Alright! Chapter 9 is done! So, read and review, constructive criticism and no flaming, and enjoy! I command thee!
-Jack Knights
Note: I realized that not many people would be familiar with Japan's (and China's as well), custom of underwear shopping. In an upper-class store, if you are looking for underwear, they essentially 'feel' for the size. This goes for both women and men. So, yeah… that would explain Sesshomaru's anger, (and embarrassment too), in the last chapter. On the bright side, he'll have underwear that will fit him perfectly for the next few years XD
Sesshomaru's eyes were icy cold, yet his aura flamed unrestrained. Kagome felt more afraid of him than the muggers that slowly surrounded them. Several of them drew knives from the inside of their pockets; one of them had a gun. Kagome stood with her back to his, trying to look unafraid. A door she hadn't noticed earlier opened; several men stepped out, grinning madly, drunk on sake. Upon seeing them, their faces paled and they ran back inside.
"Kagome, stay back," Sesshomaru ordered, his voice eerily calm.
"No, I won't leave you," she said. It's time to put some of that old training to work, she thought as she adopted a fighter's stance.
"I can't protect you if you don't obey me," he hissed quietly. "Do as I say; get away from them."
"Hey buddy," said one of burlier men, flipping a knife in his hand. "Gives us all your cash, and maybe we won't ruin that pretty face of yours."
"No promises about your girlfriend though," said a man with a smile, his reedy voice irritating. "She's fair game."
"Disgusting filth," Sesshomaru said quietly. His tone of voice should have warned them, but what was one lone man going to do against a group of armed muggers?
"What did ya say, asshole?!" said another man, his large stomach barely covered by a horribly green sweater. "We're gonna make ya eat those words, right boys?!"
"Yeah!" replied the gang. Several sounded enthusiastic, but most were half-heartened at having to get in a fight.
"Kagome…" Sesshomaru warned. She simply shook her head and focused on the guy in front of her. He was thin, and his face was pockmarked. He came at her, thinking she was easy prey. Grabbing her wrist, he began dragging her away.
"Come on, pretty young thang. We're gonna have us some fun," he said, his Kansai accent thick and unintelligent.
"Let go of me!" Kagome said, kicking her leg up, her knee making contact with his groin. He fell over, doubled in pain as Kagome skipped past him, avoiding another man's attempt to trap her.
Sesshomaru meanwhile was being 'herded' by five men, all of which were heavier and angrier than the next. They came at him simultaneously; one from behind aiming at his legs, another in front of him going for his head. The other three stood back, preparing themselves to beat him when he was down. But they would wait an eternity for that to happen.
Faster than any human, Sesshomaru's arm shot out and grabbed the man behind him by the neck. A surprised 'ack!' was all he had time to say before he found himself lying facedown in the dirty slush. Nest, he slammed his fist into the other man's stomach, following it with a quick jab at his chin. Grabbing the man by his shirt, he threw him on top of the first guy, knocking them both out.
Landing a blow on the next man's nose, Kagome heard the sickening crack of bone breaking and cringed inwardly. While she jabbed him in the side, and swept his legs out from under him, Sesshomaru quickly disabled three other men. Watching him move, Kagome felt herself become enraptured by his fluid movements. He was lightning fast, and each movement flew quickly into the next without hesitation.
She was so spellbound that she hadn't noticed the last man she took out creep up behind her. Only when she felt the cold twinge of metal against her throat did she snap back into reality. She felt his heavy hand grab her around the waist and pull her closer to him. Her eyes went wide and she swallowed, trying to remain calm.
"Now, now, my pretty, no need to get agitated," he hissed in her ear.
"Hey, asshole!" Sesshomaru heard a man call behind him. Narrowing his eyes at the buffoon's insolence, he slowly turned around, clenching his fists. He looked up and swallowed back the retort he had prepared when he saw Kagome with a knife to her neck. He stood stick-straight, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Bet you wish you had protected your girlfriend now, don't you?" he sneered at him, backing up into a corner, dragging Kagome along with him. "You know what, I'm in a generous mood; so, give me all your money and I'll let the pretty lady go."
Somehow, I highly doubt it will be so easy, Sesshomaru thought sarcastically to himself as he wracked his brain for a strategy. Everything he came up with would involve getting Kagome hurt, and although he thought humans expendable, he didn't want to put her through anything more than he already had.
Damn… there's no way out. At least, not without hurting her.
"Well, pretty boy, are you going to give me your money, or are you going to let her die?!" the man continued, sounding more insane by the second. "Don't think I won't do it! She's nothing to me, but could you be so heartless?!"
The man's words echoed in his mind, waking distant memories, something he thought he had buried deep enough to never have to think of it again.
"How could you be so heartless, Sesshomaru?" his father reprimanded. "To kill a human, and one so weak, it is a dishonourable thing to do!"
"Father…" Sesshomaru said, feeling even younger than what he was. "I had enough reason to do so. He tried to exorcize me and—"
"And do you think something so lowly would work against the likes of us?"
"No, but—"
"No excuses! We are demons, Lords of the West! We must not become tyrants and kill without due reasoning!"
His father's voice had risen and Sesshomaru felt stupid and small in front of him. He coward in InuTaisho's wake, feeling his aura rise with his voice. On the verge of tears, he turned around and ran from him. He ran until he couldn't run anymore, becoming lost in the woods. Afraid of what might come for him, but more afraid of his father's rage and disapproval, Sesshomaru climbed hurriedly until the ground was far below.
Several hours later, he could still see no reason as to why his father was right. Sensing InuTaisho's aura drawing nearer, Sesshomaru dropped down and waited for him to come into view. When he did, the two dog demons stood silently in front of one another. Suddenly, his father came forward, standing right in front of him and dropped to his knees, enveloping his son in his arms.
"I am sorry, Sesshomaru. I overreacted and my anger should not have flared toward you like it did. For that, I apologize.
"I-yes, father," Sesshomaru said, unclear of what to say in return.
"I will not, however regret what I said," he continued, placing his hands on his son's shoulders. "What you did was wrong and something only a weak, lesser demon would do. You are no insect, nor a mortal; so, behave accordingly."
"Yes, father."
"I know you do not understand, but you will, in time. I will show you how to become a great ruler, and a better man than I ever was."
"Thank you, father; for forgiving my actions," Sesshomaru said, still feeling uncomfortable. His father smiled and patted him on the head, standing.
"Alright then, let's go back to your mother. She must be very worried about you," he said, turning around. They walked in silence, all the while Sesshomaru wondered if he would ever understand his father's amiability toward humans.
Something's wrong with Sesshomaru. He's gone too quiet and I don't think this guy is going to let go without a fight.
"Sesshomaru…" she said, trying to bring him around. Behind her, the man fidgeted; sweat dripping down the side of his face. She gulped again, and closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on the powers she had as a reincarnated priestess. Feeling the power build in her, Kagome reached a hand up to the knife by her neck and pushed it away, ducking away from the man's clumsy attempt to grab her again.
Concentrating the power within her fists, she reached out and made contact with the man's chest. At the same time, she released the stored energy. The resulting blow was fantastic. The sound alone was tremendous; the pot-bellied man's face contorted with pain as he flew back with enough force to smash through the wall behind him. Bricks fell to the ground in front of her, dust covering the floor.
Oh God, I hope I didn't kill him! She edged closer to the ruins of the wall, and saw the blood first. Going closer, she saw that the man had cracked his head, but was clearly not dead, seeing as he was spewing profanities at her. Well, I don't know if that's a shame or a good thing. She quickly backed out of the room and into the alley before someone inside saw her.
Someone gripped her wrist tightly, and she screamed. Turning around, she punched out wildly, only to have her fist stopped in mid-swing. Sesshomaru looked at her, his face completely devoid of any emotion and his eyes strangely blank. She didn't question him then, instead merely nodding, or when he grabbed her around the waist and took off for the Shrine. Even when he gently let her down, she remained quiet.
Leading him inside, she was surprised to see several suitcases in the hallway. Shit! I completely forgot; Mom, Souta and Grandpa come home today! She quickly stripped her extra clothes, yanking off her boots. Meanwhile Sesshomaru stood in the hallway, strangely passive. Damn, damn, damn! What do I tell them? Do I even bother, or do I—her thoughts were cut off when she heard the door open and close behind her.
Going to the glass window, she could see Sesshomaru standing in front of the God-tree. As the snow began to fall again, he disappeared. Great, now he's disappeared. At least I won't have to explain him to Mom… Going back to the hallway, she put her boots in the closet and walked into the kitchen, bumping into her brother.
"Hey sister! Where have you been?" said the young adolescent, grabbing her in a hug. "When we came home, you were gone. Did you forget we were coming home today?"
"No, I didn't forget, I just went out for a bit," she said hastily. He could see right through her lie, but she didn't comment. Damn, he's getting too smart for me to lie to… and he's not much of a little brother anymore either.
"Uh-huh," he said, rolling his eyes. "Hey mom, she home!"
"Hello Kagome!" her mother called from the kitchen. "Did you miss us?"
"Tons, mom!"
"Come on then, we just started with tea," Souta said, going to the kitchen. "You can make dinner for us, since you haven't got any food prepared."
Kagome followed him back into the kitchen, none the least surprised to see everyone drinking hot tea. Her mother was at the sink, washing plates, plates she had forgotten to wash, while her grandfather sat drinking tea passionately. Souta next to him, and the two began a conversation immediately, heatedly discussing Kagome's lack of responsibility.
"Hey, I'm not that irresponsible!" Kagome said, trying to defend herself.
"Was it difficult being alone, Kagome?" her mother asked, sitting down.
"Not really, it wasn't that boring around here," she said as casually as she could. Things definitely weren't boring with Sesshomaru around. "So, how was skiing?"
"It was won—"
"It was awesome, sis!" Souta interrupted his mother. "You really should have come with us. Even Grandpa had fun, didn't you?"
"I broke my leg trying to use those stupid contraptions," he said, trying to swallow his pride.
"Yeah, but you got to see all the young ladies in the lodge," Souta said, poking at his grandfather's arm. "Lucky bast—"
"Souta…" his mother warned.
"Heh, sorry mom,"
"I was not ogling girls, I was relaxing!" her grandfather shouted. Kagome lost herself in the conversation, not really paying attention to anyone. She offhandedly drank her tea, frequently stealing glances out the window. Where is he? He's been gone for way too long…
"Kagome is something bothering you? You seem very distant," her mother asked worriedly.
"Oh, no mom, everything's fine. Really, it's just… the snow," she said, trying to think up a lie. "We got so much of it and it's going to be a pain to clear away if it keeps up at this rate."
"Yes, but don't worry yourself, Kagome. Souta and I will help you shovel it away."
"Wait what?! I just got back from all that snow! And now I'm going to have to—" he faltered. Kagome and her mother both sent him such bitter stared that he shallow his complaint.
"I think I'm going to bed, OK mom?"
"Alright then, Kagome. Good night, see you in the morning."
"Hey, what about dinner? You said—" again Souta stopped himself, wary of his mother's glares. "Um, sleep tight, sis!"
"Good night Kagome," her grandfather called as she climbed the stairs. She quickly went to her room, closed and locked the door, then opened the window. Leaning on the window sill, she waited. Several minutes passed, and still Sesshomaru didn't show up. After nearly half an hour, Kagome sighed and closed the window. Leaving it unlatched in case he came back during the night, Kagome changed into pyjamas, and dove under the covers.
Sleep came reluctantly to her, but after several hours, she finally gave in and drifted into a dreamless sleep. Somewhere on the border between dreams and reality, a dog howled, and to Kagome, it sounded like the saddest howl in the world.
Why won't you let me go back? I do not belong here, in this strange, demon-less world, Sesshomaru thought unhappily to himself as he stood at the bottom of the well. After so many hours of standing in the well, waiting for something to happen, he grew more and more anxious. Will, I never return to the past, to my empire, to Rin?
Leaving the well, the ran into the surrounding woods, transforming as he went. He howled his frustration and sadness into the midnight sky. He howled for his Rin, for his father and for his now destroyed life. Little did he realize, he howled for his confused heart as well.
Well, Chapter 8 is done. And damn, was it a long one. It was fun and sad, but mostly difficult to write. I couldn't see Sesshomaru properly, what he would be like, during the first three times that I wrote this. I think I got it nailed down, at least somewhat.
Now we get to serious character development and relationship evolvement. Or one would think, right? Am I teasing you, or misleading you? XD I had to leave you with that because there's no cliff hanger this time around. They must be getting lonely, (the cliff hangers), in this story, because I use them all in other stuff XD.
So, review, comment and suggestions. You can ask me stuff as well, and I will try to answer them. I always try to answer your questions, but some of you don't accept PMs, so instead I answer them in this little part of the next chapter. If it's too critical to the storyline, then expected a big fat nothing in response.
So, thanks for reading, and hope you liked it, (I know its a little clichéd),
-Jack Knights
PS: I passed the 1000 views mark on Friday! Thank you everyone for making my story so popular! Let's see if we can't beat the 2000 views in August!
