A/N: Written for dokuga_contest's weekly drabble contest. The prompt for this chapter was 'wall.'
Hope you like it!
Word Count: 349
A version of this drabble was posted on September 9, 2010.
Sacrifice
It was all so tiring sometimes. Inhaling deeply, Sesshoumaru detected that no one was near his room, so for now he was safe. He pushed down the covers on the hospital bed and swung his legs around to the side, letting his feet lightly touch the floor below.
In the blink of an eye, Sesshoumaru was in front of the wall mirror, studying his human form with distaste. It wasn't that he despised humans anymore, it was simply that this wasn't him. After a few moments of this, he let the concealment spell slip.
As cold, golden eyes stared back at him, regrets of the past came bubbling to the surface. He glanced at his prosthetic arm—the only part of him now that still looked human—and sighed. However, he didn't have time to dwell on his thoughts for long, because just then he heard the door creak open. How could he have missed it?
Kagome saw a flash of white before she was staring at the human-looking Sesshoumaru, and violet eyes stared at her before he relaxed slightly. At least it was her that had seen him in his youkai form, and not someone who didn't know who he truly was.
When Kagome saw the relief in his eyes, she understood, but it irked her that he still felt relaxed around her, even after what he'd done.
Sesshoumaru's hand tightened around the inactive jewel as Kagome stared at him for a few moments, and with curiosity she could no longer contain, she let out a sigh.
"How did you lose your arm again, anyway?" Sesshoumaru couldn't help but feel relief that the detachment from the previous night was no longer there, and he gave a careless glance to the prosthetic arm at his side.
"Naraku took it in our final battle." He lifted his chin slightly, his eyes never leaving Kagome's. "It was a small price to pay for his death."
Kagome wasn't sure if he meant in comparison to Inuyasha's death or Naraku's, but either way she was pleased to see the sincerity in his eyes.
End Note: The contest entry was cut down to 300 words, per contest requirements; however, I felt the uncut version explained things a bit better. Perhaps unneccessary (because my contest entry did still make sense), but I like it better this way. ;) Please review!
