Notes: I've been ill, but I've had this up since the beginning of this oneshot round, waiting to be finished. This provides some well-needed substance to this little excursion of theirs, but the rest of the developments (HA, SEE WHAT I DID THERE? 8'D) will have to wait until the next oneshot...! *u*
Excursions
In all fairness, when she thought about it, it would never hurt to try. It had been nearly an hour – if she could reckon correctly, which she supposed she couldn't as she never was any good at algebra - since her tall, ominous white shadow of a companion had faded into the gap between the trees encircling there chosen 'sleeping' area for the night. The bite of the cold has irritated her as she had held her breath and waited, the air chilling the skim of her nose and chin, until she had been positive she utterly couldn't wait anymore.
Her breath huffed out uncertainly in a white puff of steam ahead of her as she edged past the lifeless fringe of fur that draped across her, her small frame trembling slightly as she finally found her feet and faced the trees, eyes moving immediately to the shadows.
Her heart was pounding in her chest, the pulse throbbing up to her head.
There was no sort of response, at all, to her movement; the depths inside as still as if frozen like what remained of the vegetation around them – and she was nearly, nearly positive that there was nothing else out there. Her steps nudged forward tentatively, edging around the dirty edges of her practically empty pack - she almost laughed aloud at the thought. Really, Kagome, if you had could be able to know that, you wouldn't have gotten yourself into this mess in the first place.
She was cold (the rations in her pack could only last so long), she was hungry, and as her jii-chan had taught her, when life dishes you lemons… make lemonade. She had been kidnapped enough times, really, that if she did nothing, anyway, Inuyasha would kill her.
So here she was. Kagome. 'Little Miko'. Escaping.
Well, she couldn't really even call it escape either, the persistent thought in the back of her head nudged her, as she wasn't bound or guarded or… anything. Her foot landed with a particularly large snap, from the unfortunate placing of a dead branch, rapping angrily in a large snap through the trees, but Kagome was too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice.
It was half a breath later before the rapid movement of a white blur split the air in two, and she had to truly wonder at her escaping abilities if three steps out of the clearing was all it took to alert her captor to her intentions.
Wary eyes turned uneasily to the tall taiyoukai – before widening abruptly as they took in the glistening scene of blood and gore. It was in almost wonder as she turned to face him fully, and her heart skidding in her chest, she had to admit that somehow, even covered in blood, he remained startlingly beautiful.
"By your agreement, you bound yourself to me, stronger than any blood oath. You are Mine, and you will fulfil your obligation. Is that clear, little miko?"
A blood-striped corpse accompanied the softly spoken words, dropping to the forest floor with a soft thump, the gleaming set of gaping fangs not failing to catch her notice. Neither did the feral, yet distinctive feline aggression, which she recognised as a beautiful, dangerous, Chinese Tiger.
-xo-
The lure of the hunt had been a lapse in judgement – but, as his gaze swept over the diminutive form of the woman, thinner than he had thought, the strain of their last week of travel baring themselves awkwardly across her body, at the same time, it had put forward the opportunity for some important discussion.
The anger simmered at the fringes of his claws, but he restrained himself, dark eyes tracing the line of revealing curves to covered ankles. He didn't know what she needed, and she didn't hunt.
His lack of information on his charge, despite her persistent questions attempting to divulge him of things she did not need to know, was becoming obviously apparent. This would need attending to. Provided, he amended, the amber in his gaze sharpening as they assessed the tension in her stance, the woman didn't flee, as if she was prey again. He had never made a habit of eating humans, but that didn't mean others wouldn't follow the inclination.
His gaze turned to rest contemplatively on his discarded attire. The fervour of his hunt simmering softly in his veins caused the youkai within the fur to pulse, awakening in a flurry of furry movement. With the temptation this woman provided, to keep her alive could take supervision.
From what had transpired here, more than that of the past few weeks, Kagome came to the conclusion that this situation was as continually strange as it was frustrating.
With the red stain of blood stark against white silk, an abrupt conclusion had been thrust on her - that the demon fended for himself – sending thoughts whirling back into a mess.
For a Lord of his standing, his lack of attendance, or attendees (human, in particular) proved this situation as at odds with his normal, which begged the question that he would not answer.
Wrapped up within her own increasing sense of confusion, the stressed woman hadn't noticed the patient approach of the youkai until the damned fur of the mokomoko surrounded her, tugging her gently.
Unbalanced and caught unawares, she was unresisting as her little trip/escape attempt ended with more questions than answers.
-xo-
The blend of air that accompanied their rapid ascent into the sky, unannounced and abrupt in a globe of sparkling light, had a sobering effect, although for all intents and purposes, Kagome would reason that it's main purpose lay elsewhere. This true purpose, therefore, she was grateful for, even as her teeth clicked together awkwardly with cold.
It made the scent of blood that suffocated the air slightly more bearable.
Softly shaking with the stress that preyed her mind, and refusing to think about the state of her stomach, she gathered her strength to focus on the blood-stained carcass that had undertaken the dramatic rise into the night with them.
One glance into the heavy gaze of the taiyoukai before her silenced any comment she may have made, a shiver echoing down her spine.
Despite his lack of animosity before now, she couldn't stop the twinge of fear that played within her heart. Somehow, it wasn't so hard to imagine that blood being hers.
-xo-
The light tenor of his voice smoothly broke the cool of the night, forceful, and broaching no space for argument.
"You will sit."
Startled, at being so entirely out of herdepth, she acquiesced quickly, eyes never quite leaving the taller stature in front of her. Under his boring stare, she made do, despite the fact it was rather awkward, making herself as comfortable as she could be whilst suspended midair by a shawl of fluff.
Reluctantly, wary, tired eyes met the golden eyes of her companion – before the complacency dropped, brows furrowing, as they sharpened at his expression. She could swear there was a trace of amusement there. He was laughing at her?
Her anger flared, her lips itching to flare back in one of Inuyasha famous snarls. Of course he would be arrogant enough to find enjoyment in a situation where she was so distinctly uncomfortable. His voice interrupted her thoughts, drawing her attention back to him once more - nothing of his eyes revealed he even realised what he was showing – before the exact meaning of his words hit her. "We must talk."
The light within her demeanour brightened unmistakably, a modicum of hope flaring in her eyes for the first time in days, as her lips tumbled over themselves to reply. "Yes?"
"Your habits. Diet. Nutrition. Needs." The last word was softly emphasized as it rolled off his tongue, as if the very man was disgusted by the need to use it. "This knowledge has not been worth consideration until now."
With a soft whisper of expensive silk, the white form of the taiyoukai dropped silently to her level, until the golden intensity of his gaze drew closer, guarded expression carefully analysing, the light warmth of his body heat mingling with hers. With the easily-read emotions the woman so simply displayed, the intensity in the gaze softened, and he welcomed the prediction that this first meeting would be brief. "You will provide explanation."
"My habits…?" The woman's response was tentative at first, widened eyes gazing at him with some kind of wonder. With a delicate swallow, the dazed brown focused, skimming across the planes of his face as if looking for answers to an unspoken question, before it finally rested on his gaze once more.
"My habits. My habits." Kagome's voice rose significantly in volume with each repeated phrase, her latent powers evidently mixing with her emotions in a flurry of pink, painful sparks. Unrelenting in his grip, the demon's gaze narrowed, the fact this woman was ignorant of her response becoming more apparent with the directionless, meaningless display of power.
"Miko."
"Why haven't you at least attempted to speak to me before now?" Her control over her voice and tone had abandoned her over a week ago, and honestly, Kagome couldn't find the heart within her to care at her laxing self-restraint. Her anger only grew at his stoic response, posture calm and controlled, showing her up in such a way that sent her blood broiling, and something within her broke. "Demon! What the hell were you thinking?-"
"None of what you have broached upon before has been worthy of reply." His reply was curt, cutting off the words before they left her parted lips. Warning weighed down his words heavily; yet seemingly futilely, as the woman seemed to be ignoring it completely, the bright indignation growing in the woman's delicate features. Aggravated, his light tenor broke in again, attempting to stem this surge of emotion before it got out of hand. "You will stop this behaviour-"
Her retort broke through his sharply, pitch dropping to mock his, as she was beyond caring if she was petty. "No. Since when does this one answer to you-"
Her words died on her tongue as her gaze had turned angrily back to his only to find the proximity of the golden gaze too close, a dangerous wave of youki rushed in warning over her senses.
The resulting ferocity of her body's response hit them both by surprise. She could think of nothing else than to get away from him, and in a shock of response, a burst of bright, fuchsia sparks rocketing from her palms, the small woman flew backwards.
The force of the power broke his loosened hold on her restraints, a low rumbling growl slipping through carefully maintained composure as a wave of youkai shot forward, racing futilely against the bundle of purity fueled woman. A short gasp voiced her growing alarm, and she managed to glance at him, eyes pleading in an almost apology, before she tumbled backwards into the air.
-xo-
The cold air hit her lungs a second before she registered the fact she was falling.
Forcing her eyes open, ignoring the sting, she barely caught the white blur of the taiyoukai distant above her, the dark smudge of the sheath of his sword streaking darkly with the image, before her impromptu journey ended as abruptly as it had began.
The force of her momentum caused her breath to escape her in short, painful rush. Despite the pain, that seemed to originate from everywhere, she focused on her lungs. Her vision went hazy as she could barely draw breath, and in a cynical twist, she made a concession to fate: for all purposes, her life was a joke.
It was a dizzying fall and an even abrupter end, and pained, numb, she was hopeless as the darkness claimed her, making her its own. Her vision faded, along with the remnants of vertigo, and then the pain came.
Twisting, until she could believe it was the darkness that coiled pain seemingly everywhere, transmitting like a virus from her head to her limbs, her bones. Using the pain as an anchor, fighting to keep ahold of consciousness that twirled at the edge of her grasp, like the vertigo pulling her stomach and mind, her mind centered on the one thought that pierced through the mess: she did not want to die.
The fear of the statement seemed to flood through her veins, faster than the pain, tears rising to her eyes.
"Do not be afraid, Kagome."
The taste of iron-tainted dust and wet fur accompanied the softly spoken words, although she couldn't say she would ever be able to define either taste. They were enough, bringing forth swimming memories of old swords, and the hot breath, that she could never quite escape.
Heat overflowed onto her cheeks in self-conscious pity, but honestly she couldn't give a fuck, as Inuyasha would say. If her last impression on the world would be like this, she would prefer it, over the other option.
This demon's assessment of her was wrong. She had never been afraid of death. She was afraid of what it would cost her.
With weakening energy, she could feel cool fingertips tracing lightly over skin, skimming the surface but never quite touching, observant, and it was so obvious, she should have known that escape was a pointless adventure.
He will keep me until he is done.
Vivid gold met her gaze, held it with keen, glowing intensity, a flare of anxiety beating past the lethargic weights that were dragging her mind into darkness, and her last thought was that - somehow - he'd seen the thought, and had known, and agreed.
His.
Letting her eyes flicker shut with the last of her energy, she abandoned her thoughts in favour of the darkness.
Ningen. His pride hissed, spitting the word, coiling around it in furious, angry torment. A ningen miko, of all creatures.
This ningen miko had defied this Sesshoumaru.
Using her own fragile mortality to her advantage, with those small, delicate hands, she had used a power that had caught him by surprise; and in that moment attempted to regain control of her life. A fury roiled just beneath his skin, baying at his control and longing for his claws to slash through her arrogance and be done with it. His pride stated that her underestimation of him was insult.
However. The brushes of the fingertips grew softer, skin meeting skin as they mapped the extent of her face, before the palm rested against her cheek. The sensation was both familiar and unique; the taiyoukai's gaze grew intent on the delicate, strained features as they went lax. Tenseiga hummed, pulsing its heart beat, and with a smart clack, unsheathed, slashing the chains of the death collectors that snaked the soul of the miko.
With a cry, the wispy forms of the ghouls faded, as did the pale pallor of her skin, rosy light flickering back into her cheeks as life returned. His form leaned closer, eyes scanning the pale slopes of skin until they found life flaring beneath the skin, blood fluttering in a jagged pulse at her neck. "Miko. You have your agreement to fill."
-xo-
A sharp intake of air brought her back to the present.
Blinking, it was a moment, two, before she could recognise the dark, glittering expanse of sky that astronomers at the University of Tokyo prayed for. It was a moment more, before her mind wondered idly why she did not feel as in pain as she should be.
The memories hit her like a flood. Alive. His.
Alive. Her eyes had flickered shut, and with a struggle, she forced them back open, burning heat searing at the corners of her eyes as she struggled to keep her breaths steady, failing miserably. Alive. She had died. Oh kami. Oh Kami, no. Her parents, her family - she had promised herself she would go back to them, to say good bye at least before they reached Naraku, so that they'd know what had happened to her, and why. The idea of leaving them as it was - she had fought with Souta, hadn't she? Kami, kami - the tears broke through her restraint, slipping down her cheeks. Her eyes squeezed shut, her family flickering up from her memory, and a choked sob left her. She had almost lost them. Oh kami, Kagome, how could you be so stupid.
There was a soft touch at her cheek, brushing the side of the trail of wet, bringing her from her thoughts. After a pause, it withdrew, and her eyes opened to the brilliant sky, darkened partially by a silhouette. Her eyes shut again, and she took a breath, clearing her thoughts before she opened them again. Her tears dried on her cheeks as the sharp features slid into focus, hovering close, hair slipping from behind to splay in a silver halo that was brilliant against the night sky.
His gaze was patient, calmly observing as she tried to speak, and failed, her breath whispering from her dry throat.
His expression, for the first time, hid nothing; the reserve gone from his expression, the spite and distaste removed, and this change in him was startling, the harder planes of his face somehow appearing softer. The even gold of his gaze caught hers, closing the gap between them until there was no more then a few inches between his silken hair and her skin.
He considered the woman, and the life that had returned to her. The hours had passed, leaving his temperament cooler, and the interest at the differences that were becoming more and more apparent within this woman. Tenseiga pulsed at his hip, as if in response to his reminder of her revival. More difficult and time extensive than Rin, the incomplete fragments of this humans soul had ached to leave her body, a battle he hadn't expected. With the spiritual strength of Tenseiga, he had contained it, and as with a sigh, her body fell into exhaustion, the strength within her soul resurfaced to the forefront of his mind.
This girl's hidden strength, only been revealed now, was another mystery. Her usefulness would stretch farther than she would have hoped.
Fighting to find the breath within her, here, her soft voice broke the quiet air. "S...Sesshoumaru."
A small smile curved the edge of his lips, before his hand outstretched to hers, hooking her fingers through his. Trepidation coiled her stomachs in knots, reminiscent of some half-remembered thought, that she couldn't recall clearly. There was something incredibly possessive about this, contrasting so completely with the time where he wouldn't even touch her hand. Everything about this was unnatural.
Her heart was thumping within the confines of her chest as his touch skimmed down her arms, cold fingers twitching uncertainly. Raising her hand lightly, his fingers pressed against hers until the palms met. The gentle heat of his body radiated against hers, as his arms opened, enveloping her entirely into his grasp and scent, his words deadly soft against her side.
"Woman, you will forget the hanyou."