Chapter 4 - The Truth Comes Out
Dawn broke early that morning. Kagome was never really a morning person but due to the unsettling dreams she had the night before, she was more than happy to rise. Sitting up in her sleeping bag, she looked to Sesshomaru who was looking at her with questioning eyes.
"What were you dreaming of? If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to." Kagome was shocked at the question. Was she that obvious in her sleep?
"I... um... was dreaming of Inuyasha... with Kikyo."
"I see."
"Ya, it's not really a big deal. Sorry if I was bothering you." She blushed slightly.
"You were not." Sesshomaru was curious of the miko, definitely not bothered.
"Oh..." Kagome looked away as she pondered the thought of returning to see Inuyasha once again.
"Sesshomaru, have you been up all night?" Concern filled Kagome's brown eyes.
"Demon's do not require as much sleep as you humans do."
Kagome would not scold him this morning. She was too exhausted from the dreaming.
"Yes... I knew that." Kagome's mind flashed to Inuyasha, remembering that he was out almost every night. When he slept, it seemed as if he hadn't slept in ages.
Kagome crawled out of her sleeping bag and started to roll it back up. She could still feel Sesshomaru's eyes locked on her person. She turned her head to look at him when their eyes connected. Kagome scanned him and looked to his face once more. A moment of silence fell upon them before she finally broke it.
"I do not like leaving you here..."
He said nothing, just continued staring. Kagome realized she had spoken these words aloud and turned back around quickly to finish packing the belongings to return back to the village. She grabbed her hair in a handful and tied it to the side to let it fall over her shoulder. She silently walked to Sesshomaru and knelt to his side before heading off.
Thinking of their conversation the night before, she couldn't keep the next thing that came out of her mouth bottled inside.
"I don't know if this is your way of being kind or if you're just tolerating me till you can leave on your own again but..." Sesshomaru cut her off.
"I would appreciate it if you kept your smart remarks to yourself this morning."
Kagome continued her sentence.
"But... I was serious when I said it's nice to have someone to talk to. If I could stay till you are healed without having to leave, I would."
"Kagome, it is not necessary that you come back at all. My body has already started healing on it's own."
"I won't come back if you do not want me here. But it seems like you like having someone to talk to too."
Sesshomaru let out a long held breath.
"You shouldn't have been here to begin with."
"So you don't want me to come back?"
Sesshomaru let a glimmer of sadness flash in his eyes but kept a firm hold on his masked face.
"Do you enjoy putting your words in my mouth? I do not remember stating that at all."
Kagome let a smirk dance across her face which confused Sesshomaru a bit. As she let the smirk fall she looked away from his eyes and toward the village she was bound to return to.
She looked to the demon lord once more.
"I'll be back after dusk." Kagome stood and grabbed her heavy yellow back. She turned to make her way back toward the village. She threw Sesshomaru once last glance before she continued on her way.
Sesshomaru's eyes followed the miko till he could see her no more. She had left him with much to think over.
A strange human she is. What could she be thinking, spending her nights with me? She still loves my brother. I can see it, yet I can also see the love for him fading. She deserves better.
Sesshomaru was somewhat bitter toward his thoughts, but he could not deny he had grown fond of the girl he had only known for the last two days. The conversation the night before had let him see her, see past the fragile shell of human skin that seemed so weak.
Human... She is human. Regardless of her great power. Does she know she has that much power? My little brother cannot give her what she desires. She is too strong for him. He will never understand her...
Why do I think of her this way? She's human! Yet she's under my skin... This skin that does not belong to that of a human... No good will come of this Kagome...
Kagome continued to walk through the forest toward the village. So much was running through her mind after speaking with Sesshomaru this morning.
I hope Inuyasha isn't there when I get back. What would I say? 'Oh, hey Inuyasha. I was with your brother the last two nights tending to his wounds so he could survive.' I don't think so. Stupid mutt. Kagome gasped at the thought. Did I really just think of him as a mutt? Oh man, I feel horrible... Wait, he's the one that should feel bad! He ran off with Kikyo! Does he really think I don't know? That I'm that stupid? Hmph!
I guess I haven't exactly been the saint in this either... I've been with his older brother the last two nights helping him recover. I hope Sesshomaru doesn't go after Inuyasha after all of this is done. Just because I'm helping him doesn't mean it would change things between the two... would it?
Kagome strolled upon the village just in time for Shippo to wake. She decided it was best for her to start her cooking outside as to not get caught coming in at dawn. Shippo walked out of the hut slowly, the sleep still consuming his tired eyes.
"Ka...gome?"
"Goodmorning, Shippo. Are you hungry?"
"Not yet, I'm still really sleepy."
"You wanna come sit down in my lap?"
Shippo nodded his head slowly and almost crawled to his adoptive mother's lap. As he lie in her lap, Kagome let a smile cross her face as she ran her fingers through his hair. Shippo fell fast asleep within minutes.
Kagome stirred the stew she was boiling while her mind wandered to Sesshomaru once again. Was he looking at the same beautiful sky?
I... want to be near him again. He feels so safe. How could I be thinking this? He hates humans... why would I be any different?
Kagome's day passed slowly as she thought of Sesshomaru all day. She and Sango tended to Miroku due to the fact he was still quite ill and soon Miroku drifted to sleep. Sango walked out of the hut along side Kagome who stopped in dead step as soon as she met a familiar hanyou's icy stare. Sango was the first to break the silent situation.
"Hey, Inuyasha."
"Not now, Sango. Kagome we need to talk."
Kagome said nothing to him, she turned to face Sango, who wore a worried look, as she started pacing toward Inuyasha.
"It's okay, Sango, I'll be back soon."
Sango simply nodded her head as she watched Inuyasha and Kagome walk into the line of the forest. Not far after entering the woods Inuyasha stopped and turned to meet Kagome's face.
"I know you've been gone, Kagome."
"Did you drag me out here to tell me that? It's not like I've been the only one missing at night."
"I can smell him, Kagome."
"Smell who?" Kagome would not play stupid but she would be a smart ass.
"You know damn well who!"
"I do not know, Inuyasha."
"His scent is in the air around you."
"He's hurt, Inuyasha. I couldn't just leave him. You know that's not who I am."
Inuyasha's eyes grew wide.
"So helping my enemy is more important to you than I am?"
"Why does it matter if I'm helping him? Kikyo is my enemy and I don't have to have a dog's nose to smell her on you!"
"Kagome, I..."
"Why are you still trying to hide this from me, Inuyasha? You act like I have no idea. I left for a reason. I do not want to feel this way about you anymore."
"But I was only try-"
"Enough."
"What? What are yo-"
"Enough!...Inuyasha I don't wanna hear it. I have seen and heard enough."
"Seen?"
"Yes. I don't wanna talk about this any further."
"Kagome, please."
She did not acknowledge him at all.
Kagome slowly walked away from Inuyasha, leaving behind the pain, the sorrow, and her love for him. She no longer wished nor wanted it. She gave it all back to him. The burden of Inuyasha no longer belonged to her.
Kagome saw Sango with a sad look on her face... as if she had heard every word spoken...
"Kagome do you want to talk about it?"
"Sango, not now. I can barely think."
Sango accompanied Kagome back into the hut where she once again packed up her yellow bag.
"Sango will you please put Shippo to bed for me tonight? I cannot be here right now."
"Are you okay, Kagome?"
"No, no I'm not."
"When will you be back?"
"Sango... I just need to be away from Inuyasha for a few days, and I'm not strong enough to take care of myself and Shippo. Watch him for me? Please?"
"Sure, Kagome. We will be here safe when you return."
Placed in Sango's hands was the medicine for Miroku, who was still out cold, that would be needed to overcome his illness. She had helped Kagome treat him so she knew already what to give him and when. Kagome nodded her head to Sango and turned her attention to Shippo.
Kagome grabbed Shippo in a tight hug.
"Kagome when are you coming back to me?"
"I won't be gone long Shippo...you know you're like a son to me, I hate leaving like this but Sango will keep you safe. I swear."
"I'll miss you, Kagome." Shippo's tears pooled his face.
"I always miss you Shippo. Everytime we're apart. I promise I'll come back soon."
The two hugged for a moment longer before Kagome took off.
She ran to the forest where she slowed to a walk. She walked to the familiar river she had visited before and decided to bathe. It was a good thing she was in a river so you couldn't tell what water belonged to the river and what belonged to Kagome's tears. She was so overwhelmed she just needed to cry it all out. She must have sat in the water for quite some time as she noticed her fingers pruning. Deciding it was time to get out of the water she wrapped in a towel and sat next to her yellow pack. She brushed her teeth for the third time that day and also pulled out a thick black hoodie and a pair of blue stretchy shorts. Kagome sat against a rock still by the river to relax for a bit, which led to her falling asleep. Maybe a nap wasn't a bad idea, she did have a mentally stressful day and deserved one.
By the time Kagome awoke the sun was beginning to set. Her curled hair was dry and quite a mess, so once again she pulled her hair over the right side of her shoulder and wrapped it into a loose, side ponytail. Kagome stood and begun to make her way to the demon lord.
When Kagome reached where Sesshomaru sat she saw his slumber. She lowered herself to his level and looked over his features.
...These markings... Kagome traced her gentle fingers over the demonic marks that followed his cheek bones. Her fragile hand made it's way to the moon on his forehead. She brushed his bangs away so she could look at it better. ...Beautiful...
Sesshomaru felt the soft hands of the miko running over his face. As soon as she pulled back he slid his lids open. Kagome stumbled back her face becoming red from embarrassment.
"Have you been awake the whole time!" Kagmoe practically shrieked.
"Please lower your voice. And no, I was not." Sesshomaru continued laying down, not letting this affect his peace.
"...I'm sorry." Kagome was speechless.
"And what exactly is it that you find so curious about me?"
"I'm not sure."
"You have returned here early."
"Yes."
"Explain."
"Inuyasha found out I was gone. And he tried to yell at me for it. It's not his choice if I'm here; I never said anything to him about running off at night with Kikyo and I'm not listening to it anymore! I don't deserve to."
"It feels like torture, does it not?"
"Ya know, I thought it was gonna hurt a lot more than it this... but it doesn't. I started moving on before I had to talk with him, I knew it would eventually happen though I didn't imagine I would be so... okay..."
Sesshomaru let the corners of his lip turn slightly toward the sky to reveal a small yet significant smile. He was no longer angered by his thoughts toward the miko, he was just glad she wasn't as pained as he thought she would be.
"Well, let's get to your wounds."
Sesshomaru rose to remove his haori and Kagome noticed he was able to lift himself on his own now. That was definitely a good sign.
"Feeling better today?"
"You've noticed have you?"
Kagome rolled her eyes at his remark. She couldn't help how her eyes found his chest. Something she hadn't really noticed before. He was built well, not just toned like Inuyasha. She also noticed he also had markings seemingly identical on his wrists and a bit low where his hips began.
Sesshomaru noticed her stare.
"Is something disturbing you, Kagome?"
Kagome peeled her eyes away and blushed nervously.
"No, sorry."
As soon as Sesshomaru finished undressing his upper half, Kagome started removing the bandages.
Sesshomaru watched her carefully. He could smell Kagome's embarrassment, but was confused as to why she was feeling this way. Sesshomaru never spent time with females apart from Rin and the servents around his home. He hardly knew much of their emotions.
"Is something wrong?"
Kagome turned an even darker shade of red.
"Not at all. Stomach's just a little weak today, that's all." Kagome was sure she'd gotten away with that one but Sesshomaru technically being a dog could smell her deceit.
"I do not appreciate your lies. You have yet to lie to me, why start now? It's not a hard smell to miss..."
"Look, Sesshomaru, I'm fine. Just have a lot on my mind, it's nothing you should worry yourself with."
The lord rolled his eyes. She could talk to him before just fine, what was the problem now? Kagome took the rest of the bandages off and saw that a great deal of his wounds had closed.
Wow, Inuyasha never healed this fast. This is... this is amazing.
At Kagome's thought she went to trace her finger's over the self-healing wounds, not remembering whose body she was touching.
"Did I not tell you my body has started healing?" Sesshomaru's statement brought Kagome back to reality where she quickly retracted her hand away from his person.
"Um... yes, you did." There was a slight pause between the two. "Sesshomaru, if you've healed this much, why haven't you left?"
"That is none of your concern."
"Okay, sorry, I was just wondering."
Neither of the two could think of the next thing to say which made the silence quite awkward. Sesshomaru's eyes stayed on the girl whereas Kagome's stayed glued to the ground in front of her. Sesshomaru peeled his eye's away from the miko before he broke the silence.
"You smell nice."
Kagome looked so confused, she was under the impression that human's smelled putrid to demons.
"I..uh...thanks."
"Hn." Sesshomaru didn't know what he was expecting her to say but he became annoyed at the fact that 'thanks' was all she said.
"Are you hungry?" Kagome's quick change of subject caught the demon lord off guard. His head snapped in her direction at his surprise.
"No... thank you."
"Suit yourself. I just figure with your body doing so much you might be a little hungry."
"Why do you care?"
"Does it matter? Can I not just do something nice for someone once in a while?"
"Most miko despise demons."
"Well I'm not most miko, am I? I've been here helping you, right? Don't compare me to other people. It grates on my nerves."
"I would assume after Inuyasha comparing you to Kikyo for so long, that would 'grate' on your nerves."
"And obviously it does, so please don't start doing it."
"As you wish."
"So... what do I smell like?"
Sesshomaru was again thrown off at Kagome's quick change in conversation.
"Pomegranate...almonds... and fresh cut orchids."
Kagome looked at Sesshomaru in awe. Inuyasha always told her she smelled horrid.
"Wow, really?"
"Do you imply my nose is inaccurate?"
"That's not what I meant, Sesshomaru. Inuyasha always told me I smelled bad."
"The half-breed is worthless. His nose isn't half as strong as mine."
"I suppose so."
"There is no supposing, Kagome."
"Okay...I just don't understand how I can smell one way to you and another to him."
"I can guarantee that many demons would feel the same as this Sesshomaru."
Kagome blushed at his last comment.
"Well, I doubt that we would find that many that would be willing to answer a question like that, Sesshomaru."
"They wouldn't have time to answer."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"Good."
"What?"
Sesshomaru smiled at Kagome, a full blown smile.
"I've never seen you smile like that before."
"I never do."
"Well you should. It looks good on you."
"So, Kagome... you must be back by dawn again?"
"No. Sango is taking care of Shippo for the next few days. I can't be around Inuyasha right now."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. So I was wondering..."
"If you could accompany this Sesshomaru until your return?"
"Would you mind?"
"I suppose that would be appropriate."
Kagome shot Sesshomaru her breathtaking smile once again.
"Thank you. Would you like anything before I lay down? It's been a long day for me."
"By all means, sleep. I do not need anything. Tomorrow we will travel to Rin. I must get to my castle soon. Much must be done."
"Of course. Thanks again for letting me stay with you."
"You may stay whenever you like."
End Chapter