Author's note: Wow, thanks for all the great reviews! The chapters are starting to get a bit longer, but this next one's a bit shorter than the last, sorry. I almost feel like this is filler, but I can't bring myself to scratch it... is that so strange??o.o?? Anyway, I hope I can keep Sesshoumaru in character through these adventures! Thanks again, so much!
~ViValix96
*Note: I do not own InuYasha or any of its ideas therein*
Chapter Seven
I woke as a warm breeze blew a fallen leaf into my face. I sat up and glanced around, yawning indiscreetly. I felt as though I'd fallen asleep but a moment ago, yet day had come upon me. I sighed, stretching my shoulders and neck. I caught a glimpse of my swollen foot and frowned. The night hadn't done me any favors. The skin around the cut, which seemed to have grown larger, was peeling back and the new flesh beneath was pink and raw. The wind blew against that skin and I winced. Bending over my leg, I pressed gently on the skin around the injury. It would take some time for it to heal with such an infection.
A rustling in some nearby bushes drew my attention and I tensed. It was only Rin. She smiled at me, holding some more herbs out for me to take. "Here you go," she said, grinning. I smiled.
"Thank you." I looked at her, and she was trying to give me some berries. "Tell me, why do you take care of me?"
"Well... I like you, that's why," she supplied. I shook my head, smiling. "Here. Eat these. They're really yummy." I held out my hand and several small fruits rolled in the palm of my hand.
"Thank you," I said, popping one into my mouth. She was right, of course. A burst of sweetness filled my mouth, and a tart aftertaste lingered. "I should probably save these for after," I mumbled to myself as I dropped them onto my lap. I tore the leaves from the herb's stem and stuffed them into my mouth. I wasn't bothered as much by the putrid flavor today as I was yesterday, I realized. After treating my cut, I leaned back on one arm and ate the sweet berries.
"Rin," I heard Sesshoumaru call. My own eyes drifted towards the sound of his mellow voice.
"Yes, My Lord?" She called back, skipping in his direction. He appeared through the foliage, his white standing out against the vibrant greens of summer. The wind blew, allowing the sun to illuminate his face and shoulder guard. The glint forced me to squint.
"We're leaving," he said, turning around. He paid no attention, neither acknowledging me nor the small girl before him. I huffed slightly, annoyed. How could he treat her like that, after he saved her life? He might've claimed he was testing his power, but I knew he had ulterior motives.
"We have to go," Rin said, helping me stand. She got me the walking stick and led me through the dense forest until we were in what seemed to be an open plain. I gasped slightly. I could see for miles. "Pretty, isn't it?" She asked as she skipped along side me. "We're on top of the world..."
"I think it's a mountain," I said softly, not intending for her to hear. She laughed slightly.
"I know that, but Rin likes to think that up here, she really is," she said. I slowed my pace. What a strange girl she was.
"Do you have ideas about the world?" I asked, becoming intrigued with the workings of her mind. She frowned.
"What do you mean?" I grinned.
"Questions? Do you wonder why things are, and why things aren't?"
"Things are the way they are because Lord Sesshoumaru made them this way for me," she said. I frowned, slightly disturbed. Had he fed her this delusion? I glanced around and saw that he was waiting for us. So we were headed east.