk. My romantic feelings for him faded months ago, though I don't think he even noticed the change. Now I love him like an older brother, though my heart aches that he seems to care so little for me that he'd leave me completely vulnerable and alone in the night.
There's a rustle in the dead leaves littering the forest floor, and I turn swiftly to my right to catch the culprit. Nothing's there. Huh, must be my imagination. When I hear it again, this time on my left, I push out my aura to search the area. Still nothing. Either I'm hearing things or perhaps it was merely an animal or maybe an owl. The forest empties into a large verdant meadow covered in knee high grass. As I walk farther from the trees I notice a tall figure standing among a sea of white flowers, staring at the full moon. For a brief moment I think it's Inuyasha but that fades quickly as I realize just who the ethereal being before me actually is.
Long silver hair glows in the soft moonlight, shining as if it's soaking up the beams of light as they fall from the heavens. A cool breeze blows through the meadow picking up the strands of hair, making them dance around his body. As the wind blows my raven locks from my face, I realize I'm standing downwind from the mighty Taiyoukai. I wonder what the chances are that I can sneak away unnoticed? When his face turns toward me I realize any chance of escape has evaporated beneath his icy glare. We have an uneasy truce at the moment since I get along so well with his ward, Rin. Though, I still don't like the idea of being trapped alone in the wilderness with the menacing figure.
He stalks toward me, not stopping until he's entirely too close for comfort. I suppose inuyoukai might be completely oblivious when it comes to personal space. Then again, considering the way Kouga acts every time he sees me, perhaps it's a youkai thing. As I'm quietly contemplating the intricacies of youkai etiquette, I stare silently into those intimidating amber eyes. How he manages to show so little emotion is completely beyond me. Realizing I forgot to greet him, I bow my head quickly.
"Good evening, Sesshoumaru-sama," I say in a very subdued tone. "What brings you so close to our campsite?"
"Miko," he responds as his eyes continue to stare back at me unblinking. "I believe you misjudged the distance you traveled." Glancing around, as if that would help me determine my whereabouts, I merely shrug.
"I guess I was lost in thought," I murmur sheepishly, my eyes avoiding his and instead tracing the elegant magenta lines on his face.
"I've been following you for a while," he rumbles. "Did you not even notice?"
"You were hiding your youki," I say rolling my eyes. "But yes, I did sense something. I didn't feel any malice so I really didn't worry."
"Hn," he replies finally looking away to gaze back at the moon. His porcelain skin glows as he lifts his face and appears to bask in the moon's radiance.
"Why were you following me, Sesshoumaru-sama?" I ask as curiosity finally overwhelms me.
"Rin is worried for your safety," he responds, amber eyes boring into mine again. "It seems given the hanyou's penchant for leaving you unprotected, she is right to be concerned." It occurs to me that I've never heard so many words fall from his mouth before. Perhaps the full moon loosened his tongue. I've heard it can have strange effects on all manner of beings.
"Inuyasha's been leaving us alone for a long time now," I say sadly. As I continue to gaze at his chiseled features, my fingers itch to run over the crescent moon on his forehead. I almost blush at the thought, wondering where such a random desire would come from.
"You know?" he asks blankly. His tone is even, but I swear I saw a flash of surprise in his eyes. It was gone so fast, I start to wonder if it was ever there at all.
"I protect the camp with a barrier," I murmur. "Inuyasha is clueless about a great many things. Idiot doesn't even notice the barrier. Perhaps I should adjust it to keep him out." I laugh a bit at the image of the dog eared hanyou pounding on my barrier with Tessaiga.
"Return to camp, Miko," he demands. "You are not safe out here away from your barrier."
"Since when do you care about me?" I ask the stoic Taiyoukai. Shock glimmers in his eyes for a brief moment before he abruptly turns and walks away.
"I don't," he states without looking back. Huh, could have fooled me. Deciding not to press my luck just to satisfy my morbid curiosity, I quickly return to the forest following the pulse of my barrier as it leads me back to camp. When I feel a flash of familiar youki, I gasp in astonishment. It disappears just as quickly leaving me to wonder if he meant for me to know he's still following. My heart feels light as I consider the fact that for some unfathomable reason Sesshoumaru has a desire to see to my safety. How odd…
A/N: This is my first story so I apologize in advance for formatting errors. Yes I know Sesshoumaru isn't using third person to refer to himself. It really starts to drive me crazy…
Thanks for reading!
Cymberle