Sesshomaru watched as the woman slept, her chest gently falling and rising. Her scent was simply intoxicating. He could smell hints of jasmine and lavender. Her scent was indeed once pure. But had been tainted with fear and hate. "Naraku" he thought watching her kimono ripple gently under the influence of the soft cooling breeze. The silver full moon shone high above their heads gleaming down upon them.
Sesshomaru sighed. Her face…it was beautiful yet hidden under a blanket of black and purple bruises from Naraku's abuse, and cuts from the branches of the trees. Sesshomaru tore away his saddened gaze from her and resumed his post in a tall tree.
The sun began to rise, the moon slowly fading away into its bright depths. Rin blinked and sat up. "Morning Sesshomaru-sama!" she said happily sitting up from her resting place. "Shh." He said putting a finger to his lips. He pointed to Kagura who was still sleeping soundly. "Oh." She whispered tiptoeing around her. She picked up a few more pieces of wood and set them on the still glowing embers.
Kagura's eyelids twitched slightly a sign of her stirring. She covered her eyes from the newly rising sun. She sat up propping herself up on her elbows. Rin smiled brightly at her. "Morning Miss Kagura!" she said happily bouncing up and down. Sesshomaru stood. "It is time for your bandages to be changed." He said reaching for the small bag that Rin had bought in the village.
Kagura nodded. She pulled herself up of the ground so she was sitting up. She gently un-did the clasps closing her kimono, revealing the white tape that was now tinged with red. Sesshomaru walked over to her and sat down behind her. He gently unraveled the gauze leaving her torso bare. Jaken watched intently as Sesshomaru gently swabbed the wounds with the stinging antiseptic. "Do you mind?!" Kagura snapped at the toad pulling the blanket tighter up around her self.
Jaken was about to tell her how he wouldn't even be slightly interested in what a filthy descendant of Naraku had to offer to him, but Sesshomaru abruptly interfered. "Jaken, turn away." He said coolly understanding how she must feel. Jaken "eeped" and nodded, turning his back on the trio. Rin, occasionally handing Sesshomaru a bandage or a cloth.
One hand rested gently on her hip holding her gently in place the other wrapping the bandages. "Wait a minute?" she thought lifting her arms slightly so he could wrap around the bandages. "Since when does he have two arms?" He finished off the gauze cutting it with his fangs, stopping her train of thought, the blade like tooth grazing her skin. Her breath hitched in her throat at the scraping sensation…
He helped her re-adjust her kimono pulling it over her shoulders for her, she had difficulty with that considering when Naraku had thrown her she had landed on her arm and it was probably broken.
Rin smiled. "Are you feeling any better Miss Kagura?" she asked hovering over her watchfully. "Yes, I am feeling a bit better." She lied not wanting to worry the sweet little girl that had found her in the water. Rin smiled. "Good, Rin is glad miss Kagura is feeling better!" she said sitting down beside her. "Miss Kagura?" Rin asked sweetly. "How did Miss Kagura get hurt?" she asked not knowing the sensitivity of the topic. Kagura's breath hitched in her throat again. Sesshomaru stiffened. "Rin, where exactly did you find those berries?" Sesshomaru cut in. "They were quite delicious and this Sesshomaru would like some more." He said standing. "Rin will show you Lord Sesshomaru!" she said entirely forgetting her last question.
They returned a few minutes later with a bowl full of berries. Rin looked happy as can be her mouth stained once again from the juice. "Sesshomaru-sama, Rin is still hungry." She said looking up at him as her stomach growled. Sesshomaru nodded. "Jaken, please watch Rin while I hunt." He said walking steadily towards the forest. Jaken nodded leaning against a tree dozing slightly.
Kagura, though had slept but under an hour before. Again still felt tired. She laid back her head on the grass and gently drifted off into a soft sleep. What seemed like only minutes later she was awoken by a young girls frightened scream. She sprung awake immediately. Rin was in the clutches of Naraku his massive hands wrapped around the small girls neck.
Jaken lay off to the side apparently un-conscious. "Let her go!" Kagura snapped trying to stand clutching her fan. "Ah, Kagura, you have awoken." He said calmly, letting the young girl fall to the ground. He chuckled. "It seems Sesshomaru has taken good care of you." He said standing up to his full height. "I have come to punish you for your mistakes in killing my soldiers and defying me." He said levitating a step closer. She brought her fan up. "A step closer and I will kill you." She warned her hand shaking.
He laughed as he reached out a quick hand to grab her. She tried to leap out of the way but he was to fast. He grabbed her shoulder length hair and yanked backward. Meanwhile Sesshomaru stalked his prey, it completely un-aware of his presence. Naraku smirked pulling her backward and getting a hold of her tender bruised neck. She reached up her hands trying to pry away his clenching grasp.
He smiled yanking he forward to kiss her lips. He slipped in his tongue defiling her, her body, and her temple. But that was a big mistake. She bit him…hard with her fangs. He yelped and dropped her to the ground. "Bitch, you will pay for that!" he yelled. Swallowing the blood seeping from his tongue. He pounced over her pinning her to the ground. She whimpered his glowing red eyes staring into hers. He grabbed her up by the neck once again and held her high above the ground.
He threw back his hand and flung it forward onto her already bruised face. She let out a loud yelp falling backward to the ground trying to kick him but missed. "You leave Lady Kagura alone!" Came a frightened little voice. Naraku chuckled at Rin, she held a dagger in her hands and she looked as though she was crying. She ran at him trying to strike. He simply laughed throwing her aside with one of his ugly tentacles. She let out a cry more of fear than of pain and hit her head against a tree knocking her unconscious.
Sesshomaru's ears pricked, he heard Kagura's yelp and Rin's cry. If only the smell of the doe's blood hadn't masked the scent of Naraku. "Damn!" he thought leaping into the air flying towards camp. He soared overhead speeding towards the sight. He smelled Kagura's blood, Rin's, and Naraku's. Once they came into view he dive-bombed towards Naraku. "Die filthy han-you!" he had screamed his claws spraying their lethal poison. He barely missed, Naraku evading the attack only seconds' before the strike.
Sesshomaru drew tokijin slashing wildly at the laughing han-you. He brutally stabbed Naraku until blood sprayed and soaked his kimono. Though Naraku did not die he was in great pain. His heart was hidden away…protected from Sesshomaru and the others that desired to kill him. Naraku gathered him self and his severed body parts under a barrier and floated towards the sky. "Till next time Kagura, remember your time life is in my hands." He said his laughter ringing in their ears even after he had disappeared.
Sesshomaru walked to Rin, she was un-conscious the dagger still clutched with in her hand. Sesshomaru gave Kagura a quizzical look. "She tried to defend me from him." She said propping herself up on her elbows. His foul taste still burned inside of her mouth. Sesshomaru propped Rin up against a tree beside Jaken. "What exactly did he do to you?" he asked kneeling beside her.
She was still shaking. "He struck me." She said that much obvious from the red handprint still on her face. "He said he would punish me for my defiance…and he kissed me." She said trying to swallow the sour burning sensation inside of her mouth. "Your mouth is burning." He said noticing her swallowing furiously. She nodded. "It is the kiss of evil." He stated. "Unless it is washed away, you would be branded with a permanent mark." He said in a deep masculine whisper.
She stared at his swirling pools of smelted gold that were his eyes. She blinked in surprise as he placed a hand gently on her porcelain cheek. Her eyes fluttered closed as he placed his lips gently upon hers. The sensation tingled gently. Her mouth lolled open, she melted at his touch. He gently inserted his long tongue into her hot cavernous mouth; the bitter taste drifted away, his tongue gently soothing the bitter burn inside of her mouth.
They broke gently apart their mouths still but inches apart, exchanging their hot breath in the chilling autumn air…
They remained like that for what seemed like an eternity. Their eyes locked trying to figure out the puzzle presented before them. "He kissed me…was it to heal?" she pondered her hands resting limp at her sides. "I kissed her…such passion…my beast threatened to break forth and claim her as mine…" he thought his fangs showing slightly. They glinted in a small ray of sunlight.
"Was it truly to heal or was it…desire?" they both asked themselves slowly breaking apart. Rin stirred. "Sesshomaru-sama?" she asked sitting straight up. "Lady Kagura, are you okay?" she asked running over to the pair still kneeling beside each other. "Yes Rin, thanks to Sesshomaru-sama I am alright." She said patting the girl atop the head softly. "Thanks to Sesshomaru-sama." She said in a whisper. "Rin tried to protect Lady Kagura, but I failed." She said her head bowed. "He was to strong for me, he could've really hurt you and I didn't stop him." She said her lip curling. "Rin please don't cry, it was not your fault." She said trying to sooth the saddened girl. "Naraku is very strong and it takes some one stronger than him, like Sesshomaru-sama to beat him." She said smiling up at Sesshomaru.
Jaken stirred rubbing his head. He sat up with a frog like croak; he asked, "What happened?" Sesshomaru stood; his kimono and hakama still coated and reeked of Naraku's blood. Sesshomaru stood. "Naraku attacked, and Rin and both Kagura were injured." He said his anger flashing in his eyes. Jaken wanted to shrink down until he was so small that he could only be seen with a microscope.
"My greatest apologies My Lord." He whispered bowing so low his nose touched the ground. "Please forgive my irresponsible behavior." He said awaiting the boot in the head that was sure to come. Sesshomaru growled, he walked over towards Kagura and Rin who were huddled together. Rin's eyes were still puffy from her tears. "You will be fine Rin, but your neck is bruised." Kagura said placing a hand on the blue marks that resembled a clenched hand around her neck.
"Lady Kagura, your eye is bruised." Rin said peeking out from the blanket Kagura had wrapped her in. "My eye?" she asked reaching up a hand to touch her eyelid. Sesshomaru handed her a mirror, it was silver and had shimmering pearls embedded in the silver. She looked shocked. "The Bastard gave me a black eye." She whispered, running her hand over the swell around her eye.
She ran her fingers over the beautiful mirror. "It was my mothers." Came Sesshomaru's voice from behind her. She jumped. "I didn't know you were behind me." She said turning around to face him. She looked down at her reflection in the mirror. "Is my face really this…ugly?" she asked running her clawed fingers over her purple cheeks and black eye.
Sesshomaru was silent. He was deep in thought analyzing her words. "Is she looking for my approval, or is she looking for sympathy, or is she just simply concerned about her appearance?" he wondered. "Sesshomaru?" came a quiet voice that woke him from his daze. "No" he said watching Rin chase Jaken. "Your very pretty." He said coolly. She hadn't expected that answer in the least. "Huh?" she asked her mouth agape.
"Do I need to explain myself?" he asked quietly a smirk crossing his features seeing Rin tackle Jaken the way he had taught her. "That would be helpful." She said with a hint of sarcasm, her voice coated slightly in self-pity. "Your porcelain skin, and berry red lips." He said watching the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind. "Your raven hair, and your beautiful eyes." He whispered his eyes locked upon hers. "You think I'm...beautiful?" She asked her lips curving into a happy smile. He stared away from her. "Is that a problem?" he asked standing. "No, no I just didn't think you thought of me like that." She whispered. Jaken screeched "HELLLPPP!!!" "Someone HELP ME!!!"He shrieked thrashing like mad. Rin squealed in happy laughter. "Come on master Jaken lets play house!" she said holding him firmly by the ankle. "You can be the baby and I can be the Mommy!" she said walking towards the forest. "It sounds like baby needs a nap." She said with a giggle.
Kagura couldn't help herself, "Stop!" she said almost in tears. "It hurts to laugh but it's to funny!" she said clutching her sides. "Rin, cease torturing Jaken." He said from his tree. "Yes Sesshomaru-sama." She said obediently releasing Jaken's ankle. He stood dusting the dirt from his clothes and re-adjusting his hat. Kagura had managed to stop laughing but was still smiling.
"And what do you find funny?" he asked heatedly. "Well you have to admit that was a humorous scene." She said biting back another laugh. "Well I hardly see what funny. Besides the disgusting face of Naraku's bitch."
"JAKEN!" Sesshomaru bellowed. Kagura's fists clenched and her fangs bared. She picked Jaken up by his haori. "I am not Naraku's bitch and you will believe that and you will never mention Naraku's name associated with me again! Got it?" she asked in a hiss her nose almost touching his beak. Jaken had almost accidentally wet himself. He nodded furiously. She let him drop into the dirt and sat down next to Rin who was currently trying to catch a small black cricket.
Jaken's knees were knocking. Sesshomaru was obviously "disciplining" him. Jaken nodded furiously and ran next to Rin and set down. "Lady Kagura, will you take Rin to spring to bathe? She asked with her giant brown eyes shimmering. "Sure, I'm sure a bath would be nice." She said picking up her newly found walking stick. It could be very helpful. Rin took her hand and gently pulled her toward the springs.
Naraku lay on the woven mat. Kanna and Hokudoshi stitched his fallen limbs back onto his body. "Damn that Kagura…she will pay." He whispered with a jolt from another stab of a needle. "I will make her suffer a slow painful death…"We have finished Master." Kanna said in her whisper like voice. Hokudoshi stood staring down at Naraku.
"What a sight, Kagura would truly enjoy this…she would have had the perfect chance to kill him." He thought cocking his head ever so slightly. "Yes, I bet she would." Came Naraku's annoyed voice. Hokudoshi jumped, "I didn't know you were reading my mind Sire." Hokudoshi said. He propped himself up on his elbows and admired the stitching they had done, neat and complete, he could barely see them they were so small.
Kagura leaned upon her walking stick walking towards the spring. Rin had her hand and was pulling her gently towards the spring. "We'll be t the Spring Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin said happily before disappearing into the forest Sesshomaru stood. "I forgot about the deer I killed for dinner, I'm going to retrieve it Jaken, you stay here." He said standing. He walked towards the opposite direction of where the girls had left and started searching. It was rather difficult though, the winds had changed twice and the scent had been spread over the forest. "Damn." He thought raising his nose to the air again.
Kagura helped Rin out of her kimono, gently un-tying the knots in the obi. "There you are Rin." She said starting to try and un-dress herself. Rin ran and jumped into the water happily splashing and swimming. "The water is perfect Miss Kagura!" she said splashing again. Kagura took a quick look around just in case there was anyone there. Once she found it safe she quickly unclasped and undid her kimono. She climbed quickly into the steaming water. "Ah, you were right Rin, the water is perfect."
Rin splashed and played while Kagura washed her hair and scrubbed herself with the bar of soap Rin had given her. "I feel so much better, Thank You Rin." She said leaning up against a rock. Before she knew it she had drifted off to sleep. "Lady Kagura, wake up." Came Rin's voice. "May I go back to the camp please?" she asked drying her hair with a towel.
"Yes Rin, I'm just going to soak here for awhile." She said sitting up a little. Rin nodded and finished drying her hair. She trotted off towards the camp leaving Kagura alone. "Where is it?" he thought trying to follow his nose. Kagura finished her washing and climbed out of the water. "I hope Rin left me a towel." She thought digging through the bag she had left behind.
"Brr." She thought as a breeze rippled past, She still was digging through the pack for a towel. Sesshomaru caught the scent of the doe through the breeze. "Finally." He thought pushing through some bushes. Kagura stood straight up. "The bushes." She thought her red eyes going wide. Sesshomaru pushed past the bushes and into the clearing. His eyes went wide. Kagura screamed. He jumped back avoiding the large rock that was flying at him. "Pervert!" she screamed jumping back into the water.
"I was not spying on you, I simply was here to retrieve the deer that I killed for dinner." He said pointing to the doe hidden behind a small coat of trees behind her. She still glared at him. "Well get it and go." She said crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't see why you are embarrassed, I saw you naked when I pulled you out of the water." He said picking the deer up and over his shoulder.
"Well how would you like it?" she snapped angrily. "I wouldn't care." He said simply. " Kagura stifled a laugh. "Yeah, you say that." She said smirking in triumph. He rolled his eyes. "And the towel you were looking for is over there." He said pointing to a top the rock. "Oh." She said a blushing lightly.
Once
he left and she was sure he was gone she quickly dressed and walked
back to camp. Sesshomaru had returned only a few minutes earlier. He
stared at himself in the mirror. His cheeks were slightly pinker than
normal. "It's only the adrenaline from avoiding the rock." He
thought tucking the mirror into his Armour. Most of the doe was
roasting over the fire Rin and Jaken had maintained. One portion had
been cut away for Sesshomaru to eat; he wasn't one for cooked food.
Kagura heard her stomach growling at the delicious smell of roasting
venison. When it was finished cooking Sesshomaru took it off of the
branch it had been tied to and handed Rin and Kagura pieces of the
cooked
meat.
She ate happily leaning against her own tree. Rin sat next to her clearly enjoying the venison. The sun began too set, casting shadows across the trees and rocks. "Good Night Sesshomaru-sama." Said Rin with a yawn. "Good Night Master Jaken." She said pulling up a blanket. "And Good Night Miss Kagura." She said laying down and closing her eyes. "Good Night Rin." The trio chanted. "Good Night Sesshomaru-sama, Good Night Jaken." Kagura said purposely leaving the respectful title out on Jaken's name.
"Good Night Kagura." "Good night Jaken." Sesshomaru said simply. Tonight he needed sleep, it had been about three days since he last slept. Sesshomaru turned over onto his stomach and pulled the blankets up to his shoulders. Kagura leaned back against "Her" tree and closed her eyes. She lay there for about half an hour and opened her eyes again.
She threw back the blankets and sat up. Kagura smiled and giggled. "He sleeps just like a dog." She thought smiling again. "Is something funny?" he asked sitting up picking a leaf out of his hair. "Oh, no I was just thinking." She said with a sigh. "How much longer will it take me to heal?" she asked resting a hand on her tender arm. She jumped up of the ground. "T-The bones in my arm shifted!" she whispered furiously to him. "You are a demoness, therefore you heal faster than a human would." He said calmly. "Your arm was broken and it shifted back into place." He said sitting up.
"The gashes on your chest and the cuts from the wind scar should heal in about a week." "A week?" she thought. "What about my face?" she asked more to herself than to anyone else. "I don't know."
