Unseen Returns
Chapter 3
It had been hours later when she stirred and stretched her limbs before snuggling her head into his sleeve. Kagome tried to place the scent and feel of the fabric. It wasn't InuYasha and the armor suggested Sesshoumaru but it wasn't him, the fabric felt the same but the smell was different and if anything she could say it is even more masculine, it put her at ease. She really had to fight to feel panic rise up in her, the small rumbles meant to be comforting did nothing as she attempted to spring up, eyes snapping open as she looked up into his face. Heartbeat thumping and breath quickened she realized it is Sesshoumaru and InuYasha's father.
"Relax."
The deep baritone sent a thrill up her spine.
His more rugged look with the blue markings and wavy bangs gave him a more unique look. More or less he looks just like some legendary general with his armor and all that but she didn't expect him to seem so young. Demons may age differently but by human years he doesn't look much older than her or Sesshoumaru. Why in the world though does he have to be so handsome and have such soul piercing eyes?
"You should eat, everyone else had eaten hours ago and gone off to sleep," he pulled her from her thoughts and perusal of him.
A little nervous around this new male she climbed out of his lap and went over to the fire where there were still some sticks of meat left around it staying warm. She wasn't sure why he had her sleeping in his lap of all places but the first meeting was unusual… not like she ever met anyone here in a normal way. Why does she end up in such situations? She remained quietly sitting in her thoughts while chewing on the venison slowly.
Kagome stared into the dragon-like red eyes of yet another formerly dead enemy that just had to be handsome and a power greedy man. Seriously the demon reminds her of Hiten, even sounds just like him but no it is Ryura standing before her with a cocky look on his face. "Really you guys were asking for it, eventually someone is going to come along and destroy you and we happened to be it since you all decided to mess with Sesshoumaru and InuYasha."
"I suppose you might be right but being that I don't care you are still basically screwed priestess," he continued to grin at her and finally drew his swords. "You know if I keep you alive long enough I might be able to find a witch that can put your abilities to good use for me. Be a nice added bonus if I am not affected by spiritual powers."
"Hey I'm not just going to roll over and take this!" She huffed with a glare, hands glowing with energy.
"Yeah that is right isn't it," he hummed, "You're not a dog, you're just a wannabe bitch!"
His laughter sparked her temper, she ran up to him and punched him in the gut. Although it took him off guard she realized that his armor took a great deal of the blow so she barely singed him. Trying to back away she had to suddenly duck under his arms when he tried to lop her head off.
'Why do I have to come across so many attractive males? If it wasn't for the usual life or death scenario I might take a chance to really look at them and their muscular physiques!' Kagome felt content with the less tense atmosphere, one placed there by having a barrier to protect them from harm. This barrier definitely had to be their Father's since it wasn't often that they put one up. Fighting off a sigh she thought of all the time she wasted not training. If she had been studious and trained, then she could have been of more help but as it is she needs to find another priestess willing to train her. That just isn't going to happen right now.
"There aren't many priestesses that would ally themselves with demons," he drew her from her thoughts once more.
Sitting up straight as she thought over her words, she easily countered, "there aren't many demons that would ally themselves with priestesses."
A smile formed on his lips, he has a feeling he is going to like her for more than her scent, a scent that is nicely coating him. "I am curious to learn how this came to be."
She can imagine he would be curious. "Simple when it comes to me, I'm not prejudice. Good and evil can take any form."
He let out a pleased growl. "It is nice to see some things have changed, are there others more like you?"
"Not really or at least to my knowledge, I'm just different from the rest," she looked up to see Sesshoumaru had woken up and is now silently studying her, likely figuring out if she is well rested or not.
"The priestess has always been an oddity," he added in there.
"Hey!" She covered her mouth, forgetting herself as she noticed she stirred a few of the others.
"He will see and learn for himself I'm sure," he continued unhindered. "Now that you are done using my Father like a bed I would like for you to make use of the spring further back now rather than later on. They are likely to come to the area and see if we are all dead."
Cheeks flaming, she stood up with an indignant huff and headed on down the cavern where it is darker, trying to not be creeped out about any possible bugs. Rather than take her clothes off beforehand she waded right into the water after slipping off her sandals. Peeling the clothes off to give them a good scrub she squeezed them out the best she could before draping them over the rocks jutting out of the water. It was nice and warm, a small luxury to be taking a relaxed bath with no pressure or immediate worry. Rubbing her shoulders, she gave a small moan, working the tension out of them. Mattaki shifted, his ears picking up the small splashes and lapping of water while she enjoyed herself, 'but Gods, must she moan too?'
"You still have an attraction to humans," Sesshoumaru murmured to him as they kept their voices down.
Not an ounce regretful he replied, "some are far more appealing than you realize."
"We have many enemies," he knew his meaning is clear.
Eyes looking off into the darkness, being able to see her backside as she stood in the spring water lapping at her hips. "I already understand that but soon you will have few," he promised as it is now his duty to help his sons and their packs in their time of need.
Eyes narrowed on his Father while he peered through the darkness to watch the priestess, "some may have uses for her."
Head snapping back to his eldest he growled, "what?"
"Only informing you Father, some may have uses for her. Until we joined together she was often isolated from the group, even kidnapped often in the past as well." Turning his head to look outside of the barrier he added, "she also has a tendency to draw suitors from what I noticed." His growl was satisfying enough for now. "Maybe you shouldn't become so attached to her scent, I already see where your instincts are guiding you."
"I will do as I please," he growled in irritation as he noticed the smirk on his eldest son's lips. Another small splash got his attention and instantly he was back to looking over at her.
Kagome dreaded getting out with her clothes still damp and nowhere near comfortable. Torn between staying in and maybe entirely turning into a prune or slowly being cooked alive she cringed at the choices. With a sigh she sat up on a small ledge by a boulder, the water just barely covering her thighs as she relaxed on to the cold stone feeling stubborn enough to wait as long as possible. Drifting into a light doze she was startled when a cool boot nudged her back. Unprepared she toppled face first into the water with a flail of her limbs, her shriek being muffled by the liquid substance. Coming up spurting out water she glared at the amused eyes above her while she crossed her arms over her chest and huffed.
"You did that on purpose," she looked at him quite crossly.
"Possibly," he answered knowing it would rile her up more while she flushed in anger. Holding a hand out he presented her with a dry set of clothing seeing her eyes widen and search around for hers. "My Father dried them for you after you began to snore."
"Snore," she glared and couldn't believe that he is actually teasing her! Rather than hand it to her he set it on the rock she had been resting against then turned around, proud that he riled her up and successfully drenched her. She scowled at his back seeing his silky hair shift with his movement looking very much like a waterfall of hair. Feeling hers she had to at least be proud that it is soft and clean. After air drying once more she dressed and returned just as the others began to wake.
As they began to ready for the day she went out to forage for food and herbs in the surrounding forest. Having demons among their party is certainly helpful in case she needs to make a scream for help. Birds twittered in the boughs above while squirrels scurried around searching for nuts. Humming a light tune she was unaware of the set of eyes on her. Walking as far out as the old log with moss and flowers growing on it she took a seat and enjoyed the sunshine coming down through the gaps in the leaves and branches.
"It feels so peaceful today," she smiled towards the sky and let the calm of the forest ease her further from any other tension.
A twig snapped close by and she quickly twisted her head around sending her luscious hair flying around her as she looked for a threat. Nothing was there, at least not right now but that didn't mean nothing had been there. A shadow caught the corner of her right eye and she searched for it and was startled at the sudden presence before her. A large, clawed hand steadied her before she toppled backwards off the log while her heart raced.
"You shouldn't be out so far alone," the smooth baritone once again sent this thrill through her and she tried to wish it away.
"Inu no Taishou you scared me," she held a hand to her wildly beating heart.
"Mattaki," he supplied seeing her curious eyes until she understood.
"Kagome," she returned and found him offering her a hand up. Pleasantly surprised she took it and grabbed the leather sack as well. He took a few sniffs of the air, eyes searching their surroundings before he pulled her along with him.
"I smell berries this way," he supplied and looked down at her reddened cheeks before taking another look over his shoulder with narrowed eyes.
Among the foliage another pair of eyes narrowed in anger before turning away.
"Umm thank you for you know, letting me sleep on you and drying my clothes," she looked nervously at the ground.
"Your thanks are not needed but is appreciated. I thank you for ridding me from their control, I'd hate to spend my second chance at life trying to kill my own sons," he gained a sour taste in his mouth thinking of that.
Nodding as her anger grew, "they should never stoop so low to try and have a parent kill their own children, it's horrible."
"They will pay for their transgressions," he promised to himself once again. He had led her a distance from that clearing and now slowed until they reached the bush where she was able to take her time getting the berries. "From what I understand they like to stay on the move."
"Yeah, we don't stay anywhere long if we can help it, we have stayed safer that way," she replied while focusing on her task.
Part of him was itching for a fight, a very big part of him and he felt certain that someone was keeping eyes on her before he led her away. The scent was muddled but it had familiar characteristics, he just hasn't placed to who yet. For being natural enemies they felt no threat by the other even though they know the other could seriously harm if not kill them. Taking a deep breath, he relaxed as her scent wafted up to him along with the scents of the forest. It feels great to be alive again.
"Mattaki," she bit her lip before looking up at him with questioning eyes, "does it bother you that someone disturbed your… slumber?"
"On some levels yes, more so the reasons as to why but otherwise I thoroughly enjoy being alive once again and among my sons. I feel proud of them," he answered down to her as he could see the relief and happiness in them. The grey-blue mixture is definitely not common for humans among this continent. "I will use my time wisely."
Giving him a small smile she finished up with the berries and then let him lead her back to the others.
