Variant
Ears
Miroku stared intently at the rosary around the taller youkai's, or rather, man's neck, tapping at his chin thoughtfully. He narrows his eyes at it, then tentatively reached out to hold a bead between his thumb and forefinger.
Everyone stared at the two with bated breath save for Inuyasha who had found a seat in his usual corner. The hanyou had turned away from the tiny group gathered around his older brother, pretending to have lost interest, but it was impossible to miss the shit eating grin that graced his face. Kagome could sit him all she wanted; nothing was going to wipe the smile off his face.
The silence and the stares were creating a strange, uncomfortable emotion within Sesshomaru. He had begun to perspire a bit, his hands had grown clammy, and his heart was fluttering wildly. He could even feel heat rising in his cheeks and on the tips of his ears. They were all disgusting human sensations and he wanted nothing more than to shred everyone within his vicinity to ribbons. The last time he felt this out of control had been centuries ago and he wanted it to end. Now.
"Well?" He snapped.
Miroku sighed. "I am afraid I can offer little more insight than Kagome-sama," he said.
Inuyasha gave a snort. Kagome glared at him and he shut up, Maybe get sat again wasn't such a fun idea.
Sesshomaru's hands began to twitch. He didn't need his youki to snap the monk's neck, or his brother's, for that matter. Miroku, sensing Sesshomaru's ever darkening mood, quickly moved to stand slightly behind Sango.
Kagome could tell that it was only a matter of time before a fight broke out. "Rin-chan, why don't you go fetch Kaede-sama?" she said cheerfully. "I'm sure she can help Sesshomaru-sama."
Rin, ever eager to help, quickly skipped off to fetch the elder miko.
Inuyasha was trying not to laugh again, but one glance at his older brother and another snort escaped. Before Kagome could yell at him, Sesshomaru was upon the hanyou as if he hadn't lost any of his speed or agility.
"You will hold your tongue if you wish to keep it, little brother," he spoke through clenched teeth.
Inuyasha smirked. "Whaddya gonna do, Sesshomaru? Use Bakusaiga on me or somethin'? Oh wait..."
In an instant, Sesshomaru's hand was around Kagome's throat. Even in his weakened state he was still much stronger than her and she struggling to breathe, grasping at his hand. She could feel the pulse at his wrist, pounding away faster than her own heart beat.
Inuyasha snarled and jumped up to defend her. Sango reached for Hiraikotsu but Miroku stopped her, knowing further aggression would only serve to irritate the western lord more.
Sesshomaru smirked at his brother's reaction and released her.
Kagome gasped and stumbled back. Inuyasha caught her.
For a moment she just stood there, too shaken to say anything, but her fear quickly turned to anger. "What is your problem?!" she nearly screamed. "You can't just go around freaking choking people, Sesshomaru! We're trying to help you! But if that's how you're going to be then maybe we shouldn't!"
She glared at him. He considered her for a moment, his dispassionate mask once more firmly in place, then turned away. Kagome 'harumphed' and sat down next to Inuyasha who turned to her, ears slightly lowered in concern. Sesshomaru nearly scoffed at the sight.
"Rin has brough Kaede-sama!" the young girl announced when she returned. Kagome sighed in relief. Thank god. I thought we were all going to kill each other...
Kaede entered Sango's hut a moment after the girl, taking a seat near the hearth. Sango quickly fetched the priestess some tea, who accepted it gratefully. "I have not seen spiritual power this strong in some time," Kaede spoke between sips of tea. "But it is unmistakably the work of Arikura-sama."
"Who is this witch, miko?" Sesshomaru demanded.
"Arikura-sama is no witch, Sesshomaru-sama," Kaede said. "She is a much revered priestess."
"She will soon join your sister once I have found her," he threatened.
Kaede, instead of appearing affronted, merely smiled. "Arikura-sama has stopped volcanoes from erupting and has made the water of hot springs run cold. There is not much that one such as you could do to harm her."
Oh God, Kagome thought, Sesshomaru really is going to kill us all.
Everyone held their breath, wondering what Sesshomaru would do now.
"She will revoke her curse," Sesshomaru said with finality. "Or I will kill her."
Kaede shook her head. "Arikura-sama does not act without cause. I suggest you look within yourself to find the reason. That may be the only way to undo what has been done... If there is anything to be undone."
Word count: 767
A/N: Arikura no baba is a figure from Japanese mythology. As always, thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts!
