A/N: Thank everyone for the reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Feel free to listen to the songs while reading each chapter.
Music playing: Aruarian Dance- Samurai Champloo Tribute / Nujabes - Counting Stars
Book 1 Summer
Chapter 4 Moonlight
The sun set behind the distant mountains as the clouds blended their enriched colors of purple, orange and pink. While small lights glistened through the evening skies casting a light glow across the land.
Throwing more wood to the flame Kagome took a deep breath as she stared into the camp fire. It has been two days since she arrived back to the Warring States era and there has been no sign of Naraku or any sacred jewel shards. Kagome then felt a warm paw rest on her knee, looking down she smiled warmly. "Hey Kirara…" Kagome said softly as she petted the small fire demon cat.
Kirara purred lightly as she rubbed against the miko's hand. Looking over Kagome noticed the rest of the gang preparing to sleep for the night. Kagome knew she should too, but she felt restless and slightly irritated. 'A nice hot bath would help me, especially after the long hike we took today…' the miko thought as she subconsciously rubbed her ankle.
Turning her head she then smiled lightly, "Say Inuyasha?" the miko started to ask.
The hanyou turned his head, "What?"
"There wouldn't perhaps be a hot spring nearby, would there?" Kagome asked.
"Feh, yea it's somewhere in the forest. Don't tell me you want to take a bath now?" Inuyasha said with a scoff.
"Of course I do, I'm sore and a hot bath would help me sleep tonight." Kagome said in a small pout.
Standing up while gathering her supplies, the miko looked towards Sango. "Would you like to come with me, Sango?" Kagome asked as she picked up her towel.
"No not tonight, I'm just going to go to sleep soon. Maybe in the morning." Sango said as she laid her head on a spare pillow.
"Hmm…Alright then." Kagome said as she started to walk into the woodland.
Inuyasha crossed his arms and looked back at the miko slowly disappearing into the forest. "She better not get in trouble." Inuyasha mumbled as he hopped into a nearby tree.
Pacing herself through the thick bush and trees, Kagome smelt the scent of sulfur in the air. 'I must be close to the hot spring.' Thought Kagome as she pulled away a branch.
Entering into the clearing was a stone hot spring, steam rising in the thick air. The miko smiled as she started to remove her button down blouse and jeans. Once fully unclothed Kagome slowly stepped into the bubbling water. The soothing warmth consumed her foot then her legs as she dipped into the pool.
Resting against the smooth limestone wall on the side she sighed deeply as the heated hot spring relaxed her sore muscles. Reaching over for her bag she pulled out a bottle of organic lavender shampoo then a white washrag. Squirting the cream on the cloth and scrubbing her arms with the soapy suds.
Kagome sighed as she cleaned away the dirt and sweat from her body. Slowly opening her eyes Kagome admired the calming ripples along the water's surface. Lifting her head up the miko noticed the form of light hanging behind the tree's branches. The moon was full and bright, casting its light down to the forest floor. She smiled softly as she stood up, the water circled around her waist as she walked along the small pool.
Reaching over to the edge, Kagome pushed herself up sitting on the stone. Grabbing a towel she dried her body off then combed through her hair with her fingers. "Ah…This is just what I needed…" Kagome said happily.
Pulling out her new clothes Kagome put on a knee lengthen white silk night gown along with underwear and sandals. She then covered herself with a white cotton shawl due to the cool night. Drying the remainder of her hair with a towel and then picked up her bag she headed off back to camp. Stepping over roots and dried leaves, Kagome entered into an open field surrounded by white flowers in bloom. Lightly admiring the beauty of the flowers she then was concerned as she looked back then in front of her. 'I must have taken a wrong turn, I don't remember this place.' Kagome thought with worry as she started to head back. Then something caught her eye, a tall white figure in the middle of the lunar flower meadow. 'Who could that be? A demon?' Kagome thought with curiosity tugging the shawl tightly over her chest.
Turning his head slightly, Sesshomaru saw the human girl on his left. Giving a bored expression the demon lord tried to remember the woman before him. There was something about her that seemed so familiar yet different. The scent was fresh and clean, the fragrance of water lilies. He remembered that smell…But her face it looked so foreign to him.
The miko's lips parted as she spoke a soft whisper, so faint even with the dog demon's sensitive ears barely picked it up.
"Sess...Sesshomaru." Kagome said slightly surprised as she stood still.
Kagome was in awe of the demon lord's new appearance. He had changed greatly. He wore a new kimono and lighter armor. His trademark red print flower patterns now a different shade of color, an indigo blue designed along the shoulder and sleeves. The rest was still the white cloth wrapped against his form. The once huge and threatening armor that hung on and appeared to have nearly consumed his body now were a connected armed breastplate with a matching back. It made the demon lord appear leaner yet faster. Even so the armor itself seemed strong, probably made from the hide and scales of a powerful demon, perhaps a dragon. Looking down to his hip, Kagome noticed his two swords still tied at his waist along with a long brightly colored silk sash that flowed in the wind. Kagome also noted that it was the same mixed colors of his previous obi, yellow and purple. Looking back up at the Sesshomaru's face, Kagome saw his golden eyes. They still held their cold stare as another breeze flowed through his long silver bangs creating an eerie silence between the two beings.
Kagome lightly smiled, trying to break the awkward feeling. She then pulled a strand of hair back behind her ear. Secretly Kagome has often wondered what became of the demon lord. She last saw him after the battle with Setsuna no Takemaru and So'unga. Nearly two years ago. Kagome then smiled and bowed lightly, "Thank you." The miko said sincerely.
Sesshomaru's eyes glistened with slight amusement, 'Why would this human girl be thanking me?'
"For what?" Sesshomaru asked flatly.
Kagome smiled widen, "For saving me and Rin from Takemaru. And helping us defeat So'unga. I never had a real chance to thank you properly." Kagome said as she lifted her head.
"Hmm. I see." Sesshomaru said lost in thought.
'That's who she is, I remember now. My half brother Inuyasha's wrench. How could have I forgotten?' Sesshomaru pondered as he turned his attention to the lunar flowers below him.
A short silence lingered between the two once more as Kagome finally asked the demon lord a question. "How is Rin-chan?" Kagome asked as she took a step forward.
"My ward is fine, she has grown since you last seen her." Sesshomaru said with a small pause.
Kagome smiled, "She was such a joy when I met her. I am glad she is doing alright. You must really care about her."
"She is merely following me. Nothing more." Sesshomaru said with no emotion.
"But didn't you just call her your ward?" Kagome said with a small giggle.
Sesshomaru blinked then drifted his eyes to the woman, 'This priestess…' Sesshomaru started to wonder as he lifted his head slightly.
"I have no need to explain myself, especially to such a lowly human like you." Sesshomaru said as he turned away from her.
Kagome simply giggled lightly.
'He hasn't changed, and yet I can sense he has grown stronger since we last met. Just as I have.' Kagome thought as she smiled to herself.
"Well I can tell you want to be alone. I'll go on my way then. Please tell Rin-chan I send my regards and love." Kagome said warmly as she turned back and walked once more into the forest. Lightly turning her head, she then looked back at the demon lord. The moonlight shined down on him, casting an almost godly hue over him. Kagome couldn't help but admire his superior posture.
Before she wandered much further Sesshomaru spoke, "Do you know any whereabouts of Naraku?" Sesshomaru asked firmly.
Kagome turned her head, "I am afraid not. The last we heard anything was nearly two months ago. There was a massive amount of miasma in the southern region. Villagers and animals alike were growing sick and dying. Many had to evacuate the area and rebuild new homes and lives. By the time we got there the presence mysteriously disappeared." Kagome said as she clenched her heart.
"The southern territory…" Sesshomaru mumbled to himself.
"Yes…We are currently traveling around the area for any clues. But nothing as of yet." Kagome said sadly.
Sesshomaru said nothing as he continued to stare at the full moon in front of him. Kagome bowed again and walked deeper into the forest. Turning her head back once more the miko's smile faded as she continued back into the woodland.
That's all for now. I know it was probably kind of plain and not romantic. But I want to make this sound realistic for the original plot of these characters. Of course Sesshomaru was more talkative than usual. The two do have some history in the past. At least on the battlefield. You'll find out more about that later. Hope you liked it! Please review!