Last Time…
Akemi surprised herself, when thinking in hindsight, that she told April the truth. No details were mentioned, but she felt that perhaps Mrs. Hisakata knew her daughter wouldn't be home for a few days. One may say its mother's intuition or otherwise, but like the Higurashi children having their father's enthusiastic disposition, Enzeru and her mother share an otherworldly sense of perception.
Chapter X: Contemplation
The Previous Night...
After the impromptu meeting with his half-brother's newest follower, Sesshomaru took his time returning to his own. Strolling through the darkened woods, the taiyoukai kept alert, but relaxed. His outstretched senses detected lesser demons on the periphery of the invisible boundary his presence commanded. Nothing held cause for alarm, and all kept well away from the superior predator in passing. Sesshomaru's pace remained steady and even. Youki billowed around the demon as it formed a small mass underfoot. The transition between walking and the cloud was second nature to the Western Lord, almost unnoticeable as he occupied his mind during travel.
Two days previously, Sesshomaru encountered a lone presence in the woods. It was calm, still, and yet out-of-place. Their scent drifting along the breeze didn't go unnoticed. It gently plucked at a nerve of familiarity in the taiyoukai's mind, yet combing through his memory rendered fruitless. That in itself caught his attention, and the Western Lord still found himself mulling it over
.
Sesshomaru's boots gently touched ground just beyond the light of a campfire. He approached in his usual silence and took in what little there was to observe. A two-headed dragon curled up like a sleeping cat near where their master had entered. Had it been anyone else, Ah-Un surely would have awoken long before to protect against intruders. Their saddle and muzzled reins had been removed, polished, and set aside for the night. The lord's retainer and his ward had already retired, as well. Both rested in the enclosure of the base of an old growth tree. Their separation of space had been achieved by occupying individual wedges between the massive roots. No doubt the imp was the one responsible for the arrangement. Not too far from the sleeping inhabitants sat the campfire. It had died low by that point in the night, but still flamed. Bones discarded close to the glowing embers still smelled of roasted rabbit. Citrine eyes surveyed the area as a whole, then rested upon the lone human under their care. Sesshomaru listening to her gentle breathing for a moment before finding his place, opposite of his charges. The taiyoukai watched the dancing of the small flames in the center of his group's small occupancy as he began to muse.
.
To add to an ever-strengthening exterior, Sesshomaru possessed an exceptional intellect. Being a high-born granted many opportunities for education. Even as a child, the present Western Lord saw these prospects as a path to further his life's ambition of supreme conquest. Another tool at his disposal was his resilient memory. Scents and sounds that cross his path would be locked away for future recognition. Formidable adversaries were not completely forgotten by the being who bested them; merely because there were so few, and practically none since he entered his adult years. Boyhood life was also present in the recesses of his mind, however deep they may be repressed. Strong sensory perspectives such as these were common for youkai, exceptionally so to any inu species. Yet, this specimen of taiyoukai, like in all things that could benefit his personal ambitions, sharpened this superior sense of awareness to perfection.
That being acknowledged, it was considered note-worthy when the great Lord Sesshomaru came across a scent that he hadn't encountered since his juvenile years. When the impression of familiarity had been found to belong to a human, the Western Lord became slightly intrigued. A creature of such a short lifespan that couldn't possibly reach back far enough to encompass his childhood. Moreover, the subject herself was certainly of a tender age.
.
A sharply pointed ear twitched toward the sound of a small groan. Golden hues lifted marginally over the remnants of the campfire. Rin had stirred, and turned over with a sigh. Another moment was spent in silent observation to determine that the child was still asleep. Sesshomaru tilted his head skyward, and back into reflection.
.
While citrine eyes captured the embodiment of a human girl, they wouldn't have revealed surprise even if he had felt it. Within the centuries that he occupied, Sesshomaru had seen enough in the world to recognize a glamour. He wasn't fooled by the poorly disguised, but the lord's illegitimate brother accepted it wholeheartedly. The elder sibling caught the better part of the conversation between Inuyasha and the unnamed deceiver. Their pleasant interaction puzzled the taiyoukai.
'Surely, he is aware…'
Sesshomaru decided his moment to intervene. Doing so had inadvertently rescued Inuyasha from whatever scheme the false being tried to play. Before stepping out, the Western Lord dropped all stealth by releasing his hold over his demonic presence. The action struck the hanyou almost instantly, raising his figurative hackles from the intrusion. Sesshomaru took a small touch of enjoyment from his half brother's tension before moving forward. As soon as his boots began to hit the ground, the female's fear began to show. Mortals didn't have the acute senses to notice him from the distance he had begun closing. It had been demonstrated many times from Inuyasha pre-warning his humans of danger, to Rin's genuinely pleasant surprise whenever they reunited.
This stands as a clear sign that she is not mortal, the young lord had inferred. The next step was to find out what she was truly.
When his little brother took a defensive position in front of the newcomer, it validated the earlier display of acquaintanceship between them. This mannerism didn't keep it a secret that Inuyasha had acquired another companion. Sesshomaru spent a couple of moments scrutinizing the slip of a human before him. A similarity had been found between Inuyasha's priestess and the new attainment.
Perhaps, they were even from the same village. He speculated
Her countenance didn't register in Sesshomaru's memory, but demons didn't rely on the visual. Despite the layer of discomfort she felt under his gaze, there was still something recognizable within her scent.
Inuyasha disrupted his older brother's study by foolishly demanding a fight. Sesshomaru took that opportunity to test the new subject's resolve. Any wise creature would choose to protect themselves over maintaining an enchantment. The red-clad hanyou's warning came quick enough, but if Sesshomaru had intended to kill the human, Inuyasha would have been powerless to stop him. The taiyoukai swept clawed digits just close enough to excite the fear in his target, but the result ran contradictory to what was expected. Instead of dropping her human guise for a stronger fight-or-flight response, she hobbled away on mortal limbs. The Western Lord didn't have time to consider this odd behavior while Inuyasha was quick to retaliate.
.
The campfire had died down to almost exclusively embers. Both of the taiyoukai's closest subjects remained asleep. Rin, however, had curled up her small body to shield herself from the cooling night air. It was still early enough in the season for the evenings to threaten a chill upon Sesshomaru's human ward. Citrine hues drifted to Rin's nearby companion, and narrowed. How many nights had Jaken allowed the campfire to sink so low when not in his lord's presence? Sesshomaru didn't bother waking the imp this time, and stood to restore the fire himself. Three logs were gently dropped into place with enough room to allow the flames to breathe. When his lordship sat down again, new heat had already begun to rise. He didn't continue his silent contemplation until Rin's frail form began to relax again.
.
Sesshomaru's mind skipped to the events of earlier that evening. He had not expected to encounter his brother's entourage for some time. While they all had the same end goal of hunting down Naraku, the two groups had always experienced extended periods of time between path crossings. The new female's approach that night had been, in his mind, an admission of her guise. Yet, after their brief meeting, Sesshomaru's straight-forward inquiries were met with complete honesty. No hint of deception assaulted his senses.
He soon remembered her one question for him. "Will you tell me why you are following us?"
The taiyoukai didn't answer the girl at the time simply because there was no answer to give. In hindsight, Sesshomaru realized that he hadn't traveled completely out-of-the-way of his brother's group. It was not intentional, and running into them again would have happened sooner rather than later. He had been out that evening to patrol a perimeter around the area that he settled for the night. It was also personal habit that drove Sesshomaru to take the time for solitude. So earlier in the night, it was she who sought him out. In the end, Sesshomaru had been met with more questions than answers.
Where did he encounter his half-brother's new arrival?
Why didn't she recognize him in return?
What was she?
And most importantly, why has the great Lord Sesshomaru wasted time on this lower creature?
The proud dog demon submitted to resting his eyes for the night, but these questions persistently bubbled in the back of his mind. Dreamless sleep soon followed, yet his usually repressed curiosity remained. Where intellect failed him, Sesshomaru's youkai self diligently combed through sensory experiences. Thoroughly and repeatedly, the earlier age of his life was examined. Far back into the beginning of childhood, the subconscious focused on a presence of one that held the same feeling that resided in the human. Yet still, no clear mental picture could be conjured. The scent remained so strongly in his rested mind that Sesshomaru felt like he was breathing it anew.
Hours had passed before finally there was a breakthrough. In the background of the visually impaired memory, a second apparition made itself known. Just before the dawn, magenta eyelids slid back to reveal refreshed, golden hues. Sesshomaru had found something. Or rather, someone.
Someone he would be able to track.
Someone that he knew very well.
The Present Morning...
A soft, morning breeze danced over the open greenery near the group's selected westbound passage. Its soft whisper shimmered through the plain in shallow waves. Enzeru inhaled deeply through her nose the scent of refreshing early summer as it floated passed her chosen resting place. She had almost completely lost her sense of time as she remained inside her oasis from the grass sea. Previously admired skyscape became shrouded by closed eyelids, and Enzeru began to only focus on the gentle sounds of the natural emptiness around her. It didn't take long, however, for even that sense to falter.
.
The wall in front of Enzeru rippled and flickered, as it had before. The unknown child was crouching once more. "Do you like these flowers?" she called
Enzeru couldn't decide if she was supposed to answer. She felt like an idle witness, but couldn't see anyone else beyond the ethereal barrier. The girl didn't call out again, nor did she move from her huddled position. The swaying surface obscured the Enzeru's view, but she could have sworn the apparition had stopped breathing. Although there wasn't anything for a basis of comparison, Enzeru felt as if time had stopped; like it was waiting for an answer to be given.
Flowers?…I don't see any flowers. Enzeru craned her neck and stood on her toes in attempt to look over the shoulder of the figure ten feet away. She couldn't get the right angle to see anything, and her window's restless surface wasn't very helpful either. Yet, the picture remained paused. Enzeru closed her eyes, and took a minute to put herself into a new perspective.
Perhaps, ...this isn't a 'yes or no' answer? she thought "….I-I can't see them from here. Can you show me?"
As easy as that, time unhooked and life slowly seeped back into the picture. A light giggle resonated from the small girl as she stood. Dainty hands clutched something in front of her torso, but as she turned around Enzeru felt something. It was very slight, but a single thrum pulsed through her body. Enzeru cast her eyes down to her feet, waiting to feel it again. A moment later, the pulse happened again. It didn't hurt or make a sound; closer to a 'bump' of energy. A 'puff,' almost. Upon the third sensation, Enzeru turned her gaze to her left. The gentle pulse rolled over her form enough to gently flip stray curled locks back over her shoulder.
"Do you like these flowers?" the small voice called again, but it was too late. When Enzeru gave her attention back to the girl, the shimmering wall shattered, and the white light of waking stung her vision.
.
Enzeru roused herself with a deep breath of crisp morning air, hazel eyes wide and completely alert. The change of scenery between dream and reality was so abrupt, it took her a few moments to get her breathing under control. Enzeru sat up in an attempt to help set herself right. She continued her deep breathing, slow and steady, as she got her bearings.
Yet, within all her effort, a familiar thrum stuck her body like a tuning fork. The light vibration of energy brought back the still-fresh memory of her dream. Instinctively, Enzeru turned her body to the left. She took one more deep breath, and upon her exhale, the pulse brushed against her again. Just as before, it didn't hurt, nor was it too strong. Enzeru's heartbeat remained steady as the hum gently grazed over her form once more. This wasn't anything like when she had felt a sense of Sesshomaru. Nothing lent to any feeling of danger, and that drew Enzeru's curiosity all the more. She flipped over from sitting up to a crouch, kept her head below the grass, and crept out of her private circle. Enzeru progressed in the direction of the intrusion. The thrums became stronger as she shuffled on. It didn't take more than a minute before the distant sound of footsteps presented itself. Enzeru stopped to listen. Something akin to chain-rattling accompanied the rhythmic crunching of feet in the grass. Slowly, she lifted her head just high enough to bring her eyes above her cover. A person clothed in dark indigo stood as quite a contrast against the lush green and light-colored flowers.
Enzeru almost laughed; partly from the visual, mostly to her own foolishness. She stood gracefully to her full height, and waved down her companion. "Miroku, I'm right here!"
He waved back and kept on his original path. "You didn't make it hard to find you." He commented as he came closer.
Enzeru blushed lightly. It wouldn't take much to follow the brushed down vegetation from her walk off the beaten path.
Miroku wasted no time "The others weren't awake when I left, and I doubt you would have wanted Inuyasha's company." Enzeru's jaw clenched at the sound of his name. The monk sighed, and looked up toward the morning sky as he kept going. "It's such a beautiful morning. No sense in back-tracking this late. I'm sure we could wait for everyone back on the road."
She gave a light nod "Sure. Let me go grab my things."
The parting of the grass from Enzeru's crawl was visible, but more subtle than the path Miroku had followed. As they both walked in silence, Enzeru took a moment for reflection. Not on her recurring dream; enough energy had been wasted on that for some time. The impression that roused Enzeru from her light slumber bubbled to the forefront of her mind. She had been, for lack of a better word, assaulted by unknown forces.
Twice.
Followed by someone's presence nearby.
There was little doubt in Enzeru's mind that there was a connection there. Something she couldn't quite put a finger on. Before she could rein in her tongue, Enzeru's question slipped back to the monk following her.
"Miroku," she hitched her question, but couldn't stop after he acknowledged her with a hum "What's it like to….sense things?" The monk held a look of confusion that was lost against the back of Enzeru's head. Without the need to ask, she clarified. "Auras, energies, pulses. Things that I've heard mention in conversation that past couple days, but I can't make sense of it."
That was a partial lie. Enzeru picked up Kagome mentioning a feeling she gets from a jewel shard, or how Inuyasha would notice a lesser demon passing by. However, the true intent of thevquestion was a little closer to home.
Miroku didn't need to know that, so his answers were only to what was asked. "It's something those attuned with spiritual energy, demonic blood, or special training, as attested by Sango becoming a slayer-"
"No, I mean physically. What happens when you feel something approach?"
Miroku thought it an oddly specific inquiry, but he answered anyway "It's like a beat, throughout the body. Perhaps not rhythmic, but definitely out of ordinary to one's own perception."
"Can it be painful?"
"In my experience, no. But it can have a jarring effect, if the aura is strong or the receiver weak."
That explained Enzeru's palpitating heart the previous night. She was not privy to the sensation of auras, let alone one as imposing as Sesshomaru. It was a wonder to Enzeru that she contained herself so well.
"Why do you want to know this, Enzeru?" Miroku asked
The young woman didn't miss a beat "Like I said, I've heard it mentioned a couple of times, and I didn't know exactly what it meant." she explained, smoothly
The two found the small area of flattened grass where Enzeru spent a better part of her morning. She easily gathered up her stack of art supplies, and they both turned to make their way back the western passage, Miroku now in the lead.
"I may have more questions later on, " Enzeru continued "Not that I plan on meddling. I just don't want to be in the dark on anything."
Miroku's expression turned serious. Hearing Enzeru's desire for transparency turned a knot in his stomach, and reminded him of the mystery surrounding her. A small part of him wanted to say something, but not if it would blind-side Inuyasha's trust. So, he took a deep breath, and relaxed.
"Whatever you want to ask, you may," the monk responded, kindly "Besides, you'll have plenty of time to learn as we travel."
Miroku took only a few strides before he realized only his feet brushed the soft grass. Enzeru had stopped in her tracks, and looked nervous. When Miroku turned around to see it, she gently bit the corner of her lip.
"Ummmm," Enzeru voiced "Yeah, about traveling… There's something Kagome and I forgot to mention."
Needless to say, Inuyasha wasn't too happy when Enzeru's time restraint was brought to light. Both Kagome and her best friend surprised themselves when they realized that neither of them even mentioned they had only given one week to their tutoring trial. It was a small detail at the time; just a message left on Enzeru's home phone. Habits dictate that Mr. Hisakata would be home after any extended absence, and expect to see his daughter for at least couple days before returning to his normal work routine. Even when it involves Kagome and her family, Enzeru always made it back to spend time with her father. To break that bonding routine would almost be suspicious. So, the forgettable moment of leaving the voicemail turned into something that couldn't be ignored.
One look between the two schoolgirls assured each other that it was better to tell Inuyasha the bad news five days in than the morning of their return. Still, his bad attitude was hard to sit through any day of the week.
"One week! Are you serious?" Inuyasha barked, for the third time
Most of Inuyasha's rant was lost on Enzeru. She drowned him out, and didn't respond to the exposed fangs or pointed looks. The enraged demon went back and forth between the time-jumpers, but Kagome gave him more of a fight. On the sidelines stood the rest of the group with their usual, bored expressions. Miroku waited for his chance to jump in and mediate the situation.
"So, is this how it's going to be from now on?" Inuyasha continued "Week-long strolls through the woods then running home? This isn't a pleasure trip, Kagome!"
"Of course, I know that!" the girl defended "But this was what was agreed upon, and there's no changing the plan now."
"That's just it; this wasn't what we agreed. I didn't know after one week Enzeru" - Inuyasha threw an open-handed gesture toward the aforementioned girl - "had to skip on home to Daddy-"
"That's enough," Enzeru spoke up
Her tone was even and low; not necessarily angry, but authoritative. Inuyasha turned his whole form toward Enzeru as Kagome gently bit her lip. The hanyou's rough attitude almost took him a step too far. While it wasn't certain what Enzeru could do about it, Kagome knew her best friend wouldn't tolerate an insult upon her beloved father. Not a snobbish remark nor even an impertinent tone.
"I regret not telling you sooner about my early leave," Enzeru continued "but Father would be expecting me. If I don't show up, he'll more than likely stop by the Higurashi shrine. If he comes at a later hour, they couldn't say I was out with Kagome. How do you figure her family would handle that?"
Inuyasha's expression grew dark. Now, Enzeru walked on thin ice. Whether it was their close friendship, or his canine instincts, even the lightest insinuation of danger toward Kagome was a threat. Her family stood under that same doctrine. Inuyasha took a couple of steps closer, his height cast a shadow over the offending female. Enzeru stood her ground and matched the serious expression of the citrine eyes before her.
"You're more trouble than you're worth." he growled
"Inuyasha!" Kagome and Miroku called in unison; the former with anger, and the latter in shock
Enzeru kept her gaze "I have my reason for being here."
"I don't want you to come back." Inuyasha added
"But I will."
The dog demon cracked his knuckles "Your presence has stressed Kagome, and slows down the group."
When Kagome began to utter the first two syllables of Inuyasha's name her best friend raised a hand to protest. There were things that had to be said between the two, and Enzeru wasn't about to let the subjugation spell stop them.
"I will make long-term plans."
"Like what?"
"We'll see."
"That's not good enough!"
"For now, it will have to be."
Inuyasha wanted very badly to argue with Enzeru. The short, absolute answers she gave him twisted a knot in his chest. He was infuriated, but without equal emotion, like Kagome's, pushing back against him, the fight would be one-sided. Miroku used rationality in a similar tactic to counterbalance the dog demon's temper. He helped come up with solutions to problems with a level-head, and that had a calming effect. Enzeru's serious honesty was something completely unfamiliar.
Enzeru turned her attention to the group behind her subject of opposition "When I return home, I will find a more long-term solution to traveling with you all. But that's still two days away." She turned back toward Inuyasha "Let's do what we can in the time before that bump in the road, shall we?"
And there it was. A small piece of calm sensibility for Inuyasha to grasp. He was still worked up, but slowly be began to defuse.
"There's not much we can do in the hunt for jewel shards in that short of time." Inuyasha snipped "Now that we know we shouldn't travel much farther."
"Well…" Sango finally chimed in "How about we find a decent place to settle, and train?"
That small, logical suggestion helped curb the volatility that had been building within the Inuyasha/Enzeru feud since sunrise.
Morning light drew a seam between the window's half-drawn velvet drapes. It's illuminated path traveled over an elaborate area rug, across a coffee table, then through and beyond a single crystalline goblet that rested on the dark cherry surface. A couple ounces of dark wine settled on the bottom of the glass from hours of neglect. It's owner, for once, didn't bother with a protective coaster. Within the darkened living room, April reclined on the sofa. She partially sat upright with her arm propped to support her head in hand. Sleepless eyes stared at a framed picture she had placed next to the disregarded stemware.
It was a photo of Enzeru, back in the days where she still answered to her English name, Angel. It was taken the summer before she turned fifteen. The likeness had hardly changed within the year's worth of time. In the snapshot, dark brown curls barely brushed Enzeru's collarbone, to which time had currently descended them past her shoulder blades. Every year, the sun kissed her spiraled locks with natural highlighting; a feature that April was sure her daughter should receive again soon. Enzeru was pictured in her favorite white dress, completed with a matching, wide-brim wicker hat, decorated with a large yellow ribbon tied around the dome. While she was fair-skinned, Enzeru had a warm glow that stood out whenever she wore white. Her daughter sat on a red-checkered sheet, which reminded April that the photo was taken during a picnic, though she couldn't remember where. The frozen moment captured Enzeru in a pose of holding her hat to the crown of her head from a gust of wind that had blown by. The two trailing pieces of ribbon on the back of her hat floated loosely in the wake of the breeze. A smile graced Enzeru's lovely face as the snapshot caught her in mid-laughter. If her eyes were open, April would have seen the hazel hues that closely mirrored her own. One of the more endearing features was the fleck of green from Ivan, in the form of a forest-colored flame encircling their daughter's pupils.
April's restless mind continued to churn with thoughts of her daughter, and kept her up all night. The grandfather clock chimed a simple tune and belted its metallic drum eight times. Without a care in the world to the early daylight hour, April finally picked up the wine glass and polished off what little remained of the bottle she started the day before.
A gentle mechanical ring broke the long silence that only the clock regularly interfered. The source was the home telephone, jingling a second time before Mrs. Hisakata could get herself to move. She lifted her head to grab the cordless phone that sat on its charger on the end table. April looked at the caller-ID, transferred the phone to her other hand, and reclined to her previous, head-supporting position.
She pressed the talk button "Yes, Crystal?"
"April, dear! I just got a phone call from the airport to confirm that you've given up your seat on the plane home." Crystal began "Care to tell me why?"
April wanted to roll her eyes. She hoped to have had the time to explain a few things over breakfast. Or at least, call Crystal herself.
Well, you can't help what you can't help, April mentally told herself Just be as straight-forward as it can be allowed. She deeply inhaled through her nose "I've got some family business to take care of."
"And?" Crystal pressed on with mild agitation "What is that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, I might need more time than two days." April paused to rein in her tongue. She didn't want to get snappy with Crystal. "My daughter, and hopefully husband, should come home by then. It'd be nice to have more time to spend with my family."
Miss French cut off her mounting impertinence. Instead, she went on gently "…I just wish you would have called me beforehand. Not that I plan to encroach on your extra vacation time."
April let herself smile "Trust me, Crystal. I would have told you myself but…"
"…Hmm?"
"But I changed my ticket about three o' clock this morning."
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone line. April could almost hear the gears shifting in her friend's head " Are you sure I can't do anything?" Crystal lightly asked
Mrs. Hisakata suggested, just as gently "You can go home. Make sure your superiors begin ordering the new campus equipment."
".. Alright," Miss French conceded "Call me when you can. Promise?"
"I will. I wish you a safe flight."
"Thank you…Goodbye."
Crystal knew for certain that something major was bound to happen. April's most distressing sign of trauma was sleeplessness. A close second would be involving alcohol. If Miss French knew about the bottle and glass on her best friend's coffee table, she may not have kept her plane ticket.
April didn't return the farewell before Crystal ended the call. She disconnected her end of the line, and hung up the phone with a sigh. She knew Miss French had her and her family's best interest at heart. April didn't expect anything less. Crystal, by all means, was never particularly nosey, but her best friend required a certain amount of explanation into private affairs. Akemi Higurashi, she remembered, was significantly less prying. The only thing April could figure was that type of family respect is naturally acquired by those with their own children.
Mrs. Hisakata killed off that line of thinking immediately. She already dwelled enough on it the day before, in the taxi.
It took some effort to rise from the sofa, followed by a quick rush through her head when vertical. April gripped the bridge of her nose in mild frustration. Fatigue was already catching up with her. The wine probably didn't help, either. She began her day by gathering up what remained of the previous night's drinking. Another sigh passed April's lips when she felt the lightness of the bottle. Understandably sluggish, she took her time washing and polishing the wine glass, and rinsing out the bottle before placing it in the glass bin. April decided then to make time to rest later that afternoon.
"But first," she told herself "I have a few chores to finish."
Inuyasha led the group off the westbound passage as soon as he smelled running water. They weren't even a quarter of a mile off the beaten path when they walked directly into a clearing. It was close to the size of the area containing the Bone Eater's well, and certainly ideal for their small party. A mile further inward flowed a decent sized creek straight out of the nearby mountains. Privacy and accessible water became the height of luxury as soon as the group was, once again, on their own. The area also lent more than enough room to rest, train and study.
Enzeru didn't waste any time setting down a blanket under one of the bordering trees. While it may have been begrudgingly, Kagome obliged with a light smile when her best friend called her over for lessons.
"Don't fret, Kagome," her tutor reassured "It's not like you're doing this on your own anymore."
"Yeah, but math class still makes very little sense to me." Kagome lamented
"Well, that's better than no sense at all." Enzeru patted the blanket to her left, offering to share the shade. Kagome accepted it without a word, placing her enormous backpack to her left, just off the edge of the sheet.
"Could we at least warm up with the English translation?" she asked "I've gotten better with that, at least."
Enzeru responded by pulling out her transcript of The Crucible. "You read ahead when we stayed the night at your house, didn't you? Show me where you left off."
Morning drug into early afternoon as time was spent in study. Specifically, the two schoolgirls finished off their work with the entire American play. They both agreed to get that assignment out of the way, but it was grueling to stay on one subject. Even Enzeru felt burnt out on the unyielding regime of schoolwork. A break was called for and very much welcomed by both of them. Their finished translations were neatly placed in a hole-punched folder, clipped in the foreign language section of Enzeru's binder. She then suggested to hold off on the math equations until the next day, an idea that her pupil wholeheartedly agreed. As the two students relaxed into what promised to be a slow day, they began to observe the changes that had happened to the campsite.
Sango had set up a makeshift training yard, complete with scavenged woodland objects as targets, set up using the treeline's branch webbing as obstacles. Enzeru didn't believe Sango's hiraikotsu could make it through some of the maneuvers needed to hit the targets. The slayer surprised her onlooker a few times, and more so after she had warmed up. Miroku had found a place in the sun, on a blanket of his own. It, and the open parasol resting against his shoulder, were modern items borrowed from Kagome. The monk had procured his own ink and brush set, however, and proceeded in the intricate calligraphy for his paper sutras. Enzeru's observations were cut short by the sound of Kagome's voice.
"Enzeru," she began "Have you given any thought to what you wanted to do this summer?"
There was a pause before Kagome received a reply "We've already discussed this half a dozen times. I'm here to keep you from failing school."
"Yes, I know that, but what do you want out of this summer?" she clarified
Enzeru had hoped to have more time before these questions came up. She wanted to try finding a more convincing reason than what she had.
The full truth is the best policy, I guess.
She swallowed thickly "I want to keep traveling." she answered "Even after you've caught up to our class, I want to keep coming back through the well."
Kagome had already suspected as much. Enzeru fought too harshly to just become her tutor. "How do you propose we do that?" she asked "No offense, but you and Inuyasha have made it clear that you two don't get along."
Kagome's concern was valid. It wasn't like they could step over Inuyasha's opinion forever. If there was a hierarchy, he would most definitely have more sway in the group than Enzeru…In truth, he already did. Not that she planned on changing that.
"We can think of something." Enzeru concluded "How about one of our original plans? I could set up myself in Kaede's village."
Kagome's brow furrowed "That's not exactly traveling. Besides, you haven't told me why you want to return."
Enzeru gave a soft sigh of surrender "I can't really explain it, Kagome." she confessed, casting her gaze skyward "There's something about this place. Beyond just natural beauty, or the temptation of the escape from our world. I…" Enzeru turned back to Kagome "I feel like there may be something here for me. Like a sense of purpose."
Kagome could sympathize. She felt that same enticement. She openly reflected on it, and Enzeru saw it in her best friend's eyes. What she couldn't catch was that Kagome thought about someone in particular, rather than just a place in time.
"Hey, Kagome!" Sango's voice rung
Both girls broke from their parallel thinking to see the demon slayer waving them down.
"Kagome, why don't you practice your archery? The branches make for an excellent challenge."
Enzeru turned toward her friend "We are done for the day. I'd love to see your skills as a young priestess."
Kagome lit up at the sound of some exercise, and strapped on her quiver. Chocolate eyes shone with confidence as she stated "I'm a lot better at loosing arrows than memorizing equations. That's for sure."
Enzeru giggled lightly as her best friend jogged toward Sango. Now able to take time to herself, hazel eyes drifted across the clearing once again. She pressed her lips into a thin line; something felt like it was missing. It only took Enzeru another moment to figure out what that was.
"Hey Kagome," Enzeru called as she stood. Her best friend halted halfway to her destination. "What happened to Shippo and Inuyasha?"
Without looking away from his work, Miroku answered "They said something about going swimming."
"Down by the creek?"
As if on cue, the missing duo hopped down from the treetops. The familiar red blur landed gracefully on the ground and stalked into the camp. All those who were already on their feet moved to intercept their companions. Both soaking wet, Inuyasha carried Shippo like a businessman with his briefcase; the fox child dangled by the grip on the back of his shirt. He wiggled and thrashed, yelling directed toward his captor. Enzeru hauled herself from her resting place, but didn't make it in time to find out what Shippo had actually said.
Sango gasped "What on Earth happened?"
"The runt lost his spinning top in the river." Inuyasha explained, passing the shivering boy into Kagome's arms "He tried to go after it, and nearly drowned himself trying."
"The water was colder than I thought." Shippo added. The fox child then looked back at Inuyasha and muttered a soft 'Thank you' for saving him.
This caught his rescuer off-guard, but he recovered quickly. He answered with one of his usual huffs, and turned his back in defense. "Don't mention it, kid."
There was a moment of silence in the camp where only the wind rustled the trees. It was quickly broken, however, when Shippo hollered in frustration. "Ahh! But my spinning top is still missing!"
Inuyasha's ear twitched "I already told you," he ground out through gritted teeth "I'll go look for it."
Enzeru cut in before she could stop herself "I'll go."
All eyes focused on her. Enzeru cleared her throat under the pressure "I can go search for it. Shippo showed me some of his illusions, so I know what to look for." Enzeru took a glance at the child in her friend's arms "Kagome why don't you strip him down, and wrap him in the blanket we were using? Get him out of those wet clothes."
Kagome left to do just that. Inuyasha gently turned Enzeru by the shoulders toward the direction which they entered.
"We didn't stray up or down the stream very far." he told her "Just head straight on through until you hit water."
"You aren't seriously going to let her go by herself." Kagome called to Inuyasha over her shoulder
Enzeru was quick to counter what she figured to be the beginning of a possible squabble "It's fine, Kagome. It's not like I need to be babysat." She answered, as she closed the distance between them
Kagome tried to reinforce "But it might be dangerous-"
"If there was anything around, I doubt Inuyasha would send me off." Enzeru reasoned
He'd better not. Kagome noted to herself as she wrung out Shippo's clothes. Enzeru was just about to leave the camp when her friend's voice stopped her once more. "How about taking your sketchbook?" she asked
"I'll be too busy for that," Enzeru replied "I don't want to chance it getting knocked into the water, or something."
Kagome gave her a nod as she set to wrapping up the half-naked fox child in their blanket. With a quick wave of farewell to Inuyasha and Sango, Enzeru headed out for her walk. After she disappeared into the trees, Inuyasha allowed himself a quick shake to clear his body and clothes of excess water. He then chose his spot in the sun next to the hard-working Miroku to completely dry out. Before Inuyasha settled down, he returned a small, drawstring pouch he'd been given. The monk thanked his companion as he emptied the contents into the covered palm of his cursed hand. Before the half demon could ask, Miroku plainly displayed the use of the gathered river rocks to hold down the corners of the drying sutras.
Dark blue eyes diligently continued to focus on the precise brush strokes. "You truly didn't point her in the direction of danger, did you?"
"Of course not!" Inuyasha drawled "Look, I know it's not a secret that she and I don't get along, but it doesn't mean I'd go out of my way to cause problems."
"Also," the monk added "You wouldn't do that because it wouldn't settle well with Kagome."
"Exactly!"
"After all, Enzeru is her best friend. If anything were to happen to her, Kagome would be put under unneeded emotional strain." Miroku received on reply, so he pressed on "I can see how you might want to avoid that."
Inuyasha sat in silence as Miroku stacked dried sutras and folded them into his sleeve. Dog ears twitched in response to their master's line of thinking. Whatever ran through Inuyasha's head most certainly ended with remembrance of Kagome's painful 'sit' reprimands.
He grimaced "Keh, fine. I'll go watch her, but I'll give her a head start."
Miroku didn't say another word as his sullen friend lied back to sun himself and dry out his damp clothing.
Leather boots touched down gracefully upon smooth stone they hadn't encountered in decades. Sesshomaru's visit hadn't been announced, and it ran the risk of his intended company not being in attendance. It mattered little to him. The Western Lord had informed Jaken before his departure that he may be detained by business. Per the norm, he ignored the imp's thinly veiled displeasure at the prospect of an extended guardianship over his master's ward.
The next step in Sesshomaru's pursuit of knowledge didn't require nearly as much effort as he was willing to put toward this mystery. The simple reason being, why track the movements of a target when you know where they roost?
As the Western Lord climbed the stone steps, the forethought of leaving his followers for a longer period had been for naught. His canine senses picked out the being he was looking for as soon as he began his ascension. The familiar, delicate scent of female lent no feeling of affection for the emotionally fallow inu. At the pinnacle of the mighty staircase, Sesshomaru's met the direct gaze of his objective.
Her voice rung light, and courteous to his ears.
"It's not like you to make an unexpected visit, my son."
Author's Note:
I'd like to extend a thank you to all my faithful readers. A special tip of my hat to KewlkatLove for telling me about my paragraphs. I'll pay closer attention to the transfer between my word processors and Fanfiction. It's a small detail, but the lack of indentation on this site does change the formatting of the chapters. Also, I've noticed places in previous work where I missed a couple places to put a page break. I may go back and edit them in, but for now, I know they are clearly marked as so - [break] or ~[break]~
Hope you enjoyed this chapter,
AF101