Chapter seven: On the Road
Sesshoumaru opened his eyes. He sat up, got dressed combed his hair, tied his sword to his waste. And that was it he was done. He walked with even steps to the entrance hall and was not surprised to see Rin, his four generals, and Shippo waiting for him. The miko was also there.
"Inuyasha, I trust you'll make do." he said calmly
"Don't worry! You kids just have fun!" He was the only one that would ever get away with talking to him like that.
"Dismissed." Razu quickly exited. Inuyasha gave Kagome a half-hug before telling her to be careful and not to let Sesshoumaru touch her.
"As if I would." He mumbled. Gashunaru gave a swift bow, and a smile, before also telling her to be careful. And last Shippo placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Sesshoumaru turned his attention to Rin.
"You'll be safe?" he nodded
"Will you protect Kagome-chan?" She asked shyly. He raised an eyebrow.
"She'll be fine Rin." Rin nodded and smiled.
"Then I'll see you when you get home." She turned and left with the kitsune. 'Why are they together so much...?'
The gates rolled open and the two stepped out, starting and long tiring journey.
00000000000000000
Kagome was hungry. Not only was she hungry, she was tired. Not only was she tired she was sore. Sore from yesterday and the pack on her back. Not only was sore she was annoyed and agitated.
Why one may ask? Because she was all of the above listed and the youkai in front of her did not care. Not only did he not care, he wouldn't talk to her!
Sesshoumaru walked on. He knew she was mad. It generated off her floating towards him in dangerous waves. He even knew why she was mad. However he didn't see it fit to acknowledge this since he was being forced to travel and travel by foot. As far as he was concerned...they were even.
"Are we going to stop for the night?" She knew that they had left so early to get past the worst wasteland surrounding the gates. It was actually very devastating, but then again now and days there wasn't much that wasn't.
"If you must know we're stopping soon." he replied
"Ah, he speaks!" She exclaimed and she caught up to him to look at him. "Is that all you're going to say?" She asked walking bad to face her. He said nothing and looked straight ahead. "Hello! I'm down he-"
Sesshoumaru watched as she tripped and fell. It only accrued to him after she started bleeding that he should have caught her. "Get the blood cleaned. It will draw youkie." He said instead walking past her.
"I fall and that's all you say? Jerk!" Sesshoumaru growled annoyed.
"You may notice we're not in the safest place. Clean it up, because I don't want to have fight off youkai that want to eat you." he said turning to her.
"Wow, all I gotta do is trip and fall to get Mr. High-and-mighty's attention. Who would of thought?" She said pushing herself up while trying to apply pressure to her arm. "It's just a little blood anyway."
"Doesn't matter." He answered.
"How would you know?" She asked in defense.
"Because I can hear them, now silence." She obeyed.
There were a few moments of silence, and then Sesshoumaru turned and began to walk. "Hey! Where did they go?" she asked running after him.
"They decide to reconsider due to who there opponent would be." he replied smugly and Kagome rolled her eyes.
"Whatever...Are we stopping yet?"
And they did...once the sun had set and came back up. Kagome dropped to the floor not even bothering to get out her blanket. "Are you crazy? Did you forget I was human or somthin?" She said angrily. "I've been walking for like 24 hours!"
Sesshoumaru decide to ignore her as he sat down and leaned his back on a tree.
"Oh, no! You can't ignore me know!" she blowed not having enough strength to get up and yell at him. 'Man I must be delirious for yelling at Sesshoumaru like this..'
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. "How could I forget you are human when I'm constantly remind be your obvious weakness? I too have been walking for 24 hours where as running and reaching the destination faster would be much more efficient. As for being crazy, I am perfectly sane, and yes I can ignore you."
Kagome started at him angrily. 'What an arrogant...Fine. If he wants to be that way.' "Can you please tell me why we waited 24 hours to stop? I though I was going to die." She tried again
"It's not smart to sleep at night. Now, rest. Regardless if you're ready I am leaving in 12 hours." He heard her huff, pull out her blanket and in a few minutes her breathing calmed and steadied. He opened his eyes. She had curled up a few feet away from him and was already in deep sleep. He had a feeling she would sleep the whole 12 hours.
The next three days for Kagome were living hell. She would wake up late with no time to eat, and they'd be on the road. Then she'd collapse as soon (and sometimes before) Sesshoumaru would stop. Of course they did take breaks in between they're endless walking. Then
Kagome would shove some bread in her mouth and eat a few berries that were on the bushes. 'As if I need to lose weight...'
As for conversations...there was none. That was probably the worst part. Not having some one to talk to.
So on the fourth day of there so far miserable journey, between the hours of 12-1 o clock in the morning Kagome was thinking. Of course that was all she could do since a certain youkai had decided that he was to good to talk to her.
'I hate this. I mean something has to give. Like...we need to get there already. Then this girl will be with me and then she'll talk to me.'
"You do hand-to-hand combat?" She didn't even answer at first, thinking that she had imagined him talking to her.
"Miko?" She jumped
"No." 'He finally talks and that's what he asks me. "Not with swords but I can get by on martial arts." He nodded.
"Have you faced the Mar?" he questioned, he had stopped walking.
'Maybe he can't walk and talk at the same time.' she mused
"I assure you I can, however that is not the question." Kagome frowned.
"Hey get out of head! I didn't say you could be in it." she argued
"Nor do I want to be. Maybe you should keep it closed." He replied indifferently.
"Whatever and no." She crossed her arms. "Why?"
"Because they seem to have located you and are headed this way." he answered.
"What? And how do you know they didn't locate you?" She said looking around paranoid.
"Why would the need to locate me if you are their target?" He asked in a voice that made her fell dumb.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru. Master told you had got to the girl first." The voice seemed to belong to a cross between Gashunaru and Razukashie. However it belonged to a six-foot youkie that was dressed in all black (including a mask that only reviled his eyes) with two swords strapped to his back. "Kagome is it?" Kagome dumbly nodded.
Sesshoumaru listened only with one ear. The other listening for a sign of other Mar members. But no, Mysouge had come alone.
"How rude Sesshoumaru, you don't even greet Me." he said as if he was hurt. "You know we go way back-"
"Yes, well time changes much Mysouge." He replied coldly and watched as Kagome incautiously moved behind him. 'Does she think I'll protect her?'
"That it does. That it does." Mysouge answered his eyes now resting on a trying to hide Kagome. "I must admit master did not send me...just wanted to see what the latest attraction was." He took a step forward and
Sesshoumaru's hand went to his hilt. Even if he hadn't wanted to, he had to protect her.
"Be calmed Sesshoumaru. Kagome, now don't be frightened. I would not like to harm you yet. You know you are quite pretty, has anyone ever told you that? Yes with you're bright eyes and almost glowing skin. Yes quite pretty indeed. Ah, see here she blushes. But what of her voice? Is it as great?"
Kagome didn't know what to say. Where your enemies suppose to compliment you, or did she miss something?
"Sesshoumaru is quite lucky to be traveling with such a nice looking companion. And to think, if we had only gotten you first I would be traveling with you. Oh, well no use crying over spilt milk." He sighed.
"I'm not spilt milk and defiantly not a rope to pull back and forth." She blurted. She saw slight surprises pass through hazel insidious eyes.
"That you aren't my pearl." He answered before taking one last look at her. "Well Sesshoumaru, it seems I've satisfied my curiosity although I might have planted more seeds in my mind. I'm sure we'll meet again soon. Be good, my pearl." And he was gone as fast as he had come.
"Who was that?" Kagome asked after Sesshoumaru let go of his hilt. He looked at her for the first time the whole four days they had been together. He raised an eyebrow as she fidgeted under his gaze. Then he turned.
"Right hand of the master of the Mar." He answered.
'Wow he actually answered my question.'
"So, how much longer till we get to this place?" She asked pushing her luck.
"There is a fort of regrouping ran by the Guild. We will be there in two hours." He said shortly.
"Really! You mean I get to sleep in a bed! And eat real food!" She exclaimed.
He shot a glance behind him. "I suppose." He replied indifferently.
"Thank God! I was just saying 'Somethings gotta give' and hey it did! We're stopping early today, and I got complimented by a cute guy. Well at least he had cute eyes-"
"Do you normally get infatuated by an enemy, miko?" He asked his voice still clear of emotion.
"I am appalled." Kagome as she gasped dramatically.
"And no I don't but hey I gotta get compliments were I can get them seeing as you won't give me one."
"That you have right, human." He replied with a slight smirk.
"You know my name is Kagome. If you're going to talk to me then you really should use my name." she told him.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at this, which of course she didn't see. "Then perhaps I should just remain not talking to you." he waited for her answer.
"Well fine. I was doing perfectly fine entertaining myself." It came followed by a small huff. "It really isn't so hard. It's not like I call you youkai." She added
"That would be disrespectful, and stupid on your part." He answered.
"Yeah tell me about it. I wonder if anyone has ever disrespected the great and wonderful Sesshoumaru." She said sarcastically. 'So this is why Inuyasha stays with her so much.'
"Yes. I cut their throats." He replied and new that she was making a ugly face at his back.
"You would." She concluded
000000000000000000000
"That must have been the longest 2 hour walk I ever walked." Kagome declared once Sesshoumaru announced that they were ten minutes away.
"Not what your use to at the miko academy?" He questioned.
"Ha! That place was such a prison. I wish you'll would have taken me in so much sooner." 'So she didn't like it there…That's why she never complains about being at the gates.' Well she did run off that one time.
"I mean," her voice was softer, "No one there liked me. Sango and Miroku were my only friends apart from Shippo."
Sesshoumaru said nothing. It wasn't his business to know why no one liked her. But of course he could take a guess. Her rank was one thing. No one ever mentions that once you're at the top of the pyramid, you're also alone.
"Something's not right." He brought his nose to the sky to smell…fire. He ran leaving Kagome behind.
"Hey!" Kagome protested as he took off. "Warn some one will ya!" She yelled before she too ran.
He stood with Tokijin draw at his opponent Mysouge. The fort that they were suppose to stop at was at the moment burning to ashes. 'And I was gonna sleep in a nice cozy bed…' she thought sadly.
"I apologize for your discomfort, Pearl." She heard Mysouge with a fake sorry voice.
"Then why you'd do it Mysouge?" She threw back sarcastically. In a few seconds he cleared the space between them.
"That's what I do my dear. Run around making trouble for Shessy here."
"Is that all they having you doing now days?" Sesshoumaru growled as he saw Mysouge tense with anger. He eyed the girl realizing that he couldn't get in between her and Mysouge at the moment.
"Yes, well at least I got to hear you use my name, my angel." He padded her face. Kagome backed away.
Kagome motioned to move closer to Sesshoumaru, and was met with Mysouge's sword to her cheek.
'Enough of this!' "Is that any way to treat a lady?" she asked him innocently before an attempt to purify him. He jumped back but the only evidence that she had done any damage was a ripped bandage. 'He's strong…'
"Nice try kitten." he muttered
"Name is Kagome!" She shouted frustrated.
"Step aside Kagome." She heard Sesshoumaru right behind her, she also heard him use her name. She moved.
"Sesshoumaru it was just getting fun." Sesshoumaru growled. He took a step to Sesshoumaru and whispered something that Kagome could not hear. Then he laughed.
"Well I guess till next time Pearl.". And he was off again.
Kagome sat down; she was so use to not going to sleep till the break of dawn, so she wasn't tired. Sesshoumaru stared blankly at the still burning fire. "So…what did he say?" she asked
"Nothing that you should concern yourself with." He replied. Kagome frowned but said nothing.
"Oh, is there a hot spring around here?" He nodded towards a trail the led to somewhere. Kagome gathered her stuff and headed off.
"Man, what wouldn't I give to be home right now? Wait, I don't even have a home." She mused.
"You could." Mysouge stood leaned against a nearby tree. She froze going deeper into the water. 'Why is this guy like everywhere?'
"You could have a lot more than a house-"
'I need to call Sesshoumaru-'
"- you could have a mansion-"
'-so how do I get him here-'
"-billions of jewels-"
'-I know I'll draw blood.'
"-Any thing that you want. You would just have to come with me. I'll treat you like a queen."
"There is only on thing that you fail to give me." She told him with gritted teeth
"What is that, Kagome?" he asked moving closer to her.
"Love." He laughed. Drawing his sword, he placed the tip to her neck. Kagome tried to move and found she couldn't, nor could she purify.
'What did he do to me?'
000000000000000000000000
Sesshoumaru caught the scent of blood.
'She might of just fell' he reasoned
Or she could have been attacked.
'I would look stupid if I go over there and everything is fine'
You'll look stupid if she turns out dead.
'Yes well-' He immediately got up when he caught Mysouge's scent.
"You see what you don't know is, is that the Mar is really the good side." He told her pulling off his mask. Shaggy brown hair draped across his eyes.
"Yeah, right." She fought to keep finding words to hold him off. 'Come on Sesshoumaru.'
"You know I'll be stationed at the gates this morning. You could come with me." He was inch away from her neck when Kagome saw silver race through the sky knocking over Mysouge.
"Sesshoumaru!" He yelled as red bled in his eyes. "Why do you stand in the way?"
"It must be because you might have a slight advantage if you have her." He replied He distantly wondered why the miko was not moving out and away into safety. 'Dumb'
"Yes, well that is why I come and try to bring her back to Master. I'm just supposed to spy on you two. But it would be even better if I would bring her back." He said
"Trying to please the master?" Sesshoumaru taunted.
"Shut up Sesshoumaru! Shut the hell up! I can't wait tell we beat you! Yes, that will be sweet victory. And I'll kill every one that stood by you, instead of me." He shook with fury now.
"Then you'll have to kill me." Kagome proclaimed. She didn't have to be asked twice to know what side she was on.
Sesshoumaru felt his eyes widen, before once again narrowing them. 'Why would she say that?'
"Kagome, my Pearl. I will kill you if I must. You're replaceable. But until that time-" He turned to Sesshoumaru. "Just to make sure that no one touches her."
He slung his hand in Kagome's direction. Kagome didn't even have time to think while she gasped in pain. And not just pain but pain, pain.
Sesshoumaru watched as Mysouge left. He knew he was gone for a good time if he was going to the Gates. Which worried him. 'I hope you know what you're doing Inuyasha.' He turned his eyes to a groaning Kagome.
"Can you move?" He asked simply
"No." she groaned.
"Where are you hurt?" He asked taking a step for.
She eyed him wryly. "My shoulder, but don't look." She blushed.
"You were bleeding?"
"Only to get your attention."
"Do you know what he just did to you?" He questioned knowing that she would probably lose it once she figured out.
"No." He said nothing not ready to tell her, just in case he was wrong.
Kagome sighed as she realized that she could move.
"Um, Sesshoumaru, can you turn around?" She asked shyly. The two had been waiting for sometime for the spell to ware off. She had tried to make conversation but only got one word answers. 'Better than getting nothing.'
Sesshoumaru razed an eyebrow. "Come on I can move now, turn around so I can get dressed." She pleaded. He turned slightly amused over her modesty, and the dark blush that still stained her cheeks.
He listened as he heard her get out of the water, arrange her clothes and get dressed. "Okay I'm done." She answered and he turned to look at her. Her baggie capries hung loosely to her hips, while her pink colored tank-top clung to her form. 'She wares nice clothes...rare now days, even for a miko.'
"Do you know what it is?" She asked walking up to him. He looked seeing that she had pulled her shirt away from her shoulder to revel a plain circle with a M in it. 'I rate him zero for creativity.'
"It's a mark so that no other male will touch you." She took a step closer.
"Like a mate mark?" She asked timidly
"Of the sort. More along the lines of a pre-mate mark." He replied as she once again took a step closer.
"You're joking?"
"No" She was maybe a foot away from him now. Her wet hair blowing in the breeze.
"What am I going to do?" she whispered looking into his eyes for some kind of answer. He said nothing. "You mean I can like never get married, or be with anyone?"
He shifted uncomfortably by discussing such matters with her. "Probably not." She looked so sad he had to give her something. "Unless the one didn't care if you had the mark or not." he told her and she leaned forward.
"You think there is someone like that?" she asked
"Perhaps a human. A youkai, would take it as a great offense to have their mate marked by another." He answered deciding that she was to close and her scent smell was too sweet for him to remain in the same spot.
"Yeah well like a youkai would want to mate me anyway." She laughed half-heartedly. "But I don't want to be stuck to Mysouge all my life."
"Not so happy about the compliments given, now?" he asked as she began to follow him back to the camp. She could have sworn he sounded amused
"Yeah, it always turns bad when the guy forces his mark on me." she replied
"If he dies," Sesshoumaru told when she put down her blanket, "The mark will go away."
"Great. That's like saying 'If you die'. I might as well get use to my future life." She bit out her voice sad. "You know it would be just me this would happen to. Really a hundred years from they'll tell a story." She sat up to face him and imitating an excited storyteller said, "Once upon a time there was a miko. When she was 21-she discovered that she was the protector of the sacred jewel. She then went off on a journey with a great taiyoukai. Somewhere along the way she was marked with a mark from a tricky youkai that binded her to him. She died alone and that's the end."
He almost felt like laughing at the sight. 'What a strange human...'
"Man Inuyasha, Shippo, and Zikoah are going to fly off the handle." She mumbled as she laid down.
"Zikoah?" He had questioned more to himself
"Yeah the one that came to the gates looking for me." She mumbled her face still facing his way though her eyes were closed.
Oh, yes he remembered now. The disgraceful one. As he recalled he had left after his meeting with the girl
"He's had a lot of problems...but I don't think I should have to pay for them anymore. And he did. He did make me pay for them..." Sesshoumaru could see that he was losing her to sleep. "Thanks though...because you used my name and it makes me feel better." and then she was gone, lost in her slumber.
He had not meant to say her name for that reason.
'Kagome.' He decided that it was so hard to call her that. He watched the world wake up every now ant then shooting a glance a Kagome.
(end chapter)
Well well
I think a nice little battle might bring the two closer together ;)
Me is out
