Chapter 4: I've Got to Keep Control
Quelling the natural instinct to run, Kagome daringly stepped in between Sesshoumaru and Kaede, and lifted her hands toward them in a placating gesture, "Whoa, okay, wait a second!" Attention going first to the aged woman with the eye patch over her right eye, Kagome began her attempt at easing the tense atmosphere with a, somewhat, third-party analysis on the situation. "Kaede-san, he did just save me—us—from that demon bug thing. Surely we can try to look at this objectively, rather than reacting in a defensive form of offense?"
When she was met with a confused, blank stare from the woman, she then turned her attention toward the regal-looking demon—for at this point she couldn't imagine labeling him as anything else. "And you! As grateful as I am, there's no way I'm just gonna give this thing to you; not after I saw what the power of this thing does in the possession of a demon! Besides, you are awfully powerful on your own. What use could you have with it, when you don't need it?"
Warily eyeing Kagome's open palms he replied, "This Sesshoumaru does not seek the power of the jewel for himself."
When it became apparent no further reasoning on his behalf was forthcoming, a heavy silence fell over them. Kagome, fidgeting at the awkwardness and the weight of her audience's scrutiny, let out an unsettled laugh before making her last effort to diffuse the situation. "That's great, I guess… So, then, can we discuss this—uh—diplomatically?"
A few more silent moments passed until Kaede's form slowly lost some of its edge until she faced Sesshoumaru once again wearing an earnest, almost contrite expression, "The child speaks wisely. If ye be an honorable demon, Sesshoumaru-sama and speak true, then I apologize for my hasty transgression. Many years have passed in thy absence and the world has changed much. I humbly request ye to listen to my counsel; ye might find we be on the same side if the concern you hold is for thy brother."
At the mention of his brother, Sesshoumaru whipped his head around—silver hair flowing over his shoulders with the movement—to sharply glare at the old priestess. The coldness of his stare then turned contemplative, calculating. After a few moments, and a quick flick to Kagome from the corner of his eye, he let out a slight 'hnn' sound from the column of his throat in response.
Taking the noise to mean 'yes,' Kagome let her arms and shoulders drop in relief as she released a huge sigh. Her novice attempt at diplomacy had been successful and she had managed to avoid being killed, again. 'At least for now,' she thought pessimistically as she gripped the pink-hued jewel tighter within her sweaty grasp.
Watching as the male demon now speculatively eyed the armed villagers, Kaede turned to the men that had remained stationed in a defensive circle, waved a trembling hand at them and sternly ordered: "Return to the village. Any immediate threat has been dealt with. You are no longer needed here." Apprehensive murmuring broke out between them as they regarded Sesshoumaru's presence. Kaede followed with an encouraging statement of: "Go, I shall follow." With some hesitation, the men finally began to leave—the clinking of their weapons accompanying the sound of their footfalls as they departed the forest.
Returning her attention to Sesshoumaru, in a level, but soft voice she then said, "If ye be willing, Sesshoumaru-sama, let us talk in my hut; there Kagome-san might be allowed to clean herself up and get her wound seen to."
Kagome quickly looked down to her side, startled that she had forgotten about it, and began inspecting the bloody gash with probing fingers. Sesshoumaru observed the two humans with an expression of mild distaste before rumbling out an indifferent, "Very well."