Oh ::sobs:: my ::sobs:: god ::breaks down completely and pulls readers into group hug:: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! I'm so glad you like the story::continues sobbing as readers attempt to escape strangle-hold:: I love you all! Thank you so VERY much for the reviews, to old and new reviewers. It means so much to me that you would take the time to write them. Now then ::with obvious attempt, pulls self together and releases relieved readers:: I think it is time I paid back your loyalty with another chapter! Yay! A super-long chapter! YAY!!!! Oh, I hope I didn't do too badly on trying Sesshy's P.O.V. I'll wait and see what u guys think about it before I try it again, even if it was only a few paragraphs. Now that I'm armed with Oreos, on with the story!!
'blah blah blah' : conversations between Hiroki and Kagome
blah blah blah : conversations between Sesshomaru and his inner beast
blah blah blah : notes from the editor
(a/n: blah blah blah) : notes from the author
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Kagome's P.O.V.
I stared up at Sesshomaru with a defiant expression. Now that we were on even ground, I was ready to fight.
"You can't just walk off in the middle of a fight! You were fighting me, so stop getting distracted. I could see him hesitate, as well as smell it. "What's the matter, Sesshomaru? You're not scared are you?" I taunted, I knew I'd struck a nerve. Sesshomaru's face hardened into an unreadable mask and suddenly I couldn't smell his emotions anywhere. The bastard was suppressing his aura! I took the katana from Hiroki and held it in front of me, returning my bow to my shoulder. A small voice in the back of my mind was telling me to have some self-preservation, but the adrenaline of being in my demon form had gone to my head.
I leapt forward, bringing my sword down in a side-arc, which Sesshomaru parried easily. For a moment, we simply exchanged small blows like that, one of us thrusting, the other parrying. But I quickly got bored of this. It was like when my brother had begged me to sword fight with him, but he didn't know any moves. So we'd just clashed our sticks together for a few minutes before one of us got hit on the fingers and dropped… the… sword… yes, that was what I had to do. If I could get him to drop the sword, I would have enough time to pin him!
Leaping over him, I watched as if in slow motion, as Sesshomaru turned with a swift thrust that should have taken my head off had I still been standing there. But I had moved to the left and aimed for his hands with a short jab. Sesshomaru knocked my katana away, so I used the momentum in an attempt to block his next attack, but I wasn't fast enough.
Sesshomaru landed the first blood-drawing blow.
It wasn't a bad one, merely a cut that would heal in a minute, but it still pissed me off that the prick was winning. I used the moment between the blow and his recovery to my advantage.
I landed the second one.
Now we stood a few feet apart, each in our own thoughts as we circled each other, observing. But apparently Sesshomaru had decided to end it. He charged at me, and even though I blocked it, his weight was enough for him to slam me into Goshinkibu, none too gently. As soon as I was pinned, his clawed hand went to my throat. A sudden wave of déjà vu hit me.
"Admit defeat, woman," he whispered.
"I allow a truce," I replied, knowing it just might get me killed. But I would not let him relish the feeling of victory over me. Even though we both knew I had lost, it would always bite him in the ass that I wouldn't submit to him. But once again, Sesshomaru surprised me. Instead of attempting to choke me or beginning a round of threats and insults that I was fully expecting, he released me. I began to slide to the ground, my legs not prepared to take the sudden weight of my body, but my descent was stopped abruptly as Sesshomaru caught me by the collar of my shirt and hefted me to my feet. Then, sheathing Tenseiga, he turned to face Hiroki.
"Have you any business with us?" he asked in a monotone voice, the kind that, if he were to give any type of speech, would put you to sleep instantly. But, wait, us? When had that happened?
Hiroki stood up, from his place on the ground, eyeing Sesshomaru warily. "I am a companion to Kagome," he stated with an air of finality, as if Sesshomaru could try to turn him away, but that it wouldn't work. Sesshomaru turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow for conformation, and I gave him a timid nod. The adrenaline was quickly ebbing away, I was done being Cat Woman. (a/n: That, for whatever reason, is the first person that came to my mind, don't ask me why.) I don't think any of us have any desire to examine the terror that is your mind, Ali (a/n: shut up Ashley::attacks::)
Sesshomaru turned back to Hiroki, his face once again void of all emotion. "You may remain with us, if you wish. You are, however, required to keep an eye on her," he finished, gesturing at me. Wow, that timid attitude was wearing off fast.
"KEEP AN EYE ON ME? WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM, SOME SORT OF TODDLER? YOU ARROGANT PRICK! I'M GOING TO BEAT THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF- AAARRGGHHH!" I let out a shout as someone came from behind me and grabbed me around the waist, effectively trapping my arms. "HIROKI IF YOU DON'T PUT ME DOWN-"
"Woman, silence that incessant screeching," Sesshomaru ordered me in a bored voice. He. Was. Going. To. PAY!!! I immediately stopped struggling, and as predicted, Hiroki allowed me back onto my feet. As soon as he put me down, I marched up to Sesshomaru. He looked down at me with a quirked eyebrow. I smiled up at him as innocently as could. I don't think I was very convincing, because as I leaned over to Sesshomaru's ear, he stiffened considerably. With good reason. I blew gently in his ear, took a deep breath, and told him my exact opinions of his behavior.
"YOU ARE BEING A JACKASS!!!"
Normal P.O.V.
He was…impressed. Against his will, Sesshomaru was impressed. Usually he would have killed any other demon in a fight almost instantly. But the wench was actually able to hold her own against him. Even if it was only for a few minutes, it was still more then Inuyasha, or any of the others. Well, fighting time at least. Inuyasha had the annoying tendency to span fights out by wasting time with his loud mouth. Kami, what he wouldn't give to be the one to remove that annoying appendage from Inuyasha's face.
He studied the woman who was now walking beside him looking rather disheveled. Her kimono was a mess, what the hell had she been doing to it? The back was all torn out, and it was now covered in dirt from their little… tussle. And her hair had grown… a lot. It was now down to her waist. As the miko reached up to run her fingers through her hair, he noticed her nails had lengthened again and were very sharp. This was the second time he'd seen her like this, the last time being when he'd removed her from the whorehouse.
She was busy listing the things he was not allowed to do when they reached the village. He'd given up on telling her not to presume that she had control over him, but it was either ignored or brought another round of screeching. So he just pretended not to listen.
"-and you will not pin anyone by the throat, and you will not follow Sango and me to the springs, and you will not hurt Inuyasha too seriously, and-" Sesshomaru looked over at her at this point.
"Too seriously?" he questioned. She gave an audible sigh and nodded.
"I know that I'll never be able to stop you guys from fighting, so my requirement is that you don't hurt him badly," she said. 'Well, at least she has a bit of common sense,' he thought, until she added, "And blood counts as bad." Well, that was one thought out the window. Suddenly the miko stopped, looking down at the village with a frown.
"There are three noticeable auras down there, but I don't think any of them are Inuyasha. There's a human one, but it's exceptionally strong, so that's Sango, and there's one that has a touch of holiness in them, if you can call Miroku that, and then there's a small one, but it's a demon aura so that must be Shippo. But where's Inu-," she suddenly fell silent looking off to her left. "Oh," she breathed, clenching her teeth while her fists curled. She must have picked up the scent that was coming from that direction. There was the stench of the half-breed and the smell of clay and death, as well as the scent of arousal.
However, the miko did admirably well in keeping her composure. Her face smoothed over into a mask of indifference, and she turned to continue walking towards the village. As Sesshomaru and Hiroki followed behind her, they both noticed how rigid her back was and that her steps were even and measured. Suddenly she whipped around to face Hiroki, and Sesshomaru saw that already her composure was slipping. There were tears in her eyes. But it was what she was doing that confused Sesshomaru.
She nodded at Hiroki and bit her lip. Hiroki opened his arms and took a step forward. The miko flew into them, wrapping her arms around his neck. He didn't make any noise, instead making soothing circles on her back. Sesshomaru watched them with mixed emotions. It thoroughly disgusted him that the miko was unable to control such emotions, but he also felt a tinge of… something. Something that didn't like this other male holding his miko. Then, just a suddenly as it happened, she released Hiroki, smiled, and continued walking. The something Sesshomaru was feeling didn't pass.
Kagome's P.O.V.
So. Inuyasha had made his decision. And it wasn't me. 'But,' I told myself reassuringly, 'I'm almost glad he didn't.' I was lying through my mental teeth. No, a small voice said, you wouldn't have wanted to be with him. He's still so immature, you need a man. Or should I say, a demon. After all Sesshomaru- 'What???' Where the hell had that come from? I hated- well, maybe that was too strong of a word- wait, no! Hate was the perfect word. I HATED Sesshomaru. Didn't I?
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Kagome's P.O.V. (continued)
It's funny how easily voices carry sometimes. Like when you turn up the speakers in your kitchen so that you can sing along, completely unaware that everyone in the neighborhood can hear. That's what was happening at the hut where Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were. As all of us approached the edge of the village, we could hear shouting off in the distance. When we got nearer to the hut, we noticed that all the villagers were pointedly avoiding that area. A small distance later we found out why.
Sango's voice could be heard very clearly through the wooden walls of the hut. "I'M GOING TO RIP THAT BASTARDS INNARDS OUT AND SHOVE THEM DOWN THAT BITCHES THROAT! THEN I'M GOING TO CASTRATE HIM AND-" she was suddenly cut off by a masculine murmuring. There was a wonderful moment of silence for a minute, then roared, "IT DOESN'T MATTER! THAT ASS HASN'T EVEN TRIED TO LOOK FOR HER! FOR ALL WE KNOW, KAGOME COULD BE LAYING DEAD IN A DITCH, OR DEAD IN SOME DEMONS STOMACH, OR DEAD IN A LAKE, OR-"
"She could be standing right behind you, very much alive," I finished for her, pushing aside the straw mat door. They all jumped and turned to look at me. Miroku's mouth had dropped open, Shippo's eyes were almost too big for his head, and Sango's lip was quivering. There was a pause, until Sango pulled herself back together… so to speak.
"OH MY GOD, KAGOME!" she shot across the room and captured me in a stranglehold, sobbing uncontrollably. Shippo made a leap for my head and almost pushed me right back out the door as he perched there, shouting happily. Miroku was a little more composed, for which I was grateful. I don't think I'd be able to continue standing with Miroku wrapped around my neck with Sango. Instead he walked over calmly, unattached Sango from my neck and said,
"Kagome, we are so glad you've returned to us," his violet eyes sparkling. Sango looked at me with tear-filled eyes from her place in Miroku's arms.
"W-we were worried that you had d-died," she whispered, wiping her eyes. Shippo suddenly scowled.
"Inutrasha kept saying that's we'd look for you later, but every time we brought it up, he just changed the subject. We were about to leave to go find you ourselves," he added. I looked around and noticed that everything was packed up, including my yellow backpack, to which were strapped my bow and arrows. "We were packing your stuff too for when we found you," he added confidently. I smiled up at him and pulled him into my arms for a hug. Sango suddenly tensed up.
"Someone's outside," she whispered, reaching for her Hiraikotsu. I gave a start, but then realized whom she was talking about.
"Oh, don't worry. It's just a friend…eh… or two. They helped me get here." I walked over to the door and stuck my head out.
"Hiroki, Prick, you guys can come in. I promise us females are done crying," I added at Hiroki's hesitation. As soon as I made that fact known, Hiroki seemed a bit more eager. He pushed the straw flap aside and stepped inside, rocking on the balls of his feet. Sango walked over to my side.
"Who's he?" she whispered, looking over at the demon as Miroku walked up to introduce himself. We watched for a moment as Shippo seemed to decide that Hiroki was decent enough. He walked up to him and began questioning him about who he was, why he knew me, etcetera.
"His name is Hiroki," I whispered back. "He was captured by slave traders from his herd. I met him when they captured me."
"SLAV-" I clapped a hand to her mouth. "Not here," I hissed. "I'll tell you about it later at the hot springs." Sango nodded and walked over to meet Hiroki herself. Instead, Miroku walked over to me.
"Why did you call him a prick? He seems like a very likable person," he questioned, looking confused. I gasped as I remembered the third member of my recent entourage.
"Oh, that's right! I forgot about him!" I ran over to the door and shouted, "Sesshomaru, stop being an arrogant jerk and get your ass in here!" There was suddenly silence from the hut. Everyone froze at the sound of Inuyasha's half-brother's name. I sighed angrily when no Sesshomaru appeared.
"If you don't come here right now, I will scream to high heaven!" I warned. Still no one. "One, two, three!" I took a deep breath and was suddenly attacked from behind. A large mass had rammed into me, and something suspiciously like an arm was wrapped around my head. I let out a muffled shout from the crook of Sesshomaru's elbow as he held me drawn to his chest so that my back was pressed firmly against him.
"Don't you dare," he whispered.
"Iwe cwent bwefth, yev kfek!" I told him, using precious air in the process. His fluff thing was beginning to smother me. He looked down at me with a slight frown before moving his arm to around my waist.
"Did you say something, miko?" he asked politely, as if what he'd been doing was perfectly acceptable and was wondering why I had any issues with it.
"I said, I can't breathe you jerk," I huffed, taking deep breaths. Honestly. "That feathery boa of yours almost killed me." His frown deepened.
"It is not a boa, miko. It is my tail. And from now on, do not presume that I will come when you call for me. I am not your dog, wench." Thankfully, Sango running out of the hut to see what had become of me interrupted his lecture.
"Oh, Sango, thank go you are here! Sesshomaru was complaining, and the drone of his voice put me in danger of falling asleep!" I said, feigning concern. Sesshomaru's grip around me tightened in warning.
"Um, Kagome? I think it's time we go to the hot springs," she informed me, her eyes going from me to the arm around my waist and gripping the soap from my bag. I blushed and immediately attempted to remove myself from Sesshomaru's side. However, Sesshomaru, damn him, seemed to be enjoying my mortification. He didn't even blink an eye, and his arm didn't budge. Instead, he leaned down and pressed his face into the crook of my neck, nuzzling it. I froze, completely confused. What the hell?
"Have a pleasant bathe, miko," he whispered. Then he suddenly released me and walked towards the hut for reasons I can only guess. Sango and I exchanged looks then we both turned and made a run for the hot springs.
Normal P.O.V.
Sesshomaru walked back towards the hut in a very good mood. The miko's behavior was quite entertaining. He'd enjoyed her display when he nuzzled her neck. In fact, he thought, frowning, maybe he'd enjoyed it a little too much.
All right, end of chapter 7! Next time we get to meet Inuyasha and Kikyo! Everyone loves confrontation scenes! Once again, thank you so much everyone::throws cookies to everyone, courtesy of the Dark Side:: But now the happiness must come to an end so that I can set a deadline: 20 REVIEWS! Can you handle the pressure! Love to everyone! Ciao.