Sesshomaru sat atop the limbs of a tall oak tree watching below him as Rin and Jaken, the kappa demon, ate. Ah Uhn nibbled on the grass next to the base of the tree where he was tethered and Sesshomaru sat. The slight breeze ruffled the leaves just enough that he'd had to sit where the branches naturally parted so it wasn't constantly hitting his face. Getting foliage and branches to the face repeatedly wasn't exactly Sesshomaru's favorite thing.
Jaken yelled at the girl to eat slower else she might choke and the child laughed at Jaken pointing out how over protective and silly the small imp was.
Sesshomaru leaned his head back, closing golden eyes. The sun filtered through his painted eye lids, making the inside appear red. Sleeping would be impossible in such bright light but he tried anyway. After a minute, he found the light the least of his problem, for the girl and demon below him refused to cease their argument.
"Silence," the yokai said. Somehow his low voice filtered down to their ears and the two hushed immediately.
Sesshomaru sat motionless, attempting to slumber in the sun. He crossed his one arm over his waist and rested it on a sword hilt. His sensitive dog ears picked up the sound of a fight and yelling. He inhaled sharply. His perfect face furrowed as he picked up the smell of his half brother, InuYasha. What a way to ruin a nap: the smell of a half breed. Not just a nap, really, InuYasha could ruin Sesshomaru's whole day and today, he really didn't feel like having his mood destroyed.
Sesshomaru continued to doze in the warm late morning sunlight before hearing the noise of someone muttering. He opened a single golden eye and stared into the valley below. His gaze found the wench that traveled with his hanyou brother searching through the brush.
Part of him wondered what she was looking for and the other wished to silence her muttering of 'stupid InuYasha', even though he agreed with the girl. After watching her for a second, his curiosity won out and he gracefully leapt from the bows. He landed elegantly on the ground.
"Jaken. Rin," he said. His two companions looked up. "I will return." Both said good-bye and returned to their breakfast. Sesshomaru left so often, that the demon and child hardly blinked but Rin fondly asked him to return soon.
With that he strode through the grass after the strange girl. Sesshomaru found himself at the edge of a dry river bed. The girl stood on the far side, looking in a hole created by a tree that led underground somewhere.
Soundlessly, the Inu Lord made his way down the bank and across the dry river bed. The girl had slipped under the roots and inside the opening. His elfin ears could pick up the sound of her foot falls echoing around dirt walls.
He ducked his head and followed her in. The woman stood slightly hunched over, her hand searching, still looking.
"Where is it?" she said under her breath. "Damn it, InuYasha."
"Woman, what is it you seek?" he asked.
She turned and screamed.
Kagome waved her hand in front of her, hoping her hand would brush her bag. It's so dark in here! I can't see a thing!
"Where is it?" She murmured. "Damn it, InuYasha." Why, oh why, did InuYasha have to have a temper?
"Woman, what is it you seek?" a voice said behind her.
Kagome turned and screamed, not realizing someone was behind her this whole time. She stood up right, the top of her head hitting the roof of the cave wall. The reverberation of her head hitting the dirt caused a landslide of the tree and dirt that were already ready to fall apart. Kagome screamed again and the figure grabbed her around the waist, pulling her out of the way of the cave in.
Kagome squealed loudly as the dirt created a dust cloud that made her go from screaming to coughing.
She coughed madly as the dust cleared. "It is over," her savior said.
She recognized the voice and coughed more from her surprise. "Lord Sesshomaru?"
"Indeed," he said. She could make out the outline of his fair hair and cold golden eyes.
She took a step away from him and stumbled over something soft. She let out another screech as she tumbled over.
"What is it?" She yelled. "Something's in here!"
Sesshomaru grabbed at the thing, hoping if by killing whatever it was, the woman would calm herself. Sesshomaru found his hand clenched around a bag. He lifted it up, his perceptive eyes seeing a simple yellow bag.
"Woman, it is only a bag," he said dropping it at her feet. Kagome's eyes adjusted to the dim light.
"My bag!" she yelled. "I was right! It did land in here."
She fished a flashlight out and turned it on, scanning the cave wall around them. The spot light settled on the entrance, or what used to be the entrance. Between the titanic maple tree and clods of dirt, the opening was totally blocked off.
"Guess we're not getting out that way," she whispered.
"Hn," Sesshomaru said, a grunt that clearly said 'we are getting out that way.' Sesshomaru stepped up and punched the dirt wall. Instead of the soil caving away, more fell from the ceiling.
"We will have to find another way," the Lord said turning and walking past Kagome. She jogged to keep up the Dog Demon's long strides. She wasn't six foot with long legs.
She scoped the flashlight around the walls looking at the earthen walls.
"Woman," Sesshomaru said in front of her. "Stop what you are doing and focus the light in front of us."
"Oh, sorry," she said, running to fall in place next to him. She focused the beam down the way. "This cave goes on forever!" she muttered. Sesshomaru remained silent, walking next to her.
"Sesshomaru?" she asked.
"Hn?" he grunted.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Underground," he replied simply.
Kagome stopped in surprise. "Was that a joke?"
Sesshomaru also stopped and turned to stare at the girl rooted to the spot. "This Sesshomaru does not joke. Now come." He began walking forward again.
She quickened her speed to keep up. Couldn't he slow down? "Are we gonna get out of here, Sesshomaru?"
"This Sesshomaru does not plan on remaining underground, woman," he clipped. "Do you always ask such foolish questions?"
"Are you always so rude?" She shot back. She instantly regretted it. It's Sesshomaru, of course he's rude! And, at the insult, incredibly angry. His single hand grabbed her by the shoulder and forced her against the wall, sending a shower of soil and rocks onto her white blouse.
"I'd be careful, wench. Remember your place," he growled. "This Sesshomaru is the only chance you have of getting out of here."
He let go of her and strode forward again without a backwards glance. She rubbed the place where his hand had gripped and ran to catch up.